This week on Thursday Tea with Sami, we’re exploring the hormonal changes of midlife—for both women and men—and the powerful ways these shifts affect our health, emotions, identity, and relationships.

My guest, Adrienne Irizarry, HWH, is an East Asian medicine practitioner specializing in hormonal balance and trauma-informed wellness. Together, we unpack how perimenopause, menopause, and andropause unfold in the body, why these year...

Feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, or like life has been moving just a little too fast?
You’re not alone — and that’s exactly why The Lock-In became one of the biggest wellness trends this year. But here’s the part most people don’t realize: you don’t need to start in September. You can begin your lock-in today.

In this cozy, grounding episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, Dr. Samia Estrada dives deep into the psychology and pra...

We all avoid them… and we all need them. Today we’re unpacking difficult conversations—at work, at home, and in our closest relationships. Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Kailyn Bobb (Inner Peace Psych, Schaumburg, IL) joins Dr. Sami to share compassionate, practical strategies for talking about the tough stuff with more clarity, kindness, and courage.

In this episode:

• Why our brains and bodies treat conflict like a threat (he...

In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, psychologist Samia Estrada sits down with mind–body practitioner Mel Abbott to explore the reality of living with ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and the path to recovery. Mel shares her powerful story of battling chronic illness for over a decade, the importance of acknowledgment in the healing process, and how the mind–body connection plays a vital role in rec...

In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, clinical psychologist and internationally recognized expert Dr. Michael Yapko joins me to demystify hypnosis and share practical, evidence-based ways people can reduce depression and anxiety. We explore what hypnosis really is (hint: focused attention you already know how to do), why skill-building beats “quick fixes,” and how everyday choices—sleep, movement, relationships, ...

The Power of Small Shifts: Embracing Wellness Through Life’s Chaos with Sami-Jo Emsley

In this inspiring episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, host Dr. Samia Estrada sits down with wellness advocate and author Sami-Jo Emsley—a fellow Sami with a powerful story of transformation. After navigating stress, weight gain, and the challenges of parenting a child with autism, Sami-Jo began making small but impactful lifestyle changes that impr...

In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, Dr. Xiaolong Li discusses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and its application in various aspects of life, including anxiety management, parenting, and the importance of focusing on values over achievements. The conversation highlights the differences between ACT and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the challenges faced by young adults in achieving fulfillment, and the significan...

In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, I sit down with Dr. Heather Martarella, a clinical psychologist specializing in sleep and gratitude. We explore what really happens in your brain and body during sleep, how modern life interferes with rest, and the powerful connection between gratitude practices and better sleep. Dr. Martarella shares insights from her clinical work, practical tools you can use tonight, and the science beh...

Episode Description:
In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami: Your Sip of Wellness and Mental Health, we dive into the fascinating world of the gut microbiome—and why the growing buzz around eating 30 different plant foods a week might actually be worth your attention. I’m not here to push a trend but to explore the science with you, helping you understand how your gut influences your brain, your mood, and your overall sense...

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Dr. David Sabgir discusses the transformative power of walking for both physical and mental health. He shares insights from his program, Walk with a Doc, emphasizing the importance of accountability and community in promoting physical activity. The discussion covers the significant health benefits of walking, including its role in reducing heart disease and improving mental well-being...

In this enlightening episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, Dr. Patricia Eaton delves into the multifaceted concept of self-care, emphasizing its critical role in maintaining mental and emotional well-being. Often misunderstood as mere indulgence, self-care encompasses essential practices that support our holistic health—physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.

Dr. Eaton explores:

• The four dimensions of self-care: physical, m...

 In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, clinical psychologist Dr. Micaela Birt discusses the complexities of parenting and emphasizes the importance of self-care, self-compassion, and gratitude in maintaining mental health and overall well-being. Through personal stories and insights grounded in positive psychology, she explores how parenting challenges, parental pressures, and sleep deprivation impact happiness—and why it’s ok...

Episode 2 – What We All Think of as Wellness

In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, we explore what wellness really looks like in real life—not as a perfect routine, but as small, sustainable choices that help us feel better from the inside out.

We’ll talk about everyday ways to support your health through movement, nutrition, sleep, stress management, connection, and mindful consumption—all backed by peer-reviewed research. You’...

Episode 1: Welcome to Thursday Tea with Sami - Let’s Begin the Wellness Journey

In this very first episode, I’m excited to introduce you to Thursday Tea with Sami: Your Sip of Wellness and Mental Health. Join me as I share a bit about my own journey toward wellness, inspired by the lessons I’ve learned from my grandparents and growing up in a multigenerational home. Together, we’ll explore simple, practical ways to live healthier li...