Emotion Well

Sarah Sparks shares her story on better understanding herself, how she identified her purpose in life, and how she guides others to finding their spark in business and personal relationships. Sarah is a highly sought out Spiritual Business Mentor who helps people identify purpose and the path to embracing life to its fullest. Sarah also shares her definition of spiritual wellness and how one can pursue a whole life embracing mind, body, and spirit.

Visit Sarah's website!

Check out Sarah's Podcast, Floating on a Cloud!

Read Sarah's book, Hateful to Grateful!

Check out the book, The Four Agreements

Want to send us a question or comment? Email Emotion Well!

Gabbie Ruggiero, Prevention Specialist and Grant Coordinator from EFR's Prevention Team sits down to talk about the current meth and opioid trends in the United States and explains why overdose deaths are continuing to increase. She introduces us to the concept of harm reduction strategies and how this approach to drug use is focused on reducing negative consequences and overdose deaths and how harm reduction is a form of social justice.

River to River Podcast

Harm Reduction Principles

Harm Reduction in Iowa

Information and Access to NARCAN

Reach out to EFR 24/7/365 at 800.327.4692.

Free, confidential support for Iowans without EFR’s EAP in crisis or in need of mental health and substance use resources: https://yourlifeiowa.org/ or call (855) 581-8111 or text (855) 895-8398.

Questions: email [email protected]

Many people dream of the day they no longer need to work but often times those dreams are dashed with the reality that retirement might not look the way they expected from a financial perspective. Learn from Scott Nelson of Legacy Financial Group how to create a roadmap to a financially sustainable retirement. Scott shares tips for individuals who are just entering the workforce, those mid-career, and individuals on the cusp of retirement. As Scott shares, it is never too early or too late to think about the golden years!

Resources and Financial Calculators:

• https://lfgplanners.com/resources.php

Questions: Email [email protected]

Scott Nelson is an Investment Advisor Representative with Legacy Financial Group], a Registered Investment Adviser. Opinions expressed on this program do not necessarily reflect those of Legacy Financial Group]. The topics discussed, and opinions given are not intended to address the specific needs of any listener. Legacy Financial Group does not offer legal or tax advice, listeners are encouraged to discuss their financial needs with the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance

Dr. Warren Phillips, a clinical psychologist and expert on emotional intelligence, or EQ, helps us understand the importance of paying attention to our feelings and how we can use that information to help us navigate relationships at home and in the workplace. We also explore whether there are any downsides to EQ and if personality traits, like introversion or extroversion are related to someone's EQ.

Check out Warren's Business: Transformative Workplace Solutions:

Check out Warren's podcast: Take the Irk out of Work

Learn more about: Six Seconds

Check out EFR's training catalog to explore EQ workshops for your workplace!

Questions or comments? Email [email protected]

September is Suicide Awareness Month and in this episode we hear from Destiny Welsh Teixeira who shares how her family found ways to cope after her brother took his own life. Destiny shares how her faith and family got her through a challenging season of life and how her family and the community continue to honor her brother Andy’s life.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

National Suicide Hotline: 800.273.8255

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/suicide-prevention-awareness-month

Email Emotion Well: [email protected]

EFR’s Clinical Team Lead, Tina Leaf (MSW, LISW), explores common myths and misconceptions about counseling in our latest episode of Emotion Well! In addition, Tina shares how to identify a counselor who will be a good fit, how to know when a child is ready for counseling, and why many people are hesitant to take the first step of reaching out to a counselor.

Questions for Emotion Well? Email us at [email protected]

Learn more about EFR's counseling services: https://efr.org/programs-services/counseling/

Use your EAP benefit with EFR: https://efr.org/how-we-help/work/

To kick off season three we have Alysa Mozak sharing information about identifying and communicating healthy boundaries. Alysa is an educator and consultant with her own business called Blossoming Pathways, LLC. She provides customized policy audits using trauma informed care methods, and professional development trainings and workshops on empathy building skills, sexual health and healthy relationships skills, compassion fatigue, and bystander training. In this episode we explore boundaries across all types of relationships and also hear about the importance of boundary setting in the workplace.

Questions for Emotion Well? Email us at [email protected]

Blossoming Pathways: https://www.facebook.com/blossomingpathwaysdsm/

Book Recommendation: Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawab: https://www.nedratawwab.com/my-book

Healthy Relationships Initiative: https://healthyrelationshipsinitiative.org/community-resources/toolkits/

The Relationship Foundation: https://therelationshipfoundation.org/

Steve Arneson joins us for a candid conversation about parenting, coaching, counseling, mentoring, and being a girl dad. In addition to being a dad (and grandpa!), Steve has worn the hat of teacher, school counselor, and coach and provides great insights into best ways to communicate with children and adolescents. Steve also shares how EFR's Student Assistance Program (SAP) can be a way to keep communication open between parents and children.

Learn more about EFR's Student Assistance Program (SAP) here: https://efr.org/programs-services/student-assistance-program/

Joe Laslo is a man on a mission. Since 2015, Joe has been serving radical hospitality one burrito at a time to the homeless and food insufficient in Des Moines, Iowa through the non-profit, Urban Bicycle Food Ministries (UBFM). Learn how a bike accident in 2014 turned into one of Joe's greatest endeavors and how it has changed the lives of those who he has met along the way. In addition, find out how you can get involved with UBFM and learn more about EFR's annual fundraiser, Ride Don't Hide!

Urban Bicycle Food Ministries: https://ubfmdsm.com/

Urban Bicycle Food Ministries Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/410291065841161/

Ride Don't Hide: https://efr.org/stay-connected/ride-dont-hide/

Being aware and noticing what's going on in the natural world is one way to enhance overall well-being. Leslie Berckes shares her passion for being a voice for the voiceless through her work with Trees Forever and helps us explore the many ways someone can interact with the natural world to boost physical and emotional well-being.

Check out the Trees Forever Growing Futures program: http://www.treesforever.org/growingfutures

Want to learn more about trees? Explore the TreekKeeper program: www.treesforever.org/treekeepers

How environmentalism intersects with diversity, equity, and inclusion: http://www.treesforever.org/Blog7-14-20

Study on Widening Disconnect with Nature: https://e360.yale.edu/digest/u-s-study-shows-widening-disconnect-with-nature-and-potential-solutions