Relatively Normal

Heather Lillico is a Holistic Nutritionist and Yoga & Meditation Teacher. She teaches overthinking, people-pleasing perfectionists how to manage anxiety naturally & holistically. She's been featured on iHeart & Zoomer Radio, and in The National Post and Tiny Buddha. Heather is the creator of the anxiety support app, Cultivating Calm and has helped hundreds of women find freedom from anxiety and self-doubt.

Find out more at https://www.heatherlillico.com/

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.”

Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610.

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

Have you missed me? I have definitely missed all of you. But, I am back and I have a great show and a great guest for you.

In this episode, I speak with Samaad Wes Keys, a gay black man, about his experiences growing up and navigating society.

Samad shares how he felt different from a young age and how he used wit as a defense mechanism. He discusses the pressure to excel and represent black men in a society that often has higher expectations for them. Dr. Keys also talks about the lack of representation of gay black men in the media and the challenges he faced in society. Despite these challenges, Samaad emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and living authentically.

During the show, Samaad Wes Keys discusses the challenges he faced with religion and acceptance and shares how he struggled to find a spiritual refuge due to the lack of acceptance in certain religious communities.

Samaad offers advice to young black men who are questioning their identity, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and defining oneself. He encourages individuals to embrace their differences and tap into their unique skills. We also learned about Samaad's podcast, 'A Sip With Samad,' where he explores various topics and shares his perspectives.

Find out more at https://linktr.ee/Asipwithsamaad.

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.”

Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610.

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

Daniel Packard is a U.C. Berkeley Mechanical Engineer that turned his painful 10-year battle with severe anxiety into a mission to engineer an actual permanent solution for anxiety. After 8 years of research and testing (working with 3000 people from 5 continents) Daniel and his research have developed world’s only permanent anxiety solution program with a 90% success rate.

And because Daniel is so passionate about results, his company is the only emotional health company in the world where clients only pay at the end of, once your anxiety is fully solved. Daniel was also a stand-up comedian for 15 years, so I’m sure this interview will be very illuminating for you...but also entertaining... please welcome Anxiety Solution Pioneer...Daniel Packard.

Find out more at https://anxietysolutionprogram.com/.

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.”

Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610.

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

Jisunny (Jisun Sunny Fisher, PhD, MA, CHt, CAPP), is a licensed psychologist, award-winning author and happiness coach with a superpower of helping entrepreneurs and empaths find their compelling direction and rediscover how to fall in love with life again. Her goal is to help mission-driven visionaries, entrepreneurs, and creatives who want to overcome the fear of the unknown/unpredictable + patterns of self-sacrificing so that they can live their most epic, transcendent life-mission.

With graduate degrees from Columbia University and the University of Connecticut, Jisunny has been featured in Thrive Global, Bustle, Goalcast, and more. She loves hiking with her pups, reading tarot, and making annual trips to her beloved land of Hawai’i. If you catch her cooking in the kitchen, run the other way!

Find out more at www.bodhifully.com.

https://www.instagram.com/bodhifully/

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.”

Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610.

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

Dr. Maidenberg is the Co-Founder and Clinical Director of “Thru My Eyes”, a nonprofit 501c3 organization that offers free clinically guided videotaping to chronically medically ill individuals who want to leave video legacies for their children and loved ones. She is also an adjunct faculty at New York University (NYU) and teach a graduate course in Mindfulness Practice. Michelle is a Certified Group Therapist through the American Group Psychotherapy Association and a Diplomate and certified member of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. She has advanced training in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Structural Family Therapy, Mindfulness, and is a Level II trained Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist. She is a contributing editor of GROUP, the journal of the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society. In addition to all of this, she is a consultant and trainer on a variety of mental health and health related topics and am dedicated and invested in health and mental health advocacy.

Please visit http://www.michellemaidenberg.com to learn more.

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.”

Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610.

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

The image of the Black man in America has changed over time and continues to evolve. Historically, Black men have been subjected to negative stereotypes and discrimination, often portrayed as violent, dangerous, and intellectually inferior. These stereotypes were perpetuated through media representation, such as in films and television shows, and in everyday interactions.

However, in recent years, there has been a shift in the portrayal of Black men in the media and in popular culture. Black men are now being portrayed more positively, with more representation in film and television as complex, multifaceted individuals with a range of emotions and experiences.

There has also been a growing recognition of the impact of systemic racism and discrimination on Black men, including the ways in which it can lead to economic disadvantage, social isolation, and negative health outcomes.

Despite these changes, Black men continue to face significant challenges in American society, including higher rates of incarceration, police brutality, and economic inequality. Efforts to address these issues and create a more equitable society for all are ongoing.

For these reasons, I have invited 2 of my close friends, Bobby Shelley and Kevin McIntyre, to the show to discuss the current state of the black man in America. Also, I just wanted to have a conversation with two black fathers who are raising black sons and show the world that this is our normal: black men giving back to society, being positive role models and working hard everyday to become better versions of themselves.

Finally, this will be my last show for awhile. I am taking a break to focus on the 6AM Run podcast. Also, I wanted to take some time to decide where I want this show to go and if it has possibly run its course. Thanks again for all your support.

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610.

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

I could have brought a black guest on to talk about February but that song and dance is played out.  I could have told everyone that I am going to focus on poverty, police brutality, the unbalanced school system and other things plaguing the black community during Black History Month, but that is so 2022.  From now on, I am continuing the conversation throughout the entire year.  That is why I invited Dr. Kimya Nuru Dennis to chat with me. Dr. Dennis is an activist, sociologist and criminologist, educator, and researcher. As founder of 365 Diversity, Dr. Dennis helps change policies and practices, curriculum and courses, and evaluations and assessments for K-12 schools, colleges and universities, businesses, human resources offices, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and communities. Emphasis is placed on supporting and protecting people with underserved and minoritized identities and experiences. A range of demographics and cultures captured include race and ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, language and communication, mental health, physical health, self-harm and suicide, disability, reproductive health and freedom, and sexual health and freedom. Born and raised in the city of Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Dennis lived in North Carolina to attain the doctorate and as college faculty. Dr. Dennis now lives in the city of Baltimore, Maryland and connects with local, national, and international communities, schools, businesses, and organizations. Services provided are listed on the 365 Diversity website and include curriculum change sessions, policy change sessions, and health equity sessions. Please support what she does by visiting her website at: https://365diversity.com/ This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order! This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

Many of us don't know how to let go -  let go of the fear, the pain, and the trauma.  We also don't know understand what we can gain when we finally learn to let go: Freedom.  That is where our guest, Patricia Lindner, comes in. Patricia joins the show all the way from the southern portion of Germany.  She helps professional women and men achieve FREEDOM CUBED by letting go of anxiety, pain, or stress so they can experience peace of mind, balance in their soul, and ease in their body.  As a multi-passionate Human Archeologist and Soul Alchemist, she guides them on a path to MORE fulfillment, MORE alignment, MORE peace of mind, and MORE JOY.  She wants to help amazing souls discover their true (healing) potential so that they CAN understand, shift, and create the life of their dreams without physical or mental blocks. Please support what she does by visiting her website at: https://www.patricialindner.com/ This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order! This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

How do you turn pain into power? How do you unlock that part of your mind that allows you use all trauma and negativity you have experienced and use it as fuel to build a prosperous and successful future? If you have ever asked yourself these questions, I have the perfect therapist and coach for you. 

Vin Infante has been featured in Forbes, NY Weekly, International Business Times, Entrepreneur and a few other places discussing how people can create massive shifts in thinking while also highlighting what he does with his hybrid coaching services. Through his decade of combined experience as a licensed psychotherapist, a firefighter, business owner, and mindset coach he's earned a few things about what it truly takes to own your life.

He has helped thousands of people over his time in service to others; and what he loves to share his personal stories of how he overcame adversity and how he turned pain into power.

Please support what he does by visiting his website at: https://www.vincentinfante.life/

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610.

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

With all the research being done on all the different diets available, how do we know which one could work for you? Should I eat meat, should I eat organic, should I eat carbs, PLEASE MAKE IT ALL STOP.  For everyone going through these same emotions, I may be able to help. 

Nicole Laurent is a Metabolic Mind Award recipient (2022) and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Washington. She has additional training in the use of functional nutrition and ketogenic diets as a treatment for mental illness and neurological issues.  With many years of experience providing behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical-behavior therapy she is well-positioned to assist with the emotional and behavioral changes involved in the healing process.

She has additional post-graduate level education in functional nutrition and specifically in therapeutic carbohydrate restriction (fancy name for ketogenic diets) as an evidence-based treatment for mental illness and neurological disorders. She has transition people to it all the time and they have seen some amazing results!

Please support what she does by visiting her website at: https://mentalhealthketo.com/

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610.

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

Relationships are hard. 

Or.....do we just make them that way? If you're like me, you will read every book, listen to every TED talk and relate to every meme in an attempt to get your relationship where you want it to be.  What if, just for a moment, we did something so extraordinary, so unthinkable and so "out there" that could change your luck in no time at all: what is we communicated?

I know what you're thinking; "Marc, are you freaking crazy????? Talking and expressing our emotions in an empathetic and constructive way is sooooo hard.  How do I even know how and when to start?" 

Well, you are in luck.

Dr. Mahsa Hojat-Khoshniyat is a clinical social worker, therapist and founder and partner of Heal and Thrive Psychotherapy and Coaching. Her experience includes 12 years of helping people improve and repair their relationships. In her work, she assists individuals and couples with overcoming anxiety, sadness, fear, isolation, inability to trust or build meaningful relationships. If you are having distresses due to relationships at home, work, with the family or being unable to connect with others, she wants to help! 

Please support what she does by visiting her website at: https://www.heal-thrive.com/

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610.

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

When it comes to relationships, the health of the relationship, the mental health of each partner and the possibility to the relationship lasting, we would be foolish not to talk about SEX. Yes, that 3-letter word that everyone takes part but no one talks about.  Until now.  Today, I welcome Elena Zaharova and Anfisa Savchenko, co-founders of the Purpur app, to the show. 

At one point, Elena and Anfisa worked in the cosmetics industry.  Together, they decided to leave the brand they had been working in to create their own sex product just before the pandemic started. First, they wanted it to be a store, but soon they realised that people had to stay together because of the lockdown and deal with misunderstandings so they wanted to help. 

Purpur is a sex & relationships app, which helps people communicate openly about their desires, worries and discuss sensitive topics of money, abortions, family planning, open relations, etc. The two women believe that open and honest communication is the key to strong healthy relationships. The app is set up as a card game with questions, which allows partners yo initiate open conversation on important topics and prevent conflicts. They believe that if more people used Purpur and discussed sensitive questions in the form of a game, there would be more love and understanding. 

Please support what they do by visiting their website and downloading the app. https://feelpurpur.app/

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610.

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

Coaches are important. Simple as that.  Some of the best memories I have from my childhood include my former coaches.  From my dad coaching my brother and me at 8 years old to my soccer coaches at Clemson - some of the most crucial life lessons I learned were from my coaches.  

As an adult, we can take this same approach when it comes to leadership and mentorship.  Austin Wheeler does just that.  He is a fitness professional that doesn't just stop there.  He works with career oriented fathers all over the country on balancing life, getting stronger, and eating cleaner - all while you and your family still continue to enjoy your favorite meals. 

Please support what he does by visiting his website https://form.jotform.com/austingwheeler22/application-

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610.

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

How do we recover from our past? How do we take the steps needed to prioritize our mental health, continue our personal journeys and make sure we are not just giving our time and energy to those around us, but also setting up our own support systems?  All great questions and that is why I am speaking to Kinesiologist, Mentor, Archetypal Life Coach, Mother, and Author, Amanda Kate.

Amanda describes herself as a "recovering people-pleaser and self-flagellator." However, the work she is doing now supports others in their journeys in self-care and healing. Her story is amazing and includes trauma, abuse, misdiagnoses, and so much more.  Through all this, she has written her first book: Divine. Messy. Human. 

This book contains the tools and techniques she has discovered and used in her own healing to turn her life around. She has gone from being unwell, out of alignment and miserable to happiness, vitality and connection to the Divine.

Please support what she does by visiting her website https://www.amandakate.com.au/

Also, if you share this episode on any social media platform and tag either this show or Amanda, you will enter drawing for your own copy of her book. Use #relativelynormalpodcast 

https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Messy-Human-Spiritual-Prioritising-ebook/dp/B0B1M7FG1L?ref_=ast_sto_dp

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610.

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope 2022 was amazing and I hope that 2023 will continue to bless you with success and fortune.  

Are you looking to make a change this year? Are you looking for that "passion project" that will not only fulfil a void in your life but also stimulate your mind? Well, if you have listened to this show in the past, you know how much I am against New Year's Resolutions. They are usually too big and put too much pressure on a person.  This leads to a high percentage of failure.  However, of you are looking for a story about someone who found their correct path in life after a tour on the corporate scene, look no further than Avital Miller. 

Her background includes working as a program manager at Microsoft, lead coach for Success Resources America, sales and marketing director for Crystal Clarity Publishers, yoga and fitness teacher trainer, fitness director, and ordained minister. However, for over fifteen years Avital has been serving thousands of people worldwide as an award-winning international keynote speaker, best-selling author, neuro-linguistic programming practitioner, healing breakthrough facilitator, and global dancer.

Ms. Miller has been called her the "Energizer Bunny" and for good reason: not only does she seem to have boundless energy but she has a beautifully dynamic style that will get your audience's hearts and bodies up and moving!  She helps her audiences breakthrough their limiting mindsets, understand what is truly holding them back, and take charge of their lives.

Please support what she does by visiting her website www.avitalmiller.com

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610.

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

Happy Holidays! I hope each and every one of you had an amazing Christmas and are looking forward to the new year! The word of today is: ENERGY.  The energy you put out is usually the energy you receive. I am learning this fact more and more each day.  That is why I am so happy to introduce Vitality coach, Yoga instructor and all-around bad a$$, Megan Nolan. 

Megan helps success driven women press pause on their busy lives to go from frantic and frazzled to calm and confident fast!  She is the creator of the Warrior's Journey that combines the tools of Yoga, movement, breath work, and mental fitness to help her clients feel AMAZING from the inside out.

She is funny and insightful and has lots of great tips to share from her over 17 years of experience as a personal trainer and yoga instructor. 

Please support what he does by visiting his website https://www.megan-nolan.com/

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610.

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

The mind-body connection is an extremely important part of the human experience.  Within holistic healing, treating the underlying issues rather than just focusing on the symptoms is the key factor in the comprehensive approach to helping a person feel whole again.  That is where my guest, Lyn Delmastro-Thomson, comes in. 

Lyn is a certified hypnotherapist and a mind-body medicine practitioner, using the healing systems of BodyTalk and Body Intuitive. She is also a speaker and author of the Amazon Best Seller, You Are Not Your Diagnosis. Lyn holds a master’s degree in somatic psychology and has completed additional specialized training in biofeedback, therapeutic yoga, and Reiki.

After being misdiagnosed with leukemia at the age of 25, Lyn became passionate about sharing with the world her message that just because a doctor has said an illness is "chronic" or "incurable" doesn't mean that it has to be a life sentence, and that western medicine isn't the only approach to healing. When we explore other holistic options, true healing, rather than symptom management, can occur.

Through her one-on-one work with clients over the past ten years, Lyn has helped hundreds of women reclaim their lives and health after receiving a life-changing health diagnosis. Many of her clients have been able to decrease or eliminate certain prescription medications,  as well as increase their energy and stamina.

Please support what he does by visiting his website https://heartfirehealingllc.com/schedule-a-discovery-call-consultation/

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order! 

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. 

Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

It is always a good time when I have a rich and robust conversation with another man who has learned to be open and honest with his emotions and feelings.  Another dad and husband that is working hard every day to show his friends and family an authentic version of himself so he can lead an open and honest life.  That man is Tony Hardman.  Tony Hardman is the founder of Not Quite Zen, a blog and podcast focused on providing mental health support from the perspective of a survivor. Tony has struggled with severe depression, anxiety, and anger since he was a child. Cursed with a family history of mental health issues and early childhood trauma, finding a path to calm was a journey 35 years in the making. Now, he shares his experience through Not Quite Zen in hopes that he can help others learn how to get better faster. Please support what he does by visiting his website https://www.notquitezen.co/ This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing, supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order! This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

What if I told you all the answers to every question you had about health and happiness?  What if I was able to explain the ways we can all be successful in life, successful in fitness, better human beings and overall better at living the life we want to live?  I think it is obvious I cannot do that, but if I could, the answers would probably be more simple than you expect.  

What if the answer to most of your fatigue or headaches was your salt intake?  And when I say salt intake - I mean you're not getting enough.  What if I say the reason you feel so run down is due to your poor gut health?  Again, the answers to your questions might be right in front of your eyes.  

These are some of the reasons I wanted to have a discussion with Joel Evan.  He is an Integrative Health Practitioner, health coach, podcast host and a new member of the 40 club.  Joel helps his clients get to the root cause of their issues, whether it's weight loss, gut health, or even something more serious like autoimmune conditions, so that they can start living the best version of themselves. I should also mention that Joel is a ball of energy, loves what he does and is a Cali transplant living in the great state of Idaho. 

Please support what he does by visiting his website https://joelevancoaching.ck.page/ffdb6262c6

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

One of the greatest things I learn from the guests on this show is all the ways we can help ourselves and help others.  On this episode, I chat with Yoga Therapist, Annisa Hudak, on the ways she uses Yoga Therapy to guide others in the use of effective, science based methods and other holistic techniques for the management/healing of symptoms relating to PTSD and trauma for people who want to control their PTSD - not allow it to control them.

Anissa's life has been intertwined with PTSD/Trauma and the military. Not only is she the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, she was also married to an active duty member (and Iraq/Afghanistan Veteran) for over 20 years. For 3 years, she volunteered at the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Riley, Kansas providing yoga therapy, meditation, and other holistic treatments to the soldiers, family members, and staff. After seeing others struggle, and having her own personal struggles with trauma/PTSD, she was inspired to create the Trauma Healing Yoga Therapy Program.
 

Recently, she has focused her efforts to working with women who have been sexually traumatized to help them heal their PTSD (and other trauma related issues) with yoga therapy. As a 2x rape survivor, she intimately understand the needs these women face, and help them navigate their healing journeys.

Please support what she does by visiting her website https://www.traumahealingyoga.com/

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

What does it mean to be a Man? Are we allowed to show weakness? Fear? Vulnerability? Can we utter the words, "I just don't have it today?" A lot of us think we can't say or do these things because that goes against everything we have been taught.  

That is why I wanted to speak to Keith.

Keith Gilmore writes primarily on culture, ethics, psychology, spirituality, philosophy, and psychedelics. His interest lies in understanding and addressing the tendency of our age towards cynicism, nihilism, finger-pointing, and disconnection, and discovering and exploring methods for interconnection, healing, and reinvigorating culture with spirit.  He is the co-founder of Texture Life Coaching, one of the top ranked psychedelic integration coaching programs in the country. 

Keith also co-created The Integrated Man, a community-oriented program for helping men get into alignment and reconnecting them with their purpose. He facilitates the men's support group for the Portland Psychedelic Society, the largest psychedelic community in North America.

Please support what he does by visiting his website @ https://keithgilmore.com/

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

In 1974, Dr. Herbert J. Freudenberger, a German-born American psychoanalyst, coined the term Burnout to describe symptoms of exhaustion and mental malaise. He delved into the underlying roots of burnout and outlined proven methods to alleviate the condition. Unfortunately, in 2022, some people still don't believe it exists.  Some people will just complain that people aren't working hard enough or that they don't really understand the sacrifice it takes to be a valued employee.  That is where my guest this week, Dr. Hollie Sturgeon, comes in. 

Dr. Sturgeon is an Orlando-based clinical pharmacist and author with over a decade of helping patients & colleagues overcome symptoms of burnout.  She uses a combination of self-discovery and the science of play to guide people from burnout to baseline & beyond - one quest at a time. She is an experienced and compassionate guide for those on a recovery journey, having experienced and overcome burnout herself.

Hollie's super power is helping people "cut through the noise" to get to the heart of a problem.  Because she knows there is no one-size-fits-all cure for burnout, she advocates for honest self-reflection and discovery as the key to reclaiming one's pre-burnout self. 

Please support what she does by visiting her website @ https://www.burnoutdrhollie.com/

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

Two simple words Everyone Struggles.  Easy to understand; hard to quantify.  When we start to understand that everyone on this planet has their bad days - you know, those days when the dryer eats one of our favorite socks, those days when we leave the house 5 minutes early but somehow arrive 15 minutes late, those days when your dog ACTUALLY eats your homework - you know, just one of THOSE days.  When we understand that regardless of your lease in life, you will struggle, it is then that people, especially leaders, can flex those empathy muscles and treat people with the respect and care they deserve.

And that is where my guest this week comes in. 

Jason Hopcus is a motivator and catalyst for cultural change within organizations. He believes that connection to one’s self, one’s transparency and one’s passion to connect, allows individuals to live a wholly authentic, full life. He creates systems of people working to deepen their relationships to their work, their play, and ultimately our world. He presently serves as non-profit President/CEO of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Arapahoe/Douglas Counties and is Founder of the Connection Project, a for-profit company.

Jason’s mission is to advance human connection by embracing the conversation of fighters; the folks whose journeys from black to light give hope to those that deserve a 2nd or even a 3rd chance to be the ambassadors of conversation. The present narrative about mental health is often perpetuated through sad, scary, or traumatic events, which typically overlooks individuals who are simply struggling with functional life issues. The Connection Project takes a fresh approach by focusing on those who have turned their personal struggle around to champion for a community-driven cause. Through the raw focus on the individual, Jason nourishes honest conversation to birth a system of ‘next level’ social responsibility.

Please support what he does by visiting his website @ https://realpeoplereallife.org/

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

How do you describe yourself to others? Do you lead with your job title? Your generational title? Your race, gender or ethnicity? The reason I ask is because how we describe ourselves says a lot about what is important to us.  I would like to introduce you to Dai Manuel.  This is how he describes himself:

Dai Manuel is a super dad, dating his wife, with a lead by example way of living and a contagious personality, who is on a mission to positively impact one million role models around the globe to lead a FUN-ctionally fit life through education, encouragement, and community.  He is an award-winning digital thought leader and author, Distinguished Toastmaster & keynote speaker, former partner and Chief Operating Officer of a multi-million dollar retail company, and a sought after lifestyle mentor and executive performance coach.

He knows the struggle of the juggle and keeping his health and happiness a priority. He models his work based on 5 F’s: Fitness, Family, Faith, and Finances with an overarching roof of FUN, built on a rock-solid foundation of Health. Nuggets of wisdom and inspiration to take action to be your best self are guaranteed when you connect with Dai!

Let me say this, Dai is a ball of energy.  He decided a long time ago that he was going to live life to the fullest, be the best dad and husband he could be and do everything in his power to leave this world a better place than it was when he got here.  He wants to create open spaces for men to be vulnerable - just as I do with this show. 

Please listen to his TEDx Talk "Why Vulnerability is a Human Thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUZc_fNNCV0&t=4s

And visit his youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/wholelifefitnessmanifesto

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

What do you really know about Schizophrenia? Have you used incorrectly in a sentence or phrase in your life?  Do you just throw it out there to describe the mental state of your favorite movie or TV villian?  Have you ever known anyone with the disease?  Well, that is why I invited Matthew Dickson to be a guest on the show. 

Matthew led an average childhood, and during his university years, unbeknownst to him, he was developing schizophrenia. Now that he has lived with the disease for over 20 years, he is helping people with mental illness in developing countries so they can get access to basic mental health care. His organization, Mind Aid, steers people towards 7 nonprofits using these models of basic mental health care, which are low-cost, proven effective, and scalable. Some of these groups are promoted by Zak Williams (son of Robin Williams), Bill Clinton, Forest Whitaker (of "Star Wars"), Ashley Judd, and Tim Shriver (founder of the Special Olympics). Highlights of Matthew's inspirational story include bicycling across Canada and successfully recovering from schizophrenia.

Please follow and support what Matthew is doing by visiting https://www.mindaid.ca/ 

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order! 

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

Most of us only see the finished product when it comes to sports.  We don't see the physical toll that training plays on and athlete and we definitely don't see the mental toll that it plays.  That is why I wanted to speak to my guest this week, Chris K. Jones.  Chris is a recovering serial entrepreneur who quit at the peak of his career to honor the promise he made to himself at 19 that he would become a writer. Chris splits his time between Tarrytown, NY and Barbados, where he finds time to swim with turtles and observe cloud animals. Although he doesn’t have children, his inner eight-year-old keeps him on his toes. He is an extrovert who has decided to work in the world’s loneliest profession.  Writing his first novel, Headcase, has been the best form of therapy he has ever had. In the novel, Dr. Andrew Beck is the go-to sports psychologist for troubled pro athletes. There isn’t a head he can’t fix—except his own. When his inner demons get the best of him, he misuses his insider access to athletes in a wager, which leads him down a path of blackmail, murder, and life-or-death bluffing. His only way out is to go all-in. You can learn more about Chris and his book at https://www.chriskjones.com/ This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order! This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

