Experts Connect with HelpMeSara - because mental health matters

It's normal to be influenced and affected by what we think or know others want from us. Sometimes, we do and say things in order to make others happy, and in turn, sacrifice our true selves. This may be unintentional, especially since we don't always know our authentic selves or what will make us feel most fulfilled or purposeful. Sara Dimerman in conversation with Dr. Mary Filice , as you begin y...

Top of the new year resolution list for many people is losing weight or going on "diet." Now that I've spoken to Registered Dietician Shauna Lindzon, I am inspired to change that item on my list to read "Change lifestyle for healthier living" rather than "lose weight to look better." Listen here to be inspired yourself. Sara Dimerman in conversation with Shauna Lindzon . Over the course of this ep...

Times are not what they used to be. Gone are the days when you could safely wait until your children were just about to hit puberty to talk to them about sex and sexuality. Now they either stumble across pornography or seek it out. Often, the messages they get and the images they receive portrays sex in a way that can be traumatizing. Psychologist, Dr. Jillian Roberts, has helped children and thei...

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Ann Douglas . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Why parents need distractions Whether technology is what distracts us most these days and why The impact that being a distracted parent has on our children, ourselves and on the development of our relationship with our child How we can become more mindful about modelling intentional distract...

It's easy to label oneself or one's child a "procrastinator" and to assume that once one, always one. But is procrastination part of one's personality or a choice and are there roadblocks that stand between procrastination and productivity? For answers to these questions, I turned to Dr. Joanne Foster . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What procrastination means Whether p...

Many people, despite having goals, feel that there are roadblocks in their way. I contacted Gorett Reis , a life and career coach, for her views on what may be keeping them from moving forward, and what they can do about it. Over the course of this episode, you will learn more about: Top traits, identified as roadblocks, for people who feel that they are unable to reach their life or career goals...

I have always been a fan of Dr. Ross Greene 's work. I have read his books and attended several of his workshops and lectures. Most recently, I participated in a two day conference, led by him, in Toronto. I was inspired and grateful to learn more about his collaborative approach to working with kids of all ages, and honoured that he agreed to join me as a guest on this podcast, in order to impart...

I invited Amanda Cupido to connect with me on the topic of producing a powerful podcast. Her enthusiasm is contagious and her concise, informative way of sharing what she knows will help you get started or grow. Over the course of this episode, you will learn more about: What a podcast is The different types and genres of podcasts Whether or not there is a magic length for a podcast The essential...

In conversation with Katharine Love as she candidly shares her journey from self loathing to self loving. Over the course of this podcast, you will learn more about: Katharine's early beginnings and how she was shaped by her family's response being "different" What the word "crooked" means to her How her diagnosis of Moebius Syndrome changed the path she was on What else contributed towards her se...

  Janyce Lastman and I have previously collaborated on several podcasts. So when she approached me about this one, I was glad because, with recent news headlines related to happenings in a well private school in Toronto, this is more timely of a topic than ever. Janyce offered to help parents explain, contextualize and cope with incidents such as those in the news and to help parents learn how to...

Now that marijuana has being legalized in Canada, what changes, other than the obvious, will this bring about? How can we make sure that we are as knowledgeable about the impact of weed on our bodies and our brains as possible, and how are we going to ensure that our beliefs and behaviours are modelling the responsible use of drugs, so that our children do not get the message that just because som...

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Dr. Daniella Astorino . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Different kinds of headaches and how common each is Some of the ways we can manage each of these - On our own? With the help of a health practitioner? The difference between a headache and a migraine? How migraines are treated? Some red flags that our headache may be more than one...

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Sheri Van Dijk . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What emotional regulation means Why some people experience problems managing emotions Why it's so important that we learn to regulate our emotions as we grow Some of the warning signs that someone has not learnt how to regulate their emotions The consequences of not being able to regulate...

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Dr. David Kanawaty . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What's "normal" or healthy in regards to length and continuity of sleep for children, teens and adults What interferes with good sleep hygiene and what the potential risks associated with not getting enough sleep are Some of the indicators/symptoms that someone is in need of a sleep l...

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Andrea Garson . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What are some of the traits or behaviours that employers find most valuable in their employees? What are some of the traits or behaviours that employers find most worrisome in their employees? What are some of the warning signs that your employer may not be happy with your performance or t...

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Heidi Barrett . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What gender fluidity/gender non conforming means Whether a child should be a certain age or reached a certain level of maturity before listening to their beliefs about how they want to express themselves (regarding their gender) Whether gender non conforming children are born "who they are...

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Janyce Lastman . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The  difference between a quiz, test and exam  and how to prepare differently for each How  standardized tests  (such as EQAO in Ontario) are different from "regular" tests and why they are important The  amount of time and how often  students need to study in order to see a successful ou...

Sara Dimerman in conversation with  Janyce Lastman . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The best age at which to begin helping children develop successful work habits How work habits and styles develop and change over the years and why this is important How to best model "good" work habits to students How to determine what works best for your child Whether every student nee...

In this episode, Sara chats with Domenico Capilongo . Over the course of this episode, you will learn more about: The role that teachers play in preparing kids for life post secondary school Whether this is different to the role that parents play and if so, how? How students can help prepare themselves for life post secondary school What life after secondary school looks like What constitutes a su...

In this, part 1 of 2 related to putting your best foot forward, Sara chats with Andrea Garson , Human Resources consultant on how to make a good impression at a job interview. Over the course of this episode, you will learn how to prepare for a job interview, including: Preparing your resume - tailoring/editing/layout Choosing what you'll wear/how to look Thinking about answers and examples to pos...

In this podcast Sara Dimerman chats with Laura Plant , Director of Student Banking at RBC. Over the course of this episode, you will learn more about: What financial literacy means and why it's so important The steps that parents can take, at various ages and stages of their children's lives, to model becoming and being financially literate The value of giving your child an allowance The ways in w...

In this podcast Sara Dimerman chats with Brenda Whiteside . Over the course of this episode, you will learn more about: The biggest changes or challenges students face when transitioning from high school to a post secondary school program How living away from home - on residence, for example - affects the way in which a teen manages the transition to a post secondary program How students and paren...

In this podcast Sara Dimerman chats with Endre Gabori . Over the course of this episode, you will learn more about: How going on a date once you have been living together or a married couple for a while, is different to single life dating The roadblocks to organizing a date with your living together or married partner Why its so important for living together or married couples to go on dates with...

In this podcast Sara Dimerman chats with Michael Gibben . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Whether parents' concern about their kids' brains going to mush during long breaks from school is a valid concern Ways for kids' brains to remain active during long breaks from school How parents can use every day items and toys/games that they have around the house in order to enco...

In this podcast Sara Dimerman chats with Sarah Lindsay . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Sarah's personal journey before and after being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder How she is helping others learn from her experience Ways to monitor one's own mental health Ways to get assessed and treated How to advocate on behalf of your mental health needs