A Quest for Well-Being

— The brutal truth in grief is that the widely accepted definitions of healing, such as going back to normal, do not apply. Katherine Hatch has spent many years thinking about what "healing" actually means in grief and how this "healing" occurs. This post is about the "how" of healing, more than the "what." She has noticed a pattern in her clients who find a way to live within their grief—these folks receive compassion and empathy (NOT pity) from those around them, whether that is from a friend or a complete stranger. In this act of witnessing and connection, their grief is allowed to exist, and the irony is in this allowing for the grief to exist, it can finally move and change and evolve. She truly believes that the key ingredient of healing is not a matter of time—it is a matter of connection and feeling as though someone feels and sees us in our experience. And to go one step further, Katherine believes that the MOST effective and sustainable mechanism for healing (whether this is related to grief or trauma) is in feeling witnessed and seen by ourselves. There is great power in feeling witnessed by others—and there is even more settling when the parts of us that have been deeply wounded and are grieving know that WE see them and are paying attention. In essence, this is self-compassion-- a turning towards ourselves with grace and love. This is the ultimate in allowing our grief to exist, and propels healing. Those who are able to turn towards their own grief and pain and suffering with grace not only find a way to live within the experience—they usually find themselves (however surprising) living well within their experience. Valeria interviews Katherine Hatch — MSW, LCSW, LICSW, LCSW-C is a grief therapist, advocate, and educator. She is also the owner of Grounded Grief, a grief-focused psychotherapy practice serving humans on both coasts, as well as clinicians and communities who are building capacity to sit with grief. Katherine's passion for grief and loss began over 15 years ago during her time as a hospice volunteer. She has since worked as a clinical social worker in palliative care and hospice settings in Colorado, Oregon, and Maryland, as well as a grief and trauma psychotherapist for the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing in Washington, DC. Currently, Katherine provides individual and group sessions in her practice, as well as training consultation and facilitation. Katherine lives in Portland, Oregon with her five-year old daughter and their beloved lop-eared bunny, Snowball. Currently, she loves playing wall-ball and working on her book. To learn more about Katherine Hatch and her work, please visit her profile on Instagram @groundedgrief.com — and also, visit her website groundedgrief.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.

— Your attachment style is one of the most important pieces of self-knowledge and understanding. It is now known that our childhood experiences can really affect how we view ourselves and the world around us. Don't even try to engage in relationships before you truly understand your attachment history and style. Yes, it's that important. Already in a relationship? Listen to this episode and learn how to make it healthier. Valeria interviews Anna Khandrueva — she is a psychotherapist in private practice located in Colorado, USA. She specializes in treating trauma and bipolar disorder along with helping couples get their groove back. Working with relationships and attachment is Anna's passion. She believes in healing the world by re-establishing emotional connection between people. With a background in social work and marriage therapy, Anna rejoices in being a teacher as well as a helper. She has created courses about attachment and about bipolar disorder with the hope of contributing to a better and kinder world. To learn more about Anna Khandrueva and her work, please visit: couragetohealtherapy.com and courage-to-heal-academy.teachable.com/p/attachment-style — 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.

— Believe or not, the world has gotten a whole lot nosier, and many of those noises have crept into our homes and our workplaces. For home, noise levels can come from loud neighbors, barking dogs, loud appliances, lawn mowers and kids yelling throughout the house. For work, noise levels can come from cell phones ringing and texts dinging all day, or people congregating outside of your cubicle with full blown conversations and laugher. Who has time to concentrate and focus on mental balance when our minds have to fight against these disturbances all day? In fact, a recent workplace noise related study showed that 68% of job seekers admitted they are listening to more than your benefits package. They are judging the noise levels in the office. The episode is about the negative impact of noise sensitivity on stress and mental wellness. Poppy Szkiler is the CEO of Quiet Mark a company that is on a mission to make home and work quieter. An independent scheme, Quiet Mark acoustically tests products to enable consumers to easily identify quieter products for the home, workplace and public spaces which will benefit health and wellbeing. Valeria interviews Poppy Szkiler — After a short career as an actress in films and TV, Poppy Szkiler followed her grandfather's footsteps to become the founder and CEO of Quiet Mark. The company helps consumers and specifiers find the quietest products and building materials available. She was named "the Queen of Quiet" by the UK's Sunday Times newspaper and she is a passionate campaigner for the impact of sound on well-being. To learn more about Poppy Szkiler and her work, please visit: quietmark.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.

— Ayurveda gives you a holistic approach to living -- preventing dis-ease, aligning with your nature and nature around you, a wholesome diet, self-care practices and a way of being that suits YOU. Ayurveda helps you improve the quality of your life and add longevity. The goal is to awaken and reignite your innate ability to heal. Each cell in your body has the profound wisdom it needs to be healthy. Ayurveda helps you realign to that wisdom. Valeria interviews Dr. (Vaidya) Ram Tamang — he is an Ayurvedic Physician, trained as a doctor at the esteemed Ayurvedic University, MGR Medical University at Coimbatore, India. Dr Ram grew up learning about herbs and medicines from his grandmother, in the foothills of the Himalayas in Kathmandu, Nepal. Dr. Ram also holds a Certificate as a Master Herbalist from GCNM, USA and is one of 700 elite Certified High Performance Coaches (CHPC) in the world. After graduating as a Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine (BAMS) he headed the Panchakarma department at The Ayurvedic Retreat Center in Kunoor, India and worked side by side with Allopathic Doctors. Over the next few years, he was invited to teach and tour many schools and organizations in Europe, Nepal and India. As the founder and owner of The Healing Gardens of Ayurveda, Dr. Ram has helped build and sustain a growing community of people passionate about the value of Ayurvedic Medicine. Dr. Ram is a charismatic speaker and educator and offers numerous workshops and seminars for various organizations. In 2006, he started his practice in Orange County, South California and has been practicing full time for the last 18 years at the Healing Gardens of Ayurveda, a full-service Ayurvedic clinic. He is also a faculty with several Ayurvedic schools in the US such as Kerala Ayurveda Academy and the Dancing Shiva Yoga & Ayurveda School. Over the last 20 years of his practice, he has served thousands of his clients to make changes in their lives and empower themselves with self-healing. He truly believes that "health is in your hands" and that each of us has a responsibility and desire to be healthy for ourselves, our families, our higher purpose and contribution to our world. To learn more about Dr. Ram Tamang and his work, please visit: thehealingardens.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.

— "When our values and actions align, we can find more peace." Valeria interviews Kristen Quinones — she is a licensed clinical social worker. Kristen just started her very own private practice this month offering adults virtual individual and group psychotherapy. Kristen's early career experience was working with homeless, runaway, and foster care youth as well as teens at risk of incarceration. She then transitioned into a more clinical role, providing psychotherapy to individuals and families addressing a variety of mental health and relational issues. Over the last five years Kristen has been working in a group private practice specializing in anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and OCD. There she worked with clients but also supervised interns and other clinicians, which was a valuable teaching experience. After this past year in a management role, Kristen decided to start her own private practice- an opportunity to be creative and grow something special of her own. Kristen's vision for her practice is to help others build their mental health through authenticity. In living authentically, there is alignment between values, emotions, and actions. Practicing within this framework helps Kristen teach her clients not only to manage difficult emotions but also build the lives they want and find more peace. Today one of Kristen's passions is still helping clients overcome anxiety. Kristen has always felt called to this work and finds joy in collaborating with her clients to help them learn and grow. To learn more about Kristen Quinones and her work, please visit: authenticitynyc.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.

