PTSD and Beyond

“It’s not about changing minds,” Dr. Charlie Palmgren

The world’s been around for over 13.7 billion years and a question people ask is: Where do I fit in? It didn’t create me for no reason.

In this episode of the PTSD and Beyond our guest is forward thinker, author, organizational change leader, and creative interchange expert Dr. Charlie Palmgren. Dr. Palmgren’s practice with human and organization development spans more than 40 years where he’s helped bring about a greater reality, meaning, and awareness of self and organizational purpose.

“Why is all the tech stuff so easy and the fluff stuff so hard and difficult,” Charlie Palmgren. We hire for skill and the whole person shows up. When we explore the fluff stuff, what we get is our own healing!

To learn more about Dr. Charlie Palmgren, connect with him at:

Innovative Interchange

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Integrative care. Complementary. Alternative. What are all these terms? What do they all mean? Why are they different (if at all) and how can integrative care help with mental health, healing, and growing from PTSD and other mental health challenges?

In Episode 50 of the PTSD and Beyond Podcast, Mark and I take a dive into exploring integrative care and discuss what it is, how do respected groups such as the NIH's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and the Mayo Clinic view integrative care, and give examples of where's it practiced in innovative care facilities such as Allina Health's Penny George Institute for Health and Healing.

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"I learned that no matter how many people give up on you, you must never give up on yourself. You have to have your own back - even if no one else does,"

~ Hannah Green

In Episode 49 of the PTSD and Beyond Podcast, we welcome wounded healer and peer, Hannah Green! Hannah shares with us her journey home as she discovered surf therapy and the power of the sea as a way to begin healing from homelessness and PTSD.

Committed to creating change, Hannah shares, "it's important to look back at experiences of adversity and consider what they taught us." Part of that commitment and reflection of creating change is the inspirational foundation of her newly released book, My Journey Home.

"To make it through, you have to truly believe you can find a solution."

~ Hannah Green

Give a listen. We're confident you'll be inspired by this episode. To learn more about Hannah and her work, connect with her here:

Twitter: @H_Green21

Book: My Journey Home - USA

Book: My Journey Home - UK

Instagram: HannahGreen21

Website: HannahsWords

In stressful times, we forget who we are. Outside events, situations, things...all of those things are distractions to us remembering who we are.

People are struggling recalling and remembering who they are..and it got me thinking about doing a mindfulness exercise to help to remember...to "remember who I am" and from it to "know who I am."

I did this exercise and an immediate reaction was empowerment. I felt a shift, I felt a difference. I felt empowered!

How long? Less than 10 minutes.

I hope you enjoy this exercise and find it helpful.

"You're not crazy, this is a real injury," says New York attorney Michael Kaplen. 

Mr. Kaplen isn't just any ordinary attorney. He's dedicated his life's work and practice to helping people and families affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD. Michael teaches the only course in the USA devoted to traumatic brain injury law at the George Washington University Law School, served three terms as President of the Brain Injury Association of New York State, and was invited to the White House by President Obama to participate in the Healthy Kids & Safe Sports Concussion Summit.  Michael also serves as a member of the American Academy of Neurology, Concussion Work Group and is a member of the Board of Advisors for the New York Traumatic Brain Injury Model System Program and Brain Injury Research Center of Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.

"Both worlds have trauma and are still real to this person," Michael Kaplen, Esq.

In Episode 47 of PTSD and Beyond we welcome TBI and PTSD advocate, educator, author, Senior Partner of De Caro & Kaplen, LLP, Mr. Michael Kaplen.  Michael shares ways to help navigate the unseen injuries of TBI and PTSD and the challenges for the survivors, the family, the caregivers, and the treatment team. He also shares information on what things to look for when trying to find legal representation as well as how to alleviate the frustrations often felt and experienced by survivors when communicating challenges to third parties and the casual observer.

Give a listen and to learn more about Michael's work as well as listen to his series, Brain Injury Insider, connect with him here:

Web: BrainLaw.com

Facebook: BrainLaw

"In imagination, anything can happen," 

Phyllis Kahaney, Ph.D. & Rachel Epstein, L.Ac., J.D.

In this episode of PTSD and Beyond, we welcome the authors of Reversing the Trauma of War, Rachel Epstein, L.Ac. and Dr. Phyllis Kahaney where they share the effectiveness of using mental imagery in reducing symptoms of PTSD and Stress.

"There is always hope and the possibly of change,"

Phyllis Kahaney, Ph.D. & Rachel Epstein, L.Ac., J.D.

Both Rachel and Dr. Kahaney bring a blend of lived-experience to this PTSD and Beyond. Episode. Rachel is the director of the American Institute for Mental Imagery (AIMI) in New York City where she continues the legacy and work of her late husband and founder of AIMI, Dr. Gerald Epstein.  After successfully overcoming the symptoms of PTSD using mental imagery, Dr. Kahaney's uses mental imagery as a core treatment modality in her work as a readjustment counselor at the San Diego Vet Center.

As a bonus within this episode, Rachel and Dr. Kahaney guide us through a mental imagery exercise (Disclaimer: do not drive or operate a moving vehicle or machinery when doing the exercise).  To learn more about their work as well as to connect, contact them at:

Web: Reversing War Trauma

Book: Reversing the Trauma  War

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This episode is prompted from thoughts that happened throughout the day.

Making space and reflecting, the underlying question became clear,

"Why don't people do what they're supposed to do?"

From this question, I wrote. Then read. And here we are. Give a listen.

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"Meaning is something we discover, not something we create,"

Dr. Alex Pattakos

In this episode of PTSD and Beyond, we welcome Political Scientist and International-Best-Selling Author of the OPA! Way and Prisoners of Our Thoughts, Dr. Alex Pattakos, aka "Dr. Meaning," where he discusses recovering from trauma through meaning and purpose. Moments of life include trauma and those moments have a commonality to create mini-meanings that we string together and create milestones.

"Your search for meaning is precious," Dr. Alex Pattakos

"Meaning is always there," shares Dr. Pattakos, who is also the founder of the Global Meaning Institute where they help people discover new meaning in life and work, as well as help organizations, communities, and societies develop a deeper meaning in their purpose.

"It's more important to be aware than smart," Dr. Alex Pattakos

A mentee of Holocaust survivor, philosopher, and psychiatrist, Dr. Viktor Frankl, Dr. Pattakos continues Dr. Frankl's work in helping others including governments discover meaning and the awareness that hope is linked to purpose.

Meaning is intrinsic, hope builds resilience, and the human spirit is what connects and unites us.  "We often think 'mind, body, and spirit,' where it's really 'spirit, mind, and body,'" states Dr. Pattakos. It's this shift in mindset that brings a deeper awareness and builds upon the concept of OPA! - others, purpose, and attitude!

To connect with Dr. Pattakos and find out more about his work, follow the links below:

Web: Global Meaning Institute

Books: The OPA! Way     Prisoners of Our Thoughts

Twitter: @DrMeaning

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There's lots about life to react to. How in today's world can we create a safe space and feel safe? How can we live life and make things okay? Logic doesn't always help us FEEL better. When we feel better, then we feel safe.

In this episode, I openly share a moment of when feeling "a fear of the unknown" and process by showing listeners how to stay present and be self-reliant, process, and move through to arrive to a safe space and feel safe.

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"When we have secure attachment we're more resilient." ~ Dr. Meg Van Deusen

In Episode 42, we welcome licensed clinical psychologist, author, and mindfulness practitioner Dr. Meg Van Deusen where she discusses the importance of building secure attachment in turbulent times, how secure attachment is a foundation for resilience, and how from mindfulness compassion and non-judgement are the basis for secure attachment.

"Secure attachment says 'everything is going to be okay' and 'we are there for ourselves no matter what',"

~ Dr. Meg Van Deusen

Dr. Van Deusen's book, Stressed in the U.S. : 12 Tools to Tackle Anxiety, Loneliness, Tech-Addiction and More, looks at how current cultural stressors have increased our stress levels, changed our stress levels, and weakened our resilience to stress. Dr. Van Deusen shares that "every minute provides an opportunity to change your life in some positive way."

To learn more about Dr. Van Deusen's work, book, connect with her at:

Web: MegVanDeusen.com

Book: Stressed in the U.S.

Twitter: @DrVanDeusen

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