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Explore every episode of the podcast Beauty in the Break

Dive into the complete episode list for Beauty in the Break. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
What is Healthy Screen Time? Reclaiming Real Connection12 Aug 202500:39:29

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: 

  • Are we living in The McSmartphone Era?
  • Parenting: when is the right time to give a kid a phone?
  • Are we connecting—or just numbing?
  • What actually makes a phone habit healthy?
  • Why boundaries and intention matter more than just deleting apps
  • Dopamine vs. oxytocin: the chemistry behind phone addiction
  • Transforming your digital habits—without shame

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

Send us Fan Mail

What We Learned in Therapy (That Everyone Should Know)29 Jul 202500:49:29

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: 

  • The parenting mindset shift that changes everything after a mistake
  • What to do instead of chasing “balance” — and why it rarely works
  • A surprising truth about how you judge others (and what it says about you)
  • The communication formula that protects relationships from resentment
  • The healing magic of writing — and the 5-day practice that builds confidence
  • Why trying to “be right” might be making you miserable
  • How to work with your inner child using IFS-style parts work

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

Send us Fan Mail

How to Spot a Gatekeeper (Even If It's You)08 Apr 202500:36:04

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: 

  • What gatekeeping is and where it shows up
  • The surprising place Foster encountered a gatekeeper
  • Cesar’s embarrassing truth of being a gatekeeper to someone else
  • Why being a “Gate Greeter” might be their new favorite thing 
  • The most beautiful gesture Foster received from strangers
  • The invisible ways we gatekeep ourselves


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

Send us Fan Mail

Cesar's Accident: The Scars of Rebirth25 Mar 202500:37:52

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: 

  • The raw truth behind facing trauma and finding unexpected beauty in the pain
  • The challenging question posed to Cesar—and why saying “no thank you” changed everything
  • His mother’s powerful reaction and Foster’s maternal connection to her
  • How breaking the cycle of anger was Cesar’s ultimate act of self-love
  • The hidden power of forgiveness—and how letting go of rage became the key to renewal
  • The surprising role of vulnerability in reclaiming control and peace

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

Send us Fan Mail

Say More! Boomers, Benders and Bare Skin11 Mar 202500:27:03

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: 


  • The surprising reason Cesar used to eat half a cheesecake for dessert
  • Foster’s TSA nightmare: how a can of chickpeas got her stuck at security
  • Navigating generational differences—are Boomers misunderstood?
  • How Foster’s dad was a radical sex-ed advocate in the '70s
  • The ultimate takeaway—why curiosity is more powerful than judgment in relationships


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



Send us Fan Mail

Foster’s Loss: Sunflowers and the Choice to Feel Pain04 Mar 202500:39:51

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:

  • The impossible choice Foster made—and why she doesn’t regret it
  • Why she chose to feel every ounce of pain
  • The unexpected way Foster broke the news before anyone could ask
  • What no one tells you could happen after losing a baby
  • How saying ‘yes’ from the depths of grief transformed her entire future



If you or someone you love is struggling with a miscarriage or loss, here are some healing resources: 

Return to Zero: H.O.P.E
still Birthday

To support some small but mighty organizations doing great work in this field, please consider donating to: 

The Skylar Project
Mattie’s Memory

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:

     
Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley 

Editor: Bessie Fong

Send us Fan Mail

The Beauty of Letting Go: Finding Peace in Uncertainty and Reparenting Ourselves04 Mar 202500:36:55

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: 

  • Why control is an illusion and how it keeps us stuck
  • The unexpected power of Foster’s single ‘Yes’ 
  • How parenting can reveal our deepest control struggles
  • The moment Cesar saw his inner child
  • Why life’s biggest lessons keep coming back until we fully embrace them
  • Why the ability to let go leads to a deeper sense of peace and freedom


Also mentioned:

The Surrender Experiment by Michael A. Singer
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Jeff Buckley’s album Grace

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


Send us Fan Mail

Breaking Open04 Mar 202500:47:48

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: 

  • What it really means to “break open” and how transformation happens
  • Listening to your body’s signals—how Foster knew it was time to leave a 17-year relationship
  • Why fear is a sign of growth (and how to work with it instead of against it)
  • Cesar’s leap of faith: moving to Los Angeles without a plan, and the unexpected lesson he learned
  • Grieving old versions of ourselves while stepping into something new
  • Why Cesar slept in his car (and how a stranger changed everything) 
  • The power of vulnerability—why being open is the key to deep connection
  • And introducing… Words of the Week!


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 

Send us Fan Mail

Trailer07 Feb 202500:01:23

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Finding Your Authentic Voice with Mel Collins15 Jul 202500:48:12

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: 

  • The $1.99 CD that saved Mel’s voice and rewrote her future
  • What two vocal surgeries taught her about healing, humility and reclaiming her voice
  • Why Mel was expected to be someone else—before they even heard her sing
  • The underestimated power of silent recovery and vocal rest
  • Rejecting the label ‘African American’ in favor of something more rooted
  • How artists can stop chasing youth and start owning their power 

Mel Collins:

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

Send us Fan Mail

The Mystery of Life: Death, Spirit Guides & The Beyond (Say More! Vol. 3)01 Jul 202500:36:06

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:

  • How Foster figured out who her spirit guides are—and why it doesn’t matter if it’s “real”
  • Can a psychic tell you who you are? The mystery of mediums, ancestral wisdom, and what lies beyond
  • Cesar drops a wildly unpopular opinion about parenting—and you might secretly agree
  • The "village" Foster dreams of building—and how it could change motherhood in cities
  • The terrifying beauty of growing old: Why we fear aging more than death itself
  • How falling in love sparked a creative renaissance—and birthed a poetry book, a podcast, and a whole new self
  • Why pretending we have it all together is hurting us—and what happens when we admit we don’t

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

Send us Fan Mail

Sobriety is Hot AF: Wisdom from Our Friends (BONUS)24 Jun 202500:22:47

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:

  • How one friend reframed sobriety as “a lazy woman’s spirituality dream”
  • The unexpected thing that makes socializing easier after sobriety
  • Why “getting your brain back” is the ultimate sober gift
  • The surprising reason one friend calls sobriety “disappointing… in a good way”
  • A reminder that the hottest thing on the planet is asking for help

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

Send us Fan Mail

The Secret of Joyful Sobriety: Clarity, Freedom & Feeling Alive17 Jun 202500:44:05

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:

  • Why joyful sobriety is a radical reframe of the narrative around addiction and alcohol
  • Foster's reason for quitting drinking
  • Cesar’s raw, honest account of waking up at the wheel
  • The myth of being “less fun” without alcohol
  • The process that helped Cesar heal from addiction
  • Foster’s revelation about alcohol and creativity
  • Cesar’s take on waking up clear – without having to check for his kidneys
  • The question we should be asking ourselves about the role of alcohol in our lives
  • Special feature: A beautiful chorus of voices from their joyfully sober friends: Chan Kinchla, Kate Anthony, Megan Stewart, Glenn Milley, Eve Sturges, Johanna Brown, and others.

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

Send us Fan Mail

How to Say “I Was Wrong” (And Why It Feels So Damn Good)03 Jun 202500:36:44

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: 

  • Why “I was wrong” might be the most powerful phrase you’re not using enough—and how it actually builds trust
  • A real-life story about how a failed podcast booking turned into a personal breakthrough for Cesar
  • What Foster learned about parenting solo and repairing ruptures with her children in real time
  • How to give yourself the parenting you wished you had as a child 
  • Foster’s career pivots and how letting go of “what could have been” has brought her more joy
  • A forgiveness practice you can do even if the person who hurt you never says they’re sorry
  • The Buddhist metaphor that will reframe your understanding of rigidity and growth forever

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

Send us Fan Mail

Finding Laughter in Life & Death with Jennica Schwartzman20 May 202501:00:18

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:

  • The secret ingredient behind Jennica’s wildly creative life
  • Starting stand-up comedy in your 30s (and what it awakens)
  • Why grieving might be the most adult thing you ever do
  • What Jennica learned from inheriting 38 books on the Assassination of JFK
  • The bittersweet beauty of wearing your father’s clothes
  • How to become “dad” when no one else can
  • How to prepare for a parent’s death (while they’re still alive)

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

Send us Fan Mail

Say More! Vol. 2: Hustle Culture Sucks & Other Dangerously Fun Confessions06 May 202500:31:28

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: 

  • A true story about a deaf man, his pit bull, and a life-saving act you won’t believe
  • Foster’s very first job—and why it only lasted 2 months (hint: bad lighting + poor triceps)
  • Cesar’s epic “I quit” moment after a 5 a.m. beer truck meltdown
  • Why Foster is so glad hustle culture is in the rearview—and what she’s replaced it with
  • Cesar’s high school transformation from gang life to Buddhist robes
  • The interview that shook Foster’s confidence
  • What Cesar would do if he were a woman for a day

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

Send us Fan Mail

The Eating Habits We Didn’t Choose: Healing Relationships with Food22 Apr 202500:44:11

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: 

  • Foster reveals her 22-year struggle with food and eating—and the diagnosis that set her free
  • The shocking truth of what her inner voice sounds like
  • Foster takes us inside the mind of someone with an eating disorder
  • Cesar shares the lasting imprint of childhood hunger including scarcity and shame
  • The foods Cesar gives himself full permission to indulge in
  • The household phrase that still haunts Foster—and how she’s learning to reject diet culture
  • What intuitive eating looks like in real life—and why Foster calls herself a toddler in recovery
  • Cesar’s powerful reminder that eating—and healing—isn’t about rules

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

Send us Fan Mail

Curiosity Over Conflict: How to Heal Relationships with JJ Brake (Revisiting)11 Aug 202600:59:26

In Part 1 of this moving conversation, Cesar and Foster sit down with Foster’s longtime therapist, JJ Brake, to explore what truly makes relationships thrive. JJ is an expert in couples therapy, parent education, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), and shares the three keys to lasting connection. She breaks down how to navigate conflict, communicate courageously, and offers tangible tools for more mindful relationships.

In this episode they explore: 

  • The 3 relationship skills that every couple should know
  • Why context doesn’t matter in conflict and what to focus on instead
  • The power of the U-turn: how to take ownership of your triggers and communicate from the heart
  • Why “I’m sorry” often misses the mark and what real accountability sounds like
  • The surprising emotional truth behind your child’s “tantrums”

To connect with JJ Brake, visit jjbrake.com. Her app Unblend.me is the first platform designed for between-session mental wellness. Try it for free now! 

Also mentioned:

Listen here to Part 2 of our conversation with JJ. 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 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: JJ Brake

This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates

Send us Fan Mail

Take Back Your Life from Social Media with Amelia Hruby04 Aug 202600:54:05

Itching to ditch Instagram? Foster and Cesar sit down with feminist writer, philosopher, and podcaster Amelia Hruby, author of Your Attention is Sacred and host of the Off the Grid podcast, for a conversation about social media addiction, the attention economy, and what it really means to reclaim your life, your creativity, and your authentic self from the algorithms designed to keep you scrolling. From the hidden cost of being a content creator on social media to the radical idea that you don't need Instagram to build a thriving business or creative career, this episode explores intentional living, digital boundaries, and the quiet, sacred power of choosing where you put your attention. If you’re burned out, creatively drained, or quietly resentful of the time you spend on your phone, this one’s for you.

In this episode they explore: 

  • What happens to your sense of self when you spend years trying to please an algorithm? 
  • The one thing no one tells you about quitting social media 
  • Can you actually build a creative business or career without social media?

Amelia Hruby

If this episode spoke to you, you will love What is Healthy Screentime? where we explore reclaiming real connection with ourselves and others. 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 and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Editor: Bessie Fong

Special Guest: Amelia Hruby

This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates

Send us Fan Mail

Do We Actually Suck at Compliments?02 Jun 202600:40:23

Do you struggle with receiving compliments? Foster and Cesar explore the art of giving and receiving compliments. Why do we have such a hard time accepting praise? And what’s the difference between physical and character-based compliments? Together they unpack how authentic affirmation strengthens relationships and how rejecting a compliment is like rejecting a gift. Foster and Cesar also dive into masculine and feminine energy dynamics in how they exchange words of affirmation. They each share their favorite compliments and how to truly make someone’s day. 

In this episode they explore: 

  • Why rejecting a compliment is the same as rejecting the person giving it
  • Why physical compliments are the least interesting thing to give (and why)
  • What happens when you compliment someone on their effort vs. their appearance
  • How masculine and feminine energy shows up differently in giving compliments

If this episode spoke to you, you will love Stop Caring What People Think: The Art of Giving Less Fucks. 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 and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

This episode is brought to you by Jamaal Pittman. You can donate to his scholarship at WheelerScholarship.com, supporting college enrollment.

Send us Fan Mail

Question Everything You've Inherited with Brandon Kyle Goodman26 May 202600:56:28

Who would you be if society never got its hands on you? In this expansive conversation, writer, actor, and host of the hilarious podcast Tell Me Something Messy Brandon Kyle Goodman joins Foster and Cesar to discuss ‘disruptive curiosity’, destigmatizing sex, and choosing to be child-free in a society that expects parenthood. Brandon opens up about their new journey on Lexapro, the healing power of talking openly about sex while working on Big Mouth, and the profound decision to not have children despite years of assuming they would. Brandon is both hilarious and wise, as they break down how to live authentically, build community, and break generational cycles by asking the questions no one else wants you to ask, like… aren’t all sports super gay?? 

In this episode they explore: 

  • Why Brandon tried on heels to discover what was truly theirs vs. what was inherited
  • The moment Brandon realized: "I don't want kids" (and how that broke a generational cycle)
  • The difference between wanting to have kids and wanting to be a parent
  • Why raising a mixed-race child as a gay couple required questions they couldn't answer

Brandon Kyle Goodman

Also mentioned: 

  • Pamela Samuelson’s Sex Ed class for tweens/teens & Take Back The Speculum: EMBODYWORK

If this episode spoke to you, you will love From Homeless to The Oscars: Dedrick Bonner on Resilience. 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 and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Editor: Bessie Fong 

Special Guest: Brandon Kyle Goodman

This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates

Send us Fan Mail

Stop Caring What People Think: The Art of Giving Less Fucks19 May 202600:30:36

Why do we care so much about what other people think? Foster and Cesar explore the art of giving less fucks, as a source of freedom from needing to control how others perceive you. Despite a world steeped in people-pleasing, our biological fear of being ostracized by the tribe no longer serves us in the age of social media and cancel culture. They ask the question: is it possible to incrementally build the muscle of caring less? They reveal how to balance kindness and truth, why you can't control how someone receives your message, and the power of giving less fucks as a soil bed for boldness and creativity.

In this episode they explore: 

  • The real work: not giving a fuck without anger 
  • Why caring what people think is a biological fear that no longer serves us
  • How Foster incrementally desensitized herself to being seen
  • Cesar's "back pocket fucklessness" and when to access it
  • How posting daily on TikTok made the flops stop mattering

If this episode spoke to you, you will love How to Keep Creating When Your Inner Critic Says You’re Worthless. 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 and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

This episode is brought to you by Jamaal Pittman. You can donate to his scholarship at WheelerScholarship.com, supporting college enrollment.

Send us Fan Mail

Inside 19 Years of Couples Therapy: What Dr. Molly Burrets Wishes Everyone Knew12 May 202600:58:27

Advocate for yourself! Clinical psychologist and couples therapist Dr. Molly Burrets discovered a brain tumor after years of doctors dismissing symptoms. This taught her about self-advocacy, meeting herself at rock bottom, and then asking for help. With 19 years of couples therapy experience, Dr. Molly reveals insights on resentment in relationships, the mental load women carry, dating wisdom, and why knowing your worth is the foundation for everything, from advocating in the medical system to building partnerships that actually work.

In this episode they explore: 

  • The exact words to say that make doctors legally required to investigate your concerns
  • How "having it all" was really just "doing it all" with no peace or ease
  • The hidden truth about resentment
  • Why you should never marry someone you wouldn't go into business with
  • What Dr. Molly uses to make the invisible labor visible 
  • The dating advice no one talks about

Dr. Molly Burrets: 

Also mentioned:

If this episode spoke to you, you will love Curiosity Over Conflict: How to Heal Relationships with JJ Brake. 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 and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Special Guest: Dr. Molly Burrets

This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates

Send us Fan Mail

Spill the Strawberries: Foster's Struggle with Carrying Too Much05 May 202600:24:19

Are you feeling burned out and buried under everything you're carrying? Foster opens up about losing herself in her workload, sacrificing personal joy for potential collective success, and how that pattern affected both her relationship with Cesar and her own vibrancy. They discuss the gendered nature of caretaking and burden-carrying and how women especially take on too much. This conversation is for anyone who feels gray inside from carrying too much, has lost touch with what brings them joy, or needs permission to disappoint others for the sake of finding themselves again.

In this episode they explore: 

  • Why Foster disappeared from the vibrancy of her own relationship
  • The waiter metaphor that perfectly explains burnout (and why you can't accept help)
  • How sacrificing current joy for potential future success steals your life
  • The gendered reality of who carries the burden
  • Why "let me know if you need anything" doesn't actually help
  • How to actually help someone who's carrying too much

Also mentioned: 

If this episode spoke to you, you will love Why It’s Never Equal where we explore gender roles and invisible labor. 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 and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

This episode is brought to you by Jamaal Pittman. You can donate to his scholarship at WheelerScholarship.com, supporting college enrollment.

Send us Fan Mail

How to Keep Creating When Your Inner Critic Says You're Worthless28 Apr 202600:45:57

Struggling with creative block or self-doubt as an artist? In this episode, Foster breaks open her creative process behind writing and publishing Afternoon Abundance in just 9 months, from blank page to published book. Cesar explores the double-edged sword of being a creative person and the battle between inspiration and self-doubt. They lay out the three pillars every artist needs: time for nothing (unstructured creative time), "this too is honey" (transforming experiences into art), and the create-reflect-recreate cycle. Taking inspiration from Andrea Gibson and Elizabeth Gilbert, they explore how to overcome creative fear, why discomfort is essential for artistic growth, and the audacity required to keep creating when no one's waiting for you to succeed. This conversation is for anyone struggling with perfectionism, imposter syndrome, waiting for permission, or battling their inner critic while trying to bring something new into the world.

In this episode they explore: 

  • The three pillars every creative person needs (including "time for nothing")
  • What "this too is honey" means for transforming experiences into art
  • The habit that made sitting down to a blank page less terrifying
  • Why no fuck's left to give is actually the secret to unstoppable creativity

Also referenced: 

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 and TikTok

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

Send us Fan Mail

Buy the Change: Conscious Capitalism & Common Cents with Cesar Cardona21 Apr 202600:30:09

Where do you shop instead of Amazon and Target? 

Two words: B Corporations. This episode is for anyone who is tired of corporate greed but doesn’t know what to do about it. Cesar and Foster break down one of the most powerful (and overlooked) forms of everyday activism: conscious spending, ethical shopping and brands to “buy-cott” instead of boycott. They dig into B Corp, an independent auditing organization that scores companies on how they treat their workers, the environment, and their customers.

In this episode they explore: 

  • How to weaponize your wallet in a capitalist society
  • What makes a brand “good”? 
  • What if you can’t afford to buy independent brands?
  • A few good brands to start with

Here are some resources for you! 

If this episode spoke to you, you will love How to Quiet Your Inner Critic where we explore the 4 steps of Growth Mindfulness. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

Take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps. Like really… it does!

Tell us your barrier breaking story. Send an email or voice note to beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com and be sure to follow on Instagram and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

This episode is brought to you by Jamaal Pittman. You can donate to his scholarship at WheelerScholarship.com, supporting college enrollment.

Send us Fan Mail

'Hey, Girl': From Coma to Comeback with James Leo Ryan 14 Apr 202600:37:44

How do you hold onto hope when there seems to be none? James Leo Ryan shares his journey as a caregiver after his husband, actor Rodney To, suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm that nearly took his life. Nearly three years later, Rodney is defying the odds with his signature sass intact. This episode explores the power of caregiving advocacy, learning to show up for people in crisis, the strength hidden within all of us, and why "be your own quiet miracle" became James's guiding philosophy through the darkest and most beautiful moments of their lives.

In this episode they explore: 

  • What it truly means to have hope against all odds
  • The gut-wrenching decision: funeral clothes vs. tracheostomy against medical advice
  • What caregivers actually need (hint: it's not "let me know if you need anything")
  • Why advocacy is not complaining – and how to set boundaries with medical professionals
  • How to truly show up for someone in crisis 

You can follow Rodney’s journey (now at home!) with James on his instagram

Watch the hilarious Rodney To as the vet in Foster’s short film 5 Stages of Grief.

If you would like to contribute to Rodney’s recovery at home, you can donate to their GoFundMe here

If this episode spoke to you, you will love How to Be a Rebel with Dr. Reid Wilson where we explore standing up against systems. 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 and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Special Guest: James Leo Ryan

This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates

Send us Fan Mail

What Happened When We Opened Our Relationship07 Apr 202600:21:36

They’re open! Cesar and Foster ask “what does ethical non-monogamy (ENM) actually look like in a committed relationship?” They open up about their journey into exploring an open relationship structure, challenging traditional ideas about monogamy, possession, and what it means to truly choose your partner every day. From Cesar's past of promiscuity to Foster's demisexual identity, they discuss why they don't believe in owning each other, how exploring outside their relationship actually strengthened their bond, and why keeping sexuality in the shadows can really backfire. This episode tackles body counts without shame, the freedom of non-possession in relationships, and why both partners deserve the space to be fully themselves without judgment.

In this episode they explore: 

  • Foster and Cesar’s shocking body count reveal
  • The philosophy shift: "I don't own you" and what it means for love
  • Why keeping sexuality in shadows versus light changes everything
  • The unexpected way non-monogamy strengthened their bond instead of breaking it
  • Why ethical non-monogamy requires letting go of possession entirely

If this episode spoke to you, you will love So…Sexuality Isn’t Simple where we share our pansexuality and demisexual identities. 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 and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

This episode is brought to you by Jamaal Pittman. You can donate to his scholarship at WheelerScholarship.com, supporting college enrollment.

Send us Fan Mail

From Homeless to the Oscars: Dedrick Bonner on Resilience31 Mar 202600:54:32

How do you overcome adversity and build a successful creative career from nothing? Creative director and vocalist Dedrick Bonner shares his journey from being a Black gay man raised in a Pentecostal church in Alabama to working with Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, and performing at the Oscars with the cast of Sinners. Dedrick opens up about experiencing homelessness during high school, finding resilience in rock bottom moments, and discovering that the most successful people share one common and vital trait. From church rejection to making history as the first-ever musical performance at the SAG Awards, this conversation explores gratitude despite struggle, the beauty found in failure, and why rock bottom is actually a blessing in disguise that clears space for something greater.

In this episode they explore: 

  • The heartbreaking reason Dedrick chose to triple major in college
  • What Beyoncé, Dolly Parton, and Aretha Franklin all have in common
  • How a pastor’s kid from Alabama made history at the SAG Awards
  • The real meaning of resilience
  • How to find the joy in your creative work again
  • Why "self-made" success is a complete myth (according to someone who's seen it all)

Dedrick Bonner:

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 and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Editor: Bessie Fong

Special Guest: Dedrick Bonner

This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates

Send us Fan Mail

What is Healthy Screen Time? Reclaiming Real Connection (Revisiting)28 Jul 202600:38:57

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: 

  • Are we living in The McSmartphone Era?
  • Parenting: when is the right time to give a kid a phone?
  • Are we connecting—or just numbing?
  • What actually makes a phone habit healthy?
  • Why boundaries and intention matter more than just deleting apps
  • Dopamine vs. oxytocin: the chemistry behind phone addiction
  • Transforming your digital habits—without shame

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

Send us Fan Mail

I’m Worried, But I’m Doing It Anyway24 Mar 202600:35:58

What happens when you face your fears and put yourself out there on social media, only to be publicly criticized? Foster and Cesar honestly reflect on their experience going viral, navigating online negativity and learning to handle public vulnerability despite the anxiety. They discuss the biological need for social connection, why divisive content performs better than positive news, and how to protect your peace when internet strangers attack your choices. They share insights on exposure therapy through social media, meeting critics with compassion instead of defensiveness, and why it’s worth it to continue to spread good despite the uphill battle. 

In this episode: 

If this episode spoke to you, you will love The Beauty of Letting Go, where our hosts dive deeper into facing fears. 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 and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

This episode is brought to you by Jamaal Pittman. You can donate to his scholarship at WheelerScholarship.com, supporting college enrollment.

Send us Fan Mail

How to Keep Your Light in Dark Times with Lesley Fera17 Mar 202600:41:19

How do you stay authentic and maintain hope in uncertain times? Actress and writer Lesley Fera (Pretty Little Liars) joins Foster and Cesar to discuss finding play and creativity in adulthood, trusting the universe when life feels chaotic, and how grief transformed her relationship with writing. Lesley shares her journey of peeling back layers to return to her authentic self, the power of surrendering control, and how activism and joy can coexist. 

In this episode they explore: 

  • Why returning to authenticity feels like returning to childhood
  • The grief that pushed Lesley Fera back to writing after drifting away
  • How to maintain hope and light when the world feels bleak
  • Why trusting "the greatest good" changes everything

Lesley Fera: 

If this episode spoke to you, you will love How to Be a Rebel with Dr. Reid Wilson where Foster’s dad shares how he turned his urge to be a troublemaker into a force for good. 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 and TikTok

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

Send us Fan Mail

'Everything Happens for a Reason' & Other Unhelpful Things People Say10 Mar 202600:25:50

Ask Us Anything! Foster and Cesar answer listener questions about working together as romantic partners on a podcast, the worst advice people give during hard times, and the intentional choice of the word "partner" instead of "girlfriend”. They share the pros and cons of creative collaboration in relationships, why the podcast has become their creative "baby," and reveal the well-meaning advice that actually hurts.

In this episode they explore: 

  • The grief advice Foster finds unhelpful (even though she believes it herself)
  • How working together revealed their unexpected strengths as a couple
  • What their podcast has in common with having a baby together
  • How they avoid ego battles while collaborating on creative projects
  • Why relationships are mirrors, not hierarchies (and what that means for advice)

If this episode spoke to you, you will love Say More! Vol. 2: Hustle Culture Sucks & Other Dangerously Fun Confessions. 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 and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

This episode is brought to you by Jamaal Pittman. You can donate to his scholarship at WheelerScholarship.com, supporting college enrollment.

Send us Fan Mail

Breaking Through: When Your Uniqueness Becomes Your Career03 Mar 202600:41:45

How do you build a successful career path by just being yourself? Foster shares her unexpected journey from actor to film director after the death of her son, while Cesar reveals how he built a successful business without spending a dollar on marketing. They explore the paradox of being a female director in Hollywood and why being yourself is your greatest advantage in any career. If you’re pivoting careers, breaking into a new industry, or building from scratch, this conversation talks practical wisdom about leveraging your uniqueness and creating meaningful connections because truthfully...  success comes from being irreplaceable

In this episode they explore: 

  • Why grief became the catalyst for a complete career pivot
  • The Hollywood catch-22: When diversity programs help and hurt at the same time
  • How one person built a 10-year training business without spending a dollar on ads
  • The security guard at NYU who remembered every student's name (and what that teaches us)
  • Why your unique fingerprint on your work is your only real competitive advantage

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 and TikTok

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

Send us Fan Mail

Should You Break Your Own Rules? (And When)24 Feb 202600:26:51

Foster and Cesar sit down for a lighthearted, intimate episode about a surprising parenting breakthrough. Together, they discuss how children actually understand more than we give them credit for, why the question "why?" exhausts parents (and what to do instead), and how treating kids like brilliant humans rather than irrational beings changes the entire dynamic. This episode offers a refreshing perspective on parenting fatigue, the power of contrary actions, and finding those small moments of beauty in the daily grind of raising children. 

In this episode they explore: 

  • What happens when you make yourself the "common enemy" in parenting
  • The real reason parents hate when kids keep asking "why"
  • How one contrary action created an entire day of sibling peace
  • The small answer vs. the big answer: What kids actually want to know
  • Why siblings don't actually have to be best friends (and that's okay)

If this episode spoke to you, you will love Giving Yourself Flowers where we explore the truth about real self-care. 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 and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

This episode is brought to you by Jamaal Pittman. You can donate to his scholarship at Wheelerscholarship.com, supporting college enrollment.

Send us Fan Mail

How to Stop People-Pleasing Without Losing Love17 Feb 202600:49:47

In this episode of Beauty in the Break, Foster and Cesar share their real-time struggles with breaking through personal barriers in relationships and self-awareness. Foster reveals her pattern of people-pleasing and difficulty knowing what she wants, especially in romantic relationships, while Cesar confronts unexpected impatience that's surfaced as he's achieved more success in his speaking and meditation career. Through vulnerable conversation, they explore how women's intuition gets buried beneath societal conditioning, why men struggle when women can't articulate their needs, and how personal growth requires constantly meeting your partner (and yourself) in new versions as you evolve.

In this episode they explore: 

  • Why successful women still struggle to say what they want in relationships
  • Men opening doors for women: patronizing or respectful?
  • The Buddhist story about success that humbled a meditation teacher
  • The difference between releasing your demons and working with them
  • Why growth requires meeting your partner again and again in new versions
  • The iPhone update theory of human transformation

Episodes referenced: 

If this episode spoke to you, you will love Why It’s Never Equal where we explore gender roles and invisible labor. 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 and TikTok

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

Send us Fan Mail

What Happens When You Get Better and They Don't10 Feb 202600:22:24

Today’s episode of Beauty in the Break explores a personal and harrowing story from Cesar’s life, where he recently encountered a past version of himself. Through an intimate storytelling conversation, Cesar reflects on reconnecting with a friend still struggling with addiction, sparking a powerful discussion about survivor’s guilt, transformation, boundaries, compassion, and what it means to move forward without leaving empathy behind. This episode offers honest insight into recovery, self-awareness, emotional responsibility, and navigating relationships after profound personal change.

In this episode they explore:

  • Survivor’s guilt after personal healing and growth
  • When old friendships mirror past versions of ourselves
  • Why healing can feel isolating instead of liberating
  • Boundaries without abandoning compassion
  • Seeing addiction through the lens of compassion and illness

For more stories like this and good companies you can support, sign up for Cesar’s weekly newsletter Insights That Matter

If this episode spoke to you, you will love How to Be a Rebel with Dr. Reid Wilson. 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 and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

This episode is brought to you by Jamaal Pittman. You can donate to his scholarship at Wheelerscholarship.com, supporting college enrollment.

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How Psychedelics Changed Our Lives03 Feb 202600:51:06

In this episode of Beauty and the Break, Foster and Cesar explore psychedelics (in particular psilocybin mushrooms) as tools for healing, consciousness, and perspective shifts, weaving together personal stories, neuroscience, ancient spiritual texts, and modern research. Through storytelling and reflection, they discuss ego death, non-duality, mindfulness, meditation, and the science of psychedelics, revealing how these experiences can expand compassion, soften fear, and help us break through our own barriers. This episode offers an honest, nuanced look at psychedelics, not as an escape, but as a doorway into presence, meaning, and embodied understanding.

In this episode they explore: 

  • The first mushroom experience that changed everything
  • Ego death and why it softens fear
  • Psychedelics and the brain: what science actually shows
  • Mushrooms vs meditation: the “leaf blower” metaphor
  • Seeing the world like a child again
  • ADHD, overwhelm, and embodied knowing

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 and TikTok

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

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A New Chapter for Beauty in the Break27 Jan 202600:09:25

This short Season 2 preview of Beauty in the Break is a gentle reintroduction and a small but intentional shift. Foster and Cesar reflect on what the first year of the podcast made possible, what they’ve learned along the way, and how the show is evolving. This season moves beyond finding beauty in broken moments to also exploring the beauty of breaking barriers, both inside ourselves and out in the world.

Starting Feb 3rd, Beauty in the Break will be a weekly podcast, with new episodes every Tuesday. Expect deeper conversations, more guests, and stories that expand what feels possible, shared with more ease, honesty, and room to breathe. Lots more to come, beloved. Thank you for being here.

You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

If you are enjoying this show, 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 and TikTok.

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

This episode is brought to you by Jamaal Pittman. You can donate to his scholarship at wheelerscholarship.com, supporting college enrollment.

Send us Fan Mail

What We Learned in Therapy That Everyone Should Know (Revisting)20 Jan 202600:51:16

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: 

  • The parenting mindset shift that changes everything after a mistake
  • What to do instead of chasing “balance” — and why it rarely works
  • A surprising truth about how you judge others (and what it says about you)
  • The communication formula that protects relationships from resentment
  • The healing magic of writing — and the 5-day practice that builds confidence
  • Why trying to “be right” might be making you miserable
  • How to work with your inner child using IFS-style parts work

Cesar mentions his accident, which is detailed in Cesar’s Accident: The Scars of Rebirth.

If this episode spoke to you, you may enjoy How to Feel Seen in Love, where therapist JJ Brake leads our hosts in a live couples session. 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 Jamaal Pittman. You can donate to his scholarship at wheelerscholarship.com, supporting college enrollment.

Send us Fan Mail

We Are All Magic (And Crystals Can Prove It) with Ceci Greco21 Jul 202600:57:53

What if the most magical thing in the universe isn't out there somewhere…it's you? Foster and Cesar sit down with Los Angeles-based jewelry designer Ceci Greco for a conversation about crystals, magic, creative entrepreneurship, and what it actually means to excavate your truest self from everything life has layered on top of it. Together they explore what it means to build a creative business on your own terms, stay true to your artistic self, and recognize the rare and irreplaceable thing that was inside you all along. If you've ever wondered whether you can be both the artist and the CEO, both the dreamer and the one who gets things done, this episode was made for you.

In this episode they explore: 

  • Can you build a successful company without being a dick? 
  • Ceci’s peak life experience that made her weep
  • What does the way a crystal forms inside the earth have to do with who you really are? 

Ceci Greco

If this episode spoke to you, you will love Question Everything You’ve Inherited with Brandon Kyle Goodman. 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 and TikTok

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Editor: Bessie Fong 

Special Guest: Ceci Greco

This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates

Send us Fan Mail

Finding Your Authentic Voice with Mel Collins (Revisiting)13 Jan 202600:49:46

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: 

  • The $1.99 CD that saved Mel’s voice and rewrote her future
  • What two vocal surgeries taught her about healing, humility and reclaiming her voice
  • Why Mel was expected to be someone else—before they even heard her sing
  • The underestimated power of silent recovery and vocal rest
  • Rejecting the label ‘African American’ in favor of something more rooted
  • How artists can stop chasing youth and start owning their power 

Mel Collins:

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

This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates

Send us Fan Mail

The Secret of Joyful Sobriety: Clarity, Freedom & Feeling Alive (Revisiting)06 Jan 202600:45:40

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:

  • Why joyful sobriety is a radical reframe of the narrative around addiction and alcohol
  • Foster's reason for quitting drinking
  • Cesar’s raw, honest account of waking up at the wheel
  • The myth of being “less fun” without alcohol
  • The process that helped Cesar heal from addiction
  • Foster’s revelation about alcohol and creativity
  • Cesar’s take on waking up clear without having to check for his kidneys
  • The question we should be asking ourselves about the role of alcohol in our lives
  • Special feature: A beautiful chorus of voices from their joyfully sober friends: Chan Kinchla, Kate Anthony, Megan Stewart, Glenn Milley, Eve Sturges, Johanna Brown, and others.

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

Send us Fan Mail

Choosing Rest in a Restless World: Life Outside Hustle Culture30 Dec 202500:55:56

What if rest isn’t something you earn, but something you need in order to live fully? In this episode of Beauty in the Break, Foster and Cesar explore the radical and often misunderstood practice of rest in a culture addicted to hustle, productivity, and burnout. Through personal stories, cultural critique, and embodied wisdom, they unpack why rest is not laziness, but a necessary act of self-trust, nervous system regulation, and an act of rebellion against systems that reward exhaustion. This conversation is for anyone feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or quietly longing for permission to slow down.

In this episode: 

  • Why hustle culture keeps us exhausted and disconnected
  • How burnout sneaks in through productivity
  • Cesar’s honest and emotional confession
  • Why nature never rushes and neither should we
  • How rest reshapes creativity and clarity
  • Breaking cycles our children inherit

Also mentioned:

If this episode spoke to you, you will love Say More! Vol. 2: Hustle Culture Sucks where we explore more problems of hustle culture. 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

Send us Fan Mail

How to Be a Rebel with Dr. Reid Wilson16 Dec 202500:58:22

Today on Beauty in the Break, Foster and Cesar sit down with Foster’s father, renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Reid Wilson, PhD, an internationally recognized expert on anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and OCD, to explore how he turned his urge to be a troublemaker into a force for good. From adolescent trauma and rebellion to pioneering practical self-help approaches for anxiety, Reid shares how urgency, compassion, and action shaped his unconventional path.

This episode is for anyone who feels called to challenge broken systems, take meaningful action, and create change from the inside out.

In this episode they explore: 

  • What trauma, anxiety, and aggression have in common
  • Why Reid chose disruption over academic approval
  • The hidden cost of being an outlier in mental health
  • Why self-help reaches people therapy can’t
  • How to tap into your own confidence

To connect with Reid, visit www.anxieties.com. Also mentioned:

See Reid in the 70s on Instagram!

Let's connect! beautyinthebreakpod@gmail.com   

Cesar Cardona:

Foster Wilson:

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Send us Fan Mail

The Fear & Magic of Upgrading Your Life (Soup & Stories Pt 2)09 Dec 202500:30:38

In Part 2 of this immersive community conversation, Foster and Cesar invite their guests to explore a new question. From health scares and skyrocketing blood pressure to identity shifts, career crossroad moments, burnout, and creative reinvention, the group dives into candid reflections about mental health, emotional resilience, and spiritual realignment. The result is a powerful meditation on change, surrender, and rediscovering one’s purpose.

Connect with the guests:

Ari Hader

Duane Benjamin 

Jamaal Pittman

Katie Hall

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

Send us Fan Mail

Why We Fight and How We Forgive (Soup & Stories Pt 1)02 Dec 202500:43:44

In Part 1 of Soup & Stories, Foster and Cesar gather a circle of creatives and close friends for an intimate, community-style storytelling session. What unfolds is a raw, emotional exploration of grief, family estrangement, marriage transitions, boundaries, forgiveness, and the complicated dynamics of long-term friendships. These stories weave together themes of emotional healing, self-compassion, and personal growth, anchoring the episode firmly in real-life transformation.

Connect with the guests:

Ari Hader

Duane Benjamin 

Jamaal Pittman

Katie Hall

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

Send us Fan Mail

What Depression Really Feels Like18 Nov 202500:42:16

Vulnerable is beautiful. In this conversation about mental health, depression, and healing, Cesar shares his life-long struggle with clinical depression. He describes how it manifested in childhood, relationships, substance use, and moments of crisis. Together on Beauty in the Break, Foster and Cesar break down what depression actually feels like inside the mind and body, why so many people don’t recognize their symptoms, and how tools like SSRIs, meditation, and Buddhist philosophy helped him move toward clarity and peace.

Foster brings essential insight into postpartum depression (PPD), perinatal mood disorders, and the alarming mental health statistics among birthing people, especially Black and Brown parents who face systemic inequities. Together, they unpack why depression often hides behind confidence and how to speak about suicidal thoughts with compassion. This powerful episode will help you better understand depression whether it lives in you or someone you care about. 

In this episode they explore: 

  • What depression actually feels like from the inside
  • The truth about alcoholism and depression’s chemical grip
  • How SSRIs transformed Cesar’s relationship with his own mind
  • The surprising connection between Buddhism, meditation, and healing
  • The moment Cesar nearly ended his life, and the tattoo that saved him
  • Postpartum depression statistics everyone should know
  • How to best support someone in a depressive episode

If you or someone you know needs support: 

Also mentioned: 

If this episode spoke to you, you will love The Eating Habits We Didn’t Choose where we explore disordered eating and food insecurity. 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

Send us Fan Mail

Our Most Uncomfortable Conversation Yet: Money04 Nov 202500:40:23

What does your relationship with money say about you? In this Beauty in the Break conversation, Foster and Cesar open up about ancestral scarcity, financial anxiety, overspending, and avoidance, revealing how their opposite money styles both clash and connect as they build a life together. We’re not giving our financial advice here, but instead having an honest exploration of healing your relationship with money and learning to see money as energy, emotion, and connection.

Together they explore money trauma, inherited beliefs, and the ways nervous-system triggers shape our money mindset. What happens when one partner hoards while the other avoids? Can we learn to feel safe with money and open to abundance at the same time? This episode invites awareness, compassion, and a gentler path toward money healing, trust, and emotional abundance.

In this episode they explore: 

  • How attachment theory shows up in your relationship with money
  • The truth behind “money can’t buy happiness”
  • How ancestral stories and family history shape money beliefs
  • Learning to trust your partner with money
  • How to find flow between scarcity and abundance
  • Real-life examples of moving from tension to tenderness with money

Also mentioned:

If this episode spoke to you, you will love How to Spot A Gatekeeper where we explore reclaiming authentic power. 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

Send us Fan Mail

Giving Yourself Flowers: The Truth About Real Self-Care21 Oct 202500:39:07

Self-care has become a buzzword, but what does it really mean? In this conversation, Foster and Cesar dismantle the myth that self-care is something you buy, and reveal how it’s something you build from within. From exercise and rest to asking for help and receiving compliments, they explore the small, daily acts that nurture your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Whether you’re a recovering perfectionist, a new parent, or someone trying to slow down in a productivity-obsessed world, this episode invites you to reconnect with what truly matters: listening to your body, honoring your needs, and cultivating inner peace. You’ll walk away inspired to create a self-care practice that’s grounded in love, not obligation.

In this episode they explore: 

  • The hidden link between self-talk, healing, and emotional regulation
  • Why asking for help might be the most radical act of self-love
  • Breaking free from societal values like productivity and perfectionism
  • Learning to receive compliments as a spiritual practice
  • How rest, stillness, and listening to your body change everything
  • Building a community-based, interdependent model of care

Cesar mentions his struggle with “learning how to learn”, which is explored deeper in Episode 2: The Beauty of Letting Go. 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

Send us Fan Mail

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