Rachel Hechtman (@soberincentralpark) joins us to get real about what it’s like to grow up with ADHD, navigate the drinking culture in college, and make the life-changing decision to get sober. She shares how her addiction began at just 14, how blackouts and burnout became her norm at Dartmouth, and what finally pushed her to stop drinking for good. Now over three years sober, Rachel opens up about the physical, emotional, and spiritual changes she’s experienced, the power of therapy, and how sobriety led her to launch her own coaching business, partner with non-alcoholic brands, and co-create NYC’s newest sober bar, Softbar.

https://www.instagram.com/softbarcafe

Whether you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol or just curious about what life looks like on the other side, this episode is raw, relatable, and filled with truth.

Follow Rachel on Instagram

Grab your copy of the Let’s Get Real guided journal HERE and explore our merch at CHASINGREDFLAGS.COM - 10% of proceeds go directly to mental health causes.

Keep up with Chasing Red Flags:⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ |Chasing Red Flags Newsletter

The Chasing Red Flags Podcast is produced by Jay Del Turco.

Cover Photo by: SLY photography, Samantha Yanofsky

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes based on our lived experiences. It is not a substitute for the advice from a qualified professional.

Have you ever felt something was off on a walk home? Or found yourself gripping your keys a little tighter in a parking lot at night? You’re not alone—and you’re not helpless. In this episode of Chasing Red Flags: Let’s Get Real, Teri & Ella sit down with self-defense expert David Heineman, who brings over 30 years of martial arts training and a career dedicated to educating others on personal safety, domestic violence, and assault prevention. Whether you're navigating rideshares, walking alone, or want to feel more confident in everyday situations, David shares practical, powerful tips that everyone should know.

We cover:

-Where to sit in an Uber or Lyft to stay safest

-How to avoid being an easy target

-Smart parking strategies when you’re alone

-What to carry for personal protection

-How to trust your instincts and respond under pressure

From college students to parents, this episode is packed with real-life advice that could one day save yours. Listen now and walk away feeling more prepared, aware, and empowered.

David Heineman is a self-defense expert with over 30 years of martial arts experience, holding black belts in Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, and Jiu Jitsu. He’s passionate about empowering others, especially women, through practical, real-world safety training. David has traveled the country educating college students on sexual and domestic violence prevention and has worked closely with law enforcement to teach self-defense strategies that save lives.

Follow David on Instagram

davidheineman90 | staysafehq

Grab your copy of the Let’s Get Real journal HERE and explore our merch at CHASINGREDFLAGS.COM - 10% of proceeds go directly to mental health causes.

Keep up with Chasing Red Flags:

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ | Chasing Red Flags Newsletter

The Chasing Red Flags Podcast is produced by Jay Del Turco.

Cover Photo by: SLY photography, Samantha Yanofsky

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes based on our lived experiences. It is not a substitute for the advice from a qualified professional.

Child and teen mental health is in crisis, and the numbers are alarming. Rates of anxiety, depression, and emotional distress are skyrocketing, yet there aren’t nearly enough providers to meet the growing need. In this must-listen episode, Teri and Ella sit down with Dr. Crawford for an honest, compassionate conversation about how parents can support their child’s mental health. From spotting the early signs of anxiety and depression to knowing when and how to start the conversation, Dr. Crawford shares tools every parent should have — even before there's a crisis.

You'll learn:

🚩 How to recognize mental health red flags in children and teens

🚩 Why early intervention matters

🚩 How to talk to your child about mental wellness

🚩 What to do when help feels hard to find

🚩 The role parents play in reducing stigma and building trust

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or someone who loves a child struggling with their mental health, this episode offers the support and clarity you need to show up and stay connected.

Dr. Christine Crawford is a Harvard-trained adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist who currently serves as the Associate Medical Director for the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI). She is an Assistant Professor and Vice Chair of Education at Boston University School of Medicine within the Department of Psychiatry. She treats patients in the Boston Medical Center Child and Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic in the Wellness and Recovery After Psychosis (WRAP) Program, where she provides psychiatric care to adolescents experiencing symptoms of psychosis. In addition to her clinical work, she has expertise in areas such as racial disparities within the mental health care system and discussing the impact of racism on the mental health of people of color. She is also the author of NAMI’s latest book, “You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Your Child’s Mental Health.”

NAMI Website

Dr. Crawford's Book

Follow Dr. Crawford on Instagram

Grab your copy of the Let’s Get Real journal HERE and explore our merch at CHASINGREDFLAGS.COM - 10% of proceeds go directly to mental health causes.

Keep up with Chasing Red Flags:⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ | Chasing Red Flags Newsletter

The Chasing Red Flags Podcast is produced by Jay Del Turco.

Cover Photo by: SLY photography, Samantha Yanofsky

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes based on our lived experiences. It is not a substitute for the advice from a qualified professional.