**Trigger Warning:** This episode includes discussions about mental health struggles, grief, loss of a child, and thoughts of suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

In this powerful episode, Alma, an ordained minister, author, stroke survivor, and motivational speaker, joins Amy to share her profound experiences with mental health, grief, and resilience, particularly in the context of the black community.

**Key Points Discussed:**
- Alma's personal journey of surviving a stroke and the tragic loss of her only child.
- The challenges of dealing with mental health within the black community and the black church, where therapy and medication are often stigmatized.
- Alma's advocacy for mental health awareness and breaking the silence that often surrounds these issues in her community.
- How Alma's faith and her role as a minister have intertwined with her own mental health struggles and recovery.
- The therapeutic power of sharing her story and how it has helped her and can aid others in their healing processes.

**Mentioned in This Episode:**
- Alma's reflections on the critical importance of seeking professional help and the benefits of therapy and medication in managing mental health conditions.
- Alma’s inspiring metaphor of the carnival clown, emphasizing resilience and the ability to bounce back from life's challenges.
- The overwhelming community support Alma received after her son's passing, which highlights the incredible power of community in times of grief.

**Alma's Books:**
- Alma discusses her books, including a Bible study book and a personal journal detailing her recovery from a stroke, which are both grounded in her faith and personal experiences.

**Connect with Alma:**
- Follow Alma on Facebook under **[Alma Thomas](#)** or on Instagram at **[@AlmaThomas830](#)**.
- Keep an eye out for her revamped website where her books will soon be available for purchase.

**Support Our Podcast:**
- If you found value in this conversation, please follow **Advancing With Amy / Mental Health Warrior** on your favorite podcast platform.
- Don’t forget to share this episode with friends or anyone who might benefit from Alma’s powerful testimony and insights. Your support helps us grow and continue to bring meaningful content to our listeners.

### Call to Action:
**Connect with Alma:**
- Follow **Alma Thomas** on [Facebook](#) to stay updated on her latest talks and publications.
- Check out her daily inspirations and posts on Instagram at **[@AlmaThomas830](#)**.

**Follow and Support Our Podcast:**
- Please follow **Advancing With Amy / Mental Health Warrior** and share this episode with your network to help spread awareness about mental health challenges and the power of resilience.

Let’s keep the conversation going and continue to support each other in our journeys toward mental wellness. Thank you for listening, and we look forward to bringing you more inspiring episodes.

In today's episode with Alma, we touched on incredibly powerful themes about the struggles and triumphs of mental health, particularly in the context of grief and recovery. If Alma's story resonated with you, or if you find yourself facing similar challenges, remember, you're not alone. Help is just a call or text away. You can reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988. It's a free resource that connects you to compassionate, trained counselors who are ready to listen and help 24/7. Don't hesitate to reach out—it's okay not to be okay, and seeking help is a courageous step towards healing.

**Show Notes for Advancing With Amy / Mental Health Warrior & Neurospicy Mama

In this deeply moving episode of "Advancing With Amy / Mental Health Warrior," host Amy sits down with the inspirational Sage Grayson—a former book editor turned esteemed life and business coach. Listeners are in for a powerful session as two mental health warriors share their personal journeys, and discuss the significance of authenticity and resilience.

**Key Points Discussed:**

- **Unveiling Vulnerability:** Sage highlights the lifesaving power of honesty about mental health struggles and how it can reduce tragic outcomes in the news by inspiring hope.
- **Embracing the Imperfect Self:** Amy gets candid about her imperfections, setting an affirming tone that showcases the beauty in embracing our true selves.
- **Surviving and Thriving:** Both speakers delve into their own suicide attempts and the profound effect of bouncing back, emphasizing the crucial role of finding hope and the determination to keep moving forward.
- **Constructive Reframing:** Sage shares insights on how adopting a new perspective on life after encountering dark times can lead to finding joy and reducing worries.
- **Neurodiversity and Sexuality:** The conversation takes a turn to explore the challenges associated with being neurodiverse and bisexual in a society that often misinterprets these identities.
- **Life Editing Framework:** Sage introduces her unique approach to life coaching, which has empowered numerous women to achieve balance and happiness in work and home settings.
- **Third Man Syndrome:** A remarkable recounting of hearing a guiding voice during her darkest moment, which turned out to be her future self, urging Sage to push through the hardships toward a happier life.
- **Coping Techniques and Mentoring:** Sage unveils her innovative strategies like connecting with a guiding persona and "petitioning the universe" to provide strength in tough times.

The conversation wraps up with a heartfelt expression of mutual appreciation and a shared commitment to continue the fight against the stigmas surrounding mental health.

**Sage's Special Offer – Edit My Life Planner:**

Don't miss out on Sage's generous offer for listeners of "Advancing With Amy." Sage is giving away her incredible "Edit My Life Planner," a 5-day video course and planner bundle that will revolutionize the way you tackle your to-do list, take charge of your time, and achieve your aspirations at warp speed. This offer includes both daily and weekly digital planners. Claim your free gift now at: [Edit My Life Planner](https://sagegrayson.mykajabi.com/emlp-freebie)

**Connect, Subscribe, and Share:**

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe to "Advancing With Amy / Mental Health Warrior" - where we embark on a journey together to break down mental health barriers. Share this episode with friends, family, or anyone who could benefit from our empowering community. Your support helps us reach and uplift more warriors like you.

Remember, your mental health journey is worth sharing. You are not alone; you are powerful, and together, we advance.

**Subscribe & Share:**
Find us on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/advancing-with-amy-mental-health-warrior-neurospicy-mama/id1726340214

Thank you for listening and for your invaluable support. Stay tuned for our next episode where we continue to advocate, educate, and advance as Mental Health Warriors!

**Connect, Subscribe, and Share:**

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe to "Advancing With Amy / Mental Health Warrior" - where we embark on a journey together to break down mental health barriers. Share this episode with friends, family, or anyone who could benefit from our empowering community. Your support helps us reach and uplift more warriors like you.

Remember, your mental health journey is worth sharing. You are not alone; you are powerful, and together, we advance.

**Advancing With Amy / Mental Health Warrior: Episode with Marlee Kivens**

In this heartfelt episode of Advancing With Amy, we are honored to have Marlee Kivens share her personal journey with us. Marlee opens up about living with a physical disability, her experiences with depression and anxiety, and how she has found strength and independence through her endeavors as a Pampered Chef virtual consultant.

**Episode Highlights:**
- Meet guest Marlee Kivens from Minnesota, who discusses her life with spina bifida and learning differences, as well as her long-time battle with depression and anxiety.
- Discover how Marlee was first diagnosed with depression and anxiety in college and how she manages her mental health today through weekly therapy sessions and journaling.
- Gain insight into Marlee's personal growth and how she found empowerment through Pampered Chef after dealing with self-esteem issues due to her dependency on personal care assistance.
- Marlee shares her inspiring transition to independence, emphasizing the importance of self-esteem and having a supportive community.
- A candid conversation around the challenges faced by those with disabilities in the schooling system and societal integration.
- Learn how Marlee became an advocate for living in the moment, seizing the day, and the unpredictability of tomorrow.

**Call to Action:**
- For a dose of inspiration and to support Marlee, head over to her Pampered Chef website (https://www.pamperedchef.com/pws/Kivenskitchen*corner). Don't forget to mention "Advancing With Amy" when placing your order to claim a special gift from Marlee herself!
- Connect with Marlee Kivens on Facebook to join her Pampered Chef community, receive updates on her journey, and check out her kitchen tool recommendations.
- If Marlee's story has touched you, please subscribe to the Advancing With Amy podcast for more stories of resilience, mental health awareness, and transformational personal journeys.

**Subscribe & Follow:**
- Never miss an episode! Subscribe to Advancing With Amy on [Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you enjoy listening].
- Help us reach more listeners and bring forward more empowering stories by rating and reviewing our podcast.

**Closing Thoughts:**
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Advancing With Amy. Marlee's story is a profound reminder that despite the challenges life may throw at us, strength and autonomy are possible. Join us again for another episode where we continue to break down barriers and advance together as Mental Health Warriors.

**Contact Information:**
- Marlee Kivens’ Pampered Chef: [Kivenskitchen Corner](https://www.pamperedchef.com/pws/Kivenskitchen*corner)
- Friend Marlee on Facebook: [Marlee Kivens](#)
- Text or Call Marlee: 612-701-4805

*Links and contact information are included for ease of access for our listeners. If you're seeking further support or resources in mental health and personal empowerment, be sure to reach out.*