The Dr. Sylvia K Show

In this intimate episode, we delve into the intricate world of storytelling, guided by the insightful and multi-talented Kristen McGuiness. From her early days at Shakespeare & Co. in New York to becoming a revered author, editor, and publisher, Kristen's journey is a testament to the power of narrative in our lives.

The Power of Story:
Kristen shares her deep-seated passion for storytelling, tracing it back to her childhood love for books and the profound impact they've had on her life's trajectory. Her work at Storyboxing and Rise Books, providing content, coaching, and courses, reflects her commitment to nurturing and fostering the stories within each of us.

A Journey Through Publishing:
As a co-founder of Row House and founder of Rise Books, Kristen is at the helm of publishing imprints that merge wellness with social justice, offering a platform where stories ignite change. With over two decades of experience, she has collaborated with renowned authors and shaped compelling narratives, wielding her expertise in book development and editing. 

Rise Books is a boutique literary publisher, which curates the best of the Rise Writers community, publishing 6 to 10 books a year in the genres of cultural disruption, mysticism, ethical business, radical birthing, collective liberation, political fiction, literary memoir, motherhood, recovery, and other works that explore what it means to be radically inspired. 

Vulnerability and Real Connections:
The interview takes a personal turn as Kristen candidly shares anecdotes about her relationship with her father, grief, and relief- that invite listeners into her world of "real life." The conversation resonates deeply as personal stories about fatherhood emerge, fostering a raw and genuine connection between Kristen and myself. I get very personal and share a story with Kristen- THAT I HAVE NEVER TOLD ANYONE!

Navigating Life's Chapters:
Kristen's openness extends beyond her professional journey, offering glimpses into her marriage, her current life situation, and the genesis of her upcoming works, THE RADICAL HOPE OF SPECTACULAR FAILURE. Her candor and warmth infuse the conversation with authenticity, creating a space for genuine moments and revelations.

A Tapestry of Hope and Resilience:
Throughout the interview, Kristen's warmth and wisdom shine, inspiring a narrative woven with hope, resilience, and the transformative power of vulnerability. As she highlights the back story behind  her debut novel, Live Through This, and explores various film and TV projects, Kristen embodies the essence of storytelling as a vehicle for healing and understanding.

Join us in this captivating episode, where Kristen McGuiness invites us into the profound world of storytelling and the remarkable journey of embracing vulnerability and authenticity in crafting life's narratives.

FOLLOW KRISTEN MCGUINESS :
https://www.risebooks.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenmcguiness/https://www.instagram.com/kristenmcguiness/

Are you or someone you know struggling with OCD or anxiety? 

In this episode, I sit down with Madina Alam, M.A., LMHC, a licensed mental health counselor and certified yoga instructor, who specializes in treating OCD and anxiety.

Madina is also the Director of Operations at NOCD, a company dedicated to treating individuals with OCD using exposure response prevention (ERP), a research-backed type of treatment.

Madina shares her expertise on how to effectively treat OCD and anxiety, including:

• What is OCD and anxiety and how do they affect people?
• The different types of OCD and anxiety and how to identify them
• How exposure response prevention (ERP) works as a treatment option
• The role of mindfulness and yoga in managing symptoms
• Practical tips for living with discomfort and managing symptoms

Madina's approach to treatment focuses on helping individuals learn to live with discomfort and become comfortable with the uncertainty of life. 

She believes that everyone has the ability to overcome their struggles and live a fulfilling life. 

My favorite part of this episode, is when Madina shares a profound story of how she overcame a deep fear by approaching the things that she was sacred of. Madina shares how she did not down grade the traumatic experience that had happened to her regarding her personal trainer and spoke up for herself. 

Madina shares how she was the therapist to herself and followed her own advice:
"Pick to the choice that is alignment with your values, not with what you're scared of." 

I hope this episode inspires you as much as it did for me.

xo,
Dr. Sylvia

You can follow Madina Alam on Instagram: @mentalhealth_madina_

It's been a roller coaster of emotions for me since I've last posted a podcast episode.
When they say "Life happens," it’s no joke- there's been a  lot of life and death that has  happened in my world.

From moving homes and offices in Miami of 2022, to suddenly loosing my mother-in-law  in February of 2023, to then moving continents from the US to Switzerland with my family in July of 2023-  let’s say it’s been a whirlwind for me. Hence the huge hiatus from my podcast.

But no more delays. I’m back and ready to embrace the incredible stories of growth, life, and loneliness that land on the Dr. Sylvia K show.

I have a couple of raw and real stories saved in the pipeline for you.

In today’s episode- You will meet Luna Battalia, a Leadership Mentor and Brand Cohesion Strategist.

I recorded this interview last year on September 14, 2022.

You will hear some thunder in the background which is a great metaphor for Luna’s  passion about rites of passage and growth for leaders. In this episode,  Luna is going to speak about her own rites of passages as well as how we can honor the Self  when we are going through change, loss, or grief.

I am so grateful for Luna and her work, because learning how to honor the Self, in those  moments of big and small changes, has helped me SOOOO much.

I hope Luna's voice  and stories can help you feel just a little less alone in this world.

You can find more info about Luna and her incredible work at:
www.lunaloveleadership.com
or on instagram: @lunabattalia

xo,
Dr. Sylvia K

Being a sensitive person can feel like both a strength and a weakness at times.

Dr. Elaine Aron, a clinical psychologist and expert on high-sensitivity defines high sensitivity’s characteristics as a more elaborate depth of processing, easy overstimulation, emotional responsiveness, acute awareness of stimulations, and empathy.

In this episode, I speak with Mitali Sankhe- a college professor at Mumbai University and a self-professed sensitive being.

Mitali deconstructs" being a sensitive" and ways to best manage it.

In this episode, Mitali and I explore what being a sensitive person looks like, we laugh, share deeply personal stories of being the "sensitive one" in romantic relationships, share stories of breaking off our engagements, and offer a reframe for better understanding sensitivity as a "super power"

Letter from the Guest Speaker:

Hello!

Mitali Sankhe here, wishing all my  blessed  souls “Namaste” ( I bow to your divine soul ) from India (Mumbai) where I live with my loving doctor parents.  Healing is a gift which has come naturally to me as I belong to family of doctors. 

In my professional capacity , I am working as a college professor, associated with Mumbai University where I teach marketing & advertising to my enthusiastic students . I am also a PhD aspirant in *marketing management* from Mumbai University .  

My bachelors is in accounting and finance from Mumbai University . In my 20s I had worked for two (corporations )namely HDFC bank and Manipal Cigna Health Insurance . I have done my MBA ( Masters in Business  Administration) in retail marketing from one of the finest colleges in India -Welingkar Institute of Management . My MBA made me understand the finer nuances of human behavior and aligning marketing strategies for the same . 

Today I offer my astrology services professionally under the pen name tarotbymitalisankhe on Instagram where I do personalized tarot readings , numerology , angel card readings and vastu consultations . 

It gives me immense joy to guide people, predict their future , even help them heal naturally and move towards a brighter future . I advocate strongly for my clients to seek professional help and ensure their mental health is taken care of .  

I was even lucky to get an opportunity to collaborate with Times  of India ( India’s leading newspaper ) in lifestyle  section where my astrology videos were aired as a part of  a video series in 2022 .  

My Instagram account @tarotbymitalisankhe is a way to promote community healing using my marketing knowledge , astrology and  spiritual knowledge .

I am truly grateful for all the incredible women and men I have come across via Instagram . 

Lastly to sum up our presence or absence both can influence the lives of other people. Some are those who are known to us and some are completely strangers. That relationship we develop can be a reason for their happiness or their sorrows.No matter what relationship we have, our aim should be to bring positivity to others life.Our presence should make their life a beautiful experience and even our absence should make their life bright. Leaving a heart wounded can sometimes make them hopeless for life .  

My life mantra is to share my marketing knowledge with my students , always try to heal people, uplift them and be a positive influence on every soul I come across .

Follow our guest on Instagram : @tarotbymitalisankhe 

Meet Kristen D. Boice, a  psychotherapist who has spent the last 18+ helping people build or rebuild healthy relationships, make life transitions, navigate grief, and deal with the hard stuff life throws at us.

Kristen is all about helping  you process the past, accept yourself, and live more fully (and joyfully) in who you are—because sometimes that’s the hardest thing of all to do.

Think about it. Many of us are so layered up with conditioning around who we think we should be, or the people we want to be, it’s easy to lose track of who we are.

It isn’t until we take time to develop our self-awareness and feel inspired to take ownership of who we are, and who we want to be, that we can truly begin to shift into our next incredible phase.

BECAUSE WHEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF IMPROVES... magical things unfold.

Kristen has a gift to help people  begin to love and understand all parts of who they are, and experience an unshakeable peace.  

Will there still be parts about you wish were different?

 Of course.

Will you still experience not-enoughness? 

Sometimes.

Will life continue to throw you obstacles and curveballs? 

Absolutely.

However, as you stand secure in yourself, you develop the confidence and clarity to navigate all of it—and learn to close the chapters of your past with Kristen's wisdom and guidance, you can open new doors.

Kristen is here to inspire you to deconstruct your conditioning and begin your journey towards becoming who you are, so you can make the change.

In this episode, we talk about & deconstruct:

1.  The the mother wound
2.  The archetype of martyr in motherhood and relationships
3. How to create health boundaries
4. Discovering a powerful message to heal the mother wound

About Our Guest:
Kristen earned a Master’s of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, graduating with honors from Indiana Wesleyan and received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Butler University. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), Close The Chapter podcast host, a member of the American Association of Family and Marriage Therapy (AAMFT), American Counseling Association (ACA) and EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), a trained EMDR clinician and a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200). She is also a certified Daring Way™ Facilitator (CDWF).

link:
https://kristendboice.com
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/kristendboice/
Podcast: Close the Chapter on Spotify and Apple podcasts

In this week’s episode of The Dr. Sylvia K Show, we want to talk to you about healing through creativity and the power of giving yourself permission to play.

Meet Lisa A. Kramer, MFA, Ph.D, theatre artist, educator, author, and activist. She is woman of many creative talents and wisdom that she graciously shares with us. In this episode,  you will hear Dr. Kramer talk about the magic of exploring creativity beyond our limited belief systems and how to  push "the box" waayyyyy out.

"Creativity and playing are all about story telling," says Dr. Kramer.  Join our captivating conversation where Lisa and I share our stories about healing, discovery, and wonder. 

 You’ll also discover strategies for working through any inner critic challenges- so that you can tap into one of your super powers: CREATIVE PLAY.

If you’re really struggling with getting in touch with your creativity, or giving yourself permission to play is challenging,  or you're going through a major life transition- this episode is for you!

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Lisa A. Kramer, MFA, Ph.D is a theatre artist, educator, author, and activist. As an interdisciplinary educator, she has taught at various colleges and universities throughout the country. She recently shifted away from the academy to pursue other methods of combining her passion for creative thought, theatre, writing, and social justice work. Her passion lies in exploring ways in which creativity, can empower people, strengthen communities, and advocate for a better world. She is the author the award-winning Creative Collaborations through Inclusive Theatre and Community Based Theatre and a fiction novel called P.O.W.ER. For more information visit her at lisaakramer.com.

Water can teach us a lot about change and transformation- something we often resist as humans.

Speaking with the talented Author and Founder of Ripple Press, LLC, Jayshree L Patel  gave me so much insight on how water and nature can truly be one of our greatest teachers.

If you have ever felt "lost" or "stuck" on your journey, this is a must listen episode.

Jayshree will inspire and remind  you that wherever you are on your path-you can utilize water and nature to "trust" the process. 


About the Guest and Author: 
Jayshree is inspired to share her ideas on how nature teaches us to live joyfully
and to trust the journey. Her debut, award winning children’s picture book, One
Drop, Endless Ripples, explores the limitless lessons we can all learn through
nature.

With her first book project, Jayshree has transformed her life from public service in New Zealand to author, art director, and businesswoman in the USA. Jayshree is the Founder of Ripple Press LLC an independent publishing company. She loves doing school author visits and is available for speaking engagements.

As a mother, Jayshree’s parenting, and life transformation began when her boys attended an early childhood Montessori school which offered her a new perspective on how children thrive. As an active member of the school board, she learned that children learn best when they feel safe and connected, when they feel joyful, and when they follow their curiosity. This is often best achieved when they are out in nature, learning holistically. In fact, she sees we can all benefit from being more connected with nature instead of our busy, tech-filled lives filled with stuff and endless to-do lists.

“Why water? Water is a dominant part of the landscape where I grew up in New Zealand -streams,
rivers, lakes and ocean are never far away, even if you live in the city. Water fascinates me because it is so translucent and yet so powerful. It continually transforms itself; it adapts to changing conditions and it transforms the environment it is a part of. I can’t help wondering that if we could all be like water, maybe the world would be a better place.”

She plans to inspire children and parents through her books. Through speaking, storytelling and
collaboration, she plans to make an impact on all the things she cares about: families, children, the
environment, and creating a more connected and sustainable world for future generations.

For more information about her book or to collaborate with Jayshree, please visit:
Website: https://www.01drop.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/01dr.op/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/01dropendlessripples
Email: jayshree@01drop.com

It's seems like the majority of us have fallen right back into our patterns of "busy-ness" or chasing something.  

Some of us are chasing our dreams, our future selves, or even the idea of a partner that can somehow fill the void of "not enough-ness." The idea that we are not enough, creates a deep sense of wounding within our psyche. 

What is the cure for this endless cycle of chasing and not enough-ness mentality? Our guest Valentina Yaman, shares her curative approach to helping others discover a path of awakening, integration and embodiment. 

In this deeply thought provoking podcast  episode, you will learn:

• The meaning of embodiment and sovereignty
• What the Quantum Femme means according to Valentina Yaman
• The cure for overcoming not feeling enough
• How to integrate both feminine and masculine energy
• The journey towards sovereignty
• Partake in a grounding chord meditation

About the Guest:

Valentina Yaman is an entrepreneur, mentor, healer, and strategist. She’s committed to creating multidisciplinary processes that support people in their journey of embodying their highest potential. Valentina leads mentorship programs and masterminds for brave women who want to embody their genius, and create a new status quo when leading from a place of integration and sovereignty.

Valentina received her formal business education at Bentley University and graduated with a degree in Managerial Economics. She also received formal training in transpersonal psychology, Vedic modalities, and different mindfulness and energy practices. She returned to Ecuador to run a FairTrade flower farm with almost 500 artisan farmers as CEO. Since then, she has launched a dozen different social enterprises around indigenous weaving, food sovereignty, and community building. 

She serves as a Senior Advisor for Jumpscale and as a Founding Partner in the UTU Fund, which supports economic sovereignty in indigenous communities affected by the increased demand for minerals due to the green energy revolution. 

Most recently, she's combined 15 years of experience to create The Quantum Femme Method, where she merges somatic practices and quantum energetics to inspire and accompany women leaders to voyage through their inner world to restore their true feminine power.

LinkedIn: Valentina Yaman

Facebook Profile: Valentina Roldan-Espinosa Yaman

Instagram: @valentinayamanofficial

TikTok: @valentinayaman

Website: www.valentinayaman.com

This is not a light topic or a short podcast episode. In 1 hour and 19 minutes, Mikah and I get personal and have a lengthy conversation about the intricacies of loneliness,  Generation Z,  and narcissistic fathers.

Mikah is the host of the Podcast Exploring w/  Mikah, a home for those on their Self-Growth Journey to Inner Peace & Love life. His purpose for his podcast and Instagram account is to provide support and guidance through the journey of Self.

In episode 3 ,of season 2, on The Dr. Sylvia K Show, you will hear:

1. Loneliness described within generation Z
2. How loneliness is connected to no knowing how to cultivate love and safety.
3. How you can heal if you are constantly being triggered by your parent relationship
4. Tons of personal long stories of being a child of a narcissistic father

If you would like to receive more support and guidance on your journey of Self, follow Mikah
https://www.instagram.com/exploringwmikah/

In episode 2 of season 2, you will meet Anne Riesling,  a female entrepreneur, athlete, people lover, finance geek and social media strategist. 

Anne and I have a heart to heart conversation about the power of human connection, conquering fear, the journey and action steps towards believing in yourself, and the tools that we use to manifest the things that light us up. 

Believing in yourself is not always an "easy" process. For me, it's a set of action steps, willingness, finding the right support system, and discovering the tools within yourself to help you actualize your dream into reality. 

Join us for a cozy and intimate conversation about the power of believing in yourself and "doing the thing" despite your fears.

In this episode you will learn:

1. The power of using vision boards to manifest "the thing" you want to manifest.
2. The 17 second exercise to help you actualize your dreams.
3.  How meditation can help you believe in yourself and move past fear.

About the guest:

As a former Equestrian turned Cyclist, Anne is on the mission to connect with others all over the world and inspire them to conquer their innermost dreams.

Anne is currently training for the Cent Cols Challenge (CCC) in 2022, a renown ride with segments which have been in the Tour de France. Anne will be the first female Canadian cyclist to conquer this feat.

Through her social media, Anne intends to share her humble journey to the CCC with the intention to encourage her audience to conquer their athletic, personal, and professional dreams.

Follow Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsanneries/

Hi there! 

I’m back with a new podcast season and brief episode to kick off January. 

In episode 18, on The Dr. Sylvia K Show Podcast, I talk about utilizing your value system to help you create new behaviors that will support both a mental and physical detox. 

For me , values, refer to what’s most important to you in your life right now. 

When you start to use your own personal values as guide posts for decision-making you can realign your physical, mental, and emotional health with what matters most to you. 

There is no universal formula. Everyone is unique —so your values are personal to you. 

I invite you to ask yourself what is most important in your life right now in the following categories: 

1. Mental health 
2. Physical health 
3. Social well-being 
4. Emotional well-being 
5. Spirituality 

If you are participating in dry Jan, I encourage you to continue utilizing your core values to support the discipline that is needed to stay alcohol free. 

Some of the benefits that I’ve noticed in the first week of staying alcohol free are :

1. Improved sleep - less restlessness 
2. More energy -less tired in the morning 
3. Improved mood- Less moody at night 
4. Better digestion - less bloated 
5. More clarity and focus with personal projects 

Follow me on Instagram for daily stories and join my 21 day meditation challenge this month via IG live @drsylviak https://www.instagram.com/drsylviak/

Loneliness is a real thing. 

And it’s a growing public health concern worldwide. 

According to a global survey, about 33 percent of adults experienced feelings of loneliness worldwide. 

A new survey from Ipsos shows how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected mental wellbeing, community support, and loneliness around the world.

• Globally, two in five people (41%) report becoming lonelier over the last 6 months, while one in five (19%) have become less lonely.
• Countries where the highest proportions of people have become lonelier include: Turkey (54%), Brazil (52%), Belgium (51%), Canada (50%) and Great Britain (49%).
• People in Turkey were also the most likely to disagree their local community has become more supportive over the last 6 months (47%).
• Countries where the smallest proportions of people say they've become lonelier include Malaysia (35%), Poland (34%), Russia (28%), China (26%) and Japan (23%).

Here are some more stats on loneliness  focused on Americans:

• 36% of Americans say they’ve felt more lonely than usual during the pandemic. 50% say there has been no significant impact, and 9% say they’ve felt less lonely than usual.[6] (US, YouGov, 2021)
• 34% of millennials always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation.[7] (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)
• 27% percent of Gen Z always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation.[7] (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)
• 22% percent of Gen X always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation.[7] (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)
• 20% percent of Baby boomers always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation.[7] (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)

Even though these stats illustrate a growing health concern with the epidemic of Loneliness, most of us don’t even realize that we’re feeling lonely.  In episode 17, I will describe ways that loneliness is felt but perhaps not named.

At the end of this episode you will learn 3 tips on how to better manage loneliness:
1. Name it
2. Practice grounding techniques
3. Create small actionable steps to engage in micro social interactions

Let’s start naming loneliness together and talk more about it  so that we can feel a little less alone.

Follow me for more info on Loneliness, Mental Health, and Well-Being on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drsylviak/

In episode 16, you'll meet Audrey Stimpson, internationally published master photographer by trade who has now made it her sole mission to share her story of Adderall addiction and how she freed herself after 23 years. 
 
 Audrey shares her life experiences, research, and her journey to becoming adderall free.
 In this episode you'll learn more about:

·       How trauma can manifest itself as symptoms of ADD

·       How adderall effects your physical, emotional, and gut health

·       Ways to develop habits that support an adderall free life

Trigger alert for anyone who has been affected by trauma, suicide, and addiction because Audrey and I get very honest and personal about these topics throughout the end of the interview. 

 About the Guest:
 Audrey Stimpson is an internationally published master photographer by trade who has now made it her sole mission to share her story of Adderall addiction and how she freed herself after 23 years. 

Audrey grew up in Memphis, TN— the home of the blues. She received her Bachelors in Photography from The University of Memphis and Masters in Fashion Photography from The School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. As a fashion photographer working in the elite fashion and modeling industry of NYC for 8 years, she had the privilege of shooting for top brands and major publications like Vogue, Elle, Forbes, and Robb Report to name a few. In 2018, she co-founded Madison and Melrose, an A-Z digital marketing/branding company that specializes in content creation. She has a growing platform of over 23k followers, the majority based in NYC and the MidSouth. 

Audrey had been prescribed Adderall to treat her ADHD since the age of seven, the same year the drug first entered the market, making her one of the longest case studies. 

For a while, Adderall made her feel invincible. From the photoshoot straight to the after-party, Audrey was using Adderall to Slay! But, after 23 years of use the amphetamine had taken its toll, leading to psychosis, gut health issues, body dysmorphia, Addorexia, and a never-ending cycle of shame. 

After decades of Adderall dependency, Audrey is finally #Adderall Free and thriving! She wants the millions of others affected by ADHD and Adderall addiction to know that it is possible to live without their little orange pill. 

She is currently writing the guidebook that she wished she’d had, developing an ADHD coaching program, and she recently launched a blog dedicated to helping those directly affected by Adderall addiction. She is also addressing real fears in real time on TikTok, the preferred social media for those with ADHD,  reaching upwards of 80,000 people per post. 

With 3.5 million children currently prescribed Adderall and more than 42% of people aged 12 and over abusing the drug without a prescription, it is clearly one of the most pressing issues of our time. 

Audrey is dedicated to sharing her story and helping others navigate their Adderall addiction journey with her How-To-Thrive-Off-Adderall guidebook, Accidental ADDict.

links:
Web: audreystimpson.com

Instagram : @audreystimpson

In episode 15, on The Dr. Sylvia K Show Podcast, London Papamichael,  creator of BODY BY LONDON defines "relentless bravado" and shares  raw, honest, and inspiring stories. 

If you’ve ever experienced setbacks in your life or have felt discouraged from believing in yourself - this is a MUST LISTEN episode. 

Maybe you don’t even know “how” to believe in yourself or what that can look like. Don’t worry, London Papamichael will lay it all down in episode 15 and leave you feeling uplifted, encouraged, and ready to commit to your next level of self-care. 

London’s mission is simple, “Help Others. Heal Yourself.” Fitness has been more than just looking good  on the breach or to improve his performance is sports. It has helped him overcome great loss and tragedy in life at a young age. Prioritizing his help is one of the keys to his success.

About the Guest: 

London Papamichael was born in Myrtle Beach South Carolina, Half Greek Cypriot. He currently resides in Hermosa Beach, California. Fitness and health has always been a priority in his life, from as far back as he can remember. His father created this interest so London always watched his father working out, taking supplements, and eating healthy. They were an extremely active family.

Continuing his fitness journey as teenager, he was involved with sports, staying active and spending a lot of time outside. During his freshman year he began taking weight training seriously and received mentorship by a senior in his weightlifting class. He learned about form, intensity and nutrition.

One of the many things he loves about fitness is that it continues to change. There are always new and innovative ways to approach fitness and health. He truly enjoys helping people through fitness because he has witnessed firsthand how beneficial it has been for him on his journey.

 Obtaining and maintaining health is essential whether you’re a kid boxer going for his 4th consecutive Golden Gloves title, a football player trying to make an NFL roster, a woman trying to step on stage for the first time for a fitness competition or just someone that wants to improve there overall health.

Creator of BODY BY LONDON. His mission is simple, “Help Others. Heal Yourself.” Fitness has been more than just looking good  on the breach or to improve his performance is sports. It has helped him overcome great loss and tragedy in life at a young age. Prioritizing his help is one of the keys to his success.

Some of his achievements in the fitness arena include: NASM Certified Personal Trainer #BodyByLondon, Online Trainer on Top Rated Fitness App “Playbook”, Strength & Conditioning Coach to the Top Ranked Boxer in USA at 17yrs old 114lbs, 11 -time National Champion (Steven Navarro), Creator of the best selling WeatherfordFit E-book “Master Shredder” also LEGagedon & Boulder Shoulders.

Links to follow London Papamicheal:
https://www.instagram.com/itslondonbro/

https://my.playbookapp.io/london-papamichael

Episode 14 captures an engaging and soulful chat with guest speaker Mark Thomas. @markthomas_itstartswithyou 

Mark shares a little bit about his life story including growing pains, divorce, overcoming addiction, break throughs, choosing sobriety and wellness, loneliness,  and transformation.  Listen all the way through to hear more about Mark’s experience of getting in touch with his own loneliness and making life changing decisions to become sober and connect with himself on a much deeper level. 

Mark's main message is: It starts with you.  

My message: The healing journey is not meant to be done completely alone. Join us in a powerful conversation about resiliency in action. 

Here  are a few things to think about after listening to this episode: 

1. What comes up for you when you hear the word “loneliness?”  
2. What’s your biggest fear about feeling “lonely?”
3. Do you avoid feeling lonely by staying busy or do you embrace it? 
4. Who are the 3-5 people you spend the most time with? 
5. Do these people mirror your values ? 
6. If yes, which value is the most important that you all share in common? 
7. If no, what keeps these people around you ? 
8. What does your “team,” as a whole, value most in their lives? 

A personal bio written by Mark Thomas:

Forced to ask the question “where did it all go wrong?“ at 40 years old.A Shift of mindset. Some huge decisions made it apparent it all went wrong to become right. It was all part of the plan. The difference between being a victim and a survivor? The work. It had to be done. Delving in to the past traumas to realize it was limiting future potential. Breaking the generational curse. Then rebuild using daily habits and education as a backbone to success. A quick fire indicator that anyone can turn it around. 

Follow Mark Thomas on Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/markthomas_itstartswithyou/

Episode 13 with CNN senior writer, Lisa Respers France, is truly a dream come true. Lisa gifts us with her humor, personal stories, and powerful messages--reminding us of things that matter most. 

In this episode, Lisa graciously shares her story of grief over losing her beloved father to Covid and the impact that it had on her health journey. 

With her tender stories, ability to make others laugh, and strong wit, Lisa expresses her joy and gratitude for the life she has and the woman she is becoming.

Throughout the entire interview, you can feel how much heart Lisa puts into everything she does from her hard work ethic at CNN, to living her message that representation matters, to her faith and love for God, friends, family, --and laughter. 

Lisa has a gift for storytelling and making others laugh. She is the queen of memes. You don't want to miss her posts on Instagram @lisafrance 

One of Lisa's IG posts inspired me to reach out to her and invite her on the show. This was Lisa's  message to herself that stopped me in my tracks: “Same day, same dress, same kitchen, same heart, exactly 8 years apart. This me wishes that she could tell that me it’s greater, later. #YouKillingitBabyGurl”  

This post stopped me in my tracks because it reminded me of the power that we have to give ourselves hope and inspiration. 

Wherever you are on your journey, Lisa has an incredibly powerful message just for you. Listen all the way through to the end to find Lisa's gift that will fill your heart with hope, love, and encouragement.

About the Guest:
Lisa Respers France is a senior writer for CNN's entertainment team, former host of the "Lisa's Desk" franchise and author of the "Pop Life Chronicles" newsletter.

She previously held positions as a reporter at the Los Angeles Times and the Baltimore Sun and as editor for St. John's University's magazine in Jamaica, New York. Her short stories have appeared in two anthologies, "Baltimore Noir" and 'A Hell of a Woman."

She's an avid reader, music enthusiast and all around inquisitive person - which is just a nice way of saying she's nosy.

Links:
CNN: https://www.cnn.com/profiles/lisa-france
IG: https://www.instagram.com/lisafrance/
You Tube Pop Life Pop Off Show: https://youtu.be/KwYJYTL8qS8

Episode 12 is about the Internal Family Systems psychotherapy model that is powerfully transformative. This model of therapy highlights that our "inner parts" contain valuable qualities and our core Self knows how to heal, allowing us to become integrated and whole. 

In this episode you’ll learn more about : 

• How parts of ourselves learn to adapt and react to certain environments to survive. 
• How certain behaviors are formed at an early age as a way to protect ourselves from our deepest vulnerabilities. 
• The 8 C’s of Self - a blueprint than can bring healing to all of our parts

More Thoughts: 

The more I work with therapy models such as Bowen Family Therapy and Internal Family Systems  the more I see how patterns and conditioned behaviors are REAL. 

️If you’re not acknowledging your family patterns , stress responses, learned behaviors, pain points, and especially generational trauma …then you’re  most likely projecting them onto someone else. Most likely your romantic partner, kids, friends or coworkers. 

Acknowledging generational trauma doesn’t mean your blaming your parents, elders, or any other family member. Nor is it condoning abuse or hurtful interactions.

 It’s about validating the pain you’ve experienced  and everything you've been through—especially the hurt that you most likely tried to push down. Acknowledging the pain is not about getting stuck in a victim mentality, it's more about creating space to feel, deal and heal so that eventually you can unburden yourself and your internal family system. 

The IFS model is not about what's "wrong" with you, it's about what happened to you. We can honor certain behaviors or parts that were self-create to protect ourselves inside our own family systems and environments. 

We often push things away or suppress them to “move on.” It’s a survival response. However that pattern can often turn into projection or transmission of the very pain that come sometimes turn into violence and hate. We can own our parts, heal them, and discover compassion for ourselves and others. 

I invite you to take a moment and scan your physical and emotional body. What have your pushed down or blocked out so that you could survive ?

Is it possible that what you couldn’t process in your childhood or adolescence is starting to come up years later?  

Maybe the stored trauma that’s been passed down your ancestral line is showing up as re-occurring  body aches,  back spasms, chronic pain, inflammation, or intense/irrational  emotions ?  Have you noticed any heavy moods that just don’t seem to go away?

Perhaps your inner child is begging you for attention waiting for you to acknowledge what others in your family ignored, denied, dismissed, or minimized. 

I’m inviting you to grow with me. To acknowledge that pain you’ve held inside and unburden yourself from the weight of it all. Whatever you’re going through, or went through, you CAN GROW through it. We can grow through it- together. Let’s turn our growing pains into growth spurts. 

Follow me on Instagram for more information and entertaining reels:
https://www.instagram.com/drsylviak

My website for inquiry about my private practice, approach, and services:
https://drsylviak.com

Episode 11 with Scott Tatum, nomad, hiker, explorer and founder of @ucanoutdoors is like going on an adventurous hiking trail with hills, curves, switchbacks, and awesome discovery. 

In this podcast interview, Scott shares his story and "history" candidly. From being the son of a therapist who was working through her own childhood trauma, to being the son of an alcoholic father, to helping youth in various therapeutic settings, then later going through 2 divorces, and throughout it all continuing to be a dedicated father of incredible adult children... Scott invites us to hear about all of his human sides including how  symptoms of ADHD can sometimes take him to new places and then back to the now.

In episode 11, with Scott and Dr. Sylvia you will discover:

• A new description of what self-care means
• Scott's approach to Mindfulness
• The power of taking accountability of your own self-growth & healing
• An invitation to practice radical self-love & self-acceptance. 

Join us in a very open, honest, unscripted conversation where we can continue to inspire one another to do"the work," move our bodies, practice self-care, and embrace a new take on self-love. 

About the Guest:

Scott Tatum is a father, nomad, hiker, explorer and founder of @ucanoutdoors. Each week, Scott delivers “Friendly Reminders” via Instagram and Tik Tok to help others realize the power of self-care, mindfulness, and self-awareness.  Scott is a self-professed “self-care savage” because he firmly believes that you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Outdoor enthusiast and mental health advocate, Scott believes that you’re always one decision away from a totally different life. Scott utilizes the outdoors for his own form of therapy and creates a platform to deliver powerful messages that bring a whole new spin to the ideas of self-care and healing.

From his Friendly Reminders, Scott reminds us that self-care and taking accountability for your own self-growth are vital to well-being. You can follow Scott on Instagram @ucanoutdoors and catch his impactful Friendly Reminders. If you feel inspired by Scott’s messages and work, you can download a free copy of his mindfulness checklist or buy him a cup of coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Ucan

Instagram handler:
https://www.instagram.com/ucanoutdoors/

This episode, by far, is one of the most powerful and moving podcast interviews I've ever done. That's the gift you're presented with when you get to speak to Vasavi - the real power of being authentically yourself  shows up. 

In this episode, Vasavi shares with us how she speaks to her inner child, aka her "daughter," and tells  real life stories and experiences that demonstrate how healing  can happen in the most practical and simple ways. Because, as Vasavi, says, inner child work is not complicated. It's something we all can do, at any age. 

This is an episode that you want to bring a box of tissues in hand because Vasavi and I cry together --as we share our truth and SPEAK IT OUT LOUD. Together we create a moment of healing in community. Join us.  This type of work is not meant to do alone. 

Trigger alert: This episode contains content about addiction,  a few "F" bombs, unhealed childhood trauma  --including foggy memories of unhealed childhood sexual abuse, and sexual content. 

About the Guest, Vasavi Kumar:

Ever since she can remember, Vasavi has been relentless to find her own voice and access the freedom of her creative spirit.

A first-generation Indian immigrant, she grew up in a traditional Hindu household on Long Island, New York. Living and going to school in a predominantly all-White town, she struggled with figuring out her own unique identity, the mental heartache of bullying, and shame from outshining the other students in her class due to her strict upbringing and focus on academics. Back then, she longed for acceptance, and believed that she had to dumb herself down to fit in and be welcomed into social circles.

Education being vitally important, Vasavi holds dual master’s degrees in Special Education from Hofstra University and Social Work from Columbia University. She’s the Former Co-Host of Studio 512, a lifestyle and entertainment morning show in Austin, TX and was featured in The Wall Street Journal, FOX, VH1, and was a regular on NBC’s Kansas City Live as the “Keepin’ It Real Guru.”

She pushed past the barriers of her youth and was building her six-figure business as a Coach and Licensed Therapist. She looked spotless on paper. She appeared like what so many women aspire to be – she had it all and was doing it all. What she quickly came to realize was that as well as she looked on the outside, she was crumbling on the inside.

Her journey after that point included realizing and tackling her own mental illness, going through a divorce, and admitting her own addiction to drugs and alcohol, going through rehab, taking a step back with a relapse and then going through recovery again. She took her recovery on the inside as serious as she had focused in the past on her skills on the outside. Her spiritual healing included really learning about her own Self and being comfortable with being alone. She learned lessons of how to love who she is and connecting with that woman, feeling safe with her thoughts, and found healthier coping skills to turn her chronic dissatisfaction into internal contentment.

From her own mental health challenges, divorce, addiction and RECOVERY, she’s learned that missteps and wrong turns don’t break your love of Self. You have the power to overcome your rock bottom moments successfully, and come out the other side stronger.  

Vasavi strongly believes and shares in her Real Rich Community that “when you know yourself, you can be, do, and create anything you want.”

links:
https://www.vasavikumar.com
Instagram: @mynameisvasavi
Podcast: Being Human with Vasavi
Real Rich Community:  https://www.vasavikumar.com/membership

The word co-dependency has often gotten a bad rap and can bring up different reactions in people. In episode 9, therapist and relationship expert Jessica Baum, LMHC deconstructs attachment styles and humanizes the "C" words: co-dependency and connection.

Listen all the way through to hear Jessica's powerful closing message that just might revolutionize the way we think about relationships and healing.

Links from the Show:
* Follow Jessica on Instagram @Jessicabaumlmhc
* https://www.beselffull.com
* https://www.relationshipspb.com

About This Guest:

Jessica Baum, LMHC, is a Psychotherapist, Author, Thought Leader, Relationship Coach, and Founder of the Self-full® Method.

Jessica is the owner and founder of Relationship Institute of Palm Beach. She grew up in New York City and decided in her twenties to leave city life behind and move to Palm Beach.  She has an undergraduate degree from Fordham University, and holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling from South University. 

As a certified substance abuse specialist, her focus is chemical abuse, co-dependency, and anxiety. Jessica is also a certified Imago Therapist. Using the Imago approach, Jessica helps treat family systems and couples issues with an extensive knowledge on relationships. Jessica also uses this approach in family programs she runs for treatment centers. She also has extensive training in psychodrama and experiential therapy. She is also skilled in cognitive therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. She is trained in EMDR therapy and Post Induction Therapy and has done a copious amount of work with trauma. 

Jessica’s own personal core belief is centered around the importance of connection. Connection and understanding of ourselves, as well as how that relates to how we connect in the world. She believes that the crux of most personal struggles can be attributed to a lack of true understanding and personal connection. It is that disconnect in the world which ultimately leads to pain. Jessica founded Relationship Institute of Palm Beach on the premise to help heal, foster happiness, and restore hope in the individuals and families she works with.