This episode I am joined by an incredible artist and fiercely loving friend, Reina Montalbo. Our friendship began in high school but it has been nothing short of a gift to watch her bloom through life as the charismatic and radically authentic beam of light she is. Following a career path and passion as a bilingual case manager supporting unhoused folks find permanent housing; a field so necessary and right up her ally with the compassion she exudes naturally - but, also a career that invites you to take that extra time to make sure your cup is a full as you support those around you. In this episode, Reina and I discuss the importance of caregivers taking that time to care for themselves, discovering all the simple yet powerful practices we have used to recharge our empathetic batteries, and inviting grace into the hands of the caregiver when nurturing themselves in the process of therapy.

After taking intentional time away from producing episodes, passion inspired me to hop back on the mic and offer a vulnerable insight into the reason behind this pause and to dive into the true intention of Raw Empowerment. This space has been created to share our stories of vulnerability in confidence to remember that we are NEVER alone and to learn from one another the ways in which we can take care of our minds and our hearts. It all begins with one voice, one story, one open and heartfelt conversation at a time. You are worthy. You are enough. You are loved.

If you are struggling, please do not give up. Your story is not over, there is hope:

counseling resources: https://locator.apa.org/?_ga=2.142315189.64499082.1605640261-470418153.1605640261

national warm lifeline numbers: (over the phone talk therapy): https://screening.mhanational.org/content/need-talk-someone-warmlines/

national crisis hotlines: https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines

In this episode of Raw Empowerment, I am joined by Danielle Chacon in which the two of us share our stories that brought us together. We both have lost a Loved one to suicide. Throughout the episode we acknowledge the unmatched, crippling grief that overwhelms you when you loose someone to suicide. But, we have also seen the sprouting inspirational life and energy that can come from living a life honoring their names and living for them. Danielle takes a monumental step of courage in this space to hold her grief, tell her story for one of the first times, and cultivate community. By sharing these stories we can continue to recognize that we are never alone and that healing even the deepest wounds is possible with a safe space and community to release. We hope this episode brings that release to anyone who needs it and empowers you to discover the things that bring forth your inspirational life energy.

Your story is not over, there are resources:

counseling resources: https://locator.apa.org/?_ga=2.142315189.64499082.1605640261-470418153.1605640261

peer-support community space: https://18percent.org/

national warm lifeline numbers: (over the phone talk therapy): https://screening.mhanational.org/content/need-talk-someone-warmlines/

national crisis hotlines: https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines

Breaking Borders is a series co-created with a dear friend and author of How to Slay with a Faulty Brain Thermostat: an African woman's perspective of living with Bipolarity, Vivian Bint Thomas. Together we break the borders between nations, collide our personal journeys and converse on cross cultural mental wellness, coping mechanisms, natural remedies, and ways we can bring wellness to All through the lens of empathy and understanding. In Part 2, Vivian dives deeper into her experience living with Bipolar 2, her book, her family history, and we discuss cross cultural differences between mental wellness and grieving.

Breaking Borders is a series co-created with a dear friend and author of How to Slay with a Faulty Brain Thermostat: an African woman's perspective of living with Bipolarity, Vivian Bint Thomas. Together we break the borders between nations, collide our personal journeys and converse on cross cultural mental wellness, coping mechanisms, natural remedies, and ways we can bring wellness to All through the lens of empathy and understanding. Here in Part 1, may the Light be shed on Vivian with her magnetic voice; moving and inspiring.

In this episode I am joined by a dear friend and fellow podcaster, Hailey Wetzel, in which we discuss a topic we both have recently been feeling through: the duality of the mundane and soulful. How can we so easily get sucked in to the material, the 9 to 5, and this "Go Go Go" mindset? How can we begin to shift back into our passionate, creative, and soulful self? As easily as the mundane can begin to leak in to our every day and sprinkle toxicity into our personal lives, so too can we do "the work" to move fulfillment and joy into our every day, past the weekends and days off.

Check out Hailey's podcast, Hight On Light. "Your one stop shop for light working and spirituality through human connection."

In this episode I am joined by Amber Parucha, a world traveler, go-getter, and community admiring spirit who has found strength in her deep connections even in the midst of these uncertain times. The world may be disconnected in many ways at the moment, but that does not have to stop us from connecting and cultivating beautiful relationships on new platforms and in new ways. Where our focus goes, our energy flows and we can continue to attract positive people into our lives while nourishing these important connections.

In Part 2 with Sam Fox, we discuss some our negative coping mechanisms such as self deprecating humor and how we can begin to switch the narrative within our minds to be kinder to ourselves and more compassionate with others. Sam shares more about his experience with witnessing depression with a loved one and we prompt ourselves with insight as to how we can show up best for ourselves and those around us, showing more grace and compassion daily.

In this episode I am joined by a gentleman named Sam Fox, whom I met in a fashion that truly encompasses what this community is about. We recognize the true power that an established safe space between two human beings can bring in conversation and we touch on how that safe space is created. Sam and I chat about normalizing anxieties about the future and being scared of trauma, how we deal with the "what ifs", foundations of a household, our childhood, and previous relationships that have brought us to this point in our lives. This is an exchange of foundational growth between two humans that are on different paths of their healing journeys. In honoring our different places on this path, we can grow.

In Part 2 with my lovely co-host and dear friend, Hayden Stone, we continue our conversation about what it means to be human; the importance of meeting people where they are and to recognize that we all have our own demons and our own battles. Hayden shares incredible excerpts from the books and resources provided below and we talk about our own healing journeys and how we are continually working to rewrite our negative self talk and celebrate our victories.

https://chadd.org/

https://www.additudemag.com/

https://18percent.org/

https://azpa.org/directory.php

https://locator.apa.org/?_ga=2.142315189.64499082.1605640261-470418153.1605640261

Books:

"You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy?" by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo

"The Greatest Manifestation Principle in the World" by Carnelian Sage

"The Mindful Way Through Depression" by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal, and Jon Kabat-Zinn

"You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay