This Way Up

In this heartfelt episode of This Way Up, host Andrea welcomes Gwen Gulick, a resilient mother and wife who has faced significant challenges in her family life. Gwen's journey includes supporting her husband through depression and navigating the complexities of her children's mental health conditions, including depression, OCD, anxiety, and ADHD. On top of these challenges, Gwen and her husband have both battled and overcome cancer.

Gwen generously shares the invaluable lessons she has learned along the way—lessons that have helped her cultivate a family environment filled with joy and love despite the hardships. Tune in as Gwen provides three key takeaways (and more!) from her experience, offering insights that can inspire and support others facing similar situations.

Key Take Aways

• Finding a clear diagnosis may not always be necessary, and it's more important to focus on understanding and managing behaviors.
• Parenting children with anxiety requires finding a balance between protection and exposure therapy.
• Family experiences with mental health challenges can bring them closer together and teach them to prioritize their own well-being over societal expectations. 
• Finding a supportive community of parents facing similar challenges can provide validation and resources.
• Weeding out relationships that are not understanding or supportive is important for the well-being of the family.
• Prioritizing family and not waiting for the dust to settle allows for living life despite challenges.
• Families for Depression Awareness offers resources and support for families living with depression and bipolar disorder.

BIO
Gwen works with clients to create thought leadership strategies that build a following and strengthen relationships. Some of her best work has been with purpose-driven executives intent on making a positive mark on the world. She brings expertise in thought leadership, holistic strategy, executive coaching, and story weaving.  Prior to founding Quickstep, Gwen worked in marketing and public relations at Harvard Business Publishing, Pegasystems, and tech PR firm Horn Group. Her past client work includes ATG, Cognos, Netegrity, MIT, Information Builders, Oracle, Poly, and Zoom. 

Personally, Gwen is committed to helping families living with mental illness through community outreach and her volunteer board position with national non-profit Families for Depression Awareness. A cancer survivor, she participates in the Pan-Mass Challenge ride for Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Her favorites include cycling, lake swimming, conversations with people over age 80, and singing in a local community chorus. A midwestern transplant, she lives in Harvard, Massachusetts with her husband Tag, two teens, and two dogs.

References and RESOURCES
@FamiliesforDepressionAwareness @familyaware @QuickstepCommunications  

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

Welcome to Season 2 of This Way Up!  We’re thrilled to kick off another season with an amazing lineup of guests, all set to dive into the topics that matter most to you, our listeners. In this clip, I’m excited to give you a sneak peek at just a few of the episodes coming your way in the weeks ahead.

Thank you so much for tuning in and being a part of this journey with us!

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

That's a wrap. We have finished our first season of This Way Up. This is Andrea and I wanted to take a moment to, one, celebrate that, yay, and then also to say thank you. Thank you so much for the support that Each of you have provided over this past year as we have grown into, um, a real podcast, I guess.

Anyways, I also wanted to let you know that over the next few months, we will be taking a break from posting any new content. Our old content will still be on there, so go back and listen to your favorite episodes and share them with anybody you think  might,  be interested. benefit from them.

But over the next few months, we're going to be looking at what season two is going to bring. I am going to be sourcing some great guests and, have already explored various topics that I want to share with all of you. With that being said, though, I would love any ideas that you have. If you've got content that you would like to learn more about or have somebody that might be a great guest, whether it be a personal story or even a professional, um, in the area of mental health, I would just cherish those, those ideas.

So enjoy the summer. I will be back in September with a great new season two. Thanks so much. 

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

Growing up is challenging, especially in a society obsessed with achievement, comparison, and the constant influx of information through social media. Breanna Kulwin, a specialist in the mental health of girls and young women, shares her valuable insights on nurturing their well-being.

Trauma is often misunderstood and oversimplified as the cause of fragile mental health. Breanna highlights the importance of processing trauma, explaining that it isn't just about major, headline-grabbing events. It's about how each girl interprets and processes her experiences. Even seemingly minor incidents can have a lasting impact if perceived as traumatic. This is why it's crucial to identify and address these issues head-on. Unprocessed trauma is like carrying around a backpack full of rocks—it weighs you down and holds you back. Breanna advocates for unpacking that baggage to pave the way for healing and resilience.

Breanna also emphasizes the importance of self-love. In a world where everyone compares themselves to others and feels like they fall short, it's easy for girls to get caught up in self-loathing. She stresses that each person is one-of-a-kind, and that uniqueness is their superpower. Embracing individuality is the key to unlocking self-love and shutting down inner critics. It's time for girls to own their worth and rock it like nobody else can.

