
Hugs In The Wild With Angela Pennella
A hug sounds simple, but what if it’s really a doorway back to being human? We sit down with Angela Pennella, the “official hug dealer” behind Hugs in the Wild, to talk about why so many people feel disconnected and what it takes to create real connection again in coffee shops, airports, and ordinary moments. Angela shares how she went from New Jersey to building a life in San Diego, then chose Nashville, Tennessee as her next expansion season, not a “starting over” story. We also dig into achiever syndrome, that exhausting loop where productivity gets tangled up with self worth. Together we talk nervous system regulation, rest that actually restores you, and simple practices like breathwork and NSDR (non sleep deep rest) that help your brain learn, “I’m safe even when I’m not performing.” If you’ve ever felt distracted, anxious, or like you’re missing the people right in front of you, this conversation brings language and tools you can use today. Hugs in the Wild is not about forcing touch or crossing boundaries. It’s about courage, curiosity, and asking better questions that break down walls, even with people who do not like hugs. Angela shares a standout airport moment that proves how one brave interaction can spark a ripple effect of kindness, hope, and community. If you love conversations about human connection, resilience, faith, and mental health awareness, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it. Support the show












