Find Your Still Point

Welcome to The Find Your Still Point Podcast - Season 2!  This is a podcast for those interesting in learning and practicing skills to support nervous system regulation for whole body wellness. Host - Jessica King - is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in North Carolina where she owns a group private practice and a wellness consultation practice where she offers wellness business coaching, trainings, and retreats. In Jessica's own private practice, she works with people who are feeling overwhelmed and want to feel more connected. She utilizes mindfulness based cognitive therapy, internal family systems, and somatic experiencing to support individuals in their own healing. She is also passionate about supporting other helping professions and actively studies and works in the field of burnout prevention in order to help our community find more resilience. Today, Jessica interview Michelle Walker, LCSWA. Michelle Walker is the owner of Salt and Cypress Counseling, a nature focused therapy practice located in Wilmington North Carolina. Michelle works with adult clients and her clinical focus is PTSD, OCD, and other anxiety disorders. Michelle also specializes in Perinatal Mental Health which includes pregnancy and postpartum mental illnesses. Michelle began to introduce a nature-based therapy approach into her practice in March of 2023 after completing a training in Colorado that transformed her perspective on mental health treatment.  Jessica and Michelle discuss the benefits of nature based therapy, as well as provide details on how they combine their specialities in their upcoming fall Nature and Nurture Eco Retreat in the NC Mountains. They will offer yoga, meditation, breath work, and therapeutic nature based activities all themed around connecting to the world around you while also connecting to the inner landscape of your body and your true nature to feel well and whole. CONNECT TO RETREAT: This is a 3 night retreat from Nov 9 - 12, 2023 in the Pisgah National Forest in the NC mountains. All lodging, food, and programming is included. You can find more details about the retreat in the EventBrite link . Promotional discounts and registration without EventBrite fees is available by contacting Jessica directly. We hope you consider joining us on our Eco Retreat! CONNECT with Michelle: michelle@saltandcypresscounseling.com call/text 910-248-4530 CONNECT with JESSICA: https://stillpointcounselingandwellness.com/staff/jessica-king-msw-lcsw-e-ryt/ stillpointconsultation@gmail.com   Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook:  www.facebook.com/stillpointilm --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

After a year long hiatus, I have resurrected the podcast! I am interested in bringing on new guests to nerd out on neuroscience and get excited about all things therapy and healing! I also plan to offer some short but effective meditations and self-regulations practices you can really use to help feel well! Take a listen and stay tuned for future guests! You can connect further with Jessica here: Email: stillpointconsulation@gmail.com Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw You can also follow her clinical group practice at @stillpointilm for helpful community resources! Their website is www.stillpointcounselingandwellness.com. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

Gratitude is a researched tool for improving life satisfaction and is associated with positive health outcomes. Today Jessica describes gratitude briefly and guides you through a short, but deep and meaningful practice in mindful, gratitude. KNOW MORE ABOUT JESSICA by visiting her website. Ways to connect with Jessica: Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/stillpointilm jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

Join Jessica for a brief Tonglen meditation practice. Tonglen is a meditation from the Buddhist tradition that is also known as “taking and sending" that reverses our usual logic. While we often meditate on drawing in healing resources and letting go of suffering, Tonglen guides us to visualize taking in the pain of others with every in-breath and sending out whatever will benefit them on the out-breath. In the process, we become liberated from patterns of selfishness and ideas of scarcity, and awaken to abundance and compassion. Tonglen awakens our compassion and introduces us to a bigger perspective and new reality. KNOW MORE ABOUT JESSICA by visiting her website. Ways to connect with Jessica: Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/stillpointilm jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

Jessica leaves you with a few thoughts about season 1 of the podcast and some ideas to calm the crazy over the summer. Take a listen to the final episode in Season 1 of The Find Your Stillpoint Podcast. KNOW MORE ABOUT JESSICA by visiting her website. Ways to connect with Jessica: Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/stillpointilm jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

interview Gina Fimbel, educator and operations assistant for Be the Bridge, an organization dedicated to racial literacy that empowers people and organizations towards racial healing, equity, and reconciliation. Take a listen to Gina and Jessica's conversation about what white people can do to become allies through education of self, listening to others, and working towards change in themselves for racial healing.⁠ RESOURCES: Be the Bridge website: https://bethebridge.com/ - Use this website to get linked to further trainings, books, groups, and more Book: Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison https://www.amazon.com/Be-Bridge-audiobook/dp/B07YBH6RVJ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Be+the+bridge&qid=1626709216&sr=8-1 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

Jessica talks briefly about the way she conceptualizes meditation and uses the practice in her everyday life. If you are interested in practices with Jessica in a LIVE guided group meditation, check out her event on EventBrite and join her and others on Monday's from 8:15 - 8:45 am. You can also connect with Jessica through these platforms for individual sessions or to collaborate on projects. KNOW MORE ABOUT JESSICA by visiting her website. Ways to connect with Jessica: Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/stillpointilm jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

Listen to this brief explanation and simple self-compassion meditation to understand how using self-compassion can be a powerful skill in managing stress and improving well-being, as well as a motivator for change and growth for ourselves and for the world. There is a great deal more research and information on self-compassion, so for further study visit the research and books of Kristen Neff: https://self-compassion.org/ The Mindful Self-Compassion Program The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook Fierce Self Compassion Meditation led by Jessica King in the podcast, but was inspired by exercise developed by Kristen Neff and referenced in her book. KNOW MORE ABOUT JESSICA by visiting her website. Ways to connect with Jessica: Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/stillpointilm jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

Today Jessica interviews Mercedes McLaughlin, CMSW, LCSW, a therapist in Wilmington NC. Mercedes utilizes mindfulness based stress reduction interventions and other holistic practices like Laughter Yoga in her treatment with clients to support them in building coping skills and resilience. Mercedes points out "we cannot heal in the same environment we were hurt in", so creating some balance in our lives through practices like Laughter Yoga can help promote healing. Mercedes leads a Laughter Yoga practice at the end that is also able to be viewed on You Tube to see the visual. Other resources are linked below. Mercedes provides clinical psychotherapy via secure, virtual, Telehealth throughout North Carolina. Mercedes also presents on mindfulness, Laughter Yoga, and self-care to organizations. To read more about Mercedes and get in touch with her visit: https://stillpointcounselingandwellness.com/staff/mercedes-mclaughlin/ or email mercedes@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com Resources provided by Mercedes for further practice: www.laughteronlineuniversity.com/research https://laughteryoga.org/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2xYLUQSFHE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

Today Jessica King gives a quick tip about noticing different layers of our body while also experiencing the wholeness and interconnectedness of those parts for an awareness of the whole Self. The Self that is our true nature and that which keeps us feeling connected to the world in which we live and our spiritual nature. The 10 minute meditation at the end is intended to help you observe, practice and experience this interconnectedness. KNOW MORE ABOUT JESSICA by visiting her website. Ways to connect with Jessica: Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/stillpointilm jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

In this episode, Jessica discusses the importance of paying attention to our emotions, and how this awareness can lead to great self-regulation, stress management, and a sense of well-being. Jessica explains briefly the neurobiology of emotions and discusses in regular terms how this shows up in our lives as stress and unwanted behaviors. Take listen and learn how when we learn to feel all our emotions, we begin to heal on multiple levels. The meditation in the podcast focuses on emotional energy and awareness. If you are interested in meditation, Jessica leads virtual groups and you may consider filling out this Google Form to sign up for ongoing group mediation led by Jessica. If you are Wilmington, NC you have the option fo coming into the studio for in person group or this group will be offered virtually to anyone anywhere in the world. KNOW MORE ABOUT JESSICA by visiting her website. Ways to connect with Jessica: Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/stillpointilm jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

Today Jessica King, LCSW talks about how we can help manage our own distress by becoming the observer of thoughts. Do you ever feel trapped by "monkey mind" or create a storyline in your mind that leads to emotional overwhelm and changes your behaviors? If so, you are in good company! As human beings, we think because we can! Distress happens often when thoughts are stuck in past or future thinking and cultivating presence starts with detaching from the thoughts, not engaging, and attempting to let the thoughts flow. Learning to become the observer of your thoughts can change the way you feel, the way you think about yourself, and the way you interact with others. If you would like to learn more after this episode, consider filling out this Google Form to sign up for ongoing group mediation led by Jessica. If you are Wilmington, NC you have the option fo coming into the studio for in person group or this group will be offered virtually to anyone anywhere in the world. KNOW MORE ABOUT JESSICA by visiting her website. Ways to connect with Jessica: Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/stillpointilm jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