Feelings are another critical aspect. In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to sweep emotions under the rug and keep on hustling. But ignoring feelings won't make them disappear. They'll just keep piling up until they explode like a pressure cooker. Breanna advocates hitting pause, tuning in to those emotions, and giving them the attention they deserve, describing it as a game-changer.

Additionally, Breanna discusses how many girls form their identities around mental health issues or societal perceptions. She shares her approach to guiding them toward an empowered and authentic self-identity. By addressing trauma, embracing self-love, and processing feelings, the groundwork for resilient and empowered girls is laid.

In summary, Breanna's message is clear: It's time to ditch the baggage, own your worth, and embrace your emotions like the boss you are. Making mental health a priority can empower a generation of unstoppable girls. You've got this!

BIO: 

Breanna is a trusted expert with a proven track record of assisting hundreds of teenage girls and young women as they shatter the mental health barriers of anxiety, depression, and self-loathing. Her mission is to inspire them to unlock their inner power, and guide them toward a deep, authentic self-love. This journey creates a lasting, life-changing impact. She has a Master's degree in Spiritual Psychology.

RESOURCES/ REFERENCES:

Breanna Kulwin

Parents Trying to Help Their Teenage Daughter's Mental Health Facebook Group

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

This episode is a must-listen for parents of young athletes, musicians, or any child involved in competitive activities. It offers invaluable insights on making these activities enjoyable and creating a positive environment for your kids.

Although Jennie Carlestav addresses performance anxiety in competitive sports, her advice and techniques are universal for managing anxiety in any high-pressure situation. She explains how events from our past, even as far back as early childhood and in utero, can create trauma responses that resurface during stressful moments. Jennie describes how cutting-edge neuroscience techniques, such as Brainspotting and EMDR, reset the nervous system and brain to promote healing and peak performance.

Importantly, Jennie emphasizes the role of parents in fostering a supportive and positive sports environment. She shares staggering statistics on how many children leave sports activities because they no longer find joy and happiness in them.

Tune in to learn how you can support your child's mental and emotional health, especially in relation to competitive activities.

BIO:
Jennie Carlestav has over 20 years of experience in clinical psychotherapy, with the majority of her career focused on performance anxiety and helping athletes. As a Brainspotting Therapist and EMDR Certified Trauma Specialist and Consultant, she helps athletes deal with the intense pressure of navigating elite sports, which can include symptoms such as mental blocks, performance slumps, the yips, or recovery from an injury. Using a cutting-edge neuroscience approach, Jennie assists athletes in managing their sports performance and healing from within to reset their nervous system and brain. Athletes further enhance their success by achieving mental peak performance and utilizing Heart Rate Variability & Coherence training through biofeedback technology.

Her professional training and certifications include:

• California Licensed Psychotherapist through the Board of Behavioral Science
• Brainspotting Therapist
• EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist & Approved Consultant -Teaching and Guiding the next generation of clinical psychotherapist
• Part of a clinical EMDR Training Team through Precision EMDR Academy
• EMDR Certified Child Specialist - Studied directly under Internationally known EMDR Trainer & Child Specialist, Ana Gomez
• Sports Performance Treatment Specialist
• HeartMath Certified Therapist
• Past Board of Directors for California Association of Marriage & Family Therapist, San Diego Chapter
• Public Speaker and Consultant for EMDR Sports Performance Treatment

RESOURCES/ REFERENCES:

I Love to Watch You Play Video: https://youtu.be/u2LR4c3JsmU?si=9Pzd-S6Bl26ZRLz6

Let's Talk EMDR Podcast: https://www.emdria.org/podcast/emdr-therapy-and-sports-performance/

Jennie's Direct Website: http://www.CarlestavCC.com

Brainspotting: https://vimeo.com/186019577

Athlete and Mental Health Articles and Video: https://www.carlestavcc.com/resources

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Courtney Tracy for an inspiring conversation about her journey with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and thriving in parenthood. Dr. Tracy shares her refreshing human-first philosophy, urging us to see beyond labels and roles.

We dive into the world of BPD, where Dr. Tracy sheds light on the emotional rollercoaster it can entail, emphasizing the importance of a validating environment and therapeutic interventions like dialectical behavior therapy.

With candidness and resilience, Dr. Tracy opens up about her evolving relationship with her mother and how her own experiences shape her approach to parenting. She shares how learning to manage her BDP has helped her guide her parenting through her strength in emotional regulation and co-regulation with her children.

Tune in as Dr. Tracy gracefully challenges the misconceptions surrounding borderline personality disorder, and how she has shaped it to provide a pathway to healing many others through her practice, podcast and social media platforms. This is a conversation you won't want to miss!

BIO:
USC-trained psychotherapist Dr. Courtney Tracy, also known as “The Truth Doctor,” is recognized as one of today’s most authentic, perspective-shifting voices on mental health and one of the first therapists to publicly disclose her own mental health disorders. As a multi-hyphenate healthcare entrepreneur and award-winning content creator, she has founded five mental health companies and her work has garnered more than 100 million views. Learn more at TheTruthDoctor.com or by visiting @The.Truth.Doctor on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube.

Resources:
Addiction and BPD Treatment Center: existcenters.com

Mental Health Media Company: thetruthdoctor.com

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@the.truth.doctor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.truth.doctor/?hl=en

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@the.truth.doctor

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

We are thrilled to introduce Stuart Perry, a licensed clinical social worker, child therapist and the imaginative force behind Mr. Stu TV. Stuart's passion for helping children navigate their big emotions shines through his playful and insightful approach. With a spirit that's as youthful as it is wise, Stuart, who's a big kid himself, guides parents on a delightful journey through the intricacies of raising children.

Throughout the episode, Stuart shares his empowering mantra: "There are no bad kids, only kids that are misunderstood." With infectious enthusiasm, he emphasizes how behavior is a form of communication, urging parents to embrace curiosity and empathy in understanding their children's underlying messages.

Drawing from his wealth of experience in Play Therapy, Stuart sheds light on its playful and effective nature in decoding children's behavior. He explains how Play Therapy nurtures connections in the developing brain, offering invaluable insights into a child's inner world.

This episode isn't just informative; it's a joyful exploration of a child’s mind. Tune in for a transformative adventure, as Stuart inspires parents to create deeper connections and foster healthier relationships with their children.

BIO:
Stuart Perry, also known as Mister Stu, is a renowned Licensed Clinical Social Worker. With an unwavering dedication to enhancing children's mental health, he serves as a child therapist, keynote speaker, workshop leader, author, and television personality. His expertise and passion make him an invaluable asset in this field. As the founder of MisterStuTV, he has created a reliable and accessible resource for parents, teachers, and professionals seeking to empower and educate children about mental health. With his deep understanding of mental health and his commitment to children's well-being, Stuart has quickly become the go-to voice for dismantling stigmas and improving the lives of children nationwide. Stuart Perry is a leading advocate for children's mental health, and his contributions to the field are not only notable but also crucial to the ongoing discussion surrounding children's mental well-being.

RESOURCES/ REFERENCES:

Social Media: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram: @MisterStuTV

Website:  http://www.badkidsdontexist.com/

Booking for keynotes and workshops: http://www.badkidsdontexist.com/booking

Thank you for tuning in to today's episode! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and found it both insightful and inspiring. Now, we want to hear from you! Share your experiences, questions, or ideas with us by leaving a comment or sending us a message on our website or social media channels.

If you found value in today's episode, please consider subscribing to our podcast and leaving a review. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners like yourself. And finally, don't forget to spread the word! Share this podcast with your friends, family, and colleagues who might benefit from the valuable content we offer.

Together, let's keep the conversation going, create a supportive community, and make a positive impact. Thank you for being a part of our podcast family. Until next time!

(Note: For listeners who may be struggling with mental health issues or suicidal thoughts, please seek professional help or reach out to a mental health support helpline in your country.)

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

Prepare to uncover the secrets to optimizing mental health through the power of nutrition! Francesca Orlando, a science-based functional and integrative nutritionist and health coach, is here to address all your burning questions about the connection of food and mental well-being. Get ready for an enlightening discussion as Francesca dives deep into the impact of nutrition on every aspect of our bodies, with a special focus on the brain.

Discover the intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and brain health, and how maintaining a balanced microbiome can lead to stable moods and enhanced mental well-being. Learn actionable strategies to nurture a healthy gut, including the essential foods needed for optimal microbiome health.

Francesca doesn't stop there; she also provides invaluable insights into mindful eating practices and expert tips on coaching picky eaters, ensuring that everyone can embrace a nutritious diet.

Pregnant or planning to be? Francesca emphasizes the critical role of healthy nutrition during pregnancy, offering invaluable guidance on nurturing both mother and baby.

Perhaps most inspiring is Francesca's message of hope and empowerment. By making mindful changes to our diets and those of our children, we have the power to influence epigenetics positively. Through this, we can initiate healing within the gut microbiome, paving the way for a brighter, healthier future for both body and mind.

Tune in to this episode for a journey towards unlocking your brain's potential through the transformative power of nutrition.

BIO: 

Francesca is a science-based functional and integrative nutritionist and certified health and wellness coach, strongly emphasizing evidence-based practices. Hailing from Italy, she deeply appreciates the impact of research and scientific advancements on nutrition.

Francesca integrates scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to provide clients with tailored and effective nutrition strategies. She keeps abreast of the latest research, attending conferences and engaging in ongoing professional development. Her ability to critically evaluate emerging evidence ensures clients receive informed guidance, enabling evidence-based decisions about their health.

Outside her professional pursuits, Francesca enjoys family time with her two boys and indulging in outdoor activities like hiking and paddle boarding with her Newfoundland. An avid reader and passionate powerlifter, she balances her scientific expertise with a personal commitment to holistic well-being.

Dedicated to bridging the gap between research and practical application, Francesca strives to make nutrition accessible, transparent, and grounded in scientific principles. Her goal is to empower clients, irrespective of their background, to achieve optimal well-being through an informed and holistic approach. Committed to continuous learning, she refines her skills to provide the highest standard of care, ensuring clients can make evidence-based choices aligned with their health goals.

RESOURCES/ REFERENCES:

Healthful Living SD

Healthful Living IG

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

Shockingly eating disorders affect over 30 million people of all ages, regardless of gender? What’s more is, they also hold the highest mortality rate among all mental health disorders. With such alarming statistics, this is an episode that demands attention from everyone.

In this crucial episode, Sarah Archer from Align Eating Disorder Treatment in Escondido, California, sheds light on the challenging subject of eating disorders. She guides us in recognizing the signs, finding effective evidence-based treatments—especially Family-Based Treatment—and navigating the complex cultural pressures surrounding body image.

We'll also delve into how caregivers can offer support to their loved ones, even in the face of unexpected hurdles like exercise intertwining with eating disorders. But this conversation isn't just about highlighting problems—it's about fostering empowerment and instilling hope. Whether you're seeking assistance for yourself or a cherished individual, brace yourself for a dose of encouragement and insight that will equip you with knowledge and confidence.

BIO: 

Sarah Archer LMFT, has been working with adolescents, teens and their families for over 15 years as a behavioral coach, individual and family therapist. Transitioning from Rady Children’s Hospital, Sarah has served as the Program Manager to the UCSD Adolescent Eating Disorder Program for over 10 years. While in addition to providing clinical services, she managed all program admissions, served as the San Diego Unified School District Liaison, trained and supervised staff in Evidence Based Practices and served as Lead of Adolescent Athletic Programming. 

Sarah Archer received her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from University of San Diego in 2005.  She has served as an Adjunct Professor at USD teaching Family Counseling to Graduate Students in 2019 and 2020 and for the past 6 years has been a guest lecturer at UCSD for the undergraduate eating disorder seminar. In 2019 she Co-Founded CounSEL, an animated video-based program teaching adolescents and teens evidence-based coping skills and has served over 30,000 students throughout California.

RESOURCES/ REFERENCES:

Align Eating Disorders

F.E.A.S.T. Eating Disorder Support Group

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

Get ready for an awesome episode where we chat with Veronica Alvarez, a true powerhouse in women's sports as the US Women’s National Baseball Team and the coordinator of player development for the Oakland A's. Oh, and did we mention she's also been a firefighter? 

Veronica's kick-ass career is nothing short of inspiring as she forges the way for females in some of the most male-dominated professions. In our conversation, she shares what these life experiences have taught her and how they translate to practical advice just for you!

We dive into Veronica's story, from her days hustling at the fire station or riding the truck to her current gig coaching a team of inspiring women on the baseball diamond. And the wisdom she's picked up along the way is pure gold.

Veronica has an amazing perspective on kids’ sports, thanks to her role as the coordinator of player development for the A’s. She shares her insight on how sports can teach kids (adults too) to handle pressure through techniques like perspective shift and using our breath to control our body’s stress response. Plus, she digs into why getting our kids involved in sports is so crucial for their growth.

But here's the best part: Veronica's got this amazing sense of humor and warmth that just shines through. She's all about resilience, for both kids and grown-ups, and she's got some killer advice on how to build it up, along with the importance of having a solid support system.

So, if you're up for a fun, heartwarming chat filled with laughs and nuggets of wisdom, you definitely don't want to miss this episode. Trust us, you're gonna love it!

BIO: 

Veronica has been on a baseball field for almost her entire life. She was a catcher for the USA Baseball Women's National team from 2008-2015. She participated in three World Cups and one Pan American Game. In 2019, she became one of the first few women to coach for a Major League Baseball franchise, the Oakland A’s.  Currently, Veronica is the coordinator of player development for the Oakland A’s international players in the Dominican Republic, and is the Manager for USA Baseball’s Women’s National Team. We will be cheering them on this summer as they work towards global domination in the 2024 World Cup!

Veronica has thrived in a male-dominated sport and credits her supportive parents and the confidence they instilled in her. Her coaching experiences have given her added insight into the role coaches play in the development of players of any age, both physically and mentally.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.