We’re doing something a little different for this episode. Instead of our usual interview or conversation, I’m guiding you through a 15-minute Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) practice - a simple, effective way to release tension from your body and calm your nervous system.

Relaxation practices like PMR aren’t just "nice to do" - they’re an essential part of caring for ourselves, especially when we’re carrying stress, emotional fatigue, or the weight of helping others. This technique supports parasympathetic activation (aka rest and digest mode), helping to lower stress hormones and promote a sense of calm and groundedness.

Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down, press play, and allow yourself this time to gently unwind. Your body and mind will thank you.

If you enjoy this episode, feel free to revisit it anytime you need a reset.

In this episode, I sit down with Ida-Jane Graham, Clinical Director, and Joanne Whittle, Human Resource Manager, from the John Howard Society of Ottawa—a not-for-profit organization dedicated to delivering evidence-based, outcome-driven community services across the Ottawa area.

Ida-Jane and Joanne share their inspiring journey of coordinating a collaborative project to address the psychological health and safety of their employees. Guided by The National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace ("The Standard"), they formed a group of dedicated staff to tackle the most challenging aspects of their work.

Together, they reflect on the project, how they engaged their team of "Standard Bearers", and the actionable steps they took to uncover root causes and implement solutions for improving employee well-being. This conversation is filled with practical insights and inspiration for organizations looking to create healthier, more supportive workplaces.

Tune in to learn how evidence-based strategies can drive meaningful change in the workplace!

In this episode, I chat with Karine Silverwoman, a seasoned practitioner, educator, and consultant with over 20 years of experience in the social work field. Karine brings a wealth of knowledge about trauma-informed care and social justice, offering insights into how trauma and oppression shape both individuals and communities.

We explore what it truly means to be trauma-informed, breaking it down across three lenses—micro (individual work), mezzo (community-level interventions), and macro (systemic advocacy and activism). Karine shares her perspective on integrating trauma-informed principles into activism and frontline work, emphasizing how these approaches can foster dignity, safety, and belonging in even the most challenging environments.

About Karine Silverwoman:

Karine is a passionate advocate for creating brave and reflective spaces where individuals and teams can deepen their skills and align their work with their values. With extensive training in trauma-informed therapeutic approaches, clinical supervision, and leadership, Karine has served in diverse roles, from director of counseling at a gender-based violence clinic to street outreach worker and educator.

Her practice is guided by social justice, anti-colonial, queer/trans-affirming, and strengths-based principles, making her a sought-after trainer and speaker. Karine's workshops are known for being practical, humorous, and deeply caring.

Learn more about Karine’s work at karinesilverwoman.com

Welcome back for the second part of my insightful conversation with Tarky Lee, an Oakland-based artist, writer, and professional child care provider.

In this continuation, Tarky Lee and I share our perspectives on the significance of asking for help and how it plays a pivotal role in maintaining our well-being. We also explore the delicate balance of setting boundaries in how we process and discuss our work experiences, emphasizing the importance of protecting our emotional energy.

Join us as we discuss the continuous journey of understanding ourselves, our motivations, and the ever-evolving nature of personal growth.

Visit Tarky Lee's Instagram and website to explore more of her work, including an opportunity to purchase her book "The Giving Back Tree."

Additionally, for those interested in effective communication within the helping professions, check out my online course, Debriefing as a Helping Professional. Learn essential guidelines and skills for discussing the challenges of your work in a supportive and constructive manner.

Take gentle care!

In this episode, join your host Amanda Rocheleau in a heartfelt conversation with Tarky Lee, an Oakland, California-based artist, writer, and professional child care provider.

Together, we delve into the timeless tale that touched our hearts – Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree." This beloved story became a catalyst for both of us to reflect on our patterns of over-giving and inspired a journey towards self-compassion and personal growth.

TarkyLee shares her unique perspective by crafting her own version of the story, where love and hope become the seeds for new growth. Our discussion goes beyond the narrative, exploring the challenges and rewards of being caregivers, the importance of acknowledging and feeling our emotions, and the valuable life lessons we've gathered along the way.

This episode marks the beginning of a two-part interview, so be sure to check out part 2 for even more insights and reflections.

Thanks for join us on The Giving Tree Podcast as we unravel the threads of connection woven through storytelling and life experiences.

