The meademusing’s Podcast

Lisa Sugarman is a three-time survivor of suicide loss, a mental health advocate, and a crisis counsellor with The Trevor Project. She is also an author and a nationally syndicated columnist.

We discussed her personal journey of discovering that her father, whom she believed had died from a heart attack when she was just ten years old, actually took his own life. She learned this truth 35 years later, which led her to grieve for him once again. Her cousin and a close family friend also died by suicide.

These tragedies drove Lisa to seek an understanding of the thought processes of individuals who decide to end their lives, leading to her involvement with The Trevor Project.

The Trevor Project provides support to the LGBTQ community's at-risk youth (ages 13-24) for any mental health issues.

We discussed the range of emotions—sadness, heartbreak, pain, agony—that accompany the loss of loved ones, how one questions themselves, asking why, and how signs that someone may be struggling and contemplating suicide can be spotted, as well as their impact on mental health.

We talked about how people might show signs of struggle, such as posting on social media. We also discussed specific ways to help someone contemplating suicide, like being a good listener and offering resources, including the emergency response number.

As a friend or colleague, you could make a third-party call to the emergency number on behalf of the person contemplating suicide.

You could also encourage them to call a therapist, which we shared.

We talked about stigmas surrounding mental health issues and different ways these could push people to being suicidal

Lisa discussed her self-care as someone who confronts trauma and the imminent risk of suicide. She explained how these can sometimes act as trauma triggers for her, as a person who has survived multiple suicide attempts. However, she has access to a robust support network that offers therapy and outlets to help her unwind and debrief after each call.

Additionally, Lisa is a storyteller for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), an LGBTQ+ advocate, a survivor of suicide loss and grief, a support group facilitator with Samaritans, and a mental health advocate.

She writes the opinion column "We Are Who We Are" in Boston and is the author of books such as "How To Raise Perfectly... Imperfect Kids And Be Ok With It,"

"Untying Parent Anxiety," and "LIFE: It Is What It Is," which are all available where books are sold.

Lisa also contributes to Healthline Parenthood, GrownAndFlown, TODAY Parents,

Thrive Global, Little Things, and More Content Now.

Lisa resides and writes just north of Boston. For more information, visit her website at www.lisasugarman.com.

#Suicide

#Suicide Awareness

#Survivor of suicide

#Mental Health

#Mental Health Awareness

#Mental Illness

#Grief

#Healthcare Advocate

#LGBTQ

#it is OK not to be OK

The WHO's 2021 report "Suicide worldwide in 2019" states that suicide remains a leading cause of death globally, surpassing deaths from HIV, malaria, breast cancer, war, and homicide.

Kristof Morrow, a disabled U.S. veteran, suffered severe abuse from his parents, who struggled with addiction, leading to his prolonged battles with anxiety, depression, and OCD.

After the suicide of a close friend and colleague, he began drinking heavily. Kristof also has Tourette's syndrome, which causes him to punch hard surfaces, sometimes even himself, resulting in numerous chronic injuries and jeopardizing his right thumb's functionality. Consequently, he wears bandages and tapes on two fingers, along with a thumb brace.

His Tourette's makes him feel marginalized and causes discomfort to others. Cooking poses a challenge, and he depends on muscle memory for everyday tasks.

As an author and award-winning journalist, Kristof has sold over 1,500 copies of his books. He became an EMT at 23, a 911 dispatcher at 26, and secured a newspaper job through an audition. By 27, he had won awards from two Texas Press Associations for feature writing and photography. Despite these achievements, he manages his Tourette’s by frequently repeating the word "Shakespeare."

He achieved viral fame on TikTok for his unique approach to a woman he was attracted to, and he has discussed the advantages and disadvantages of being a successful TikToker.

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#KristofMorrow

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#SuicideAwareness

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#DisabilityTikTok

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#Podcasts

Caring for a child with special needs can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with unique challenges that can lead to significant stress for parents. 

A UNICEF report published in 2021, suggests that 240 million children worldwide live with disabilities, and that figure is increasing by the day .

Russ Solomon is a music therapist and a parent to a neurodiverse son with anger issues, sensory issues, and ADHD. He is also a wellness mentor who helps parents of children with special needs, to eliminate stress, deepen their connection with their kids in a peaceful way, create harmony at home, and ignite their children’s potential.

