Kare With Korac

Dr. Liesel Sharabi is an associate professor in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication and Director of the Relationships and Technology Lab at Arizona State University. She has published dozens of articles and chapters examining how technology is changing the way we meet, date, and fall in love. She has also appeared in media outlets like The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Boston Globe, WIRED, and NPR to discuss the topic of online dating. She writes a blog for Psychology Today called “Dating in the Digital Age.” For more information about Dr. Sharabi, follow her @LieselSharabi or check out her website at www.lieselsharabi.com.

In this episode, Dr. Sharabi and I discuss her research on relationships and technology, specifically focusing on online dating and dating apps. She explores the early days of online dating and the stigma associated with it, as well as the evolution of attitudes towards online dating. Dr. Sharabi emphasizes the importance of realistic expectations and taking the time to get to know different types of people. She also discusses the gender dynamics on dating apps and the experiences of different genders. Additionally, Dr. Sharabi shares her research on success stories in online dating and explores alternative online dating experiences, such as virtual reality. In this conversation, Dr. Liesel Sharabi discusses the risks and vulnerabilities of online dating and the future of dating in the digital age. She also gives insight on balancing online and in-person dating.

For more information on Dr. Sharabi check out her website at https://lieselsharabi.com/ Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com.

Takeaways

Online dating has evolved from being stigmatized to becoming the most common way to meet a romantic partner.

Realistic expectations and taking the time to get to know different types of people are important in online dating.

Gender dynamics play a role in online dating experiences, with men often facing challenges in getting responses and women experiencing harassment.

Success in online dating often requires endurance and the ability to overcome negative experiences.

Alternative online dating experiences, such as virtual reality, are being explored but are still in the early stages. Virtual reality dating offers the opportunity to have a trial run of a date before meeting someone in person.

Online dating can feel risky due to meeting strangers, but safety precautions can be taken to mitigate potential dangers.

Online communication can make people more comfortable and vulnerable in revealing themselves.

The future of online dating may involve the integration of video and finding ways to address the problems and frustrations users experience.

Balancing online and in-person dating can provide more opportunities to meet potential partners. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background

02:35 Interest in Relationships and Technology

04:49 Early Days of Online Dating

07:42 Stigma and Authenticity

09:50 The Importance of the Story of How People Meet

12:23 Balancing Expectations in Online Dating

14:55 Motivations for Using Dating Apps

16:54 Realistic Expectations and Meeting Different Types of People

19:25 Preventing Dating App Burnout

23:58 Gender Dynamics on Dating Apps

28:36 Differences in Experiences Based on Gender

32:26 Success Stories in Online Dating

39:09 Exploring Alternative Online Dating Experiences

39:52 Virtual Reality Dating

43:17 Risk in Online Dating

45:49 Vulnerability in Online Dating

48:43 Future of Online Dati

Dr. Ray Mitsch received his master’s degree and doctorate in counseling psychology from Indiana State University. After receiving his doctorate in 1986, he worked as a staff psychologist at Michigan Technological University. In 1988, Mitsch moved with his family to Illinois and began practice at the Minirth-Meier Clinic of Wheaton.

In 1993, he started his own counseling practice called Cornerstone Counseling Center and was in private practice until his departure to Promise Keepers in Colorado. He has had extensive experience in men’s ministry, and caring ministries within the local church. He was an adjunct staff member at Christ Community Church of St. Charles, Illinois, where he developed Harbor Ministries, a recovery ministry for hurting and struggling people in the church.

He has authored five books including his last book entitled, Nurturing Your Child’s Potential, and his best-selling book, Grieving the Loss of Someone You Love, selling over 300,000 copies worldwide. He was a charter member of the American Association of Christian Counseling and is a licensed psychologist in Colorado. Mitsch currently serves as the Chair for the Department of Psychology and was recently promoted to professor of psychology at CCU. He has been married to Linda for 39 years and they are blessed to have four daughters, and two grandchildren.

In this conversation, Dr. Mitsch and Josh discuss the topics of shame and grace. They explore the role of shame in trauma-informed care and the importance of creating safe relationships. They also delve into the comfort of shame and the challenges of giving grace to oneself. The conversation highlights the power of grace in fostering growth and acceptance. They explore the relationship with grace, embracing risk and joy, acceptance of self and limitations, perfectionism vs excellence, worthiness and taking care of oneself, living grace in relationships, reflection and self-examination, engaging in the process of relationship, and the narrative side of life. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting oneself, embracing grace in relationships, and engaging in the process of personal growth.

Takeaways

Shame plays a significant role in trauma-informed care and can impact various aspects of life, including relationships and personal growth.

Creating safe relationships requires discerning who is a safe person and being a safe person oneself.

The comfort of shame can hinder personal growth and prevent individuals from accepting grace.

Giving grace to oneself can be challenging, especially in a society that values achievement and perfectionism.

Grace offers the opportunity for growth and acceptance, and it is important to understand its true meaning and power. Grace offers an opportunity for growth and freedom, allowing individuals to take risks and experience joy.

Acceptance of one's limitations is key to embracing grace and moving away from perfectionism.

Grace enables individuals to accept themselves as they are, fostering self-worth and the willingness to take care of oneself.

Living grace in relationships involves trust, acceptance, and engagement in the process rather than focusing on outcomes.

Reflection and self-examination are essential for personal growth and understanding one's own emotions and experiences.

Chapters

00:00 Podcast Intro

02:57 Introduction and Background

06:41 Trauma-Informed Care and the Role of Shame

14:05 Understanding Shame and Grace

21:45 Creating Safe Relationships

34:19 The Comfort of Shame

40:58 Giving Grace to Others and Ourselves

49:22 The Scandal of Grace

54:36 The Relationship with Grace

55:30 Embracing Risk and Joy

56:30 Acceptance of Self and Limitations

58:04 Perfectionism vs Excellence

59:03 Worthiness and Taking Care of Oneself

59:33 Living Grace in Relationships

01:00:10 Reflection and Self-Examination

01:02:13 Engaging in the Process of Relationship

01:02:36 The Narrative Side of Life

01:03:01 Gratitude for Education and Relationships

Dr. Stephanie Sarkis is a psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience specializing in ADHD, anxiety, & narcissistic abuse. She is a bestselling author and an American Mental Health Counselors Association Diplomate and Clinical Mental Health Specialist in Child and Adolescent Counseling – one of only 20 in the U.S. She is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and Circuit Civil Mediator. Dr. Sarkis is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. She is a senior contributor to Forbes, and is also a contributor to Psychology Today. Dr. Sarkis has a PhD, EdS, and MEd in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Florida. She maintains a private practice in Tampa, Florida, where she provides telehealth sessions and facilitates collaborative divorce. Dr. Sarkis received an Outstanding Dissertation Award from the American Psychological Association for her research on comorbid ADHD and the executive functions of the brain in a pediatric population.

In this episode, Dr. Sarkis and I discuss what can make up toxic relationships, including topics like emotional abuse, gaslighting, and trauma bonding. We take a look at additional topics including the cycle of idealization, devaluing, and discard; love bombing, recognizing red flags, insecure attachment styles, the sunk cost fallacy, and challenges in leaving toxic relationships. We also addresses what it can look like to move on, seeking support through counseling, self-care, volunteering, therapy for family of origin issues, codependency, cultural differences, caretaking for abusive parents, and the importance of processing emotions, concluding with a message of hope for those who have experienced toxic relationships.

Takeaways

The cycle of idealization, devaluing, and discard is common in toxic relationships.

Love bombing and grand gestures can be signs of manipulation and control.

Individuals with insecure attachment styles may be more vulnerable to toxic relationships.

Leaving toxic relationships can be challenging due to the sunk cost fallacy. Seek support services, such as counseling, after ending a toxic relationship.

Practice self-care and prioritize your health and well-being.

Consider volunteering as a means of healing and reconnecting with the community.

Therapy can be instrumental in healing and addressing family of origin issues.

Understand the concept of codependency and its cultural implications.

Allow yourself to feel and process emotions as part of the healing process.

Remember that there is hope for healing and building healthy relationships.

Chapters

02:58 Dr. Sarkis' Background and Specialization in Toxic Relationships

04:13 Emotional Abuse and Trauma Bonding

05:21 Cycle of Idealization, Devaluing, and Discard

06:27 Love Bombing and Grand Gestures

07:14 Gaslighting and Manipulation

08:06 Financial and Economic Abuse

09:14 Trauma Bonding and Dopamine Boosts

10:07 Honeymoon Phase and Love Bombing

11:01 Discard Phase and Hoovering

12:16 Lack of Personal Accountability

13:48 No Contact or Low Contact

14:47 Differentiating Love Bombing from Romantic Gestures

15:12 Red Flags in Relationships

22:52 Treating Wait Staff and Family

23:43 Splitting and Comparisons

25:05 Intermittent Reinforcement and Healthy Relationships

27:02 Isolation and Threats

31:17 Insecure Attachment Styles and Leaving Toxic Relationships

32:06 Sunk Cost Fallacy

32:11 Moving on from a Toxic Relationship

33:37 Practical Steps After Ending a Toxic Relationship

36:37 Volunteering as a Means of Healing

37:43 The Role of Therapy in Healing

38:21 Taking a Break from Dating

40:24 The Importance of Self-Care and Sleep

41:16 Reconnecting with Healthy Relationships

42:33 Understanding Codependency

44:12 Considering the Perpetrator's Behavior

46:00 The Influence of Culture on Codependency

50:20 The Dilemma of Caretaking for Abusive Parents

52:06 The Importance of Feeling and Processing Emotions

53:30 Words of Wisdom: There is Hope

Clinton Nunnally is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the co-owner of both Foundations Family Counseling and Caring Heart Counseling. He is also now the podcast host of It Can Be Better Than That with Clinton Nunnally. Clinton absolutely loves what he does and leaves his workday energized by the transformative process he gets to engage in day after day! Working with older adolescents, individual adults, couples, parents, and families, Clinton simply devours the counseling process; exploring issues of anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, relationships, life-stage adjustment, family life, spirituality, and sexuality. With an intense interest in working with couples who are struggling in relationship or want to enhance their relationship with advanced awareness and skills, Clinton capitalizes on the current strengths of the individual and couple to help couples advocate for what they are wanting in relationship, learn new ways to navigate conflict, and co-create the things they most want with their partners. With a background consisting of public school education, early childhood development, work with adolescent youth and their parents, graduate school instruction and clinical training, public speaking, clinical therapeutic practice, and practical relationship experience stemming from years of life-giving partnership with his wife (also father of two really fun boys), Clinton offers a unique integrative style that draws from the diversity of his experience. 

In this episode, Clinton and I discuss making sense of our stories and the importance of the relationship with oneself. We explore the need for safety, security, and predictability, and the balance between safety and adventure, as well as our tendencies towards avoidance and control. This conversation explores the concepts of order, disorder, and reorder, and how they relate to personal growth and development. It emphasizes the importance of questioning and reevaluating our beliefs/values, as well as the need for a secure base within ourselves and in relationships. We also delve into the concepts of openness, curiosity, and creativity, and how they are influenced by our sense of safety and security. We highlight the difference between living above the line (openness, curiosity, and creativity) and below the line (fear-based living), and the importance of self-reflection and attunement to our bodies.

For more mental health content, find me on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @joshkorac. Please leave a rating and review for the show as this helps me track how you guys are liking the show. If you're interested in seeking services from Clinton or one of his fellow clinicians, check out his websites at foundationsfamilycounseling.com or caringheartcounseling.com.

Takeaways

Having a secure base within ourselves and in relationships allows us to explore and be open to new experiences.

Living above the line (openness, curiosity, and creativity) is essential for personal growth and a sense of fulfillment.

Self-reflection and attunement to our bodies can provide valuable insights and guide our decision-making.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

04:15 The Feeling of Being in Flow

07:24 Transitioning from Interview Style to a Different Approach

11:44 Making Sense of Our Stories

18:50 Assessing the Relationship with Oneself

23:08 Identifying Patterns in Thoughts, Behaviors, and Emotions

30:15 The Tendency towards Avoidance or Control

40:46 The Need for Safety, Security, and Predictability

50:53 Balancing Safety and Adventure

01:01:19 Order, Disorder, Reorder

01:06:27 The Normalcy of Disorder

01:07:59 Reordering and Integrating

01:08:54 Breaking Out of the Container

01:09:45 Embracing Differences and Learning from Others

01:14:06 Assessing Openness, Curiosity, and Creativity

01:15:27 Above the Line and Below the Line

01:19:34 Living in a Fear-Based Culture

01:21:26 The Influence of Early Experiences

01:22:42 Differentiation and Enmeshment

01:26:58 Attunement to the Body

Kendra Hill and Casey Bain created Unraveling Free, a therapy and coaching practice, to provide a place for those who have been hurt by church or religion to process, heal, and experience freedom. Casey and Kendra love being able to work with adults who have experienced church hurt, religious trauma, or harm from high-control environments, or who want to process topics like deconstruction, purity culture, sexual identity, or shifting values and beliefs. Both therapists are trauma-informed and trained, and believe in the transformative power of being with others as compassionate witnesses to their stories. Kendra and Casey aim to create the kind of safe space they wish they would have had when they were in their own processes of questioning their beliefs and deconstructing from evangelical Christianity.

Summary

In this conversation, therapists Casey and Kendra discuss topics related to trauma, religious trauma, and purity culture. They define trauma as anything that overwhelms the body and nervous system beyond its capacity, and religious trauma as traumatic experiences that occur within a religious or spiritual context. They highlight the stigma and shame associated with religious trauma and discuss the importance of normalizing and validating clients' experiences. The therapists also explore the impact of purity culture on individuals' relationships with their bodies and sexuality. They emphasize the need for self-compassion and self-care in the healing process and encourage therapists to find support and engage in activities that bring them joy and creativity. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the importance of compassionate listening and vulnerability in therapy. They explore the therapist's journey and the healing power of connection. The conversation emphasizes the human aspect of therapy and the role of the therapist as a compassionate witness. Overall, the discussion highlights the transformative potential of therapy and the importance of creating a safe and supportive space for clients.

You can find Kendra and Casey on Instagram @unravelingfree or through their website, www.unravelingfree.com. Both see clients online and have limited in person availability in Denver or Greenwood Village, Colorado. Follow me on social media platforms @joshkorac or www.sojourncounselingco.com/josh.

Takeaways

Trauma is anything that overwhelms the body and nervous system beyond its capacity.

Religious trauma refers to traumatic experiences that occur within a religious or spiritual context.

There is stigma and shame associated with religious trauma, making it difficult for individuals to seek help and validation.

Purity culture can have a significant impact on individuals' relationships with their bodies and sexuality.

Self-compassion and self-care are essential in the healing process for both clients and therapists. Compassionate listening is a crucial aspect of therapy, allowing clients to feel heard and understood.

Vulnerability is essential in therapy, both for clients and therapists, as it fosters trust and deepens the therapeutic relationship.

The therapist's journey involves personal growth and self-reflection, as they navigate their own vulnerabilities and experiences.

Connection and the therapeutic relationship have a profound impact on healing and transformation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

11:35 Defining Trauma and Religious Trauma

13:31 The Importance of Compassionate Listening

24:35 Stigma around Religious Trauma

28:46 The Role of Vulnerability in Therapy

36:56 Exploring Purity Culture

43:16 The Therapist's Journey

45:50 Working with Shame in Therapy

55:03 Self-Care for Therapists

58:31 The Healing Power of Connection

01:00:46 Words of Wisdom

01:03:57 Closing Remarks

As an individual who represents overcoming adversity, Dave has dedicated his life helping others to help themselves. As a former Air Force Combat Air Crew Member, Dave’s job entailed midair refueling of the once highly secretive SR-71 Blackbird and the F-117 Stealth Fighter. While on active duty, Dave was selected as California Volunteer of the Year. Dave has received personal commendations from four U. S. Presidents. Dave was honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans, and later, was the only American to be honored as The Outstanding Young Person of the World. Dave is also the recipient of the National Jefferson Award which is considered the Pulitzer Prize for public service. Other recipients include Sandra Day O’Connor and Colin Powell. Dave is the author of nine inspirational books. His books have been on the Best Sellers lists for well over 13 years combined. A Child Called “It” alone has been on the New York Times bestsellers list for well over 6 years. Dave is the first author to have four #1 International Best Sellers and to have four books simultaneously on the New York Times Best Sellers List. For nearly the last ten years, Dave has served as a California Fire Captain in two separate districts. During that time, he’s been deployed to the state’s most horrendous fires.

In this episode, Dave shares his story of abuse and resilience, highlighting the importance of human connection and the power of small gestures. He emphasizes the need to adapt to the new normal and take responsibility for one's life. Dave's books, including 'A Child Called It,' have had a profound impact on readers, inspiring them to overcome challenges and build resilience. He encourages individuals to live a grand adventure and always find a way to achieve their goals through hard work and focus. In this conversation, Dave Pelzer shares his insights on living with purpose, the power of movies and film, the possibility of making a movie about his story, reflections on his life now, the importance of authenticity, finding happiness, and the work of Josh and the next generation. He also discusses using comedy to tell a story.

Dave recently launched his own podcast which you can find on his website www.davepelzer.com

Takeaways

Adapting to the new normal requires acceptance and taking responsibility for one's life.

Human connection and small gestures can have a profound impact on individuals who have experienced trauma.

Overcoming challenges and building resilience is a lifelong journey.

Hard work and focus are essential for achieving goals and living a fulfilling life. Live with purpose and make the most of your time.

Movies and film can be powerful sources of inspiration.

Authenticity and being of service are key to finding happiness.

The next generation has the power to make a difference.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Appreciation

02:21 The Impact of Dave's Book

05:46 Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience

08:46 Adapting to the New Normal

11:32 Taking Responsibility for One's Life

14:22 The Importance of Human Connection

19:38 Dave's Story of Abuse and Resilience

25:36 The Power of Small Gestures

29:00 The Message of Dave's Books

31:21 The Importance of Hard Work and Focus

32:48 Living with Purpose

37:42 The Power of Movies and Film

39:39 Making a Movie about Dave's Story

43:10 Life Now and Reflections on the Past

47:42 Authenticity and Being of Service

51:13 The Importance of Authenticity

55:27 Finding Happiness and Enjoying the Ride

58:16 The Work of Josh and the Next Generation

01:00:00 Using Comedy to Tell a Story

Samir Chopra is a philosophical counselor and professor emeritus of philosophy at Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Samir has written books on the politics of technology, the legal theory of artificial intelligence, military aviation history, and cricket. He is the author and coauthor of many books, including Shyam Benegal: Philosopher and Filmmaker, A Legal Theory for Autonomous Artificial Agents, and Eye on Cricket: Reflections on the Great Game. He has contributed articles to Aeon, The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Nation, Jacobin, The Washington Spectator, and Outlook and Open magazines. As of July 2019, he is a certified philosophical counselor.

In this episode, Samir Chopra discusses the role of anxiety in our lives and how it can be addressed through therapy and philosophical reflection. He emphasizes the importance of becoming fully realized agents, taking responsibility for our actions, and accepting our anxiety as a natural part of being human. Samir also explores the intersections between philosophy and psychology, highlighting the philosophical foundations of various therapeutic modalities. He encourages a balance between a universal perspective that recognizes our interconnectedness and a particular perspective that appreciates the uniqueness of each individual.

For more information on Samir and to read his many writings, check out his website at https://samirchopra.com/ Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. To contact me, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com.

Chapters

00:00 Becoming Fully Realized Agents

36:17 Taking Responsibility for Our Lives

39:30 The Importance of Agency

43:36 Anxiety and its Role in Therapy

48:48 Accepting and Living with Anxiety

54:59 The Intersections of Philosophy and Psychology

57:37 Compassion and the Unique Nature of Each Individual

Peter Addy earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in 2011. He is currently a licensed therapist in both Washington and Oregon. While he was there, he studied non-ordinary states of consciousness, holistic and all-encompassing views of a person, and ways that these experiences can transform a person and society. As faculty at Yale School of Medicine he trained in mindfulness-based therapies and research atypical psychedelic substances like salvinorin A and THC. He also discovered a passion for data management and security which he brings with him to his online therapy practice. Dr. Addy has a history of being trained in psychedelic somatic interactional psychotherapy, clinical supervision, telemental health, applied suicide intervention skills, and basic advocacy. As a therapist in Portland, he is dedicated to working collaboratively with others to make sense of difficulties, manage symptoms, and establish meaningful connections. His approach integrates psychedelic education, harm reduction and integration, especially for individuals with chronic pain and related health issues.

In this episode, Dr. Addy shares information on what psychedelic-assisted therapy is and how it might help in healing, the risks of engaging with psychedelics and when this can be considered as a treatment option, and how it might help with healing chronic pain. We also discuss some harm-reduction strategies when it comes to using psychedelics.

For more information on Dr. Addy, check out his website at peterhaddy.com and www.psychedelicaffirmingeducation.com. Follow me @joshkorac and @karewithkorac on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. Contact me at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com. New episodes every Wednesday (with exceptions!) while the show is in season.

Takeaways

Psychedelic therapy involves the use of substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine in a therapeutic setting.

Psychedelics work by altering consciousness and bringing subconscious thoughts and emotions to the forefront.

Current research suggests that psychedelic therapy may be effective for conditions such as PTSD, depression, substance use, and anxiety.

The main risks of using psychedelics are legal implications and the potential for impure substances.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

08:19 Understanding Psychedelics

13:05 Neurophysiology of Psychedelics

18:38 Psychedelic-Informed Therapy

21:22 Changes in Psychedelic Laws

25:12 Reducing Stigma around Psychedelics

31:12 Benefits and Populations for Psychedelic Therapy

37:33 Risks and Side Effects of Psychedelic Therapy

40:02 Risks and Harm Reduction

42:27 Physiological Risks

45:09 Promoting Safe Use

47:04 Psychedelics and Chronic Pain

53:14 Slowing Down and Rest

Cari Stubbs is a trauma-informed therapist with her master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. As a counselor, she is passionate about working with individuals and couples in their journey toward healing from trauma, depression, anxiety, life-changes, and other mental health barriers. Her desire is to empower others to unearth their authentic and whole self through curiosity, awareness, and action. Cari typically pulls from an integrated approach with traditional talk therapy, trauma-informed therapy, person-centered, and strength-based approaches as my foundations. She is trained in both EMDR and ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention therapy), the gold standard for OCD. Her husband, Trey Stubbs, was my very first guest on this show!

In this episode, Cari and I discuss the concepts of EMDR, a trauma-informed therapy: what it is, what is involved, and how it can be a healing treatment for those affected by trauma. We discuss some of the complexities of validation with trauma and how we can best support others who have experienced trauma in their lives. We define some basic terms and Cari shares about what she does to take care of herself when working in a highly emotionally-charged career.

For more information about Cari or if you are interested in scheduling a session with her, you can email her at cari@sojourncounselingco.com or visit her website at sojourncounselingco.com/cari. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com. New episodes every Wednesday (with exceptions!) while the show is in season!

Takeaways

EMDR therapy is a leading treatment for trauma, helping individuals process and rewire traumatic memories.

The preparation phase of EMDR is crucial, focusing on building trust, creating safety, and developing resources.

The reprocessing phase of EMDR involves activating traumatic memories and negative core beliefs to facilitate healing and integration.

EMDR can be effective for a range of issues beyond trauma, including OCD, grief, and poor sleep.

It is important to approach trauma with compassion and validation, recognizing the impact it can have on individuals' lives.

Self-care and support are essential for therapists working with trauma, as it can be emotionally and physically demanding.

Trauma should not be used as a buzzword, and it is important to understand and respect the experiences of those who have gone through trauma.

Privilege and external support can influence the impact of trauma and the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Supporting others who have experienced trauma requires empathy, validation, and boundaries.

Radical self-compassion is key in healing from trauma and developing a nurturing inner voice.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

04:08 Transition to Therapy

08:56 Discussion on Trauma and EMDR

19:19 Preparation and Process of EMDR

27:33 Limitations and Considerations of EMDR

32:20 EMDR with Children and Adolescents

38:04 Other Areas of Interest

43:42 Trauma as a Buzzword

51:21 Defining Trauma and Privilege

52:19 Supporting Others and Self-Compassion

54:18 Words of Wisdom: Radical Self-Compassion

55:09 Radical Self-Compassion

55:39 Resources for Self-Compassion

55:49 Exploring Negative Beliefs

56:33 The Life-Changing Practice of Self-Compassion

Life never follows a linear path. Instead, it twists, turns, and traverses the most unexpected of routes. Wingtip documents his journey via music, concretizing the trip for everyone to hear, see, and feel. The singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer-born Nick Perloff-Giles has organically morphed as an artist, giving his sound the space to progress in the process through an instinctive fusion of pop, alternative, electronic, and rock. Gathering over 100 million streams and packing shows, he continues to evolve on his 2023 EP for Nettwerk Music Group and much more to come.

“Music has taken such a weird, winding road for me,” he affirms. “Seven years ago, I was a DJ. Wingtip is the same artistic project, but it’s completely different. I’m focusing on songs that feel sonically big, wide, and warm. Lyrically, I pushed myself to be more personal, specific, and reflective of what I’ve actually experienced. There’s more humor and self-awareness. I’m taking risks artistically and using my confidence to try genres in worlds I hadn’t quite set forth in yet.”

Emerging from Brooklyn by way of his native San Francisco in 2016, he entrenched himself as a genre-bending disruptor. During 2017, his breakout “Rewind” impacted virally and eventually tallied over 44 million Spotify streams and counting. 2019’s “Heartworks” reeled in 17.6 million Spotify streams followed by “Happiness” with 6.3 million Spotify streams. 2020 saw him serve up All Your Friends Are Here highlighted by the likes of “Strangers” and “Demons.” Along the way, he also became a trusted collaborator and sought-after cowriter. He notably penned Céline Dion’s chart-topping “Imperfections” with multiplatinum alternative pop powerhouse Lauv.  He launched his first tour with a full band in 2022 and dropped a new single and video “Mr. 29.” In the midst of this whirlwind, he returned from the road re-energized and channeled this spirit into studio sessions.

In this episode, Nick and I get to discuss feelings of imposter syndrome in the music industry, how music has played a role in his identity and how he has adapted when he has hit career setbacks, his themes of heartbreak, love, and relationships in his writing, the story behind his song, "Hope They Love You", how tour life affects his mental health, and much more.

For more information on Nick and Wingtip, follow him @wingtipmusic and give his music a listen on wherever you're listening to this episode! To contact Wingtip for further information, please email Abby Harari at aharari@nettwerk.com. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com. New episodes every Wednesday while the show is in season.

First episode, November 8th! Follow me on social media for more content @joshkorac

Lloyd I. Sederer, MD, is Adjunct Professor at the Columbia University School of Public Health; was for 12 years the Chief Medical Officer for the NYS Office of Mental Health, the nation's largest state mental health agency; and Contributing Writer for US News & World Report, Lancet, Medscape, Psychology Today, the NY Journal of Books, and the Washington Independent Review of Books. His writings have appeared in the NYT, WSJ, Washington Post, The Boston Business Journal, among many other publications. He was Medical Editor for Mental Health for the HuffPost, where over 250 of his posts and videos were published. He has served as Mental Health Commissioner for NYC (in the Bloomberg administration); Medical Director/EVP of McLean Hospital, a Harvard teaching facility; and as Director of Clinical Services for the American Psychiatric Association. He has written hundreds of articles on mental health and addiction, as well as book, film, TV and theatre reviews. He has published thirteen books. His latest books are Ink-Stained for Life (2020) and The Addiction Solution: Treating Our Dependence on Opioids and Other Drugs(2018). Look for his next book in 2023.

Dr. Sederer has led large scale, mental health disaster responses, including 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy. He was the 2019 recipient of the Doctor of the Year award from The National Council on Behavioral Health, and has been a Rockefeller Foundation Scholar in Residence. He is Chair of the Advisory Board of Get Help, CMO of Bongo Media, and Senior Advisor to Minded, Inc. He has taught medical writing for the lay public for 18 sequential semesters at the Columbia Department of Psychiatry/NYS Psychiatric Institute.

In this episode, Dr. Sederer and I discuss the thesis from one of his most recent books, The Addiction Solution, and the role of shame, the family, and medication assisted treatment (MAT) in substance misuse. We discuss Dr. Sederer's experiences with disaster relief with 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy, his process in figuring out a mental and public health response to the disaster (and why it wasn't typical psychotherapy), and how it has been similar and different to the COVID-19 epidemic from a public health perspective. We also get the chance to talk about his writing career and his new book, Code Blue, coming out later this year.

For more information on Dr. Sederer and to read his many writings, check out his website at www.askdrlloyd.com. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:08 Writing for the General Public

05:22 Focus on the Opioid Epidemic

08:33 Understanding Addiction and Recovery

12:03 The Importance of Family in Recovery

13:52 The Role of Family Therapy

17:11 Medication-Assisted Treatment for Addiction

19:07 Comparing Addiction Treatment to ADHD Treatment

21:35 Disaster Response: 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy

25:07 Approaching COVID-19 as a Disaster

30:52 The Impact of COVID-19

37:30 Reflecting on the Work During COVID-19

39:20 The Scope of Mental Health Services

41:51 The Role of Primary Care Doctors

43:09 Specialists vs. Primary Care Physicians

44:20 Advocating for Change in Mental Health Care

45:26 The Evolution of Mental Health Treatment

46:56 The Economic Factors in Psychiatry

49:09 The Intersection of Medication and Psychotherapy

52:57 Writing Memoirs and Personal Stories

56:49 The Corporatization of Medicine

*There were a few technical issues towards the end of the episode (as is usual with my luck), so thank you for your patience!

Alan Ritchson episode on bipolar disorder I mention in the intro: https://open.spotify.com/episode/44wQsyNpeuLK3mdcBXspL3?si=1c1dc22aca244ea7

Michelle Gaskins is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC), almost a fully licensed provider, working at Sojourn Counseling in Broomfield, Colorado with yours truly. Michelle received her Master of Arts in counseling from Denver Seminary. As a therapist, Michelle considers it a privilege to walk alongside people as they explore their identity, seek healing, and strive for change. She believes that everyone has a story to share and that there is great value in engaging your narrative in a way that is compassionate, curious, and hopeful. She is passionate about working with couples seeking to improve their relationship and individuals struggling with interpersonal conflict, identity development, communication, life transitions, self-esteem, grief, and trauma.

Michelle draws from a therapeutic style that is integrative and primarily focuses upon Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Emotion-Focused Therapy. She also has a trauma-based framework and has been trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

In this episode, Michelle and I get into everything about boundaries: What they are and what they look like, how to foster healthy boundaries in relationships, and how to recognize when boundaries are becoming unhealthy. For more information about Michelle or to request a consultation, visit www.sojourncounselingco.com/michelle or email her at michelle@sojourncounselingco.com. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com.

Ben Hershelman is many things to several people. At home, he is Alyson's trophy husband and Hazel and Hank's Dad. During the day for the last nine years, he has been a gifted and talented resource teacher for Jefferson County Public schools. Prior to that, he taught high school social studies at Jefferson Academy and Ralston Valley. For most of the year, when he gets done with work he heads to Jefferson Academy High School where he coaches high school cross-country and track. 14 years into that assignment, he considers it his lifetime passion project. Ben is passionate about being a good neighbor, being a great friend, pursuing his marriage and his relationship with his kids, group texts, burritos, his church family, and making this world feel a little lighter.

In probably the funniest episode I'll get the honor of being a part of, Ben and I discuss many of his antics as my freshman history teacher and why humor has been such a powerful tool in mentoring adolescents, what running has meant to us and why running was so integral in regulating Ben's mood as a teen, why cross-country running tends to be so different in comparison to more traditional sports, we discover who the real culprit is behind the Kristen Schaal Open Space in Longmont, and how Ben and his coaches have cultivated an environment of producing great athletes, and even better people.

To follow more of Ben's antics and wise sayings, check out his social media @hershelthings. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com.

Dr. Rai founded Magnolia Medical in 2016 to serve the thousands of people who live along the Colorado Front Range, and struggle to find quality addiction care that emphasized behavioral health along with medical care. Dr. Rai has over seven years of medical experience in the addiction field and has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. He has experience in all forms of addiction medicine and is dedicated to making an impact on the lives of our clients and families. His goal is to provide a well-rounded and non-judgmental approach to the recovery process and to provide a safe environment where all clients are treated with compassion and respect.

In this episode, Dr. Rai and I discuss with the drug epidemic of opioids and methamphetamine in the United  States, the role of dual diagnoses and addiction medicine in mental health treatment, addiction stigma and if we should even be calling addictions "addictions", how polysubstance use continues to be on the up, and much more. 

For more information about Dr. Rai, check out his organization, Magnolia Medical Group, at https://magnoliamed.com/ or follow them on Instagram @magnolia_med_group. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com.

Brad Riley is an activist, an award-winning filmmaker and media producer focusing on caused-based projects. He is the founder of iEmpathize, a human rights non-profit, whose mission is to empower youth to stay safe from exploitation. His work has garnered international attention and acknowledgements both in human rights strategies and media production by international film festivals, the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, the United Nations and more. I got the chance to meet Brad when I volunteered to go to Mexico twice with iEmpathize during early high school. With the help of Brad’s organization, I had the opportunity to meet some of the survivors of the trafficking experiences we have talked about, and it was life-changing. I think it played an important role in developing me into the therapist and the man I am today, and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to have my eyes opened in that way, however difficult it may have been. 

In this episode, Brad and I talk about what human labor and sex trafficking is, how it impacts us on a global and local level, and what you can actually do to make a difference. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com.

Takeaways

Human trafficking is the exploitation of a human being, either for sex or labor, through force, fraud, or coercion.

Human trafficking is a global problem and is prevalent in both big cities and small communities.

Awareness and education are crucial in recognizing and responding to human trafficking.

iEmpathize engages the general public through outreach programs, exhibits, and partnerships to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to combat human trafficking. Training programs can have a significant impact in combating trafficking, as seen in the trucking program that has trained over half of the 3 million truck drivers on the road today.

Traffickers use various disguises and manipulation techniques to exploit their victims, such as pretending to be a boyfriend or offering promises of a better life.

Trafficking can happen anywhere, and it is important to be informed and aware of its presence in all communities.

The law and judicial system often fail to adequately protect trafficking victims, and there is a need for reform to ensure victims are not treated as criminals.

Systemic change requires long-term strategies and collaboration across different sectors and organizations.

By working together and leveraging the power of collective action, it is possible to make a significant impact in combating trafficking.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:16 Formation of I Empathize

03:00 Definition of Human Trafficking

06:15 External Factors and Vulnerability

08:56 Role of Pornography

16:06 Magnitude and Financial Impact of Human Trafficking

18:52 Prevalence of Human Trafficking

21:31 Super Bowl and Regional Circuits

25:17 Engaging the General Public

29:17 Programs and Partnerships

33:40 Results and Impact

34:08 Impact of Training Programs

35:05 Methods of Traffickers

36:59 Trafficking in Unexpected Places

39:20 Challenges with the Law and Judicial System

42:20 Systemic Change and Long-Term Strategy

43:51 The Power of Collaboration

Dr. David Rettew is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and is the current medical director of Lane County Behavioral Health in Eugene, Oregon. He was previously an associate professor at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine. He has been in practice for nearly 20 years, dividing his time between clinical, teaching, public policy, and research activities. Dr. Rettew has published over 100 journal articles, chapters, and scientific abstracts on a variety of child mental health topics, including the 2013 book Child Temperament: New Thinking About the Boundary Between Traits and Illness and Parenting Made Complicated: What Science Really Knows about the Greatest Debates of Early Childhood. He writes a blog for Psychology Today called "The ABCs of Child Psychiatry." You can also follow him on Twitter and Facebook @PediPsych.

In this episode, Dr. Rettew and I discuss the over- and under-diagnosing of psychiatric disorders, whether the mental health field is over-pathologizing regular human traits, and how biological research like genetic and brain imaging studies can help us distinguish between a trait and a psychiatric illness.

For more information on Dr. Rettew, follow him @pedipysch and make sure to check out some of his books and Psychology Today blog. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com.

Takeaways

Mental health exists on a spectrum, and there is a dimensionality to impairment.

Personality profiles may capture psychiatric disorders more accurately than single dimensions.

Embracing dimensionality helps destigmatize mental health and encourages holistic approaches to well-being.

The field of psychiatry has moved beyond a solely medication-focused approach and recognizes the limitations and mistakes of the past.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:54 The Importance of Diagnosis in Mental Health

04:58 The Stigma of Diagnosis

07:20 The Continuum of Mental Health

08:48 The Arbitrary Nature of Diagnoses

11:00 The Threshold for Diagnoses

14:12 The Influence of Social Media on Diagnoses

18:28 The Role of Insurance in Overdiagnosing

20:48 The Holistic Approach to Mental Health

24:19 Differentiating Between Personality Traits and Psychiatric Symptoms

29:34 The Limitations of Medication in Mental Health Treatment

36:33 The Complexity of Mental Health Assessment

42:21 Dimensionality of Impairment

44:15 Personality Disorders

46:05 Five Major Personality Traits

47:34 Personality Disorders and Psychiatric Disorders

48:56 Embracing Dimensionality

51:13 Appreciating All Aspects of Ourselves

52:12 Moving Beyond Medication

Joseph E. Davis is Research Professor of Sociology and Director of the Picturing the Human Project of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia. Professor Davis’ research explores the intersecting questions of self, morality, and cultural change. In studies of medicine, psychiatry, work, AI, aging, social movements, and other fields, he has examined trauma psychology, narratives of suffering, the rise of biological explanations of mental life, medicalization, psychoactive drug use, and our cultural dreams of technological mastery. He is the author or editor of several books, including, most recently, Chemically Imbalanced: Everyday Suffering, Medication, and Our Troubled Quest for Self-Mastery (2020), The Evening of Life: The Challenges of Aging and Dying Well (2020), and To Fix or to Heal: Patient Care, Public Health, and the Limits of Biomedicine. His articles have appeared in many journals, peer-reviewed and popular. He is a former editor of The Hedgehog Review and writes a Psychology Today blog called “Our New Discontents: Reflections on Mental Health and Social Ideals.” Currently, he is at work co-editing a special issue of Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry on “Being Human in the Age of the Brain: Models of Mind and their Social Effects,” as well as two book projects, “The Troubles of Youth,” and an “Essay on Human Misunderstanding.”

In this episode, Dr. Davis and I discuss the role of medications in mental health from a sociological context, whether groupings such as diagnoses limit us or help us as a society, and how mental health treatment has evolved over the years in the way we understand it.

For more information on Dr. Davis, check out his profile here: https://sociology.as.virginia.edu/people/profile/jed8mwebsite. Make sure to check out his most recent book, Chemically Imbalanced: Everyday Suffering, Medication, and our Troubled Quest for Self-Mastery. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com.

*We did hit some technical issues during the episodes, so I apologize for some of the quick transitions!

Takeaways

There is ongoing debate about the biological component of mental disorders and the ability to show neurobiological issues.

The use of medication for brain disorders is often based on the logic of addressing a chemical or neurochemical problem.

Drugs can be useful for short-term relief in acute situations, but understanding the underlying problems and asking why questions is crucial for long-term solutions.

Asking why questions helps in interpreting experiences and finding effective ways to adapt or change the situation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:00 The Concept of the Person in Sociology

06:35 The Impact of Diagnosis and Labels

11:46 The Limitations of Diagnosis and Categorization

17:15 The Influence of Drug Ads and Societal Expectations

23:12 The Narrow Definition of Normalcy

30:57 The Paradox of Freedom and Failure

39:10 The Illusion of Tolerance and Homogenization

45:48 The Need for Explanations and the Role of Choice

49:43 Biological Component of Mental Disorders

52:05 Logic of Medication for Brain Disorders

53:08 Use of Drugs for Acute Situations

54:07 Importance of Asking Why Questions

Ann Saffi Biasetti, LCSW, PhD has been a practicing psychotherapist for over 30 years. She holds a PhD in Psychology with a Transpersonal concentration. She also is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) through IAEDP, a trained mindful Self-Compassion and Mindfulness teacher, a trained Polyvagal Theory therapist, as well as a Certified MABT practitioner and Certified Yoga therapist. Her doctoral research explored the role of self-compassion in eating disorder recovery. She is the author of multiple books including "Befriending Your Body: A Self-Compassionate Approach to Freeing Yourself from Disordered Eating" and "The Awakening Self-Compassion Card Deck." As a Somatic Psychotherapist, her approach to therapy is unique and informed by multiple trainings she has done throughout her clinical career. Her research, training and passion for self-compassion practice and the power it has to change up your nervous system and your relationship with yourself, others, and your life, frames all the work she does. She practices through a trauma-informed, holistic, neuropsychotherapy lens, helping you to investigate and make sense of what you are experiencing in your nervous system, sensations you feel in your body, your emotions, and your thoughts and we learn together how to understand and hold all of this through self-compassion. She is a Polyvagal informed therapist, mindfulness trained, and a researcher, teacher and trainer of self-compassion. She has developed a unique technique, Mindfulness-Based Embodiment ™ used within talk therapy sessions, that allows you to become aware of patterns, both in the mind and body, that may no longer serve you in your life.   

In this episode, Dr. Saffi Biasetti and I discuss disordered eating and body dysmorphia, yoga and embodiment, other forms of somatic work for healing and much more. For more information on Dr. Biasetti, check out her website, https://www.anembodiedlife.com/, or her social media @anembodiedlife. Make sure to check out her book, Befriending Your Body, and her new Awakening Self-Compassion Cards: 52 Practices for Self-Care, Healing, and Growth, both available on her website. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com.

Takeaways

Preventing eating disorders should start from a young age by promoting positive embodied experiences for children.

Somatic therapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of eating disorders.

Supporting individuals with disordered eating requires seeing beyond their behavior and offering compassion.

Breaking free from oppressive systems and finding alternatives to diet culture is essential for promoting a healthy relationship with food and body.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

07:14 The Role of Yoga and Mindfulness in Psychotherapy

13:18 Integrating Somatic Work and Self-Compassion

22:18 Understanding Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating

28:21 The Influence of Peers and Media on Body Image

36:43 The Power of Embodiment and Self-Compassion

38:04 Moving Away from the Business of Shame

39:02 The Non-Duality of Mind and Body

40:14 Bringing Mind and Body into Connection

41:13 Preventing Eating Disorders from a Young Age

42:33 Positive Embodied Experiences for Children

43:25 Seeing Beyond the Suffering

44:09 Treatment for Eating Disorders

45:12 The Role of Somatic Therapy

46:11 Short-Term Treatment and Insurance Limitations

47:06 Empowering the General Public

48:01 Seeing Beyond the Behavior

49:00 Supporting Those with Disordered Eating

50:06 Breaking Free from Oppressive Systems

51:56 Alternatives to Diet Culture

53:23 Finding Joyful Movement

54:06 Trusting Your Inner Wisdom

Ran D. Anbar, MD, FAAP, is board certified in both pediatric pulmonology and general pediatrics, offering hypnosis and counseling services at Center Point Medicine in La Jolla (La HOY-A, I figured it out, thank you very much), California, and Syracuse, New York. Dr. Anbar is also a fellow and approved consultant of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Dr. Anbar is a leader in clinical hypnosis, and his 20 years of experience have allowed him to successfully treat over 5,000 children. He also served as a professor of pediatrics and medicine and the director of pediatric pulmonology at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, for 21 years. Dr. Anbar also worked as a guest editor and advisory editor for the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. His experience has offered him the opportunity to direct and co-direct more than 20 clinic workshops on the subject of pediatric hypnosis. Additionally, he has trained more than a thousand healthcare providers and lectured all over the world. In addition to his teaching and lecturing experiences, Dr. Anbar has been the principal investigator in 10 published case studies of pediatric hypnosis and involved in research trials of children with cystic fibrosis and other pulmonary disorders. He is a published author of more than 50 articles, abstracts, and book chapters on pediatric functional disorders and pediatric hypnosis. Graduating from the University of California-San Diego with undergraduate degrees in biology and psychology, Dr. Anbar earned his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He completed his pediatric residency and pediatric pulmonary fellowship training at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. Dr. Anbar received training in hypnosis from the Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. 

In this episode, Dr. Anbar and I talk about what clinical hypnosis actually is compared to what you might see in popular culture, amazing stories of hypnosis in use, how trauma and hypnosis can intersect, and how it can be used for healing. For more information about Dr. Anbar, visit https://centerpointhypnosis.com/dr-anbar. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com.

Takeaways

Hypnosis is a way of controlling one's own mind and can be used to address chronic symptoms and psychological issues.

Basic hypnosis techniques, such as relaxation and positive self-talk, can be effective in improving symptoms.

The authority of the hypnotist lies in empowering the patient to tap into their own subconscious and make positive changes.

Words have the power to heal, and the subconscious mind is a source of creativity and wisdom.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:00 Misconceptions and Lack of Awareness

06:00 Conversion Disorders and Hypnosis

10:00 What is Hypnosis?

17:00 Benefits of Hypnosis

23:00 Teaching Basic Hypnosis

30:00 Advanced Hypnosis Techniques

35:06 Preparing the Conscious Mind

36:04 The Power of the Subconscious

37:31 Resolving Issues Without Knowing

38:14 Hypnosis for Entertainment vs. Therapeutic Hypnosis

39:41 The Authority of the Hypnotist

40:07 Overview of the Book

41:22 The Power of Words

42:47 The Subconscious as a Source of Creativity

43:17 The Power of Spirit

45:00 Treating the Whole Person

46:19 The Limitations of Diagnosis

47:05 Misinformation on the Internet

49:43 Hypnosis in the Treatment of Trauma

51:11 Working with Voices and Dissociation

53:36 Revisiting Trauma in a Safe Way

55:07 Using Hypnosis in Personal Life

56:48 Words of Wisdom

Writer and Adventurer Scotte Burns is a 24-year veteran English/creative writing teacher, 12-year geosciences educator, and active member of the National Science Teachers Association. With Toni, his wife of forty years, he researches and documents stories about the nature, meaning, and unity of love for their multimedia project, Journeys to Love. The tale of their latest six summers, 100,000 miles, and 48 states traveling by Harley to diverse American cultures, communities, and lifestyles looking for love are currently being offered via their popular YouTube channel, recent TED talk, and to publishers via their upcoming books, Love: Your Seventh Sense, and A Boat, A Raft, A Bridge: The Discovery, Meaning, and Hope of Love in America.

In this episode, Scotte shares a lot about how Toni and him started "Journeys to Love" with a "simple" question, how it has developed into finding the answer to the question, "What is Love?", and more of the research and stories behind all of this.

Scotte and Toni have been putting out a lot of content lately so make sure to check it all out. Subscribe to their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneystoLove. If you want to support what they are doing financially (as they are supporter-funded), become a Patreon patron at https://www.patreon.com/JourneysToLove. Follow them on Instagram @journeys_to_love. To see Scotte's recent TedTalk, check out this link: https://youtu.be/SPgoHXXp9N8. 

Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:39 The Journey Begins: Seeking the Secret to Love

04:05 Encountering Pastor Rick Hale and Mary in Roswell

06:01 Expanding the Question: What is Love?

08:49 Connecting Love and Consciousness

09:49 Reflecting on the Project and Synthesizing the Findings

14:27 The Holistic Approach: Unifying Different Disciplines

19:02 Discovering Love in Unexpected Places

23:03 Love as a Sense: Exploring the Concept

27:26 Aerosphere: The Unified Theory of Love

32:23 Grief as Sensory Deprivation

38:51 The Limitations of Psychology in Understanding Love

40:17 The Hard Problem of Consciousness

42:15 Consciousness as an Emergent Property

43:35 Consciousness in Lower Life Forms

44:33 Collective Consciousness

45:30 Love as a Parallel of Consciousness

46:23 Love as a Search for Meaning

47:36 Love in Challenging Circumstances

49:33 The Power of Acknowledgment

53:07 The Importance of Shared Consciousness

57:39 The Journey to Love

58:08 The Great Love in Everyday Life

59:21 Existential Questions and Love

01:01:29 Duality and Love

01:03:23 Perception and Love

01:04:21 You Are Not Alone

Carol Moorin is a 25-year-old graduate from Indiana University. She graduated in 2019 with a degree from the Media & Business School majoring in Media Advertising and Marketing with a concentration in business and sales. She runs and operates Dazed Vintage LLC, a vintage clothing brand. She currently lives in New York City as an Account Executive at a clothing brand. In the past, Caroline has had experiences with anxiety and depression, and was diagnosed with ADHD when she was 12 years old. She hopes her experiences may be able to help at least one person today.

In this episode, Carol shares her own experiences with mental health specifically around struggles with depression, anxiety, and ADHD, and steps she has taken to grow in these areas. Carol also shares about her passions with fashion (see what I did there) in starting her own vintage clothing store, Dazed Vintage X Carol. Thanks again to Carol for being willing and brave in sharing her own personal stories!

To connect with Carol or to check out her vintage clothing brand, follow her @caroline.moorin and @dazedvintagexcarol. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh.

Takeaways

Starting a business can be a fulfilling and challenging endeavor, requiring passion and dedication.

Sustainability in fashion is an important aspect to consider, as it helps reduce waste and environmental impact.

ADHD can have a significant impact on an individual's life, affecting focus, productivity, and self-esteem.

Struggling with insecurity and comparison is common, but it's important to remember that everyone has their own strengths and talents.

ADHD, anxiety, and depression can have a significant impact on one's life, but therapy and medication can help manage these conditions.

Bullying and negative experiences in high school can contribute to anxiety and depression, but finding supportive friends and seeking professional help can make a difference.

Negative side effects of medication can occur, and it's important to communicate with healthcare professionals to find the right treatment.

Art and fashion can serve as outlets for self-expression and provide a sense of control and happiness.

Trust issues and difficulty in relationships can stem from past experiences, but therapy and self-work can help build healthier connections.

Coping with negative thoughts and beliefs requires self-acceptance and recognizing the validity of one's own feelings.

Life can be seen as a grieving process, and finding joy amidst grief is possible through acceptance and gratitude.

Everyone deserves love, kindness, and respect, and it's important to surround oneself with supportive people who reinforce these beliefs. Mental health is just as important as physical health and should be prioritized.

Chapters (Will fix this soon)

00:00 Introduction and Personal Background

03:14 Starting Dazed Vintage

05:06 Sustainability in Fashion

06:27 Impact of Mental Health

09:14 Diagnosis of ADHD

12:06 Challenges with ADHD Medication

13:47 Impact of ADHD on Childhood and Adolescence

00:00 Struggling with Insecurity and Comparison

02:12 Effects of ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression

02:30 The Importance of Mental Health

03:35 Bullying and High School Challenges

06:06 Negative Side Effects of Medication

09:13 Therapy and Medication

10:15 Common Mental Health Issues

11:35 Art and Fashion as Outlets

16:58 Impact of Mental Health on Young Adult Years

20:08 Trust Issues and Difficulty in Relationships

20:45 Stigma and Misconceptions

23:44 Coping with Negative Thoughts and Beliefs

27:46 Life as a Grieving Process

28:10 Seeking Help and Support

32:05 Finding Joy in the Midst of Grief

34:58 Words of Wisdom and Self-Worth

36:04 Conclusion

Dr. Jonathan Dimos is a licensed psychologist with over 4,000 hours of clinical experience doing counseling and psychological assessment. He has experience working with a wide variety of clients including missionaries, missionary candidates, adolescents, college students, adults, couples, families, chronically mentally ill, and incarcerated populations. Dr. Dimos has taught psychology and counseling courses at Bethel University, Metro State University of Denver, Denver Seminary, and the Regis University MA in Counseling Program. He has taught full-time at SIAS University in China and in the undergraduate psychology department at Regis University. Dr. Dimos receive in his Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Colorado Christian University and his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver.  

In this episode, Dr. Dimos and I have some fun engaging in reality testing--reflecting on what our experiences of each other were like during my time as his student. We also talk about positive psychology and why this isn’t being talked about more in the field, the dynamics of being placed on a pedestal as a counselor and professor, why he transitioned from private practice to teaching, and much more.

Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh. 

Link for Cody Bradford GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/9695c296

Tom is a Board Certified Counselor with the National Board for Certified Counselors as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado, USA. Tom established his therapeutic practice, InnerWorkings Professional Services, in 2001. His 20+ years experience in psychotherapy as well as prior 14 years of pastoral ministry result in a compassionate and transformational counseling approach to facilitating personal change. His innovative mental health approach, InnerWork, treats the brain, not just the mind. Tom brings many years of experience in combining somatic stress removal through Autonomic Healing Activation to restore the body and nervous system using the homeostasis function in the Autonomic Nervous System. For clients whose life experiences have disrupted their perceptions of self, others and situations, Tom's  cognitive behavioral therapy paradigms (InnerWork CBT) transform the mind. As a Board Certified - National Certified Counselor (NCC) with the National Board of Certified Counselors  and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Tom specializes in the holistic treatment of mood disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar and ADD/ADHD),  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, dysfunctional relationships, and maladaptive behavior problems involving unhealthy urges to experience self-gratification.  Tom has developed a new paradigm for forensic mental health evaluations and treatment. An informal network of families who have adopted children with trauma related emotional and behavioral issues has referred many children for the AHA treatment. A new area of treatment is the use of Autonomic Healing Activation with stress-related issues as a support for treatment provided by physical therapists.

Until September 2015, Tom served as Director of Research and Assessment at RSA, Inc., a private sector provider of services to individuals with compulsive, abusive, and illegal sexual behaviors.  His groundbreaking work in this position has led to significant improvements in cognitive-behavioral therapy, empathy development in victim-perpetrator clarification, and a non-cognitive method of elimination of deviant sexual interest in children. Tom had served at RSA, Inc in various capacities from 1997. Prior to working at RSA, Inc. Tom was a professional church leader serving variously as a minister of youth and music, Associate Pastor and Senior Pastor with congregations in Michigan, Minnesota and Colorado. While serving in the Detroit Metro area he held denominational positions as Chairman of the Southeast Michigan Region Board as well as President of the Southeast Region Minister's Council.

Bringing his innovative InnerWork counseling approach abroad, Tom has worked in Cambodia training community leaders with Agape International and AIM4Asia to reduce sexual victimization.  Tom's collaboration with AIM4Asia included training for professional staff in the rehabilitation of trafficked children. Tom enjoys spending time outdoors in Colorado, climbing 14ers, and hiking with his family.  He is also an accomplished vocalist and avid reader.

In this episode, Tom and I talk about Autonomic Healing Activation, homeostasis, and the different functions of the brain and how they respond to stress. For more information on Tom, check out his website www.innerworkings.org and his own podcast, the Autonomic Healing Podcast, which you can find on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/0fA2hOff1vDTEMJo9Ezko8?si=5128b97867694e8d) or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Follow me on social media @joshkorac for clips from the show and more content.

Follow me on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content. 

Kendall Ryan is a former collegiate Athlete who suffered from multiple concussions that lead to him ultimately being medically disqualified from the sport he grew up playing and ultimately created his identity around. In part due to concussions and having to give up football for medical reasons, Kendall suffered from depression and anxiety in his day to day life through the latter half of his collegiate stint. After college Kendall found himself working in technology sales when he moved to Chicago and found his passion for travel. After about two years in Chicago, he found himself moving to Atlanta, Georgia to work for a new organization and explore a new city. He lived in Georgia for roughly half a year until COVID-19 hit. During Covid Kendall realized our own country has so much to offer from a learning standpoint thus pushing him to continue to travel and meet people across the US. Kendall now lives in Seattle, Washington and works for a global company where he works with hyper-growth companies to support their ambitious growth goals. Kendall is a lifelong traveller and is always looking for a new location to explore. He strives to live by the motto: "The only language all humans speak is emotion. If we can understand emotion, we can understand a person. If we can understand a person we can create a positive lasting impact."

In this episode, Kendall and I talk about his mental health journey with what playing football meant to him, the impact of leaving the sport after receiving multiple concussions, toxic masculinity, and so much more. It took a lot of bravery for Kendall to share this story, especially as one of the first personal stories on this platform, and I just wanted to take a second to acknowledge that and acknowledge his vulnerability in sharing. As men, it is not easy to share about mental health struggles and Kendall really stepped up as a leader in that regard. So thank you Kendall, I learned a lot from you during our time together. For more information on Kendall, check out his social media @kendall__ryan__. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content. 

Fact Check: Bipolar disorder is just as common with women and men, but for men, it can be harder to identify and therefore harder to treat.

Takeaways

Identity can become closely tied to sports and athletic achievements, leading to challenges when faced with injuries or the end of a sports career.

Mental health struggles, such as anxiety and depression, are common among athletes, but often go unnoticed or unaddressed.

Creating a supportive community and fostering open conversations about mental health is crucial for athletes and individuals in general.

Challenging societal expectations of masculinity and promoting vulnerability can help break the stigma surrounding mental health. Opening up about mental health struggles can be difficult, but it is important to find support.

Chosen family and close friendships can provide valuable support and understanding.

Sharing personal stories can have a profound impact on others and create a sense of community.

Finding purpose in life involves observing the passage of time and making the most of each moment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:39 Personal Stories and Mental Health

04:36 Childhood and Identity

08:09 Sports as Identity

13:23 Concussions and Turmoil

20:45 Challenging Masculinity and Seeking Help

25:32 Importance of Community and Support

30:36 Creating a Supportive Environment

37:03 Using Personal Experiences to Connect

38:08 The Power of Vulnerability

39:32 Technical Difficulties

42:09 Opening Up to Family

45:12 Supportive Family

47:32 Chosen Family

49:00 Sharing Stories

51:23 Finding Purpose

53:19 Observing the Passage of Time

55:26 Expanding Perspectives

56:37 Growth and Celebration

57:04 The Power of Connection

57:44 Reconnecting and Reflecting

Dr. Katherine Ramsland teaches forensic psychology at DeSales University in Pennsylvania, where she is the Assistant Provost. She has appeared as an expert in criminal psychology on more than 200 crime documentaries and magazine shows, is an executive producer of Murder House Flip, and has consulted for CSI, Bones, and The Alienist. The author of more than 1,500 articles and 69 books, including The Forensic Science of CSI, The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds, How to Catch a Killer, The Psychology of Death Investigations, and Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, The BTK Killer, she was co-executive producer for the Wolf Entertainment/A&E four-part documentary based on the years she spent talking with Rader. Ramsland consults on death investigations, pens a blog for Psychology Today, and is currently writing a fiction series based on a female forensic psychologist who manages a private investigation agency.

In this episode, Dr. Ramsland and I discuss her work with the BTK Killer, what we can learn from serial killers, the rise of true crime in pop culture, and much more. For more information, access to books, and her Psychology Today blog check out: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/katherine-ramsland-phd. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content. 

Takeaways

Serial killer media should aim to educate and provide valuable insights, rather than simply sensationalizing the crimes.

There is a wide range of motivations and backgrounds among serial killers, and it is important to avoid generalizations.

The field of forensic psychology is constantly evolving, and it is important to stay open-minded and challenge preconceived notions.

Responsible and educational portrayals of serial killers can contribute to the understanding and prevention of such crimes. True crime podcasts have gained popularity, but there is concern that the focus on sensational crimes may lead to a lack of audience interest in other areas of crime.

Media-inspired murders, where individuals try to replicate crimes they have seen in movies or TV shows, are a concern. It is important to differentiate between being inspired by media and actually attempting to copy a crime.

Treatment and prevention of mass shootings and serial killings require a multi-faceted approach, including limits on media coverage, access to guns, and identifying at-risk individuals.

Finding hope in the work of studying and understanding criminals can come from the potential impact on future generations and the development of new treatments and prevention strategies.

It is important to remember the seriousness of crimes and the impact they have on victims and their families, and to avoid making light of or joking about these crimes.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties

01:33 Background and Career

03:04 Writing Books and Academic vs. Commercial Writing

05:19 Interest in Forensic Psychology and Serial Killers

08:10 Working with Serial Killers

12:00 Approaching Serial Killers and Building Trust

15:13 Interacting with Serial Killers and Analyzing Behavior

18:16 Continued Communication with Serial Killers

20:06 Comparison to TV Show 'Mindhunter'

24:30 Commonalities and Diversity Among Serial Killers

29:17 Setting Boundaries and Taking Care of Yourself

31:56 Balancing Giving Serial Killers a Platform and Research

35:29 Impact of Serial Killer Media

40:09 Future of the Field and Changing Trends

41:48 True Crime Podcasts

42:25 Media-Inspired Murders

44:15 Treatment and Prevention

49:50 Finding Hope

53:30 Victims and Seriousness

Voted one of the Top Eight Inspirational People of ALL TIME, Sean's first goal was to crawl 8 feet from the hospital bed to the bathroom. He went on to Redefine Impossible by climbing 29,035 feet to the top of Mt. Everest with one lung! From there he stood atop the highest point on all 7 continents, skied to the South and North Poles, and completed the Hawaii Ironman. Sean has been interviewed by Steve Harvey, CBS Evening News, Fox & Friends, The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Early Show, Huffington Post, Outside the Lines, Sports Center, Washington Post, USA Today, Sports Center, and countless others. His numerous articles with thought leaders such as Sir Richard Branson and Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu put him in a category by himself.

With only one functioning lung, a prognosis of fourteen days to live, and being in a medically-induced coma for a year, Sean Swarner is the first cancer survivor to stand on top of the world... Mt. Everest. Sean has broken through defined human limitation in order to redefine the way the world views success. Sean was diagnosed with two deadly, different, and unrelated forms of cancer, once at the age of thirteen and again at the age of sixteen. After an incredibly poor prognosis, and being read his last rites, Sean astounded the medical community when he survived both these brutal diseases. He realized that after defeating cancer twice, no challenge would ever be too great, no peak too high. Sean proved his theory when he crested the peak of Mt. Everest. As the first cancer survivor to do so, Sean decided to continue climbing and has since topped the highest peaks in Africa, Europe, South America, Australia, Antarctica, and North America, thus completing the “7-Summits”. Upon skiing to both the South and the North Poles, Sean completed the Explorer’s Grand Slam. With the completion of the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, Sean is the only person in history to accomplish these inhuman feats.

As Sean continues to defy the odds, test his own endurance and inspire and motivate people around the world, he shares his message of healing, hope, and triumph with cancer patients worldwide. Sean also serves as a source of inspiration as the founder of the non-profit organization, The CancerClimber Association, as author of the book “Keep Climbing,” and as a motivational speaker to corporations, universities, and other organizations around the globe. Sean has been the recipient of multiple awards and honors including the American Lung Association Inspiration Award, ESPN "Never Give up Award", and even has his own "Sean Swarner Recognition Day" in the state of Ohio!

In this episode, Sean and I discuss his story with cancer, his dreams with doing the biggest thing he could imagine (spoiler - it's Mt. Everest), more on my trip to Aconcagua and how Sean inspired me, and the idea of hope. For more information on Sean, to buy one of Sean's books, or to sign up for the Big Hill Challenge, check out his website www.seanswarner.com or his social media @seanswarner. Sean is leading one of his regular trips to Kilimanjaro this July--if this is something you are interested in, please reach out to him, he'll want to support you the best he can! Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content. 

Chapters

00:00 Inspiring Others to Believe in Themselves

38:29 Focusing on Living, Not on Fear

39:31 Dreaming Big and Inspiring the Cancer Community

40:38 Everyone Has Their Own Mountains to Climb

41:47 Taking Small Steps Towards Success

43:21 The Power of Trying and Persistence

44:11 Living According to Personal Core Values

46:21 Values Evolve as We Grow

47:48 The Explorers Grand Slam: Seven Summits and Two Poles

51:20 The Big Hill Challenge: Discovering Purpose and Happiness

53:47 Future Adventures: Seven Marathons on Seven Continents and Climbing Cho Oyu

55:16 Find a Deeper Purpose for Life

4.26

Clinton Nunnally is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the co-owner of both Foundations Family Counseling and Caring Heart Counseling. Clinton absolutely loves what he does and leaves his workday energized by the transformative process he gets to engage in day after day! Working with older adolescents, individual adults, couples, parents, and families, Clinton simply devours the counseling process; exploring issues of anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, relationships, life-stage adjustment, family life, spirituality, and sexuality. With an intense interest in working with couples who are struggling in relationship or want to enhance their relationship with advanced awareness and skills, Clinton capitalizes on the current strengths of the individual and couple to help couples advocate for what they are wanting in relationship, learn new ways to navigate conflict, and co-create the things they most want with their partners. With a background consisting of public school education, early childhood development, work with adolescent youth and their parents, graduate school instruction and clinical training, public speaking, clinical therapeutic practice, and practical relationship experience stemming from years of life-giving partnership with his wife (also father of two really fun boys), Clinton offers a unique integrative style that draws from the diversity of his experience. 

In this episode, Clinton and I talk about the idea of co-creating in relationship, working with children, and reflect on the mentorship we have co-created for the past 8 years. As always, my social media handle is @joshkorac. Follow me for more updates additional content, and more. Please leave a rating and review for the show as this helps me track how you guys are liking the show. 

If you're interested in seeking services from Clinton or one of his fellow clinicians, check out his websites at foundationsfamilycounseling.com or caringheartcounseling.com. I have also linked Clinton's children book, This House Needs a Mouse, below. Clinton’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/House-Needs-Mouse-Jeffrey-Nunnally/dp/1601311923

Zach Kreeger was born and raised Broomfield just like me. Zach went to Biola University for his undergraduate in Christian Education and went even further for his Master’s in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. For the past 14+ years Zach has been leading and the area director for Broomfield/Adams County Young Life. Zach has also had experience working as an EMT and Firefighter, providing input with the Adams County Youth Initiative and Broomfield Courts Best Practice Committee. He also just got a job as a new lead pastor at Discovery Church in Broomfield! 

In this episode, Zach and I talk about being a mentor to adolescents, spirituality and faith in relation to mental health, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). Plus we have a very special guest early on in the show!! (hint: it’s my puppy). 

For more mental health content, follow me on social media @joshkorac. If you've been liking the show, please go give the show a review/rating on Apple Podcasts and make sure to share it with your friends! This is how I know that this show is making a difference and whether I should keep doing this, or pursue other ways to give back to the community. So PLEASE let me know what you think and what I could do differently.

Derek Branstrom originally hails from the Chicago area. After college, he moved to Denver and began his teaching career in Jefferson County Public Schools, teaching math and physical education for 19 years. During the summer, Derek instructed for Outward Bound for eight sessions and then with SROM with an emphasis in backpacking, climbing, and mountaineering. Derek received his master's in sport administration from the University of Northern Colorado. He has been teaching wilderness first aid for NOLS Wilderness Medicine since 2008. He has been the director of the Outdoor Leadership program since 2015. Branstrom lobbied to add a major in Outdoor Leadership at CCU, which came to fruition in the fall of 2017. He has taken students all across the world from trekking Kilimanjaro to backpacking in the Grand Canyon to rock climbing the granite cliffs of Vedauwoo. He is also a Wilderness First Responder through NOLS, a Leave No Trace Master Educator, Avalanche Level 2 trained with AIARE, an American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Single Pitch Instructor and has completed the AMGA rock guide course. 

In this episode, Derek and I talk about the importance of solitude, experiential learning, and how I almost died on a trip with Derek?? Listen in to find out more. 

For more mental health content, follow me on social media @joshkorac. If you've been liking the show, please go give the show a review/rating on Apple Podcasts and make sure to share it with your friends!

Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas sees issues of suicide prevention and mental health promotion from a host of perspectives. Clinical psychologist. Mental health advocate. Faculty member. Researcher. And suicide loss survivor. She has earned an international reputation as an entrepreneur and innovator in social change. Along the way, she's helped establish many large-scale, gap-filling mental health efforts, including Man Therapy (www.ManTherapy.org) and National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. She has held leadership roles with the International Association of Suicide Prevention, the American Association of Suicidology, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, United Suicide Survivors International, and the Carson J. Spencer Foundation. In 2016, she was invited to speak at the White House on men's mental health. She has had multiple major research publications, multiple awards for her advocacy, has led TedTalks, and has her very own podcast, Hope Illuminated. 

In this episode, we talk about consulting with construction companies about men's mental health, Man Therapy, using humor as a coping tool, and of course, suicide loss and prevention. 

For more information on Dr. Spencer-Thomas, you can check out her website at www.sallyspencerthomas.com for different resources and more information. If you're interested in exploring the Man Therapy page, go to www.ManTherapy.org. Follow me on Instagram @joshkorac for more mental health content, book giveaways, videos, and more. 

Chuck Passaglia is an employment attorney. He was a judge advocate on active duty in the United States Navy, a litigation attorney with Moye White in Denver and in-house employment law counsel for Mountain States Employers Council, Inc. In 2003, he founded Employment Law Solutions, Inc., a consulting firm in Denver, Colorado, which specializes in providing employment law and human resources advice and counsel, impartial workplace investigations and "entertraining" courses for the entire workforce in critical compliance matters, including harassment and violence prevention, ethical decision-making, paying employees properly, managing employees’ absences, and protections under federal and state anti-discrimination laws. 

In this episode, Chuck and I get to talk about mental health in the workplace, which areas of our mental health are and are not protected by law, the complexity of grief, and THE secrets to dealing with anxiety. Check out Chuck’s website at www.defendwork.com/ for more information. Follow me @joshkorac for more mental health content. 

I am doing a book giveaway of “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel Van Der Kolk on my Instagram so make sure to give me a follow to find out how to enter. Depending on how many people enter, I might even do more than one copy or more than one book...Check it out!

Gracie Pearcy is a first year Masters of Public Health student specializing in health promotion at The University of Oklahoma. After graduating in the spring with a Bachelors in Community Health, she quickly realized her passion for healthcare went far beyond the bedside. Gracie strives to fight for health equity and recognition for all. She currently works as a graduate researcher studying social determinants of health, diversity, and inclusion in health care. Gracie has hope that one day, healthcare will be a right, not a privilege, and that mental health will be recognized as equal to physical health. In this episode, Gracie and I reflect on our high school experience and what it would have been like to share about our mental health during that time, the connection between our work with Public Health and Mental Health, how we try to keep boundaries between home and working with clients, and Steve Carell and Timothee Chalamet ?? You’ll have to tune in to find out more. 

If you want to follow along Gracie’s journey with public health, give her a follow @gracie.pearcy. Follow me for more mental health content including podcast updates, mental health book recommendations, positive affirmations, and soon to be more content. **I had to bleep out some names out of respect for others referenced in the episode, just be aware I have some sound effects in this episode** 

Referenced in the episode: Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction by David Sheff Tweak: Growing Up On Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff Beautiful Boy featuring Steve Carell and Timothee Chalamet (Available to watch on Amazon Prime) And a correction on my end, trauma/PTSD is not a mental illness, it's an injury :) 

Dr. Jeffrey Rings is currently an Associate Professor of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education at the University of Northern Colorado. Dr. Rings received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology through the University of Denver and has been a Licensed Psychologist since 2014. He is also licensed through Colorado as Licensed Professional Counselor. Some of his clinical areas of interest includes clinical supervision, crisis intervention, grief and loss, peer counseling, projective assessments, veterans’ issues, and suicide risk assessment and prevention. He has had multiple publications, spoken at many, many conferences, and done so much more. 

In this episode, we talk about what makes the UNC grad programs different (and in our biased opinions) better than most, what actually goes into counselor training and what qualities make for a good counselor, suicide risk and how truly prevalent it is, and why you should (or shouldn't) go on to higher education.

If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Rings or reaching out to him, follow this link: https://www.unco.edu/cebs/applied-psychology-counselor-education/professional-counseling/faculty/rings-jeffrey.aspx or email him at jeffrey.rings@unco.edu. As always, if you are having a mental health crisis, call the Suicide Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or reach out at my social media @joshkorac and I will help you find your local crisis center. Follow me for more mental health content, I’ve got some fun things I’m working on.

Did you know connection is the biggest predictor of longevity?? In this episode of Kare With Korac, I talk about the importance of community and the struggles of isolation. Let me know what topics you want to hear about by messaging me through my social media @joshkorac on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook. 

This episode is a Spotify Exclusive. If you have Spotify Premium you should be able to hear the entirety of the song. If you have the free version of Spotify, then you will only get to hear a 30-second preview. For the free-version listeners, TURN YOUR VOLUME DOWN some before the song starts to play, because it gets loud and jumps right into it :)

9/6/22: Trigger Warning: I am saddened to share that Cody recently passed away. Some of the content in this episode may be triggering to some people. Please make sure you are in a safe and supported environment during and/or after listening to this episode. Thank you Cody for your kind and inspiring message.

Link to Cody Bradford GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/9695c296

Cody has been a professional rock climber and outdoor guide for many years now. Cody is an AMGA certified rock guide, AMGA certified single pitch instructor, and AMGA SPI assistant program provider. Cody brings a wonderfully, unique perspective to help show that mental health shows up in so many different ways in our lives and in the world. In this second part of our discussion, we get to continue our discussion talking about the comparisons between accessibility in mental health care and outdoor guiding, and some of the privilege that comes with that; the use of social media with mental health and education, staying within the bounds of our expertise as professionals, and the Joker?? Check it out! 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. If you have been having thoughts of suicide, reach out for support. The suicide prevention lifeline number is 1-800-273-8255. Message me on my social media @joshkorac if you are needing more support and I’d be more than happy to help you find your local mental health crisis center. If you are wanting to learn more about how to support those struggling with suicide, an easy resource is to go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org for more information. 

Make sure to check out Cody’s Instagram @codybradford and check out his website: www.codybrafford.com. For anyone who is just itching to travel because of the pandemic, Cody is co-leading a climbing trip to Spain for any skill level later this year, so make sure to check that out on his website. To watch "Edgelord Movies and Men Who Love Them" referenced by Cody, follow this link: https://youtu.be/_--JOjsTHjo

9/6/22: Trigger Warning: I am saddened to share that Cody recently passed away. Some of the content in this episode may be triggering to some people. Please make sure you are in a safe and supported environment during and/or after listening to this episode. Thank you Cody for your kind and inspiring message. 

Link to Cody Bradford GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/9695c296

Cody has been a professional rock climber and outdoor guide for many years now. Cody is an AMGA certified rock guide, AMGA certified single pitch instructor, and AMGA SPI assistant program provider. Cody brings a wonderfully, unique perspective to help show that mental health shows up in so many different ways in our lives and in the world. In this first part of our discussion, we talk about Cody's history in becoming an outdoor guide, the concept of flow, suicide and how the outdoors saved Cody's life, and Bo Burnham?? 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. If you have been having thoughts of suicide, reach out for support. The suicide prevention lifeline number is 1-800-273-8255. Message me on my social media @joshkorac if you are needing more support and I’d be more than happy to help you find your local mental health crisis center. If you are wanting to learn more about how to support those struggling with suicide, an easy resource is to go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org for more information. 

Make sure to check out Cody’s Instagram @codybradford and check out his website: www.codybrafford.com. For anyone who is just itching to travel because of the pandemic, Cody is co-leading a climbing trip to Spain for any skill level later this year, so make sure to check that out on his website. To watch "The Red Helmet" mentioned in the show, follow this link-  https://vimeo.com/46059583

Trey Stubbs holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is passionate about coming alongside people as they seek to find healing, satisfaction, and meaning in life. For the past decade, he has been involved in leader development and is an experienced speaker at retreats, schools, camps, and staff trainings. Trey approaches counseling from an integrative model, with a particular emphasis in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Systems Therapy. His areas of focus include anxiety, depression, men’s issues, marital counseling, and identity development. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and is the founder and clinical director of a local private practice, Sojourn Counseling, located in Broomfield, CO. If you want to schedule a session with Trey or other counselors at Sojourn Counseling, make sure to check out their website at www.sojourncounselingco.com. 

In this episode, we talk about a lot about different areas of mental health including trauma and anxiety, pornography, values in counseling, and more. 

Fact check from the show: 90% of people go through a traumatic event but only 7-9% meet criteria for PTSD. For those who go through sexual trauma, 40-50% of survivors develop symptoms consistent with PTSD. 

Going forward, please let me know what topics you want to hear about. Contact me through my social media pages @joshkorac and let me know what you want to hear about or even who you want to hear from, if there is someone specific in mind.

Welcome to the first episode of Kare with Korac! This first episode is a brief introduction into my hopes for what this will be and what it could turn into. I share a little bit about why I started the podcast and some of my background and experience in mental health care. 

I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Outdoor Leadership. Right after getting my degree, I went straight into my master's program and got my degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado. I pull from a variety of experiencing in working in the mental health care industry including working with adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities, adolescents in school settings, adult and adolescent inpatient treatment, mental health and the outdoors, corrections counseling, private practice, group counseling for transgender adolescents, and more. Through these experiences, I have discovered passions in working with trauma, the LGBTQIA+ community, suicidality, and much more.

I approach life with all the wonder and wild adventure that comes with it. I often practice from an Existential framework in the understanding that there are certain givens of existence that all struggle with. Through this framework, I operate in an integrative approach that works to meet the needs of each individual client. I often find myself pulling from a trauma-informed approach as I met the standards for a Certified Trauma Professional (CTP) and have been trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) as well. I value the body-mind connection and take the time to make sure that you are having your needs met holistically. I have also met the standards for a Certified Telemental Health Provider Associate (CTMH-A) and strive to make sure that my clients' care is as equitable as if we were meeting in-person.

For more information on me or how to work with me, check out: www.sojourncounselingco.com/josh and follow me on social media @joshkorac for updates and additional content!