Working On the Inside Podcast with Tricia Miller, M.Ed., LPC

Today’s guest is Thomas Cole, Fitness Trainer, who shares a remarkable story of survival growing up in the ‘blood diamond’ 1990s era in war-torn Liberia. This podcast episode captures a beautiful story of the American Dream. As a child, Thomas often traveled between countries with packs of others who were also fleeing violence.  While living in a refugee camp in Ghana,Thomas’ life would forever change with a conversation from a stranger. At 10 years-old, Thomas and his younger sister were presented the miraculous opportunity to immigrate to America. Today’s podcast follows a young man’s journey to America—from living in fear throughout the war to living a life of stability and peace.  Thomas also shares his passion for health and fitness, and how as a Fitness Trainer, he motivates and encourages his clients to live healthier and stronger.  The podcast highlights: Thomas shares insight on his transient and violent upbringing in war-torn West Africa; The adoptive family that took care Thomas and his younger sister as children; The miracle that would change his life forever from a conversation with a stranger at the immigration office in the refugee camp in Ghana; Thomas’ shares his beliefs on the “power of good” and the “power of humanity”; Thomas describes why America is close to heaven; How Education—especially Reading--motivated and inspired him in his transition to living in the United States; How school athletics channeled his anxiety and fear—“I grew up scared, and at one point, I decided not to be scared anymore.”; What Thomas loves about America the most; Why appreciating the little things contributes to having a positive mindset; What he loves about being a Trainer—“I do more than just training.”; The mindset that allows people to transform their physical health. Not only can you find Thomas at the 24 Hour Fitness in Houston, TX, you can find Thomas on Instagram @stable_fitness or email him at mr.cole129@gmail.com.  

Are you a busy, hurried or stress-proned person? Do you easily get worked up? How do you untangle yourself from the stressful demands of the modern world? Today’s topic revolves around the importance of Self-Care, specifically highlighting the perspective of emotional Self-Care. Houston-based private practice Therapists and Friends, Tricia Miller, M.Ed., LPC and Kim Jones, LPC, LMFT share an important dialogue on Self-Care. In her work as a Therapist for the The Center for Postpartum Family Health, Kim often guides clients in integrating a practical and sustaining Self-Care routine in their life.  Kim shares the following: Practical tips on how to integrate Self-Care in your routine so the practice is sustainable in the long-term; Common myths of Self-Care and shifting the mindset; Benefits and outcomes of practicing Emotional Self-Care; Role of Self-Care in personal connection with self and others; Simple micro Self-Care practices; How Self-Care contributes to having a sense of fulfillment, meaning and purpose. Let’s learn more about this life-changing practice!

Tricia Miller, M.Ed., LPC visits with her good friend, Dr.Jeff Lip, in a podcast that presents the human side of being a Counselor. Dr. Jeff Lip serves as a School Counselor in Lake Shore High School in Michigan, works part-time as a community college professor at Macomb and Oakland Community College and last, produces his weekly podcast show, the Dr. Lip Podcast. In today’s show, Jeff talks learning about relationships, overcoming personal crisis in the face of a divorce finding meaning in the recovery process, and eventually, living a life of giving.   The conversation features the following: Jeff's upbringing as the minority growing up in a first-generation Chinese-American household; The influence of the special community of Warren, Michigan; Role and influence as a Counselor;  Facing the devastation of a divorce; Finding healing through various supportive relationships;  3 Areas that contributed to his recovery in the face of tragedy; Discovering meaning, and life of giving; Connecting with a deeper sense of spirituality & faith;  Launching and growing the Dr. Lip podcast.

In Episode 13 of the Working on the Inside Podcast, Houston-based private-practice Therapist, Educator & Anxiety Specialist,Tricia Miller M. Ed, LPC., hopes to break the stigma of seeking therapy. In “Breaking the Stigma of Therapy: Four Things You Should Know About Therapy,” Tricia brings to light to what people can expect from a therapist and the experience of therapy. Here are some highlights from her talk: “Good therapists listen to their client.” “You want to build an alliance with your Therapist.” “Therapy can leave a client empowered and transformed.” “The therapy room is your own internal learning lab.” “With time, effort and introspection, you can really be intentional in how you live your life, and the quality of your life.” People who can benefit from this episode are those who have a curiosity about the therapy process, those who have been thinking about seeking therapy and those who may want to revisit therapy once again.

