Above Ground Podcast

In 2020 the life expectancy in the US was 77 years old and a month or two. With that alarming number it’s no wonder we don’t talk about death. We don’t like to plan our death and we definitely do not want to acknowledge it. We have our second ever repeat guest this week. Time to get flipping the script with Dr. A the Misfit Therapist. 

It’s time for episode two hundred nine of Above Ground Podcast, and we are rocking into year four with only our second ever repeat guest, The Misfit Therapist, herself, Dr. A. We were stoked to have her back on and catch up. We jumped right in with some heavy facts. That’s your trigger warning. 

Dr. A expresses that, ”you’re allowed to go backwards a little bit, to go forward.”. As you see up top the topic of death is very prevalent this week. Death of parent, death of relationship, and death of identity. As people that are very comfortable in uncomfortable conversations this was just a natural order and the tape rolled for it. 

Dr. A appeared back on episode 152 Island of Misfits w/Dr.A the Misfit Therapist.  A lot has changed in her world since that appearance in May of 2022, she shares. Dr. A is a busy psychotherapist in California. Dr. A is a mom , an MBA and a former professor. Her specialty is trauma focused CBT and she is a LCSW and LPCC. 

Dr. A clearly needed to get some stuff off her chest and the  vulnerable conversation led us through her father’s death, the uncoupling of her first marriage, her upcoming second one. Yes, she knows the odds. We got to talk divorce and how difficult it is to have a not so normal parting of the ways. 

The common theme of death led us to a good resting place and we are so grateful to have had our second repeat guest. As we celebrate year four and march toward five, we will have some other respect guests from the years past. We also have some killer guests. We hope you will check in every Wednesday. 

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode of Above Ground Podcast. We look forward to seeing and hearing from you. Please follow our socials for updates daily. Come see us at an AGP pop up event. Check Facebook and Instagram to find us wherever you might be. Until next week get well,  be safe, stay above.

This week is all about relationships, attachment styles and celebrating year number four of having real, raw conversations.  Many of us have had  our hearts  thrown on the ground or maybe something traumatic has happened. This week we get to bring Jordan back in for a conversation about how difficult relationships really are.  Don’t go in with eyes closed, and arms wide open. 

Welcome to episode two hundred eight and the official fourth birthday of Above Ground Podcast. What better conversation to have, than to speak of relationships on this episode. We are  heading into year number four and continuing what we do best; stomping  the stigmas of mental illness every Wednesday. 

When you seek love where it’s unavailable, love can become transactional.  When you have a hard time setting boundaries, it can make us seek transactional relations to fill needs. Opening us up for yet another relationship swing. Often in short order. We can all agree relationships are hard. We do not need to make them harder by carrying the baggage of old outdated software. Plug in, get updated. 

Jordan Caslin  has been a very familiar voice around the show. He is often the male voicing the disclaimer at the beginning and has appeared on episodes over the years. Jordan is a great friend of the show and we appreciate his time, talent and root beer. 

Shout out to Nippertown. We appreciate being part of the family. We thank Jim & Laura for their support. We are stoked to be a part of NipperFest 2023 and cannot wait to see everyone again this year. It was a hot one last year. Make sure you drop by and say hey on Saturday July 22,2023. We will be at Central Park Music Haven  at Noon to rock all day and talk mental health.

Sunday July 16,2023 will be the next gathering of Upstate Punk Rock Flea Market. Come by Albany's premier venue, Empire Live, 93 No Pearl Street, 11a-5p. Horns up to Mike Langone for putting this all together.  This is a great event and we have been a part of them all.  Mike was a guest on episode one seventy eight, Odds, Sweet Things & Dead Ends. We thank Mike for his candor, dedication and friendship. Come get your cool on. 

Until next week get well, be safe, stay above.

Getting paid to help people can be one of the most rewarding career choices you can make. The exchange of energy that occurs during massage is at another level. Brian Kavanaugh helps people heal themselves. Brian is a conduit to allowing people to come in through the out door and our guest on this week’s Above Ground  Podcast. 

What’s up everyone? Time for episode two hundred seven of Above Ground Podcast. This Sunday, Above Ground Podcast is taking part in an open house and health fair starting at 10:00am at the Center of Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy, 14 Computer Drive West, Albany, NY 12205. This awesome opportunity led us to our InnerView this week. 

