Everything's Perfect...Except Facing the Unknown
Podcast: Everything’s Perfect
Hosts: Autumn Calabrese & Donald Stamper
Date: September 9, 2025
Overview
In this episode, Autumn and Donald explore the concept of "facing the unknown"—from personal changes like job transitions and launching new ventures, to deep dives into neurobiology, family acceptance, and the very real, messy middle of wellness and self-awareness. They share candid updates, recount memorable travel tales, discuss science-backed insights into motivation and emotional health, and dish up actionable advice for tackling difficult times. As always, the conversation is packed with laughs, vulnerability, and an unfiltered look at embracing imperfection.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Catching Up: Memes, Weekends & Celebrity Brush-Ins
- Timestamps: 00:00–06:00
- Light-hearted banter about ignoring memes and meme culture in friendships.
- Autumn recounts attending a Backstreet Boys concert at The Sphere, touching on the group's longevity and performance.
- Story of encountering Kevin (Backstreet Boys) and Paris Jackson at the airport—highlighting small-world moments and overcoming the hesitation to approach celebrities.
- Memorable quote:
“I am in this phase...where I am like, screw it. I’m just gonna ask for the photo. The worst that he could say is no. Who cares?” —Autumn (05:00)
2. Tasting Entrepreneurial Waters: Autumn’s Beverage Line
- Timestamps: 06:17–08:30
- Autumn and Donald taste test one of the in-development flavors (identities kept secret for now).
- Discussion around crowdfunding, potential investor interest, and the emotional rollercoaster of starting something new.
- Notable interaction:
“I’ve never had a friend kicking off a brand new empire before and I’ve got to be a part of the taste test of it.”—Donald (07:11)
3. Big Life Changes: Donald's Job and Finding Freedom
- Timestamps: 08:35–09:54
- Donald fields listener questions about his job status and details his decision to quit, emphasizing the freedom it brought and the positive aftereffects.
- Memorable quote:
“I quit and I’m so thankful and it’s going great.” —Donald (09:50)
4. Homecoming and Family Bonds: Out & Proud in Ohio
- Timestamps: 09:57–15:29
- Donald reflects on returning to Dayton, Ohio with his partner and how his coming out story resonated locally, creating full circle moments.
- Honest, funny story about an impromptu family outing to a gay bar for what turned out to be a “Dayton, Ohio male revue”—including his macho uncle front row at a strip show.
- Touching recollection about receiving acceptance from tough family members, showing the power of family love even in humorous, awkward situations.
- Memorable quote:
“I was just reminded about all the love and my family and support that I have and literally like my uncle hanging out with us till almost one in the morning.”—Donald (15:18)
5. Facing Fears: Roller Coasters, The Sphere, and Anxiety
- Timestamps: 15:30–19:55
- Chats about amusement park legends, fear of heights, and Vegas adventures. Autumn describes the physical anxiety of sitting at the top of The Sphere and the overwhelming immersive visuals, relating it to “roller coaster” feelings both literal and metaphorical.
6. Science & Self: Autumn’s Brain Scan Journey
- Timestamps: 20:27–36:46
- Autumn shares detailed results from a recent brain scan (Amen Clinics):
- Multiple tests covering reaction speed, focus, stress response.
- Brain imaging revealing past traumas, predisposition to anxiety and “glass half empty” thinking, and unexpectedly robust brain health.
- Insight that some people are neurobiologically less motivated—a useful lens for empathy and structuring routines.
- Personal example: childhood traumas visible in the scan; healthy coping mechanisms (supplements, targeted movement).
- Donald relates with family stories on alternative health diagnostics (quantum physics machine, detox foot bath) and how the body records emotional trauma.
- Notable quote:
“So when she said that I was thinking about it, I was like, okay, so what if somebody else has less? Like, what if they have less motivation? Then they’re going to struggle more... Maybe if they knew that automatically, then maybe they would be able to...set up a routine around the fact that I need to get this workout in because my brain is not going to push me to do it.”—Autumn (25:07)
- Autumn shares detailed results from a recent brain scan (Amen Clinics):
7. Mental Patterns, Motivation, & Reframing Negativity
- Timestamps: 36:47–39:15
- Discussion of how the brain is “wired for anxiety” for some, and how pushing for positivity is often an uphill battle, not a choice.
- Studies on negativity bias—brain believes negatives instantly, positives require more time (about 15 seconds).
- The practice of intentionally considering best-case scenarios rather than defaulting to worst-case thinking.
