Refuse to Sink

For this episode, Emily Brady, Chiropractic Physician, provides insight on the importance of connecting the mind and body through movement. Emily highlights how essential it is to practice stretching and good posture to improve mental and physical health. She also explains the ongoing struggle that many patients have while working a desk job daily and how it disrupts alignment, posture and overall stability. Not only does Emily help align individuals each day, but also aims to improve blood flow and lactic acid for steady healing. Emily also connects her own personal mental health journey and how it inspired her to be the doctor she is today. You can find Emily on Instagram at dr.em_brady

Many of us have been through one of those relationships that tear us down. Sometimes we feel lost, defeated and have no direction on how to pick up the pieces. This episode is exactly that. Alex left a toxic relationship which led her into an anxious state. She realized she lost who she was and needed to rebuild. With the support from her family, friends and any strength she had left, Alex began the process of finding herself again. She surrounded herself with a healthy support system, self-reflection and saying "yes" to new opportunities. Alex remembered who she was and the game changed. You can find Alex on Instagram @alex_overly

Danielle was doing her best to hold on through a myriad of traumatic and unexpected events. These difficult events rippled one after the other causing Danielle to feel mentally and physically unwell. When faced with these types of events, it is natural for the human body to shut down and fall into autopilot mode. Danielle looked at herself in the mirror and knew she needed to make changes. She discusses how she refused to sink and followed cognitive behavioral therapy as a helpful tool. Danielle held on and has shifted her career to helping others to hold on as well.

In this episode, we dive into attachment theory and explore the four attachment styles that many of us can relate to. Of course no relationship is perfect, that would be boring, of course! This episode explains the different ways attachment styles can be developed and how they show up in our personal relationships. What attachment style(s) resonates with you? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Yael Kaner continues to grieve the loss of her 33-year-old son, Eliyahu Natan Kassorla. In March 2020, Yael tragically lost her son to suicide. She explained that her son struggled with mental health throughout childhood and into adulthood. At a young age, Eliyahu was diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder in adulthood. Yael explains the frequent visits to hospitals for her sons mental health. Years later, her son informed her that he was sexually molested at a young age and held in this trauma for several years. Yael then discusses the multiple suicide attempts that occurred throughout Eliyahu's life. Not only was Eliyahu manifesting past trauma but also hid his sexual orientation. Yael speaks of bipolar disorder, how it affected her son and the major impact this loss had on her and the family. Yael is a strong mother who chose to have a voice on losing her son to suicide. To explore more of Yael's journey, you can find her on Instagram at @yaelkanercoaching

Hello loyal listeners! Meet Emily Weigand. Emily is a motivated, intelligent warrior who continues to do great things with her life. Emily discusses her experience with PTSD and zones in on the monthly struggle of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Just like Emily, several women struggle with this around the world. If you have more questions for Emily on her personal experience, you can find her on Instagram as Kind.Kit --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Allison dives into her own personal story around the struggle of infertility. At a young age, Allison was told that everything looked normal. However, she didn't feel this way. She described herself as a female that was "broken." Allison questioned the ability of ever becoming a mother, something she always longed for. Throughout the years, she saw several doctors to find an actual diagnosis. During this process, she was faced with two major losses in the family. Allison was grieving the unexpected loss of her father in 2015 and her niece in 2019. She was grieving loss of her loved ones and the loss of not being able to conceive. Allison continued to fight, she wouldn't give up. She explored different approaches to increase fertility and eventually found some answers. The ending of this story is a miracle to say the least. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an extensive diagnosis that consists of many physiological and psychological symptoms. In this episode, we use an example of the Boston Marathon Bombing that occurred in 2013. This event was traumatic physically, mentally and emotionally. We discuss the ways PTSD can be triggered through the five senses and also review the physiological changes that occur within the brain. We then discuss a variety of grounding techniques and therapeutic approaches that can be beneficial to those who are diagnosed with PTSD. No single approach fits everybody.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

As a therapist, I think it's important to be mindful on how we feel. Checking in with ourselves can be helpful by recognizing emotions and feelings and becoming aware of our mind and bodies. Since Covid-19 has changed our lives in many ways, we have been faced with plenty of change. Change can promote uncomfortable feelings such as anxiety and fear. Many of us have been forced to re-adjust our daily lives. Some of these adjustments could be a major job loss, home schooling children, isolating from elders or rescheduling life-events. To finish the episode, Lauren then identifies different coping skills and healthy ways that have helped her get through this ongoing adjustment. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Jennifer shares her story on the up's and down's of becoming a mother. As she prepared for her new chapter of parenthood, she was faced with several internal conflicts.  Learning of her pregnancy before she was married, and to a man she was not sure she loved,  posed a major issue as she understood the societal norm.  The norm she explains as, "You must be married if you are bringing a child into the picture." Jennifer wanted to do what was right for her son, to be a family. She discusses the way she felt forced into a marriage while also planning to deliver her son all within a year. Jennifer trusted her intuition and realized that forcing a relationship is more detrimental to her and her son's happiness than falling victim to a forced, verbally abusive relationship.

For this episode, we interview nutritionist and pharmacist, Komal Thakur. Komal discusses the importance of diet and how it can correlate with mental health. She identifies certain foods that are good for the brain and what we should try to stay away from. We also ask Komal on her view regarding diet soda, caffeine and vitamin supplements. We also explore good bacteria versus the bad bacteria we carry within our intestines. Lauren and Komal also speak of the term "leaky gut" and how it affects the mood. If you want more information on nutrition and mental health, check out her Instagram: all_bright_health --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Warning! Parental Advisory- (consists of strong language) Lauren discusses the different factors of bullying and how it can manifest into suicidal ideations. Bullying is often overlooked, causing the victim to feel hopeless and unworthy. It can build up for years within the victim until they have had enough and snap! For this episode, Lauren interviews Beck on their own personal experience from being bullied. Beck was bullied in the hallways at school for race, sexual identity and dressing androgynous . Beck had enough and stood up to them once and for all. Confidence was built, a diversity club was established, and Beck remained standing with a strong voice for others who have gone through similar situations. Just like Beck's story, victims continue to get bullied in the hallways, the workplace, at home and through the cyber world. These victims often feel trapped, or may feel like a burden to speak out. Lets continue to raise awareness on bullying and check on those who might be in the current struggle. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Okay, who hasn't experienced anger? I know I have. In this episode, I discuss the emotions and feelings that are layered underneath anger. I also explore the importance of recognizing triggers and share some of my own. Next, I review the physiological and psychological warning signs that occur throughout our mind and body. Even though anger can present in aggressive ways, it can be worked on. As a therapist, I discuss the ways that have personally helped myself and clients effectively work through anger by breath work, positive self-talk and much more. However, sometimes anger can be a bit too much at times where it may surface daily. If you feel that you or someone you know presents with anger outbursts frequently, they may need to seek a therapist or doctor to explore the diagnosis of Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Remember, it's okay to seek help. Without change, there is no progress.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I discuss the different types of depression and what their symptoms look like. Some of these include, major depressive disorder, depression with psychotic features, perinatal / postpartum depression, situational depression and depression with atypical features. After I discuss each diagnosis, I then speak about the importance of natural coping skills that can help lift the mood and how medication can also be beneficial to some. If you, or someone you know is currently struggling and having suicidal thoughts please call 911, or contact the suicidal prevention hotline at 800-273-8255. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, Brianna was faced with an unexpected loss in 2018. Brianna explains the tragic phone call she received that changed everything. She had expectations that her father was improving with his health but was faced with the complete opposite. Not only did Brianna experience the loss of of her father, but also captured emotional imagery of her mother doing everything she could to revive him. To this day, Brianna continues to work on processing her own experience with grief and loss. On the positive side, Brianna is a licensed professional counselor and can recognize that grief is a long-term process. She discusses the different tools that continue to help her manage each day and how they can be helpful for others that were faced with a major loss as well. If you want to hear more from Brianna, you can follow her on Instagram at thenewestkoeser --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

