Dr Deborah Show

Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is one of the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of twelve books, including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness. Her forthcoming release, Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom, is set for release in April of 2023 from Flatiron Books. Her podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed six million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond.

Dr. Grossman is a Stanford educated award winning board-certified dermatologist who has practiced in Chicago, IL, Charlotte, NC and now Santa Barbara, CA. She is an expert in medical dermatology for both children and adults including skin cancer, acne, rashes, the aging process, and overall skin health. She recently received her certificate in Integrative Dermatology after completing a year-long intensive program. Her research based approach to natural products, nutrition, herbal medicine, environmental toxins and lifestyle practices merges with her knowledge of western medicine. She has a particular interest in the gut-skin axis and microbiome. DEGREES: Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University; M.D. from The University of Chicago; M.B.A. from The University of Chicago; Internship at The University of Chicago; Dermatology residency at Northwestern University

Allison Pontius MD, is board certified in 3 specialties: Facial Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ENT), and Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. She recently relocated to Santa Barbara after living in New York for the past 18 years. She was the top graduate in the Environmental Studies program at UCSB (class of 1993) and obtained her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine. She completed her surgical internship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and her ENT residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. She then completed a fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Albany, NY, and has practiced in New York since that time. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Pontius spent over 10 years working on research to bring new aesthetic products to market in the U.S. as well as to obtain new indications for currently available products. She is also actively involved in teaching other medical providers and lecturing on a national level on her techniques to non-surgically enhance the face. She currently works at Turner Medical Arts in Montecito performing non-surgical facial rejuvenation.

Blake Beltram: In 1998 with very little experience, Blake bought a $64 How-To Book and started a fitness business software company in his living room. That calling turned out to be the genesis of MINDBODY, which ultimately became a two-billion dollar market-leading corporation. That same calling let to other spiritual endeavors such as a meditation tour around the country and a MindBody podcast, the wellness revolutionaries. He retired from MindBody in 2019 and returned to his first love-writing. Blake is currently working on a book and contributes to the healthy information economy via his sub stack page-man in the middle.

Jack Rivas is a native Santa Barbarian who attended local public schools, attended SBHS and played several sports. He is married with two children and all of them are graduates of UCSB. Jack completed UCSB’s Graduate School of Education and attended PACIFICA studying Counseling Psychology. After teaching at SBHS, Jack went to work as a counselor and instructor at UCSB where he has been since 1979. He serves or served on the boards of many non-profit organizations, including ADELANTE Dual Language Immersion School, Just Communities Central Coast and PALABRA. He is dedicated to issues of social justice. He works in the Educational Opportunity Program or EOP at UCSB. EOP was a very important in his admission to UCSB. It served as a vital support network and was a great learning environment. He took part in campus cultural and political activism, even though I was a married student who was also working. Jack presently works as an Academic Advisor in the College of L & S. He has a desire to give back to the university for believing in him and assisting him in transitioning to being college student.

Tyler Forbes is an Assistant Vice President at U.S. Bank where she supports small financial institutions in their digital transformation efforts. She has extensive experience in Fintech integration and has presented on cashless business and branded currency on a global scale. Tyler holds a B.A. in Modern Language and Culture with Applied Business and a minor in French, as well as an M.B.A. in International Business. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Tyler is also a well-rounded individual with a passion for the arts and adventure. Her experiences living abroad in different countries and speaking multiple languages have provided her with a global outlook that has been invaluable both personally and professionally. Tyler was Miss Illinois Earth 2021 and is classically trained violist and self-taught guitarist. She has a passion for philanthropy and enjoys giving back through her work as a board member for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Emmanuel Itier grew up in France and lives in Santa Barbara. He is an experienced feature film Producer and has directed many pictures that have earned over 20 Awards around the World. He has teamed up with Sharon Stone to create a series of humanitarian movies called ‘The Oneness Collection: Documentaries for a conscious Humanity. These include the Peace documentary ‘The Invocation’ (staring Desmond Tutu, HH The Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra), ‘FEMME-Women healing the World.’ (celebrating Women around the planet), Shamanic Trekker’, (about shamanism in Peru), ‘The Cure: Healing The Mind, Healing The Body, Healing the Planet’ and ‘We The People: A Re-Evolution of Economics and Politics’, ‘Guns, Bombs & War: A Love Story’ and ‘The Secret Physics of Coincidence’ (about quantum physics). Emmanuel is about to complete ‘H2O: The Intelligence of Water’ (how water can be an urgent agent of Peace and transformation). He is now embarking on a re- evolutionary film: ‘The Growth of Men’. He also produced ‘Red Passage’ which won many Awards in the Festival circuit. Emmanuel has been a successful Music and Film journalist for Rock Magazines and French TV networks and been a buyer for many French and American Film distribution companies for the last twenty-five years. He was on the board of directors of the Santa Barbara Film Festival and is very involved with charities and the political world. Emmanuel sits on the board of Directors of ‘Darfur Women Action Group’ in an attempt to bring Peace to Darfur, he is the founding President of the Rotary E-Club of World Peace, part of the U.N Association and the World Council of Wisdom to bring Peace to the World. Emmanuel is a recipient of the Global Citizen Award from the United Nation Association, named President of The Year by the Rotary E-Club of World Peace. Emmanuel ran for President of France in 2022 and French Congress. He is committed as a new political player, to change the world and bring back the Peace and the Love as a necessary agenda for Humanity to thrive.

Shaun is a former World Surfing Champion, has been described as one of the 10 greatest surfers of all time and one of the most influential surfers of the century. During his professional career he won 19 major pro events and is recognized as one of the world’s most innovative tube riders. He is a Business Finance graduate from the University of Natal, holds a Master of Science in Leadership from Northeastern University, and is an inductee in the US, Jewish and South African Sports Halls of Fame. Shaun has lectured across the world and inspired corporations like General Motors, Cisco, Price Waterhouse, Google, Disney and The Gap. He produced and co-wrote the award-winning documentary film Bustin’ down the Door, a dramatic story of how a group of young Australians and South Africans created professional surfing and built a multi-billion-dollar industry.

Dr. Dan Siegel is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and the founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA. He is also the Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute which focuses on the development of mindsight, teaches insight, empathy, and integration in individuals, families and communities.

Dr. Siegel has published extensively for both the professional and lay audiences. His five New York Times bestsellers are: Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence, Mind: A Journey to the Heart of Being Human, Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain, and two books with Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D: The Whole-Brain Child, and No-Drama Discipline.

His other books include: The Developing Mind, The Pocket Guide to Interpersonal Neurobiology, Mindsight, The Mindful Brain, and The Mindful Therapist. He has also written The Yes Brain and The Power of Showing Up with Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D. Dr. Siegel also serves as the Founding Editor for the Norton Professional Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology which currently contains over seventy textbooks.

On this episode of the Dr. Deborah show, Dr. Deborah speaks with Arun Gandhi. Born in 1934 in Durban, South Africa, Arun is the fifth grandson of India’s legendary leader, Mohandas K. “Mahatma” Gandhi. Growing up under the discriminatory apartheid laws of South Africa, he was beaten by “white” South Africans for being too black and “black” South Africans for being too white; so, Arun sought eye-for-an-eye justice. However, he learned from his parents and grandparents that justice does not mean revenge, it means transforming the opponent through love and suffering. 

In this enlightening conversation, Arun Gandhi describes some of the lessons of his famous grandfather, and speaks about nonviolence, violence, communication, peace making and self-care.

Tune in to listen to my Special Coronavirus Edition Episode #5. The show will be talking about Mental Health and well being with a focus on students and school and our special guest UCSB Student Kaitlyn Berrospe.

Schools are scrambling to determine how they will continue to provide mental health care for the students who have gone home to complete the semester online. Some states are now allowing the practice of therapy and psychiatry across states lines, so care can be continued. Many college psychiatric providers are leaping into the practice of tele-health. Studies have shown tele-health to be beneficial if provided within certain guidelines. I am grateful for the ability to provide care, but I am left wondering, how will this change our students? 

Tune in to listen to my Special Coronavirus Edition Episode #3. The show will be talking about Mental Health and well being with a focus on New Habits and Changing Expectations-Part 3.

As the novel coronavirus situation evolves in the nation, everyday life for many families is changing to include social isolation, remote work, and home quarantine. Humans are social creatures, and medical quarantine or isolation in general have been associated with serious mental health effects.

In fact, a recent review of research found that “quarantine is linked with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, confusion, and anger, with some research suggesting these effects are long-lasting.” How during these unknown and new times do we maintain a level of structure, balance and create new habits.

Most of us are so accustomed to going to work, dropping the kids off, attending gym classes, lunching with friends that this time period producing completely new routines and also this needs new habits. Some tips for how to approach new lifestyle habits and expectations! 

Tune in to listen to my Special Coronavirus Edition #2. The show will be talking about Mental Health and well being with a focus on Life With The Coronavirus-Grief Part 2.

In the past few weeks, efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 such as self-quarantine and the closing of public spaces have dramatically reordered our social and interpersonal experiences. What effects could this have on our mental health?

As each of us is learning, coping and understanding mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic I thought it would benefit our community to discuss the psychological and emotional challenges that arise during social distancing.

Grief from COVID-19 impact may trigger secondary health and mental health crisis. According, to researchers the loss of life caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic may just be the first tragic wave to hit the country. Grief from the deaths of close relatives and a sudden loss of support could create serious health, mental health and economic issues for grieving family members.

Tune in to listen to my Special Coronavirus Edition #1. The show will be talking about Mental Health and well being with a focus on Life With The Coronavirus-Self-Care Part 1.

In the past few weeks, efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 such as self-quarantine and the closing of public spaces have dramatically reordered our social and interpersonal experiences. What effects could this have on our mental health? As each of us is learning, coping and understanding mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic I thought it would benefit our community to discuss the psychological and emotional challenges that arise during social distancing.

The spread of the novel coronavirus has presented unique challenges to public health and health care systems around the world, including new challenges for addressing mental health concerns. As people across the country and world deal with new stressors that arise from social distancing and the exponential growth of COVID-19 cases, concerns about maintaining good mental health have grown as well.

I am here to help you learn more about these potential challenges and ways to adapt to new routines, environments, and relationships during the coronavirus pandemic. 

With a voice filled with grit and soul, Carly Jo Jackson brings the heat of the Florida sunshine to all she does. She has a vocal tone that is as infectious as her charismatic stage presence. She caught the attention of some big names in the music and entertainment business, opening shows for Michael McDonald (who also provided vocals on her recent EP), Kenny Loggins and Dennis Quaid and serving as a musical inspiration to Jeff Bridges who recently featured her on his Sleep Club website. Other notable performances include her appearance in 2014 on America’s got Talent, where she appeared in two televised episodes and advanced to Judgement Week; performing as an Emerging Artist at 2018’s Summerfest; singing backup vocals to Kenny Loggins at 2019’s Hawaii Songwriters Festival; performing at the renowned 30A Songwriters Festival along with Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Shawn Mullins, Livingston Taylor and more; opening a San Francisco 49ers game; and winning the 2015 Belk Southern Musician Showcase. In late 2019, she released her EP Au Naturel, produced by Chris Pelonis and Lost Coast Records and distributed by Jimmy Buffet’s Cherry Bomb Records.

Carrick DeHart is a UCSB Grad in Ethnic Studies/Minor Child Psychology. He is in the Santa Monica High School Hall of Fame, UCSB Athletic Hall of Fame, Santa Barbara Court of champions and has 10 plus years playing professional Basketball nationally & abroad.

In 1990, Carrick was signed as a free agent with the Celtics training camp. After his playing days, Carrick worked and volunteered in the non-profit recreational world at the Santa Barbara California for the United Boys club, starting a club girl’s elite developmental basketball program (Santa Barbara Blazers) that was instrumental in changing the charter of the boys club to the United Boys & Girls Club of America.

Carrick then went on to work for the Page Youth Center, developing after school recreational programs, senior fitness and elite sport training in partnership with Titan Sports-Jacques Devore and Rob Bolton. Carrick has worked with former high school coach George Quintero and started the California Storm, Nike Girls Elite Basketball program. Carrick worked at UCSB Advancement, as Director of Development for Unrestricted Gifts, for four years servicing the Orange County and San Diego area raising unrestricted funds and working with area committees. Then onto UC Riverside to become a Division 1 assistant coach for 2 years.

Currently he is the Director for Major Gifts CSU Channel Islands. He still has the passion for fitness, skill development and coaching and currently volunteers at Newbury Park High School as the Women’s Varsity Assistant basketball coach. In addition, he provides skill specific training, condition and injury prevention training via a start-up business Ooofball, the medicine ball with bounce! Carrick believes there must be an effort made to support wellness and life balance at all levels. 

Curt Pickering has a appreciation and philosophy of how to appreciate and motivate the great athletes that engage at the highest level of play. Curt’s NBA experience began in 1985 as Director of Player Personnel and Head Coach in the NBA Summer Pro League. There he met and developed a kindred relationship with Bill Bertka of the Lakers and began scouting for him. Later he scouted for the Indiana Pacers, New Jersey Nets and Charleston Guners.

Later Curt was a scout for the New Jersey Nets and then accepted opportunities internationally in China, Dubai, Bahrain, Phillipines, Kuwait, Hungary, Ireland, Czechoslovakia, Austria and Germany and in the minor leagues. He also worked for 10 years owning and coaching the Santa Barbara Breakers, a pro minor league team, traveling extensively to China and Europe 15 times, before returning to scouting for the Indiana Pacers. Curt was head coach for NBA All Stars Summer Pro League from 1985-1997 where he worked with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and other teams.

He also has worked extensively as Director of Player Personnel for many teams! Behind the scenes he has worked extensively in the development of coaching staff/player roster relationships that greatly affects the level of play and the harmony necessary off the court, on the road and in the locker room.

His strengths as a coach are a willingness to do whatever is asked, no matter how large or small the task, with a specialty as a shooting coach. He has studied the mechanics, psychological and human behavioral factors of the greatest shooters over the past 50 years. Curt’s GREAT love for the game of basketball, have influenced the basketball world. He sees each day and each game as a great opportunity to express gratitude and meet each challenge with vigor and enthusiasm.

After surviving an early, abusive marriage in her native England, Deb Richards fled with her life and her young daughter for the dream of sunny skies in Los Angeles. It was there that she met the handsome and successful songwriter Jake Jake Hooker who was a very successful songwriter having written, “I Love Rock N Roll,” one of the greatest and biggest hits of all time, according to both Billboard and Rolling Stone magazines. The song has been covered by many artists, including Joan Jett and Britney Spears, creating worldwide sales in excess of 30 million records.

Jake also wrote and produced many hits for various soundtracks, including, Flashdance, Top Gun, Rocky 4, Iron Eagle, Wayne’s World, Charlie’s Angels (The Movie), Ghost World, Story Telling, etc. All told Jakes songs have sold well over a 100 million records or a staggering $1.6 billion in retail sales. Together, Jake and Deb put that dime in the jukebox of life and had a dream marriage where they balance Hollywood, famous execs and blending families.

Deb faced a second nightmare when some of her children began to experiment with drugs. In her debut book Richards shows how one mother’s love and courage shines through despite overwhelming odds. Deb needed her own lifelines after Jake’s tragic suicide.

Deb proves you can always reinvent, shift your thoughts and shine your light. Her book, Shift & Shine, is a must read for anyone who has loved an addict or lost someone to suicide. It’s an inspiring story of hope with tools to find a path through crippling adversity and emerge stronger and kinder. Deborah lives in a cottage on two acres in Santa Barbara with her dogs and horses.

Alan Kozlowski is known for his artistic vision, deep understanding and love of music and cinemotography. Alan has been at the forefront of innovation in film making for which he has received extensive recognition. He has produced and directed many music documentaries featuring artists Ravi Shankar, Jackson Browne, Kenny Loggins, and Lionel Richie.

His passion for music began while studying guitar in Spain with legendary gypsy flamenco guitar virtuoso Diego del Gastor. Alan was Director Of Photography in the visually stunning film “For Us The Living: The Medgar Evers Story” and the Telluride Mountain Film Festival Best of Film award winning film, “Travellers and Magicians”.

Alan directed, shot and edited the HBO special Lionel Richie’s “Dancing On The Ceiling” and was Director of Photography, co-produced and edited the ACE Award for “Best Music Special of the Year” and Disney documentary “Jackson Browne: Going Home”. Alan also was Director of Photography, co-produced and edited for Kenny Loggins documentary “Live from the Redwoods” for PBS.

He began studying music with Pandit Ravi Shankar and performed with Ravi worldwide at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and London’s Royal Opera House. He documented the major milestones of Ravi’s life and managed his visual archives including commemorating Ravi’s 75th birthday, where Alan co-produced with George Harrison “In Celebration,” a four-CD collectors edition of Ravi Shankar’s works.

Alan also directed “Ravi Shankar: The Concert For World Peace” performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, released world-wide by A&E. For Ravi’s 80th birthday, Alan produced and edited “Sangeet Ratna”, a documentary of the life and work of Pandit Ravi Shankar featuring interviews with Phillip Glass, Zakir Hussain, George Harrison.

In 1981 Alan developed a new technology where he filmed and directed a 360-degree, 70mm film for Envirovision Theaters. He innovated, filmed and edited a simultaneous 10-screen feature presentation of Chinese culture for “Hawpaw Village” in Singapore. Alan co-founded Pacific Ocean Post, a leading film and television post-production studio in Santa Monica, California employing more than 300 special effects, animation, sound, and editorial professionals, and breaking new ground in the integration of digital technology and visual expression. Pacific Ocean Post helped bring home the Visual Effects Oscars for Independence Day (1997), Titanic (1998) and What Dreams May Come (1999). POP was acquired by Liberty Media in 1999 facilitating Alan’s return to his artistic pursuits.

In 2001 Alan directed, filmed and edited the breathtaking “Return to Dzongsar” which documented Khyentse Norbu’s/Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche return to his native land and monastery in Eastern Tibet. Alan’s love for Tibet, Nepal and India allowed him to travel, film and photograph the people, lands and cultures of these immensely beautiful lands creating a stunning visual archive.

He published a book “On The Path-Tibet” featuring photography from his many journeys. Alan also created On The Path LLC, a performing arts center, gallery, and multimedia production facility in Santa Monica. He recently worked with Jackson Browne on a documentary focusing on master percussionist and composer Luis Conte’s return to his native land of Cuba. Alan also worked with Jeff Bridges and T-Bone Burnett to capture ancillary material for Jeff’s 2009 movie “Crazy Heart” starring Jeff Bridges, Colin Farrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Robert Duvall with music by T-Bone Burnett. Through his continual travel, deep exploration, extensive relationships, vivid imagination and unending curiosity Alan Kozlowski remains to this day…On The Path of discovery.

Dr. Deborah is joined by Jay Reid, who lost his 14 year old son to suicide. Reid is from Murrieta CA, a community that shares some similarities with Santa Barbara – affluence, protected isolation.