— Self-esteem is the underlying foundation supporting everything you do, from everyday chores and activities to long-term goals. While everyone occasionally has doubts about themselves, low self-esteem can leave you feeling insecure, lacking motivation, unable to respond to challenges in your life, anxious or depressed and with negative thoughts and feelings about your body image. In the episode, we will explore ways to improving self-esteem, self-love and what it takes to feel empowered. Valeria interviews Adelle Follmer — she is a Midwest turned Southwest Master Life Coach and crisis intervention specialist who has worked with clients across the globe. Her mission began with a desire to increase accessibility of affordable coaching to combat the lack of support resources that many people face. Throughout her coaching, she came to find that true growth and change happens best with constant support rather than just the typical one meeting per week. Thus, she branched out her services to offer a more sustainable approach: integrating daily texting as a means to encourage healthy habits all day, every day. Adelle now offers comprehensive and low-cost coaching plans consisting of video, audio, text or a blend of coaching. She prioritizes exploring each client's unique situation and needs to deliver the most individualized and effective coaching style possible. To ensure the best results, all new clients receive a free 30-minute consultation. Adelle can be reached personally through her website/contact information or requested as a one-on-one coach on Shelpful.com. Sessions are available via phone, Skype, Whatsapp, Zoom and more. Additional details regarding session length and prices can be found on her website. To learn more about Adelle Follmer and her work, please visit: adellecoaching.blogspot.com. You can also reach her at (217) 318-1716 and follmerac@gmail.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.

— It's been a chaotic day. There are angry customers at work. Your daughter misbehaved at school, and you need to talk to the principal. The car won't start. That sort of day. Stop. Control. Reset. Take ten deep breaths. Sing. Listen to soothing music. Walk into a garden and watch the birds. The human brain is an efficient, pragmatic, functional engine, of unfathomable complexity -- with the ability to invent, remember, project, and see relationships among people and ideas. I love my brain. I wouldn't even go to the mailbox without it. My brain has allowed me to function and prosper in this uber-complex modern world. But all too often our brains run amok and drive us crazy. To retain sanity, we must not let our think-too-much-know-it-all-brains overtake the castle. In this podcast we will explore both our human and our animal consciousness and seek to understand why it is so vital to reach deep inside and listen to the Nature-Self within. Valeria Teles interviews him — Jon Turk — the author of "Tracking Lions, Myth, and Wilderness in Samburu , The Raven's Gift: A Scientist, a Shaman, and Their Remarkable Journey Through the Siberian Wilderness — among other titles. Jon Turk earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry in 1971 and was nominated by National Geographic as one of the Top Ten Adventurers of the Year in 2012. Between these bookends, Jon co-authored the first college level environmental science textbook in North America, followed by 30 additional texts in environmental, physical, and earth sciences. At the same time, he kayaked around Cape Horn and across the North Pacific from Japan to Alaska, mountain biked across the northern Gobi in Mongolia, and made numerous first ski descents and first rock climbing ascents around the globe. During extended travel in northeast Siberia, Jon's worldview was altered by Moolynaut, a Siberian shaman, and his later books reflect these spiritual journeys. Jon has published four trade books: Cold Oceans (HarperCollins), In the Wake of the Jomon (McGraw Hill), The Raven's Gift (St Martin's Press) and Crocodiles and Ice (Oolichan Press). Tracking Lions, Myth, and Wilderness in Samburu delves more deeply into a "mind-body-spirit" theme, supported by adventure storytelling, integrated with an anthropological view of the role of art and mythology in human development. To learn more about Jon Turk and his work, please visit: jonturk.net — 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.

— Many health outcomes depend on recovery from processed food addiction and understanding addiction to processed foods opens the door to recovery from stubborn diet-related diseases. Dr. Ifland has been looking for a reliable way to help people stop compulsively eating addictive harmful foods since Her 23-year quest finally yielded online programs that reliably give compulsive overeaters control over food for the long-term. Valeria interviews Dr. Joan Ifland — the author of "The Food Addict's Meal Prep Manual: Save Yourself From Food Addiction In Only 2 Hours A Week and Co-author of Processed Food Addiction: Foundations, Assessment, and Recovery." Dr. Ifland has been creating breakthroughs in recovery from food addiction from 1999 with her first popular book to 2018 when her textbook, Processed Food Addiction: Foundations, Assessment, and Recovery was released by CRC Press. She founded the online Addiction Reset Community (ARC) in 2016, foodaddictionreset.com. The Facebook group, 'Food Addiction Education' (2014) and foodaddictionresources.com (2014) provide free support. Reset Week is the first online live video program for withdrawal (2018). ARC Manager Training is a program training future Addiction Reset Community leaders (2020). Dr. Ifland is the lead author of the first scholarly description of processed food addiction and definition of addictive foods. Dr. Ifland earned her PhD in addictive nutrition at Union Institute and University (2010); her MBA at Stanford Business School (1978) and her BA in Economics and Political Science at Oberlin College (1974). She currently resides in Seattle. To learn more about Dr. Joan Ifland and her work, please visit: foodaddictionreset.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.

— Losing a loved one is one of the most lonely and painful experiences you will go though in life. It can be hard knowing how to pick up the pieces and move forward with your life after. This episode is about how Julie Derks let her husband's death teach her about life and turned this tragedy into something beautiful and meaningful. Julie truly found herself through losing her husband and it took her on a spiritual path and finding a life of love instead of fear. It led her to finding her passion and purpose in this life of helping those who are stuck in their grief to find gratitude, joy and love again for their life. Valeria interviews Julie Derks — she is a mom of two amazing boys, and she lost her late husband suddenly in a car accident in November of 2017. At the time her sons were 2.5 years and 7 months old. With a simple knock at her door Julie's whole world was turned upside down and she lost all bearings to which way was up. In her time of uncertainty, she was certain of one thing, that she would find her way through this no matter what it took. The first year was awful and messy with so many downs (way more than ups) but with Julie's two boys watching her, she knew they needed to see her save herself. At around the two-year mark she had someone asked her to tell them who she was (without giving her typical answer of "I'm a mom or widow") and she didn't have a clue how to answer. Julie knew being a widow didn't define her, but she didn't know who she was, she felt lost. This was a huge turning point for her on her healing journey. Julie began to reflect on who she truly was and began to love myself. When Julie lost her husband, she began to have a whole new meaning and appreciation for what life is. She was determined to properly heal herself and do all the work to get her there. It wasn't always easy and many times Julie wanted to give up, but she is so grateful she kept pushing through. Diving headfirst into your pain doesn't seem natural, usually we want to bury it, but at some point, that pain is going to come back up again no matter how deep you buried it. Diving into your pain headfirst is the only way through it. Julie was fortunate to have many different people help guide her on her journey. It's so important to have support when you're going through something so life changing. No one should have to do that alone. There really is a lack of resources and support for those who are grieving, which is so unfortunate since we're all going to experience death of a loved one at some point in our lives. Which is part of why Julie decided to become a grief coach. In the spring of 2021, she dedicated herself to taking a grief coaching course and she is proudly a certified grief coach from the "From Grief to Gratitude Coach Certification Program". Julie hopes are that she can help just make someone's grief journey a little bit easier by walking with them through their grief and help guide them back into gratitude. She wants to help empower people to open themselves up to grieve naturally, then help shift them to thrive again with their new normal. To learn more about Julie Derks and her work, please visit: inspirationalhealing.ca — 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.

— Imagine feeling in control of your life again and confident in yourself to leave your house and not worry about what others think about you. Imagine feeling able to manage your emotions enough to get through a whole day and not feel controlled by them. Imagine having your life back. It's possible. One of the hardest things about finding a therapist is the concern about feeling judged for needing help. Julia's role is only in empowering you to remember what you are capable of, and she does it so from a very supportive and nonjudgmental approach. Julia's approach is meant to create a safe space in which you feel comfortable processing the feelings that have been preventing you from achieving your goals for yourself. She helps you achieve those short-term goals that bring you here, while planting seeds of empowerment so that one day you will feel self-confident and capable on your own once again. Valeria interviews Julia Overlin — Described frequently as "the safest and easiest person to talk to" about uncomfortable things, Julia describes herself as "just one human doing my best to help other humans through their own Life journey." Julia is a nationally certified (NCC) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) who has worked with individuals managing issues from extreme shyness to psychosis and many things in-between. Her goals with her work are fundamentally to put her clients at ease and learn self-acceptance believing that once one can accept their circumstance it is only then that progress can be made, until then all energy is being expended (fruitlessly) wishing things were different and feeling defeated for not being able to improve their situation. Julia has worked in many capacities largely with the same populace of people, those suffering from severe mental illness. She currently runs her own private practice Coronado Counseling where she helps those internally motivated to feel better learn new tools for becoming a better version of themselves. To learn more about Julia Overlin and her work, please visit: coronadocounselingca.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.