*sensitive content - mental health, childhood trauma & suicide prevention

Liz Spitzer & I discuss her work in the world in a two part interview. The second interview I'm labeling with a Trigger Warning because suicide ideation & childhood trauma are mentioned. Listen to one or both episodes to understand the impact of compassionate listening & how I support Liz into telling more of her story.

From her website: Professional Life Coach, Speaker, Workshop Trainer, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and Compassionate Listening Facilitator

Trained through iPEC (Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching) and their unique process known as Core Energy Coaching™, I help people get straight to the heart of the matter.

As a Mental Health First Aid® Instructor, I teach people how to pay attention for the signs and symptoms of a few common mental illnesses, the warning signs of a mental health crisis, and I share effective steps that they can use to help talk with someone in need.

As a Compassionate Listening Facilitator I teach workshops and host practice groups on the foundations and principles of Compassionate Listening.

https://shareappreciation.org/

https://www.lizthelistener.com

She believes that educational sustainability (the freedom to think and act holistically based on the assumption that everyone and everything is connected) requires a holistic approach to learning that honours the whole student—including mind, body, spirit, and emotion.

A few resources mentioned:

https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/08/12/anam-cara-john-o-donohue-soul-friend/

https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/09/21/john-odonohue-beauty-love-desire/

https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/08/10/parker-palmer-naropa-university-commencement-address/

Her Thesis LOVED INTO LEARNING: A NARRATIVE INQUIRY EXPLORING HOW LOVE HAS INFLUENCED ME AS A TEACHER

Pam Orbach began her career as a middle and high school teacher. Today she is a certified mediator, trainer and coach who specializes in using Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and the principles of Restorative Justice. Pam previously supervised the Parent Teen Mediation Program for the City Of Bellevue. In 2014 Pam completed the Nonviolent Communication Leadership Program, a year-long immersion program focused on leadership and training skills. She has attended Dominic Barters's Restorative circle training and is completing a Restorative Justice practitioner apprenticeship. She is a core member of Seattle Restorative justice, where she leads the education team, working with faculty and administrators in schools to support the shift to a restorative culture. Pam recognizes that Restorative Justice requires a process of culture and mindset modification that works best when nurtured and supported over time.

http://empoweringconnection.com/index.html

https://centerforrestorativesolutionsseattle.com/

https://www.laurajawad.com/

From Laura's website:

I am passionate about supporting people through their transition from pregnancy to parenthood.  I have birthed two babies and I am stepparent to one.

I’ve lived in 6 states and 2 countries and have enthusiastically called the Seattle-area home for the last 10 years. I’m a coffee snob, PhD-trained scientist, cat lover, runner and master procrastinator. I can never find my keys, I don’t fold laundry, I still put sprinkles on my ice cream. I like lifting heavy things and my favorite colors are pink and purple.

I am pro-science. I believe black lives matter, all bodies are good bodies, climate change is real and that womxn have a right to choose. And I acknowledge that although it shouldn’t be, womxn’s healthcare is political. Social justice and environmental justice are inextricably tied to inequities in maternal healthcare and outcomes. Wellness for womxn means choice and equity in healthcare for ALL womxn. If we’re going to work together, it’s important to me that you know where I stand on those things.

Also,

If you are in need of an excellent Physical Therapist - Dr. Katie Magee, PT, DPT (she/they) shares knowledge generously & serves families in the Puget Sound region - helping clients overcome pain and pelvic health conditions using thoughtful listening, targeted exercise, and hands-on techniques. Katie regularly coordinates with clients' healthcare team and doulas for optimal outcomes. https://b3ptco.com/

Poetry Medicine Monday

This circle is calling you to slow down, pause, breath and listen.  Become a weaver of sacred moments in your everyday routine -play with personal rituals & subtly tickle your soul throughout your day. Whether it’s your skincare routine, moments with your pet, or connecting it nature, you find intermittent moments of transcendence & beauty.

Devote your love, nourishment & attention to your one precious life as see how it nurtures life around you & within you.

6 classes - alternating Sundays on Zoom begins June 13, 2021 9:30am PT 

www.illuminatedlifeways.com

Registration in open https://kristenjawad.as.me/?appointmentType=23060674

― Hafiz--

Leubgythe (Nancy) Holm, Ph.D. 

https://www.welcomeyourgenius.com/

From Her website:

While I have multiple degrees of the higher education variety (Ph.D., M.A., and B.A.) and am passionate about learning, there are other life experiences and trainings I consider at least as important. A sampling of a few: Anglo-Saxon Spiritual Apprenticeship, Elder Initiation in Dagara Tribal Tradition (Elder Malidoma Some’), Birthing From Within Trainings, and more.

My coaching work is about connecting or reconnecting you to your own genius and/or that of your child even from preconception or very early pregnancy.

Current scientific research supports what indigenous peoples have known over thousands of year. Babies are conscious from pre-conception through the birth experience.  There are windows of opportunity throughout the circle of life that can, if supported, facilitate the deepening of meaning and fulfillment.  We either move toward life or death.  Re-visioning these for today, we can choose life, meaning, and hope.

Minimalist Nomadic family.

We are six, We are one.

Hyperactive father. Singing mother.

Four healthy girls.

Al hamdoulillah

Cafe https://www.mandalamaroc.com/

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjZQ9Chj4Im1I0-lrfBXHKQ/featured

Insta https://www.instagram.com/mandalasociety.ma

Meet The Boob Boss: Rue Khosa

Rue Khosa, AKA The Boob Boss, is a Family Nurse Practitioner and Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She's also the founder and owner of The Perfect Push.

Rue was born and raised in sub-saharan Africa, in the small country of Zimbabwe. Family plays a critical role when a baby is brought into the world. In the the Shona culture, an older female family member moves into the home of expectant family shortly before birth, helping mom prepare both emotionally and physically. They call it "kugarira."

May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness month and the first week of May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week.

Did you know? 1 in 7 Moms and 1 in 10 Dads suffer from postpartum depression

During the pandemic I've been interviewing some incredible providers - I consider them part of my wrap around network of care givers.

I'm a member of PSI & a Postpartum Depression Survivor - please visit https://www.postpartum.net/ for resources & support.

For this Podcast - the whole month of May is dedicated to mothers - It's my birthday month & the month I became a mom! My services have evolved from prenatal/postpartum massage to life coaching & postpartum planning. 

My First Interview is with Denise. We meet at Peace Camp & baked bread together. I reached out to learn more about her work. She works 1-1 with clients & leads a circle called This is Taking Longer Than I Expected: A Therapy Group for Moms Experiencing Postpartum Depression and Anxiety for more than six months.

https://denisesterchi.com/

From Denise's Website:

My intention for my work is to create a space for conversations that are warm and collaborative, and that are respectful of your individual values, goals, and preferences.

I hope to create a safe space where we can laugh, cry and explore together. I am active and involved in our conversations, searching for questions that might help you come to new understandings of yourself, others, and your deepest purposes for life.