The Helping Conversation

“I have all this privilege, its time for me to spend out”Steve Lysenko is the current Region 1 Director of the NAME (The National Association for Multicultural Education), a 100% volunteer organization that promotes equity in education. As a public-school educator with more than 20 years of experience as a teacher, enrichment specialist, and educational leader, Steve is now an Ed.D. candidate in the Executive Leadership at St. John Fisher University’s Department of Executive Leadership. His area of research is in Culturally Responsive Leadership and the Implementation of the NYSED Culturally Responsive-Sustaining (CR-S) Education Framework in predominantly white suburban secondary schools. Steve is slated to defend his dissertation in August of 2023 and recently launched his educational consulting business, Excellence in Educational Equity (3E) Consulting. In this episode of The Helping Conversation Podcast, Steve shares his work in challenging the educational status quo that, in many districts, continues to teach a “whitewashed” version of history while not celebrating multiple expressions of diversity (race, social class, gender, language, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, ability) as an asset in teaching and learning. Steve discusses practices that continue to this day that support structural racism and do immense harm to families and their children. We discuss the principles behind the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework and strategies to implement this far-reaching view of learning and human development in which multiple expressions of diversity are recognized and celebrated.For more information on Steve Lysenko: http://www.stevenlysenko.com/

“Everything children do or say is communication”After burning out at work, in therapy, Rose learned that she had had a highly abusive childhood. Her need to push herself SO HARD was rooted in trying to earn something that seemed out of reach her whole life - feeling her parents' love.
When Rose became a mom, it magnified her insecurities, and started triggering UNSHED TEARS and UNEXPRESSED ANGER. She felt she had 2 CHOICES… Fall into the abyss of repeating what her parents did, or learn completely new ways of relating.

Rose will forever be grateful that she stumbled upon Language of Listening® A parenting model that not only allowed her to become the mom she always wanted to be, but also allowed her to re-parent herself.
In this episode of The Helping Conversation, Rose, now an Authorized Language of Listening® Coach, discusses her specialized work in helping moms who had difficult childhoods get to a place where they LOVE the way they parent.For more on Rosemary Clark:https://www.afteraces.com/love-the-way-you-parenthttps://www.instagram.com/love.the.way.you.parent/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethewayyouparent/

“If it ain’t joyful, we ain’t doing that shit!”Amy Hager, a true marketer and community builder at heart, uses her years of experience and expertise to help coaches and consultants around the world build businesses they love at the Joyful Business Revolution. Amy’s yoga instructor says she has lived 12 lives already because she has so many experiences. She has raced cars, been a radio DJ, built sales and marketing teams (one was for a standardized construction contracts coalition), worked at a group home to support adults with mental illness, led a B&B association, started a youth group, been a military spouse - just to name a few. Her experiences help her relate and apply strategies across many different industries by utilizing her background in marketing, communications, engagement, community development, and organizational growth.In this episode of The Helping Conversation, Amy discusses her how she utilizes an array of tools and methodologies including The Content Personality™ Quiz to assist her clients in identifying the most powerful and joyful way in which they can deliver their message to the marketplace. Amy’s clients ponder questions such as “is it interesting or is it joyful?” and “how do I create a soul driven business?" as they create a marketing and messaging plan that is authentic, impactful and...joyful!!!For more on Amy:
https://mshannonhernandez.com/