❗️❗️ In some points of the episode, The phone call lags over one another. I promise I don’t talk over people! Apologize in advance ❗️❗️While we all go on our personal journeys, as I talk to Vineet, I was more than inspired as he talked about his and how he refused to sink. In this episode, Vineet discusses several unfortunate obstacles he has faced throughout his life. Obstacles that include, living with an alcoholic family member, sexual trauma at 9 years old, fighting several of his own addictions, and his parents being deported. Although this is an extremely heavy podcast, Vineet also talks about what has helped him effectively cope with this trauma and maintain sobriety. He continues to heal, is active in therapy, and is currently studying psychology. He is conquering this and in full control of his journey. We are blessed to have him be alive today as he spoke in detail around the many nights he pulled the trigger of an unloaded gun. Thank you so much for your bravery, courage and strength to keep refusing to sink!

Christina is one of the brave individuals who reached out to me on Instagram. Christina was ready to share her own story on how she refused to sink. She discusses the challenges she was faced with during childhood and how difficult it was living in a narcissistic environment. To this day, Christina continues to work through these layers and has been a wonderful role model for her children and those who have been in similar situations. She is now writing her own narrative for her current and future life. She is currently in control of her own story. You can check out her journey on Instagram at: _reclamationproject --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Lauren interviews her colleague Rachel Taylor. Rachel is a Licensed Professional Counselor who her Masters Degree in Counseling and Bachelors in Art Therapy. Rachel discusses what art therapy is to her and how she implements this therapeutic approach into her practice. She also signifies the importance of having an inviting, warm space for art-making. Lauren then explains her own personal journey with art and how it has helped channel her emotions, thoughts and feelings. Lastly, this episode explores the pathways of art therapy and how it can be utilized as "art psychotherapy" or "art as therapy". Find an art therapist: www.psychologytoday.com https://arttherapy.org/ Art Therapy Textbooks: https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Therapy-Clinical-Psychology-Handbooks/dp/1118306597/ref=sr_1_2?crid=6D7XMCGR8ZNZ&dchild=1&keywords=wiley+handbook&qid=1597107293&sprefix=wiley+hand%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-2 https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Therapy-Second-Cathy-Malchiodi/dp/1609189752/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=cathy+malchiodi&qid=1597107331&sr=8-2 https://www.amazon.com/Therapy-Trauma-Neuroscience-Juliet-King/dp/1138839388/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=art+therapy&qid=1597107352&sr=8-7 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This episode discusses how self-esteem can begin around childhood and follow into adulthood. We also explore other ways that self-esteem can enter into our lives from our external world. Lauren then shifts into Maslow's Hierarchy of needs and how it's relatable to the way we live our lives and view ourselves. In addition, Lauren reviews healthy tools that has helped her improve the way she views herself. Oftentimes, we catch ourselves comparing our lives to others and begin to feel inferior. This episode encourages you to look at your own journey and see the accomplishments and progress you have made from where you were ten years ago Instead of looking at other's. To wrap it up, three brave, talented individuals shared their own stories of where they were ten years ago and how much they have grown and blossomed into a better them. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This episode interviews my dear friend, Sarafina Arthur Williams. This episode is around exploring her identity and the different obstacles she was faced with along this journey. Sarafina speaks about the LGBTQ community / Black Lives Matter and what it’s like being a military wife. Not only has Sarafina been faced with plenty of obstacles, but has also developed a business, Intentional Simplicity. Her business began as a blog around her own personal journey on refusing to sink but had soon blossomed into lifting up others through wellness, consulting and artistic expression! You can check out her website at https://liveintentionallysimplistic.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app