Normalize The Conversation by Inspiring My Generation

In this episode, I sit down with Pat as we dive into the root causes of substance use, the gaps in our behavioral healthcare system, and the critical need for harm reduction and insurance parity. Join us as we explore why open conversations are essential to shifting perspectives and sparking real change.

guest: Patricia Roos, a former sociology professor at Rutgers University who lost her son Alex to a heroin overdose in 2015. It was then, she shifted into activism, sharing her story in her book, “Surviving Alex: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss, and Addiction."

https://www.patroos.com/

In this episode, I sit down with Naomi to discuss the profound impact mindset has on our mental health and daily life. Join us as Naomi shares her journey from personal crisis to advocacy, offering profound insights on mental reorientation and tackling today’s pressing issues.

guest: Naomi Riley. After suffering a traumatic brain injury due to a distracted driver, Naomi’s recovery became a story of gratitude, perseverance, and mindset transformation. She is now an author, motivational speaker and consultant helping bring clarity and mind shift your focus.

https://naomilriley.com/

In this episode, I spoke with Joanne about the unique challenges of raising two sons with disabilities and how a life-changing moment at the pediatrician’s office reshaped her entire journey as a mother. Joanne shares how lessons from her career as a modern dancer have influenced her coping tools, perspective, and approach to parenting.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, adaptability, and finding strength in unexpected places.

guest: Joanne De Simone, author of “Fall and Recovery: Raising Children with Disabilities through Lessons Learned in Dance”

amazon.com/Fall-Recovery-Raising-Children-Disabilities/dp/1647427142

In this episode, I talked with Ihsan about his journey of finding purpose after the loss of a brother to suicide. Ihsan emphasizes the importance of creating supportive spaces where people leave feeling better and equipped with resources and underscores the need for self-care, mental health awareness, and tangible strategies to help individuals navigate their struggles.

Guest: Ihsan Hines, Founder of My Brother’s Keeper Cares,

My Brother’s Keeper Cares (MBKCares) promotes mental health awareness and suicide prevention through faith-based initiatives, art therapy, mentorship, educational outreach, fitness programs, and counseling resources.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is more than fatigue, it encompasses a wide range of symptoms, often stemming from burnout, that present as mysterious physical symptoms and it often takes years to diagnose.

In this episode, I talked with Miguel about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the progression of his symptoms, his medical journey trying to understand the cause of becoming bedridden, the first doctor who believed his symptoms and the program he created to manage his recovery journey.

Miguel Bautista, health advocate and the creator of the CFS Recovery program

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh610cYKG5yfXlTT8Se97Vg/featured

What does anxiety mean to you? How do your anxious symptoms manifest themselves? What do you use to cope with anxiety symptoms?

In this episode, I talked with Kevin about anxiety, our experiences with it manifesting in both mental and physical symptoms, and the tools we use to manage it.

guest: Kevin Baker, a certified life coach for teens

https://lifecoachkevin.com/

Codependency refers to enabling and controlling behaviors, poor boundaries, and focusing on others' needs instead of one’s own needs. It is common in individuals with unresolved childhood trauma.

In this episode, I talked with Ana about codependency, where it comes from, how it presents itself in current relationships, and the steps you can take to manage codependency in relationships.

Guest: Ana Aslanian, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the states of California, Florida, and New York and the founder and director of My Therapy Corner

https://mytherapycorner.com/breaking-free-from-codependency-steps-to-interdependence/

In this episode, I talked with Nana Crawford about body confidence, the impact of messaging from the media, the influence of your support system, and why talking about all of it matters

guest: Nana Crawford, a dance fitness instructor empowering women to love themselves through the joy of movement.

https://www.thisblackwomancan.com/about

In this episode, I talked with Dr. Lauren Cook about anxiety and how it can cause physical symptoms like rapid heart rate and stomach distress. She emphasized the importance of understanding anxiety, its signs, and who to talk to for help. Dr. Cook also discussed how to live with anxiety, highlighting strategies like exposure therapy and taking short breaks to improve mental health.

guest: Dr. Lauren Cook: clinical psychologist, speaker, and author of “Generation Anxiety”

Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance’s mission is to provide behavioral health workshops to fire departments, EMS and Dispatch organizations across the globe, focusing on behavioral health awareness with a strong emphasis towards suicide prevention and promoting resources available to firefighters/EMS/Dispatch and their families.

In this episode, I talked with Jeff to discuss the critical importance of suicide prevention and mental health for first responders. Jeff shares valuable insights on the profound impact of moral injury and highlights the essential role relationships play in our lives.

guest: Jeff Dill, founder of Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance

https://www.ffbha.org/