Kitchen Table Conversations with Angela Geddes

In this episode, we aim to normalize the benefit of therapy/counselling and doing our best to provide early access that can really help to lighten the load, and to prevent chronic difficulties or illness.  Let's bring this conversation back home to our kitchen tables so others who struggle with feeling stuck, low energy, high stress or anxiety and maybe other work or relationship difficulties...

In this episode, we’re talking about supporting healthy pregnancies and clarifying some language and messaging. When we know better, we can do better! Feel free to send me some ideas on how to share messages in ways that help people realize that FASD can happen to anyone, not just for those who struggle with “problem drinking." Head to the website to reach out or access resources to learn mor...

The theme for this year's World Breastfeeding Week is "Let's make breastfeeding and work, work!" We still have some work to do to support working mothers in their breastfeeding efforts.  Visit my website to read an article by the WHO outlining their research regarding children's health and how breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition, and how children's health is impa...

This is a repeat episode that originally aired as EPISODE #12: A Positive Look at Anxiety. We think it’s worth another listen. People with anxiety often really struggle with many things, and often with their view of themselves. They often find themselves frustrated with their perceived shortcomings and often with inability to deal more effectively with their intense worry and anxiousness. In this...

Using music as a medium. Let’s take another listen to this episode, which originally aired as EPISODE #44: Challenging Our Biases Around People Who Don't 'Work', and the song recently released by Dean Brody called Broke . I think it warrants another listen with a little more explanation as to why this discussion should come home to your Kitchen Tables.  Here is a link to his song an...

In this episode, Angela discusses the importance of noticing, honouring and learning from our feelings and evaluating whether or not our responses help or hinder us. Listeners are invited to take a few minutes to breathe and imagine a temporary button and explore ways to help us avoid getting stuck when things get very difficult. Angela and her team use many principles from Acceptance Commitment T...

Using music as a medium, this episode challenges the listener to bring this discussion back to our kitchen tables to explore the unique challenges that people with hidden disabilities experience. People do want to work; and they do work very hard... But there are many times when this is impossible within our communities. We can do better, and when more people understand why some people don't...

Parliament passed Bill C-22; establishing the first ever Canada Disability Benefit. This is fantastic news and a result of much advocacy from Inclusion Canada, various organizations, families and individuals who know that 40% of people with a disability live in poverty. The work continues, and much more advocacy is necessary to help clarify who qualifies especially with more 'hidden' dis...

Welcome to summer! In today’s episode, I’m sharing tips for good health, plus some reviews on my book (thank you!) and the need to raise awareness; all in an effort to help people and communities be as healthy as they can be.

Today's episode is highlighting an upcoming FASD Conference scheduled for the Fall which focuses on breaking stigma and supporting success in a complex world.  Angela is honoured to be a part of this amazing event to help share information from the frontline and family perspective in our effort to build more inclusive service delivery systems and communities. Check out the website for more de...

So many times our past continues to interfere with our day to day existence in disruptive ways. Often we allow our distressing past experiences to continue to alter our world view and our view of our self. Have a listen to this episode to hear about some of the ways that we can make peace with our past and move towards our values with more wisdom and resilience.   Check out the website for more de...

In this episode, I will share my experience from the Newfoundland FASD Conference that I was honoured to speak at this past week. We had an amazing time meeting so many people who are so committed to making a difference: reducing stigma and raising awareness for people with complicated and beautiful brains. We met so many resilient people with some traumatic yet hopeful and inspiring stories to te...

In this episode, as Angela heads to Newfoundland to speak at a conference on FASD, we recognize the impact proper education and awareness can have on prevention when it comes to prenatal alcohol expose. Increasing awareness can dramatically change the landscape of FASD in a relatively short period of time. It’s so important to have these conversations and to bring them home to your own kitchen tab...

Today's episode is focused on how many people struggle with life's challenges and mental illness alone, and so often their method involves self medicating with substances.  Addictions often result from untreated trauma or mental illness. In fact, I've been in this helping profession for a very long time, and I've never seen addiction without an underlying mental health issue th...

Can finding joy in other peoples successes be the secret to our own happiness? I learned a new word! Freudenfreude - the opposite of Schadenfreude. Let's talk about the mental health benefit of being genuinely happy for others when they experience joy or success.   “Acts of service, being happy for others, all some of the little things to help bring us joy and peace in this busy hectic and un...

May is mental health awareness month. Let's take some time to learn a few facts and stats, and to further understand the ongoing impact of poverty and stigma on overall wellbeing. We will also explore opportunities to promote mental wellness while doing what we can to prevent both the impact and the instances of mental illness and other hidden complex neurodevelopmental disorders. Check out t...

How much is too much when it comes to screen time? Yet another pressure we put on parents that is so hard to define and sometimes manage. Let's talk about quality and not quantity. Four things to consider; mitigate, mindful usage, modelling healthy usage, and minimizing.

This episode focuses on the results of an article published by Futurity.org which shares the findings of mice studies indicating direct impact from male alcohol consumption on the pregnancy including "a profound shift in the organization of the face." Let's bring this topic home to our Kitchen Table Conversations because it's up to all of us to support healthy pregnancies, and...

This episode looks at the compounded vulnerability for people with Complex Neurodevelopmental disorders. When we know better… we can do better; whether we are impacted directly or if we love and support people who are. Please check out the additional resources available on my website.

Today's podcast is focusing on some tips and strategies to develop skills and a family 'team' approach getting everyday tasks completed and the importance of taking care of ourselves and each other.  Check out the website for links to  Mama Systems by Laura Hernandez and her podcast, Mama Advocate, for more info and support in helping to keep our homes organized so we have time for...

This episode focuses on challenging some of the myths that are often shared and understood with regards to cannabis use. Many view cannabis use as natural, healthy, and without significant risks. However, research is indicating that there are risks from long term use to the individual and risks from any use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This comes as a surprise to many, so we feel it's...

This episode focuses on a practical approach to learning more about and supporting our children, youth, and adults with a complicated and beautiful brain... a Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder (CND). Angela offers some strategies to help keep us all on track when we begin to understand that we or our children are struggling with mood, concentration, social and learning difficulties, and/or physi...

We are in the middle of neurodiversity celebration week which is a worldwide initiative aimed to challenge some of our biases and our misconceptions around neurological conditions.  It is a time where we can acknowledge and celebrate neurodivergence and to begin and continue conversations that will lead to better understanding and inclusion!

Today we are celebrating International Women's Day. In this episode, I would like to acknowledge what this day means, focusing on equal opportunity and inclusion all the while celebrating freedom of choice, as well as pay special attention to caregivers of those who have been impacted by PAE and FASD. I would like to all to take a moment and listen to a song by Jessie T called Just a Number ....

In this episode, we will discuss the role Social Workers play in our communities. As a social worker, I work for the people that I support; I have always been a ‘helper’ and explore creative ways to make things happen, to reduce or remove barriers. Social workers believe people are capable, resourceful, creative and resilient… until they are misunderstood and misdiagnosed.  We are a diverse group...