Get Happy With J Podcast

In part two of the discussion about bariatric surgery, Dana and Gloria are even more transparent about their experiences.  They both open up about the successes as well as the struggles after surgery.  Bariatric surgery is definitely not a quick fix for weight loss.  It takes consistency and dedication to a healthy lifestyle.  It is important to discuss all weight loss assistance options and it was a pleasure to learn more about bariatric surgery from people with real personal experience.  Listen and join the conversation by contacting me on the Get Happy With J Facebook page.  Please comment, review and share the podcast.

Take a listen as these two ladies share their personal experience with bariatric surgery.  The Get Happy With J podcast is all about empowering listeners on their journey to happiness with encouragement and information.  This is a rare opportunity to hear first hand experiences about the much talked about gastric bypass and gastric sleeve procedures.  They keep it real about the success of their surgeries, as they both lost over 100 pounds.  They also keep it real about the struggles and health scares that arose from the surgery.  If you have a weight struggle and are considering your options to lose weight, I would strongly suggest you listen to what they have to say and also go back and take a listen to earlier discussions I had with a woman who has lost nearly 300 pounds without surgery.  I am not pitting one option against another, but I am trying to provide information from a variety of people who have lost weight in different ways.  I am a firm believer that no matter what weight loss option you choose, you will be successful with consistency.  Stick to it and you can do it!  Okay, that was a little corny but still true.  Please share your own weight loss successes and struggles.  Like my Get Happy With J Facebook page and place your comments directly to me on that page.    Do your research and be as informed as you can possibly be.  Let's do it together!

This week's podcast is a discussion about human trafficking with Sara Dillefeld,  director of the Human Trafficking Department with The Center for Prevention of Abuse.  January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and the need to spread the word about this growing global threat is great.  The statistics are alarming.  In the state of Illinois alone, 26,727 calls were made to the national human trafficking hotline in 2016!  There are over 24.9 million victims globally, which is almost double the population of Illinois.  It's easy to dismiss this issue as an under-developed country's problem on a continent far away.  The harsh reality is that there are enslaved people in just about every community in our great nation.  At this moment, it could be happening at your favorite restaurant, hotel, spa or even right in your neighborhood.  Listen to this podcast and become more informed about human trafficking, how to recognize possible victims and what to do to help.  If you suspect someone is being victimized call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.  If you are in Illinois call 1-888-559-SAFE.  My grandmother had a favorite saying, "Silence gives consent."  If you see something, please say something.  For more information check out the following websites:

http://www.centerforpreventionofabuse.org

http://www.HumanRightsFirst.org

http://www.artofhopeforchildren.org

I was born in Peoria Illinois, and after being raised by my grandmother in a small town about 45 minutes to the west, I came back to attend a local university and decided to stay after graduation.  It was not the lure of great career opportunities that influenced my decision to remain, but the desire to be close to family.  Over the last 28 years I have witnessed a slow decline to the city's inner city areas.  The recession did not help an African-American population already plagued by high unemployment, and has not since recovered.  Communities of poverty are usually the breeding grounds for violence and this has been increasingly true of Peoria.  While most of the country has seen the decline of violence, Peoria and Chicago have not.  Chicago has managed to capture the attention of the nation for it's high gang related gun deaths, but these similar cases have been growing here.  The first gun death of the year occurred this past week and was the inspiration of this week's podcast discussion.  My guests are local radio personality Johnnette Johnson and returning guest and community activist Angennette Nathan.  We explore some of the causes of  tragedies such as the 22 year old man's untimely death due to gang violence.  It's multi-layered dysfunction that begins in the home.  The causes are many and solutions prove to be frustrating but we are not giving up on this city.  Take a listen to our chat and please share your ideas.

It is difficult to imagine what saying goodbye to a loved one is like under any circumstance.  Military families face this emotional plight on a regular basis.  Our combined military is made up of over 3.5 million men and women, and over 54% of them are married. Can you imagine being a wife having to say goodbye to a husband that she can only hope and pray comes back to her?  Add to that proposition that she may now have children to take care of, and at least temporarily alone.  In this week's podcast we get a first hand account of what that life is like. We get to hear from a military wife with a young son and a deployed husband.  This personal testimony should give us all a renewed appreciation for the great sacrifices that our military service people and their families make every single day.  They are the reason we have the freedom that can be so easily taken for granted.  Listen with an open heart and learn how you can best support these incredible families.

If the current political and social climate has taught us nothing else, we have hopefully picked up on the importance of entrepreneurship.  At the very least everyone needs to have a "side hustle" if you will and preferably one that you can be passionate about.  This week's guest has no shortage of passion about his lifestyle brand.  Meet Michael Hurt, chief brand ambassador for Indigenous Protocol.  Michael says of his brand, "Indigenous Protocol is a lifestyle brand that embraces native homage, cultural birthrights, social awareness, and musical evolutions through urban fashion design."  It's fashion with a message of inclusion and self-expression.  The logo is a unique and beautiful design that you can wear with pride, knowing that it was created with the idea of the celebration of the contributions of indigenous people to our culture.  I was blessed with a t-shirt from the line and I love it!  It is of great quality and the fit is perfection.  I gave Michael a personal thank you for his line being what I call "fluffy friendly".  

In this podcast you will learn all about this fashion line, from its inception to fruition.  Do yourself a favor and check out the website where you can purchase t-shirts, hoodies, trucker hats and more!  http://www.indigenousprotocol.com

This is a great way  to support a small business, while  creating the opportunity for dialogue when you wear your indigenous Protocol gear.  The logo attracts attention and will give you a chance to explain its meaning, which you will be able to do after listening to the podcast.  Get to know Michael and his mission, and hopefully you will be inspired to start your own business.  The idea for the line was born from a question about a family photo.  That particular conversation motivated Michael to learn more about his family history, leading him to a new awareness of his diverse gene pool.  Listen to how he was able to manifest his thoughts into a growing business and go into 2018 with the mindset that if you can think it, you can achieve it!

Meet make up artist, Lanisha  Nazon.  She is the owner and founder of Soft Glamour Beauty Studio in Peoria, Illinois.  In this podcast we are talking all things beauty.  This discussion is a fun departure from our usual heavy topics.  It's all about feel good fun in this chat!  Lanisha knows cosmetics like few others.  Check out her incredible work at http://www.softglamourbeauty.com.  You can also find her on all social media sites as @softglamourbeauty.  Playing in makeup and creating new looks is a passion of mine and having the opportunity to talk to a beauty professional with the same passion was a treat!  We both share tips and tricks for makeup application and use.  Freshening up your look can be an instant self-esteem booster.  Remember, the makeup doesn't make you!  You are a beautiful canvas and cosmetics are a tool to accentuate your beauty.  Have fun, experiment and be creative.  Feel free to share your own beauty tips on my Facebook page or in the comment section of my website http://www.gethappywithj.com.  Need a last minute Christmas gift?  If shopping for a fellow makeup lover, a gift card to Sephora or Ulta would be the perfect stocking stuffer!  Merry Christmas and much love to you all!  ...Jittaun

There's a story behind his smile.  The ease at which a smile passes his lips is a testament to his personal journey.  Do not mistake his joy as having never been through any challenging times.  It would be easy to surmise that his friendly personality and good looks indicate a charmed life, but nothing could be further from the truth.  You would never know simply by looking at him that health issues, heartbreak and insecurities make up part of the unique tapestry of his life.  He has faced much adversity, including cancer, diabetes and self-loathing.  After years of working on himself, the fruit of his efforts are contentment, happiness and self-acceptance.  How did he evolve into the man he is today and what lessons can be learned from his journey?  Listen to this week's podcast to find out.  He courageously opens his heart with the desire to help others.  Remember that if you would like to work on any area of your life and you need a little extra support, go to www.betterhelp.com/gethappywithj and receive a week of free therapy sessions from a licensed professional therapist.  Get into the podcast and get on your way to happy!

In part two of the discussion with Megan Mutti and Jittaun Woods, you will hear how this mother went from losing a child to stillbirth to moving on with her life and thriving.  How do you turn a tragedy into triumph?  Take a listen to this week's podcast and find out.  It was a long journey of ups and downs, stalls and starts, but when you want to heal badly enough you will put in the work and that is exactly what Jittaun did.  Please subscribe to the podcast and you will know every time a new episode is uploaded.  Review and share to help grow the happy movement! Remember that if listening to the podcast motivates you to get help from a professional, licensed therapist, visit http://www.betterhelp.com/gethappywithj.  You will be able to try the service free for a week by clicking on the link provided.  It's affordable, convenient and private.  Now on to this week's episode!

What do you do when the unimaginable happens?  How do you accept what you can not understand?  These are two of the many questions facing a mother who has just been given the worst news she could ever hear. This was my dilemma a little over four years ago when I was told that the baby boy who was supposed to be born a week later no longer had a heart beat.  Today's podcast makes me nervous.  It's raw and real.  My heart is completely exposed.  The grief therapist that helped me navigate the loss of my son is interviewing me in part one of a two part discussion.  Stillbirth is something so horrible that is makes you uncomfortable even if it hasn't happened to you or anyone you know.  After my loss, I discovered that one in every hundred pregnancies ends in stillbirth. I never imagined that in our developed country, the most medically advanced country in the world, that this continues to happen.  I can happily say that after all the grief work and the strength from my faith,  I have my joy back.  It's been tough but I can honestly say that you can be happy even after such a tragedy.  Take a listen to the podcast and I would love to hear your feedback.  Hopefully you'll be left with more empathy and inspired knowing that no matter what difficulties you may face, you too can still have a life filled with joy and promise.