Mental Health Toolbox

Bob and I were having a discussion and I asked his permission to record it for the podcast. Bob is a medium and we talked about what happens when someone who commits suicide and where they go. 

Here's a bit about my friend Bob:

Born with a veil on his face, a sign of psychic abilities, Bob understood from a very early age that he was different. By the time he was eight years old, he began to see strong visions of the future. Not understanding exactly what was happening, Bob ignored them thinking it was simply his imagination. As he grew older, the visions became timelier. Oftentimes he would know within thirty minutes when something was going to happen, but continued to ignore the messages.

When Bob began to receive strong messages and visions from beyond, he finally decided to do something with his gift. Today Bob’s clients come to him almost exclusively through referrals. People from across the Unites States, Canada & around the world reach out to him in an effort to connect with loved ones from beyond.

During a consultation with Bob clients are never asked questions, nor will he allow them to give him much information until he establishes who is coming through and why they have come forward. His messages generally are guided by validations, healing or directions. Messages are uplifting and healing. Bob considers himself a healer as much as a medium. He is thankful for his gifts, which allow him to help others in their time of need.

I decided to take a step away from interviewing people and focus on just taking care of all of you. Please do not do this meditation while driving. Wait till you get home so you can relax. While doing a meditation make sure you have your phone on mute so you don't get interrupted, your TV turned off, and creating a nice calming environment.

I'm so honored to interview Sharon Engdahl, Founder & Executive Director of the American Mental Wellness Association. Sharon has worked in the mental health education and research field for over 45 years. MWAA's mission is to build healthier lives free of mental health problems through educational outreach. Sharon and I talk about AMWA and how it can help you and your community. 

Check out the American Mental Health Association today! 

Today I talk with Jennifer Kreatsoulas, PhD of Yoga for Eating Disorders. I've known Jennifer for a couple years now and she's a very genuine and kind lady. At the same time, like me, she's had some bumps in the road with eating disorders; specifically anorexia.

A little about Jennifer: https://www.yoga4eatingdisorders.com/bio

Today we talk to Heidi Edwards with the Sisters' Hope Foundation. We talk about how a serious and rare illness can affect the mental outcome of the patient, the family, and the caregiver. Sisters' Hope Foundation is a 501c3 which is for Hereditary Diffuse Leukoencephalopathy (HDLS) / Pigmented Orthochromatic Leukodystrophy (POLD) and Adult-Onset Leukoencephalopathy with Axonal Spheroids and Pigmented Glia (ALSP).

Today we talk to Brandon Mehrgut from Modern Mindfulness. Brandon has traveled the world learning about meditation and mindfulness. Brandon is the founder and managing director of Modern Mindfulness, formerly known as Shanghai Mindfulness - China’s largest Mindfulness community with over 8,000+ members. Modern Mindfulness takes a practical approach on applying the teachings of mindfulness in a way in which people can understand clearly, in a modern way.

Brandon uses practical & easily understood strategies in his mindfulness teachings. With dashes of humor, he aims to keep his clients engaged and continuously learning throughout his events.

His passion are helping students develop the long term habit of mindfulness, sharing mindfulness in an ultra practical/fun way, creating mindful communities around the world, working with law enforcement, and helping fellow mindfulness teachers increase their impact by better sharing their message with the world.

Brandon is certified by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn in Ethics and Ethical Conduct While Teaching Mindfulness Courses, Corporate Based Mindfulness Training with the Potential Project, an (ICF) International Coaching Federation Certified Mindfulness Coach, and also an (IAC) International Association of Coaching Certified Mindfulness Coach.

Modern Mindfulness is an international organization and our team covers the US, Europe, and China. We are now proudly based in Austin, Texas! To work with Brandon and the team at Modern Mindfulness feel free to send us a message here or hop on our website at https://www.modernmindfulness.com 

Today I talk to the Venerable Bhante Sujatha who is the Lovingkindness Buddhist monk. We discuss Mental Health and Mindfulness; specifically how a mindfulness based life can change someone who has anxiety, depression, trauma, or stress. 

Here's a little about Bhante: When Bhante Sujatha was 10 years old, he told his parents he would throw himself off the bridge into the river below his childhood home in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, if they did not let him become a monk. Since that time, he’s remained just as certain and determined to live a life dedicated to adding more love to the world and helping people heal their wounded minds.

Bhante has always known he was born to serve humanity and he wakes up everyday committed to this noble cause, teaching meditation and helping people access the deeper parts of themselves so they can feel radiant joy and peaceful happiness. With a single robe and some leftover food, Bhante left his home country and eventually found his way to America, where he learned a new language and culture and discovered the aching desire people have for a more meaningful life.

In a old leaky church basement, Bhante was given a small room to teach meditation. The first night, two people showed up. A decade later, The Blue Lotus Temple is a world-renowned Buddhist temple and meditation center that serves thousands of people locally and even more all over the world, under Bhante’s leadership as abbot and spiritual director.

Bhante weighs in at 85 pounds, and fifth graders often tower of him, but make no mistake: This man is a powerhouse of focus, energy, and determination. Bhante leads more than 380 meditations a year, for which he travels hundreds of thousands of miles, often walking off a plane and onto a podium within minutes. He speaks to colleges and universities across the world, leads small group retreats, and consults with corporate giants, teaching them all that love is the way and peace is a constant practice.

Bhante’s humanitarian work spans the globe and most recently oversaw the re-fitting of five hospitals with significant need. In 2013, Bhante Sujatha was awarded the highest honor within his lineage, as a recognition for the incredible impact he’s made to spreading Buddhism across America, being named the Chief Sanhga Nayaka of North America.

On any given day, you’ll find Bhante on the West Coast leading retreats, in the Midwest running his temple, or on the other side of the planet providing refuge for those who suffer and inspiring others to give and do even more to help the world. The tireless crusader often sleeps only three or four hours a night and infuses every single waking moment with total purpose and dedication to his mission: adding more love to the world.

Today we talked to my friend Lindsey. Lindsay is a psych nurse who has taken time away from working to care for her mother. Her mother has early to middle stage dementia. We talk about anxiety with and someone that has dementia and the importance of making yourself first as a caregiver. Taking care of yourself and making yourself first as a caregiver is so very important. Lindsey gives us some tips on how to make yourself first, self-care, and how to take care of someone with dementia and staying calm.

Today we talk to one of my dear friends, Tom Fink, PhD. We talk about anxiety, how it ties into other things, and Neurofeedback. He also talks about his invention MindReflector. You can find MindReflector at http://mindreflector.com. Healthcare workers and First Responders, listen at the end for a special deal JUST FOR YOU!

About Tom

Dr. Thomas E. Fink's clinical training, supervision, and experience have included the application of psychological techniques to diverse patient populations, including long-term care psychiatric facilities, community residential and mental health facilities, and general and specialized medical/rehabilitative outpatient settings.

Dr. Fink has directed an inpatient behavioral modification program, provided behavioral and psychological consultation to the medical and psychology staff of state mental hospitals concerning patients with complex behavioral problems, and managed outpatient rehabilitation and pain management programs. His current area of practice involves providing service in and managing an outpatient psychological service, Acorn Health Associates, P.C., that specializes in rehabilitation psychology. Areas of interest include the application of EEG Biofeedback techniques to a range of medical and psychological disorders, including chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, ADHD, as well as depression and anxiety-related conditions.

Dr. Fink remains interested in theoretical psychology and has presented workshops over the past ten years examining the misleading and sometimes harmful assumptions and practices of a medicalized American mental health orientation. His current interest in EEG Biofeedback began when he watched an associate use these techniques to support dramatic and positive changes for patients with difficult medical and psychological conditions.

Welcome everyone! This is just a little bit of a background information podcast today on me, and some of the things we are going to talk about. Next week, let's dive into Anxiety.