Follow Tarky Lee on Instagram - www.instagram.com/tarkylee

Get your copy of The Giving Back Tree - www.tarkyleebooks.com

If you are a helping professional or caregiver looking for support, visit www.amandarocheleau.com for free resources and information about services.

In this episode, I chat with Dan Maillet, an esteemed permanent teacher from the Ottawa area and a good friend of mine. Join us as we delve into a candid conversation about the profound challenges that teachers like Dan often face in their journey of nurturing young minds.

Teaching isn't merely a profession for Dan; it's a passion that fuels his drive to make a lasting impact. Dan opens up about the unique pressures that teachers encounter, from the ever-growing list of responsibilities to the desire to meet every student's individual needs. The discussion revolves around the all-too-familiar struggle of balancing personal sacrifices, managing guilt when the answer is "no," and juggling volunteer commitments while maintaining a sense of self.

Amidst the love they hold for their vocation, teachers can encounter an overwhelming wave of stress, guilt, and pressure that, if left unchecked, could lead to burnout. Dan and I discuss the importance of setting boundaries, avoiding the pitfall of over-commitment, and embracing the concept of self-care. One of the key takeaways from this conversation is the notion of adaptability. Teachers can harness resiliency by being open to innovative tools and teaching methods, providing a dynamic learning environment that evolves with the times. Dan advocates for seeking help and fostering connections with fellow educators as a means to combat the isolating feeling that often accompanies the teaching journey.

As the interview unfolds, Dan imparts a valuable piece of advice: maintaining perspective. Amidst the daily hustle and bustle, teachers must remember the bigger picture—the profound impact they make on students' lives. This perspective shift helps educators stay motivated and prevent getting bogged down in the day-to-day tasks.

If you are a helping professional in education or elsewhere, and feeling the creep of burnout, I invite you to go to my website for resources and information about services.

www.amandarocheleau.com

In this episode, Robyn and I talk about the various ways people can experience Secondary Traumatic Stress and Vicarious Trauma. She shares her experience of how, as a Human Rights Professional, she came to realize that after years of advocacy work and reading countless files pertaining to crimes against children, that she too was showing signs of Vicarious Trauma; a profound shift in one's perspective of the world.

Robyn Aaron is currently completing her Master of Social Work with a focus on clinical social work and trauma at Carleton University, and holds a Master of Environmental Studies from York University. Working from feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppression principles, Robyn draws on attachment centered, narrative, trauma informed, and emotionally focused approaches as she provides support for those who are exposed to trauma and stress in their professional careers and community work. She also supports individuals working to overcome challenging childhoods who want to create a better life for themselves and their family, than what they experienced growing up. She holds a Certificate in Refugee Mental Health, from the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture, and am a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist with Trauma Institute International.

In this episode, I interview Jessica Lemieux, a Registered Social Worker in Ontario and founder of Cultivation Therapy Services. We chat about familiarizing ourselves with messages from the body and the mindful self-care practices that we have learned and try our best to integrate into our daily lives. Jessica shares some lovely insights about her work and personal life and I...well...overshare about my PPPs. You'll just have to listen to figure out what that is! 

Jessica offers a variety of mental health services virtually and in person where she supports individuals and groups with mindfulness, meditation & body-based therapies. She is offering individual or group therapy sessions and therapeutic meditation sessions (in person & virtually), and in person nature based retreats on a beautifully forested property in Pembroke, Ontario.

Learn more about Jessica and her services at www.cultivationtherapyservices.ca

Jennifer Hunnisett and Catherine Dwyer are good friends of mine and also work as clinical associates providing support to helping professionals with the psychological well-being. In this episode, we are chatting about compassion fatigue. While sharing about our personal experiences, we identify the nuances of it, the cultural and cognitive influences and finally some of the ways we have navigated our ways through it. 

If you are a helping professional looking for counselling and support, visit www.amandarocheleau.com/counselling for more information about my Jenn, Catherine and I. 

Ok, so I didn't really know what I was going to say before I said it. 

But I felt inspired to share with you my point of view on the responsibilities employers have to provide an environment that prevents the risk of burnout and other psychological health injuries while promoting good mental health in the workplace. 

In this "spontaneous" episode, I explain some of the workplace factors that can diminish employee well-being and I really drive home the point that burnout is not just a personal or individual employee problem, but in fact, it's an organizational problem that requires an organizational solution.