Ruthless Compassion with Dr. Marcia Sirota

A sociologist, psychotherapist and social worker, Ross Ellenhorn's work focuses on the importance of social worth and connections in psychiatric recovery. In 2002, he founded Ellenhorn, the robust program in the country serving individual experience extreme events of mind and mood outside of residential and hospital settings. In 2022, Ross co-founded CARDEA, a groundbreaking practice centered around psychedelics, assisting seeking to overcoming psychological anguish and individuals looking for greater awakening in their lives. He has published three books on Human behavior, the last, "Purple Crayons: The Art of Drawing a Life" by Harper Collins, explores the significance of play in modernity.

Julie Wignall received international acclaim for her trailblazing accomplishments in environmental practices, animal care, and leadership working with Mirage Resorts, a Fortune 500 company. Her unconventional career path has given her first-hand experience working with innovators in national politics, conservation, international business, television, and the arts. Along her unconventional journey, Julie encountered many remarkable people who, like her, had forged uncommon pathways to create meaningful change. Julie coined the term "Fireflies" to describe these visionaries: people you see beyond what is and take action to create a better reality. She shares her story and those of others in her multi award-winning book, The Extraordinary Power of Fireflies: How to Shine Your Light Brighter and Transform the World. Today, Julie is a sought-after consultant, workshop leader, coach, and speaker. She empowers changemakers with the tools to align with their purpose and amplify their impact as she shares what is possible when individuals harness their light to transform the world. Social Media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtraordinaryPowerofFireflies  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/extraordinarypoweroffireflies/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-wignall-38548668/ Multi award-winning book, "The Extraordinary Power of Fireflies: How to Shine Your Light Brighter and Transform the World" PROMO: Free download of "Flying Lessons for Fireflies" and Free discovery call, found at www.extraordinaryfireflies.com

Dr. Hillary Cauthen is a clinical sport psychologist based in Austin TX. Hillary was a division 1 college track athlete, before embarking on a career focusing on the mental health and mental performance dimensions of high performers. She studied and competed at the University of New Hampshire, and Miami, Ohio, before completing her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, in Los Angeles. Dr. Cauthen is the Founder of Texas Optimal Performance & Psychological Services. Formerly served as the Director of Organizational Wellness & Performance for Austin FC and the performance psychologist for the San Antonio Spurs, where she developed their mental performance and wellness programs. Dr. Cauthen has developed private businesses that bring mental wellness curriculum to school districts across the nation, as well as an analytics company that helps predict the behavioral risk factors in players for teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and Premier League. Her work with high performance is breaking down stigma across communities which is highlighted in her book, "Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate." and her podcast "The Highs & Lows of X's & O's" Website: https://www.txopps.com/ Instagram: drcmindset (https://www.instagram.com/drcmindset/) Book: Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate (https://a.co/d/2oI2hsa)

Darlynn is a recovering "mad mom". After spending the first 5 years of parenting yelling at her kids and feeling like crap, she massively transformed herself and her approach to parenting by diving into a self-healing journey that led her to become a certified life coach and parenting expert. Now, she's on a mission to heal the next generation in advance by helping moms find true calm, gain skills to parent with compassion, and manage misbehavior without using shame or fear. Since 2012, Darlynn has worked with hundreds of families and helped them thrive. She's also been featured talking about Raising Emotionally Healthy Children on the Becoming You Again podcast with Karin Nelson and was named as one of the 11 Leading Parenting Coaches to Rely on in 2024 by the San Francisco Examiner. The Calm Mama Club is a parenting mentorship program with all the tools and support you need to get calm and raise emotionally healthy kids. Inside, you'll learn Darlynn's signature 4-step Calm Mama Process. You also get access to weekly group coaching calls, the Calm Mama Handbook and a library of courses with topics ranging from sibling fights to screentime. IG: @darlynnchildress  FB: @calmmamacoaching Free "Stop Yelling Cheat Sheet"  Join the Calm Mama Club Learn more about Darlynn and her work: https://www.calmmamacoaching.com/  Consult link: https://darlynnchildress.as.me/chat

Fredric Schiffer is an assistant professor of psychiatry, part-time, at Harvard Medical School and a research associate at McLean Hospital. He has developed a theory of psychology that is the subject of his recent book Goodbye Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, & PTSD: The Life-Changing Science of Dual Brain Psychology. The theory has been studied extensively at Harvard and its support and applications have been articulated in multiple peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Schiffer is also the Founder and CEO of MindLight, LLC which has received 2 SBIR grants from the US National Institute on Drug Abuse. He has a private practice of psychiatry in Newton, Massachusetts, USA Social Media Handles:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.fredschiffer/ Dr.fredschiffer mindDoc7S!   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Fredric-Schiffer-MD/61560456878989/  Twitter: Drfredschiffer  Youtube: @Dr.FredSchiffer  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredric-schiffer/

Toni Bergins, M.Ed., is an embodiment trailblazer who has taught at the premier holistic healing centers for the last 27 years. She is on the faculty at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, and has worked there as a movement artist, dance educator, expressive arts workshop leader, and expert in creating transformational workshops. Her new book is, Embody: Feel, Heal, and Transform Your Life through Movement (Health Communications Inc., Oct. 29, 2024. Learn more at journeydance.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toni.bergins/  https://www.facebook.com/ToniBerginsJourneyDance/  https://www.facebook.com/JourneyDance/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonibergins/?hl=en  https://www.instagram.com/journeydanceofficial/

Michelle D. Sherman, PhD LP ABPP (she/her) is the co-author of Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma (written with her mother) and a licensed clinical psychologist who has dedicated her career to supporting families dealing with a mental illness or trauma/PTSD. She has worked in diverse settings, including the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system, private practice, and academia as a Professor at the University of Oklahoma and University of Minnesota Medical Schools. Dr. Sherman is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA), and is Board Certified in Couple and Family Psychology. She is the Editor in Chief of Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, the journal of APA's Society of Couple and Family Psychology, and was named their Family Psychologist of the Year in 2022. She has published over 75 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and has given several hundred workshops nationally and internationally. She served on the Board of the Oklahoma National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for 14 years and now enjoys volunteering with the Minnesota NAMI affiliate. DeAnne M. Sherman (she/her) is the co-author of Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma (written with her daughter), a mental health advocate, French teacher, and choreographer. She graduated from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she received degrees in French, education, and speech and theater. She volunteers with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)-Minnesota, gives workshops with her daughter about mental illness in the family, and mentors people of all ages in the performing arts. DeAnne's mission is to affirm, educate, and empower others; she has strong passions for combating stigma, offering hope to people who are hurting, celebrating diversity, and promoting open discussion about mental health. The collaboration of psychologist and teacher, daughter and mother, brings true synergy to their work. The Shermans draw from their personal and professional life experiences which are the inspiration and foundation for their work. Twitter (X) @DrMichelleSherm  Facebook: Seeds of Hope Books Michelle Sherman Facebook (personal): DeAnne Sherm Instagram: Seeds_of_Hope_Books  LinkedIn: Michelle Sherman, PhD LP ABPP Book: Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma: Skills, Hope, and Strength for Your Journey: (https://www.amazon.com/Loving-Someone-Mental-Illness-History/dp/142145050X/ref=sr_1_2?)

Dr. Supatra Tovar is one of the only clinical psychologists in the country who is also a registered dietitian and accredited fitness expert. Dr. Tovar's unique background and integrated specializations allow her to provide holistic mind-body treatment for trauma, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety for children and adults. Dr. Tovar has numerous scholarly and professional presentations at several national conferences on a variety of health topics, including the detection and treatment of disordered eating, dissociation, weightism, and mindfulness interventions for eating disorders. Dr. Tovar earned her doctorate in psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and has two master's degrees, a Master of Science in Nutrition and a Master of Arts in Psychology. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Psychological Association. Since founding her first Pilates studio almost twenty years ago, she has been designing exercise and nutrition programs as well as helping clients emotionally and mentally heal. She created ANEW Insight to inspire and guide a client's journey to improving their relationships with their mind, body, and spirit. Connect with Dr. Supatra Tovar: Official site: drsupatratovar.com  Official site: anew-insight.com Instagram: @drsupatratovar Instagram: ANEW Facebook: @drsupatratovar Facebook: ANEW  LinkedIn: Dr. Supatra Tovar Threads: @drsupatratovar Threads: ANEW   TikTock: @drsupatratovar TIkTock: ANEW Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@my.anew.insight YouTube: @my.anew.insight Book: Deprogram Diet Culture: Rethink Your Relationship with Food, Heal Your Mind and Live a Diet-Free Life.

Sacha Mardou is a cartoonist and long-form graphic novelist who lives in St Louis, Missouri with her family. Working in both fiction and autobiography, her comics explore interior experiences such as mental illness, emotional dynamics within families, and healing from trauma. Her latest book is Past Tense: Facing Family Secrets and Finding Myself in Therapy (Avery, October 2024). @Mardou_Draws (IG)  @sachamardou (FB)  https://www.mardouville.com/  https://ifscomics.com/ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714479/past-tense-by-sacha-mardou/

*Trigger Warning: This episodes mentions suicide. If you or anyone you know are struggling with thoughts of suicide please reach out to the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 (available anywhere in Canada).* Stacy Blemaster grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio. She received a BA from Brown University in theater and then went on to be licensed in counseling and human services, earning a MA from John Carroll University. She has two autistic sons, and a daughter- all now adults. She resides in Placida, Florida, with her husband Robert and two Golden Retrievers, Libby and Lacey. Instagram: StacyBlemasterauthor Website: https://stacyblemaster.com/ Her new book: To Be or Not To Be: Shedding an As-If Personality Email: stacyblemaster@gmail.com

International Speaker and Violinist Diane Allen is a TEDx/TED Speaker, and Thought Leader who speaks on increasing the meaning, joy, and fulfillment in one's work and life by accessing the flow state. As the author of Flow: Unlock Your Genius, Love What You Do, Diane shares her insights on how to harness the power of flow. Years before neuroscientists discovered the positive impact of the flow state, Diane had already experienced its transformative power in her own career as a violinist. Diane was the concertmaster of the Central Oregon Symphony for 15 years, a beloved violin teacher for 28 years, and author of the Fingerboard Workbook series for violin, viola, cello, and bass. It was her unique approach to getting into flow, on demand, that earned her a spot on the TEDxNaperville stage and features on TED, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Associated Press, Boston Herald, Authority Magazine, and Thrive Global. Today, Diane is known for her experiential Keynotes, Training, and Coaching programs that go Beyond Engagement™, featuring her three-step Flow Strategy™ system, which empowers people to get into their flow state, be in their genius, and love what they do. Learn more about Diane Allen: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianeallenspeaker/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianeallenspeaker/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianeallenspeaker/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZOk_r1n2X2FmbRcoiUhIHQ Diane Allen's Book: https://a.co/d/coTXBSN FREE GIFT for our listeners from Diane Allen - a Flow Strategy Worksheet and videos: https://talk.ac/dianeallen?code=PODCAST

Author Patti Clark has been described as a cross between Elizabeth Gilbert and Julia Cameron. Patti is an award-winning author, accomplished speaker and workshop leader. As the author of This Way Up: Seven Tools for Unleashing Your Creative Self and Transforming Your Life, Patti has been featured on TVNZ's Breakfast Show, and her work has been featured in numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, The Mindful Word, and Thrive Global. Her own experience as a middle-aged woman in recovery is deeply reflected in her new book, Recovery Road Trip: Finding Purpose and Connection on the Journey Home. Patti was born and raised in Northern California, lived in New Zealand for many years, and is now living in Portugal. Website: https://www.patticlark.org/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patticlarkauthor/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PattiClarkAuthor  Substack: https://patticlarkwriter.substack.com/ Her new book (Published 1 October 2024) - Recovery Road Trip: Finding Purpose and Connection on the Journey Home  https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Recovery-Road-Trip/Patti-Clark/9781647427740

DAVID ROCHE is a popular motivational speaker and performer, and he has taken his one-man show, The Church of 80% Sincerity, on tour across the world, performing from Sydney to Moscow, London to Los Angeles, and even at the White House. He has also had several roles in films and documentaries. A recent recipient of the Order of Canada, Roche is also a volunteer for the Sunshine Coast Hospice in British Columbia. With his partner, Marlena, he leads storytelling and writing workshops, inspiring others to voice their own stories. His memoir Standing at the Back Door of Happiness (Harbour Publishing) published in 2024. Roche lives in Roberts Creek, BC. His website is www.davidroche.com. If you are someone with a facial difference and you want to connect with other people with facial differences David Roche can help you make connections. Email him at daveroche@aol.com  Website: www.davidroche.com Loveatsecondsight.org Email: daveroche@aol.com

Brian Joseph is the author of Vegas Concierge: Sex Trafficking, Hip Hop, and Corruption In America. He has worked as a newspaper reporter and investigative journalist for about 20 years, writing for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Orange County Register, and the Sacramento Bee, among other publications. In 2013-14, he was an investigative reporting fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, where he investigated privatized foster care for Mother Jones magazine. Brian is a graduate of the University of Missouri, Columbia and the recipient of several journalism honors, including a George Polk Award. He lives in Las Vegas with his wife and daughter and their talkative orange tabby Nemo. Link to book's website: vegasconciergebook.com  Twitter handles: @bjoseph1 (personal) @vconciergebook (for book)  IG handle: @vegasconciergebook  Facebook pages: facebook.com/brian.joseph14 (personal)  facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562121669323 (for book)  LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brjoseph/ Brian Joseph's book (Rowman & Littlefield, October 1, 2024) "Vegas Concierge: Sex Trafficking, Hip Hop, and Corruption in America" https://www.amazon.com/Vegas-Concierge-Trafficking-Corruption-America/dp/1538171694

LYN SMITH GREGORY grew up in Utah as one of nine children in a devout Mormon family. Her great, great uncle was Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church. At 19, she left the Church and moved to New York City, eventually obtaining an MBA at NYU. After a 20-year career in the tech industry, she left to pursue writing full-time and has attended the Iowa Summer Writing Program and the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference. She lives in Savannah with her husband. Website; https://lynsmithgregory.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lyn.s.gregory.9 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynsmithgregory/ Blog post mentioned in this podcast:  https://lynsmithgregory.com/your-organization-or-religion-is-cult/

Farzana Doctor is a Toronto-based author, activist and psychotherapist. Since 1993, Farzana has been a social worker at community based agencies and a mental health hospital. She is now in private practice where she provides psychotherapy to individuals and couples and clinical consultation to other therapists. She is a founding member of the End FGM Canada Network and WeSpeakOut, two organizations that focus on ending female genital cutting/mutilation. She has written four critically acclaimed novels and a poetry collection. Her self- and community care workbook for activists and helpers, 52 Weeks To A Sweeter Life, has just been released. Her new YA novel, The Beauty of Us, will be released in September.  www.Linktr.ee/farzanadoctor @farzanadoctor (on FB, insta, X, LinkedIn)  @farzanadoctorauthor (TikTok)

Misty Pratt is a science communicator and author of the book All In Her Head: How Gender Bias Harms Women's Mental Health. With over a decade of experience working in the field of biomedical research, Misty unpacks how personal and systemic biases have shaped our scientific understanding of disease and wellness. Misty has written for publications including Broadview, Mindful.org, and Today's Parent, and is an advocate for better mental health care. She lives in Ottawa with her family and her mischievous pug, Winnie. All In Her Head is her first book. www.mistypratt.com  IG/Threads: @mistyprattwriter  Facebook: @prattmistywriter

Patricia Roos was a professor of sociology at Rutgers University when in 2015 her 25-year-old son Alex died from a heroin overdose. Her training as a sociologist led her on a quest to better understand what happened to her family. Building on her professional and academic perspectives, she wrote a sociological memoir, Surviving Alex: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss, and Addiction, published in May 2024 by Rutgers University Press. Web page: patroos.com (https://www.patroos.com/) Instagram: roos.p (https://www.instagram.com/roos.p/) New book: Surviving Alex: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss, and Addiction Published May 17, 2024

Tracey Yokas creates stuff. When she isn't writing about mental health and wellness, she can be found playing with paint, glitter, and glue. She shares about her family's journey with mental illness so others will know they are not alone. She is dedicated to supporting women in the journey towards authenticity, and fulfills her mission by creating safe spaces where art, words, and vulnerability meet in dynamic community. Tracey earned her master's degree in counseling psychology from California Lutheran University and lives in Newbury Park, CA, with her family. You can find her on Facebook (@traceyyokascreates) and Instagram (@traceyyokas) or on her website, www.traceyyokascreates.com. Her memoir: Bloodlines: A Memoir of Harm and Healing. (Pub date: May 7, 2024)

Michael Tennant is the Founder, and CEO of Curiosity Lab, a purpose-driven venture studio and consultancy that builds products and experiences that teach empathy, creator of the empathy card game, Actually Curious, and author of The Power of Empathy, described by Inc. as "effectively balancing a self-help approach with a practical explanation of how we can use empathy as a tool". Michael and his work has been featured by the New York Times, Beyoncé, the Today show, Good Morning America, and many others. In his role as CEO, Michael creates and incubates businesses to help values-aligned individuals and organizations use empathy to live happier and healthier lives, and to nurture inclusive and innovative environments. In 2022, Curiosity Lab received an investment from Pharrell and the Black Ambition Prize. Relevant Social Media Handles:  Instagram: @michaeltennantnyc / @actuallyc_rious / @c_riositylab  LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/michael-tennant  Digital course: https://fivephasesofempathy.com  Conversation card game, Actually Curious: https://actuallycurious.com  15% off Actually Curious card games on actuallycurious.com with code RUTHLESSCOMPASSION Book: https://thepowerofempathy.chroniclebooks.com

Anita Nowak, PhD, is an empathy evangelist, author, TEDx speaker, podcaster, award-winning educator, certified coach, and founder of Purposeful Empathy by Design, an advisory firm that helps purpose-driven organizations create cultures of empathy and social impact. Passionate about mentoring the next generation of changemakers, she teaches Leadership, Ethics in Management, and Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation at McGill University in Montreal. And this fall, she's excited to teach a new course about purpose, happiness and well-being. She's also on faculty with the McGill Executive Institute. Her debut book, Purposeful Empathy: Tapping Our Hidden Superpower for Personal, Organizational, and Social Change was published in 2023. Her podcast/YouTube series (also called Purposeful Empathy) is dedicated to amplifying the voices of people from across the globe who understand the world needs more empathy - and are doing something about it. Website https://bit.ly/4dbD7Dm Book https://bit.ly/3A81W4g LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3YtLVzD Instagram https://bit.ly/3SvMZ2l Facebook https://bit.ly/4c8qmI8 Facebook Group https://bit.ly/3WNsBMs Podcast Audio https://bit.ly/4d3H3WF Purposeful Empathy: Tapping Our Hidden Superpower for Personal, Organizational, and Social Change link: https://bit.ly/3A81W4g Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale: https://bit.ly/3SwuQ4q

Jessi Kneeland (they/them) is a queer and non-binary body image coach, speaker, and author of the book BODY NEUTRAL: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues. Through a concept called body neutrality—the practice of consciously stripping our bodies of all false or inflated meaning, biases, and moral significance—Jessi is committed both to helping individuals feel more empowered, worthy, and confident in themselves, and to advancing collective liberation and healing from systems of oppression. Instagram, tiktok, facebook, and twitter: @jessikneeland  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JessiKneeland  Their podcast- This Is (Not) About Your Body: https://rss.com/podcasts/jessikneeland/  Website: jessikneeland.com

Award-winning author, Alysson Foti Bourque, began her career as a teacher after graduating from University of Louisiana Lafayette with a degree in Elementary Education. She earned a law degree from the Southern University Law Center in 2007. After practicing law for six years, it was time to trade in writing trial briefs for writing children's books. Alysson enjoys speaking with children and teachers at school and library visits with the life-size Alycat mascot and hopes to inspire people to believe in themselves, their work, and to keep writing stories.  Alysson is releasing her newest book in the award-winning series on March 18. - Alycat and the Sunday Scaries Website: www.alycatseries.com  Facebook: @thealycatseries  Instagram: @thealycatseries  X: @AlyssonFBourque

Dr. Leslie Dobson is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist in California. She has over 20 years of psychology experience. She has worked in maximum security settings with individuals who committed violent felonies and were found to have a severe mental illness. Over the past three years, Dr. Dobson has primarily focused on civil law. She is an expert in psychological evaluations to determine the truth. Through a variety of assessment measures, she determines the truthfulness of claims regarding emotional distress, especially sexual abuse allegations. In her clinical practice, she focuses on trauma, and also empowering clients to set interpersonal boundaries. Dr. Leslie spent years with psychopaths, and she is passionate about educating and empowering clients, especially women, to live their best life and set boundaries with toxic people, preserving their energy. Dr. Dobson's first book, The Friend Cleanse: How to identify energy vampires, set boundaries & balance your glass of life, was be published on January 1, 2024. www.drlesliedobson.com  www.instagram.com/drlesliedobson  https://www.tiktok.com/@drlesliedobson

Disclaimer: We were having difficulties with our audio. We apologize for the poor sound quality. Loretta Breuning, PhD, is Founder of the Inner Mammal Institute and Professor Emerita of Management at California State University, East Bay. She is the author of many personal development books, including Habits of a Happy Brain: Retrain Your Brain to Boost Your Serotonin, Dopamine, Oxytocin and Endorphin Levels. As a teacher and a parent, she was not convinced by prevailing theories of human motivation. Then she learned about the brain chemistry we share with earlier mammals and everything made sense. She began creating resources that have helped thousands of people make peace with their inner mammal. Dr. Breuning's work has been translated into sixteen languages and is cited in major media. Before teaching, she worked for the United Nations in Africa. Loretta gives zoo tours on animals behavior, after serving as a Docent at the Oakland Zoo. She is a graduate of Cornell University and Tufts. The Inner Mammal Institute offers videos, podcasts, books, blogs, multimedia, a training program, and a free five-day happy-chemical jumpstart. Details are available at InnerMammalInstitute.org. Website: https://innermammalinstitute.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LorettaBreuningPhD X: https://twitter.com/InnerMammal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inner.mammal.inst/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/InnerMammalInstitute Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorettabreuning/ New book: Why You're Unhappy: Biology vs Politics https://innermammalinstitute.org/why Promo Code: 20% off my course with the code HAPPY20 https://innermammalinstitute.org/course

Dr. Paul Zeitz is a preventive medicine physician, epidemiologist, author, and award-winning champion of global justice and human rights. He has been on the front lines of the global AIDS movement, climate transformation, racial and gender equity, authentic democracy, sustainable development, and child welfare in the U.S. and around the world. Often when the odds against success appeared to be insurmountable, with Dr. Paul's leadership and support, barriers fell and victories arose. Through his many challenges and experiences, he also learned to fail forward! Dr. Paul is sparking personal and global conversations to heal and repair ourselves, our relationships, and awaken political imagination and stimulate a new vision of peaceful, revolutionary transformation. His committed work over the past thirty years reveals a deep truth: When we look within and approach our personal healing work with self-compassion and love, we strengthen ourselves and are better able to extend a hand and heart of peace to others—to serve and participate in the urgent issues of the day with empathy, understanding, and wisdom. In his acclaimed new book Revolutionary Optimism: 7 Steps for Living as a Love-Centered Activist, Dr. Paul shows us how to break free from feelings of confusion, pessimism, and cynicism about the world and step into a place of empowerment, resourcefulness, and inspiration. Through this inside-out approach to healing, self-liberation, and transformation, Dr. Paul ignites in us a profound depth of optimism that has the power to change lives. Facebook: @DrPaulZeitz  Instagram: @drpaulzeitz  X: @drpaulzeitz  LinkedIn: /in/paul-zeitz/ His new book: Revolutionary Optimism: 7 Steps for Living as a Love-Centered Activist

Liza holds a master's degree in counselling psychology and a PhD in general psychology. She conducts research, teaches and writes in an attempt to spread awareness and knowledge beyond the four walls of her therapy practice. A passionate believer in social equality and social justice, Liza serves on the board of ALFREDS, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and communities. You can also hear Liza on CBC's Here & Now where she addresses listeners' parenting issues. Website: lizafinlayassociates.com

Writer, historian, and educator Rebecca Wellington teaches at the University of Puget Sound in the School of Education. She has taught high school social studies, as well as undergraduate courses and graduate level courses in education history and curriculum and instruction. Her higher-education teaching adventures have taken her to universities across Western Washington, including University of Washington and Seattle University. She holds a doctorate in Education History from the University of Washington, where she taught in the undergraduate program of the College of Education. Rebecca's career in education started on the ocean, sailing around the world on a traditionally rigged tall ship. Through this two-year global circumnavigation Rebecca trained for a US Coast Guard captain's license and went on to work in non-profit outdoor education, teaching kids to sail on the Charles River in Boston and later on the Puget Sound of Washington State. Rebecca's scholarly articles have been published in The History of Education Quarterly, The American Indian Quarterly and The Pacific Northwest Quarterly. Rebecca was driven to write a history of adoption in the United States from the perspective of an adoptee and to honor the memory of her older sister and truth of brave women everywhere. Rebecca's proudest accomplishment is mothering her two daughters, Maria and Victoria. She and her husband and daughters live in Seattle, Washington on the traditional homelands of the Duwamish people. Her historical memoir 'Who Is a Worthy Mother? An Intimate History of Adoption', will be published April 9, 2024. (https://www.rebeccawellington.com/projects/who-is-a-worthy-mother/) Website: www.rebeccawellington.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccawellington/ IG: _rebecca_wellington X: https://twitter.com/BeccaWelling10 FB: Rebecca Wellington

Judith Orloff, MD is a psychiatrist, an empath, and author of the new book The Genius of Empathy (Foreword by the Dalai Lama), which offers powerful skills to tap into empathy as a daily healing practice in your life and relationships. She also wrote The Empath's Survival Guide and Thriving as an Empath. Dr. Orloff is a New York Times bestselling author and a UCLA clinical faculty member. She synthesizes the pearls of conventional medicine with cutting edge knowledge of intuition, energy, and spirituality. Dr. Orloff specializes in treating highly sensitive people in her private practice. She has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Oprah Magazine, and the New York Times. Learn more about empaths and empathy at www.drjudithorloff.com  Her new book The Genius of Empathy: Practical Skills to Heal Your Sensitive Self, Your Relationships and the World was released on April 9, 2024. (https://drjudithorloff.com/the-genius-of-empathy-description/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJudithOrloff/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudithOrloffMD  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-orloff-9a681a5/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judith.orloff.md

Jodie King is a professional artist, educator, and entrepreneur on a mission to unleash your inner power, freedom, and joy! With 20 years of art experience and a playful, spiritual approach, Jodie connects with audiences from around the world. She is known for her high-demand innovative online art and business courses as well as national and international workshops. After suddenly arriving at the canvas almost two decades ago, Jodie King has set herself on a mission to help others discover the healing power of art as well as to educate and empower artists around the world to turn their passion into a thriving business. Social Media:  Instagram: @jodie_king_ TikTok: @jodie_king_  Facebook: Jodie King Art Website: https://jodieking.com/

Colin Campbell is an Academy Award nominated writer and director for theater and film. He teaches theater and film at Chapman University and Cal Poly Pomona University. When his two beautiful and brilliant teenage children, Ruby and Hart, were killed by a drunk driver in 2019, Colin fell into a terrifying chasm of aching and hopelessness. He drew strength and inspiration from the mourning rituals of his wife's Jewish traditions and learned to lean into the pain of grief. His book, Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss With Hope and Purpose, was published by Penguin Random House in March 2023. His solo show, Grief: A One Man ShitShow, premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2022 where it won a Best of Broadwater Award. Social Media Handles:  Instagram: @colincampbellwriter  Website: www.colincampbellauthor.com Book: Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss With Hope and Purpose (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/696849/finding-the-words-by-colin-campbell/)

Nya Abernathy is an emotional health educator and the founder of The Dignity Effect. She also writes at her publication Of Earth & Of Stars where readers welcome wonder with their feet on the ground and their eyes to the sky. She also offers emotional health and depth classes for actors. Her new book Welcome, Wonder: A season of practices to curate an awe-filled life is available for preorder now. IG: @thedignityeffect & @nyasabernathy Youtube: @thedignityeffect1281 (https://www.youtube.com/@thedignityeffect) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nyasabernathy/

TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast discusses the topic of suicide. If you or a loved one are contemplating suicide please call or text 9-8-8. For the Kids Helpline call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT. Indigenous Peoples call 1-855-242-3310. N'alag̱a / Ḵ'áw kuuna (Avis O'Brien), a Haida/Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw artist and Land Based Cultural Empowerment Facilitator, was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia. She belongs to the Kawaas Sdaast.aas Eagle Clan from the Village of K'yuusda in Haida Gwaii and the Gigəlǧəm n̓əm̓ina sa Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ people of Cape Mudge, one of the 18 Tribes of the Kwakwaka'wakw. Avis offers Community Land Based Healing Workshops that are rooted in Decolonization, Reconciliation, Indigenous Land Based Healing & Breath & Embodiment Practices. Her work aims to highlight the intersectionality of Colonial genocide, Impacts of trauma, residential schools, and how we can utilize Ancestral forms of healing to regain a sense of balance and harmony in body, mind, and spirit. Her work in Indigenous youth suicide prevention focuses on resisting the spirit of suicide within ourselves by utilizing land based culturally rooted healing practices. Drumming, singing, dancing, medicine harvesting, ceremony, weaving, breath & embodiment practices are utilized as self regulation tools, guiding folks down the path of neurdecolonization. Her work within Non Indigenous communities has a focus on building Allyship and dismantling racist stereotypes against Indigenous folks. Social Media:  @nalagaconsulting  @indigenoussuicideprevention

Celia Landman, MA, is a mindfulness educator offering support to teens and adults. She draws from experiences working with those impacted by trauma, addiction, and anxiety, and creates customized meditation, visualizations, and trainings to reconnect them to their wholeness. She was ordained by Thich Nhat Hahn as a member of the Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism. She is also a certified trainer with the Center for Nonviolent Communication. Her new book, When the Whole World Tips: Parenting through Crisis with Mindfulness and Balance (Parallax Press, Nov. 21, 2023), describes how to find balance while navigating seemingly impossible parenting situations. Learn more at celialandman.com Website: celialandman.com  Social Media:  https://www.facebook.com/celia.landman/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/celia-landman-232185149/  https://www.instagram.com/celiasacct/ Book: When the Whole World Tips: Parenting through Crisis with Mindfulness and Balance (Parallax Press, Nov. 21, 2023)

Boo Trundle is a writer, artist, and performer whose work has appeared across various platforms and publications, including The Brooklyn Rail, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, and NPR's The Moth. She has released three albums of original music with Big Deal Records. She lives in New Jersey. The Daughter Ship is her first novel. Website: www.bootrundle.com  Instagram: @bootrundle  https://www.instagram.com/bootrundle/?hl=en Twitter/X: @eliztrundle  Tiktok: bootrundle  https://www.tiktok.com/@bootrundle Facebook: bootrundle https://www.facebook.com/BooTrundle Her debut novel, The Daughter Ship, is out now on Pantheon Books: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/713057/the-daughter-ship-by-boo-trundle/

Melanie Brooks is the author of the memoir A Hard Silence: One daughter remaps family, grief, and faith when HIV/AIDS changes it all (Vine Leaves Press, 2023) and Writing Hard Stories: Celebrated Memoirists Who Shaped Art from Trauma (Beacon Press, 2017) She teaches creative nonfiction in the M.F.A. program at Bay Path University and professional writing at Northeastern University in Massachusetts. She holds an M.F.A. in Creative Nonfiction from the University of Southern Maine's Stonecoast writing program and a Certificate in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University. She has had numerous interviews and essays on topics ranging from loss and grief to parenting and aging published in the The Boston Globe, HuffPost, Yankee Magazine, The Washington Post, Ms. Magazine, Creative Nonfiction, and other notable publications. Though her Canadian roots run deep, she lives in New Hampshire with her husband, two children (when they are home from university), and chocolate Lab. Website: melaniebrooks.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melanie.brooks.1690/  Instagram: melaniejmbrookswriter X/Twitter: @MelanieJMBrooks LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-brooks-504826121 A HARD SILENCE: One daughter remaps family, grief, and faith when HIV/AIDS changes it all

Kevin Frankish has been a vocal mental health advocate since suffering his first panic attack while on air on City TV Toronto's Breakfast Television. He lives with Severe Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. He now works with The Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby, Ontario and hosts a podcast called The Mental Health Podcast. He works to remove the stigma of mental health encouraging people to reach out because there is HOPE out there for everyone. Learn more: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinfrankish Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevinFrankish Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinfrankish/?originalSubdomain=ca The Mental Health Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-mental-health-podcast/id1710036842 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KevinFrankishChannel Website: https://kevinfrankish.com/

Mimi Nicklin is the internationally bestselling author of 'Softening The Edge,' the Founder of the world's first organizational empathy platform, www.EmpathyEverywhere.co, and the top 5-rated podcast host of 'The MiMi YouYou Show'. She is an experienced organization consultant and the CEO. As an inclusive millennial leader, she passionately talks about empathy as the road to higher performance, workplace wellness, multigenerational team engagement and effective communication. You can find more about her and her work below:  Website: https://www.empathyeverywhere.co/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miminicklin/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miminicklin/ The MiMi YouYou Show on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/47LYXu1  The MiMi YouYou Show on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3tlHSbe  Softening The Edge (Mimi's book): https://amzn.to/48qOKnQ

Bailey Parnell is the Founder & CEO of SkillsCamp, a soft skills training company, and was named one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women. Bailey is a 2x TED speaker with over 4 million views, an award-winning and internationally-recognized entrepreneur, an active humanitarian, and one with a talent for helping people develop the skills they need for success. Her work and expertise have been featured in Forbes, Good Morning America, Fox, and more. Bailey is currently working on her EdD in Learning and Organizational Change, exploring how generative AI can help us learn human skills. Previously, she completed her Masters in Communications and Culture at Toronto Metropolitan University with research looking into social media's impact on mental health, the results of which she's presented in multiple global forums and turned into her signature 5 Steps Towards #SafeSocial and a connected non-profit of the same name. Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/baileyparnell Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bailey.parnell?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/baileyparnell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baileytaylorparnell

Founding Executive Director Carlita Ector is a Raleigh, North Carolina native, she attended The University of NC at Greensboro (BFA Dance Performance & Choreography, K-12 Dance Education). A committed mental health advocate, Carlita founded Darkness RISING Nonprofit for Black mental health to create a safe space and mental health resources for the Black community, due to her personal mental health experiences. Carlita is a Licensed Mental Health First Aid Instructor and the Chief Wellness Advisor for the Harriet Tubman Effect, an institute of research and strategy for justice advocacy. Carlita is also an active performer and certified personal fitness instructor. REBUILD Fundraiser: Since January of 2023, we have funded over 400 therapy sessions for formerly incarcerated people of color. However, REBUILD will close its doors in December 2023 if we cannot raise $300,000. With your partnership, we can reach this goal together.  Please help Darkness RISING by sharing our fundraising campaign. Here's how you can help us make a significant impact:  SHARE & REPOST: We kindly request you to share and repost our fundraising posts on your social media platforms. By amplifying our message to your network, we can reach a wider audience and inspire more people to contribute to our cause.  Share our posts via our: Instagram @darknessrisingproject Twitter @darkriseproject Facebook @darknessrisingproject  ENGAGE YOUR NETWORK: Encourage your colleagues, friends, and family to get involved by sharing our campaign with them. Together, we can create a ripple effect of support and bring positive change to the lives of those who need it most.  PERSONALIZE YOUR SUPPORT: Consider donating to our campaign and encourage others to do the same. Regardless of the size, your financial contribution will directly impact the number of therapy sessions we can fund and the lives we transform. Find Me A Therapist Program: A free service which directly assists community members in the search for Black therapists. Black people can make customized requests for culturally competent therapy and receive contact information for up to 3 Black therapists which meet their criteria, tips for their first therapy consultation, and more.

As a model and professional lacrosse player, Jonathan's life was perfect on the surface. But the mental health and addiction issues that held him in their grip made it difficult to move forward fully in life. Behind the lens and beneath the spotlight, Johnathan faced a private hell of depression, anxiety, and a crippling eating disorder. He confronted the aftermath of a traumatic sexual assault, the loss of dear friends, and a fierce struggle with addiction. In 2017, he made a resolute decision to reclaim his life, embarking on a path of therapy, recovery, and redemption. https://www.podfol.io/profile/jonathan-niziol/r/recGkEe23ga9DHrb1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanniziol/ Sutherland Model Portfolio: https://www.sutherlandmodels.com/men/110-jonathan-niziol/bio/

Mark is the bestselling author of "So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience," (HarperCollins, 2021). He previously served as National Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Canadian Mental Health Association, and as a board member for the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Mark is a Master of Journalism Student at Toronto Metropolitan University. He has previously studied psychology and philosophy at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, child development at the Erikson Institute in Chicago, neuroscience at King's College London, and cognitive psychology at the University of Cambridge. His TEDx talk on why we need to talk about suicide is among the most watched in the world. Mark is a nationally syndicated weekly radio columnist for CBC. Twitter: @markhenick FB Page: @markhenick IG: @markhenick His book: https://a.co/d/hMIqH4S

An award-winning social entrepreneur, Jenn Harper is the Founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC. Cheekbone Beauty is a digital direct to consumer brand helping Indigenous youth see themselves in a beauty brand while using the concept of Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) in the brands ethos and in developing products. Cheekbone Beauty's mission is to help every Indigenous youth see and feel their enormous value in the world while creating sustainable cosmetics. Cheekbone Beauty is a certified B. Corp Certified company committed to meeting and exceeding high standards of transparency, employee benefits and charitable giving not only to staff but to supply chain practices. During Cheekbone Beauty's infancy, Jenn endured a heavy personal loss with the suicide of her brother B.J. This loss, though difficult, has remained a driving force behind the desire to see Cheekbone Beauty succeed with its mission, to empower Indigenous youth. In addition to Cheekbone's mission, she strives to educate as many people as possible about the Residential School System and the effects it has had on her family and friends through decades of generational trauma. She speaks regularly to university, college and high school students about social entrepreneurship, empathy and the history of her First Nations family. Use our discount code RUTHLESS15 for 15% off of Cheekbone Beauty products at: www.cheekbonebeauty.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheekbonebeauty/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheekbonebeauty/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/cheekbonebeauty Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/cheekbone-beauty Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS-JpqTI-QdLv1vtCotPArQ

At the end of our lives there are many decisions we have to make. Sometimes, we need to make those decision well in advance and sometimes, we need other people to make those decisions for us. In this episode, lawyer Mark Handelman discussed his work dealing with issues of consent, capacity, and end-of-life wishes. Mark Handelman was called to the Ontario Bar in 1978 and holds an MHSc in Bioethics from the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics. He was a part time Member of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal from 2008 to 2018 and from 1998 to 2008 a Vice Chair and Senior Lawyer Member of the Consent and Capacity Board, to which he was reappointed in 2018. Mark's articles on consent and capacity law, mental health law, end of life decision-making and Powers of Attorney have appeared in the popular press as well as peer-reviewed medical and legal journals. While practising law in London, Ontario between 1978 and 2002 he was president of the London Chamber of Commerce, president of the Better Business Bureau and a director of the London Club, among other community activities and wrote about 300 restaurant reviews and food articles for The London Free Press. He now lives in Toronto and Mallorytown and devotes much of his time to presiding at Consent and Capacity Board Hearings as a senior lawyer Member.

Landon Y. (Lanny) Jones is an editor and author. He is the former managing editor of People and Money magazines and the author of William Clark and the Shaping of the West (2004), a biography of the co-leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Jones also edited a selection of the expedition journals, The Essential Lewis and Clark (2000). In 1980, he published Great Expectations: America and the Baby Boom Generation, which popularized the term "baby-boomer" and was a finalist for the American Book Award in Nonfiction. In 2015, he received the Henry R. Luce Award for Lifetime Achievement from Time Inc. He is from St. Louis, Missouri, and currently resides in Princeton, New Jersey.  His most recent book is Celebrity Nation: How America Evolved into a Culture of Fans and Followers, published in May 2023 by Beacon Press. https://www.lannyjones.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lannyjones?s=20 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lannyj1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/landonyjones/?hl=en Threads: landonyjones

Sober mom advocate Celeste Yvonne is a writer and certified recovery coach (IAPRC) with over 20 years of experience as a communications professional in corporate America. Her essays on parenting, the mental load of motherhood, mommy wine culture, and sobriety resonates with mothers everywhere and has been featured in the Washington Post, Good Morning America, Today Show, and Refinery 29, among others. She is also a contributing writer to the Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestseller So God Made a Mother. Over five years sober and a founding host of the Sober Mom Squad, Celeste advocates for mothers who struggle with addiction and mental health. She is a recipient of the Windfelt Inspire Award by the Dry Society Social Club, as well as 2x winner of Red Tricycle's Spoke Challenge for best writing. She lives in Reno, Nevada, with her husband and two children.  Her new book It's Not About The Wine: The Loaded Truth Behind Mommy Wine Culture comes out Sept. 12.  https://www.instagram.com/theultimatemomchallenge https://www.facebook.com/theultimatemomchallenge 

Laura Carney is a repeat guest on the show. We interviewed her when she was in the middle of finishing her mission to complete her late father's bucket list—54 items in five years. She has since published a book about her experience, a memoir from Post Hill Press, distributed by Simon & Schuster, out in bookstores July 11, 2023. A writer and magazine copy editor in New York, Laura Carney has been published by the Washington Post, the Associated Press, The Hill, Runner's World, Good Housekeeping, The Fix, Upworthy, Maria Shriver's The Sunday Paper, and other places. She has worked as a copy editor in national magazines—primarily women's—for twenty years, including Vanity Fair, GQ, People, and Good Housekeeping. This is her first book.  myfatherslist.com bylauracarney.com  @myfatherslist 

Kai Cheng Thom is a writer, performance artist, and community healer. She is the author of the novel Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars, which was chosen by Emma Watson for her online feminist book club and shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award. Her poetry collection a place called No Homeland was an American Library Association Stonewall Honor Book, and her essay collection, I Hope We Choose Love, received a Publishing Triangle Award. She writes the advice column "Ask Kai: Advice for the Apocalypse" for Xtra. Kai Cheng Thom's newest book, Falling Back in Love with Being Human will be out on August 1, 2023. https://kaichengthom.com/ https://twitter.com/razorfemme https://www.instagram.com/kaichengthom https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/713624/falling-back-in-love-with-being-human-by-kai-cheng-thom/9780735245938

Kai Cheng Thom is a writer, performance artist, and community healer. She is the author of the novel Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars, which was chosen by Emma Watson for her online feminist book club and shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award. Her poetry collection a place called No Homeland was an American Library Association Stonewall Honor Book, and her essay collection, I Hope We Choose Love, received a Publishing Triangle Award. She writes the advice column "Ask Kai: Advice for the Apocalypse" for Xtra. Kai Cheng Thom's newest book, Falling Back in Love with Being Human will be out on August 1, 2023. https://kaichengthom.com/ https://twitter.com/razorfemme https://www.instagram.com/kaichengthom https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/713624/falling-back-in-love-with-being-human-by-kai-cheng-thom/9780735245938

Laura Pratt is a journalist, writer, and editor. Her second book, Heartbroken: Field Notes on a Constant Condition, was published in early 2023 by Penguin Random House Canada. She has written for numerous Canadian magazines and her articles have appeared in Canadian Living, Toronto Life, Maclean's, and Chatelaine. Her first memoir, The Fleeting Years, was published in 2004. She is a 2020 graduate of the University of King's College's creative nonfiction MFA. She won an honourable mention in Prairie Fire's 2020 CNF contest and was shortlisted for The Fiddlehead's 2019 CNF contest. She lives in Toronto and has served as a judge at the National Magazine Awards for several years. Follow Laura on: Linkedin Instagram Facebook http://www.laurapratt.ca/about/

International speaker, personal development trainer and certified coach, Carol is on a mission to empower people to live BIG lives (how many folks can say they've lived in an Ashram, shaved their head, or bungee jumped in their birthday suit?) no matter what life throws at them. She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance and an MA in Communication, and believes your voice and story have the power to inspire action and instigate change. Carol is the creator of ‘Spark your G.E.N.I.U.S.' and the initiative ‘Women Living BIG', and is committed to helping women get out their comfort zones so they can excel in their career, start and grow their own businesses, and achieve their potential by taking real action. She has lived, worked and/or volunteered in Thailand, India, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the US, the UK, visited 30 countries and counting, and brings a unique and global perspective to all she does. Passionate about many things, Carol is also a volunteer bereavement facilitator and camp counsellor, marathon runner, and yoga instructor. Follow Carol on: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook