After 10 successful seasons on air, Dr. Michelle Robin is ready to share how the Small Changes Big Shifts podcast will be shifting gears this coming September. Before she dives into the full announcement, she pauses to reflect on her wellness wins over the years, which includes a shoutout to her community for helping her reach those wins. She believes that every small step matters, and hopes that after 10 seasons of powerful conversations, listeners have gained more light and can see their wellness path more clearly. By the end of the episode, she will also explain why brain health is gaining her attention lately, and why some upcoming episodes will help illuminate its significance to our overall well-being.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Wellness Consortium - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/wellness-network/ 
• Small Changes Big Shifts - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/ 
• Nourishing Quote Deck - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/product/quote-cards/ 
• 31 Days of Kindness series - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/kindness/ 
• Semi-Annual Better Together Gathering - https://wellnessnetwork.smallchangesbigshifts.com/consortium-calendar/Details/semi-annual-better-together-gathering-1089654?sourceTypeId=Website0

“While I was packing, the only thing I was thinking about was how grateful I felt and how I could thank that cab driver who changed my life forever with a small act of kindness.” - Tareq Hadhad 

Tareq Hadhad’s life was changed forever during a cab ride home one day. His driver, who was singing and smiling as he drove, noticed that Tareq looked heavy-hearted. After explaining what was on his mind, the driver shared an idea with him that would positively impact Tareq’s entire future – and his family’s safety. It was the answer he had been searching for. In today’s episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Tareq to share his awe-inspiring story about his family’s refugee journey from Syria to their new home in Canada. He provides a glimpse into what was going through in his mind during this incredibly challenging time of war in their country, but also what he noticed about his father who was losing everything he had built for his family – including his chocolate factory. Enjoy this special holiday episode, which reminds us that there will be moments in life that are truly hard, sometimes devastating – and it may even feel like we are losing everything in the blink of an eye – but what matters is how true we stay to our values and how we can learn some of life’s greatest lessons through crisis. 

About Today’s Guests: 

Tareq Hadhad was a Syrian refugee and is now living his new life with his entrepreneurial family in Canada’s east coast. He is the founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate, the recipient of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 for Atlantic, named one of the Top 25 Immigrants in the Maritimes, selected by Google as the National Hero Case, was awarded RBC’s top Immigrant Award and Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020 – in addition to Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal. All of this happened since Tareq’s arrival on Canada’s East Coast in December 2015 as a Syrian-Canadian newcomer. In 2012, the Hadhad’s home and factory that housed the family chocolate-making business were destroyed, which forced them to seek safety in other countries. Passionate about peace and entrepreneurship, his family relaunched the family business to recreate the chocolates they once exported across the Middle East and their story has turned into an international inspiring phenomenon. 

Mentioned in the Episode: 

• Peace by Chocolate movie
• Tareq Hadhad’s website
• Peace by Chocolate company website
• Tareq Hadhad’s LinkedIn

When you’re aware, you’re halfway there. - Wendy Basch

Sentenced to sixty-five years in a Texas prison, Damon West once had it all. He came from a great family, in a home full of God, love, support, and opportunities to reach any goal. A natural born leader, an athlete with good looks and charm, he appeared to be the all-American kid pursuing his dreams.

Underneath this facade, however, was an addict in the early stages of disease. After suffering childhood sexual abuse by a babysitter at the age of nine, Damon began putting chemicals into his body to alter the way he felt.

Once he was introduced to methamphetamines, however, he became instantly hooked—and the lives of so many innocent people would forever be changed by the choices he made in order to feed his insatiable meth habit.

After a fateful discussion during his incarceration with a seasoned convict, Damon had a spiritual awakening. He learned that, like a coffee bean changing with the application of heat and pressure, he was capable of changing the environment around him. Armed with a program of recovery, a renewed faith, and a miraculous second chance at life, Damon emerged from over seven years of prison a changed man. His story of redemption continues to inspire audiences today.

In this episode, Damon joins us to talk about his two books, The Change Agent and The Coffee Bean which he wrote with Jon Gordon, as well as the life lessons he learned during prison, the three areas of wellness we should exercise every day, and what you can do now if you’re recovering or feel lost in your wellness journey.