“Practicing the Platinum Rule – do unto others as they would like to be done unto”Christine Horstman is the owner of Paper Doll Communication. Christine is a Certified Professional Coach with a niche in career coaching. She is also an Accredited DISC Trainer and a Professional Development Instructor. Christine’s specialty is emotional intelligence and communication skills. Her real knack is helping people figure out and phrase what they need to say. She helps her clients articulate their worth and what they want.Christine is a chronic illness warrior who has added long-haul COVID to her resume. Writing has always helped her cope and she believes in the power of putting our thoughts and goals on paper. Her book, Deal with It, Doll! Coaching Yourself Through Crisis was published in January of this year. Inspired by the pandemic and the lessons learned from her health journey, Deal with It, Doll! is a timely resource to help you grow through change and deal with life’s many curveballs with resilience, confidence, and hope. In this episode of The Helping Conversation, Christine discusses her profoundly positive and upbeat brand of coaching that supports her clients in utilizing our most updated understanding of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) while accessing their innate resilience factors. Christine honors many of the hallmarks of high-level coaching including being strength based, practicing deep and authentic listening, modeling radical acceptance and always asking powerful questions. For more on Christine:https://paperdollcommunication.com/https://www.facebook.com/paperdollcommunication/https://www.instagram.com/chris.horstman/https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-horstman-a2203278/Book Links:http://dealwithitdoll.com/Deal With it Doll!: Coaching Yourself Through Crisis: Horstman, Christine O'Brien: 9781955090223: Books - Amazonhttps://bookshop.org/books/deal-with-it-doll-coaching-yourself-through-crisis/9781955090223  (this is the site that supports local bookstore)

“Holding yourself accountable means there is nothing that you can’t do”Geoff Seow is the Founder of MindAxis Life Coaching, where he helps unfulfilled Millennials create an inspired vision for their future through overcoming self-doubt with his MindAxis Method™. Geoff is also an accomplished Academic with a background in Human Biological Science, Neuroscience and Biotechnology. His mission is to guide his clients to reach their highest potential, through which they can create a life of purpose and fulfillment. In this episode of The Helping Conversation, we dive into Geoff’s influential and impactful coaching with the Millennial population, a population that presently makes up the largest segment of the workforce. Utilizing many of the foundational coaching skills such as active listening, viewing his clients as their own best resource, providing thoughtful and structured accountability and a powerful focus on habits, Geoff supports his clients in the creation of greater focus and discipline…the end result…more meaningful and fulfilling lives.For more on Geoff: https://linktr.ee/mindaxislifecoaching

“An expectation is a resentment in the making especially when it is not expressed”Monica Levi is an executive leadership coach. She works with lawyers and startup leaders to help them get their leadership skills to the next level.She started her career as a corporate attorney, and subsequently transitioned into HR leadership with 20+ years of experience working for large international organizations, including Google, Skadden, Arps, and others, until she started her own leadership coaching practice 5 years ago.Monica holds a JD from Northwestern University and an MBA from Oxford University.In this episode of The Helping Conversation, Monica shares the skills and strategies that she employees in her work with organizational leaders. From “holding space” to a laser focus on each individual’s “zone of genius” to normalizing the experience of feeling like an imposter, Monica challenges and supports her clients as the come to incorporate a richer and strength based perspective on self.For more on Monica:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamlevy/
Instagram - monicamlevi

Paul possesses a decade of experience and expertise in the fitness and nutrition space. Paul is super passionate about the mental side of health and wellness, mindset, motivation, personal growth.He is a licensed (NBHWC) health and wellness coach, recognized by the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching, certified personal trainer, behavior change specialist and a lifestyle design coach. As a writer, coach, podcaster, and public speaker, he helps millennials stagnant in their career and life quit quitting on themselves, so that they can unlock unlimited self-confidence, passion, and have “total life alignment”.Paul’s podcast and brand is called “The Healthy Happy Human,” and he states that I love to talk about all thing’s wellness.In this episode of The Helping Conversation Paul describes his style of coaching that focuses on supporting his clients at getting at the root of where they are most challenged at creating and sustain meaningful change in their lives. Utilizing Motivation Interviewing and working within a strength-based framework that incorporates the Stages of Change Model, Paul clients develop increased awareness and enhance ability to move their lives forward.
For more on Paul:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paullevitin/
Podcasthttps://www.podpage.com/the-healthy-happy-human-podcast/Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-levitin-a7b56018b/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pwallball/

“It’s not how smart you are, it’s how are you smart”Ron has twenty-eight years of training and development experience. His background is broad based, having worked for some major organizations such as Toshiba, The Chubb Corporation and Organon Pharmaceuticals. Ron started his own consulting firm in 2006 with the majority of his work focusing on leadership and management development, corporate training, organizational development as well as coaching at all levels through client companies. Ron is a well-respected and sought-after faculty member of the American Management Association.In this episode of The Helping Conversation, Ron highlights the crucial differences between being a manager vs being a leader. Expanding on concepts such as empathy, vision, psychological safety and “doing things right vs. doing the right thing,” Ron shares how he guides his clients and their organizations toward a leadership model that celebrates inclusiveness, trust and relationship.For more on Ron: 
LinkedIn:Ron Reich
Instagram: leadership_rlb
Email:r.reich2006@gmail.com

Episode 406“My work is a playground to express my purpose”Mary Ann Marriott is passionate about helping others awaken to the brilliance of who they are and all that they have to offer themselves and the world.  She has been a diligent student of the Universe for over a decade and has shared her knowledge, expertise and passion with others through interviews, public speaking, writing and healing sessions. In this episode of The Helping Conversation, Mary Ann highlights many of the concepts behind her deeply intimate, intuitive and unique style of helping including holding space, self-disclosure, curiosity and possibility thinking. Mary Ann introduces us to a new definition of “intimacy, the concept of “truth vibes,” as well as the difference between a “new soul” vs. and an “old soul.” Mary Ann’s authentic presence guides and supports her clients in peeling away layers of limiting self-belief, thus giving themselves permission to “let their light shine brightly.”For more information on Mary Ann Marriott:
www.maryannmarriott.comTo access a gift of a Free Guided Meditation from Mary Ann:
http://www.maryannmarriott.com/freegift

Episode 405“Our homes represent everything that is important to us”Melissa Greer is a nationally recognized licensed Realtor/Broker who has provided Greensboro, North Carolina and the surrounding areas with award-winning service for over 30 years. Melissa was recently recognized as #1 out of 50,000+ Sales Associates in the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices International Network for Closed Transactions in 2021, in addition to placing within the top 10 in the nation for closed transactions 2017-2020.  In this episode of The Helping Conversation, Melissa discusses how she has focused her entire career on providing heart-based guidance and dedicated service to all of her clients, always keeping in mind the meaning of home and community, and the importance of investing in both. Describing herself as authentic, optimistic and person who wants to make the world a better place, Melissa shares how her work is guided by honesty and transparency, seeing all clients (and colleagues) as their own best resource, and a profound belief that “if there are people involved, its always personal.” Melissa shares that to her, “there is nothing better than walking into a house that a person loves.”For more information on Melissa: https://melissagreer.com/

Episode 404“I approach every situation with empathy and humility”The creator of the P.E.R.S.O.N. Centered Leadership Approach™, Michele Thompson is a Leadership Developing Coach and she is the CEO of Curis Consulting.  Supporting individuals and organizations struggling with how to prioritize human connections over bottom lines and shift from burned-out and frustrated to aligned and authentic, Michele believes that we have made leadership far more complicated than it needs to be. In this episode of The Helping Conversation, Michele highlights how she developed her own approach to creating psychologically healthy workplaces that relieves leaders of their moral distress and feelings that things will never get better. Our conversation focuses on authentic use of self, being strength-base, redefining the word “resilient,” and supporting her clients in not viewing themselves as “selfish if they decide to tap out.”For more information on Michele Thompson: https://www.curisconsulting.ca/

Episode 403“I practice Radical Love and I lead with Curiosity” As a Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Addiction RecoveryCoach and a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate, Meghan Hetfield enjoys a national Reputation as a trainer, consultant and subject matter expert. A devoted advocate For Recovery, Harm Reduction, Drug Policy Reform and Social Justice, Meghantravels nationally to bring dynamic trainings to communities and fellow professionals. In this episode of The Helping Conversation, Meghan discussed the models,Modalities and concepts that guide her passionate and evidence-based work Including Recovery Coaching, People are in Recovery if they say they are and the Role of Harm Reduction in both keeping people alive as well as de-stigmatizing Substance use. For more information on Meghan:https://meghanhetfield.com For more information on Recovery and Harm Reduction Practices:WEconnect free App https://www.weconnectrecovery.comNever Use Alone https://neverusealone.com/ 1(800) 484-3731Harm Reduction Works-HRW https://linktr.ee/hrwNEXT Distro https://nextdistro.org

