Choi Says Podcast

Happy New Year Choisters! Oh How I've missed you!! 'Tis a new season of Choi Says!! So excited! I hope you all had a great time with your loved ones and got to relax a little and get away from the daily hustle… We are back full force! This week, I talk about the importance of gratitude and the benefits it can have on you. _*****Sorry about the Robot Voice in TWO SPOTS on this episode! Please excuse my robot voice on 3:24-3:38 and at the VERY END!!! Just trying to keep you on your toes!*****_ Below are a couple of great articles I mention in the episode. Please make sure you take the time to read it! [](https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_gratitude_is_good)[Robert Emmons - Why Gratitude is Good [Greater Good]](https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_gratitude_is_good) [](ttps://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2014/11/23/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-of-gratitude-that-will-motivate-you-to-give-thanks-year-round/#79073b21183c)[Amy Morin - 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude [Forbes]](https://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2014/11/23/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-of-gratitude-that-will-motivate-you-to-give-thanks-year-round/#79073b21183c) I am so extremely thankful for all of you and your support. Let's have an AMAZING and FULFILLING 2019 with LOTS OF GRATITUDE!!!! <3 KTHANKSBYE<3

She's baaaack!!! Hello lovely Choisters! Sorry I haven't been able to post for a couple of weeks. But don't worry, I'm back full force! Here is the third and final episode of the #MeToo. Our Stories Series!!! Once again, I want to thank every woman who shared their stories with me here on Choi Says. I also want to thank all the women out there who are sharing their stories and standing up and standing together. I learned so much and felt so much pride in being a woman while I made this series. so just in general. Thanks you to all of you beautiful souls. We are all sisters on this big round thing we call Earth. Love you all so much! **CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT AND LANGUAGE** In this episode, we talk about what kind of effects sexual assault can have on the victims' mental health. I'm really hoping that beyond sharing these amazing and brave women's stories, that we can bring about some awareness of the aftereffect of the abuse. Sources: Brand, Bethany. (2014). Dissociative identity disorder. 439-458. [National Alliance on Mental Illness](https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Dissociative-Disorders) [Mental Health America](http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/sexual-assault-and-mental-health) [Psychological Medicine](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/domestic-and-sexual-violence-against-patients-with-severe-mental-illness/A7787F698B3B2FBAEA8172A34F3CF246) [Good Therapy](https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/sexual-abuse) [Psychology Today](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-your-adult-child-breaks-your-heart/201711/metoo-sexual-assault-and-mental-health) Thank you <3 #MeToo #TimesUp #IBelieveSurvivors #WhyDidntIReport

We're back with stories from more brave women. Thank you to all of you amazing women for sharing your stories. I stand with you. <3 **CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT AND LANGUAGE** Stories of their sexual assault. Stories of sexual harassment. Stories of shame, fear, and everything else that comes with it. Through this series, I hope to reach as many women as possible to encourage them to speak up. Tell their stories. Own your body. Own your past. Own your assault. I hope to reach men to understand the movement a little more and understand the importance of talking about this for the future of the world and for our children. Please listen up and tune in to the rest of the series as more courageous women come forward about their experiences with sexual assault and harassment. Got some data from: [National Sexual Violence Resources Center](https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics) Thank you <3 #MeToo #TimesUp #IBelieveSurvivors #WhyDidntIReport

I've put together an amazing series of episodes of some amazing brave women and their stories. **_CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT AND LANGUAGE_** Stories of their sexual assault. Stories of sexual harassment. Stories of shame, fear, and everything else that comes with it. Through this series, I hope to reach as many women as possible to encourage them to speak up. Tell their stories. Own your body. Own your past. Own your assault. I also hope to reach men to understand the movement a little more and understand the importance of talking about this for the future of the world and for our children. Please listen up and tune in to the rest of the series as more courageous women come forward about their experiences with sexual assault and harassment. Thank you <3 #MeToo #TimesUp #IBelieveSurvivors #WhyDidntIReport

Whoa Nelly...! In this episode I get real up close and personal. I had quite the journey in my mental health. I think the biggest chunk of it was rather I accepted my mental illness or not. I credit all you lovely people listening to this for allowing me to be open and vulnerable about something I am learning to become OK with myself. I sincerely hope that this episode reaches someone and helps someone. In feeling like you're not alone. In feeling that you can talk about your mental illness. In seeking help for something that's new to you. Just in knowing that we're all in this together. Here's an article I mention in the episode that I'd love for you to check out. READ IT!!! [ADHD Looks Different In Women. Here’s How — and Why. - ADDitude](https://www.additudemag.com/add-in-women/) Alrighty! that's all! Thanks as always. KTHANKSBYE<3

