Mental Health Minutes with Melissa

We journey alongside grief survivor Mike Nappa, who graciously opens his heart, sharing his profoundly moving journey of loss and healing after the death of his wife, Amy. His personal revelations on the terrain of grief and his granddaughter's own journey awaken a broader understanding of the grieving process and the importance of allowing ourselves the space to grieve.   Our conversation is inti...

Have you ever been caught in the hustle culture, feeling lost and struggling to find your purpose? This happened to our special guest, author Kelly Needham, and she's not alone. Imagine you're standing on the precipice of what society deems successful, yet you feel a deep void. Frustrated and desperate, Kelly embarked on a journey to re-examine the real source of purpose.   In our candid conversat...

Get ready to transform your perspective on life's challenges as we engage in an insightful conversation with the ever-inspiring Nick Nilson.   Ever wondered how to hold onto joy amidst hardships? Nick guides us through his life's journey, sharing wisdom on shaping our feelings through our thoughts and harnessing the power of the present moment to experience peace, joy, and contentment.   In this c...

Are you craving self-improvement, a fresh perspective, or simply an honest and heartfelt conversation? That's precisely what you'll find in my latest podcast episode featuring Jason VanRuler . Drawing from a hard upbringing, Jason bravely confronts his past and the trials of running from unresolved traumas. He lays bare the turning point that led him to face his reflections in the mirror without e...

Could you imagine the power of the right language and tools in transforming life struggles into blessings? That's what we're unpacking with our guest today, Travis Thompson, as he shares his captivating journey through the thorny path of addiction. Drawing from his battle, Travis sheds light on addiction in the United States. He underscores the crucial need to accurately represent the addiction sp...

Ever wonder how nurturing your soul can lead to a healthier, more connected life? We're pondering this question with our returning guest, Amber Albee Swenson, as we navigate the concept of soul care versus the well-known self-care practice. Together, we explore how prioritizing our divine connection and acknowledging when the soul feels off-balance can significantly impact our overall well-being....

Have you ever glanced in the mirror and wished the reflection looking back at you was a friend rather than an adversary?    That moment was a turning point for me, and it led me to a fascinating conversation with Alisa Keeton, a fitness crusader and author of The Body Revelation . Alisa is armed with a mighty mission to redefine our relationship with our bodies, seeing them not as obstacles but as...

Get ready to unravel the intricate workings of your brain with the enlightening insights of esteemed neuroscientist Dr. Dan Siegel and his handy hand model.  Today's episode will provide a simple yet profound understanding of how our brains regulate emotions and manage our reactions. The spotlight shines on the prefrontal cortex, our brain's master controller, and its vital roles in connecting wit...

Join me this week as I bare a part of my soul and share a deeply personal journey with body image and eating disorders. Drawn from my own experiences, I aim to provide insights and tools to help you nurture a healthier relationship with your body.    We'll dive into practical strategies that can revolutionize your perception of your body - assuring you that reshaping your body image doesn't always...

Get ready to forge a happier, healthier you by mastering the power of body language. Today, we promise to equip you with simple yet effective research-backed life hacks that dramatically alter your mood, reduce stress, and boost confidence. As part of our continuing series, Counselor on Call – I walk you through an astounding technique called body posturing, which requires you to raise your hands...

Imagine existing in a space where constant distractions and fears do not cloud your mind but rather focus on the here and now.   Sounds like a far-fetched dream, right? Not according to the latest research from Harvard.   As we continue the Counselor on Call series this week, we're stepping into mindfulness, unpacking powerful tools to help you cultivate a more grounded and intentional lifestyle....

What would happen if we started acknowledging and addressing our emotions instead of brushing them under the carpet?   Join me in this counselor on-call episode where we demystify journaling, a simple yet powerful tool to process emotions. Journaling sounds like another task on your to-do list, or it may even stir up the fear of opening a can of emotional worms.   But let's flip the script today....

