Coffee and an Interview with Dr. Jacqueline Peña

In Episode 31, Bill Cohen, provides dementia advice and support for caregivers of family members with dementia. Most resources for dementia, including Alzheimer’s, focus on the patient and not on the caregivers. However, many people have to shift their lives to become caregivers to their loved ones while learning the best care strategies along the way. Bill helps us find the best resources to help our loved ones and provides us with tools and strategies to help us reduce our stress, save time and expenses, and balance our personal, professional, and caregiving lives. Bill Cohen is a caregiver support group leader and speaker, an Alzheimer's Association volunteer, a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®, and the owner of Cohen Caregiving Support Consultants. His loving and talented mother, Sheila, lost her home to Hurricane Katrina. Then, she lost her health, ability to create beautiful art, and, ultimately, her life due to Alzheimer's. For almost 10 years, Bill was her primary caregiver and advocate, not just her elder son. Now he dedicates his life to empowering other caregivers so that they can lead healthy balanced lives while caring for their loved ones. Resources from the Interview 1. Company Website: Cohencaregivingsupport.com 2. Bill Resources and Contact Info: https://linktr.ee/CohenSupport 3. Instagram: @cohencaregivingsupport 4. Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/billcohensupportgroup/

In Episode 31, Raju Rajan, President of Rewild Long Island (a non-profit organization), teaches us about rewilding, why we should do it, and how to do it. Rewild Long Island promotes sustainable landscaping practices with a focus on native perennials, growing organic food, and reducing waste. They encourage replacing lawns with native plant landscapes, increasing biodiversity, locally grown organic produce, reducing waste through recycling and composting, conserving water, reducing carbon emissions, and avoiding chemical use. Raju Rajan is a technologist with a strong communitarian ethic. He came to the United States from India to obtain his Ph.D. in Communication Networks at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has enjoyed a long career as a researcher, consultant, and technologist. His strong entrepreneurial ethic has led him to found two IT start-ups, as well as a number of community groups aimed at organizing people for systemic change. He is currently active with Long Island Together, a progressive collective that organizes around education, immigration, and social change, as well as ReWild Long Island, which brings native plants to public spaces and private yards. Raju resides in Port Washington, NY, with his wife Sonia Arora who is an educator/community organizer, son Kabeera Singh, a Schreiber High School student, and cat, Lucky, who does nothing. Raju serves as the President of the Board of ReWild Long Island. Resources from the Interview Website: www.rewildlongisland.org Email: [email protected]

In episode 30, Katherine Marie shares her experiences as a breast cancer survivor who teaches us valuable lessons about breast cancer awareness, early screening, balancing life after a cancer diagnosis, and moving forward. Hear how her journey empowered her to help others through Inspired Vitality LLC, which encompasses cancer coaching and speaking services. Katherine partners with individuals diagnosed with cancer, whether in treatment or post-treatment, to help them navigate the challenges brought about by a diagnosis. Speaking topics, at the core, are about taking action and Katherine speaks to a wide variety of audiences through podcasts and on the stage. Katherine Marie is a speaker and a holistic health coach who says that cancer does not define her, but it has shaped her. In 2015 her stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis served as a springboard to help others through their own challenges, and she shares insights on the stage, through numerous podcasts, and her YouTube channel. During coaching and while speaking, Katherine uses her relatable experience and training with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to inspire and guide people in identifying goals and taking action. Resources from the Interview 1. Chemo Go-bag Checklist, available for FREE at: https://inspiredvitality.life/ Inspired Vitality Website: https://inspiredvitality.life/ 2. Resource Guide, ABLE: The Four Step Strategy Taking You From Pain, Grief and Fear to Living: https://mailchi.mp/96df64ac6812/able-the-four-step-strategy-taking-you-from-pain-grief-and-fear-to-living 3. Complimentary Consultation: https://inspiredvitality.life/contact/ Follow Inspired Vitality and Katherine Marie 1. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspiredVitalityMN 2. Twitter: https://twitter.com/InspiredMN 3. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-marie-831300179/

In our 29th episode, Darren and Margie Fink, founders of Transfiguring Adoption (a Florida non-profit organization), share their passion for supporting foster youth, adopted children, and their caregivers. Learn how they help caregivers use books, movies, video games, and everyday play to help children process past trauma. Darren & Margie Fink are the co-founders of nonprofit Transfiguring Adoption. They bring over a decade of experience in helping traumatized kids. Margie has a degree in psychology and has created curriculum for training parents and professionals. Darren has authored multiple children’s books. While two of their adoptive children have grown, they currently live in Orlando with their youngest two adoptive children. Contact Information Darren’s Email: [email protected] Transfiguring Adoption Information Website: www.transfiguringadoption.com Social Media: @TransfigurAdopt (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok) Magical Creatures Book Website: www.magicalcreaturs.com Social Media: @magicalcreaturs (Facebook and Instagram) Special Gift from Darren and Margie Fink Special Gift: One free month of premium media review service Coupon code: 1STFREE www.transfiguringadoption.com/subscribe

Sara German is the author of Pendulum and podcaster (Learning How to Slay the Beasts) whose work focuses on emotional and mental health based on her experiences with her son's PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and her own health challenges. S.E. German has a master’s degree in Social Sciences and is passionate about environmental and health issues. She is the host of the “Learning to Slay the Beasts Podcast” and manages the accompanying blog focused on overcoming life’s challenges, such as mental health issues, obesity, autoimmune disorders, and food allergies. Her first fiction novel “Pendulum” is based on her experiences with a pediatric neuroimmune disorder called PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections). She is hopeful that “Pendulum” will contribute to much-needed conversations on mental health and family health care and help children to build resilience, accept themselves, see their value and respect each other’s diversity. She writes in Ontario, Canada where she lives with her husband and two children. Resources from the Interview 1. Buy Pendulum: https://www.amazon.ca/Pendulum-S-German/dp/1525579924 2. Instagram: @saraladygluten 3. TIkTok: @saraladygluten 4. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/segermanglutenfreelady 5. Twitter: @ladygluten 6. Email: [email protected] 7. Website: https://www.se-german.com/ 8. Podcast: https://www.learningtoslaythebeasts.podbean.com/ 9. Blog: https://theallergybeast.wordpress.com/

Sarah Casper teaches us about comprehensive consent and provides us with (a) a framework, (b) practical skills, and (c) activities to practice this framework while teaching others about comprehensive consent. Resources from the Interview 1. Comprehensive Consent website: https://comprehensiveconsent.com 2. Instagram Handle: @comprehensiveconsent 3. Comprehensive Consent Checklist: https://comprehensiveconsent.com/contact/ 4.Additional Comprehensive Consent Resources: https://comprehensiveconsent.com/resources/

Kawan Glover shares his remarkable story of triumph in this interview focused on overcoming adversity and finding the light at the end of the tunnel. Learn how he overcame three brain surgeries, a stroke, opioid addiction, suicide ideation, depression, and anxiety. Hear his steps for finding your own light at the end of the tunnel to become a better person and empower others to do the same. Resources from the Interview 1. Favor: How Stroke Struggle and Surgery Helped Me Find My Life's Purpose - https://amzn.to/3lSIZFU 2. Kawan's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OvercomeAdversityWithKawan

Shawn Schwaner teaches us that hope truly does work when we want to turn our lives around and find our strength. What do you do when you don't have any hope left? How can you find that light of hope and use it to move forward in life? How can you help others find hope? Dr. Schwaner is the founder of both Hope Works and Greener Day Consulting. He spreads his message of hope and strength through his organizations and his publications. Shawn's Books 1. Dear Mama: Lessons on Race, Grace and the Wisdom To Overcome - https://amzn.to/3a06BX5 2. Semicolon: Semicolon: Death While Living... A True Story - https://amzn.to/36LVPBp 3. Hope Works: Moving from Darkness into your Dreams: A Storytelling Approach - https://amzn.to/2IhKsYy

Steve Rios teaches us about the challenges that foster youth face each day, especially when they age out of the foster care system, and discusses the various programs and opportunities available to help them get their college degrees. Dr. Steve J. Rios is a longtime community youth and education advocate. He currently directs a statewide professional association for the Florida Department of Children and Families, Positive Pathways, and is dedicated to seeing thousands more young people from foster care reach their education dreams. Resources from the Interview 1. Positive Pathways Website: https://www.positivepathwaysflorida.org/ 2. Positive Pathways Email: [email protected] 3. Educate Tomorrow Website: https://www.educatetomorrow.org/ 4. Rios Research and Evaluation: https://www.riosresearch.com/

Erin Berry Bliss teaches us how to love ourselves and be authentic. She also gives us tips and advice to help us live outside of the boxes that imprison our true selves. Interview Resources 1. Erin Berry Bliss Website: https://www.erinberrybliss.com 2. Berry Blissful Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/eberrybliss/ 3. 90-Day Reflection Journal: https://amzn.to/2Uxa9qy 4. 30-Day Reflection Workbook: https://amzn.to/38MWLXY