By Erik DaRosa & Marc Fernandes
We speak with real people who are shattering mental health stigmas and finding their voices. We aim to normalize discussions around mental health topics and remind our audience: "it's perfectly ok
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Transitioning to midlife can be challenging for mental health.
In this episode of From Survivor To Thriver, we sat down with Elizabeth Cush to delve into the complexities of midlife transitions, anxiety, and personal healing. Elizabeth, a licensed clinical professional counselor and women's life coach, shares her journey from childhood trauma to becoming a beacon of hope for midlife women.
Join us as we discuss how past experiences shape our present mental health and the significance of meditation and self-compassion. Elizabeth also talks about the importance of recognizing emotional needs, the power of lived experiences, and strategies for overcoming anxiety in your daily life.
Elizabeth Cush is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), a women’s life coach, and a business owner in Annapolis, MD. She’s also the host of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast.
She’s learned, through her own experiences, that healing is not a one-size-fits-all model, and that healing can happen at any age.
Today, as a coach, she helps midlife women, who feel overwhelmed and unfulfilled, embrace and embody their inner wise woman so that they can fully enjoy the beautiful life they’ve created.
In this episode, we discuss…
We hope you enjoyed this conversation with Elizabeth! If you would like to learn more from her, make sure to visit her website and follow her on Instagram.
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Links:
Visit Elizabeth’s website: https://www.elizabethcushcoaching.com
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakenyourwisewoman/
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Get in touch: [email protected]
Quotes:
“Building a kinder relationship with myself also helped with managing the feelings and the emotional distress and anxiety.” -Elizabeth
“Identifying the situation doesn't just make the things go away, but having that lens of understanding just changes your perspective of it.” -Marc
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Have you ever participated in a men’s group?
The paradigm of masculinity has shifted drastically in the last few decades and it can be hard to navigate alone. In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Brad Gophenee who is passionate about helping men grow and find belonging through somatic coaching, groups, trainings, and education.
Join us as we discuss the challenges facing men in our society, the complexities of the father-son relationship and how it impacts our lives, the significance of how we express anger, and how life-changing it can be for men to find connection and community in men’s groups.
Brad Golphenee is a Director of Training & Education for EVRYMAN and a Professional Somatic Coach for Men. Brad has been involved with Men's Groups for 15 years and has been professionally working with both men & women for 10 years.
He has lived in Ski Resort Communities most of his life, holds a BSBA from the University of Denver, and has continuing education in Somatic Experiencing for Trauma. He lives in Sandpoint, Idaho with his wife of 30 years, Maria, and their animals including horses, sheep, chickens, and golden retrievers.
Brad loves working with Fathers in a way that breaks trauma cycles and frees up the next generation. He also loves working and training other coaches to use more body-centered methods in their practices. If Brad is not working with a client or planning the next group retreat, he can be found skiing, paddleboarding, hiking, horseback riding, or clearing land on his tractor.
In today’s episode, we cover:
We hope you enjoyed this conversation with Brad! If you would like to learn more from him, make sure to visit his website and check out the Evryman website.
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Links:
Visit Brad’s website: www.bradgolphenee.com
Visit the Evryman website: https://evryman.com
Visit our website
Follow us on Facebook
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Get in touch: [email protected]
Quotes:
“The old masculine paradigms just don't fit in our culture right now. And so to have specific trainings or even to have other men to work with really makes a difference.” -Brad
“In my men’s group, we always talk about the importance of community, connection
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Have you ever been a caregiver for a loved one?
When someone we love is sick and in need of care, it can be easy to forget our own needs and step into the role of caregiving. This, however, can lead to depression, PTSD, or other serious mental health issues for the caregiver.
In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Erin Copelan who was a caregiver to her husband while he battled cancer and to her grandmother. Erin experienced the trauma of both of these experiences and had to learn how to care for herself too while managing this great responsibility.
Join us as Erin discusses perceived grief, the symptoms of PTSD and depression, the transition from spouse to caregiver then back to spouse, guilt, and so much more.
Erin Copelan is a speaker, best-selling author, licensed massage therapist, and real estate investor. In 2009, she was appointed sole Caregiver to her husband as he was diagnosed with cancer, underwent multiple surgeries, and a successful liver transplant.
