4:12 Connections

Our experiences help define our beliefs. This in turn creates the filter we use to process information. In this episode, Pastor Larry Grawey and I talk about what negative messages are and how they impact our lives. We also explore ways to help change our internal filters and work with others to improve their self image. For more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join me as a...

What is “Toxic Positivity” and why is it dangerous? According to Psychology Today , “toxic positivity is the act of avoiding, suppressing, or rejecting negative emotions or experiences.” In this episode Pastor Larry Grawey and I take a look at a few examples of toxic positivity and how word choice can impact people differently. For more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join...

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US affecting people of all ages. It is currently the second leading cause of death for ages 25-34 and the third leading cause for ages 15-24. In an effort to create more awareness and fight the stigma associated with suicide the entire month of September is Suicide Prevention Month. On Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at Desktop Coworking Community in...

In honor of National Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month, Pastor Larry and I will be continuing our open and honest conversation about some of the myths and stigmas surrounding suicide. It can be a very difficult topic to discuss, but the way we choose to talk about mental health can change lives. It is important to discuss suicide and it’s prevention as that is the only way to eradicate the...

In honor of National Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month, Pastor Larry and I will be having an open an honest conversation about some of the myths and stigmas surrounding suicide. It can be a very difficult topic to discuss, but the way we choose to talk about mental health can change lives. It is important to discuss suicide and it’s prevention as that is the only way to eradicate the stigma...

Pastor Larry Grawey and I have been exploring the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9; Luke 8:4-15) and how it relates to recovery. We started with the seed that fell on the footpath and how it illustrates the resistance to change.  Next we examined the seed that fell among the rocky soil and the importance of having a strong support system.  Then we talked about the seed that fell amon...

Over the last few episodes we have been looking at how the lessons taught in the Parable of the Sower can be applied to recovery. We started with the hard soil which is representative of the unteachable spirit. Then we looked at the rocky soil and saw the importance of developing a strong foundation to help support us when we face the obstacles that can leave us feeling discouraged enough to give...

We have been examining the Parable of the Sower and how the lessons apply to our every day lives. First we looked at the seed that fell along the footpath and how it represented a resistance to change. Next, we explored the seed that fell among the rocks and how easily it can be to get discouraged without a strong support system in place. In this episode we discuss the seed that fell among the tho...

How often in our own lives do we find ourselves getting excited about something only to give up later when it gets to be too difficult to continue? In our last episode we started exploring growth using the Parable of the Sower as a life lesson focusing on the “Rocky Path” and the resistance to change. In this episode we continue the conversation by looking at the next part of the story, where the...

The overarching theme for this year is growth. Over the next few episodes we are going to explore what that looks like using the Parable of the Sower as a life lesson. In this episode we focus on the “Rocky Path” and look at how to navigate through those situations in life where we’re confronted with a resistance to change, either in our own hearts or when interacting with others. For more informa...

Please join us for our conversation with the Kennesaw Chief of Police, Bill Westenberger about mental health and recovery. For more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join me as a guest on a future episode please don't hesitate to shoot me an email. Contact Us .

We have been discussing the 5 Stages of Recovery over the last 3 months. In this episode we provide a recap and explore each stage in a little more detail. For more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join me as a guest on a future episode please don't hesitate to shoot me an email. Contact Us .

We have been exploring the 5 Stages of Recovery over the last few months and in this episode we examine the last stage, “Actions for Change.” For more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join me as a guest on a future episode please don't hesitate to shoot me an email. Contact Us .

Over the last 2 months we have been breaking down the recovery journey and showing how it applies not only to living with a mental illness or disability but how it can apply to various situations that occur during the course of one’s lifetime. We started with the “Impact of Illness” and discussed how these events can change the way a person views themself. Then we examined the “Life is Limited” st...

We are continuing our conversation about the 5 Stages of Recovery and in this episode we are focusing on the “Change is Possible” stage. It’s during the stage when you start to recognize that things can be difference and the small spark of hope is ignited. For more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join me as a guest on a future episode please don't hesitate to shoot me an em...

Episode 9: Lost Hope The focus of our second quarter of this podcast is to breakdown the recovery journey and how it applies not only to living with mental illness or disability but how it can apply to various situations that occur during one’s lifetime. During one of the first episodes of this podcast, “Recovery Defined,” I gave a quick overview of the 5 Stages of Recovery as they had been taught...

During one of the first episodes of this podcast, “Recovery Defined,” I gave a quick overview of the 5 Stages of Recovery as they had been taught to me during my training to become Certified Peer Specialist in December 2014. Over the course of the next 3 months we are going to break it down a little further and focus on one stage at a time. It will be a combination of the information I received bu...

I changed it a bit at the end especially - so make sure it still says what you want We have officially wrapped up the first quarter of Season 2. And in this episode we do a quick recap of acting with a purpose. Our plan for this “bonus” episode was to have a special guest but unfortunately, we weren’t able to coordinate our schedules so he will be joining us for our Second Quarter Bonus Episode on...

Over the last few months we have been talking about the how to act with purpose. The conversation started with the importance of defining your “Why” and creating realistic goals. Then we talked about the value of having a strong support system in place to help with accountability. In our last episode we continued the discussion taking about how to deal with setbacks. In this episode, Pastor Larry...

Over the last couple of months we have been focusing on how to act with purpose. We started with the importance of defining your “Why” and how to create effective goals. Then we continued the conversation by discussing the importance of putting action to your goals and having people in your life to help you accountable. In this episode, Pastor Larry Grawey and I talk about how to overcome the obst...

Acting with a purpose requires a lot of hard work and can be difficult at times. The first step is to define your “Why” and creating effective goals. Then it’s time to start putting action to your goals. But how do you stick with it once you’ve gotten started? In this episode we continue the conversation and discuss the importance of having people to hold you accountable to your goals. For more in...

For the first quarter of 2022 we decided to focus on acting with purpose and goal setting. We started with the defining your “Why” and the importance of setting realistic goals. In the last episode we talked about the importance of finding a team to support you in reaching them. In this episode we continue the conversation and discuss how to start working toward achieving your goal. Specially the...

Creating goals and working toward them is an important part of living a life in recovery. In this episode, Pastor Larry and I talk about how to create effective goals and the importance of having a team to support you in reaching them. For more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join me as a guest on a future episode please don't hesitate to shoot me an email. Contact Us .

Welcome to Season 2 of MY Look At Recovery.  It’s officially a new year and a time when many people recommit themselves toward making positive changes in their lives that all too often fall to the way side by the end of the month.  So how can we change that?   In this episode, Pastor Larry Grawey and I talk about the importance of Defining your “Why” and the importance of setting re...

The holiday season can be a stressful time for people. Especially for those who have recently lost someone they care about, have a strained relationship with their family or perhaps aren't able to get home to spend time with their loved ones. In today's episode Pastor Larry Grawey and I discuss different strategies for remembering self care to help get through the holidays.  But we also provi...