Gary Chivichyan — also known as “The Armenian Sniper” — made history as the first Armenian to be drafted into the NBA G League, becoming a trailblazer for an entire community that had never seen itself represented on that stage before.   Now 29, Gary is in a new chapter — one defined not just by basketball, but by identity, reinvention, and purpose. He’s a husband, a mentor, and a speaker who’s using his platform to remind the next generation that success isn’t always about becoming the next Michael Jordan — sometimes it’s about becoming the most authentic version of yourself, again and again.   Chapters 00:00 Tattoo Stories and Their Meanings 01:47 Journey into Basketball 07:14 Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success 26:00 The Journey of Jamie Kern Lima 26:56 Embracing Individuality and Authenticity 31:46 Guidance, Growth, and Future Aspirations   Sponsor Sponsored by Keosian Law, LLP Office in Sherman Oaks, CA Website: https://keosianlaw.com/ Phone:(866) 222-2020   Guest: Gary Chivichyan Professional Basketball Player Gary Chivichyan | Social   Host: Ellina Abovian | KTLA 5 News reporter, Armenian American storyteller, and proud single mom

Episode 55 of Breaking Through, I’m sitting down with someone I not only admire professionally, but care for personally — my friend Dr. Dave Dickie.   Dave works in national security as a Senior Intelligence Analyst for Peraton, where he helps guide teams operating in high-stakes, high-pressure environments. He’s a father, a husband, a coach, and someone who understands what it means to carry a lot at once — emotionally, mentally, and operationally.   But the reason he’s here today is because of the journey that shaped his new book, The Stoic Cheat Sheet — a book he wrote while navigating more than two years of caregiving and hospice for his father. In that season of intense responsibility — balancing family, work, caregiving, and personal resilience — Dave turned to Stoicism not as a philosophy to study, but as a toolkit to survive. And eventually, to transform.   Today we’re talking about strength, presence, pressure, caregiving, grief, and the kind of inner steadiness that can carry us through our hardest chapters.   Sponsor Sponsored by Keosian Law, LLP Office in Sherman Oaks, CA Website: https://keosianlaw.com/ Phone:(866) 222-2020   Guest Dr. Dave Dickie Senior Intelligence Analyst & Author Dr. Kate Balestieri | Dr. Dave Dickie | Social   Host: Ellina Abovian | KTLA 5 News reporter, Armenian American storyteller, and proud single mom

Dr. Kate Balestrieri is a licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist. She is the author of “What Happened to My Sex Life?: A Sex Therapist’s Guide to Reclaiming Lost Desire, Connection, and Pleasure.” Dr. Kate …. Is the founder of Modern Intimacy, and host of the podcast Get Naked with Dr. Kate―uncovers the twelve most common causes of a loss of libido.   Sponsor Sponsored by Keosian Law, LLP Office in Sherman Oaks, CA Website: https://keosianlaw.com/ Phone:(866) 222-2020   Guest: Dr. Kate Bslestieri Licensed Psychologist and Certified Sex Therapist Dr. Kate Balestieri | Dr. Kate Balestieri | Social How to Break Up with Someone   Host: Ellina Abovian | KTLA 5 News reporter, Armenian American storyteller, and proud single mom

Scott Minker is a husband, father, son, entrepreneur, and storyteller living his “2.0 Life” after surviving a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2024, an experience that radically transformed his understanding of success, gratitude, and purpose. What was once a relentless pursuit of performance and achievement evolved into a life guided by presence, patience, and the practice of being where his feet are.   After waking up blind in the ICU at UCLA, enduring 19 surgeries, and making a miraculous full recovery (beating the 17% odds), Scott is devoted to helping others experience their own awakening with the awareness that tomorrow is never guaranteed. He shares his journey as proof that growth and meaning can emerge from even the most unexpected and challenging moments.   Scott graduated from Georgetown University and received his MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. A native Texan, he now lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Tracy, and their two teenagers.   Sponsor Sponsored by Keosian Law, LLP Office in Sherman Oaks, CA Website: https://keosianlaw.com/ Phone:(866) 222-2020   Guest: Scott Minker — Entrepreneur & Motivational Speaker Scott Minker | Social Media | Instagram 

