Imagine growing up with a parent struggling with schizophrenia—how would it shape your life and career choices? Chrissy Ames Cotto, a licensed marriage and family therapist, joins us to share her deeply personal and transformative journey. From her challenging adolescent years to her path of self-healing through therapy, Chrissy's story is a testament to resilience and the power of hope. This episode opens a window into the human experiences that fuel the therapeutic process, helping us to co...
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Tara Armstead, as she reflects on her 18-year journey in education. Dr. Armstead opens up about her personal battles and how they inspired her to write a book that challenges societal norms and educational practices. You'll learn how her unique perspective and dedication to embracing differences can revolutionize the way we teach and engage with students.Dr. Armstead's story isn't just about overcoming personal hurdles; it's a compelling...
Join us on this episode of Hopeology as we sit down with Dr. Max Kusovitsky, a psychoanalyst from the New York/New Jersey tri-state area. Dr. Kusovitsky peels back the layers of psychodynamic therapy, debunking myths about Freudian and Jungian practices, and reveals how modern techniques uncover unconscious thoughts to facilitate genuine healing and transformation. Discover how meaningful therapeutic work goes beyond surface-level issues to foster resilience and authenticity.How do we b...
Imagine the profound difference a lifetime of therapeutic support could make for those who've grown up in foster care. That's the mission at the heart of A Home Within, where Emily Yang and Candice Simonds join us to reveal the inner workings of their program. With a network of over 500 volunteer therapists, they've created a sanctuary for healing that transcends traditional limitations, offering lifelong therapy to foster care alumni regardless of age or income. As they mark their 30th...
Ever felt like life's throwing more curveballs than you can catch? Tune in as my guest, Sam Knickerbocker, and I discuss the resilience and choices that transform adversity into a foundation for growth. Sam's journey is not just a tale of overcoming; it's a blueprint for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of personal trauma and financial uncertainty—with a sprinkle of neuropsychology and biochemistry for good measure.Our conversation is a deep dive into the psyche, exploring how our ...
Christophe Ngo shares about his journey from struggling with his own sexuality to becoming a compassionate marriage and family therapist specializing in sex therapy, kink, and alternative lifestyles along with the neurodiverse population. Christophe's story is a beacon for anyone grappling with the complexities of identity and the transformative potential of facing our deepest discomforts. He draws on his personal battles to offer a unique perspective on the therapeutic process, emphasizing e...
My latest podcast episode offers an intimate glimpse into the forgotten world of homelessness, as Zak Mucha, a seasoned social worker and psychoanalyst, joins me, Christina McKelvey, to share powerful narratives of resilience. Zak, also the president of the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis, illuminates the transformative impact of the Assertive Community Treatment program that he led, their dedication, and connection to the clients. We explore this particularly through the lens of his ...
I speak with Lan Nguyen, who speaks on the challenges faced by adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic personality disorder. Through her experience, we peel back the layers of complex trauma that weave through generations, shining a light on how cultural shame can fuel these disorders. Join our thought-provoking conversation as Lan helps us understand the importance of validation in therapy and the journey towards healing from these deeply entrenched familial patterns, aimi...
When life threw a curveball at Chris Firebaugh in the form of stage four melanoma, he caught it and threw it right back. Join us as Chris opens up about the seismic shift that came with his diagnosis, and the unexpected avenues of healing he found along the way. Starting with a casual observation from a friend, Chris's journey through the tribulations of cancer treatment reveals how resilience and community can turn a battle for survival into an inspiring tale of transformation.Chris's narrat...
Have you ever stopped to consider how your thoughts influence your emotional well-being? Join me, Christina McKelvy, along with the remarkable Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis, as we delve into the transformative world of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). In a compelling discussion, she shares her profound insights on how this pioneering cognitive approach, deeply rooted in Stoic philosophy, and pioneered by her husband, Dr. Albert Ellis can help us navigate life's tumultuous seas with greater ...
