Counselor Mandy (Eppley) Bird speaks with author and coach Chris Saade about the importance of liberating ourselves from stress. This is critical because of the proven medical research that stress is linked to many illnesses and diseases. Mandy and Chris cover three aspects of stress: Stress of Dissemination, Profound Stress, and Failure Stress. They offer practical tools for liberating ourselves from each of these types of stress. Stress of Dissemination is when we are doing too much – trying to meet everyone’s needs. Instead, we must focus on the essential needs that must to be met. Profound Stress is when we are involved in work, projects, organizations, etc. that are opposite to our authentic nature. When we are not in harmony with ourselves, the cost is very high. When we are aligned with our heart and our authenticity we have the best chance for good health. Failure Stress is when we are not accepting our humanity and are fighting against the authenticity of life itself. Creativity happens through waves of failures and successes. Thus, we must have both of these. Failures are guiding stars to our successes. The good news is that when we liberate ourselves from stress we can experience much more joy and pleasure!

Chris Saâde is the co-director of The Olive Branch Center with his wife, Jessie Thompson, where he teaches courses on engaged spirituality. He has lead more than 200 psychological and spiritual retreats, and continues to serve as a personal Coach for individuals and couples. Chris worked as a licensed psychotherapist for 11 years in private practice specializing in depression and life transitions before migrating into the world of coaching, writing and teaching. He has written 2 books, 2nd Wave Spirituality: Passion for Peace, Passion for Justice and Prayers for Peace and Justice and 2 recordings with Andrew Harvey. www.theolivebranch.net

Counselor Mandy Eppley speaks with ordained minister, Rev. Rebecca Nagy, about her life journey that started out as a successful fashion designer in NYC. She loved this job, but when she had a spinal injury and surgery that left her in a leg brace, she could no longer continue in this field. This was both physically and emotionally painful for her to accept. She moved back to Charlotte to take another job that ended up not being what she thought it would be. During this same time she was also ordained as a non-denominational minster. She “jumped off the ledge” to manifest this new dream in 1998 by officiating weddings, speaking at churches and holding classes. Although this was great, it wasn’t her FULL dream. When her father died she heard him say “Do what God wants to you to do. You know what it is.” Two weeks later a church called her needing a minster. Now two years later she has grown the church, the Spiritual Light Center of Charlotte, into an active community. Mandy summarizes by saying “When we get turned on to our authentic calling we will go to any lengths to go for it.” They also discuss Step 5, Spiritual Fortitude, from the Model of Heart-Centered Grief and how important it is to know that you are never alone. Mandy and Rebecca will both be speakers at SHiFT Charlotte on March 19, 2016.

Rev. Rebecca Nagy is the Spiritual Leader of Spiritual Light Center of Charlotte (formerly Unity Center for Spiritual Living).  She is a non-denominational minster, graduating from Sancta Sophia Seminary in 1996 and ordained through Light of Christ Community Church. An award-winning Wedding Officiant, Meditation Teacher, Spiritual Teacher and author of the popular CD, “Instant Calm”, Rebecca is also one of the featured speakers at SHIFT Charlotte 2016, teaching her classic, “Dream State University”. www.slcofcharlotte.org

Counselor Mandy (Eppley)Bird speaks with Jill Angelo, a business woman and author of “Sacred Space: Turning Your Home into A Sanctuary.” When Jill was in her early 30’s she and her fiancé bought a house together that they were going to refurbish, she had a great job, she was looking forward to getting married and having children – she had her life plan all mapped out…or at least she thought. Several weeks after they had bought the house her fiancé was in a fatal car accident. The “plan” that Jill had mapped out for her life was instantly changed with this traumatic loss. She says that one of the greatest gifts from this loss was cracking her heart open to develop a relationship with God. She also knew that she needed professional support and she found a caring therapist that helped her work through the grief process. From this deep work she is able to say “I am so proud of what I have become.” Her book was born out of her life experience and the process of fixing the house – she wanted to go “within” and as she rebuilt the house she asked herself “what nurtures me?” She incorporated these things into the house which helped her to heal as she created her sacred space. Mandy says this communicates to your psyche “I love you.”