Cuc Lam has established a ground-breaking presence in the local food community in Houston. Cuc’s contribution to the culinary scene includes working as a part-time pop-up chef specializing in Southeast Asian cuisine, Houston Press food writer, and bar owner.  In Episode 12, Tricia Miller interviews one of her closest friends, and gains insight into Cuc's culinary journey.  Cuc’s passion for food begins with humble beginnings growing up in Mississippi influenced by the cooking of her parents.  Also, the first-generation, Vietnamese-American entrepreneur shares her newest restaurant venture, Crave Sing, a Singaporian fast-casual restaurant making its home in the Heights.    Over the course of twenty years, Cuc hones in her passion for cooking and shares her happiness in living her dream. 

Tricia Miller visits with the mentor who helped her build a strong foundation as a clinical therapist. Sherry Duson, M.A., is a veteran licensed marriage & family therapist in Houston, Texas with over 20 years of experience in private practice. In this podcast, Sherry shares her journey into becoming a Mother, family therapist, entrepreneur and community leader. As a local trailblazer in perinatal mental health, she was instrumental in bringing services to new mothers and families and educating her community on illnesses such as postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum OCD.  Her experience as a new mother experiencing postpartum depression impacted her wanting to help other women in their journey with motherhood.  In 2014, she founded the Center for Postpartum Family Health, a private counseling agency, providing services in family counseling, psychotherapy, peer support and community education. 

In this special Christmas Eve podcast, and final episode of 2018, Tricia Miller, M.Ed, LPC, catches up with one of her former high school students in this motivating and light-hearted conversation between former counselor and student. Just finished with his first semester in college at the University of Houston, Malek Sarage, shares his wisdom in finding the right connections, persevering through obstacles in adolescence and pursuing opportunities related to his passion in fitness. Raised in a first-generation, Libyan household, Malek speaks on the influences of his family and culture in shaping his character.  In addition, the honest and open 18-year-old attributes a solid foundation in high school at Westchester Academy of International Studies (WAIS) in helping him with skills needed for a successful college transition.  Once a struggling and unmotivated student in middle school and high school, Malek openly shares his story and his path toward achieving academic success, building a healthy mindset and surrounding himself with positive influences.Malek finished with straight A’s in his first semester in college.  In addition to managing a full-time school load, Malek juggles work life, as well as volunteers at the Memorial Hermann Ironman Sports Institute in Houston, TX. 

Houston-based Private Practice Therapist and Podcaster, Tricia Miller, M.Ed, LPC,visits with her childhood friend,Pele Bennett, in this conversation of overcoming adversities in relationship, motherhood and unexpected life events. Just barely an adult, Pele had to navigate early adulthood while in a serious relationship with an aspiring football player who had dreams of playing in the NFL as well as learning the ropes of motherhood. Today, Pele reflects back on what shaped her in finding her identity, and how she is embraces the process of reinventing herself. Listeners gain insight in Pele's upbringing in a first-generation Pacific-Islander family, and the women in her family who inspired her to be strong, independent, open-minded and compassionate. Now Married to NFL Superbowl Champion, Pro-bowler and Defensive End, Michael Bennett, Pele encourages listeners, especially Mothers, to explore and pursue “the other pieces of them.”  In this podcast, Pele’s identity is much more than the wife of her husband, Michael Bennett, Pele is the proud Mother of 3 growing girls, ages 12, 8 and 5 as well as the Co-Founder of the Bennett Foundation, Author, Entrepreneur and World Traveler.   

With the fast and furious pace of the modern world, many people find it hard to stop, think and reflect.  In the therapy room, reflection between client and therapist is all around, and In Episode 8 of the Working on the Inside Podcast, Houston-based private practice Therapist, Tricia Miller M.Ed, LPC., guides her listeners in a simple, reflection exercise with “3 Essential Reflection Questions for 2018: A Simple Self-Recap.”  The practice of reflection maybe a start in helping people gain clarity, increase personal insight and find motivation in the New Year.  Tricia believes everyone has the capacity to learn and grow.  The first question Tricia poses to her audience, “How have you grown this year?”  Find out more in this podcast that encourages introspection in personal, work and family life. This exercise maybe a great segue for people making their New Year’s Resolutions for 2019.  

