It's Where I Am with Zandra Polard

Zandra Polard interviews her sister Zaneta Polard about the emotional impact of the Eaton Canyon fires. Zaneta recounts the night of the fire, describing the lack of warning and the urgency of evacuation. She highlights the heroic efforts of a neighbor, Jeff, who saved their house from burning. Zaneta discusses the aftermath, including the toxicity of their home and the community's resilience. The...

Zandra Polard and Rick Morton discuss retirement planning, emphasizing the importance of socializing, having a plan, and staying active. Rick highlights the benefits of being married and volunteering, mentioning his work with the Nevada Homeless Alliance and schools. He advocates for financial planning, including consulting a financial advisor and understanding military benefits. Rick also shares...

Dr. Sandra Pierre-Louis discusses the challenges of getting men to prioritize their health, emphasizing the importance of regular checkups and addressing issues like diabetes, mental health, and erectile dysfunction. She highlights that 72% of men would rather do household chores than visit a doctor, and 77% prefer shopping with their partner. Dr. Pierre-Louis stresses the role of family involveme...

Zandra Polard discusses business planning with Coach Amber J, emphasizing the importance of having a clear business plan and understanding financial needs before starting a business. Coach Amber J highlights the necessity of securing funding through loans or grants and knowing your target audience. They discuss the role of AI tools like ChatGPT in creating business plans and the significance of pe...

Zandra Polard discusses the issue of "failure to launch" among young adults, attributing it to social media and technology overexposure, leading to social isolation, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Sandra Pierre-Louis from Divine Soul Mental Health emphasizes the importance of communication, setting boundaries, and establishing routines for children and young adults. She highlights the need for perso...

Dr. Goeglein discussed her book "Don't Die Waiting to Be Brave" and the upcoming "Unicorn Ageless Edge Challenge" for 2025, focusing on positive psychology techniques to live in the present. She emphasized managing thoughts to avoid future anxieties, using Thanksgiving as an example. Dr. Goeglein suggested setting boundaries and having open conversations to mitigate family tensions during holidays...

Zandra Polard interviews Shane Mosley Jr. about discipline, particularly in the context of boxing and personal life. Shane emphasizes the importance of setting goals, prioritizing time, and maintaining a disciplined diet. He shares his experience of training his son, who struggled with schoolwork, and how discipline transitioned from boxing to academics. Shane discusses the significance of having...

Zandra Polard interviews Denise Hooks, a psychologist specializing in trauma, somatic experiencing, and psychedelics. Denise explains the differences between cognitive behavioral therapy and somatic experiencing, emphasizing the latter's focus on the body's response to trauma. She discusses how trauma is stored physically and the importance of releasing it through somatic practices. Denise also ex...

Zandra Polard discusses Educare, an agency supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Executive Director, Kelli Slaughter, explains that Educare provides services from age 18 onwards, with five residential homes in Las Vegas catering to those with high medical needs, such as g-tubes and colostomy bags. Staff undergo extensive training, including 40 hours initially...

Zandra Polard hosts a discussion with life coach Perry Richardson and Katie Ordonez on self-love and adolescent development. Perry's podcast, "The Mindset Babe," focuses on empowering women through positive self-talk, action towards dreams, and self-compassion. She emphasizes the importance of celebrating small achievements monthly. Katie, who works with adolescents, highlights the significance of...

Dr. Andrea Goeglein discusses positive psychology, emphasizing a shift from focusing on mental illness to understanding what makes people thrive. She highlights the importance of mental health awareness and daily practices to maintain well-being. Goeglein suggests exercises like writing down the first thought of the day and reframing negative thoughts. She introduces "seeding your dreams" to impro...

Zandra Polard hosts a discussion on bipolar disorder, featuring Brionna Hines, President of the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). Brionna shares her journey of being diagnosed with bipolar type one in 2018 after experiencing severe depression and a manic episode. She emphasizes the importance of professional help, the challenges of finding the right medication, and the role of peer-led s...

In this enlightening episode of "It's Where I Am," host Zandra Polard engages with school counselor Katie Ordonez to explore the vital differences between school counselors and psychologists. They delve into the importance of social-emotional wellness in students, discuss innovative programs like the Hope Squad aimed at suicide prevention, and highlight the critical role peers play in supporting e...

