In this episode, Dr. Mona speaks with licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Shelby Kittinger about religious trauma, its impact on one’s belonging, and how to heal from it. Dr. Shelby invites listeners to create authentic connections with oneself and others by staying curious and releasing black-and-white thinking.

Listen now and learn about:

- What is religious trauma?

- Religious trauma and the lack of trust in self

- The importance of “trying things out”

- The unique challenges of religious trauma that Queer folx face

- The power of the question “why do YOU…?”

Learn more about Dr. Shelby: www.compassionatecollectivepw.com

Follow Dr. Shelby on Instagram @dr.shelbykittinger

Learn more about the Belonging Reimagined Podcast: www.drmonanour.com/podcast

Connect with Dr. Mona Nour: www.drmonanour.com

In this episode, Dr. Mona speaks with Julius Shepard-Morgan, an experienced media professional and producer of the Belonging Reimagined podcast. Julius is also the Creator and Host of the new podcast “Hey You, Yes You”, a show dedicated to inspiring listeners to reach new heights and become their best self. Julius shares how he fosters belonging in his creative journey and inspires the listeners to get creative in everyday life.

Tune in and discover:

- The fun and liberating power of creativity

- How to bring a creative spirit into various life spaces

- The joy of being a podcast producer

- Julius’s experience of working in the media industry in New York

Follow Julius on IG @Jujubeez5

Listen to Hey You, Yes You wherever you get your podcasts

Learn more about the Belonging Reimagined Podcast: www.drmonanour.com/podcast

Connect with Dr. Mona Nour: www.drmonanour.com

In this episode, Dr. Mona speaks with Chavi Khanna Koneru, co-founder and Executive Director of North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to supporting equity and justice and fostering community among Asian Americans and allies in North Carolina. A daughter of Indian immigrants, Chavi shares how her bicultural upbringing and lived experiences in both India and the U.S. have shaped her identity and sense of belonging.

Tune in now and learn about:

- How pop culture can impact one’s belonging

- The important role languages play in shaping bicultural identities

- The experience of code-switching, fragmentation, and being othered among bicultural folx

- Bicultural folx’s complicated relationships with food, school cafeterias, and sleepover

Learn more about North Carolina Asian Americans Together: www.ncaatogether.org

Learn more about the Belonging Reimagined Podcast: www.drmonanour.com/podcast

Connect with Dr. Mona Nour: www.drmonanour.com

In this episode, Dr. Mona speaks with Matteo Pistono, a meditation teacher, conscious breathing guide, and author of the book “Breathe How You Want to Feel: Your Breathing Toolkit for Better Health, Restorative Sleep, and Deeper Connection.” Matteo explains the importance of conscious breathing and offers practical breathing techniques for improving overall wellbeing.

Listen now and learn about

- Conscious breathing and breath awareness

- The AIR method of breathing for managing stress

- Implications of shallow breathing and other poor breathing habits

- Benefits of nasal breathing

1:06 - Dr. Mona introduces today’s guest, Matteo Pistono.

2:25 - Matteo's journey and the concept of breathing for emotional regulation.

7:54 - The power of breath in everyday life and while writing the book.

9:32 - The impact of breathwork on ADHD and autism.

11:22 - Unpacking the AIR Method.

22:21 - Preparing for inevitable stressors.

27:14 - The cycle of shallow breathing and stress.

29:24 - How modern technology inhibits breathing.

32:50 - The influence of maternal anxiety on children.

37:06 - The importance of nasal breathing.

45:20 - Connecting breath with mortality and grief.

52:44 - Breathing techniques for clarity, alertness and to alleviate brain fog.

56:51 - What belonging means to Matteo.

Learn more about Matteo at www.matteopistono.com

Follow Matteo on Instagram @matteopistono

Purchase Matteo’s book Breathe How You Want to Feel

Learn more about the Belonging Reimagined Podcast: www.drmonanour.com/podcast

Connect with Dr. Mona Nour: www.drmonanour.com

In this episode, Dr. Mona speaks with internationally recognized psychic, author, and cosmic coach Dougall Fraser about toxic positivity and its impact on our belonging. Dougall encourages us to embrace discomfort, reflect on our privileges, and find a balance between negativity and positivity.

Tune in now and explore:

- Toxic positivity in the spiritual communities

- Motivators behind toxic positivity

- How internalized toxic positivity shows up everyday life

- How to observe all emotions and embrace their wisdom

- How to resist toxic positivity

Learn more about Dougall at dougallfraser.com

Follow Dougall on Instagram @dougallfraser and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theofficialdougallfraserfanpage

Learn more about the Belonging Reimagined Podcast: www.drmonanour.com/podcast

Connect with Dr. Mona Nour: www.drmonanour.com

In this episode, Dr. Mona chats with Ca’ren Hudson, a licensed therapist, certified Reiki practitioner, and registered Yoga teacher. Ca’ren develops the concept of systemic pleasure that explores pleasure beyond just the body and the senses. She encourages us to form a relationship with pleasure in a new way and discover pleasure in all the different layers and systems in our day-to-day life.

Listen now and learn:

- What systemic pleasure means to Ca’ren

- How to be in communion with our bodies

- The overlapping between belonging and pleasure

- How to have a healthy relationship with pleasure

- The importance of acknowledging displeasure

0:39 - Dr. Mona introduces today’s guest

1:38 - How have your personal and professional journeys led you to explore the topic of pleasure?

7:01 - What does systemic pleasure mean?

14:41 - What is a healthy relationship with pleasure and how can we be aware of whether or not it is healthy?

34:14 - What does belonging mean to Ca'ren?

Learn more about Ca’ren Hudson: www.floweringheartwellness.com

Follow Ca’ren on Instagram @flowering_heart_wellness and Tiktok & Facebook @floweringheartwellness

Learn more about the Belonging Reimagined Podcast: www.drmonanour.com/podcast

Connect with Dr. Mona Nour: www.drmonanour.com

In this episode, Dr. Mona chats with basketball legend Mr. Phil Ford about his esteemed career as a basketball player and coach in the ACC and NBA and what he learned about belonging and sportsmanship from these experiences.

Tune in now and hear:

- How family and childhood experiences shaped Mr. Ford’s view on sportsmanship

- What he learned from playing for North Carolina Tar Heels under Coach Dean Smith

- How he created community and belonging for his team as a coach

- His battle with alcoholism and its impact on the relationships in his life

Learn more about Phil Ford: www.philfordbasketball.com

Learn more about the Belonging Reimagined Podcast: www.drmonanour.com/podcast

Connect with Dr. Mona Nour: www.drmonanour.com

In this episode, Dr. Mona talks to Jen Garrett, a mental health therapist and clinical supervisor who explores the field of social health and its impact on mental health. Jen shares her personal journey of self-discovery, including growing up in a conservative, evangelical home in the South as a queer woman and her recent autism diagnosis.

Listen now and explore:

- The the nuances of autistic experiences

- How an autism diagnosis impact one’s interpersonal relationships

- The challenges and triumphs of living with autism

- The importance of self-compassion and understanding

- How to build supportive relationships

0:39 - Dr. Mona introduces today’s guest, Jen Garrett.

4:23 - What other identities are relevant for you right now?

6:24 - What has that journey been like for you in getting those diagnoses?

9:58 - After realizing one is autistic, how does the interpersonal relationship change within themselves?

13:22 - What is autistic shutdown/meltdown?

17:58 - Interoceptions in our bodies.

25:00 - What was so important to you about getting the official diagnosis?

30:06 - What misconceptions do people have about autism?

34:13 - What would reciprocity mean for an autistic person?

40:49 - What guidance do you have about exploring a diagnosis?

42:16 - What does belonging mean to Jen?

Learn more about Jen Garrett: resilientmindcounseling.com/jennifer-garrett-ma-lcmhc-s-lcas-ccs

Check out Jen’s Social Health Facilitation Training (www.seekhealing.org/shft ) and Connection Practice Meetings (www.seekhealing.org/calendar).

Learn more about the Belonging Reimagined Podcast: www.drmonanour.com/podcast

Connect with Dr. Mona Nour: www.drmonanour.com

In this episode, Dr. Mona sits down with psychic medium and intuitive Royale Heart for a candid conversation about spirituality, faith, and personal transformation. Royale shares her extraordinary journey from a religious upbringing to embracing her psychic abilities, overcoming challenges, and finding her place in the world.

Listen as Royale discusses her experiences in the military, the process of faith deconstruction, and the profound impact these experiences have had on her life and spiritual path. Discover how Royale gained belonging and a new sense of community after leaving her religious community and how she helps others navigate their own journeys of self-discovery and spiritual growth.

0:20 - Dr. Mona introduces today’s guest, Royale Heart.

2:33 - Royale’s psychic abilities and initial challenges.

7:00 - Royale’s early religious involvement and awakening

17:59 - Royle’s military service and spiritual growth.

20:02 - Royale’s experiences in the army.

25:16 - Eye-opening experiences and shifting perspectives.

32:20 - Losing community to find her spirituality.

36:15 - Advice for navigating religious deconstruction and trauma.

39:04 - Creating safe spaces.

41:32 - What belonging means to Royale.

Learn more about Royale Heart: www.royaleheart.com

Follow her on IG @Royale.Heart and TikTok @Royale_Heart

Learn more about the Belonging Reimagined Podcast: www.drmonanour.com/podcast

Connect with Dr. Mona Nour: www.drmonanour.com

In this episode, Dr. Mona dives into the complexities of the Asian American experiences with mental health therapist Lys Lin. Born and raised in Taiwan, Lys was the first person in her family to move from Taiwan to the United States. She decided to stay in the US for her career and love.

Listen now and explore:

- The diversity within the Asian American community

- Common mental health challenges among Asian Americans

- The importance of language in belonging and cultural connection

- Asian American stereotypes as portrayed in media and their harmful impact

- Practical steps to create a more inclusive environments

0:39 - Dr. Mona introduces today’s guest, Lys Lin.

3:50 - What did a person of color in your mind look like?

14:12 - What are the common themes your clients have who are Asian or bicultural?

21:59 - What are the barriers for feeling proud of our descendents?

23:47 - The stereotypes of Asian Americans in pop culture.

27:58 - Are these stereotypes something you see in your client sessions?

30:19 - What are ways to create more belonging for Asian Americans?

38:08 - What does belonging mean to Lys?

Learn more about Lys Lin: www.nourcounseling.com/lys-lin

Learn more about the Belonging Reimagined Podcast: www.drmonanour.com/podcast

Connect with Dr. Mona Nour: www.drmonanour.com