In this episode, we explore defense mechanisms and how we all use these to cope with stress and trauma in our lives.  Some defense mechanism are harmful to us and our relationships while others are more mature and helpful.  We look at defense mechanisms that we use and look at how we have grown in coping with stress.  We also acknowledge that we still have areas of opportunity for growth.  What defense mechanisms do you use and where can you gain insight and grow?

In this Mimosa Monday episode, we explore how to conquer the negative "stuff" from our past and integrate all the parts of ourselves as we continue to grow in to the best version of ourselves.  At times, we have to explore the things we may have "had" to do to in a certain point in our lives in order to keep moving forward. We need to understand that every thing we go through in our life helps us to grow if we let it. All of those pieces of us (good, bad and in between) make up who we are as a whole as we learn from each experience. What do you need to conquer about yourself? Come grow with us!

Elizabeth Thomakos shares her life story which has many twists and turns.  One of the most important lessons she shares is "being open to listening to others who have more experience and more wisdom than ourselves".  She began her college career in musical theater until one professor encouraged to to go in to journalism.  Elizabeth's  father was an attorney and she had never wanted to follow his career path.  However, she ended up attending law school to "be a better journalist".  She again found herself changing direction when her father gave her his law practice at a young age, right after she passed the bar exam.  Down the road, someone suggested she run for judge and she won the position, again at a young age.  Even with all of these amazing opportunities, Elizabeth has had many difficult things happen in her life.  She has always focused on "what is going right" which has helped her navigate the difficult times.  Listen and be inspired by this determined and positive woman!

In this episode we interview Susan Facemire who is a Pelvic Floor Physical therapist dealing with female health issues in the areas of "peeing, pooping and sex" which are issues often dismissed or ignored by women and their doctors.  She shares how closely tied these issues are to mental health.  She often helps women learn to calm down by using breathing and other relaxation techniques to decrease their pelvic floor medical issues including  inconsonance, vulvodynia, vaginismus,  and prolapsed pelvic organs and many others. She helps us to understand that we don't have to "just accept" when our bodies have issues in the pelvic floor area.  Listen and learn that there are options out there which can reduce your symptoms. You just need to know where to go and who to ask.

In this episode, we interview Lindsey Zimmerman and Jodi Luntz, who are close friends and co-chairs for the upcoming fundraising event, "Calling All Angels", for Aultman Hospital.  This year, in lieu of the in-person Angel Auction Gala, the Women's Board of Aultman Hospital will host a week long virtual celebration from May 10-14, to honor our local healthcare workers, acknowledge the generous community of donors and raise funds to support patient initiatives at Aultman Hospital.  Lindsey and Jodi are fun, upbeat and their passion to serve is contagious.  They share their story of how they met, became friends and then grew together with a heart for community service and outreach, being involved in many projects that support our community. We had a blast with these two energetic and driven women.  We are thankful to Aultman Hospital for many reasons and this is our opportunity to "Pay It Forward".  Check out the link and consider donating to this wonderful cause.

 http://callingallagels2021.org

In this episode, we interview author, Christy Whitman, who has written 7 books about helping us become the best versions of ourselves.  Her latest book, The Desire Factor, focuses on the success principles that she has written about and taught for over 40 years.  She looks to bust myths about desires we have in our minds.  She supports the idea that a "desire is the birthplace for creativity" and not to let fear hold us back from acting on our desires whether it is to start a business, start a new job or starting a family.  She sees that a desire opens up possibilities.  She encourages each one of us to only look for positive possibilities to make our desires come to fruition.  Christy encourages everyone to focus on what words are being used and look to shift to only using positive words.  She looks for a positive aspect in any situation even if the situation is not positive.  This can lead to having a good day every day.  Listen and learn how to act on your desires in a positive way.