Breaking Taboo With Serena Sun

S2 E3: Men's mental health is important! But it's rarely discussed. Join Serena and Kevin Benevides, Men’s Transformational Coach. Get advice for men and learn what men should be aware of. "Don’t wait until you hit rock bottom!"

"Know your true self.... Acknowledge and grieve your childhood trauma and repressed emotions. Not being able to tap into things from the past that made you who you are today is affecting you in the day to day."

@thecanvaswithin, Kevin has been passionately sharing content since 2014, including his journey with mental illness while helping inspire others to transform their lives.

"Can you tell me all of the ways you felt deeply loved by your partner?"

"You are very controlling. You may not think you are controlling, you think he or she is controlling, but yet everything you do is to calm the chaos.."

"If I'm upset, this is a set up for me to look in the mirror. Look at my part; why am I upset?"

Listen to this and more amazing juicy tips centered around relationships, high conflict, and divorce.

Karen McMahon is a Certified Relationship and Divorce Coach and Founder of Journey Beyond Divorce. She began divorce coaching in 2010 after recognizing that the pain of her divorce led her on a transformational journey into an incredible new life.

What is prenatal trauma? How does Childhood Trauma affect Adulthood? 1 in 3 children in the classroom have reported multiple trauma cases, but the numbers are underreported and most likely higher. Also, let's talk about Decolonizing Therapy! (What is that?)

"There were so many things that I apparently did that I would never do if I was sober...I'm not that person at all."  

Lets explore addiction; what that word really means, and what it's like being an addict. Join Serena Sun and Sober Sadie in a conversation about what it’s really like struggling with alcohol use and finally getting your life back. 

How can a normal person have an addiction that becomes all consuming? How does that happen? How does it affect families, school, and work?  They explore all the different factors of addiction like the biological, environmental, and psychological aspects as well as how media and television glamorizes drugs and alcohol.  

Also- does AA actually work for everyone? You might be surprised at the answer! Bonus: Serena opens up and talks about what it was like being addicted to cigarettes! Listen and find out more in this very real, down to earth episode!   

3:00— Cravings

4:00— Why she started drinking

6:10— Losing herself after drinking

12:20— Memories of alcoholic father

"Hey I’m Dan form the UK, and I have Asperger’s Syndrome!" Meet Daniel Jones, a successful social media influencer, a husband, and a musician in a rock band - who wants to share with the world his experiences with Asperger's. Listen in as he and Serena have a fun, energetic conversation about everything from life to favorite books, while also educating people about Asperger’s and autism symptoms. Find out which tasks are naturally easier and which daily tasks are more difficult to do for someone who is on the spectrum, and ways to handle it and cope. Also find out why Asperger's and autism can be useful! Join in on another episode in Breaking Taboo around Asperger's and Autism!

Katie Conibear does not hide her experiences being diagnosed with bipolar 1 with psychotic episodes; in fact, quite the opposite. Katie wrote a book about her journey, and on this episode with Serena, she shares some of the more memorable times- like going on extravagant shopping sprees, taking impulsive vacations, and how her friends and ex boyfriends have reacted to it- not yet knowing that it was due to her having bipolar 1! Join this upbeat and enlightening story and learn about what BiPolar 1 is like, how it presents itself, how Katie has dealt with her own mental health, where she is at now with it, and why she is telling the whole world about it!

Join an upbeat and inspiring story with "Dan the One Armed Wonder" and self proclaimed "Pro Life Liver" as he shares what has inspired thousands of people around the world. He speaks about how being in the military has influenced him for the better and how the mindset he developed from such experiences has helped him get through life challenges. He also talks about going through depression and coming out of it. A motorist turned cyclist, today Dan is best known for his bicycle races around the world.

Lets Break some Taboos around Schizophrenia! Join a fascinating conversation between Michelle Hammer and Serena Sun as they dive into what it means to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. You might have seen Michelle in New York, actively talking about having schizophrenia while selling her clothing line. Listen as they dispel myths and answer some questions from someone who actually experiences it. Questions such as: 

What is it like to live with schizophrenia on a daily basis? Schizophrenia presents itself in different ways- but who notices it first? The person with the diagnosis or their family and friends?  Does it or does it not really affect personal relationships?  

They talk about the stereotypes that surround schizophrenia, how symptoms manifest and affect the individual, the possibility of improper diagnoses, the importance of a good therapist, and more. Listen in on this fascinating topic!

Join in on a fun, upbeat episode with a TON of useful information! Meet Eli Weinstein, a psychotherapist based in New York. Eli and Serena will cover topics such as: 

1) Breaking down the taboo around mental health & therapy

2) Fact or Fiction: "Therapists are the most messed up" - and does it matter? 

3) The amount of Men vs Women who seek therapy - Who goes to therapy more?  

4) Age Groups & Therapy: Common age related issues - What are "age related issues" that people of certain ages tend to seek therapy for? 

8-13 (Kids) 13- 20 (Teenagers) 20-30 year olds (young adults) 30-40 (Adults) 50 and up (Middle age) Older Seniors (70 and up)

Watch the episode that just gets more and more interesting as it plays out! Multiple Personality Disorder aka Dissociative Identity Disorder- Is it a "Disorder"? Is it even real? In fact, some therapists do not recognize DID as a "real" disorder, and even more therapists won't treat it. It can be argued that DID is one of the more difficult "disorders" to treat, but it is definitely one of the most fascinating ones. This interesting characteristic has been portrayed in movies and TV shows, but did Hollywood get it right? Learn from Julie Lyons, who is a counselor for DID, and an expert because....wait for it.... tune in to watch her surprising reveal as the episode unfolds!