188: Helping Warriors Win the Game of Life with Jeff Guenzburger on Change It Up Radio

In this episode of Change It Up Radio, Paula Shaw is joined by Jeannie Seeley-Smith, the newly retired CEO of Perspectives, Minnesota’s largest therapeutic, supportive housing program for women and children who have experienced long-term trauma, addiction, homelessness, mental illness, and poverty, and now the president of the “Seed the Change” capital campaign to raise completion funding for the new Perspectives trauma-informed family center.

They discuss the complex and multifaceted experience of grief and explore grief as a journey accompanied by nine friends, each symbolizing a stage or emotion tied to profound loss. Jeannie also talks about her efforts with Perspectives Family Center, detailing the initiative to raise funds and support women on their path to recovery.

Some key topic points covered in this episode include:

• Understanding Grief as a Journey: Identifying various emotional stages such as shock, sobs, grief, sorrow, acceptance, and comfort
• The Foes of Grief: Exploring the negative emotions that may impede the healing process, such as fear, anger, depression, resentment, and jealousy
• Finding Inner Peace: The significance of actively seeking inner peace as an essential aspect of healing
• Perspectives Family Center: Jeannie's involvement in supporting women's recovery through fundraising and initiatives to change lives
• Reflection on the Season of Grief: Acknowledging the insights and contributions made throughout the season on the theme of grief

To Learn More About the Show, Visit: www.ChangeItUpRadio.com

In this episode of Change It Up Radio, I explore the power of showing up, being present, and learning how to effectively and compassionately communicate with people who are in emotional pain.

Some key topic points covered in this episode include:

• The Importance of Empathy: The need for understanding and acknowledging the feelings of a person in emotional pain, rather than offering unsolicited advice
• The Process of Grief: How grief is a personal and individual experience rather than a linear process that can be rushed
• Ineffective Phrases: A list of phrases that could be hurtful or unhelpful when used in conversation with someone who is grieving or in emotional pain
• Advice for the Person in Pain: Several phrases a person in emotional pain can use to communicate their needs more effectively
• The Role of Presence: The value of just showing up and being present for those in emotional distress
• How intellectual responses often fail to address emotional pain and can potentially discount a person's feelings
• The blocks, fears, and reasons why people avoid having helpful conversations with loved ones who are hurting and grieving
• The essential keys to being able to develop the skills and confidence to have a truly helpful, healing, supportive conversation with someone in emotional pain

To Learn More About the Show, Visit: www.ChangeItUpRadio.com

In this episode of Change It Up Radio, I explore how we can engage in supportive, healing conversations with those going through difficult life circumstances, emphasizing the importance of having compassionate, judgment-free conversations with those experiencing pain or grief. This episode serves as a valuable guide to having supportive conversations, providing listeners with tools and insights to help others navigate through difficult life changes.

To Learn More About the Show, Visit: www.ChangeItUpRadio.com

In this episode of Change It Up Radio, Paula Shaw is joined by Dr. James JC Cooley, who is a dedicated business owner, motivational speaker, author, CEO and President of The It’s Your Life Media Television, and community activist whose primary focus is on our Youth development. He is the President & CEO of JC Cooley Innovation Solutions, LLC, and The JC Cooley Foundation Options & Opportunities / The Choice Program. They discuss the complex narrative of being a Black man in America, exploring the enduring impact of historical racial injustices, and the transformative power of education, forgiveness, and self-expression in healing and personal growth.

Some key topic points covered in this episode include:

• Dr. Cooley's journey growing up as a black man in the South during the Civil Rights Movement
• The history and impact of slavery on African Americans, with a focus on Juneteenth, the commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States
• Understanding and tackling racial profiling, discrimination, and systemic racism
• The launch of Dr. Cooley's new book, "A Black Man's Point of View, Mind, Body, and Soul," providing a deep dive into the experiences of black men
• The role of forgiveness, love, and understanding in overcoming historical pain and injustices
• The importance of education, mentorship, and providing opportunities for disadvantaged youths
• Insights into the work of the JC Cooley Foundation Options & Opportunities / The Choice Program in community development and youth upliftment

To Learn More About the Show, Visit: www.ChangeItUpRadio.com

In this episode of Change It Up Radio, Paula Shaw is joined by Dylan Stolba, who is going into the 10th grade at Carlsbad High School and entered a writing contest sponsored by Rotary International, winning 3rd place for her essay on Teenage Depression and Anxiety. They discuss teenage depression and anxiety, and the damaging effects of societal stigma and silence surrounding mental health issues.

Some key topic points covered in this episode include:

• The importance of recognizing and addressing teenage depression and anxiety
• Why open conversations about mental health experiences can help teens feel less isolated
• How teenage depression and anxiety can be manifestations of unresolved grief
• The link between unexpected or traumatic loss and the onset of depression or anxiety
• Symptoms of anxiety and depression to look out for in teenagers
• The importance of immediate action if there are signs of depression, especially talks of suicide
• The role of social media in exacerbating feelings of inadequacy and loneliness among teens
• How excessive smartphone use and screen time have been linked to depression among teens
• How overprotective parenting can prevent teens from problem-solving and developing resilience
• The role of support systems – friends, parents, teachers – in coping with mental health struggles
• The seriousness of self-harming behaviors among teenagers
• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teenagers’ mental health
• The potential for change, recovery, and flourishing despite mental health struggles
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To Learn More About the Show, Visit: www.ChangeItUpRadio.com

In this episode of Change It Up Radio, Paula Shaw is joined by Suzy Ryan, who is an author, educator, Ironman athlete, and SCAD survivor. They discuss recognizing the warning signs of child abuse and what we can do to keep kids safe.

Some key topic points covered in this episode include:

• The importance of shifting self-perception from 'victim' to 'victor' in the healing process
• The role of Suzy's book, "Saving Summer," in providing a "bridge of hope" for students affected by trauma
• The significance of child advocacy, education, and resources such as CPS in combating child abuse
• The profound impact of child abuse on a child's behavior and emotional well-being
• The responsibility of adults in a child's life to be observant and responsive to signs of abuse
• The emotional toll of removing a child from their home for their safety
• Different types of child abuse, including neglect, emotional, verbal, physical, and sexual abuse
• The link between early childhood trauma and adult health problems

To Learn More About the Show, Visit: www.ChangeItUpRadio.com

In this episode of Change It Up Radio, Paula Shaw is joined by her Dad, Jack Gutman, who is one of the last living World War ll Veterans who are healthy, lucid, and able to share with us the realities of D-Day, a colossal moment in our country’s history. They discuss healing the painful wounds of war and post-traumatic stress and the grief that Veterans experience.

Some key topic points covered in this episode include:

• The use of humor as a coping mechanism for dealing with trauma and grief
• Jack's battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for 66 years
• The epidemic of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicide in veterans
• The impact of Jack's book on its readers, particularly individuals also struggling with PTSD
•  The power of shared experiences and the healing impact of reaching out to others in a time of need

To Learn More About the Show, Visit: www.ChangeItUpRadio.com

In this episode of Change It Up Radio, Paula Shaw is joined by Amy Scruggs, a Media Executive, TV host, Recording Artist, and Public Speaker, who helps others communicate a concise and professional message for network TV, podcast, social media, or in person public speaking appearances. They discuss the unique challenges, experiences, and grief that one struggles with as a single parent.

Some key topic points covered in this episode include:

• The unique grief, challenges, and triumphs that come with being a single parent
• The emotional turmoil of navigating difficult relationships/marriages
• The decision-making process that's involved when children are in a harmful environment
• The potential emotional toll on children when remaining in an unstable situation
• The balance of weighing physical necessities against emotional well-being
• Navigating early motherhood and personal growth simultaneously
• The impact of the economy and financial instability on single parenthood
• Maintaining positive relationships with ex-partners for the sake of the children
• Understanding and managing grief and regret as a single parent
• Creating opportunities amidst challenges, despite the hard times
• The creative approach to single parenthood in the face of financial crisis
• The complexities and challenges of blending family and work life
• The importance of acknowledging and addressing the sacrifices and struggles of the children
• The necessity of emotional support and acknowledgment of humanness in single parenting

To Learn More About the Show, Visit: www.ChangeItUpRadio.com

In this episode of Change It Up Radio, Paula Shaw is joined by Marjorie Saylor, who is a survivor of sex and labor trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation and is the current Program Director of Alabaster Jar Project's long-term shelter program and drop-in resource center for adult women survivors of sex trafficking. They discuss the grim reality of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, along with the trauma and grief that survivors of these horrors experience.

Some key topic points covered in this episode include:

• The prevalence of human trafficking worldwide, including in the United States
• Vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit and methods they use to lure and trap victims
• Marjorie Saylor's personal experience as a human trafficking survivor
• The effects of childhood trauma and vulnerability as a precursor to exploitation
• How poverty, isolation, and a lack of resources factor into the cycle of abuse and exploitation
• Different factors that prevent victims from leaving exploitative situations, including fear, financial dependence, threats to loved ones, and potential exposure
• The need for public engagement to enact legal changes and bolster the fight against human trafficking
• The role society plays in normalizing exploitative behaviors and the importance of challenging these norms and initiating conversations about these issues

To Learn More About the Show, Visit: www.ChangeItUpRadio.com

In this episode of Change It Up Radio, Paula Shaw is joined by Rachel King, who is an attorney and the owner of King Law Firm, Attorneys at Law Inc., specializing in Elder Abuse Litigation, Family Law, Probate Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, and Conservatorships. They discuss the grief, loss, and emotional pain experienced by individuals undergoing divorce and elder abuse.

Some key topic points covered in this episode include:

• How the multifaceted nature of grief extends beyond death to situations like divorce and elder abuse
• The impact of divorce and elder abuse on both the individuals involved and their families
• How Rachel King's personal and professional journey led her to specialize in elder abuse and family law
• The importance of addressing and processing grief for successful transitions in life
• Why divorce is a significant life change that involves intense emotions and grief
• Why even unwanted relationships or abusive marriages require a process of mourning
• How the hope of reconciliation or change can often extend the divorce process, leading to more pain
• How divorce impacts children and why it's crucial to maintain a healthy post-divorce environment
• The complex and often misunderstood issue of elder abuse, and the more subtle forms of this crime
• The prevalence of financial elder abuse in estate planning and the manipulation tactics used
• The crucial role of awareness and education in preventing elder abuse

To Learn More About the Show, Visit: www.ChangeItUpRadio.com