What's Next?!

Dr. Pirkey is a Academic Research Fellow with The University of Memphis' Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change. In this recording, she reads two articles she recently wrote titled: "Intertwining Destinies: Heroes' Hearts Beating as One" and "Transitioning from Fate to Destiny". The link to the articles in written form will be posted here once they are available. 

**For former podcast listeners, as you all know, I have decided to end my podcast show; nonetheless, please feel free to listen to these recorded articles. Take care!

Get carried away to the beat of this rhythmic, jazz-like interaction between Drs. Washington and Pirkey as they discuss the benefits and sociocultural history of drumming. Stay tuned!

Time Stamps will be released soon!

Please enjoy this episode as Dr. Pirkey faces her own discomfort and humbling learning lessons regarding problem solving in the context of preparing for this episode. She, then, introduces her problem solving process through story telling to convey how she problem "solved" the ultimate problem of them all: how our experiences influence our understanding of our challenges --both individually and collectively.  

**Due to unforseen circumstances, Dr. Pirkey must postpone her upcoming episodes until mid-January. She appreciates your empathy and patience! :) Big changes are at play! WOOHOO!

Time Stamps:

00:01:25: Using Context in Problem Solving

00:08:25: Finding Balance Between Work/Play/Self-Care

00:14:57: Allowing Yourself Opportunities to Heal & be Your Authentic Self

00:20:17: Committing to Co-Creating a Culture of Change

Welcome to Series 2 of What's Next! I hope you enjoy this fun, game-oriented, introductory episode on problem solving. :)

00.00.11: Series Introduction

00.00.45: The Blueprint for Problem Solving 

00.03.45: Context: Structure and Foundation 

00.05.04: The Pinball Game of Problem Solving 

00.06.30: How to Prepare for this Series

“Music with all its subtlety has immense power to unite people, spread love, and bring peace [to] the world!” – Sanchita Pandey

 “Music is one of the longest standing, self-prescribed therapy in history.” – Erin Seibert, Music therapist

Be sure to tune in to learn all about how the program "Recovery Unplugged", founded by Aerosmith's Richie Supa (song writer & guitarist), supports and empowers people to rise above their addiction and mental health challenges. Special thanks to Karen Morgan, Addiction Counselor and Recovery Unplugged Outreach Manager, as she guides us through this insightful episode.

00.01.11: Recovery Unplugged: Music as a Catalyst for Change

00.02.44: Connecting Music to Emotions

00.04.05 : History of Recovery Unplugged

00.06.03: Recognizing the Signs of Addiction & What To Do

00.10.40: Finding the Value & Benefit in Bringing Addictive Patterns into Another's Awareness

00.17.21: How Music Affects Addiction: A Theory

00.24.29: A Plan for Recovery

00.26.34: My Experience with Music Therapy

00.30.26: Why do people start using drugs?

00.34.41: Shame, Addiction, & Acceptance

00.38.20: Stigma of Addiction & Mental Health 

00.40.59:  Unabashed Plug: Dr. Pirkey's Call for Aid

00.43.15: Using Russian Doll Metaphor to explain Trauma, Bias, & Healing 

00.43.31: Announcing Series 2

00.44.57: Three more episodes left for Series 1 (Overlapping with Series 2)

https://www.recoveryunplugged.com/

Email: [email protected]

IG: @the_PhD_Yogini

FB: Facebook.com/WNPodcast

*Correction: Recovery Unplugged has centers across the nation --not globe. :) Whoops!

In the mood for an uplifting, scientifically-infused perspective of mantras that includes opportunities to learn and practice for yourself? Please enjoy this week's episode on Mantras with Kundalini practitioner and teacher, Ravi Singh. Also, be sure to tune in after the interview as an incredibly important announcement is made... ;) Enjoy!

01:14: Mantras: Background & History

05:11: Looking Within: Sweetness of Self

06:55: Most Common Mantras

08:31: Practicing Silent Mantras

11:01: Mantras vs. Religion

13:24: Practicing Spoken Mantras

17:01: Mantras for Enhancing Spiritual/Personal Development

19:28: Mantras & God: The (T)ruth vs. (t)ruth

21:59: Positive Benefits of Mantras Continued

23:28: Explaining & Practicing Sa Ta Na Ma 

25:55: Theory of Karma: Cause & Effect

28:01: Mantras & Problem Solving

34:14: Memorable Story of Mantra Practice*

38:11: Mantras vs. Positive Affirmations**

41:35: Neutral Mind: How to Engage in the Q-Anon Discussion*** 

Ravi's website: raviana.com

Email: [email protected]

IG: @the_PhD_Yogini

FB: facebook.com/WNPodcast

TO read after listening:

* This cute story actually reminds me of a helpful tip for teachers that I learned from a KYT friend. Perhaps, using a white board (with the name of the mantra spelled out in Sanskrit as well as its meaning) would be helpful (when I first began my practice as a student, I found it incredibly beneficial); the former helps with pronunciation and both the former and the latter supports the student to more deeply engage in the present moment/practice rather than them wondering what they're saying and whether they're saying it "right".

** Another helpful tip for positive affirmations: Meet yourself where you're at. For instance, if you are not feeling as though you are "worthy" of God's love, perhaps breaking the affirmation into something more palatable (i.e., that you actually believe) and then slowly scaffolding yourself to deeper levels of love/worthiness may be a worthwhile approach, so as to experience less resistance in the learning/practicing process. Hope this helps!

*** Another important point: For me, reviewing secondary sources for accurate/Truthful information feels to lack integrity. I realize it can feel time consuming and energy draining to locate reliable, primary sources on your own; I, myself, am still looking up the debunking reviews and am attempting to discern what is "Truth". All that is to say: NO judgment! Personally, until I can figure it out for myself, I do not feel comfortable taking a "side" as to what is "Truth" as I do not want my ego to drive my interpretation. 

You won't want to miss this episode on Emotionally Focused Therapy with Debbie Pridemore, LPC, LMFT (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist; EFT Certified & Supervisor)! Given the current sociopolitical tensions, this episode could not be more appropriately timed. Please listen and employ these strategies for yourself so that we, together, may be part of the solution to healing and working through these complex emotions produced by a trauma-filled world. 

On a lighter note, I'm finally announcing the purpose of the upcoming Series. :) I also believe it is well-timed and hope you agree! Please enjoy!

Time Stamps:

00:01:28: What is EFT?

00:03:43: Protection & Connection Needs: Real-world Examples

00:08:21: Tools to build emotional awareness of external world

00:14:27: Building connections

00:17:54: Bringing the unknown emotions to the known

00:22:41: Discerning upregulated feelings: Trauma vs. Joy

00:24:42: Learning about Self in Relation to Others (Attachment)

00:29:15: Building Self-Compassion in the Face of External Shame

00:30:11: Effective Strategies for Sharing Needs

00:33:14: Discerning Personal Emotions From Projections

You won't want to miss this episode on Emotionally Focused Therapy with Debbie Pridemore, LPC, LMFT (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist; EFT Certified & Supervisor)! Given the current sociopolitical tensions, this episode could not be more appropriately timed. Please listen and employ these strategies for yourself so that we, together, may be part of the solution to healing and working through these complex emotions produced by a trauma-filled world. 

On a lighter note, I'm finally announcing the purpose of the upcoming Series. :) I also believe it is well-timed and hope you agree! Please enjoy!

Time Stamps:

00:01:28: What is EFT?

00:03:43: Protection & Connection Needs: Real-world Examples

00:08:21: Tools to build emotional awareness of external world

00:14:27: Building connections

00:17:54: Bringing the unknown emotions to the known

00:22:41: Discerning upregulated feelings: Trauma vs. Joy

00:24:42: Learning about Self in Relation to Others (Attachment)

00:29:15: Building Self-Compassion in the Face of External Shame

00:30:11: Effective Strategies for Sharing Needs

00:33:14: Discerning Personal Emotions From Projections

As promised, this brief episode provides alternative approaches to acupuncture and other tools that may not be financially feasible [or undesirable due to a variety of reasons, such as fear of needles]; also, I make a call to healing/health practitioners who are willing to provide pro-bono/discounted services to those in need (both financially and of the service itself). I, then, wrap up the episode by explaining some of the specialized language used in the episode with Dr. Helen Ly on acupuncture. Please enjoy the lively, matcha-tea-caffeinated episode! :)

Sleeping is easily one of life's greatest pleasures --but being tired is definitely NOT! Tune in with myself and Dr. Judiann Jones (Clinical Psychologist)  with Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare to learn how to improve your sleep habits, know when you need a sleep study, and so much more! Please enjoy. :)

I used to be able to pull all-nighters but now I can barely pull all-dayers. —@wolfyneyda

Until I started experiencing insomnia, I had no idea it was possible to be this furious with each of my pillows individually. —@morninggloria

01:07 - What is CBT-I?

02:29 - Triggers of Insomnia

04:30 - Strategies, tools, & resources for improving sleep habits/reducing insomnia

10:00 - The essential guidelines

14:05 - Is a consistent bedtime key?

15:40 - When is a sleep study/clinic needed?

21:52 - How good sleep supports our waking life

23:38 - Tired vs. Sleepy

25:38 - Tips to get out of the bed when we're sleepy

[email protected]