In this episode Nolita connects with Ian McDonald, the CEO of Bright Minds Biosciences Inc.

Bright Minds harnesses decades of experience in the biology of the serotonergic system to understand the effect specific receptors have on the body. This new generation of highly targeted serotonergic drugs is able to reach specific patient populations that the compounds of today cannot. The team at Bright Minds consists of neuroscientists, drug developers and physicians who are tackling the big problems in mental health and neurology.

Bright Minds is focused on developing novel transformative treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, epilepsy, and pain. Bright Minds has a portfolio of next-generation serotonin agonists designed to target neurocircuit abnormalities that are responsible for difficult to treat disorders such as resistant epilepsy, treatment resistant depression, PTSD, and pain. The Company leverages its world-class scientific and drug development expertise to bring forward the next generation of safe and efficacious drugs. Bright Minds’ drugs have been designed to potentially retain the powerful therapeutic aspects of psychedelic and other serotonergic compounds, while minimizing the side effects, thereby creating superior drugs to first-generation compounds, such as psilocybin.

Bright Minds is a pre-clinical biosciences company with a portfolio of compounds designed to precisely target abnormalities in neurocircuitry that lead to dysfunctional behaviors. Bright Minds is focused on developing targeted therapies with the potential to improve the treatment of mental health and neurological disorders through the use of serotonergic compounds leveraging its world class scientific and drug development expertise to bring forward the next generation of safe and efficacious neuropsychiatry drugs into the clinic. Bright Minds drugs extenuate the therapeutic aspects of psychedelic and other serotonergic compounds while minimizing the side effects thereby creating superior drugs to first generation compounds, such as psilocybin. Bright Minds was selected to participate in two National Institutes of Health (“NIH”) Programs. These NIH collaborations are evaluating Bright Minds serotonin agonists for therapeutic potential in pain and in epilepsy.

Connect with Bright Minds Biosciences Inc. 

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Crisis lines:

• Toronto Distress Centres: 416 408-4357 or 408-HELP • Gerstein Centre: 416 929-5200 • Spectra Helpline: 416 920-0497 or 905 459-7777 for Brampton and Mississauga residents

• Kids Help Phone: 1 800 668-6868; Languages: English and French

• Community Crisis Line Scarborough and Rouge Hospital: 416 495-2891 for 24/7 telephone crisis support.

• The Canada Suicide Prevention Service; 1-833-456-4566 (toll free) 24/7 or visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.crisisservicescanada.ca__;!!HMCOyEk!NJj5_4g_NrPcUlEwy-LHkBZ4xhphLllyycr-CSAGyZtGAd0BIq_lfCO4UTHG4DKmnXIzG58$ or text 45645

Today Nolita connects with Erin Malecki of Sip Well Do Good. 

Sip Well Do Good connects and celebrates socially responsible beverage companies with charitable organizations that have a similar mission by collaborating on a product in support of a cause. 

Notlita and Erin discuss the importance of taking breaks, shutting off all the noise that social media and news outlets contributes to our lives and well being.  Erin provides insight to her daily routines and boundaries that have helped her launch 4 big campaigns this year and finding balance.   

You can't fix everything in the world but you can fix yourself to find balance and happiness.    

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Today Nolita speaks with Basma Brown the creator of NRGY Honey.

You will feel Basma's energy in this episode and immediately want your own jar of NRGY Honey Superfood.   True to her image, she is a strong believer in leading a balanced lifestyle while enjoying the health benefits that natural ingredients can provide. NRGY Honey is the perfect reflection of the lifestyle that Basma leads - when she’s not spending her time sourcing the best ingredients that go into every spoonful of this superfood formula, she stays active and challenges herself to be better, and do better.

NRGY is committed to becoming a brand that is authentic, purposeful and responsible, all while restoring the mind and body to its natural state.

Fully experience the benefits of raw honey and all of the delicious ingredients in NRGY Honey. Experience better feelings every day you use this product. If you make NRGY Honey a ritual for your day, you build better habits for more health-focused life.

NRGY Honey - a journey to feel better and do better.

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In this episode Nolita speaks with Joyce Tse, co-founder of Velvette the skincare brand she created with her sister Jenny.

Every Velvette product has been personally developed and formulated by Joyce, a certified Cosmetic Chemist with a specialization in organic and natural formulations. Velvette understands the science behind how skincare products work, and how to get the most out of each ingredient. Skincare products can be over-whelming and Joyce and Jenny break it down for you and have developed a line of oils to nourish, moisturize and protect for every skin type.

Velvette focuses on plant powered oils, rich in complex nutrients, blended for the face, body and hair.

Along with their bespoke oils, Velvette has created the Exfoliating Mitt for the Body and their latest product, Ice Globes for the Face which are the perfect facial tool for massaging and soothing and can be used with your favorite Velvette serum.

Nolita and Joyce not only talk about the beauty industry but also about filters, how self-love and acceptance and putting your best authentic self forward first which is truly the best self care.

Not sure why your skin type ? Take their skin quiz.  Try their amazing affordable sample sizes which are also perfect for travel.

Velvette uses only sustainable packaging, the best natural ingredients from nature, is vegan and cruelty-free and based in Calgary Alberta, Canada.

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Welcome back to another episode!  This week Nolita connects with the gym owner Geordan Thomas, who’s been in business since 2014. 

He’s the owner of United Boxing, and they have created an app on Apple called United Boxing Club.

They spoke about the importance of fitness and how it is a tool to cultivate mind body awareness. Boxing is more than a physical activity. It takes dedication, self discipline, perseverance and self awareness.

Geordan also explained his outdoor peaceful protests with social distancing, taking the pandemic very seriously but fighting for mental & physical health, pushing forward a message to the government of the importance that physical health affects our mental health.  

Geordan also announced a sneak peak about his next project that should be launching very soon.

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Podcast Editor:

Christine Short

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Episode Notes:  

- Getting to know more about Wicked Wanda’s and their focus on sexual wellness

- Wanda’s daughter’s share what it’s like to run an adult store business and what they hope to focus on as a brand-normalizing sexual wellness as we should. Taking the shame associated with it out of the equation.

- Not having expectations on what everyone’s journey should look like

- Invented an innovative pelvic tool to combat many sexual challenges - Femme Flexor

- Taking the shame out of intimate wellness

- How to start the conversation to address sexual concerns

- Sharing how the brand pivoted during COVID and how it enabled them to perfect their online shopping experience

- Sexual wellness is mental wellness, it’s like a marriage. Inter-related

- Creating safe spaces can help nurture vulnerability

- Outdated magazines, unrealistic porn can contribute to setting unhealthy expectations

- Communication can help level-set these expectations with your partner

- The girls joke about how everyone should be a “dom” for a day to practice vocalizing needs and wants

- There shouldn’t be shame about catching an STD, it’s all part of sexual wellness

- Giving yourself grace and patience to find out what works for you. Honour your own experience and meet yourself where you’re at

- You’re not alone, there’s always someone that’s gone through what you’ve gone through

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Today Nolita speaks with Angeli Sareen, social worker and Mental Health Specialist.     Not everyday is rainbows and sunshine and that's ok, learn some coping mechanisms and tactics to deal with the days that require more.

In this episode:

• Building awareness of your thoughts and the brain and body connection (i.e. our body has a physical reaction before we feel a big emotion - try to observe what happens in your body)

• Get connected with friends, family, coworkers or use apps/computer programs such as 'Meetup' or 'Bumble BFF'. Have a "check-in plan" with that person 

• Have a visual (whiteboard or journal) where you write out your thoughts. be honest with your emotions!! 

• Reach out to a therapist such as myself, or contact your doctor to make a referral, OR do your own research to find someone whose best suitable to speak to (psychologytoday.com and/or goodtherapst.org). If you feel you're at imminent risk of hurting yourself or someone else, call 911, go to your local emergency hospital or call a crisis line. 

 Crisis lines: 

• Operated by various agencies. Open 24 hours a day (unless otherwise indicated):

• Toronto Distress Centres: 416 408-4357 or 408-HELP

• Gerstein Centre: 416 929-5200

• Spectra Helpline: 416 920-0497 or 905 459-7777 for Brampton and Mississauga residents

TTY: 905 278-4890; Languages: English, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, Portuguese

• Assaulted Women's Helpline: 416 863-0511; Toll-free: 1 866 863-0511

• Kids Help Phone: 1 800 668-6868; Languages: English and French

• Community Crisis Line Scarborough and Rouge Hospital: 416 495-2891 for 24/7 telephone crisis support. 

Service borders: south to the lake, north to Steeles Avenue, east to Port Union Road, and west to Victoria Park

• Durham Crisis and Mental Health Line: 905 666-0483

• Oakville Distress Centre: 905 849-4541 for residents of Halton Region (Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville) 

• PFLAG (Parents, families, friend and allies of Toronto's LGBTQ community) 9:am to 9:00pm. Volunteer peer support Line - 416-406-6378

•      The Canada Suicide Prevention Service; 1-833-456-4566 (toll free) 24/7 or visit www.crisisservicescanada.ca or text 45645

•      LGBTTQQ2S1 text line: 647-694-4275

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Today Nolita connects with Embodiment Practitioner, Mariah Pelley Smith.

Mariah is a multi faceted brand developer, Kundalini Yogi, Reiki Master Teacher and healer.      Using her intuitive skills and talent, Mariah aligns with the energy of her clients, allowing creation to move, ground and serve. 

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Mariah Pelley-Smith

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Today Nolita connects with Joshua Christian a former beauty industry colleague who became a very dear close friend.   Joshua's energy, passion and inspiration is contagious and by the end of the episode you will want him to be your friend too. 

Throughout Joshua's career pivots, we learn how he used these growth opportunities and vast experiences to create his new candle and essence business  Candelish .

Joshua reflects on the powers of scent, that scents are individually unique with responses that conjure and ignite memories and feelings.   

Candelish is a brand with conscious, creating rituals and comfort.  

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To get in touch with Joshua Christian @candelish

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.

On today’s Episode Nolita and guest Shawna Kim discuss their individual experience with suffering from a concussion.  Injuries are not just physical and we learn the importance of the healing process.   Just because we can not see an injury doesn’t mean people are not in pain, hurting and scared.  

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To get in touch with Shawna Kim

@shnakim