Episode 402“I love fighting for people..I love seeing people get better”Rob Kent has spent most of his legal career in the public sector always with a focus on supporting underserved populations. For many years, Rob served as the General Counsel for the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) where he developed a reputation as one of the leading advocates for individuals and family impacted by Substance Use Disorder. In 2020, Rob was appointed by President Biden into his present position within the Office of National Drug Control Policy where he provides overall legal support to the entire office.In this episode of The Helping Conversation, Rob, a recipient of numerous community awards, discusses how throughout his career he has challenged the status quo and brought about legislative and systems change as well as specific Drug Policy Reform. Rob emphasizes how he balances “radical listening,” always wanting to be open to the opinions of others with a strong sense of advocating for those in need. Rob highlights how he creates trusting relationships and the power of the practice of empathy. For more on the work of Rob Kent and the Office of Drug Policy: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/

Episode 401“It’s all about trust between me and my players”About to begin his 12th season as an NFL Coach, since 2020, Dan Pitcher has been the Quarterbacks Coach for the Cincinnati Bengals where he has played a major role in the development of the Bengal’s star quarterback, Joe Burrow who has progressed from the #1 pick in the draft to now considered one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL. In this fascinating episode of The Helping Conversation, Dan sheds light on the strategies and modalities that he employees that elevate and inspire world class athletes to reach the absolute top of their profession. Dan discusses what he does to become a highly significant ally and resource to the athletes he coaches, the difference between external and internal sources of motivation and the time, thought and energy he puts into creating trust and safety with those that he coaches. If you follow pro football, you know that last season ended with the Cincinnati Bengal’s making it to the Super Bowl. A testament to the skill and hard work that Dan brings to his unique brand of the Helping Conversation.

Episode 310What are the Mental Health Needs of our Teens and Young Adults? - Survey FindingsWith Guests: Margi Taber: Wayne County Department of Mental Health
Aubry Ball & Jason Teller: Monroe County Office of Mental HealthMy guests on this episode of The Helping Conversation sit in with me to share and discuss the findings from the 2020 Youth and Young Adults Ages 12-24 Survey. The purpose of this survey, conducted by the Adolescent Subcommittee of The Consortium of Alcohol and Substance Abuse of the Finger Lakes/Region II, New York, was to gather information on how youth and young adults are managing during these difficult times. A specific focus was placed on (1) How youth view connection with others, (2) the traits that youth desire
in a trusted adult, and (3) Services youth want to access within their region. Key findings from this survey include (1) youth trust each other to be the experts and (2) youth want a voice in decisions that impact their lives. My guests discuss the historical challenges inherent in a mental health system designed and run by adults who have done little to authentically listen to the thoughts and perspectives of our youth as well as the limitations to programs and systems that continue to utilize strategies and modalities that do not meet the complex mental health needs of today’s teens and young adults.Strategies that have been found to be effective in engaging our youth in conversations regarding service provision are identified and explored.For more information:Finger Lakes Addiction Resource Center
https://ncadd-ra.org/services/finger-lakes-addiction-resource-center/2020 Youth and Young Adults Ages 12-24 Survey Report Summary
https://ncadd-ra.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/FL-CASAS-Adol-Comm-Youth-and-Young-Adult-Survey-Report-2020.pdf

“What are the indicators that NOW is the BEST time to focus on Conversations?”Deb Shannon and Mary Stelletello, CPCC, PCC are Executive and Leadership Coaches as well as the Co-Hosts of the C-IQ® Mini-Series on The Minutes with Mary Podcast. Deb and Mary are 2 of only 900 coaches worldwide certified in the transformational modality of Conversational Intelligence®. In this episode of The Helping Conversation, Deb and Mary discuss their use of this groundbreaking framework in supporting individuals, teams and organizations in the creation of trusting, authentic and highly effective conversations. Deb and Mary share how they utilize Conversational Intelligence® concepts, strategies and tools in their work with individuals, groups and organizations. Starting with a foundational understanding of the the role of neuroscience in how we perceive trust and safety with others and moving through the use of a “Conversational Dashboard” to guide our readiness to trust, this episode explores how we can all move toward a greater and more authentic sense of connection in all of our relationships.For more information on Mary Stelletello:www.vistaglobalcc.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marystelletello/For more information on Deb Shannon:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannoncoaching/

“Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fix Fake”Dimple Dhabalia is the Founder of Roots in the Clouds, and a Leadership, Mindfulness, and Well-Being Coach with a 20-year history of doing humanitarian work - or what she refers to as high human impact (HHI) work. HHI work is that which seeks to improve the lives of others and alleviate suffering in the world. Those that work within this specific profession not only contend with the uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity of daily life, but also face unique occupational stressors like compassion fatigue, burnout, and organizational trauma, which have become the norm within HHI organizations across various sectors over the past couple of decades.Putting the “human” back into humanitarian work, Dimple supports leaders and organizations across High Human Impact (HHI) sectors design human-centered workplace cultures where head, heart, and metrics work together to create nimble organizations that can thrive and grow even in the midst of uncertainty and challenge, and where empathy and social connection are at the heart the employee experience.For more information on Dimple:Website:https://www.rootsintheclouds.com/
FB: @rootsintheclouds
IG: @rootsintheclouds
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimple-dhabalia-she-her-ab326813b/

Kristina Rauscher, LCSW-R is a private practitioner in the Rochester area that has been providing individual and couples therapy for nearly 30 years. Kristina provides a unique approach that blends traditional psychotherapy techniques with spirituality, empowering her clients to not only understand the obstacles that come up in their lives, but to view them as opportunities for growth and evolution, all leading to the creation of a deeply meaningful life. Kristina, an expert at the creation of a trusting and safe space, discusses the strategies and theories that guide her very unique brand of The Helping Conversation. Building upon a profound appreciation for the healing power that results from the marriage of traditional psychotherapy techniques and the grounding of a spirituality base perspective, Kristina approaches her clients with a deep sense of curiosity, a belief that she does “not know” what is best for any client, and a willingness to ask her clients to take full responsibility for their lives (they are their own best resource). Having built a highly successful psychotherapy practice, Kristina is passionate about assisting couple in finding the best in themselves, and, in each other.

Ashley and Yuri Barber are Vegan Weight Loss Coaches and co-owners of Vegan Strong and Fit. After dealing with multiple health issues, obesity, and chronic fatigue as a result of their own lifestyle decisions, they knew they had to make a change. They dove into the research and decided to commit themselves to a vegan lifestyle. Together, they have been able to lose over 150 pounds while enjoying significant improvements in their overall health and wellness.Ashley is a Certified Fitness, Nutrition, and Wellness Expert, and Yuri is a Certified Fitness, Nutrition and Weight Loss Expert. They are passionate about helping others with a plant-based approach to holistic health and weight loss and together, practice their own unique brand of The Helping Conversation.For more information on Ashley and Yuri and their Coaching Services: www.veganstrongandfit.com

“Feeling good in our body belongs to us”Janis Isaman is the founder of My Body Couture and her specialty is helping people rid themselves of pain so that once again they can feel comfortable in their own bodies. Highly certified in both fitness and nutrition modalities and quoted as a lifestyle expert in Reader’s Digest, Prevention and Woman’s Health, Janis wants you to know that if you struggle with mobility issues, discomfort or body dysfunction, she can help!A provider of customized, individualized movement and nutrition coaching, Janis shares her unique brand of The Helping Conversation, including a "discipline-agnostic" approach which has helped hundreds of people navigate their body issues through education and movement techniques to full body sustainability.Honoring her clients as the best resource in their own lives as well as creating trust, safety & hope through the use of self-disclosure, Janis states that her primary goal is to help create a “solution, not just introduce a technique.”For more information on Janis:Website: mybodycouture.comFacebook: Facebook.com/mybodycoutureInstagram: Instagram.com/mybodycoutureTwitter: twitter.com/mybodycouture LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jisamanYouTube: https://m.youtube.com/user/janisisamanClubhouse: @janisElephant Journal: https://www.elephantjournal.com/author/janis_isaman/