Episodes

  • College Students, Mental Health Crisis, Suicide with Dr. Seema Khanjea

    College Students, Mental Health Crisis, Suicide with Dr. Seema Khanjea
    May 16 2024
    Seema Khaneja graduated from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and completed her pediatrics residency at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. During medical school and after residency, she studied various complementary healing modalities including Ayurvedic nutrition, mind-body medicine, yoga, and meditation.

    For ten years, Seema practiced holistic medicine, caring for children and adults, with a focus on chronic physical and mental health challenges. She facilitated numerous classes in meditation, stress management and holistic medicine for medical students at the University of Rochester Medical School as well as the local lay community in Rochester, New York, where she resides.

    She is also a Clinical Instructor at the University of Rochester’s Department of Pediatrics.Seema developed Coaching for Inner Peace to support clients facing mental and physical health challenges to connect to their inner spiritual resources in a deeply transformative and immensely practical way. She created Shanti Academy, an online learning portal offering courses for students seeking a pragmatic and concrete way to experience inner peace.

    For more information about Seema and Coaching for Inner Peace, visit coachingforinnerpeace.com

    Seema is also the author of Physician, Heal Thyself: A Doctor’s Journey from Medicine to Miracles available on Amazon.Our Guest:
    • Coaching For Inner Peace – Dr. Seema Khaneja
    • Physician, Heal Thyself: A Doctor's Journey from Medicine to Miracles: Khaneja MD, Seema: 9781734332001: Amazon.com: Books
    Our Hosts:
    • Linda and John (Jack) Mazur founded a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization in 2022 in memory of their daughter, Emilee which provides peer support, social connection, and education for adults with eating disorders and for their family members. For more information or to contact them go to: www.theemileeconnection.com
    • Linda and John (Jack) Mazur wrote, Emilee: The Story of a Girl and Her Family Hijacked by Anorexia, to honor their daughter’s wish, to raise awareness, evoke compassion, and foster change in how eating disorders are viewed and treated.
    • Paperback: and Kindle:https://www.amazon.com/Emilee-Story-Family-Hijacked-Anorexia/dp/170092012X
    • Audiobook:https://www.amazon.com/Emilee-Story-Family-Hijacked-Anorexia/dp/B08R6LRPDS
    • Linda and Jack can also be reached through the book website: https://emileethestoryofagirl.com or at Linda.john.mazur@gmail.com
    • The Sunday Read: ‘The Unthinkable Mental Health Crisis That Shook a New England College’ - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
    Ellen Bennett is the director of KMB for Answers, a non-profit charity providing educational and financial support for mental health professionals as well as assistance for families in search of resources. For more information about Ellen Bennett and the foundation founded in memory of her daughter Katlyn, go to: www.Kmbforanswers.com
    Show more Show less
    52 mins
  • Neurodivergence with Brooke LaLone Ward: Marriage and Family Counselor

    Neurodivergence with Brooke LaLone Ward: Marriage and Family Counselor
    Apr 18 2024
    Brooke is a Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor, who has grown up and lived in the Finger Lakes region her whole life. She has recently delved into neurodiversity after finding out her own neurodivergence in the fall of 2022. As she was navigating what it meant for her, she expanded her practice to specialize in neurodivergent couples and trauma therapy.

    This is an expanding and needed space. Brooke is on a mission to normalize it for others and herself after a lifetime of trying to keep it all together! Brooke is passionate about helping others unmask and understand their unique needs therapeutically as individuals and couples.

    She has come to realize that oftentimes, many of the traditional or "neurotypical" therapies and theories often just "don't work" for out of the box thinkers, empaths, and creatives. Sadly, due to many stigmas and stereotypes of the traditional way of treating mental health, there are just too many gaps in care and knowledge. Brooke is working to bridge that gap for others who may be trying to cope with some conditions like ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, PTSD, TBI, Dyslexia, and more to live empowered lives.

    Brooke has a private practice, is a provider for Golisano’s Behavioral Health, a Neurodivergent Trainer and advocate with a passion for engaging the community to broaden our understanding of neurotypical so that everyone has access to compassionate care.

    Instagram: @theneurospicy_therapist
    Email: Contact@brookewardlmft.com

    https://www.brookewardlmft.com/

    Brooke Ward LMFT | Marriage & Family Therapist | 1681 Empire Blvd, Webster, NY, USA

    Our Hosts:
    • Linda and John (Jack) Mazur founded a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization in 2022 in memory of their daughter, Emilee which provides peer support, social connection, and education for adults with eating disorders and for their family members. For more information or to contact them go to: www.theemileeconnection.com
    • Linda and John (Jack) Mazur wrote, Emilee: The Story of a Girl and Her Family Hijacked by Anorexia, to honor their daughter’s wish, to raise awareness, evoke compassion, and foster change in how eating disorders are viewed and treated.
    • Paperback: and Kindle:https://www.amazon.com/Emilee-Story-Family-Hijacked-Anorexia/dp/170092012X
    • Audiobook:https://www.amazon.com/Emilee-Story-Family-Hijacked-Anorexia/dp/B08R6LRPDS
    • Linda and Jack can also be reached through the book website: https://emileethestoryofagirl.com or at Linda.john.mazur@gmail.com
    • Ellen Bennett is the director of KMB for Answers, a non-profit charity providing educational and financial support for mental health professionals as well as assistance for families in search of resources. For more information about Ellen Bennett and the foundation founded in memory of her daughter Katlyn, go to: www.Kmbforanswers.com
    Show more Show less
    58 mins
  • Robyn Shumer: Communication Aficionado, Storyteller, Advocate—Leading Us to Action

    Robyn Shumer: Communication Aficionado, Storyteller, Advocate—Leading Us to Action
    Mar 14 2024
    Robyn Shumer: Communication Aficionado, Storyteller, Advocate—Leading Us to Action

    Robyn Shumer is a dynamic force in the world of change management and communication. She brings a unique blend of expertise to her endeavors, finds the bright spots amidst disorder and can make an audience laugh and cry but most importantly, lead them to action. A certified yoga teacher and ICF trained coach, Robyn is not only adept at driving organizational change but also in empowering individuals. She is passionate about amplifying people and helping organizations communicate effectively across diverse audiences. Robyn's creativity knows no bounds. A storyteller at heart, she excels in facilitating dialogue, workshops, and brainstorming sessions. Her ability to teach people how to tell their stories stems from the belief that nobody should be ashamed to share the stories that shape them. She teaches the craft enabling others to share their personal and business stories successfully and in an engaging way. “Preparing for and delivering a TED talk has been more impactful in my overall well-being, than all of the hours of therapy I’ve had,” she says. Robyn is the author of the book "Bones," a compelling narrative, “hero’s journey,” that explores her life with an eating disorder, and successful executive and inspirational leader. Represented by Leslie Meredith at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, the book is in search of finding a home with the right publisher. A true advocate for authentic communication, Robyn Shumer is on a mission to inspire others to embrace and share the stories that make them who they are.
    https://www.robynshumer.com/
    Show more Show less
    58 mins
  • Mindful Matters with Laura Gavigan MS, Counselor, Coach & Consultant

    Mindful Matters with Laura Gavigan MS, Counselor, Coach & Consultant
    Jan 18 2024
    Laura (she/her) is the founder of MindfulMatters585, LLC, offering mindful education, counseling and coaching for anyone looking to find balance, focus and peace in their lives. Working as an educator for many years, Laura became interested in how life can inherently create stress and anxiety, leading to burnout and chronic health challenges.

    She has counseled, coached and advised thousands, integrating a framework of mindful wellness, empathy, and support. Laura has led introductory and advanced mindful meditation classes and workshops and has been featured as a guest speaker or panelist for a wide variety of organizations. Mindful Matters offers classes, workshops and guided meditation both locally and internationally. Every program emphasizes a mindful approach through insight, practice, and community to help people thrive, rather than survive.

    Laura M. Gavigan, MS MindfulMatters585, LLC Ph: 585-430-5674
    Email: MindfulMatters585@gmail.com
    FB: MindfulMatters585
    Insta: @MindfulMatters585
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-m-gavigan-36934b3/

    Our Hosts:
    • Linda and John (Jack) Mazur founded a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in 2022 in memory of their daughter, Emilee which provides peer support, social connection, resources and education for adults with eating disorders and for their family members. For more information or to contact them go to: www.TheEmileeConnection.com

    • Linda and John (Jack) Mazur wrote, Emilee: The Story of a Girl and Her Family Hijacked by Anorexia, to honor their daughter’s wish, to raise awareness, evoke compassion, and foster change in how eating disorders are viewed and treated.
    • Paperback: and Kindle:https://www.amazon.com/Emilee-Story-Family-Hijacked-Anorexia/dp/170092012X
    • Audiobook:https://www.amazon.com/Emilee-Story-Family-Hijacked-Anorexia/dp/B08R6LRPDS
    • Linda and Jack can also be reached through the book website: https://emileethestoryofagirl.com or at Linda.john.mazur@gmail.com

    Ellen Bennett is the director of KMB for Answers, a non-profit charity providing educational and financial support for mental health professionals as well as assistance for families in search of resources. For more information about Ellen Bennett and the foundation founded in memory of her daughter Katlyn, go to: www.Kmbforanswers.com
    Show more Show less
    58 mins
  • Anorexia diagnosis in the late 60’s; a retrospective - with Barbara Rarrick

    Anorexia diagnosis in the late 60’s; a retrospective - with Barbara Rarrick
    Nov 16 2023
    Barbara has lived all her life in the Rochester area and has a lakehouse on Keuka Lake. She raised 3 daughters, one who was diagnosed with anorexia at age 11 in 1969. At age 88 Barbara has experienced the impact of alcoholism, mental health issues and anorexia/bulimia, starting when her youngest daughter was 5 years old, all during a time when NO ONE was talking about any of it. Barbara’s youngest daughter was exhibiting behaviors that seemed very different from her other daughters; she consulted their doctor; this was the beginning of a lifetime of struggles. At this time, she also shared her concerns about her oldest daughter’s loss of weight, change in mood and refusal to eat. The doctor told her to not delay, to take care of it right away. This was to be a journey that she knew nothing about, she and her husband were scared and felt very alone. Their daughter did recover; what is fascinating is, they consulted a psychiatrist who took the lead and supported this family; 30 years later this might not have been the case, fast forward to today; where psychiatry is beginning to become much more involved in treatment and diagnosis.

    Our Hosts: · Linda and John(Jack) Mazur founded a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization in 2022, in memory of their daughter, Emilee, which provides peer support groups and social connection for adults with eating disorders and their loved ones. In addition, they speak at schools, colleges, and conferences to educate our community about the serious nature of eating disorders.

    For more information go to: www.TheEmileeConnection.com They authored the book, Emilee: The Story of a Girl and Her Family Hijacked by Anorexia, to honor their daughter’s wish, to raise awareness, evoke compassion, and foster change in how eating disorders are viewed and treated.


    Ellen Bennett is the director of KMB for Answers, a non-profit charity providing educational and financial support for mental health professionals as well as assistance for families in search of resources. For more information about Ellen Bennett and the foundation founded in memory of her daughter Katlyn, go to: www.Kmbforanswers.com

    Books
    Paperback: and Kindle:https://www.amazon.com/Emilee-Story-Family-Hijacked-Anorexia/dp/170092012X ·
    Audiobook:https://www.amazon.com/Emilee-Story-Family-Hijacked-Anorexia/dp/B08R6LRPDS They can also be reached through the book website: https://emileethestoryofagirl.com or at Linda.john.mazur@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders with Shannon Calvert

    Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders with Shannon Calvert
    Oct 20 2023
    Shannon Calvert is a Lived Experience Educator and Advisor from Australia after experiencing more than three decades with a severe and enduring eating disorder as well as complex physical and mental health challenges.

    Her expertise has been working with government and non-government organizations in an advisory capacity, as a peer-work coordinator and trainer. She has presented papers, workshops, and training both nationally and internationally on topics such as the importance of compassion in treatment interventions, consumer, and carer engagement in the design of policy, and education, as well as her own lived experience.

    In 2019 at the International Conference for Eating Disorders, Shannon was a plenary speaker on the topic “When does the time come for compulsory treatment”.
    Our Hosts: · Linda and John(Jack) Mazur founded a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization in 2022, in memory of their daughter, Emilee, which provides peer support groups and social connection for adults with eating disorders and their loved ones. In addition, they speak at schools, colleges, and conferences to educate our community about the serious nature of eating disorders.

    For more information go to: www.TheEmileeConnection.com They authored the book, Emilee: The Story of a Girl and Her Family Hijacked by Anorexia, to honor their daughter’s wish, to raise awareness, evoke compassion, and foster change in how eating disorders are viewed and treated.

    Ellen Bennett is the director of KMB for Answers, a non-profit charity providing educational and financial support for mental health professionals as well as assistance for families in search of resources. For more information about Ellen Bennett and the foundation founded in memory of her daughter Katlyn, go to: www.Kmbforanswers.com

    Books
    Paperback: and Kindle:https://www.amazon.com/Emilee-Story-Family-Hijacked-Anorexia/dp/170092012X ·
    Audiobook:https://www.amazon.com/Emilee-Story-Family-Hijacked-Anorexia/dp/B08R6LRPDS They can also be reached through the book website: https://emileethestoryofagirl.com or at Linda.john.mazur@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Reconnecting with Your Body: Yoga, Mindfulness, Meditation, with Kaitlyn Vitozzi

    Reconnecting with Your Body: Yoga, Mindfulness, Meditation, with Kaitlyn Vitozzi
    Sep 14 2023
    Kaitlyn Vittozzi of Rochester, NY is a C-IAYT Yoga Therapist who specializes in chronic pain relief, stress-reduction, and perinatal struggles. A SUNY Albany School of Business graduate, she is no stranger to corporate stress and the physical ache that working and striving for the next big thing all the time can leave on a body. Kaitlyn began teaching in 2014, taking yoga teacher training as a healthy summer hobby. Soon after teaching, she recognized that people left class happy, and that their mood was uplifted, and she realized they had left life’s stressors behind. Kaitlyn went on to study yoga therapy with Phoenix Rising to help people use the tools of yoga to enhance their whole life, rather than just an hour per day.

    Yoga is an ancient practice not just based on the postures we see in magazines, but on eight holistic limbs and Kaitlyn hopes to highlight this with the individuals, couples and groups she works with. Clients learn to improve their relationship with physical, mental, and emotional tensions that show up in their bodies. Kaitlyn began teaching for KMB for Answers in 2021 and has studied Yoga for Eating Disorders. She also teaches paddleboard yoga and writes for Rochester Woman Online. She loves spending her downtime with her dog.

    As a yoga therapist, Kaitlyn’s goal is to help you discover long-term relief and a happier mind, body, and spirit.

    For more info or to schedule a free phone consultation, visit PenfieldYogaTherapy.Com.
    https://tozziyoga.com/

    Our Hosts: · Linda and John(Jack) Mazur founded a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization in 2022, in memory of their daughter, Emilee, which provides peer support groups and social connection for adults with eating disorders and their loved ones. In addition, they speak at schools, colleges, and conferences to educate our community about the serious nature of eating disorders.

    For more information go to: www.TheEmileeConnection.com They authored the book, Emilee: The Story of a Girl and Her Family Hijacked by Anorexia, to honor their daughter’s wish, to raise awareness, evoke compassion, and foster change in how eating disorders are viewed and treated.

    Ellen Bennett is the director of KMB for Answers, a non-profit charity providing educational and financial support for mental health professionals as well as assistance for families in search of resources. For more information about Ellen Bennett and the foundation founded in memory of her daughter Katlyn, go to: www.Kmbforanswers.com


    Books
    Paperback: and Kindle:https://www.amazon.com/Emilee-Story-Family-Hijacked-Anorexia/dp/170092012X ·
    Audiobook:https://www.amazon.com/Emilee-Story-Family-Hijacked-Anorexia/dp/B08R6LRPDS They can also be reached through the book website: https://emileethestoryofagirl.com or at Linda.john.mazur@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    1 hr
  • Peace and Possibility Beyond the Pain with Barb Klein

    Peace and Possibility Beyond the Pain with Barb Klein
    Aug 17 2023
    Barb Klein is the author of 111 Invitations: Step into the Full Richness of Life, and the founder of Inspired Possibility.  Barb is a certified recovery coach, life coach, Invitation to Change group facilitator, meditation instructor, retreat leader, and writer.

    Barb is also mom to two young men, one of whom struggled with substance use disorder, eating disorder, and other mental health challenges. Barb has been trained in CRAFT, Motivational Interviewing, Invitation to Change, and Tai Chi for Recovery, seeking to find meaningful and positive ways to support people.

    As a mom who has navigated life through her son’s substance use and eating disorders for 13+ years, she is determined to create something positive and meaningful out of this experience.  She supports other family members who have been impacted by a child’s mental health challenges and people in recovery to make their own well-being a priority and to find peace and possibility beyond the pain. She is committed to bringing more love and compassion to the journey with substance use disorder, eating disorders, and other mental health challenges.

    She is currently working on her 2nd book, One Moment at A Time which will support families to find peace and joy while loving their child, no matter what path their child’s life takes. To learn more about Barb and her work, visit her site at www.inspiredpossibility.com 111 Invitations is available anywhere books are sold online or you can get signed copies directly from Barb through her site. www.inspiredpossibility.com

    Our Hosts: · Linda and John(Jack) Mazur founded a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization in 2022, in memory of their daughter, Emilee, which provides peer support groups and social connection for adults with eating disorders and their loved ones. In addition, they speak at schools, colleges, and conferences to educate our community about the serious nature of eating disorders.

    For more information go to: www.TheEmileeConnection.com They authored the book, Emilee: The Story of a Girl and Her Family Hijacked by Anorexia, to honor their daughter’s wish, to raise awareness, evoke compassion, and foster change in how eating disorders are viewed and treated.

    Ellen Bennett is the director of KMB for Answers, a non-profit charity providing educational and financial support for mental health professionals as well as assistance for families in search of resources. For more information about Ellen Bennett and the foundation founded in memory of her daughter Katlyn, go to: www.Kmbforanswers.com

    Books
    Paperback: and Kindle:https://www.amazon.com/Emilee-Story-Family-Hijacked-Anorexia/dp/170092012X ·
    Audiobook:https://www.amazon.com/Emilee-Story-Family-Hijacked-Anorexia/dp/B08R6LRPDS They can also be reached through the book website: https://emileethestoryofagirl.com or at Linda.john.mazur@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 5 mins