Hopeology

Send a text Imagine growing up with a parent struggling with schizophrenia—how would it shape your life and career choices? Chrissy Ames Cotto, a licensed marriage and family therapist, joins us to share her deeply personal and transformative journey. From her challenging adolescent years to her path of self-healing through therapy, Chrissy's story is a testament to resilience and the power o...

Send a text  Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Tara Armstead, as she reflects on her 18-year journey in education. Dr. Armstead opens up about her personal battles and how they inspired her to write a book that challenges societal norms and educational practices. You'll learn how her unique perspective and dedication to embracing differences can revolutionize the way we teach...

Send a text Join us on this episode of Hopeology as we sit down with Dr. Max Kusovitsky, a  psychoanalyst from the New York/New Jersey tri-state area. Dr. Kusovitsky peels back the layers of psychodynamic therapy, debunking myths about Freudian and Jungian practices, and reveals how modern techniques uncover unconscious thoughts to facilitate genuine healing and transformation. Discover how meanin...

Send a text Imagine the profound difference a lifetime of therapeutic support could make for those who've grown up in foster care. That's the mission at the heart of A Home Within , where  Emily Yang and Candice Simonds join us to reveal the inner workings of their program. With a network of over 500 volunteer therapists, they've created a sanctuary for healing that transcends tradi...

Send a text Ever felt like life's throwing more curveballs than you can catch? Tune in as my guest, Sam Knickerbocker, and I discuss the resilience and choices that transform adversity into a foundation for growth. Sam's journey is not just a tale of overcoming; it's a blueprint for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of personal trauma and financial uncertainty—with a sprin...

Send a text Christophe Ngo shares about his journey from struggling with his own sexuality to becoming a compassionate marriage and family therapist specializing in sex therapy, kink, and alternative lifestyles along with the neurodiverse population. Christophe's story is a beacon for anyone grappling with the complexities of identity and the transformative potential of facing our deepest dis...

Send a text  My latest podcast episode offers an intimate glimpse into the forgotten world of homelessness, as Zak Mucha, a seasoned social worker and psychoanalyst, joins me, Christina McKelvey, to share powerful narratives of resilience. Zak, also the president of the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis, illuminates the transformative impact of the Assertive Community Treatment program that he led...

Send a text I speak with Lan Nguyen, who speaks on the challenges faced by adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic personality disorder. Through her experience, we peel back the layers of complex trauma that weave through generations, shining a light on how cultural shame can fuel these disorders. Join our thought-provoking conversation as Lan helps us understand the importance...

Send a text When life threw a curveball at Chris Firebaugh in the form of stage four melanoma, he caught it and threw it right back. Join us as Chris opens up about the seismic shift that came with his diagnosis, and the unexpected avenues of healing he found along the way. Starting with a casual observation from a friend, Chris's journey through the tribulations of cancer treatment reveals h...

Send a text Have you ever stopped to consider how your thoughts influence your emotional well-being? Join me, Christina McKelvy, along with the remarkable Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis, as we delve into the transformative world of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). In a compelling discussion, she shares her profound insights on how this pioneering cognitive approach, deeply rooted in Stoic philoso...

Send a text Embark on a journey of cultural immersion and resilience with our latest podcast guest, Jose from the podcast, Finding Arizona. Moving back from the East Coast to the Hopi reservation,  Jose's story is a vibrant tapestry of tradition and transformation. His tale is punctuated by the rhythmic beat of running, a legacy of his Hopi heritage, that became his conduit for community conn...

Send a text Imagine being uprooted from your homeland as a child, thrust into an entirely new culture without the ability to communicate. This was the reality for Tomoko, whose heartfelt journey from Japan to the United States unfolds before us. Joining us as she shares her narrative of culture shock, adjustment, and the power of resilience. Her experiences are a beacon for anyone grappling with c...

Send a text This interview with Kiki Walter is both heart retching and uplifting, one that explores the intimate corridors of the personal narrative and its therapeutic impact. Kiki, the editor behind Medium publications such as The Memoirist, Age of Empathy, and Black Bear, shared her experience with her mental health journey, revealing how her dance with depression became one of the cornerstones...

Send a text Have you ever wondered if the family you're born into is the only one that can shape your life? Brittian Rivington Blackman joins us to share his heartwarming journey through the twists and turns of being part of a blended, military family, and how this experience grounded him. Growing up in the small town of Snowflake, Arizona, Brittian's life was anything but static, with f...

Send a text We are going to be taking a break for December. In the meantime, listen to past episodes, leave reviews, share episodes, buy me a coffee...and have a wonderful holiday season.  See you in 2024! Information on where you can find us.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram: @hopeologypodcast and the host @writerchristinamckelvy To support the show, go to: h ttps://www.buymeacoffee....

Send a text Navigating the complex intersection of cultural identity and mental health can be a challenging journey. Listen to our fascinating conversation with esteemed psychologist, Pauline Yeghnazar Peck, MA, MMFT, PhD as she unearths the often hidden struggles and victories of the decolonization therapy movement. Dr. Yeghnazar Peck shares her personal experiences as a daughter of Middle Easter...

Send a text Addiction grips your life and drowns you in turmoil, but you find a lifeline in a place least expected – the military. Meet Jamie Hairston, a living testament to the power of transformation and resilience. Jamie takes us on her journey from a life marred by meth addiction, through her time in the military, to her career transition into writing. This episode is a deep dive into Jamie&ap...

Send a text Have you ever wondered about the powerful role community plays in the journey of sobriety? Our enlightening conversation with Sonia, founder of Everbloom, shines a revealing light on this often overlooked factor.  Sonia's personal journey of recovery from alcohol dependence, fraught with challenges, highlights the critical role of a robust support system and that ultimately led to...

Send a text What if the theatre had the power to not only entertain, but to also enact change on societal norms ? Welcome to a riveting conversation with Lillian Isabella, a remarkable Cuban-American playwright, actor, and the first playwright with the rare disorder Phenylketonuria (PKU) . Our dialogue explores Lillian's latest play, Primordial, a documentary theater piece on the topic of pre...

Send a text Fear and anxiety, are two emotions often associated with the dark side of parenting, specifically motherhood, which become the catalyst for an enlightening conversation in our latest episode.  We're thrilled to welcome Yael Goldstein-Love, acclaimed author of the suspense-packed novel, The Possibilities, a discussion that promises an exploration into the heart of motherhood, where...

Send a text Have you ever considered the depth of healing that art can provide? We welcome Bridget, an Expressive Arts Therapist, and owner of Expressive Arts Works, who takes us through her transformative journey and the remarkable impact of art on her personal healing. We navigate complex issues like the influence of white wellness culture and its tendency to appropriate practices from collectiv...

Send a text Do you ever stop to question the impact of social media on our mental health? This episode is a must-listen as we welcome Asianna Saragosa-Torres, a mental health advocate and former Miss Hawaii contestant, who unpacks the complex intersection of bullying, mental health, and advocacy. Asianna shares her personal journey, highlighting how her experiences with bullying shaped her underst...

Send a text I want to first bring attention to the Maui fires in Kula and Lahaina that occurred last week. It just breaks my heart what is happening.  The devastation is heartbreaking to observe. The locals and Kanaka Maoli are going to need financial assistance to rebuild so I have listed some places below to donate to.  https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong https://www.facebook.c...

Send a text Dr. Andrea Annibale shares with us her journey into getting her doctorate in psychology, a career change she made later in life, and the significant role therapies like EMDR and Accelerated Resolution Therapy have played in her journey through major life transitions. Throughout our chat, we spotlight the importance of creating a safe space for authenticity, especially within the LGBTQ+...

Send a text Rob Grabow, is an actor, director, and producer. His most recent work is an independent film called, The Year of the Dog. He talks about learning emotional vulnerability and attunement through acting, we explore men’s struggle with being vulnerable, the importance of community connection, and the healing powers of animals.   “I think that that is one of the most beautiful things that e...