Pod Help Us

This episode explores how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Exposure Therapy can be used to heal trauma and its impacts. Hollie O'Keefe joins me to explain Trauma-Informed CBT.

Dr. Christine Henry on animal-assisted therapy, emotional support animals, psychiatric service dogs, and getting the most out of regular pets. You won't believe what Murphy, her clinical helper, can do. Dr. Henry's animal-assisted therapy practice, which you can read about at therapyforpetpeople.com, helps people with a plethora of concerns. This episode is a must-listen for animal lovers.

Yvonne Block left the highest levels of bureaucracy for private practice as a Spiritual Director. In this episode, Yvonne describes her role as a deep listener and spiritual guide, what it was like raising a child with a significant mental illness, and some of what she took away from her years as the CEO of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, the Executive Director of Mental Health, Addictions and Spiritual Care for the government of Manitoba's Department of Health, and as a Manager at the Canadian Mental Health Association.  

Psychotherapist and author Ellen Feldman on Moreness, questioning the narratives we tell ourselves, seeing challenges as our greatest opportunities, gratitude, reaching out for something larger than ourselves, the fear that we're not good enough, and adopting the belief that we are unconditionally loved.   

Borrowing from Eastern philosophy, Misha explores the nature of the self. Understanding that we are merely the observers of our thoughts (and other experiences) can be liberating and healing. We are not our bodies or our minds. We are the consciousness that observes our bodies and our minds, that observes all our thoughts and other experiences. We are not our thoughts, our minds, or our bodies. We are the observers.   

Legendary Canadian broadcaster Michael Landsberg on #SickNotWeak, what changed when he started publicly discussing depression and anxiety, isolation, the end of America, casseroles, the caregiver's oath, being proud of a shower, learning to love the thing you hate the least, fighting for your health and happiness, and never giving up. 

Dr. Wendell Block discusses the brain, the nervous system, neurotransmitters, social determinants of mental health, psychiatric medication, stigma, the roles of family doctors and psychiatrists, and working with refugees. 

Two in-studio interviews: one with Reiki master Laura Merces, and one with sound therapist Danny Depoe. How can working with energy heal us? Can we align body, mind, thought, emotion, action, soul, and spirit? 

Misha speaks with Kayla Douthitt and Debbie Saroufim about diet culture, eating disorders, and body normativity. 

How do kids understand mental health? How should parents discuss it, especially if someone in the family is suffering? In this episode, Misha confirms that the kids are alright, as they discuss jumbled thoughts, emotional disregulation, strategies for maintaining good mental health, and how to stop yourself from kicking someone else in the face.

Death Doula Jill McClennen (End of Life Clarity) shares an important life lesson and describes how she helps people and their families prepare for death. 

Misha reads selections from a journal he kept during therapy sessions. How can we get ourselves to tune in to the things we've already learned, which can even be helpful if we're in a neurochemical tailspin?   

A must-hear interview with Jeremy McIvor, Program Manager at the GreeneStone Centre for Recovery. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone, and help is available.  

This episode (an essay, a memoir, and a philosophical exploration of the mind/body connection) explores the toll chronic pain and physical illness can take on mental health. I reminisce, talk to a friend, and then remember some of the strategies I've found helpful. Don't forget: Suffering = Pain x Resistance.    

When we're visibly sick or injured, we generally stop and heal, and people have an easy time understanding. But what about when mental health issues limit us or make us incapable of doing our jobs? This episode is about learning to accept and respect limitations, and trying to stay healthy in a sick world. We cover Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, why we push ourselves beyond our capabilities, and how to set more realistic expectations.  

In this first episode of Pod Help Us, Neurolinguistic Programming practitioner and certified Life Coach Kara Latta (@theplayfulwarrior) talks about liberated self-expression, perfectionism, the power of play, inner-child healing, self-love, and learning to let go.