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Have you ever felt like a pet understood you on a level no human could reach, and even saved you from yourself?

Many listeners struggle with mental health challenges and seek meaningful connections. This episode explores the profound impact a dog can have on someone battling depression, providing insights into the healing power of the human-animal bond and offering hope for those seeking comfort and understanding.

In this episode you'll learn: 

• Discover how a deep connection with a dog can provide emotional support and healing during times of severe depression.
• Learn about the power of forgiveness and the strength found in reciprocal caregiving, as Julie and Bunker navigate their intertwined struggles.
• Gain insights into the unique bond between humans and animals, and how it can lead to personal transformation and resilience.

Tune in now to hear Julie Barton's inspiring story and discover how a small rust-colored puppy named Bunker helped her find her way back from the depths of despair.

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Do you want to understand how stress and trauma impact your brain and body, and learn practical strategies to build resilience?

This episode features Dr. Elizabeth Stanley, author of Widen the Window, discussing the interconnectedness of stress and trauma, and offering groundbreaking insights into how we can train our brains and bodies to thrive even in the face of adversity.

This is essential listening for anyone seeking to navigate the challenges of modern life and cultivate greater well-being.   

Listeners will gain:

• A deeper understanding of the stress-trauma continuum and how it affects our resilience.
• Practical, science-backed strategies for managing stress and recovering from trauma.
• Insights into how to widen the window of tolerance and access our best qualities, even in high-stress situations.

Press Play Now and Expand Your Horizons! 

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Lisa is joined by Christina Hunger to talk about. her book, How Stella Learned to Talk: The Groundbreaking Story of the World's First Talking Dog. Christina Hunger, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and the first person to teach a dog to "talk" using augmentative communication. She is the founder of Hunger for Words, a movement dedicated to giving everyone who understands language the tools to communication. Hunger has a graduate degree in speech-language pathology from Northern Illinois University. She has professional expertise in using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to teach children with speech and language disorders to talk using communication devices. She lives with her husband, Jake, and of course her dog, Stella.

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERAn incredible, revolutionary true story and surprisingly simple guide to teaching your dog to talk from speech-language pathologist Christina Hunger, who has taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using simple paw-sized buttons associated with different words.When speech-language pathologist Christina Hunger first came home with her puppy, Stella, it didn’t take long for her to start drawing connections between her job and her new pet. During the day, she worked with toddlers with significant delays in language development and used Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices to help them communicate. At night, she wondered: If dogs can understand words we say to them, shouldn’t they be able to say words to us? Can dogs use AAC to communicate with humans?Christina decided to put her theory to the test with Stella and started using a paw-sized button programmed with her voice to say the word “outside” when clicked, whenever she took Stella out of the house. A few years later, Stella now has a bank of more than thirty word buttons, and uses them daily either individually or together to create near-complete sentences.How Stella Learned to Talk is part memoir and part how-to guide. It chronicles the journey Christina and Stella have taken together, from the day they met, to the day Stella “spoke” her first word, and the other breakthroughs they’ve had since. It also reveals the techniques Christina used to teach Stella, broken down into simple stages and actionable steps any dog owner can use to start communicating with their pets.Filled with conversations that Stella and Christina have had, as well as the attention to developmental detail that only a speech-language pathologist could know, How Stella Learned to Talk will be the indispensable dog book for the new decade.

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Join us for a powerful and intimate conversation with actor, writer, and director Jennifer Esposito. We dive deep into her critically acclaimed film "Fresh Kills," a raw and honest portrayal of women in a mafia family. Named one of the best mafia films since "The Godfather" by rogerebert.com, "Fresh Kills" is more than just a crime story; it's a universal tale of finding your voice in a world that tells you to stay silent.

Key Discussion Points

• "Fresh Kills" - A Film for the Unheard: Jennifer shares the deeply personal inspiration behind "Fresh Kills," her directorial debut. She discusses growing up in Staten Island and witnessing the silent rage of young women whose lives were shaped by their fathers' ties to organized crime. The film explores universal themes of generational trauma, finding agency, and the hidden emotional toll of a life without choices.
• Challenging the Mafia Genre: Jennifer explains how her film flips the script on the hyper-masculine, glorified portrayals of the mafia in cinema. "Fresh Kills" focuses on the experiences of the women, offering a nuanced look at their struggles, dreams, and resilience.
• The Power of Female Rage: We explore the film's unflinching depiction of female rage, a topic often suppressed or dismissed in society. Jennifer discusses the raw, authentic performances of the film's young stars, Emily Bader and Odessa A'zion, and how their characters, Rose and Connie, represent different reactions to trauma—one withdrawing, the other lashing out.
• A Story of Grit and Determination: Learn about Jennifer's incredible journey to get the film made, including her decision to mortgage her home to fund the project. She talks about the challenges she faced as a female director in a male-dominated industry and the importance of trusting your vision even when others doubt you.
• From "Fresh Kills" to a Rebel Collective: Jennifer reveals how her journey with the film led her to create A Rebel Collective, a school where she teaches writing and acting. The school's mission is to help artists channel their personal experiences and emotional "rage" into creative, powerful works of art.
• A Stellar Career: We celebrate Jennifer's extensive acting career, including her roles in hit films and shows like "Crash," "Summer of Sam," "The Boys," "The Affair," and "Samantha Who." She also mentions her book, "Jennifer's Way," about her battle with Celiac disease and her work in the recent film "Somewhere in Queens."

Find Out More

• Watch "Fresh Kills" now to see this powerful story.
• Check out Jennifer's new podcast, "Rebellious Art."
• Learn more about her school, A Rebel Collective.

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Lisa introduces her weekly "Summer of Self-Care Minutes" 

Today Lisa talks about baths or showers? 

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Lisa shares her "Summer of Self-Care Minutes." Today. Journaling. 

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Lisa is sharing her "Summer of Self-Care Minutes." Today. DEEP BREATHING. 

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Lisa shares her "Summer of Self-Care Minutes." Today. THERAPY 

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Lisa shares her "Summer of Self-Care Minutes." Today. Social Media. 

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Lisa is sharing her "Summer of Self-Care Minutes." Today. SLEEP