Tune in with Dr. Michelle Robin and Damon West as they discuss:

• Both of their thoughts on spirituality and how they are able to let go of what they cannot control in order to surrender to a higher power.
• How fellow Small Changes Big Shifts guest, Jon Gordon, connected with him and persuaded him to write The Coffee Bean.
• An inside glimpse at the profound story of The Coffee Bean and what you will learn from the book.
• What healthy mindset strategy he learned to help him during his time in prison and how everyone can apply it to their own lives.
• The opportunity he took in prison to use that time to work on himself every single day.
• Why we should withhold from beginning new relationships until we take the time to truly know ourselves.
• What lessons and new insights he has gained about what it means to be in a committed relationship.

Damon’s suggestions for what you should today if you’re in recovery or feeling lost:

• Get outside of yourself by thinking about other people before yourself.
• Adapt a humble mindset.
• Commit yourself to finding ways to help people every single day.

Dive into the three areas of wellness that Damon advises we should work on growing every day that are in sync with our Four Quadrants of Wellbeing:

1. Spiritual Wellness
2. Mental Wellness
3. Physical Wellness

Learn and try out Damon’s prayer that he starts his day with each morning: “God, put in front of me what you need me to do today for you and let me recognize it when I see it.”

All the lessons of history in four sentences: Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad with power. The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly small. The bee fertilizes the flower it robs. When it is dark enough, you can see the stars. - Charles A. Beard

Today is a really special day on Small Changes Big Shifts. We have Dr. Terry Wahls on the show. In 2000, Dr. Wahls was diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. By 2003 she had transitioned to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. In December 2007, she began the Wahls Protocol™. Within a year, she was able to walk through the hospital without a cane and even complete an 18-mile bicycle tour.

We also have Julie Robinson on the show. Julie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year. She started using the Wahls Protocol™ and within months saw huge changes in her symptoms.

You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.

Do you find yourself consuming more entertaining than nourishing foods?

What does healthy living truly look like and how can you get started today?

Author of Habit That!: How You Can Health Up in Just 5 Minutes a Day, Dr. Jaime Hope, joins us to share how we can be the creators of healthier lives with small changes today that will lead to big shifts tomorrow. One of the many important shifts that she and Dr. Michelle Robin will discuss is how we can create healthier habits around nourishing vs. entertaining foods. 

More About Dr. Hope

Dr. Hope is a dual board-certified physician working outside of Detroit, Michigan, in one of the busiest emergency departments in the country. 

In over twelve years on the job, she has learned that no matter what brought her patients to the ER, they all want the same thing: to live happier, healthier lives. 

Whether she's helping patients, teaching future doctors, or engaging the local community, Dr. Hope is showing others how to create better habits and make healthy living fun, practical, and accessible.

Turn your health around today by focusing on Dr. Hope’s top four wellness factors:

• Exercise
• Restorative Sleep
• Nutrition
• Meaningful Connection

Join us as our Small Changes Big Shifts Podcast host, Dr. Michelle Robin, discusses in depth with Dr. Hope about:

• Her passion for encouraging others to take care of their health now.
• Why it doesn’t cost a lot of money to live a healthy lifestyle.
• How she is helping physicians teach their patients how to change their habits and behaviors.
• Why we should focus on changing our mindsets first before our diets.
• What a healthy person looks like and how to mirror that in your own life.
• Understanding the difference between the two types of foods: nourishing and entertaining.
• How to uncover the best kinds of exercises that you will love and be eager to do. 
• he power of getting in enough restorative sleep each night to release stress. 

There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in. - Desmond Tutu

1 in 5 women are affected by PCOS. That means that 20% of women worldwide are dealing with a syndrome that looks differently on and for everyone so how do they find the help they need? Amy Medling is here to help.

Amy was diagnosed over 15 years ago with PCOS after years and years of unanswered questions, confusing conversations and painful symptoms. She has now taken her own experience and is using it to help women take back their power when it comes to their health and PCOS.

