What It Means To Be Alive

At some point in our lives, we all face the challenge of letting go of other people's opinions. Whether it's a parent, a friend, or even society, there comes a time when we have to decide what matters most to us. On the one hand, we may feel like we need the approval of others to feel good about ourselves. On the other hand, we may realize that their opinion is based on their limitations and doesn't reflect our true inner worth. Ultimately, the choice is ours to make.

In this episode of What It Means To Be Alive, Amy (hi!) discusses the ending of a brief but essential friendship that has encouraged her to continue to let go and choose herself. Because at the end of the day, the only person that will be with you through thick and thin is yourself.

Connect with host, Amy D, via Instagram here -> https://www.instagram.com/amy.demone/

​​Have you ever tried psychedelics? For many people, the experience is life-changing. It can be a way to access new levels of awareness and understanding that are difficult to reach in everyday consciousness.

If you're a self-development junkie, like host Amy Demone - then you probably can't help but wonder what it would be like to take the medicine on such a special day as Good Friday. After all, Easter is all about rebirth, and what could be more symbolic of rebirth than taking mushrooms on the day that Jesus died and was later resurrected?

What follows in this episode of "What It Means To Be Alive" is a recounting of my experience with psilocybin medicine and  Good Friday 2021.  If you're curious about what taking psychedelics can be or are simply interested in exploring different aspects of spirituality, this episode is for you!

If you're interested in being a guest on the show, please email amy@amydemone.com.

Connect with the host via Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/amy.demone/

Psychedelics are becoming increasingly popular as people look for different ways to expand their consciousness and improve their mental health. It's no secret that psychedelics can have profound effects on our psyche. Used intentionally, they can help us access parts of our minds that are usually hidden and bring about deep personal growth. But before you go out and buy your first batch of psychedelics, it's essential to be aware of the risks involved. J like any powerful force, psychedelics should be used with caution. I believe they should come with a warning label.

This episode of What It Means to Be Alive is a quick introduction to what the host, Amy D, has been up to love the last 14 months and gives you insight into the challenges of a psychedelic trip on a good Friday, 2021, and it changed the course of her life. It can be dangerous if used in the wrong way. With that in mind, let's take a closer look at the dangers of psychedelics and how to avoid them.

If you're interested in being a guest on the show, please email amy@amydemone.com

Connect with the host via Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/amy.demone/

In this episode, host Amy D, shares her gratitude to listeners for supporting the show, and the Empathy Front. She shares how she has evolved over the past few years through the death of her father, a cancer diagnosis of her mother, assuming legal guardianship over two individuals, and how that has impacted where we’re headed in life.

Show notes at:  https://www.theempathyfront.com/50

Diagnosis of mental health may be seemingly ordinary these days, but before 2010, mental illness was a taboo subject that no one dared to talk about. Living undiagnosed and experiencing a different way of processing than those around him, Bob began to seek answers to a lifelong problem that seemed to be damaging his life.

 In this episode, we cover what it’s like to be living with undiagnosed mental illness and how it can affect the relationships you keep, the moments you experience, and the person you become.

Show notes at https://www.theempathyfront.com/49

We repeat you are not alone! Mental illness can sometimes feel like a lonely place, but an army of individuals who have endured the struggle of managing their mental health who are here to lend a shoulder to learn on Tommy Dahlborg is one of those people. In this episode, Tommy shares his experience of being diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and why it went undiagnosed for so long. Tommy is also the host of the Strength Thru Vulnerability Podcast, who shares about difficult things on his guest’s heart, much like he does on this podcast. Tommy is here to remind you that you are not alone.

Show notes at: https://www.theempathyfront.com/48

Fear is a funny thing. It keeps up from surrendering to love and death. It prevents us from experiencing the rich vastness of the human experience. It prevents us from feeling both the good and the bad, and avoiding it helps us think in more control. But sometimes, we have to let go. In this episode of What We’re Not Talking about, larry Indiviglia shares his beautiful and heartwarming story of falling in love with his late wife Gayle and how he let go of fear in the face of death. 

Show notes at: https://www.theempathyfront.com/47

Toxic spirituality is a lot more harmful than we realize. Focusing only on the positive prevents the people in pain from being seen, feeling understood, and being advocated for. It allows individuals who have always sat in the privilege to continue to sit there.

Alysa Wolfe and Amy D sit down to share their experiences working with individuals ( no names) who have acted out of integrity for personal gain. The two will share tips on recognizing if you have someone who may be the ego in disguise and how to avoid their influence at all costs.

Show notes at: https://www.theempathyfront.com/46

Have you ever wondered the real reason why people cheat? On today’s episode, Zach Mathers shares his honest, open, and raw experience of cheating on his partner and how the two of them successfully navigated the betrayal together.
 
Rebuilding is hard, and sometimes facing the underlying feelings of what drives someone to cheat can be even harder. Zach shares his stories with others with hopes that they too can learn more about the real reason people cheat and what to do to get the help you need to heal.

Show notes at: https://www.theempathyfront.com/45

Adjusting to working from home takes much longer than a month or two. The sedentary you become, and the more you sit in non-ergonomic chairs, the more your body starts to ache. Sound familiar? 

This episode is excellent for everyone adjusting to the work-at-home life and all the fun things it brings with it. Brian walks you through some very easy-to-do exercises that will leave you feeling refreshed, lighter and less tension in your body. Enjoy this stress release as you listen to my conversation with Brian. Let me know what you think - send me a message on Instagram @ amy.demone. I can’t wait to chat!

