We Are The Stigma

Cody & Melissa are chatting with The Human Builder, Mac Brazina and the interview quickly blooms into a brilliant conversation. The co-hosts are inspired, encouraged, and blown away by Mac’s positive attitude and passionate message. If you’re looking to reignite the fire within your soul, this is the episode for YOU!  Join us as we learn there we all transform from the inside, out.

“Mac Lives in integrating science, with candid human connection and mysticism. Bridging the gap between the questions that hold us back. As a compassionate guide, mentor and coach, Mac nurtures the evolution of each individual with utter confidentiality, non-judgment and dedication to uniqueness of each human - one rep at a time”

Follow Mac on Instagram @the_human_builder On Facebook @TheHumanBuilderCoach & Twitter @human_builder Check out her blog The Other 23 

And be sure to head over to her website HumanBuilder.com 

-The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! 

-As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

-You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook 

-You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!

Episode 20 of Season 2!! Mels & Codes are chatting with writer, speaker & recovering alcoholic, Gary Chattaway! Gary shares the ins & outs of his addiction along with the relapses & lessons he's learned over the years. Since putting down the bottle, Gary has picked up the pen in hopes of sharing what he wishes he knew back then. Helping others on their sober paths has become a driving force in Gary's life, and we are here for it! This episode reminds us, there is no one way to recover, we're all doing the best we can to change the world, one day at a time.

You can grab a free copy of Gary's book The Human Glitch, #1 in the alcoholism genre, at Amazon.com The Human Glitch is a short, sharp but compelling representation of a 24 hour period within the life of an addict.

Currently, as well as involvement with number personal clients, themselves new to the recovery process, Gary is also working through the 198,000 words of his latest manuscript, which it’s expected, will help readers cut free of their own addiction bubble, using many of the techniques and methods Gary acquired himself following on from having to force through massive change.

-Follow Gary on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube!
-Be sure to check out thehumanglitch.com for more information!
-The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review!
-As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/
-You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
-You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!

Melissa & Cody are back from Summer Break and chatting with the super inspirational Tyler Hall! 27-year-old Tyler is a recovering dieter, a holistic health and wellness coach, and the founder of Radically Transformed Coaching. Tyler’s mission in life is to help chronic dieters ditch their diets for good, so they can live happy healthy lives. 

Of course, we talk so much more than dieting! We discuss bullying, coming out friends & family, depression, difficult relationships with loved ones, and the destruction left behind by meth addiction, these are the moments that lead Tyler to his personal, radical transformation. 

We also discuss toxic dieting & physical fitness, and intuitive/mindful eating! 

You will laugh, you will learn, and, as always, you will be inspired. 

Find Tyler on Instagram @radicallytransformedcoaching

Connect with him on Facebook @ Radically Transformed Coaching

And visit his website radicallytransformedcoaching.com

The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! 

As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

-You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook 

-You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!

On this mid-season finale, Melissa & Cody are celebrating The Summer Of DJ Bob! DJ Bob is a podcaster, writer, and cerebral palsy advocate. As he celebrates his 10 year anniversary of his podcast, The DJ Bob Show! DJ Bob shares how his show started, some of his favorite stories, and what the future holds. Cerebral palsy tried to hold him back, but Bob Runkel never gave up! Through his humorous stories and positive attitude, you will find passion, inspiration, and motivation like none other! This interview was a perfect end to the first half of season 2 of We Are The Stigma! We'll be back with all-new episodes on August 17th, we love you, and as always, thanks for listening!

Follow DJ Bob on Instagram & Facebook

Read “How Podcasting With a Disability Had Helped Me” on The Mighty 

Find The DJ Bob show here or on iTunes

• The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! 
• As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show
• You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook 
• You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!

An Instagram post by former guest, Pete On Repeat, had Melissa & Cody thinking.. staying sober during the uncertainties of 2020, is no simple feat. Addicts & Alcoholics (sober or attempting sobriety) deserve some legit recognition right now. Quarantine has provided lots of time to face one's demons, while COVID itself has us scared and unsure! Staying sober right now is a true blessing, but it can also be really effing hard. However sober you are & however you're doing it.. we see you, we honor you, we are you..after all, We Are The Stigma xox

Check out Pete's post here 
The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review!
As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

-You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook 

-You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!

Thanks for listening!! Xox

***Please be advised: the topics discussed in this episode can be triggering. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact your local crisis center**

This week, Cody & Melissa are speaking to Rachel Nolan, a survivor of postpartum psychosis & and an advocate for maternal mental health. Rachel vulnerably shares her mental health story, and while there are some deep dark bottoms, you better bet there is beauty to be found. 

This episode isn’t just for women who will become mothers, this episode is for EVERYONE. It’s a story about battling your demons, advocating for your mental health, and refusing to give up. 

This episode will also teach you the signs to look for in your loved ones who may be fighting their own silent war. Remember, the outside persona we present isn’t always the authentic one. 

Rachel is a survivor of postpartum psychosis and is not afraid to speak out about her struggle in order to help other women overcome postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.

You can read Rachel’s articles at sobermommies.com

Mother Mental Health Organizations mentioned in this episode are:
The Blue Dot Project
Postpartum.net
Cherishedmom.org

-Learn about Melissa’s struggle w/PPD by following her on Instagram @_thepetitecactus 

The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review!
As always, please share with others!! And reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

-You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook 

-You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!

Thanks for listening!! xox

In episode 15 Melissa & Cody chat with Alex Rigby, a 30-year-old biracial man from San Diego, living in New Mexico. The trio talk about the current state of affairs in the United States, and Alex's experiences with racism in his own life. 

We are reminded that that every single one of us has something to add to the conversation, and that we all share different experiences but many of the lessons are the same. And when it comes to fighting racism, we must work from the inside out.  

• You can follow Alex on Instagram @a_rigby22 
• You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!
• The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! 
• As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/
• You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook 

Thanks for listening!! xox

It's Pride Month and we're talking with Julian Gavino, AKA The Disabled Hippie! Julian is a 25-year-old life coach, writer, model, and advocate. He has a community on Instagram where he shares his journey as a transgender man and his life long journey with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) He's open and inspirational af. We talk about his transition, living with EDS and the calling he can't escape. Cody & Melissa learn that the only thing stopping us from achieving what we want, is ourselves. His writing is beautiful, be sure to check out his Instagram @thedisabledhippie  

The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review!
As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

-You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
-You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!

Thanks for listening!! xox

In this 10 min Monday, Melissa & Cody know an uncomfortable conversation needs to be had. They talk about why, as white people, racism is so difficult to discuss & discuss the actions we need to start taking. It's time for us to shut our mouths and open our ears. This is NOT a political conversation, it's about human rights.

This is a very powerful resource for you to save and use https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S5uckFHCA_XZkxG0Zg5U4GQGbY_RklZARwu43fqJH0E/mobilebasic We have highlighted certain resources below:
Get Honest With Yourself:
Use these writing prompts to get honest with yourself http://leesareneehall.com/expressivewriting-prompts-to-use-if-youve-been-accused-of-whitefragility-spiritualbypass-or-whiteprivilege/

Watch this video on where to start and how to acknowledging racism https://www.instagram.com/p/CAyhBlRgd0j/

Start difficult conversations:
With your kids: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/05/31/how-talk-kids-racism-racial-violence-police-brutality/5288065002/ 

With your family & friends: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a25221603/thanksgiving-dinner-conversation-how-to-talk-to-family-about-politics/
Or share this episode to those who may need to hear it, and we'll have the difficult conversation for you! 

Pick up one of these books:
https://www.amazon.com/Me-White-Supremacy-Combat-Ancestor/dp/1728209803
https://www.amazon.com/White-Fragility-People-About-Racism/dp/0807047414
https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Antiracist-Ibram-Kendi/dp/0525509283

Find tips on becoming an ally here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CAxZhxIFHUC/
Join Rachel Cargle in The Great Unlearn https://www.patreon.com/thegreatunlearn

-Write to your city or town government representative and police chief and advocate for: officers wearing body cameras, evidence-based police de-escalation trainings & officers wearing body cams.
Put your money where your mouth is: 

• Don't business that use prison labor, check out this lists to discover in https://returntonow.net/2016/06/13/prison-labor-is-the-new-american-slavery/
• Support black businesses, you can find there here: https://officialblackwallstreet.com/directory/
• Donate your time and money, here are a few: Your local Black Lives Matter Chapter, the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, the NAACP 
• Donate to help the protesters https://secure.actblue.com/donate/glp-bail-funds-email-20200531

& Follow these powerful voices on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rachel.cargle/
https:/

In episode 12 Cody Kreutz interviews LCSW, Amber Holt to discuss all things harm reduction, from seat belts to clean needle exchange. Being in programs of substance abstinence themselves, Melissa & Cody held their own beliefs around harm reduction therapy and substance use, thanks to compassionate people like Amber, they have had their walls broken down and are so excited to delve deeper into this controversial topic. Amber discusses how she initially discovered her passion for harm reduction therapy, different types of harm reduction and the unnecessary stigmas it is tied to. The message is simple - Together, with a little compassion and education, we can save lives. As always, drop your per-conceived ideas, open your minds, and enjoy this thought provoking and heartfelt conversation.

Please Be Advised this episode talks openly about self-harm.

Amber Holt is a psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience working with people who struggle with addiction and mental health concerns. She believes in treating her patients with respect and meeting them where they are at, with no judgement. She brings passion and compassion to those who would otherwise be ignored. Along with helping her patients one-on-one in her private practice, Amber is an advocate on and offline for harm reduction, social justice and anti-racism.

-Learn more about Amber and her work at TheHarmReductionTherapist.com
-Follow her on Instagram & Facebook
-You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey on YouTube!

-The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review!
-As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

-You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook 

Thanks for listening!! xox