A PCOS Diva is not only a woman who has hope and strength but is a woman who is taking charge of her health and life by listening and putting herself first. Amy has found a way to shine a light on a confusing and painful syndrome and bring women together at the same time.

"People are beginning to get comfortable with the idea that it requires just as much planning to transition out of this world as it does to give birth and bring a new soul into this world.” - Dr. Tamara MacIntyre 

According to a recent study, nearly half of participants (47 percent) admitted they were afraid of death. Some of those factors include fear of pain and suffering, fear of the unknown, fear of non-existence, fear of eternal punishment, fear of loss of control, and fear of what will become of our loved ones. In today’s episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Dr. Tamara MacIntyre to share why there are ways a person can begin to get comfortable with the idea of dying with the help of an end-of-life doula. Dr. Tamara will also share her story of becoming this type of doula for people, and some of the greatest lessons she has learned about living through those facing death soon. She will also unpack why it’s just as important to have an end-of-life doula as it is to have a birth doula. “People don’t even know they can die with a level of love and peace that is outside the conventional approach,” she shares during the conversation.

About Today’s Guest:

Dr. Tamara MacIntyre, certified End of Life Doula, is also a chiropractor, doctor of functional medicine and recovering high ed administrator. Tamara is the co-founder of The PRANA Foundation (www.PranaFound.org) where she offers education, mentorship, and retreat to others serving in health and healing professions. She is passionate about assisting, fostering agency and empowerment while educating and supporting others in choosing a death that aligns with the core values that have defined the way they have chosen to live their lives. Her vision is to facilitate a space where people are more curious than afraid; acknowledging that this beautiful life is finite. Tamara offers end of life education, individualized and small group care planning and client advocacy. 

Mentioned in the Episode: 

• Dr. Tamara’s website 
• The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware 
• The Essential Questions When Planning a Good Death 

If you were told you only had a couple months to live due to a terminal illness, what would you do? Dr. Nasha Winters, N.D. and CEO of Optimal Terrain, was told this at the young age of 19 as she was diagnosed with cervical cancer after dealing with multiple health issues.

Dr. Nasha took her diagnosis and decided she wanted to go out on her own terms so she went to the library and the book, Quantum Healing by Deepak Chopra, popped out at her so she read it one night. By reading this book, Dr. Nasha’s diet, lifestyle and college major would all be changed overnight.

Now Dr. Nasha, is helping others by educating clients, doctors, and researchers on ways to apply the integrative oncology philosophy to treatments and therapy. She finds pleasure is seeing the joy in others and finding the “blessing in the lesson” in everyday life.

“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 

At 9:00am Christmas morning, Dr. Michelle Robin was joined by author Paul Young. In an interview Paul said he had written primarily as a way to create unique gifts for his friends, until his wife repeatedly urged him to write something for their six children in order to put down in one place his perspectives on God and on the inner healing Young had experienced as an adult. The resulting manuscript, that later became The Shack.

Join Dr. Michelle and Paul as they talk about:

• How he has cultivated the ability to be present and not get lost in anxious thoughts about the future.
• Why trust, love, and gratitude are always in the present tense.
• What you can do when you are experiencing fearful thoughts in the present moment; either let them control you or trust life’s journey.
• Why ‘grace’ is a freedom word that is buried in trust.
• Difficult moments in his marriage and the choices he faced.
• The abuse that both Dr. Michelle and Paul experienced early on in their own lives and how that has impacted their journeys of healing.
• Identity issues we are facing in 2020 including our focus on money.
• How writing The Shack blessed his life even before it was published.
• Why everything becomes a gift when you learn to live without expectations.
• Gifts that we have been given in 2020 if we look hard enough for them and realize that this has been a year of exposure.

If anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will be the same again. - Wm. Paul Young, The Shack

Mentioned In This Episode

• Paul Young
• The Shack by Paul Young
• The Shack Trailer
• SCBS 40 Days of Gratitude
• AdventHealth
• CommunityAmerica Credit Union
• SCBS 31-Day Kindness Campaign