Dalton Welsh is 1/2 of the beatmaking collaborative Open Contact. He opens up about creativity, synchronicity, and connection as a beatmaker. Through the practice of mindfulness, Open Contact explores processing emotion and connection. This is the first In-Practice feature, focusing on Dalton's personal experiences.

Guest:
Dalton Welsh. Open Contact is a collaboration-based multimedia collective. Dalton is one half of the collective, residing in Fort Wayne, IN. Together with his creative partner, Andy Ong, they are working on creating a meditative sound that extends beyond the boundaries of music. Open Contacts’ creations are produced in healing frequencies, specifically designed to serve as a meditative guide.

To learn more about Open Contact, please visit:
https://opencontact.bandcamp.com/
https://linktr.ee/opencontact

Please note the time stamps for podcast content:
10:20 - Song - Open Contact - Changes
13:30 - Reference - Creativity and Well-being: A Meta-analysis - Acar et al. (2020)
13:30 - Reference - The impact of creative initiatives on wellbeing: a literature review - McLellan et al. (2012)
14:20 - Reference - Unpublished Episode with Musician, Show You Suck
23:00 - Strategies - Taking Time for Yourself
26:25 - Strategies - Taking a Novel Approach or Path to Do Something
40:30 - Parent Strategies - Create caring environment that fosters creativity. See your child can teach you things.
47:45 - Personal Strategy - Breathwork
49:30 - Reference - A historical and critical analysis of park prescriptions - Joy James et al. (2019)
55:50 - Song - Open Contact - Thru Me

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
Open Contact: https://opencontact.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

Dr. Mary Lamia talks motivation. She explores the connection of emotions to getting things done. In this conversation, Dr. Lamia articulates how emotions are  pivotal for understanding how to motivate yourself and navigate through life's demands. 

Guest:
Mary Lamia, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and author. She is a professor at the Wright Institute in Berkley, CA. She also works with adults, adolescents, preteens, and couples in her Marin County private practice. Her blogs on Psychology Today, Thrive Global, and PsychWire, along with extensive media interviews and commentaries, explore her deep understanding of emotions and its role in who we become.

To learn more about Dr. Lamia's works, please visit:
https://marylamia.com/

Please note the time stamps for podcast content:
4:15 - Motivation - Task-Orientation and Procrastination
9:30 - Emotions Drive Motivation
16:30 - Shame and Failure
18:00 - Compass of Shame
19:30 - Shame
26:00 - Emotions, Shame, and Fear of Failure
31:32 - Motivation for Students
33:10 - Manipulating Your Emotions
33:35 - Parents: Motivating Your Student
39:30 - Dr. Lamia: Interests & Wellness Strategies
45:38 - Becoming a Better Task-Oriented Person or Procrastinator
52:20 - Anxiety is Your Friend

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
Open Contact: https://opencontact.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

Tom James highlights different practices that influence his school's continued emphasis on a 'pedagogy of joy.' From his perspective as assistant division head, he explores ideas and practices to increase joy in schools.

Guest:
Tom James is the Assistant Division Head of High School at The Grace Church School in Manhattan, New York. He's an educator of 12th years, having taught math in  public, charter, and independent schools. He has also served as a math department chair and DEI coordinator.

To read more on articles discussed in this conversation, please see titles below:
16:42 - Johnson, 2019 - Joy: a review of the literature and suggestions for future directions
23:25 - Jerrim, 2022 - The power of positive emotions? The link between young people’s positive and negative affect and performance in high-stakes examinations
23:50 - Valiente et al., 2012 - Linking Students’ Emotions and Academic Achievement: When and Why Emotions Matter

Journaling App noted by Tom James
48:12 - Day One - Journaling App

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
Chris Keys: https://chriskeys.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

This session Dr. David Naff talks over key points from a recent research brief on student absenteeism. He highlights key trends and factors that impact absenteeism, then engages on ideas to help increase student attendance.

Guest:
Dr. David Naff is the director of the Metropolitan Education Research Consortium (MERC) at VCU. Prior to starting a running MERC, Dr. Naff was a school counselor in North Carolina.

To read more on MERC projects and the MERC research brief on student absenteeism:
Strategies for Addressing Chronic Absenteeism in the Post-Pandemic Era: //scholarscompass.vcu.edu/merc_pubs/135/
MERC Website: https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
Probably Not Famous IV: https://www.probablynotfamous.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

We're exploring Hope Action Theory. This theory is explored with doctoral student, Jonathan Adams. He highlights contemplative practices to make space for exploring hopes and values around career decision making. 

Guest:
Jonathan Adams is a doctoral student at William & Mary University, exploring contemplative practices. Prior to starting a doctoral program, Jonathan worked as a career counselor at multiple universities in North Carolina. 

To learn more about Hope Action Theory:
https://hope-action.com/hope-action-theory

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
Ezzy: https://ezzy0.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast