Mental Health: Love it or Risk it

In this episode I discuss cycles found in a dysfunctional family dynamic. Concepts include:

*Co-dependency

*Triangulation

*Keeping family secrets

*Avoidance of personal trauma

*Bypassing toxic behavior through enabling and people pleasing

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In this episode, I discuss helpful practices to maintain a healthy mind when harmful things have been said or thrown your way. You may not be able to prevent hurtful words said about you, but what you can do is re-direct your thoughts and decide where they resonate. Concepts covered on this topic include:

*Evaluating the content given

*Self-reflection

*Considering the Source

*Re-direction

*Ways of restructuring cognitive distortions

*Regulating the mind through mindful practices

In this episode, special guest Dr. McConnaughey comes back to talk about her personal experiences with attachment trauma and educational background with it. We discuss the importance of self-regulation when healing from broken attachments. Some helpful resources that are mentioned are listed below:

Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN) https://www.attachment-traumanetwork.org/

The Boy who was Raised as a dog by Bruce Perry

Children's book: Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

*Anniversary special* Join me and my husband Estiven as we reflect on our friendship in our marriage. We touch on:

~Communication styles from our enneagram types.

~Conflict resolution now vs. earlier in our marriage.

~How our commonalities have connected us.

~What building trust consisted of in our marriage.

A helpful resource mentioned is:

I Hear You: The surprisingly simple skill behind extraordinary relationships by Michael S. Sorensen

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In this episode, I have a discussion with author, trauma expert, and 33 year educator, Dr. Janyne McConnaughey, about her personal experience with religious trauma and her research findings on trauma in religious settings. We highlight 5 ways that religion can re-traumatize those who have had previous trauma. Those 5 concepts include but are not limited to:

*Self-loathing

*Labeling behavioral results of trauma as sin.

*Mislabeling inner turmoil as conviction.

*Pastors applauding the effects of unmet childhood needs by overworking ministry leaders who seek validation.

*Placing forgiveness before healing.

All of Dr. McConnaughey's handles and resources can be found through her link tree: https://linktr.ee/janynemc

Trauma informed websites include:

ACEs Too High: https://acestoohigh.com/ Arizona Trauma Institute: https://aztrauma.org/

Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN): https://www.attachment- traumanetwork.org/

Center for Disease Control (CDC) Adverse Childhood Experiences: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html

Additional religious resources included in the back of Trauma in the Pews include:

Center for Action and Contemplation, Ed. Vanessa Guerin. Oneing: Trauma (Albuquerque, NM: CAC Publishing, 2021).

Mark G. Karris, Religious Refugees: (De)Constructing Toward Spiritual and Emotional Healing. (Orange, CA: Quoir, 2020).

McLaren, Brian. Faith After Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do About It. (New York: St. Martin’s Essentials, 2022).

Thomas J. Oord, God Can’t!: How to Believe in God and Love after Tragedy, Abuse, or Other Evils. (Grasmere, ID: SacraSage, 2019).

This episode defines "Othering" and how we identify it in society and within ourselves today. In a world where stigma and stereotyping is prevalent, we can dissolve those ways of thinking and viewing the "other" groups and communities.

In this episode, I have a conversation with my hubby about his friendship experiences and his take on complex and diverse friendships. We compare and contrast our differing experiences in friendship and the meaning they bring to each of us. Join us in this candid conversation.

With tension running high this election season, I discuss ways that we can respect those who don't share our political views. Join me in this conversation as I unpack the hard truth surrounding politics and ways we can cultivate curiosity instead of criticism.

Today I honor my deceased dog Blaze by sharing personal experiences that I had after losing him unexpectedly. This episode normalizes the emotions and experiences that frequent the loss of a pet. I hope this episode helps you honor your beloved pet, while honoring your feelings after the loss.