The Resilient Father

In this episode Myles Chisholm joins us to share and talk about  his personal experiences  with psychedelics. We discuss the fascinating mental health benefits of these compounds and review the promising world of combining psychedelic treatment, with mental health counselling. 

This episode shares some of the most effective recent techniques your host has found for reducing stress and improving emotional regulation. These are highly effective at calming down, feeling better and coping in challenging situations and, might just be perfect for any holiday challenges you might be expecting from the present, past and future.

This episode reviews the great and powerful Encanto. Cavan discusses the psychology of the nuanced portrayal of intergenerational trauma and it's effect on families. 

Internal conflict, how often do we hear people say a part of me wants this but another part of me wants that? How is it that we can come to struggle so much  with our own emotions. We are taught to control ourselves with reason from a young age, tamp down our feelings, but what if, in focusing  our efforts on control and logical understanding, we neglect and hurt a critically important piece of our mind that makes up who we are?  

Andrew Dreosto returns for the third time to discuss a key  lesser known piece of  emotional mental health, psychological avoidance. Are you avoiding your problems? Is there something that makes you scared or anxious you're putting off? Do you spend a significant amount of time trying to control, distract from or change your negative feelings? We discuss how approaching and dealing directly with problems and emotions promotes mental health and decreases anxiety/mood issues.

In this episode we explore why children seem to love being thrown, swung, spun around, climbing jumping, riding and sliding and how these things help to grow the brain and support development.

This episode covers neurofeedback, a unique therapy that uses a combination of specialized measuring equipment and live computer feedback, to help people retrain unhelpful patterns of brain activity. Cavan reviews some of the unusually interesting history of this therapeutic field, discusses the benefits and provides some insight on how to find a qualified practitioner. 

This episode of the resilient father features the one and only Don Edwards, Cavan's very own father. The man who helped shape him into the person and parent he is today. We talk about his philosophies on life, looking back on parenting with the benefits of wisdom and, share some gems about embracing both. 

This episode explores the psychological mechanisms of therapy. How is it that sitting down and talking through your feelings with a professional stranger can actually improve your mental health? We discuss some of the misconceptions around therapy and share just how practical counselling can actually be.  Cavan reviews the overall science and cognitive mechanisms of how therapy results in positive changes in mental wellbeing. 

In this episode we discuss the powerful  therapeutic modality of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy).  A research based form of counselling that focuses breaking down our ways thinking  and behaving in order to make conscious changes to improve mental health. This form of counselling is highly practical, focusing on taking effective action to change how the internal structures of your mind and the resulting and choices you make impact wellbeing. CBT is highly recommended for any dad who is interested in trying therapy but unsure where to start.

In this episode Cavan reviews the very real and important phenomenon of male postpartum depression. Many people are well aware of the struggles of PPD in women, but lesser known is the fact that men can also develop postpartum depression symptoms. We discuss some of the risk factors that can lead to the development of mood symptoms in males postpartum, some of the impacts it can have, and a brief review of what can be done to help.

In part three of the series on brainwave activity we cover the deepest and possibly strangest part of the brainwave spectrum, theta waves. Often associated with deep mediation, hypnosis and dreams, this type of brainwave activity is a profound gateway to relaxation, intuition and emotional integration. Learning to enter into a deep theta state is a great way to build resilience, promote emotional wellbeing, enhance intuition/performance and improve stress tolerance as a parent. 

This episode of the show features Mike Thiel to discuss table top roleplaying games such as dungeons and dragons. These games are lot of fun and present a great opportunity for family bonding, social support and just having a good time.  Mike has been applying gameplay not only for his own enjoyment but, also as a form of therapy and we discuss the many therapeutic benefits of D&D and tabletop roleplaying games. Mike shares his experience thus far, research he's read and his ongoing goals in bringing the mental health value of roleplaying games to the masses. Link to Mike's website:https://roleplaygamingformentalhealth.godaddysites.com/

In this episode we discuss the scientific research and approach to marriage/relationship counselling of the Gottman Method. A psychologist whose extensive research into what makes a successful, long lasting relationship, Gottman can predict the long-term outcomes of marriages with surprising accuracy. His approach to helping couples better manage their relationships provides deeply practical and intuitive advice. 