This week, my guest, Michael Lomas and I talk about how depression affected his life. How the stigma people had about depression made Michael stop seeking treatment at a young age. It wasn't until fairly recently, that he went back to getting treatment again and started being able to be more open about this. I connected with Michael's story in many ways and the brief conversation I had with him after the interview has helped me in a big way. Mostly in feeling less afraid to be open about my mental health and being less ashamed of it. Work in progress, though, right? Here's an article from the Harvard Medical School about the science behind depression so you can familiarize yourself with it a little. [What Causes Depression?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression) -Harvard Health Publishing And here's a short 3-minute video with great visual to explain how the treatments work in relation to there receptors in the brain. [What Causes Depression](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InNhDfDfl5c) -Depression Outreach - YouTube If you are suffering through depression and don't have someone around that you feel you can talk to, please calloneof the following hotlines. **SAMHSA (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Admin.)** 1-800-662-HELP (4357) **National Hopeline Network** 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) **National Suicide Prevention Lifeline** 1-800-273-TALK (8255) **National Youth Crisis Hotline** 1-800-448-4663

Happy 6-month anniversary to Choi Says Podcast!! Or is it a 6-month birthday? I'm not sure!! ANYWAY!!! I am so happy that I started this podcast. This podcast has brought me closer to my friends and helped me look deeper into myself. I've truly become a better person because of this podcast. In honor of hitting the 6-month mark, I did a little solo episode about Choi Says Podcast. How it came about, how it's affected me, and how I believe and hope it's affecting others. I hope you enjoy it. KTHANKSBYE<3

In this episode, my guest, Danny Longdon talks about the tragic death of his parents and how he's been dealing with it for the past 7 years. He talks about the great support system he had in his brother and his friends and how focusing on bettering himself has been greatly helpful in moving forward with his life. Danny does some work with [Next Door Solutions](www.nextdoor.org), an organization in Santa Clara County that helps victims of domestic violence. They offer housing, support groups, and other programs that help the victims in many ways. If you ever find yourself in a domestic violence situation or know someone who might be, please check out Next Door Solutions, help might just be one click away. Next Door Solutions is a Santa Clara County specific organization, but if you're in other areas and find yourself in a domestic violence situation, please call the [Domestic Violence Hotline](www.thehotline.org) at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

***Before I begin, there's a weird glitch between 8:17-8:36 but it does stop and it does not come back!!! Sorry about it!!*** HELLO! If you follow my personal social media, you must know how much Burning Man FOMO I've been feeling this past week. So I thought it was only fitting to do an episode about it as well. I truly grew so much as a person from going to Burning Man ONE TIME. Sadly, I did not go this year, but will be there next year. But while we're all here, and not in Black Rock City, I wanted to share with you the 10 Principles of Burning Man. These 10 principles truly speak to me, and I think everyone should try to live by these principles all the time, on or off the playa. I want to tell you which one my favorite is, but I can't, because I truly love so many of them. But I will tell you which one I miss the most right now. It's Radical Self-Expression. Be yourself. Do you. Just go for it. I feel like the playa brought the full "me" out. I try to channel that version of me daily, but it's been pretty difficult to find, lately... I think all this reminiscing has been helping me cope, at least.. hehe Anyway! I hope you all enjoy the episode! KTHANKSBYE<3 PS. If you disagree with any of the ways I've explained the principles, let me know! This is what I think they are and how I've accepted them to be...! You know where to find me! [email protected]!

This week's guest, Raya Belmonte, and I talk about the many adversities she experienced in her life. Beginning in her childhood with lack of positive attention from the people in her life. This led to her causing a lot of trouble in her younger years and struggling with her self-worth. Raya opens up about the ways she's wronged others in her life because of how low she was feeling. Also, about how she ended up with significant others who treated her horribly, also due to how low she felt. She also talks about the amazing people she's met along the way who have been huge supports for her and her growth & healing process. This interview is definitely a story of an ongoing journey that Raya was so generous to share with us so openly. I say this in the intro, but I just want it in writing as well. If Raya were a color, she'd be glitter. You'll feel her energy immediately when you hear her voice. I hope you guys enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it with Raya.