What Helps You?🌻 — A Mental Health Podcast🎙️ Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:42:32 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2539688 en-us © 2026 What Helps You?🌻 — A Mental Health Podcast🎙️ yes Support this Podcast 1914d0bf-cb5e-5850-bd4d-9c3c6352b4b9 Käshavíyah BenIsrael episodic false What Helps You? is a mental health podcast about the beautiful, messy, and human ways we take care of ourselves.


I’m Käshavíyah — and here, we talk about the little things that keep us standing when life gets hard.


Sometimes it’s me, sharing a thought that’s been living in my head — a reflection, a reminder, or a truth I’m still learning. Sometimes it’s a guest sharing their story. And once a month, we open a queer book and reflect on what it teaches us about being alive.


This isn’t therapy — it’s community, reflection, and a reminder that healing starts with small acts of care. Follow me on IG @shavie4ever21 🌻🫶🏾. 


https://www.instagram.com/shavie4ever21?igsh=eWJuZjdteHpicThy

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Käshavíyah BenIsrael https://storage.buzzsprout.com/2fte7w4u5vj2lkp25dsiijh7uyio?.jpg What Helps You?🌻 — A Mental Health Podcast🎙️ The Queer Shelf Book Club E2 | “A Dash of Salt & Pepper” – Pride, Love & Vulnerability 📚 The Queer Shelf Book Club E2 | “A Dash of Salt & Pepper” – Pride, Love & Vulnerability 📚 In this episode of The Queer Shelf Book Club, we’re diving into A Dash of Salt & Pepper by Kosoko Jackson. This story goes beyond romance and into something more layered—exploring identity, pride, vulnerability, and what it means to be truly seen. 

Through Xavier and Logan, we unpack the tension between who we present ourselves to be and who we actually are… and how love has a way of challenging both. This conversation touches on emotional honesty, ego, connection, and the work it takes to choose someone—not just when it’s easy, but when it requires growth.

And yes… I had a few very strong reactions along the way.

Cheers! 

Support the show

]]> In this episode of The Queer Shelf Book Club, we’re diving into A Dash of Salt & Pepper by Kosoko Jackson. This story goes beyond romance and into something more layered—exploring identity, pride, vulnerability, and what it means to be truly seen. 

Through Xavier and Logan, we unpack the tension between who we present ourselves to be and who we actually are… and how love has a way of challenging both. This conversation touches on emotional honesty, ego, connection, and the work it takes to choose someone—not just when it’s easy, but when it requires growth.

And yes… I had a few very strong reactions along the way.

Cheers! 

Support the show

]]> Käshavíyah BenIsrael Buzzsprout-18999427 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:00:00 -0400 5164 9 full true E6 | A Bad Bitch with Principles 🌻 (with Matt Gagnon) E6 | A Bad Bitch with Principles 🌻 (with Matt Gagnon) In this episode of What Helps You?, I sit down with my personal trainer turned close friend, Matt Gagnon, for a conversation that’s equal parts chaotic, philosophical, and unexpectedly profound.

From wild Cinco de Mayo stories to reflections on resilience and losing the only dream you ever had, this episode moves seamlessly between laughter and life lessons.

Matt opens up about growing up as the minority in his school, losing his hockey career to injury, navigating reckless seasons of life, and the mindset shift that ultimately grounded him: appreciation. Together, we unpack what it means to make instantaneous versus situational choices, how character is built through discomfort, and why sometimes getting “punched in the face” is part of the shift that shapes us into who we’re meant to become. 

Buckle Up & Welcome to the Fray!

Support the show

]]> In this episode of What Helps You?, I sit down with my personal trainer turned close friend, Matt Gagnon, for a conversation that’s equal parts chaotic, philosophical, and unexpectedly profound.

From wild Cinco de Mayo stories to reflections on resilience and losing the only dream you ever had, this episode moves seamlessly between laughter and life lessons.

Matt opens up about growing up as the minority in his school, losing his hockey career to injury, navigating reckless seasons of life, and the mindset shift that ultimately grounded him: appreciation. Together, we unpack what it means to make instantaneous versus situational choices, how character is built through discomfort, and why sometimes getting “punched in the face” is part of the shift that shapes us into who we’re meant to become. 

Buckle Up & Welcome to the Fray!

