The Galina Rivina Podcastina

#136: Greg Berman - Immigrant Kids & Unconventional Career Paths

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian and tattoo artist Greg Berman. Greg shares his experience doing tattoo residencies and producing comedy shows across Europe, what it’s like to enter the tattooing industry, how you should pick your first ink, why different cultures respond differently to tattoos, how soviet parents react to kids with unconventional career paths, what career paths make the most money, what it was like to grow up in Ukraine, what impact growing up as a performer has had, why some parents are impossible to fight with politically, what’s wrong with Russian music, and much more.

For access to exclusive content, follow the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/Podcastina

Connect:
Galina Rivina - https://www.instagram.com/thumbgalina/#

Greg Berman -  https://www.instagram.com/gregbermanisfunny/?hl=en

Please subscribe to the channel if you haven't already. Full episodes every Monday and every other Thursday.

#135: Emily Lowry - Cancer Researcher on the Pseudoscience People Trust Most

In this episode, I’m joined by microbiologist and cancer biologist Dr. Emily Lowry. She shares how cancer research became her calling, what common misunderstandings most of us have about cancer, the emotional impact of working with cancer patients, how anti-aging and longevity research is tied to cancer, the dangerous pseudoscience around sugar and cancer treatment, how to do your own research like a professional, why the war on vaccines is stupid, which bad health trends might actually be dangerous, what to watch for when buying supplements, why we’re so obsessed with gut microbiomes, what common lies are told about gut health and gut issues, the best nutrient for a healthy gut, the PH misinformation heard round the world, worst health advice she’s ever heard, and much more.

For access to exclusive content, follow the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/Podcastina

Connect:
Dr. Emily Lowry - https://www.tiktok.com/@microbiometok

Galina Rivina - https://www.instagram.com/thumbgalina/#

 

Please subscribe to the channel if you haven't already. Full episodes every Monday and every other Thursday.

#134: Joey Bragg - Hardest Lessons in Entertainment

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian and actor Joey Bragg. Joey shares what it’s like to co-star with four-legged friends, why people don’t understand the appeal of LA’s “valley,” what’s changed in comedy over the years, why gratitude for stage time is a slippery-slope, how a union might help comedians and what protections it could provide, why artists need to find their boundaries, where does morality come in when it comes to comedians, why comedians grift, what crazy things people have said to him after shows, how he’s been caring for his mental health by stepping away from social media, why he loves comic books and action figures, how sports betting is derailing young men, his relationship with money, and much more.

For access to exclusive content, follow the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/Podcastina

 

Connect:
Joey Bragg -  ⁨@ https://www.instagram.com/joeybragg/?hl=en

Galina Riivina - https://www.instagram.com/thumbgalina/#

 

Please subscribe to the channel if you haven't already. Full episodes every Monday and every other Thursday.

#133: Solo Episode - Happy New Year!

In this episode, I'm going solo! I share some reflections from 2025, why certain lessons stood out, what the Chinese zodiac symbols mean for the upcoming year of the horse, why boundaries are the ultimate game-changer, how we can reframe our thinking about money, relationships, and jobs, why you should embrace your self-belief more than ever, and much more. Oh, and I cry and get a little emo! Happy new year to you.

For access to exclusive content, follow the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/Podcastina

 

Connect:
https://www.instagram.com/thumbgalina/#

 

Please subscribe to the channel if you haven't already. Full episodes every Monday and every other Thursday.

#132: Jamie Plaxco - Roommate Recap

In this episode, I'm joined by my roommate of the past two years Jamie Plaxco! Jamie shares how she always sets her sights on things working out, how to find wisdom in handling anxiety, what insurance companies don't want you to know about therapy and superbills, why she tries not to diagnose her friends, how my type A and her type B personalities made for a fun balance, what made her join Kabbalah, what dating lessons she picked up in 2025, why altitudes aren't for everyone, how to have the highest vibration mindset about your living situation, and much more.

For access to exclusive content, follow the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/Podcastina

Connect:
Galina Rivina - https://www.instagram.com/thumbgalina/#

Jamie Plaxco - https://lightbabies.net/

 

Please subscribe to the channel if you haven't already. Full episodes every Monday and every other Thursday.

#131: Ian Edwards - Paid in Fun

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian Ian Edwards. Ian returns to share why he loves Christmas, why Vegas is over, how he deals with pressure on panel shows like Kill Tony, where his boundaries are around niceness, how you can be better at small talk, how he finds a way to watch soccer all year round, why our artistic calling isn’t a bad thing, how he reframes making sacrifices, what it was like to come up with some of the best comedians while they were broke, how to avoid bad comedy advise, why he got booed twice at one show in Philly, what it means to search for a joke, why we should let people correct themselves, why flip-flopping isn’t always a bad thing, and much more.

