Small Changes Big Shifts

PR and Social Media Director at Hallmark Cards, JiaoJiao Shen, joins Dr. Michelle Robin to discuss freedom and the power of connection.

Join Dr. Michelle and JiaoJiao as they talk about:

• What it is like for JiaoJiao being a Chinese immigrant in the USA with two biracial children.
• Her thoughts on freedom especially with both children having been born on July 4, three years apart.
• Unpacking the discrimination and increase in hate we have seen in our communities over the last couple of years.
• Thoughts on Asian food and why we see people either love it or hate and discriminate against it.
• What people can do better to help support all races in their community.
• The continuous journey we're all on towards anti-racism and how we can keep learning and improving.
• What difference we can make in the media and Hollywood by demanding more diverse content.
• Asian role models JiaoJiao had growing up and why she's excited to see more representation in her children's TV shows and movies.

Mentioned In This Episode

• Both My Kids Were Born on the Fourth of July, but Are They Really Free?
• Stop AAPI Hate
• Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong
• Asian Americans | PBS
• Wellness On A Shoestring by Dr. Michelle Robin
• SCBS Sleep Campaign
• Your Wellness Connection
• SCBS 40 Days of Gratitude
• SCBS 31-Day Kindness Campaign
• Big Shifts Foundation
• CommunityAmerica Credit Union
• AdventHealth

Connect with JiaoJiao Shen via:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Sentenced to sixty-five years in a Texas prison, Damon West once had it all.

Damon West, M.S. Criminal Justice, is a college professor, nationally known keynote speaker and best-selling author (with best-selling author and motivational speaker Jon Gordon) of The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change. His first book and autobiography, The Change Agent: How a Former College QB Sentenced to Life in Prison Transformed His World, was published just three years after his release from a Texas maximum-security prison.

Join Dr. Michelle and Damon as they talk about:

• Damon's background story and his health journey of letting go of addiction for greater wellbeing.
• Why the world is a pot of boiling water and you have three choices: be a carrot, be an egg, or be a coffee bean and why you should choose to be a coffee bean.
• His childhood and the impact of being sexually abused by his babysitter.
• Takeaways Damon took away from his experience with drugs and going to prison for it.
• Damon and his wife, Kendell's foundation, Be A Coffee Bean.
• The impact of COVID-19 on Damon's career as a speaker and how he had to work through the struggles of events being canceled.
• Why Damon began to give free presentations during the pandemic to give back to others.
• The differences between racism and prejudice plus what change we can make happen.
• Why Damon and his wife, Kendall, launched the program, Mister Coffee Bean, to help people get back on their feet after prison and teach in schools.
• How their program, Coffee Bean CARES, is financially helping incarcerated parents provide for their children's extracurricular activities.

Mentioned In This Episode

• 216 – Damon West
• The Coffee Bean by Damon West and Jon Gordon
• 185 – Jon Gordon
• Be A Coffee Bean Foundation
• Mister Coffee Bean
• Dabo's All In Team Foundation
• Call Me Mister
• Episode 329 - Alana Muller and Johnny Waller
• Coffee Bean CARES
• Wellness On A Shoestring by Dr. Michelle Robin
• SCBS Sleep Campaign
• Your Wellness Connection
• SCBS 40 Days of Gratitude
• SCBS 31-Day Kindness Campaign
• Big Shifts Foundation
• CommunityAmerica Credit Union
• AdventHealth

Connect with Damon via:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube

About Bellatore Recovery The Bellatore Recovery philosophy is grounded in connection. Their founders are all native Kansans, connected as personal friends and colleagues for over 15 years. Throughout their years treating eating disorders, they've consistently seen that building truthful connections with your own courage, your own beauty, and your own people lets you:

• Make peace with yourself
• Tap into your true unique strengths
• Find lasting recovery from eating disorders

About Brooke Wesley Brooke's desire to help individuals struggling with and recovering from eating disorders began shortly after she recovered from her own eating disorder. Today, she runs her own private counseling practice for adolescents, adult women, and families. She has been in the field of social work for over 20 years, having started as a technician on the Eating Disorder Unit at Baptist Lutheran Hospital. From there, she moved to the Women and Children's Unit at Northstar, working in substance abuse recovery. After earning her Master's in Social Work, she worked in the Olathe school system. She co-founded Kansas City's first and only transitional living program for women with eating disorders, wrote Hungry To Be Whole: A Therapist Story of Healing from Anorexia, and served on the board of REbel.

About Amy Sullivan

Amy Sullivan began helping individuals recover from eating disorders 25 years ago at a residential treatment center in Arizona. Since that time, she has supported adolescents and adults in recovery in a variety of settings.

A Registered and Licensed Dietitian, she holds a Master's degree in Counseling. This unique combination has allowed her to help hundreds of clients achieve recovery and gain freedom from disordered eating.

Along with Brooke, she founded Kansas City's first and only transitional living facility for eating disorder recovery. She also owned a private adolescent nutrition practice and is the Founder of an online support platform for adults struggling with emotional and binge eating.

Kirsten Oelkla

Kirsten Oelkla's interest in eating disorders began over 24 years ago at the Menninger Clinic. There she developed and led Adult Inpatient, Adolescent Inpatient, Day Treatment, and Intensive Outpatient groups.

She continued her passion in working with individuals with eating disorders and their families at the Baptist-Lutheran Medical Center Eating Disorder Program. For the past 14 years, she has provided individual, couples, and family therapy on an outpatient basis.

She has served in organizations that bring awareness to eating disorder-related issues and currently serves on the Missouri Eating Disorder Association board (MOEDA).

Join Dr. Michelle, Brooke, Amy, and Kirsten as they talk about:

• Bellatore Recovery's mission as an intensive outpatient and bridge program.
• The importance of being careful with words when speaking to someone about their healing journey.
• Breaking down the statistics of eating disorders and who is experiencing it the most.
• Why major life changes can create or re-create new struggles with food.
• The fact that most of the population is dealing with some sort of body image disorder.
• Differences between anorexia and bulimia.
• What guidance they can give to parents to help them talk to their children about mental health and food.
• How we can talk to ourselves about what foods are not serving our bodies and minds.
• Steps you can take to be more mindful about what you are eating and what nutrients you need.
• Exploring where we've gotten off track with our body image expectations and the impact of social media.

Mentioned In This Episode

• 12: Brooke Wesley – What is Healthy Body Image and How to Live It
• Bellatore Recovery
• Hungry to be Whole, A Therapist story of Healing from Anorexia by Brooke Wesley
• Wellness On A Shoestring by Dr. Michelle Robin
• SCBS Sleep Campaign
• Your Wellness Connection
• SCBS 40 Days of Gratitude
• SCBS 31-Day Kindness Campaign
• Big Shifts Foundation
• CommunityAmerica Credit Union
• AdventHealth

Connect with Bellatore Recovery via:

• Facebook
• Instagram

About Alana Muller

Founder and CEO of Coffee Lunch Coffee, Alana Muller is a Networking speaker, workshop facilitator, business relationship coach in Kansas City. She is also author of the book, Coffee Lunch Coffee: A Practical Field Guide for Master Networking.

She travels the world to share her expertise in the areas of Networking, Coaching, Strategic Planning and Business Consulting.

About Johnny Waller

Johnny Waller is the owner of JLW Group LLC and S.C.O.P.E. He earned both of his Masters and Bachelor degrees from Rockhurst University and his associate's degree from Johnson County Community College. He is a former business owner, non-profit business executive and mentor to a great number of adults and youth in the Greater Kansas City area.

He continues to have the pleasure and honor to speak on behalf of the population that he represents and looks forward to continuing these efforts through meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding among my fellow community stakeholders.

Join Dr. Michelle, Johnny, and Alana as they talk about:

• The power of networking especially post COVID-19.
• How Johnny and Alana met when he was a student in her class.
• What steps we can all take to begin to heal as a community.
• How Johnny has transformed his life and has gotten to where he is today.
• Johnny's childhood and how his father breaking his back impacted his life.
• Why it's critical we address all forms of violence in our community; not just homicide but also suicide and domestic.
• The fact that many of the perpetrators of violence are white, Christian men and that is not being addressed by the media.
• Harmful labels we place on people based on their race and how we can change the narrative.
• The fact that we're not giving everyone access to all they need to grow and thrive as well as what we can do together to change that.
• How you can build connections that will last a lifetime.

Mentioned In This Episode

• Coffee Lunch Coffee
• Coffee Lunch Coffee: A Practical Field Guide For Master Networking by Alana Muller
• Johnny Waller
• JLW Group LLC
• S.C.O.P.E.
• Building Meaningful Connections… Even At Work with Alana Muller
• Alana's FREE GIFT: Coffee Lunch Coffee: Tips For Success At Networking Events
• Cheeseburgers with Warren Buffett | Alana Muller
• 230 – Alana Muller
• Transforming 2020
• Building Meaningful Connections...Even at Work
• 241 - Mindy Corporon
• Healing A Shattered Soul by Mindy Corporon
• Wellness On A Shoestring by Dr. Michelle Robin
• SCBS Sleep Campaign
• Your Wellness Connection
• SCBS 40 Days of Gratitude
• SCBS 31-Day Kindness Campaign
• Big Shifts Foundation
• CommunityAmerica Credit Union
• AdventHealth

Connect with Alana Muller via:

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Instagram

Connect with Johnny Waller via:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

A graduate of Stanford University, Victoria Labalme is a critically acclaimed director and producer, and also the author of the Wall Street Journal bestselling book, Risk Forward.

Her proprietary Throughline, Rock The Room® and Risk Forward® systems have transformed hundreds of thousands of people around the globe, helping elite individuals create their life's best work.

With over 20 years in the Performing Arts – from Broadway to comedy clubs, landmark films to high-profile television – Victoria helps people awaken their hidden genius and perform at their highest levels.

Using breathtaking stage skills, gripping stories, and comedic highlights, Victoria takes audiences through a profound experience they'll never forget.

Along the way, she shows people how to distinguish their brand, gain competitive advantage, and achieve sustainable growth through a surprising blend of art and business.

Victoria's proprietary systems and strategies have been embraced by Fortune 100 companies; C-suite executives at Starbucks, Microsoft and PayPal; Hollywood celebrities; bestselling authors; and top teams in over 700 organizations.

Join Dr. Michelle and Victoria as they talk about:

• What inspired her to begin a career in the performing arts industry.
• Unpacking her book, Risk Forward, and how it has helped people of all backgrounds find out what they want to do with their talents.
• What tactical strategies you can do when you're in the "fog of not knowing."
• Fun facts about her book that gives you full freedom to use it however you want.
• Why we need to embrace the unknown and why it's a beautiful gift rather than something scary.
• The power of focusing on what interests you now rather than what you enjoyed and pursued in the past.
• How you can apply the 'Risk Forward' model to your life.
• Why risking forward will sometimes look like standing still to give you time to clear your mind.
• The importance of not comparing yourself to other people because we're all trying to figure life out.

Mentioned In This Episode

• Victoria Labalme
• Risk Forward by Victoria Labalme
• Rock The Room®
• Risk Forward®
• Wellness On A Shoestring by Dr. Michelle Robin
• SCBS Sleep Campaign
• Your Wellness Connection
• SCBS 40 Days of Gratitude
• SCBS 31-Day Kindness Campaign
• Big Shifts Foundation
• CommunityAmerica Credit Union
• AdventHealth

Connect:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

Steve Litwer was raised by a single mother with a severe mental illness. The effect of this upbringing was something that thwarted his social interactions and relationships throughout his life. These were often contaminated by a legacy of fear, agitation, confusion, and feelings of inadequacy.

As a young man, Steve wanted to be a musician. Largely self-taught on the guitar, he lacked the talent to play professionally so he chose another career path until he retired, working in TV and radio stations in Kansas City, Memphis, and Charlotte.

In his retirement, as a volunteer, Steve began playing guitar for hospice patients. As their bedside musician, his private performances and companionship to those nearing the end of their lives began to unlock long-buried memories of his own past. The result? Surprising lessons and new insights about the events of his life and finding the path to forgiveness for himself and his mother.

Incorporating moving and sometimes funny true stories of people in hospice, this book explores the mysterious ways that God has helped Steve understand and reclaim his life through the power of music and the unexpected gifts he received from those who did not have much life left.

If you liked Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, you will enjoy his book, The Music Between Us. The Music Between Us is a memoir about reckoning with a painful childhood, a spiritual awakening, and discovering some of life's greatest lessons in the most unexpected ways.

Join Dr. Michelle and Steve as they talk about:

• How he became a bedside musician volunteer for hospice clinics.
• Why becoming a bedside musician sparked a journey within Steve that forever changed his life.
• How his experience helped him dive into his past wounds and begin to heal them.
• Why we sometimes find ourselves lonely because we don't truly know ourselves.
• Where you can get started on being a volunteer if you feel called.
• How to discover which area of volunteering is best for you.
• Lessons he learned from those in hospice clinics including their advice for the living.
• The importance of being grateful for moments rather than being obsessed over things.
• His piece of advice to live a life you love.

Mentioned In This Episode

• Steve Litwer
• The Music Between Us by Steve Litwer
• VolunteerMatch
• Wellness On A Shoestring by Dr. Michelle Robin
• SCBS Sleep Campaign
• Your Wellness Connection
• SCBS 40 Days of Gratitude
• SCBS 31-Day Kindness Campaign
• Big Shifts Foundation
• CommunityAmerica Credit Union
• AdventHealth

Connect:

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Spotify
• YouTube

Christopher Ehly, MD, is passionate about staying healthy and well. He considers all factors related to a patient's well-being - everything from nutrition and lifestyle habits to mental and spiritual health - and works with the patient to achieve or maintain optimal wellness. He loves to inspire people, young and old, to find joy in taking care of themselves.

As a Board-certified family medicine physician, he cares for a wide range of medical conditions and offers encouraging suggestions that promote overall wellness. He considers it a true gift to watch his patients improve their health.

Dr. Ehly earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, and he completed his family medicine residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He has earned a number of professional honors throughout his career, including being named a 2021 Top Doctor by Kansas City magazine.

As he fills his life with family, spirituality and a variety of activities — basketball, biking, football, golf, gardening, camping, hiking, running, soccer and guitar— Dr. Ehly hopes to set an example for his patients, encouraging them to strive for wholeness in their own lives.

Join Dr. Michelle and Dr. Chris as they talk about:

• How he came to be a medical doctor.
• Why his father has been a tremendous inspiration to him.
• How men overlook their own mental health and what steps they can take to reach out for help.
• The importance of being open about our emotions, especially sadness or stress.
• How you can begin your healing journey for greater mental health.
• The fact that you are not the only one struggling with anxiety, stress, depression, or other negative emotions.
• Why he enjoys meditation and how tools like the Headspace app can help you be more mindful.
• What small changes you can make for big shifts in your health every day.
• The life lessons he wants to teach his children.

Mentioned In This Episode

• Christopher Ehly, MD
• AdventHealth
• Headspace app
• One Word that Will Change Your Life by Jon Gordon
• 185 – Jon Gordon
• Wellness On A Shoestring by Dr. Michelle Robin
• SCBS Sleep Campaign
• Your Wellness Connection
• SCBS 40 Days of Gratitude
• SCBS 31-Day Kindness Campaign
• Big Shifts Foundation
• CommunityAmerica Credit Union

Connect:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• YouTube

Ashley Stahl is counter-terrorism professional turned career coach and author of the bookYou Turn: Get Unstuck, Discover Your Direction, Design Your Dream Career, and she's on a mission to help you step into a career you're excited about and aligned with.

Through her two viral TEDx speeches, her online courses, her email list of 500,000 and her show, You Turn, she's been able to support clients in 31 countries in discovering their best career path, upgrading their confidence and landing more job offers. She maintains a monthly career column in Forbes, and her work has been also featured in outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, CBS, SELF, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and more. For her FREE quiz to get clarity on your best career path options, visit AshleyStahl.com

Join Dr. Michelle and Ashley as they talk about:

• How she came up with the podcast, You Turn, to help people redirect their lives and come home to themselves.
• Her 11-step road map and how it will help you determine which career is best for you.
• How we make career decisions for ourselves without even really considering them first.
• Ashley's own career path and why she pursued a career working in national security for the government to help protect people.
• Common myths as well as truths about careers and the world of job hunting.
• How to give yourself radical permission to pursue what you truly align with a path that's right for you.
• The disconnect between our interests and what natural skills we have that we can apply to our careers.
• Why it's hard to understand our own skills but we can reach out to other people to help us realize what they are.
• The power of focusing on who you are becoming and growing into rather than who you were years before.
• What career advice she has for wherever you are at right now.

Mentioned In This Episode

• You Turn: Get Unstuck, Discover Your Direction, Design Your Dream Career
• Three Questions to unlock your authentic career: Ashley Stahl at TEDxBerkeley
• How to figure out what you really want | Ashley Stahl | TEDxLeidenUniversity
• You Turn Podcast
• Ashley's Quiz: What Career Path Is Actually Right For You?
• Wellness On A Shoestring by Dr. Michelle Robin
• SCBS Sleep Campaign
• Your Wellness Connection
• SCBS 40 Days of Gratitude
• SCBS 31-Day Kindness Campaign
• Big Shifts Foundation
• AdventHealth
• CommunityAmerica Credit Union

Connect:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest

Join Dr. Michelle and Gigi as they talk about:

• How Dr. Michelle Robin introduced her friend, Gigi, to acupuncture when she was diagnosed with cancer.
• Why acupuncture isn't just for pain but is beneficial to do on a regular basis.
• Her educational background in acupuncture and her decision to go to school for it at the age of 59.
• The transition she went through from working in corporate America to helping people heal.
• Her work teaching meditation and why she especially enjoys working with veterans.
• How natural medicine has helped her daughter with her MS and be off of medication for it for years.
• Why it's not easy to make your passion your priority but it is possible and you will receive so much from it.
• How you will come into alignment when you find your purpose and what makes you happy in life.
• Signs your body will give you when you are aligned with your calling.
• Her son's similar interest in natural medicine and acupuncture.
• The importance of having a supportive wellness tribe and keeping them close to you.

Mentioned In This Episode

• Wellness On A Shoestring by Dr. Michelle Robin
• SCBS Sleep Campaign
• Your Wellness Connection
• SCBS 40 Days of Gratitude
• SCBS 31-Day Kindness Campaign
• Big Shifts Foundation
• AdventHealth
• CommunityAmerica Credit Union

Liz Lewis is the Senior Vice President for Commercial Banking at CommunityAmerica Credit Union where she leads a passionate team dedicated to entrepreneurs and business owners on their path to thrive.

Join Dr. Michelle and Liz as they talk about:

• How finances and her parents' relationship with money impact her growing up.
• What you can do to focus on your financial health.
• Her interest in human behavior and why we make certain choices when it comes to money.
• Why our financial wellbeing can impact our overall stress levels.
• How Community America has helped their clients through the COVID-19 pandemic.
• What steps you can take to plan your goals from education to a mortgage to retirement.
• How Community America's team is able to put together a plan to help you with your personal or business financial goals.
• Why you shouldn't be afraid of looking closely at your financial health no matter where you are at right now.
• The benefits of putting together a security savings plan and why it doesn't have to be a large amount.
• Why you shouldn't rely on credit cards as an income stream and how to use them responsibly.

Mentioned In This Episode

• CommunityAmerica Credit Union
• E-Factor by Dr. Michelle Robin
• SCBS Sleep Campaign
• Your Wellness Connection
• SCBS 40 Days of Gratitude
• SCBS 31-Day Kindness Campaign
• Big Shifts Foundation
• AdventHealth

Connect:

• LinkedIn