The Dr. Sylvia K Show

Loneliness is a real thing. 

And it’s a growing public health concern worldwide. 

According to a global survey, about 33 percent of adults experienced feelings of loneliness worldwide. 

A new survey from Ipsos shows how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected mental wellbeing, community support, and loneliness around the world.

• Globally, two in five people (41%) report becoming lonelier over the last 6 months, while one in five (19%) have become less lonely.
• Countries where the highest proportions of people have become lonelier include: Turkey (54%), Brazil (52%), Belgium (51%), Canada (50%) and Great Britain (49%).
• People in Turkey were also the most likely to disagree their local community has become more supportive over the last 6 months (47%).
• Countries where the smallest proportions of people say they've become lonelier include Malaysia (35%), Poland (34%), Russia (28%), China (26%) and Japan (23%).

Here are some more stats on loneliness  focused on Americans:

• 36% of Americans say they’ve felt more lonely than usual during the pandemic. 50% say there has been no significant impact, and 9% say they’ve felt less lonely than usual.[6] (US, YouGov, 2021)
• 34% of millennials always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation.[7] (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)
• 27% percent of Gen Z always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation.[7] (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)
• 22% percent of Gen X always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation.[7] (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)
• 20% percent of Baby boomers always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation.[7] (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)

Even though these stats illustrate a growing health concern with the epidemic of Loneliness, most of us don’t even realize that we’re feeling lonely.  In episode 17, I will describe ways that loneliness is felt but perhaps not named.

At the end of this episode you will learn 3 tips on how to better manage loneliness:
1. Name it
2. Practice grounding techniques
3. Create small actionable steps to engage in micro social interactions

Let’s start naming loneliness together and talk more about it  so that we can feel a little less alone.

Follow me for more info on Loneliness, Mental Health, and Well-Being on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drsylviak/

In episode 16, you'll meet Audrey Stimpson, internationally published master photographer by trade who has now made it her sole mission to share her story of Adderall addiction and how she freed herself after 23 years. 
 
 Audrey shares her life experiences, research, and her journey to becoming adderall free.
 In this episode you'll learn more about:

·       How trauma can manifest itself as symptoms of ADD

·       How adderall effects your physical, emotional, and gut health

·       Ways to develop habits that support an adderall free life

Trigger alert for anyone who has been affected by trauma, suicide, and addiction because Audrey and I get very honest and personal about these topics throughout the end of the interview. 

 About the Guest:
 Audrey Stimpson is an internationally published master photographer by trade who has now made it her sole mission to share her story of Adderall addiction and how she freed herself after 23 years. 

Audrey grew up in Memphis, TN— the home of the blues. She received her Bachelors in Photography from The University of Memphis and Masters in Fashion Photography from The School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. As a fashion photographer working in the elite fashion and modeling industry of NYC for 8 years, she had the privilege of shooting for top brands and major publications like Vogue, Elle, Forbes, and Robb Report to name a few. In 2018, she co-founded Madison and Melrose, an A-Z digital marketing/branding company that specializes in content creation. She has a growing platform of over 23k followers, the majority based in NYC and the MidSouth. 

Audrey had been prescribed Adderall to treat her ADHD since the age of seven, the same year the drug first entered the market, making her one of the longest case studies. 

For a while, Adderall made her feel invincible. From the photoshoot straight to the after-party, Audrey was using Adderall to Slay! But, after 23 years of use the amphetamine had taken its toll, leading to psychosis, gut health issues, body dysmorphia, Addorexia, and a never-ending cycle of shame. 

After decades of Adderall dependency, Audrey is finally #Adderall Free and thriving! She wants the millions of others affected by ADHD and Adderall addiction to know that it is possible to live without their little orange pill. 

She is currently writing the guidebook that she wished she’d had, developing an ADHD coaching program, and she recently launched a blog dedicated to helping those directly affected by Adderall addiction. She is also addressing real fears in real time on TikTok, the preferred social media for those with ADHD,  reaching upwards of 80,000 people per post. 

With 3.5 million children currently prescribed Adderall and more than 42% of people aged 12 and over abusing the drug without a prescription, it is clearly one of the most pressing issues of our time. 

