Podcasts about taking charge

Vic is pregnant! And the first person to find out was not her husband. This week your besties tell you everything: you'll hear how they ended up trying to conceive at the exact same time, what it actually felt like to be the pregnant one while your best friend was still waiting, and Aubrey's soapbox on the single most infuriating piece of advice anyone gives a woman who is trying. They get into the two books that ran their whole trying to conceive era, Taking Charge of Your Fertility and Expecting Better, and everything they did to prepare for this next chapter. Vic also gets honest about the part nobody warns you about, the miscarriage anxiety in those first weeks, the worst pregnancy symptoms she's had, plus the four affirmations she still says to her baby. Then Star 67 rings twice, and gives Vic and Aubrey a chance to help someone work through if they want to have kids or not. Subscribe and follow so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Quick Hits — where we bring you the most impactful moments from past episodes in under 15 minutes. Today's clip comes from one of our most replayed conversations. If you want the full episode, check the link in the description below. Listen to the full episode. Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts. This week we're tackling the misconceptions around health and weight loss, and exploring sustainable ways to achieve wellness goals. I'll tell you some practical tips to debunk dieting and exercise myths, and emphasize the importance of positive thinking while addressing the danger of self-sabotage. It's time to face your own excuses, adopt healthier habits, and embark on a successful journey towards wellness. In this episode: How our own deceptions can impede our wellness goals and the need for self-awareness. Why the "on/off" diet mentality can hinder long-term health and weight loss success. How to harness personal strengths and resources for sustainable health and weight loss. How to debunk dieting and exercise myths for personalized fitness and eating habits. Why it's important to steer clear of harmful diet fads that cause yo-yo weight loss and gain. The role of positive thinking in achieving wellness goals and the potential dangers of self-sabotage. How to combat negative self-talk and adopt a long-term mindset for wellness. Why it's important to explore and address the root causes of overeating, rather than relying on strict diet rules. The necessity of setting realistic and achievable goals for sustainable weight loss. Why removing tempting foods from our homes can help curb overeating. How exploring various forms of exercise can help find enjoyable physical activities. The importance of finding balance in diet and not restricting to extreme measures. How negative thoughts can impact our weight loss journey and strategies to combat them. The importance of honesty and self-awareness in recognizing self-deception and its impact on wellness.     Sponsors Get 20% off your Cozy Earth Bed Sheet with coupon code HORMONES     Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve? At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.   Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.   Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com   Shop the Midlife Solutions Store Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed. Including: • Progesterone • Estrogen Face Cream • Vaginal Moisturizer and more!   Take the Hormone Quiz Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms. Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).   Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.   Midlife RESET HRT Program A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.   Your host: Karen Martel Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert   Karen's Facebook Karen's Instagram

Ever notice that the trip home often seems shorter than the trip there—even when the distance and travel time are exactly the same? It happens so often that researchers have given it a name: the “return trip effect.” And the explanation reveals something fascinating about how your brain experiences time. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3179583 You're told to “take charge of your healthcare.” But how exactly are you supposed to do that when the doctor is the expert, appointments are short, and navigating the healthcare system can be frustrating and confusing? It turns out there is a lot you can do to get better care. Dr. Lucy McBride explains how to make better use of your doctor, ask the right questions, know when to push for answers, and become a more effective partner in your own healthcare. She is a primary care physician and author of Beyond the Prescription: A Doctor's Guide to Taking Charge of Your Health (https://amzn.to/4hAEoc3). Weather is doing things to you that you probably never realize. Sunshine, rain, heat, cold, wind and even changes in atmospheric pressure can affect how you think, feel, sleep and behave. Why are some people far more sensitive to weather than others? Can certain weather actually make us more aggressive or anxious? And why can a particular kind of day trigger such powerful memories and emotions? Dr. Trevor Harley has spent years studying the surprisingly intimate relationship between weather and the human mind. He is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Dundee and author of Head in the Clouds: How the Weather Affects Our Minds and Mental Health (https://amzn.to/4xN5L7v). Could you tell whether water is hot or cold just by listening to someone pour it? You probably can—even if you've never realized it. Hot and cold water actually sound different, and there is a fascinating reason why. https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/questions/why-does-hot-water-sound-different-cold-water-when-poured PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at https://Monarch.com to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50 AQUATRU: Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back! WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Wayfair.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.  QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! DELL: Built for those who want better. The Dell XPS, built for you! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/realm⁠⁠⁠ INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Indeed.com/PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back with a new episode of Motherish, and this week we're joined by Dr. Priyanka Chopra, a functional and internal medicine physician and founder of Nivaan Health. We're talking about functional medicine, preventative care and why moms need to make their own health a priority. So often, we wait until something feels wrong before we see a doctor, rather than building a relationship with a physician who knows us, understands our history and can help us be proactive about our health. Dr. Chopra shares why advocating for yourself matters, how to ask better questions and why finding a doctor who aligns with your values can make all the difference. Because taking care of everyone else starts with making sure we're taking care of ourselves, too.

What does it really mean to become an active participant in the care of your own health? In this episode, Margaret talks with primary care physician Dr. Lucy McBride about her new book, Beyond the Prescription: A Doctor's Guide to Taking Charge of Your Health. They discuss how to become a more self-aware and empowered patient, as well as: The difference between medicine and "wellness" Why data is less useful without full context How stress and grief can affect physical health The four parts of whole-person health: informatics, inputs, infrastructure, and insight Why health decisions involve trade-offs The importance of understanding your own “patient personality” How to ask better questions at medical appointments How to make shared decision-making part of your healthcare Why quality of life matters alongside longevity Here's where you can find Dr. McBride: https://www.lucymcbride.com/ https://lucymcbride.substack.com/ @dr.lucymcbride on IG and LinkedIn Buy BEYOND THE PRESCRIPTION: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9781668024386 What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rog sits down with Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso to discuss what convinced him to take on the challenge at Stamford Bridge, what Cole Palmer needs to rediscover his best form, and why he wanted to add proven veterans to a young Chelsea side. Plus, Alonso breaks down what Morgan Rogers can bring to the attack.Check out the Men in Blazers Shop: https://mibcourage.co/4qIb2L1Sign up for our newsletters: https://mibcourage.co/4rA5fGzJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/9dUpP2pHHUSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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More than twenty years ago, Henci Goer's renowned book, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, profoundly shaped Cynthia's understanding of pregnancy and birth, setting her on the path that eventually led to her own natural births and a career in birth education and client advocacy. In this special conversation, we sit down with the author herself, now one of the most influential voices in evidence-based maternity care.Today, we discuss Henci's newest book, Taking Charge of Your Birth, along with evidence-based maternity care, physiologic birth, induction, cesarean prevention, and informed decision-making. Henci explains why "physiologic care" is about using the least intervention necessary—not avoiding intervention altogether—and why preserving a woman's agency may be one of the most important factors in creating a positive birth experience.We also explore the evidence surrounding induction, Bishop scores, Pitocin protocols, cesarean rates, choosing a care provider, the role of doulas, and why preserving a woman's agency may be one of the most important factors in creating a positive birth experience.Whether you're planning a home birth, birth center birth, or hospital birth, this conversation offers practical, evidence-based guidance for taking charge of your birth.Choosing Induction: When it Might Be NeededHenci Goer's Website, Books, & ArticlesHenci Goer on Instagram**********Send us Fan Mail Support the showAccess our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs RhetoricNeeded

Living longer is one thing—but staying healthy, active and feeling good along the way is what really matters.On today's Good Day Health Show - ON DEMAND… Host Doug Stephan and Frankie Boyer (frankieboyer.com) have an engaging conversation about what it really takes to age well. Together, they explore what it means to take a proactive approach to health and longevity. They discuss why understanding your blood work can provide important insights into what's happening inside your body, along with the impact sugar, processed foods, chronic stress and everyday lifestyle choices may have on how we age.Frankie and Doug also dive into nutrition and supplementation, including vitamin D, DHEA and polysaccharides, while examining the connections between movement, mindset, inflammation and overall wellness.Plus, they discuss food quality, environmental influences on health and why becoming an educated, engaged participant in your own healthcare can help you make more informed choices for the years ahead. For more on Good Day Health…Website: GoodDayHealthShow.comSocial Media: @GoodDayNetworks

