Conversations with Joan

What if you could flip the script on the pain in your life and learn how to cultivate purpose and joy not after grief but during it? John Tsilimparis contends that we can understand our emotions and reframe grief that opens us up rather than shuts us down. He discusses how grief and loss can empower us to build emotional resilience in a difficult world. John is a psychotherapist, mental health consultant, writer, podcast host, and ...

When we experience a difficult time, we may believe that finding joy is too hard, too much to hope for, and only for those who are resilient enough. According to Dr. Tanmeet Sethi, joy is an innate human right accessible to all. Dr. Sethi helps us rediscover joy, not as a destination or solution, but as a practice for healing. Dr. Sethi is a board-certified integrative family medicine physician and clinical associate professor at t...

Mental health challenges are real and they’re common. It has been reported that 1 in 5 adults experience some form of mental illness in a given year, and nearly 1 in 5 children have some type of serious mental illness. Kay Warren discusses how we can support individuals struggling with mental health challenges and their loved ones. Kay cofounded Saddleback Church with her husband, Rick Warren.  After the death of her son, Matthew, ...

Suzanne Giesemann knew how to live in a left-brained world as a Navy commander and aide to the head of the US military, but the death of her pregnant stepdaughter catapulted her on a journey leading to a very different destination. Suzanne believes that seeing from the eyes of the soul is the key to a joy-filled life. She discusses how we live from the soul’s perspective where she contends the highest answers lie. Suzanne is a spir...

Often, those who suffer from anxiety either exhaust themselves trying to cure it or they resign themselves to a lifetime of fear and worry. But according to Dr. David Rosmarin, instead of fighting anxiety, we can learn to turn it into a strength. He discusses how we can use anxiety as a tool to be more self-aware, self-accepting, and resilient. Dr.  Rosmarin is the founder of the Center for Anxiety, an associate professor at Harvar...

Most people experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives. While the symptoms of trauma usually improve over time, some people may experience lingering effects that don’t go away on their own and may interfere with their day-to-day lives. Dr. Stephanie Covington, a pioneer in the fields of addition, trauma, and recovery, talks about trauma and its impact. Dr. Covington is a clinician, author, and organizational consulta...

Perfectionism is something many people strive to achieve. It can drive high standards and motivation. But according to Dr. Greg Chasson, perfectionism does not necessarily equate to excellence. He contends that those who establish such a high standard of rigid ideals for themselves often become paralyzed because they’re afraid that they will make mistakes or fail to meet expectations. He offers practical strategies to manage perfec...

Holistic psychiatry is an emerging approach to mental healthcare that focuses on the biological, psychological, spiritual, and social factors that contribute to mental health issues. Dr. Judy Tsafrir shifted from a conventional practice of psychiatry to one that treats the whole person.  She discusses the limitations of conventional psychiatry and why it’s important to integrate the spiritual, emotional, and physical dimensions of ...

Dr. Laura Copley believes that at the core of most toxic relationships is a painful trauma wound desperate to be healed. She contends that trauma survivors try to navigate romantic relationships in the only way they know how – fearfully and painfully. She discusses how to untangle trauma bonds and transmute toxic patterns into healing opportunities for intimacy and connection. Dr. Copley is a licensed professional counselor and tra...

Over the past years, the human microbiome has been dramatically altered. Chemicals in our environment, over exposure to antibiotics, and industrialized food, have created changes that pose silent dangers for health. According to Dr. William Davis, we desperately need to reintroduce our bodies to the microbial species that once lived in our ancestors, while pushing back the army of interlopers that have taken their place. Dr. Davis ...

Drops April 21

Narcissism is a term that gets thrown around quite a bit, but how much do we really know about it? Dr. Keith Campbell discusses the complexities of this surprisingly prevalent personality trait. In his book, The New Science of Narcissism: Understanding One of the Greatest Psychological Challenges of Our Time ― and What You Can Do About It, Dr. Campbell uses th...

Gaslighting is a technique of manipulating others to gain control. Gaslighters use a series of tactics to distort the truth making their victims question their own reality. Dr. Stephanie Sarkis sheds light on gaslighting and she offers strategies to help us cope and break free. Dr Sarkis is a psychotherapist specializing in ADHD, anxiety, and narcissistic abuse. She is a senior contributor to Forbes, and is also a contributor to Ps...

There is a common belief that a big life needs to occur in a large city or place with a lot of activity. But, many people live their lives in the small towns where they were born and raised. While we tend to admire those who set out to new places and unfamiliar experiences, Annie B. Jones says that we can discover extraordinary things by staying where we are. She shares why she challenges the notion the lives in the big city with t...

Don Miguel Ruiz asks us to consider the questions that drive our lives and govern our spiritual power: Who am I? What is real? What is love? According to Ruiz, these questions provide a practical framework that, by learning how we can answer them, provides the clear path that allows us to overcome fear and discover peace of mind and true happiness. Don Miguel is a renowned spiritual teacher and internationally bestselling author of...

How would your life and health improve if your mind was clear and sharp, operating at its fullest potential? Instead of experiencing fatigue, lack of focus, forgetfulness and food cravings, you would be energetic, productive, and thoughtful. You could accomplish tasks with ease and feel confident. According to Dave Asprey, all of this is possible when you bio hack your way to a smarter, faster, sharper brain. Dave is a silicon vall...

Generational trauma affects mental health, relationships and behavior, causing cycles of emotional distress and difficulty breaking harmful patterns. Jennifer Griffith experienced a chaotic home life as a child, which led to poor grades, driving under the influence, and an eating disorder. She explores generational trauma and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. Jennifer is the host of the About Your Mother podcast an...

Many people strive for work/life balance but is there really such a thing? According to Kristel Bauer, our model for work/life leads to burn out. She discusses what she calls a more intelligent, holistic and effective way to live your life. Kristel is a corporate wellness and performance expert, who is the creator and host of the podcast, Live Greatly. She is a contributing writer for Entrepreneur, and author of the book, Work-Life...

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in our busy lives and overlook the beauty that surrounds us. Karen Wingate talks about why we need to slow down, observe, and appreciate the sights, sounds, and experiences that make life truly remarkable. For most of her life, Karen was legally blind, until surgery gave her what she describes as “better than ever vision.” According to Karen, our senses are so intricately wove...

We are all hardwired to think and work differently. What challenges and excites one person may seem boring or unsatisfying to another. According to Betsy Wills, discovering your hidden genius is the key to discovering your life’s work. She talks about how you can identify your natural talents, interests, and personality traits. Betsy is the cofounder of YouScience, a national onlinepsychometric-assessment service. She is a regular ...