Dear Family,

Dr. David Steinman is here to offer a life-preserver to anyone drowning in an ocean of worry and stress using all-natural methods. After studying psychology at UC Berkeley he got his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at The University of Texas at Austin. He went on to practice clinical neuropsychology. He directed the biofeedback program at Austin Neurological Clinic in Austin for nearly thirty years where he became intimately familiar with how people learn to relax, the obstacles they encounter, and methods for getting past them.

Dr. Steinman has taught relaxation and stress management to thousands as well as multiple university classes and to civic groups. Using a science-based approach rooted in understanding how the body and mind respond to stress, Dr. Steinman created a step-by-step training program to learn how to calm the body's stress reaction. His clinical work helps a broad range of stress-related health problems, like anxiety, insomnia, headaches, back pain, and chronic pain. His audio recordings help his clients perform a variety of relaxation techniques at home, allowing anyone to discover what is most effective. His new book, Just Relax: Your Guide to All-Natural Stress Relief allows virtually anyone to develop this valuable life-enhancing skill.

Dr. Steinman lives in Austin with his wife, Lydia who is a professor at UT. Their adult sons have just gotten married and they are thrilled to have gained two new daughters.

SHOW NOTE LINKS:

Just Relax Book Website

Rachel interviews Dr. Stephen Hinshaw- UC Berkeley Dean of Psychology on his Personal Journey through the Stigma and Hope of Mental Illness

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For four years a shocking news cycle has not let up. Anxiety and stress due to the Coronavirus add a whole other complicated layer. Reports of Election Day fears of outbreaks of violence are resulting in people stocking up on basic supplies with fears of a Civil War breaking out in our streets resulting in an increase in gun sales. It's no wonder we're all on edge.

Cases of anxiety and depression have quadrupled since COVID19 became a household name. We're fatigued with restrictions, worried about our kids and seniors, and feeling very restless. We don't want to cancel our holiday plans with our loved ones and yet we're being warned it's about to be a very dark winter.

The American Way, the American Dream, and our American Exceptionalism are ideals we will never give up on. We stand on the shoulders of people who came before us and we will continue to fight for a better future for those who come after us.

SHOW NOTE LINKS:

Corresponding Article- Feeling Political Fatigue and Pandemic Burnout? The Antidotes are Hope, Action, and Gratitude.

The Census Bureau Statistics on Americans with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder

Good News Movement on Instagram

Positively Present on Instagram

Humans of New York on Instagram

The Dodo on Instagram

March for Our Lives

Sunrise Movement

Rachel Steinman's article- 15 Silver Linings & Strategies to Manage Coronavirus Anxiety During a Pandemic

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Yasmin Irfani is a Pakistani-Muslim-American woman who is passionate about speaking up about mental health awareness in her community. Growing up, she was told she was too emotional and sensitive which led her to believe she was broken. After all, South Asian girls like her did not speak up or express their emotions. Whether directly or indirectly she was taught to keep the problems that come along with her community's high expectations to herself, like getting married and having kids by a certain age, being financially successful, going to a great college, and having an amazing job, among other things.

Not until Yasmin went to college and studied psychology did she begin her own healing process. She went on to receive her Masters in College Counseling and is now a suicide prevention instructor as well as a mental health first aid instructor. She is also the Youth Programs Director at the National Alliance on Mental Illness in the San Fernando Valley.

Through her experiences working with high school and college students, Yasmin realized the importance of modeling vulnerability and truly listening to others so they can come up with their own insight and empower themselves. She's also grateful to be the face of hope so more people can openly speak up about emotional and mental health challenges, especially within the South Asian and Muslim community.

SHOW NOTE LINKS:

Yasmin Irfani's Links

Yasmin Irfani's Instagram

NAMI SFV (San Fernando Valley)

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Jason Schneidman grew up on the beaches of Southern California surfing and seeking the fun, care-free lifestyle it offered. His partying continued into his thirties until his life unraveled completely when he found himself homeless and addicted to crack cocaine. Sixteen years ago, he knew he had to do something otherwise he'd end up in jail or dead and so he asked for help and began the hard word of getting and staying sober.

Jason's rehabilitation taught him the importance of giving back. He decided to go out onto the streets with cordless clippers and treat homeless individuals as though they were his celebrity clients. He was able to connect with them because he'd been through what they had. With a friend nearby to video his encounters, hundreds of thousands of Instagram viewers would get to see first hand his motto, "A haircut can change a life." You can't be helped but be moved to see how a haircut and kind human interaction not only helps people gain self-confidence and see their value, but also seek treatment for their addiction and gain employment.

Since Jason was a young teen he'd been cutting hair, but not until he got sober did his fierce work ethic lead him to make a name for himself creating fully unified looks for press tours, red carpets, music videos and editorial gigs. After apprenticing under Jennifer Aniston's hair stylist, Chris McMillan, Jason was soon being asked to fly off to the the Super Bowl to cut Bruno Mars hair, and style and cut other big celebrities like Rob Lowe, James Corden, Hugh Jackman, Jonah Hill, Robert Pattinson, and Jay Shetty to name a few. His editorial work has appeared in magazines such as Rolling Stone, GQ, Entertainment Weekly, and Billboard.

Jason branched out on his own creating an entire salon and product line upon the fundamentals of men's hair care. Aptly named "The Mens Groomer," his Venice Beach, Lincoln Boulevard headquarters is part barbershop, part coffee shop, and part surf/skate shop. With his motorcycles and hot rods parked in front and his shop next to the iconic Dogtown Skateboards, it's the epitome of California cool. Don't be surprised if the legendary surfer, Laird Hamilton stops by for a cut and coffee.

Jason donates a percentage of his styling products and his haircuts to his foundation he started to give the homeless the second chance they need and deserve. Jason is married and has two adorable kids. He's grateful every day for his family and friends and for the devoted group of clients he continues to gain and keep.

SHOW NOTE LINKS:

The Men's Groomer Shop

The Men's Groomer on Instagram

The Men's Groomer Foundation

Rachel's Essay- Homelessness is More Than Lesshomeless

Jonathan Leeper on Dear Family,- Homeless Drug Addict Becomes Beacon of Hope Helping the Homeless

Adam Kallen on Dear Family,- Success Story Overcoming Addiction to Owning Hottest Motorcycle Apparel Brand & Hosting All-Men's AA Meeting

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Lisa Klein grew up in Michigan. When she was in college she got a call to come home because she was told her dad died from heart failure. Months later, her brother would take his life in the car in the garage and die by suicide which eventually she'd find out was the same way her dad and her grandmother had also died. She learned from her mother to never discuss suicide out of shame and so she didn't. Until one day, Lisa realized she not only wanted to talk about suicide openly, she wanted to make documentary films about the taboo subject by humanizing the topic.

Lisa is an award-winning director and writer dedicated to crafting groundbreaking documentary features. Her current project, THE S WORD, is a documentary that tackles one of the most cloistered issues of our time through the emotional stories of suicide attempt and loss survivors. In 2012, Lisa co-directed the award-winning film OF TWO MINDS, a journey into the lives of bipolar disorder. She tours the country speaking and using her films to raise awareness of mental health issues. Lisa is co-founder, with her husband Doug Blush, of MadPix Films, an LA-based production company dedicated to producing character-driven stories that create global impact and social change.

Lisa is a graduate of the University of Michigan and received an M.F.A. from the University of Southern California. Her daughter is now a University of Michigan student. She's picked up a pandemic hobby of painting and creating art projects, which besides her family, her dog, and running and tennis, brings her a lot of joy.

