A Quest for Well-Being

To deeply heal anything, we have to better understand the symptoms and their root causes. If pain and illness are messages, then we need to hear, heed, and work with them. Denying, burying, or eradicating symptoms and their inherent messages with superficial healing or chemicals are typically only temporary fixes. Just as important as healing work—if not more important—is prevention. We've all gone to practitioners of all types and felt great afterward, but without applying new tools and new ways of being, the symptoms invariably return. Sometimes they reappear very quickly; sometimes it takes years. If you have a back pain, for example, and you do all the things necessary to get you out of pain but don't address the underlying causes, the pain can return in the same or even a different area. If the latter occurs, your practitioner may give it another name and treat you in the same ways that seemed successful the first time. But if those treatments were successful in the deepest possible way the first time, the odds on it returning—in the same spot or elsewhere—would have been dramatically lessened. Typically, there are numerous causative layers that need to be uncovered, and ideally, they are worked with one at a time. Each layer has its own story and should be "read" appropriately. Each story has a theme. The most common theme among the empaths and HSPs I've worked with is Responsibility. A misguided and overblown (even subconscious) sense of responsibility for others is the root cause when someone absorbs unhealthy energies from other people. This overblown sense of responsibility typically began in your more formative years. Some of you literally heard, "It's your responsibility to take care of ______ (fill in the blank)"; others assumed the burden of helping others after noticing an ill (or unhappy) parent or sibling. If as a result of our acute feelings of responsibility we have the innate sense—or receive the verbalized confirmation—that our actions are received positively, we're more likely to repeat them, and when repeated enough, actions become patterns. As a result of this embedded pattern, as we age we attract others outside the immediate family to whom we feel responsible—friends, romantic partners, work associates, even spouses who know we'll be there for them. If left unhealed, this overdeveloped sense of responsibility can increase to the point that we feel the weight of social issues or even the world on our shoulders. For any individual who is already highly susceptible to incoming energies, adding unhealthy responsibility is like walking around subconsciously saying, "I'll take your grief" or "I'll take your anger." Because we've not known otherwise, we don't just temporarily feel what's coming our way, we actually embody these energies. And they will stay within us, driving our choices until they are consciously uncovered and healed. — writes David Markowitz. Valeria interviews David. He is a 2x-bestselling author, dynamic workshop leader, and intuitive healing facilitator. He teaches Empaths and Highly Sensitive Persons how to healthily protect themselves, and how to heal absorbed energies that have led to anxiousness, lethargy, heavy-heartedness, physical pains and more. Dave's book, 'Self-Care for the Self-Aware' was in Amazon's Top 20 in its category for 41 consecutive months. His latest, 'Empathipedia', expands on that work and emphasizes how energetic and emotional support, and a sense of connection with others are vital to the healing process. His work has been endorsed by Shirley MacLaine, Dannion Brinkley, Lee Harris, Paul Levy and more, and he has shared the lecture bill with Deepak Chopra. To learn more about David Markowitz please visit his website: www.DaveMarkowitz.Com For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

Happiness starts with you. Not with the relationships, Not with a great job, Not with money or wealth, Not with status, yours or the one you are connected to, But with YOU. — Mandy Hale A major obstacle to success and happiness is what Paul Angone calls "Obsessive Comparison Disorder." It's our need to evaluate and decide if we are good enough by checking how we stack up next to others. Since it's impossible to be the best at everything, this constant assessing is pointless, exhausting, and harmful to our self-esteem. A helpful perspective is to acknowledge that each of us has a unique set of strengths. Irene Caniano learned to appreciate this during her coach training. The instructor had them begin the sessions by describing ourselves. Every week, they started by announcing who they are. They'd each give their names and add a sentence describing ourselves with five positive adjectives. One person might use this sentence after announcing her name. I am an enthusiastic, compassionate, creative, curious, adventurous person. Another might use this one to describe his strengths. I am a kind, funny, caring, brave, open-minded individual. The purpose of this ritual was to teach everyone to be aware of their strengths and let others know who they really are. From this, Irene learned that there's no reason to