Above Ground Podcast

People are called to a profession or passion for a number of reasons. Those who are led into the mental health field either have their own or witness someone else’s experiences. Take Amber Star Hall. Amber was called to help. Amber wanted to be the one who never gives up on others. 

Amber Star Hall believes at the end of the day it’s all about the peace within. Constant stress leads to burnout. It leads to financial pressure. Often forcing professionals to limit services, limit their availability and not being able to meet the needs of their clients or themselves.

Amber credits mental health workers in college as the reason she is still here. Amber has been in and out of counseling since she was five years old. Amber has experienced it on both the mental health and substance use sides. This lived experience is a driving force that propels Amber onward. 

Amber found herself calm on the outside and screaming on the inside. Much like many of us are experiencing collectively now. Amber has an undying drive to give back and ask deeper questions. Amber wants to have your back. Amber is open and willing to dive deeper. 

A lack of time, staff and an overwhelming of our health care system has led to under served patients and clients. We have also experienced a drive to minimize education, devalue professionals and a distrust of all our systems from the top down. 

We are interconnected no matter which side of the sun you revolve. That connection has becoming frayed and misrepresented in culture as a whole. In no time have we collectively lived through the same worldwide events, like we’ve done the last two plus years. Amber knows that allowing herself the balance within provides her the power to provide it outwardly. Amber is a giver but recognizes the need to not forget about Amber. 

Amber holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Louisiana State University. She has first-hand knowledge of various mental health difficulties from her own experiences and witnessing family members. Amber currently works for a mental health app and as an emergency room tech. She is going to a local community college to become a registered nurse. Amber has spent most of her career working in various positions at the intersection of education, healthcare, mental health, and human services. She has found her most valuable learning to come from a continued pursuit of knowledge and personalized path that has led her to interact with a multitude of cultures, beliefs, and individuals in addition to her connection with nature. Amber aspires to take the knowledge and experiences she has gained throughout her life and work towards her most important goal in life - to show compassion, help others with their personalized paths, and leave the world a better place. In her free time she enjoys reading, creating art, gardening, and attending mindfulness/meditative events and retreats. She can be found on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/itscomingmymoment/

The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are. - Joseph Campbell

Amber Hall, M.Ed.(She/her)

Thanks for listening. Please continue to share and spread the message. 

Until next week, get well, be safe and stay ABOVE 

A friend, colleague, shoulder or ear. One who will talk you off the ledge or just sit with you until the darkness passes. A confidant you trust. Someone you call in a crisis. We salute you and thank you for being our Struggle Buddy. 

Hey what's up everyone? This is episode 157 of Above Ground Podcast. TPP recently got a trip on the struggle bus and rang the buzzer. Will got on at a stop and did a ride along. Together they ride through the town looking for the next stop to drop them off and get back into the ocean of life. Let's get to the beach. 

We all need to have a friend or person to help us in a nonjudgemental, caring way. Unfortunately, not all of us have such a person. We must acknowledge that we come from the same ocean but float on different vessels. The waters can be treacherous and capsize us at any moment. When you get thrown overboard we hope to find a life raft to bring us back to shore. 

This week we talk about therapy, grief, loss and acceptance. The amount of joy in our thoughts is a reflection of the joy in our lives. We our overjoyed to celebrate our 3rd Anniversary!!! TPP & Will established this pod in June of 2019. 157 episodes and counting. We can't thank everyone enough. 

Thank you to our listeners, guests, Coffee Companions, friends, followers, fans and detractors. Horns up to Jordan for voicing our disclaimer. Double horns up to Kevin Maloney for the awesome new original intro and outro music. We appreciate everyone that checks out the pod. Please leave a review on Apple. Follow our socials and share our content. Become a Coffee Companion through Buy Me a Coffee. Thank you so much. Here's to another year. 

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Memoir (Despair & Mayhem) [feat. Kevin Maloney] - Single by Will Foley

https://music.apple.com/us/album/memoir-despair-mayhem-feat-kevin-maloney-single/1569777715

Anything is possible when you’re brave enough to rush into a burning building and save others.  Another version of bravery is confronting your own dragons, taming them and bringing them out for others to learn from. Jon Arenburg is a retired firefighter, dragon tamer and teacher of putting out the mental fires. 

Jon Arenburg states every call wore away his mental resilience. Jon found himself trapped in the hell of PTSD and needing to break the unwritten rule of silence. Silence in his case had become impossible. Jon’s suffering had become unbearable and he was unable to make order out of the chaos that had spread throughout his mind. 

Comfort is not a firewall to protecting our mentals. It’s an accelerant to setting fire to one’s own life. Being uncomfortable is the way. The way to break the silence and break out from the burning building.  It’s time for a stress debrief of sorts. 

Gratitude and helping others has become John’s extinguisher to fighting these many blazes. His blog and book, The Road to Mental Wellness are lights in the smoke filled dark. Jon’s voice will help you find your way out. It’s time to stop, drop and roll. 

