I’m Fine, It’s Fine

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, comedian Amber Autry opens up about the loss of her father and the profound impact it had on her life. From the raw moments of grief to the unexpected ways it shaped her path forward, Amber shares her journey with honesty, vulnerability, and—of course—humor. This isn't just a story about loss; it's about resilience, healing, and finding your footing when the ground disappears beneath you.Follow your hosts on Instagram for more:🎤 Amber Autry – @amberautrycomedy🧠 Melanie Reese, LMFT – @melaniereeselmft This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, comedian Amber Autry opens up about the loss of her father and the profound impact it had on her life. From the raw moments of grief to the unexpected ways it shaped her path forward, Amber shares her journey with honesty, vulnerability, and—of course—humor. This isn't just a story about loss; it's about resilience, healing, and finding your footing when the ground disappears beneath you.Follow your hosts on Instagram for more:🎤 Amber Autry – @amberautrycomedy🧠 Melanie Reese, LMFT – @melaniereeselmft This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

Some conversations leave you buzzing long after they’re over, and this one with Derrek Phillips is exactly that. Derrek has spent his life behind the drums, from jazz clubs in New York to studio sessions with Mumford & Sons and Little Big Town, and now to creating from his own home studio in Nashville. But what makes this episode special isn’t just the music—it’s Derrek’s honesty about the struggles, lessons, and healing that have shaped him as a husband, father, and artist .He talks about the hustle of taking $25 gigs while raising babies, the hard truth of growing up while trying to grow a marriage, and the deeper work that pulled him through shame and back toward love and authenticity. Derrek doesn’t shy away from the messy parts, and that’s exactly what makes this conversation so full of heart.And if you’ve been following us a while, you’ll recognize the last name: Derrek is the dad of comedian Zavior Phillips, one of our past guests. Hearing how their creative worlds overlap; jokes and rhythms, timing and flow. It all makes this story even richer.This is one of those episodes that feels like sitting with a friend who tells the truth in a way that makes you want to do the same.Follow Us!💌 Subscribe to the pod on Substack: imfineitsfine.substack.com📸 Instagram: @imfineitsfinepodcast🎤 Follow Amber: @amberautrycomedy🧠 Follow Melanie: @traumatherapynashville @melaniereeselmft This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

We loved this episode so much that we are re-releasing it for all of our listeners! You can access 16 episodes and counting just like this one by becoming a paid subscriber! In this deeply honest episode, Amber and Melanie crack open the complicated relationships we have with our moms. From laughing about cough-sneezing in public to exploring how childhood wounds show up in adulthood, this conversation gets real. Melanie shares how therapy and psychedelic experiences helped her shift from resentment to empathy, and Amber reflects on what it means to love your mother fully, even after realizing she’s not perfect.We talk emotional connection (or lack thereof), navigating boundaries with toxic or distant parents, and the grief that comes with letting go of the fantasy mom. Whether you have a strained relationship, an idealized one, or you’re somewhere in between, this episode invites you to look at your own “mom stuff” without shame.If you liked this episode, share it with someone who’s got a complicated mom story too.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to join us on Substack at imfineitsfine.substack.com for bonus content, behind-the-scenes chaos, and more ways to support the show.Follow us on Instagram@imfineitsfinepodcast @amberautrycomedy @traumatherapynashville This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

Lee Kimbrell is back, and he’s glowing. Not with sweat, but with impending fatherhood panic, marital bliss, and just the right amount of self-aware spiraling. In this episode, we talk about what it means to shift from main character energy to background dad vibes, how childhood friend wounds show up in green rooms, and why being a chill guy isn’t always chill on the inside.Lee shares stories about meeting his now-wife on the open mic circuit, navigating male friendships, watching her hips literally move to make room for their daughter (hi Frankie!), and questioning how comedy fits into this next chapter. It’s sweet, funny, a little existential, and filled with the kind of grounded energy that makes you want to be a better person or at least finally call your mom back.If you’ve ever worried about who you’ll be on the other side of a big life change, or if you just love a good love story with jokes, this one’s for you.Follow Us!💌 Subscribe to the pod on Substack: imfineitsfine.substack.com📸 Instagram: @imfineitsfinepodcast🎤 Follow Amber: @amberautrycomedy🧠 Follow Melanie: @traumatherapynashville @melaniereeselmft This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Amber and Melanie dig into the emotional dynamics of relationships, especially when one partner (usually a man) seems emotionally avoidant—or at least a little too chill for comfort. They explore how culture, family systems, gender norms, and trauma responses shape how we show up (or shut down) in relationships. With plenty of laughs, real-life stories, and therapist-backed insights, they ask: What actually creates emotional safety? Why is silence so damn triggering? And can couples truly connect if one person refuses to get reflective? Spoiler: therapy might be involved.Whether you’re the “fixer” who wants your partner in therapy yesterday or the one trying to explain that you’re “just fine,” this episode’s for you.Follow us:@amberautrycomedy | @traumatherapynashville | @imfineitsfinepodcastPromo:Use code IFIF for 40% off at cozyearth.com. Your loungewear should feel like a treat you get to wear after your beauty routine. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

In this vulnerable and funny episode, Amber dives into the mess of beauty standards, insecurity, and being in the public eye. From teen wounds and goofy photos to nose bumps and laser hair removal, she gets real about the need to feel beautiful. and how complicated that can be.Melanie brings her trauma therapist wisdom to the table, exploring inner-child work, body image, and how to define beauty on your own terms.Topics Include:* Why compliments don’t always land* Objectification vs. affirmation* Chronic illness and body changes* Plastic surgery, boundaries, and why it’s never “just a bump”* The role of intention in self-image decisionsFollow us:@amberautrycomedy | @traumatherapynashville | @imfineitsfinepodcastPromo:Use code IFIF for 40% off at cozyearth.com. Your loungewear should feel like a treat you get to wear after your beauty routine. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we sit down with Shannon Ford Middleton, comedian, influencer, and soon-to-be mom, for a funny and brutally honest conversation about what it means to be seen. We talk about the emotional toll of online hate, navigating snark forums, the identity crisis of being “too much,” and why stand-up comedy feels more vulnerable than anything else. Shannon opens up about bombing in front of friends, and how pregnancy changed the way she speaks to herself. This one is hilarious, real, and deeply affirming for anyone learning to take up space.We’re big fans of sleeping well and not losing our minds, so we’re partnering with Cozy Earth, our go-to for insanely soft loungewear and bedding. Try them risk-free for 100 nights and get 40% off with our code IFIF at CozyEarth.com. Studio pants, we see you.Follow us on Instagram at @imfineitsfinepodcast,Amber at @amberautrycomedy,and Melanie at @traumatherapynashville.Join the conversation and get future episodes sent straight to your inbox:imfineitsfine.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we’re joined by the wildly funny and refreshingly grounded Heather Shaw, and we honestly didn’t stop laughing. From her plans for escaping Kentucky after finding love, to what it’s like headlining road gigs surrounded by 60-year-old retirees in Naples, Heather shares how she built a successful comedy career without the classic trauma origin story. She talks ADHD, getting sober in Austin (no small feat), resisting anxiety culture, and living life with zero pressure and maximum rest.If you’ve ever felt like comedy only belongs to the broken and bruised, this episode is your permission slip to just be funny and whole. It’s smart, unhinged, and a little too honest, just how we like it.SPONSOR DETAILSTreat yourself or the dad in your life to something actually cozy this Father’s Day with Cozy Earth—luxury bamboo sheets, loungewear, and more!Use code IFIF for 40% off all men’s apparel at CozyEarth.com (Yes, 40%. You’re welcome.) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

Amber and Melanie dive deep into the underrated magic of boredom. The two of them, no guests, no snacks, and apparently no dopamine. They talk about how the pressure to constantly produce and perform robs us of the stillness needed for true creativity. From setting boundaries as entrepreneurs to unlearning toxic hustle culture, they explore what it means to rest on purpose, reclaim quiet moments, and stop mistaking productivity for worth. Expect honest laughs, a few existential wake-up calls, and maybe even a coloring book recommendation. Take a breath, put your phone down, and let your brain get bored, it might just be the most productive thing you do today.I'm Fine It’s Fine Podcast is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. https://imfineitsfine.substack.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