Zandra Polard hosts a discussion on mental health and wellness, focusing on adolescents. Dr. Kennard emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in their child's treatment, highlighting that parents are experts on their child. Danielle McCafferty stresses the need for parents to regulate their own emotions to model healthy behavior for their children. They discuss the significance of underst...

In this episode, host Zandra Polard sits down with Dr. Kennard, a behavioral health expert, and Danielle McCafferty, an educator and trauma-informed yoga instructor, to discuss the challenges of working with adolescents. They explore practical strategies for teachers, like fostering trust and connection, dealing with trauma, and managing classroom behaviors. Dr. Kennard shares her experience from...

In this enlightening episode of It's Where I Am, host Zandra Polard interviews renowned yoga instructor Danielle McCafferty about her innovative approaches to stress management and trauma healing through yoga and breathwork. Danielle shares her extensive studies across Southeast Asia and Europe, highlighting techniques like ecstatic breathwork and Thai massage that bridge somatic therapies with mo...

In this episode of "It's Where I Am," Zandra Polard sits down with Kristopher Fields, a remarkable community leader from Texas who has turned his life around from being an at-risk youth to receiving prestigious honors like the United States Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. Kristopher shares his journey of overcoming personal struggles, finding redemption, and dedicating his life to inspiri...

In this heartfelt episode, Zandra Polard sits down with Brian Hagens, founder of Dream Dads, an organization dedicated to supporting fathers across the country. Brian shares his deeply personal journey of growing up in Long Beach, becoming a father, and the challenges he faced in advocating for fathers in a society that often overlooks them. The conversation takes a profound turn as Brian, known a...

In this episode of "It's Where I Am," host Zandra Polard sits down with Danielle McCafferty, a former crime scene analyst turned yoga instructor. Danielle shares her journey from the criminal justice field to becoming a yoga teacher, focusing on trauma healing. They discuss how yoga can be a powerful tool for addressing and releasing trauma stored in the body. Danielle also talks about her book "Y...

In this inspiring episode, Zandra Polard sits down with Ashley Tesoro, reigning Mrs. Universe, to discuss her extraordinary journey in the world of pageantry and beyond. From starting in beauty pageants at the tender age of six to becoming a successful soap opera actress and now holding multiple prestigious titles, Ashley shares her experiences and insights. She delves into the mental health chall...

In this episode of "It's Where I Am," host Zandra Polard explores the unexpected mental health benefits of boxing with Coach Danny Vela of Undefeated Boxing in Henderson, Nevada. Zandra shares her personal journey from a concerned mother to an enthusiastic supporter of the sport. Coach Danny delves into how boxing builds work ethic, character, and confidence in both children and adults. They discu...

In this episode, host Zandra Polard returns from a sabbatical and dives into a conversation with Alex Bernal, the Clark County Parks and Recreation Community Outreach Coordinator, and his colleague, Sharon Steele. They discuss their innovative rebranding of the "Gang Intervention Team" to the "Gap Intervention Team" and the multifaceted approach they take to support at-risk youth in Las Vegas. The...

Join Zandra Polard as she continues her insightful discussion with Alex Bernal and Sharon Steele in part two of their conversation on community outreach and youth intervention in Las Vegas. This episode delves into the critical services provided by Clark County's recreational centers, including educational support, life skills workshops, and vital resources for at-risk youth. The guests share insp...

In this episode of "It's Where I Am" on 91.5 FM, guest host Dr. David Gennis from Great Mind Counseling and Wellness Center discusses the integration of occupational therapy in mental health services. Joined by colleague Anna Ketron Cusano, an occupational therapist, they delve into the basics of OT, its historical roots, and its application in enhancing the quality of life for patients with sever...

In this heartfelt episode of "It's Where I Am," Dr. David Gennis from Great Minds Counseling and Wellness Center engages in an inspiring conversation with Pedro from Paradigm Artistry. Pedro shares his transformative journey from struggling with self-esteem and cystic acne to discovering the power of makeup and cosmetology. Highlighting the profound impact of beauty on mental health, Pedro recount...