Record Scratch with Kara

@karakavensky on Substack | FB | IG | X | LinkedIn | Threads | TikTok

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY, here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

Role Models

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 09:30:00 -0400

This episode is a special one.

Everyone needs positive role models in their lives — perhaps now more than ever. One of my role models is my dear friend, Ruth Graves. We discuss grief, loss, and how we move forward.

If you or someone you love is grieving, please seek others so you do not feel alone — and if you know someone who is grieving the death of someone — please reach out to them. Compassion never goes out of style.

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on Substack | FB | IG | X | LinkedIn | Threads | TikTok

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY, here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

THE WIDOW'S GUIDE TO DEAD BASTARDS with Jessica Waite

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 09:30:00 -0400

When life handed Jessica Waite a riveting, horrifying, and surprisingly beautiful story, she transformed herself into a writer. Her debut memoir, THE WIDOW’S GUIDE TO DEAD BASTARDS, became an instant bestseller and was listed as a notable book by The Washington Post, Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper, GoodReads, AARP, and many others. Jessica lives with her teenage son on Treaty 7 territory in the city of Calgary, Alberta.

JESSICA WAITE

Website - https://endlessstories.love/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/endless_stories_jess/ or @endless_stories_jess

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on Substack | FB | IG | X | LinkedIn | Threads | TikTok

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY, here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

MEMORIES AND MIRACLES with Iva Nasr, Part 2

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 08:30:00 -0400

There's a lot going on in the world, and who better to help us cut through the noise than Iva Nasr, author of FROM RIFLES TO ROSES: MEMORIES AND MIRACLES.

Iva's words and wisdom are a gift. Her voice is a meditation.

IVA NASR

Mentor, Speaker, Author

Website - https://www.ivanasr.com/

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on Substack | FB | IG | X | LinkedIn | Threads | TikTok

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY, here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

MEMORIES AND MIRACLES with Iva Nasr, Part 1

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 08:30:00 -0400

There's a lot going on in the world, and who better to help us cut through the noise than Iva Nasr, author of FROM RIFLES TO ROSES: MEMORIES AND MIRACLES.

Iva's words and wisdom are a gift. Her voice is a meditation.

IVA NASR

Mentor, Speaker, Author

Website - https://www.ivanasr.com/

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on Substack | FB | IG | X | LinkedIn | Threads | TikTok

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY, here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

I'M SPEAKING with Author Jessica Doyle-Mekkes

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 08:30:00 -0400

Author Jessica Doyle Mekkes' gift to the Universe is I'M SPEAKING: EVERY WOMAN'S GUIDE TO FINDING YOUR VOICE AND USING IT FEARLESSLY. Jessica shares the down & dirty of why women fight an uphill battle to be heard, and what we can do to be effective speakers.

Jessica's book offers tips and tricks to help you speak your truth in a voice that is strong, stable, and sustainable — and she's funny, too!

I’M SPEAKING is a bestseller on Amazon in the Public Speaking category!

JESSICA DOYLE-MEKKES

Website - https://www.jessicadoylemekkes.com/ Socials - @jessicadoylemekkes

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on Substack | FB | IG | X | LinkedIn | Threads | TikTok

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY, here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

BREATH TAKING with Author Jessica Fein

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 08:35:00 -0400

Jessica "Jessie" Fein's book, BREATH TAKING: A MEMOIR OF FAMILY, DREAMS, AND BROKEN GENES, is being praised everywhere, as it should.

My favorite, and most accurate synopsis, is: "A masterclass on how to be a person." — Joanna Rakoff, bestselling author of MY SALINGER YEAR.

The hardest thing to experience is the loss of a child. Jessie shares her and her husband's fertility journey, adoption, and subsequent advocacy on behalf of one of their beautiful children, Dahlia, as Dahlia succumbs to MERRF syndrome (myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibers), a rare genetic disorder.

JESSICA FEIN

Website - https://www.jessicafeinstories.com/

Podcast - I Don't Know How You Do It - https://www.jessicafeinstories.com/podcast

Instagram - @feinjessica

Substack - https://feinbyme.substack.com/

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on Substack | FB | IG | X | LinkedIn | Threads | TikTok

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY, here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

IT COULD BE WORSE with Author Dara Levan

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 08:30:00 -0400

Former journalist and speech therapist, Dara Levan adds "author" to her growing list of creative outlets. She is a journalist, blogger, author, and podcaster — among other things — including wife and mother, and loves the summers she spent during her youth at Interlochen.

A graduate of Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!), writing a novel is the last thing Dara ever thought she'd do. IT COULD BE WORSE is her first, and certainly not her last.

IT COULD BE WORSE is a fictional tale of identifying and coping with narcissism (this is an oversimplification of this book — I highly recommend it!). Far too many of us can relate.

DARA LEVAN

Website - https://www.daralevan.com/

Podcast - Every Soul Has A Story

@Dara.Levan on Facebook | Instagram | Threads

Substack - Every Soul Has a Story by Dara Levan

KARA KAVENSKY

https://candlesholocaustmuseum.org/

@karakavensky on Substack | FB | IG | X | LinkedIn | Threads | TikTok

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY, here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

A BLESSING, NOT A BURDEN with Author Dr. Alex Kor

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 08:30:00 -0400

Both of Dr. Alex Kor's parents are Holocaust survivors. His mother, Eva Mozes Kor, along with her twin sister, are survivors of Dr. Mengele at Auschwitz. Eva's story is well-documented and she founded CANDLES Holocaust Museum, in Terre Haute, Indiana.

But it was Alex's father, Michael "Mickey" Kor's story that Alex felt strongly about sharing, so he did - with the help of co-author Graham Honaker. They recently released A BLESSING, NOT A BURDEN (2024, Pediment Publishing).

A BLESSING, NOT A BURDEN shares not only Alex's parents' stories, but also his own.

DR. ALEX KOR

Facebook - My Holocaust Legacy, Alex Kor IG - @my_holocaust_legacy X - @akisok15 https://www.myholocaustlegacy.com/

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on Substack, FB, IG, X, LinkedIn, Threads, and TikTok

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY, here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

Record Scratch with Kara - Welcome to Season 2

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 15:25:00 -0400

Welcome to Season 2 of Record Scratch with Kara!

I am excited to share my guests, all of whom are authors of impactful stories. Episodes will drop on Thursdays, beginning on the 19th of September 2024.

Thank you for listening.

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on Substack, FB, IG, X, LinkedIn, Threads, and TikTok

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY, here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

Grief Glimmers Grace: A Candid Talk with Author Betsy B. Murphy

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0400

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN ORGASM, WRITE ON, and CHASING TEMPLES are a few of the books that my guest, Betsy B. Murphy, has written. Each is profound and deeply moving, but perhaps nothing matches the writing she shares in GRIEF GLIMMERS GRACE, a book she never wanted to write. Betsy wrote her latest book in the midst of unimaginable grief after the death of her son, Charlie.

Betsy B. Murphy is an author, humanitarian, and veteran filmmaker of several acclaimed feature documentaries. She founded Figaro Films, Inc. in 1998 to produce important films that inspire, enlighten, entertain, and educate. Betsy created the platform Beautiful Infinity Books (BIB), a publishing collective, in 2017. BIB offers workshops and retreats to incubate and develop the work of creators.

Betsy was a guest on FINDING JOY WITH KARA, my other podcast, which was recorded a few years ago, prior to both of us losing a son. This is the interview we never imagined we'd have.

RESOURCES FOR ANYONE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION

Dr. Gabor Mate: When Science Meets Compassion

Gemini Adams website: https://geminiadams.com/

“There is so much misunderstanding, particularly in the recovery community. (Harm reduction is) focused on repair and trust building, not on taking the substance away from the addict as if that will miraculously stop them in their tracks. In fact, it usually has the opposite effect as it activates all the protector parts and puts them into survival mode and triggers the underlying agony they are trying to escape from, which increases the chances of suicide or a relapse that results in overdose.” — Gemini Adams, Trauma Recovery Specialist

BETSY B. MURPHY

Grief Glimmers Grace is available at Amazon.

@betsybmurphy on IG and FB

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Wallace Goldeman

Supporting Those We Love with Aimee Kandrac

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0400

Aimee Kandrac is best described as a "sommelier of thoughtfulness."

She has an uncanny ability to share a list of amazing ways to support someone (loved one, neighbor, friend) under any circumstance.

Aimee Kandrac, founder of WhatFriendsDo, joins me to explore how we can best support loved ones — especially during the holidays. Aimee is an expert on all things caregiving.

AIMEE KANDRAC

@WhatFriendsDo on IG, FB, X

Website: https://whatfriendsdo.com/

KARA KAVENSKY

Website: https://karakavensky.com/

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Wallace Goldeman

Healing from Chronic Migraine and Depression: One Woman's Story

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0400

A brief summary of this episode

Healing Through Writing with Darcey Gohring

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0400

Darcey Gohring found her personal voice by writing an essay at the start of the pandemic when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a result of the healing she experienced, she now helps writers discover their unique voices to craft meaningful personal stories.

Darcey has 25+ years of professional writing and editing experience. Her work has appeared in Newsweek, HuffPost, Insider, and Scary Mommy, among others. She is a contributing writer for the anthology, CORONA CITY: Voices from an Epicenter, which includes her essay mentioned above. Darcey leads writing workshops and has served as the keynote speaker for conferences all over the United States.

She is the Head of Zibby Classes and the Host of the Zibby Media Online Writing Community. As a writing instructor, she specializes in personal narrative and memoir and regularly teaches at Zibby Classes and The Writers Circle.

DARCEY GOHRING

@darcey_gohring_writer (on all things)

Substack

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky (on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads)

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Wallace Goldeman

Spirituality and Healing with a Buddhist Monk

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Feeling complacent with his life, Leon Pettiway, PhD, wondered how he could shake up the predictability of his life. Be careful what you wish for! Dr. Pettiway was soon introduced to Buddhism and became an ordained monk!

This is an uncommon journey for anyone, let alone a Black man from North Carolina who was brought up as a Southern Baptist. Now known as the Venerable Lobzang Dorje, he focuses on discussions centering on social inequality and the administration of justice.

Currently, Dr. Pettiway | Lobzang Dorje is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Criminal Justice at Indiana University, Bloomington.

LEON PETTIWAY

Selected Works

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY, here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Wallace Goldeman

Creating Robust Futures with Rob and Terri Bogue

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0400

WARNING: This podcast discusses suicide and trauma. There are resource links below if you or anyone you love needs help.

Robert and Terri Bogue’s careers have given them a deep respect for trauma. They’ve experienced the impact of pain and mortality through the eyes of emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, emergency room nurses, pediatric ICU nurses, military personnel, and physical therapists caring for trauma survivors. This wide view of secondary trauma combined with family experiences of suicide has driven them to find ways to assist people in dealing with the trauma they experience themselves and through those they serve.

Rob and Terri’s mission is to help people process life in a way that supports mental health and builds a foundation for people to continue to support others without getting stuck in the trauma they see and hear.

ROB AND TERRI BOGUE

Robust Futures is Rob and Terri's nonprofit organization.

RESOURCES If you need material services (housing, food, etc.), dial 211 or use findhelp.org.

If you’re having trouble coping or are concerned about suicide for yourself or someone else, dial 988.

If you’re having an emergency, dial 911.

If you’re looking for free burnout resources, use Extinguish Burnout

Robert’s book reviews are at Confident Change Management > Book Reviews

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Wallace Goldeman

Flickering Light in Darkness

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 11:50:00 -0400

My guests, Iva Nasr and Rose, talk about the bond of friendship, the trauma of war —and finding the light during the darkest of moments.

Join us for this important — and timely — conversation.

We discuss Iva and Rose’s search for inner peace. Iva lived through a war in Lebanon and Rose is currently living in Israel. We explore how to cope, heal, and have vision for unity within the heartbreaking chaos. We also talk about the magic of travel and the power of love and the importance of choices on a guided path.

At the conclusion of our talk, Iva reads a special excerpt from her memoir, FROM RIFLES TO ROSES: MEMORIES AND MIRACLES, soon to be released as an audiobook.

IVA NASR Mentor, Speaker, Author

Facebook

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Wallace Goldeman

Talking Good Grief with Cheryl Espinosa-Jones

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Cheryl Espinosa-Jones is the host of the Good Grief podcast, where she asks, "Why settle for surviving?" after loss.

Valid question.

In Record Scratch with Kara, we explore the losses that define our lives and how we transform those experiences to help us thrive and be better humans because of those record scratch moments. Post traumatic growth is possible.

Transformation through adversity isn't easy and requires intention and resolve. After all, growth happens outside of our comfort zone.

We also explore the synopsis of Espinosa-Jones' novel, AN OCEAN BETWEEN THEM, which addresses the challenges of a mother-daughter relationship.

Cheryl Espinosa-Jones is a grief counselor, educator, and the host of Good Grief. Cheryl’s work is informed by the ten years of her first wife’s life-limiting illness. Expected to live six months to a year, she lived with cancer for almost a decade. In the losses Cheryl has experienced since then, she is grateful for what she has learned about facing loss and finding greater meaning in her life as a result.

CHERYL ESPINOSA-JONES

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Wallace Goldeman

Finding Peace with Charles Crenshaw, Jr.

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

The first time I met Charles, he said the most profound statement that I have ever heard. He shared, “I released the burden of being a Black man through prescriptive yoga and meditation.” I asked Charles to place a pin there and we would return to this someday. This podcast is the followup.

Our conversation explores how anyone can achieve internal peace. Charles is a Vietnam veteran, a yogi, and so much more. His book, PATHLESS PATH: GOD, GRACE, GURU, is a powerful example of a journey towards peace.

Charles Crenshaw, Jr., MS, MDivW, and his wife, Carol, are co-founders of the Inner Peace Yoga Institute in Indianapolis.

CHARLES CRENSHAW, JR.

Inner Peace Yoga Center

Books

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Wallace Goldeman

Grief and Self-Care with Suzanne Falter

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

After the sudden death of her daughter, Suzanne Falter discovered the power of self-care to deliver her from high stress, workaholism, and devastating grief.

Suzanne is the author of 16 books, and has been a professional writer and speaker since 1980. She hosted the "Self-Care for Extremely Busy Women" podcast, bringing better self-care to thousands of busy people each week in 98 countries around the globe.

She is the author of "The Extremely Busy Woman’s Guide to Self-Care" (Sourcebooks) and a memoir, "Free Spirited: How My Daughter Healed Me from the Afterlife" (Love & Happiness Publishing), which is based on the sudden death of her daughter.

Suzanne is currently at work on a biography of the Saturday Evening Post cover artist, John Falter, her father.

SUZANNE FALTER

Instagram

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Wallace Goldeman

Speaking with End-of-Life Doula Jeanne Olson

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

What is a death doula?

Jeanne Olson is a professional grief navigator, grief educator, and end-of-life doula. Jeanne joins me to discuss how she helps individuals during their final moments of life and her own life path, which inspires her to do the work she does.

Jeanne is a Certified Grief Educator and NEDA Proficient Certified End-of-Life Doula through the University of Vermont. She has many other certifications in multiple modalities to provide coping tools when dealing with grief. She volunteers with online grief groups alongside grief expert David Kessler and with hospice care in Naples, Florida.

JEANNE OLSON

grief.com

nedalliance.org

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Wallace Goldeman

Navigating Grief and Healing from Trauma with Graehme Hall

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0400

This episode is from the archives of my podcast, Finding Joy with Kara, which explores powerful stories of healing and transformation. My guests on both podcasts all have unique backgrounds and are transforming the world in their own amazing ways.

One of many teachers in my life is Graehme Hall, the founder of The Hermaden Institute and author of ODYSSEYS OF LOVE: DEATH, DEMENTIA AND THE SOUL. Graehme is someone that I turn to for loving guidance whenever I need a boost. In fact, Graehme is my spiritual fairy godmother.

I spoke with her hours after discovering that my son Jake died in a car accident — in Chicago, not far from where Graehme lives. Graehme Hall is a gift in my life, and I hope that this conversation brings more joy to yours.

This episode aired originally on March 10, 2021.

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Wallace Goldeman

#love #healing #PTSD #support #positivity #spiritualguidance #therapy #angels #guides #grief #dementia

Finding Hope and Inspiration with Iva Nasr

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Over a decade ago, I walked into a room lit up by Iva Nasr's presence. Iva is the one whom Elizabeth Gilbert references in her memoir, EAT PRAY LOVE, of having a "Bat phone to the Universe." We instantly became friends.

When someone asks me what Iva does, I tell them that she facilitates miracles.

Iva possesses a calming presence, and I requested that she deliver the main message at my son Jake's Celebration of Life. She graciously accepted and did so with the utmost compassion.

Growing up in Beirut, Lebanon, Iva and her family experienced a war-torn country, instigating their immigration to the United States. Iva shares her journey in her memoir, FROM RIFLES TO ROSES: MEMORIES AND MIRACLES. She is currently wrapping up work on the audiobook.

Iva Nasr [NUHsir] is a teacher, seer, mentor, and author working internationally. In her anecdotal and light-hearted way, she guides a Modern Mind: Open Up • Align • Focus • Shine ™. Her private Intuitive Readings, classes, ongoing dialogues, and life testimonials give hope and inspire modern mind expansion and action.

Iva is a beacon of light for the world.

This episode was originally published February 3, 2021.

IVA NASR

Mentor, Speaker, Author

KARA KAVENSKY

Fight for Life Foundation

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Wallace Goldeman

Impacting Lives with Former All-American and NFL Star Marlin Jackson

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Former All-American and NFL star turned social entrepreneur, Marlin Jackson, created the program he needed as a youth: the Fight for Life Foundation, which teaches social-emotional learning modules. These modules (I firmly believe) should be taught in every school across the country, regardless of socioeconomic circumstances.

Marlin is a humanitarian, a husband, and the father he never had to his three young boys. Marlin has successfully turned his childhood pain into a purpose-driven passion for helping others. He’s one of the most humble humans I have ever met and is changing the world for the better.

Marlin shares his story with unabashed vulnerability, which is so refreshing since he’s an all-around badass athlete!

MARLIN JACKSON

IG: @fight4lifefound

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Wallace Goldeman

Marriage and Family Therapist Stephanie Heck: Exploring Therapy Options with Laughter and Humility

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Where do we begin with therapy? What should we expect?

In our interview, therapist Stephanie Heck, IMFT/ATR, shares the various therapeutic approaches to grief and trauma. We cover family patterns, art therapy, EMDR, and most of all, having a sense of humor goes a long way!

Stephanie is a Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Art Therapist. She earned her master's degree at Phillips Graduate Institute in Los Angeles, CA. Stephanie works with individuals, families, and couples in distress.

She takes a very collaborative approach to therapy with her clients and while she is an expert on the therapeutic process, she considers her clients the experts on themselves.

And…she's one of my best friends.

STEPHANIE HECK

Stephanie Heck

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by: Adam Gibson Design

Produced by: Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by: Adam Gibson

Exploring the Universe with Rock Star Astrologer Gemini Brett

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 08:58:00 -0400

Have you ever wanted to explore something fun — or somewhere exciting?

After a few friends shared their "Astrocartography" reading experience with me, I wanted to learn more. Astrolocation | Astrocartography helps someone discover areas around the globe that would be optimal for work, play, love, and relaxation. This is why I was drawn to Rock Star Astrologer Gemini Brett. I am a storyteller — Gemini is a StarryTeller.

Gemini Brett is a world-renowned astrologer, shamanic StarryTeller, and inspiring educator best known for his devotion to reconnecting astrologers with the sacred astronomy of the living sky.

Brett's passion, dedication, and innovation were recently honored by the Organization for Professional Astrology who presented him with the 2020 Orion Award for Outstanding Contribution to Astrology.

GEMINI BRETT

GeminiBrett.com

YouTube channel

IG @Gemini_Brett

FB Gemini Brett Astrology

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by: Adam Gibson Design

Produced by: Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by: Adam Gibson

Keeping an Open Mind and Heart While Grieving with Therapist Sherry O'Brian

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0400

In Peaks and Valleys: Integrative Approaches for Recovering from Loss, author and therapist Sherry O'Brian encourages her readers to "enjoy the tools of transformation with an open mind and heart."

After all, when you experience grief, your heart is already open since it's broken.

Sherry O’Brian is a psychotherapist and the sole proprietor of Mind/Body/Spirit Inner-grations. She specializes in personal growth and transformation, as well as working with those suffering from chronic illness, grief/loss, and other emotional disorders.

Sherry has assisted thousands of individuals through her workshops, groups, and private practice to transform their pain into possibility.

She's also developed meditations available on Apple Music and Amazon Music: Release and Transform Burden and A Meditation to Transform Your Inner Critic to assist others with releasing emotional pain and transforming their lives.

Sherry is certified in Comprehensive Energy Psychology, Emotional Freedom Technique, Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy, Psych-K™, Subtle Energy Therapy, Bereavement Counseling, Integrated Energy Therapy, and Guided Imagery. She is a Reiki Master and an ordained minister.

There's a bonus clip at the end.

Her book, Peaks and Valleys: Integrative Approaches for Recovering From Loss, is available on Amazon.

SHERRY O'BRIAN

Sherry O'Brian, LCSW, ACHt, DCEP www.mindbodyspirit-innergrations.com ACEP Education Director ACEP Selection Sub-Committee Chair http://www.energypsych.org

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by Adam Gibson Design

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Adam Gibson

How We Show Up with Communications Expert Lisa Mitchell

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Lisa shares how her record scratch moment of major life disruption led her to a new career in executive comms. We discuss how we show up with effectiveness, why people lie, and how showing up for ourselves is equally, if not more, important than how we show up for others.

Lisa reminds us to use communication for kindness.

Tell me more.

Lisa Mitchell, CFI, is a communications expert and founder of Power Body Language. She specializes in effective communication for leaders, body language and non-verbal communication skills, provides expert analysis during jury selection, and frequently does media segments on current topics. She is a Certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI), a Certified Body Language Trainer, and holds a Masters Degree in Management.

LISA MITCHELL

IG, Threads, TikTok: @lisamitchellindy

Power Body Language

KARA KAVENSKY

Spiritual Warrior Woman website

@karakavensky on FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY here.

PRODUCTION

Sponsored by: Adam Gibson Design

Produced by: Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by: Adam Gibson

Resiliency and Healing with Karen Hellman

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Karen Hellman never believed she could heal after experiencing a severely traumatic event — until she did.

WARNING: this podcast discusses PTSD, trauma, and depression. Karen is a survivor of 9/11.

Karen is a testament that you cannot only survive, but thrive after trauma. My friend who referred me to Karen said that her work is "a game changer!" And she's right.

Our experiences do not have to define us, but we can leverage them into becoming a better human. Karen believes that everyone deserves a life filled with joy, and I wholeheartedly agree!

CONNECT WITH KAREN

KARA KAVENSKY

@karakavensky on FB, IG, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY, here.

CREDITS

Sponsored by: Adam Gibson Design

Produced by: Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by: Adam Gibson

Transformational Truth with Sunny Lu Williams

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0400

What do you do when faced with a painful family secret about your past?

I explore the answer to this question with Sunny Lu Williams, CEO and President of TechServ, as we discuss the one family rule she fought against and how keeping things in the family is not always the best approach for your personal mental health. The result: being vulnerable and sharing your story can be healing. Sunny Lu Williams is a better leader, a better friend, a better wife, and a better mom as a result.

Whenever I meet someone, I wonder what their story is. And every once in a while, I’m really surprised by how honest and transformative someone’s past experience has been for them in their life. My podcast with Sunny Lu Williams is one of those stories.

I’m grateful for Sunny in so many ways and over the years, I wondered just how much she would share of her own personal journey to help others. This podcast answers that question.

Thank you for listening.

SUNNY LU WILLIAMS

TechServ

KARA KAVENSKY

https://astrologyhub.com/

@karakavensky on FB, IG, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok

Receive updates on Kara's new memoir release, FINDING JOY, here.

CREDITS

Sponsored by: Adam Gibson Design

Produced by: Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by: Adam Gibson

Astrology Hub Founder Amanda Pua Walsh

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Amanda Pua Walsh, M.S., is the CEO & Founder of Astrology Hub, an online platform for astrological guidance and education reaching hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. She’s the creator of the top-rated Astrology Hub Podcast with over 5 million downloads to date.

The insights from her first Astrology reading illuminated a path forward for Amanda. She found hope, clarity and direction - which inspired her to create a platform that makes finding high-quality astrologers for readings and astrological education and guidance accessible to the masses.

Amanda joins me to discuss how she leverages Astrology in her life and its overall impact within the community she has created.

AMANDA PUA WALSH

Astrology Hub Podcast (available wherever you listen)

FB: @AstrologyHub

IG: @Astrology.Hub

KARA KAVENSKY