Comedian Alex Kumin joins us for a raw, funny, and deeply honest conversation about trauma, healing, and the comedy world. Alex talks about navigating stand-up as a woman, teaching at Chicago’s Lincoln Lodge, and what it was like to work in sexual violence prevention before comedy. We go deep into how sexual trauma shaped her early life and relationships, how she uses therapy and psychedelics for healing, and the very real struggle of trying to make dark material work on stage. This episode covers heavy topics like childhood sexual trauma, so please take care and listen when you’re ready. We also laugh (a lot) about bad sex-ed, weird comedy audiences, and the eternal quest for good nail art.Check out Alex’s podcast Into the Mud and follow her at @alex.kumin. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of I’m Fine, It’s Fine, hosts Amber and Melanie sit down with musician Molly Grace for a conversation full of laughter, honesty, and sneak peeks into her rising career. Molly shares how her Bonnaroo performance led to a major pinch-me moment, the process of creating her first full-length album, and the emotional journey behind some of her most personal songs. They dive into attachment styles, the highs and lows of being a full-time artist, navigating social media pressure, and why therapy is on Molly’s radar for the first time. Plus, Molly treats us to an exclusive sneak preview of a new song from her upcoming album. It’s a funny, heartfelt, and inspiring chat you won’t want to miss! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

Artist Madeline Kiel joins us to share the winding road that led her back to art after quitting at 13 due to bullying. From missionary work in China to living in public housing and working with addicts, Madeline’s story is anything but linear.We talk about her shift from music to visual art, the visions of Black, Native, and Mexican cowboys that wouldn’t leave her alone, and how a viral portrait of Snoop launched her unexpected art career.She opens up about being misunderstood online, wrestling with who gets to tell what stories, and how letting go of outcome is where the magic happens.Plus, she’s heading to Italy for her first formal art training—and maybe a little Italian love. 💚🤍❤️ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

Hello friends,First off, thank you. Each of you reading this. Whether you’ve been with I’m Fine, It’s Fine from the start or just joined our community, it means the world to us. Over the past three years, we’ve poured our hearts into this podcast, and knowing that you are on the other end listening, laughing, and maybe even tearing up along with us is what keeps us going. We feel so lucky to have built this little corner of honesty and support with you.We wanted to share something important with you, as friends. Right now, I’m Fine, It’s Fine only has enough paid subscribers to cover the cost of recording about one episode a month in the studio. Every other expense — booking guests for additional episodes, marketing the show, creating those fun social media clips, and all the hours our small team puts in behind the scenes, has been paid out of our own pocket. In fact, we’ve been doing that for the past three years, and none of us on the team have ever taken a paycheck for our work on the podcast. We do it because we truly love this show and believe in its message.We’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve had so far. Your enthusiasm has allowed us to come this far, and we cannot thank you enough. That said, we’re reaching a point where, without a bit more help from our community, we’ll have to make some tough decisions. This could mean scaling back significantly. Potentially doing fewer episodes or cutting down on the quality touches (like professional editing or studio recording) that we believe make the show special. We really don’t want to do that if we can avoid it, so we’re turning to you, our community, to ask for a little help to keep I’m Fine, It’s Fine going strong.Here are a few ways you can help us continue to produce the show at the level of quality you deserve:• Become a paid subscriber: If you’re not one already, please consider supporting us through our Substack. Even a small monthly contribution makes a huge difference. It’s the most direct way to fund the podcast. Your subscription dollars go straight into things like studio time and editing, which means more episodes and better quality content for you. You can become a paid subscriber here: Join our Substack community. (And if you’re already a paid subscriber, thank you so much! Perhaps you could share the link with a friend who might be interested.) And ENGAGE with us on Substack. Join our message boards, comment on the episodes, restack our work. It’s so helpful! • Share the podcast with a friend (or a few!): One of the best ways to support us is absolutely free — simply spread the word. If each of you tells one friend about the show, our community could double overnight. You can share this link I’m Fine, It’s Fine on Spotify (or on whichever platform you prefer) with friends, family, or on your social media. Personal recommendations are so powerful. If there’s an episode you particularly loved or if the show has ever resonated with you, let someone else know about it. Every new listener helps our community grow and brings us closer to sustainability.• Rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts: If you listen on Apple Podcasts (or even if you don’t, but have an Apple account handy), taking a minute to leave a rating and a short review really helps us. Those stars and reviews aren’t just for show — they actually boost our visibility. The more 5-star ratings and positive reviews we have, the more likely I’m Fine, It’s Fine is to pop up in search results and recommendations, helping new people find the show. It’s a key part of how podcast platforms surface content to potential new listeners. Plus, seeing your feedback there gives us a serious morale boost! If you could spare a moment, please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating/review. It truly makes a difference in helping others discover our little community.• Help us find sponsors: We’re actively looking for sponsors to partner with us and support the show. This is another way we can keep the podcast going without sacrificing quality (and maybe even start paying our team for their hard work). If you happen to know of any company or brand that might align with the spirit of I’m Fine, It’s Fine, or if you have contacts at a business that would be a great fit for our audience, we’d love to hear from you. Even an introduction or a suggestion would be incredibly helpful. Feel free to email or reach out to us if something comes to mind.We share all of this because you’re not just listeners, you’re our community, our friends, and the reason we’ve been able to create this show for as long as we have. We never want to sound desperate or make anyone feel pressured; we just wanted to be open about where we’re at. If you can help in any of the ways above, even a little, it would mean so much. And if now isn’t a good time or you’ve already done what you can, that’s absolutely okay! Just by being here and caring about I’m Fine, It’s Fine, you’ve already helped more than you know.Thank you for taking the time to read this (We know it was a long note!). We’re hopeful that with your support, we can keep I’m Fine, It’s Fine going and continue improving it for you. We have so many ideas and plans for the future of the show, and with a stronger foundation, we’ll be able to bring them to life.Above all, thank you for being part of this journey with us. We often remind ourselves that I’m Fine, It’s Fine isn’t just a podcast, it’s a community effort built on trust, honesty, and mutual support. We’re so grateful to have you as part of our podcast family.With love and gratitude,The I’m Fine, It’s Fine Team This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

Courtney Michelle is a hilarious, silly, and beautiful person who opens up to Amber and Melanie in a lovely conversation. She shares how insecurities and self worth have impacted how she moves through life. From personal relationships she could show up for in a codependent way and feel safe in, to her approach to career and comedy. We are so grateful for the conversation and her willingness to share so much of herself with us. Support Courtney wherever you can! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

Aubrey Holden, LPC-MHSP, NCC joins Amber and Melanie to shar her story of her origins and what brought her into becoming a therapist and a member of the Trauma Therapy of Nashville family. She talks about her early career in the music industry and the pivot that happened when she began to unpack her own identity in therapy. Aubrey shares her journey through her transition and how her lived experience now helps inform her approach to helping others. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

Cocoa Speaks is a Nashville based comedian who shares her heart and her joyful energy with us. She opens up about the impacts of ADD meds as a child, trying again as a college athlete and now, for the first time in adulthood, she is trying it again and looking forward to the focus it could bring into her life. A self identifying “Hooper” she talks about how different the environment is on a team compared to the sparing within the comedy scene. Seeking out joyous vibes to be her best creative self, she knows that is where she thrives. She also shared the pain that comes with having multiple miscarriages and how the people around her reacted and handled the loss with her. She is truly so fun and wants to live an entire life having fun for a living and we see it for her. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

Comedian Brandi Augustus opens up in an incredibly honest way. Sharing the circumstances of her childhood, and the abuse she both witnessed, and experienced directly. She so easily opened up about the impacts it’s had on her life, her relationships and her parenting decisions. Diving into her past relationships, she believed there was safety in a casual non committal dynamic and unpacking now, that she actually wants much more. Presenting a harder masculine energy attracted a certain availability in men, and now the work to soften that guard she has had up begins. She is also the mother to a trans child and she talks openly about how parenting challenges are different when you are facing the emotional, medical, and logistical elements that come with helping your child along the way. From the conversations she had to have with family, to her day to day work advocating for the needs of others, it’s shaped her identity in a truly unique way. We are so grateful to have had this conversation with Brandi. Please follow and support her where you can! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

Hannah is like no guest we have ever had. She’s sharply funny, whip smart, and self actualized. She shares the practices in her life that have shaped her, informed her art, comedy, and wellness. The daughter of a pastor, she has learned how to take the great parts of childhood lessons, and has dismantled the rest all while continuing to love her parents. She’s unapologetic about where her life has taken her and simultaneously kind and empathetic. Easily one of our favorite episodes to date. Find and follow Hannah on Instagram, Good Reads, and listen to her album now! Her sisters Instagram can be found here for all the kundalini fun. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe

Madeline Finn joined Amber Autry and Melanie Reese and proved to be one of the most open, self aware, loving humans they have had a chance to sit with and learn about. She brought with her the ideologies and practices of Buddhism shared how that has help reframe her relationship with spirituality. From her emo and pop-punk music beginnings to a sober, vulnerable and honest place in her music now, her growth is undeniable. We loved this conversation and her spirit so much! Please listen to her music here and follow her to see the amazing work she is doing. Watch on Youtube!Be sure to leave a 5 star review! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit imfineitsfine.substack.com/subscribe