In her book Welcome to Caregiving: The Things Caregivers Never Talk About, she writes a LOT about her mental health and the effects caregiving had on her, including believing she could outsmart depression and episodes of PTSD.
With caregiving experience that spans over a decade in multiple states with multiple medical centers, Erin was called to share her stories with the underserved caregiving community. She was called to share hope, community, and love. She loves writing, the ocean, snuggling her kitties, and learning pottery.
In today’s episode, we cover:
We hope you enjoyed this conversation with Erin! If you would like to learn more from her, make sure to visit her website and follow her on Instagram.
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Links:
Visit Erin’s website: https://erincopelan.com
Follow Erin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin_copelan/
Visit our website
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Get in touch: [email protected]
Quotes:
“Once they're better, you don't always just get better. You don't get better in parallel with the people you are caring for.” -Erin
“You can’t avoid the trauma as a caregiver, but you can try to help soften t
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Has your mental health ever been impacted by the things you see on the news? You’re not alone.
In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Julie Rose, who struggled with this to the point that she started avoiding it completely. Today, she shares the story of how she learned to manage her anxiety and start sharing the news in her own way that leaves people feeling informed and empowered rather than anxious and scared.
Hearing the news doesn’t have to fill you with dread and anxiety. Join us as Julie shares how there really is a better way to be informed about the world without sacrificing your mental health.
Julie Rose has been a radio journalist for 20 years, reporting for NPR local stations and network shows like Morning Edition and All Things Considered. In 2015, she began hosting a nationally syndicated live interview show on Sirius XM 143 called Top of Mind.
But, after several years on the air every day, she began fighting the urge to avoid the news completely, because of how anxious and angry it made her feel. She knew she couldn’t be alone in that. So, in 2022, a new format for Top of Mind became the answer.
Now a weekly podcast, the show tackles tough topics in a way that’s honest and probing, but also leaves people feeling empathetic and empowered. Julie has since become an advocate for bridging divides in public discourse, something needed more now than ever before because news avoidance and polarized information sources are a serious problem. She feels strongly that we can’t just avoid the news and expect to build the communities we want to live in.
Julie has received a Gracie Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards for her work in her field.
In today’s episode, we cover:
We hope you enjoyed this conversation with Julie! If you would like to hear the news from her, make sure to visit her website and follow her on Instagram.
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Links:
Visit Julie’s website: https://www.byuradio.org/top-of-mind
Follow Julie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topofmindpod/
Visit our website
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Get in touch: [email protected]
Quotes:
“I realized that if I acknowledged the anxiety and the negative stuff that I was feeling, it would actually pass.” -Julie
“I seek out stuff that challenges me and pushes me toward a chasm of understanding of ‘I think this, they think that, so the truth i
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What does grief mean to you?
In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Audrey White, a grief coach, to explore what it truly means to grieve. Having experienced significant loss herself, Audrey has navigated the path to acceptance and found meaning in her losses. In this episode, she shares her story and discusses how she now helps others with their grief.
Join us as we discuss the stigma surrounding it, how to help someone you love through it or work through it yourself, and the power of vulnerability and community especially while grieving.
Audrey White is the co-author of Grief Coaching: Paving a Path from Pain to Peace and CEO of the Grief Coach Academy, the #1 coach training program dedicated to training coaches on how to help people through grief.
Her passion for healing is borne from her own journey through grief and loss. In 2020, Audrey lost eight family members, including her mother. In 2022, her brother was tragically killed by his wife, who subsequently took her own life. With her expertise in dealing with life’s setbacks, grief, and stress, Audrey has helped countless individuals find hope and healing during times of trauma and loss.
Her journey is one of heartbreak, surrender, and perseverance to find the joy of living again.
In today’s episode, we cover:
We hope you enjoyed this conversation with Audrey! If you would like to learn more from her, make sure to visit her website, follow her on Instagram, and follow her on LinkedIn.
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Links:
Visit Audrey’s website
Follow Audrey on Instagram
Follow Audrey on LinkedIn
Visit our website
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Get in touch: [email protected]
Quotes:
“Death is birth. It is just like birth. And we know how to do birth. We hold vigil. We go through the pains. And then we release.” -Audrey
“I'm not sure how much achievement there would be in the world if we didn't think we had to do things and earn things.” -Marc
“This is why we do this show together. It's about showing our audience that as individuals and especially as men, we can share our feelings and open up and l
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In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Phyllis Leavitt to discuss her story and the crucial need for collective mental health. Phyllis shares the importance of understanding the psychological underpinnings of societal issues, breaking cycles of abuse, and the importance of fostering individual and national healing.
Phyllis Leavitt graduated from Antioch University with a Master’s in Psychology and Counseling in 1989. Phyllis co-directed a family-based sexual abuse treatment program called Parents United in Santa Fe, New Mexico, until 1991 and then went into private practice full-time for the next 30-plus years.
She has worked extensively with abuse and dysfunctional family dynamics, their aftermath, and some of the most important elements for healing.
Our focus today is on her latest book, American Therapy: A New Approach to Hope and Healing for a Nation in Crisis, which delves into what perpetuates abuse at every level, the probable outcomes for individuals and the nation if cycles of violence and abuse continue unchecked, and, crucially, how to elevate the principles of individual and family healing to national awareness and implement them for the greater American family.
She has also published two other books, A Light in the Darkness and Into the Fire, which chronicle her personal healing journey.
In today’s episode, we cover:
We hope you enjoyed this conversation with Phyllis! If you would like to learn more from her, make sure to visit her website and follow her on LinkedIn.
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Links:
Visit Phyllis’s website
Follow Phyllis on LinkedIn
Visit our website
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Get in touch: [email protected]
Quotes:
“We need each other. If your heart is hurting, can you let yourself need someone who might help you heal your heart?” -Phyllis
“Every single thing we do that's loving and kind and generous and cooperative, and any effort we make to resolve conflict peacefully and without violence is a contribution to the entire population of this world.” -Phyllis
“There are no coincid
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Are you aware of the life-changing impact microdosing can have on your mental health?
In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sit down with Leslie Draffin to discuss her transformative journey. Leslie shares how she left what she thought was her dream job due to its toll on her mental health and discovered the healing power of psychedelic medicine.
Join us as she explains what microdosing is, how to do it safely with professional guidance, and the healing potential of psychedelics. Leslie also reveals how she found her true passion in helping others through their psychedelic healing journeys.
Leslie Draffinis a somatic psychedelic guide & sensual embodiment coach focused on helping women embrace their bodies, sex, and psychedelics. While she was super successful on the outside -including being a TV news anchor making 6-figures -her inner world was a MESS. She suffered from anxiety, binge drank & starved herself so she didn’t have to feel her uncomfy feelings.
After years in therapy, and trying every spiritual modality she could think of, Leslie found psychedelic mushrooms. Today, she supports conscious women & menstruators who want to heal themselves & connect more deeply with the divine through intentional micro-dosing, womb reconnection, pleasure activation & cyclical living.
Leslie believes sacred Earth medicine has the power to bring us home to ourselves, awaken our authenticity, and heal the trauma locked within our subconscious
In today’s episode, we cover:
We hope you enjoyed this conversation with Leslie! If you would like to learn more from her, make sure to visit her website and follow her on Instagram.
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Links:
Visit Leslie’s website: https://www.lesliedraffin.com/
Follow Leslie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliedraffin/
Visit our website
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Get in touch: [email protected]
Quotes:
“A big part of my work is helping women remember who they really are by helping them access parts of themselves through cyclical living, reconnecting with the womb, and working with psilocybin.” - Leslie
“What I have discovered about micro
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What helps you find hope in your darkest hours?
For our guest in this week’s episode of From Survivor to Thriver, it’s writing. Krystal Clark found that when she writes her fantasy novels, she finds a great amount of healing from the trauma of her past.
Join us as Krystal shares her journey of resilience and personal growth. She shares how the trauma she experienced in her childhood led to her becoming a successful career coach and fantasy writer. She also shares her thoughts on emotional resilience, the power of being seen, and the impact of doing the things you love.
Krystal Clark believes she has a unique story from her childhood molestation, the lack of parental support, suicidal ideation, and anxiety to the coping mechanisms she used to numb the pain. At one point, she couldn’t even see past her wedding day.
