Stress Mess: A Less Stress Podcast
Welcome to Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast.
Hosted by me, Samantha Elizabeth—coach, consultant, and a medically diagnosed stressed-out human.
Let’s be real: life is a chaotic dumpster fire sometimes, and stress? It’s the gasoline. Whether it’s work, relationships, your never-ending to-do list, or just existing in a world where emails never stop—this podcast is your judgment-free zone to unpack it all.
Each episode, we’ll dive into the real shit that makes us unravel—and more importantly, how to stitch ourselves back together. Some days it'll be me ranting with love and truth bombs. Other days I’ll bring in guests to spill their stress stories and survival tactics.
Swearing sometimes happens (and that’s okay).
This isn’t your typical "breathe in, breathe out" wellness podcast. It’s honest, occasionally inappropriate, and always aimed at helping you go from a full-blown stress mess… to just slightly less of a mess.
Let’s stress less, together.
Stress Mess: A Less Stress Podcast
Episode 22: Healing Starts Within! with Ariana Lum
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In this episode of Stress Mess, Samantha sits down with Ariana Lum, a graphic designer and children’s book author who created her first illustrated book as a way to help children navigate anxiety, grief, and emotional overwhelm.
After leaving her corporate job and moving to Europe, Ariana experienced a deep identity shift that led her back to childhood creativity, drawing, storytelling, and imagination. What began as sketches during the pandemic turned into a meaningful children’s book focused on helping kids find peace within themselves and understand that emotional connection does not disappear, even through loss.
Together, Samantha and Ariana explore why mental health tools should be introduced early in life, how imagination supports emotional regulation, and why adults can benefit from reconnecting with their inner child. They also talk about movement as a stress outlet, emotional expression, and creating space for feelings instead of suppressing them.
This episode is a thoughtful reminder that managing stress, grief, and anxiety is a skill we can learn, practice, and strengthen at any age.
Learn more about Ariana and her work here:
https://www.aristravelsphere.com/
Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting LLC
samanthaelizabeth.com
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