Tania Khazaal is a family healing educator and reconnection mentor specializing in mother–daughter dynamics, emotional safety, and generational trauma repair. Her work blends compassionate communication, boundary restoration, and trauma-informed practices to help families move from conflict and estrangement into healthier, more secure relationships. Rooted in her own personal story of separating — and ultimately reconnecting — with her mother, Tania’s teachings combine lived experience with a deep understanding of emotional patterns and family systems. She now guides thousands through workshops, writing, and one-on-one support designed to help people heal the wounds they once believed were impossible to mend. Sponsor Sponsored by Keosian Law, LLP Office in Sherman Oaks, CA Website: https://keosianlaw.com/ Phone:(866) 222-2020   Guest: Tania Khazaal Award-Winning Journalist, Parenting Educator, and Author Tania | Instagram: instagram.com/taniakhazaal/   Host: Ellina Abovian | KTLA 5 News reporter, Armenian American storyteller, and proud single mom

Episode Description (Solo Q&A – Ellina Abovian | Breaking Through Podcast)In this special solo episode of Breaking Through, Ellina Abovian sits down for an intimate conversation with you — the listeners. She answers fan-submitted questions about her career in journalism, personal growth, dating, and the behind-the-scenes moments that shaped her journey. Honest, warm, and unfiltered, Ellina dives into the lessons she’s learned, the risks she’s taken, and what truly keeps her inspired. Tune in for storytelling, insight, and a closer look at the woman behind the mic. Sponsor Sponsored by Keosian Law, LLP Office in Sherman Oaks, CA Website: https://keosianlaw.com/ Phone:(866) 222-2020

Donna Tetreault is an award-winning journalist, parenting educator, and author whose work has been featured on The Dr. Phil Show, NBC’s Today Show, CNN, and The Washington Post. She’s spent years translating child-development science into real-life guidance for families — helping parents everywhere build homes rooted in connection, compassion, and calm.   Her new book, The CASTLE Method, offers a framework of seven pillars — Compassion, Acceptance, Security, Trust, Love, Expectations, and Education — a roadmap for creating emotionally safe, resilient families.   Today, we’re breaking through the myth of “perfect parenting” and exploring what it truly means to build emotional foundations strong enough to hold the hearts of our children — and our own.   00:00 The Unexpected Call from Dr. Phil 01:07 From Reporting to Parenting 03:50 The Castle Method: Building Your Dream Family 25:36 Embracing Children's Unique Talents 26:43 The Importance of Trust and Gentle Parenting 40:15 Setting Expectations and Encouraging Leadership   Sponsor Sponsored by Keosian Law, LLP Office in Sherman Oaks, CA Website: https://keosianlaw.com/ Phone:(866) 222-2020   Guest: Donna Tetreault — Award-Winning Journalist, Parenting Educator, and Author 🌐www.donnatetreault.com/ | Donna | Instagram   Host: Ellina Abovian | KTLA 5 News reporter, Armenian American storyteller, and proud single mom  

Nona Melkonian is a Multimedia Journalist, Event/Red Carpet Host and Content Creator. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Nona moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment and lifestyle journalism and has interviewed hundreds of prominent figures and celebrities. Recently, she’s launched her own media company, Melkoni Media where she amplifies small businesses, local events and fascinating people and organizations. When not interviewing celebrities on award shows and red carpets, she enjoys telling stories on and off camera. She believes everyone has a story and using her voice to help amplify the voices of others is the best way bring attention to new perspectives, build connections and and create community. Thank you, Keosia Law, LLP for sponsoring this episode https://keosianlaw.com/ Nona Melkonian | Social https://linktr.ee/nona.melkonianfbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnrN0CRL71Jdm3obd6lKkYMqyfS6qMZkiz_WwtqtMalJNUHNJhDocuAszYk_aem_5ST0aoqQ4Ru91A-Y32TC4A

Dr. Natalie Harvey is a licensed clinical psychologist and trauma expert who has spent over two decades helping people understand the invisible threads that shape their sense of self. Through her work, she explores how unresolved childhood wounds—especially those tied to attachment, abandonment, and “daddy issues”—often manifest in adult relationships, self-worth, and patterns of self-sabotage. Known for her compassionate yet direct approach, Dr. Harvey bridges neuroscience and emotional healing, helping people recognize that trauma isn’t just what happened to us—it’s what continues to live within us. She specializes in relational trauma, self-esteem rebuilding, and inner-child work, guiding clients and audiences alike toward reclaiming their power and rewriting the stories they’ve carried for too long.   Thank you, Keosina Law, LLP for sponsoring this episode https://keosianlaw.com/   Dr. Natalie Harvey | Social   https://www.mykindwell.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafEkwdoRhipEhgFkztvvLCUI4UIet--7_siDrwozvOZxILqSPfCx-Mfbp1fXw_aem_dDm9OFms7PlJMUL-Z3vNEA   https://www.instagram.com/drnatalieharvey?igsh=YnB2dHlqdWFndWd1  

Rebecca Kordecki is a life and relationship coach, breathwork facilitator, and motivational speaker who has spent more than 30 years helping people transform their lives — first from the outside in, and now from the inside out.   A former celebrity fitness trainer and wellness expert, Rebecca built a successful career training Hollywood A-listers, professional athletes, and high performers, helping them build physical strength and mental resilience. But over time, she realized that true transformation doesn’t begin in the body — it begins in the heart.   Today, through her signature SOAR Method and transformational programs like Reclaim Your Heart and Boss of Your Happy Bootcamp, Rebecca helps people heal heartbreak, regulate their emotions, and reclaim their self-worth. She’s been featured in Forbes, Shape, Women’s Health, and The Today Show, and is known for her bold, no-BS coaching style grounded in deep compassion and authenticity.   On this episode of Breaking Through, Rebecca shares how heartbreak became her greatest teacher, why emotional freedom is the new success, and what it truly means to age like a boss and live unapologetically free.   Thank you, Keosian Law, LLP for sponsoring this episode https://keosianlaw.com/   Rebecca Kordecki | Social   https://www.instagram.com/rebeccakordecki?igsh=MXhsazNzZ3FnMmFwaw==   https://www.rklife.coach/reclaim3

This weeks guest is someone you’ve quite literally grown up watching — actor, host, husband, and father — Jerry O’Connell. From his unforgettable breakout role in Stand by Me to starring in hit shows like Sliders and Crossing Jordan, Jerry has spent decades in Hollywood mastering the art of reinvention. Most recently, he co-hosted The Talk on CBS, bringing humor, honesty, and heart to daytime television. But beyond the spotlight, Jerry is a devoted husband to actress Rebecca Romijn and a proud father of twin daughters. His journey is one of evolution — from child actor to thoughtful, grounded family man — and a reminder that true success isn’t about fame, but about growth, gratitude, and staying real in a world that often isn’t.   Thank you, Keosian Law, LLP for sponsoring this episode https://keosianlaw.com/   Jerry O'Connell | Social https://www.instagram.com/mrjerryoc?igsh=MWZlNXQ0Mml1eGIxeA%3D%3D

In this special episode, Ellina shares favorite moments on spiritual healing from conversations with David Ghiyam, Phil Good "The Intuitive", and Karin Hadadan. She shares how Breaking Through has become more than a podcast - it's been a journey of transformation. In this episode, Ellina revisits some soul-stiring moments from spiritual wisdom to self-love and intuitive living. These highlights capture what it truly means to evolve, heal, and awaken to your highest self.   Thank you @Keosian Law, LLP for sponsoring this episode https://keosianlaw.com/   David Ghiyam | Social https://www.instagram.com/davidghiyam/?hl=en Karin Hadadan https://www.instagram.com/icietnu/?hl=en Phil Good "The Intuitive" https://www.instagram.com/philgoodwithin/  

