Small Changes Big Shifts

Dr. Michelle Robin invites Frankie Banuelos to share what his experience has been like going through the Big Shifts Foundation Scholarship Program this year. As he's getting ready to wrap-up his six-month curriculum in the program, he reflects on some of the highlights of being part of it and how his perception and understanding of self-care has shifted since he began the journey. He also shares some of the habits he's embodied, and most of all, how his new lifestyle and mindset has translated and impacted other youth in the Kansas City area. By the end of the show, Frankie shares what he would go back and tell his younger self if he could, and how this program taught him to develop a clearer vision for his life going forward.

About Today's Guest:

Since 2020, Frankie Banuelos has been working as a project manager for a nonprofit organization called Young Women on the Move in Kansas City, Kansas. His primary responsibility is to facilitate and implement a program called Love Notes, which helps youths make wise choices regarding relationships and sexuality during their teenage and young adult years. Frankie's strengths lie in his excellent organizational skills, his willingness to learn and grow, and his passion for working closely with young people to help them develop skills.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Young Women on the Move in Kansas City
• Love Notes Program
• Big Shifts Foundation Scholarship Program
• Energy healing with Alex McAnderson
• Quadrants of Well-Being
• Counseling with Subrena Hicks
• Your Wellness Connection Center
• Atypical TV show on Netflix
• Dr. Georgia Nab at Your Wellness Connection

"I had a visceral understanding – people are dealing with some real stuff. If we don't see people as people, we can't make the progress we need to make." - Dr. Nicole Price

In 2011, Dr. Nicole Price received shocking news that her mother had been hit and killed by a drunk driver. Shortlyafter, she also learned that her father wasn't her biological father. As she was navigating her late mother's four-year murder trial – and facing a shift in her identity by beginning to establish a relationship with her biological father – she was doing her best to show up every day for work as an engineer and push through the hours without giving away clues that she was struggling with emotional pain. During today's show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Dr. Price to sharewhat happened when she realized what is missing in our society – more empathy. Her story includes the epiphany she experienced, and the revelation that prepared and shaped her to write her book called Spark the Heart. She'll also explain why "doing the work" to heal is so important to our well-being, and why building your empathy muscle can shift you from looking at people – and instead get you looking into their eyes and ultimately, their hearts.

About Today's Guest:

Trained as an engineer, Dr. Nicole Price later found her true calling: Leadership Development. As a highly sought-after keynote speaker, training leader, and as the CEO of Lively Paradox, she believes that leadership is personal and requires a balance of empathy and accountability. Her dedication to pushing her own limits, commitment to continuous development of her empathy muscle, and her logical, results-focused, technical background combines to enhance her objective approach to solving process problems, flipping dilemmas, and leveraging understanding to find successful solutions. She prides herself on helping leaders lead effectively, while honoring who they are as individuals.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Spark the Heart book by Dr. Nicole Price
• Dr. Nicole Price's website
• Ancestry 23
• Dr. J Dunn podcast episode

"You get to make a choice that's bigger than this moment." - Rachel Freiman

Did you know Americans spend a whopping $33 billion (yes, BILLION!) on diet products every year? Yet most diet programs and products are designed to go against our human nature (to avoid pain and seek pleasure). During today's show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Rachel Freiman to share her profound journey of going from a successful jazz musician in New York City to a major influencer in the nutrition and fitness industry. Her story tells what happened when she started exploring the health industry, finding that diet culture is all about living in an uncomfortable and self-sabotaging state, which isn't how we were designed to live. It's also why people so often fail along this path. She'll also explain what T.F.A.R. means and how it can help us navigate and break down those major life overhauls that so many people are chasing. Grab a pen to jot down some notes – this episode is packed with truth, guidance, and a high vibration of good energy!

About Today's Guest:

Rachel Freiman is the CEO of MindStrong Fitness, a lover of lifting heavy things up and down, and a coach passionate about helping others unleash their strongest, most empowered selves through education and mindset training. She has more than 15 years of classroom instruction, and certifications in personal training, sports nutrition, and behavior modification. She has studied the Neuroscience of Nutrition under the renowned Dr. Nicole Avena, visiting professor of Neuroscience at Princeton University. Rachel is the author of the bestselling book Becoming MindStrong: The Truth About Health, Fitness, and the Bullsh*t That's Holding You Back. She developed MindStrong Fitness with an inside-out approach, to focus on both physical and mental attributes in building healthy, sustainable habits. When she's not in the gym, Rachel enjoys exploring the world, snuggling with her puppy, Charlie, eating, and thinking about the next time she'll be eating.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Becoming MindStrong book by Rachel Freiman
• MindStrong Fitness website
• Power vs. Force book by Dr. David Hawkins
• Quadrants of Well-Being

"The source is more complex than the symptoms.'" - Debra Campbell

A recent CivicScience poll revealed that the number of U.S. adults who reported taking at least one prescription medication per day now is 70 percent – a 14 percentage-point increase since 2019. Many people often come in to be treated for one thing, but rarely is it a singular issue in the body. During today's show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Debra Campbell to share why a multidimensional holistic approach is how where people get better – especially on the mental health front. Debra will also explain her own journey into the mental health landscape, and what inspired her to co-found Curis Functional Health – an organization that helps unlock people's optimal health through physical, mental, and nutritional care. To end the show, she will also explain why mental health symptoms - such as depression - can be a culprit of other issues going on in the body.

About Today's Guest:

Debra Campbell is the Chief Vision Officer at Curis Functional Health. She is a regional expert in PACT Couples Counseling, a style of relationship counseling that helps couples rebuild safety in their relationships using attachment theory, affect regulation, and neuroscience. She is one of approximately 50 PACT Level 3 candidates in the U.S. and is often featured on the radio, podcasts, and social media. With her unique background in applied sport psychology and positive psychology, Debra has worked extensively with professional athletes, CEOs, entrepreneurs, doctors, attorneys, and Olympic athletes. Her passion for getting clients to their optimal functioning was born out of her studies in elite domain performance and research on perfectionism. Previously, she worked with the U.S. Olympic Training Center, the U.S. Figure Skating Association, the International Center for Talent Development, Spectrum Club (South Bay), and The Sports Club (LA). She co-founded and sits on the board of the Relational Therapists of Dallas. She is the Past President of the Dallas Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Her research has been presented at regional and national conferences for the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Curis Functional Health
• The PACT Institute
• The Gottman Method
• Your Wellness Connection
• Small Changes Big Shifts
• Quadrants of Well-Being
• TouchPoints
• Big Shifts Foundation

"There's a part of the person that knows something is wrong, but they live with it for so long that they've learned to adapt around it.'" - Greg Helsel

A National Survey of Children's Health data showed approximately 30 percent of children experience one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) - excluding external factors – and about 14 percent experienced two or more. Another study said that 1 in 6 adults experienced four or more types of ACEs in their lifetime. During today's show, Dr. Robin invites Greg Helsel to unpack what some of those ACEs people often experience in life and why it can disrupt their life and cause them to get stuck. He will also share some reasons people choose not to seek a therapist – everything from shame to their vulnerability of being wounded from previous help. Greg also explains some key landmarks that have changed about therapy in the last 10 years – including the accessibility for it being much easier than it used to be. He'll provide some helpful ways someone can take their first steps if they are ready to seek help.

About Today's Guest:

Greg Helsel is the Clinical Director of Behavioral Health at AdventHealth in Kansas City. His commitment to his patients is the same mission he carries to his friends, families, and community; to end needless suffering. Through AcceleratedResolution Therapy, he has been granted the opportunity to assist people in letting go of heavy burdens, restoring themselves to a healthy and productive life.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• The Body Keeps the Score book by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
• Behavioral Health Department at AdventHealth
• Outpatient Clinic at AdventHealth in Shawnee Mission: (913) 789-3218

"When people come in and talk about stress, I find that it's actually anxiety they are facing.'" - Subrena Hicks

Did you know that anxiety is the most common mental health issue in the world? Moreover, other studies say that 1 in 5 adults don't receive therapy services to address their mental health. In today's episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites licensed therapist Subrena Hicks to share her mission on breaking the stigmas around mental health. She'll share insights about what she's been noticing with stress and anxiety today – and why there are repercussions in the body when we aren't able to understand which one we're experiencing. She'll also explain why many adults struggle with anxiety and why therapy can help them develop the right coping skills to lessen the buildup of anxiety in the body. Subrena ends the show with some tips around kids and mental health, providing some guidance on when parents should consider therapy for them. She'll discuss why we need to be teaching the younger generations that it's okay to start talking about what's going on, labeling their feelings, and finding someone outside of the family who can model these tools for them.

About Today's Guest:

Subrena Hicks is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Kansas. She strives to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment while showing compassion to help identify current life stresses, and create new, healthier patterns. She believes in helping people overcome life's struggles by focusing on each person's individual needs, and meeting people where they are at. She received her bachelor's in business administration and management from Friends University and completed her Master of Arts in Counseling at MidAmerica Nazarene University in 2016. She is currently a Nationally Certified Counselor and works with a variety of clients such as individuals, couples, families, and adolescents. Her treatment approach to therapy is Experiential and attachment based.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Love in Gray Counseling website
• Love in Gray Counseling Therapy Toolbox
• Love in Gray Facebook page
• Loving What Is by Byron Katie
• Big Shifts Foundation
• Counseling at Your Wellness Connection
• Quadrants of Well-Being
• Hoffman Process
• Feelings and Emotion Chart for Kids
• PsychologyToday.com to find a therapist in your area
• Therapy for Black Girls

"This is something that connected our region like never before.'" - Eileen Weir

There's a famous saying that goes, "It only takes one tree to start a forest, one smile to begin a friendship... one thought to change the world" and that's exactly what happened in the Kansas City community through the Parade of Hearts that began from one drawing on a napkin. During its last auction in 2022, it raised more than $2 million for Kansas City charities. During today's episode, Dr. Michelle invites Jenn Nussbeck and Eileen Weir to share how this project began, the doors that it opened in our community, and the opportunity it provided to build connections with people in different neighborhoods across the metro. They also explain why public art has become a crucial piece to our community's well-being and why it evoked certain senses for the people who live here. Jenn will also tell a moving story about two people who met at one of the hearts and how that location formed their new friendship. At the end of the episode, they will give listeners an exclusive update about what's next for the Parade of Hearts in Kansas City, which means you will be the first to hear it on this episode!

About Today's Guests:

Jenn Nussbeck is the Parade of Hearts Executive Director. She has served on numerous public charity boards as well as dedicated the last 15 years supporting organizations throughout communities in Kansas City. Assisting those navigating the philanthropy and civic channels is not only her work, but her passion. Jenn was born in San Diego but raised in Kansas City. She comes from a large Irish family. Her great uncle (Pat O'Neill Sr.) started the Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade with Mike Murphy.

Eileen Weir was elected Mayor of the City of Independence, Missouri, in 2014. Prior to her election, she served on the Independence City Council representing the city's 4th District from 2012 to 2014. She began her career in communications and public relations with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1992, acting as the team's Manager of Public Information and Media Services. She served as the Chiefs Charity Game Coordinator from 2009 to 2013 for the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City. Eileen and her husband Tom live in southwestern Independence with their twins, John and Nora.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Parade of Hearts website
• Parade of Hearts mobile app
• Parade of Hearts on Facebook
• Parade of Hearts on Instagram
• Parade of Hearts on Twitter
• The story about the heart at Your Wellness Connection

"When I started taking the cofactors to get vitamin D into my body, immediately my brain chemistry turned on and I thought, 'This is what happy feels like.'" - Dr. J Dunn

This month, Dr. Michelle Robin has invited a series of guests on the show to speak about the mental health crisis happening - something that has been a problem long before the pandemic hit. To kick off the series, she's invited Dr. J Dunn, who has been creating waves within the mental health landscape by unveiling why gene expression could be causing a rise in brain imbalances such as depression, anxiety, as well as other disorders and conditions. Dr. Dunn shares an incredibly powerful story about her own battle with depression, and how epigenetics played a significant role in how she began to heal from it. She'll also tell the story about what got her curious to go down this path, and how it began to translate into her own clients and resulted in her founding My Happy Genes. By the end of the show, she'll explain why understanding gene expression can help us be more compassionate towards other human beings. This episode is not only packed with helpful tips, but it's also a helpful introduction to why our genes play a critical role in the way everything else works in the body.

About Today's Guest and Co-Host:

Dr. J Dunn has been practicing natural medicine for over 30 years. She is a Chiropractic Physician and certified in Functional Medicine. She is an internationally known lecturer on genetics and nutrition, teaching physicians around the world on how to use genetic information to get to the underlying causes of disease. Her drive to understand true causes and her passion for helping those who are suffering with depression, anxiety, and attention issues has led her to create her program. She is the author of the books Wholistic Kinesiology and Perfect Health in Paradise.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• My Happy Genes
• Wholistic Kinesiology book by Dr. J Dunn
• Perfect Health in Paradise book by Dr. J Dunn
• Dr. Georgia Nab at Your Wellness Connection
• Dr. J Dunn speaking at Dr. Robin's 25th year anniversary launch

"We need the skills of people on the spectrum." - Dr. Temple Grandin

We are bringing you a very special episode this week as it marks the end of our series on Autism Acceptance Month. In today's show, Dr. Michelle Robin welcomes Dr. Temple Grandin to share the significant impact that early intervention had on her future and how it elevated the quality of life that she lives today. She tells her remarkable journey on the spectrum – everything from not speaking until she was four years old to becoming one of the most recognized autistic advocates, professor, best-selling author, and the person who changed the cattle industry forever going forward with her visual thinking designs. Dr. Temple tells how her mother and a science teacher, Dr. Carlock, were highly influential in helping her reach her potential. She also explains why she's an advocate today in bringing back those hands-on classes to encourage those inventor and curious mindsets – especially for kids on the spectrum. She tells a humbling story about how her journey to the Hollywood screen started out doing very small things in the autistic community, and how she met people along the way who continued to propel her teachings and bring visual thinking more forward into our world and help it gain acceptance.

About Today's Guest and Co-Host:

Dr. Temple Grandin was one of the first autistic people to document the insights she gained from her personal experience of autism. She is one of the world's most respected experts in the fields of autism and animal behavior and livestock handling. As a toddler, she had speech delays as well as other signs of severe autism. Many hours of speech therapy and intensive training ultimately enabled Dr. Grandin to speak. Mentoring by a high school science teacher and exposure to her aunt's ranch in Arizona motivated her to pursue a career as a scientist and livestock equipment designer. She is a prolific speaker, internationally best-selling author, and Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. In 2020, she was honored as a Top Ten College Professor in America. In 2010, Times 100, an annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, named her in the "Heroes" category. She was also the subject of the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning semi-biographical film called Temple Grandin.

Desiree Cole is the Content Director and Brand Manager at Small Changes Big Shifts. She creates, writes, and manages the voice and content for the brand. She has loved all things wellness since she was introduced to the lifestyle in college, where she learned to cook more plant-based food and care for the whole body in holistic ways. She began her journalism career in Chicago and New York City, where she worked in Manhattan as an editor for news agencies, magazines, and book publishing. She's part of the Small Changes Big Shifts team because she believes words are powerful messengers to the spirit, heart, and mind. Desiree was born and raised in Kansas City and believes there's no place like it. Her husband (Zach), son (Ollie), and two golden retrievers (Linus and Lucy) live in a loud and happy house with its eight paws and a very joyful little boy who loves them.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Temple Grandin movie with Claire Danes
• Visual Thinking book by Dr. Temple Grandin
• Different Not Less book by Dr. Temple Grandin
• Dr. Temple Grandin's other books
• Wellness on the Shoestring by Dr. Michelle Robin

"There's something about these kids just getting on the field or court because it's their turn to try." - Raegan Shurr

Research shows that early intervention for kids with autism spectrum disorder can significantly improve their quality of life as they grow older. In today's episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Raegan Schurr to share how the YMCA of Greater Kansas City has built something called the Challenger Program that helps these kids fulfill some of those critical early intervention needs through sports and teamwork. Raegan explains why they have cultivated an environment that helps parents let their guard down and watch their kids explore and grow by learning about patience, why it's important to show up on time, how to be a good teammate, and so much more. With over 300 volunteers across Kansas City who are giving their time to impact these kids' lives, the Challenger Program has multiple benefits for early intervention learning opportunities. At the end of the show, Raegan shares a heartfelt story about a boy who was in the Challenger Program many years ago, and why he decided to return when he was older to pay that kindness forward.

About Today's Guest and Co-Host:

Raegan Schurr is the Senior Director of Adaptive Programs for the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. Having been with the YMCA movement for 29 years, her greatest love has been working with individuals with disabilities and the many volunteers through the Challenger Program. She also holds certification for faculty trainer for YUSA 's Strengthening Inclusion: Engaging Communities of Diverse Abilities and is a founding member of the Access and Ability Network. When not on the field or court with Challenger, you will find her on a golf course or enjoying music by her firepit with friends.

Desiree Cole is the Content Director and Brand Manager at Small Changes Big Shifts. She creates, writes, and manages the voice and content for the brand. She has loved all things wellness since she was introduced to the lifestyle in college, where she learned to cook more plant-based food and care for the whole body in holistic ways. She began her journalism career in Chicago and New York City, where she worked in Manhattan as an editor for news agencies, magazines, and book publishing. She's part of the Small Changes Big Shifts team because she believes words are powerful messengers to the spirit, heart, and mind. Desiree was born and raised in Kansas City and believes there's no place like it. Her husband (Zach), son (Ollie), and two golden retrievers (Linus and Lucy) live in a loud and happy house with its eight paws and a very joyful little boy who loves them.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• The Challenger Program at the YMCA
• YMCA Challenger on Facebook
• Fred and Shirley Pryor YMCA Sports Complex
• YMCA Greater Kansas City
• YMCA around the country