Mindful Matters w Chris Griffin, LPC

In this (week late) Thanksgiving episode Chris continues to update listeners about his adventures in cancer treatment and tells a story about treatment.  He also compares an MRI machine to the interior of an AT-AT from Star Wars.  Also, a shout out to the tune Mantra - by Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and Trent Reznor.  Burke discusses a recurring theme of Expectations  v. Serenity (Se2, Ep12)

Windows of Tolerance is a term coined by Dr. Dan Siegel to describe our abilities as humans to process strong emotions before we become overwhelmed.  Chris and Burke discuss this topic in terms of both understanding and making practical use of that knowledge.  For more on Dr. Siegel's work click here.

Spoiler alert, Chris discusses his cancer diagnosis with Burke, and reveals how mindfulness has helped him cope with a life changing diagnosis.  

In this special interview episode Chris and Burke speak with Justin Mitchell and Wilton Carraway, Jr. of Ball Headz.  Ball Headz is an organization dedicated to helping at-risk youth through athletics, mindfulness, mentorship and community service.  Chris also announces the date of a charity golf tournament on August 27th, 2021 at Topstone Golf Club in South Windsor, CT to raise money for the organization.  More info @ ballheadzgolf.com

Meditation is one of the best ways to increase and maintain your health in an increasingly chaotic world.  Chris and Burke do their best to simplify the basics of mediation and give listeners a path to beginning or enhancing their practice.  PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL BE TAKING A BREAK FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2021 AND WILL BE BACK IN AUGUST.  Thanks for listening!

Identification, it's not just a piece of plastic in your wallet.  Humans identify with all manner of things, including their emotions, objects, and ideas.  Chris and Burke explore what it means to have an identity and to identify with things outside of ourselves.  The conversation spans from the dangers of identification to how we can identify less with external matters and more with who we are inside.

Chris and Burke take on the emotion of joy in this episode.  Chris discusses how the term joy is used in psychological literature, as well as ways to use intentionality to find it.  Burke gives the listener excellent, real life examples of what Chris is describing.  Burke uses his personal experiences while recovering from addiction to enlighten and guide listeners into how practical it can be to search for joy in their lives, whether recovering or thriving.

Chris and Burke explore the topic of starting small when attempting change or accomplishing goals and tasks.  The book that Chris mentions in the episode is Make Your Bed: Little Things Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven (US Navy Retired)  The brain likes things in smaller, bite sized chunks, but our goals and tasks can seem overwhelming.  Breaking things down helps our brains and our sense of accomplishment.

In the season three debut, Chris and Burke get the listeners caught up on events since the end of season two last April.  The discussion centers around how the co-hosts have faired during the pandemic and the mindfulness practices that have helped in the year since the season two launch.  And of course, we get some awesome movie analogies from Burke.  Enjoy!

In this last episode of season two we discuss the usefulness of acknowledging impermanence as part of mindfulness practice. Death can be seen as a motivator and a teacher rather than something to fear. It has been our pleasure recording these past eighteen episodes of the Mindful Matters podcast and we appreciate all your feedback. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. We look forward to recording and releasing more episodes in 2021.

We conclude our podcast series on Don Miguel Ruiz’s book The Four Agreements by talking about the fourth and final agreement—always do your best. While this may seem to be a very straight forward agreement, it does have some subtle nuisances that we discuss. Spoiler alert … our best changes due to a variety of factors, it is not a static level. Over the weekend when you are searching for something to keep your attention, tune in and listen to this or any previous podcast. As always thank you for your emails, we value your feedback and if you haven’t already, feel free to reach out with any comments or questions. Have a great weekend

In this podcast we move on to discuss the third agreement in the Toltec Mastery of Transformation from Don Miguel Ruiz’s book The Four Agreements—don’t make assumptions. Following this agreement helps to center us in the reality of the present moment, a key component of mindfulness. By not making assumptions we are able to strengthen relationships with those around us, and also with ourselves.

We continue with our Podcast series focusing on Don Miguel Ruiz’s book The Four Agreements and explore the second agreement—don’t take anything personally. In this episode we discuss how following this agreement helps us to create space, gain perspective and live more mindfully.

After our many references to Don Miguel Ruiz’s book The Four Agreements over the last six months, we have decided to end this season of the Mindful Matters Podcast by devoting a podcast to each agreement. In this episode we discuss the first of the four agreements: to be impeccable with your word. The idea of being mindful with your speech, not only outwardly towards others, but inwards as well, especially with self-criticism, is a powerful one, especially since the concept of moderating one’s speech is rarely thought to apply to someone’s inner voice. In applying this agreement to our lives, we can begin to recognize how powerful words can be. And once we acknowledge the power of the word, we can apply it to ourselves in the most positive way possible; as Don Miguel states, in the direction of truth and love. We hope you enjoy this first part of the four part series.

On this week’s podcast, recorded in February of 2020, we discuss different ideas that we use to help us come back to the awareness of the present moment. Waking up to what is happening around us now rather than letting ourselves drift away in thoughts of the past or future is the aim of mindfulness practice. It doesn’t always happen instantaneously and we maintain the point of view that it is best to be compassionate with ourselves in the process so as not to create any negative associations with mindfulness practice. See if there are any useful ideas in here that you can add to your current program, or use to start a mindfulness practice. If something resonates with you that we did not discuss, we’d love to hear about it and perhaps we’ll talk about it on a future podcast. Thanks for listening and have a great day

In this podcast, recorded back in 2019, we discuss the pitfalls created by expectations. We demonstrate through our personal experiences how our mindfulness practice is put to the test when we are attached to a particular outcome. To combat the expectations that we set on ourselves, others, or a particular situation, we develop awareness. With this awareness we can work on our communication, lessen our attachment to the expectation, and be in the present moment. Perhaps this is something that you can relate to and can create a sense of serenity for yourself by moving away from the grips of expectations. We hope you enjoy and always welcome any feedback.

This episode, recorded back in November 2019, deals with gratitude and its power to transform your life. By focusing more on the positive aspects of our lives, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, we can gain perspective in the moment and progress through some difficult obstacles. This has proven to be a powerful tool that we both apply to our own lives, and we encourage others to see if this process might also aid them in their daily lives. We hope that you enjoy it; if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to reach out.

Chris and Burke engage in a discussion about the concept of awareness and its context within the practice of mindfulness.  Both use personal examples and offer hints and help for those beginning and cultivating a mindfulness practice.

This is the second episode of the 2020 Racial Equality and Justice Bonus Series featuring activist Keren Prescott of Power Up Manchester CT.  Keren takes the mic to discuss how Power Up came into existence and how the group has organized to fight injustice, not just in the City of Manchester, but in surrounding towns in CT.  Keren also discusses her experience as a Back woman in America.  If you would like more information about Power Up check out the Facebook group or Instagram feed @powerupct  #blacklivesmatter

Chris and Burke discuss the #metoo movement.  This recording was done before the recent events of the pandemic and racial upheaval in America.  It is interesting to look at how the Black Lives Matter movement has taken shape much as the #metoo movement has.  Chris uses the fictional TV show The Morning Show as a framework for the discussion.  Talk of “traditional masculinity” and family structure give way to “a new definition of masculinity” and how roles can change in society.  Please join us next week for another racial justice bonus episode featuring Keren Prescott, leader of the Power Up Manchester movement in CT.