Rev. Mike Whang is not your average Southern pastor. Tricia Miller sits down with one of Houston’s rising spiritual leaders in Houston as they talk hip hop, Korean culture and community. Raised in a first-generation, immigrant Korean family in southern California, Pastor Mike shares the unique, cultural experiences that shaped his upbringing. The thirty-something pastor reveals what inspired him to leave his promising career working for the LA Clippers, and to pursue a path embedded in the Christian faith.

The holiday season can be a stressful and overwhelming time for many people.  In an effort to help people avoid burn-out, fatigue and exhaustion, Tricia Miller, M.Ed., LPC, a Houston-based Anxiety specialist in private practice, shares 5 practical tips ways to experience a calmer holiday season.  Shifting from a future-focused mindset to a presentation-orientation is key to finding a sense of peace during a hectic and busy time of year. 

in Episode 5 of the Working on the Inside Podcast, Tricia features her very first mentor in Education. Sharron Burnett is a retired Educator who shares wisdom from her life beginning from her upbringing growing up in a single-mother household in South Houston to her prolific career as an Educator.  In this poignant interview, Sharron shares the values that have shaped her throughout her life.  Values of honesty, compassion and generosity have made Sharron a beloved teacher, principal, mentor, colleague, family member and friend. A critical turning point in Sharron’s life was learning to care for her Mother lived with the bipolar mental illness—in which Sharron has written a book documenting this life-altering experience.  Find out more of Sharron's remarkable story--she is a true, modern-day hero who models the very same values she grew up with as a shy, but sharp and feisty young girl.  

In Episode 4, Tricia Miller, M.Ed, LPC interviews her Dad, Frank Escueta, to find out more about his story into coming to America.  In a special father-daughter podcast, Tricia learns more about her father's motivations as an Filipino immigrant who came to the United States in the early 1970s. One of thirteen siblings growing up in a blended family, Frank shares his vision as a young man, and how the value of education motivated him to learn, grow, and eventually help lift others in his family as well as his entire town in Biñan, Laguna. As a young Mechanical Engineer who newly settled in Chicago in the early 1972, America presented unlimited opportunities. Frank pays tribute to his parents, fellow siblings, and honors the great country of America in living his dream.   Frank highlights the following areas in the podcast: Motivating Factors Behind my Dad’s Immigration Story; Growing up from a blended family of 13 siblings; Family Values within an Immigrant Family; How Education Created a Ripple Effect in a Community; Visions of America from an Immigrant.  

In the introductory episode of the Working on the Inside Podcast, Tricia Miller, M.Ed., LPC, a Houston-based Therapist/Educator/Entrepreneur/Mom shares her passion in her work with clients in the therapy room as well as the unique perspective she brings to the podcast arena.  Tricia previews listeners to the format of the show with weekly conversations from her Super Village of Educators, Mental Health Professionals, Healthy Living Experts, Entrepreneurs, Spiritual Leaders, Mentors, Former Students, Family & Friends, etc. The podcast will explore real people in their INTERNAL landscape-- the values, traits and character of every day people who act and think in extraordinary ways.  

Tricia Miller, M.Ed., LPC, a Houston-based Licensed Professional Counselor/Therapist specializing in Anxiety shares her story in finding passion and purpose in her career. Leaving Corporate America allowed Tricia to build key and long-lasting relationships in the Education and Mental Health field.  In her second episode, Tricia identifies five (5) big factors that shaped her in becoming a Therapist.  Some of the contributing factors include her upbringing growing up in a first-generation immigrant family, finding strong mentors and experiencing a post-college crisis. Find out more about Tricia's journey that allowed her to align her core values with a career she loves.  

In August of 2017, Hurricane Harvey made its landfall along the Southeastern coast of Texas causing devastation across the region with flooding.  Over a year later, many are still in the process of rebuilding, recovering and navigating an unknown future.  In the city of Houston, the damage was widespread across the metropolis--home to about 5.5 million people. Tricia Miller M.Ed, LPC, sits down with her best friend of almost 10 years, Han Wright, who shares her Hurricane Harvey story in a poignant and touching conversation.  Living in the West Houston, Han opens up upon both on the challenges she and her family faced as well as the positive lessons she encountered along the way.   In her most difficult of times, Han leaned on her Village for strength, encouragement and hope in times of uncertainty and chaos. At one point, Han remembers "seeing my life on the curb."  While many times were hard, Han shares positive lessons in this experience.  In fact, her story is touches on resilience, faith, community and family.