We Are Human First

Today, Dr. Paula Christian Kliger and Lori Blumenstein Bott, LMSW, discuss the concept of sharing power, and its relevance in our current climate.

We open with an excerpt from Isabel Wilkerson's book Caste (Amazon link below), comparing our country to a beautiful home with flaws in its foundation.

Sometimes, when we retreat to our own corners, surrounded by those of similar perspectives, we get scared by people who are different than us. And we react accordingly, sometimes harkening back to old vulnerabilities.  This, of course, links back to our self-study model.   Think back to your school days, and how different students would react when called on.

In order to learn from others and make the world a better place, we must learn to accept our own vulnerabilities, triggers, and imperfections.

Resources:

Isabel Wilkerson's book Caste: https://www.amazon.com/Caste-Origins-Discontents-Isabel-Wilkerson/dp/0593230256

Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.com

Call Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Today we have all three of our hosts come together for a discussion on leadership, as Dr. Paula Kliger, Lori Blumenstein-Bott and Sara Kliger share their experience and perspective.

Sara, as a millennial, talks about her role as a leader in organizations, and how she has had to grow into that role.  Paula and Lori then talk about how they've grown from that same early point in their careers to where they are now.

One thing that these two baby boomers and one millennial have in common is that they are all women. Sometimes that affects leadership when a work-life balance and societal pressures enter into the picture.  Paula shares a personal moment from Sara's childhood that had an effect on her personally.

Collaboration, listening, and sharing are all key aspects of leadership, This brings us back to the self-study model.  We must look back at our past experiences - in and out of the office - to gain a more informed picture of who we are and how we can lead others. Mindfulness is so important.

Resources:

Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.com

Call Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Today, Dr. Paula Christian Kliger, PhD, is joined once again by her daughter, Sara Kliger, RDT, LCAT.  We take a look at our collective trauma in 2020, and how that hits generations differently.

Collective traumas and other life experiences can inform us, and we compare Sara's experience of September 11th with Paula's witnessing the events of the Vietnam War.

It's important to recognize and validate trauma. It's equally as important to understand the impact it has on mind, body and soul.

Paula and Sara take a combined look at the traumatic events of 2020 - from the pandemic to race relations.  What are the different perceptions across the generations?  Is there sometime tension between them?

Resources:

Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.com

Call Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Today, Dr. Paula Christian Kliger is joined by her daughter Sara Kliger, a licensed creative arts therapist and registered drama therapist.

In future episodes of this series, Paula and Sara will cover generation and race issues, but today the focus is on trauma and crisis.  What is their collective impact on us, and how do we cope moving forward?

Sara takes us through some of her background, working in New York City schools and as part of the Psych Assets team.  She's able to use the arts- drama, music, and spoken word - as a way of healing.  Much of today's trauma is being experienced collectively, and there's a degree of solace in that.  Sara explains how important it's been to connect with teachers, parents, and children - even remotely.

Paula and Sara also talk about the success of their virtual therapy sessions, with participants joining from New York to California, and many places in between. This fits with the both the self study model and the need to have a shared experience.

Resources:

Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.com

Call Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Dr. Kliger's book: Power Your Heart...You Power Your Mind: Self Study then Build a Bridge to Someone: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999853902/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_NGQ-EbASG4ETX

In today's episode, we use our self study model to look inward.   Last time, we spoke of the difficulties our society is facing between the pandemic and race relations.  Now, we look at where everything starts - ourselves.

Find yourself, find your people, and get in touch with your story.  When you can really turn the mirror on yourself - your strengths and your areas of improvement - you can begin the journey to improve not only yourself, but those around you.

Dr. Paula Kliger and Lori Blumenstein Bott, LMSW, explore these ideas today.

Resources:

Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.com

Call Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Dr. Kliger's book: Power Your Heart...You Power Your Mind: Self Study then Build a Bridge to Someone: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999853902/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_NGQ-EbASG4ETX

There's no doubt we are living in unique times, with the various tensions in our country.

In this episode, Dr. Paula Kliger and Lori Blumenstein-Bott, LMSW dive into the topic of tough conversations.  How can we be mindful and deliberate in starting these conversation with our co-workers of different backgrounds?  Why do we avoid them? And how do we push through any discomfort so that we can learn from each other?

It starts with understanding our inner selves, and for organizations, that starts at the top.

Lori and Paula also share how their different backgrounds have helped lead them to a better understanding of each other and improve their working relationship.

Resources:

Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.com

Call Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Diane Wilson rejoins Dr. Paula Christian Kliger and Lori Blumenstein-Bott for part 2 of their conversation around the brain.

In our current pandemic, Diane talks about how a pivot may not be possible when in a certain mindset, and that's where neurofeedback can be employed.

Sometimes you have to learn where your thresholds are - are you overwhelmed when you wake up in the morning?

The mind is the mind. And we are bigger than the mind.

Diane also talks about meditation and other tools that can be helpful. How do we get to a better place to cope with what's going on and arrive at more creative solutions?   Even something like walking or cooking can help with the mind-body connection.

We hear about a client of Diane's that pivoted - from making jeans to making PPE for health care workers and first responders.

You can start with small pivots - maybe even reaching out to folks in your network to get a change in perspective.

Resources:

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.com

Call Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

The Good Brain Blog: https://www.grimardwilson.com/the-good-brain-blog

Today, Dr. Paula Christian Kliger and Lori Blumenstein-Bott are joined by licensed clinical professional counselor Diane Wilson.  Diane is certified in neurofeedback and her work overlaps with the work of Psych Assets.

Diane explains how she's always been interested in the brain, and how a car accident and resulting traumatic brain injury further ignited her passion.  Shifting and pivoting have been key parts of her work, and that's never been more relevant than now.

As an example, the group discussed some technical issues they had setting up today's podcast, and how they battled through and remained resilient through them.  This allowed them to stay focused and record the show.  Diane explains "active control" and  some "in the moment" things you can do to remain focused.

Diane explains neuroscience, neurofeedback, and brain scans - and how they can help her clients "unfold their brains."  This can help with both mental and physical health issues.

Resources:

Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.com

Call Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

The Good Brain Blog: https://www.grimardwilson.com/the-good-brain-blog

As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, today we look at Dr. Kliger's Self Study Model, and how mindfulness can help us through.

How do we live in the moment and prep for the future?  How will we handle re-emergence when some of our old world is gone?

It's important to focus on what you can do, not what you can't.  Use isolation and silence as gifts in terms of mindfulness, self restriction.  We can find peace and learn much about ourselves through meditation and mindfulness - even something as simple as paying more attention to our morning routines. We can use this time as an opportunity.

For those that aren't isolated, and perhaps crave some alone time, it's important to have a "reset."

Finally, the Coronavirus can be used to focus on our inter-dependence with each other, and the gratitude that can evoke.

Resources:

Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.com

Call Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Today, Dr. Paula Christian Kliger and Lori Blumenstein-Bott, LMSW, continue their exploration of the self-study model, with a look at our blind spots.

We tend to be self-aware in most of our roles in life, but we all have psychological blind spots - they may be subconscious.  They may be the result of prior experience.  We don't know they are there.  It's like driving a car.  When you first get your license, you  have to pay extremely close attention.  As you gain experience though, you tend to go onto auto-pilot.

We sometimes see these blind spots in our marriages, our relationships, and even in the workplace.   Today, we explore how to uncover these blind spots, and break these cycles.

Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.com

Call Psych Assets: 248-594-5979