Sidewalk Talk

At times it might seem like our society is more divided than ever before, and while that might be the case, there are still people out there like Bureau Twist’s Sara Huang whose sole aim is to unite where we are divided and make peace where there is conflict.  On this episode of Sidewalk Talk, Traci chats with her good friend and colleague, Sara, on how exactly she does what she does as a facilita...

When many of us hear the phrase “spiritual practice” we automatically think of monks hiding away from the world, an ashram in India, or spending our whole lives in silent meditation and mindfulness. Renowned author and speaker Philip Goldberg is here to tell us that though spiritual practice can be, and is, all of those things, it’s also a habit we can bring to our crazy everyday lives as parents,...

Over the last few years, narcissism, specifically narcissism in our leadership, has become top of mind for many Americans. As trust in our institutions has waned, narcissism has skyrocketed. On this episode of The Sidewalk Talk podcast, Traci sits down with Dr. Keith Campbell, a scientist and author who specializes in none other than the study of narcissism and its effects on our relationships and...

Being a mother is one of the hardest and most sacred callings women will ever experience. It’s an undertaking made all the more difficult by the mixed-messages and unhelpful advice parents the world over seem to be inundated with in today’s culture of “mommy wars,” parenting blogs, and the pressure to raise Instagrammable kids.  Scientist-turned-writer Jill Doneen Clifton wants to take guilt and c...

Take a moment to ponder. Do you see as I say there’s sweetness in subtleties and matchless beauty in authenticity?  And if you think you’re nothing, know this- the world needs you to dazzle and all that you’ve got accumulates to incredible magic! Listen in as Traci interviews  Author, Illustrator and Creator Brad Montague, who’s also the man behind the revolutionary web series Kid President- a sho...

Connection and belonging are two very human things that are continuing to slip away in our modern Western culture of increased screen time and decreased face-to-face interaction. Self-proclaimed “soul worker” Jane Cunningham is doing her part to reverse that trend.  In this episode of Sidewalk Talk, Traci sits down with Cunningham for a conversation on human connection, our mutual desire for belon...

Mental health isn’t a subject that’s addressed among church congregations all that often. But if it was up to Reverend Barbara F. Meyers, that silence wouldn’t be the norm. A Sidewalk Talk volunteer and author of the book Held: Showing up for Each Other’s Mental Health, Rev. Meyers’ goal with everyone she meets—from the sidewalk to the sanctuary—is to make the world a little friendlier place.  Lis...

Who is the person you talk to the most everyday? Do you treat that individual with the love and compassion that they deserve? Your responses might change if you realize for the better that that special individual is no-one but you! Today, Lori Gottlieb joins us to talk, connect and make understand the infiltrating power of therapy and tells us why she abstains from giving any less than her complet...

Imagine a space where you could anonymously, without judgment or a sense of popularity, could connect with, refresh and uplift yourself and fellow others in a more humane way. You could be your unique self and still never feel alone, for you knew we all mattered alike. That is what Amy Giddon had started with. Amy is the CEO and Co-founder of Daily Haloha, a mobile app and technology platform for...

Have you ever thought about walking a balance beam, or a gyroscope, or a tightrope walker? One is continually thrown off balance, but is every time instantly hit with the need to readjust and maintain poise. Equanimity is just that- the practice of balancing one’s mind to contain and open up to pain and discomfort while tuning it to revert to calmness. In a moving episode today, Traci is joined by...

Some relationships are so mystically created, that their very roots dissolve into the deep essence of love. Devoid of material goals, they turn to become exceptional tales of meaning and radiate into others the powerful energy of soulfulness and bonding. In a beautiful and touching conversation, we have with us Bonny Meyer, author of the book “Perfectly Paired” and also the co-founder of a Napa Va...

When you accept all the parts of you, you activate eight C’s in your life, namely; curiosity, calm, clarity, compassion, confidence, creativity, connectedness, and courage.  When we are filled up with these qualities, we can feel for someone, without being overwhelmed by them. In this episode, Dr. Richard C. Schwartz joins Traci to talk about self-leadership and the links between some of the curre...

Great passion makes the impossible happen. In this episode, Dr. Jamie Marich joins Traci on the podcast to talk about trauma. Jamie’s passion for helping trauma victims is profoundly personal. Listen in, as Dr. Marich shares her personal story, different techniques that can be used when treating trauma, and tips that we all can apply in our day to day lives. Dr. Jamie Marich describes herself as a...

Are you a good listener? Many of us think we are good listeners, but maybe, just maybe, we are not as hot at listening as we think we are. Today, Dr. Guy Itzchakov joins Traci Ruble on the podcast to talk about the subtle art of listening. Doctor Itzchakov is an assistant professor at the University of Haifa and the Department of Human Services and obtained his Ph. D. from the School of Business A...

One in two children in America has either a physical or a mental health issue. This is a serious problem. Even though that’s a statistic relevant to America, this is a global issue. Children are also displaying a ton of physical problems, everything from obesity to asthma, eczema, and other conditions. In this episode, Traci will have an informative discussion around children’s mental health with...

What do you do when you are feeling outraged? Do you tantrum, hide out, or do you counter the anger with something affirming? Today, Traci sits down with Karen Brailsford to talk about spiritual sustenance. If you have wondered how spirituality can help you cope with these intense times without floating away on a cloud of "avoiding the hard things", this episode is for you. Karen has a lot of info...

Given a chance to talk to your pre-adolescent self, what would you say to them considering all the information you have now? In today’s show, Traci will be having a hearty conversation with Dr. Reis on loneliness, connection, and intimacy. This episode has nuggets of wisdom based on science for us all to take home. Dr. Reis is a professor of psychology and Dean’s professor in art sciences and engi...

How might sweeping shifts in both religion and medicine in the nineteenth-century impact a wide array of things we face today like loneliness and racism? When the mind began ruling over the body we saw society shift and loneliness, racism, and mental illness rise.  Dr. Fay Bound Alberti is a cultural historian, writer, and UKRI future leader’s fellow who studies the history of medicine and the hum...

Did you know that you can use your breath to activate your body and become more receptive?  In this episode, Traci will have an in-depth conversation with Jamie on the breathing room and the power of a pause. Jamie McHugh is a somatic movement specialist, a multidisciplinary artist, and a fine art photographer. He lives on the Mendocino coast of California. Listen in as Jamie shares his journey in...

Growing up the child of two psychoanalysts, it wasn't much of a surprise when Dr. Elliot Gann succeeded at becoming a well trained clinical psychoanalyst himself. However, his ability to combine his passion for producing music and making beats with his skills as a therapist, did come as a surprise— particularly for parents who had never considered the magic it could work in the lives of their chil...

What could trust-building mean for creating lasting change? —Today’s guest and Stanford University instructor, Dr. Laura Delizonna, has some insights on the subject that will inspire and ignite you.  An international speaker, executive coach and author, Dr. Delizonna’s work on emotional intelligence and her partnership with Google sprouted non-profit SIYLI has been used by leaders around the globe...

How is mental health affected by racial trauma? In today’s episode Sidewalk Talk, guest and consultant Dr. Jennifer Mullan, talks race, oppression and systemic inequality. Traci and Dr. Mullan explore what the process of healing from ongoing trauma might look like for black, brown, queer and indigenous people and how we can all work to create space and help to mitigate privelage as therapists, all...

Award winning adolescent medicine and children's gender support doctor, Veenod Chulani knows better than anyone the importance of communicating your heart when connecting with members of the LGBT community. Today, Dr. Chulani sits down with Traci to talk about connecting across gender without assumption. He shares what he’s learned while advocating for LGBT and transgender populations and how we c...

Could the workplace serve as a springboard for creating lasting societal change? Today’s guest, Dr. Susan Madsen, wrote the Handbook of Research on Gender and Leadership. She’s dedicated her career to helping women develop and make lasting impacts on their organizations and the world. Hear directly from her why confronting issues of racial and gender bias can start in the workplace and spread like...

Janille Hill’s work with her organization, Street Connect is doing something similar to what we’re after here at Sidewalk Talk. Sitting down with strangers on New York City park benches, she’s on a mission to share the importance of connection and acknowledgment. A mother, dancer, life coach and listener— Janille has dedicated all areas of her life to connecting with the core of her being. She sha...