For access to exclusive content, follow the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/Podcastina

Connect:
Ian Edwards -  https://www.instagram.com/ianedwardscomic/

Galina Rivina - https://www.instagram.com/thumbgalina/#

 

Please subscribe to the channel if you haven't already. Full episodes every Monday and every other Thursday.

#130: Dr. Marina Straszak-Suri - Biohacking Fertility

In this episode, I’m joined by Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYN) Dr. Marina Straszak-Suri. Practicing for over 30 years and authoring the book, "Optimize Your Fertility Naturally: A Holistic Guide to Achieving a Healthy Pregnancy," Dr. Marina offers an approach that is based in functional medicine and taking your fertility into your own hands. She shares what’s going on with plummeting birth rates around the world, why it matters, how countries are trying to curb it, which common diseases and conditions might lead to infertility, why natural solutions aren’t studied, the harsh realities of freezing eggs and doing IVF, what consequences could be down the road when women are on birth control for extended periods, how birth control has changed over the years, the role of endocrine disruptors, why women need to learn more about our menstrual cycles, what impact does sperm have on a healthy pregnancy, why men also have biological clocks, which chemicals and toxins you should watch for if you’re trying to conceive, and much more.

For access to exclusive content, follow the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/Podcastina

Connect:
Dr. Marina Straszak-Suri -  https://drmarinaobgyn.com/

Galina Rivina - https://www.instagram.com/thumbgalina/#

 

Please subscribe to the channel if you haven't already. Full episodes every Monday and every other Thursday.

#129: Francisco Ramos - We All Believe in God During Turbulence

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian Francisco Ramos. Francisco shares what he’s learned about observing his thoughts, why it’s beneficial to have a meditation practice, how he navigates his relationship to social media, why going to therapy is for everyone, what happens when you don’t address a savior complex, how we can use our ego to our advantage and when you know it’s hurting you, who’s responsible for your happiness, his red flags, why no one addresses ghosting in friendships, how you should use “no” effectively, what impact his Catholic upbringing had, why immigrants love Whatsapp, how he’s taken to performing stand up in Spanish, why we’re doing New Year’s Eve wrong, and much more. 

For access to exclusive content, follow the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/Podcastina

Connect:
Francisco Ramos - https://www.instagram.com/framoscomedy/?hl=en

Galina Rivina - https://www.instagram.com/thumbgalina/#

 

Please subscribe to the channel if you haven't already. Full episodes every Monday and every other Thursday.

#128: Tyler Ross - Canoe Across America: 2,300 Mile Journey Down the Mississippi

In this episode, I’m joined by adventurer Tyler Ross. Tyler recently completed Canoe Across America; a three-month long journey down the entire Mississippi River in a canoe. Tyler shares some of his history having completed the “Triple Crown” by hiking the full length of three major U.S. long-distance trails: the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. 

He shares why he decided to canoe the 2,298 Mississippi River with no canoeing experience, what supplies he brought along to survive and stay sane, how he and his paddleboarding partner Boo Boo navigated a catastrophic storm without giving up, the surprising places they camped out, what it was like the times they were far from any civilization, how a sketchy situation in Greeneville, Tennessee turned into a party, what it’s like to recall the scariest parts of his journey, how he kept morale high during the challenges, what he experienced physically while paddling over 2,000 miles, which moments stood out emotionally and spiritually, why we should all do more of what we love, how the journey restored his faith in human kindness, his take on mental fortitude, the best advice he got along the way, and much more. 

For access to exclusive content, follow the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/Podcastina

Connect:
Tyler Ross - https://tylerrossadventures.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tross886/

 

Galina Rivina - https://www.instagram.com/thumbgalina/#

 

Please subscribe to the channel if you haven't already. Full episodes every Monday and every other Thursday.

#127: Simon Gibson - Honeymoon at a Water Park

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian and actor Simon Gibson. Simon shares why he fell in love with the Real Housewives, why he’s taking up theatrical acting, what he’s noticed about the state of stand up comedy, the value of being a well-rounded performer, why the novelty of touring wears off, his trick for memorizing lines, his surprising do’s and don’ts for vacation, how he knew his fiance was the one, why it’s hard to date a picky eater, how he’s learned to prioritize his mental health over his work, how he views his relationship with social media, what’s actually going on in Portland, OR, how he may have had a ghost in his LA apartment, why it’s up to men to go check out weird sounds, and much more. 

For access to exclusive content, follow the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/Podcastina

 

Connect:
Simon Gibson -  @simongibsonisfunny on YouTube
https://www.instagram.com/simongibsonisfunny/

 

Galina Rivina on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thumbgalina/#

Please subscribe to the channel if you haven't already. Full episodes every Monday and every other Thursday.