When I recorded a show last season, I spoke candidly about being burnt out at work and feeling underappreciated. I was guilty of perpetually people pleasing and not setting appropriate boundaries for myself.  It wasn't until I took control of my situation and reframed what my job meant to me that I was able to truly move forward in a productive and positive manner.   Everyday people go to work and wonder if this will be the day that their final boundary is pushed back or the final straw is removed.  Burnout is still a subject that employees and employers don't talk about often enough. According to a recent survey, 75% of workers have experienced burnout, with 40% saying they’ve experienced burnout specifically during the pandemic. That is why I invited Life Coach, Kara Regas, to speak to me about these issues.  Kara is a certified coach and her mission in my life and practice is to help folks like her recognize where they’re holding themselves back by letting go of people pleasing and setting healthy boundaries. This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order! This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

One of the biggest issues facing our children is bullying.  A recent study found that 1 in 5 kids are the victims of bullying.  That is why my guest, Dr. Nghi Dang, decided to write and illustrate the book series, The Adventures of Max and Friends, to assist kids and parents with talking about this important topic. The series follows Max as he navigates through school, friendships, bullying and trying to speak to his parents about it. 

Dr. Dang was born in Vietnam but grew up in Southern California. His family moved to the states when he was 7 years old. As an immigrant, he shared the same struggles as many other immigrants with adjusting to a new norm and dealing with bullying, discrimination, and constantly having to self-validate while fighting off depression.  Having been in practice for over 10 years as a Family Physician, he realized that his struggles are shared by many of his patients.

You can support him and read his message by purchasing his book and visiting https://www.theadventuresofmaxandfriends.org/

This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order!

This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

This is the show that everyone needs to hear.  A show about betrayal.  Most of us are not familiar with the specific work that is needed to assist with it.  Betrayal is unlike any other pain and that is where this week's guest comes in. Dr. Debi Silber is the founder of the PBT (Post Betrayal Transformation) Institute and is a holistic psychologist, a health, mindset and personal development expert, the author of Trust Again, and is a 2-time #1 International bestselling author of: The Unshakable Woman AND From Hardened to Healed. Her podcast: From Betrayal to Breakthrough is also globally ranked within the top 1.5% of podcasts. Her recent PhD study on how we experience betrayal made 3 groundbreaking discoveries that changes how long it takes to heal. In addition to being on FOX, CBS, The Dr. Oz Show, TEDx (twice) and more, she’s an award-winning speaker and coach dedicated to helping people move past their betrayals as well as any other blocks preventing them from the health, work, relationships, confidence, and happiness they want most. Her program, The PBT Institute (https://thepbtinstitute.com/), specializes in helping men and women who are ready to heal from their betrayal. No betrayal is too big or too small at PBT - we’re healing betrayals of all kinds. Members are learning to trust again after an affair (with or without their partner), overcoming childhood betrayals, and so much more. Through research based, proven and predictable strategies, along with the right type of support, you’ll move through the 5 Stages from Betrayal to Breakthrough. With the support of our Certified PBT Coaches, resources and community, we’ll help you create a solid foundation so you can feel safe again, love again, trust again…and transform after betrayal. This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order! This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

We all know it is a possibility but we never want to believe it could happen to us.  The layoff, the downsizing, the rift, the realignment, the reduction in staff - let's just call it what it is - being fired.  It never feels good and most of us are not prepared.  That is why I brought Kelsea Cozad back onto the show to talk about this very thing.  She had an excited new job that she was looking to do amazing things with.  She is young, ambitious, outgoing and dedicated to her craft.  She was told she was safe but quickly learned she was not.  In this episode, she opens up about the ups and downs of picking herself up and searching for a career she would love.  It was truly an amazing discussion and I am so glad she was willing to share how she got through such a tough time in her professional career and a personal life.  This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order! This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

A show so nice, I had to do it twice.  I am back talked about GETTING NAKED and this time, I brought someone with me. My guest this week is The Naked Gardener (IG: thenakedgardener_official).  She is an amazing young woman who spends a lot of her time, in her garden, becoming closer to nature, working on her spirituality and hoping to inspire others to remember that we are not separate from nature, but a part of it. During our discussion, she talks about the reasons she feels so comfortable being naked and how she uses the energy from the bright morning sun and land beneath her to become one with nature and gain a sense of peace and calm.  This was an amazing discussion and I am sure you will enjoy it. Please support her by going to her website hwww.thenakedgardener.us and look out for new music from her band The Third Pyramid (IG: the3rdpyramidband). This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order! This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

And here we are! Just like that, Season 5 is upon us and what a way to start.  My guest this week is mother of 5 and the creator of the West Rock Apparel Clothing Company for kids, Theresa Nast.  On this show, Theresa shows her vulnerability and speaks about her experiences with postpartum issues like depression and anxiety. She also talks about what it is like be the perfect mom in today's social-media driven society.  Her words should be heard by men and women alike so we can all learn how we can do our part to do more for the mothers in our lives.   Please support her new venture by going to her website https://westrockapparel.com/ as her new kids clothing line is set to launch very soon. This show is brought to you by 6am Run & 6amrun.com: "6AM Run believes in improving everyone's physical ability to not only have motion, but STAY IN MOTION. All this while creating an amazing supportive, surrounding community.” Use the link http://6amrun.refr.cc/relativelynormal for 20% off of your order! This show is owned and produced under Relatively Normal LLC, control #22174610. Guest are found through podmatch.com and recorded through riverside.fm.

On this 100th episode of the show, we will discuss some changes happening in my life and the process of reframing.  Reframing is a technique used to shift your mindset so you're able to look at a situation, person, or relationship from a slightly different perspective. If you listened to episode 97 "I Forgot About Me," you would know that I was looking at my career in a very passionate yet destructive way.  I wasn't eating, I wasn't sleeping and I continually could not get out of my rut.  I was burnt out and stressed.  But, I changed my perspective and looked at my career for what it was - a means to an end.  A way to make money and somehow try to find some joy.  

However, I started looking for and finding joy in other things: my family, this show, my hobbies and my physical fitness.  In this episode, I talk about some examples of things in our life that we can reframe from sleep to food to working out.  Reframing is a good way to put things that trigger us into perspective, but it takes work. HARD WORK. You may need to speak to someone or seek out a therapist.  But, take it from me, it will be worth every second.

See you next season!

Ok, you should probably get naked at the right time and in the right place...........and around the right people, but preferably alone.  But, I wanted to make this episode as I have started to use nudity as a tool to assist with my mental health, my body image issues and with my appreciation for the body I was given.  I do ask this from all that are listening to this episode - try not to always equate nudity with sexuality or erotisicm.  Use the act of stripping out of our clothes as an act of mindfulness and leaving the weight of the world behind.  Being alone and naked can help us really stay in the moment and enjoy the skin we are in.

Also, nudity has plenty of other benefits that include: Helping with sleep issues, improving skin, strengthening bones and muscles, improving intimacy and improving self-esteem. And, while you are spending your naked and alone time, you should take a look at yourself in the mirror.  The society we live in has made many of us self-conscious and filled with self-hate.  The moment we can start to accept our bodies, regardless of size, is the moment we can start to appreciate how unique and beautiful we are.  

I hope that you can take the time to strip down, appreciate the body you were given and continue this journey of self-love and learn to always Protect Your Peace!

I know, I know, I know - the last show was not great to listen to.  Believe me, it was not easy to record.  But, there is good news - I have bounced back with some help from an unlikely source - a 6-year-old little girl.  While on a family vacation, she gave me some of the best advice I had ever heard in my life and she didn't even know.  

On this week's episode, I talk about 2 unique but similar things: Being intentional with finding your happiness and Protecting Your Peace.  I have been working on both lately and, I must say, it has put me in a headspace that I have not been to in a long time.  I want to thank all the people that reached out to me and asked about how I was doing, I want to thank everyone who sent texts with words of encouragement and I finally want to thank everyone that listened to me vent my frustrations.  I love and appreciate all of you. 

I know, I know, I know - it's been awhile since I have recorded an episode.  I apologize - but I have a reason.  Well, the reason is......I forgot about me.  I forgot to prioritize my time, my emotions and my mental health. Work has been busy and life has gotten in the way.  I need to make changes. And I am going to.  On this week's show, I really open and up and show my vulnerability. Lately, I have been a mess and I have tried to do too much and put the weight of the entire world on my shoulders.  I am burnt out, I am stressed and I can't see anything in front of me other than heartache and stress.  I have suffered from chest pains, headaches, exhaustion, the inability to sleep and countless other issues.  I am happy to say that I have a family vacation coming up where I hope to decompress, have some fun and reconnect with my wife and kids.

If you have had these same issues, please talk to someone, forgive yourself, and set some plans in place to prioritize your health.  You are worth it.

March is here and that means we are celebrating Women's History Month.  To celebrate this, I have asked my friend and colleague, Dion Spencer, to join me on the show to talk about purpose.  Dion works very hard in her career but once the office hours are over, she works to assist other women find their purpose in life.  When COVID started, she wanted to connect with people like her so she could facilitate emotional and spiritual connections and foster growth.  In the journey, she started a FaceBook group, All U Need In A Real Sister-Friend, to give women a judgement-free place to share experiences, gain and give knowledge, and find support when needed. That group is up to 1,000 members.

As she states, Dion continually has a growth mindset and wants to show others her continuing journey.  She works every day to constantly forgive herself, hit that reset but and find her purpose. I hope you enjoy.  

We currently live in a society where people feel obligated to always speak up.  Some people feel like their opinion is always welcomed, always appreciated and always wanted.  As most of us know, this is not the case and we may need to teach people the fine art of minding their own business.  Now, what does this have to do with mental health and awareness? Well, words matter.  Opinions matter.  The way we interact with others matter.  And the way show and give respect matters.  When the people we communicate with always have to protect their own feelings because you can't learn to just listen and possibly stay quiet, those people start to not want to associate with you.  If those people are your kids, they become distant or learn toxic habits that will affect them in the future. 

Sometimes, like I said, it may be best to just mind your own d*** business.

On this week's show, I welcome Licensed Nurse Practitioner, Bret Weigman to the show to speak about the current mental state of the nursing and medical community.  As we all know, we have been going through the COVID-19 pandemic for 3 years and it has taken a toll on everyone.  One group that has been hit the hardest is the medical community and a lot of that has nothing to do with the actual virus.  A lot of the mental toll has to do with misinformation and downright lies by a part of the population who refuse to listen to experts and medical officials.  This has caused numerous nurses and doctors to be assaulted at their jobs and forced to quit a profession that they love because of the trauma and abuse they take on a day to day basis.

I really appreciate the level of care that Bret gives all of his patients regardless of their beliefs because he not only loves his job, but he loves helping people who need his care.  I hope we can all try to be more like him.

So last week, I started a new medication.  I am now taking a daily prescribed dose of Adderall each day for my ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  I had been going back and forth for a long time on when I should broach the subject with my doctor.  After having honest conversations with multiple therapists, I took the plunge.  

I can't think of a better way to explore this new journey in my life other than bringing Dr. Joseph Elfar back to the show to discuss all things ADHD.  He is currently a resident psychiatrist working in the New Jersey area. He is recently married and about to start his 3rd year of residency. 

Did you know about 6.1 million children in the United States (9.4 percent) between ages 2 to 17 are estimated to have ever been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? And, the worldwide prevalence of adult ADHD is estimated at 2.8 percent, according to a 2016 study.  To be totally honest, I really did not know that much about this medical condition so I wanted to ask a psychiatrist about it - so that's what I am doing.

If you've ever had any questions about ADHD, the symptoms, and some treatment options, Dr. Elfar will answer a few.

Disclaimer: This show is just for educational purposes.  If you have specific questions about any medical conditions, please consult with your personal doctor or a licensed therapist. 

Happy MLK day to all of you.  Dr. King was an amazing man that taught love and peace while trying to move civil rights forward for so many less fortunate people in this country.  Unfortunately, many of his teachings have not been followed, especially in corporate America.  So many companies will post quotes from the late Civil Rights activist, but their moneys and actions will not follow in the same footsteps.  This needs to change.

On this week's show, I welcome Quila Pugh to speak on these specific topics.  Quila and I met a few months ago after she organized a great discussion about Native Americans and I was immediately hooked on her message and perseverance.  On this show, we discuss the empty promises of some of the larger companies in America that see diversity and inclusion as a nice thing to put in a posting but not really worth throwing effort into. We talk about how this affects her and others that look and feel like her.

I can honestly say this was one of my favorite discussions since starting this show.  Quila is not only accurate in her descriptions but also passionate and we could all learn a lot from her. 

What is one thing that most humans do (multiple times), it gives us a lot of pleasure, some pain, can make or break relationships, and we talk about it the least? SEX.  You know: Good, ole' fashion love makin', coitus, canoodling, intercourse, banging, so on and so forth.  For an action that has so  many words to describe it, we talk about it the least.  

Well, this is where Marital and Family Therapist, Parisa Frost comes in.  Parisa has worked both internationally and domestically in Buenos Aires and Los Angeles to assist couples and individuals with bringing greater understanding into their identities, past traumas, relationships, and sexual issues using creativity, clarity, and cultural humility. 

Parisa was nice enough to be a guest on the show and talk about topics ranging from gaining that spark back in the bedroom to dealing with past sexual trauma.  She uses her platform to make the conversation about sex and sexual function more mainstream and acceptable.  We had a great discussion.

On this week's show, I welcome my good friend and colleague, Lawton Swann, back to the show.  Lawton is the host and creator of Clemson Sports Talk.  This week we discuss the mental aspect of playing sports at the highest levels.  Being in the media, Lawton gets to interact with college athletes and coaches in a unique way.  He sees things that others really don't.  Lawton shares his insights on how the pandemic has changed sports over the last 20 months, how coaches have started to focus on the mental health of their athletes and how a coaches job should be focused on more than just wins and losses.

It is always a pleasure talking with Lawton.  He is very insightful and does his homework.  Go check out his show and follow his journey at clemsonsportstalk.com

To all of us trying to start something new, it can be a frustrating process.  All the emotions and feelings running through our minds can be so rough that we may just decide not to start.  On this week's show, I talk to my good friend and fellow Clemson Alum, Bryan Williams about those specific things.  As long as I've known Bryan, there have been 2 things that have been quite evident - he was a humble human being and he LOVES music.  That is why over a year ago, he started thaempireradio.com to bring the best of old school hip-hop and r&b to every computer and smartphone in the world.  

Bryan, who is a former Clemson Track and Field athlete,  and I take this time to talk about his frustrations of starting something he loves and uses the perfect racing analogy of being on the starting line and either deciding to run or not.  I think you will get a lot out of our discussion and remember, if you are wanting to start something new in your life, boil your decision down to the only 2 choices you really have: you can either run or not.