Consider Yourself Hugged

Consider Yourself Hugged

Thanks for visiting with us at for Consider Yourself Hugged: Mental & emotional well-being.” Do you find yourself thinking, "Life can be so overwhelming! I feel so frustrated all the time! I worry about everything! I wish I could speak up more and not be a doormat!" If you're looking for improved mental and emotional well-being, please join us every Wednesday as we talk about how to make positive choices in your life. *Disclaimer:The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on my experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources mentioned in the show notes. About us: Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Her passion stems from a lifelong battle with an anxiety disorder which has uniquely equipped her to teach, encourage, and motivate others. Tami has worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, school nutrition, corporate sales, and 10 years as a public-school teacher. In 2013 she received her PhD in Human Development, studying the connections among stress, emotions, and identity. Dr. West has spoken in 48 states across the US, as well as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Dr. West is the author of several successful publications including two books: The Stress Club, Life Without the Monsters and Thrive. She is a mother of eight in a blended family and enjoys reading historical fiction, traveling with her husband Tim and family, and watching The Big Bang Theory. Michelle Kixmiller, MSN, MAE, RN, APN, PMHNP-BC Michelle Kixmiller is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Educator. She works with children and adults with mental health needs including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Michelle served as a public school teacher and science department chair for over a decade when a family tragedy pulled her in a different direction. The death of her younger brother after a multiple year battle with depression and alcoholism led her to pursue a career in the mental health field. She went back to school to become a registered nurse graduating and gaining experience as a critical care nurse at a level 1 regional burn center prior to completing a graduate degree to become a mental health nurse practitioner. Her vision is holistic care through teamwork to create a more peaceful school environment for students and staff alike. No one should have to struggle alone. Michelle currently works full time for a non-profit community mental health center at an outpatient clinic and works PRN for an inpatient crisis stabilization unit. When not at work she loves spending time with family, traveling, watching movies (not scary ones), and running (slowly). Contact Michelle at mkixmill@gmail.com.

Episodes

September 24, 2025 42 mins

In this episode, we sit down with Breanne Moore, LMFT, and the conversation goes everywhere from antique farm doors to self-esteem in the age of social media. Breanne introduces her refreshing concept of “down-dating” (hint: it’s about finding comfort in the past, not keeping up with Pinterest perfection), and she shares wisdom from her book I Am Because I Am. We talk about what it means to raise kids with healthy self-esteem, how ...

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At just 23, Krislyn Mercer has turned babysitting into a thriving business, launched retreats, and has become a community leader. In this episode, we chat about her journey, lessons from the pandemic, her passion for service, and how she balances it all with authenticity and joy.

Visit the Show Notes at https://www.consideryourselfhugged.com/post/episode-207-krislyn-mercer  for more!

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Today is a mix of teacher stories, life lessons, and a little bit of joy (including Michelle’s puppy yoga adventure!).

We kick things off with some behind-the-scenes tech glitches—because let’s be honest, podcasting isn’t always glamorous. Then we dive into a real conversation about the Sunday Scaries. Tami shares how her anxiety as a teacher used to make Sundays unbearable, even leading to missed community time. Michelle opens up a...

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A New BeginningHey friends — it’s Tami and Michelle, and we’re BACK! New cozy studios, new workflow, new logo, new socials, and a fresh focus for the next few months… with the same mission: women’s mental & emotional well-being (teachers, we see you 💛).

In today's episode, we will catch you up on what’s been happening, celebrate milestones, and give you a sneak peek into what to expect in the upcoming episodes.

*Disclaimer:...

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🎧 Episode SummaryIn our powerful season finale, Tami and Michelle and I are joined by Tami’s younger sister Brittney, a 911 dispatcher in Metro Nashville. This deeply personal episode pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to handle crisis calls, especially involving mental health.Brittney shares how she found her way to dispatching after personal loss, what it’s like to manage PTSD, anxiety, and depression while helping ...

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In this final installment of our AI mini-series, we dive into the heart of the conversation: AI safety, ethics, trust, and how to use this powerful technology responsibly. With real-life stories, fascinating examples (including a fake AI-generated podcast!), and thoughtful questions, this episode is your guide to being smart—not scared—about AI.We’re not tech experts, and we don’t have to be. What we bring you is real talk from cur...

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Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Str...

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Welcome back! Today Michelle and I have spent the last few months diving deep into AI—how it works, how we can use it, and what impact it has on our mental and emotional well-being. AI is everywhere, and whether we like it or not, it’s influencing our daily lives. But can it actually support emotional health? Or does it take away from real human connection?In this episode, we share our personal experiences using AI for everything f...

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Michelle and I started off trying to be super organized, but AI is such a HUGE topic that we found ourselves wandering down different rabbit holes! So, today’s episode is all about laying the groundwork—what AI is, how it can actually help with mental and emotional well-being, and why you don’t need to be afraid of it taking over your life. 😆We also sprinkled in some fun AI-generated jokes, absurd wellness tips, and a guessing gam...

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Welcome back to Consider Yourself Hugged! Today, Michelle and I are diving into The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath—one of the most hauntingly personal books on mental health, identity, and societal pressure.From the weight of expectations on women to the stigma surrounding depression and treatment, this book is filled with themes that still hit home today. But, as ChatGPT pointed out when I was researching, Michelle and I tend to approac...

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Welcome back! Today Michelle and I dive deep into compassion fatigue, exploring how it impacts our mental health and well-being. We discuss symptoms, risk factors, and practical strategies we’ve found helpful in preventing or managing emotional exhaustion. We also introduce an alternative perspective on compassion fatigue and highlight the importance of self-care.🛑 Key Topics:What is Compassion Fatigue? 💙The emotional toll of con...

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💡 Feeling drained, exhausted, or unmotivated? Burnout is real, and in this episode, we’re diving deep into:✅ What burnout is (hint: it’s NOT just stress)✅ Who’s most at risk (it might surprise you!)✅ How to recognize and prevent it before it takes over✅ Our personal burnout experiences & strategies that helped✅ Self-assessments and resources to help you check in with yourselfMore in show notes at: https://www.tamiwest.com/post...

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Chatter: Understanding & Managing Your Inner VoiceWelcome back! Today, we'll discuss Chatter by Ethan Kross, a book that dives deep into the nature of self-talk, how it can spiral into negativity, and practical strategies for quieting that inner critic. We'll explore how the book's concepts apply to our own experiences with anxiety, depression, and mental well-being.Key Takeaways from Chatter📖 What is Chatter?Ch...

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Welcome back, friends! This week, Michelle and I are recording from the beautiful (and snowy) Orange Beach, Alabama, during our first annual (hopefully) women’s retreat. It’s been an incredible mix of relaxation, brainstorming, and… well, some adventures we didn’t quite plan for. Who knew sticky notes and snow could be so memorable (you’ll have to watch/listen to hear THAT story! 🤣)!But this episode isn’t just about sticky notes o...

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January 22, 2025 38 mins
Welcome Back! We’re so glad you’re here for another episode of our book club series. This week, Michelle and I are diving into another powerful and thought-provoking book, and we can’t wait to share our thoughts with you. As always, we’ll sprinkle in some fun and laughter because, let’s face it, life can be messy and unpredictable—but that’s what makes it beautiful.Take a moment to grab your coffee, tea, or favorite drink (Michelle...

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Welome!Hi, friends! Today we’re diving into Lisa Marie Presley’s book From Here to the Great Unknown. Michelle is taking the lead on this episode, but I just finished the book on Audible a couple of days ago and absolutely loved it. We’ll explore the heart-wrenching yet beautiful journey of Lisa Marie’s life, her relationships, and the legacy she left behind.Stick around until the end because we’ll be sharing some exciting updates ...

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Welcome back! Today, Michelle and I are so excited to share something new—a book club! We’re diving into stories that inspire and impact us, blending fun and learning along the way. We’re starting with two very different books: Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough’s From Here to the Great Unknown and Corrie Ten Boom’s The Hiding Place.We’ll be talking about the lessons these books taught us, how they’ve influenced our perspectives, ...

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Hey friends, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Can you believe it? Last time we recorded, it was right before Christmas, and now it’s just before New Year’s. If you’re listening to this on the day it comes out, it’s officially New Year’s Day. Cheers to fresh starts!Let’s be honest—resolutions can be tricky. Did you know 80% fail by February, and only 8% of people actually achieve them? Here’s why:1. Goals are often too vague or u...

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Very short and sweet today - we just want to express last minute thoughts about the day and wish those of you who celebrate a Very Merry Christmas!Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resou...

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🎙️ Welcome Back to Consider Yourself Hugged! In this episode, we continue our Holiday Mental Health Guide series with Part 5: Expectations, Family, Food, & Alcohol. The holiday season is often painted as a time of joy, but for many, it's a source of stress and emotional strain. Today, we’re tackling four common holiday challenges that impact mental health and well-being.Show notes with activity sheet at https://www.tamiwe...

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