Right now our society is experiencing an epidemic of mental fatigue because there are so many people who are worrying about their families, their jobs, their livelihoods while having to take care of their children and some are having to take care of aging parents also. 

The pandemic has caused us all to feel mentally exhausted, sapping our motivation, constantly leaving us feeling emotionally and mentally drained and in overwhelm. However, mental fatigue is complex and usually isn’t caused by one thing. Some of these causes can be self-inflicted too. 

Contributing factors can be physical ones such as poor nutrition, and lack of sleep, or they can be cognitive because we’ve been asking our brain to do too much. It’s no wonder we feel mentally exhausted by the end of the day! Yet, that’s exactly how most of us operate on a daily basis.

Mental fatigue doesn’t have to hang around in your life and in this episode, we are going to identify some steps you can take to help you recharge your brain and live that life you were experiencing prior to the pandemic. Learn how you can move out of that state of mental fatigue, and reclaim your mental energy to put you back into an alert, action-oriented state. 

We are going to check out the ways you can maintain brain function by reducing the use of your smartphone, tablet, and computer. Lifestyle modifications can also help such as getting enough rest, exercising and eating healthy food. It’s time right now to remove some of these tasks and responsibilities that have become part of your new normal. Let’s say goodbye to mental fatigue and hello to a super-charged brain!

In this episode

00:59 - Introduction

03:15 - What is mental fatigue?

06:53 - Give your brain high-quality fuel

10:25 - Tips for maintaining sufficient energy levels

14:24 - Benefits of prioritising sleep

20:45 - Benefits of physical activity

23:40 - Impact of decision fatigue

29:50 - Impact of over checking your emails

33:45 - Impact of too much time on our phones

38:33 - Conclusion

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/26

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Today's guest is Julie-Anne Whitfield.

Every day in Australia, nine people end their lives by suicide and this is more than double the national road toll. For every one person who dies, there are 39 attempted suicides. What is even more frightening about these figures is that they are pre COVID -19 statistics and these numbers have increased dramatically over the past twelve months. 

This week’s guest is Julie-Anne Whitfield who has been a Hospitality & Training Professional for over 35 years and four years ago, she proudly became an ambassador for RUOK? RUOK is a non for profit harm prevention organisation that encourages people to stay connected and have meaningful conversations with others who are going through the most difficult times in their lives. 

In this episode, Julie-Anne discusses how the RUOK organisation contributes to suicide prevention efforts by encouraging people to invest more time in their personal relationships and to build informal support networks within the workplace. Julie-Anne explains how we as friends, family and colleagues can become more alert to the behaviours of those around us, how we can recognise signs of difficulty or distress, how to have a conversation with someone who we identify is in need of help, and how to connect them to the appropriate support, long before they are in crisis. Julie- Anne stresses that it’s about trusting our gut and our intuition when we think someone is struggling with life and the importance of creating a culture around support, connection and caring in the workplace environment. 

The message in this episode is that we can all make a difference!

In this episode
1:08 - Introduction

12:15 - What is RUOK?

23:09 - Why is there shame in asking for help?

26:40 - The four step action plan

32:11 - What is the right approach?

42:55 - The importance of checking back in 

46:46 - Recognising the signs in a virtual world

51:38 - Finding more resources about RUOK

RUOK Website - https://www.ruok.org.au/

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/25

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Today’s guest is Nadine Manion.

Nadine is an established and highly sought after singing teacher, vocal coach, presenter and researcher. In 2020, Nadine was awarded the Dr. Iain C. Medgitt Churchill Fellowship to investigate vocal technique and care of the transgender singing voice in the applied voice studio.

In this episode, Nadine discusses her research work in the field of transgender and gender-diverse singing voice and how this work has informed the practical approaches she has developed to train and support this group of singers. Nadine shares with us the significance of student-centric learning and she stresses that our teaching must be guided by the individual goals and specific needs of the trans singer and these must be addressed with care and sensitivity.

Nadine discusses many aspects of training trans singers such as the impact of hormone therapy on the voice, the vocal evaluation process for a transgender student, how to deal with expectations and perceived outcomes when it may become necessary to employ the services of a speech therapist, examples of exercises for range extension and there is so much more from Nadine. This episode is very informative for anyone working in the voice community and is helpful in creating gender-affirming spaces within our studios.

In this episode
1:08 - Introducing Nadine Manion

7:18 - Nadine’s Transgender Research

16:00 - Creating a safe teaching space 

19:30 - Impact of hormone therapy on the voice

31:10 - Helpful exercises for voice exploration

39:09 - Finding an authentic singing voice

43:07 - Explaining the term cisgender

47:09 - Exploring gender affirmation

54:33 - Nadine’s advice for the teaching community

56:34 - Nadine’s upcoming workshop for teachers


Find Nadine Manion online

Website: nadinemanion.com

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/24

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Today’s guest is Emma Ferris.

