I'm still here everyone! I wanted to provide a quick update on the podcast and my life. More motivated than ever to get this podcast up and running consistently again. The primary setback was some health issues I went through and am still recovering from. My creative energy is officially back though, so please give a listen to hear all the latest and greatest! 

I appreciate every single one of you. 

I do go on a quick rant politically in this update, but it's all from a place of unity and us needing to set our differences aside. Even if you don't agree please keep that in mind it's coming from a place of solidarity. We've got this. Collectively we need to come together more than ever.  

Your Host,
Michael Ballo

Intro: 0:00
Conversataion: 4:49
Guided Meditation: 1:37:42

This episode includes a spectacular conversation with Ida Blichfeldt. She is a certified conscious parenting coach along with having a bachelors in early childhood education. Please give a listen for further details on her background. Her work can provide clarity and guidance to parents, anyone of any age seeking to address inner-child work, aid people with parts & shadow work, and help people heal limiting patterns & beliefs. We will cover her background, her own journey, discuss the conscious parenting modality, cover boundaries, and much more. She also provides a guided meditation at the end for those who are interested! I believe you all will enjoy this episode, and I'm looking forward to making additional episodes with Ida. Thank you again, Ida!

If you would like to find out more about Ida or get in touch with her please visit her Instagram or website!
https://linktr.ee/idablichfeldt
IG: @idablichfeldt

Intro: 00:15
Shane's Story: 07:41
Outro: 2:02:43

Finally, an episode where I don't talk a lot! Jokes aside, this episode is powerful, deep, and raw. Shane, a neighbor of mine, share's his captivating story and struggles with mental health. Primarily living a life being bi-polar. His story includes having outbursts as a child having him sent to an outdoor retreat for troubled youth. Ultimately you'll discover that this program did not have the qualifications or resources to properly accommodate this venture. This caused an uprising sprung by his peers and himself that lead to legal troubles for all involved. At the end of the day, what would you have done though? Jumping ahead, Shane then attended the Family Foundation School (Allynwood Academy). I want you all to form your own opinions on the conduct carried out at this school. With that being said, I think you'll discover that this school caused immensely detrimental effects on the majority of the students. There was malnourishment, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and essentially totalitarian practices and philosophies that ultimately painted themselves as being a Utopia. This all lead to PTSD and other chapters of Shane's story that he will discuss. Thank you all for listening, and thank you, Shane.

News articles and a documentary pertaining to his story will be shared on the Facebook page @lifcpodcast. Please give that and the Instagram page a follow under the same username @lifcpodcast if you haven't done so already!

I truly believe facing vulnerability is one of the most courageous, yet, toughest emotions or acts to face. This episode will hopefully shed some light on this topic. If we live from a place of empathy, understanding, and acceptance that it's alright to be imperfect, the sky is the limit for us as a society, as a collective. Enjoy!

Intro - 00:15
Counseling - 17:57
Outro - 1:07:33

A lot occurred since the first mental health episode, and I wanted to be transparent with all of you on that! I strongly believe in the power of honesty and transparency. In this episode, I have another conversation with Matthew Luvisi, MSW, LCSW. With everything going on in the world I would like us to please take a moment to thank our mental health professionals. This episode will also cover how therapy and counseling is a tool, a powerful tool, that we have in the toolset that may help us along our mental health journey. Enjoy!

This episode will cover 3 life attributes, characteristics, or values that I strongly believe lead to true strength. These are humility, non-action, and staying to our convictions. I'll leave it at that, and I hope you enjoy the episode. As always, I'd love to hear your feedback or any criticism! 

As the title says, mental health is all relative. We've all had different experiences in life, and person A's worst day might be person B's average day. Let's take a step back and truly listen to one another. 

The first Keepin' it Real Episode! This episode will cover the idea of how all emotions are indicators, and that we shouldn't label emotions or feelings as positive or negative. For simplicity, these 3 "negative/destructive" emotions will be covered - fear, hate, and envy. On the other side, these 4 "positive/empowering" emotions will be covered - gratitude, appreciation, care, and compassion.

Into the Abyss we go with a new mental health podcast! In this episode I, your host, break down essentially 99% of my life story and go over the format of the Listen it Forward Collective Podcast! My story and background is part 1 and part 2 will include a recorded 1 hour counseling session with Matthew Luvisi, MSW, LCSW. I wanted to lead by example in this first episode, and I hope you all enjoy this new concept and take away something positive! I'm truly just trying to help people and build a stronger sense of community. Remember, no judgement is welcome in this space. Please feel free to reach out via e-mail ([email protected]), Facebook (Listen it Forward Collective), or Instagram (Listen it Forward Collective).

The basics of meditation and mindfulness will be covered in this episode and how these practices have helped me and can help you! We will also cover some brief science that can back it up! There will be additional episodes on this topic, but I think this will be a great starting point to plant the seed. All helpful links or pieces of information will be shared on the Facebook page.