feel inadequate if someone has a trait that she doesn't. Her strengths are gifts to others. Their strengths are gifts to her. She decided to use this "strengths introduction" exercise at the beginning of the workshops that she presents. Each time the participants finish their introductions, they find that various traits were mentioned. As a person who doesn't have a great sense of humor, Irene no longer concern herself with this "deficit." Invariably, at least one person in the audience mentions humor as a significant strength. Valeria interviews Irene Caniano the author of Design Your Happiness: 9 Essential Elements to Create the Life You Want We all deserve to be successful and happy. That's what Irene Caniano was thinking when she decided to become a life coach. She wanted to help Millennials who were making a myriad of decisions that would impact their future. A strange thing happened during her training. She realized that the coaching principles were having a significant positive effect on every aspect of her life. Now Irene enthusiastically passes on what she learned because she believes everyone can benefit from coaching. Before writing the book, she consulted with potential readers. They requested that she include stories, graphics, and activities that would make it easy to understand and apply the principles. Design Your Happiness is an inspirational and practical book that focuses on three areas: You, Your Relationships, and Your Choices. Certified by the International Coach Federation, Irene specializes in productivity and happiness. She offers "Coaching Your Way." The options include QuickStart/Customized Sessions, Unlock Your Potential, Your Best Self Video Course and Coaching for Individuals with ADHD. Irene serves as the mentoring coordinator at Elmer A. Sperry Toastmasters and is a board member at Nassau CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder). Each year, she plays a key role in organizing the Floral Park Lions Club Just 4 Women Expo. Irene's joy comes from loving relationships, connection with others, harmony, learning, nature, and living her purpose. To learn more about Irene Caniano please visit her website: https://www.irenecaniano.com/ For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

Embodying your wisdom and your courage is the path to experiencing freedom and a more authentic life! But what does it mean to embody your wisdom, courage, and freedom? The goal of some spiritual paths is to transcend the body in order to achieve enlightenment or some higher state of being. But in a yogic/tantric tradition, your body is the gateway to wisdom. Your body is the place from which you experience this lifetime. Your physical body and your senses allow you to experience light, temperature, hunger, color, sound, pain, and pleasure. Your energy body pulses and breathes and creates space for the movement of emotions. And your mind is seated in the body, having a constant dialogue with the sensations and emotions, changing the way you perceive what is happening in any given moment. There is a deep wisdom in all of this. And there is a innate wisdom in the body. A wisdom that exists beyond words and thoughts. The body often knows the truth of our experience before our mind has a chance to process it and alter its meaning. Learning to listen to your body gives you access to this wisdom. For this reason, Calista Ocean teaches embodied practices like yoga, movement, and breathwork to support others in reconnecting with their bodies and the wisdom within. She uses guided visualization and journaling as a way to access personal insight. And most importantly, she invites others to take actions to bring their inner wisdom into being. To embody it in their day-to-day life. In her book, Exploring Your Inner Landscape, you're invited to take time to explore the terrain of your soul – to find your beauty, courage, and freedom within. Each week, you'll be invited to do weekly practices, reflect on journaling prompts, and take actions to live a life that feels more authentic and aligned with your wisdom. Valeria interviews Calista Ocean! Calista Ocean (RYT-200) is a writer, a mother, a yoga teacher, and an adventure-seeker. Her personal yoga practice taught her to listen to the wisdom of her own body and led her deep into the landscape of her soul. Besides supporting her health and well-being, this journey inspired her to make changes - a series of changes, both big and small. In 2018, after eighteen months of planning and an unexpected battle with early stage breast cancer, she sold her home and left her full-time job in southern California to "live in the world" and finish writing her first novel. A sense of adventure and a willingness to trust compelled her to let go of the life she knew in order to reach for the life she knew was possible. She's still exploring and inviting others to do the same. Calista is passionate about inviting others to journey through the beauty of their inner landscape by practicing yoga and self-reflection. Her workshops and private sessions combine yoga, breathwork, dynamic movement, and visualization to support those who long to reconnect with their body in order to remember their own wisdom. To learn more about Calista Ocean please visit her website: https://www.calistaocean.com/ For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

If you were to hear me talk with youth in The Poetry LAB you would know how I need them, this work. If you were to see me sitting in front of my computer, typing their poems and editing their recordings, long into the evening hours, then you would know how I am changed by them, their stories. A 16-year-old girl who acts like she doesn't care, volunteers to read her poem, and lets loose her story of rape, leaving a long line of silence in her wake. Wow. Powerful, I say. Have you told anyone this before? No, she says, through her hard shell, now cracked. I'm over it. Because of poetry, I can let it go. Because of poetry, people can know now. Because of poetry, I can begin to trust. Because of poetry, I can tell my truth to you. Drop by any day next week and discover them, fiercely pulling stories from their backpacks, notebooks holding truths screaming to be heard. Drop by any day next week. I'll be there, writing poems with kids. I'll let you witness transformation, Theirs, and my own. — The Work poem by Mary Tinucci, The Poetry LAB founder Valeria interviews Mary Tinucci the author of A Daily Gratitude Journal: Think in Possibilities Mary Tinucci is a clinical social worker in St. Paul, MN. During her 24-year career in St. Paul Public Schools (1991-2015), her individual and group work practice focused on youth in special education who struggled with emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD); lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, staff and families; youth in foster care, and middle school youth struggling with depression. During her 24-year career in Saint Paul Public Schools, Dr. Tinucci was an innovator, initiating and designing programs to serve the most marginalized students. In 1994, she designed and implemented Out For Equity, the third district-wide school-based LGBTQ program in the country. This program continues today, serving the needs of LGBTQ youth & adults in St. Paul Public Schools. In 2004, she created The Poetry LAB, (later known as The LAB) an arts and wellness-based special education program for youth with emotional/behavioral disorders. This program employed the therapeutic use of spoken word/poetry, visual art, music and experiential wellness with at-risk youth. From 2003 - 2018, Dr. Tinucci was also an adjunct faculty member in the School of Social Work at St. Catherine University and University of St. Thomas (SCU/UST). Since May of 2018, Dr. Tinucci has been teaching full-time as a Core Faculty member in the Barbara Solomon School of Social Work at Walden University. Through her private practice, Think In Possibilities, she provides clinical supervision for social workers pursuing next-level social work licensure and facilitates Writing Circles/Support Groups. She also provides training, strategic planning support, team meeting facilitation, and consultation for school staff, teachers, social service providers, and mental health workers on topics relevant to social work practice including: LGBTQ youth and school issues, educational stability for youth in foster care, and the therapeutic use of poetry and creativity as a tool of mental health for youth and adults. To learn more about Mary Tinucci please visit her website: www.thinkinpossibilities.com For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life to the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well. ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

"Burnout" as a term was first applied by Freudenberger (1975) to describe what happens when a practitioner becomes increasingly "inoperative." According to Freudenberger, this progressive state of inoperability can take many different forms, from simple rigidity, in which "the person becomes 'closed' to any input," to an increased resignation, irritability, and quickness to anger. As burnout worsens, however, its effects turn more serious. An individual may become paranoid or self-medicate with legal or illegal substances. Eventually, a social worker afflicted with burnout may leave a promising career that he or she has worked very hard to attain or be removed from a position by a forced resignation or firing. In the intervening 37 years, burnout has been the focus of several studies, each of which has affirmed the phenomenon (van der Vennet, 2002). We may instinctively realize that therapeutic work is "grueling and demanding" with "moderate depression, mild anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and disrupted relationships" as some of its frequent, yet common, effects (Norcross, 2000). We may even have gotten used to some of the factors promoting burnout such as "inadequate supervision and mentorship, glamorized expectations...and acute performance anxiety" (Skovholt, Grier, & Hanson, 2001). Yet, as social workers, we may still not pay full attention to the reality of burnout until suddenly everything seems overwhelming. At such times, we may lack the knowledge of what is transpiring or the critical faculties to assess our experience objectively that would enable us to take proper measures to restore balance to our lives. To explore and understand the phenomenon of burnout before it is too late, researchers have found it useful to introduce several components of the term or attendant syndromes, specifically compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and secondary traumatic stress. Although there is a great deal of overlap among these terms, each of them poses a particular risk and originates from a different place in the practitioner's experience or psychology. Valeria interviews SaraKay Smullens. She is a social work clinician, family life educator, writer, and activist. A best-selling author, she addresses complex issues that threaten individuals, families, communities and societies, and has coined the term "emotional sense of direction" as a goal in navigating life's complex slippery slopes. A recipient of a both a Social Worker of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award from NASW-PA, SaraKay was one of five graduates of the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice inducted in their 2018 Inaugural Hall of Fame. Her most recent book, Burnout and Self-Care in Social Work: A Guide for Students and Those in Mental Health and Related Professions, focuses on three primary causes of burnout; the interactive loop between personal, professional, social and physical burnout; the differences between burnout and depression, and evidence-based self-care practices to address burnout. SaraKay has recently published on another extension on this wide-spread syndrome, Societal Burnout. Since burnout is in the wings for us all during this surreal, dangerous and complicated time, her readership has extended beyond mental health professions. SaraKay's professional papers and memorabilia are divided between the Archives of the University Pennsylvania, Goucher College, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. To learn more about SaraKay Smullens please visit her website: www.sarakaysmullens.com For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life to the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well. ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

"Without being present, we cannot be fully aware, and without being fully aware, we remain unconscious." This moment you are in right now — The Present Moment — is the most important moment there is. You are alive in it, and it is uniquely yours. It is unlike any other moment you have ever had, or will have again. Yesterday has come and gone, tomorrow is not here yet. It is this present moment that matters the most, and if we value the moments of our lives, we will want to make the most of each one, and not let any moment go by without having lived it as truthfully and authentically as we can. But what does it mean to live "Authentically"? The definition of authentic is "genuine" and "real"; or, in other words, the combination of all our true qualities and characteristics. However, Ora Nadrich likes to describe authentic as "living our truth in the present moment." She knows, it's easy to want to hide or conceal certain aspects of ourselves we may not love, but once we start to hide our realness and who we really are, it can slip away from us to the point that we are living dishonestly to our true nature, and why would we want to do that? Those are some of the reasons that strip us of our true nature. And before we know it, we are not living our truth in the present moment, or any of the moments of our lives if we are not aware of the traps of our mind, which are the lies we tell ourselves that keep us stuck in self-deception. Fear, insecurity, doubt. Mindfulness, which is living in the present moment with total awareness, keeps us honest, and true to who we are. It reminds us when we slip out of the moment of authenticity, and try and hide or replace it with a false belief of ourselves, and that's what Ora explores in her work. But it won't stop there. Ora also directs us to the home of our authenticity, which is the depths of our inner being. That is where we find our wholeness, and feel most accepting and complete. The inner-self is the dwelling place of our authenticity, but too often we stray from our authentic wholeness, and it can become fragmented or even broken. I will show you through a variety of meditations in each chapter, how to return back to, and connect with your inner-self, so you can live our authentic wholeness in all. Valeria interviews Ora Nadrich, the founder and president of the Institute for Transformational Thinking and author of Live True: A Mindfulness Guide to Authenticity, named in the 100 Best Mindfulness Books of All Time by Book Authority. She is a certified life coach and mindfulness teacher, specializing in transformational thinking, self-discovery and mentoring new coaches as they develop their careers. To learn more about Ora Nadrich please visit her website: https://www.theiftt.org/ For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast "This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life to the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well." ~ VT ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

Virtuoso pianist Arthur Rubenstein developed crippling arthritis throughout his whole body, except for in his hands. Their consistently fluid, effortless, and balanced movement during years of performance kept his hands in wonderful shape, even as the rest of his body failed him. The book Awakening Your Power of Self Healing, by Meir Schneider is designed to teach you to bring the power of healthy movement into every part of your life, and overcome disabilities and diseases on which others will tell you to give up. It contains revolutionary knowledge you need to grow healthier by the day, prevent disease in the future, and greatly improve your current conditions. Awakening Your Power of Self Healing helps you to develop a deep awareness of your body and to engage in appropriate, pleasant exercise at the same time. "Meir wants to help people understand that there is a way to exercise their bodies safely. He wants to help you become aware of your body's needs, and respond to them. It is time to give up the idea of "no pain, no gain" - instead, Dr. Meir Schneider and his School for Self-Healing would like you to understand that you have everything to gain, with virtually no pain. Meir's work includes 600 exercises, many of which are unavailable anywhere else in the world, along with 300 hand-drawn illustrations meant to clarify the movements for our readers. Above all, we worked hard to make this book friendly, practical, applicable, and useful. Meir wrote his book chronologically, according to the body's needs. He begins with a chapter on breathing, to teach you to breathe slowly, deeply, and smoothly - this is the foundation on which good health is built - and progress from important, universal knowledge to information for specific diseases. Valeria interviews Meir Schneider. He was born in Ukraine and moved with his family to Israel at age 5. Both of his parents were deaf, and Schneider was born with severe vision problems. After undergoing five major unsuccessful eye surgeries, doctors pronounced him permanently legally blind. At the age of 17 he discovered the work of American ophthalmologist William Bates, who devised a method for natural vision correction through various eye exercises. Schneider started training diligently, sometimes up to 13 hours per day, and saw results very quickly. Within 6 months he could recognize objects; within a year and a half, he could already read without glasses. He would eventually improve his vision to the point of being allowed a driver's license, which he still holds. Recognizing the need for countless other people to improve their vision naturally, Schneider created his own vision-healing program which is now practiced by millions of people around the world. In addition to vision therapy, Schneider has a Ph.D for his work on muscular dystrophy. His books are bestsellers and he was listed among the "Top Ten Most Inspirational Israelis". To learn more about Meir Schneider please visit her website: https://self-healing.org/ For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

How can I have the life I want? People who live the lives they want to live — lives they've imagined and created-are full of vibrant energy, excited about their future, and at ease with who they are. Achieving this kind of life goes beyond material success; it's the root of real happiness, joy, and peace. If this is how you want to live your life, there's good news: Mary Ann Robbat offers an effective way to achieve it. By using the three-part Success Triad, you will learn how to harness your energy, shift your beliefs, and become a powerful "manifestor"-a person who actually knows how to turn dreams into reality. Women are often natural-born healers and frequently have a high degree of intuition that informs and guides us through our lives. We might be naturally multi-talented and are often called to do many jobs in many roles. If you are a giver, a healer, and a holder of space for others to grow and shine, it can be easy to forget about YOURSELF. Aren't you ready to give this gift of space, time, and connection back to yourself? It's time to remember who you are at your core, to do life easier by listening to your intuition and realizing your greatest fulfillment. Your intuition can help you eliminate self-doubt and step into the power of who you are and what you are here to do. It can be a constant companion helping you make the best decisions for yourself. By integrating your strong intuitive knowing in your life through our powerful and proven energy techniques, you can shift your energetic vibration to its highest level. What is your energetic vibration? It is when you feel your best, when you deeply know what you are doing, saying, and being aligns with your own wisdom and higher purpose. When you are in a high energetic vibration, life just flows. Valeria interviews Mary Ann Robbat. Mary Ann Robbat is a Master Energy Healer, Intuitive, Life Coach, and founder of the Center for Lifelong Happiness and The Journey of the Healer School. Mary