Explore every episode of the podcast Beauty in the Break
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is Healthy Screen Time? Reclaiming Real Connection | 12 Aug 2025 | 00:39:29 | |
Foster and Cesar dive deep into our screen habits, asking the vital question: what does a healthy relationship with your phone actually look like? They share their evolving perspectives on smartphones, screen time, and social media, especially as parents who are navigating the decision of when (and how) to introduce tech to their children. They examine not just the mental health data around screen use, but also the emotional undercurrents: dopamine addiction, numbing, comparison culture, and the aching loneliness that can exist in the age of hyper-connectivity. This is a warm, non-judgmental conversation for anyone wrestling with digital burnout, setting phone boundaries, or seeking alternatives to screen-based connection. Drawing on their own family systems and creative lives, Foster and Cesar unpack screen time as the "new fast food," exploring how to treat smartphones as tools (not lifelines) and how real-life community and mindful connection are the true antidotes to digital overwhelm. A must-listen for anyone exploring digital wellness, conscious social media use, and building meaningful relationships in a tech-saturated world. In this episode they explore:
Also mentioned:
You can also watch the episodes on YouTube! If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps! Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow on Instagram. Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates | |||
| What We Learned in Therapy (That Everyone Should Know) | 29 Jul 2025 | 00:49:29 | |
In this episode of Beauty in the Break, Foster and Cesar bring you 12 unforgettable therapy lessons that reshaped their lives. Drawing from years of individual therapy, couples therapy, Jungian analysis, and parts work, they share tangible wisdom that listeners can apply to their own healing and communication journeys. Whether you’re navigating family dynamics, learning to self-regulate, or trying to let go of old stories, this episode is full of relatable and transformative moments. They also discuss powerful therapeutic tools like Internal Family Systems (IFS), the importance of repair in relationships, and how to show up truthfully without controlling the outcome. If you’re craving real talk about mental health, personal responsibility, emotional intelligence, and how to actually change, this episode is one to bookmark and revisit. In this episode they explore:
Cesar mentions his accident, which is detailed in Cesar’s Accident: The Scars of Rebirth. If this episode spoke to you, you may enjoy The Eating Habits We Didn’t Choose, where we explore the truth of disordered eating and how to heal. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps! Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow on Instagram. Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley | |||
| How to Spot a Gatekeeper (Even If It's You) | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:36:04 | |
Foster and Cesar dive into the topic of gatekeepers—those visible and invisible forces that control access to success, opportunity, healing, and recognition. They explore how gatekeeping shows up in creative industries, media, friendships, and even family dynamics. With vulnerable storytelling, they unpack moments where they’ve felt on the outside looking in and how they've reclaimed power by creating their own doors—or walking away entirely. This episode is a call to self-trust and liberation. Through honest and sometimes embarrassing revelations, Foster and Cesar invite you to consider where you might be waiting for permission instead of granting it to yourself. If you’ve ever felt like someone else held the keys to your next step—this one is for you. In this episode:
Also mentioned: The loss of Foster’s son Wilde, outlined in Episode 3. Community leader and actress Leonora Pitts. The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass If this episode spoke to you, you will love Breaking Open where Foster & Cesar explore transformation through leaps of faith. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps! Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow on Instagram. Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley | |||
| Cesar's Accident: The Scars of Rebirth | 25 Mar 2025 | 00:37:52 | |
In this powerful episode, Cesar bravely recounts the night he was physically assaulted by a group of men—a traumatic event that left him with severe physical injuries and a deep, unshakable imprint on his psyche that changed him forever. He details the harrowing moments of the attack and the grueling recovery process that forced him to confront deep-seated anger, self-loathing, and the loss of his previous identity as a boxer and physical trainer. Throughout the episode, Cesar shares how this life-altering experience, though steeped in pain and vulnerability, ultimately led him to a transformative journey. By choosing to let go of his justified anger and embrace forgiveness and self-love, he not only began healing physically but also embarked on a spiritual rebirth. For anyone facing a rock bottom, this episode may resonate with hope for renewal and inner peace. In this episode:
Foster also mentions the loss of her son Wilde, which is discussed in Episode 3: Foster’s Loss. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps! Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow on Instagram. Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley Editor: Bessie Fong | |||
| Say More! Boomers, Benders and Bare Skin | 11 Mar 2025 | 00:27:03 | |
In this lively episode, Foster and Cesar introduce a soul-bearing conversation game that fast-tracked their emotional intimacy. With thought-provoking and hilarious questions, they reveal unexpected truths, from childhood food obsessions to spontaneous skinny-dipping stories. Along the way, they explore deep themes like healing through food, navigating anxiety, and the generational shifts in values. In this episode, they explore:
Also mentioned: The powerful documentary The Work by Jairus McLeary and Gethin Aldous. If this episode spoke to you, you will love The Beauty of Letting Go where we explore how control is an illusion. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps! Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow on Instagram. Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley Editor: Bessie Fong | |||
| Foster’s Loss: Sunflowers and the Choice to Feel Pain | 04 Mar 2025 | 00:39:51 | |
In this heartfelt episode of Beauty in the Break, Foster shares her deeply personal experience with pregnancy loss and grief. She opens up about her journey through the devastating news, the difficult decisions, and the emotional and physical aftermath. Alongside Cesar, they explore the healing process, looking for light along the way, and the importance of sharing our stories. This episode is a powerful reflection on grief, surrender, and transformation, as well as the unexpected beauty that emerged from the darkest season of Foster’s life. Content disclosure: pregnancy loss / miscarriage / stillbirth / infant loss In this episode:
Return to Zero: H.O.P.E To support some small but mighty organizations doing great work in this field, please consider donating to: The Skylar Project If this episode spoke to you, you may enjoy Episode 1: Breaking Open. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube. We’d love to hear from you—send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow us on Instagram. Cesar Cardona:
Executive Producer: Glenn Milley Editor: Bessie Fong | |||
| The Beauty of Letting Go: Finding Peace in Uncertainty and Reparenting Ourselves | 04 Mar 2025 | 00:36:55 | |
In this deeply reflective episode of Beauty in the Break, Foster and Cesar dive into the challenge of letting go of control and what it truly means to surrender. They explore personal stories of grappling with repetitive thought patterns, from childhood conditioning to parenthood and beyond. Cesar shares his current process of learning how to learn, breaking old patterns of fear and self-doubt, while Foster reflects on the lifelong lesson of surrendering to the unknown—especially through the lens of pregnancy, birth, and parenting. Together, they unpack the voices that shape our inner narratives and discuss how recognizing these voices can lead to greater self-awareness, healing, and grace. Whether you’re navigating relationships, personal growth, or parenting challenges, this episode offers a powerful reminder that true freedom comes from trusting the process. In this episode, we explore:
Connect with us! We want to hear from you. Submit your Word of the Week via email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow us on Instagram. If this episode spoke to you, you will love Episode 1: Breaking Open where we explore taking a leap of faith. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley Editor: Bessie Fong | |||
| Breaking Open | 04 Mar 2025 | 00:47:48 | |
In this debut episode of Beauty in the Break, hosts Foster Wilson and Cesar Cardona invite you into their world, where deep conversations, raw vulnerability, and the beauty of transformation take center stage. They introduce the heart of the podcast—exploring the moments that break us open and how we find light on the other side. Through personal stories, honest reflections, and thoughtful discussion, they dive into the experience of fear, uncertainty, and taking a leap of faith into the unknown. With humor, depth, and a willingness to be truly seen, this episode is both soul-nourishing and deeply relatable. In this episode, they explore:
If this episode resonated with you, check out Episode 2: The Beauty of Letting Go where Foster & Cesar dive deeper into surrendering to uncertainty. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.
If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps! Connect with us! We’d love to hear from you. Send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow us on Instagram @beautyinthebreakpod. Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley | |||
| Trailer | 07 Feb 2025 | 00:01:23 | |
Introducing Beauty in the Break—a podcast about the moments that shatter us and the unexpected beauty that follows. Hosted by public speaker Cesar Cardona and filmmaker & poet Foster Wilson, this show explores the breaking points of life—the loss, the unraveling, the transformation—and the resilience that carries us through. With raw conversations, personal reflections, and stories of healing, Beauty in the Break is a space to sit with life’s fractures and uncover what waits on the other side. Join us every other Tuesday, starting March 4th. Follow Beauty in the Break now so you never miss an episode. Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. | |||
| Finding Your Authentic Voice with Mel Collins | 15 Jul 2025 | 00:48:12 | |
Award-winning jazz vocalist Mel Collins joins Beauty in the Break for a powerful conversation about healing through music, reclaiming identity, and finding joy in your authentic voice. Mel opens up about her journey from musical theater to jazz after years of vocal nodules, depression, and identity loss. When the discovery of one Ella Fitzgerald CD changed everything, Mel rediscovered her joy—and her calling. Mel talks about navigating two vocal surgeries, aging in entertainment, her identity as a Black American, and how jazz became the liberating art form she was always meant to sing. She shares wisdom for artists, singers, and anyone searching for their path: how to know what’s yours, how to honor your voice, and how grace and pride can carry you through breaking moments. In this episode they explore:
If this episode spoke to you, you will love Find Laughter in Life & Death with actress/producer Jennica Schwartzman. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps! Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow on Instagram. Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley Special Guest: Mel Collins | |||
| The Mystery of Life: Death, Spirit Guides & The Beyond (Say More! Vol. 3) | 01 Jul 2025 | 00:36:06 | |
What if your deepest fears about aging weren’t about wrinkles or retirement—but about forgetting your own name, or being forgotten by the people you love? In this soul-stirring episode of Beauty in the Break, Foster and Cesar return with their listener-favorite “Say More” series for a deeply personal, unscripted conversation on spiritual connection, parenting through imperfection, aging, grief, family patterns, and what might live on after death. Through surprise prompts, they explore the aching beauty of the present moment, the possibility of spirit guides and past lives, and the emotional weight of watching loved ones change—or vanish—over time. From Cesar’s longing to understand the unseen world to Foster’s vision of village-style parenting in modern cities, this episode holds space for vulnerability, wonder, and real-time healing. Whether you're navigating big life transitions, contemplating spiritual beliefs, or simply looking for a reminder that you're not alone, this episode offers a poetic invitation to slow down, say more, and reconnect—with yourself, your people, and the mystery of life. In this episode:
If this episode spoke to you, you will love Say More! Vol. 2 where we reject hustle culture and spill some secrets. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps! Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow on Instagram. Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates | |||
| Sobriety is Hot AF: Wisdom from Our Friends (BONUS) | 24 Jun 2025 | 00:22:47 | |
This bonus episode of Beauty in the Break is an extended compilation of wisdom from Foster & Cesar’s joyfully sober friends—real people sharing powerful, funny, and vulnerable reflections on sobriety, addiction, and healing. You’ll hear from Chan Kinchla, Kate Anthony, Megan Stewart, Glenn Milley, Eve Sturges, Johanna Brown, and others. Whether you’re sober curious, reevaluating your relationship with alcohol, or already on the path, this episode offers candid truths and heartfelt encouragement from diverse voices who’ve walked that road. These sobriety stories offer insight, comfort, and inspiration for anyone seeking freedom, clarity, and a more grounded life. In this episode:
If this bonus episode spoke to you, make sure you listen to The Secret of Joyful Sobriety where we explore the surprising joys of getting sober. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps! Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow on Instagram. Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley | |||
| The Secret of Joyful Sobriety: Clarity, Freedom & Feeling Alive | 17 Jun 2025 | 00:44:05 | |
Are you sober curious? What if sobriety wasn’t a loss—but a doorway to something richer, deeper, and more vibrant? In this episode of Beauty in the Break, Foster and Cesar explore the concept of joyful sobriety—a term that flips the narrative from shame and scarcity to celebration and self-connection. Whether you're newly sober or just beginning to explore what it means to be sober curious, they share how choosing to stop drinking (for vastly different reasons) opened up clarity, creativity, spiritual depth, and real emotional presence. From near-misses and cravings to sober parenting and creative breakthroughs, this conversation weaves together lived experience with gentle wisdom. This episode is an invitation into a world where sobriety isn’t about less—it’s about more. More vibrance, more presence, and more of your real self. In this episode:
Mention Beauty in the Break at Burden of Proof in Pasadena, and get 20% off your purchase! If this episode spoke to you, you will love The Eating Habits We Didn’t Choose where Foster unpacks her diagnosis of an eating disorder. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps! Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow on Instagram. Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley Editor: Bessie Fong | |||
| How to Say “I Was Wrong” (And Why It Feels So Damn Good) | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:36:44 | |
In this episode of Beauty in the Break, Cesar and Foster dive into the vulnerable, often uncomfortable act of admitting when we’re wrong—and how that simple phrase can shift everything. They reflect on how our ego, upbringing, and societal norms all shape our relationship to being right, and how choosing honesty over defensiveness can lead to unexpected moments of intimacy, relief, and growth. Through heartfelt personal stories, they offer the idea that saying “I was wrong” can build deeper connections with kids, partners, colleagues, and even ourselves. This episode is a love letter to imperfection and the courage it takes to be real. In this episode they explore:
Cesar mentions Episode 5: Cesar’s Accident. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps! Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow on Instagram. Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley | |||
| Finding Laughter in Life & Death with Jennica Schwartzman | 20 May 2025 | 00:59:20 | |
After losing her father suddenly, actress, producer, and stand-up comic Jennica Schwartzman turned to comedy, storytelling, and creative community as a way to navigate grief and reclaim her identity. She joins Beauty in the Break for a powerful conversation about healing after loss, diving into stand-up comedy, and the ways her ministry upbringing shaped her voice as a storyteller. Jennica also shares how she continues to build inclusive creative spaces while parenting and producing meaningful art. This is what it’s really like to handle the business of death—from managing legal documents and phone calls to emotionally processing a parent’s digital life. What does it mean to become the adult in your family? What do we inherit beyond objects? And how do we feel alive again? If you've ever wondered how to prepare for a parent's death, how to grieve creatively, or what it means to reinvent yourself after life breaks you open—this is the honest conversation you need to hear. In this episode:
Jennica Schwartzman:
If this episode spoke to you, you will love Episode 3: Foster’s Loss where she tells the story of her late-term pregnancy loss and the beauty on the other side. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps! Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow on Instagram. Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley Editor: Bessie Fong Special Guest: Jennica Schwartzman | |||
| Say More! Vol. 2: Hustle Culture Sucks & Other Dangerously Fun Confessions | 06 May 2025 | 00:31:28 | |
Welcome to the most playful episode yet! In Say More! Vol. 2, Foster and Cesar return with their recurring series where they pull unexpected questions from a deck and go wherever the stories lead. What follows is a ride through ice cream scooping traumas, pit bull heroism, skydiving metaphors, teenage gang life, and what happens when you're faced with a really, really bad boss. Amidst the play, they touch on fear, self-expression, and the transformation that comes from choosing a partner who helps you become more yourself. This episode is a reminder that some of the most beautiful breakthroughs happen when you're just having fun and saying more. In this episode:
Foster mentions Leaps of Faith which is in Episode 1: Breaking Open. If this episode spoke to you, you will love the first volume of this game Say More! Boomers, Benders and Bare Skin! You can also watch the episodes on YouTube! If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps. Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow on Instagram. Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates | |||
| The Eating Habits We Didn’t Choose: Healing Relationships with Food | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:44:11 | |
Foster and Cesar bravely share their radically different relationships with disordered eating, trauma, and healing. Foster opens up about living with an undiagnosed eating disorder for 22 years—marked by constant food obsession and internalized body shame—before receiving a diagnosis that finally brought relief and a path forward. Cesar shares his story of childhood hunger and neglect, and how that scarcity shaped his adult relationship with food. Together, they explore how trauma lives in the body and how healing requires listening within. If you’re sitting with a complex relationship to food or your body, whether it’s anorexia, bulimia, body dysmorphia, orthorexia, binge-eating, or a more nuanced disordered eating fed to you by diet culture, this episode is designed to be the first step in your healing process. You are not alone. In this episode:
Also mentioned: Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch Our episode on How to Spot a Gatekeeper! You can also watch the episodes on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps! Reach out to the show—send an email or voice memo to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow on Instagram. Cesar Cardona:
Foster Wilson:
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson Executive Producer: Glenn Milley Editor: Bessie Fong This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates | |||