Challenges Won't Stop Me

March of 2020 in the United States is like no other March I've ever experienced!

News of the Coronavirus and all the ensuing restrictions occurred within days. The lives of Americans radically shifted with the closing of schools, horrendously long lines at the grocery store to buy toilet paper, having to practice social distancing, and hundreds of thousands of people facing layoffs. The list goes on and on.

While the news provides updated information, it can increase fear, even panic. Throw in some sensationalized news that's fake, and it might feel like the world is ending. Negative thoughts creep in and begin to take root. Instead of believing things will get better, one might begin to be convinced life will never be the same when the Coronavirus is gone.  Once those thoughts take root, it's hard to pull them out.

Negative thinking isn't limited to living as cautiously as possible during the Coronavirus. It can creep in when a happily married couple finds themselves arguing nightly. An unexpected health crisis with the doctor giving a grim prognosis ushers in negative thinking. Failed job after failed job leads to negative thoughts like, "I'm just not good enough."

My guests, Cathie and Addlia, join me for a discussion on the importance of keeping a positive attitude, especially when life is tough. These two have faced years of tough times, yet each fight (and fight hard) to focus on the positive things happening in their lives. Through their journeys of overcoming, both ladies have gained wisdom that will convince you positive attitudes add years to your life. 

Join us for a laughter-filled discussion to learn why we believe positive attitudes are life-giving. 

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In this special edition episode, I wanted to focus on our kids. Even though adults have never experienced anything like this in our lives, we are better equipped to process the news and the required social adjustments. Some kids will ride this wave and enjoy the “different way of life.” Other kids will battle anxious thoughts and fears as they see this “different way of life” as unsettling and scary. Wherever your child falls on that continuum, this episode offers helpful information about how to navigate these uncertain times and survive online learning. 

My friend, Dr. Christi Bartolomucci, is a psychologist and counselor and super talented with talking with kids in a way that eases their fears. So, I invited her to join me as I believe some of our kids are having a difficult time processing everything they are hearing about the Coronavirus. Not to mention having a big part of their social lives taken away when the schools closed. Dr. Christi offers great advice to parents about how to talk to our kids during these uncertain times. She stresses how important it will be to be open and honest when answering their “what if” questions, all the while reassuring them often.

Then Dr. Christi asks me questions about how to help children AND parents survive this very different learning environment: online learning at home. Creating a schedule of when to complete schoolwork will provide a comfortable structure and establish expectations. The most important key to a successful online learning experience is getting organized. Many websites are super helpful in providing additional information if your child is struggling to understand a concept. Offering praise for completed assignments and working hard will keep your kids motivated.

If you’ve found this episode helpful, PLEASE share it with your friends who are parents. They likely need these tips as much as you do!

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Psychologist and counselor, Dr. Christi Bartolomucci, joins me for part 2 of our anxiety series where she answers questions about our kids and anxiety.

Dr. Christi shares what children do and say when they are struggling with anxiety. She offers strategies to help them fight and overcome anxiety. Listen to episode 17 where Dr. Christ talks about helping children name anxiety so they can talk back to it when it attacks.

Statistics show 1 in 4 teens between ages 13 and 18 struggle with anxiety. That number is alarming! Not only will our teens exhibit similar struggles as children, but they will also experience anxiety with regards to peer relationships, academic expectations, the comparison trap, and social media. Dr. Christi offers practical and helpful strategies to help our teens fight and overcome anxiety.

Additional resources: Click HERE for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America website and click HERE for the Child Anxiety Network.   

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Psychologist and counselor, Dr. Christi Bartolomucci, joins me for this two part series on anxiety. In depth knowledge of anxiety and practical strategies to fight anxiety fill our conversation.

Dr. Christi, shares, "Anxiety is a bully. It's sneaky. Sometimes when it's lurking, it can sound like your own voice. The more you give in to anxiety, the more it keeps showing up in your life."

Dr. Christi explains how anxiety takes over the thinking brain. Engaging the thinking brain instead of just listening to the feeling brain allows us to fight overwhelming fears and those "what if" questions..

If you struggle with anxiety, the strategies shared in this episode are powerful!

For additional information about anxiety, click HERE for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America website and HERE for the Child Anxiety Network website. 

Join us for part 2 (episode 18) in the anxiety series titled "Our Kids and Anxiety."