Ann has been transforming lives for more than 20 years by precisely identifying the limiting beliefs and emotionally charged issues that block clients from the joyful, abundant life they deserve. Her proven Tollerra Methodology, and her award-winning book, Engaging Your Power, has allowed thousands of people to release limiting beliefs, align their physical, emotional, and spiritual energy, and manifest their desired life. Mary Ann easily connects spiritual and energy practices to real-world living in her innovative programs, guiding individuals to heal themselves, open their intuition, and answer the call to become powerful healers with their own practices. To learn more about Mary Ann Robbat please visit her website: https://centerforlifelonghappiness.com/ For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

"Did you ever notice where all movement and all change goes on? It seems to occur only among the things you appear to be conscious of. Consciousness Itself never moves or changes. No matter how often the body or other things appear to move, Consciousness simply is. To say you appear to be aware of movement and change is one thing—but to identify with it, would be a mistake. To mistakenly identify as a body is to assume you always are moving and changing, because the body is constantly moving and changing position. A body's sense of "here" never is permanent, but is based on wherever the body appears to go. When the body is in the kitchen, that is "here." When the body goes outdoors, outdoors becomes "here"; the kitchen now is "over there." Identifying as Awareness, not body, there is only one "Here," like the one movie screen. This single "Here" is not a geographical place—It is Boundless Awareness as It is being. As Awareness, You never move or change. This is clear only to One identifying as pure Awareness alone." "As the body appears to go through each passing day, there is nothing about You that is passing. The One All-Embracing Stillness is what You are. You are not that which always moves and never is present—for You actually are being Alive Isness, All-Inclusive Vitality—Love as consciously alive Substance." — Excerpt From: "Consciousness Is All" Valeria interviews Peter Francis Dziuban the author of Consciousness Is All." Peter is an author/lecturer on spirituality and Consciousness. His first book, Consciousness Is All, has helped thousands of readers around the world find their true nature as the Infinite Self, leading to greater happiness and freedom. Peter's second book, Simply Notice – Clear Awareness is the Key to Happiness, Love and Freedom was written to make the deeper points of Awareness and spirituality more accessible to the general public. He currently provides consultations and Life coaching on a 1-on-1 basis, or in small groups via his Living Room Workshop teleconference calls. To learn more about Peter Francis Dziuban please visit her website: https://PeterDziuban.com For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

Life is process, change inherent in all we do. All is changing and we are a part of an evolving experiment, an unfolding process from birth to death and the mystery of before and after. Yet we become attached to something or someone and want to freeze frame moments. We hope to hold on to the good and yet hurry the difficult away. Joan Stanford loves the quote, "Sometimes the best thing to do when it is raining is it to let it rain." We cannot change that about ourselves but it is helpful to remember everything is always moving. Our intentions matter and our responses to what arises as well. And it is helpful to recall that joy in process. For Joan, playing with art materials allows that. She does try to play freely accepting "mistakes" letting the process lead her. Valeria interviews Joan Stanford the author of "The Art of Play: Ignite Your Imagination to Unlock Insight, Healing, and Joy." At forty-two, Joan —a busy mother, innkeeper—discovered, to her surprise and delight, a creative process for insight and healing that allowed even her, a self-proclaimed "non-artist," to start making art. In The Art of Play, Stanford shares her journey through art and poetry as an example of how taking—or, more appropriately, making—time to pay attention to the imagery our daily lives presents to us can expand our awareness and joy, and she offers readers suggestions for how to do this for themselves, inviting them to embark on their own journey. Joan Stanford, MA, ATR-BC, created a high school class "Alternative Mirrors," addressing body image and self-esteem issues, for which she was awarded the Soroptimist's "Making a Difference for Women" award. Joan is also the author of "Dining At The Ravens." She offers imagination playshops and creativity retreats at the Mendocino Center for Living Well which she and her husband started in 2008 at the Stanford Inn Resort in Mendocino, CA which they have owned and operated since 1980. She believes in the power of art making to heal individuals and communities. To learn more about Joan Stanford please visit her website: https://joanstanford.com/ For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.