Brian Kavanaugh is the Director of Admissions for the Center of Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy (CNWSMT) in Albany, NY.  He has been a licensed massage therapist since graduating from CNWSMT in 2005.  Brian started his education after realizing you could make a good living and have a ton of flexibility compared to other vocations. What he didn’t expect was the growth of self that he developed, the sense of purpose gained and the intuition to guide. 

Filling your own well is a personal mantra for Brian and he teaches his students to take better care of themselves, in order to serve their clients better. Brian had such a profound experience at CNWSMT that  he says, “ if I didn’t do another massage ever again. I would still go through the education again.” For him being part of the community and personal growth were great benefits on top of receiving his LMT and following his soul path. 

If we do not release our traumas, pains, stressors and depressants, we store them in our bodies somewhere.  The physical will bemoan the emotional. Our bodies do tell the score and if you do not release these items we will become symptomatic. Whatever that means to you. Brian evangelizes the benefits of massage for everyone. He, especially touts it for those with depression. Massage being a healing touch, Brian has touched so many folks. Cue comedic drum fill. 

Please come out this Sunday to the Center of Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy at 14 Computer Drive West, Albany, NY 12205 from 10a-2pm for their open house and health fair. This event will have a little bit of everything, from body work, energy work, sound therapy and Above Ground Podcast. Come out and help us spread self love via self care. Set an intention to come and open yourself to something new. 

Speaking of intentions. When we fired up  the engine on this pod, I set the intention of having seven episodes in the can and that it would be a weekly episode drop. I had no idea it would go two hundred plus weeks and counting. Next week we celebrate four years of stomping stigma and having real, raw conversations about mental health from the, peer-spective. Remember hope won’t spread itself! Thank you!

Also summer is fast approaching and AGP will be out and about. We will definitely see you at the one and only, Nipperfest 2023. Nippertown’s summer party in the Electric City.on Saturday July 22, 2023. Music Haven at Central Park in Schenectady will be rocking from noon on. Come join the entire Nippertown family, stop by our table and let’s talk about what happened to you. 

I cannot say thank you enough to everyone who listens. If you are feeling emotionally distressed please seek help. #URL0V3D . If you are in a crisis please call or text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. Until next week get well,  be safe, stay ABOVE!

Our lives can change in the blink of an eye. We have a life that we are living and then… something happens. Accident, death, divorce, loss, trauma. Our lives unfold just as they should , but our acceptance of that is very uncomfortable to accept, acknowledge and live with. Healing from these events, roadblocks or setbacks forces us to seek help from others to help us on a path of healing. Many will say you need to adhere to strict guidelines and will never seek an alternative. They will limit themselves. Keli Kane has unfolded to color outside the lines and forced to relinquish control to the universe. 

What’s up everyone? Time for episode two hundred six of Above Ground Podcast. Our guest this week is Hudson Valley Author and Educator, Keli Kane. Her book, Angel in the Mirror, is available now. Keli shares with us her story of overcoming her traumatic brain injury, her healing journey and finding her way out of the darkness that she touched. Keli left no healing modality untouched and used many to help her learn how to walk and talk all over again. It takes a village and Keli is surrounded. 

Letting go creates the greatest power for our spirit and giving our bodies to the water helps us float. Keli gave herself over to the universe and it has been gifting her since she made that sacrifice of the life she thought she was meant to lead. Keli was the victim of a drunk driving accident and suffered a TBI. Keli was forced into growth mode and she grew into a the angel in the mirror. Happy birthday also to Keli, because she celebrates the following day. So let's make this a birthday to remember. 

This Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Barnes and Noble, Kingston, NY from 1-3pm. Keli is discussing and signing her book, Angel in the Mirror. Keli has dedicated her life to helping others. Keli's work as a Reading Specialist and Teacher and her Reiki work deliver direct support to people and meets them where they are. Things that are therapeutic don't have to look like it. 

Thanks for listening to another episode of Above Ground Podcast. As we roll out of another month and Mental Health Awareness Month ends, remember, everyone has mental health. Until next time we run the beautiful bean footage, get well, be safe, stay ABOVE.

When we hear the word peer we often think of others with similar backgrounds, cultures, likes. When  Above Ground Podcast refers to our peers, we are speaking to our brothers and sisters out here who share a similar, anxiety, depression or a more severe type of mental illness or disorder of some type. May is closing fast and that means Mental Health Awareness Month will be off the calendar once again, but as we dawn on our fourth year of stomping stigma and staying above, let’s  suit up and dive into the peerspective . 

Hey it’s once again time for another episode because hope won’t spread itself. This week is two hundred five and Will and Tim are talking about what the ideas of peer work and being a peer are when it’s in relation to mental health and the journey of healing. Connection being an essential need might hold the first key to why to the best therapy don’t look like therapy at all. 

Join us for a peer meet up at the Sages Circle 443 Saratoga Rd Glenville NY on Sunday May 21st, at 1pm. Sign up at SagesEvents.com and let us know if you’re planning to attend. We’d love to see you. Plus the store is Nippertown’s premier metaphysical gift shop and spiritual center.  

Huge shout outs to everyone Will met at Tulip Fest last Sunday.  Including a special meet-up to say hey to Nipper!!  Special thanks to Laura DePolito  for grabbing this pic. 

Also wanted to say thanks Tatiana and all at Noteworthy Resources!! We were fortunate to be at her brand new Community Center and Indoor Skate Park at 930 Broadway Commercial Suite 1, Albany, NY 12207. Our table was very busy having conversations with many individuals. Providing  resources and receiving well wishes  for being there and allowing space for others to express their feelings. 

It was a special day topped off by a  raffle win for Will,  when he won this deck and and wheels donated by https:/townandcountryskate.com  of Scotia NY. Go see Kyle for a gnarly setup. Special thanks to Jake from In This Together. And it was great meeting Scott who has deep old school roots to the pod. Always awesome making new friends. Please come back every Wednesday for a new episode. Next week , Hudson Valley Author, Kelli Kane. Until we meet again get well, be safe ,stay Above. 

 Massapequa ,Long Island makes sure its high school students know that mindfulness is important. High School English teacher, Lisa Davi proves in all she does that mindfulness matters. Lisa has developed and implemented a high school English elective course, to help students learn to love themselves and go your own way. 

What’s up everyone? Welcome to episode two hundred four of Above Ground Podcast. This week we talk mindfulness, Don Miquel Ruiz and The Four Agreements, High School English and how we can learn to connect and stay connected to ourselves. 

Lisa’s inspired idea sprouted when she started to notice a shift in students levels of anxiety, overwhelm and loneliness. Inspired by Tim O’Brien’s, The Things They Carried, Lisa proposed the question to her tenth grade pre -AP class of what do you carry everyday? Then the second day she asked what do you carry mentally and emotionally? 

This assignment was issued for three years and Lisa was noticing a difficult trend to ignore, our teens were hurting. It was being exacerbated every year by culture, social media  and our unwillingness to change the way educate our adolescents. In a world that is on hyper speed and it’s harder to compete on every level, we as parents have an important role to play. We have to acknowledge and fix our shit. We owe it to our children and the world. 

The foundation of Lisa’s Mindfulness Matters class is The Four Agreements by Don Miquel Ruiz. The district even goes as far as providing the students who enroll in this class their own copy. In turn, they take it out and spread it to parent, grand-parent, caregiver and society. 

Into the Magic Shop written by Dr. James R. Doty,  Rhonda Byrnes book The Secret, which is about the Law of Attraction, and Ruiz’s sequel, The Fifth Agreement round out the reading list for her English elective. An elective that not only is making the school district notice. CBS 2 Long Island News recently spotlighted the class on a broadcast and is bringing attention to this young but hopeful and needed program to be picked up District wide. 

Lisa Davi is a true change agent exemplifying Gandhi’s words of, be the change you wish to see. Above Ground Podcast is grateful to be able to bring you these important InnerViews with mental health agents of change all over the globe. Please support and Buy AGP a Coffee. One or ten coffees, whatever you can do, we appreciate it. 

Another way to show love is to share our episodes, posts and content with your peeps. Just tag us as you take us with you. You could also come see us in person at the Sage’s Circle, 443 Saratoga Road, Glenville, NY on Sunday May 21st for our May Mental Health Peer Meet-Up. Click the link to rsvp. 

Thank you for listening to episode two hundred four of Above Ground Podcast. Thank you for supporting Nippertown and all our guests. Without them we’d be way less dynamic and cool. Until next week get well, be safe, stay ABOVE.

It’s May according to the calendar. That means we have reached Mental Health Awareness Month once again. This week the guys are talking Recovery-oriented Cognitive Therapy (CT-R).  A form of therapy that was based around cognitive behavioral therapy, Aaron Beck’s therapy developed from a belief that a person’s experiences result in cognitions or thoughts and these are related to core beliefs developed from early life. These cognitions create our emotional behaviors and states. 

Hey everyone, welcome to episode two hundred three of Above Ground Podcast. We are into May, spring and we continue to grow. Above Ground Podcast is always trying to bring you useful tools and to turn you on to something new to bring to your mental wellness. This week talk CT-R , a form of CBT that Will was just recently turned on too. CBT Aaron Beck’s Beck’s work with depressed patients taught him that depression is the result of hostility turned inward. 

CT-R is Beck’s most recent research and developed theory of therapy. This modality focuses on concrete and actionable steps to promote resilience and recovery. Rather than focusing on symptoms, the team works on aspirations, to identify values and to take steps in pursuit of ones goals. 

Thank you for listening this week. Join us all month and all year everywhere you pod. Until next week, get well, be safe, stay ABOVE.

Not every relationship can withstand the struggle of mental illness. Countless marriages have ended. With that comes a lot of lonely, struggling people. When David & Rita McCormick found each other at their local church,what they found was looking through the lens of a spouse. 

Hey, what’s up everyone?! It’s time for episode two hundred two of Above Ground Podcast.  This week we have a Nippertown guest, author David McCormick and his muse and spouse, Rita. 

During the Covid -19 Pandemic we found the biggest spotlight highlighting our worlds struggles with mental health. We developed a rate of anxiety quicker than a 1990s Black Friday sale. We will feel the effects of this for generations to come. Which makes it even more important to stomp out the stigmas of mental illness. Rita, who manages a mental illness, is just like everyone else. She manages her life like anyone managing  diabetes, heart disease, or at times cancer. 

David, her husband, knows Rita’s cues, inflections and her tells. They laid a foundation of intimacy that wins like a royal flush at the #worldseriesofpoker.  David discovered in their original church that there was a stigma that he wasn’t expecting, but was ready to confront, surrounding the discussion of mental illness. 

The couple will take us on their journey from hurt  and alone to strongest together. David & Rita McCormick share what’s on their bucket list and share some knowledge of Rita’s tools that she uses to keep her mountain high happy days lasting longer.  A huge thanks to them for appearing on the pod. 

You can find Through the Lens of a Spouse and it’s follow up on Amazon. You can find their two Facebook groups Silently Suffering Ministries and the Through the Lens of a Spouse book group. Check them out and share that you heard it on Above Ground Podcast. 

This Saturday we will be tabling at Noteworthy Resources Grand Opening of their new indoor skate park, Endure Skatepark. An indoor skate boarding paradise for everyone. 12-7pm come to 930 Broadway Commercial Suite 1, Albany NY 12207. The event is free to attend and check out the decor, but it’s $15 to skate. So wrench up your trucks , get on your board and come celebrate your skatepark, Endure Skatepark. 

Thanks for listening to episode two hundred two and helping us continue to stomp out the stigmas of mental illness. Until we meet again get well, be safe, stay ABOVE…

When the coyotes are scratching at the door, and you’re gripping onto whatever steadiness you can find. What’s your reaction? Response? Healthy? Unhealthy? This week the boys tackle coping strategies and help you start coping with the urban coyote. 

Thank you for joining us for episode two hundred one of Above Ground Podcast. Four years of the peerspective of mental health every Wednesday on Nippertown and everywhere you pod.  

We are into spring and that means cleaning for many of us. When was the last time we looked at our coping skills storage closet? You still holding onto rickety regrets and kindergarten grudges? Spring is the perfect time for tidying up that brain of yours and clearing out the clutter of outdated systems and material that was classic before Vh1 knew the word rock. 

According to Therapist Aid, coping strategies are actions we take to deal with stress, problems or uncomfortable emotions. Let’s think about this. When we think unhealthy coping lets think that they are instant gratification with not a long term plan to sustain. But a healthy coping skill don’t always feel good in that moment but they lead you to long term positive outcomes. 

What you’re feeling could be factual, but it may not. If you can’t decipher that conundrum you might choose to make a different coping choice. Always remember,  your thoughts have the power to change the way you feel.  Say it again, a bit slower, now. Both positive and negative. We don’t take kindly to your kind, you negatives.  Get outta here you negatives. Banish the negatives by chilling with the positives. 

Thanks for listening to episode two hundred one of Above Ground Podcast. Don’t forget to find us on Nippertown and everywhere you pod. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Support the show by Buying us a coffee and sharing our episodes with your peeps.  Until next Wednesday get well, be safe, stay Above.

This week we leave the ones behind and storm into our terrific twos. This is episode two hundred of Above Ground Podcast. Our guest this week, lost her grandmother, brother and dog since coming to be a resident of Nippertown. Abby Tegnelia is the CEO of Capital Region Living and Saratoga Living magazines. Abby shares her grief story with us and also gives us a glimpse into how she stays so positive and creative. 

1.8 million people were said to have perished during covid and that number may not be accurate Loneliness and disconnect were at an all time high and we were forced to hole up wherever we were and not always safely.  Ryan Tegnelia died in isolation during lockdown. An extrovert with a co-dependency issue and a functioning alcoholic. 

Beloved by his family. Abby reflects so happily and joyfully about Ryan. Ryan ran a law firm, created content for his YouTube channel. Loved being front of the court, in the courtroom, barroom, prison or community. Ryan is missed dearly, but always a chat away Abby says.  We cover that during our conversation on spirituality, meditation, prayer and tradition. 

Abby has spent many months now with the grief of so much loss. Ryan’s death caused Abby much pain. But pain can lead to positive energy if you let it guide you and listen. Abby is a Catholic and says that with a rebellious snarl, as the church has many issues still to address. Reiki, Life Coaching, prayer and meditation have all kept her connected to her source and herself.   Abby has been saying her goodnight prayers since she learned then and feels it keeps the universe in sync. That has fostered her greatest creative drive and in born passion to be a writer. 

When five year old Abby Tegnelia declared in her journal that ‘I am a writer’. She meant it and made it happen. Abby has written for HuffPost, Vegas News, Afar and of course is at the helms of Capital Region Living and Saratoga Living. Abby has made her path in a creative tornado that touched facets of all the arts but writing is a spiritual calling as much as a dream.  Writing keeps Abby connected to her source. Everything was just until Abby was a writer.  Abby is a writer. And a CEO and a Social Media Expert. Abby is also an aware soul who has kept her life plugged into her bliss. 

“No one prepares you for waking up at two am with overwhelming grief”, says Abby. Her goal was to go through the process as healthily as possible and discovered the concept of this often thought of outdated child age coping skill, co-dependency.  Some people don’t appreciate that term and say it causes stigma. Now Abby feels it stems from needing outside validation as to your own personal validation. A term often related to relationships and our unhealthy attachments within them due to trauma, neglect and of course addictive behavior or mental illness. 

https://crlmag.com/author/abby-tegnelia/Abby Tegnelia can be found on Facebook, at Saratoga Living, Capital Region Living and on Twitter. 

Sunday April 16, 2023 is our next Mental Health Peer Meet-Up at 4pm. Join us at Nippertown's coolest spiritual boutique, the Sages Circle. 443 Saratoga Rd, Glenville, NY. TPP & Will co-faciliatate a safe space, meet up, where we can talk openly and without judgement in a beautiful, soul filling environment. End the weeknd and start your week free of some baggage. Hope to see you there. $5 suggested donation when you sign up or visit the meeting. 

Thank you so much for helping us bust the twos and carry on our stigma stomping conversations. Hard to believe its been 200 weeks since we released the first of seven episodes I had in the can to start. Like podcasting, as in life, we have grown and learned so much from those first seven through today at two hundred. Please check in every Wednesday for a new episode. We are going to kick 2023 into high gear. Hang on, its time to rock. Until next week. Get well, be safe, stay ABOVE.