Audrey is dedicated to sharing her story and helping others navigate their Adderall addiction journey with her How-To-Thrive-Off-Adderall guidebook, Accidental ADDict.

links:
Web: audreystimpson.com

Instagram : @audreystimpson

In episode 15, on The Dr. Sylvia K Show Podcast, London Papamichael,  creator of BODY BY LONDON defines "relentless bravado" and shares  raw, honest, and inspiring stories. 

If you’ve ever experienced setbacks in your life or have felt discouraged from believing in yourself - this is a MUST LISTEN episode. 

Maybe you don’t even know “how” to believe in yourself or what that can look like. Don’t worry, London Papamichael will lay it all down in episode 15 and leave you feeling uplifted, encouraged, and ready to commit to your next level of self-care. 

London’s mission is simple, “Help Others. Heal Yourself.” Fitness has been more than just looking good  on the breach or to improve his performance is sports. It has helped him overcome great loss and tragedy in life at a young age. Prioritizing his help is one of the keys to his success.

About the Guest: 

London Papamichael was born in Myrtle Beach South Carolina, Half Greek Cypriot. He currently resides in Hermosa Beach, California. Fitness and health has always been a priority in his life, from as far back as he can remember. His father created this interest so London always watched his father working out, taking supplements, and eating healthy. They were an extremely active family.

Continuing his fitness journey as teenager, he was involved with sports, staying active and spending a lot of time outside. During his freshman year he began taking weight training seriously and received mentorship by a senior in his weightlifting class. He learned about form, intensity and nutrition.

One of the many things he loves about fitness is that it continues to change. There are always new and innovative ways to approach fitness and health. He truly enjoys helping people through fitness because he has witnessed firsthand how beneficial it has been for him on his journey.

 Obtaining and maintaining health is essential whether you’re a kid boxer going for his 4th consecutive Golden Gloves title, a football player trying to make an NFL roster, a woman trying to step on stage for the first time for a fitness competition or just someone that wants to improve there overall health.

Creator of BODY BY LONDON. His mission is simple, “Help Others. Heal Yourself.” Fitness has been more than just looking good  on the breach or to improve his performance is sports. It has helped him overcome great loss and tragedy in life at a young age. Prioritizing his help is one of the keys to his success.

Some of his achievements in the fitness arena include: NASM Certified Personal Trainer #BodyByLondon, Online Trainer on Top Rated Fitness App “Playbook”, Strength & Conditioning Coach to the Top Ranked Boxer in USA at 17yrs old 114lbs, 11 -time National Champion (Steven Navarro), Creator of the best selling WeatherfordFit E-book “Master Shredder” also LEGagedon & Boulder Shoulders.

Links to follow London Papamicheal:
https://www.instagram.com/itslondonbro/

https://my.playbookapp.io/london-papamichael

Episode 14 captures an engaging and soulful chat with guest speaker Mark Thomas. @markthomas_itstartswithyou 

Mark shares a little bit about his life story including growing pains, divorce, overcoming addiction, break throughs, choosing sobriety and wellness, loneliness,  and transformation.  Listen all the way through to hear more about Mark’s experience of getting in touch with his own loneliness and making life changing decisions to become sober and connect with himself on a much deeper level. 

Mark's main message is: It starts with you.  

My message: The healing journey is not meant to be done completely alone. Join us in a powerful conversation about resiliency in action. 

Here  are a few things to think about after listening to this episode: 

1. What comes up for you when you hear the word “loneliness?”  
2. What’s your biggest fear about feeling “lonely?”
3. Do you avoid feeling lonely by staying busy or do you embrace it? 
4. Who are the 3-5 people you spend the most time with? 
5. Do these people mirror your values ? 
6. If yes, which value is the most important that you all share in common? 
7. If no, what keeps these people around you ? 
8. What does your “team,” as a whole, value most in their lives? 

A personal bio written by Mark Thomas:

Forced to ask the question “where did it all go wrong?“ at 40 years old.A Shift of mindset. Some huge decisions made it apparent it all went wrong to become right. It was all part of the plan. The difference between being a victim and a survivor? The work. It had to be done. Delving in to the past traumas to realize it was limiting future potential. Breaking the generational curse. Then rebuild using daily habits and education as a backbone to success. A quick fire indicator that anyone can turn it around. 

Follow Mark Thomas on Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/markthomas_itstartswithyou/

Episode 13 with CNN senior writer, Lisa Respers France, is truly a dream come true. Lisa gifts us with her humor, personal stories, and powerful messages--reminding us of things that matter most. 

In this episode, Lisa graciously shares her story of grief over losing her beloved father to Covid and the impact that it had on her health journey. 

With her tender stories, ability to make others laugh, and strong wit, Lisa expresses her joy and gratitude for the life she has and the woman she is becoming.

Throughout the entire interview, you can feel how much heart Lisa puts into everything she does from her hard work ethic at CNN, to living her message that representation matters, to her faith and love for God, friends, family, --and laughter. 

Lisa has a gift for storytelling and making others laugh. She is the queen of memes. You don't want to miss her posts on Instagram @lisafrance 

One of Lisa's IG posts inspired me to reach out to her and invite her on the show. This was Lisa's  message to herself that stopped me in my tracks: “Same day, same dress, same kitchen, same heart, exactly 8 years apart. This me wishes that she could tell that me it’s greater, later. #YouKillingitBabyGurl”  

This post stopped me in my tracks because it reminded me of the power that we have to give ourselves hope and inspiration. 

Wherever you are on your journey, Lisa has an incredibly powerful message just for you. Listen all the way through to the end to find Lisa's gift that will fill your heart with hope, love, and encouragement.

About the Guest:
Lisa Respers France is a senior writer for CNN's entertainment team, former host of the "Lisa's Desk" franchise and author of the "Pop Life Chronicles" newsletter.

She previously held positions as a reporter at the Los Angeles Times and the Baltimore Sun and as editor for St. John's University's magazine in Jamaica, New York. Her short stories have appeared in two anthologies, "Baltimore Noir" and 'A Hell of a Woman."

She's an avid reader, music enthusiast and all around inquisitive person - which is just a nice way of saying she's nosy.

Links:
CNN: https://www.cnn.com/profiles/lisa-france
IG: https://www.instagram.com/lisafrance/
You Tube Pop Life Pop Off Show: https://youtu.be/KwYJYTL8qS8

Episode 12 is about the Internal Family Systems psychotherapy model that is powerfully transformative. This model of therapy highlights that our "inner parts" contain valuable qualities and our core Self knows how to heal, allowing us to become integrated and whole. 

In this episode you’ll learn more about : 

• How parts of ourselves learn to adapt and react to certain environments to survive. 
• How certain behaviors are formed at an early age as a way to protect ourselves from our deepest vulnerabilities. 
• The 8 C’s of Self - a blueprint than can bring healing to all of our parts

More Thoughts: 

The more I work with therapy models such as Bowen Family Therapy and Internal Family Systems  the more I see how patterns and conditioned behaviors are REAL. 

️If you’re not acknowledging your family patterns , stress responses, learned behaviors, pain points, and especially generational trauma …then you’re  most likely projecting them onto someone else. Most likely your romantic partner, kids, friends or coworkers. 

Acknowledging generational trauma doesn’t mean your blaming your parents, elders, or any other family member. Nor is it condoning abuse or hurtful interactions.

 It’s about validating the pain you’ve experienced  and everything you've been through—especially the hurt that you most likely tried to push down. Acknowledging the pain is not about getting stuck in a victim mentality, it's more about creating space to feel, deal and heal so that eventually you can unburden yourself and your internal family system. 

The IFS model is not about what's "wrong" with you, it's about what happened to you. We can honor certain behaviors or parts that were self-create to protect ourselves inside our own family systems and environments. 

We often push things away or suppress them to “move on.” It’s a survival response. However that pattern can often turn into projection or transmission of the very pain that come sometimes turn into violence and hate. We can own our parts, heal them, and discover compassion for ourselves and others. 

I invite you to take a moment and scan your physical and emotional body. What have your pushed down or blocked out so that you could survive ?

Is it possible that what you couldn’t process in your childhood or adolescence is starting to come up years later?  

Maybe the stored trauma that’s been passed down your ancestral line is showing up as re-occurring  body aches,  back spasms, chronic pain, inflammation, or intense/irrational  emotions ?  Have you noticed any heavy moods that just don’t seem to go away?

Perhaps your inner child is begging you for attention waiting for you to acknowledge what others in your family ignored, denied, dismissed, or minimized. 

I’m inviting you to grow with me. To acknowledge that pain you’ve held inside and unburden yourself from the weight of it all. Whatever you’re going through, or went through, you CAN GROW through it. We can grow through it- together. Let’s turn our growing pains into growth spurts. 

Follow me on Instagram for more information and entertaining reels:
https://www.instagram.com/drsylviak

My website for inquiry about my private practice, approach, and services:
https://drsylviak.com

Episode 11 with Scott Tatum, nomad, hiker, explorer and founder of @ucanoutdoors is like going on an adventurous hiking trail with hills, curves, switchbacks, and awesome discovery. 

In this podcast interview, Scott shares his story and "history" candidly. From being the son of a therapist who was working through her own childhood trauma, to being the son of an alcoholic father, to helping youth in various therapeutic settings, then later going through 2 divorces, and throughout it all continuing to be a dedicated father of incredible adult children... Scott invites us to hear about all of his human sides including how  symptoms of ADHD can sometimes take him to new places and then back to the now.

In episode 11, with Scott and Dr. Sylvia you will discover:

• A new description of what self-care means
• Scott's approach to Mindfulness
• The power of taking accountability of your own self-growth & healing
• An invitation to practice radical self-love & self-acceptance. 

Join us in a very open, honest, unscripted conversation where we can continue to inspire one another to do"the work," move our bodies, practice self-care, and embrace a new take on self-love. 

About the Guest:

Scott Tatum is a father, nomad, hiker, explorer and founder of @ucanoutdoors. Each week, Scott delivers “Friendly Reminders” via Instagram and Tik Tok to help others realize the power of self-care, mindfulness, and self-awareness.  Scott is a self-professed “self-care savage” because he firmly believes that you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Outdoor enthusiast and mental health advocate, Scott believes that you’re always one decision away from a totally different life. Scott utilizes the outdoors for his own form of therapy and creates a platform to deliver powerful messages that bring a whole new spin to the ideas of self-care and healing.

From his Friendly Reminders, Scott reminds us that self-care and taking accountability for your own self-growth are vital to well-being. You can follow Scott on Instagram @ucanoutdoors and catch his impactful Friendly Reminders. If you feel inspired by Scott’s messages and work, you can download a free copy of his mindfulness checklist or buy him a cup of coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Ucan

Instagram handler:
https://www.instagram.com/ucanoutdoors/

This episode, by far, is one of the most powerful and moving podcast interviews I've ever done. That's the gift you're presented with when you get to speak to Vasavi - the real power of being authentically yourself  shows up. 

In this episode, Vasavi shares with us how she speaks to her inner child, aka her "daughter," and tells  real life stories and experiences that demonstrate how healing  can happen in the most practical and simple ways. Because, as Vasavi, says, inner child work is not complicated. It's something we all can do, at any age. 

This is an episode that you want to bring a box of tissues in hand because Vasavi and I cry together --as we share our truth and SPEAK IT OUT LOUD. Together we create a moment of healing in community. Join us.  This type of work is not meant to do alone. 

Trigger alert: This episode contains content about addiction,  a few "F" bombs, unhealed childhood trauma  --including foggy memories of unhealed childhood sexual abuse, and sexual content. 

About the Guest, Vasavi Kumar:

Ever since she can remember, Vasavi has been relentless to find her own voice and access the freedom of her creative spirit.

A first-generation Indian immigrant, she grew up in a traditional Hindu household on Long Island, New York. Living and going to school in a predominantly all-White town, she struggled with figuring out her own unique identity, the mental heartache of bullying, and shame from outshining the other students in her class due to her strict upbringing and focus on academics. Back then, she longed for acceptance, and believed that she had to dumb herself down to fit in and be welcomed into social circles.

Education being vitally important, Vasavi holds dual master’s degrees in Special Education from Hofstra University and Social Work from Columbia University. She’s the Former Co-Host of Studio 512, a lifestyle and entertainment morning show in Austin, TX and was featured in The Wall Street Journal, FOX, VH1, and was a regular on NBC’s Kansas City Live as the “Keepin’ It Real Guru.”

She pushed past the barriers of her youth and was building her six-figure business as a Coach and Licensed Therapist. She looked spotless on paper. She appeared like what so many women aspire to be – she had it all and was doing it all. What she quickly came to realize was that as well as she looked on the outside, she was crumbling on the inside.

