Making Space for Conversations That Matter with Laura Prisc

Maybe you've stepped in to help your parents navigate a later season in their lives, or perhaps you are nearing the age when Medicare is in your immediate future… Regardless of the circumstance, I don't think anyone would argue with you about how complicated, confusing, and sometimes frustrating it can be when trying to understand how it works and what you need to do to stay on top of your – or their – health care needs. Meredith worked as a nurse for years, first in the West Indies, then Canada, and the US. Eventually, she specialized in Emergency Nursing, then shifted to working as a Case Manager. It was at that point, as her focus was helping specific patients understand their conditions, navigate the health care system, and become informed, proactive participants in their own care plans that she really understood the intricacies of health care coverage. "When patients don't know what they don't know, they don't even know what questions to ask and that can make all the difference in the care they receive and how it impacts them financially," she explains. Her experiences in these various settings and roles gave her a firsthand perspective on how devastating it can be when people don't understand their coverage, haven't engaged in financial planning, and experience a significant health event. This awakening moved her to invest in training to become a health insurance advisor and she and her husband founded Advent Choice Insurance and Consulting. Together, they are on a mission to change that experience, educating Medicare-eligible individuals and their families about all the intricacies and nuances of their coverage, medical terminology, and how to navigate the health care system. Listen in and learn how your zip code may determine your coverage, the difference between being admitted for "inpatient care" versus "observation," how experimental treatments are defined, and much more. When you're finished with this episode, you'll be wishing Meredith lived in your neighborhood! Meredith's Bio Meredith's love and devotion to others started on the beautiful island of Jamaica. She completed her basic nurse training at the University Hospital of the West Indies School of Nursing and later specialized in Emergency Room Nursing and Education. Meredith had the privilege of practicing nursing in Canada and several States in the US. Meredith's experience as an Emergency Department Nurse over the last 13 years gave her a firsthand view of the devastating impact poor insurance coverage and inadequate financial planning have on the lives of many individuals. Meredith's most recent role as an RN Case Manager propelled her to seek solutions for the issues plaguing healthcare delivery. She realized that in order to improve healthcare access and affordability, patients must be proactively engaged in understanding their health and available resources. She believes healthy families are more financially stable and are better able to support and care for each other. Meredith and her husband are both crossed-trained as health insurance advisors and are the founders of Advent Choice Insurance and Consulting, which provides Medicare education, engagement, and enrollment services to individuals, businesses, and healthcare facilities. Meredith has a passion for education and is committed to lifelong learning. She obtained her Master's in Nursing Leadership and Management at Walden University and serves on the South Apopka Community Development Association, also volunteering with other local community outreach programs. Meredith enjoys spending time with her spouse, gardening, practicing photography, and running behind their three vivacious children! Connect with Meredith here: Advent Choice Insurance Consulting Meredith on LinkedIn Email Meredith

She didn't come to it on purpose; it was an add-on, so to speak, that touched her so deeply, she had to know more. And through that exploration, she entered a new phase in her life and added a whole new facet to the work she does in healing. Kristin Ponzi is a Licensed Massage Therapist, with specialization in Myofascial Therapy. While attending a retreat with some of her colleagues, they experienced a private session with a guy who does sound healing using a variety of instruments and meditation. It was one of those supremely profound experiences that literally changes the course of your life. Kristin shares the story of this experience, the visions and guides she encountered during her meditation, and the journey she's been on to share that experience with the people she serves in her practice at Essence Body Work in Columbus, OH. She uses Himalayan Bowls, which create specific sound waves – vibrational frequencies that influence the brain wave states her clients drop into while working with her. Essentially, her goal is to create deep relaxation and to restore equilibrium in the body. After all, "when you are 80% water, if you're dehydrated, information doesn't move through your body very well," she explained to Laura during their conversation. Their conversation takes a few turns, dipping into meditation, expectation, sound frequency and the vibrational impacts on everything around us, the difference between coaching and mentoring, and our responsibility when raising children! While these topics may seem disparate, the conversation is powerful and flows through them all with ease and connection. Kristin's Bio Kristin Ponzi is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Sound Therapy Practitioner, and the owner of Essence Body Work. She received her massage therapy license over 18 years ago, after switching paths from a corporate career to a profession where she could connect with and help others and has been happily touching people's lives ever since! She specializes in the John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Approach and Vibrational Sound Therapy. Her goals, through myofascial release and vibrational sound therapy are to help people to return to their active, healthy lives, and to help them cultivate a deeper relationship with the essence of who they are! Resources discussed and connect with Kristin here: www.EssenceBodyWork.com www.Facebook.com/EssenceBodyWork Glenfiddich Ad – Watch Sound Vibrations! Previous Podcasts Referred to: Dr. Paul R. Scheele Sharry Edwards Louise Elliott

Part of Sanni's backstory is this: "A few years ago, I was working full-time at a software company in Seattle when I decided to quit my job and begin living a more transient, outdoor-oriented life. My time on the road made me realize how often we make life decisions according to a template – one that was not chosen for us or designed for us, simply a product of what is usually done. But I believe that life starts happening when you make it, and it can be perfectly your creation. Too often we hold back simply because we're not sure of what's possible…" Since leaving full-time corporate work, Sanni has built a coaching business and is the co-founder of an experience series called OutWild… a combination of personal growth and outdoor adventure (which often challenges us and leads to deeper insight and understanding – more personal growth!). She's also what Laura considers an "intrepid communicator." Laura invited Sanni in for a Conversation That Matters, because her first exposure to Sanni demonstrated her willingness to wade into real, timely, authentic, vulnerable communication about things that really matter to her. It's a rare trait and one Laura believes we all long to develop and wish for in the people we are close to. Over the course of their conversation, Laura and Sanni share philosophies, ideas, and experiences with their respective coaching clients and the work they feel called to do in the world. One commonality is their shared understanding that "what everyone else is doing isn't necessarily right for us." Far too often, we follow the paths others tell us we "should" be on, and "should" feel lucky to take… but that doesn't always lead us to where we – as unique individuals – are supposed to be. They also discuss self-awareness, the prevalence of "busy-ness" that is consuming our lives and making us less effective and creative than we are meant to be; they dive into what it means – individually – to meditate or seek stillness and just listen… and Sanni introduces the concept of taking "a slow walk" when it's time for a time out. Sanni's Bio Sanni McCandless has built a career around the intersection of life design and the outdoors. She works primarily as a transition coach for outdoor-focused individuals who want to create more tailored, intentional lifestyles and find agency in their own lives. In her work, she helps people overcome the doubts and concerns that constantly get in the way of living fearlessly and feeling fulfilled. Sanni challenges clients to communicate more honestly with those around them and achieve goals that have been on the back burner for far too long. Sanni is also the cofounder of Outwild, a community and event series which aims to provide people with the space and tools they need to create more outdoor, value-driven lifestyles. Sanni currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she enjoys year-round rock climbing and endless desert views. You can also find Sanni & other resources here: Sanni Online Sanni on Instagram Outwild Free Solo Movie Blake Cason – Pivot Wellness

The human body is so much more complicated than we imagine. It's not just a collection of discrete systems (respiratory, circulatory, muscular, etc.) operating independently. Rather, we are an interconnected, integrated, extremely complicated organism. And what's going on with us physically is not caused only by physical experiences, but also by our mental and emotional states. And because it's the foundation that allows us to be, do, and create whatever we aspire to in life, it's crucial that we take the best care of it that we possibly can. That's where Brandon O'Connor comes in. Brandon O'Connor is a Muscle System Specialist and owner of Austin Muscle Recovery, in Austin, TX. He works with clients experiencing a wide variety of issues – some of them genuinely just physical, and many of them complicated by mental and emotional issues that become trapped within our bodies, exacerbating existing conditions and sometimes creating new ones. Each client presents differently, and Brandon's expertise is in the observation of how each person moves and carries themselves coupled with an intense and detailed evaluation to determine the full extent of the physical manifestations of illness, disease, and the impact of mental-emotional stress or trauma on the body. The result is a highly-individualized treatment plan to rebuild and strengthen that person's muscular system, prior to moving the client along to his colleague who develops highly-individualized exercise plans to further develop and restore that person back to health. And it's all based on the client's desired outcome – the state of physical health they aspire to achieving. Laura observes that having someone this observed and knowing is appealing and can leave one feeling a bit vulnerable at the same time. We all want to be truly seen, heard, and understood, but knowing that another person is observing us closely and can detect where we are out of alignment, maybe feeling weak or unsure can also leave us feeling a bit exposed. Laura and Brandon also explore the topics of supplements, muscle testing, resistance, and the variety of health concerns people come to him with. If you're curious about your body and want to get some insight from the "Sherlock Holmes of the Muscular System," (as Laura thinks of him), you'll want to eavesdrop on this conversation. Brandon's Bio For the last 18 years, Brandon has been helping people live a better life through resistance-based exercise and Muscle Restoration. His passion for exercise started at age 15, when he began lifting weights for sports. That passion grew to the point that he wanted to help others reap all of the benefits he found through regular strength training. With that purpose in mind, Brandon started a personal training practice in 2001, which started a journey to find the best possible solutions to help clients achieve their goals. Along the way, Brandon discovered radical interventions involving muscle testing and specific hands-on techniques to produce dramatic results in real time. It was a 'game changer' in his work, leading to the discovery of his niche: Helping those who were suffering the effects of traumatic injuries, surgeries, and disease states to return to fuller health. Brandon founded Austin Muscle Restoration in 2009 and the Autoimmune and Injury Gym in 2015, where he and his team put their knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology, and Biomechanics to work on a daily basis. In 2018, Brandon became an instructor for the Muscle System Specialist Program instructing others in radical muscle recovery. He holds the following certifications: Muscle System Specialist, Master Level Muscle Activation Techniques, Master Level Resistance Training Specialist, ISSA CPT, NASM CPT, NASM PES, Cooper Institute CPT. You can also find Brandon here: www.AustinMuscleRestoration.com Facebook @AustinMuscleRestoration Instagram @AustinMuscleRestoration

More than 20 years ago, Dawna DeSilva began the process of learning what it meant to be a Prayer Servant in her church; today, she travels the world speaking, teaching, and providing Sozo sessions for people in all walks of life from nations far and wide. If you're wondering what a Sozo is, so was Laura when she first heard the term a few years ago through a marketing mentor she was working with. In this episode of Making Space for Conversations that Matter, Dawna explains what Sozo means, where the word originated, how it's used – more than 100 times in the New Testament! – and how she and her team of trained Sozo facilitators use the process to help people like you and me find healing, truth, and relief from the lies that keep us from becoming our fullest selves. Sozo is not counseling. It's really an exploration process which brings your core beliefs to the surface and allows you to discern what they are rooted in, whether they are truth or lie, and how to release the ones that bear bad fruit. During the process, participants also learn how to discern for themselves whether the voices in their heads are speaking God's truth or some other "truth" that may not be based in fact, truth, or reality at all! You see, we all make up stories about what's going on in our lives and the world around us; we need to, to make sense of it all and have some sense of security in what often can be a confusing and chaotic life. Our brains are actually wired to look for evidence of what we believe, so it can reinforce our thinking and behaviors. But the stories aren't always right and true, and when that happens, we are led astray, make bad decisions, choose wrong paths… and create messes! The Sozo process allows us to remove the faulty lenses we've been viewing the world through and see with new eyes through the lenses God uses; the result is a new mindset that allows us to move through our lives in a healthier way. Dawna and Laura also dip into the ideas of the difference between expectation and expectancy, how we should be impacting the world rather than allowing it to always impact us, and to have more awareness about the energy and messes we allow ourselves to be exposed to day in and day out. Dawna's Bio Dawna De Silva is the Transformation Center Overseer and Global Representative at Bethel Church in Redding, CA, and the author of Sozo – Saved, Healed, Delivered. Dawna founded and co-leads the International Bethel Sozo Ministry, Bethel's inner healing and deliverance ministry which began in 1997. Bethel Sozo has exploded throughout the world with teams ministering around the globe bringing people freedom, deliverance, and closer connections to God. Dawna has been ministering with passion and purpose for the past twenty years in her pursuit of equipping and empowering the church to walk in freedom and wholeness of body, soul, and spirit. Dawna's prophetic and discernment gifts have allowed her to mine treasures from God's kingdom. With her gift of teaching, she is able to easily translate these revelatory insights into practical, useful, and lasting tools. Dawna stewards, treasures, and protects her connection to the Holy Spirit and loves flowing with Him while ministering. From this place of intimacy with Him, she releases healing and a tangible awareness of the Lord's presence. She carries a breaker anointing that is coupled with her strength as an activator that brings group deliverance as she ministers the Word of God. Her curriculum on Shifting Atmospheres has become a much sought after tool equipping the saints to discern, dispel, and displace negative spiritual forces around them and to partner with and release heaven on earth. Dawna is an international selling author. Look for her upcoming book Warring with Wisdom, which will be released mid-2020. You can also find her here: On Facebook Dawna Online

This week, Making Space for Conversations that Matter Host, Laura Prisc, reproduces a lesson she shared recently with a women's organization focused on economic and leadership development. In "Are You Wide Wake? What it Means to be a Conscious Leader," Laura shares the story of the painful experience she went through that was her awakening; an experience she describes as "being stripped naked and paraded through the town square at lunch time!" She goes on to provide a clear overview of the four foundations of Conscious Leadership: Self-Awareness, Other-Awareness, Vision-Focus, and Living and Leading with Intention. Conscious Leadership is the topic of Laura's book, written specifically for Senior Leaders who are responsible for High Performance teams and organizations who find themselves stymied by the complications inherent in leading a diverse group of people. If this is you and you'd like a copy of her book, you can request it here: www.consciousleadershippartners.com You'll also find, there, an opportunity to request a free consult with Laura to dive deeper into your leadership challenges. Laura's Bio If you're not already familiar with her and are curious about who Laura is, what she believes, and what she feels called to create in the world, take a few minutes to peruse her website, read her blog, and listen to the other podcast episodes posted there. www.lauraprisc.com You can also find her here: On Facebook LinkedIn

It's no surprise, we were built to move; our bodies house and move our consciousness around and if we have any interest in living a full life, we need to be ever aware and taking care of this miraculous form we've been given. Master Myoskeletal Therapist, Matthew Smith, jumps into this conversation with the idea that modern conveniences make things so easy for us that we no longer have to move much. It's intensified in businesses that focus on efficiency and minimization or elimination of what's considered extraneous movement. So, while we might be creating tools, systems, and processes that allow us to be more efficient and productive, we should be aware it's taking a toll on our bodies that we will pay for over time. Matthew goes on to explain that just 10 minutes of intentional movement and exercise a day can be as effective as an hour-long workout. The key is ensuring your movements and form are correct and that you're not creating undesirable alignment and movement patterns in your body that will cause pain and other issues over time. "You can't build fitness on faulty movement patterns," he explains to Laura. As a Myoskeletal Therapist, Matthew works with muscle, fascia (connective tissue), and bone in an effort to help his clients achieve appropriate body alignment, posture, and long-term flexibility for optimal health. Listen in as Matthew shares his learning journey, highlighting the many experts he's studied with along the way, and why he's on a mission to help people live fuller lives with strength and flexibility. If you're interested in learning more about what a Myoskeletal Therapist is and does, check out these links: BodyLogic (Matthew's Clinic) Erik Dalton Myoskeletal Rolfing – Dr. Ida Rolf Dr. Vladimir Janda Matthew's Bio Licensed and practicing for 16 years, Matthew Smith is a well-known massage therapist with excellent regional references. He is a skilled practitioner of Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, and Energy modalities, and is certified in CranioSacral therapy. Matthew also holds a Master Therapist diploma in Dalton's Myoskeletal Alignment Technique (MAT), and is passionate about providing deep, specific work that focuses on recognizing and correcting chronic pain and postural problems and improving athletic performance. The opioid epidemic has brought unique challenges to our communities, including Matthew's practice. He welcomes all individuals, with all backgrounds and needs. Matthew began studying MAT in 2011 with the "big binder" of techniques and dense readings on the guiding principles of manual therapy. Each module since has become more refined, more fun, and more easily applied. Erik Dalton has done the field of massage therapy an enormous service by distilling osteopathic assessment and treatment into a cohesive set of techniques and making them available to massage therapists—the practitioners who still use touch as the primary method of interaction with their patients. The depth of knowledge that MAT training provides is valuable not only for its effective hands-on techniques, but also for its attention to principles of anatomical assessment, movement retraining, and manual application. Away from manual therapy, Matthew enjoys metal sculpture, restoring and riding vintage Vespas, travel, cooking, exercise, and the outdoors.

The Japanese practice of "shinrin-yoku" literally means 'forest bathing.' Essentially, it's about reconnecting with nature in a deep, personal, primal, visceral way. It's about re-engaging with nature as the living entity it is, as opposed to taking it for granted and using it for our purposes.

Julia started The Forest Bathing Club in the San Francisco Bay area after returning to California following design school in NYC. Having spent so much time in a big city, she realized her soul was calling out for it; she had lost her way of 'being' in nature and needed a reawakening. The mental and physical effects of being so disconnected were very real for her and had to be addressed.

As a designer, innovation strategist, and futurist, Julia experienced a sense of what Environmental Philosopher, Glenn Albrecht, called Solastalgia: Existential distress caused by environmental change… often embodied in a sense of powerlessness or uncertainty. Julia said what she had learned about who she was and the work she was doing didn't feel true to her anymore.

"Nature is innovation," she explains to Laura. "We need to remember it… remember it's already here. The Original Instructions are hidden in plain sight… we simply have to tap into them." They include asking for permission, engaging in reciprocity rather than 'doing to…'

She encourages others to consider the Earth as a person we are in relationship with, and as with any healthy relationship, we need to spend time together, accept one another as each is, offer and receive gifts, and spend time in conversation… not just speaking, but also actively, deeply listening. We need to revisit and reclaim our individual relationships with nature.

"If you watch kids, they have a way of being in nature… they do it intuitively, inhabiting their animal body," she explains. They experience awe and are energetic and appreciative of what they discover in nature; we need to experience that and allow it to seep into our bones, our bodies, our very being. This practice can help us uncover the limiting beliefs that keep us small and remind us of our true nature, our true power.

If we allow ourselves to be fully present in our world, we will notice that whatever is in bloom will grow to its fullest potential with no fear, insecurity, worry about what other flowers, trees, bushes, etc., are doing around them. It's not a competition. There's room for all of us to be in full bloom.

Julia shares some insight about the medicine wheel, in which each point on a compass is a phase or cycle of our growth, experience, wisdom, and engaging in the world in various roles. "Unfortunately," she says, "we become 'olders' not elders. We need the full circle – youth brings energy and elders bring wisdom." But to offer that wisdom we need to be open, connected, engaged, learning, growing, and understanding… not simply taking up space.

Laura and Julia wind down the conversation with a brief discussion of the transformation process as observed in butterflies – from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. In the chrysalis stage, the process is governed by "imaginal cells" which having the knowing of the new form coming into being. Perhaps the kindred spirits we meet along our journey are like imaginal cells in our lives, there for a reason to help us as we are becoming the next best version of ourselves.

If you're interested in learning more about Julia's work and the Forest Bathing Club, check out these links:

The Forest Bathing Club

Julia's Work

The Healing Magic of Forest Bathing – Julia's Book

Psychology of Place

Julia's Bio

Julia Plevin is a nature connection guide and author. As the founder of the Forest Bathing Club, she has more than a decade of experience guiding individuals and groups of people into the forest, where the practice of shinrin-yoku helps calm the mind and create space for wellness and prosperity.

Julia taps into the power of Nature to design transformative healing experiences. Through studies with Shamanic Reiki masters, Shugendo Buddhist monks, Mayan elders, Bhakti yogis, and Renewal rabbis, she has developed a unique program that both respects and transcends tradition and brings us back into direct connection with Source. Having healed herself from a decade-long saga of chronic illness through connection to Nature, Julia believes that true healing happens when we take our healing into our own hands and is passionate about empowering people to tap into Nature as a way to heal themselves. Whether you're an urban dweller or a mountain resident, Julia's practice aims to help improve our lives through deeper connection, alignment, and attunement with Nature. Julia's work has been covered widely in outlets such as CNN, Outside Magazine, Business Insider, The New Yorker, and Sierra Magazine, and the Forest Bathing Club has more than a thousand members from around the world. Her first book, The Healing Magic of Forest Bathing: Finding Calm, Creativity, and Connection in the Natural World, came out in 2019 (Ten Speed Press).

Journaling has been a source of desire and frustration for Laura for many years; she longs to do it in a powerful way, "worthy of the paper" she journals on. For this reason, she engages Louise in conversation, as Louise has developed a powerful journaling process. "It's a process and a practice. You have to grow into it just like anything else," Louise explains. "The easiest way is to start with lists… Do's & Don'ts, Pro's & Con's. Then use it to dig deeper into what you're thinking about." Louise explains the power of the Reticular Activating System (RAS) operating in our brains, as the mechanism for how we notice and tune into that which we are focused upon. For example, when we buy a car, we will "suddenly" begin to notice how many more of that exact model and color of car are on the road. It's not that everyone else bought the same car at the same time; they've been all around us all the time, we simply were not tuned in and alert to notice them before. We can use the RAS to bring more of what we desire into our lives, by being alert and tuned into those things, which makes us more aware of when they show up, and journaling is a great way to tune in and stay focused. Louise encourages Laura to find or create an energetic, uncluttered, positive space in which she can rest, meditate, pray, and journal routinely. She also provides a series of questions one might ask when journaling to prompt thinking and exploration. Laura and Louise also explore what prayer is and how it plays into journaling and creating the lives we desire. If you're interested in learning more about Louise and the things she and Laura discussed today, check out these links: Louise Online – Brain Power Pyramid (book and course) OR Career Power Shift Connect with Louise Sound Meditation on Facebook Louise's Bio Louise Elliott, Chief Transformation Officer and Founder of CareerPowerShift, LLC, is a Leadership & Career Coach who works with successful leaders to discover their uniqueness, purpose, and direction so that they can impact their families, workplace, and communities that matter most to them. Louise is hugely committed to the success and growth of others with strong compassion. Her innovative and honest style brings energizing perspective for professional career growth through workshops, keynote speaking, and individual/team coaching. Louise offers Concierge Services that Transform Lives with Inspiration, Impact, and Reward. Workshops and coaching services build on communication, leadership, and personal growth. Louise was on track to be a technology executive in a Fortune 500 financial institution, when her passion for accelerating the success of her colleagues led her to leave her position and dedicate her life to the success and growth of others. Louise's vocational shift has enabled her to lead and coach 100's through career upgrades and shifts. Louise now pursues energizing and motivating people to discover the joy within and to realize true success. It is Louise's dedication to embrace the fuel inside you which is greater than any obstacle. She is passionate about empowering individuals to overcome their self-limiting obstacles through self-investment strategies to achieve career success. Whether you are an individual, a manager, or an executive, Louise can help you overcome struggles and gain clarity in your career path. Louise has a BS in Management Information Systems and an MA in Industrial Organizational Psychology. She is a Certified Coach, Trainer, & Speaker; an Executive Director of The John Maxwell Team; an Igniting Souls Master Coach; and a Certified Human Behavior Consultant with Personality Insights, Inc., able to administer personality profile assessments and provide training on the DISC Model of Human Behavior for personal growth and development.

Like Laura, Melissa Hart found refuge, safety, and a sense of freedom in books that was missing in her childhood. She and Laura connected because of a shared love of books and the idea that "books make me feel rich." Laura reached out to Melissa after reading an essay Melissa submitted to Real Simple magazine about building a Little Free Library in her yard in Oregon. Laura has always loved seeing them, and sometimes longs for one of her own, so when she saw an opportunity to connect with someone who had built one, a great conversation was soon in the works! As the conversation flows, Melissa introduces the idea of Bibliotherapy – using books in an intentional way for connection, recognition, healing, and understanding. She first learned of the concept in an independent bookstore that arranged its books by topic rather than author, so readers could quickly find stories that resonated with their personal experiences and allowed them to feel seen, heard, understood. Melissa decided to try it in a more intense way when her adopted daughter was struggling in school. She had experienced significant loss in her young life and was not settling in at school, so Melissa rearranged her life to be able to home school with a curriculum built around literature. Then one day, she saw a Little Free Library in a park and was mesmerized! Loving the generosity of it – "Take a book! Leave a book!" – she knew she wanted one of her own. So, as a family, they built one, using old windows from their house, and placed it in their yard. "It's always a great surprise," she explained. "You never know what you'll find in it…" As people are taking and leaving new books and magazines frequently. It's become yet another connection and bonding opportunity for their close-knit neighborhood. And Melissa has even come to planning her daily runs to ensure she passes other neighborhood libraries, often using it as an opportunity to exchange books from one to another, ensuring an ongoing mix and variety in what's available. As for Melissa's daughter, Bibliotherapy has proven to be a powerful healing tool… Perhaps it's something you might find solace and healing in, as well. Listen in as Melissa and Laura discuss the power of books and share some of their favorites, then share your thoughts: Melissa On Facebook Melissa Online Instagram and Twitter @WildMelissaHart Melissa's Bio Melissa Hart is Contributing Editor at The Writer Magazine and author of Better with Books: 500 Diverse Novels to Ignite Empathy and Encourage Self-Acceptance in Tweens and Teens (Sasquatch, 2019), plus the award-winning middle-grade novel Avenging the Owl (Sky Pony, 2016). Her essays have appeared in Real Simple, Woman's Day, Spirituality & Health, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Los Angeles Times, Working Mother, and numerous other publications. She lives in Oregon with her husband and daughter, five chickens, three cats, and one very patient terrier.