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, emot...

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 lice...

Hearing the words, you have cancer, is a major fear for most people. A cancer diagnosis is shocking and scary – it can change your life and the lives of your loved ones in an instant. With so many questions and with a frightening road ahead, it’s often difficult to know what to do. Dr. Chadi Nabhan has decades of experience treating oncology patients.  He discusses this complex disease and offers...

Today, more than ever, it seems like people are emotionally charged – on edge ready for conflict. It is so easy to get caught up in that energy. According to Dr. Christian Conte, anger is natural and we’re not wrong or bad for feeling it, but it can lead to acting impulsively, with regrettable consequences. Dr. Conte discusses how we can deal with anger and inflamed emotions. Dr. Conte is a licens...

It’s not easy raising children. Just when you think everything is on track, the unpredictable will happen. Whether it’s a child facing an illness, bullying, or academic struggles, how can parents navigate challenges when life doesn’t go as planned? Allison Carmen offers parents a powerful and uplifting tool called the "maybe mindset" to help them navigate the unknown with greater ease and renewed...

Many people believe that there is more to life than what they’re experiencing, but they don’t know how to attain what they want because they’re caught up in a loop of limiting beliefs, or stuck as the result of past wounds. Sylvester McNutt believes that we can achieve whatever we want by letting go of what no longer serves us. He discusses ways to heal wounds, break free from limiting beliefs, an...

ADHD often goes undiagnosed in older adults and very few resources focus on age 55 plus. According to Dr. Kathleen Nadeau, there are steps adults with ADHD can take to reclaim control and lead calmer, happier, more productive lives. She discusses how we can create a more ADHD friendly lifestyle. Dr. Nadeau is founder and clinical director of the largest private ADHD specialty clinic in the United...

Deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits due to medication or drug overdose, have become a growing public health concern. Getting sober and staying in recovery is a challenge for many. William Cope Moyers understands both sides of the problem. William was an addict and alcoholic who turned his life around and has now worked for over 28 years at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. He dis...

Every day it feels like we are becoming more and more divided. Many people spend time picking fights rather than communicating or solving problems. In a world that’s becoming exhausting and exasperating, how can we learn to come together? Diana McLain Smith believes that we must not give up on each other or give in to forces that tear us apart. She talks about how we can deepen our relationships ,...

The gut microbiome plays a key role in our overall health and well-being. Researchers are now beginning to understand just how massive a part it plays. One such researcher is Dr. Sabine Hazan. a gastroenterologist and microbiome expert whose work has shown the connection between gut health and disease. She discusses the complexities of gut health and what we can do to manage and optimize health. D...

If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you know how challenging it can be. We are constantly looking for easy, effective ways to take off the pounds and keep them off. According to Dr. Neal Barnard , certain foods actually cause weight loss, like a weight-loss medication without a prescription. He discusses the power foods diet, which he contends results in easy weight loss , with no calorie countin...

After a traumatic past, which includes kidnapping and physical, emotional and sexual abuse, Doug Dane beat the odds stacked against him to find happiness and success in his own life. Doug’s work is inspired by the steps he took to overcome the typical trajectory for someone in his shoes. He discusses ways to help us break into a new life, no matter what we may have experienced. Doug is a mindset m...

Millennials are opting for prenups in record numbers compared to previous generations. They are also more likely to simultaneously plan for divorce while preparing for their wedding, essentially assuming that it won’t last. But what if you could take preemptive action to have one of the marriages that does last? Dr. Frieda Birnbaum says that an emotional prenup, the often-unnoticed emotional inves...

Despite our changing world, the majority of leaders still utilize a command and control style of leadership. But according to Stephen M. R. Covey, the old “command and control” model is no longer conducive to organizational success.  He discusses a leadership style that he contends will allow for increased productivity and improved company culture. Stephen is the New York Times and #1 Wall Street...

Joy is one of our basic needs, and yet it eludes many. When we experience life’s challenges and turmoil it may difficult to live in joy. Grace Harry learned how to see her pain as a gift that created a pathway for joy . She discusses how we find joy, re-discover it, and incorporate it into our daily lives. Grace worked for 30 years as a music industry executive at Island Def Jam and Jive Records....

Often, those who suffer from anxiety either exhaust themselves trying to cure it or they resign themselves to a lifetime of fear and worry. But according to Dr. David Rosmarin, instead of fighting anxiety, we can learn to turn it into a strength. He discusses how we can use anxiety as a tool to be more self-aware, self-accepting, and resilient. Dr.  Rosmarin is the founder of the Center for Anxiet...

Just about everyone has had an experience that has led to wondering if there’s a way forward. Sometimes it’s so devastating that you can’t see a path no matter how hard you try. According to Dr. Ken Druck , it’s not always clear how to go on. And that’s okay! He offers a guide for when we find ourselves feeling lost, uncertain, or even terrified about the road ahead. Dr. Druck is one of the nation...

In today’s world, bullying and aggressive behavior is becoming increasingly prevalent. It’s easy to dismiss bullies as jerks, hateful or evil. But according to Bill Eddy , LCSW, JD, only by understanding how their personalities work can people effectively intervene with adult bullying behavior. He explains how bullies manipulate others and what we can do to overcome their power. Bill is chief inno...

To combat negative life events, we need resilience. But what is resilience and how do we get it? Sally Baker offers a guide to developing a deeper understanding of how we can successfully emerge from life’s inevitable challenges . She discusses strategies to help us re-assess unhealthy coping mechanisms so we can gain resilience from the inside out. Sally is a therapist who began her training work...

Sometimes it may feel like the world is becoming more and more divisive. Many people today feel disconnected and lonely and they’re seeking love and connection. Renowned mindfulness teacher, Henry Shukman, provides a way to healing based on four "inns" of practice —Mindfulness, Support, Absorption, and Awakening. He talks about how we use our wounds as a pathway to love. Henry teaches mindfulness...

Paul Weigel trained for and completed an Ironman triathlon within six months of finishing chemotherapy. He talks about how to cling to the joy in life, no matter the odds. According to Paul, if you believe in the impossible, the incredible can come true. Paul is a six-time Ironman triathlete, college professor, and author of Iron Dad, A Cancer Survivor’s Story of Discovering Strength, Life, and Lo...

Lorna Byrne has been seeing and talking to Angels since she was a baby. She returns to the show to offer us a unique insight into the angelic help that is around us and available to us all the time. As Lorna says, "All you have to do is ask." Lorna is a spiritual teacher, international bestselling author, and philanthropist. She has dedicated her life to reminding humanity of the spiritual potenti...

We all experience pain and it impacts us in different ways. Guy Finley believes that we can develop a new kind of relationship with our pain that makes it a valuable part of our journey instead of a barrier. He talks about how we can use our pain for a higher transformation. Guy is an internationally renowned spiritual teacher and bestselling author.  He is the founder and director of Life of Lear...

Not all end-of-life experiences are alike. Death can come suddenly, or a person may linger in a near-death state. It's common to wonder what happens when someone is dying and how you can provide comfort and care. Elizabeth Uslander discusses end of life care that addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Elizabeth is the co-founder of Empowered Endings and co-author of Exploring Your End...

Most people experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives. While the symptoms of trauma usually improve over time, some people may experience lingering effects that don’t go away on their own and may interfere with their day-to-day lives. Dr. Stephanie Covington, a pioneer in the fields of addition, trauma, and recovery, talks about trauma and its impact. Dr. Covington is a clinician,...