Episodes

May 21, 2024

Dr. Kathryn Smerling: Learning to Play Again | 90

This week we speak with Dr. Kathryn Smerling, the author of the forthcoming book “Learning to Play Again: Rediscovering Our Early Selves to Become Better Adults”. During our discussion, Dr. Smerling talks about what brought her to family therapy, intergenerational trauma, the effect divorces can ha…

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May 14, 2024

Will: Vulnerability and Normalizing the Conversation | 89

Please join us this week as we talk with Will about his mental health journey. During the conversation, we discuss Will’s embrace of vulnerability, his struggles with self image, and the difficult topic of suicidal ideation. We also discuss Will’s book “One Step Forward: Ideally in the Right Direct…

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May 7, 2024

Kim: Teaching and the Unconventional Path | 88

This week we speak with Kim, the host of the “One of a Kind You” podcast. Kim talks about her early life, a difficult relationship she endured, and her determination to follow her dream to teach. She discusses how her experiences with teaching conflicted with her idealized vision of helping others …

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April 30, 2024

Jess: Don’t Push the Panic Button | 87

This week we speak with Jess, the host of the “Panic Button Podcast”. Jess talks about when, as a senior in college, she first realized she had mental health struggles. She also relates difficult losses in her family, how she...

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April 23, 2024

Justin: Righteous Rage and Self Discovery | 86

Join us this week as we speak with Justin, the author of the book “The Righteous Rage of a Ten Year Old Boy: A Journey of Self Discovery”. Justin shares the difficulties he had growing up, the long shadow his father cast over his life, his struggles with addiction, and what led him to write this bo…

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April 16, 2024

Brandon Stosuy: Sad Happens | 85

This week we speak with the writer Brandon Stosuy, editor of the new collection “Sad Happens: A Celebration of Tears”. We talk about the very small town where Brandon grew up, his reflections on the home where he grew up, wonderful stories about his family, his writing career, and what inspired him…

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April 9, 2024

David Essel: Spirituality is About Service | 84

This week we speak with bestselling author David Essel. During our conversation, we cover a wide range of topics, including addiction, David’s decades long work helping others, and why the news might not always be the calming influence we might think it is. Visit David’s website: www.DavidEssel.co…

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April 2, 2024

Maggie: Our Thoughts Dictate Our Emotions | 83

Join us today as we speak with Maggie about her years of being a people pleaser, her 7 years of depression as she tried everything she could to feel better, her breakthrough moment when she finally said she wanted to do things her way, and her book that provides tools and inspiration toward a happi…

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March 26, 2024

Bre: “High Control” Religious Groups, how they split families, and Ho…

Join us today as we speak with Bre about being raised in a “high control” Christian Group, how it affected her family, and how she has found community and recovered since leaving the church. Bre’s website: https://brehamilton.com/ Social media: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@soulfullybre Inst…

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March 19, 2024

Renee: Fighting for Custody: Renee on her Custody Blueprint, preparin…

When a relationship ends and children are involved, the next steps can seem overwhelming. Join us today as we speak with Renee about the template for custody battles she created, what people often don’t know about judicial custody proceedings, and her domestic violence advocacy. Renee’s website: h…

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March 12, 2024

Empowering Women: Mimi on her chaotic early life, the abuse she endur…

Far too often, women endure stalking, terror, and abuse within their own relationships. Join us today as we speak with Mimi about her journey of putting herself through school, the abuse she suffered during a marriage and aft...

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March 5, 2024

Almost Killed by the Taliban: Masuda on being forced to leave her hom…

We often take for granted the fact that we would not need to leave our home cultures if we did not choose. However, refugees all too often have to leave everything they know and love to start over. It is an unbelievable undertaking that so many take each and every day. Join us today as we speak wit…

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Feb. 27, 2024

Merle's Journey: Overcoming Trauma, Navigating a 19-Year Relationship…

We often believe growing up in a well-adjusted household is something most of our peers are experiencing. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Please join us today as we speak with Merle about growing up in a bizarre and abusive household, the work he has done to overcome severe trauma, and …

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Feb. 20, 2024

From Trauma to Healing: Brad on his role growing up in his family, hi…

As Leo Tolstoy immortally said: “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way”. The truth and poetry of this opening line to Anna Karenina is reflected back to us every day. Join us today as we speak with Brad Wetzler, author of the amazing memoir “Into the Soul of th…

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Feb. 13, 2024

Resilience, the Art of Bouncing Forward: Lisa on her mental health st…

One of the greatest joys of life is building a young family. However, it is not often discussed how difficult this can be on the mental health of the parents. Join us today as we speak with Lisa about her mental health struggles while raising a young family, the unimaginable tragedy that befell her…

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Feb. 6, 2024

Getting Out of Your Head: Brian his encounters with anxiety and menta…

When we first encounter a mental health event, we are often overwhelmed and want to hide. Join us today as we speak with Brian about his original encounters he had with mental health troubles, how he set out to understand what was happening to him, his “Get Out of Your Head” books, and a truly chil…

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Jan. 30, 2024

A Strong Survivor: Ashley on her upbringing, her terrifying encounter…

Join us today as we speak with Ashley about her difficult upbringing and the horrifying and traumatic encounter she had with a heinous crime. Ashley takes us through the harrowing encounter that changed her life and shares not only her thoughts on the Canadian justice system, but also how she is fi…

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Jan. 23, 2024

Living a Meaningful, Nonlinear life: Dr Melanie McNally on her anxiou…

So often, modern society tells us there is one main way: Grow up, graduate high school, go to college, and then get a job. While this is a completely noble path, it is not often the way life turns out. Join us today as we talk with Dr Melanie McNally about her role in her family unit, the many path…

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Jan. 16, 2024

Every Brain is Different: Samantha on her intrusive thoughts growing …

When facing mental health challenges as a young person, it is easy to feel isolated and alone. As we grow, we learn that are brains are singular. Join us today as we speak with Samantha about coming to terms with her neurodiversity, her struggles finding the best treatment, and her work as a music …

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Jan. 9, 2024

Searching for Connection and Finding Addiction: Jason on his traumati…

Almost everyone of us has traumatic instances in our childhood. As we grow older, these take root in various ways — some obvious, some not. Join us today as we have the host of “My Madness METHod” as we discuss his childhood, his years engaging in and running from his addiction, and what he learned…

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Jan. 2, 2024

Support Systems Throughout Life: Andy on religion, his mental health …

As children, we are often born into a religion that provides us with community and a sense of place. Even as we grow older, we may associate that community as a support system for our own mental health struggles. Join us today as we talk with Andy about his experience being raised in the LDS church…

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Dec. 27, 2023

Choosing a Career Path: Stephen on his childhood growing up in New Yo…

Throughout our lives, we find ourselves working to adapt to the molds society builds around us based on our choices. Even if we are certain of the paths we have chosen, the challenges of accepting the molds we step into can be daunting. Join us today as we talk with Stephen about his childhood in N…

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Dec. 19, 2023

Accepting the Reality of One’s Life: David on his mental health strug…

It can not be said enough: There remains a stigma around mental health that is unhelpful and unreasonable. Join us today as we talk with David about his struggles with bipolar disorder, how he used alcohol to quell his mental health challenges, and how he has been able to thrive in sobriety. Not on…

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Dec. 12, 2023

Understanding the “Desire for Destruction”: Dr Nina Cerfolio on her r…

Terrorism is a constant threat across the world. In America, Mass shootings remain horrendous events that occur far too often. Join us today as we speak with Dr. Nina Cerfolio about her research into mass shootings and terrorism, her harrowing journey to help those in a war zone in Chechnya, and he…

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