They cover everything from the “grieving dopamine hit” of posting loss online, to comedy’s shift from diced-ham observational bits to raw memoir-style storytelling. Expect riffs on stepmothers, the wish for a gay dad, reincarnation, and why no amount of podcasts or cold plunges can manufacture the drive born in childhood. By the end, it’s clear Katherine carries her late mother’s bold, magnetic energy—and she’s using it to turn family history into fearless comedy.

katherine blanford, stand up comedy, southern family dynamics, boomer culture, mental health stigma, toxic positivity, generational trauma, comedy podcast, memoir comedy, reincarnation, childhood chaos, grief humor, dopamine hit, gay dad joke, raw storytelling, fearless comedy, southern humor, comedian interview, dune 2 review

Plus mmm — Summertime Prozac.

Keywords:

adult friendships, friendship advice, mental health, Leslie Lau comedian, Alicia Racine Fink, Xanyland podcast, parallel play, friendship strategies, diversifying intimacy, voice memos, rotary phone, nostalgia, summertime, Prozac

Topics: narcissistic abuse · attachment wounds · long-term therapy · emotional manipulation · identity loss and repair · comedy and trauma · trusting your instincts · relational patterns · gaslighting and control · healing through self-awareness

In this heartwarming episode of Xanyland, Alicia Racine Fink sits down with the incredibly relatable comedian Drew Dunn, and talks about mental health, comedy, trauma, and holding joy and grief at the same time. From winning local comedy competitions to opening for big names like Dane Cook, Drew shares his journey into comedy and the importance of staying true to the craft of making people laugh. They dive into how Drew's comedy is shaped by his belief in nuance and seeing the world in shades of gray, a perspective enriched by his experiences and interactions with everyday people. The conversation also touches on the power of a solid support system, as Drew reflects on the role his family and his wife’s family have played in his journey, and how the loss of his mother-in-law deeply impacted them all.

As new parents, Drew and Alicia explore how having a baby changes everything, from the way you approach life to how you manage a career in comedy. The episode is a beautiful blend of humor and vulnerability, offering insights into the balancing act of pursuing your passion while navigating life’s complexities. Drew’s everyman charm and down-to-earth wisdom make this episode a must-listen!

Topics: grief, parenting, comedy and mental health, fatherhood and loss, stand-up, coping through comedy and trauma.

In this episode of Xanyland, I (Alicia Racine Fink—therapist, host and proud wearer of the Beyoncé concert tee Courtney immediately clocked) sit down with two of the funniest, most lovable comedians you’ll ever hear process their relationship on mic.

They’re in couples therapy again—but this time it’s just a tune-up. Courtney and Casey talk about active listening, ADHD, communication breakdowns, and their mysterious new couples therapist “Ron,” whose real name remains unclear.

From the start, it’s chaos in the best way. Courtney and Casey kick things off with a story about the taxidermied fox Courtney brought to decorate the set of Casey’s Comedy Central special, Welcome to the Jungle, which he thought would feature a majestic wall of dead animals. Turns out, it was just the one fox—and also a perfect metaphor for how communication works (or doesn’t) in relationships.

Casey, who shifts accents and characters faster than you can say “attachment style,” rebrands every therapy modality into Disney villain lore. When we mention Imago therapy? “Is that the bird from Aladdin?” (It’s Iago, Casey.) When Gestalt therapy comes up? “Isn’t that the guy from Beauty and the Beast?” (Gaston. But close.) Courtney just stole our hearts and my husband can’t stop quoting her… “booked and busy!”

We also veer gloriously off-topic toward the end—into ageism, where it’s noted the double standard has flipped and men now “look like old socks pulled from a lake,” and gender gaps.

Courtney and Casey remind us that love is maintenance, and that just showing up—with intention and humor—is the work.

🎧 New episodes of Xanyland drop Tuesdays on all platforms—but we’re taking a baby vacation break. Catch us back here Tuesday June 17 with our next guest. In the meantime, follow, rate, and share the show.

