Above Ground Podcast

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the States. They affect over forty million adults per year. Highly treatable, yet so many never seek treatment. You are nearly six times more at risk of hospitalization from a psychiatric disorder. 

This week's episode is Right Now. A timely conversation about anxiety. Surprisingly, we have not done an episode exclusively about anxiety until now. 

Anxiety disorders are often accompanied by depression or vice versa. These develop from a complex gumbo of genetics, brain chemistry, personality and life events. 

Don't forget to check out our friends at Close Knit Co. Screen printing of edgy, hip and easy wear tees, hoodies, tanks and crops. Building a brand and chasing their dreams. Congratulations too Dan and Natalie as they tie the knot this weekend. All our best to them both. We will be unleashing the AGP tees and hoodies exclusively with them in 2021. Keep your eyes open and your ears full of hope.

Be well, be safe, be ABOVE

In the darkness it's hard to tell where you're at. Rock Bottom is as much a state of mind as it is a place of despair. There is comfort in our dark places. Our friend, Jordan joins us this week for a #realconvo about the scary places. 

We talk about landslides, avalanches, rescue vs. support and the uncomfortable places we stand. Witnessing a loved one struggle is difficult to watch. We often assume roles we think the other needs. Or the ones we think we should. 

Do you have to hurt yourself to save them? We aren't heroes. We are human. 

Don't forget to star, scribe and share the podcast on Apple Podcasts. We will read your review and name on a future episode. Listen on Spotify, YouTube and now iHeart Radio. 

You will be able to wear AGP on your chest in the new year with the help of Close Knit Co. of Naples, Fl. Dan is finishing up our first designs now. Check out their site  CloseKnit.com

Be well, be safe, be Above

Debbie and Rich Straight share the story of losing their youngest  of 3 children to suicide.  Jonathan Richard Straight died at age 20. He never showed any signs of depression or anxiety until 2 months before he died. His family had no knowledge of his struggles until less than a week before he took his life.

Jon was a Sophomore at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan. Where he majored in Transportation Design. He is survived by his parents, Debbie and Rich; brother, David and Sister in Law, Becca (Emerson, nephew and Hazel, niece) and sister, Sarah. 

You can help keep Jon's memory alive by visiting,

Jonny's Journey

Jon's parents are on a mission to help as many people as they can in honor of Jon to remove the stigma of mental illness. They hope sharing their story will influence people to get treatment and advocate for those who are sick.

This episode is to honor International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. Which is held the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving every year.

Don't forget to star, scribe and share the podcast with everyone. Leave an iTunes review and we will share it in a future episode. Our new swag will be available soon at Close Knit Co. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Be well, be safe, be ABOVE

Persistent depressive disorder, also called dysthymia (dis-THIE-me-uh), is a continuous long-term (chronic) form of depression. Described to us as the 'blue screen of death'. The concept was coined by Robert Spitzer as a replacement for the term "depressive personality" in the late 1970s.

Today's title was inspired by Truckfighters song of the same title. 

This episode was sponsored by Inner Balance Massage Therapy of Ballston Spa, NY. Mention you heard this ad and receive $15 off your appointment. Tell Nancy you heard it here. 

Keep your ears open and your eyes peeled for our new swag being produced by Close Knit Co. of Naples , Fl. Coming in 2021.  A new way to support the show and help us keep producing. 

Because you can't serve below...

We lose 22 Vets a day to suicide. The numbers don't lie. Our #RealConvo today is with,Katie Fisher-McVeigh, a retired Air Force Veteran with five years active duty and fifteen as a Reservist. She was also the Board Chair for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Capital Region NY. 

Her story is one of strength and resilience. Today is Veterans Day in the States. We thank our Vets for their service, sacrifice and heroism. 

Today we talk about military sexual trauma, the stigmas of mental illness in the armed forces and if there is anything civilians can do to help our service people on their road to adjusting to life outside the uniform.

Blueprints are technical drawings used for architecture. We need schematics to build our best selves. Our structures (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) need a diagram in order to stay ABOVE. 

You will notice that this idea contains half of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. These designs only come to life if you have an outline to chart your course. Create your blueprints now. 

What is assisted dying?  The Netherlands could probably explain it better, they were the first to legalize it in 2002. Many debates have been had overtime if this is “justified “ 

Supporters of this think it is humane and a more honorable way with safeguards in place & specialists overseeing things 

Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada & Switzerland are some who have passed the law in support of this. We didn’t know what we were getting into when we decided to bring up this topic in discussion but it made us think as we hope it makes you think. These are certainly not topics people talk about in everyday conversations but here at abovegroundpodcast…… we take that risk.  

Matthew Shapiro is the Associate Director of Public Affairs for NAMI NYS. Mental health fell onto him not the other way around. From Ritalin to raising awareness and spreading hope with his helpful, empathetic spirit. Matt is a heavyweight champion in the fight against stigma. 

This week is NAMI NYS 2020 Virtual Education Conference on Friday and Saturday October 23-24. Please sign up, to be a part of the exciting program. Will Foley is one of the performers for a second year in a row. 

Don't forget if you are digging the show, star, share and scribe a review. Follow us on social at @abovegroundpodcast. 

Be well, be safe, be ABOVE...

What happens when two individuals, who are also 1 in 5, talk about rage? Listen to Will & Tim rage for (dis)order, the mic, the podium and the space to have their opinions be heard. Tempers were a flare as the raw conversations built with discussions of the nine triggers of rage..... triggered them both! As usual this is how they do it, real, raw and open conversations. Are we all violent? Can you feel rage come on? Do you know your triggers? Do you see red when you are singled out? Insulted? Threatened? Well let’s grab a seat and hold on… consider this a warning! And now…… let the wild rumpus start! 

Kayla Kraft (Yoga Kayla) is the creator of Grounded on Glen St. A place to pause, connect with your body, nourish your soul and calm your mind. The studio is located at 206 Glen St. Glens Falls, NY 12801. Start your new lifestyle with Yoga Kayla.

www.groundedonglenst.com

on Facebook and Instagram @groundedonglenst