Lauren Espejo is a multifaceted professional in the pharmaceutical advertising industry, blending 11 years of social media marketing and graphic design expertise. She's passionate about amplifying AAPI voices through her culture blog and advocating for social justice and DEI in the workplace and beyond. Lauren and Lori talk about their deep friendship, how they have worked to overcome their struggles with their experiences with bipolar disorder, and Lauren's Filipino culture.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-espejo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenespejo/

This episode is sponsored by Mental Health America of Dutchess County:

The 988 Challenge - https://mhadutchess.org/988challenge/

The Sound of Nashville Benefit Concert - https://mhadutchess.org/soundofnashville/

This podcast is produced by CMJW Entertainment

https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

• (00:00:00) - Lori Taktarski Morning Show
• (00:03:06) - Bipolar and Our Friendship 10 Years Later
• (00:09:21) - Celebrating the Community
• (00:11:35) - How Having Mental Illness Helped You Deal With It
• (00:15:01) - Having a mental illness in the workplace
• (00:18:21) - Lauren on Her Ethnic Background
• (00:22:22) - Open-Minded People:
• (00:23:12) - What Makes You Happy?
• (00:24:58) - How to Heal Yourself With a holistic approach
• (00:26:10) - A message for Chris Brown
• (00:27:41) - One of the Creators' Last Words
• (00:29:37) - Social Media Influencer Lauren on

It's been a pleasure recording all of these fabulous episodes for all of you! Today, I want to show you how I got started on my podcast journey with my producer Conor. He graciously interviewed me on his podcast Walsh Wednesday, and even then, we were scattering the seeds and laying down the foundation for the Lori Talk Tarsky Morning Show. Both Conor and I have a special place in our hearts for this interview and we hope it warms yours today!

More on Walsh Wednesday & CMJW Entertainment:

https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

This episode is sponsored by Mental Health America of Dutchess County:

The 988 Challenge - https://mhadutchess.org/988challenge/

The Sound of Nashville Benefit Concert - https://mhadutchess.org/soundofnashville/

This podcast is produced by CMJW Entertainment

https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

• (00:00:00) - The Sound of Nashville
• (00:02:22) - Walsh Wednesday: Mental Health as a Whole With Eve Tatars
• (00:02:58) - read from the book
• (00:03:18) - The Beautiful Jew: A Memoir
• (00:08:40) - The Importance of Being Unique
• (00:09:18) - Talking About My Mental Health in '
• (00:14:45) - Bipolar 2 and spiritual challenges
• (00:19:34) - The Book Review
• (00:20:36) - Andrew O'Grady on His Work in the Community
• (00:21:28) - Andrew O'Grady on Mental Health
• (00:25:43) - Mental Health Workshops
• (00:28:52) - How to manage depression with autism
• (00:32:32) - "I Could Live On My Own"
• (00:34:39) - Lori on Being Real About Her Mental Health
• (00:38:41) - Philip on Being Grateful For His Friends
• (00:42:15) - Walsh Wednesday: Talking About Chicken Nuggets
• (00:42:34) - The Impossible Dream

On today's episode, we speak with Emmi Nusimow. She is the founder of Angels of the Andes, whose mission is to create brighter futures for children living in Peru’s highest peaks of the Andes Mountains by supporting families and schools with essential resources and reminding them that there is always hope for tomorrow. Emmi shares her story of altruism, philanthropy, her heroing health journey, and her faith.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANGELS OF THE ANDES

https://www.angelsoftheandes.com/

Reaching the Highest Peaks

Our mission is to create brighter futures for children living in Peru’s highest peaks of the Andes Mountains by supporting families and schools with essential resources and reminding them that there is always hope for tomorrow.
Each year, we also bring the gift of Christmas—rooting children in joy, faith, and the love of Jesus, while reminding them that they are deeply cared for beyond their mountains.

For over 12 years, Angels of the Andes Mission has been bringing hope and joy to the mountains of Peru. Each Christmas, we reach more than 450 children, gifting them with clothing, school supplies, food, and the simple joy of receiving something special during the holidays.

But our mission goes beyond Christmas. Throughout the year, we help support 6 different churches and 4 different schools, helping to create brighter futures by building desks, playgrounds, libraries, and equipping kitchens so children can be nourished while they learn. These efforts create a safer, more supportive environment where children can grow, thrive, and dream big.

Every donation makes a lasting difference. 100% of your gift goes directly to the mission, helping families where they need it most. Together, we can continue reaching the highest peaks.

This episode is sponsored by Mental Health America of Dutchess County:

The 988 Challenge - https://mhadutchess.org/988challenge/

The Sound of Nashville Benefit Concert - https://mhadutchess.org/soundofnashville/

This podcast is produced by CMJW Entertainment

https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

• (00:00:00) - The Sound of Nashville
• (00:02:14) - Coffee Mug
• (00:03:22) - Emmy on Reacting to Her Childhood
• (00:06:08) - In the Elevator With My Father
• (00:08:09) - Bipolar 2: A Story of Hope
• (00:12:26) - Forgiving Past Toxic Relationships
• (00:14:04) - The Long Island Girl on Raising Her Sons
• (00:18:07) - A single woman's story
• (00:19:26) - Gegesund Has a Purpose
• (00:21:59) - What is rheumatoid arthritis? (My story)
• (00:26:44) - What May You Know About Moyamoya Brain Disease
• (00:32:07) - A Stroke Causes a Child's Birthday
• (00:36:11) - Angels of the Andes 501C3
• (00:40:35) - Angel of the Andes
• (00:42:12) - A message from Lori on her stroke

Michelle Barone is a leading entertainment host, red carpet interviewer, and media entrepreneur, best known as the creator and voice of RED, the top-rated iHeartMedia podcast spotlighting unfiltered conversations with celebrities, creators, and cultural trailblazers. With over 15 years in the entertainment industry, Michelle has built a standout career interviewing talent at the Grammys, Super Bowl Weekend, New York Fashion Week, and major national campaigns and galas.

She’s hosted events for brands like Cheer Choice Awards, and Hudson River Park Friends, and has been featured in Page Six, Bloomberg, LA Weekly, and MarketWatch for her impact on media and marketing. As founder and CEO of Michelle Barone Media, she continues to shape the digital landscape, while RED has grown into a must-watch platform for authentic, compelling storytelling.

Michelle’s work blends entertainment, influence, and purpose—making her a trusted voice and force in modern media.

Michelle Barone Online: https://michellebaroneonline.com/

Michelle Barone Red: https://michellebaronered.com/

On this episode, Lori shares stories and jokes from her memoir, "I Dare You to Walk In My Shoes!"

https://mhadutchess.org/tatarsky/

https://www.amazon.com/Dare-You-Walk-My-Shoes/dp/B0FD96KY7L

• (00:00:00) - Laurie Toft Tarski: Choose To Shine
• (00:03:14) - Dare You To Walk In My Shoes
• (00:07:18) - A Funny Story About Suicidal Ideation
• (00:09:02) - Comedian on Redeeming the Dream
• (00:14:50) - When You Can't Tell a Funny Story
• (00:16:24) - How Do You Know If Your Lover Is Dead or Alive?

Welcome to the first episode of The Lori Talk Tarsky Morning Show! To kick off the podcast, Lori interviews the show's producer Conor Walsh about his background in entertainment and his struggles with mental health.

https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

https://linktr.ee/conorwalshmusic