I feel like Dr. Lucy McBride and I could've grown up as friends. She's so relatable despite her brilliance that taking her advice feels like a no-brainer. Hear from her as she shares the medical “stuff” you need to know and feel inspired to get the care you need. Lucy will be part of Totally Booked: Live on October 25th. Get your tickets now! ** Want more? Become a part of my community! Sign up for Zibby's Highlights, which includes a free weekly newsletter, event livestreams, most anticipated book lists, personal essays, and a new essay platform with stories from all of you about what chapters you're in (inspired by my upcoming book Between Chapters: How I Started Over, Took Some Chances, and Found the Plot, 9/22/26). And follow me on Instagram @zibbyowens. But really, keep listening here. If you love my show, please tell a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  Episode: 140 Taking Charge After Stroke: Self-Determination and Recovery with Vivian Fu   In this episode you will discover: ● The Conversation Is the Intervention — A structured, facilitated conversation that centers a person's identity, hopes, and vision for their best day produces measurable improvements in quality of life and independence a year after stroke. Connection isn't soft — it's evidence-based. ● Reframe the Expert in the Room — Take Charge asks clinicians to resist offering advice, validation, or direction — and to trust that the person with stroke already holds the wisdom they need. The hardest part of the facilitator role is staying out of the way. ● Self-Determination Is Not a Luxury — When people with stroke are supported to set their own direction, outcomes improve, costs decrease, and the effects last for years. Building systems that protect that autonomy isn't idealistic — it's what the data demands.   Welcome to the Aphasia Access Aphasia Conversations Podcast. I'm Katie Strong from Central Michigan University and a member of the Aphasia Access Podcast Working Group, a community dedicated to supporting better aphasia care.   Today I'm speaking with Dr. Vivian Fu, a stroke neurologist living and working in Kelowna, British Columbia, the unceded territories of the Syilx / Okanagan people. Vivian trained in Aotearoa New Zealand, where she completed her PhD running the Taking Charge After Stroke trial. Take Charge showed that people with stroke who were supported to follow their own self-determination had much better quality of life and independence a year after their stroke. The second Take Charge RCT showed that two sessions about six weeks apart produce better outcomes than one session. Vivian strives to embed the Take Charge philosophy in her daily practice, and is focused on improving access to high quality stroke care for rural, regional, and underrepresented populations.   I have been looking forward to this conversation. What drew me to Take Charge was how it reframes the question entirely — from what does the clinician do for this person to what does this person want for their own life. That shift is deceptively simple, and as you'll hear, the evidence behind it is anything but.   Let's get into it.   Katie Strong:  Welcome, Vivian. Vivian Fu: Thank you so much for having me, Katie. I'd like to start off with my Pepeha. This is an introduction in Te Reo Māori, which is the indigenous language of the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, and I'll just translate each line. Nō Hong Kong ōku tīpuna. My ancestors come from Hong Kong. I tipu ake au ki Aotearoa. I grew up in Aotearoa, New Zealand. E noho ana au ki Ki-Low-Na. I live in Kelowna, British Columbia. Ko tēnei taku mihi ki ngā tāngata whenua o te rohe nei. I like to pay my deepest respects to the first peoples of this land. I live on the unceded territories of the Syilx and Okanagan peoples. Ko tēnei taku mihi ki ngā maunga, ki ngā awa, ki ngā roto, ki ngā Papatuānuku, o te rohe nei. I'd like to pay my deepest respects to the mountains, rivers, and the lakes, and to Mother Earth. All these important landmarks that have been here for millennia. Nō reira, tēna koutou, tēna koutou, tēna koutou katoa. Therefore, hello, hello, hello, Ko Vivian Fu tōku ingoa. Lovely to be here. Katie Strong:  Well, I'm so glad you're here. And I wanted to start off today asking about the Take Charge program that you've been working with, and talk to me about how that began. What was the origin of that? Vivian Fu:  Sure, so really this work began in probably the late 90s early 2000s when clinicians in Aotearoa New Zealand realized that there were different outcomes for people who were Māori compared with non-Māori, and I guess an important point to illustrate is that in Aotearoa society we view things in a very bicultural lens, and by that I mean Tangata Whenua, who are the people of the land, so indigenous people of the Māori and Tangata Tiriti, so everyone else are people of the treaty. It doesn't really matter where you come from, but you are a person of the treaty if you live in Aotearoa, and so it's a bicultural lens, and so we always look at things in that way, and that's how our kind of entire society is grounded upon that. And so when we look at health outcomes, what we could see back then, and unfortunately what we, in a way, still see now is that Māori were experiencing a stroke at about 20 years younger than non-Māori, and they were more likely to die from their stroke, and also more likely to be severely disabled. And so there was a difference in life expectancy, a difference in overall rehabilitation access, difference in overall outcomes, and so it started off with Professor Matire Harwood's work. She is Tangata Whenua, and in her PhD, she was looking at why there were these differences in outcomes and wanting to address them. And so that started off with the Māori and Pacific Stroke Study, which was essentially conducted in just Māori and Pacific people in Aotearoa, New Zealand, out of many different centers around the country. It was a four arm study.. It was a randomized control trial, and it looked at a conversation, which was labeled as the "Take Charge" session, but it was, it was really a connection and a conversation versus a professionally made DVD from the New Zealand Stroke Foundation about people's experiences and stories after stroke. And then the fourth arm of the trial was getting both of those interventions, and there was a control group. So there were three active groups in one control group. And what the researchers basically found was that anybody who had received this session of discussion and connection did much better a year after stroke in terms of quality of life, independence, and caregiver strain. And so that was the first sort of indication that there was something in that conversation that was really important. Unfortunately, it didn't really take off in terms of being able to be implemented, and so then Dr. Harry McNaughton, who was Dr. Harwood's supervisor wrote multiple grants and tried to get this session into much more of a bigger trial with some some type of implementation, and that's where I came along and we essentially did two things. We operationalized the intervention into something that had a bit of a framework, so with a bit of a booklet and a bit of a structure to follow. Really looking into what was it about that conversation that was so powerful and made such a difference to people, and tried to put those things into practice. Then, secondly, to conduct a second trial in New Zealand out of seven centers for people with stroke who were non-Māori and non-Pacific, because the struggle that we came across was that it was only shown to be effective in a small group of people, but not in everybody, and so we had to do things backwards. And so that was really where it all began, from these principles of self-determination, so Tino Rangatiratanga, which is a really important principle in Te Ao Māori, and in the world of Māori, but also knowing that Māori and a lot of indigenous peoples, we think of health as this concept called Te Whare Tapa Whā, for example, which is the house with four walls. So a person is never just their body and their physical health, there are other walls that keep the house upright. So mental health, spiritual health, and family health, whānau is so important, and feeling as though you have strong foundations in where you belong is also really important. So it's that really holistic look at health of an individual and how we can address all of those things in an intervention is really where it all came from. Katie Strong:  Thank you for sharing. I appreciate the backstory, and also just the idea of what you're thinking about from a holistic health standpoint. I know our listeners are probably curious, some of them might not have heard about Take Charge before, so this is the first time of them hearing about this, and so I was hoping, Vivian, you could give us an overview of what the intervention is, and then maybe walk us through what a session actually looks like in practice. Vivian Fu: Yeah, absolutely. So I'll talk you through the session in the way that it was done in the larger Take Charge trial. So this was done in 400 non-Māori, non-Pacific people with stroke, and our trial there had three arms. So there was a control group, there was a group that received just one session, and then there was a group that received two sessions six weeks apart roughly. The sessions were provided by a trained facilitator, and they were timed roughly somewhere between three to 18 weeks after stroke. So quite a large window, really, depending on when the person with stroke was ready to receive it. So the short version of what it looks like is it's based off the booklet and it's done face to face. It's a conversation and the facilitator is trained at the beginning to really try and establish a relationship…to build a relationship. There's a concept in Te Ao Māori called Whakawhanaungatanga, which is really sort of seeking another person's identity, recognizing who they are as a person, and trying to build connections. And so I guess in English, we think of that as building rapport, building trust. And so it in our trial was done face to face. We have also looked at ways of doing this via telehealth as well, which is, you can imagine, is a little bit different. But that step is really important, and we knew that it was important also in the initial Māori and Pacific trial, because the facilitators who were trained were actually ethnicity matched. So that's something where I think it came quite naturally in that trial, but in the second trial we really wanted to ensure that a relationship was built, and then there are three pages, initial pages in the booklet that look at different things. So the first page is looking at how the person has been affected by the stroke, and then asking them to think about actually who they really are as a person. It's a very simple concept, and a very sort of simple question, but for many people that's the first time they've really been asked that and have had to think about that. So anything that comes to mind that they can relate to, you know, who they are. An individual, and what it is that they love, so for example, for me, I would say, "I'm a mum, and I'm, I'm a stroke neurologist, I am a painter, I'm a poet, I'm someone who loves going for walks in hikes," and, you know, so those kinds of things, and it, and it kind of really builds on on that person's identity and who they are in the world. And so that's that sort of page one. It's really about establishing identity and sense of self. And then the second page is talking then about my hopes and fears. And that might be a tricky one, really, for a lot of people to start talking about and thinking about. They may not want to express that, they may not have been asked that. Sometimes it brings out a lot of emotion, and that's why that initial beginning part of establishing trust and in a kind of a psychological safety space is really important. And then the third page is imagining or envisioning what my best day looks like. And you can be as wild and fantastical about that as you like. When we train our facilitators, we asked them to do these exercises as well themselves, so they can get a really good sense of what that's like, and I had a lovely training session with community health workers from Tanaha First Nation in Cranbrook, BC, and one of one of the attendees in the group said she'd love to have breakfast with a Sasquatch, and so that was absolutely, you know, it was so culturally relevant, so important. Katie Strong:  That makes my Pacific Northwest roots just smile there! Vivian Fu: Exactly! Just so unique to that individual and to where they are in the world. And it's not something you can, you can pluck out of a textbook or pluck out of anything, right. It's where they are. I love that activity. It's quite magical what comes out. And then after those three pages are done, then there are some pages that are specifically related to goal setting, which may or may not be relevant to the person in front of you, things like a physical page, emotional, social, financial, health management type pages. And that really is a way to think about or encourage the person to think about, or we know what are the things that do matter to you, and and what are the things you would like to achieve in the long run, and what are some ways you might be able to break that down into achievable steps that you would personally want to do. But the session in practice can look like anything out of that. It can look from a person at session one being completely clammed up about not wanting to dig deep or not not being ready to engage in that. Or just kind of being, you know, keeping it all to themselves, and thinking about it, and ruminating about it, and then session two, looking very different after they've had that six weeks to think about it themselves. It can look like blank pages, or it could look like a person coming up with all sorts of brilliant ideas. Hopefully, you know, we always encourage if they can write the person with stroke as the one who is writing in the notebook. They keep it. They stick it on their fridge. They do whatever they like with it. They write in it in their own time, but it's completely fine to have blank pages. It's completely fine to have nothing come out of that conversation, nothing verbal, but it's just a space to an invitation to dig deep, and if there's something to say to feel heard. And I guess there was another question. I think that's quite important with regards to what the facilitator is doing, what are they not doing, and the facilitator is trained specifically to listen and ask questions and reflect the ideas that are being expressed by the person with stroke, but what they're not doing is they're not offering any advice or suggestions or pathways forward or how abouts or what abouts. They are not, and this is probably the hardest part. They're not passing any judgment, and that includes good judgment. So, by saying something like, "oh, that sounds like a really good idea", which seems like a really normal response from most people, it kind of implies that there are other ideas that are less good. Or the person with stroke might feel as though they are needing to have that kind of external validation, that external approval, and, and what we don't want is to for them to feel like they're doing this or saying this or thinking these things for the facilitator. We want them to think about it for themselves. And so all we encourage people to respond, is "oh, so you'd like to ride your bike, that's really interesting. How, how do you think you'll, you'll go about doing that?" You know, it's, it's much more neutral, but reflective way of speaking and listening, I guess. Katie Strong:  I am curious, how long is the training, or you know, what kinds of.. what we didn't talk about this, but I know people are going to want to know. So, what does it take to be trained? Vivian Fu: This is quite funny. This is a thing that sort of been on my mind ever since we've started implementation around the world, and I have this ultimate goal of operate like actually making the training have some type of qualification and fidelity, and some structure. There is structure, but it's essentially myself or Harry doing a Zoom with people, and it takes maybe say four hours. But ideally, what we'd love to do is to have sort of recorded videos, and then we'd have live sessions, and then we'd have assessments, and then you get a certificate at the end. I have neither the budget or the… Katie Strong: There's always the next step, for sure. Vivian Fu: I'd love to be for people to be able to say, "Oh, I'm Take Charge trained" and for them to be able to like "Look, I've got this qualification, I'm Take Charge trained, I know how to do this," and especially for if we were thinking about doing it in more clinical trial settings, I think that's really important, but also, you know, for people, you know, to have on their CV, if they're moving between jobs and things, I think it's so useful. But yeah, basically people get in touch with myself or Harry and say, "Hi, we'd like to be trained, can you fit us in?" And we just do it for free. Katie Strong:  Lovely, I love it. And the other question I had as you were talking was how long is a typical session or or is there is there length? Vivian Fu: So in the trial what our facilitators did was they because it was face to face and they had to drive between people's houses, they booked in the session, usually at 10:30 in the morning, and then another session, I think, if I remember correctly, either maybe it was 1:30 in the afternoon. And so you can probably surmise that for people with stroke, usually the 10:30 slot is the most popular. And you know, some people would would prefer to wake up earlier and be ready earlier, so they might ask for something like 9 o'clock and then they might usually go for about an hour and a half to two hours if it's a good going session, and they're really digging deep, and there's a lot to say. And often you know that first half an hour is, "Here's a cup of tea and a biscuit. Let's get to know each other. Tell me all about what happened with your stroke." That kind of stuff, so that listening and connecting stuff actually takes takes a while to establish, and I think people just allowed for that time. Then they'd do a second session in the afternoon again. There are lots of things, you know, cognitive problems, fatigue is a big one. So, if people felt like they couldn't keep going, the facilitator would say , "That's totally fine, we'll book in for, you know, do the rest of this another time, is that okay?" It was fine to really just, you can truncate it and break it up as much as the person really wants. Katie Strong:  Thank you. I appreciate the extra information. You had a recent publication in 2025 with some colleagues that looked at this work from a qualitative lens.  You came up with some themes about doing things my way, coming to my own wisdom, and they're just so deeply related to identity, and what struck me was the contrast participants drew between Take Charge care and standard care, where they described being put in a box receiving scripted advice that had really nothing to do with who they were as a person. And when someone gets to tell the story of who they are to a genuinely good listener, something shifts. I was just curious, if you could think about what you think is happening there, or what you found in your study. Vivian Fu: Well, I think for the most part, as a, you know, as a clinician, if we think about from the moment the person has a stroke, they disempowered from that very moment.  