Support the show

]]> Käshavíyah BenIsrael Buzzsprout-18783136 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0500 4777 8 full true E5: 🌻 "The Day Trip - An Hour and a Half from Living" 🎙️ E5: 🌻 "The Day Trip - An Hour and a Half from Living" 🎙️ An hour and a half. A change of scenery. A reminder that my life isn’t on pause.

In this episode, I talk about falling in love with day trips — the kind that don’t require plane tickets, packed itineraries, or big plans. I share how small adventures, good friends, and a little novelty helped me step out of routine and back into living.

If life has been feeling a little stuck, this might be your sign to pick a direction, call a friend, and go touch grass — literally.

Support the show

]]> An hour and a half. A change of scenery. A reminder that my life isn’t on pause.

In this episode, I talk about falling in love with day trips — the kind that don’t require plane tickets, packed itineraries, or big plans. I share how small adventures, good friends, and a little novelty helped me step out of routine and back into living.

If life has been feeling a little stuck, this might be your sign to pick a direction, call a friend, and go touch grass — literally.

Support the show

]]> Käshavíyah BenIsrael Buzzsprout-18601285 Sat, 31 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500 1609 7 full true The Queer Shelf Book Club E1 | "Blessings" - A Novel 📚 The Queer Shelf Book Club E1 | "Blessings" - A Novel 📚 In this Queer Shelf Book Club episode, we discuss Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh — a tender, heartbreaking novel about queer love, survival, and longing in a world that makes softness dangerous.

Through excerpts and reflection, we explore Obiefuna’s journey from boyhood to adulthood, first love and chosen family, and what it means to love openly when safety is never guaranteed.

Blessings asks a simple, devastating question:
Is it better to have loved and lost — or never have loved at all?

Support the show

]]> In this Queer Shelf Book Club episode, we discuss Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh — a tender, heartbreaking novel about queer love, survival, and longing in a world that makes softness dangerous.

Through excerpts and reflection, we explore Obiefuna’s journey from boyhood to adulthood, first love and chosen family, and what it means to love openly when safety is never guaranteed.

Blessings asks a simple, devastating question:
Is it better to have loved and lost — or never have loved at all?

Support the show

]]> Käshavíyah BenIsrael Buzzsprout-18472352 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 20:00:00 -0500 2669 6 full false E4: 🌻 The Cabin Trip — "A Love Letter to Friendship" 🎙️ E4: 🌻 The Cabin Trip — "A Love Letter to Friendship" 🎙️ In this episode, I’m taking you back to the cabin — the spontaneous trip that turned four friends into a family. This is a love letter to the people who steady us, lift us, and make adulthood feel a little less lonely. A story about laughter, belonging, and the kind of friendship that becomes part of your mental health scaffolding. Settle in. This one’s for the people who help you feel like home 🌻.

Support the show

]]> In this episode, I’m taking you back to the cabin — the spontaneous trip that turned four friends into a family. This is a love letter to the people who steady us, lift us, and make adulthood feel a little less lonely. A story about laughter, belonging, and the kind of friendship that becomes part of your mental health scaffolding. Settle in. This one’s for the people who help you feel like home 🌻.

Support the show

]]> Kashavíyah Buzzsprout-18251749 Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:00:00 -0500 2999 5 full true E3: 🌻 “When the Body Feels Like Home: Zach on Safety, Stillness, and Showing Up Whole”🎙️ E3: 🌻 “When the Body Feels Like Home: Zach on Safety, Stillness, and Showing Up Whole”🎙️ A quiet conversation about what it means to feel safe in your own body. Zach shares how yoga became his daily checkpoint—showing up whole, one breath at a time. Follow Zach on IG @thezacharyan

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]]> A quiet conversation about what it means to feel safe in your own body. Zach shares how yoga became his daily checkpoint—showing up whole, one breath at a time. Follow Zach on IG @thezacharyan

Support the show

]]> Kashavíyah Buzzsprout-18128511 Mon, 03 Nov 2025 20:00:00 -0500 2388 4 full false E2: 🌻 — Romanticizing Life "Baths, Letting Go & Calm with Aida"🎙️ E2: 🌻 — Romanticizing Life "Baths, Letting Go & Calm with Aida"🎙️ In this episode, Aida (IG: @aidakhalv) reminds us that healing doesn’t always look like big breakthroughs — sometimes it’s as simple as drawing a bath, lighting a candle, and giving yourself permission to exhale. We talk about the art of romanticizing the everyday, the power of letting go, and what it means to protect your peace when life feels out of control.

This one’s for anyone learning to slow down, soften, and find calm in the ordinary.

Support the show

]]> In this episode, Aida (IG: @aidakhalv) reminds us that healing doesn’t always look like big breakthroughs — sometimes it’s as simple as drawing a bath, lighting a candle, and giving yourself permission to exhale. We talk about the art of romanticizing the everyday, the power of letting go, and what it means to protect your peace when life feels out of control.

This one’s for anyone learning to slow down, soften, and find calm in the ordinary.

Support the show

]]> Kashavíyah Buzzsprout-18031134 Fri, 17 Oct 2025 23:00:00 -0400 1736 3 full false E1: 🌻 Sunflowers – “You Made Me Happy When Skies Were Grey” 🎙️ E1: 🌻 Sunflowers – “You Made Me Happy When Skies Were Grey” 🎙️ Hi everyone — I’m Kashavíyah: a medical student, future psychiatrist, and the host of What Helps You?, a mental health podcast about the small but powerful practices that keep us grounded.

In this first episode, I open up about heartbreak, resilience, and the moment sunflowers taught me that beauty can bloom even in broken places. What started as a simple scene outside a Marine Corps chow hall became a lifelong reminder to keep turning toward the light—no matter how heavy life feels.

My hope is that this story gives you something gentle to carry into your own life—whether it’s one sunflower in a glass or a whole counter full when your spirit needs lifting. Life can still be beautiful even when it isn’t pretty, and you can stay radiant even in rocky soil.

Thank you for being here for the very beginning of What Helps You?.
If this resonates, follow along on Instagram @shavie4ever21 , and if you’d like to be a guest, send me a DM.
We’re building a community where our shared humanity becomes our healing.


Love y’all — and until next time, maybe go get yourself some sunflowers. 🌻

Support the show

]]> Hi everyone — I’m Kashavíyah: a medical student, future psychiatrist, and the host of What Helps You?, a mental health podcast about the small but powerful practices that keep us grounded.

In this first episode, I open up about heartbreak, resilience, and the moment sunflowers taught me that beauty can bloom even in broken places. What started as a simple scene outside a Marine Corps chow hall became a lifelong reminder to keep turning toward the light—no matter how heavy life feels.

My hope is that this story gives you something gentle to carry into your own life—whether it’s one sunflower in a glass or a whole counter full when your spirit needs lifting. Life can still be beautiful even when it isn’t pretty, and you can stay radiant even in rocky soil.

Thank you for being here for the very beginning of What Helps You?.
If this resonates, follow along on Instagram @shavie4ever21 , and if you’d like to be a guest, send me a DM.
We’re building a community where our shared humanity becomes our healing.


Love y’all — and until next time, maybe go get yourself some sunflowers. 🌻

Support the show

]]> Kashavíyah Buzzsprout-17951385 Fri, 03 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0400 1941 2 full false Trailer: 🌻 Sharing Stories, Finding Strength: The Start of What Helps You? 🎙️ Trailer: 🌻 Sharing Stories, Finding Strength: The Start of What Helps You? 🎙️ In this introductory episode of What Helps You?, I share why I created the show and what I hope it becomes. I’m Kashaviyah and I believe mental health is shaped just as much by our everyday practices as it is by therapy.

Here, I’ll talk with real people about the small and big things that keep us grounded—how we found them, how we use them, and how they help. I want this to be an open, judgment-free space where your story matters, because what helps you might help someone else.

New episodes drop every 1–2 weeks. If you’d like to share your story, DM me on IG @shavie4ever21  or email Kahsavyahbuckley@gmail.com 🌻🫶🏾

Support the show

]]> In this introductory episode of What Helps You?, I share why I created the show and what I hope it becomes. I’m Kashaviyah and I believe mental health is shaped just as much by our everyday practices as it is by therapy.

Here, I’ll talk with real people about the small and big things that keep us grounded—how we found them, how we use them, and how they help. I want this to be an open, judgment-free space where your story matters, because what helps you might help someone else.

New episodes drop every 1–2 weeks. If you’d like to share your story, DM me on IG @shavie4ever21  or email Kahsavyahbuckley@gmail.com 🌻🫶🏾

Support the show

]]> KashavĂ­yah Buzzsprout-17920954 Sun, 28 Sep 2025 20:00:00 -0400 245 1 trailer false