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Finding Hope

Finding Hope

By Mandy Bird

Welcome to Finding Hope where we take a deep dive into how grief is our great teacher on the way to finding hope and discovering our passion. Mandy Bird, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and grief expert with over 30 years of experience and known endearingly as Counselor Mandy, has REAL conversations with people who have experienced grief, in a myriad of ways, and taken the grief journey to discover their own authenticity and use their passion to make a difference in the world. She and Chris Saade are co-authors of “Tears are the Source of Your Passion." amzn.to/3sb5FGB
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4: Becoming more authentic through Grace and Grit with guest Dr. Matt Lyon

Finding HopeAug 05, 2020

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38:35
Season 4, Ep. 8: “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” Wrap up of Season 4 with Counselor Mandy

Season 4, Ep. 8: “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” Wrap up of Season 4 with Counselor Mandy

In this final episode of Season 4, our producer Cindy Ballaro asks Mandy some key questions about her book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion: The Power of Authenticity and Grief” that she co-authored with Chris Saade. This is a great wrap up of Season 4 which is meant to serve as a companion to the book by offering episodes that focus on the book’s content, bringing it to life with engaging conversations and stories from people who have used the 7-steps as a guide in their grief journey. You can order the book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3sb5FGB.

“I’m so proud of Season 4 of Finding Hope and sincerely hope that it will help all who are grieving and in search of hope” says Counselor Mandy.

Here are the questions that Mandy answers in this episode:

- Why did you write this book with Chris Saade?

- What are the 3 main things you hope people will take from the book?

- What is the biggest problem you see in our culture today related to grief?

- What is the primary thing you tell your clients about grieving?

- How can this book help people who are grieving?

- What are the benefits of reading this book?

Mandy has been delivering her brand of hope and heart-centered therapy from the stage, the sound booth and through dynamic personal counseling sessions since 1993. She is a benevolent advisor, inspired author, and profoundly intuitive counselor and teacher whose personal experience with loss and tragedy helped awaken her, to her true purpose as a loving healer and grief guide. She started the Finding Hope Podcast as her creative response to the pandemic and all that is transpiring in the world at this time. Mandy considers it her purpose to free the hearts of those experiencing loss by literally loving their hearts into action. It is her highest wish that we live our authentic and purposeful lives with power and joy.

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Oct 12, 202223:03
Season 4, Ep. 7: An Overview of Step 7: Celebration, from “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope” in the book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” with guest Chris Saade

Season 4, Ep. 7: An Overview of Step 7: Celebration, from “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope” in the book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” with guest Chris Saade

Co-Authors, Counselor Mandy and Chris Saade, are thrilled to announce the launch of their new book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion: The Power of Authenticity and Grief.” Season 4 of Finding Hope is meant to serve as a companion to the book by offering episodes that focus on the book’s content, bringing it to life with engaging conversations and stories from people who have used the 7-steps as a guide in their grief journey. You can order the book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3sb5FGB.

Section Two of the book covers the “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope,” a heart-centered, self-coaching model designed to support individuals through the creativity of the journey of grief. In this episode I am discussing Step 7: Celebration with my co-author Chris Saade.

Chris and Mandy talk about how important it was to include Celebration in their grief model because, as Chris says “Celebration is not based on the denial of grief. It is based on the honoring of our tears and struggles. Without celebration the struggle can destroy us.” Mandy says that celebration brings us hope and even can act as a life jacket for our spirit. They both concur that the choice to celebrate in the midst of tears is a choice to love and honor your spirit. This is why they knew when this model was created that Celebration had to be a part of it.

Chris Saade is an author, a psychological and philosophical teacher, trainer of professionals, and a life coach. After years serving as a psychotherapist in private practice, Chris spent two decades training therapists, coaches, and the general public in two of his models: Integra: 6 Keys for Heart-Centered Living, and The Quest for Individual Authenticity and Global Solidarity. To date, Chris has led nearly 250 multi-day cutting-edge workshops.

Born in Beirut, he was involved in peace and humanitarian work for 14 years before and during the Lebanese war. The difficulty of those times led him to develop a great respect for freedom, authenticity, diversity, peace, and a passion for justice and solidarity, especially for children.

All of Chris’ books are available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Saade/e/B00ESFPUTY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1626883680&sr=8-3

You can find out more about Chris on his FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisSaadeAuthor

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Sep 27, 202232:26
Season 4, Ep6: : An Overview of Step 6: Service, from “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope” in the book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” with guest Barry Sherman

Season 4, Ep6: : An Overview of Step 6: Service, from “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope” in the book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” with guest Barry Sherman

Co-Authors, Counselor Mandy and Chris Saade, are thrilled to announce the launch of their new book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion: The Power of Authenticity and Grief.” Season 4 of Finding Hope is meant to serve as a companion to the book by offering episodes that focus on the book’s content, bringing it to life with engaging conversations and stories from people who have used the 7-steps as a guide in their grief journey. You can order the book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3sb5FGB.

Section Two of the book covers the “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope,” a heart-centered, self-coaching model designed to support individuals through the creativity of the journey of grief. In this episode I am discussing Step 6: Service with school Social Worker, musician and author Barry Sherman.

Barry and Mandy talk about how our wounds are an opportunity to learn about our gifts and then there is great joy in using these gifts to serve the world. “We don’t have to be victimized by our grief. We can, instead, be an empowered creator” says Barry. Serving young people in an educational setting – helping them navigate their life in an empowering way – is Barry’s calling. He says to ask the question “What epic gifts can be unlocked by this grief experience?” Mandy adds “We must ignore the shaming voices that say our gifts don’t matter…they DO!”

Over the past three decades, Barry Sherman has worked side-by-side with Chris Saade (and a stellar team of noble-hearted people) supporting the development of his evolutionary work including Chris’s H Method model of deep authenticity and global solidarity.

Alongside this nonprofit work, Barry’s work as a School Social Worker, with Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools began in 1989, where he currently works at Wilson Stem Academy as the Coordinator for Social-emotional learning and student leadership. In 2021 he was named Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ Social Worker of the year.

Barry has an undergraduate degree in music education and a masters degree in social work from the University of South Carolina and is a licensed clinical social worker. He is a singer/songwriter with CDs that focus around themes of authenticity and solidarity.

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Aug 17, 202234:40
Season 4, Ep 5: An Overview of Steps 4 & 5 from “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope” in the book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” with guest Tammy Starling

Season 4, Ep 5: An Overview of Steps 4 & 5 from “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope” in the book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” with guest Tammy Starling

Co-Authors, Counselor Mandy and Chris Saade, are thrilled to announce the launch of their new book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion: The Power of Authenticity and Grief.” Season 4 of Finding Hope is meant to serve as a companion to the book by offering episodes that focus on the book’s content, bringing it to life with engaging conversations and stories from people who have used the 7-steps as a guide in their grief journey. You can order the book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3sb5FGB.

Section Two of the book covers the “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope,” a heart-centered, self-coaching model designed to support individuals through the creativity of the journey of grief. In this episode I am discussing Step 4: Paradox, and Step 5: Spiritual Fortitude, with grief specialist and licensed professional counselor Tammy Starling.

Tammy, an avid Rose gardener, uses this metaphor to talk about paradox, “The beauty of a rose is accompanied by very sharp thorns. The thorns don’t take away from the beauty and visa versa.” She continues “paradox allows us to fully honor the depth of grief AND see the beauty and joy in the world.”

When talking about Step 5 both Mandy and Tammy talk about how Spiritual Fortitude is what gives them hope. “We are not meant to carry big losses on our own” says Mandy. The spiritual force that lives IN each of us is available to partner and support us at all times.

Tammy Starling is a grief specialist and licensed professional counselor in Nashville, Tennessee. She was in private practice for 22 years, 16 of which she and Counselor Mandy were business partners together in Charlotte, NC. Over the years, Tammy has taught numerous classes on grief and led many large and small groups around living with loss. Currently, she administers behavioral health grant programs for a large managed care organization in TN. She is the mother of two adult children and has two amazing grandsons! Tammy also serves on the elder board of a new and very progressive Christian church, in Nashville, called Spero Day Church.


CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Apr 13, 202231:34
Season 4, Ep 4: An Overview of Step 3 from “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope” in the book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” with guest Amanda Taylor

Season 4, Ep 4: An Overview of Step 3 from “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope” in the book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” with guest Amanda Taylor

Co-Authors, Counselor Mandy and Chris Saade, are thrilled to announce the launch of their new book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion: The Power of Authenticity and Grief.” Season 4 of Finding Hope is meant to serve as a companion to the book by offering episodes that focus on the book’s content, bringing it to life with engaging conversations and stories from people who have used the 7-steps as a guide in their grief journey. You can order the book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3sb5FGB.

Section Two of the book covers the “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope,” a heart-centered, self-coaching model designed to support individuals through the creativity of the journey of grief. In this episode I am discussing Step 3: Initiation with entrepreneur/writer and mother Amanda Taylor.

After tragically losing her high school sweetheart and military pilot husband, Neal, in 2012, Amanda found herself suddenly raising their four beautiful girls alone. Speaking about Step 3 she says “Initiation was the threshold from who I WAS, to who I was now going to be. I can look back, after 10 years have passed, and am proud of where I am today.”

When talking about Step 3 both Mandy and Amanda concur that we don’t get Initiated to “learn lessons” – but instead they are life events that allow us to transform into more of our authentic selves.

Amanda Taylor is an entrepreneur, writer, and yoga teacher, and the mother of, now five, amazing daughters. She believes that her grief transformed her and uncovered her life's calling.

Amanda has traveled the world with her daughters, and blogs about their adventures at mommyadventurer.com. She also writes both fiction and non-fiction books and articles.

Amanda has undergraduate degrees in both English and psychological neuroscience, and a master's degree in creative non-fiction writing. She is also a certified yoga teacher and loves teaching deep stretch and restorative yoga. Amanda recently enrolled in the Clemson New Farmer's program, and she has a vision for transforming backyards into food gardens all over the state.

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Mar 30, 202233:33
Season 4, Ep3: Title: An Overview of Steps 1 & 2 from “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope” in the book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” with guest Elizabeth Catignani

Season 4, Ep3: Title: An Overview of Steps 1 & 2 from “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope” in the book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” with guest Elizabeth Catignani

Co-Authors, Counselor Mandy and Chris Saade, are thrilled to announce the launch of their new book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion: The Power of Authenticity and Grief.” Season 4 of Finding Hope is meant to serve as a companion to the book by offering episodes that focus on the book’s content, bringing it to life with engaging conversations and stories from people who have used the 7-steps as a guide in their grief journey. You can order the book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3sb5FGB.

Section Two of the book covers the “7 Steps Toward the Power of Grief and Hope,” a heart-centered, self-coaching model designed to support individuals through the creativity of the journey of grief. In this episode I am discussing Step 1: Affirm Your Grief and Step 2: Open Your Heart with author/coach and mother Elizabeth Catignani.

After several unexpected losses at the age of 27, Elizabeth passionately dedicated her life to helping others experience healing, joy, and purpose after loss. Speaking about Step 1 she says “It is SO important to allow our feelings of grief – it is OK to have those feeling and that they are normal. In fact, to NOT have these feelings is inhuman.”

When talking about Step 2 both Mandy and Elizabeth concur that it is so tempting to shut down when pain hits. As hard as it is, keep your heart open because that’s where your authenticity lives.

Elizabeth is a Certified Creative Grief Coach, Health Coach and author of Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope. She established Her Creative Wellness, a blog and online platform as a supportive space for women to become empowered on their journey in healing and wellness, from grief to hope. She believes in the transformative power of the human journey and our sacred stories. Through sharing her own story, she hopes to light the way for others seeking a healthy, heart-centered, and fulfilling life.

You can find out more about Elizabeth and her book/audiobook at www.hercreativewellness.com.

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Mar 17, 202239:38
Season 4, Ep.2: An Overview of Section One of “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” with guest Chris Saade

Season 4, Ep.2: An Overview of Section One of “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” with guest Chris Saade

Co-Authors, Counselor Mandy and Chris Saade, are thrilled to announce the launch of their new book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion: The Power of Authenticity and Grief.” Season 4 of Finding Hope is meant to serve as a companion to the book by offering episodes that focus on the book’s content, bringing it to life with engaging conversations and stories from people who have used the 7-steps as a guide in their grief journey. You can order the book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3sb5FGB.

In this episode, Chris and Mandy give an overview of Section One of the book which includes Chapter One: Grief & Passion, Chapter Two: Elements of Passion, Chapter Three: Global Grief as a Call to Immediate Heart Action, and Chapter Four: Saying the Great “Yes” to Life.

“This first section is the foundation of our book which is about how to mine for the gold in your grief, and how that can lead you into your passionate calling” says Mandy. Chris summarizes it by saying “make grief the landscape where beautiful flowers and trees will grow.”

We invite you to stay tuned for more Episodes of Season 4 as we take a deeper dive into this extremely important personal guide written for everyone.

Chris Saade is an author, a psychological and philosophical teacher, trainer of professionals, and a life coach. After years serving as a psychotherapist in private practice, Chris spent two decades training therapists, coaches, and the general public in two of his models: Integra: 6 Keys for Heart-Centered Living, and The Quest for Individual Authenticity and Global Solidarity. To date, Chris has led nearly 250 multi-day cutting-edge workshops.

Born in Beirut, he was involved in peace and humanitarian work for 14 years before and during the Lebanese war. The difficulty of those times led him to develop a great respect for freedom, authenticity, diversity, peace, and a passion for justice and solidarity, especially for children.

All of Chris’ books are available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Saade/e/B00ESFPUTY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1626883680&sr=8-3

You can find out more about Chris on his FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisSaadeAuthor

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Mar 02, 202249:33
Season 4, Ep 1: “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” with guest Chris Saade

Season 4, Ep 1: “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” with guest Chris Saade

Co-Authors, Counselor Mandy and Chris Saade, are thrilled to announce the launch of their new book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion: The Power of Authenticity and Grief.” Season 4 of Finding Hope is meant to serve as a companion to the book by offering episodes that focus on the book’s content, bringing it to life with engaging conversations and stories from people who have used the 7-steps as a guide in their grief journey. You can order the book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3sb5FGB.

In this episode, Chris and Mandy give an overview of the book as well as Chris sharing how the ideals and processes described in the book literally saved his life three times. “Tears are the Source of Your Passion” encourages the honoring of grief, and giving voice to it, so that its gifts can be offered to the world. “We want people to know that every individual has a right to grieve, and shame has to be taken out of the grief process” says Chris.

“I’m incredibly humbled and grateful that our book is coming into the world in 2022 - at this particular time in our history – when SO many people are grieving and need guidance during this time of their lives” states Mandy.

We invite you to stay tuned for more Episodes of Season 4 as we take a deeper dive into this extremely important personal guide for everyone.

Chris Saade is an author, a psychological and philosophical teacher, trainer of professionals, and a life coach. After years serving as a psychotherapist in private practice, Chris spent two decades training therapists, coaches, and the general public in two of his models: Integra: 6 Keys for Heart-Centered Living, and The Quest for Individual Authenticityand Global Solidarity. To date, Chris has led nearly 250 multi-day cutting-edge workshops.

Born in Beirut, he was involved in peace and humanitarian work for 14 years before and during the Lebanese war. The difficulty of those times led him to develop a great respect for freedom, authenticity, diversity, peace, and a passion for justice and solidarity, especially for children.

All of Chris’ books are available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Saade/e/B00ESFPUTY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1626883680&sr=8-3

You can find out more about Chris on his FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisSaadeAuthor

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Feb 02, 202235:57
24. “Grief is a Portal to Authenticity” with guest Chris Saade

24. “Grief is a Portal to Authenticity” with guest Chris Saade

Counselor Mandy and Chris Saade are thrilled to be sharing about their new book “Tears are the Source of Your Passion: The Power of Authenticity and Grief” launching later this summer. This book encourages the honoring of grief, and giving voice to it, so that its gifts can be offered to the world. “The good news is that grief is a portal for our authenticity and to discovering the fire that burns in us! Grief opens our heart and then allows MORE love to flow through” says Chris. They offer helpful tools and remind us that grief and joy can co-exist!

“I’m overjoyed that our book will be published at this particular time in our history – when SO many people are grieving and need guidance during this time of their lives” states Mandy.

“Tears are the Source of Your Passion: The Power of Authenticity and Grief” will be available late summer 2021 on Amazon. This is Counselor Mandy’s first book, and Chris Saade’s sixth book.

Chris Saade is an author, a psychological and philosophical teacher, trainer of professionals, and a life coach. After years serving as a psychotherapist in private practice, Chris spent two decades training therapists, coaches, and the general public in two of his models: Integra: 6 Keys for Heart-Centered Living, and The Quest for Individual Authenticity and Global Solidarity. To date, Chris has led nearly 250 multi-day cutting-edge workshops.

Born in Beirut, he was involved in peace and humanitarian work for 14 years before and during the Lebanese war. The difficulty of those times led him to develop a great respect for freedom, authenticity, diversity, peace, and a passion for justice and solidarity, especially for children.

Chris’ books are available on Amazon.

You can find out more about Chris on his FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisSaadeAuthor

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Jul 21, 202133:28
23. “Small Acts can have Big Impacts” with guest Dr. John Cox

23. “Small Acts can have Big Impacts” with guest Dr. John Cox

Jul 07, 202134:55
22. “The Legacy Episode” with guest Barry Sherman

22. “The Legacy Episode” with guest Barry Sherman

Counselor Mandy and her guest, Barry Sherman, have known each other for over 25 years. In that time, they have been fighting the good fight championing authenticity and solidarity. Mandy loved it when Barry jumped right in with this bold statement: “There is no sustainable way forward without deeply embracing authenticity.” For over three decades Barry, as a school Social Worker and currently the Coordinator for Social-Emotional Learning and Student Leadership, has been helping young people explore, discover, and develop their own authenticity. In this episode they also have a candid discussion about the lies we have been telling our children which are a detriment to their psychological growth. Barry states “in order to prepare our youth for the 21st century we must guide them into the beautiful authentic truth of their own being AND join it with global solidarity.”

Over the past three decades, Barry Sherman has worked side-by-side with Chris Saade (and a stellar team of noble-hearted people) supporting the development of his evolutionary work including Chris’s H Method model of deep authenticity and global solidarity.

Alongside this nonprofit work, Barry’s work as a School Social Worker with Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools began in 1989, where he currently works at Wilson Stem Academy as the Coordinator for Social-Emotional Learning and Student Leadership. He is very excited and proud to be working with Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools, a school district that has made a strong commitment to social and emotional learning.

Barry has an undergraduate degree in music education and a masters degree in social work from the University of South Carolina and is a licensed clinical social worker. He is a singer/songwriter with CDs that focus around themes of authenticity and solidarity.

Barry lives in Charlotte with his beloved South African spouse, Dr. Lyndall Hare, and their academically gifted rescue dog, Jayco.

If you'd like to contact Barry he can be reached at: b4sherman@aol.com


CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Jun 23, 202136:05
21. “Animal Wisdom” with guest Dr. Linda Bender

21. “Animal Wisdom” with guest Dr. Linda Bender

Dr. Linda Bender, an internationally renowned animal advocate, speaker, and author joins Counselor Mandy for this episode of Finding Hope. From a young age Dr. Bender had the super-power of communicating with animals and knew she HAD to help them. She felt the grief from the ignorance and cruelty to animals by humans, and has made it her life’s work to advocate for them. The wisdom she has learned from animals is having unconditional love, joy, and peace, as well as how they teach us about death and moving on.

Dr. Linda Bender holds a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine, is a gifted healer, intuitive, and spiritual teacher. She is an internationally renowned animal advocate, speaker, and author of the award winning Amazon best-seller Animal Wisdom: Learning from the Spiritual Lives of Animals. Her work has been endorsed by Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. Rupert Sheldrake, Deepak Chopra,and many more.

During the 14 years she spent living in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, her work included the rescue, rehabilitation, and protection of wildlife. This work deepened her passion to be a strong voice for the voiceless in the world. Her interest in spirituality led her to study many of the world’s wisdom and healing traditions, she is a certified teacher of meditation, Ayurveda and energy medicine. She is the co-founder of From the Heart, a non-profit charity that directly serves animals and their habitats.

For more information, please visit LindaBender.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindabenderdvm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindabender/

Twitter: @Drlindabender


CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Jun 11, 202132:20
20. “Breaking the silence” with guest Evangeline Weiss

20. “Breaking the silence” with guest Evangeline Weiss

Counselor Mandy is thrilled to have social change instigator/facilitator/coach Evangeline Weiss joining Finding Hope to talk about her work in educating white women around becoming more self-aware and responsible as a white person. “What I found, from an experience at a very young age, is that we are unprepared in a multi-racial world, and that breaking the silence to talk about these issues is key to the change that needs to happen” says Evangeline. She offers practical tools for taking action and adapting an anti-racist mindset as white people. She is grateful that more and more white people are seeking ways to bring about a more just world.

Evangeline has over 20 years of community building and organizational development experience, integrating racial and gender justice into organizational culture and impact. Evangeline facilitates coaching circles and training programs to sustain leaders on a path towards greater wholeness, intentionality and purpose. Evangeline spent the first 10 years of her career managing volunteers and staff in HIV/AIDS service organizations, and currently facilitates transformational change through her consulting practice, Beyond Conflict and her workshop Finding Freedom. Evangeline is a wife + mother, artist, and justice worker.

You can find out more about Evangeline and her workshops here:
www.gobeyondconflict.com

www.wearefindingfreedom.org

June 2021 Finding Freedom Info and Registration 


CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

May 26, 202135:49
19. “This pain is not going to be in vain” with guest Mandy Bird

19. “This pain is not going to be in vain” with guest Mandy Bird

In this episode of Finding Hope we are changing things up a bit! We’ve heard from many listeners that want to know more about our host Mandy Bird’s story and grief journey. So instead of Mandy interviewing a guest…SHE will be the “guest” being interviewed. Our special host is Mandy’s long-time friend and former business partner Tammy Starling.

Mandy reveals that when she was 8 years old her parents divorced. She remembers feeling very alone and having no one to talk to about it. But she also had a voice inside that said “this pain is not going to be in vain.” This traumatic experience birthed in her a desire to help others. She talks about some of the things that have been supportive in her grief journey and also the people along the way that have inspired her. “It has always been essential for me to grow my emotional/spiritual life. I feel that I have an ethical responsibility to be a servant of The Divine” says Mandy. We hope you enjoy this special episode of Finding Hope!

Mandy has been delivering her brand of hope and heart-centered therapy from the stage, the sound booth and through dynamic personal counseling sessions since 1993. She is a benevolent advisor, inspired author, and profoundly intuitive counselor and teacher whose personal experience with loss and tragedy helped awaken her, to her true purpose as a loving healer and grief guide. She started the Finding Hope Podcast as her creative response to the pandemic and all that is transpiring in the world at this time. Mandy considers it her purpose to free the hearts of those experiencing loss by literally loving their hearts into action. It is her highest wish that we live our authentic and purposeful lives with power and joy. She is VERY excited to announce that her book, Tears are the Source of Your Passion, the power and passion of authentic grief, co-authored with Chris Saade, will be released early Summer 2021.

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

May 13, 202137:07
18. “A new approach to Migraine pain” with guest Chris Saade

18. “A new approach to Migraine pain” with guest Chris Saade

Author Chris Saade joins Counselor Mandy once again to offer hope and tools for those suffering with migraines and/or chronic pain. After battling with acute chronic migraines for 10 years now, Chris knows first-hand how debilitating they can be. In addition to using various integrative medicine approaches, he and Mandy talk about three tools that have been life-saving in dealing with this pain: Authenticity and Stress, Pleasure, and Love!

Chris says “People with migraines often feel misunderstood and devalued, when actually, the simple act of showing up each day is heroic! I hope that these tools I’m offering, and have used myself, will give them a new perspective on dealing with physical pain.”

Chris Saade is an author, a psychological and philosophical teacher, trainer of professionals, and a life coach. After years serving as a psychotherapist in private practice, Chris spent two decades training therapists, coaches, and the general public in two of his models: Integra: 6 Keys for Heart-Centered Living, and The Quest for Individual Authenticity and Global Solidarity. To date, Chris has led nearly 250 multi-day cutting-edge workshops.

Born in Beirut, he was involved in peace and humanitarian work for 14 years before and during the Lebanese war. The difficulty of those times led him to develop a great respect for freedom, authenticity, diversity, peace, and a passion for justice and solidarity, especially for children.

Chris recently published his 5th book, Rebellion of the Heart, which is available on Amazon, along with is other books: https://amzn.to/2NvPgIM

You can find out more about Chris on his FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisSaadeAuthor

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Apr 29, 202139:23
17. “A modern day mystic poet” with guest Chelan Harkin

17. “A modern day mystic poet” with guest Chelan Harkin

Apr 14, 202135:47
16. “Back to the Basics of Self-Care” with guest Elizabeth Catignani

16. “Back to the Basics of Self-Care” with guest Elizabeth Catignani

In our final episode of Season 2 of Finding Hope, Counselor Mandy talks with author/coach and mother Elizabeth Catignani about how she used her grief tools and self-care during the pandemic. After several unexpected losses at the age of 27, Elizabeth passionately dedicated her life to helping others experience healing, joy, and purpose after loss. During the pandemic she, like many others, have been isolated at home with children (her daughters are ages 4 and 12). “I felt like I was on a hamster wheel and knew something HAD to change” says Elizabeth. What she did is what she has taught others to do…go back to the basics of self-care. Her and Mandy talk about these practical tools, as well as the importance of giving ourselves grace. Living in this time in history is new territory for all of us. Do the small things and they will add up and remember you are not alone.

Elizabeth is a Certified Creative Grief Coach, Health Coach and author of Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path from Loss to Hope. She established Her Creative Wellness, a blog and online platform as a supportive space for women to become empowered on their journey in healing and wellness, from grief to hope. She believes in the transformative power of the human journey and our sacred stories. Through sharing her own story, she hopes to light the way for others seeking a healthy, heart-centered, and fulfilling life.

You can find out more about Elizabeth and her book at www.hercreativewellness.com.

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Mar 31, 202134:06
15. “Asking the big questions is key” with guest Nicholas Collura

15. “Asking the big questions is key” with guest Nicholas Collura

Mar 17, 202129:58
Replay of “Hope is a Verb” with guest Andrew Harvey
Mar 03, 202133:41
14. “Healing Grief through Poetry” with guest Neil Beresin

14. “Healing Grief through Poetry” with guest Neil Beresin

In this episode of Finding Hope, Counselor Mandy talks with counselor and interfaith chaplain Neil Beresin about how the loss of his parents, just five weeks apart, led him to shift his career path to becoming a Chaplain and discovering how poetry can be an integral piece in the grief process. Neil shared “When I would visit patients in the hospital, after I got to know them, I would select a poem from the collection I had put together and read it to them. I found that it opened up a space for feelings and reflection, and was a wonderful tool into their world to help them grieve or provide a respite from their worry.”

In Neil’s private practice he specializes in helping individuals navigate the unstable and disorienting waters of grief and loss. He may use poetry to provide additional comfort, deepen the space, and encourage reflection and opening. Neil moved into chaplaincy work as an encore pathway following the death of his parents five weeks apart in 2014. The experience of caring for and companioning them in their final nine months of life was profound and life-changing.

Neil’s article, “A Chaplain’s Notebook: Poetry as Spiritual Nourishment” was published by the Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling in March of 2020. You can also find him at:

· @griefandpoetry (Instagram)

· www.facebook.com/griefandpoetry (Facebook)

· www.linkedin.com/in/griefandpoetry (LinkedIn)

· www.griefandpoetry.com (website)


CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Feb 11, 202133:47
Replay of “Choosing Authenticity & Getting Back to the Heart” with guest Jeff Brown
Jan 27, 202129:16
13. "A Necessary Separation" with guest Angela M. Haigler
Jan 06, 202131:16
Replay of "Hope for the Holidays" with guest Tammy Starling

Replay of "Hope for the Holidays" with guest Tammy Starling

The  holidays can be extremely hard when you aren’t in the “holly jolly”  mood. And this year, especially due to the loss of lives from the  pandemic, there will be a lot of people facing their first holiday  season without a loved one. Counselor Mandy’s guest on this episode of  Finding Hope, grief specialist and licensed professional counselor Tammy  Starling, has experienced this first-hand. She shares her story, as  well as offers tools for both honoring the grief and finding moments of  peace and celebration during this time. “It’s so important to  acknowledge your grief, take care of yourself, and have a plan” says  Tammy.

For many years Tammy and Mandy held Hope for the Holidays events  where people gathered to share about the grief they were experiencing as  the holidays approached. “It is rare to find a space where grief is  actually honored and listened to at this time of the year” says Mandy.  This year they are hoping to offer a virtual Hope for the Holidays in  December. (Watch Mandy’s FB and Insta pages for details.)

Tammy Starling is a grief specialist and licensed professional  counselor in Nashville, Tennessee. She was in private practice for 22  years, 16 of which she and Counselor Mandy were business partners  together in Charlotte, NC. Over the years, Tammy has taught numerous  classes on grief and led many large and small groups around living with  loss. Currently, she administers behavioral health grant programs for a  large managed care organization in TN. She is the mother of two adult  children and has two grandsons.

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Dec 16, 202030:59
12. "Expert Support for Difficult Days" with guest Chris Saade

12. "Expert Support for Difficult Days" with guest Chris Saade

Author Chris Saade joins Counselor Mandy once again to offer hope and tools for how we can survive these turbulent times in a way that we can be centered, and not crushed, by all that is occurring in our world as we near the end of 2020.

Chris uses the metaphor of growing a garden to illustrate how we have the ability to focus our minds on what we are cultivating in our own personal lives (our garden). Every garden represents the authenticity of our being. Saade encourages us to ask this question everyday: “What beauty and love, in these times, does my heart desire to create?” He invites us to let go of  “should, must, HAVE to” and instead focus on the small and specific gifts we can bring to the world.

Chris Saade is an author, a psychological and philosophical teacher, trainer of professionals, and a life coach. After years serving as a psychotherapist in private practice, Chris spent two decades training therapists, coaches, and the general public in two of his models: Integra: 6 Keys for Heart-Centered Living, and The Quest for Individual Authenticity and Global Solidarity. To date, Chris has led nearly 250 multi-day cutting-edge workshops.

Born in Beirut, he was involved in peace and humanitarian work for 14 years before and during the Lebanese war. The difficulty of those times led him to develop a great respect for freedom, authenticity, diversity, peace, and a passion for justice and solidarity, especially for children.

Chris recently published his 5th book, Rebellion of the Heart, which is available on Amazon, along with is other books: https://amzn.to/2NvPgIM

You can find out more about Chris on his FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisSaadeAuthor

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Dec 02, 202034:00
11. "Hope for the Holidays" with guest Tammy Starling

11. "Hope for the Holidays" with guest Tammy Starling

The holidays can be extremely hard when you aren’t in the “holly jolly” mood. And this year, especially due to the loss of lives from the pandemic, there will be a lot of people facing their first holiday season without a loved one. Counselor Mandy’s guest on this episode of Finding Hope, grief specialist and licensed professional counselor Tammy Starling, has experienced this first-hand. She shares her story, as well as offers tools for both honoring the grief and finding moments of peace and celebration during this time. “It’s so important to acknowledge your grief, take care of yourself, and have a plan” says Tammy.

For many years Tammy and Mandy held Hope for the Holidays events where people gathered to share about the grief they were experiencing as the holidays approached. “It is rare to find a space where grief is actually honored and listened to at this time of the year” says Mandy. This year they are hoping to offer a virtual Hope for the Holidays in December. (Watch Mandy’s FB and Insta pages for details.)

Tammy Starling is a grief specialist and licensed professional counselor in Nashville, Tennessee. She was in private practice for 22 years, 16 of which she and Counselor Mandy were business partners together in Charlotte, NC. Over the years, Tammy has taught numerous classes on grief and led many large and small groups around living with loss. Currently, she administers behavioral health grant programs for a large managed care organization in TN. She is the mother of two adult children and has two grandsons.

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Nov 18, 202030:59
10. "Passion, Perseverance and Creativity are the Keys” with guest Jess McMullen
Nov 12, 202029:37
Replay of Ep8: Hope and Big Support for “pandemic grief” with guest Chris Saade

Replay of Ep8: Hope and Big Support for “pandemic grief” with guest Chris Saade

Counselor Mandy: I felt like this was such an impactful episode that I wanted to republish it for those who may have missed it. I hope it offers you great support for the times we are living in today.

Author Chris Saade joins Counselor Mandy to offer hope and big support as we all move through this “pandemic grief.”

Both speak about how important it is to honor the grief that is  happening, personally and globally. Saade says “when we minimize our  grief, we minimize ourselves.” He also offers the tools of being  authentic and self-nurturing as ways to thrive right now. And he poses  the question “How can I give more love than I’ve ever given?” because  this will allow our hearts to expand. Perhaps this is one of the gifts  that can come from the grief during this unprecedented time in our  history.

Chris Saade is an author, a psychological and philosophical teacher,  trainer of professionals, and a life coach. After years serving as a  psychotherapist in private practice, Chris spent two decades training  therapists, coaches, and the general public in two of his models:  Integra: 6 Keys for Heart-Centered Living, and The Quest for Individual  Authenticity and Global Solidarity. To date, Chris has led nearly 250  multi-day cutting-edge workshops.

Born in Beirut, he was involved in peace and humanitarian work for 14  years before and during the Lebanese war. The difficulty of those times  led him to develop a great respect for freedom, authenticity,  diversity, peace, and a passion for justice and solidarity, especially  for children.

Chris recently published his 5th book, Rebellion of the Heart, which is available on Amazon, along with is other books: https://amzn.to/2NvPgIM

You can find out more about Chris on his FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisSaadeAuthor

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Oct 28, 202028:59
9. “Choosing Authenticity & Getting Back to the Heart” with guest Jeff Brown
Oct 14, 202029:16
8. Hope and Big Support for “pandemic grief” with guest Chris Saade

8. Hope and Big Support for “pandemic grief” with guest Chris Saade

Author Chris Saade joins Counselor Mandy to offer hope and big support as we all move through this “pandemic grief.”

Both speak about how important it is to honor the grief that is happening, personally and globally. Saade says “when we minimize our grief, we minimize ourselves.” He also offers the tools of being authentic and self-nurturing as ways to thrive right now. And he poses the question “How can I give more love than I’ve ever given?” because this will allow our hearts to expand. Perhaps this is one of the gifts that can come from the grief during this unprecedented time in our history.

Chris Saadeis an author, a psychological and philosophical teacher, trainer of professionals, and a life coach. After years serving as a psychotherapist in private practice, Chris spent two decades training therapists, coaches, and the general public in two of his models: Integra: 6 Keys for Heart-Centered Living, and The Quest for Individual Authenticity and Global Solidarity. To date, Chris has led nearly 250 multi-day cutting-edge workshops.

Born in Beirut, he was involved in peace and humanitarian work for 14 years before and during the Lebanese war. The difficulty of those times led him to develop a great respect for freedom, authenticity, diversity, peace, and a passion for justice and solidarity, especially for children.

Chris recently published his 5th book, Rebellion of the Heart, which is available on Amazon, along with is other books: https://amzn.to/2NvPgIM

You can find out more about Chris on his FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisSaadeAuthor

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselormandy

Sep 29, 202029:45
7. "Spread Love" with guest Shakira Woodberry
Sep 16, 202029:16
6. “How Art Can Heal” with guest Maureen Muldoon
Sep 02, 202029:40
5. "Hope is a VERB!" with guest Andrew Harvey

5. "Hope is a VERB!" with guest Andrew Harvey

Internationally renowned religious scholar, writer, teacher, and the author of more than 40 books, Andrew Harvey, joins Counselor Mandy in this episode of Finding Hope. Andrew shares what’s on his heart as we are in the midst of this “global dark night of the soul” saying that this is an opportunity for old systems that have not been serving us to die. It is also a time for birth, which is exploding in all sorts of ways. AND, that it’s SO important to be radiating hope in action – “Hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled up!” He offers listeners a simple sacred practice to help stay grounded and connected to the Divine (in whatever tradition you come from).

Join Andrew Harvey and Carolyn Baker for their newest online course: Radical Regeneration: Navigating These Dangerous Times launching Thursday August 20 at 2pm PT, 5pm ET. They draw on the deepest discoveries of modern science... and the most profound wisdom of the mystical traditions... to offer radical guidance for navigating this global dark night crisis, and the evolution of a whole new human species. To learn more go to: https://www.andrewharvey.net/radical-regeneration

Andrew Harvey was born in south India in 1952 and has devoted much of his life to studying the world's mystical traditions, including intensive study of Hinduism, Buddhism and Sufi mysticism.

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bird_mandy

Aug 18, 202033:41
4: Becoming more authentic through Grace and Grit with guest Dr. Matt Lyon
Aug 05, 202038:35
3. Hope is a Teachable Skill with guest Kathryn Goetzke

3. Hope is a Teachable Skill with guest Kathryn Goetzke

Entrepreneur, Author, and “Hope Champion” Kathryn Goetzke joins Counselor Mandy in this episode of Finding Hope. Wanting to get to the bottom of what was the root cause of suicide, Kathryn went on a mission to find this answer. After gathering extensive research she determined that Hopelessness and Despair are the #1 predictors. This answer then fueled her fire to create ways to increase hope – discovering that Hope IS a teachable skill! Listen in to find out all the ways she is helping to do this…including a free online program called Hopeful Minds. Kathryn says “Hope and happiness are proven constructs for improving engagement, productivity, safety, performance, and sales, and both are measurable. And what we can measure, we can improve.”

Kathryn’s award winning program, Hopeful Minds, teaches hope to kids (and adults) free globally. She is author of The Biggest Little Book About Hope, launched her own brand, Mood-scents with her company The Mood Factory, and through her company teaches how to create more hope and happiness in the workplace and life.


To download the free curriculum for Hopeful Minds go to: www.hopefulminds.org

Her book is available on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3hmmkjl

You are invited to join her Mood Makers group on FaceBook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MoodMakers

And to learn more about de-stigmatizing depression go to her non-profit website iFred at: https://www.ifred.org

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bird_mandy

Jul 21, 202030:39
2. Rebellion of the Heart with guest Chris Saade

2. Rebellion of the Heart with guest Chris Saade

Author Chris Saade joins us again as he and Counselor Mandy talk about his newest book Rebellion of the Heart in the  second episode of Finding Hope.

Saade’s fifth book, in progress for 10 years and considered his legacy, is a combination of a beautiful art book - full of original paintings by Katie Cassette - and rich philosophical nuggets by Chris.

Through its inspiring words and art, Rebellion of the Heart takes the reader on a decent into the heart – helping them to claim more of their unique personality and wounds – individually and collectively. Chris reminds us that “Our true unique authenticity is the well of strength within us. And part of our authenticity is that we are beings of solidarity. My hope is that the wounds we are ALL feeling will be honored and transmuted into creative passion.”

“This magnificent book, from one of our most lucid and passionate thinkers and seekers, will inspire all who long for and want to build a more authentic and just world” states Andrew Harvey, Founder-Director of the Institute for Sacred Activism.

Rebellion of the Heart is available on Amazon, along with is other books: https://amzn.to/2NvPgIM

Chris Saadeis an author, a psychological and philosophical teacher, trainer of professionals, and a life coach. After years serving as a psychotherapist in private practice, Chris spent two decades training therapists, coaches, and the general public in two of his models: Integra: 6 Keys for Heart-Centered Living, and The Quest for Individual Authenticity and Global Solidarity. To date, Chris has led nearly 250 multi-day cutting-edge workshops.

Born in Beirut, he was involved in peace and humanitarian work for 14 years before and during the Lebanese war. The difficulty of those times led him to develop a great respect for freedom, authenticity, diversity, peace, and a passion for justice and solidarity, especially for children.

You can find out more about Chris on his FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisSaadeAuthor

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bird_mandy

Jul 09, 202027:46
1. Exploring Unchartered Times with guest Chris Saade

1. Exploring Unchartered Times with guest Chris Saade

Author Chris Saade is Counselor Mandy’s first guest on her new podcast Finding Hope. Enraged and concerned about the racial unjust happening in our country right now, Chris and Mandy speak about how honoring the grief, individually and collectively, in the Black Lives Matter movement is critical to transformation. “When grief is held with love, compassion and solidarity it can become an amazing source of blessings,” states Chris, “these are unchartered times we are living in…grief can either sink us or propel us into change and hope.”

In this episode Chris and Mandy share tools for how to honor our grief and how it is through the grief journey that it’s possible to find hope.

Chris Saade is an author, a psychological and philosophical teacher, trainer of professionals, and a life coach. After years serving as a psychotherapist in private practice, Chris spent two decades training therapists, coaches, and the general public in two of his models: Integra: 6 Keys for Heart-Centered Living, and The Quest for Individual Authenticity and Global Solidarity. To date, Chris has led nearly 250 multi-day cutting-edge workshops.

Born in Beirut, he was involved in peace and humanitarian work for 14 years before and during the Lebanese war. The difficulty of those times led him to develop a great respect for freedom, authenticity, diversity, peace, and a passion for justice and solidarity, especially for children.

Chris recently published his 5th book, Rebellion of the Heart, which is available on Amazon, along with is other books: https://amzn.to/2NvPgIM

You can find out more about Chris on his FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisSaadeAuthor

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

Website: http://mandybird.com

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/counselormandybird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bird_mandy

Jun 25, 202023:04
Intro to Finding Hope Podcast

Intro to Finding Hope Podcast

Mandy Bird gives a brief overview of why she started this podcast and what her mission is with it.

Jun 22, 202006:23
Intro for Finding Hope Poscast

Intro for Finding Hope Poscast

Jun 15, 202000:50