Self-Care Houston

Join Jennifer on a mythical winding journey of falling upward with the Chinese Fish Bird known as the P'eng. Swim deeper and deeper through the waters of suffering, one breath at a time, gaining the strength with each breath to burst forth into flight and ride the wind. "If the wind is not piled up deep enough, it won't have the strength to bear up great wings. Therefore when the P'eng rises ninety thousand li, he must have the wind under him like that. Only then can he mount on the back of the wind, shoulder the blue sky, and nothing can hinder or block him. Only then can he set his eyes to the southern darkness."

"Here is the story of Danu's filling the world with her rhythm that she might surge always in the blood tides of our bodies and hearts. How sweet to carry menstruation from a medicalized sanitation to a tender sanctification." Storyteller, Carolyn McVickar Edwards, reads her mythical story, "The Gift of Rhythm and Blood," honoring the primordial Celtic goddess, Danu. The ancient tuatha de Danaan named the earth goddess as the very source of their lives. This story comes from Carolyn's collection, "The Storyteller's Goddess, Tales of the Goddess and Her Wisdom from Around the World."

For thousands of years Brigit has been known as the Great Bear Mother. She is also known as the Celtic Goddess of the Four Flames and Saint Brigid of Ireland. She was originally the Goddess of the Bear Clans from over 4000 years ago and her flame has been tended almost continuously for hundreds of years at the Abbey in Kildare, Ireland. In the Winter months, she goes on a journey into the underworld and returns on January 31st, known as Imbolc, to celebrate the survival of another year of winter and bring forth the energy of new birth for the coming Spring.

Medusa's story has been known to be frightening and confusing. Her glassy-eyed stare has paralyzed those who come upon her with fear. What if Medusa has something to offer us in our journey of healing and resilience? What if we can hear the story in a new way that actually may connect us deeply with our own experience? Discover how together, we can create mythologies that support the healing of women, our bodies, and our relationship to nature from ancient wisdom passed down for generations. Rise Sister Rise Cover by Fire Song. Written by Rebeca Campbell and Amy Firth

At our deepest roots, we are story-tellers. Women have overcome many adversities through the centuries sharing deep archetypal stories together. The fairytale "Tatterhood" comes from Norway and Iceland. This story offers an invitation to experience your "wild twin" and learn how to reconnect with her as a means to reconnecting to the wild, regal natural state of our earth. Discover how together, we can create mythologies that support the healing of women, our bodies, and our relationship to nature from ancient wisdom passed down for generations.

At our deepest roots, we are story-tellers. Women have overcome many adversities through the centuries sharing deep archetypal stories together. The mythological story of Coyote Stealing Her Light comes from the Northern Californian Coastal People (Native American). This story offers insights into how we as women can steal back and embody our light, the light the world so desperately needs to heal. Discover how together, we can create mythologies that support the healing of women, our bodies, and our relationship to nature from ancient wisdom passed down for generations. Music Cover: "Here Comes the Sun," by George Harrison

A story based on Japanese mythology.  At our deepest roots, we are story-tellers. Our ancestors overcame adversities throughout the centuries sharing deep archetypal stories together. The mythological story of Amaterasu invites us to open to the light each one of us carries and come out of the cave to shine your light.

Throughout history, countless cultures have recognized the importance of balancing feminine and masculine energies (the yin and yang) that move within and around us. Flowing into and transforming the other, these aspects naturally complement each other. Harmony between these energies inspires a beautiful healing connection to our higher selves, one another, and our world. At our deepest roots, we are story-tellers. Our ancestors overcame adversities throughout the centuries sharing deep archetypal stories together. The mythological story of Demeter, Persephone and Hecate offers insights into the strength and tenacity of women when we come together in the face of life's challenges.

Awareness Houston, Episode 8: Rich Lewis joins Jennifer in a conversation about how to begin a Centering Prayer Practice. Rich discusses baby steps that ease us gradually into a practice of sitting in silence with God. Rich also talks about how his personal practice impacted his work and family life. Rich Lewis is an author, speaker and coach who focuses on centering prayer as a means of inner transformation. He teaches centering prayer in both his local and virtual community and offers one-on-one coaching. Rich's newest book is titled, Sitting with God: A Journey To Your True Self Through Centering Prayer. Rich has been a daily practitioner of centering prayer since June 1, 2014. Centering prayer has been so life-giving and life-changing that he feels compelled to share his journey with others who wish to learn more. Rich resides with his family in Ambler, Pennsylvania. Learn more about him at www.SilenceTeaches.com.  

Awareness Houston, Episode 7: Sandy Wilder, founder of Educare Unlearning Institute, joins Jennifer in a conversation about the Enneagram. How can the Enneagram be used as a tool for transformation and growth? Where is a good starting place when using the Enneagram? After a 35 year career consulting, training and coaching educators and business leaders to be more effective personally, interpersonally, on teams, and in the cultures they create, in 2009 Sandy left the corporate world. He formed the Educare Unlearning Institute which uses tools like the Enneagram to help people unlearn that which blocks their potential so they can live freely and authentically from their deepest truth. He offers programs, retreats, vision quests, fireside chats, individual coaching, daily unlearning insights and a dynamic supportive community for you if you would like to: Uncover, express and develop your innate, natural strengths Question stressful thoughts and beliefs, and experience transformation through unlearning Learn to listen in a way that naturally enriches relationships and encourages authenticity

Awareness Houston, Episode 6: Jim Zartman joins Jennifer in a conversation about how the Enneagram is a guide on our journey from "survival to integration." Jim shares insights about his personal path of transformation and the gift of conscious awareness, grace and courage.  Jim Zartman is a certified Enneagram coach and the co-founder of The Art of Growth which is a team of coaches and consultants who work with individuals and organizations to help them achieve the transformation they want in themselves, their work, and their relationships.

Awareness Houston, Episode 5: Keith Kristich joins Jennifer in a conversation exploring growth and healing from the combined perspectives of Centering Prayer and the Enneagram. Keith shares his personal journey of how these two practices came together and deepened his trust in the mystery and constant presence of God. Deep inner work in Centering Prayer and the Enneagram can open us to a place of stillness in the midst of the tumultuous experiences of 2020. Keith Kristich is a certified meditation, Centering Prayer, and Enneagram teacher. Keith uses these practices to help people slow down and reconnect with God and their true self. Keith works with people in small groups, retreats, and one-on-one settings through spiritual direction and Enneagram coaching. 

Awareness Houston, Episode 4: Deborah Ooten joins Jennifer in a conversation about present moment awareness and the Enneagram. Deborah and Jennifer discuss the movement of the Enneagram symbol, the hexad, as a map for moving consciously through problems and opportunities in life. Deborah also discusses the three energetic stances within the Enneagram, how this understanding helps us become more self-aware, and offers a tool to understand our relational dynamics. Deborah A. Ooten, PhD, is the founder/director of the Conscious Living Center. She has her doctorate in clinical psychology, is an occupational therapist and is a trained craniosacral therapist and a Certified Enneagram Teacher in the Narrative Tradition. Deborah is certified by Don Beck, PH.D in Spiral Dynamics®. She is the founder and CEO of Conscious Dynamics, Bold Companies Created One Person At A Time.  

Awareness Houston, Episode 3: Join Jennifer and Deb Dana as they discuss the path of befriending the nervous system. When we lean in to our body's cues with curiosity, our resilience grows. Deb Dana is a clinician, consultant and author specializing in complex trauma. Her work is focused on using the lens of Polyvagal Theory to understand and resolve the impact of trauma in our lives.  Polyvagal Theory is a theory of the autonomic nervous system and offers a framework to understand why we think and act in the ways they do.  The goal of the autonomic nervous system is to protect us by sensing safety and risk, listening moment by moment to what is happening in our bodies, in our environments and in the connections we have with others.  Deb's work shows how an understanding of Polyvagal Theory applies to relationships, mental health, and trauma and how we can use an understanding of the organizing principles of Polyvagal Theory to change the ways we navigate our daily lives. Deb has published two books on Polyvagal Theory - The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy and Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection, and has a busy career training therapist around the world in becoming Polyvagal informed.  She is a consultant to the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium in the Kinsey Institute, a consultant to Khiron Clinics, and an advisor to Unyte.    Deb can be contacted via her website:  www.rhythmofregulation.com

Awareness Houston, Episode 2: Deborah Ooten joins Jennifer in a conversation about present moment awareness and the Enneagram. Deborah and Jennifer discuss how the Enneagram is a map for understanding our blind spots, the habitual auto-pilot ways we all get stuck. Deb also discusses the how Enneagram symbols of the circle and the triangle (The Law of One and The Law of Three) are the key to opening to conscious awareness. Deborah A. Ooten, PhD, is the founder/director of the Conscious Living Center. She has her doctorate in clinical psychology, is an occupational therapist and is a trained craniosacral therapist and a Certified Enneagram Teacher in the Narrative Tradition. Deborah is certified by Don Beck, PH.D in Spiral Dynamics®. She is the founder and CEO of Conscious Dynamics, Bold Companies Created One Person At A Time.

Awareness Houston, Episode 1: Craig Penner joins Jennifer in a conversation about present moment awareness and the "Window of Tolerance." How do we know when we are present? What cues help us to know when we are not present? Why is present moment awareness necessary for growth and healing? Craig Penner, LMFT, is a psychotherapist and trainer, in private practice in Santa Barbara since 1982. He brings a process-oriented approach to therapy, with a strong somatic (body/nervous system) focus, and integrates EMDRand other uses of “bilateral stimulation,” to help the therapy be as efficient and effective as possible. He has always believed that we have a natural drive to completion and resolution. This has inspired his commitment to develop “Natural Processing,” which is an integration of ways to utilize our own awareness to facilitate that drive. He has been training therapists in this approach across the US and Canada since 2014, and has led consultations and other trainings for over 25 years.

Self-Care Houston, Episode 24: Jennifer Hughes joins Jennifer Christian in a conversation about the impact of vicarious trauma on healthcare professionals in the medical and mental health fields. Jennifer discusses the impact of trauma on the mind and body. She shares how to identify the effects of vicarious trauma as well as helpful tools to address burnout and compassion fatigue. Jennifer Hughes is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. Her research and clinical work focus on the assessment and treatment of trauma in children and adults. She provides outpatient evidence-based assessment and psychotherapy to treat PTSD and other co-morbid conditions at the UTHealth Trauma and Resilience Center. She also works with the UTHealth Department of Acute Care Surgery, Division of Trauma Surgery, to provide screening and intervention to patients treated at Memorial Hermann TMC following traumatic injury. In addition to her focus on trauma, Dr. Hughes has a particular interest in supporting the wellness of the healthcare team. She has helped developed hospital-wide wellness programs and regularly trains healthcare providers in identifying and addressing burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma.

Self-Care Houston, Episode 23: Sherianna Boyle joins Jennifer in a conversation about the first step of beginning an emotional detox for anxiety, toning the vagus nerve. Sherianna and Jennifer explore how the vagus nerve impacts the mind/body connection and accessible tools to "tone" the vagus nerve. Sherianna Boyle is the author of seven books the most recent being Emotional Detox: 7 Steps to Releasing Toxicity & Energizing Joy as well as The Four Gifts of Anxiety. Her work has been featured in Psychology Today, First Women, Yoga Journal, Spirituality & Health, Mind Body Green and more.She is an adjunct Psychology Professor, seasoned yoga instructor, founder of the C.L.E.A.N.S.E Method® and Emotional Detox therapy. Her books and resources can be found at www.sheriannaboyle.com

Self-Care Houston, Episode 22:Sandy Wilder, founder of Educare Unlearning Institute, joins Jennifer in a conversation about the Enneagram. What is the Enneagram? What is the difference between the Enneagram and personality assessments? How can the study of the Enneagram impact my relationship with myself and others? If I want to learn more about the Enneagram, where is a good place to start?

Self-Care Houston, Episode 21: Craig Penner joins Jennifer in a conversation about Natural Processing. Craig Penner, LMFT, is a psychotherapist and trainer, in private practice in Santa Barbara since 1982. He brings a process-oriented approach to therapy, with a strong somatic (body/nervous system) focus, and integrates EMDRand other uses of “bilateral stimulation,” to help the therapy be as efficient and effective as possible. He has always believed that we have a natural drive to completion and resolution. This has inspired his commitment to develop “Natural Processing,” which is an integration of ways to utilize our own awareness to facilitate that drive. He has been training therapists in this approach across the US and Canada since 2014, and has led consultations and other trainings for over 25 years.

Self-Care Houston, Episode 20: Shani Bell joins Jennifer in a conversation about how art and creativity improve self-care. Shani shares how art is an empowering tool in conjunction with therapy and discusses ways to use art as a personal self-care tool. Shani Bell is Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist offering counseling services at Fuller Life Family Therapy West. Shani is a graduate of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a master’s degree in Art Therapy. In addition to her work as counselor and art therapist, she is co-owner of The Escape Studio, a Creative Wellness Studio © and spiritual mini-retreat in Missouri City, TX. Here, she seeks to to show others how to find peace and empowerment through God-focused artistic experiences. She has also facilitated several art therapy workshops throughout the Greater Houston Area individually and in collaboration with Art Therapy Houstonand The Creative Healing Center.

Self-Care Houston, Episode 19: Lauren Walker joins Jennifer in a conversation about Energy Medicine Yoga. Lauren and Jennifer discuss the rise of anxiety and stress in our culture and how Energy Medicine Yoga creates a way to find balance in your body, so you can be present and alive in your life. Lauren Walker is the author of Energy Medicine Yoga: Amplify the Healing Power of Your Yoga Practice (Sounds True, 2014) and The Energy Medicine Yoga Prescription (Sounds True, 2017). She’s been teaching yoga and meditation since 1997 and created Energy Medicine Yoga while teaching at Norwich University. She teaches EMYoga across the US and internationally and has been featured in Yoga Journal, Mantra +, Yoga Digest, and The New York Times. She was recently named one of the top 100 most influential yoga teachers in America. For more of her work, see EMYoga.net

Self-Care Houston, Episode 18: Dr. Amy Fuller joins Jennifer in a conversation about affordable sliding-scale counseling centers throughout Houston. Amy and Jennifer also discuss common signs to watch for in our children and marriages that let us know it may be time to seek out a supportive therapist. Amy is a marriage and family therapist and the clinical director at Fuller Life Family Therapy Institute.

Self-Care Houston, Episode 17: Kim Jones joins Jennifer in a conversation about common signs of postpartum depression and anxiety. Kim and Jennifer discuss obstacles to self-care and helpful resources for moms that also equip the entire family. Kim is the associte clinical director at The Center for Postpartum Family Health. Subscribe in iTunes.

Self-Care Houston, Episode 16: Chelsie Sargent joins Jennifer in a down-to-earth conversation about creating healthy boundaries and self-care. Chelsie is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Anger Resolution Therapist, and LPC-Supervisor. Subscribe in iTunes.

Micki Fine joins Jennifer in a conversation about the importance of developing mindful daily living: "Waking up to life and what it means to be fully human." Micki is the founder and director of Mindful Living and pioneer of mindfulness in Houston, Texas.  She is the author of, "The Need to Please: Mindfulness Skills for Gaining Freedom from Chronic People Pleasing and Approval Seeking." She is also in the process of publishing a children's book about Loving Kindness. You can find Micki and her mindfulness workshops at Living Mindfully. 

Self-Care Houston, Episode 14: In this solo podcast, Jennifer Christian shares micro self-care practices for therapists and other healing professions (physicians, spiritual leaders, etc). Jennifer introduces tiny little practices to sprinkle throughout the day that reduce the possibility of burnout and build resilience. Subscribe in iTunes.

Self-Care Houston, Episode 13: Randi Rubenstein joins Jennifer in a conversation about self-care and what that means as a mom. Randi and Jennifer talk about their own experiences as moms and how they continue to learn what self-care looks like in the context of a marriage and family. Randi is the author of "The Parent Gap," and a fellow mama in the trenches that facilitates transformational teacher trainings and parent coaching since 2007. Randi helps parents replace negative patterns such as threats, bribing and name calling with a new positive parenting toolbox that inspires rather than backfires during the teen years. Subscribe in iTunes.

Self-Care Houston, Episode 12: Dr. Jeff Christian joins Jennifer in a conversation about how to build communities of trust within a larger culture that cultivates distrust. How can we build resilient practices into our marriages, families, and local communities that will help us address challenges in healthier ways? Jeff is the preaching minister at the Bering Drive Church of Christ in the Galleria area of Houston. Subscribe in iTunes.

Self-Care Houston, Episode 11: In this solo podcast, Jennifer Christian continues her discussion about anxiety from Episode 10, Anxiety Cycle. Jennifer discusses how building emotional regulation muscles and practicing shame resilience add to the self-care toolbox. Subscribe in iTunes.

Self-Care Houston, Episode 10: In this solo podcast, Jennifer Christian shares her journey with anxiety/panic attacks. Jennifer talks about where anxiety comes from and how we get caught in anxiety cycles. Subscribe in iTunes.

Kathleen Straker joins Jennifer in a conversation about a process of decision making that brings joy to life in a way that aligns with your values. Kathleen works with students from around the globe through her learning strategies workshops and individual academic coaching sessions. She has also coauthored three books for students in the health sciences. You can find Kathleen at Vital Study Skills. Subscribe in iTunes.

Shannon McLain joins Jennifer in a conversation about sleep and intentional practices that can improve sleep. Shannon is a  mind-body medicine practitioner and certified health and wellness coach at The Center for Intentional Healing.

Elizabeth Haberer joins Jennifer in a conversation about Thrive Trauma Informed Yoga. Trauma Informed Yoga partners beautifully with specialized trauma therapies such as EMDR, Mindfulness, Grounding, Compassion Focused, etc. Elizabeth Haberer is an LCSW, Psychotherapist, and a yoga instructor.

Daniel Scholl joins Jennifer Christian in a conversation about empowering individuals, couples, and families to sustain ongoing financial stability. Daniel also shares how we can overcome obstacles that get in the way of achieving our financial goals. Daniel is the program manager for financial coaching at Family Houston.

Virgil Fry joins Jennifer in a conversation about the needs and challenges of self-care for caregivers. Virgil is the Executive Director at Lifeline Chaplaincy.

Chau Nguyen joins Jennifer in a conversation about abusive relationships, important resources and self-care. Chau is a social worker and the chief marketing officer at Houston Area Womens Center.

Kim Fredrickson joins Jennifer Christian in a conversation about going through difficult times with self-compassion. Kim is a marriage and family therapist and the author of "Give Yourself A Break: Turning Your Inner Critic Into a Compassionate Friend."

Chelsie Sargent joins Jennifer in a conversation about anger and self-care. Chelsie is a Licensed Professional Counselor and certified anger resolution therapist.

Shannon McLain joins Jennifer in a conversation about the practice of Self-Compassion. Shannon is a mind-body medicine practitioner and certified health and wellness coach at The Center for Intentional Healing.