Beautiful Strength: The Podcast

In this episode we sit down with Melissa Crim and Amy Ridings, both Nashville based therapists specializing in trauma. Not only do these women help others navigate their way through trauma, they are both residents of East Nashville, an area that was dramatically effected by the March 3rd F3/4 tornado that ripped through Nashville in the middle of the night and continued on into Putnam County. Over 50 miles away.

This episode isn't like our normal episodes where we showcase an individual or an individual story. In this episode we offer information about how to walk through trauma and come out the other side. How to recognizing triggers and work your way through them, how to be mindful and present in the midst of chaos. How to not feel like you have to do it all, how important it is to rest and recover, and how important it is to have community.

Even if you are not a resident of Middle Tennessee, and did not directly experience this particular tornado, this episode will still be beneficial to those of you that are dealing with other traumatic experiences and we hope this helps you too.

Introducing The Beautiful Strength listeners to one of the muse's behind this project and to the very first board member. Isaac and Annette talk about their friendship and creative collaborations, how Beautiful Strength got started, and where we hope to see it go. And I think donuts are mentioned at least once or twice. It's entertaining and let's you in on why we're doing what we're doing! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, the incredibly talented 15 year old Ava Paige tells of her early start into music at the age of 10 singing karoke with Kelly Clarkson. By 11 she had a busy schedule, cowrites with established song writers, meetings with publishers and multiple gigs played around the US. At 14, she was diagnosed with Leukemia and her world changed. But childhood cancer won't stop her. She's a spitfire of a 15 year old with an old soul and a southern spark. She's back to writing songs and singing all while tackling cancer. She performs her single "When Hope Comes In." --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode the Beautiful Strength podcast host Annette McNamara recaps some highlights of her 30s. Not married, no kids, an unstable career and internet dating... Nothing like reminiscing down a memory lane that ended up no where near where she thought she would be, but enjoying the ride nonetheless. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode Annette sits down with Jessica, who "surprised" her during a coffee meeting up when she found out she was a Mormon. Obviously there is a lot more to Jessica than just being a Mormon, but Annette needed to check her own assumptions and dig down deeper to get to know Jessica and overcome what her initial thoughts were on being a Mormon. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Special Episode Podcast!!!! This morning I was contacted by Sarah, Brian's wife. She saw the video I posted yesterday through a friend of a friend and reached out. Normally I am not up at 6 am but for some reason, I was today. Brian is in desperate need of a kidney. Blood type A or O (even a B can donate) Listen to the podcast to learn more about his situation and how you might be able to help. It's not a super long one only a little over 30 min! Please share this post to bring attention to @Brian Craighead Here is his Bio: "I graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1992. 6 years later, I started what I thought would be a long career in logistics. 6 days later, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In 2004, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and in April 2017, stage 5 kidney disease. In December 2017, I became listed for transplant at Vanderbilt. For the next several months, I went to the nephrologist and my numbers continued to decline. On March 12th, 2019 (our 14th wedding anniversary) I started dialysis. We had hoped that my brother Todd or my wife Sarah would be the donor. Sarah got diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2017 and has to wait until 2022 to be tested. Todd went through testing, but they found multiple polyps on both of his kidneys and got ruled out. That leads to today. All available family members have tried, but none have succeeded. I am on nightly dialysis for 8.5 hours a day at home. In August, I lost my driver's license due to vision and in November, I lost my logistics career of 20 years. We are actively seeking a living kidney donor through Facebook, twitter, and many call ins to live sports talk radio shows such as Paul Finebaum. We have also partnered with a kidney support group out of Louisville Mulligans Living Kidney Donors ( MLKD ). We have found that any blood type can help us. A direct match would be blood types A or O (positive or negative sign does not matter in kidney donation). My wife, Sarah Craighead and I will be married for 15 years on March 12th. We are hoping someone can return us to a normal life." - Brian Craighead --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode we hear from self made and managed female powerhouse, comedian Holly Lynnea. We talk about confidence and owning your life experiences and your opinions. And being brave enough to get on stage and be yourself. Owning who you are and being appreciative of opportunity. We think she is pretty kick ass and if she's performing in your area, you should definitely buy a ticket! You're guaranteed to laugh. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode we sit down to be inspired by Jeffrey Shelton and celebrate his success as a businessman and fitness guru. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this Episode we sit down with the amazingly talented Sharif Iman to discuss life as an artist, where his passion for music comes from, how a lawsuit and a 5 year wait almost cost him his career, and how faith and focusing on his dream has kept him going. Make sure you listen through the every end! Sharif lets us hear his amazing voice! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode we sit down with Todd and Joel of the Black Guy Therapy podcast. We talk about the importance of BGT and how this podcast offers a therapeutic space for black men to vent, be heard, discuss tough topics, learn from each other's experiences, and cultivate community. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app