Above Ground Podcast

Stigma is a negative mark or brand. Stigma can be a wall that blocks people from connecting. It can change our perspective about others and ourselves. It causes judgment and toxicity and often, shame.

Stigmas are perpetuated by unconscious bias, or maybe a conscious idea of what others think of a particular issue or group of people. Stigma prevents people with mental health challenges from seeking treatment. Driving deeper the stigma. Further stoking shame. 

Stigma is not something to be addressed by a booklet or checking off a box to appease certain legalities. Stigma must be confronted head on. The best way by checking ourselves for our thoughts, ideas and correcting them. It is an up at dawn battle. 

We are the sultans of stomping out stigma, one conversation at a time. By sharing our stories and being the curators of others, we do our best to tackle stigma. By normalizing these topics.

Please be a part of the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr.

You can support by donating to our PayPal or by purchasing swag at Close Knit Company. 

Until next time, be well, be safe, be ABOVE

Dr. Holly Schonberger DC is a Chiropractor who specializes in Network Spinal Analysis (NSA). This is a form of chiropractic work founded by Donny Epstein. It is a light and gentle technique that focuses on connecting with the central nervous system in order to free tension around the spine that is causing misalignment. 

Dr. Holly's journey with chiropractic started as a patient while an athlete in school. Following a traumatic brain injury(TBI), chiropractic care helped her recover her life and find a purpose. 

We cover what network spinal is, the vagus nerve, the spine, rest and digest. We even mention the Goop Lab and John Amaral. Another great conversation. Dr Holly drops knowledge bombs and cures your Crucio spell. 

Dr. Holly is practicing in Amsterdam, Netherlands currently, as a part of One Chiropractic Studio and resides in Amsterdam with her wife. 

Please continue your support of AGP, by listening, sharing the episodes, leaving a review, smashing all the likes and notifications. We appreciate your donations also. Please drop by our PayPal and leave a couple bucks. 

Grab yourself a be well, be safe, be Above tee or AGP hoodie from Close Knit Co. 

Until we meet again, be ABOVE

Gabor Mate says that hurt is at the center of all addictive behaviors. The action of escaping pain leads us to additional pain. Pain will lead us to seek comfort in whatever substance, action, idea or pattern we’ve learned to cope with life. Addiction is an avoidance that became a hinderance. What are we avoiding? Why are we avoiding? Like a moth to flame we are attracted to the light. Addictions are the fires. Our hurt is the kindling.

This week’s episode was inspired by Andrew of New Zealand and a little Metallica. Andrew can be heard at the beginning of the episode. You too can have your voice on AGP. Email us and ask how. 

There is help for those seeking treatment for addiction of any kind. There are support groups. There is a way out if we choose to do the hard work of recovery. You can. We believe in you. 

In the 5-1-8 Healing Springs Recovery Center,

Dr. Gabor Maté website 

SAMSHA  Substance Abuse & Mental Health Admin. website

Thanks for your support. Leave a review, crush the notifications, send us an email at [email protected]

You can donate to our PayPal.Me  Above Ground Podcast

Purchase a tee or hoodie at Close Knit Co. 

This week we are joined by Tatiana Gjergji. She is the Founder & President of Noteworthy Resources of Albany NY. Noteworthy Resources is located at 247 Lark Street 2nd Floor, Albany NY 12210.

NWR hosts educational workshops, empowerment meet-ups along with support to individuals & their families throughout the Capital District here in New York. Tatiana facilitates workshops, support groups and teaches skateboarding lessons for beginners.

Noteworthy Resources of Albany, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that expresses community through educational workshops, empowering support groups and skateboarding. Their mission is to strengthen our community with holistic wellness & resources to bridge gaps in our community by educating & empowering all humans. 

You can find NWR Albany at 

https://www.nwralbany.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nwralbany/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nwr_albany/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nwr_albany?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWFJl3jJMMc\

Lark Street Bid: https://larkstreetbid.org/places/united-states/new-york/albany/services/noteworthy-resources-of-albany-inc/

You can support the pod by using our PayPal link to donate

Support the pod by wearing your heart on your sleeve. Purchase your own at Close Knit Co. and let everyone know to be well, be safe, be Above.

The waters of trauma, abandonment, self sabotage, grief can drag you under. If you drink that water it can not just make you sick. It can drown you. If there is blood in the water you can cause a vicious attack or a feeding frenzy. Don't drink the water, be like water. 

Water is the most versatile resource we have. It can water our crops, cut through the hardest walls. It will always find the path of least resistance.To survive life waters you learn to surf or build a boat. You don't need a bigger boat, just a better boat. 

Being in the water and staying buoyant means letting go. Giving yourself to the current and wave. Fighting it causes you to lose energy and be heavier. That will sink you like a rock. Learn to skim the environment. 

Always remember we create our reality. You asked for this boat. Maybe thinking you wouldn't fall out. Forgetting to ask for a life preserver. Give yourself to the current and don't fight. Learn to sail, surf or swim. Don't drown. 

Please keep us above water by supporting the show. You can do that by following our socials on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Tumblr. Please visit closeknitco.com to purchase a tee or hoodie. Find us on Nippertown.com and get all your 5-1-8 arts, culture and entertainment news. 

You can also donate to the show at our PayPal.me page

Jaime Fabroa is a suicide loss survivor, attempt survivor and shares her gift of loss with the world. Her purpose is to break the stigma surrounding suicide and standing tall to dispel the myths.

She has learned that her father taking his life was truly a gift. Viewing her dad as being courageous, not selfish. Jaime has made it her personal mission to speak out. She is ASIST and safeTALK certified. You can find her on Instagram at          Suicide Survival 360

If you'd like to hear more of Jaime, check out her episodes on the Dr. Raj Podcast

She shares the story of her beloved father who was beset with major health issues from birth. We cover facts vs myths. Another real conversation surrounding difficult topics. 

Please continue the support of the show by rating, reviewing, and subscribing to our RSS feed to get a new episode every Wednesday. Find us on YouTube, Facebook, & Instagram.

Grab a tee or hoodie from our friends Dan & Natalie at          Close Knit Co. 

Until next week be well, be safe, be ABOVE

What is it exactly to be an evolutionary sleeper? Is it tapping into the force, dreaming up your reality? For those with sleep issues and a mental illness, sleep can be a stairway to baseline. Lack of it blurs the line, between your illness or disorder and your day to day.

"If letting go means letting be, and the truth beyond the mind is what I need", belts out Paul Masvidal of Cynic on the track for which this title is aptly named. Sleep helps us repair, recharge and reset. Alex Korb, author of The Upward Spiral, says one of the best insomnia fighters is gratitude. He also credits a regular sleep schedule, getting light during the day, exercising, but not before before bed. 

We discuss depression and sleep. Check out the Harvard study about sleep and mental health, that we mention. If you don't get enough sleep and pay attention to your mental wellness you'll be paying attention to your mental illness. 

Please follow us on our socials Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, & Twitter.

It's May, and that means its tee shirt weather. Stop by Close Knit Co. and grab a Be Well, Be Safe, Be Above tee for the day and a logo hoodie for the evening. 

You can support the show by visiting our Pay Pal.Me and leaving a few bucks in there. Your support will help us get this info out to someone who needs int. Maybe, even you.

Until we meet again, Be well, be safe, be Above

"In waiting for the right words, we might be silent awhile", says Garra Lloyd-Lester, about starting the conversation on suicide. You don't need to be a PRO to follow what your Spidey senses are telling you. You just need to be HUMAN.

Suicidality, attempt survival and living with the aftermath is isolating, terrifying and is a true public health crisis among many. Our guest this week, Garra Lloyd-Lester is the Director of NYS Suicide Prevention Community & Coalition Initiatives for the Suicide Prevention Center NY. His many years of experience is a calling, not just a job. This work is part of the fiber of Garra's being. 

You can reach out to Suicide Prevention Center NY, find trainings, educate yourself and help others with your knowledge.  If you or someone you know is struggling please get help. See your doctor. If you are in immediate danger please call 9-1-1 or go to the closest emergency room. If you need to speak with someone call 1(800)273-8255, text GOT5 to 741741. For our Spanish speaking friends call 1(888)628-9454. 

Remember when speaking and interacting we need to ask, is it true, necessary and kind?  Don't underestimate the power & impact you can have on someone's life just by showing you care. Do no harm. 

Follow Above Ground Podcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and YouTube. 

You can purchase t-shirts for your summer wardrobe through our good friends at Close Knit Co. 

If you like the show you can support us by making a small do what you can donation to our PayPal.Me

Until we meet again...be Well, be Safe, be ABOVE

Hard to believe this is our one hundredth episode. When we started this in the June of '19, I just wanted to have the first seven in the can. I figure if we build that momentum I will find it easy to bring the best of what TPP & I have. It's not...It's really not.

But I made a commitment to you, our listeners when I took this on. That every week we would bring you something new. And we have. This is our Cinco De Mayo celebration. Pour yourself a beverage of your choice and lets see what 99 episodes taught, told and treated us too. 

Huge shout outs go to everyone in order of appearance on the show. Jordan(ep 61). Valéry Brosseau(ep 86). Stacey Lauren, Todd(ep 55).  Dan Egan(ep 81). Tori(ep 90).                                     Dr. Russ Kennedy(ep 88).   Sean Wellington(ep 84).  Cover of AudioSlave's "I am the Highway" by Will Foley (feat. Steve Russ) Used by permission. Reverbicon.

Huge thanks to

Close Knit Co.   Nippertown,    Capital Underground.

 Healing Springs Recovery Center   

Engineered by Will Halem, Will Foley. Produced by Will Foley. Art, Memes & Logos created by Tim Parent. AGP theme song, "Save" by FreakNation (1995) Circumstantial/RED. Disclaimer voiced by Jordan. 

 Until next week be well, be safe, be Above

Forgiveness is the releasing of anger and resentment. A vital importance in propelling you forward past traumas, grief or victimization. It is beneficial to your healing and mental health. It can enhance optimism and elevate your mood. Forgiveness is the bouncer to anger, stress, anxiety and even the head gremlin named, DE-pression. 

You need to forgive yourself first. Doing this releases you and the energy of other people and events from keeping that hold on you. Staying resentful for past hurts keeps you mired in a low vibe state. This block keeps you from manifesting and harvesting the life you came here to lead. 

We only have so many fucks to give. Don't give your fucks away by bear hugging a porcupine. Energy needs cultivation. By not letting go, you give your power to the energy vampires. Don't get sucked in. 

Thank you for listening to the show. You can follow the pod at the usual places. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube

T-shirt weather is here. Get your self a AGP tee or hoodie from our friends, Dan & Natalie at Close Knit Co. 

Please support us by following us, at the locals ABOVE and if you would like to support our passion project of real conversation about mental health you can make a direct donation at PayPal.Me. 

Until we meet again, be well, be safe, be ABOVE