Along the way, she found that her children were her saving grace even through the struggles of motherhood. She has used her trauma, day-to-day stress, and personal thoughts to create great fantasy stories with metaphors built into each character and plot. Krystal’s books are more than just another fantasy adventure. They are real-life scenes reimagined into the impact and influences that put us on certain paths—with decisions come consequences.
Hosting her Moving with Meaning podcast and writing has helped Krystal and others relate to her message… "I'm not alone" and "I got you”.
In today’s episode, we cover:
We hope you enjoyed this conversation with Krystal! You can find all of her resources and check out her books on her website!
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Links:
Visit Krystal’s website: https://movingwithmeaning.com/
Visit our website
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Get in touch: [email protected]
Quotes:
“As I was writing, it was just freeing. It helped me release all of these negative thoughts and feelings. And I just found hope. I found purpose in all of my past trauma and where I am today.” -Krystal
“None of us have to go it alone.” -Erik
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Have you ever thought about using psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to address trauma and mental health issues?
If so, this episode of From Survivor to Thriver is a must-listen. Our guest, Jill Sitnick, opens up about the childhood trauma that caused her to develop PTSD and depression in adulthood. After reaching a critical point, Jill found hope and healing through psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Join us as Jill shares her journey, discussing the challenges she faced, how she discovered this unique form of therapy, and why it's so effective in treating deep-rooted trauma.
Jill Sitnick is an award-winning strategic thinker and educator who healed her childhood trauma-induced PTSD with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Jill has over 25 years of educational technology expertise, having worked for Bensalem Township School District, Microsoft, and Amazon.
As the founder of The Journey Sage, she is a credible voice who uses her teaching experience to demystify the process of healing PTSD with psychedelics. Her memoir, Rescuing Jill, How MDMA, with a Dash of Magic Mushrooms, Healed my Childhood Trauma-Induced PTSD, recounts her yearlong healing journey.
Her Rescuing Jill Companion Workbook: Intention Setting Prompts for Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy is available to assist people working with psychedelics for healing. Jill’sgoal is to share her healing experience to help others who are looking for PTSD healing options.
In today’s episode, we cover:
We hope you enjoyed this conversation with Jill! If you want to learn more from her about psychedelic-assisted therapy, make sure to visit her website to find all her resources and check out her YouTube channel.
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Links:
Visit Jill’s website: https://thejourneysage.com
Check out her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJourneySage/videos
Visit our website
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Get in touch: [email protected]
Quotes:
“We all cope with things in different ways. We build our own coping mechanisms.” -Marc
“Think of the thing that makes you most nervous like public speaking or a spider, that really gets your body psyched up. Imagine just being able to calm that down.
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What do you think of when you hear about alcohol addiction recovery? Do you think of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?
While AA can be effective, other approaches to recovery may work better for different people.
In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Jonathan Hunt-Glassman to discuss Alcohol Use Disorder and the unique path to recovery many people need.
Join us as Jonathan shares how he took his own experience with alcohol and created his own organization with the goal of showing people that there are other ways to move through recovery.
Jonathan Hunt-Glassman is a healthcare entrepreneur and CEO of Oar Health, an addiction recovery platform that is revolutionizing the way people approach Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) treatment. With over 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry, including strategic leadership roles at Humana, Optum, and Bain & Company, Jonathan combines his expertise with a personal journey of overcoming alcohol addiction to make a meaningful impact in the field of addiction and recovery.
Jonathan's own battle with alcohol addiction inspired him to create Oar Health, a platform that offers accessible and approachable medication-assisted treatment for AUD through telemedicine. Jonathan understands the challenges faced by millions of Americans struggling with alcohol problems and is dedicated to offering expert, empathetic care without barriers.
With the support of licensed medical professionals, Oar Health helps people change their relationship with alcohol, offering safe and effective solutions, including medications like naltrexone.
In today’s episode, we cover:
We hope you enjoyed this conversation with Jonathan! If you want to learn more from him about addiction recovery, you can visit the Oar website. You can also follow him on LinkedIn.
Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Links:
Visit the Oar website
Follow Jonathan on LinkedIn
Visit our website
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Get in touch: [email protected]
Quotes:
“The truth is that there are more numerous and diverse pathways to recovery than one might think, based on what we see on TV.” -Jonathan
The podcast currently has 176 episodes available.
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