Coming Into Focus

Jay and Carlie (The Positive Hairstylist) reflect on the previous month's challenge of Yoga. The two share about how they felt challenged by the goal to engage in yoga multiple times a week, but overall express a positive experience from participation. The new topic of a "Daily Reflection" is introduced and Jay puts Carlie on the spot to illustrate how it's done. Details about the practice are explained in the podcast, but Carlie has created templates for people to use if you choose to participate. Templates can be found on Carlie's website listed below.

Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website


Carlie's links:
Instagram
The Positive Hairstylist

On this episode Jay sits down with John Donovan. Through his work as a counselor and group facilitator, a bulk of which was spent facilitating conflict resolution workshops at Folsom State Prison, John has developed a very powerful approach to help individuals develop accountability in relationships, demystify patterns of behaviors, and learn to live life with intention in order to ultimately rediscover their authentic self. John's approach can often sound a bit confusing, and John will be the first to share that this is by design. Hint: it's about less thinking and more feeling. This is for sure a episode you'll want to listen to at least a couple of times, as the lessons begin to resonate more with each listen.

John's Website:
https://donovancounseling.com
Mini documentary about John

Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website

Jay and Carlie (AKA: The Positive Hairstylist) move into the third week of yoga in this month's "30 Day Challenge," and reflect back on what they have taken away from their nw practice up to this point. Carlie shares that she has moved out of some of the initial desire to resist the practice, while Jay shares his frustrations. The two reflect on topics related to perfectionism, discipline and learning to try new things free from judgement and pressure.


Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website


Carlie's links:
Instagram
The Positive Hairstylist

Jay and Carlie (AKA: The Positive Hairstylist) reflect on their first week of yoga in this month's "30 Day Challenge." The two discuss their experience after engaging in 5 different  online yoga videos. Both discuss frustrations with their current skill level, but express optimism for what might change in the weeks to come. Jay and Carlie also share about their interesting experience with Yoga Nidra.


Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website
Mindfulness Blog
Facebook Group

Carlie's links:
Instagram
The Positive Hairstylist

Jay and Carlie (AKA: The Positive Hairstylist) recap on the progress from the first "30 Day Challenge" on mindfulness, and announce the topic for the month of April: YOGA! Jay and Carlie discuss what they learned and took away from the mindfulness challenge, and how that coincidentally timed up nicely with dealing with the COVID-19 global pandemic and the growing "stay at home" orders. The two also discuss what they hope to take away from the new yoga challenge and why the topic was picked.

Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website
Mindfulness Blog
Facebook Group

Carlie's links:
Instagram
The Positive Hairstylist

Jay and Carlie (Aka: The Positive Hairstylist) head into the home stretch with week 4 of their first "30 Day Challenge," focusing on mindfulness meditation. The two discuss their progress after participating for 3 weeks, and discuss changes they've noticed along the way. The two also discuss implications and importance for developing a mindfulness practice during these worrisome times with the increasing spread of the novel coronavirus. Carlie reflects on making more progress with her ability to notice anxious thought and come back to the present, and Jay expands on mindfulness as a way of being and not simply "sitting down to meditate."

Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website
Mindfulness Blog
Facebook Group

Carlie's links:
Instagram
The Positive Hairstylist

Jay and Carlie (Aka: The Positive Hairstylist) embark on week 3 of their first "30 Day Challenge," focusing on mindfulness meditation. The two discuss their progress at two weeks in, and discuss changes they've noticed along the way. The two also discuss implications and importance for developing a mindfulness practice during these worrisome times with the increasing spread of the novel coronavirus. Jay briefly touches on panic/anxiety, decision making while under stress, the effect of long term stress on the immune system, and increasing compassion - and how meditation can impact all of these.

Loving Kindness Meditation

Dr. Robert Sapolsky - Intro to Human Behavioral Biology

Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website
Mindfulness Blog
Facebook Group

Carlie's links:
Instagram
The Positive Hairstylist

In this episode Jay sits down with Eric White. Eric is the host of another mental health podcast, titled “TheEWpodcast,” and the two met when Jay had the incredible experience of being a guest on Eric's show. Eric started his podcast after years of battling with severe depression, and after finding a therapist and other resources that benefitted him mentally, he decided to continue his quest for knowledge and share with the world. Eric and Jay explore the narrative Eric held onto that seemingly kept him locked in depression, and he reveals an aspect of this story that fueled a majority of his self-loathing and shame; something he explained he had only told a handful of people up to this point. Ultimately, though, through seeking professional help, finding the support of an accepting partner, and a chance psychedelic experience at a music festival, Eric can now say he is on the upside of his mental health journey… and continuing to seek growth daily. Eric is the definition of perseverance, he’s an all-around genuine and thoughtful human, and his story is an inspiration to push through whatever challenges life delivers.

Eric's links:
theEWpodcast
Instagram

Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website
Facebook Group

Each month Jay and Carlie will embark on a month long journey engaging in an activity that has been touted to have mental health benefits, or something that may strengthen and nurture relationships. Each Monday a brief  "TOPIC IN FOCUS" episode will go up where the two share thoughts on their progress and share some inspiration to get your week off to a great start! Everyone who listens is welcome to join us on this journey and share your experiences on our social media, or the new "Coming Into Focus: 30 Day Challenge Community" Facebook group.

Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website
Mindfulness Blog
Facebook Group

Carlie's links:
Instagram
The Positive Hairstylist

This is the introductory "30 Day Challenge!" Each month Jay and Carlie will embark on a month long journey engaging in an activity that has been touted to have mental health benefits, or something that may strengthen and nurture relationships. Each Monday a brief  "TOPIC IN FOCUS" episode will go up where the two share thoughts on their progress and share some inspiration to get your week off to a great start! Everyone who listens is welcome to join us on this journey and share your experiences on our social media, or the new "Coming Into Focus: 30 Day Challenge Community" Facebook group.

Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website
Mindfulness Blog
Facebook Group

Carlie's links:
Instagram
The Positive Hairstylist