Kevin Polky - The Journey

I continue the focus on the benefits of intentionally choosing to focus on gratitude as it directly impacts the development of resilience. Listen to the end when I share a piece I wrote about discovering the beauty in all times. Enjoy!

Marshmallow’s Hope Expands Services Laura has been extremely hard over the past 4 years to cope with the grief of losing her 16-year-old son to suicide. She started Marshmallow’s Hope 2 years ago and she has faithfully committed her life to develop a program to be a resource for struggling youth in our community. Check out this episode to learn more. www.marshmallowshope.org.

You have heard me share about the idea that we all exist on a continuum. I have talked about the factors that lead to individuals having a predisposition to the darkness. What can we do when we find ourselves in the darkness. Know that it is not permanent. Reach out to someone. Go through the exercise of gratitude. Check out this episode to learn more.

Reflecting on the latest sermon I listened to, the topic was your character and integrity. Simply put, who are you when no one is watching. Listen to this episode as discuss steps that I work on to increase congruence in my own life and the benfits.

This is one of my favorite times of the year. I enjoy the gift each day that is revealed in the changing of the weather and the leaves turning color and revealing their hidden beauty. Enjoy and savor!

If we learned anything from the recent pandemic, we learned that there is no way control or eliminate all the stressors in our lives. But, we are responsible for controlling are stress levels and manage our stress. Currently, one of the workshops that I am bringing to the community multiple times a month. Check out this episode for a glimpse of how to complete the stress response cycle.

Conversation about Suicide Awareness Welcome Theresa back to The Journey. She shared her thoughts and experience as an Air Force veteran, school and clinical social worker and now writer and instructor. Great conversation check this one out and enjoy

Making a Difference with our Youth Teaching Mindfulness Movement Nick, co-founder of Rockford Barbell shares his story of his passion to help our youth by teaching weightlifting and yoga. He is a social worker, avid outdoorsmen and weightlifter. He brings this unique combination to the students to form healthy relationships and teach self regulation.

Teaching Movement to our Youth Elliot is a special education educator who has a passion for exercise and movement. He is a co-founder of Rockford Barbell a special community program for our youth. He believes using movement will be able to develop resilience and social emotional life skills.

Sanity vs. Vanity This a very special episode about a extraordinary woman who is very passionate about her work. She has taken her different physical and emotional setbacks to drive her work. She is passionate about changing how we prepare future leaders for the business world. Definitely check out this episode.

It is time for school to start. Like when you start a new job, move to a new city or go to a new gym, all the awkwardness of the unknowns. The temptation to fit into the group is readily available. Listen to this episode as take a deeper dive into the difference between fitting in versus belonging.

What makes a space sacred? How does one spot have more value than another. Listen to this episode as I reflect on what I “must” intentional to be in sacred space. Because all space is sacred.

Growing up I watched my dad work 50 plus hours per week. When I was bodybuilding, I became very efficient at managing my time to get the maximum out of each day. Similar when I became a business owner, I would work to having my schedule/day full. But there were days in which I would describe as “busy”. Ironically, on other days I had just as many appointments that were not described as “busy” days...

During this episode, I share some deeper thoughts about spiritual beliefs. What if there is no such thing as darkness? What if there is no such thing as cold? What if we are conceived with an eternal “Light”? Join me as I explore these questions.

Do you feel like society is divided? Have you found yourself persuaded by someone’s strong opinion? Or have you found yourself going in the opposite direction and having prejudgment of others on minimal information? We all have blind spots. Check out this episode as I talk about blind spots and what we can do not be “blinded”.

During this episode, I reflect on the benefit and power of this well-known prayer. Today, it is not is not tied to a specific religion. It is most known in the recovery community, but you do not need to be an addict to benefit from practicing this prayer.

It was one of those perfect nights. The air was warm but not hot. A slight breeze. The sky was clear and covered with stars. And the not-so-distant field was full of dancing fireflies lighting up the field. I was mesmerized by the fireflies and their dance and the beautiful lite up sky. Listen to this episode about what I learned about self this wonderful night.

Breaking the Stigma and Our Relationship with Food During this episode we have a special guest, Rachel Bagne shares her experience and thoughts on eating disorders and disorder eating. She believes whole-heartedly eating disorders do not have a face. Every situation is different and unique to the person. Along with our society this is heavily body conscious and diet driven. She is making differenc...

More than a Softball Player Ava loves softball. She has aspirations to play in college. She works hard and at times hard on herself regarding her performance. Listen to this episode because there is so much more to this 17 year old. She has a passion to help others and pass on to others what she has learned to help her own mental help. Her passion and commitment lead the way for her high school to...

In this episode, I talk about some struggles along the journey when someone close to you dies. I share a couple of observations and suggestions to take along the grieving journey.

Following Her Own Questions Lead Her to Help Others Great episode with one of kp’s newer therapists. Ashton shares how she got started in the counseling field and how here earliest questions and curiosity lead her to being a social worker. Take listen to this great conversation.

There is a lot of information and content available for personal growth. Where do you start? The fact you are asking where to start is the start. Choose to be curious and follow that curiosity. Guard yourself to not be too hasty in conclusions and judgement. Remember it is a journey of self-discovery and enjoy.

As we continue this month increasing the awareness surrounding mental health, silence and shame is a common response to trauma and mental illness. The story we tell ourselves about trauma can haunt us years after our body heals. It is ok to not be ok and ask for guidance along your journey. Summon the courage to break the silence and ask for guidance.

May is mental health awareness month. Originally, it was started to break the stigma around mental illness and seeking help. For me, it is also about the idea of looking at mental health differently. The invitation is viewing mental and emotional health like our physical health. And it starts with who is in the mirror and what do you see. Do you have trusted individuals giving you honest feedback?...

In this episode, I talk about the process in which we all walk through life. When we have setbacks or obstacles, how do we respond: do we respond as victim, villain, hero/heroine or guide. Listen as I go through the process of the Hero’s Journey and the use of some ancient wisdom to guide us.