Above Ground Podcast

Hey everyone! It’s time for another episode of Above Ground Podcast. TPP & Will are back in the saddle again for this week’s conversation with guest, author, Jacqui Letran on episode two hundred twenty eight of AGP.

Jacqui Letran's life path was chosen for her as at teen mom. Dropping out of high school and living on public assistance. Jacqui believed she was doomed, but the birth of her son led her to find a path forward through love and healing. Jacqui became a Nurse Practitioner, specializing in Adolescent health.

This paved the road of life's journey with the fire to make the world a better place for her son. She has written 10 award-winning books, she has owned two teen health clinics, founded Healing Minds Hypnotherapy, created ReStory EFT and founded and mentored thousands of teens with her Teen Confidence Academy.

You can find Jacqui and her work at these links.Until next week, get well, be safe, stay Above.

Jackie Letran

Jacqui on Amazon

Jacqui on Instagram

Jacqui on Facebook

Jacqui on LinkedIn

Welcome to episode two hundred twenty seven of Above Ground Podcast. This week TPP and our guest, Jordan are back to discuss the slings and arrows of the emotions of St. Anger. Will comes back next week, to join TPP for an AGP InnerView with Jacqui Letran. Until then get well, be safe, and stay Above.

Karen Bona has many callings. She is an Ordained Interfaith Minister, a Yoga Teacher, A Reiki Master. The spiritual connection is what weaves those into a beautiful basket full of energy. They allow her to heal and remain closer to the heart.

Hey! It’s time for episode two hundred twenty six of Above Ground Podcast. This week Will is back on the mic and we have our conversation with friend Karen Bona.

This week we cover Karen’s life in recovery. We talk about her search for self acceptance and the fact of teaching is her true calling. She is a Reiki Master and teaches yoga at both, Heartspace in Albany and Girl Fight Fitness in Latham.

Just a quick heads up, we are covering some heavy stuff on this one. We hold space for these conversations because they have to happen and someone has to do it. Keep reading TPP’s, Never Underestimate the Power of You, or grab a copy if you haven’t. Tim is hosting a Peer Meet Up Sunday October, 15 at 130pm at the Sages Circle 443 Saratoga Rd, Glenville. Until next we meet again, get well, be safe, stay Above.

This week Will stepped back for work and his own mental health but fear not, Jordan slipped in and helped us in finding some answers on how we can ask better questions? How can we, as a whole, start asking better questions. As a society, as leaders, as teachers, as professionals, as friends, and as humans. We continue to deal with mental health issues and at the same time those issues continue to grow. Life was given to us all 1 million years ago, what have we done with it? What are you doing with it? Something is not working… We need a change, but how do we start? And what does it look like?

Don’t forget every week we start the conversation in order to stomp out the stigmas of mental health! We can’t do it without your help, follow us in the socials, subscribe to the podcast, share the podcast and buy us a coffee @ buymeacoffee.com\abovegroundpod.

Check the links for more info and don’t forget to grab a copy of “never underestimate the power of you”, the new book from TPP.

Thanks for the support and as always …

Stay above.

This week on Above Ground Podcast we talk fear. Facing fear head on. How to use fear to help you get out of your boxes. It’s time to look fear in the eye and say if not now, when, do we say no to fear.

What’s up everyone, time for episode two hundred twenty four of Above Ground Podcast. Time to let go of doubt, worry and outcomes. There is no wisdom without overcoming fear. Hey Ho, let’s go….

We are taking a break from talking about suicide this week, though it is so important. These heavy topics are sometimes even heavy for us. Please dial 9-8-8 if you need to speak to someone or if someone you know is struggling.

Thanks for checking in again and listening to this new episode. Use fear against itself this week and choose you. Until we meet again.

get well, be safe, and stay Above.

This Sunday is the 2023 Out of the Darkness Walk for R.I.T.A. in Saratoga Springs, NY. Rita was a Doctor, a Partner, a beloved Friend. The acronym stands for remembrance, intervention, together, (we can raise) awareness. Above Ground Podcast will be there as we have been since 2019. This walk is the most unique in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention family, in that a person is attached directly. The ladies who have affectionately become the Ritas, over the years, have allowed so many to share in the memories of their Rita. Healing and connecting is the point.

Whats up everyone? Welcome to episode two hundred twenty three of Above Ground Podcast. This week we are highlighting Sunday’s walk at Saratoga Spa State Park at 9am. We are joined by repeat guest Dan Egan and Missy Stolfi, both of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Capital Region NY Chapter. It was great catching up with our friend Dan and the newest Capital Region NY Area Director Missy.

Please come out and show your support for the cause, even if you do not have a connection. Though, I believe most of us are closer than we think. There will be remembrance quilts, boards for you to write messages for loved ones. Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga will be providing rides again this year. We will have tables from lots of non-profit and agencies across Nippertown. Our friends at Healing Springs will be next to, Above Ground Podcast. Saratoga County Mental Health will be providing free NARCAN training. Speakers and ceremonies will round out this wonderful event.

Thank you for listening to episode two hundred twenty three of Above Ground Podcast. See you Sunday at Saratoga Spa State Park at 9am.We will return next week with another new episode. Until next week get well, be safe, be above.

You will never be the same following the loss of someone you care about to suicide. Loss is part of your history, but it doesn’t have to tell the whole story. Erika Barber,first lost her older sister, Andrea. Then later on, Erika lost her dad, John. Through those losses came the ability to start having conversations of courage and Erika’scourageousness to be comfortable talking about the uncomfortable leads to connection.

Welcome to episode two hundred twenty two of Above Ground Podcast. We continue with our Suicide Prevention and Awareness month episodes, as we have done since 2019, with our guest,Erika Barber.

Erika Barber,first lost her older sister, Andrea, when Erika was just fifteen to suicide. When Andrea died, Erika wanted to just be a teenager. She couldn’t address her pain like an adult, shewanted to hang with her friends. Forget the inevitable changes that were ahead for her family and the grief of losing your older sister. Forget her life would be forever touched by suicide. She’d be the that girl who’s sister died by suicide.

Following the loss of Andrea, Erika’s mother dealt with her pain by drowning it in alcohol, while her dad sought out help. John, went to the groups, took his meds as prescribed, faced the loss of his daughter, Andrea. John lost his battle with depression eight years ago. Once again, Erika was facing a loss by suicide. But, not just any loss. This was the loss of her dad in 2015. The loss of her dad was profound.

Erika lived with mental health challenges herself. Facing a family of mental health challenges, both figuratively and literally.Erika did the work to find herself working through her loss courageously.

Erika found the American Foundation for Suicide Preventionin 2007, through an Out of the Darkness walk. Her ten year Board of Director’s termjust ended. Erika wanted to be involved as soon as she heard a radio ad that was calling her tribe together. People that would finally get her and understand.

October 24, 2023 is the Chicagoland AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk in Chicago, Illinois. Erika will be in attendance and if you’re in the Chicagoland area you should be too.Especially , since you’re more closer than you think to someone who died by suicide.

Come to Saratoga Spa State Park on Sunday September, 24,2023 at 9am for the Out of the Darkness Walk for R.I.T.A. and remember our loved ones. Stop by the Above Ground Podcast table and not for profits all over Nippertown. As well as a remembrance ceremony and activities to create tributes to celebrate their memory.

Sunday October 1, 2023 is the next Upstate Punk Rock Flea Market at Empire Live Albany. 11am-5pm.It is also the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Schenectady Walk at Central Park. Make sure when they ask where you heard about these events, tell them, Above Ground Podcast guided you. Thanks for listening to episode two hundred twenty-two and until next time, get well, be safe, stay above.

AFSP Chicago

Erika Barber book Conversations of Courage AFSP Capital Region New York TPP book Never Underestimate the Power of You Will Foley single Memoir (Despair & Mayhem)

Welcome to episode two hundred twenty one of Above Ground Podcast. This week Will & TPP kick off September and Suicide Prevention and Awareness month with a raw and frank discussion on staying alive when you don’t really want to live. This is could be a triggering conversation for some, so just take precautions when listening.

Living on a Prayer was not just Bon Jovi’s biggest hit, it’s sometimes the way we survive life’s tragedies. Throwing up our hands and saying I can’t do it alone, finding our higher power and letting go. For those of us who live with suicidal ideation or depression sometimes wanting to live is just too hard. Fighting to make it through another day is far too heavy a burden.

During this month we remember the lost. But, let us not forget those that are still amongst us giving their best to just survive another day. Help us celebrate those that we have lost on Sunday September 24,2023 at Orenda Pavillon in Saratoga Spa State Park for Out of the Darkness Walk for RITA 2023 at 9am.

Also this Saturday, September 9, from 1-4 at the Knox Town Park for the Kiwanis Club of the Helderbergs Art Festival for Mental Health, 2192 Berne-Altamont Road, Altamont NY 12209. Check out Amy Modesti’s piece spotlighting AGP will be there and is looking forward to seeing everyone.

Thanks for listening and return every Wednesday. Please sign up for RITA to walk, maybe donate and until next time stay Above.

Finding kind humans with a kind heart that just want to help others is rare these days. Lucky for us(and you) we have Dr.Rachael!! She is a relationship coach that empowers women and spreads hope to everyone.Dr. Rachael is a strong advocate for belief work, not only for others but also, herself. Maybe it’s the force behind hope, in order to create strength, we must utter the words “ I am enough”.

Welcome to episode two hundred twenty of Above Ground Podcast. This is the place conversations decrease the stigmas of mental health and this week wemix in a little attachment theory, as well.

With the help of Dr. Rachael we discuss life after divorce, healing through shame, guilt, grief and the entanglement of attachment styles. Finding our way through the web of relationships in order to continue our journey to becoming our authentic selves.She believes the best way to step out of the shadows is searching within… through values, standards, affirmations, belief work and maybe most importantly…… consistency.

What are your basic needs? What is your attachment style? Lean on us this week in episode #220 and grow through forgiveness with positive affirmations and with the wisdom of Dr. Rachael Knotts.

Don’t forget every week we start the conversation in order to stomp out the stigmas of mental health! We can’t do it without your help, so follow us on the socials, subscribe to the podcast, share, rate, review, and buy us a coffee @buymeacoffee.com\abovegroundpod.

Thanks for the support and as always …

Stay above.

So many of us think in terms of black and white. We are either rational or emotional. We create laws in black and white. Yet, looking at the world around us, we are all shades of grey.

Hey, what’s up and welcome to episode two hundred nineteen of Above Ground Podcast. This week we get into the reasonable mind vs the emotional mind and where the self is in the scrum. Is the self the joining of the two, known as wise mind, or could it be just another mystery that goes unsolved.

The wise mind brings the band together, and what a power trio it is. Reasonable mind and Emotional mind, round out this triple threat, sure to turn it up to eleven.

First, keeping you cool, task oriented and rational, on drums Reasonable mind. Facts, reason and laying down a wicked in the pocket, four on the floor keeping the band in time. Don’t jam my swing with your emotions.

On guitar we have none other than Emotional mind. Emotional mind is a shredder and a tearjerker rigged together. Using only feelings, moods, and urges to dance across the fretboard. Our shredder has no time for logic. That would ruin his expression.

Now holding the pocket and our hearts together is our master of the low end and the boss of the bottom, wise mind. Wise mind lays the rhythm under the melody and the beat. Wise mind walks the middle path using right and left to bring the noise and keep reason and emotion from going solo.

Thanks for checking out, Above Ground Podcast. Check back on Wednesdays for episodes and follow us on socials to see what we are up to. Until next week, get well, be safe, stay ABOVE.