Jill Angelo is author of Sacred Space: Turning Your Home Into A Sanctuary. She has more than 25 years of experience in business and operations management, an education in marketing and design, and a background in psychology and the mystical arts. Her fine-tuned abilities and out-of-the-box approach to life have uniquely prepared her for creating sacred spaces for people with wide-ranging interests and budgets. She is also an animal lover and hopes one day to have an animal sanctuary. And she is active in the White Lion conservation project in Africa. www.jillangelo.com

Counselor Mandy Eppley speaks with psychotherapist, life coach and author of “Be Happy No Matter What - 5 Steps to Inner Freedom,” Ellen Seigel. When Ellen was a senior in high school she lost both her Principal, who she thought highly of, and her father, who she was very close to, within a short period of time. Both of these, especially her father, were devastating losses for Ellen. This eventually led her to get her masters in Social Work and through the process she learned to trust her heart and discover her authentic self. Ellen says “It is so important to appreciate that underneath, whatever we are faced with, there is an opportunity waiting for us to have an enduring satisfaction in our lives.” Mandy and Ellen also speak about Step 7, Celebration, of the Model of Heart-Centered Grief and how important it is to celebrate our WHOLE story. They discuss the 5 steps that Ellen describes in her book which ultimately is about trusting your own authenticity. This is what can bring us hope!

Ellen Seigel, psychotherapist/hypnotherapist/consultant/life coach guides people to experience enduring satisfaction lying beneath their troubles.  Her book, “Be Happy No Matter What - 5 Steps to Inner Freedom” offers gentle self-healing, freeing the reader to discover beauty within themselves and their life. She gives uplifting ways of looking at situations many of us felt awful about when we were growing up. The outcome is seeing yourself in a positive light and feeling really good about it. She works with individuals and groups providing a path of enjoyment in life while overcoming challenges, rejection and negative influences all around us. To learn more visit her website: www.BeHappyNoMatterWhat.com.

Counselor Mandy Eppley speaks with Andrew Harvey, internationally acclaimed speaker, novelist and spiritual teacher. They discuss key world events including the COP21 United Nations climate talks that recently took place in Paris, as well as the threat of terrorism that is present in our world today. Andrew is passionate about these issues and is calling forth every individual to listen to your heart and take action on what YOU are being called to do. He also speaks about the importance of empowering and fortifying ourselves with daily spiritual practices and offers three simple forms of practice. When addressing the threat of terrorism he implores us to learn about the Muslim religion so that we understand what it is and what it is not. Andrew says the most important thing in the coming year is to get in touch with how YOU can change the world and take ACTION on it. This is what WILL bring hope in our world.

Andrew Harvey is an internationally acclaimed poet, novelist, translator, mystical scholar, and spiritual teacher. Harvey has published over 20 books including The Hope a Guide to Sacred Activism (Hay House) and his newest book Radical Passion: Sacred Love and Wisdom in Action (North Atlantic Books). Harvey is a Fellow of All Souls College Oxford from (1972-1986) and has taught at Oxford University, Cornell University, The California Institute of Integral Studies, and the University of Creation Spirituality, as well as various spiritual centers throughout the United States. He was the subject of the 1993 BBC film documentary The Making of a Modern Mystic.  He is the Founder of the Institute for Sacred Activism. His website is www.andrewharvey.net.

We first aired this episode in October, and feel it is a wonderful message for 2016! Counselor Mandy Eppley speaks with author and coach Chris Saade about the importance of supporting the authentic nature of our children. Every child is born with a particular “genius” intelligence and personality. They discuss how a parent’s role is to nuture this genius and to help children learn about themselves. This, in turn, also helps adults learn about their own authenticity. The root of depression is fighting against our authentic nature. What we want to strive for, in our children and in ourselves, is harmony with our authenticity. They also talk about supporting our children’s feelings AND failures. This episode will give you tips for creating harmony and hope!

Chris Saâde is the co-director of The Olive Branch Center with his wife, Jessie Thompson, where he teaches courses on engaged spirituality. He has lead more than 200 psychological and spiritual retreats, and continues to serve as a personal Coach for individuals and couples. Chris worked as a licensed psychotherapist for 11 years in private practice specializing in depression and life transitions before migrating into the world of coaching, writing and teaching. He has written 2 books, 2nd Wave Spirituality: Passion for Peace, Passion for Justice and Prayers for Peace and Justice and 2 recordings with Andrew Harvey. Find out more at: http://theolivebranchcenter.net/

This episode first aired in September, 2015. It was such a powerful interview that we wanted to air it again. Counselor Mandy Eppley speaks with entrepreneur and founder of iFred and Mood-lites™, Kathryn Goetzke, as she shares her story of losing her father to suicide when she was 19. This eventually led her to wanting to find out how to move through the grief in a healthy way. She did extensive research on “mood states” and founded a company that creates products (lighting and scents) that can positively affect your mood. She also founded a non-profit, iFred, whose mission is to re-brand and destigmatize depression. They speak about how “Service,” Step 6 from the Model of Heart-Centered Grief, can give purpose to the pain, and about a program iFred developed for 6th graders that helps children learn how to build their hope “muscle.”

