In this episode of The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, we sit down with Natalie Butt—a 24-year-old former Radio City Rockette who is trading the stage for a career in mental health as she pursues her Master of Social Work at Rutgers University.

After spending four years performing in one of the most demanding, precision-driven environments in dance, Natalie shares what it’s really like to step away from a lifelong dream and rebuild her sense of self from the ground up. Together, we unpack the intersection of high achievement, perfectionism, and mental well-being, exploring how to separate who you are from what you accomplish.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Navigating Major Life Transitions: Grieving and letting go of a career, community, and identity that once defined you.

• Perfectionism & Self-Worth: Unlearning the pressure to constantly perform and finding value outside of external accolades.

• Asking for Help Before the Breaking Point: Why so many people wait until a crisis to seek support—and how we can make therapy feel more approachable and proactive.

Whether you're contemplating a career pivot, struggling with perfectionism, or trying to figure out who you are outside of your daily hustle, Natalie’s grounded perspective offers encouragement and practical insight for anyone starting a new chapter.

In this episode of The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, we sit down with Jessica Wriggins—a full-time paramedic and the reigning Miss New Jersey Volunteer. Living with diabetes for over 15 years, Jessica shares her personal journey of navigating the deep connection between chronic illness and mental health.

Jessica opens up about her experience with diabetes-related anxiety, burnout, depression, and eating disorders—challenges she didn't realize were connected to her chronic condition until years into her diagnosis. We discuss:

• The Mind-Body Connection: How managing a long-term chronic condition impacts daily life, stress levels, and emotional well-being.

• Overcoming Stigma & Seeking Help: Jessica’s experience partnering with Aurora Sun Counseling during her year of service and learning the vital importance of prioritizing mental healthcare alongside physical health.

• Advocacy & Support: Where to find mental health resources, how risk factors influence mental wellness, and concrete ways we can better support loved ones living with chronic health conditions.

Tune in for an insightful and inspiring conversation on self-care, advocacy, and breaking down the barriers around mental health.

In this episode of The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, host Theresa sits down with Ariana Leigh Scott—Miss New Jersey Teen Volunteer 2026, high school senior, and student leader behind the Hand 2 Hand Heroes initiative.

Ariana shares a transparent look at the real-world pressures facing teens today, opening up about her personal journey with anxiety and panic attacks while balancing school, sports, and pageantry. She discusses what it takes to be your own hero by taking the brave step to ask for professional help, daily coping strategies she relies on, and how school and community resources can empower young people to prioritize their mental wellness.

Tune in for an empowering conversation about heroism, breaking down teen mental health stigmas, and finding strength through honesty.