Coffee and an Interview with Dr. Jacqueline Peña

In Episode 34, Jacquie Bird teaches us about spiritual wellness. Learn about ways to enhance the mind-body connection, how to move through a difficult situation, and how to institute "calm" within yourself and the life around you.

Her company, Jacquie Bird, Spiritual Wellness, offers products and services that support, guide, and empower the individual to live better and enjoy a more peaceful life. Her entire platform and intent are in mindfulness, personal growth, stress and anxiety relief, and management.

In her first life, she was in the performing arts as a dancer, singer, and actress on Broadway, TV, Film, and stage along with being a writer, choreographer, and teacher of dance. Over time, she began to step away to create gemstone jewelry and along the way, she started learning about the myriad benefits of working with gemstones and copper. As everything is connected in our paths, she began to resonate with the power and benefits of sound as she was drawn to Tibetan Singing Bowls and other polyphonic instruments, noting how important sound is to our WellBeing. Eventually, she chose to blend and combine all her healing experiences and knowledge into her own wellness platform, Jacquie Bird, Spiritual Wellness, of which her StressBusters Guided Meditation plays a big role.

Resources from the Interview

1. Website: https://www.jacquiebirdspiritualwellness.com

2. Instagram: @JacquieBirdSpiritualWellness

3. Facebook: www.facebook.com/JacquieBirdSpiritualWellness

4. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jacquiebird00

5. YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/JacquieBirdSpiritualWellness

6. Email: [email protected]

Additional Resources Available on Jacquie Bird’s Website

1. 4-week eBook and audiobook series “7 Daily Thoughts & Mantras 4 Mindfulness - Keys 4 Stress Relief & Personal Growth”

2. Guided meditation videos and music

3. Private and group StressBusters Guided Meditation sessions, a system developed using sound, breath, aromatherapy, gemstones, and movement

4. End of The Month Guided Meditation online classes that fall on the last Sunday of the month

Summary of the Interview Transcript:

Introduction and Reintroduction of Jackie Bird (0:00)

Speaker 1 introduces Jacqueline Pena and welcomes Jackie Bird from Jacquie Bird's Spiritual Wellness. Jackie reflects on their journey and the role of creativity in life.

Overview of Jackie's Book and Philosophy (2:18)

Jackie introduces her book, "28 Daily Thoughts and Mantras for Mindfulness," focusing on calm, clarity, presence, and self-care.

The Importance of Self-Care and Mindfulness (3:01)

Jackie discusses intentional self-care and how her book makes meditation accessible, with practical examples for managing challenges.

Addressing Reactions and Personal Responsibility (8:42)

Jackie shares a story about improving her relationship with her landlord through mindfulness, emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility for actions and reactions.

The Power of Self-Relationship and Forgiveness (11:52)

Jackie introduces "Forgiveness Friday," focusing on self-forgiveness and moving forward.

Visualization and Manifestation (23:04)

Jackie shares the importance of visualizing goals and raising one’s vibration to attract positive experiences, highlighting the importance of finding joy.

Advice for Listeners and Final Thoughts (32:58)

Jackie advises self-kindness and self-awareness, returning to the book's role in promoting peace and growth.

Conclusion and Resources (40:25)

Speaker 1 thanks Jackie for her insights, discussing the book’s practical applications and providing resource information. The episode ends with a reminder of the importance of self-care and mindfulness.

Mary-Catherine LaBossiere, a registered dietitian and owner of Defy Nutrition, where she helps individuals repair their relationship with food and develop sustainable, healthier nutrition habits. Listen to the episode and learn about our relationship with food, emotional eating, and strategies to live a healthier life.

Mary-Catherine LaBossiere, MPH, RD, LDN is a registered dietitian, military spouse, and the owner of Defy Nutrition. She started her career in obesity and diabetes clinical research while earning her Master of Public Health. Mary-Catherine then transitioned to working in behavioral health, where she learned the role of nutrition in mental health. Mary-Catherine is now a full-time entrepreneur who helps individuals learn how to eat like human beings and develop healthier relationships with food. Mary-Catherine has presented on a variety of topics, including Nutrition for Performance, Managing Stress Eating for Optimal Digestion, Emotional Eating for the Busy Entrepreneur, Incorporating Intuitive Eating Principles into Macro Tracking, and Calorie Counting, and more. She enjoys educating others and facilitating both in-person and virtual workshops to make nutrition easy and sustainable. In her free time, Mary-Catherine loves being active and exploring the outdoors with her husband and their dogs.