Kathryn Goetzke is the founder of the 501(c)3 iFred, the International Foundation for Research and Education for Depression (www.depression.org or www.ifred.org ). She is also the entrepreneur and innovator behind Mood-lites™ (www.themoodfactory.com), creating products that help people choose their mood through sensory engagement, with nationwide distribution in Lowe’s Home Improvement. She founded iFred based on research by the World Health Organization that less than 50% of people with currently diagnosable depression are receiving treatment due to stigma (or, as she calls it, negative brand or positioning), and is dedicated to increasing the number of those being treated to 100%.

Counselor Mandy Eppley speaks with mother and teacher Maritza Ortiz about how, as a child from a Puerto Rican family living in New York City, she was marginalized as a minority in many different ways. She was judged by her skin color, by the way she talked, and by the way her hair looked. This caused her to feel much shame and developed low self-esteem. In her adult life she found a training program called The Institute for Life-Leadership and Coaching (ILC) that changed her life. In this program she learned how to honor the authentic nature of her spirit and started falling in love with herself. She also learned about the “6 Keys” – created by Chris Saade - which are a tool for discovering your authentic self and can also be used as a formula for joy. She and Mandy are currently writing a book about the 6 Keys that will be published in 2016. They also talked about the importance of service and how it is a key for healing.

Currently Maritza Ortiz is a mother, teacher, mentor and volunteer in her community. Maritza is a part-time Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System Homebound Teacher, works as an organizer, and is in the process of co-creating a book. Maritza was on the journey to self-actualization when adversity catapulted her to enter the rooms of Al-anon, and she has followed the bunny trail ever since without looking back. She was rebirthed when she entered the rooms of the Institute for Life-Leadership & Coaching. From her experiences she began a women’s group in order to have a space where women could stop wearing masks and share and honor the paradox of life. She also serves in the world by tutoring Hispanic children who are in similar situations to what she was in as a child.

Counselor Mandy Eppley speaks with founder of eWomen Network Sandra Yancey about three significant losses in her life, the first being the death of her father on her 5th birthday, and how she used her faith and her desire to learn as tools for healing. They speak about the importance of perspective in our losses – seeing these events as things that are happening “for” me and not “to” me. This shifts us from being a victim to being empowered in our grief journey. They also talk about Step 6 from the Model of Heart-Centered Grief, Service, and how it is one of the primary keys to healing. Sandra shares this quote from her mother “Give without remembering, take without forgetting.” This episode is full of transparent and inspiring moments that can help you in finding hope!

Sandra Yancey is an internationally acclaimed, award winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, movie producer and philanthropist who left her successful fortune 500 corporate career to launch eWomenNetwork in 2000.  Two years into her business she was on the verge of bankruptcy and ready to close her doors.

But she dug in and today is leading one of the most successful multimillion dollar women’s business networks in North America with 118 chapters spread across the U.S. and Canada, and members in 6 countries. The eWomenNetwork Foundation she established has awarded cash grants to 113 non-profits and 155 scholarships to emerging leaders. CNN has recognized Sandra as an American Hero because of her humanitarian outreach to others. ewomennetwork.com

Counselor Mandy Eppley speaks with author and coach Chris Saade about Passion as a life-force, discussing what Passion is and what the sources of Passion are. They describe it as being like a rushing river of energy available to each of us. Chris also speaks about Passion and our health and how scientific research is showing us that tapping into our Passion can even empower our immune system. Passion is also evident on a Global level as we are seeing a huge surge of people addressing social justice issues. Ultimately, choosing Passion IS Choosing Life!

Chris Saâde is the co-director of The Olive Branch Center with his wife, Jessie Thompson, where he teaches courses on engaged spirituality. He has lead more than 200 psychological and spiritual retreats, and continues to serve as a personal Coach for individuals and couples. Chris worked as a licensed psychotherapist for 11 years in private practice specializing in depression and life transitions before migrating into the world of coaching, writing and teaching. He has written 2 books, 2nd Wave Spirituality: Passion for Peace, Passion for Justice and Prayers for Peace and Justice and 2 recordings with Andrew Harvey. Find out more at: theolivebranchcenter.net