Something happens where they just aren't themselves, and they are brought into a merge. A bunch of things happen to them that they can't really even speak up about. You know, they're popped in a scanner. They might get thrombolised, you know, all these things are happening. And the person doesn't really know what's going on. There are a lot of important qualitative studies that have been done, looking at that element of feeling disempowered, and what somebody in New Zealand study described as feeling gut-wrenchingly emotional. You know, experiences that that aren't heard and aren't ever expressed to to anyone in the healthcare side and aren't dealt with, and so, if you think about that, just that trauma of having a stroke and then going through all of that stuff, and you know, ending up in a bed somewhere on a ward with strangers on the other side of a curtain, and it's really pretty traumatic. And so I think what was powerful with Take Charge was it's an it's an opportunity for someone to finally tell their story and feel heard and for all that stuff to just come out. And a lot of the time you know people might say, "Oh, well, you could talk to your family, you can talk to your kids, or, you know, whatever. Once you get home" but actually, a lot of people don't feel like talking to those who are closest to them about how much it affected them, and there is still an element of stigma. There's still an element of, "Oh, you know, you look great physically, you to someone we know having had a big health scare, and then kind of coming back into that. But there's there's a real dissonance between what is going on inside a person and and how other people are reacting to them coming back into "normal spaces". And so I think the ability to tell your story from the very get go. You know, all of the messiness of it. All the things that went wrong, and then to have somebody listen to that really gives meaning to it and makes it real, but it also helps that person really reestablish their sense of power to regain some power from that that they had lost. And there's a lot of power in story, and I think the kind of, you know, lovely thing about it is that sort of all indigenous cultures sort of be like, you know, First Nations, Māori, Gaelic, a lot of cultures really put a lot of value in the power of storytelling. And that is how historically things were really passed down, and so I think it's through that ability to be able to feel heard and to tell your story that then the person who is speaking can actually hear themselves say things out loud for the first time. And then understand the power and the value and the worth in their words and their experience, and that is that process of coming to my own wisdom, is "Oh, actually, you know, I do know about my body. I am, I am the expert, not these people in their white coats, or you know, with their expertise, I am the expert. I know what I need. I can plan my rehabilitation. I can go back to the things that I want to do, and this is how I'm going to do it." And it's that, that kind of reestablishment of confidence and strength and hope that is so powerful. I think. Katie Strong: I agree. I agree, Vivian. As you know, our listeners are primarily speech language pathologists working with people with aphasia. We also have people with aphasia that are listening, and researchers as well. But you know, the capacity for language being disrupted by aphasia. I was just curious, with Take Charge, as you've studied it, is you know, really a talking therapy with writing, and, and those sorts of things, and so I was just curious, you know, what would it take to extend this kind of intervention to people with aphasia, and what principles would you want to most preserve in the adaptation. Vivian Fu: Yeah, thank you. That's such an important question. We certainly, in the Take Charge trial, included people with aphasia in the trial, and the way that we sort of just included them was if they could understand or the consent form and could mark an "x" on the form, we'd be happy to to have them included, and so we had people with mild to moderate and moderate to severe aphasia in the trial. And we hadn't made any specific changes or tweaks to the intervention, the facilitator just did what they could with what we had. But I think what has come out of reviews of the implementation of Take Charge now in New Zealand is that it is really important for us to look at how we can adapt the intervention for people with aphasia. I think for the facilitators in the trial, what they did was they allowed a lot more time, so the usual two and a half hours became three and a half hours, and that was fine if the person could continue. But also I think from the report we need to look at alternative ways of how we can complete some of these activities, whether it's providing images where people can point, whether it's a lot more inclusion of their family, their whānau important people to them who can help with, you know, subtle guidance, and, and, and having sort of lived with the person now, can read their non-verbal expressions a lot better than a stranger, a facilitator can and can help with the guidance of participating. And really, while Take Charge has been translated, I think, now into seven or eight different languages, we really need to adapt Take Charge to other communication needs and other languages, but what I.. so my role.. sorry, I didn't.. I'd actually say this, but my role in the in the large trial was as the blinded outcomes assessor, so I went around at one year after stroke. I traveled around to the 400 or so different other people, participants' homes around the country, and I sat in their living rooms, and I listened to their stories again. And then I did all of their outcome instruments and got all of their outcomes done, but I did not know which group they were allocated to. And then I locked all the data, and then I'd say, "Hey, so which group did you get Take Charge or not?" And it was really, it was good. I think out of the 400 there were only two people who, when I turned up, actually had the booklet on the table, and so you know, I just ignored it, and then, but yeah, it was, it was really good in terms of sort of blinding and masking, and then sort of having a guess as I was going through and checking where things were at. It was such a privilege for me to, as a stroke doctor, I think you know people don't usually get to do this as a physician, but to, to meet so many different people with so many different stories, and a number of people who still had moderate to severe aphasia, and and were telling me about the impacts of that on their life. But we were still able to communicate a year after stroke, and so I think it is so important that we don't exclude people with cognitive and communication difficulties. We have to adapt the things that we have to make it work for them. What I'd love is to be able to have some kind of focus group with people with aphasia, and, and show them Take Charge, and realize, oh, what can we do? How would this work better for you? Katie Strong:  I love that, and well. Well, and we haven't talked about the materials yet, but I do have to say they're so accessible, or they're very accessible from a visual standpoint as well. Vivian Fu: Thank you. Yes, we are actually modifying them and making the font bigger and having better graphics. We started off with stick figures that Harry drew, and then I think we're actually making them a lot nicer in terms of the graphics, but what we do have at the moment is actually available online for free, and you can just download them as a package. It's if you Google it, it's the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, or www.mrinz.ac.nz  and then under programs, and we spell that as p r o g r a m m e s, and then under programs slash forward slash stroke, I think is where it lives, and at the bottom of the page you should be able to download, a training package and the booklet itself. Katie Strong: Yes, lovely, and we'll have the links on our show notes as well, so you can check those out, listeners, if you're interested. So, thank you. You have two randomized controlled trials that you've talked a little bit about, and a cost effectiveness analysis and qualitative work, all pointing in the same direction that the cost data suggests that Take Charge actually might save money, and that is remarkable, and lots of evidence showing that, but still, it's a challenge in implementing into standard practice, and I was curious if you could talk with us about what you think stands between what the evidence shows and what actually gets implemented. Vivian Fu: Sure, gosh, I love this question. It's it applies for so many interventions, I think, specifically for Take Charge, it's a number of things. So definitely the stuff that affects other interventions being implemented, but for Take Charge itself, it started off with a huge amount of disbelief bias, so people, you know, even after I presented the main results of the second trial at the European Stroke Conference in gosh, when was that? 2019 pre-COVID in Milan. So this is a huge international stroke conference, and this was a plenary session. People stood up and took photos of the results and went, you know, there was this collective gasp throughout the audience of 6000 odd people, but there's just this disbelief that something as simple as a conversation can make a difference to people's objective quality quantitative outcomes, like the, you know, Bartel or the FIM, what they, you know, what their physical outcomes are like at a year. And what their quality of life is like. I think for people who are stroke researchers, a lot of the focus is on that initial 24 to 48 hours after stroke. And you know, that that's kind of where that's kind of where all the funding goes, isn't it? So it's the pre-hospital stuff, and then the interventional things you can stick catheters into and thrombolysis, and you know that's, and that's all great. You know, I, as a stroke physician, I love that part of stroke as well, but to think that you could possibly do something at three to 18 weeks after stroke that could change a person's outcome by a year, and actually we've got a long-term follow-up study now that says that those those same magnitude of changes are still present at five years between the groups is, you know, kind of gobsmacking. And people just go, surely you've fudged this, or surely this can't be true. And so there's this huge disbelief bias that stopped us from being able to publish initially, and it was only after I presented the results in Milan that that we got accepted into a journal. And we'd been trying for about a year beforehand, and, and so there's, there's that disbelief. But also in the way that it has to be provided, you know, it's probably considered quite labor intensive. You know, one on one home visits, and that's why people of other researchers who do believe in Take Charge are now looking at providing take charge in different ways. Like I did a telehealth trial in Canada, in southern Alberta, when I was there as a fellow in Calgary, and there's potential other work that's being. Done in Australia with Take Charge, looking at providing it by computer avatars, by even maybe even AI, and maybe in a larger sort of telehealth format. And so you know other ways of doing it, but I think ultimately it's kind of cultural inertia, because you know, "We've never done this, this is not part of who we are. Why would we need to start something new?" There's probably kind of an established way of thinking about clinician and, and patient, rather than person with stroke, in still in how we practice, and this idea that the therapist and doctor are experts. And so I think it really challenges that dogma and challenges clinician's role, and therefore there's a resistance to accept that this is something that is useful and helpful, and actually doesn't, you know, you don't need to take it personally. You're still doing great work. Take Charge is just a tool that helps supplement everything else that's going on, and so there's a lack of time, and I think we also get quite, as practicing clinicians, we get quite tunnel visioned into this, you know, hamster wheel of go to work, treat all these people, go home. We just keep doing it. Hoping that things will get better for them, but, you know, we, it's only when we start looking at alternative interventions and alternative things that work and start trialing them and being open to that, that I think things will really start to change. We've certainly had interest from random little parts around the world. I think it's been translated into Latvian. I've got people from Sweden who are interested. A little hospital in Germany, and then parts of it's been trialed in pilot studies in the UK. And Harry and I last year trained a whole bunch of occupational therapists in Hong Kong, so you know it is, it is kind of picking up, slowly but surely. Katie Strong: Well to me, you know, most stroke survivors, or people with stroke, as you're referring to them, have chronic challenges, and so all of the early intervention, while important, doesn't necessarily help somebody navigate that longer term change. And so I love that this is just such an empowering way of putting that power back into the person's life, which it seems like it is showing up n in the results that you're sharing. Vivian Fu: Oh, absolutely. I mean, if we think about it, if we just think about thrombectomy and thrombolysis, somewhere between five to 15% of all people with stroke are eligible, and then receive the treatment. That leaves what?, 85 to 95% of people who don't get to receive that. And even after they receive the treatment, there are consequences of stroke that are beyond the physical that don't you know don't have any other thing to address them apart from our routine care, so I completely agree with you. Katie Strong: Well, thinking about what clinicians might be able to do tomorrow or you know, in the near future, for our speech-language pathologists or other practitioners who are listening today and are feeling the pull of this work, and you know, really encouraged by it, but are you know working in an embedded productivity driven impairment focused system, what's one thing that they could do differently in the very next clinical encounter that they have? Vivian Fu:  We have a paper, I think it's written. Oh gosh, where did it.. where did it get published? I think it was published in Practical Neurology. It's titled something, something intrinsic motivation. I should know better. Katie Strong: I'm going find out, and I don't think I read that one, so I'm gonna find it, and I'll put the link in the show notes for everybody. Vivian Fu: Sorry,Harry about the promo, but yeah, I'll send it to you, but essentially it's written to give some guidance on how you can embed Take Charge into your daily clinical practice. And it's written for neurologists, but honestly it applies to everybody.  One of the key things is when you have that next encounter, obviously you know therapists do this a lot better than doctors do, but they ask a lot about, you know, what's outside of the person's life and what's important to them, but maybe move away just, you know, from the very practical questions like "How many steps do you have going in and out of your house?, and How do you hang up your washing?", or whatever, but it's, you know, really much less functional, but more, "Who are you? Tell me a bit more about yourself. What do you love doing? What gets you out of bed?" You know, if I might, the one that I like to use a lot on my ward rounds is, "If you weren't in this hospital bed right now, where would you rather be? What would you rather be doing?", and I do that on my rounds, and it's incredible, because you know, I'll hear all sorts of things, "I'll, you know, be on my boat fishing out on the lake", or I think this lady was like 84 or something. "I'll be with my girlfriends, we'll be having coffee at Tim Hortons", you know, and it's just, I don't know, it's something so unique to that person that I could never, you know, they're in their hospital pajamas with a whole bunch of stuff stuck to them, and I can't envisage them doing that, and yet I'm like, I want you to imagine yourself there. Where would you rather be? Okay, so everybody, that's our goal. It's not to get her home or to get her walking again. Our goal is to get her back in Tim Hortons with her eight friends, having coffee, like that is what this person loves to do. And I think that you know that inquiry, that it shows you care, it shows you see them as an individual, and I think it completely shifts your rehab focus, and then you can ask more questions about that, and they, you know, then you have this whole conversation about about what their life is like. And I think that part of being seen, even if it's only within 60 seconds, makes such a difference to that person. So that's one thing. The second thing I'd be, you know, doing is I'm trying to involve family as much as possible, as much as the person wants, and basically, just seeing them as an individual makes a huge difference already to the way you practice, that would be what I'd focus on. Katie Strong: Agreed, agreed. Well, Vivian, is there something you wish people asked you about this work that they rarely do, something about Take Charge or stroke recovery more broadly that you think the field hasn't quite caught up to yet. Vivian Fu:  Oh gosh, this is a tricky one. I think one thing we ought to recognize is that everybody is doing the best that they can with what they have. And you know, we're not as clinicians on the ground on the front line, we're not involved with funding decisions, and what projects get funded and which ones don't. And there will be the ambitious amongst your listeners, who I really hope will be like, "Oh my gosh, I can apply for this little grant, and I'm going to pilot this, and I think we should give this a go with our people." and I think that is absolutely a great idea to have. And, and I would, myself and Harry will do everything that we possibly can to help support such projects from where we are. I think the important thing to think about is that every little bit that you do makes a difference, and to not feel as though, because you know your funding runs out, or you don't get it, or the world is such a bleak place that you know it's not worth continuing to try. Because people with stroke who see you do this work, they will be grateful for it. And also the patient partners I've met that I've spoken with, and all of the people whom I've interviewed with the qualitative work, they're also happy to be part of something like this. And so even if it's a pilot project. Even if it's, you know, something that may not last, you'd be so surprised at how much momentum you can build with a movement of people who see the value in this and then take it further and further, And that's what I've been really impressed by, and kind of stunned by in all these different locations around the world who have contacted me. I've just been like, "Wow, can't believe [this]." There's this wonderful group in Hunter Medical Research Institute down in Australia, who basically took Take Charge back to their own unique Aboriginal community, the Gamilaroi peoples of that particular area of Australia. They have, like Canada and like the States, they have 1000s of tribes and lots of different groups that all speak completely different languages, but they took it to their local group, and they broke down, take charge into little bits, and then rebuilt it into an intervention that just works for them, and it's called "Yarning Up after Stroke", because what they do is they have a yarn. They yarn, and that's the way they tell their stories. It's yarning, and so you know, I just think it's incredible. Like, they got funding for it, they did it, and now it's an ongoing project that just keeps on in the community being provided to their people, and it's fantastic. So, I think it'll evolve. I love to see how it evolves, and I certainly don't think of, you know, this isn't the kind of intervention that we go around patenting and making a ton of money out of. It's the kind of intervention that everybody makes their own, and hopefully with a lot of input by people with stroke, Katie Strong: I love it. Thank you. Thank you so much for being our guest today, and sharing about Take Charge, and your generosity in sharing about the intervention, and if people are interested in reaching out to contact you, so thank you so much, Vivian. Vivian Fu:  Thank you so much for having me. I hope I haven't spoken too long. Katie Strong: Oh no, it's perfect. Vivian Fu: I'm always happy to be contacted, and yeah, very happy to support anyone who'd like to explore this further. Katie Strong: Thanks so much. On behalf of Aphasia Access, thank you for listening. For references and resources mentioned in today's show, please see our show notes, available on our website at www.aphasiaaccess.org. There you can also become a member of our organization, browse our growing library of materials, and find out about the Aphasia Access Academy. If you have an idea for a future podcast episode, email us at info@aphasiaaccess.org. For Aphasia Access Conversations, here at Central Michigan University in the Strong Story Lab, I'm Katie Strong. Dr. Fu's Email  dr.vivianfu@gmail.com  Resources and Readings Fu, V. (2019). Taking Charge After Stroke: A novel, community-based intervention to improve the lives of people with stroke. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Taking-Charge-After-Stroke:-A-novel,-intervention-Fu/3bc1dbb271f425c72e146510088856e3aad8683e  Fu, V., Fernando, K. M., Bright, F., Riley, J., McPherson, K., & McNaughton, H. (2025). Coming to my own wisdom: A qualitative study exploring the role of the Take Charge intervention in stroke recovery. Clinical Rehabilitation, 39(3), 377–387. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155241310770 Fu, V., Weatherall, M., McPherson, K., Taylor, W., McRae, A., Thomson, T., Gommans, J., Green, G., Harwood, M., Ranta, A., Hanger, C., Riley, J., & McNaughton, H. (2020). Taking Charge after stroke: A randomized controlled trial of a person-centered, self-directed rehabilitation intervention. International Journal of Stroke, 15(9), 954–964. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747493020915144 Fu, V., Thompson, S., Kayes, N., & Bright, F. (2025). Supporting long-term meaningful outcomes in stroke rehabilitation. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 25, 17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-025-01403-z Harwood, M., Weatherall, M., Talemaitoga, A., Barber, P. A., Gommans, J., Taylor, W., McPherson, K., & McNaughton, H. (2011). Taking charge after stroke: Promoting self-directed rehabilitation to improve quality of life - a randomized controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, 26(6), 493-501. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215511426017  Te Ao, B., Harwood, M., Fu, V., Weatherall, M., McPherson, K., Taylor, W. J., McRae, A., Thomson, T., Gommans, J., Green, G., Ranta, A., Hanger, C., Riley, J., & McNaughton, H. (2022). Economic analysis of the 'Take Charge' intervention for people following stroke: Results from a randomised trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, 36(2), 240–250. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155211040727 McNaughton, H., & Fu, V. (2023). Intrinsic motivation. Practical Neurology, 23(6), 489-492.  https://pn.bmj.com/content/23/6/489  McNaughton, H., Gommans, J., McPherson, K., Harwood, M., & Fu, V. (2023). A cohesive, person-centric evidence-based model for successful rehabilitation after stroke and other disabling conditions. Clinical Rehabilitation, 37(7), 975-985. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155221145433   Medical Research Institute of New Zealand. (n.d.). Take Charge rehabilitation resources. https://www.mrinz.ac.nz/take-charge-rehabilitation-resources World Stroke Organization. (n.d.). Taking Charge after stroke: A person-centred approach to life after stroke [Webinar]. https://www.world-stroke.org/what-we-do/education-and-research/education/webinars/taking-charge-after-stroke-a-person-centred-approach-to-life-after-stroke  

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, host Paul sits down with a member of the Roompact Blog Cohort, Matthew Inman, to discuss a wide range of topics from focusing on students' socio emotional learning to Pizza Hut (yes, Pizza Hut). As a recently graduated Masters degree student from Clemson University, Matthew also reflects on lessons...... Continue Reading →

Have you ever had one of those days where you just don't feel like yourself?Maybe you're more emotional, more sensitive, or more irritable than usual, and your first instinct is to wonder what's wrong with you.In this episode, I'm sharing the simple practice that completely changed my relationship with myself. It helped me stop judging my emotions, recognize my patterns, and communicate my needs with more compassion in my relationship.We'll talk about why understanding your body can be one of the greatest tools for emotional healing, how this practice has transformed my relationship with Justin, and why slowing down is sometimes exactly what your nervous system is asking for.If you've ever felt like you're constantly trying to "fix" yourself, this episode is for you.Your invitation…If you know what day you are on, share it in the comments, along with anything you notice about how you feel today.Mentioned in this episode…* Taking Charge of Your Fertility (here are their free downloadable PDFs)* Lively cycle tracking app* What I have learned since tracking my cycleIf you'd like to go beyond understanding your patterns and actually practice healing them, inside the Codependency Alchemy Membership we come together each month for guided shadow work, inner child healing sessions, live AMAs, and a private community where you don't have to navigate this work alone.Click here to learn more and join our growing Codependency Alchemy community on Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alyssaaazander.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we break down Nifty's ongoing price structure as it continues to print a sequence of lower tops and lower bottoms. Join Neel Parekh as he examines whether this bearish price action signals a deeper correction ahead or a temporary consolidation phase. Tune in to analyze critical support zones, market sentiment shifts, and how to manage your portfolio risk in a corrective market.

In this episode, we break down Nifty's ongoing price structure as it continues to print a sequence of lower tops and lower bottoms. Join Neel Parekh as he examines whether this bearish price action signals a deeper correction ahead or a temporary consolidation phase. Tune in to analyze critical support zones, market sentiment shifts, and how to manage your portfolio risk in a corrective market.

In this episode, we break down Nifty's ongoing price structure as it continues to print a sequence of lower tops and lower bottoms. Join Neel Parekh as he examines whether this bearish price action signals a deeper correction ahead or a temporary consolidation phase. Tune in to analyze critical support zones, market sentiment shifts, and how to manage your portfolio risk in a corrective market.

Today we continue our study verse by verse through the book of Nehemiah. The request has been made. The king has agreed to Nehemiah's plans. He is bound for Jerusalem. He now arrives in the central Area of Operations and almost immediately begins to take fire, figuratively speaking. Nehemiah, however, is operating under the good hand of the God of Heaven. He begins to take charge of the situation in Jesus' name. Scripture text is Nehemiah 2:9-20.

Don't Imbibe the Kool-Aid with Kim Kennedy – Develop a healthy respect for being informed about money and knowing how to manage it well. Being poor is not a sign of spirituality. Oftentimes, it's the result of ignorance and poor planning. So many tests can result in growth and deepen our faith when we realize a situation we're in, including finances, is extremely difficult or impossible to...

DADS: Are you stuck in a rut, desperate to shake off bad habits and replace them with healthier ones? Or maybe you want to be a better role model for your kids but just can't find the time or motivation? It's so common, and it can be incredibly hard to take the first steps toward positive, long-term change. Our guest, Nick Henry, is a father of four who faced a life-changing whirlwind when he pivoted from single to a full, beautiful blended family seemingly overnight. Now, as the founder of Brolistic, Nick helps men ages 30 to 50 “start over” by building habits that stick. If you've been wanting to take action and make some positive changes that impact how you look and feel, don't miss this episode. Topics include: •  Navigating a (very) unique path to fatherhood •  The challenges and personal growth that come from learning "on the job" as a dad •  How becoming a father inspired Nick's creation of Brolistic Coaching and shaped a focus on habit-building for men in their 30s and 40s. •  The philosophy that lasting change is about aligning daily actions with the vision of who you want to be. •  Strategies for incremental habit formation for busy dads. •  The importance of accountability in coaching. •  How reframing setbacks can support long-term progress. •  Modeling healthy behaviors and self-care as a dad to positively influence children. •  And more!

Your discharge is not a problem to Google in a panic - it's one of the most powerful fertility signals your body produces. And yet, most of us were never taught that. In this episode, Trish sits down with Sabrina Nowicki, CEO of Cyclisity - the official charting app of the landmark book Taking Charge of Your Fertility - for a conversation about body literacy, fertility awareness, and why understanding your cycle might be the most empowering thing you do for your reproductive health.Sabrina brings an engineering and product design background to her role as CEO of Cyclisity, the official charting app of Taking Charge of Your Fertility (TCOYF). Cyclisity was co-founded alongside Toni Weschler, MPH, the author of Taking Charge of Your Fertility and Sabrina's aunt. Built from the ground up to align with the TCOYF knowledge base, Cyclisity is designed to make the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) as accessible as possible for women everywhere - without sacrificing the science or the agency that makes FAM so powerful.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhat the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) actually is The three biomarkers FAM uses to identify your fertile window: cervical fluid, basal body temperature (BBT), and optional cervical positioningWhat your cervical fluid is actually telling you - from dry to sticky to creamy to egg white - and why that progression mattersHow BBT confirms ovulation and why that temperature shift is your body's built-in confirmation systemWhy stress, illness, and lifestyle can delay ovulation The problem with predictive cycle apps and why apps that just calculate averages from past cycles are not the same as tracking your actual bodyMore from Sabrina Nowicki, CEO of Cyclisity:Cyclisity App - Available now on the Apple App Store (US & Canada); Android version coming soonTaking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler, MPHFollow Cyclisity on Instagram: @Cyclisity & on TikTok: @CyclisityappFollow Sabrina personally: @wanderingsabrina on all platformsVisit Cyclisity.com Helpful Timestamps:00:00 Discharge as Fertility Signal02:21 Why Fertility Awareness05:56 FAM Basics Explained13:04 Stress Delays Ovulation16:48 Cycle Syncing Myths22:07 Why Build Cyclisity App27:39 Why Predictive Apps Fail39:01 Regulating After Birth Control45:35 Where To Find CyclisityJoin The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love

In this episode of True Print for Life, hosts Christina Vera and Maylin Sambois discuss taking control of your life through better systems, realistic time management, financial awareness, and self-reflection. From motherhood and business to burnout and balance, they share practical ways to move from survival mode into intentional living — embracing harmony over perfection.Buy the Book Here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Who-You-Youre-Meant/dp/B0FJJ6PYS5⁠⁠⁠About the PodcastTrue Print for Life is where purpose meets strategy—and real conversations spark real transformation.Co-hosted by Maylin Sambois and Christina Vera, this bi-weekly podcast has been empowering listeners since 2021 to lead with intention and build lives and businesses rooted in passion, clarity, and impact.From candid conversations with top experts in business, finance, and lifestyle, to soul-centered deep dives on wellness, mindset, and manifestation—True Print for Life delivers the tools, truth, and energy you need to evolve personally and professionally.

Ron Lewis, Board Chair of the Alzheimer's Association San Diego/Imperial Chapter, is joined by Courtney Pendleton, Public Relations and Community Manager at Mission Fed Credit Union, to discuss Alzheimer's dementia and the impact of the more than 160,000 family and friends providing Alzheimer's care. Lewis and Pendleton talk about brain health, caregiver support and how executive leadership can drive meaningful community change and employee well-being.Listen Where You Live!About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  "Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   About Mission Fed Credit Union  A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

"Take charge. Your retirement is your time." Our hosts, Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines, sit down with Dr. Andi Simon, corporate anthropologist and author of Rethink Retirement, whose research offers a bracing corrective to how most people think about life after work. Andi spent years embedding herself in senior living communities on the west coast, interviewing residents who had done everything "right" financially and still found themselves empty, bored, and stripped of identity. Through it all, she's concluded that retiring from something is not the same as retiring to something. The central tension Andi identifies is one of agency. Retirement is a transition most people face without any rehearsal. Unlike a career, which assigns identity, purpose, and daily rhythm almost automatically, retirement demands that individuals build those things from scratch. Most people don't realize this until the calendar is suddenly, completely clear. Her research also surfaces a loneliness epidemic quietly accelerating among retirees. Work colleagues disappear, and friendships built around shared roles don't transfer easily. Also, relationships don't deepen automatically just because time is now available. Instead, they must be deliberately cultivated. Andi suggests trying new activities, building community intentionally, and recognizing which old roles to carry forward and which to release. Above all, she invites near-retirees to take charge, not just of their portfolio, but of the life waiting on the other side!   Key Topics: What is a Corporate Anthropologist? (02:31) Research in Senior Living (05:57) Identity Loss When Work Ends (07:49) Retirement Myths Held by the Youth (11:02) Talking with Your Adult Children About What Matters to You (19:54) "How Do I Have Purpose, Agency, and Meaning in This New Chapter?" (21:09) The Loneliness Epidemic in Retirement (24:00) Building New Community From Scratch (25:29) When Retirement Is Forced Upon You (36:09) Overcoming Retirement Misconceptions and Finding Your Unique Path (39:14) Stephanie and Kevin's Takeaways (42:28)   Resources: AndiSimon.com Andrea Simon on LinkedIn Andi Simon on Substack   If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com   You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.   Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.  Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

DwD 0757:  Taking Charge of the Racecar Its a race not a wait.  We hada question related to taking charge of the car and making it do what you want.  Who better to talk to about this than Ben Dawson.  Let's Dominate!  Did we miss something?  Please let us know at GarageHeroesInTraining@gmail.com   A link to the episode is: https://tinyurl.com/753FlatSpots   We hope you enjoy this episode!  If you would like to help grow our podcast and high-performance driving and racing: You can subscribe to our podcast on the podcast provider of your choice, including the Apple podcast app, Google music, Amazon, YouTube, etc. Also, if you could give our podcast a (5-star?) rating, that we would appreciate very much.  Even better, a podcast review would help us to grow the passion and sport of high performance driving and we would appreciate it.  Best regards, Vicki, Jennifer, Ben, Alan, Jeremy, and Bill Hosts of the Garage Heroes in Training Podcast and Garage Heroes in Training racing team drivers   Money saving tips: 1)  Enter the code GHiT 25 for $50 off the Fire Links hardware system with a 1 year membership included and/or a an extra three months if you subscribe now at https://firelaps.com/  2)  Enter code "GHIT" for a 10% discount code to all our listeners during the checkout process at https://candelaria-racing.com/ for a Sentinel system to capture and broadcast live video and telemetry. 3)  Enter the code "ghitlikesapex!" when you order and Apex Pro system from https://apextrackcoach.com/ and you will receive a free Windshield Suction Cup Mount for the system, a savings of $40. 4)  Need a fix of some Garage Heroes in Training swag for unknown reasons:  https://garage-heroes-in-training.myspreadshop.com/ 5)  Want to show you support to help keep our podcast going?  Join our Patreon at:  patreon.com/GarageHeroesinTraining 

This book turned Vic into a self-proclaimed mini OBGYN, so today she is joined by the woman behind it: Toni Weschler. Toni is the author of the groundbreaking book Taking Charge of Your Fertility, the guide Vic thinks should be required reading for every woman. In this episode, Victoria sits down with the renowned public health educator and fertility expert to break down menstrual cycles, fertility awareness, and why understanding your body is empowering whether you want kids someday or never. Toni explains how to identify your fertile window, what cervical mucus and other body signals really mean, and why so many of us grow up without the most basic education about our own reproductive health. From natural birth control to trying to conceive to simply understanding your body better, this conversation is a crash course in fertility literacy every person with a period deserves. Get Women's Health Resources: Read: Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni WeschlerRead: Cycle Savvy (read online version) Read: Period Repair Manual: Natural Treatment for Better Hormones and Better PeriodsGet the  Cyclisity app: cyclisity.comShop Booked & Balanced (restocked + an all-new limited edition color “Bloom” and two matching pencil cases!): victoriagarrickbrowne.com// SPONSORS // LMNT: LMNT is offering a free sample pack with any purchase, that's 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. This is a great way to try all 8 flavors or share LMNT with a friend. Get yours at DrinkLMNT.com/realpod.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if stroke treatment could start in the ambulance instead of the hospital? In this conversation, Dr. Ritvij Bowry sits down with us to explain how mobile stroke units are helping patients get faster care when every second matters. When a stroke happens, time is critical. The sooner doctors can diagnose the problem and begin treatment, the better the chances of recovery. Dr. Bowry shares how specially equipped ambulances with CT scanners and expert teams are bringing stroke care directly to patients – thus changing the possibilities of emergency medicine… Hit play to find out: Early interventions that can help people after suffering a stroke. The three types of stroke, and why they are treated differently. The two most commonly used medicines for stroke.  What the future of emergency stroke care may look like. Dr. Ritvij Bowry is a board-certified neurologist specializing in Neurocritical Care, stroke treatment, and vascular neurology. He serves as Associate Professor at UTHealth Houston, where his research focuses on acute neurological emergencies and innovative approaches to stroke care. He earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Miramar, Florida. After completing his residency at New York University Medical Center and an internship at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Queens, he pursued advanced fellowship training at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in both Neurocritical Care and Stroke/Vascular Neurology. Dr. Bowry's primary research focus includes the BEST-MSU study (Benefits of Stroke Treatment Using a Mobile Stroke Unit), a multi-center trial evaluating whether delivering stroke treatment directly in the field leads to better outcomes than traditional emergency department care. To learn more about Dr. Bowry, click here now!

In this episode of the Fertility Friday Podcast, Lisa welcomes back Toni Weschler, MPH, author of the landmark book Taking Charge of Your Fertility, along with Toni's niece Sabrina Nowicki, co-creator and product lead of the Cyclisity app. Toni shares the behind-the-scenes story of how Taking Charge of Your Fertility came to be — from a humbling experience at a women's health clinic in the late 1980s to a bidding war among major publishers — and reflects on what has changed in the field of fertility awareness over the past 30-plus years. Sabrina walks listeners through the vision behind Cyclisity, explaining how the app was designed as an educational companion to Taking Charge of Your Fertility, running the four FAM rules as taught in the book and directing users back to the relevant pages and chapters as they chart. The episode also covers the importance of data privacy, the limitations of ovulation predictor kits as a standalone tool, and why education remains the foundation of effective fertility awareness practice. Follow this link to view the full show notes page! This episode is sponsored by Lisa's new book, Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lily Nichols! Grab your copy here!

“Entrepreneurs want to help. Just call on us.” So says clean energy entrepreneur Jigar Shah, who is imploring New York State lawmakers to recognize the danger of the energy crisis. Shah held a prominent position in the Biden administration and is now working to convince Governor Hochul and the legislature to act urgently. The worldwide energy crisis, exacerbated by the war in Iran, has only intensified the situation. Shah and his colleagues join us to talk about the specific actions that the state could take this month – actions that Shah says would reduce energy bills for people who are already struggling. Our guests: Jigar Shah, co-managing partner of Multiplier Suzanne Hunt, vice president of policy at Generate Upcycle Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York This conversation is part of WXXI's celebration of Earth Month. To learn more, please click here.---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

I'm joined by extraordinary women who are changing the way women understand our fertility cycles: Toni Weschler, internationally respected women's health educator and author of the landmark book Taking Charge of Your Fertility (translated into 12 languages), and Sabrina Nowicki, engineer, product designer, fertility awareness method practitioner, and CEO of Cyclicity -  the new app built as the perfect companion to Toni's book. What makes this collaboration even more special? Toni is Sabrina's aunt, and their bond has been at the heart of this project from the very beginning. We are talking about why so many women have never been taught the basics of their own cycles, and how the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) offers a science-backed, no-algorithm, no-black-box approach to understanding your body. Whether you're trying to conceive, navigating a fertility treatment cycle, or simply want to take charge of your reproductive health, this conversation will change the way you think about your cycle: from drama to data. Read the full show notes on my website. In this episode, we cover: What the Fertility Awareness Method actually is,  and how it's completely different from the outdated rhythm method The two primary fertility signs (basal body temperature and cervical fluid) and why the symptothermal method is more reliable than tracking one sign alone How Cyclicity was built to mirror the exact terminology and rules in Taking Charge of Your Fertility  making it a true companion to the book Why Cyclicity uses no predictive algorithms and gives you full transparency into how each day of your cycle is classified How FAM charting can help fertility patients bring richer, more actionable data to their doctor, potentially expediting diagnosis and treatment The common mistakes beginners make when starting to chart, and how the app is designed to support learning and reduce errors Cyclicity's commitment to user privacy: self-funded, no data selling, no ads, with the option to store your data only on your phone or personal iCloud Resources: Cyclicity app (Apple App Store): https://www.cyclisity.com/ Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler: tcoyf.com Cycle Savvy by Toni Weschler (for teens): available online Cyclicity on Instagram: @cyclisity Cyclicity on TikTok: @cyclisityapp Sabrina Nowicki on Instagram & TikTok: @wanderingsabrina Buy Dr. Aimee's Book "The Egg Whisperer Way" on Amazon! Click here. Would you like to learn about IVF?Click here to join Dr. Aimee for The IVF Class. The next live class call is on Monday, April 20, 2025 at 4pm PST, where Dr. Aimee will explain IVF and there will be time to ask her your questions live on Zoom. Read the full show notes on my site by clicking or tapping here. To subscribe to Dr. Aimee's newsletter, tap or click here. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fertility tips! Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org.   Keywords fertility awareness method, FAM, taking charge of your fertility, Toni Weschler, Sabrina Nowicki, Cyclicity app, cycle tracking, basal body temperature, cervical fluid, symptothermal method, ovulation tracking, fertility charting, natural birth control, trying to conceive, IVF support, PCOS, luteal phase, follicular phase, fertility education, women's health, reproductive health, egg whisperer show, Dr. Aimee, fertility app, cycle data, no algorithm cycle tracking, hormonal health, ovulation signs, menstrual cycle education, fertility patient resources

What if your PCOS diagnosis is about more than fertility? What if the symptoms you've been told to "just manage" are actually your body asking for deeper support? And what if you could take back control in a way that feels empowering rather than restrictive? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with registered dietitian and author of PCOS is My Power Cory Ruth, RDN  to explain all about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and why it's often misunderstood. Cory shares her personal journey to diagnosis and how it shaped her mission to help women better understand the metabolic, hormonal, and reproductive components of PCOS.  Dr. Shahine and Cory cover the diagnostic criteria, common misconceptions (like "just lose weight"), and the evolving science around lifestyle interventions, blood sugar regulation, and long-term health outcomes. This episode will give listeners a clearer understanding of how to manage PCOS through sustainable nutrition, movement, and mindset shifts, without falling into restrictive or shame-based approaches. Cory's refreshing expertise helps us reframe PCOS as a potential catalyst for lifelong health—giving you the tools to feel informed, supported, and back in the driver's seat. In this episode you'll hear: [1:56] PCOS "triple threat": reproductive, metabolic, & hormonal [5:40] Cory Ruth's personal journey [8:01] Early signs of PCOS [11:43] The Rotterdam criteria [17:33] PCOS is a weight issue: MYTH [19:09] Nutrition is the foundation of PCOS management [22:24] Simple, realistic meal ideas to support PCOS [31:25] Intermittent fasting & PCOS [34:27] Mental health & PCOS [37:35] Long-term risks of PCOS [40:10] Sustainable lifestyle changes that actually work [43:05] Reframing PCOS as an opportunity for lifelong health   Resources mentioned:  www.thewomensdietitian.com @thewomensdietition on Instagram Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books Join the Learn at Pinnacle app to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode! This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production.

“Every woman's cycle is different, and it can change from one cycle to the next.” - Sabrina NowickiFor many women, tracking their cycle is synonymous with app predictions. An app tells you when you're ovulating, when your period is coming, and what to expect next. But that model assumes that our bodies all follow the same pattern month after month, which is rarely the case in reality. Our cycles are influenced by stress, travel, illness, sleep, underlying health conditions, and many other factors in our daily lives. When we learn how to listen, we make room to hear what our bodies are telling us in real time.While digital tools can make tracking more convenient, they don't replace the need to understand your own physiology. Learning to recognize patterns in cervical fluid, basal body temperature, and cycle variability isn't just about fertility. It's about developing a deeper relationship with your body and empowering yourself in a way that can support you and even make earlier identification of health issues more likely.Today, I'm joined by Sabrina Nowicki, co-founder and CEO of Cyclisity, an app inspired by the work of Toni Weschler and her book, Taking Charge of Your Fertility. Sabrina shares the story behind building the app and how it was designed as a companion to the fertility awareness method rather than a predictive tool. In this conversation, we talk about the limitations of algorithm-based cycle tracking, why awareness is more accurate than prediction, how charting can support both fertility and diagnosis, how clinicians can integrate this approach into their practices, and more.Enjoy the episode, and let's innovate and integrate together!---Learn more or watch the video version of this conversation at https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/30-years-of-toni-weschlers-taking-care-of-your-fertility-with-sabrina-nowicki-and-cyclisity/.Connect with me and access our entire platform at IntegrativeWomensHealthInstitute.com (https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/).Find and follow us @integrativewomenshealth on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@integrativewomenshealth) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/integrativewomenshealth/).

The Tenpenny Files – I explore how modern food narratives shape our choices, often masking harm behind convenience and familiarity. I reconnect cooking with responsibility, showing how whole foods restore energy, clarity, and confidence. This perspective challenges accepted norms and helps families reclaim true nourishment from within everyday life in practical, grounded ways today...

When Edie Miller received her breast cancer diagnosis in July 2021, she was shocked, but not unprepared. Years of researching holistic health while helping her aging parents get off medications, combined with watching multiple family members navigate cancer treatment, had already shaped her philosophy: find the root cause, empower the body, and don't expect your oncologist to know what they haven't studied.Diagnosed with stage one, grade one, slow-growing breast cancer, Edie chose a lumpectomy but declined radiation and hormone blockers. When post-surgical pathology revealed angiolymphatic invasion, rather than pursuing additional surgery and expanded radiation, she doubled down on her integrative approach, juicing, high-dose vitamin C infusions, essential oils (including a homemade frankincense, myrrh, and turmeric body butter), castor oil packs, coffee enemas for liver detox, iodine supplementation, and upgraded water filtration. She also credits the Truth About Cancer convention in Nashville and Chris Wark's resources as pivotal guides.Four and a half years later, Edie is cancer-free and channeling her experience into a new business — Integrative Thermography — offering thermography, red light therapy, and whole-body vibration to clients in Middle Tennessee who are looking for proactive, non-invasive health monitoring and support. She's also a Healing Strong group leader, walking alongside others who feel pressure to simply go along with conventional recommendations.Her core message: doctors can only advise within what they've studied. The responsibility to research alternatives falls on the patient — and knowledge, she says, is power.HealingStrong's mission is to educate, equip and empower our group leaders and group participants through their journey with cancer or other chronic illnesses, and know there is HOPE. We bring this hope through educational materials, webinars, guest speakers, conferences, community small group support and more.Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:Support Group DirectoryHolistic Curriculum - Participant GuideSupport Our Mission - DonateAdditional Health ResourcesListen to Previous EpisodesWebsite: healingstrong.org

Veteran War Reporteer Phil Ittner based out of Kiev, Ukraine is on the front lines and explains the latest news on the Russian War. Lindsey Graham takes a cue from Joseph Stalin by proposing a law that would lock up critics of Orange Julius. Trump is CREATING the enemy to fuel his road toward fascism.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Staying on schedule with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treatment is one of the most important ways to protect your vision. In this episode, Manuel Amador, MD, explains today's wet AMD treatments and why consistency matters. He will also share practical tips on early detection, risk factors, and taking an active role in your eye health.

Are ovulation predictor kits enough to time intercourse? Can an app really tell you when you're fertile? And what if your body has been giving you the answers all along?  In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is talking to fertility awareness pioneer Dr.  Are ovulation predictor kits enough to time intercourse? Can an app really tell you when you're fertile? And what if your body has been giving you the answers all along?  In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is talking to fertility awareness pioneer Toni Weschler, author of Taking Charge of Your Fertility, and her niece, software engineer, Sabrina Nowicki. These three women explore how women can confidently track ovulation, understand cervical fluid, and take charge of their reproductive health with both education and technology. Toni Weschler shares the powerful origin story behind her decades of paper charting and why she once resisted fertility apps altogether. She believed that a thermometer, a pen, and knowledge of your own body were enough.  Sabrina explains how that philosophy evolved into Cyclisity, an educational cycle tracking app designed as the perfect companion to the book. Unlike predictive period apps that rely on algorithms and "average" 28-day cycles, Cyclisity follows the sympto-thermal method exactly as taught in Toni's work. It will finally make sense why basal body temperature confirms ovulation but doesn't predict it, how cervical fluid signals approaching fertility, why ovulation predictor kits can miss critical timing, and how improper app use can delay fertility diagnosis or lead to unintended pregnancy.  This conversation is a masterclass in reproductive education and body literacy while blending science, privacy, and modern technology. In this episode you'll hear: [0:39] Meet the guests: Author Toni Weschler and Sabrina Nowicki [2:36] Why track your cycle? [4:03] Understanding ovulation and health [6:49] Sabrina's personal journey [10:29] Toni's period story [13:10] The push for technology [14:52] Early software resistance [18:35] The perfect team forms [22:03] Creating Cyclisity [27:07] Using book and app together [31:41] Temperature vs cervical fluid [32:53] Checking cervical fluid Resources mentioned:  cyclisity.com tcoyf.com @cyclisity on IG @cyclisityapp on TikTok @wanderingsabrina on IG | on TikTok Ep 50 Over 25 Years of Taking Charge of Your Fertility with Author Toni Weschler Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books  

The Seneca people organized, researched and educated each other to rise up and oppose the policing agreement that their "leaders" entered into. They forced the Seneca Nation to rescind the agreement!

Dr. Birnbaum also addresses common early fears, including confusion about autoimmune disease and anxiety around immunosuppressive medications, reframing treatment as dialing down an overactive immune response rather than taking away your immune system. Throughout the episode, he encourages self-advocacy, realistic hope, and partnership with your care team, and shares insights from his book“Living well with autoimmune diseases”  A Rheumatologist's Guide to Taking Charge of Your Health. The takeaway is empowering and hopeful: we're living in a “golden era” of RA care, with more effective treatments and real reason to believe a full, meaningful life is possible alongside this diagnosis.Episode at a glance:00:20 Dr. Burnbaum's Background and Passion for Arthritis & Neurology05:19 The Diagnostic Process in Rheumatology08:59 Understanding Inflammatory Arthritis15:22 Explaining Autoimmune Diseases and Inflammation23:11 The Role of Immunosuppressive Therapies28:16 Personalized Treatment Plans in Rheumatology30:50 Understanding Diagnostic Criteria and Nuances31:31 Dealing with Diagnostic Ambiguity32:57 Empowerment Through Patient-Doctor Partnership38:10 Practical Tips for Patient Empowerment46:03 Realistic Hope and Coping Strategies56:34 Concluding Thoughts and ResourcesMedical disclaimer: All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Episode SponsorsRheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special episode of Offair Air with Durex, Gbemi and Toolz are joined by the incredible Chidera aka Slumflower, a Sunday Times best-selling author, as they dive into the art of speaking your mind and owning your desires in relationships. With unfiltered honesty, they discuss how to confidently express your needs, especially when it comes to intimacy, and why it's so important for both men and women to #SayItWithYourChestSlumflower takes us through her journey as a dominatrix, sharing valuable insights on power dynamics, and how she navigates dominance and submission in a healthy and consensual way. Plus, get the inside scoop on her experiences in relationships and how to communicate what turns you on without fear, shame, or hesitation.In partnership with Durex, this episode explores mutual pleasure, sexual confidence, and how both partners can truly understand each other's needs in and out of the bedroom.00:00 - Introduction: What Does It Mean to 'Say It With Your Chest'?03:30 - Meet Slumflower: From Best-Selling Author to Dominatrix07:00 - The Importance of Confidence in Communication12:20 - Navigating Power Dynamics in Relationships16:50 - Saying What You Want in Bed: How to Communicate Your Needs22:00 - The Psychology of Men's Submissive Tendencies28:15 - Confidence, Consent, and Comfort: The Key to Great Sex33:00 - Breaking Down Cultural Barriers: Owning Your Pleasure in Nigerian Society39:30 - Sexual Exploration: How to 'Train' Your Partner (In a Fun Way)44:00 - The Role of Praise: Why Men Love to Be Called 'Good Boy'49:20 - Slumflower's Take on Dominance, Submissiveness, and Consent54:00 - A Conversation on Mutual Pleasure: Durex's Role in Sexual Confidence58:30 - Closing Thoughts: Speak Up, Own Your Desires, and Say It With Your Chest

Perhaps you have noticed that it has been quite a while since I posted a podcast episode!I have had WAY too much on my plate lately so the podcast has taken a backseat. The podcast was also feeling a bit stale with the same sorts of conversations. Lately, I am feeling more expansive and the many different directions this podcast can (and will!!) go in.I am pleased to share that I am back with a really fun episode with Sabrina of Cyclisity. In case you didn't know she is the niece of Toni Weschler - Author of Taking Charge of Your Fertility!Cyclisity is a new cycle tracking app based on the Taking Charge of Your Fertility book. This book has been an essential tool for me and many of the other FAM practitioners that I know!Cycle tracking apps can be confusing with algorithms, predictions and a variety of different words that are being used to describe the same thing!This app uses the same terminology as the Taking Charge of Your Fertility Book and even gives reference pages to learn more about each of the elements involved in charting your cycle. Listen in to learn more!Connect with Sabrina - https://www.instagram.com/cyclisity/?hl=enConnect with Holly - https://www.instagram.com/rosebud_wellness/?hl=enFree Intro Chat - https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/rCGISOFO5MiA7y6Vakv8

Prana, or the vital energy, manifests in the body in various ways. Pranayam, explains Sadhguru, is a method to take charge of these manifestations, the pancha vayus. For one who takes charge of his prana, physiological health can be greatly improved, while psychological balance is 100% guaranteed. Set the context for a joyful, exuberant day with a short, powerful message from Sadhguru. Explore a range of subjects with Sadhguru, discover how every aspect of life can be a stepping stone, and learn to make the most of the potential that a human being embodies.  Conscious Planet: ⁠https://www.consciousplanet.org⁠ Sadhguru App (Download): ⁠https://onelink.to/sadhguru__app⁠ Official Sadhguru Website: ⁠https://isha.sadhguru.org⁠ Sadhguru Exclusive: ⁠https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/sadhguru-exclusive⁠ Inner Engineering Link: isha.co/ieo-podcast Yogi, mystic and visionary, Sadhguru is a spiritual master with a difference. An arresting blend of profundity and pragmatism, his life and work serves as a reminder that yoga is a contemporary science, vitally relevant to our times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prana, or the vital energy, manifests in the body in various ways. Pranayam, explains Sadhguru, is a method to take charge of these manifestations, the pancha vayus. For one who takes charge of his prana, physiological health can be greatly improved, while psychological balance is 100% guaranteed. Set the context for a joyful, exuberant day with a short, powerful message from Sadhguru. Explore a range of subjects with Sadhguru, discover how every aspect of life can be a stepping stone, and learn to make the most of the potential that a human being embodies.  Conscious Planet: ⁠https://www.consciousplanet.org⁠ Sadhguru App (Download): ⁠https://onelink.to/sadhguru__app⁠ Official Sadhguru Website: ⁠https://isha.sadhguru.org⁠ Sadhguru Exclusive: ⁠https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/sadhguru-exclusive⁠ Inner Engineering Link: isha.co/ieo-podcast Yogi, mystic and visionary, Sadhguru is a spiritual master with a difference. An arresting blend of profundity and pragmatism, his life and work serves as a reminder that yoga is a contemporary science, vitally relevant to our times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Focus. Productivity. Relationships. Distraction. Neurodiversity. How do you know if you have ADHD? How can you get others to understand your ADHD brain? What are your treatment options and how can they help? In this encore of our wildly popular Part 1 episode, we talk racing thoughts, brilliant brains and the causes and effects of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with the world's leading expert, Dr. Russell Barkley who is A BIG DEAL. Psychologist, retired professor of clinical psychiatry, author and speaker, Dr. Barkley has a personal connection to ADHD and has studied it for nearly 40 years. Is it all cute quirks? Nope. It's serious business. But next week, we'll hear about tips and tricks and self-love from 3 more experts — Jessica McCabe of How to ADHD, René Brooks of Black Girl Lost Keys and ADHD researcher Dr. Jahla Osborne. I'M TRYING NOT TO USE A BUNCH OF EXCLAMATION POINTS. It's exciting. Dr. Russell Barkley's website dedicated to education and research on ADHDDr. Barkley's book: Taking Charge of Adult ADHDMore books and papers by Dr. BarkleyDonations were made to CHADD and Partners in HealthMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you might enjoy: Somnology (SLEEP), Chronobiology (CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS), Volitional Psychology (PROCRASTINATION), Sports & Performance Psychology (ANXIETY & CONFIDENCE), Personality Psychology (PERSONALITIES), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow Ologies on Instagram and BlueskyFollow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTokEditing by Mercedes Maitland of  Maitland Audio Productions and  Jake ChaffeeTranscripts by Aveline MalekWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this engaging conversation, Hadi Mendez shares her journey as the author of 'Calladita No More,' discussing her upbringing, experiences with money, and the motivation behind her book. She emphasizes the importance of confidence, self-advocacy, and planning for career growth, particularly for women in the workplace. Hadi also reflects on her passion for street art and photography, and she redefines wealth as being about relationships and community rather than just financial success.What You'll Learn:00:00 Introduction to Hadi Mendez and Her Journey02:01 Growing Up and Money Experiences06:35 The Motivation Behind Writing 'Calladita No More'08:38 Building Confidence and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome12:14 Navigating Workplace Challenges and Demotions16:14 Taking Charge of Your Career and Self-Advocacy20:49 Planning for the Future in a Challenging Workplace24:40 The Importance of Community and Connection28:25 Hadi's Passion for Street Art and Photography30:13 Defining Wealth Beyond MoneyBuy Hadi's book using our affiliate link: https://bookshop.org/shop/sayholawealthConnect With Hady on Instagram.Ready to increase your net worth by $20K or more?Join The Say Hola Wealth Academy — our signature program where we help first-gen wealth builders grow their wealth through salary negotiations, career pivots, mindset coaching, and smart investing.✨ If you're ready to rewrite your money story and step into your financial power, this is for you.Join today at https://sayholawealth.com/academy✨ Enjoyed this episode?Don't forget to subscribe to the channel, leave a comment with your biggest takeaway, and share this video with another poderosa Latina ready to launch her dream. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode, Michelle Glogovac pulls back the curtain on her unexpected path as an author—from the twists in traditional publishing to the moments that forced her to bet on herself. She talks candidly about what it really takes to navigate this industry, why the relationship with your agent should feel like a partnership (not a guessing game), and how crucial it is to honor the work authors pour into their books. Through her own experience, Michelle reminds writers to trust their instincts, advocate for their careers, and never forget to show gratitude for the people who help bring stories into the world.What We're Talking About...You're the one steering your writing career—no one else gets to hold the pen.You have full permission to write the stories you want to write.No publisher, no agent, no algorithm will market your book like you will.Feeling alone in the publishing process is normal, and it doesn't mean you're doing it wrong.You can build the writing life you want; nothing is off-limits.Know what you want in an agent—and don't settle for less.There's zero shame in changing agents when the relationship no longer fits.Publishing is a roller coaster; expect the highs and the gut punches.Showing gratitude to authors—and acknowledging their work—is essential.Your future is yours to shape, and you get to decide what happens next.ChaptersChapters00:00 The Journey of an Author03:34 Navigating Challenges in Publishing05:57 Embracing Change and New Opportunities06:16 Taking Charge of Your Writing Career09:12 The Importance of Persistence and Self-Promotion12:09 Gratitude for Authors and Creators

We're talking about Saturn!Using your astrology to take charge of your life means reframing your mindset when it comes to what planets mean and how you can harness the energy to your best advantage.In S6 Ep 9 master astrologer, Laurie Rivers walks you through getting to grips with Saturn in a way that moves beyond pop astrology making Saturn out to be the bad guy.In this episode you'll understand why Saturn offers you the structure you need to create a forward focused life and gain authority over yourself.Plus you'll find out how Karma works, not as a cosmic punishment but rather cause and effect.Sign up for Laurie's 2026 Predictions and Preparation Event (Patrons save! Check your discounts!)https://www.wokeastrology.com/event-details/2026-year-aheadThe Awake Space is 100% listener supported by the Awake Space Community on Patreon. Join thousands of people who are learning to use astrology to heal, grow and use their creator mindset to make life more rewarding.Community members have access to hundreds of hours of audio, video, learning resources, live streams and discounts on consultations at wokeastrology.comSave 50% on annual memberships through November (on tiers $15 and up)http://patreon.com/theawakespaceTo book consultations with astrologers at wokeastrology.com/book-online

Send us a textResponsibility isn't a vibe—it's a skill set that protects your dog, your community, and your peace of mind. We open with a frank look at UK law and why “friendly” doesn't matter if someone feels scared, especially when your dog is big and loud. Then we share Bonnie's transformation from high-stakes history to steady, social companion, using practical tools any owner can apply: games-based training, thoughtful management, and stepwise freedom.We break down the real difference size and arousal make in public spaces and how to lower risk with clear choices. You'll hear simple ways to turn chaos into calm: teaching a rock-solid recall and proximity, introducing a positive muzzle for safety, and making off-lead time a gradual, low-pressure progression rather than an all-or-nothing leap. At the vet, we show how planning ahead—videos, car waiting, cooperative care—can prevent panic and protect everyone. At home, we talk countersurfing prevention, guest setups, pens and gates, and how tiny tweaks stop big mistakes from ever happening.Bonnie's “ding dong dash” routine for deliveries shows how boundaries create freedom. With selective play, capped arousal, and careful dog-to-dog intros, progress sticks and stress stays low. Games turn training into emotion change, not just obedience; management buys safety while those new habits bed in. If you've wondered how to juggle kindness with control, or how to move from fear of mistakes to confident, everyday wins, this is your guide to becoming your dog's best advocate and safest leader.If this helped you rethink responsibility, share it with someone who needs a clearer plan. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us your non‑negotiable safety habit ... we'd love to hear it.Join us for AD Live & Unleashed, a *FREE* Naughty but Nice Dog 2-Day Event held 8-9 November 2025. Tickets are limited, grab your ticket today + bring a friend! https://absolutedogs.me/unleashedSupport the showIf you're loving the podcast, you'll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog - Pro Dog Trainer Club! https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub And while you're here, please leave a review for us and don't forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!

Dr. Natalie Crawford is joined by Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a board-certified OBGYN and fierce advocate for changing the conversation around women's health. Together, they demystify perimenopause and menopause by breaking down the hormonal changes women experience and providing empowering strategies for navigating this critical life transition. Key Topics: 1. Your Changing Body's Hormonal Journey - How your ovaries start becoming less cooperative - Why estrogen matters more than you think - Decoding the symptoms no one talks about 2. The Real Story About Hormone Replacement - Busting myths about hormone treatments - What science really says about staying healthy - Finding the right hormone solution for your body 3. Lifestyle Hacks for Feeling Your Best - Building strength when your body feels different - Eating for your inflammation - Nutrition strategies that actually work for midlife 4. Taking Charge of Your Health - Learning the language of your body - Finding doctors who will really listen - Becoming the CEO of your personal health journey Follow Dr. Mary Claire Haver TikTok @drmaryclaire Instagram @drmaryclaire @the_pause_life  Facebook The Pause Life by Dr Mary Claire Haver  YouTube: Mary Claire Haver, MD LinkedIn The 'Pause Life with Dr. Mary Claire Haver Purchase her book The New Menopause  Want to receive my weekly newsletter? Sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive updates, Q&A, special content, and freebies If you haven't already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Tuesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@nataliecrawfordmd,⁠⁠⁠⁠ check out Natalie's YouTube channel Natalie Crawford MD⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Fora Fertility. Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode! This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network! Learn more about Pinnacle at learnatpinnacle.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices