In this episode, Dr. LaMarr D. Shields is joined by LaMonika Hill, the author of Liv & Gabby. LaMonika shares her personal challenges with mental illness and decided to write a book entitled  Liv and Gabby: Brighter Days Ahead to help children understand the effects and causes of mental illness, and to learn the importance of being supportive and never losing sight of brighter days, no matter how dark things may seem.

LaMonika's advocacy work is centered on increasing awareness to end the stigma surrounding mental illness. She emphasizes that seeking help for mental illness is a sign of strength, not weakness. Her experience and understanding of mental illness have profoundly affected others, allowing them to see that they are not alone in their struggles.

www.thehelpingheal.com

Research shows that there is real power in play. Through play, children develop the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills they need to thrive both now and into their futures. 

In this episode, Dr. Shields is joined by Drew Vernon, Founder, and CEO of tonies. Drew Vernon is the marketing director for tonies, a dad, podcaster, and childhood advocate, who understands that their is purpose in play.

The Toniebox is an imagination-building, screen-free digital listening experience that plays stories, songs, and more.

Designed for little listeners ages 3+, it’s the perfect storytime companion for tiny hands and active imaginations.

What’s the value of living in the present?

This is the question Dr. Shields posed to Kim Tang, an internationally recognized yoga instructor and breathwork facilitator.  In this episode, Kim shares strategies to eliminate distracting and staying present.


www.kimtangyoga.com   

On this episode of SoundBalming, Intentional Leader Karan Ferrell- Rhodes explains that leadership is a verb.  Not unlike a high-performing athlete that mitigates injury and reaches performance goals by being intentional in every move they make, if we lead our teams with intentionality we can achieve better and more predictable outcomes.  

Karan Rhodes is a leadership speaker who shares how to grow from being a high potential leader to one who “leads at the top of their game” .

www.shockinglydifferent.com/leadership-speaker

In this episode, we discuss the social media platforms like Instagram, which made headlines last year for suppressing likes to curb the comparisons and hurt feelings associated with attaching popularity to sharing content. But do these efforts combat mental health issues, or are they simply applying a band-aid to a wound? 

We discuss the excessive use of Social Media with Dr. Margaret Cochran and how it fuels feelings of addiction, anxiety, depression, isolation, and FOMO.

Dr. C  is a transpersonal psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, educator, life coach, and author with over 25 years of clinical experience. She seamlessly interweaves traditional ego psychology, transpersonal psychology, and energy psychology Affording her patients every tool possible to achieve their goals and make their dreams a reality.

www.drcochran.net

Born in Italy during World War II, Salvatore Forcina was a young boy who survived all odds by living through his young childhood without any real or proper shelter. Like many Italians during this time, a month after turning eight years old his parents followed this migration to Argentina, a developing country at the time rich with natural resources and hope for a more stable life. Sent away to live with Redemptorist priests for seven long years as the only available option to study, this young boy struggled emotionally and psychologically with no social outlets and little emotional development. Salvatore’s dream to study medicine and help people propelled him to carry on and continue his education, eventually being educated and living on three different continents, each with a new language to learn and master. Despite his meager beginnings which provided no social and little educational opportunity and despite the many years and setbacks it took him to accomplish this, his goal was ultimately accomplished because of his sheer determination. This true-life story is motivating, uplifting, and based on what genuine love of family can provide to someone.

https://www.amazon.com/American-Doctor-Salvatore-J-Forcina/dp/1592112099

https://histriabooks.com/product/the-american-doctor/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Salvatore-Forcina/100080742693642/

https://www.instagram.com/drsalvatoreforcinamd/

https://twitter.com/DrSalForcina

 

Communicating new perspectives, questioning the status quo, speaking out about beliefs, and inspiring others to take action—art and activism often share some of the same underlying motivations. 

This interview looks at  the art and activism of Hip-Hop  Artist and Social Worker, GaKnew Roxwell, across time and cultures to examine how art can activate ideas for both the maker and the audience, and asks you to think critically about different approaches to activism and how you can use your own voice.

The conversation about first-generation trauma is emerging in the Latino community, specifically in social media spaces focused on improving mental health. 

For this reason, Priscilla Maria joins Dr. LaMarr D. Shields to discuss generational (or intergenerational) trauma, which differs from first-generation trauma because it is passed down through generations.

She offers listeners compassion, empathy, and patience because she is a trauma survivor.  

She knows how challenging it is to replace negative behaviors and thought patterns with healthy coping mechanisms. 

She understands the obstacles of breaking generational trauma and self-advocacy cycles, especially as a first-generation Latina.