Show notes: https://www.theempathyfront.com/44

As a child, all I wanted to be was grown up. As a child, I experienced a lot of anxiety. It controlled my life and led me to feel hopeless and like a completely different type of kid than those around me. Unfortunately, during most of my childhood, play was something absent in my life. That is why, as an adult, I am doing everything in my power to include intentional play into my schedule. If this sounds weird to you, then please, please, PLEASE listen to this episode.

Jeff Harry is an expert at intentional play, and he builds a pretty solid case of why you need to include it in YOUR life. Once you listen to the episode, drop me a line on Instagram @amy.demone and let me know how you’ve incorporated intentional play into your life! 

Get access to the show notes: https://www.theempathyfront.com/43

Many individuals have lived experience or know someone who has lived experience with disordered eating at some point in their life. Disordered eating comes in many forms, such as addiction to the gym, purging, eating too few calories, and binge eating.

In this episode, Robin Clare shares her personal experience with her disordered eating and how it has affected her life. She also explains how she harnessed her inner power to overcome her fear with food and self-confidence and how she manages it daily. Robin also shares insight into what has helped her and her healing plan and offers advice on how to over disordered eating.

Get access to the show notes: https://www.theempathyfront.com/42

Binge eating is a topic that more and more individuals - and influencers - are talking about.  Personally, I have struggled with being a binge eater for quite some time - a stress relief tactic taught to me by my father. Unknowingly - of course. During this episode, I share my experience with disordered eating and what the beginning of my healing process has looked like. I share in this episode only one experience, and in my following episode, I share another.


Show notes at: https://www.theempathyfront.com/41

Developing your intuition is the first step to self-actualization. In this episode, Lee Chambers sits down with us and explains how our entire life is one big science experiment on ourselves. Infused with Lee's expertise in environmental psychology, combined with his past of losing the ability to walk and overcome all odds through his mind's power. Suppose you're looking for insight into overcoming the challenges that life threw at you while also developing your intuition. This is the episode for you!

Click here to get access to show notes: https://www.theempathyfront.com/40

Nicholas Goodman talks about his experience working in a hospice and how he has learnt to sit with death and dying. Death and dying are subjects that are very taboo in the western world, keeping death and the process hidden from view, as per the norms in western medicine as well. Comparing this with Eastern beliefs, that grieve and mourn widely in public, we can see why so many of us in North America are afraid to die. In this conversation, we talk about processing the death and dying of our family and loved ones, and the impact that this grieving process has on us.

Click here to get access to show notes: https://www.theempathyfront.com/39

Looking for an easy exercise to help build self-awareness and encouragement?
Letter writing or having a fake conversation with yourself sounds silly to most. Still, this transformational exercise allows you to see/hear all the fantastic things you have to say about yourself.

This exercise enables you to get grounded and inspires you to become the person you’ve always wanted to be. Seem silly? Listen to this podcast to see how you can have a conversation with yourself and what encouragement and empowerment you receive. I think you’ll be surprised."

Click the link to get access to the show notes: https://www.theempathyfront.com/38

TW: Trauma and Mental Health// Murder//Mental Illness//Abuse//Law Enforcement// Minority Abuse (There are some very shocking stories in this episode - please beware)

In this episode of What We're Not Talking About, I sit down with Scott Silverii and talk about trauma and mental health and how it affects the police force. In this open and honest conversation, we speak on the race war and what he experienced as Chief of Police. Scott has dedicated his life to helping men overcome the trauma and mental health issues he has witnessed in his commanding officers. He talks about his organization and what he has done to help normalize trauma and mental health in the police force.

Real Talk: This episode is honestly the most challenging episode I have ever recorded. There are some stories in this episode that made me feel like I was going to vomit. Listen with care.

Click the link to get access to show notes: https://www.theempathyfront.com/37

"Purpose is such a weird word. It's been overused and oversold, but there is magic when you find your purpose (and not in the career-focused only sense). Purpose is so much more about what job you hold, it's about your intention and how it can help you overcome challenges and create resilience within.

Click the link to get access to the show notes: https://www.theempathyfront.com/36

Nobody likes to talk about how little teachers are paid, or how hard it is to work with different types of students and learners. We don't want to talk about how education keeps experiencing budget cut after budget cut, reversing policy to include outdated education and ways of thinking. Nobody wants to talk about teachers' trauma, and how teachers are leaving the workforce at an alarming rate. And most importantly, nobody wants to talk about how teachers are forced to work as teachers, nurses, janitors, counsellors, friends, etc. to dozens of students, and are given zero support of their own. No, we definitely do not want to talk about that.

In today's episode, teacher Lindsey Acton shares her experience in the teaching world and the events that inspired her to write her book. Having experienced a traumatic event with a student in her first year of teaching, Lindsey's teaching career has been indicative of what she believes is a universal teaching experience. We talk about hard to handle student, mental illness, self-care, therapy and so much more.

Click the link to get access to the show notes: https://www.theempathyfront.com/35

Have you ever asked yourself, "what are these voices inside my head all about"? I sure have. In this episode, I combine what I've learned in my counselling degree, Freudian thinking, spirituality, neuroscience, and so much more. I've synthesized the mechanics of what these voices inside my head are. Let me know what you think via one of the links below. I'd love to know what you think about the voices inside your head.


Click the link to get access to the show notes: https://www.theempathyfront.com/34