Defy Nutrition helps individuals repair their relationship with food and develop sustainable, healthier nutrition habits. They do this through the provision of nutrition counseling and personalized meal plans that are made custom for you, your goals, and your food preferences. Defy Nutrition also offers group programs and workshops both virtually and in person.

Resources from the Interview

1. Free Snacking Guide: www.defy-nutrition.com

2. Grocery Shopping Workbook: https://defy-nutrition.com/product/groceryworkbook/

3. Book a complimentary consult: https://p.bttr.to/3Aq5BFm

4. Defy Holiday Food Guilt Program: https://defy-nutrition.com/defy-holiday-food-guilt

Information about the Business (Non-Profit)

1. Website: https://defy-nutrition.com/

2. Email: [email protected]

3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defy.nutrition/

4. Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/defynutrition

5. Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DefyNutrition

In Episode 32, Bill Cohen, provides dementia advice and support for caregivers of family members with dementia. Most resources for dementia, including Alzheimer’s, focus on the patient and not on the caregivers. However, many people have to shift their lives to become caregivers to their loved ones while learning the best care strategies along the way. Bill helps us find the best resources to help our loved ones and provides us with tools and strategies to help us reduce our stress, save time and expenses, and balance our personal, professional, and caregiving lives.

Bill Cohen is a caregiver support group leader and speaker, an Alzheimer's Association volunteer, a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®, and the owner of Cohen Caregiving Support Consultants. His loving and talented mother, Sheila, lost her home to Hurricane Katrina. Then, she lost her health, ability to create beautiful art, and, ultimately, her life due to Alzheimer's. For almost 10 years, Bill was her primary caregiver and advocate, not just her elder son. Now he dedicates his life to empowering other caregivers so that they can lead healthy balanced lives while caring for their loved ones.

Resources from the Interview

1. Company Website: Cohencaregivingsupport.com

2. Bill Resources and Contact Info: https://linktr.ee/CohenSupport

3. Instagram: @cohencaregivingsupport

4. Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/billcohensupportgroup/

In Episode 31, Raju Rajan, President of Rewild Long Island (a non-profit organization), teaches us about rewilding, why we should do it, and how to do it. Rewild Long Island promotes sustainable landscaping practices with a focus on native perennials, growing organic food, and reducing waste. They encourage replacing lawns with native plant landscapes, increasing biodiversity, locally grown organic produce, reducing waste through recycling and composting, conserving water, reducing carbon emissions, and avoiding chemical use.

Raju Rajan is a technologist with a strong communitarian ethic. He came to the United States from India to obtain his Ph.D. in Communication Networks at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has enjoyed a long career as a researcher, consultant, and technologist. His strong entrepreneurial ethic has led him to found two IT start-ups, as well as a number of community groups aimed at organizing people for systemic change. He is currently active with Long Island Together, a progressive collective that organizes around education, immigration, and social change, as well as ReWild Long Island, which brings native plants to public spaces and private yards. Raju resides in Port Washington, NY, with his wife Sonia Arora who is an educator/community organizer, son Kabeera Singh, a Schreiber High School student, and cat, Lucky, who does nothing. Raju serves as the President of the Board of ReWild Long Island.

Resources from the Interview

Website: www.rewildlongisland.org

Email: [email protected]

In episode 30, Katherine Marie shares her experiences as a breast cancer survivor who teaches us valuable lessons about breast cancer awareness, early screening, balancing life after a cancer diagnosis, and moving forward. Hear how her journey empowered her to help others through Inspired Vitality LLC, which encompasses cancer coaching and speaking services. Katherine partners with individuals diagnosed with cancer, whether in treatment or post-treatment, to help them navigate the challenges brought about by a diagnosis. Speaking topics, at the core, are about taking action and Katherine speaks to a wide variety of audiences through podcasts and on the stage.

Katherine Marie is a speaker and a holistic health coach who says that cancer does not define her, but it has shaped her. In 2015 her stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis served as a springboard to help others through their own challenges, and she shares insights on the stage, through numerous podcasts, and her YouTube channel. During coaching and while speaking, Katherine uses her relatable experience and training with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to inspire and guide people in identifying goals and taking action.

Resources from the Interview

1. Chemo Go-bag Checklist, available for FREE at: https://inspiredvitality.life/

Inspired Vitality Website: https://inspiredvitality.life/

2. Resource Guide, ABLE: The Four Step Strategy Taking You From Pain, Grief and Fear to Living:

https://mailchi.mp/96df64ac6812/able-the-four-step-strategy-taking-you-from-pain-grief-and-fear-to-living

3. Complimentary Consultation: https://inspiredvitality.life/contact/

Follow Inspired Vitality and Katherine Marie

1. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspiredVitalityMN

2. Twitter: https://twitter.com/InspiredMN

3. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-marie-831300179/

In our 29th episode, Darren and Margie Fink, founders of Transfiguring Adoption (a Florida non-profit organization), share their passion for supporting foster youth, adopted children, and their caregivers. Learn how they help caregivers use books, movies, video games, and everyday play to help children process past trauma.

Darren & Margie Fink are the co-founders of nonprofit Transfiguring Adoption. They bring over a decade of experience in helping traumatized kids. Margie has a degree in psychology and has created curriculum for training parents and professionals. Darren has authored multiple children’s books. While two of their adoptive children have grown, they currently live in Orlando with their youngest two adoptive children.

Contact Information

Darren’s Email: [email protected]

Transfiguring Adoption Information

Website: www.transfiguringadoption.com

Social Media: @TransfigurAdopt (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok)

Magical Creatures Book

Website: www.magicalcreaturs.com

Social Media: @magicalcreaturs (Facebook and Instagram)

Special Gift from Darren and Margie Fink

Special Gift: One free month of premium media review service

Coupon code: 1STFREE

www.transfiguringadoption.com/subscribe

Sara German is the author of Pendulum and podcaster (Learning How to Slay the Beasts) whose work focuses on emotional and mental health based on her experiences with her son's PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and her own health challenges.

S.E. German has a master’s degree in Social Sciences and is passionate about environmental and health issues. She is the host of the “Learning to Slay the Beasts Podcast” and manages the accompanying blog focused on overcoming life’s challenges, such as mental health issues, obesity, autoimmune disorders, and food allergies.

Her first fiction novel “Pendulum” is based on her experiences with a pediatric neuroimmune disorder called PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections). She is hopeful that “Pendulum” will contribute to much-needed conversations on mental health and family health care and help children to build resilience, accept themselves, see their value and respect each other’s diversity.

She writes in Ontario, Canada where she lives with her husband and two children.

Resources from the Interview

1. Buy Pendulum: https://www.amazon.ca/Pendulum-S-German/dp/1525579924

2. Instagram: @saraladygluten

3. TIkTok: @saraladygluten

4. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/segermanglutenfreelady

5. Twitter: @ladygluten

6. Email: [email protected]

7. Website: https://www.se-german.com/

8. Podcast: https://www.learningtoslaythebeasts.podbean.com/

9. Blog: https://theallergybeast.wordpress.com/

Sarah Casper teaches us about comprehensive consent and provides us with (a) a framework, (b) practical skills, and (c) activities to practice this framework while teaching others about comprehensive consent.

Resources from the Interview

1. Comprehensive Consent website: https://comprehensiveconsent.com

2. Instagram Handle: @comprehensiveconsent

3. Comprehensive Consent Checklist: https://comprehensiveconsent.com/contact/

4.Additional Comprehensive Consent Resources: https://comprehensiveconsent.com/resources/

Kawan Glover shares his remarkable story of triumph in this interview focused on overcoming adversity and finding the light at the end of the tunnel. Learn how he overcame three brain surgeries, a stroke, opioid addiction, suicide ideation, depression, and anxiety. Hear his steps for finding your own light at the end of the tunnel to become a better person and empower others to do the same.

Resources from the Interview

1. Favor: How Stroke Struggle and Surgery Helped Me Find My Life's Purpose - https://amzn.to/3lSIZFU

2. Kawan's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OvercomeAdversityWithKawan

Shawn Schwaner teaches us that hope truly does work when we want to turn our lives around and find our strength. What do you do when you don't have any hope left? How can you find that light of hope and use it to move forward in life? How can you help others find hope?

Dr. Schwaner is the founder of both Hope Works and Greener Day Consulting. He spreads his message of hope and strength through his organizations and his publications.

Shawn's Books

1. Dear Mama: Lessons on Race, Grace and the Wisdom To Overcome - https://amzn.to/3a06BX5

2. Semicolon: Semicolon: Death While Living... A True Story - https://amzn.to/36LVPBp

3. Hope Works: Moving from Darkness into your Dreams: A Storytelling Approach - https://amzn.to/2IhKsYy