Conversations with Joan

Holistic psychiatry is an emerging approach to mental healthcare that focuses on the biological, psychological, spiritual, and social factors that contribute to mental health issues. Dr. Judy Tsafrir shifted from a conventional practice of psychiatry to one that treats the whole person.  She discusses the limitations of conventional psychiatry and why it’s important to integrate the spiritual , em...

Dr. Laura Copley believes that at the core of most toxic relationships is a painful trauma wound desperate to be healed. She contends that trauma survivors try to navigate romantic relationships in the only way they know how – fearfully and painfully . She discusses how to untangle trauma bonds and transmute toxic patterns into healing opportunities for intimacy and connection. Dr. Copley is a lic...

Over the past years, the human microbiome has been dramatically altered. Chemicals in our environment, over exposure to antibiotics, and industrialized food, have created changes that pose silent dangers for health. According to Dr. William Davis, we desperately need to reintroduce our bodies to the microbial species that once lived in our ancestors, while pushing back the army of interlopers that...

In This Episode: Drops April 21   Narcissism is a term that gets thrown around quite a bit, but how much do we really know about it? Dr. Keith Campbell discusses the complexities of this surprisingly prevalent personality trait. In his book, The New Science of Narcissism: Understanding One of the Greatest Psychological Challenges of Our Time ― and What You Can Do About It , Dr. Campbell uses the l...

Gaslighting is a technique of manipulating others to gain control. Gaslighters use a series of tactics to distort the truth making their victims question their own reality. Dr. Stephanie Sarkis sheds light on gaslighting and she offers strategies to help us cope and break free. Dr Sarkis is a psychotherapist specializing in ADHD, anxiety, and narcissistic abuse. She is a senior contributor to Forb...

There is a common belief that a big life needs to occur in a large city or place with a lot of activity. But, many people live their lives in the small towns where they were born and raised. While we tend to admire those who set out to new places and unfamiliar experiences, Annie B. Jones says that we can discover extraordinary things by staying where we are. She shares why she challenges the noti...

Don Miguel Ruiz asks us to consider the questions that drive our lives and govern our spiritual power: Who am I? What is real? What is love? According to Ruiz, these questions provide a practical framework that, by learning how we can answer them, provides the clear path that allows us to overcome fear and discover peace of mind and true happiness. Don Miguel is a renowned spiritual teacher and in...

How would your life and health improve if your mind was clear and sharp, operating at its fullest potential? Instead of experiencing fatigue, lack of focus, forgetfulness and food cravings, you would be energetic, productive, and thoughtful. You could accomplish tasks with ease and feel confident. According to Dave Asprey , all of this is possible when you bio hack your way to a smarter, faster, s...

Generational trauma affects mental health, relationships and behavior, causing cycles of emotional distress and difficulty breaking harmful patterns. Jennifer Griffith experienced a chaotic home life as a child , which led to poor grades, driving under the influence, and an eating disorder. She explores generational trauma and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. Jennifer is the host...

Many people strive for work/life balance but is there really such a thing? According to Kristel Bauer, our model for work/life leads to burn out. She discusses what she calls a more intelligent, holistic and effective way to live your life. Kristel is a corporate wellness and performance expert, who is the creator and host of the podcast, Live Greatly. She is a contributing writer for Entrepreneur...

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in our busy lives and overlook the beauty that surrounds us. Karen Wingate talks about why we need to slow down, observe, and appreciate the sights, sounds, and experiences that make life truly remarkable. For most of her life, Karen was legally blind, until surgery gave her what she describes as “better than ever vision.” According to Karen,...

We are all hardwired to think and work differently. What challenges and excites one person may seem boring or unsatisfying to another. According to Betsy Wills , discovering your hidden genius is the key to discovering your life’s work . She talks about how you can identify your natural talents, interests, and personality traits. Betsy is the cofounder of YouScience , a national onlinepsychometric...

Raising kids is one of the toughest jobs you will ever have and the one for which you might feel the least prepared. Knowing how to be an effective parent is challenging. Dr. Paul Sunseri offer tools to help parents solve parenting challenges. Through his work with gentle parenting, Dr. Sunseri helps families create loving and supportive environments with kids who he contends are far better behave...

Think back on the most spectacular love affair of your life—the big one that toppled you head over heels. Life was so beautiful that you couldn't wait to bound out of bed in the morning to experience more heaven on earth. It was the honeymoon effect that was to last forever. Unfortunately for most, the honeymoon effect is frequently short-lived. Bruce H. Lipton, PhD, bestselling author of The Hone...

Many people want to enact change but don’t know how to begin. According to Alexis Fernandez Preiksa, you already possess the most powerful tool to get the job done … your mind. She discusses how to enact change and improve mental, physical, and emotional health one day at a time. Alexis is a neuroscientist turned podcast host who is known for her tough love attitude and accessible approach to scie...

Most everyone dreams of having a successful career that they enjoy and that provides them with the life they desire. But more often than not, many end up settling for less and living day by day unfulfilled. The good news is that having a successful career may be more in your control than you believe . According to Erika Ayers Badan, you’re not perfect, work isn’t perfect, but you can both be great...

Are emotional wounds from your past keeping you from the life you desire? According to Tamala Floyd, no matter what you’ve experienced, healing, growth and transformation are possible. She explains how concepts of Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) can be interwoven with the power of ancestor wisdom to support people on their healing journey. Tamala is a psychotherapist, IFS lead trainer, consu...

With constant demands on your time and attention it’s easy to neglect your romantic relationship. The spark may be gone and you may feel disconnected from each other. Carolyn Sharp offers a solution for relationships that are struggling, feeling stale, or just in need of a little extra care.  Carolyn is a couples therapist who helps people build vital, vibrant, and secure functioning relationships...

Despite having more comfort and knowledge than ever before, many people struggle with mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression. Dr. Anders Hansen contends that understanding our brain’s design, which is built for survival and not constant happiness, is key to addressing today’s mental health challenges. Dr. Hansen talks about the brain and offers actionable strategies to cultivate g...

Dr. Bernie Siegel is a leading teacher of the mind-body connection. He broke new ground with his monumental book Love, Medicine and Miracles, and he continues to impart wisdom about the true nature of life, love, and well-being. A retired pediatric/general surgeon, Bernie is a New York Times bestselling author, lecturer, and founder of ECaP (Exceptional Cancer Patients). He has been named one of t...

Anyone who has watched the Holiday Classic, It’s A Wonderful Life, can fondly recall Clarence, the guardian angel sent to earth to aid George Bailey in his time of need. Clarence helped George see the value in his life, and George helped Clarence earn his wings. This touching story has led many to wonder if there really are angels by our side and what their role may be in our lives. Lorna Byrne ha...

Dimitri Moraitis says that everything you think, feel, and do radiates a spiritual energy that comes through in various colors and hues, which is your aura. He contends that by changing the quality of your aura, you can automatically change the quality of your life. Dimitri discusses the intricate anatomy of the auric field and how it impacts the way you live. Dimitri is co-founder and co-spiritua...

Changes to your body and brain are normal as you age. And while it may feel like it’s out of your control, research shows that there are things you can do to maintain brain health and slow or reduce the effects of neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Partha Nandi discusses the gut-brain connection and how that connection shapes emotions, cognitive abilities, and overall mental health. Dr. Nandi is Amer...

At 41 years old, Katie Kaiser Smith was diagnosed with inoperable, terminal brain cancer. More than a decade later, Katie is here to share her story. After her diagnosis Katie started writing a daily diary to inform her friends and family of her health and ongoing treatment. That daily blog was so therapeutic for her that she continued writing it for four years, chronicling everything from her dia...

Whatever your dream may be, the idea of actually following that dream can be terrifying. Instead of doing what you really want, you may strive to meet the expectations of others because you fear what they may think. Following what you desire is worth it. Studies show that living as your authentic self can help you find more meaning in life, among other benefits. In addition, research as shown that...