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Why wait until October to spread breast cancer awareness? Especially if you have two sisters who have the BRCA1 gene and fought to overcomer breast cancer with the most positive attitudes and lots of laughter!

Sisters Brenda and Bernadette, along with their older sister and brother tested positive for the BRCA1 gene. Listen in to learn how each sister handled knowing she had the gene and what that meant for her treatment.

All of the overcomers I interview have positive attitudes throughout their fight, but not until chatting with these sisters have I ever laughed so much during an interview. 

After listening to this episode, join my outtake video with Brenda and Bernadette on my youTube channel - Melony Brown. I asked them to share something funny that happened during their journeys - you don't want to miss it!

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Hardships are a fact of life. Some of our nation's young people experience abuse, gang violence, bullying, poverty, drug addictions, and educational struggles. These hardships and many others invite hopelessness and a lack of purpose.

My guest, Ron Green of Operation Snatch Back, is passionate about stepping into the lives of at-risk youth to teach life skills that will give them the tools they need to be successful in life.

As a teen and young adult, Ron made poor decisions that left him addicted to drugs, homeless, and lacking direction for his life. Once he chose to get help and gain the tools he was lacking, Ron was eager to equip teens so they wouldn't make the mistakes he made.

Check out Operation Snatch Back at www.snatchback.net. Consider making a donation to this incredible non profit organization and you too can impact the lives of at-risk teens. 

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From early childhood, my guest BJ Garrett, felt unloved and unwanted. Sexual abuse by a family member scarred her. Those emotional wounds led her to make poor choices as a young teen and young adult.

BJ faced many zigzags in her life. She knew she was running away from the God who was pursuing her. Then she met several Jesus-loving people who loved her just as she was - wounds and all.

BJ shares her story in her new book, Unwanted No More. She and I discuss parts of her book and how accepting Christ healed her wounds. She KNOWS she is loved and wanted by Christ. Grab a copy of her book online or at any book retailer.

Learn more about BJ at www.bjgarrett.com.

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When we are in the trenches, we often feel overwhelmed. Thoughts swirl in our head at a dizzying pace. We oftentimes stuff our emotions, because they feel too big to process. 

What if creativity could invite healing?

My guest, Amy Markham, shares how creative living practices helped her express her bottled up emotions and overpowering thoughts during her fight with cancer. She found reconnecting with creative processes reminded her of her passions and purpose.

Check out her podcast titled "Starling" and her website at www.starlingcreativeliving.com. 

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September is National Suicide Awareness Month.

Suicide is a topic we'd rather avoid. It's uncomfortable. There often are no answers. But, it's a topic we must discuss. And we must learn as much as we can with the intention of preventing as many suicides as possible.

My guest, Tracy Hurst, struggled as an adolescent with depression and had suicidal ideations. Now she is a licensed professional counselor with a heart for anyone who struggles with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

If you are feeling suicidal, PLEASE call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 for support.

In Part 2 of this two part series, Tracy and I discuss how bullying and social media are causing some of our youth to feel disconnection, isolated, and lonely. Those feelings can lead to suicide ideations. We explore the idea that true connection with others could break the disconnection they feel and prevent them from attempting suicide.

Attached are the following resources:
1. the 10 commonalities of suicide
2. Is social media contributing to rising teen suicide rate?
3. positive and negative effects of social media

This episode is published in memory of my cousin, Jerome Williams. May 1972 - January 1991. 

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THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

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September is National Suicide Awareness Month.

Suicide is a topic we'd rather avoid. It's uncomfortable. There often are no answers. But, it's a topic we must discuss. And we must learn as much as we can with the intention of preventing as many suicides as possible.

My guest, Tracy Hurst, struggled as an adolescent with depression and had suicidal ideations. Now she is a licensed professional counselor with a heart for anyone who struggles with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

If you are feeling suicidal, PLEASE call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 for support.

In Part 1 of this two part series, Tracy and I discuss the alarming statistic about suicide rates, how depression is the common cold of mental illness, and how those who are thinking about suicide feel disconnection with others.

Attached are the following resources:
1. the 10 commonalities of suicide
2. Is social media contributing to rising teen suicide rate?
3. positive and negative effects of social media

Music credits: "Bigger Than I Thought" by Sean Curran. Check out Sean's music HERE. 

This episode is published in memory of my cousin, Jerome Williams. May 1972 - January 1991. 

Send me a COMMENT or QUESTION!

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

Want to leave a comment about this episode? Click HERE!