Chris Schauble is an Emmy Award–winning journalist and co-anchor of the KTLA Morning News. Known for his authentic storytelling, quick wit, and viral “earthquake face” moment, Chris has built a career that blends credibility with personality. Beyond the newsroom, Chris is a dedicated husband and father to two sets of twin daughters, a passionate triathlete, and an adoptee who openly shares his personal journey. His commitment to community service, resilience, and uplifting others shines through in everything he does—both on and off camera. With a unique mix of humor, heart, and grit, Chris Schauble continues to inspire audiences while reminding us that consistency and showing up every day are the real keys to success   Thank you, Keosian Law, LLP for sponsoring this episode https://keosianlaw.com/   About Chris Schauble: https://ktla.com/author/chris-schauble/

Harout Keosian is a dynamic attorney, entrepreneur, and community leader. A proud Ferrahian graduate and lifelong supporter of Armenian organizations, Harout’s journey started early, working alongside his father at the family auto repair shop. After earning his Business degree from CSUN and his law degree from Southwestern, he built a remarkable legal career, founding his own firm in 2009 and growing it from just two people to a team of over 55, representing more than 35,000 clients.   Beyond the courtroom, Harout’s entrepreneurial spirit spans real estate, venture capital, healthcare, and technology, including co-founding MyDataDeposit, a secure digital data depository. His leadership extends deeply into the community as well — having served on the Ferrahian School Board, the Encino Neighborhood Council, and currently as chairman of the Armenian Cultural Foundation.   Harout is not only a lawyer and businessman but also a dedicated mentor, philanthropist, and lifelong student of growth, with passions that range from cars and watches to cigars, scotch, and politics. His story is one of discipline, vision, and giving back — and I’m excited to dive into the principles and inspirations that have guided his path.   Thank you, @Keosian Law, LLP for sponsoring this episode https://keosianlaw.com/   Harout Keosian | Social https://www.instagram.com/h_keosianlaw?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D  

Dr. Nadine Macaluso, known to her patients as Dr. Nae, is the real-life inspiration behind Naomi Belfort's character in "The Wolf of Wall Street." She survived a turbulent eight-year marriage to Jordan Belfort, marked by abuse, greed, and trauma. Following her experiences, Dr. Macaluso relocated to California. Her journey of trauma and healing inspired her to return to school at age 39, where she earned her Master's in counseling and a Ph.D. in somatic psychotherapy. She further specialized with a two-year postdoctoral training in the Neuro-affective Relational Model (NARM). As a therapist, Dr. Macaluso combines her education and personal experiences to help others heal from trauma. Her practice focuses on assisting patients in connecting with their authentic selves, fostering confidence, resilience, and agency. Dr. Macaluso firmly believes in the potential for post-traumatic growth, instilling hope in her patients and guiding them to reach their potential in life and love.   Thank you, @Keosian Law, LLP for sponsoring this episode https://keosianlaw.com/   Dr. Nadine Macaluso | Social IG: @therealdrnadine Website: https://drnae.com/

Matt Gottesman is a writer, creative strategist, podcaster, and entrepreneur dedicated to helping people live in alignment with their highest truth. With a background that spans tech, media, and brand development, Matt has built a reputation as a modern-day philosopher, guiding others to redefine success on their own terms. He is the host of The Niche Is You podcast, where he dives into alignment, creativity, spirituality, and the discipline required to build a life of meaning and impact. Through both his writing and podcasting, Matt blends business acumen with soulful wisdom, inspiring people to break free from external expectations and step fully into a life driven by authenticity, alignment, and purpose.   Thank you, Keosian Law, LLP for sponsoring this episode https://keosianlaw.com/   Matt Gottesman | Social https://www.instagram.com/mattgottesman?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==   https://mattgottesman.substack.com/subscribe   https://pod.link/1645205346

In this episode, I sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Regine Muradian to talk about the real challenges families face as kids head back to school. From managing anxiety and supporting children with big emotions, to handling sibling comparisons and learning the right ways to praise, Dr. Muradian offers practical guidance every parent can use. We also dive into deeper conversations around co-parenting after divorce, navigating different parenting styles, and understanding the warning signs of depression and suicide in adolescents. Plus, we explore how to set healthy boundaries with extracurricular activities and why moms often feel so burned out in the process. This conversation is honest, compassionate, and packed with tools to help parents and caregivers raise resilient, emotionally healthy kids—while also taking care of themselves.   Thank you, Keosian Law LLP for sponsoring this episode https://keosianlaw.com/   Dr. Regine Muradian | Social https://www.reginemuradian.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginemuradian?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D

Roxanne Saffaie is a writer, speaker, and mentor widely recognized for her work in guiding women toward Self-Mastery. As the host of The Roxanne Show (formerly BlackBeltBeauty Radio), she has built a global audience by blending science, spirituality, and soulful storytelling to inspire radical self-love, trust, and authenticity. Before becoming a Self-Mastery mentor, Roxanne thrived as a top 1% celebrity makeup artist—an experience that taught her how true beauty begins within. Today, she’s a leading voice in helping women build unbreakable bonds with themselves, embrace their power, and create lives aligned with their highest truth. In this episode, Roxanne Saffaie takes us on a powerful journey into the heart of authenticity and intimacy with ourselves. We explore how self-trust, honest reflection, and courageous vulnerability are the foundations for living a life that feels aligned and deeply fulfilling.   Thank you, Keosian Law, LLP for sponsoring this episode https://keosianlaw.com/   Roxanne Saffaie | Social | Links https://www.instagram.com/roxylook?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D https://stan.store/roxannesaffaie  

Lu Parker is an Emmy and Genesis Award–winning journalist, animal advocate, author, and entrepreneur. For nearly two decades, she has anchored the news at KTLA 5 in Los Angeles, covering some of the most defining stories of our time—from natural disasters to presidential elections. Before her career in journalism, Lu made history as Miss USA, a title that opened doors but also came with challenges that shaped her resilience and determination. Beyond the camera, Lu has navigated the complexities of being a woman in the public eye, from pageants to high-profile relationships, all while wrestling with her own search for identity and authentic voice. Today, she speaks openly about that journey, sharing what it means to move through success, struggle, and self-discovery to arrive at a place of gratitude, self-love, and purpose.   Thank you, Keosian Law LLP for sponsoring this episode https://keosianlaw.com/   Lu Parker | Social https://www.instagram.com/luparkerla?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D  

In this episode, I am sitting down with Phil Good … widely known as The Intuitive - a name you’re about to see everywhere. Phil has a gift that’s hard to explain but impossible to ignore.  The moment you start opening up to him, something magical happens—messages start coming through. Whether it’s the words you use, or your overall energy, Phil picks up on what’s really going on beneath the surface. It’s like he can hear what your soul has been trying to tell you all along.  With his strong intuitive gift, Phil can quickly spot what’s out of alignment in your life. Maybe it’s a belief that’s been holding you back. Maybe it’s a pattern you keep repeating without realizing it. Whatever it is, Phil sees it and gently helps you shift it. You start to feel more empowered. More aligned. And before you know it, the things you’ve been waiting for: the right relationship, the job that lights you up, the clarity you’ve been craving—they start showing up.  In this episode, Phil explains how we can all go inward to hear that special intuitive voice that’s within all of us.   Thank you, Keosian Law for sponsoring this episode https://keosianlaw.com/   Phil Good | Social https://www.instagram.com/philgoodtheintuitive/