A Quest for Well-Being

— T.ruth & Muse Creative Consulting was born in response to Tina's extreme burnout and exhaustion with the "business as usual" narrative. Although no stranger to hard work, the COVID-19 pandemic sent her into overdrive; as a psychotherapist, she felt the heaviness of her own lived experience and those of her clients. With a pandemic, the constant breaking news cycle of political and social unrest and a string of devastating loss within Tina's family and village, she was ready for a change! On March 1, 2022, she decided to walk away from her "safe" 9-5 job, to rest, grieve and reset her focus and energy into creating therapyWerks, LLC., a solo therapy practice and t.ruth & muse LLC. T.ruth & muse promotes community wellness and advocacy through culturally informed and creative consulting practices, coaching, and content creation. Through Tina J. Rutherford's consulting and coaching work, she supports individuals, groups, and organizations to meet their goals in a two-step process; t.ruth: assessment, inventory, and muse: innovation and creative solutions. Tina's therapeutic training, keen eye for detail, and problem-solving skills gives a unique lens into the coaching and consulting world highlighting the importance of both process and outcomes. Valeria interviews Tina J. Rutherford — she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Change Agent with a passion for mental health and community outreach. In her therapy practice, she provides culturally responsive care to adults ages 18 to 99+. Tina's therapeutic approach includes person-centered, psychodynamic, strengths-based and trauma-informed methods. She recognizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship, inviting full "humanness" in her work; and the freedom to speak the unspeakable without judgment. She invites curiosity as a lens to journey through life's most joyful and painful parts. Tina also acknowledges the socio-cultural and political impacts on one's overall mental, emotional, and physical well-being and incorporates the close examination of micro, mezzo and macro-level factors. Tina grew up in the DMV, obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Bowie State University in 2005, and her Master's Degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis in 2007. Tina has received post-graduate training at the Washington School of Psychiatry (WSP) and is an active committee member with the school's Center for the Study of Race Ethnicity and Culture (CSREC). Her clinical experience has allowed her to work in a variety of settings, including intensive outpatient (IOP), non-profit/community-based organizations with children and families, the public school system, therapeutic group homes for adolescents, as well as six years with a group therapy practice in Capitol Hill, Washington, DC working with a diverse client base. Following the 2020 pandemic, Tina expanded her work to include her solo teletherapy practice therapyWerks LLC. and t.ruth & muse LLC., a creative consulting company focused on wellness, content creation and capacity building. Tina believes in creating healing spaces both within and beyond the therapy session. She also believes that individual healing becomes collective healing. To learn more about Tina J. Rutherford and her work, please visit: linktr.ee/tina_j_rutherford — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through 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.

— Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an extensively researched psychotherapy method that can be performed via telehealth or in person. EMDR is used to accelerate the resolution of trauma in fewer sessions than traditional psychotherapy. EMDR does not require talking about details but rather, mental processing of events. This can be especially helpful for issues that bring up guilt, shame or general feelings of discomfort we cannot pinpoint. Valeria interviews Mary Moore — she is a licensed professional counselor associate and the Clinical Director of Lake Austin Psychotherapy based in Austin, Texas. Mary is an EMDR-trained clinician specializing in PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, infertility and pregnancy loss and was trained by the Center for Prolonged Grief at Columbia in Prolonged Grief Disorder Therapy. Moore is a member of the professional task force for the American Counseling Association and an associate member of EMDRIA, (the EMDR International Association) the organization for clinicians and researchers that upholds the highest standard of clinical use for EMDR. She lectures nationally and has written on a variety of mental health topics for outlets including The New York Times, Glamour, Marie Claire and The Huffington Post. To learn more about Mary Moore and her work, please visit: lakeaustinpsychotherapy.com — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through 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.

— Wellness comes from knowing your core values and aligning your actions accordingly in a flexible yet intentional way that honors both the present moment and the bigger picture. It could mean noticing you are tired after a demanding week and need rest rather than a run. It could mean saying yes to a social engagement instead of more screen time. It could mean saying no to someone you care about because your own needs are not yet met.​ Wellness is broad and covers all areas of your life, including movement, nutrition, physical environment, relationships, spirituality, personal & professional growth, stress management, and more. Wellness is filtered through your thoughts, feelings, sensations, images, and perceptions to create your unique wellness story that may or may not be serving you. Jill can help you create clarity and ease in your wellness story to improve your health. Valeria interviews Jill Yeiter — she is a Wellness Coach with a Bachelor's in Lifestyle Management, and nearly two decades of experience helping others improve their health and feel better in their bodies by being both intentional and flexible. She lives in Wellington, NZ with her husband, son, and cat and enjoys nature, creating, and connecting. Recently she has been featured in VERVE Magazine and has been spending time nurturing her business, Heal With Jill, specifically her current offering NOURISH which is a soul-nourishing program designed to help you heal your relationship with food and your body. To learn more about Jill Yeiter and her work, please visit: healwithjill.com — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through 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.

— Have you ever had the same distressing thoughts over and over again that you couldn't stop thinking about? If you are like most people, the answer is probably a resounding "Yes!" The experience of having repetitive thoughts about a distressing issue is known as rumination. In ruminations, despite wanting to stop the distressing thought, the thoughts continue to persist. Is there a way to manage this process, or are we doomed to engage in these perpetual thinking loops? To better understand what we are up against, we need to distinguish between two important processes: having thoughts and engaging with our thoughts. In this episode, we will also discuss the importance of validating our emotions by stepping into the choice point towards our values. Valeria interviews Barry Eichenbaum — He completed his PsyD in clinical psychology from Ferkauf Graduate School of Yeshiva University. Barry has extensive experience in providing exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), in which he was trained under nationally renowned psychologist, Dr. Stephen Phillipson. He is also trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Gottman Method Couples Therapy. His areas of clinical focus are in OCD, anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction, compulsive sexual behaviors, and relationship difficulties. Barry currently works at Blue Anchor Psychology, a private group psychotherapy practice based in New York City. Barry's goal in therapy is to fortify his patients with the necessary skills to help them navigate the particular challenges they are facing, thereby helping them learn to become their own therapists. He strives to cultivate a supportive and collaborative environment that can allow for each individual to live through their values and move towards their goals. To learn more about Barry Eichenbaum and his work, please visit: blueanchorpsychology.com — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through 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.

— Have you ever had the same distressing thoughts over and over again that you couldn't stop thinking about? If you are like most people, the answer is probably a resounding "Yes!" The experience of having repetitive thoughts about a distressing issue is known as rumination. In ruminations, despite wanting to stop the distressing thought, the thoughts continue to persist. Is there a way to manage this process, or are we doomed to engage in these perpetual thinking loops? To better understand what we are up against, we need to distinguish between two important processes: having thoughts and engaging with our thoughts. In this episode, we will also discuss the importance of validating our emotions by stepping into the choice point towards our values. Valeria interviews Barry Eichenbaum — He completed his PsyD in clinical psychology from Ferkauf Graduate School of Yeshiva University. Barry has extensive experience in providing exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), in which he was trained under nationally renowned psychologist, Dr. Stephen Phillipson. He is also trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Gottman Method Couples Therapy. His areas of clinical focus are in OCD, anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction, compulsive sexual behaviors, and relationship difficulties. Barry currently works at Blue Anchor Psychology, a private group psychotherapy practice based in New York City. Barry's goal in therapy is to fortify his patients with the necessary skills to help them navigate the particular challenges they are facing, thereby helping them learn to become their own therapists. He strives to cultivate a supportive and collaborative environment that can allow for each individual to live through their values and move towards their goals. To learn more about Barry Eichenbaum and his work, please visit: blueanchorpsychology.com — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through 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.

— Grief continues to give me opportunities to learn and grow. It teaches me to live with a heart full of gratitude and to learn to love others and myself more. It allows me to live my purpose, which is to help you on your journey. Do you realize that you change every day of your life? Each thought, experience, choice, and response creates change in you. In other words, you will either evolve or devolve in your daily existence. You have the opportunity to change for your good. How? By making conscious choices to enhance your body, mind, and soul. Realize you are always in a state of "becoming what you think." So what are you thinking? Even in the midst of difficult times and grief, there is always something beautiful to be found. – Says Robin Valeria interviews Robin Chodak — the author of "Ten Grief Lessons from Golf." Robin left her job after 20 years as a computer software systems analyst following the suicide of her husband Steve in 2005. In the midst of grief, she started a spiritual journey of self-discovery, which ultimately led to her transformation. After the suicide she started to write. At first it was personal letters to Steve. It helped her stay connected and at the same time it was therapeutic. She also began to write stories about grief, which are published in various grief and suicide journals. In 2017 she published, "Be Gentle with Me, I'm Grieving" which won a book excellence award and also published "Moving to Excellence, A Pathway to Transformation After Grief." Grief continued to enter Robin's life. On September 28, 2019 she lost her beloved husband Dr. Gerald Chodak unexpectedly in their home. It was another sudden death, which caused grief trauma. It led her to publish a 3rd book that she had written 3 years prior regarding inner peace entitled, "3 Must Have Connections for Inner Peace." In 2021 Robin launched her new online program that teaches and certifies you to become a Grief Coach. Robin's expertise is in coaching clients, speaking, writing books and teaching through online grief courses. Robin is a trained facilitator for AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention), The founder of Facebook Suicide Recovery, owner of Robin Chodak Coaching and Grief Healing LLC, Certified Grief, Life, Spiritual Coach, Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, International Speaker, Certified Reiki Practitioner, Certified Master NLP Practitioner, Author of 4 books and Creator of Online courses available on Udemy.com. To learn more about Robin Chodak and her work, please visit: robinchodak.com — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through 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.

— "My passion is to help others transform their lives using the tools I've acquired and implemented from the Certification in Positive Psychology course and as a Positive Psychology Coach. I hope that as they learn and live these practices they will serve and lead too. I've gone on to create Meet-up groups, speak to organizations, podcasts, work with children in schools, created a postcard campaign, published newspaper articles, lead workshops/retreats, conduct coaching sessions, and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for me. I believe so much in the transformational power of this work that my once reserved shy self cannot help but speak up. This is not just a movement of the self, it is a movement beyond the self in service of the greater good. As we, the tiny ripples move out and become agents of change, we create a tidal wave of positivity, light, and happiness out into the world. " – Writes Natalie Valeria interviews Natalie Hoerner — the author of "Gratitude: A Journal Of The Heart" Natalie Hoerner is also the founder of Gifts of Gratitude and a coach. Natalie has come to understand and appreciate what it means to live a life of passion and purpose through her professional training and life experiences. She's a certified and licensed in Positive Psychology, the study of what makes people happy, through the Whole Being Institute. Natalie studied under renowned Harvard Professor, Tal Ben-Sharar, and is licensed in facilitating the Inspire Your Ideal Workshop. To learn more about Natalie Hoerner and her work, please visit: nataliehoerner.com and facebook.com/NataliesGiftsOfGratitude — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through 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.

— Therapy is an important step in discovering the world around you and finding your place in it — Transpersonal psychology is a humanistic approach to therapy which values wholeness/holistic approaches. The essential self is a combination of the transpersonal, self-transcendent and spiritual aspects of human experience. All of life's experiences are considered valuable and growth enhancing, and every individual is treated according to their innate striving toward a higher reality. Ultimately, in transpersonal psychology healing and growth is approached through discovery of the centrality of self. Valeria interviews Maggie Lavey — she earned her master's in clinical Mental Health and is currently a doctoral student in the final dissertation process to earn her Psy.D. with emphasis in Health and Wellness at University of Arizona Global Campus. Maggie works as a clinical therapist associate specializing in trauma informed therapy approaches working with clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, relational trauma from toxic patterns, PTSD, and complex trauma. She holds certifications as an EMDR trained therapist, certified trauma informed yoga instructor, and mindfulness meditation instructor. She believes in a humanistic holistic approach to the therapeutic relationship and helps support others in successfully transforming their lives in positive ways by increasing self-awareness of limiting thoughts and beliefs. She believes a combination of approaches aid in the journey to discover one's highest self and reach one's full potential. To learn more about Maggie Lavey and her work, please visit: counselinganywhere.com — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through 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.

— "We love Mother Earth and all of her inhabitants, and we show it through kindness and environmental responsibility. From ingredients, to sourcing, to partnerships, we aim for the lowest environmental impact, while ensuring our milks provide optimal nutritional benefits." — PlantBaby's founders Lauren and Alex Abelin. Valeria interviews Lauren Abelin — she has dedicated her life to researching and developing human-centered solutions to problems impacting mental and physical well-being. Previously she worked in the non-profit sector as an emotional learning specialist, implementing programs in school districts which helped thousands of children develop stress management skills. Her 10+ years of experience in the field and her own healing journey managing a chronic illness have inspired her to address the issue of toxicity in our food and the state of children's health. She co-founded PlantBaby and created Kiki Milk alongside her husband after their son was born. She is committed to empowering others in their journey to attain mind-body wisdom, adopt healthier lifestyles, and live the most enriched lives possible. Lauren brings to the company the vision, a health and nutrition background, and experience designing products as a Mom. To learn more about Lauren Abelin and her work, please visit: kikimilk.com — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through 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.

— Pain is a natural function and a useful one to keep our body safe and functional. Pain is always possible; however, suffering is optional. Suffering, in a way, is like experiencing the pain twice. Pain can be mental torment or emotional overload just as much as physical pain. There is always an answer to your personal trauma. There is always help. Always someone who cares. Each and every person is important and valuable in this world. Humanity needs everyone to make the inner change towards peace, love and kindness. We need everyone to find a way to step through the pain and discomfort and learn to simply be our self. We all have skills and talents that are useful to others. Useful to bringing humanity together to work as one. We are not meant to go through this life alone. We are most effective when we join together and work as a team. Whether that is two people or a whole bunch, connecting and sharing. Valeria interviews Meera Ishaya — the author of "Peace Or Pain: Discovering The Unbroken You And Changing Your Relationship With Pain." Meera is an Ishaya Monk who teaches and uses a meditation type practice called Ascension. Her legal name is Sally Page and she originally graduated as a Graphic Designer in 1993. Illness, mobility issues and chronic pain led her to go on a search, initially for a cure, which then turned into a spiritual quest. Meera hit rock bottom in 2005 and no longer wished to live with the extreme pain and mobility restrictions. In choosing not to live a miracle happened, and she had a transcendent experience that forever changed her outlook on life. With renewed determination and newfound hope, Meera read book after book and explored a variety of therapies and workshops. In this search she came across an ancient teaching of The Bright Path Ishayas and finally felt at home. This teaching was just the beginning of a beautiful journey of self-discovery and culminated in Meera becoming an Ishaya Monk and Teacher of the Ascension techniques. A big part of Meera's journey has been overcoming the long term chronic pain and other health issues. The focus went from trying to find a cure, to curiosity about the inner stillness within us all. This shift led to a new discovery, by prioritizing exploring stillness, healing happened by itself. To learn more about Meera Ishaya and her work, please visit: boundless-meditation.co.uk. You also contact Meera at meera.ishaya@gmail.com To join The Bright Path Academy online course, please visit: https://thebrightpathonline.com/meera-mc — This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through 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.