Her journey after that point included realizing and tackling her own mental illness, going through a divorce, and admitting her own addiction to drugs and alcohol, going through rehab, taking a step back with a relapse and then going through recovery again. She took her recovery on the inside as serious as she had focused in the past on her skills on the outside. Her spiritual healing included really learning about her own Self and being comfortable with being alone. She learned lessons of how to love who she is and connecting with that woman, feeling safe with her thoughts, and found healthier coping skills to turn her chronic dissatisfaction into internal contentment.

From her own mental health challenges, divorce, addiction and RECOVERY, she’s learned that missteps and wrong turns don’t break your love of Self. You have the power to overcome your rock bottom moments successfully, and come out the other side stronger.  

Vasavi strongly believes and shares in her Real Rich Community that “when you know yourself, you can be, do, and create anything you want.”

links:
https://www.vasavikumar.com
Instagram: @mynameisvasavi
Podcast: Being Human with Vasavi
Real Rich Community:  https://www.vasavikumar.com/membership

The word co-dependency has often gotten a bad rap and can bring up different reactions in people. In episode 9, therapist and relationship expert Jessica Baum, LMHC deconstructs attachment styles and humanizes the "C" words: co-dependency and connection.

Listen all the way through to hear Jessica's powerful closing message that just might revolutionize the way we think about relationships and healing.

Links from the Show:
* Follow Jessica on Instagram @Jessicabaumlmhc
* https://www.beselffull.com
* https://www.relationshipspb.com

About This Guest:

Jessica Baum, LMHC, is a Psychotherapist, Author, Thought Leader, Relationship Coach, and Founder of the Self-full® Method.

Jessica is the owner and founder of Relationship Institute of Palm Beach. She grew up in New York City and decided in her twenties to leave city life behind and move to Palm Beach.  She has an undergraduate degree from Fordham University, and holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling from South University. 

As a certified substance abuse specialist, her focus is chemical abuse, co-dependency, and anxiety. Jessica is also a certified Imago Therapist. Using the Imago approach, Jessica helps treat family systems and couples issues with an extensive knowledge on relationships. Jessica also uses this approach in family programs she runs for treatment centers. She also has extensive training in psychodrama and experiential therapy. She is also skilled in cognitive therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. She is trained in EMDR therapy and Post Induction Therapy and has done a copious amount of work with trauma. 

Jessica’s own personal core belief is centered around the importance of connection. Connection and understanding of ourselves, as well as how that relates to how we connect in the world. She believes that the crux of most personal struggles can be attributed to a lack of true understanding and personal connection. It is that disconnect in the world which ultimately leads to pain. Jessica founded Relationship Institute of Palm Beach on the premise to help heal, foster happiness, and restore hope in the individuals and families she works with. 

This is short 10 minute raw, off the cuff, and unfancy introduction. Just me, Sylvia. Without the Ph.D. fluff and academic language.

In this episode, I briefly talk about PTSD, C-PTSD, and ADHD and what they all share in common--some form of unprocessed and or unhealed trauma.

My recent reel that I created on Instagram, about unhealed childhood trauma, shows that so many people can relate to this topic. With over 50k accounts reached in 2 weeks, and just 1 reel, I'm seeing how we can connect through something that's often not talked about.

Let's open up that conversation. Childhood trauma can manifest itself as...fixing others, people pleasing, co-dependency, external validation needed, living on high alert, fear of abandonment, de-prioritizing your own needs, need to prove yourself, tolerating abusive behaviors, attracting narcissistic partners, and/or difficulty setting boundaries.

In an attempt to de-stigmatize C-PTSD, PTSD, and ADHD, I invite you to get in touch with your younger self that might still be frozen in time, and scared.  And for the purpose of healing and transformation, I will lead you on a short guided meditation to get in touch with that little kid that still lives inside you. 

Perhaps your inner child and my inner child can begin a friendship based on the words of C. S. Lewis, "What? You too? I thought I was the only one."

Follow me on Instagram @drsylviak or visit my website: www.drsylviak.com for more information on unhealed childhood trauma, ADHD,  mindfulness strategies, and my future book on Loneliness.