Raising kids who are authentic, resilient, and comfortable in their own skin feels like a massive, complicated task especially when you’re navigating your own hardships. Having raised seven children (five adopted and two biological) through periods of deep grief, loss, and overwhelm, Dr. B shares why we cannot raise mentally strong children without first doing the internal work ourselves.

In this episode, Dr. B addresses key listener questions about parenting and mental health, moving beyond surface-level behavior modification to give children a reliable framework for processing their thoughts and emotions. Whether you are navigating childhood meltdowns or concerned about passing down your own anxiety, this conversation offers practical tools to help you find your footing.

In This Episode:

• Moving past simple behavior modification to teach true emotional regulation
• Managing parental anxiety and avoiding passing stress down to your children
• Creating clear "guardrails" instead of rigid restrictions for child growth
• Why effective parenting is about continuous growth rather than perfection

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Free Live Training: Register for the Free Mentally STRONG Training
• Join the Mission: Sign up for our mailing list
• Official Website: Mentally STRONG

About Your Host: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara (Ed.D, PMHNP-BC) is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate in Healthcare Education. Having navigated profound personal trials, Dr. B created the Mentally STRONG Method to help parents and individuals process trauma, manage stress, and build lasting resilience.

Connect with Dr. B & Mentally STRONG:

• Facebook: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara
• Instagram: @cristibundukamara
• YouTube: Dr. B Mentally STRONG

I’ve had many moments where I just wanted to run times when the weight of the "fight or flight" response felt like it was going to swallow me whole. After losing my three children and my husband over the course of 20 years, I had to learn how to do more than just survive; I had to learn how to be Mentally STRONG in the midst of absolute trauma.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by grief, anxiety, or a life that feels like it’s falling apart, this episode is an invitation into a mental reset. Dr. B walks through her personal framework for healing after profound loss, sharing how you can begin to separate your pain from your trauma to find an authentic path forward. We aren't just "pushing through" anymore we are authentically rebuilding.

In This Episode:

• Navigating the "fight or flight" response during times of deep crisis
• Practical tools for separating immediate pain from underlying trauma
• Rebuilding your life authentically after overwhelming loss
• Moving past survival mode and stepping into long-term mental resilience

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Free Live Training: Register for the Free Mentally STRONG Training
• Reset Event: Mentally STRONG Reset Live
• Join the Mission: Sign up for our mailing list
• Official Website: Mentally STRONG

In this episode, Dr. B sits down with Edija Šaripova (CPA and Financial Advisor at Denver Wealth Management) to explore the deep connection between mental, physical, and financial well-being. Born in Latvia and migrating to the U.S. in 2001, Edija built a successful career in investment consulting before finding her true calling: helping others achieve a balanced life.

Together, they break down why the "pushing through" mentality can actually hinder healing, how to break the silence surrounding abuse, and how Stoic philosophy and faith can help you identify what you can and cannot control.

In This Episode:

• The Myth of Grit: Why "pushing through" often blocks true healing
• Healing from Abuse: Overcoming the silence and shame that can trap successful women
• Control & Clarity: Using Stoic philosophy and faith to separate grief, trauma, and negative self-talk
• Setting Boundaries: How saying "no" to others is an act of saying "yes" to your growth

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Free Training: Register for the Free Mentally STRONG Training
• Join the Mission: Sign up for our mailing list
• Official Website: Mentally STRONG

About Edija Šaripova, CPA: Edija Šaripova is a Financial Advisor at Denver Wealth Management with over two decades of experience across accounting and investment management. She leads the Women Who Invest™ community, empowering women to build intergenerational wealth and invest in themselves. Outside of her professional work, Edija enjoys snowboarding in Colorado and playing the violin and piano.

About Your Host: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara (Ed.D, PMHNP-BC) is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate in Healthcare Education. Having navigated profound personal trials, Dr. B created the Mentally STRONG Method to help others manage stress, process trauma, and cultivate mental strength.

Connect with Dr. B & Mentally STRONG:

• Facebook: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara
• Instagram: @cristibundukamara
• YouTube: Dr. B Mentally STRONG

I’ve spent my career helping people navigate the darkest corners of their minds and the heavy weight of grief, but every so often, I meet someone whose journey reminds me exactly why we do this work. Frank Sinclair is one of those people, and his story is a profound masterclass in mental strength, authenticity, and the power of being truly seen.

Have you ever felt like a "hopeless case" numb, or like you’re simply a burden to those around you? Frank lived this reality, spiraling from a high-achieving Air Force career into addiction and homelessness on the streets of Colorado Springs. Just when he was ready to give up, a moment of genuine human connection gave him a second chance, proving that our value remains unchanged even at our lowest points.

In this episode, Dr. B sits down with Frank to discuss what it means to be honest with yourself, how to navigate the complex reality of recovery and losing a child, and how reframing homelessness can open our eyes to a community deserving of dignity.

In This Episode:

• Moving from rock bottom and addiction to finding true purpose
• The power of feeling seen and human connection in healing
• Navigating grief, child loss, and the "leaky" process of recovery
• Reframing how we view homelessness and dignity in our communities

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Free Training: Register for the Free Mentally STRONG Training
• Frank Sinclair's Work: Dream Again LLC | Be Encouraged Podcast
• Join the Mission: Sign up for our mailing list
• Official Website: Mentally STRONG

About Frank Sinclair: Frank Sinclair is the Chief Encouragement Officer of Dream Again LLC, a coaching, speaking, and training enterprise. He is the founder of the podcast Be Encouraged with Frank and Lisa, an in-demand speaker, and author of four books, including The Encouragement Revolution.

About Your Host: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara (Ed.D, PMHNP-BC) is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate in Healthcare Education. Having navigated profound personal trials, Dr. B created the Mentally STRONG Method to help others process depression, anxiety, grief, and stress to build lasting mental resilience.

Connect with Dr. B & Mentally STRONG:

• Facebook: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara
• Instagram: @cristibundukamara
• YouTube: Dr. B Mentally STRONG

Whether we’re in front of the camera or behind the scenes in a high-pressure job, many of us carry an internal dialogue telling us we aren't enough. In this episode, Dr. B sits down with filmmaker and clinical social worker Mari Moxley to peel back the layers on why we often sacrifice our true selves just to be "palatable" to others.

Together, they dive deep into the reality of negative self-talk, the "micro-griefs" we experience every day, and why choosing authenticity even when it leads to rejection is the ultimate act of mental strength. If you’ve ever felt like you’re performing a version of yourself just to belong, there is peace waiting for you on the other side of that performance.

In This Episode:

• The impact of negative self-talk and daily "micro-griefs"
• Why we sacrifice authenticity to feel accepted
• How to step out of performance mode and embrace your true self

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Free Training: Register for our free training today
• Watch the Documentary: Watch the full documentary here
• Join the Mission: Sign up for our mailing list
• Official Website: Mentally STRONG

About Mari Moxley: Mari Moxley’s background in clinical social work and philosophy fuels her passion for crafting film stories that highlight diverse human perspectives. She views filmmaking as a therapeutic intervention that fosters meaningful conversations and deeper understanding. Mari has led mental health awareness campaigns within the U.S. Air Force, collaborated with the Department of Defense and NATO, and documented advancements in medicine and space exploration.

About Your Host: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara (Ed.D, PMHNP-BC) is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate in Healthcare Education. Having navigated profound personal trials, Dr. B created the Mentally STRONG Method to help others manage depression, anxiety, grief, and stress to build mental strength and choose happiness.

Connect with Dr. B & Mentally STRONG:

• Facebook: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara
• Instagram: @cristibundukamara
• YouTube: Dr. B Mentally STRONG

Register for our free training today: join.mentallystrong.com/mentallystrongtraining

DBSA Colorado Springs - www.dbsacoloradosprings.org
DBSA national - www.dbsaliance.org

Sean Sindler is a retired Air Force veteran. He was medically retired for his bipolar 2 disorder. He has had employment, relationship, and financial struggles due to bipolar, and found significant help in dealing with these struggles in the peer support groups offered by Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Colorado Springs. Sean recently took over as President of DBSA Colorado Springs. 

If you or someone you love is struggling with a mood disorder, please know that you are not alone, and there is absolutely no shame in your story. Healing starts with the courage to be seen.

#PersonalGrowth #Empowerment #MentalHealthMatters #CristiBundukamara #PainandPurpose #MentalStrength #mentallystrong 

Register for our free training today: join.mentallystrong.com/mentallystrongtraining

DBSA Colorado Springs - www.dbsacoloradosprings.org
DBSA national - www.dbsaliance.org

Sean Sindler is a retired Air Force veteran. He was medically retired for his bipolar 2 disorder. He has had employment, relationship, and financial struggles due to bipolar, and found significant help in dealing with these struggles in the peer support groups offered by Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Colorado Springs. Sean recently took over as President of DBSA Colorado Springs. 

If you or someone you love is struggling with a mood disorder, please know that you are not alone, and there is absolutely no shame in your story. Healing starts with the courage to be seen.

#PersonalGrowth #Empowerment #MentalHealthMatters #CristiBundukamara #PainandPurpose #MentalStrength #mentallystrong 

🧠💪join.mentallystrong.com/mentallystrongtraining

I’ve spent years in the mental health space, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we often confuse "grit" with simply burying our pain. Today, I’m sitting down with Nicole Weiss to peel back the layers on what it actually means to heal from PTSD and why true mental strength requires us to stop apologizing for being human. Whether you’re a veteran, a healthcare worker, or someone just trying to navigate a heavy world, I hope this conversation reminds you that you don’t have to carry it all alone.

In this episode, we dive deep into the reality of trauma-informed care, the difference between resilience and mental strength, and how to manage anxiety when life feels out of your control. Nicole shares her powerful journey from a "childhood of chaos" to leading the Light Hill Institute, offering a unique perspective on how our "dumb-smart brains" try to help us survive, even when those old patterns no longer serve us.

If you’ve been struggling with grief, loss, or the weight of PTSD, listen in. We’re talking about the "basic first aid" of social support and how to find clarity in the midst of the storm.

#PersonalGrowth #Empowerment #MentalHealthMatters #CristiBundukamara #PainandPurpose #MentalStrength #mentallystrong 

Register for our next free training
join.mentallystrong.com/mentallystrongtraining

Do you feel like you’re going through a midlife crisis and don’t even know how to be "mentally strong" anymore?

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and serial entrepreneur, Porsha. After owning six successful franchises and spending her life "executing the plan," Porsha hit a dead stop. She sold her businesses to become a stay-at-home mom and homeschool teacher, only to find herself facing a challenge no business playbook could prepare her for: the emotional journey of fertility, miscarriages, and redefining her identity outside of a career.

We dive deep into:

The "Mask" of Leadership: Why high-achieving women often trade their feminine energy for a "masculine" business mask.

The Death Walk: A powerful exercise to help you find your true life priorities.

Identity After Retirement: What happens to your self-esteem when you're no longer "the boss"?

True Mental Strength: Moving past simple "grit" and "avoidance" to gain actual insight into your choices.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at a goal you can’t control, or if you're struggling to find your value in a new season of life, this conversation is for you.

💡 Learn the Mentally Strong Method
Stop the loop of negative narratives. Join our free training to learn the Thinking, Organizing, and Choosing flywheel.
join.mentallystrong.com/mentallystrongtraining

#MidlifeCrisis #MentalStrength #Entrepreneurship #Identity #MentallyStrong #Motherhood #PersonalGrowth
#PersonalGrowth #Empowerment #MentalHealthMatters #CristiBundukamara #PainandPurpose #MentalStrength #mentallystrong 

Register for our free online training:
join.mentallystrong.com/mentallystrongtraining

When a long-term relationship ends, you don’t just lose the marriage — you lose the version of yourself that existed inside it.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. B sits down with Evevetta, a team member at Mentally STRONG, who opens up about her personal journey through divorce, identity loss, and rediscovery.

Together, they explore:
🔹 The emotional reality of starting over
🔹 How to find yourself again after years of being “us”
🔹 The role of the Mentally STRONG Method in healing and reclaiming your personal vision

This isn’t about moving on quickly or pretending you're fine — it’s about learning to Think. Organize. Choose. who you want to become next.

➤ Learn more about the Mentally STRONG Method: https://mentallystrong.com
💬 Comment below: What have you learned about yourself after a major life change?
🔔 Subscribe for more real stories and tools for healing, growth, and mental strength.

📌 You are not who you were  but you are still whole. You’re becoming.

#DivorceRecovery #RediscoverYourself #MentallyStrong #LifeAfterDivorce #PersonalGrowth #PersonalGrowth #Empowerment #MentalHealthMatters #CristiBundukamara #PainandPurpose #MentalStrength #mentallystrong