Dr. Marni shares her story of recovery and healing after experiencing abuse from her narcissistic former spouse which resulted in her losing everything - her marriage, friends, support, finances, her home, and eventually her relationship with her adult children. While she knew she needed to be free from her abuser, the unraveling and aftermath were traumatic themselves. Narcissists have a way of manipulating and positioning themselves as the victim and influencing those nearest and dearest to us to start to believe their false narratives. 

During these dark and isolating days, Marni found her faith and spirituality, which led to her healing and recovery journey, at an unexpected time - her garage sale! This sparked the idea for her book, a collection of stories called God Came to My Garage Sale and her healing inspired her set of books titled "True Deceit False Love" that help people recover from family trauma, parental alienation, abuse, and narcissism.

Dr. Marni Hill Foderaro is an award-winning and celebrated author, speaker, and educator. She earned her doctorate in education from Northern Illinois University and completed postdoctoral studies at Harvard during a very successful and rewarding 35-year career as a high school special education teacher, with 12 years as a university graduate school adjunct professor.

Marni is a lover of animals, nature, music, and world travel. She values honesty, integrity, equality, and goodness and prays for peace on earth. She was born in the South, raised her children in the Midwest, and made the Caribbean her home.

You can find Marni and her books at her website: https://godcametomygaragesale.com/

In this episode I also mention my favorite book on dealing with uncertainty by Pema Chodron, link is here: https://pemachodronfoundation.org/product/comfortable-with-uncertainty-book/

As always, you can find me at www.girlwithaflare.com

This episode is largely focused on surviving a work type of environment but also touches on ADHD, hyper-sensitivity and trauma-induced empathy which all have common traits associated with them. 

Just because you are sensitive doesn't mean you are at fault when you are hurt. When we feel vulnerable rather than people seeing us as easy targets wouldn't it be nice if they thought of us as having a baby on board sign and take extra care around us to nurture and protect? This episode will talk about ways you can say you have a "baby on board" in a way that typicals in your life can relate to and understand how to best support you. 

Please check out our Journey Program, intake is open now for September. This is an incredible opportunity to learn all the skills you need to be the hero of your own story. If you are feeling stuck, in a rut, wanting change but not sure how to make it happen this program is for you. There are financial options to make it an easier investment and I promise you this is going to be an absolutely game-changer in how much control you gain over your own life and happiness. https://untoldstoriesstudio.ca/collections/the-journey-program?fbclid=IwAR2ScZm8ur6wyUIy6lzV8kxhZO6d6JgNDlpIJ4VJ0oEzEKlAF4c5fJg1ZpE

Also, check out my new website www.girlwithaflare.com and learn how you can have a free wellness assessment with yours truly. 

Joining the podcast today is my friend Ayla Horton, who was recently diagnosed with Hidradenitis suppurative (HS). HS is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects your skin throughout your body - both on the surface and inside the deep layers of the skin. 

It is painful and can be obvious to the human eye which can contribute to self-consciousness and embarrassment. Plus, as it is a rare condition, often medical advice is misaligned and sometimes hurtful. Ayla was told she should try "showering more" by the first doctor she shared the issue with. 

Thankfully Ayla did not allow that doctor to be the final word and continued a journey of learning and advocating for herself to get to the bottom of her disease. Now Ayla is on the road to recovery, she is optimistic and feels heard.

Her story will inspire you to speak up for yourself, filter unhelpful advice or information, and most importantly be kind to yourself. Ayla is one of my favourite people in this world and I really hope you find this talk informative and enlightening. 

If you suffer from unusual symptoms and aren't sure who to go to to get the best guidance or just need a safe space to start the conversation about what is happening with your body or mind please reach out to me anytime [email protected]. I cannot provide medical guidance but I can encourage you and ask the right questions so you can determine your best next step. 

As always this podcast is a labour of love with no compensation. If you would like to support this show and its costs of production you can either send an e-transfer to [email protected] place Flare Up in the comments. Or Paypal me at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/girlwithaflare?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US

And as always join our community on Facebook! Come find us!

In this episode I share a talk I did for a Mindful Lunch with https://untoldstoriesstudio.ca/ all about why the human brain loves to compare and how we can use it as a compass rather than a measuring stick of our worth. There are three helpful tips on how you can recover from unhealthy comparison. 

Don't forget to join my community on Facebook I share plenty of information, tools and resources on healthy, happy living - especially for those that struggle with feeling nourished and fulfilled. https://www.facebook.com/groups/203501721459181

And as always, I put out this content for free and if you would like support my work feel free to make a small contribution to Paypal below or e-transfer [email protected]

https://paypal.me/girlwithaflare?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US

Very excited about this sequel!!  A self-described ‘recovering academic,’ Dr. Patlee Creary uses her expertise in narrative inquiry, phenomenology, and peace and conflict studies to create stories of healing, gratitude, and resilience. Today she shares with us many more powerful stories including the creation of the Untold Stories Expressive Storytelling Studio.

The Untold Stories Expressive Storytelling Studio brings together people who are hungry for better states of mental and emotional health. Our philosophy is simple: through an emphasis on mindfulness, consistency, and community, each workshop, mindfulness tool, and community session we offer creates a pathway to mental and emotional health. We call ourselves a studio because we are a dynamic online and in-person community wherein multiple things happen to serve the central theme of helping people cultivate new and different stories about their purpose, their relationships with others, and how they really want to show up in the world. https://untoldstoriesstudio.ca  and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheUntoldStudio/

Patlee is an author, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Facilitator, Mental Health First-Aider, and Holding Space facilitator who also holds a Ph.D. in Peace and Conflict Studies. With over 15 years of experience designing and leading seminars and courses ranging from workplace health and safety to political science, she now grounds herself in workshops and courses that support conflict transformation, wellness, mental health, and identity re-construction.

Teen Workshop: https://untoldstoriesstudio.ca/products/mindfulness-for-kids-and-teens

Mindful Lunch featuring Girl With a Flare: https://untoldstoriesstudio.ca/products/mindful-lunch?_pos=1&_sid=7b3b16174&_ss=r

Joining me today is Kris Isford of Treherne, MB who was in the public eye near the beginning of the pandemic when he contracted COVID-19 (suspected Delta variant) before vaccinations were available. Kris spent two weeks in a coma on a ventilator in Brandon, MB and is very grateful to be here today to spend more time with his beautiful wife, son, and a baby on the way this fall. 

Kris is known by his community as a gentle giant, at 6'7" and a pre-COVID weight of 400+ pounds, his form is intimidating but his heart and nature are very compassionate, caring, and protective of his loved ones. He shares his story openly in the hopes of helping protect others and advocating for a community mindset where we all take care of each other, especially our vulnerable population members. 

You can connect with Kris on social media at: https://www.facebook.com/kris.isford

Some listeners have asked if they can donate to the show to assist with the production, advertising, and procurement of guests to continue growing our audience and getting great, important information out to you all. No pressure, but if you feel like this is a resource you would like to continue seeing in the world please feel free to paypal.me/girlwithaflare and make a donation or transfer to [email protected].

And if you have a story that you think others would benefit from hearing please message me at [email protected] and maybe you can be a guest! 

You can also recommend topics and other guests you may like to hear on the show.

Danielle Goss is a friend and former client of mine who has been told by doctors she has PCOS but at the same time was told an official diagnosis is not helpful as there is "nothing that can be done about it anyway."  

This is not unusual for women that live with the chronic symptoms of this disease that affects 1 in 10 women across the world. How can something so common not come with resources, care, and support?

Danielle shares her story, how she has overcome many symptoms and how she finds a bit of joy in every single day. You can reach Danielle at [email protected] and her Instagram and Facebook are also @sunshinewithdani

Ask her about her Happy Coffee!! 

The last episode of Veganuary 2022 is with Danae Tonge of Manitoba Animal Save, she joins me to talk about raising children vegan, how she became vegan 24 years ago and we talk about the Ag-Gag laws recently introduced in Manitoba.  Danae Tonge is a co-organizer of Manitoba Animal Save, the local chapter of the global Save Movement, which bears witness to farmed animals en route to slaughter and promotes vegan, love-based activism.  Danae has been vegan for 24 years and was vegetarian for 3 years before that.  She has two vegan children, Harley who is 6, and Hale who is 3. Manitoba Animal Save invites you to join us at  Facebook: @MBAnimalSave  Insta: @manitobaanimalsave  Twitter: @mbanimalsave    For self-care, as an activist or vegan, meditation can be especially helpful. We have a wonderful local group that leads a free weekly meditation session. Vegan meditation: https://www.facebook.com/mvvawinnipeg/

And as mentioned here is my own blog post about why I talk about my chronic illness and started my blog and podcast: https://medium.com/@chrissy-82493/why-i-talk-about-my-chronic-illness-6c4b73c12310

Joining me this week is a local comedian and vegan friend Ruben Trudeau who talks about his experience with the rare Schizoaffective Disorder, which is is a chronic mental health condition characterized primarily by symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or delusions, and symptoms of a mood disorder, such as mania and depression. 

What is really interesting is he had to learn how to advocate for animals without triggering a symptom of his diagnosis which was the belief he was a prophet with a mission. Through his healing journey, he discovered the power of comedy and storytelling for staying grounded as well as providing himself a healthy outlet to speak up for animals and against cruelty. 

Ruben's openness is refreshing and he really is a positive force for animals and people in this world. Eager to support and always keen to put a smile on anyone's face. 

He will be performing this Friday January 21st at the Inclusion Winnipeg Comedy Night tickets are available here: https://www.facebook.com/events/501500301149448/?ti=ls 

Him and his partner have a ridiculously cute and informative video on making seitan sandwiches they call Poo Pee Sandwiches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR3L7evdg0Rf_OW7AWg9q12bBMQqMNd8eU4wa6zn2HN_fFdc1Tyh85IAOg0&v=9PVEORT92W0&feature=youtu.be

And to check out the Animal Advocacy Course he mentions in this episode https://www.animaladvocacycareers.org/?fbclid=IwAR0zywjwOBGGdcZpkJVd0nIDN-Mo1BFqljKOT5-pUZ6y-IsJuaJQDqSKyWU

You can find Ruben on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubenrudra/