Routine maintenance is part of the regular vocabulary here on Pieces to Wellness. This week, we explore the origin story behind this favorite term.

Once a month, we do a quick "tune up" episode. Each of these shorter episodes explores one or more practical tools we have in our mental health tool kit. You know, the ones that keep us on the wellness side of the spectrum. These tools are well-used and dog eared showing how regularly we put them to use. Tim first shared this term in his book, and this week treats us to a excerpt from his book, Never Underestimate the Power of You from the chapter on Routine Maintenance. 

We each share a bit about what routine maintenance means for us, those practices that we lean on day in and day out. As always, we hope that these episodes remind you how important it is to prioritize your wellness, and validate all the work you do to care for your mental health.

Is there something you're struggling with? Something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at [email protected]. 
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
Like, Follow, Share 🧩 

Get a copy of Tim's book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

https://a.co/d/h7AQf91

Vulnerability - what does it look like, what does it feel like, how can befriending vulnerability support growth and healing? We're breaking it down and putting it all out there this week.

Tim and Karen open up about how much each of our relationships with vulnerability have changed over the years. We share how we've masked our authentic selves with things like sarcasm, people-pleasing, numbing behavior. Vulnerability is often uncomfortable, and all too often many of us avoid it, believing that our defenses will keep us safe. However, as mental health warriors, we have learned (generally the hard way) that to radically accept our whole selves, we must be willing to get vulnerable with others, and with ourselves. This too, is a practice. Even for us. One we're still working on.

Is there something you're struggling with? Something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at [email protected]. 
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
Like, Follow, Share 🧩 

Did you know that Tim's a published author? Get a copy of his book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

https://a.co/d/h7AQf91

You've probably heard the saying, "What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger." And while we don't wish tragedy on anyone, it is also true that sometimes we don't know what kind of strength we possess until we are faced with adversity. Real super heroes are known by their scars, not by accolades. 

This week we welcome Pieces to Wellness friend, Taylor Locke. Costume or no costume, Taylor is a true mental health superhero. Taylor wears many hats in the local, state, national, and even international mental health advocacy community. The challenges that Taylor has overcome,  the resilience and humility they display, is nothing short of extraordinary.

Much of Taylor's work in mental health has been connected to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Taylor has been involved with fundraising, community events, working with the Next Gen community (young adult advisory group), and sitting on the Board of Directors for NAMI Capital Region NY. Most recently, Taylor is the superhero face of NAMI Capital Region NY Captain NAMI, literally embodying a superhero persona, costume and all, to break down stigma and connect with kids on mental health. All of this work is personal to Taylor. They remind us that perspective matters, change is constant, and relentlessness leads to resilience.

Click here to learn more about NAMI.

Click here to learn more about NAMI Capital Region NY

Want to meet the Pieces to Wellness hosts? Tim and Karen are participating this Saturday from 11-3 at NAMI Capital Region's Children's Mental Health Awareness fair at Colonie Center. Special appearance by Captain NAMI!

Is there something you're struggling with? Something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at [email protected]. 
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
Like, Follow, Share 🧩 

Did you know that Tim's a published author? Get a copy of his book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

https://a.co/d/h7AQf91

It's often said that healing is not linear. Some people compare it to a spiral in which you uncover new layers and lessons over time and can travel up & down, back & forth. In this week's conversation, we focus on some of the ways in which we each have learned to feel the most difficult feelings and navigate through them. These are our stepping stones. 

There's also a misconception that healing = happiness, sunshine, and rainbows. And while we are likely to experience more happiness as we heal, we are also likely to experience many other emotions that are uncomfortable, sometimes even painful. In fact, experiencing these emotions can often be a sign that you're doing the work. This is one of the paradoxes of healing. 

We explore how we deal with anger, loss, change, and the confusion of feeling multiple things at the same time. We hope you find some solace and companionship in our experiences and stories. May our vulnerable sharing of how we have learned to prioritize our healing provide inspiration and lay a couple of stones before you so you can pave your own path. 

Is there something you're struggling with? Something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at [email protected]. 
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
Like, Follow, Share 🧩 

Did you know that Tim's a published author? Get a copy of his book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

https://a.co/d/h7AQf91

As Pieces to Wellness moves into our second year, we wanted to re-introduce ourselves in a super short and sweet tune up episode.

If you're new here, welcome! Pieces to Wellness podcast is hosted by Tim and Karen. We're a couple of regular people with experience living with mental health challenges. Each week we have a conversation about how we live with these challenges, what we're working on, and what we do to stay on the wellness side of the mental health spectrum. We talk with guests who inspire us with their stories and wisdom. We hope each episode leaves you with a fresh perspective, a new tool for your self-care toolbox, and/or a little touch of companionship on the healing journey.

If you want to learn more about Tim, check out Episode 20: Deep Water Exploration - Tim's Song.

Want to get to know Karen? Listen to Episode 22: Deep Water Exploration - Karen's Classroom.

Is there something you're struggling with? Something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at [email protected]. 
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
Like, Follow, Share 🧩 

Did you know that Tim's a published author? Get a copy of his book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

https://a.co/d/h7AQf91

 **This week on P2W: Let’s talk about the big D—**depression. A listener asked us to dive into this topic, and we’re going all in. 

 Depression looks different for everyone. For both Tim and Karen, it’s been a long-time companion. In this episode, we unpack how it shows up—as a darkness, mask, a thief, a fog, even an octopus—and share our own experiences. Karen sees it as numbing; Tim as a deep disconnection. 

We also explore how we live with depression without letting it take the wheel. From challenging unhelpful thoughts to leaning on trusted people, practicing mindfulness, and slowing things down with mono-tasking—these are some of the tools we use to stay grounded. Focusing your awareness can be a game-changer, and is something that takes both discipline and practice. 

Ultimately, depression can be dark and lonely. We hope this conversation helps you find the light switch, or at the very least, helps you know you're not alone in the darkness.

Is there something you're struggling with? Something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at [email protected]. 
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
Like, Follow, Share 🧩 


Did you know that Tim's a published author? Get a copy of his book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

https://a.co/d/h7AQf91

We are big fans of metaphor here on Pieces to Wellness, and this one's a doozy. This week we're exploring the idea of shaking your foundation. If we think of life as a house, what do you do when your foundation is damaged, or hasn't been poured properly, or other areas in the house start falling apart? The subtitle of Tim's book is: "Life is a DIY project. This is a DIY book". That's what this conversation is all about.

As with most things, the hardest part is getting started. Getting beyond our own resistance and digging into the process of healing is a pivotal, key step. We mix our metaphors a little bit talking about healing the structure of our own selves, and doing so in community - like the trees do. Tim the tool man jumps right in with tips for the ongoing project of self-care and healing. We recommend things like doing research, consulting others whether it's a YouTube video on how to fix a leak or a professional that helps you work through your trauma. We believe that it's important to resist the urge to postpone taking the first, or the next step. Small steps, one after another get you to a new place over time.

One of the most powerful possibilities when it comes to repairing your foundation and your house is that you can rewrite the narrative of your future any way you want. We call this REFRAMING. Tim inadvertently references one of Karen's favorite yoga sutras, Sutra 2:33 - "When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite [positive] ones should be thought of. This is pratipaksa bhavana." These ancient teachings tell us that to dwell on suffering only brings about more suffering. Our thoughts impact all our experiences, and learning to mindfully focus our awareness can make all the difference as we focus on reframing our life as our whole, authentic selves.

Is there something you're struggling with? Something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at [email protected]. 
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
Like, Follow, Share 🧩 


Did you know that Tim's a published author? Get a copy of his book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

https://a.co/d/h7AQf91

There is no timeline for grief.

This week we are grateful to welcome Trena to the podcast. Trena shares her story with us all while she talks about her new book “Dear Aaron”   

One things that rings true for most people, maybe even universally, is that healing is not linear. There are two big points in life… the day we are born and the day we leave this world. Maybe what matters most is how we walk the path during whatever time we have between those two points. 

Trena talks about a “shift” that happens in life. Trena lost her husband, Aaron, and that shift happened to her(whether she was ready for it not)

There is no artifice here, just a human trying to be human.  This can be tough in this hustle culture of work, work, work and gotta grind to get more money.  Trena has made the decision to do what is best for her, to slow down and smell the roses. Leaving the grind life behind, in the dust actually, she pushes through human stuff at a human speed. 

Join us as we talk about love, loss, life and what’s next.  

For more info on Trena and how to get her book https://linktr.ee/trenalaine

Is there something you're struggling with? Something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at [email protected]. 
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
Like, Follow, Share 🧩 


Did you know that Tim's a published author? Get a copy of his book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:
https://a.co/d/h7AQf91

https://a.co/d/h7AQf91

Back in the garage this week for a stigma smashing tune up! Each month, these shorter tune up episodes focus on routine maintenance practices that keep us on the wellness side, and the tools we each actually use when we're faced with life's challenges. 

This month we're talking about medications. There continues to be a stigma associated with the use of psychotropic medications to manage mental health challenges. We have each been on the receiving end of judgmental comments about the use of medications, shaming those who use them. To us, no one has the right to shame others for using medications for their mental health. We don't shame people who use medications to treat cancer, diabetes, or other health conditions. Shame and stigma should not be placed upon those who struggle with mental health for doing what they need to do to care for themselves.

One of our favorite ways to learn and grow is to talk about difficult topics like stigma. By shining a light on the challenges we face in life, the feelings we feel, and the tools we use to respond, we hope to make the possible path easier to find for others. All of us have the right to follow the path that makes the most sense for us. We don't have the right to shame those who choose to follow the path that makes sense for them. We hope you take some useful tools away from this episode that help you respond to whatever challenges are present on your path.

Is there something you're struggling with? Something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at [email protected]. 

Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!

Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
Like, Follow, Share 🧩 

Did you know that Tim's a published author? Get a copy of his book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

https://a.co/d/h7AQf91

Grief stays with you always.

This week we are grateful to welcome Marie as our guest to talk about grief. If you're new here, we like to talk about topics that others shy away from. We believe that by having conversations with people about their lived experiences with things like grief, loss, mental health challenges, etc, we begin to reduce the stigma associated with these topics. Reducing stigma is one of the things that opens up space to move toward wellness.

Talking with Marie was a grounding, comforting experience. She is a death doula/end-of-life specialist and also provides a variety of grief companioning services in both group and individual sessions. Marie found her way to grief work through her own experience losing her husband at a young age. We admire Marie for sharing her loss with such vulnerability and grace. She talks about learning to tend to our feelings, especially the uncomfortable ones, with compassionate presence and radical acceptance. She also shares that there is no right/wrong, good/bad way to grieve - it flows differently for all of us.

Check Marie out on IG: @empowered_through_grief or visit her website: https://www.empoweredthroughgrief.com/ to learn more about her offerings. We'll be having Marie back to dig deeper into the spiritual side of love and loss.

We are very grateful to all our listeners.
We'd love to hear your feedback or ideas for future episode topics.
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at [email protected]. 

Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!

Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
Like, Follow, Share 🧩 

Did you know that Tim's a published author? Get a copy of his book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

https://a.co/d/h7AQf91