Life has a way of throwing curveballs; mine came from anxiety and depression. Relentless mental battles led me to discover the power of thoughts and words and how they shape our feelings, actions, and interactions with the world. Join me in this episode as I share my journey toward a healthier mental state by flipping my thinking script and discussing how you can apply these simple tools to change...

Picture this: You're about to give a presentation, and suddenly your heart starts pounding, your palms get sweaty, and your mind is racing with fears of the future. This, my friends, is the raw, unfiltered experience of anxiety. In today's podcast episode, I strip back the layers of this common condition, illuminating its triggers and sharing practical coping skills.   Anxiety doesn't confine itse...

Have you ever found yourself in a dark pit, struggling to find purpose in life? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Matt Lesser , who shares his powerful journey through overcoming hardship and discovering a life filled with satisfaction and purpose. Having taken over his father's business at 24, Matt soon found himself in a place where he thought the only way out was to end his life. But...

Do you know how understanding the differences between the male and female brain can improve our mental health and relationships? In this throwback episode, I had an incredible conversation with Tracy Packiam Alloway, Ph. D ., an award-winning psychologist, professor, author, and TEDx speaker, who shared fascinating insights from her new book, Think Like a Girl . Together, we debunked myths surroun...

How much damage can evangelical messages cause to women's marital and sexual satisfaction? Join us in our eye-opening conversation with Sheila Gregoire, author of the groundbreaking new book, She Deserves Better . Sheila's research deeply examines the long-lasting effects of evangelical teachings and purity culture on women and the confusion it leaves them with when it's time to teach their childr...

Have you ever wondered how to truly hear God's voice and understand His plans for your life?   Join me as I chat with Greg Pruett, who is on an incredible journey to connect with God's voice. Greg shares his experiences working in West Africa translating the Bible and how it led him to a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit.   We explore how God communicates with us through gentle nudges or id...

Get ready to unlock the secrets of the Millennial worldview and its impact on parenting, mental health, and finding purpose in life. On today's episode,  I sit down with Dr. George Barna to delve into the complexities of this generation and how understanding their perspective can shape the future of our society.   As the largest population in America, Millennials play a crucial role in raising the...

How can we find joy in the midst of trauma and loss? Imagine discovering a way to keep your joy alive even during the most challenging times. Join us as we speak to Rachel Joy Baribeau , author of "Relentless Joy" and creator of the I'm Changing the Narrative movement. In our conversation, Rachel shares her experiences of finding joy, despite adversity and how her mission is to help others do the...

Discover the secrets to unlocking the full potential of your emotional well-being with our special guest, Dr. Mark Mayfield. Prepare to embark on a journey that will help you develop language skills to understand better and connect with your emotions and the importance of recognizing and processing your emotional responses to enhance your overall health.   With Dr. Mayfield, we explore the complex...

Discover how early exposure to pornography can impact the developing brain and shape our understanding of sex, relationships, and self-worth in our enlightening conversation with Sam Black. Learn how the young, impressionable brain struggles to process explicit material and why protecting children from its lasting effects is crucial. Join us as we dive deep into the science behind this issue and t...

Hi friends,   On today's episode, I have a heart-to-heart with my real-life friends, Scott and Vanessa Martindale, authors of "Blended and Redeemed," about the challenges and victories faced by blended families. We discuss the importance of prioritizing one's spouse over children, co-parenting, and the mental health challenges faced by parents and children in blended families.   We delve into the...

    Hey friends! It's no surprise we live in a world full of distractions. We're often advised to limit time on social media and Netflix. What if social media isn't the problem? What if it's covering up emotional toxins poisoning your thoughts?   Today's conversation is with Billie Jauss. We are discussing distractions and emotional toxins (think comparison, people-pleasing, and lies about your id...

This heartfelt episode explores the anxiety that arises from school shootings and their impact on parents and children. We discuss navigating our anxiety, promoting mental health, and processing emotions after such tragedies. Our guest, Dr. Jessica Peck, shares her experiences as a pediatric nurse practitioner and first responder in her community. We also touch on the importance of maintaining rou...