We are releasing a podcast this week recorded back in the fall where we discuss the concept of vulnerability and openness. Chris references a Ted Talk by Brene Brown where she found that a key source of happiness was found in people’s ability to be open and vulnerable. We discuss how learning to be vulnerable acts as a cornerstone in developing a mindfulness practice.  By breaking down our walls, we allow ourselves to be seen, and learn how to proceed in a healthy and positive way.  Giving ourselves permission to be vulnerable, not only with others, but also with ourselves, we begin to identify and accept the wide range of emotions that we feel. Guided by a mindfulness practice, and perhaps also the help of a therapist, we realize that these difficult emotions that we are opening ourselves up to are there to be processed, not to be fixed. We hope you enjoy and we are always open to hearing from you

Honor Juneteenth!! Listen to returning guest, Kelvin Young—sound healer, recovery coach, and local activist—as he shares his take on the current situation facing our society. He discusses the triggering of intergenerational trauma that has been sparked once again by the murder of Black lives by police and others.  He also touches on the disparities in communities of color that can begin being rectified with concentrated efforts to improve both physical and mental health.  In particular, Kelvin discusses the Black Mental Health and Wellness Initiative. Kelvin also offers different mindful and wellness techniques to calm emotions and suggestions on how we can make mindful steps to help improve the future. Finally, he plays the healing crystal bowls. Enjoy this bonus episode meant to inspire peace, love, equality, healing and justice.

Burke recites the "Serenity Prayer" to kick off a discussion about "the wisdom to know the difference" between change and acceptance.  Chris mentions author Tara Brach and her essential book Radical Acceptance.  The episode also discusses recovery from substance abuse, and programs that have moved online to continue to help.  Tips are offered on how to utilize meditation and mindfulness skills to understand what can be changed and what needs acceptance, as well as processing things we cannot change in a healthy manner.

“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete” Jack Kornfield This week we explore the concept of self compassion.  Developing self compassion is a large part of any mindfulness practice, in being more and more aware of our actions, thoughts, and words it is important to not become overly critical.  The development of self compassion is not only useful in dealing with ourselves, but it also is beneficial in softening our relationships with others. There are certainly well known members of the mindfulness community who have numerous books and instruction on self compassion and mindfulness, Jack Kornfield and Sharon Salzberg are two that we mention, and there are two specific books that Chris mentions as a potential guide into self compassion, “Self Compassion” by Kristen Neff and “The Mindful Path to Self Compassion” by Christopher Germer. We hope that you enjoy the podcast and that the subject of self compassion is one that you will explore further.  As always, if there are any questions of comments, please feel free to reach out to us. One very important aspect that we recognize in developing mindfulness is to be a part of a community with a common goal which acts as encouragement, strength and support for your practice.  Thanks for listening.

The underlying theme of this week’s podcast is finding balance in life, specifically through our communication with others and ourselves. Learning to create the space with our mindfulness practice - space from our feelings, emotions, and behaviors, as well as space from our egos and our points of view. No longer taking things personally and reacting, but truly listening to hear what the other person is saying, not just waiting for our chance to talk. By working on communication with ourselves, we learn to listen to how we are feeling and respond appropriately - not turning everything into anger. We hope that you have as much fun listening to these podcasts as we have in recording them. We are always eager to hear your voice - opinions, reactions, ideas - so reach out. If you haven’t been keeping up, we invite you to go back and listen to the earlier episodes. Thank you for your support.

This podcast recorded from our homes while sheltering in place focuses on the benefits of developing a mindful practice at this point in time. We touch on how the pandemic is redirecting our focus in everyday life. All of a sudden we have lost a lot of access to our healthy distractions and coping mechanism and are left with the decision of what to do now. With the application of mindfulness, this can be seen as a great opportunity to evolve. Learn to meditate for a minute or two and give yourself some reprieve. The skills acquired in developing a mindfulness and meditation practice not only help ourselves, but also those with whom we interact.

Season two of the Mindful Matters podcast kicks off with Chris introducing Burke Lewis as the new co-host. Burke discusses his sobriety, family and trip around the globe, all as part of his mindfulness journey.

Chris sits down with sound healer and addiction recovery expert Kelvin Young to discuss how holistic healing and mindfulness practices helped Kelvin overcome great odds and his addictive behaviors. A truly inspiring story.

Doug Worthen's second appearance on the podcast switches gears from his role as a mindfulness teacher and administrator to that of a more personal tone.  Doug discusses his diagnosis and subsequent recovery from Lymphoma, the arduous treatment and ultimately the doctor who saved his life.  Doug credits his mindfulness practice with allowing him to let the recovery happen, what Doug calls "unfolding" as opposed to the traditional term of "battling" cancer.  He is also not afraid to have a frank and honest talk about death.

Lisa and Chris discuss the roots of art therapy, who it is for and how it can help.

Ever been in pain? That makes all of us!!!! Chris and Tim have a discussion about mindfulness and its relevance in helping our first responders, military personnel and veterans. With a focus on treating mostly male clients, Tim has a unique perspective on trauma, healing and empowerment. As an LPC and veteran of the Air Force, Tim is in a special role to be able to help other wellness professionals understand an underserved population. Get a pad and paper because you may want to take notes.

Chris discusses an editorial on men and emotion from the NY Times with Nate Guerrin, a relationship expert and sexual advisor.  You can find the NYT article here Teaching Men to Be Emotionally Honest

Chris interviews mindfulness expert Terry Fralich, LCPC about his 5 Core Skills of Mindfulness.

Ever feel like parenting is the most difficult job ever? So do they!! Chris and Dr. Liz discuss parenting, mindfulness and survival in a job you can't quit. Whether you have infants, toddlers, tweens, teens or young adults, you are sure to learn something.

Have you heard about the mood food connection? Want to know more? Chris and registered dietitian Bridget Komosky discuss this topic, as well as eating disorders, the gut biome and eating everything...in balance. Informative and fun.

Chris has an in-depth conversation with Catherine Ewing about Emotional Freedom Technique or "tapping" and its relationship to healing trauma, mindfulness and therapy. As an expert in healing early life trauma, abuse, mother loss, and family dysfunction, Catherine uses an integrated approach of energy psychology, energy healing, spirituality, Law of Attraction and coaching in her practice. She has 25 plus years of experience in the field and is an amazing resource.

Chris speaks with his former supervisor and boss about eating disorder treatment at Walden Behavioral Care, and what that organization is doing to promote mindfulness in treatment. Rebekah is currently an Assistant Vice President at Walden Behavioral Care. This is the first episode of a series concerning eating disorder awareness.

Chris tells the story of a "mindless moment" that turned into a learning moment. Chris relates these stories to make mindfulness more accessible and relatable to our daily lives. This particular story relates to children throwing tantrums and how we respond (mindfully or not) as parents and caretakers.

Continuing an exploration of mindfulness in education, Chris talks to Emily Rosen about her involvement in the CREC system. Emily has been integrating yoga and mindfulness into CT schools as well as building a community of professionals to help her grow and sustain these practices within schools.

Conversation w Amanda Pasciucco, LMFT & Nate Guerrin

As a Middlesex student, Doug ’96 served as a co-captain of the varsity football and lacrosse teams. He was All-New England in football in 1994 and 1995 and All-New England and Honorable Mention All-American in lacrosse in 1996. Doug continued on to the University of Virginia, where he played lacrosse for four years and was a member of the 1999 National Championship team. Since graduating from UVA, Doug has developed a passion for mindfulness and meditation and is currently very active in the burgeoning movement to bring these practices into the American school system. To this end, Doug joined the Middlesex faculty in 2011 to lead sessions in meditation and teach courses on mindfulness.

George has 20 years of teaching experience and 25 years of study in the Chinese arts of Tai Chi and Qi Gong.  He has successfully developed and continues to deliver classes in both arts for a number of organizations including municipal recreation departments, corporate fitness centers and local health-focused healing centers.  His goal is to give students the tools with which to reap the ongoing health and self-healing benefits associated with Tai Chi and Qi Gong by offering group classes and individual instruction at your location.  His strengths in teaching and coaching facilitate students’ ability to learn these health-enhancing exercises rapidly and with confidence.  His belief in the power of these ancient arts comes across in his teaching style, patience, compassion and his students’ success

Chris Griffin LPC, host of the Mindful Matters podcast, gives a brief overview of what the listener can expect, and how to connect with the host.