Embark on a journey of cultural immersion and resilience with our latest podcast guest, Jose from the podcast, Finding Arizona. Moving back from the East Coast to the Hopi reservation, Jose's story is a vibrant tapestry of tradition and transformation. His tale is punctuated by the rhythmic beat of running, a legacy of his Hopi heritage, that became his conduit for community connection and an incredible tool for personal development. As Jose opens up about his family's influence on his ...
Imagine being uprooted from your homeland as a child, thrust into an entirely new culture without the ability to communicate. This was the reality for Tomoko, whose heartfelt journey from Japan to the United States unfolds before us. Joining us as she shares her narrative of culture shock, adjustment, and the power of resilience. Her experiences are a beacon for anyone grappling with change, illustrating that with self-compassion and mindfulness, we can find a path to inner peace and growth.A...
This interview with Kiki Walter is both heart retching and uplifting, one that explores the intimate corridors of the personal narrative and its therapeutic impact. Kiki, the editor behind Medium publications such as The Memoirist, Age of Empathy, and Black Bear, shared her experience with her mental health journey, revealing how her dance with depression became one of the cornerstones of her writing. During this episode we explore the profound healing that comes from sharing and connecting t...
Have you ever wondered if the family you're born into is the only one that can shape your life? Brittian Rivington Blackman joins us to share his heartwarming journey through the twists and turns of being part of a blended, military family, and how this experience grounded him. Growing up in the small town of Snowflake, Arizona, Brittian's life was anything but static, with frequent relocations painting a vivid backdrop to his childhood. His stepfather, emerges as a central figure, offe...
We are going to be taking a break for December. In the meantime, listen to past episodes, leave reviews, share episodes, buy me a coffee...and have a wonderful holiday season. See you in 2024! Information on where you can find us. Support the showFollow us on Instagram: @hopeologypodcast and the host @writerchristinamckelvyTo support the show, go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hopeologypodcastDisclaimer: The views reflected by any of the guests may not reflect the views of the pod...
Navigating the complex intersection of cultural identity and mental health can be a challenging journey. Listen to our fascinating conversation with esteemed psychologist, Pauline Yeghnazar Peck, MA, MMFT, PhD as she unearths the often hidden struggles and victories of the decolonization therapy movement. Dr. Yeghnazar Peck shares her personal experiences as a daughter of Middle Eastern immigrants and how her journey propelled her to address the gaps in mental health support for children of i...
Addiction grips your life and drowns you in turmoil, but you find a lifeline in a place least expected – the military. Meet Jamie Hairston, a living testament to the power of transformation and resilience. Jamie takes us on her journey from a life marred by meth addiction, through her time in the military, to her career transition into writing. This episode is a deep dive into Jamie's life, where fiction serves as a medium to uncover her raw, authentic truth. Jamie’s story is a fascinati...
Have you ever wondered about the powerful role community plays in the journey of sobriety? Our enlightening conversation with Sonia, founder of Everbloom, shines a revealing light on this often overlooked factor. Sonia's personal journey of recovery from alcohol dependence, fraught with challenges, highlights the critical role of a robust support system and that ultimately led to the creation of Everbloom, a platform providing that much-needed community for those battling similar strugg...
What if the theatre had the power to not only entertain, but to also enact change on societal norms ? Welcome to a riveting conversation with Lillian Isabella, a remarkable Cuban-American playwright, actor, and the first playwright with the rare disorder Phenylketonuria (PKU). Our dialogue explores Lillian's latest play, Primordial, a documentary theater piece on the topic of pregnancy and childbirth. We delve into her creative process, the inspiration behind her work, and how theatre can be ...
Fear and anxiety, are two emotions often associated with the dark side of parenting, specifically motherhood, which become the catalyst for an enlightening conversation in our latest episode. We're thrilled to welcome Yael Goldstein-Love, acclaimed author of the suspense-packed novel, The Possibilities, a discussion that promises an exploration into the heart of motherhood, where resilience and hope shine brighter amidst the shadows of fear. Join us as we journey through Yael's expe...