SHOW NOTE LINKS:

The S Word Movie

Mad Pix Films

The S Word on Facebook

The S Word on Twitter

The S Word on Instagram

The Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Terri Cheney on Dear Family, the Podcast

Robert Kolker on Dear Family, the Podcast

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John Lehr is a comedic performer, writer, and producer who works in television, film, and theater. He grew up in Kansas and made his way to Chicago for college. He began to substitute teach while moonlighting as an improvisational comic all the while abusing drugs and alcohol. He made his way to Los Angeles and got roles on TV shows like Friends and Jesse, among others. He is one of the original Geico Cavemen from the wildly successful commercial campaign.

He hit his rock bottom when he got arrested and spent the night in jail high on LSD with the threat of a prolonged incarcerated stay. He's been sober for over two decades and calls himself a recovering alcoholic and drug addict who regularly attends AA meetings, meditates, and found spirituality by converting to Judaism. He performs his "Comedic Lectures" about his twenty plus years of sobriety at fundraisers, nonprofits, and sober communities under the banner Cold.Sober.Comedy. He connects with his audience, now virtually through Zoom, by sharing his personal and career struggles, his continuing sober journey, and the importance of an authentic sense of humor.

John and his producing partner, Nancy Hower have created multiple projects, most involving their unique improvisationally-based "hybrid" style found with their Howler Monkey Productions. John is married to author Jennifer Lehr with whom he has two children and is grateful every day for the life he has created.

SHOW NOTE LINKS:

John Lehr's Website

Howler TV

John Lehr's Facebook Fanpage

John Lehr on Twitter

John Lehr's Instagram

Generation Gab Podcast

John's wife, Jennifer Lehr's book, "ParentSpeak- What's Wrong With How We Talk to Our Children and What to Say Instead

John's wife, Jennifer Lehr's Book, "Ill Equipped for a Life of Sex: A Memoir"

Caron Treatment Centers

Rachel interviews her brother, Adam Kallen- Success Story Overcoming Addiction to Owning Hottest Motorcycle Apparel Brand & Hosting All-Men's AA Meeting

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X. ARI is a singer-songwriter-artist and mental health advocate from Toronto currently living in Los Angeles. X. ARI comes from a family who has substance abuse and mental health issues. She herself has dealt with anxiety, depression, PTSD from psychosis, insomnia, sleep paralysis (a very interesting disorder which she will explain in this episode), bipolar, ADHD, and even anorexia when she was a competitive figure skater.

Her motto is to turn pain into power using art to do so. Musically, the songstress deftly dances in and out of genre lines, moving from entrancing alternative pop to gritty hip-hop under a cover of electronic elegance. At the same time, the visceral lyrics transmit messages of hope as often as they ponder tragedy. Her sound comes to life in the middle.

Trained in the art of Reiki, a physical, spiritual, and mental healing through the transfer of energy through the hands and a student of psychology, X. Ari has a wealth of information on how to best take care of ourselves, regardless if we have mental health challenges. She's not only singing about her mental health journey, she's sharing her story to destigmatize mental illness by being a spokesperson for NAMI, giving back, and serving as a role model of how someone who struggles can live a productive, happy, and purposeful life.

SHOW NOTE LINKS:

1. Ari Website

1. Ari on Instagram
2. Ari on Facebook
3. Ari on Twitter
4. Ari on SoundCloud
5. Ari on Youtube
6. Ari on Spotify
7. Ari on AppleMusic

NAMI- National Alliance on Mental Illness

Rachel interveiws her mom on the Dear Family, Podcast

Jack.org

Tara Brach Guided Meditations

Shawn Achor- On Happiness

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Adam Frankel's maternal grandparents survived the Holocaust and built new lives, with new names, in Connecticut. Although they tried to leave the horrors of their past behind, the pain they suffered crossed generational lines- a fact most apparent in the mental health of Adam's mother. When Adam sat down with her to examine their family history in detail, he learned another shocking secret. His beloved dad was not in fact his biological father and no one knew.

At just 25 years old, Adam was a senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama when he discovered he was only half of who he thought he was. This new knowledge created an identity crisis Adam tried to push down but manifested in panic attacks because he couldn't speak to his dad about it for fear it would break his heart.

Adam goes on a journey to define his family's bond and ultimately rewrites his family's story in truth to build a life for his own young family. In his book, The Survivors- A Story of War, Inheritance and Healing we come to see the nature of our families' traumas may vary but each of us is faced with the same choice. We can turn away from what we've inherited or we can confront it in the hope of moving on and stopping that trauma from inflicting pain on future generations.

SHOW NOTE LINKS:

Adam Frankel's Website

The Survivors: A Story of War, Inheritance, and Healing

Borderline Personality Disorder

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Terri Cheney was a successful entertainment lawyer who represented some of the biggest names in the business, like Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. All the while, she hid her mental illness and the slash marks on her wrist from a suicide attempt. She bravely started writing about her experience living with bipolar disorder after several horrific suicide attempts, encounters with the law, broken relationships and, eventually, a stint in a mental hospital and several rounds of electroshock therapy. The writing led to her first memoir, Manic, which went on to become a bestseller and the basis of an episode of Netflix's Modern Love where Anne Hathaway did a phenomenal job capturing Terri's mania and depression.

In Terri's new book, Modern Madness- An Owner's Manual, she combines clinical research with her own lived experience- stories like her manic highs accompanied by extreme drinking, driving, and dating. Her new book brilliantly bridges the gap between the one-size-fits-all approach of modern medicine and makes it relatable and valuable for everyone. Those dealing with mental health issues and their family and friends who are often left to pick up the pieces will undoubtedly appreciate her humor and her insight.

Terri lives in Los Angeles, teaches personal essay writing workshops, and keeps up her blog, The Bipolar Lens for Psychology Today.

SHOW NOTE LINKS:

Terri Cheney's "Modern Madness"

Terri Cheney's "Manic"

Terri Cheney's "Dark Side of Innocence"

Terri Cheney's Blog, "The Bipolar Lens" on Psychology Today

Fourteen Insightful Memoirs about Mental Illness and Addiction

Rachel interviews her mom, Laurie Kallen Schwent

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Dani Shapiro is a national treasure and to anyone who loves memoir, she reigns supreme. Dani has a way with words and a way of moving you to stop everything and consider what it is that makes you who you are. I can honestly say she has been a guiding light for me when it comes to writing and podcasting. Her writing, whether fiction or nonfiction, examines our memory, history, biology, experience, spirit, and soul.

Dani has spent her entire life questioning who she was, a single child growing up in an Orthodox Jewish community. After four memoirs and five novels that always revolved around family secrets and identity, she discovers mid-life she is not who she thought she was. After a paternity test proves her beloved dad, who never looked anything like her blonde self, was not in fact her biological father, she questions everything she knew. Today, we delve deep into why family secrets are so incredibly harmful as we discuss her New York Times bestselling memoir Inheritance, a most masterful work.

Besides being the author of multiple best-selling books, Dani is also an essayist and a journalist whose short fiction, essays, and journalistic pieces have appeared in The New Yorker, Elle, Vogue, The Oprah Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, the op-ed pages of the New York Times, and so many more. She's taught in the writing programs at Columbia, NYU, the New School, and Wesleyan University. She is the co-founder of the Sirenland Writers Conference in Positano, Italy, a conference high up on my bucket list. Dani is the host of 2 hit podcasts, Family Secrets and The Way We Live Now, a look at how others are dealing with the pandemic. Dani lives with her family in Litchfield County, Connecticut.

It truly was my honor to speak one on one with my writing and podcasting idol. She does not disappoint as she moved me to my core and made me think deeply, like the seasoned storyteller she is.

SHOW NOTE LINKS:

Dani Shapiro's Website

Dani Shapiro's "Inheritance- A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love"

Dani Shapiro on Instagram

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Thank you! Your support means the world to me. Wishing you love, happiness, and good mental health always.