- Notable insight:
“You could spend all this time thinking about the worst case scenarios or you could spend all that same effort thinking about what could be the best case scenario and it’s going to leave such a different feeling in your body.”—Autumn (36:52) - Donald on quitting his job:
“Stuff could get really bad. It’s like, Donald, wait. Stuff could also get really good. And why are you mourning the loss of something that was not bringing you joy?” (37:35)
8. Coping Tools: Eating, Drinking, and Emotional Release
- Timestamps: 39:15–45:56
- How to pause and reflect before reaching for “comfort” foods or alcohol following emotional triggers.
- Tactics: breathwork, move to music, or asking oneself simple reflective questions before making impulsive choices.
- Real talk about workouts unlocking stored emotion and the benefits of “getting it out.”
- Notable advice:
“All I do...I just say, is this going to change anything? I just ask myself that one question.”—Autumn (41:10) - Donald adds: “You should make a deal with yourself that you’re not going to have [sweets] when you’re hungry. That should be a treat that you have. But not what you’re eating to fuel your body.” (42:39)
9. Movement, Restlessness, and Understanding Yourself
- Timestamps: 45:56–48:40
- Discussion of how certain brains (like both hosts’) calm during movement but never “shut off” at rest. Movement as a necessity, not just a means to fitness.
- The importance of exploring pleasurable, sustainable ways to move.
10. Genetic Knowledge & Living Proactively
- Timestamps: 48:40–51:31
- Autumn discusses knowing her own gene mutations (Alzheimer’s, diabetes) and the importance of tailored self-care—not as restriction, but survival.
- Barriers in accessibility to advanced testing, and the wish this crucial info was available to all.
11. Listener Engagement: Live Events & Community
- Timestamps: 53:05–54:45
- Brainstorming two possible event ideas: a one-day live podcast event with a workout/Q&A, or a multi-day retreat at Autumn’s Florida house.
- Call to action for listener feedback:
"Would you want a live event...or a retreat with me and D? Let us know...everything’s perfect podcast at gmail dot com." —Autumn (54:01)
12. Looking Ahead: Costumes, Community, and Halloween Prep
- Timestamps: 54:46–55:49
- Teasing upcoming spooky season content and ongoing podcast shenanigans.
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Facing the Unknown:
"You’re jumping off and you think that, like, you’re not sure if you’re going to land safe, but really your destiny is already there and your landing is going to be good and you’re going to keep going." —Autumn, interpreting Donald's rollercoaster dream (16:54) -
On Motivation:
"For me it’s sometimes a harder question to answer because I'm like, you just do it. You’re not always motivated. You just go...But maybe if they knew that automatically, then maybe they would be able to go, okay, I already know, like I'm understimulated. So...I need to get this workout in because my brain is not going to push me to do it." —Autumn (25:22) -
On Family Acceptance:
"Literally like my uncle hanging out with us till almost one in the morning." —Donald (15:18) -
On Emotional Patterns:
"That’s where I want to make that choice from: not from the worst day ever...Let me have cocktails." —Autumn (41:38)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:00 – Episode opens, catching up, weekend recap
- 02:53 – Autumn meets Paris Jackson & Backstreet Boys member
- 06:17 – Beverage line taste test & business talk
- 08:43 – Donald quitting job update
- 09:57 – Homecoming, coming out story, family acceptance
- 13:35 – Gay bar/strip show uncle story
- 17:11 – Sphere concert anxiety & immersive experiences
- 20:27 – Autumn’s brain scan: process, findings, impact on daily life
- 25:07 – Neurotype-driven motivation challenges
- 36:47 – Reframing negativity, the science of how we interpret events
- 39:15 – Emotional eating, self-reflection strategies
- 45:56 – Brains that need movement, holistic self-understanding
- 48:40 – Genetic testing, brain health & accessibility
- 53:05 – Live event and retreat teaser
Summary Tone
Conversational, warm, and honest with healthy doses of humor, humility, and genuine curiosity. The hosts lean into vulnerability and self-awareness, making complex topics relatable and actionable, while keeping the energy inviting and inclusive.
Actions & Call to Listeners
- Vote on live event vs. retreat (everything’s perfect podcast at gmail dot com)
- Suggest Halloween costume ideas for upcoming episodes
- Engage with the podcast (like, subscribe, leave reviews)
This episode is a true encapsulation of “Everything’s Perfect...kind of”—a celebration of growth, honest mistakes, scientific curiosity, and the joy of figuring things out with good friends.