Emma is from the Breath Effect & is a trained physiotherapist, acupuncturist, and Pilates, trauma and breathing coach who has made it her life’s mission to help others learn to thrive and reach their full potential. She has had the opportunity to work with thousands of clients over the years, helping them heal their discomfort, chronic pain, injury, illness, and disease and continues to heal many who don’t respond to traditional or conventional methods.

In this episode, Emma talks about the stress-breath connection and the results people can achieve when they reset their body and rewire their brain with improved breathing techniques. Emma speaks candidly about her relationship with a con man and the lessons she leant across her own crazy journey of trauma, recovery and survival and how that has inspired her to help others overcome their own adversities. From the emotions, body, mind, and heart, she believes that you can recalibrate those habits that may be stopping you from reaching your full potential or are keeping you stuck in fight, flight or freeze mode.

Emma states that our emotions are connected to our breathing and that breathing is the main driver for our level of stress. Beyond just a few slow breaths, it is about teaching your body to feel safe and recover from trauma. And there is so much more in this episode and I am sure you will be inspired by Emma Ferris.

In this episode

1:08 - Introduction

5:07 - Emma’s inspiration for breath work

9:26 - Early career & big life adjustments

14:39 - What is working on breath?

20:25 - Breathing’s influence on our heart rate

28:55 - Myths & misconceptions around breathing

35:37 - The breathing process. Nose or mouth?

47:02 - Exercises for breathing muscles

57:14 - Emma’s experience with a con man

Find Emma Ferris online

Cultivating Calm - For women wanting to find their healthiest version

https://www.thebreatheffect.com/cultivating-calm/

Breathe Right - Discover how simply breathing right can help you stress less and thrive more

https://www.thebreatheffect.com/breathe-right/

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/23

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How often do you begin an important task and you suddenly find yourself standing in front of the coffee machine five minutes later? Are you feeling as though you're are going nowhere fast because you simply can’t get started on that one task you keep putting off? Instead of moving forward, it feels like you’re stagnating and could be doing more with your life. It could be that you are guilty of procrastination. 

When we talk about procrastination, it is the act of delaying or postponing an important task and what we end up doing instead is that we focus on less urgent, more enjoyable, and far easier activities instead. The problem with procrastination is that it can restrict your potential in life and undermine your career. 

In today’s episode, we are going to figure out what is causing you to procrastinate and diverting your attention to other unproductive activities. I will share some simple ideas that you can use to manage your day, have you feeling more motivated, productive, creative and inspired to get you started on that very thing you have been putting off. You have one life and you have the potential for greatness. Let us help you beat procrastination today!

If you like this episode, please leave a review here – even a few words will help. Please post a screenshot of this episode on your social media account and be sure to tag us so we can thank you personally.

In this episode

00:59 - Introduction

03:48 - The problem with procrastination

07:13 - The hard facts

09:15 - The science of procrastination

13:23 - Communicating our Goals

17:44 - Lack of mental focus

18:25 - How to overcome procrastination 

24:37 - Check your Environment

29:25 - Making the task more achievable

33:52 - Taking time out & setting an intention

36:37 - Conclusion


For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/22

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This is part II of my interview with the inspirational Nancy Bos. Nancy is an international speaker and clinician on singing and speech, as well as the acclaimed author of a number of best-selling books, including The Teen Girl’s Singing Guide. She is also co-author of the book Singing Through Change: Women's Voices in Midlife, Menopause, and Beyond which has touched the lives of many female singers who are going through perimenopause and menopause and those of us working with singers during that phase in their lives.

In this episode, Nancy speaks candidly about the changing female voice and the uncertainties women are confronted with physically, hormonally and vocally as they enter perimenopause and menopause. Her attitude is one of preparedness and education in order for women to understand what is about to happen throughout these difficult and unpredictable stages, before they begin to happen.

Nancy also describes the various hormonal changes experienced by women as they enter perimenopause and menopause and the most common challenges female singers will experience during this part of their lives. Nancy shares with us her mission is to encourage and educate women who love to sing that they are not alone.

Singing Through Change

In this episode
1:09 - Introducing Nancy Bos

5:30 - Singing through change

7:52 - Perimenopause 

12:33 - The impact on the vocal folds

19:19 - Menopause 

21:14 - Nancy’s Menopause journey

24:57 - Marisa’s Peri-menopause journey

35:38 - The wrap up on menopause 

37:28 - Nancy’s future plans & projects

42:50 - Nancy’s advice for women

Celebrate singing with Nancy Bos: https://celebratesinging.live/
Nancy's publishing company Studiobos

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/21

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Today's guest is Nancy Bos.