His motivation to help parents stems from his own experiences growing up with relatives who had cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and developmental delays. He witnessed his relatives struggling to cope with their family members, which inspired him to support other parents in similar situations.

We discussed the triggers that cause parents to struggle and feel overwhelmed, particularly when they believe they must sacrifice their careers to care for their neurotypical children.

Russ says parents need to become knowledgeable about their children’s condition to reduce anxiety. Additionally, he suggests that parents simplify and delegate daily routines, using adaptive technologies to assist in daily care and empower their neurotypical children. He emphasizes that parents should prioritize their own health and well-being by getting enough sleep, eating well, and finding time for activities they enjoy. He believes that having a positive mindset, focusing on the positives, and celebrating small victories can make a big difference in managing stress. He also advises seeking professional help when feeling overwhelmed and advocates for finding therapists and counsellors who can offer strategies to cope with stress and improve mental health, as well as accepting help from friends and family to lighten their care responsibilities.

Russ is available for consultation at http://intuneparents.com/

Caring for a child with special needs can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with unique challenges that can lead to significant stress for parents.

A UNICEF report published in 2021, suggests that 240 million children worldwide live with disabilities, and that figure is increasing by the day .

Russ Solomon is a music therapist and a parent to a neurodiverse son with anger issues, sensory issues, and ADHD. He is also a wellness mentor who helps parents of children with special needs, to eliminate stress, deepen their connection with their kids in a peaceful way, create harmony at home, and ignite their children’s potential.

His motivation to help parents stems from his own experiences growing up with relatives who had cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and developmental delays. He witnessed his relatives struggling to cope with their family members, which inspired him to support other parents in similar situations.

We discussed the triggers that cause parents to struggle and feel overwhelmed, particularly when they believe they must sacrifice their careers to care for their neurotypical children.

Russ says parents need to become knowledgeable about their children’s condition to reduce anxiety. Additionally, he suggests that parents simplify and delegate daily routines, using adaptive technologies to assist in daily care and empower their neurotypical children. He emphasizes that parents should prioritize their own health and well-being by getting enough sleep, eating well, and finding time for activities they enjoy. He believes that having a positive mindset, focusing on the positives, and celebrating small victories can make a big difference in managing stress. He also advises seeking professional help when feeling overwhelmed and advocates for finding therapists and counsellors who can offer strategies to cope with stress and improve mental health, as well as accepting help from friends and family to lighten their care responsibilities.

Russ is available for consultation at http://intuneparents.com/

My guest Christopher Wyatt discusses his experience as an autistic parent with two adopted neurotypical daughters, both diagnosed with ADHD, autism, sensory processing disorders, and learning disabilities. 

Chris speaks about the daily challenges he faces and shares his journey as a parent, researcher, educator, and advocate for neurodiversity. 

He examines how typical classroom teaching strategies can negatively impact autistic individuals. 

Chris encourages autistics to express their needs in educational and professional environments, allowing teachers and employers to provide the necessary accommodations. 

He provides valuable insights into the educational rights of neuro-diverse children in K-12 education and beyond

In this episode, my guest Rebecca Prejean, a mother of an autistic child, talks about her experiences as well as how Autism affects her son .

He is seven years old and, like anyone, has his good and bad days.

Rebecca explains how she manages these days and the resources that support her consistently.

She also discusses the triggers of her son's anxiety.

We delve into her decision to start a business and how her son's condition affects her professional life.

Rebecca talks about her business which provides strategies for creating inclusive and accessible learning environments, along with tips on harnessing neuro diversity for business success.

Meade Musings continues the discussion on stem cell treatment in autism. 

Our guests, Dr. Eric Weiss, MD, and his wife Chris Weiss, who are parents to an adult with autism, share their insights. 

We address the global increase in autism diagnoses without a known cause. 

The Weiss couple reveal that their son received umbilical cord stem cell treatment at their North Florida Stem Cells clinic in Orange Park, Florida. 

They also discuss why stem cell therapy is effective in treating autism. 

Our conversation includes the following topics:

- The step-by-step process of stem cell treatment.

Don't miss this episode if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with autism.

References :

[1]: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-84744-9_5 ""

Welcome to a riveting episode of the Mead Musings Podcast – a deep-dive exploration into the world of autism through the unique perspective of the Weiss Family.

Join Dr. Weiss MD ,his wife Chris, share their journey with their autistic son  from early diagnosis to watching their child transform into a self-reliant adult.

Listen to fascinating medical insights into the causes of autism and discover unconventional treatments involving umbilical cord blood and stem cells. Understand the increasing rates of autism diagnoses, the impact of this neurological condition on affected families, and the haunting question – what lies in the future for my autistic child?

Experience their heart-warming story, the stigma they faced, how they coped, and learn about a helpful insights for those caring for autistic individuals.

Gain hope from promising research into treatments that target the autistic brain at the cellular level.

Hear about their trials and triumphs in treating their adult son, and discover revolutionary stem cell treatments.

Gain insights into the incredible transformation of their son following treatment, current challenges, and the societal acceptance of autism within the past decade. Learn of the Disabilities Act's role in integrating autistic individuals into the conventional workforce.

This episode also responds to listener questions on communication strategies for autistic children and optimal timing for stem cell treatment.

Receive recommendations for resources and learn where to seek more information or even undergo treatment.

 This episode promises an enlightening journey that might forever change your understanding of autism. Tune in on YouTube, Google, Apple, Spotify, GoodPods, Tumblr, Podchaser , Listen Notes , Amazon , Tune in and Alexa and other podcast platforms!

Welcome to a highly engaging episode of our 'Meade Musings' podcast where we host Dawn Marcote, who bravely opens up about her experiences in a toxic relationship. Dawn's story offers a deep, personal exploration of her journey which began in college and led her through challenging times and towards her eventual freedom.

Our episode highlights her struggle with a controlling partner, the draining emotional burden that she only truly recognized after she had left the relationship, and the subsequent recovery period.

Dawn’s story leaves a beacon of hope and is likely to resonate with listeners who may find themselves in similar predicaments. The importance of regaining physical, emotional, and mental health post a toxic relationship is insightfully emphasized by Dawn.

We then delve into the importance of effective communication in maintaining healthy relationships. The episode highlights  establishing relationships as partnerships, much like a business venture, with each partner's unique strengths and weaknesses contributing to the unity. However, a cautionary tale of a toxic relationship also serves as a poignant reminder of the potential damage of remaining silent in a problematic relationship.

Despite the harsh realities discussed, the episode ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing the possibility of healing and finding healthier relationships no matter how difficult one's past experiences have been.

The episode concludes with an inspiring introspection of personal growth in difficult times, the complexity of parent-child relationships, and the lessons one can learn from a well-meaning advice. The journey of our guest from struggling in a damaging relationship to finding love and fulfilment in a  a gratifying marriage, nurturing a content family, and running a successful business is indeed a testament to resilience and the boundless possibilities of change.

Immerse yourself in an inspirational episode of the Meademusings  Podcast where we interview Tom Hartman - a dedicated father, supportive spouse, and host of the Podjerky Podcast. Tom shares the harrowing tale of his unexpected diabetes diagnosis and the life-threatening kidney failure that ensued, shining a light on his unstoppable spirit as he fights to overturn his fate.

Experience how Tom's life-altering wake-up call facilitated a dramatic lifestyle upheaval, eliminating the need for diabetes medication. Learn about his scrupulous dietary regimen, excluding sugar, alcohol, and snacks, whilst reducing meal size. Grasp how a relentless approach towards healthier living led Tom to regular exercises and a reliable indoor treadmill to thwart any weather-related disruptions.

Walk alongside Tom as he shares his personal battle with diabetes and a kidney disorder, underlying the importance of proactive health management and mental resilience.

Hear the uplifting story of his victorious fight against these health challenges and how he channelled these experiences into forging a healthier lifestyle for his family, thereby turning adversity into advantageous change.

This episode goes beyond Tom's personal story, emphasizing the importance of regular health screenings, balanced nutrition, and daily physical exercise. Along with inspiring insights for those grappling with diabetes, the episode underscores the significance of mental health, community support, and professional guidance.

Moreover, the episode references resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, CALM, MIND, and more, presenting an informational reservoir for anyone seeking support or advice. Closing on an optimistic note, the episode inspires listeners to remain proactive, resilient, and compassionate, despite life's diverse challenges. Truly, this is a testament to the empowering capacity of human willpower and perseverance.