Cool guy comedian Andrew Orolfo shares his personal experiences with the pressures of maintaining an online presence, especially as someone who pursued comedy for the love of it. He came into this work to write jokes and perform them, not to edit reels and monitor engagement.

Hosted by therapist Alicia Racine Fink, the conversation gets into how overwhelming it can feel to keep up with the algorithm, the toll it can take on mental well-being, and how Andrew’s learned to handle online feedback with humor and resilience.

The episode also touches on therapy, emotional growth, and how parents can help protect kids from the chaos of the internet. It’s a laid-back conversation with signature chill vibes—just like Andrew.

We cover how social media messes with your brain, what it means to clap back without losing yourself, and we end again with why therapy is the biggest take-home point.

Comedian, boxer, writer, dancer, and illustrator Gracie Canaan doesn’t just live with bipolar disorder—she has turned it into an art form. In this raw and uplifting episode, Gracie shares her decade-long mental health quest (not to be confused with journey), from hospitalization to healing, and how she learned to invite all her parts—manic Gracie, depressed Gracie, every messy, brilliant version of herself—in for tea.

Hosted by therapist Alicia Racine Fink, the conversation gets real about what Gracie’s learned along the way—from actionable tools like phone lockboxes and high-yield savings accounts to navigating an alternative lifestyle that includes living with her ex (one of her best friends), whose new girlfriend—fatefully—is also named Grace. She talks about building a life that works for her, on her terms, with humor, ferocity, and a whole lot of heart.

As Gracie says, “The truth is more interesting, but nobody wants to hear it.” In this episode, we do.

Hosted by therapist Alicia Racine Fink, this episode explores everything from the raw chaos of bombing a set to the existential dread of “How do I look on stage?” Tommy and Alicia go deep on what it means to find your voice when you're one of eight siblings and the only one doing stand-up.

They unpack why choir is basically crack for young boys, why a “dream job” at LinkedIn can be a creative death sentence, and why therapy only works if you actually do it right. Alicia confesses to falling in love with her therapist’s husband (without knowing it), and Tommy gives a loud and proud thank-you to his therapist, Cheryl—who maybe shouldn’t come to his shows.

Whether you’re a comic, a creative, or just curious about how therapy and self-presentation collide, this episode is for you. Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your T.

Now a practicing therapist who’s funnier than ever (and yes, back on stage), he opens up about rage, recovery, and how becoming a therapist made his comedy more connected. This episode is for anyone who’s ever used humor to keep it together—and is finally ready to fall apart just enough to heal.

The best part? He’s mid-journey—thoughtful, educated, and honest, but still figuring it out. And fun fact: Baron and Alicia were both at the Boston University College of Fine Arts Acting Program.

If you don’t know him as an epic stand-up, you might recognize him from Grace and Frankie. This episode could help a lot of people accept themselves in a new way. Share it, comment, and let’s keep the conversation going.

In this episode of Xanyland, stand-up comedian Jessica Michelle Singleton shares the story of her mom quitting her meds cold turkey (it was a ride). We also talk about her journey with ADHD meds, while host and therapist Alicia Racine Fink’s husband, Mike, spills on his medication adventures—including multiple rounds in an oxygen chamber.

Holistic approaches, meds, supplements, exercise—we’re here for all of it. And if SSRIs make your brain a nicer place to live? Keep taking them.

This episode is for anyone navigating ADHD, OCD, mental health meds, or just trying to figure out what works. Everyone deserves help, treatment, and a brain that isn’t trying to ruin their life.

I’m Alicia Racine Fink, a licensed therapist and your host, and Xanyland is where comedians, chaos, and the clinically curious collide. Whether you’re therapy-curious, in it deep, or just here for laughs and catharsis, you’re in the right place.

If you’re a visual learner, you can watch the full video on YouTube. Please follow, rate, and share—because comedy and mental health both deserve a little more honesty and a lot more airtime.