The ToddCast Show

Have you ever wondered what it's like to wear many hats while fostering meaningful relationships with kids? Meet Debbie Ausburn, a Georgia Peach, who's been a social worker, lawyer, foster parent, and step-parent. With a blend of Southern charm and city savvy, she's mastered the art of nurturing children and has fascinating tales to share from her journey in the South.

Our candid chat with Debbie spans from her redneck-city upbringing to her experience raising children, including seven kids and 10 grandkids. We navigate through her dynamic family history, discussing the impact of her parents' roles, her father's influence and alcoholism's effects. We also explore her faith, including her belief in past lives, making for an enlightening conversation. This episode will make you chuckle as Debbie shares her memories as the 'scary lawyer grandma' and recounts her misadventures from childhood.

As we immerse ourselves in Debbie's life, we delve deeper into the societal influences on family dynamics and identity. We discuss the implications of social media on identity formation and the urgent need to build lives based on substantial values. If you've ever been curious about the world of foster and step-parenting, Debbie's insights prove invaluable. Plus, she invites you to explore her book and blog that chronicle her experiences and offer support for fellow foster and step-parents. Tune in for an intriguing, heartfelt conversation with Debbie Ausburn.

(0:00:02) - Exploring Life and Connections

Debbie Ausburn and I discussed her Georgia upbringing, her redneck-city duality, and her parents' presence at her birth.

(0:09:38) - Working With Kids and Fostering Relationships

Debbie shares her experiences raising children, her work as a social worker, lawyer, foster parent, and step-parent, and the power of going after things that inspire us.

(0:24:19) - Exploring Childhood and Parenting Experiences

Debbie reflects on her dad's influence, alcoholism's impact, past lives, faith, and a hypnotist's description of a previous life.

(0:31:30) - Introverts and Extroverts Discuss Finding People

The Ausburn family dynamic shaped Debbie's views on communication, team work, introversion, and her granddaughter's perception of her.

(0:44:51) - Influence of Family and Society Today

Debbie and I discussed family influence, relationships, Southern charm, society's values, and social media's effect on identity.

(0:56:24) - Supporting Foster and Step Parents

Debbie Ausburn offers services, a book, blogs, and mentoring programs for single men to help single mothers.

To learn more about Debbie Ausburn, please visit: https://www.debbieausburn.com/

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Immerse yourself in the remarkable journey of Jesse Gibbs, born to a young military mother in Spain, brought up under the shadow of narcissism and abuse. Follow as Jesse, armed with a stash of court documents, doctor’s notes, and FBI files, paints for us a complex portrait of life with a narcissistic mother. Join us for a deep dive into the psychology of narcissism and its effects on the human psyche, seen through the lens of Jesse's experiences.

Take the ride with Jesse as she recounts her daring escape from an abusive home, and her subsequent struggle to overcome the challenges of growing up in a purity culture. Witness her growth, from shouldering adult responsibilities at the tender age of five to battling a violent stepfather. Jesse’s story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of resilience and survival, a beacon of hope that shines a light on the path to freedom and healing.

In the latter part of our conversation, Jesse opens up about her life in an inner-city commune in Chicago, the turbulent years in her first marriage, and herj ourney to find love anew. She talks about the healing power of therapy and the crucial role of safe spaces for those who have survived abusive families. Her relationship with her mother, even today, underscores the power of healing and self-growth. Don't miss her inspiring episode, laden with lessons of courage, resilience, and the human capacity for love and growth.

(0:00:02) - Surviving Childhood With a Narcissistic Mother

Jesse Gibbs' journey reveals the psychology of narcissists and the depths of a narcissistic mother's story.

(0:10:31) - Escape From Abusive Family Situation

At five, Jesse Gibbs became the "mini mom" of her family, escaping with her grandmother's help and attending a private Christian school before her mother joined a violent pro-life group.

(0:22:42) - Journey to Freedom and Overcoming Challenges

Jesse Gibbs shares her experience of growing up in a purity culture, homeschooling, eleven pregnancies, and her stepfather's treatment.

(0:35:32) - Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery

Jesse left home, found freedom in a commune, married an unhealthy partner, and found solace in a supportive friend and a new relationship.

(0:43:55) - Healing, Relationships, and Personal Growth

Jesse Gibbs shares her story of finding love, openness about past failings, importance of therapy and connecting with safe people, and power of healing and grief.

(0:56:17) - Motorcycles and Overcoming Narcissistic Abuse

Jesse Gibbs shares her journey of personal growth, discussing her relationship with her mother, the empowering experience of dangerous activities, and the unique challenges of a purity culture.

(1:04:36) - Thank and Promote the Podcast

Jesse Gibbs shares her journey of finding love, meaningful conversations with her partner, and her relationship with her father.

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Join Todd Murat and special guest Mo Cooper from Houston, Texas as we journey through a nostalgia-filled episode covering everything from childhood experiences to personal growth. From youthful trips to NASA and run-ins with creepy-crawlies to hilarious weed stories and adventures in Amsterdam, we share it all in this heartwarming and insightful episode.

We also dive into the importance of self-acceptance, growing up in diverse communities, and the impact of our parents' health on our own lives. With laughter and sincerity, we discuss our adventures, misadventures, and the lessons learned from them all. Mo and I wrap up by emphasizing the significance of self-care and self-love in leading a healthy life – both physically and mentally.

Throughout this conversation, you'll discover the power of prioritizing your own health and well-being and the courage it takes to truly look at ourselves in the mirror and love who we are. Tune in to this unforgettable episode where we explore life, love, and growth with Mo Cooper, and find inspiration in our shared experiences.

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH SHORT KEY POINTS ---------

(0:00:03) - Childhood Memories and Fears

We share experiences with spiders and natural disasters, discussing our fears and funny stories.

(0:08:57) - Family, Memories, and Self-Acceptance

My family's struggles with cancer, my Mom's strength, my siblings' support, my mother-in-law's health, and my Catholic high school experience are discussed.

(0:16:10) - Growing Up in a Diverse Community

We reflect on Afrikville Monument, my 88% Scots-Irish heritage, and humorous tales of diversity and acceptance in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

(0:24:49) - Amsterdam Adventures and Weed Memories

We share stories of marijuana use, reminisce about using an apple as a pipe, and explore perceptions of intelligence, wit, and humour.

(0:30:24) - Life, Travel, and Personal Growth

We discussed gay bars, trans bars, marijuana use, dressing up, and recognizing lady boys.

(0:43:45) - Starting Health Coaching Business With Self-Care

Women prioritize their own health, loving themselves first, and celebrating being themselves, with therapy to reinforce this message.

(0:56:48) - Love Yourself for a Healthy Life

Loving ourselves, physical and mental health, investing in our future, tapping into unique gifts and talents, and having courage to look in the mirror.

(1:09:44) - Life, Love, and Location

Mo and I discuss transitioning, loving oneself, health, and energy efficiency.

(1:23:34) - Surviving and Embracing Gun Lifestyle

Mo and I discuss transitioning, untraceability, marijuana business, dating someone younger, and the power of storytelling.

(1:31:16) - Farewell and Gratitude

Mo and I discussed self-care, loving ourselves, embracing who we are, and fear of transitioning.

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We are joined by Constantin Morun from Halifax, Canada to discuss his life story and the spiritual path he has led.

Growing up in communist Romania during the 1980s was a vastly different experience than the lives many of us know today. In this episode, I chatted with Constantin Morun about his fascinating upbringing under a repressive regime and the powerful impact his childhood experiences had on his personal growth. We explored life before the internet, the restrictions and fears of living under communism, and the amazing journey his family took to immigrate to Canada in pursuit of a brighter future.

Constantin shared insights from his grandparents who lived through the Great Depression and World War II, and the invaluable lessons he learned from their experiences. We talked about the importance of appreciation, gratitude, and understanding the power of communication in relationships. We even delved into the intriguing world of artificial intelligence, discussing its incredible potential as a tool for creatives and the pitfalls that may come with it.

Lastly, we touched on the power of setting intentions, pursuing passions, and embracing a growth mindset. Konstantin shared the story behind his podcast, Unleash Thyself, and the magic that can happen when we open ourselves to altruism and connection. Join us as we discuss the significance of rational logic in goal-setting and how responding to life's circumstances with love can lead to a cycle of positive outcomes. Don't miss this captivating episode!

Episode Keywords

Communism, Romania, Childhood, Great Depression, World War II, Appreciation, Gratitude, Communication, Artificial Intelligence, Creatives, Setting Intentions, Passion, Growth Mindset, Podcast, Unleash Thyself, Rational Logic, Goal-Setting, Love, Karma, Cycle of Positive Outcomes.

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Marc Paisant joins us from Alpharetta, Georgia. Born in New Orleans, Marc shares his story of growing up and how he became the mental fitness success story he is today. Marc grew up with a twin brother and sister with their mother and father. He shares stories from his early childhood in New Orleans. He recalls time spent with his grandparents during the summers and what it was like to move at age 4. The house they grew up in is the same one Old Dirty Bastard's (the music star) widow lives in today. Looking back on his childhood, Marc recalls not being influenced by drugs, crime, or other things that some kids were doing. He grew up with excellent role models who taught him to be responsible, honest, and kind. His father is still alive and they talk often. He realized how much of an influence his father had on him when he raised his children.

Ironically as a twin, Marc finds he has more in common with his sister than his fraternal twin brother. He shares a story of growing up with ADHD in a black household, which doubted anything was wrong with him. He feels that by missing the treatment of medication, he lost an opportunity to overcome the challenges of living with ADHD. We discuss the struggles of being a student with ADHD and how Marc overcame his challenges. Growing up with a twin, his mother fought to keep him in all the same classes as his brother and was always compared to his brother. He wishes that they knew he just learned differently. We talk about why gifted students get bored and do not perform up to their full potential.

Marc recalls how he met his wife and the beauty of their story. His personality won her over. Using humor to mask his true emotions, Marc remembers a time after high school when he felt alone and isolated. Our discussion shifts to the topic of love and the importance of self-love before having the ability to love another person. He ended up eating and drinking too much and became severely overweight. Working in a toxic environment, he shares how he had an epiphany one night while driving home. He considered committing suicide and was just seconds away from doing it, but felt responsible for the vehicle he was driving that did not belong to him. His care for another person's property was more important to him than the desire to end his life.

Through counseling, Marc found a struggle to find the right therapist for his needs. Once he found the right therapist, he received the help he needed. He learned that there was nothing wrong with him and that he wanted to help him. we talk about the importance of finding the right therapist that aligns with you. Sometimes you need to ask for another person if the one you are with is not fitting for you. Therapy can be an awesome, liberating experience and we discuss the benefit of working with a good therapist. He shares the importance of being yourself and not working to please other people.

Marc Hosts a podcast called Relatively Normal, which is about mental health issues and how to overcome them. He encourages people to communicate openly about their feelings and to learn to express their feelings openly. It's important to reach out and let someone know when you need to talk. Men and women express this need differently and it's important to learn to recognize the signs. Vulnerability is among the most powerful things, a true display of strength. Marc believes we can make talking about our feelings a societal norm. Managing anxiety is a challenge for him, but he diligently works at it and does his best in every situation. Change just one thing today. Find something that makes you happy and do it. Anything. Just do it. For you. This is an act of self-care.

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Ruth Fearnow joins us today from Fort Wayne, Indiana to discuss mindfulness for life and how her life led to her purpose. Born in Pacifica, California Ruth has vague memories of her early childhood. Her father was an FBI, CIA, NSA, and intelligence professional. Her earliest memory as a child was chasing her cat around the house. Ruth grew up with 5 siblings, being the 4th born. She remembers feeling alone, despite having a family around her. 

As a therapist, Ruth believes in diving deep into the root cause or the why of experiences.

Todd shares his experience with Landmark Education and The Landmark Forum, as well as one of his favorite books "Your Erroneous Zones" by Wayne Dyer. He recalls learning integrity and the amazing experiences he had while there. Ruth shares how some people can experience struggle by comparing themselves to others. This is not a healthy choice. Ruth is about responsibility and compassion in her therapy with clients.

Ruth's parents were divorced when she was 14. She recalls her father being a principle-based man who was authentic and imperfect in the most beautiful ways. After several years her father tried to get back with her mom, but the timing was not right. He ended up meeting and marrying someone else, who unfortunately passed away. While he was grieving, Ruth went for a visit and found out her father has already engaged again - to her mother. They remarried and re-discovered the spark that originally brought them together so many years ago. She recalls her father sharing that what saddened him most is the thought of not growing old with his original wife (her mom). Her father passed away but left a legacy of humor, wisdom, and practical jokes - right up till the very end of his life. He was an amazing man.

She comments that men in later life who do not remarry have a higher suicide rate, while women who do not remarry later in life end up starting a bridge club. Men tend to take being alone harder than women.

Ruth shares a wild story from her teen years. She innocently went along with a friend off-roading and ended up getting stuck in the middle of nowhere. The guy she was with ended up climbing the fence of a local military base and ended up stealing a military vehicle. He ended up crashing through the gate in a stolen military vehicle. Not knowing what to do, she got in and they used the truck to free their stuck vehicle...and they put the stolen truck back inside the gate. They both got arrested for a slew of charges by MPs from the military base.

Looking at the core of what causes issues, Ruth helps people practice mindfulness, grounding, and other forms of emotional regulation. As a therapist, she strives to find what makes people tick, heal and learn to understand mindfulness. We discuss avoidance and delaying emotional reactions in certain circumstances. Through her innovative techniques, she experiences complete transformation with her clients in a remarkably short period. She helps people get out of their "story", which feeds the drama. She comments that people sometimes don't even seem to recognize their transformation, it happens in a very natural way. To do this type of work requires an ability to experience discomfort and work through it. 

Her latest book, "Therapeutic Mindfulness, A Healing Skill Not A Coping Skill" is available on Amazon.

To learn more about Ruth Fearnow, please visit: https://ruthfearnow.com

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In this episode, we are talking with Anne Metz from Tause, New Mexico about her life and how she became a psychedelic therapy practitioner. Born in Virginia, Anne recently relocated to the West. She grew up with her older sister and remembers going to church in early childhood where she was told “people who drink alcohol are going to hell”. This upset her as she thought of her father who innocently had a beer after work. She recalls this as the first time she began thinking about spirituality and how things worked.

Anne used to regret the time passing during her school years, feeling melancholy about those changes. As she grew into life, she felt hesitant about herself due to social norms. She recalls how special an opportunity it was when she met new friends. She was a good student and took life seriously at a fairly early age.

Anne explains how through a carefully controlled and supervised process, the use of psychedelics in treating mental, emotional, and even spiritual challenges. By experiencing a proper dose of LSD, Psilocybin Mushrooms, MDMA, or Ketamine a patient can experience a sort of "shortcut" to get to the root of any issue and discover an intrinsic, actionable resolution and change. This experience for some has provided results equivalent to years in therapy and treatment - in an almost instantaneous manner. For example, those suffering from PTSD, Depression, or overwhelming Anxiety could, in theory, address, identify, and resolve the issues at the core of their struggle.

Sometimes it can be difficult for the human mind to rationalize certain changes and possibilities, but the system behind the brain can interpret and solve virtually on its own. The trick is to access this system and influence it for positive change. That's where the use of psychedelics comes into play. Through a guided therapy session, one learns to better understand themselves, and when ready, a therapeutic dose of the chosen method is administered. Once the patient begins to experience the effects of the chosen method, the process is underway and the therapy continues until the effects of the medicine have subsided.

Through the use of medicinal psychedelics, a person can get to the root of a problem and eliminate it to enjoy a more healthy and meaningful life. Suffering is a normal part of the human experience, but suffering can be something we overcome. A person can discover new freedom and spiritual awakening with a supervised and carefully applied medicinal dosage.

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Today we are joined by Alan Cox of Christchurch, New Zealand. Born in London, Alan shares his story of early childhood trauma and how he overcame obstacles and evolved into who he is today. He grew up with both parents and a younger brother but doesn't recall much of his childhood years. This time in his life got naturally blocked out from his memory. 

Alan shares the story of his father as a double-decker bus driver in London on the famous Route 15 and his memories as a child. He shares his journey of moving to New Zealand, as well as how he met his wife. A true love story, his wife started out as a friendship and became a romantic engagement over time. He describes knowing she was the one and how real it was for him. We learn about his sense of destiny and the things that happened along the way that defined their relationship.

We learn about the birth of Alan's first child, George who struggled with challenges at birth. His son used to cry more than normal and had other signs of distress that were finally resolved by cranial osteopathy, which was a subtle treatment unlike any other. Once treated, George was sleeping more, crying less, and struggling much less. The treatment worked like a miracle. 

Along the way, Alan brought two more little ones into the world while pursuing his career path. Alan found himself working to provide a mental well-being app called Ever Yellow. After discovering the vast ineffectiveness of so-called mental health apps, Alan decided to create something that was indeed effective. Based on science, psychology and knowledge of human conditioning this app seeks to provide a way to overcome grief, trauma, stress and more. Alan became obsessed with this project and was consumed with it completely.

Realizing the struggle people have with mental health, depression, and suicide, this app is intended to help people find peace and escape the mental and emotional things that often slow us down in life. 

We wrap up by discussing the theoretical reasons behind music and frequency being effective in human conditioning. Todd shares his theory about how frequency works and the response of the human body. Todd shares the story of the water experiments and the rice experiment in the context of how the human body operates based on frequency.

The Ever Yellow App is truly remarkable in what it delivers and the possibilities for users. If you are seeking to improve your life, rise above a challenge, reach higher, and escape depression, the Ever Yellow App is completely customized around each individual's needs. Alan remarks that our mental conditioning determines our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and more - much like an operating system. The App helps to deconstruct bad input from the past (memories, thoughts, stories, feelings) and replace it with healthy information.

If you want to change something in your life for the better, check this app out!!

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Peter Benedicto joins us from Henderson, Nevada to talk about his life and what it's like living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Born in Birmingham, England, Peter shares his story of growing up in an abusive home with his alcoholic father and biological mother who he has little memory of. After his mother died at the age of 7, Peter went into foster care at the age of 12 which was the first time in his life he really experienced unconditional love from his elders.

He discusses living in an abusive situation with his father and brother who has cerebral palsy. His father used to physically abuse both siblings and Peter remembers trying to protect his helpless brother from their father. He remembers blaming himself for the trauma he experienced and used to play soccer to release his stress. It wasn't until his good friend Mark from the UK noticed bruises on Peter and invited him to his home for dinner. That night, the family stepped in and provided a safe and healthy home for Peter to escape his abusive home life. This was the beginning of his new life and realization of his value to others as a human being. After 3 months, Mark's parents contacted social services to help Peter find a foster home and foster parents. This was the turning point in his life.

Peter recalls the love and support he received from his foster parents and how they supported him as their own child. This helped him evolve from his introverted nature to a more extroverted and balanced individual. He remembers going on vacations with his foster family and the wonderful memories created together. During his teen years, he played soccer and enjoyed pop music, including Robbie Williams in the UK. 

Before he met his wife, Peter shares the story of how he came to the United States. He recalls meeting his wife on a Philippino dating website. Ironically, Peter didn't want to move to Las Vegas and his wife (then girlfriend) didn't want to move to the UK. They started out as friends and enjoyed getting acquainted, which quickly progressed to a more serious relationship. He knew she was the one. 

We talk about Peter's career in real estate and how he helps people relocate to the Las Vegas area. He enjoys assisting others in learning the ins and outs of living in the Las Vegas area. Todd discovered Peter on YouTube by watching his channel Living in Las Vegas Info. He helped Todd find and acquire a beautiful home in Henderson, Nevada where he now resides. 

Finally, for those who have suffered abuse as a child, Peter is available to talk about the process of escaping the abuse, as well as reprogramming the trauma with a healthy emotional and psychological paradigm. Peter is living proof of overcoming challenges that could have held him back. Because of the love he received from his foster parents and eventually his wife and now 5 children, Peter became a completely different person. He is eager to pay it forward with the support and kindness he has received. He believes anything is possible when you set your mind to it and offers a level of service that seems rare in today's world. 

If you are considering the Las Vegas area in your future, Peter will help you in ways others in the industry simply don't. He is a class act and produces results based on each individual's specifications. Most of all, he is a man of integrity and a heart for others which is rare indeed.

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Tonight we are joined by Manuj Aggarwal from Vancouver, Canada to discuss his upbringing and life path. Born in India near the Himalayas, he recounts the social fabric of Indian culture and how it brings people together in a community. We discuss the differences in Indian culture socially with United States social norms. Manuj discusses the cutthroat, competitive world in India, describing it as a jungle-like atmosphere. Coming from a broken home, he recounts his childhood as a survival process. He lived in an isolationist paradigm and became quite introverted. 

Manuj shares his earliest childhood memory of being at his Father’s factory at the age of 6-7 and how it was a traumatic experience being around such heavy machinery and loud noises. In India, it is common for young people to work in various roles. As he grew, he wanted to be freed from the dark world of the factory world. Working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week as a young person taught him to understand how business works and how to manufacture things on a large scale. 

At the age of 8, meditation opened up a sense of self-awareness and a deeper understanding of the patterns in the mind and how to change them for Manuj. He discovered his love of computers and technology which led him to a lifelong passion to serve others.

We learn how he learned from his parents and the regret not communicating more with his mother before she passed away. His father still lives in India and works around the clock at the age of 80. Conversely, Manuj believes in the balance of work and enjoying freedom from work during retirement years. 

Manuj shares his perspectives on meditation and how it engages self-awareness, personal responsibility for what is happening in your life, and realizing the power you have to make the changes in your life that you desire. 

As he continued to explore working with computers and technology, Manuj found a calling in the sphere of Artificial Intelligence. Around 2007, Manuj began working with AI and discovered a plethora of parallels between AI and the human mind. We discuss how the definitions of work, collaboration, and other concepts will change due to AI. AI and data are the powerful tools that big companies are leveraging to generate wealth and influence long-term change in society.

Manuj believes AI will strengthen human relationships through enhanced communication. The best way to build relationships is to be a good communicator. AI makes this possible. This could make a positive change in online dating, social interactions, and other avenues for people to come together. 

As a problem solver, Manuj utilizes neuroscience and technology to help others achieve goals. He helps people find solutions within, based on the individual. At the core of Manuj’s talents is the ability to identify the how and who related to the solutions he creates to achieve results. 

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