Jon Arenburg is a blogger, author, was in the fire service for fifteen years and also worked in long-term care for twenty. Jon resides with his partner and two children in Nova Scotia. Find Jon @

https://theroadtomentalwellness.com

https://instagram.com/the_roadtomentalwellness?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

https://www.facebook.com/TRTMW/

Feeling like you do not have any support can feel like you're floating out on a stormy sea, navigating rough ocean waters with only one oar. But, those who fish choose to set sail even in less then ideal conditions. They cast their line with the hope that they can return with an offering. We hope that the sea supports us.

Reconnecting to one self is difficult, Especially when we haven't been connected for so long. We find ourselves floating in the vat of hopelessness. Reaching for the shore. With one stroke at a time.

This week the guys talk support. Only compare yourself to the day before. You may not find anything biting today, but tomorrow you could. Don't give up. 

Thanks for listening to this week's episode. Please follow us on all the socials and if you like the show support us at 

buymeacoffee.com/abovegroundpod

Come see us at Nipperfest on Saturday July 23, 2022 at Schenectady Central Park Music Haven. 

Check out our friend Justin at Pogo Beard Company. Pogo makes small batch beard oil and balms. Justin also makes tattoo butter. Get your tats basted in 'tha butta. Check out Abalmination and saturate your skin.

Until next week get well, be safe, stay ABOVE

The fear of knowing oneself can elicit a fear like nothing else.  Afraid to let our guard down, uncomfortable in our skin. We self-medicate  and self-protect with a devastating toll. The Colossus that is Dan Neet embodies this narrative and is empowered by his exploding head.  

This week the guys are joined by the 5-1-8s own Dan Neet and his angel and partner Lisa McLane. Dan’s addiction struggles are deep and layered, like the heaviness of his band the Clay People, Dan has carried the weight of addiction for much of his life. Multiple stints in rehab were not enough to break the cycle of trauma that Dan was trying to numb. 

‘Living in the past is depression and living in the future is anxiety’, says Neet. Both those paths have been embossed by the Dr. Martens that Neet wears as part of his armor. The armor of a Palegod, Demon Hero. 

Lisa McLane, his partner in all things, is Dan’s personal hype track. Lisa has stood by his side and knew Dan was her person. Lisa is Dan’s angel in black, when heavens fall. Lisa, herself is a goddess-warrior. A single mom of three and survivor of a very emotionally abusive relationship, prior to reconnecting with Dan. Lisa says, ‘I saved him, but he saved me.’ Call them the industrial-metal strength John and Yoko. 

Look for the new Clay People album this Summer and follow the links below to be in the Hex Machine.

https://m.facebook.com/demonhero/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7g7zysYORmHFqWccW1ubl0?si=HhpUBic2RoiQ5N76m_PyXw

https://youtube.com/channel/UCdb5UCkWwKSG4EDXhKlTtHw

https://www.timesunion.com/music/article/Albany-s-Clay-People-find-rock-music-comics-a-17055913.php

https://www.bandsintown.com/a/42323-the-clay-people

Thank you for listening and until next time

get well, be safe, stay Above

We often set ourselves up for a let down. Expectations often get in the way of reality. The more we desire to do something or be somewhere, we find ourselves clinging to outcomes, ideologies and our expectations. Setting us up for things I can never have.

Jay Shetty says, "attachment gives and accepts love conditionally, whereas, detachment gives and accepts love unconditionally." Detaching from our expectations and letting go allows what is going to be, to be. Not always comfortable and takes practice. It is worth the cultivation. 

The idea that if you do all the right things, you will get what you deserve. What we truly deserve is only what we reap and sow. Like Mick Jagger sings, "can't always get what you want, but you get what you need." 

Veruca Salt, that snot nose, entitled bad egg from Willy Wonka, not the band, proved in realtime expectations set too high and trying to force the world to bend to our will can tip the scales in the negative. Ice cream melts and the cone gets soaked. Even if we don't like it. 

Don't forget to join us this Sunday, May 22 at Empire Live in Albany, NY for the 2nd Upstate Punk Rock Flea Market. Come find vendors selling all kinds of cool art, swag and creations in the truest sense of punk rock. 12-6pm. Then Saturday July 23, at the Music Haven in Central Park Schenectady, NY stop by our table at Nipperfest. The all day family friendly event is rain or shine, dog friendly and will have some of the 518s top artists. 

As always, thank you for listening. Please keep the conversation surrounding mental health going beyond the month of May. Don't forget this July the new 9-8-8 phone number to access support and help will go live. Contact your local representatives and stress the importance of funding this mental health emergency line. 

Find us at www.abovegroundpodcast.net 

if you like what you hear want to support what we do you can Buy Above Ground Podcast a Coffee at

www.buymeacoffee.com/abovegroundpod

Until next week get well, be safe, stay ABOVE...

Dr. A, aka the Misfit Therapist has become real comfortable not fitting in. Her realness and rawness helps her propel mental wellness forward. Both in private practice and her podcast the Misfit Therapist. Buckle your chinstraps kids, the misfits are taking over the island.

Dr. A is a fiery redheaded Cuban woman, mother of a two legged wonder, daughter and the most amazing best friend. Dr. A thinks access to mental health treatment comes down to money, insurance and the rights of the individual. 

Do you feel heard, respected and understood? If those needs aren't met, that should be a deal breaker. Dr. A will not work harder than you. She is comfortable with the smell of her own shit, are you? Building coping mechanism muscles is a workout that we should all learn. She power-lifted herself out and she can coach you to also. 

We need to ask more questions and the first being, why? Why this diagnosis? Why this medication? Why should I seek therapy? These little nuggets of information are valuable for propelling you forward in your recovery. 

Dr. A can be found on the internet at these following addresses,

https://themisfittherapist.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwxZ5JuSdBNGCeUvR7H5srQ

https://www.instagram.com/themisfittherapist/

Thanks for listening. Please come visit us at these great events.

Sunday May 22nd, Upstate Punk Rock Flea Market at Empire Live in Albany, NY. 

 Saturday July 23rd at Nipperfest in Schenectady at the Music Haven. 

Until we meet again get well, be safe and Stay ABOVE

Recovery can often leave you feeling like you're caught between a rock and hard space. What stands between you and your healing can leave you feeling alone on an unmovable mountain. Yodeling for help in a deep, empty canyon. 

The space between illness and recovery can be bridged by medication, therapy and belief. Yet so many doubt they can make it. Looking at life through shit-colored glasses, will leave you running on a hamster wheel with smelly shoes. 

Us light chasers often fall prey to the dark. We give of ourselves, often to the point of utter exhaustion and emptiness. Our identities are so invested in our being helpful or looked upon to answer the call. We feel like we have no one that can help move this boulder out of our paths. It's up to us to take care of the earth mover. 

Maintenance on your vehicle is absolutely necessary to the life of your ride. Self-care, is the answer for our human machine. Checking in with meditation, exercise, rest, healthy food and stress reduction, help us remove the build up in our cylinders, blow the fuel out the carb and let the motor sing. 

Thanks for listening to this week's episode. A huge shout out to Kevin Maloney. Kevin wrote our new music. He is the guitarist and songwriter for the Final Sleep. He was also in the seminal Albany hardcore band, Withstand. He is a very close friend of the show and the hosts. 

Don't forget we will be part of 2022 inaugural Nipperfest. Saturday July 23rd at the Music Haven in Central Park, Schenectady, NY. 11a-10p. 

 AGP will be part of the second Upstate Punk Rock Flea Market at Empire Live Albany NY, Sunday, May 22nd 12-6p. This is a great all ages event. We will have tons of resources for you. The first one was killer. Come to our table at either event and have a real conversation about mental health. 

Check out https://www.abovegroundpodcast.net

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/abovegroundpod

until next week, get well, be safe, stay Above51

We all carry emotional baggage. Trauma, loss, illness. All these things leave us with a heavy suitcase. Emotions get trapped in our bodies and so much of our physical pain is emotional. Allison Karoly unpacks the luggage so we can travel light. 

Allison's journey of self discovery has taken her from client to practitioner. She worked in the corporate world and found herself overworked, overweight and over it. While traveling back home on Route 2 in Massachusetts, something came over Allison. Forcing her to leave her six-figure job without knowing what she was going to do. What she was doing was saying yes to the universe. 

Allison had been meditating and seeing an intuitive coach. She became a Reiki Master following the energies she received from the modality herself.  Then, while an assistant to a medium, she was inspired to start her own reiki practice. She was soon introduced to Dr. Bradley Nelson's Emotion Code. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the call of sea. 

Emotions are energy in motion. Emotions are signals and road signs that lead us to the map of ourselves. Michael Singer, in his book, The Untethered Soul, says you are not your emotions. And by changing our self dialogue we can change the energies of our lives. 

Reiki is a Japanese relaxation technique, which allows us to realign naturally. It promotes healing and transformation. It is usually a hands on technique, however it is very powerful remotely. 

The Emotion Code was created by Bradley Nelson after twenty plus years as a holistic chiropractor. Designed to help alleviate physical discomfort, ease emotional wounds and removing barriers to your ability to connect. 

You can find Allison at https://www.allisonkaroly.com

https://www.instagram.com/allisonkarolyenergyhealing/

https://www.facebook.com/allisonkarolyenergyhealing

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgSLN2UWCto-8eNTIaolOoA

The tables have turned this week. The ones who usually ask the questions are being asked the questions. Heather Foley guests and InnerView’s the guys for an illuminating look at  The innards of Above Ground Podcast. Enjoy. 

This week the guys are the ones answering questions, on this special episode of AGP. Heather Foley asks about how all this came to be. Who were the teachers, inspirations and influences? The guys even answer what show they’d like most to be on. 

A fun episode amongst many heavier. We all need to laugh. Laughter is truly good medicine.  I do appreciate, Heather Foley’s time and talent to help record this episode. 

Thanks for listening to AGP. We appreciate you our listeners and contributors.  Our family, friends, and followers.