Guest Episode!⁠ ⁠ Today Jessica King interviews Michelle Crittendon. Michelle is a wife, mother, and yoga teacher in Wilmington, NC. Today Michelle tells us about her yoga journey while also navigating the craziness of motherhood and business. She also shows up with us today to speak a little about the intersection of wellness with mental health and how radical acceptance has helped her to step up authentically to show up for herself and be well. Among other things, Michelle discusses the importance of seeking qualified professionals when dealing with mental health issues, the mindset she employs to navigate challenges, and what showing up for herself means. She so beautifully states, "We are often searching outside of ourselves for the next (thing), but the truth is that we are already whole and it is just turning back towards ourselves [that is needed]." ⁠ RESOURCES: CONTACTING MICHELLE: Join her newsletter, email her, or find out more about her Wilmington, NC yoga classes at: https://www.solmamayoga.com/ Or connect with her on instagram @solmamayoga MENTIONED REFERENCES: Tara Brach: Books - Radical Acceptance and Radical Compassion Glennon Doyle - author and activist - on Instagram as @glennondoyle and founder of @together.rising MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES National Suicide Prevention Texting Hotline: Text 741741 National Suicide Hotline: 800 - 273 - 8255 NAMI: https://www.nami.org SAMHSA: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Find a therapist: www.psychologytoday.com KNOW MORE ABOUT JESSICA by visiting her website. Ways to connect with Jessica: Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/stillpointilm jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

Diagnosable mental health issues are prevalent. 1 in 5 adults have a diagnosable mental health issue and everyday 123 Americans die by suicide. That is one death by suicide every 12 minutes. We know teen suicide rates are up too. AND, we have not begun to understand the impact that COVID-19 will have on mental health statistics. Guys, here is the truth - Mental health is HEALTH! It is my truest belief that we cannot separate mental health from physical health. We are one whole being and what impacts one area of our being impacts another. In this episode, Jessica discusses how every day stress can impact existing mental health conditions and the normalization of that experience, so that we can decrease the stigma related to mental health and particularly getting help for mental health conditions. Jessica reminds us that we are built for connection, and we need to let the village rise up in our communities to support those experiencing conditions that otherwise make them feel isolated, alone, or not worthy. We are all worthy! And, you are not alone! RESOURCES: National Suicide Prevention Texting Hotline: Text 741741 National Suicide Hotline: 800 - 273 - 8255 NAMI: https://www.nami.org SAMHSA: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Find a therapist: www.psychologytoday.com To know more about Jessica by visiting her website. Ways to connect with Jessica: Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/stillpointilm jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

TIP OF THE DAY: STRETCH!! In this episode, Jessica provides a quick tip around managing stress from a holistic, body based model with all the neuroscience to back it up. Take a quick listen to learn more about how your body works and a quick tip to improve your overall health. At the end, she guides you through a short body based practice for stress relief. To know more about Jessica by visiting her website. Ways to connect with Jessica: Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/stillpointilm jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

Today Jessica King provides some information about stress and how it shows up in our bodies and the purpose it serves being there. She provides some practical skills to help conceptualize that stress, reframe the way we think about our stress, and ways to process stress and let it move through our body to feel better. While stress is a normal process that we all must learn to manage, she also highlights by the end, that there may be reasons why managing your stress is not easy, and to always reach out for support if needed. Her contact resources are below, or you could look for a therapist near you by using Psychology Today. To know more about Jessica by visiting her website. Ways to connect with Jessica: Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/stillpointilm jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

Today Jessica interviews her own children! Join us to hear a little more from her family about what it is like to be part of their crazy family, as well as a kid's perspective on stress, how it effects them, and what they do to help themselves. This episode does a great job normalizing the impact of stress on our bodies, as well as to highlight practical strategies for anyone trying to manage stress and not let it overwhelm your life. The meditation practice of this podcast is great for both adults and kids, so grab the littlest people in your life and take a listen!! Parker King is 14 years old and lives in Wilmington NC where he attends 8th grade, enjoys lots of sports, is a music fanatic, and a self-proclaimed stress expert because he is busy guy himself! John King is 10 years old and in 4th grade. John also enjoys sports, skateboarding, reading, and playing the drums. They both provide their own unique experience and remind us that kids today have a lot to carry. They share their best learned lessons so far on managing stress, and call out their mom on a few topics! Resource: The meditation is an adapted version of "The Magic Shell Meditation" from Meditation for Minis by Debbie Wildi. The meditation in this recording is not word for word script but rather a remembering of the parts of this written meditation script. You can find this book on Amazon and other places where you buy books. https://www.amazon.com/Meditation-Minis-Debbie-Wildi/dp/B005886EK4 To know more about Jessica visit: https://stillpointcounselingandwellness.com/staff/jessica-king-msw-lcsw-e-ryt/. Ways to connect with me: Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/stillpointilm jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

In this episode, Jessica shares her strategy for intentional and mindful "to-do lists" that will be a game changer! She shares briefly her personal story of feeling overwhelmed by all the tasks of the day, and how using a strategy called "my three things" has shifted the way she approaches each day and left her feeling more productive and more connected with what matters to her. The references mentioned in this podcast are listed below, as well as the ways to connect with Jessica. If you are in need of the support of a therapist, coach, or mentor reach out to Jessica for consultation. If she is not a great fit for what you need, she will help direct you to someone who will be!! Be well, friends!! Resources within Podcast: Being Well podcast with Dr. Rick Hansen and Forrest Hansen Episode#118 Maximize Productivity with Mindfulness with Chris Bailey Other Chris Bailey resources: BOOKS: Hyperfocus and The Productivity Project TED Talk: How to Get Your Brain to Focus WEBSITE: https://alifeofproductivity.com/the-productivity-project/ CONNECT WITH JESSICA: jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com @jessicakinglcsw On Facebook as Jessica King, LCSW www.stillpointcounselingandwellness.com @stillpointilm on Facebook as Stillpoint Counseling and Wellness, PLLC --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

What is a still point? And how do you find it? In this episode, Jessica talks about the struggles she faces finding a still point, as well as her own perspective on what this place feels like. She takes you on a journey with nature and your breathe to begin to practice and to experience moments of stillness and mindfulness that can help you feel grounded in a spinning, busy world. She encourages us to become the observer of our thoughts and experiences of life in a way that helps us have freedom in choice and to feel connected to the rhythm of life. Below are some resources for further learning and practice. Jessica will be leading a 90 min yoga, breathwork, and meditation on January 30th from 9 - 10:30 am. Register for Chakra Balancing Yoga Flow here: https://stillpointcounselingandwellness.com/chakra-balancing-flow-yoga/ The excerpt Jessica read in the podcast is part of a larger body of work. Read more from T.S. Elliot here: https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/11/18/t-s-eliot-reads-burnt-norton/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

In this episode, Jessica shares a bit about setting goals and sculpting the life you desire by turning your focus inward and away from external pressures and messages that are not congruent with your authentic self. She tells about times she has felt driven by these external forces and ways in which she has "chiseled" away at the hard external shells of self we layer on for protection to feel more connected and driven towards achievable goals. If you are looking to set new year's intention, take a listen to this podcast to shift the way you think about setting goals, as well as yourself. She notes, "The moral of the story is we are all on this journey and it's a messy one. Maybe this is the new year that you look inward at your true self for setting intentions and finding authentic purpose and in doing that you achieve success, follow through, and start sculpting the life you desire because it is part of you already". There is freedom knowing we have a choice to make this shift. So join me in story, reflection, journaling and grounding to Find Your Stillpoint. If you would like to connect with Jessica, you can find her on Instagram @jessicakinglcsw or through her business Instagram at @stillpointilm, as well as Facebook (Jessica King LCSW and Stillpoint Counseling and Wellness). She posts helpful videos and musings on mental health on You Tube at Find Your Stillpoint. And she can be reached through email at jessica@stillpointcounselingandwellness.com. Resource: Journaling prompts during practice: What are 2 - 3 things you do really well? Name at least 1 thing that is going really well for you What are you doing that supports this area going well for you? What were the challenges you faced in the recent past? For each challenge, write at least one lesson, gift, skill, or gift you gained from the challenge. What would you like to shed, leave behind, or let go of? Who are the most integral people in your life at this time? How do these people support or help you? Describe or draw the image of a life worth living. For 1 minute, write as many words that come to mind that reflect your life worth living, the sense of your intention, or the essence of your purpose for the life you want to live. Spend some time in reflection of the answers you wrote. What are the themes? Are there any areas you find surprising - spend some time there exploring those areas? How can you use your strengths and what is going well to further enhance your contentment in this moment? Finally, with all your reflections can you come up with an easy word, phrase, mantra, or reminder as a quick reminder of intention for this time period? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

I couldn't wait until 2021 to connect with you all again! In this episode, I discuss how starting a new podcast was integrated into my already busy life through values based action and exploration of inner parts to help inform your decisions. This episode is for busy people wanting to sharpen their focus on what is most important, get "unstuck", and live was passion! A short practice in "abiding in stillness" is guided at the end. Resource Referenced during Episode: "Living Your Yoga" by Judith Lasater --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support

Welcome to The Find Your Still Point Podcast. Here is a sneak peak into this future podcast. I look forward to sharing more with you in January of 2021! To know more about me or contact visit: https://stillpointcounselingandwellness.com/staff/jessica-king-msw-lcsw-e-ryt/. Ways to connect with me: Instagram: @jessicakinglcsw or @stillpointilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/stillpointilm --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-king-lcsw/support