This episode features an interview on the topic of post partum depression with psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, mother and Cavan's wife, Kayleen Edwards. Kayleen has both experienced PPD first hand and has attended evidence based trainings on understanding the factors that contribute to the condition and how to support mother's who are struggling.The first 50 minutes of the interview focus on the factors that contribute to the development of PPD as well as personal experience of Kayleen and of what it's like to go through PPD firsthand.  The conversation on how to provide support to mother's experiencing PPD begins at approximately 50 minutes. 

In this episode Cavan shares his experience using the recent health promoting practices of heat and cold exposure for bolstering physical and mental health. The many benefits of these practices are discussed and Cavan shares his own experience in how particularly heat exposure has been a big benefit in combatting mood difficulties and improving wellbeing. 

This episode features Float therapy. Sometimes called sensory deprivation, flotation, or by the acronym REST (restricted environmental stimulation therapy). This practice involves reducing the burden of the senses on the nervous system, freeing up the brain to achieve deep states of relaxation, recuperation and healing. It has become an essential part of Cavan's wellness toolbox and in this episode we discuss the many benefits!

This episode features the return of the illustrious Andrew Dreosto. We talk about the psychology, neuroscience and benefits of mindfulness. We discuss how even busy dads can implement mindfulness into their life. We talk about ways of practically understanding mindfulness to make it more accessible to the end user. In general we have some very interesting conversation about mental health the structure of the mind and fatherhood.

Dads are powerful and have a deep influence on the growth and development of their children. In this episode, coming up on Father's day, Cavan celebrates you. All the hard work and great things you do for your kids. Let's talk about all the ways that the science supports the positive influence you have and lets reduce the stigma around being the "perfect parent" as much as we can.

Kind of like a star trek captains log, sort of. Cavan shares bits of his personal experiences with mental health and how he is applying the ideas and skills in this podcast to improve his wellbeing and cope with toddler drama.Coming Soon:-How to Support Your Wife Through PPD-Part 3 of Mastering Your Brainwaves: Theta Waves and the Hypnogogic State

Increase cognitive function, decrease stress and smooth out the communication between areas of your brain to improve your mental health. Learning to consciously increase alpha activity while at rest has a number of benefits to: resilience building, improving distress tolerance, decreasing fear and better focusing the mind. Open Focus Technique: developed by  Princeton psychologist Dr. Les Fehmi, powerfully triggers a synchronized alpha response in the brain. In this episode Cavan discusses the benefits of open focus and shares how to make use of the skill, integrating it as both a meditation for self-care, but also a day to day neurohack you can apply in times of need.

In this bonus episode Cavan takes you through the process of activating the open focus response in the brain. This technique quickly and easily triggers relaxed synchronized activity within the brain, which has a number of benefits to improving mental functioning and emotional well-being. Give this a try and see if you feel better!

This soundtrack contains a pleasant rain soundscape coupled with an audible repeating tone designed to stimulate SMR activity within the brain. It is intended for use as a meditation/relaxation aid only. Benefits of SMR can include: greater sense of physical peace, decreased need to fidget, better focus/attention/, deeper quality sleep and improved emotional tolerance. Please note: if you find this soundtrack unpleasant or annoying to listen to please do not use it as it is probably just not the right fit for your particular needs. 

This episode reviews the electrical rhythms of the brain, and discusses how learning to consciously shift brainwave activity with targeted exercises can help improve mental resilience and wellbeing. The brain is like an orchestra and the coordinated electrical waves it generates play a key role in allowing you to function and regulate yourself at your best. Cavan introduces the brainwave spectrum and debunks a few key myths about brainwave training. The SMR wave (sensor motor rhythm) is introduced and we discuss the power it has to help people achieve a state of physical relaxation and ease. 

This is not a podcast episode  but rather a meditation/relaxation technique. You can listen to this soundtrack and follow along with the instructions to strongly activate a deep relaxation response, which can help you to recuperate energy when you're sleep deprived. If you have the opportunity to nap you can use this technique at the outset of the nap to help you fall asleep and get the strongest possible rest and psychological recovery effects out of your nap. 

In this episode we discuss actionable techniques you can use to positively influence your brain, your psychology and your physiology to cope better with sleep deprivation as a parent. Many of the techniques shared are relatively easy to fit into even a busy parents life. They are designed to help boost mood, increase energy and improve coping with the stress and loss of brain function that comes with poor sleep. Link to Photo Coffee: Take the below image for free from my website, no strings attached and use it in small doses to perk yourself up, boost mood and energize your brain. Especially if you work in a building with limited sunlight exposure throughout the day.https://www.theresilientfather.com/toolbox/free-image-for-counteracting-sleep-deprivation-photocoffee

In this episode Cavan dives deep into google scholar to find practical things you can do to feel better when you don't get enough sleep. Being a parent comes with a lot of involuntary sleep deprivation at times, and that comes with a lot of negative effects on your mood, stress tolerance, focus/mental functioning and energy levels.Episode one in this two part series focuses on a few key nutrients, supplements and quick (for busy dads) exercise regimens that appear to have a lot of promise in scientific research for helping the body recover from and adapt to sleep deprivation.

This episode features a special guest Mr. Mark Aquino! Mark is an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner I have been seeing for a number of years who has helped me with various pains and injuries including recovery from several jiu-jitsu injuries (concussion, jammed thumb, shoulder pain) and most importantly , back pain from being a dad. Mark is also a father himself and later in the episode he shares several gems from his experience as a dad with two children now in their early teens. 

In this episode Cavan Follow's up on his practice of self-compassion and digs even deeper in the research behind this incredible tool. We review several specific, actionable techniques you can employ to start gaining the benefits and we discuss even further what scientific literature has to say on specifically how this tool might be of benefit to you.Email with questions, episode suggestions etc. theresilientfather@gmail.com

In this episode Cavan discusses a topic that is not for the faint of heart, something for only the manliest of men. A skill that alleviates suffering and promotes emotional well-being that's so simple it also seems too easy, and yet, is backed by a wealth of scientific research supporting the benefits. Just being nice to yourself.

In this episode, Cavan sits down with Andrew Dreosto, a good friend , fellow Master's in Counselling Psychology Student and a fellow dad. We dive deep into a discussion around parenting and, the experience of becoming a new dad including:Adapting to the dramatic change in lifestyle after having a childThe myth of the perfect parent and the societal pressure to be a "good dad" The importance of talking openly about challenging aspects of parentingCoping with sleep loss, partner support and other challenges faced when becoming a new dadTools used by both dads to take care of themselves and improve mental health

In the very first RF Toolbox episode features the most effective technique I know for reducing stress, becoming less anxious, improving mood, and optimizing brain function: Heart Rate Variability Breathing.Episode Includes:·         The why: a breakdown of the many established benefits of this little-known breathing technique that has far reaching impacts on our emotional and mental wellbeing·         The how: your host takes you through a brief practice of this skill and teaches how to do it. Try it out and feel the difference for yourself… HRV Youtube Videos:·         https://youtu.be/TyRoAw9Otyw·         https://youtu.be/ZAxD-dVDe0Y Website with free pacer gifs for practice:·          https://www.theresilientfather.com/toolboxLinks to Scientific Articles:·         https://www.heartmathbenelux.com/doc/Thayer%20meta%20analysis%20heart%20rate%20variability%20pfc%20NBR%2012.pdf·         https://psyarxiv.com/7g5q8/download?format=pdf·         https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.624254/full·         https://www.aimspress.com/article/10.3934/biophy.2021001

Hey Dad, being a father is hard and as a fellow parent, I want to help make it better. Welcome to the first episode of The Resilient Father podcast. Your host Cavan Edwards introduces himself and shares the inspiration for this show and his philosophy of resilience.Episode includes:·         An introduction to your host Cavan Edwards and the inspiration for starting The Resilient Father ·         What the show is about and the types of episodes you can expect including: deep dives into topics of parenting, practical tools for mental health self-care and interviews·         The underlying philosophy of resilience and how the principles can apply to parenting·         Stress and the importance of activating the relaxation response to counteract the intense burdens of life and, help better regulate energy and mood to show up for our families. Check out:Theresilientfather.com theresilientfather (Instagram)The Resilient Father (Facebook)Youtube Channel: Find detailed explainers of RF Toolbox skills discussed in the podcast