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Ducking Realitea
Casual Conversations About Serious Sh*t.
Real Stories. Raw Moments. Big Joy.
Hosted by Siobhan
Welcome to Ducking Realitea, the podcast where we spill truth like tea and dive into the gritty, hilarious, and healing parts of being human. Hosted by Siobhan, this show is all about casual conversations with real people who’ve lived through some serious sh*t and came out the other side with stories worth sharing.
From trauma to transformation, heartbreak to humor, we explore what it means to rebuild your life, trust your gut, and find joy even in the mess. These are the stories behind the strength, raw, unfiltered, and deeply human.
If you're craving connection, curious about how others have healed, or just need a reminder that you’re not alone, this pod’s for you.
Grab your beverage of choice (or roll one up), and join us each week for soulful storytelling with a side of sass. Let’s rebel against the noise, talk about what actually matters, and maybe even laugh our way through the chaos.
Because here at Ducking Realitea, we believe:
Your story matters. Vulnerability is power. And joy is always worth chasing.
68 Episodes
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Send a text Join me and my creative partner Ana for a chat and some laughs.. we share personal stories of immigration, identity formation, and cultural exchange. We discuss our experiences with creative writing, personal growth, and loss, highlighting the importance of empathy and mutual understanding. Siobhan and Ana also share our experiences with managing epilepsy, emphasizing the unique challenges of navigating a condition that is different for everyone. Through our conversations, w...
Send a text In this raw and riveting episode, Siobhan sits down with Erik, a man who’s stared down addiction, homelessness, and trauma, and somehow turned it all into purpose. From sleeping on the streets of San Francisco to finding love and stability, Erik’s story is a masterclass in resilience and radical self-reinvention. With unflinching honesty, he opens up about multiple marriages, substance abuse, a near-fatal stabbing, and the unconventional paths that helped him heal, from psychedeli...
Send a text In this milestone 50th episode, Siobhan welcomes back one of her very first guests — the radiant and real Carrie, for a raw, full-circle conversation about transformation, independence, and authenticity. Three years after leaving her marriage and corporate life, Carrie reflects on how her daughter’s courage inspired her to finally stand up for herself and start over. Together, they explore the lessons of letting go, from physical possessions to emotional baggage — and how mindfuln...
Send a text This episode is equal parts howl-laugh funny and gut-honest. Tara grew up on the move, addiction, violence, VA psych-ward parents, and a cross-country “escape” to North Dakota, then found stability with her grandmother and, eventually, herself. She talks teen pregnancy and an open adoption, choosing partners who felt “protective” until it slid into control, and the thief-in-the-night breakups that followed. Through it all: art as medicine, code-switching as survival, and therapy a...
Send a text Tracie Reams, Siobhan’s very first guest, returns to Ducking Realitea for a raw, heartfelt catch-up on life’s twists and turns. After leaving her role as Clinical Director due to surgeries and health setbacks, Tracie found herself unexpectedly terminated, just a week before a crucial doctor’s appointment. As her own healing journey unfolded, she also stepped into the role of caregiver for her father, who’s now battling dementia after a series of falls. Between managing disability,...
Send a text A brief update on what's happening in the Ducking world, and why there isn't an episode out this week along with an introduction to the Squirrel Gurls. Curious, quirky, and completely unfiltered podcast with host Siobhan and Ana. Two funny and inquisitive girls interview various guests in a stream-of-consciousness style. While they try to stay focused, they take the audience on a wild ride through their lively, playful, and spontaneous thoughts and deep-dive questions...
Send a text Former ICE agent Karen Beckels returns to Ducking Realitea for an unflinching conversation about power, conflict, and transformation. From her days on the inside facing moral dilemmas to watching today’s ICE controversies unfold, Karen shares what it feels like to carry those experiences and why she ultimately chose a new path. Honest, raw, and surprisingly hopeful, this episode shines a light on the human cost of enforcement work, and the resilience it takes to move beyond it. Su...
Send a text This week on Ducking Realitea, we stitched together three mini-episodes with Gavin, founder of The Chaga Company and the Onesie King. Gavin shares the vision behind opening what might be the first dedicated onesie store in the world at One Market Plaza (aka One Marketplace) in San Francisco, a hybrid retail + wellness space with classes (mushroom-dyeing, essential oils, stamp making), EMA body workouts, and community events including the Offical After party for Mushroom Days Masqu...
Send a text Honest, unfiltered, and just the right touch of Tism. The trio is back! Siobhan, Holly, and Danielle sit down for another unapologetic round of Touch of the Tism. From barroom creeps to disability struggles, from friendships gone sour to the art of matching creep energy with chaos — nothing is off-limits. Expect sharp honesty, wild stories (yes, pelicans, porn sites, and fart defense strategies make an appearance), and a reminder that community, accountability, a...
Send a text Siobhan and Kirkland sit down for their first real catch-up since December 2022, trading updates on life, loss, and the strange ways the world has shifted. Kirkland shares how catching COVID pushed him to finally quit drinking, the financial reality of walking away from the bar life, and the highlights of his 11-year trivia-hosting streak—complete with surprise winners, candy slogans, and a generous benefactor who changed the game. The conversation goes deep on chronic pain—his si...
Send a text Siobhan catches up with her longtime friend Trey, one of the very first guests of Ducking Realitea. They dive into Trey’s journey through vet tech school—surgical rotations, field trips to horse farms, and the emotional realities of working with animals. Trey also shares why he almost retired from drag, how he found new community through the Alameda Contra Costa County Ducal Court, and why he’s running for Prince this year. The conversation weaves through big life changes, chosen ...
Send a text In this raw and deeply moving episode, Siobhan sits down with Patrick—a salty, soulful, and beautifully honest storyteller—to explore a life marked by trauma, survival, and healing. Patrick opens up about growing up in an abusive home, enduring sexual assault as a child, and carrying the weight of unspoken pain through a long military career. Through the lens of therapy, writing, and self-reflection, Patrick shares how he’s finally confronting the darkness, reconnecting with his i...
Send a text He’s back in the pond! My dear friend Gavin—founder of The Chaga Company and self-proclaimed Onesie King—is kicking off a new chapter, and we’re bringing you along for the ride. After nearly a decade of slinging adaptogenic mushroom magic across the Bay, Gavin is opening the first-ever onesie store in San Francisco. Yep, you read that right. This isn’t just a store—it’s a whole experience. Mushroom-dyed onesies, locally made art, Chaga-infused chocolates, breathwork, booty yoga, a...
Send a text In this deeply moving episode of Ducking Realitea, Siobhan sits down with her friend Thu, who shares the extraordinary story of her family’s escape from Vietnam to the United States. Through multiple attempts, encounters with pirates, and time spent in refugee camps across Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, Thu’s early life was shaped by survival, strength, and sacrifice. Eventually settling in California, her family faced poverty, displacement, and the challenge of adapting...
Send a text This week on Ducking Realitea, I sit down with my mentor, former boss, and lifelong badass Sandy Russell, someone I talk about all the time for good reason. Sandy is co-owner of Alameda’s beloved Fireside Lounge, a community hub known for live music, trivia, queer-friendly fundraisers, and the iconic “Be Nice or Leave” sign. But Sandy’s impact goes way beyond the bar. Born on the Santa Monica boardwalk and hustling by age six, Sandy has built a life rooted in grit, generosity, and...
Send a text In this thought-provoking and deeply personal episode, Siobhan and Lee dive into the power of understanding intentions behind actions, sparked by a heated debate Siobhan had at a bar—yes, even about something as extreme as becoming a Nazi. Lee emphasizes the importance of having difficult conversations to foster growth and deeper understanding, even when emotions run high. The conversation takes a personal turn as Lee opens up about her own struggles, including a traumatic break-i...
Send a text The conversation continues on this episode of Ducking Realitea’s Touch of the Tism: Part Two, where host Siobhan and her guests Danielle and Holly are joined by another familiar voice, Donna. This time, they dive even deeper into the realities of bartending in the Bay Area, sharing the chaos, the comedy, and the unwritten rules that come with life behind the bar. From the do’s and don’ts of tipping to the frustration of string ordering, they break down the etiquette that every bar...
Send a text Siobhan and Oliver share their powerful journeys through addiction, reflecting on the profound toll it took on their lives. Oliver, once a PhD candidate at UC Berkeley, became trapped in the cycle of addiction. His descent led to theft and a six-month jail sentence—a rock-bottom moment that ultimately became his turning point toward sobriety. Siobhan, meanwhile, was overmedicated with fentanyl, which clouded her memory and strained her relationships. Both describe addiction ...
Send a text Siobhan and Danielle discuss the podcast, which has 30 episodes, and Siobhan's discomfort with self-promotion. Danielle shares her journey from the East Bay to Alameda, her career transition from bartending to wildlife conservation, and her volunteer work at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge. They talk about the importance of spending time in nature, the impact of COVID-19 on their lives, and the challenges of balancing personal and professional responsibilities. Danielle emph...
Send a text The conversation between Siobhan and Holly covers a range of topics, including past experiences, work dynamics, and personal preferences. Holly shares stories about their tech internship, musical aspirations, and family dynamics. They discuss the challenges of working in the service industry, including dealing with difficult customers and the impact of job expectations. The conversation also touches on personal anecdotes, such as Siobhan's experiences with mayonnaise and her disli...
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