Nancy is an acclaimed author, international speaker, and owner of StudioBos Media, who has taught voice for over twenty years. As a globally recognized voice expert, Nancy truly believes that everyone has a right to sing and to use their voice. In this episode, Nancy explains that voice teachers are incredibly lucky people, because they have the opportunity to live out their passion every day and witness the joy of transformation and empowerment in their students. Nancy shares her personal story of how she had to unlock her own voice which had been suppressed as a child, as well as, overcome severe performance anxiety in order to help others reach their highest potential. She opens up about her life’s mission to inspire people all around the world to find the freedom to express, through voice, that part of who they are that connects us all. This is part one of a two part interview with Nancy and I’m sure you are going to truly be captivated by her wisdom and experiences. Without further ado, let’s go to today’s episode.

In this episode
1:09 - Introducing Nancy Bos

6:49 - Nancy’s first singing lessons

11:17 - Change of direction

15:38 - Dealing with performance anxiety

30:11 - Singing through change 

37:46 - Today’s generation of women

40:43 - Helping people find their voice

44:48 - Getting over performance anxiety

51:24 - Meditation

Celebrate singing with Nancy Bos: https://celebratesinging.live/
New menopause Book Singing Through Change
Nancy's publishing company Studiobos

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/20

Like this episode? Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps!

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Over the past twelve months, all of us have had our lives thrown into chaos and every day brings with it the unknown. Now more than ever, on any given day, we all have a moment where we struggle with our fears and this struggle is real as we come to terms with the new normal.

In this episode, we are going to unpack courage and go through five important steps that will help you start stepping up your courage, boost your confidence and begin to live a full and meaningful life alongside your fears. You will learn that moving through life with courage, allows you to see the world from a different perspective.

Courage gives you the power to chase your dreams and seize opportunities as they present themselves. Embracing courage broadens the experiences you have in your life and most importantly, making courage a part of your life equips you with the ability to empower others to do the same.

In this episode:

0:58 - Introduction

05:32 - How to step up your courage

06:03 - Number 1. Acknowledging your fears 

11:40 - Number 2. Owning your fears

18:28 - Number 3. Living your life to others standards

23:54 - Number 4. Asking for support

27:44 - Number 5. Avoid the negatives 

31:25 - Conclusion

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/19

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Today's guest is Dr Wendy LeBorgne.

Today we welcome back Dr Wendy in part II of her amazing interview, in which she shares with us her nerve racking Ted Talk experience, when she spoke on the topic of "Vocal Branding and How Your Voice Shapes Your Communication Image". In this episode, Wendy describes the elements of the voice which impact authentic and engaged communication. She believes that our voice is our most important communication asset which is unique to us and all our life experiences create our vocal story. By understanding and maximizing our communication strengths, this can lead us to successful and inspiring communication outcomes in all areas of our lives. Wendy describes how she helps others including politicians, Fortune 100 CEO's, presenters on network television, podcasters, and film actors discover and empower their authentic voices. We also have a little fun with my voice as Wendy breaks down the five key elements of voice that come together to create our personal voice brand.

Listen to Dr Wendy LeBorgne's Ted Talk

In this episode:

00:58 - Introduction

02:44 - Wendy’s TED Talk

12:11 - Quality & clarity of voices

19:29 - Changes in pitch over time

28:04 - Voice vulnerability exercises

36:37 - Trying new things with your voice

43:10 - What’s in the pipeline for Wendy?

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/18

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Today’s guest is Dr. Wendy LeBorgne.

Wendy is a highly sought-after voice pathologist, speaker, author, and vocal-athlete coach who works with a diversity of elite professional performers from Grammy award winning singers embarking on national tours, to those on the bright lights of Broadway.

This is part 1 of a two-part interview with Dr Wendy LeBorgne and in this episode, Wendy shares her approaches and philosophies to training singers and how she cares for vocal injuries. She believes that singers are vocal athletes, who not only embody the voice, but also the body, mind and spirit.

Wendy speaks candidly about some of the causes of vocal pathologies across all genres and how she prepares an elite vocal athlete for durability, strength and survival. Wendy also talks about what self-care means to her and how her personal regime of self-care has helped her survive the effects of the pandemic.

www.drwendyvoice.com

In This Episode:
1:09 - Introduction

4:56 - Dr Wendy LeBorgne early career

10:56 - Most common issues found in singers

17:53 - Are there different pathologies for different genres?

23:22 - The birth of the vocal athlete idea

26:12 - Tips for optimal performance

38:54 - Juggling mother, wife & work demands

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/17

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