We recently had the chance to connect with Rachel Steinman and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rachel, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
My younger daughter, Molly Sierra, is a singer-songwriter currently attending NYU for recorded music. Watching her daily TikTok videos and seeing her perform on stage in New York City has been so much fun and rewarding.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Rachel Steinman, a writer, speaker, teacher, mental health educator, and friendship ambassador with a BA in Psychology from UC Santa Barbara and a Master’s in Education and Teaching Credential from UCLA. I co-authored “Stay Golden, Girls: Friendship is the New Marriage” with Rachel Winter, a gift book celebrating friendship. As a mental health advocate, I see friendship as a wellness practice because it not only boosts our happiness but also strengthens our health. I also host the “Dear Family” podcast, which opens up honest conversations about mental health and relationships. Through my speakerships, I encourage and celebrate friendship while highlighting the importance of relational health as a powerful way to support our overall well-being. Beyond that, I’m a lead presenter for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), speaking in middle and high schools to end the shame and stigma around mental illness while teaching warning signs, offering resources and hope, and reminding everyone to ask for help. I also teach mindfulness to elementary students to support their resilience and well-being.
At the heart of my work is a simple belief: when we nurture our mental health and our connections, we thrive.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I was thirteen, after my parents got divorced, my grandparents wanted me to escape the concrete jungle, the heat of the Valley, and to escape my bubble. They very generously sent me to an international summer camp in Switzerland, where I met kids from all over the world who were so different from the Valley kids I’d grown up with. My eyes were open to see that there was so much beauty in the world and that I could be friends with people who spoke different languages, ate different foods, had different religions, and looked different than me. Not only did I make friends from all over the globe, but I also learned there is so much to learn from other cultures. The excursions we took throughout Switzerland, exploring the gorgeous mountains and lakes, showed me the power of nature to inspire and heal me. My biggest takeaway was that there is so much more to see than what is outside your front door, and sometimes it means crossing the street to explore what’s in front of us, and other times it means crossing oceans. I also learned that I love afternoon tea time and good cheese, baguettes, and chocolate.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
Mid-life, I learned resilience the hard way. After spending years on a raw and honest memoir about my family’s five generations of mental illness, I thought completing the draft was the hardest part. But rejections followed because I was repeatedly told I needed a “platform” to be taken seriously. I questioned whether my voice even mattered. What I realized, though, is that failure isn’t a dead end; it’s part of the journey. Every setback taught me to detach from expectations, be patient with outcomes, and celebrate small victories along the way.
Those challenges pushed me to create the platform I needed: I started blogging, podcasting, and became a mental health educator, sharing stories and resources to help others. The memoir is shelved at the moment, but I plan to return to it, and it will only be stronger when I do. The writing was beyond cathartic, and that in and of itself was the biggest gift I could have given myself. Failing hard taught me that resilience is built when we step into fear, keep moving forward despite roadblocks, and permit ourselves to persist. The detours didn’t take me off my path; they were my path.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say I’m the ultimate optimist, their biggest cheerleader, and the best audience ever, always laughing, clapping, and genuinely enjoying the moment. They’d also say I’m sometimes too honest, often putting my foot in my mouth, but they appreciate knowing I will tell them the truth, even when it’s not always easy. I love cooking, throwing parties, hosting, and going out of my way to make sure everyone around me is having fun. At the same time, I can be super chill and relaxed, probably thanks to all the yoga I do. I put my family and friends first, feel a deep love and pride for my daughters, and am grateful for my husband, whom I consider my partner in crime. And of course, I absolutely adore my rescue pup. I’m loyal and reliable, someone who celebrates friendships like it’s an Olympic sport. I’m always ready for an adventure, a good laugh, or a meaningful conversation.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand that friendship and connection aren’t extras in life; they’re essential to our mental health, our well-being, and our joy. Most people underestimate just how vital friendships, family bonds, and community are, not just for happiness, but for our actual health and longevity. Through my work in mental health education and as a friendship ambassador, I’ve seen how celebrating our connections, leaning on each other in hard times, and investing in the people we love can truly change lives.
The research reveals a simple yet profound truth about what truly makes a good life: good relational health- meaning the quality of our friendships, family bonds, and close connections keeps us happier and healthier. These close relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives. They protect us from life’s discontents, help delay mental and physical decline, and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ, or even genes. Nurturing our relationships is one of the most powerful wellness practices we have, and it’s also one of the greatest joys.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://writenowrachel.com/ & https://stayforevergold.com/
- Instagram: @writenowrachel & @stay4evergold
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-steinman-794846151/
- Twitter: https://x.com/writenowrachel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writenowrachel/ & https://www.facebook.com/Stay4everGold/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RachelSteinman & https://www.youtube.com/@Stay4everGold
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJMVJYPB
