She came out of the womb talking.  At least that’s what her mother said.  Then a teacher told her she was a good writer and that stayed with her for many years.  Dawn R. Ward revisited her love of writing and is now a published author of a faith-based book for parents of addicted children.  And she knows all about it, having been through it, not once but twice.  Dawn realized she could process what she was feeling in a creative way and help others by sharing her experience.  The willingness to be vulnerable is not lost.  It’s brave.  Next Dawn will be tackling fiction because she’s taking her gift of writing more seriously. She is our guest this week for Thinking through My Fingers - a Writers Series.

You can find Dawn at DawnRWard.com or FaithtoFlourish.com.

Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.

The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.

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If you have questions or comments email us at: [email protected].

We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.

So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

She’s one smart cookie.  I couldn’t help but notice that during our conversation.  BA Crisp writes for curiosity and elevation.  How is that for intriguing?  She’s written five books: a fantasy trilogy, self-help, and memoir. Currently writing about quantum physics because she is fascinated by where science meets the sacred as God is everywhere.  She shared the results of some fascinating studies that revealed how DNA and blood outside of the body react to positive and negative forces.  Heady stuff.  I did my best to keep pace with her brilliant mind and I think I followed along reasonably well.  BA is our guest this week for Thinking through My Fingers - a Writers Series.

You can find BA at BACrisp.com.

Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.

The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.

Social media (direct links):

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

If you have questions or comments email us at: [email protected].

We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.

So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

Today’s episode is part of a global initiative called Podcasthon, aimed at showcasing the incredible work happening around the world. This week, thousands of podcasts are dedicating their episodes to spotlight a cause, sharing the positive impact being made, and offering listeners ways to get involved.  Bijou Mushengezi is a cherished friend of mine and the podcast.  Unabashed You is sharing the work Bijou and her team are doing through the charity she began, Moseka Action Project.  Moseka specializes in uplifting women and children affected by war, sexual violence, and poverty in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Through education, mentorship, and psychological care they are working for lasting change.

You can find Bijou and Moseka’s work at Moseka Action Project.

Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.

The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.

Social media (direct links):

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

If you have questions or comments email us at: [email protected].

We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.

So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

It started with a car accident or rather that was the trigger for a downward spiral where depression, anxiety and suicide attempts came to visit.  They stayed for quite a while.  After believing she wasn’t worthy, Maria Morgan was eventually able to make her way back to joy, with time and hope.  It took a deepened faith, her husband living out his vows, the love of friends and family, along with the power of prayer to make the difference.  Therapy and medication were also a part of the healing equation.  She learned that the suppressed damage from childhood, and the lies she was telling herself, were not at all true.  There was great freedom in breaking those chains.  Maria is our guest this week for Let’s Talk about Mental Health.

You can find Maria on her website at mariaimorgan.com.

Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.

The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.

Social media (direct links):

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

If you have questions or comments email us at: [email protected].

We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.

So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

She realized in later years, once the healing began, that she didn’t actually want to die.  Geena wanted the pain to stop and was desperate to find solutions to make it so.  In her own words she was a beautiful, mess of a human being that didn’t have all the answers.  Trauma after trauma left her not wanting to live.  At the lowest point she had a plan and told God, I’m going to call my friend and if she answers I won’t go through with it.  Thankfully the friend did answer and now Geena Hymer wants to be the person she needed when she was at her lowest.  She is our guest this week for Let’s Talk About Mental Health.

You can find Geena on Instagram. Or under her name on Facebook.

Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.

The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.

Social media (direct links):

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

If you have questions or comments email us at: [email protected].

We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.

So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

What if you are diagnosed with a mental illness?  You knew something wasn’t right but now you have the words, the information to get started on the process of healing.  And that’s what it is, a process.  You will never be done.  No one will no matter what they are dealt.  With that in mind you can realize that you are not your illness.  You can stop being silent because silence is suffocating.  You  can seek treatment, seek support in community, and seek the power of faith.  These points and more were made by this week’s guest, Jesslyn McCutcheon during our conversation for Let’s Talk About Mental Health.  Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 26, she knows first-hand how to fight Goliath.

You can find Jesslyn at Fighting Goliath.

Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.

The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.

Social media (direct links):

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

If you have questions or comments email us at: [email protected].

We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.

So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

It seems more men need to hear this.  That they will not be thought less of if they share with someone a struggle they are having.  It’s not a sign of weakness, it’s actually a sign of strength because it takes courage to admit you don’t have it all together.  Really, who does?  Mark Hanley had many other insightful things to share as our guest this week for Let’s Talk about Mental Health.  Like how important communication is in reducing the stigma when we are fighting to stay well.  It can start one conversation at a time and it begins with each one of us.

You can find Mark and the great work the foundation is are doing at Fallen Waterman’s Foundation.

Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.

The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.

Social media (direct links):

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

If you have questions or comments email us at: [email protected].

We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.

So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

What if you are at your lowest?  Depressed, you’ve lost who you are. A few toxic relationships have run their course, and a few new events are placed in your path.  You have nowhere to go but up, so you carefully lean in to clearing out the negative energy and not drinking to numb the pain.  Nicole Rippee started saying ‘yes’ to showing up in her life with listening to where she was being led, and ‘yes’ to cultivating a community of support and encouragement.  Fear would not have the last word.  Bigger than fear was the thought of regret and she didn’t want any of that.  Nicole is our guest this week for Let’s Talk about Mental Health.

You can find Nicole on Instagram at Hello Shade.

Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.

The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.

Social media (direct links):

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

If you have questions or comments email us at: [email protected].

We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.

So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

She is right.  It doesn’t take much time to send a text or to phone a friend.  Maybe you’ve noticed they are a little bit off, not their usual self.  So why not simply say, How are you doing?  Are you good?  Is everything okay? Jarkeshia McGahee is a mental health advocate who encourages us all to take that moment and to check in on your people.  We all need to be seen and to know someone cares.  Listening, offering help if needed, sharing resources and understanding the do’s and don’ts when someone opens up are practical ways to meet somebody right where they are at.  It might make all the difference.  Jarkeshia is our guest this week for “Let’s Talk about Mental Health.”

You can find Jarkeshia on her YouTube channel: Chop with Jam.

Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.

The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.

Social media (direct links):

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

If you have questions or comments email us at: [email protected].

We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.

So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

There is tremendous value in understanding our emotions are not good or bad.  We need to let them in and not ignore them.  They are telling us something and if we don’t pay attention our bodies will be the one to keep score.  This is how many physical symptoms and illnesses are born.  Lina La Rue Gomez had many other wise and discerning things to say as our guest this week for “Let’s Talk About Mental Health.”  She has learned the biggest challenges she has faced have brought the biggest blessings to her life.

You can find Lina’s podcast at The Streets of Our Lives and on LinkedIn at Lina La Rue Gomez.

Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.

The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.

Social media (direct links):

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

If you have questions or comments email us at: [email protected].

We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.

So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