Better Call Daddy with Reena Friedman Watts

In this heartfelt episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts reunites with her childhood friend Carre Gordon to talk about loss, connection, and healing. The two reminisce about their carefree days growing up together in Kentucky before Carre shares her journey through grief after the sudden loss of her son, Grant, during what began as an ordinary birthday celebration.

Carre opens up about the unexpected signs and messages she's received from Grant, and how they've shown her that her bond with her son didn't end it just changed shape. The conversation moves through the role of spirituality, the healing power of community, and the lessons trauma can teach us about strength and vulnerability.

Together, Reena and Carre explore mediumship, the idea of soul contracts, and what it means to stay connected to someone you've lost. Carre's story is a gentle, grounded reminder that grief isn't linear and that love doesn't disappear, it just finds new ways to reach us.

If you or someone you love is navigating loss, this episode offers comfort, honesty, and the reassurance that you're not walking through it alone.

• Carre's journey through grief and healing after losing her son
• Signs and messages from loved ones beyond the veil
• Why community and support matter so much in navigating loss
• Grief as a personal journey there's no "right" way to do it
• Soul contracts and the idea of a pre-written path
• Finding comfort and connection in the face of loss

• "Life happens for us, not to us."
• "We can still have an energetic relationship with our loved ones."

(00:00) Introduction to Carre Gordon (05:15) Reminiscing about childhood memories in Kentucky (15:30) The impact of losing a child and navigating grief (25:00) Signs and messages from Grant (35:45) The role of community in healing (45:00) Spiritual connections and the concept of soul contracts

Resources mentioned

https://www.helpingparentsheal.org/

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

Join us for this enlightening conversation about love, loss, and the connections that keep shaping our lives even after death. If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that support is available and healing is possible.

What happens when personal trauma intersects with a mission to advocate for justice?

In this powerful episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Ariella Goldberg-Kay, a survivor liaison for Zaakah, an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence within the Jewish community.

Ariella Kay opens up about her deeply personal connection to this work, rooted in her aunt's tragic story of sexual assault and suicide  a loss that has profoundly shaped her life and advocacy.

Reena and Ariella explore the complexities of trauma recovery, the stigma surrounding mental health in religious communities, and the fight for justice for survivors of sexual abuse.

Ariella shares how her own experiences fueled her passion for advocacy, helping other survivors find their voice and pursue legal action against their abusers.

The conversation also unpacks the unique challenges Jewish survivors face from barriers to reporting abuse to inadequate institutional responses. Ariella explains how Zaakah is changing the landscape for survivors by empowering them to seek justice without needing rabbinical approval, and why a trauma-informed approach is essential to real healing.

If you or someone you know needs support, Zaakah's confidential hotline is available at 1-888-492-2524, or visit www.zaakah.org.

• Ariella's personal connection to sexual violence advocacy
• The impact of silence and stigma on mental health
• Navigating the justice system as a sexual abuse survivor
• Why community support is critical for healing
• How Zaakah is transforming survivor support in the Jewish community
• The power of sharing personal stories to build connection and understanding

"I don't want people to have to live with the aftermath of suicide or sexual abuse."

"Your relationship with God is between you and God, and no one else should dictate that."

"If an institution can't afford to pay restitution for the abuse that happened there, it doesn't deserve to exist anymore."

(00:00) Introduction to Ariella K. and Zaakah (05:15) The personal story behind Ariella's advocacy (15:30) Challenges faced by survivors in the Jewish community (25:00) The role of Zaakah in supporting legal justice (35:45) Navigating trauma and mental health stigma (45:00) Ariella's insights on community and healing

Website: www.zaakah.org | Instagram 📞 Hotline: 1-888-492-2524

Outcry Podcast 

https://www.facebook.com/zaakah

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

If you've ever wondered how trauma shapes our lives — and why advocacy and community support matter for survivors of sexual abuse — this episode of Better Call Daddy is a must-listen.

Need support? Zaakah's hotline: 1-888-492-2524 | www.zaakah.org

What draws us to true crime and what does it say about us?

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Jerry Matz, the mind behind the hit Instagram account ID Crime Vault, for an honest conversation about true crime, storytelling, and the family moments that shape who we become.

Jerry traces his love of true crime back to childhood watching shows like Joe Kenda and Hollywood Demons with family, and slowly realizing he didn't just want to consume these stories. He wanted to tell them.

Reena and Jerry dig into what makes crime narratives so compelling, how he built a loyal community one consistent post at a time, and why patience might be the most underrated skill in content creation.

The conversation also gets real about the darker side of the industry — the psychological toll reality TV takes on its participants, and the responsibility creators and media have to portray crime with accuracy and empathy.

🎙️ WHAT'S IN THIS EPISODE: - Jerry's origin story in the true crime world - How family shapes the interests we carry into adulthood - The psychology behind why crime stories grip us - Empathy as a storytelling superpower - Reality TV's hidden cost on its participants - Growing a community around a shared passion

💭 MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM JERRY: "Sometimes people like suspense. They like the mystery. It's like a mystery book." "You never know what you're going to get out of it. Just try it and don't quit."

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Meet Jerry Matz true crime storyteller (05:15) The family influences behind his passion (15:30) The psychology of crime media (25:00) Reality TV's darker realities (35:45) Building community through shared obsession (45:00) Grandpa's take on crime, media & responsibility

🔗 CONNECT WITH JERRY: Instagram

🔗 CONNECT WITH REENA FRIEDMAN WATTS: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

If you've ever found yourself three hours deep in a true crime rabbit hole and wondered why — this episode is for you.

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Jey Young, a mental health counselor and podcaster, to talk about holding grief and joy at once. Just weeks before welcoming his baby boy into the world, Jey lost his father to suicide.

Jey Young opens up about what it's like to process devastating loss while celebrating new life, sharing raw, unfiltered insight into that emotional whiplash. Together, Reena and Jey dig into the nuances of mental health, the power of open communication, and why community support matters most in moments of crisis.

The conversation traces how Jey's experiences have reshaped his understanding of fatherhood and mental health, offering listeners real takeaways on resilience, connection, and the importance of checking in on the people we love. Reena and Jey also reflect on their own stories, underscoring how vulnerability and authenticity are what make relationships meaningful.

It's also Men's Mental Health Month, and this episode is a reminder of why that matters: men are still far less likely to ask for help or talk about what they're carrying, even when it's costing them everything.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text, 24/7.

🎙️ WHAT'S IN THIS EPISODE:

• Jey's experience with grief alongside the birth of his son
• Holding space for loss and new life at the same time
• Navigating mental health conversations, especially among men
• Why reaching out and showing up for each other matters
• Building real connection through vulnerability
• What podcasting has taught Jey about sharing stories

💭 MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM JEY:

"Life is a lot emptier. My phone feels a lot heavier, and my call log feels empty."

"Just to check on people, just to ask how they're doing, just to be there for them, just to show up for them."

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction to Jey Young (05:15) Jey's journey through grief and fatherhood (15:30) Why mental health conversations matter (25:00) Supporting loved ones through difficult times (35:45) Vulnerability and the power of storytelling (45:00) Wisdom from Reena's dad on parenting and connection

🔗 CONNECT WITH JEY YOUNG: Instagram | Website

🔗 CONNECT WITH REENA FRIEDMAN WATTS: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

Join us for this heartfelt conversation about sharing our stories and showing up for one another through life's hardest and most beautiful moments.

What happens when deep grief meets the journey of healing, honesty, and vulnerability?

In this heartfelt episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts reconnects with Malisa Hepner grief expert and host of Emotionally Unavailable who has faced unimaginable loss.

Malisa shares her profound journey through the heartache of losing her child, revealing the layers of grief that come with such a loss and how it has shaped her understanding of emotional availability.

Malisa opens up about her experiences with loss, including the passing of her parents and her child, and how these events have reshaped her perspective on vulnerability and connection. Reena and Malisa dive deep into authentic communication, the discomfort that often accompanies grief, and the necessity of allowing yourself to feel every emotion without judgment.

They also talk honestly about the adjustments that come with major life changes how grief forces you to rebuild your sense of normal, and what that process actually looks like day to day.

They discuss how societal expectations often lead to dismissive responses to grief, the importance of creating safe spaces for those who are mourning, and the power of vulnerability and community support.

Sharing one's story, they explore, can be a healing act not just for the person grieving, but for everyone who hears it.

🎙️ WHAT'S IN THIS EPISODE:

• Malisa's journey through grief and loss
• The impact of emotional availability on relationships
• Strategies for coping with loss and fostering connection
• The importance of authentic communication in healing
• How to support someone who is grieving
• Navigating the adjustments and changes that come with major life shifts
• The role of community and nourishment in the grieving process
• Navigating vulnerability and fear in conversations about grief

💭 MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM MALISA: "If we can't have an authentic conversation, I'd rather us just pass each other, not say a word." "The only shift really has become more of, like, yeah, me too." "I just want to connect with people. Whatever we're talking about, I want to connect." "I can't do anything that doesn't just give me light or is part of my life force."

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction to Malisa Hepner (05:15) Malisa's experiences with loss and grief (15:30) The importance of vulnerability in communication (25:00) How to support someone in mourning (35:45) The healing power of sharing stories (45:00) Reena's reflections on grief and connection

🔗 CONNECT WITH MALISA HEPNER: Instagram | Linktree

🔗 CONNECT WITH REENA FRIEDMAN WATTS: YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram

Join us for this enlightening conversation that reminds us of the power of connection, empathy, and the importance of sharing our stories in the face of tragedy.