Forever35 Podcast Episode 353: What It Means to Feel Better with Arianna Rebolini
Release Date: May 19, 2025
Introduction to the Episode
In Episode 353 of Forever35, hosts Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu delve deep into the complexities of mental health and societal influences on personal well-being with their guest, acclaimed writer Arianna Rebolini. The conversation is both heartfelt and insightful, offering listeners a profound exploration of what it means to genuinely feel better.
Introducing Arianna Rebolini and Her Work
Timestamp: 17:19
Doree warmly welcomes Arianna Rebolini to the show, expressing excitement about her new book, Better. Elise adds, “It's been surreal. It's been very cool,” highlighting the anticipation surrounding Arianna’s latest publication.
Arianna’s Journey with Depression and Her Memoir
Timestamp: 17:55
Arianna begins by providing a content warning for her book, Better, explaining that it tackles the heavy subject of suicide and its impact on families. She describes her book as a personal memoir that chronicles her struggles with suicidal thoughts and her journey towards recovery.
Notable Quote:
“The book is about suicide and kind of suicide's legacy in families and how she recovered from wanting to commit suicide.” – Arianna Rebolini (00:33)
Understanding ‘Better’: Themes and Insights
Timestamp: 20:00
Arianna shares the genesis of her book, which began as a personal research project after a severe mental health breakdown in 2017. Initially motivated by a desire to understand suicide through the works of authors like Sylvia Plath and David Foster Wallace, her perspective shifted following her brother’s battle with depressive thoughts. This experience broadened the book’s scope to include societal issues and systemic factors contributing to mental health struggles.
Notable Quote:
“Seeing how theoretical ideas just fail in the face of someone who just really wants to die changed the course of the book.” – Arianna Rebolini (21:56)
The Intersection of Poverty, Healthcare, and Mental Health
Timestamp: 30:28
Arianna emphasizes the critical link between poverty and higher suicide rates, citing global trends and specific observations during the COVID-19 pandemic. She argues that increased social welfare can mitigate these rates, as evidenced by the temporary reduction in suicide rates when welfare benefits were enhanced during the pandemic.
Notable Quote:
“Increasing social welfare...our survival is linked to our ability to work...we have to make work less linked to our actual survival in life.” – Arianna Rebolini (30:28)
Critique of the American Healthcare System
Timestamp: 32:52
Arianna critiques the profit-driven nature of the American healthcare system, highlighting its inefficiencies and the inadequate support it provides for mental health care. She points out how health insurance complexities exacerbate financial instability, linking it directly to increased depression and suicide rates.
Notable Quote:
“Health insurance in America is just, you know, the worst...we pay more for our health care and we are the least healthy.” – Arianna Rebolini (33:49)
Personal Reflections on Recovery and Societal Change
Timestamp: 36:19
Arianna discusses her personal evolution in understanding mental health, moving from viewing depression solely as an illness to recognizing the societal structures that influence it. This shift has empowered her to channel anger into activism and advocacy for systemic changes, making her journey towards recovery more holistic and hopeful.
Notable Quote:
“Seeing those other aspects of what makes a person suicidal made me really angry and then also energized.” – Arianna Rebolini (36:24)
Practical Takeaways for Mental Well-Being
Timestamp: 37:59
When asked about strategies to feel better, Arianna recommends meditation and the practice of not over-analyzing one’s emotions. She acknowledges her own struggles with meditation but underscores its importance in managing thoughts and emotions without judgment.
Notable Quote:
“The best thing you can do is just...practice like feeling something and then just letting it slide.” – Arianna Rebolini (38:13)
Book Recommendations and Personal Interests
Timestamp: 39:50
Closing the conversation, Arianna shares her latest reads, including Shane Terry’s Leave, which offers a raw account of postpartum experiences, and Jeannie Thornton’s ASL, a novel about teen game coders in the 80s. These recommendations reflect her appreciation for authentic, emotionally resonant storytelling.
Notable Quote:
“Jeannie Thornton... her novel ASL is about teen game coders in the 80s early Internet. It’s really fun... about friendship.” – Arianna Rebolini (42:07)
Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts
Timestamp: 43:25
As the episode wraps up, Arianna shares where listeners can follow her work, emphasizing her active presence on Instagram and her newsletter, Reading Habits. Doree and Elise express their gratitude for her candid and enlightening discussion, highlighting the shared experiences from their time at BuzzFeed.
Conclusion
Episode 353 of Forever35 offers a compelling and comprehensive look into the multifaceted nature of mental health through Arianna Rebolini’s personal and professional lens. By intertwining her narrative with broader societal critiques, the episode provides listeners with both empathy and actionable insights into fostering genuine well-being.
Notable Quotes Recap:
- “The book is about suicide and kind of suicide's legacy in families and how she recovered from wanting to commit suicide.” – Arianna Rebolini (00:33)
- “Seeing how theoretical ideas just fail in the face of someone who just really wants to die changed the course of the book.” – Arianna Rebolini (21:56)
- “Increasing social welfare...our survival is linked to our ability to work...we have to make work less linked to our actual survival in life.” – Arianna Rebolini (30:28)
- “Health insurance in America is just, you know, the worst...we pay more for our health care and we are the least healthy.” – Arianna Rebolini (33:49)
- “Seeing those other aspects of what makes a person suicidal made me really angry and then also energized.” – Arianna Rebolini (36:24)
- “The best thing you can do is just...practice like feeling something and then just letting it slide.” – Arianna Rebolini (38:13)
- “Jeannie Thornton... her novel ASL is about teen game coders in the 80s early Internet. It’s really fun... about friendship.” – Arianna Rebolini (42:07)
This summary captures the essence of the episode, focusing on meaningful discussions and key insights shared by Arianna Rebolini, while omitting advertisements and non-content segments as per the user’s request.