Pause To Elevate With Dr. Kasim Al-Mashat

What is it like for a person to transform from being shattered by the devastating impact of war, addiction, and homeless to a life dedicated to inner and outer peace?  Listen to this eye-opening perspective from the latest podcast interview with Claude AnShin Thomas. He is a Vietnam combat veteran turned Zen Buddhist monk, author, and speaker. Claude AnShin communicates Zen Buddhist Teachings in a...

Bad things seem to happen to good people.  If we can’t avoid the unwanted, the setbacks, the traumas, and the hardships from happening in life, how do we work with them?  And, how do we use these as opportunities to learn and grow? 📒 Show Notes and Resources 📒    Watch this Pause To Elevate Podcast with Janet Curry, as she shares ways in which mindfulness can increase well-being, clarity, and jo...

When was the last time you laughed?  Stress and life’s challenges can easily take away your smile and joy.  Listen to this story of transformation from dealing with the aftermath of a car accident to becoming a pioneer in the Laughter Yoga movement in North America and author! 📒 Show Notes and Resources 📒 Linda Leclerc is regularly invited by the media as an expert to talk about the benefits of...

When was the last time you overate, ate mindlessly, or found yourself emotionally eating? Watch this podcast episode with Dr. Judson Brewer, MD, Ph. D. (“Dr. Jud”) as we address this habit and how to change it.  In a previous appearance on this podcast (published April 18, 2024), we covered his work and book about “Unwinding Anxiety” – Here is the YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvrtd...

There is heavy cost to stress and burnout that can lead many people to quit their pursuits, dreams, hobbies, jobs or business.  How can you tell if it is time to quit or time to rest?  Listen to this heartfelt podcast conversation with Dr. Ghazala Radwi, MD. She is Hematologist who speaks candidly about her journey with burnout, and almost quitting her career.  Instead, she has chosen a journey of...

Ready to elevate your thinking?  Award winning-author Alexander Boldizar challenges us to examine our worldview through fiction, and finding an ever expanding mindset that can overcome failures.  This “Pause To Elevate” podcast will make you think and you may even feel smarter by the end!   Boldizar’s writing has won the PEN/Nob Hill prize, a Somerset Award for literary fiction, and other awards,...

Have you been affected by emotional pain, trauma and/or any form of loss?  If so, this Pause to Elevate Podcast might be for you!  Sandy Oshiro Rosen has spent many years working alongside individuals for whom dance and movement have become an avenue for emotional expression and the embodiment of trauma and unhealed feelings. She is a Dance Director, Arts Mentor, Author and live performance Venue...

Want to be happy and find peace in your life?  We all seem to be chasing that goal but maybe abandoning ourself in the process of pursuing things, like a job, relationship, goals, and whatever else.   Cory Muscara is a former monk, host of the Practicing Human podcast, and bestselling author of the book, Stop Missing Your Life.  His goal is to share wisdom teachings in a practical and accessible w...

In this uplifting episode, we dive into the fascinating realm of psychology and the impact of pets on mental, physcial and emotional well-being.  My guest is Dr. Kim Dawson, a Registered Psychologist based in Victoria, BC, Canada. Dr. Dawson brings a wealth of expertise, drawing from his background in clinical psychology, academic research, and teaching experience.  We explore the health benefits...

How can the subject of grief, loss and death inspire us to live more fully?  Watch this life changing conversation with Reverent Stephen Garrett, MA, as we cover the taboo subject kept in the shadows.   Talking openly about life and death can help us live more fully with less fear, less denial more love and inspiration.  Reverent Stephen Garrett has written four books, the two most recent were “Wh...

Stress takes a toll on our mental and physical well-being.  Not taking care of ourselves has a heavy consequence on us, our family, and community.  Watch as Dr. Maryam Zeineddin, MD, and founder of Zili CARE, shares her personal story of trauma, burnout and using that to create change for herself and others.  Zili Care is a not-for-profit platform established in 2017 that empowers women to navigat...

We all may have psychological barriers, fears or traumas that can stop us from improving our lives or even living it to the fullest.  What if it is possible to overcome these barriers and thrive through life’s challenges?  Listen to Albert Nerenberg as he shares his story of transformation through trauma.  He is an award-winning filmmaker, Hypnotist and TEDX speaker.  His seminal documentary, Laug...

As a positive emotion, how does awe stack up in supporting physical and psychological well-being? I am excited to share an interview with the co-author of the book THE POWER OF AWE. Dr. Michael Amster and his co-author, Jake Eagle, have discovered a clinically proven way to reduce inflammation, stress, loneliness, and burnout while improving overall well-being.  Listen to this conversation as it d...

In these difficult times there are many reasons to be angry, sad, and stressed.  What if we can metabolize stress with our laughter and nurture peace and joy when it is most needed?    In this Pause To Elevate podcast episode, I am joined by Sylvie Dagenais-Douville.  She is the founder of the Laughing Institute, published author, speaker, dedicated Laughter Yoga Master-Trainer.  She is on a missi...

Acceptance in meditation and in life can be easily misunderstood.  We often think that it means to be okay with how things are no matter what!  However, this sometimes can mask the issues.  Listen to this interview highlight with Bob Stahl (PhD), who had lived in a monastery for eight years, about a better way to understand and apply acceptance.  May it support your daily journey! Connect with Bob...

As adults, we may find it difficult to form new friendships, struggle with nurturing existing ones, and can find it hard to end other friendships.  What does relationship psychology tell us about friendships and why they matter?  Listen to this informative and uplifting conversation with Laura Sniderman, Founder and CEO of Kinnd, a friendship app. To connect with Laura visit - https://www.kinnd.io...

Learn what many people are getting wrong about exercise!  Listen to this episode with Catherine King, who was named top fitness trainer in Canada by Impact Magazine in 2020 and 2024.  In this episode, we cover the topic of exercise, mental health, motivation, mindset, misconceptions and trends in fitness.  Catherine is a practicing Kinesiologist with a Master of Science degree in Strength and Cond...

Burnout is far too common.  We live in a busy and fast paced life.  How can we flourish and elevate our potential in life and work when we are constantly stressed and on the verge of a breakdown? Is there work-life balance? Listen to this conversation with Dr. Michael (Mick) Krasner, MD, FACP.  He is a Professor Emeritus of Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry....

Pain and chronic pain can wreak havoc on our lives.  It often limits our ability to have the quality of life we deserve.  Watch as Dr. Jackie Nix-Gardner, pain expert, speaks about pain, wellbeing, mindfulness, resilience, and living through difficult times.   Dr. Jackie Gardner-Nix, MD, is an Associate Professor in the Dept of Anaesthesiology at the University of Toronto and a physician mindfulne...

It is easy to get caught up in negative thinking and get stuck in unhelpful patterns. This makes us susceptible to anxiety and depression and being unhappy.  Listen as we explore reclaiming living life with more resilience , inner peace, and freeing yourself from patterns of unhelpful thinking that lead to depression and anxiety. Dr. Zindel Segal is a leading psychologist, mindfulness teacher, and...

Life can throw unexpected adversity at us.  What happens when this adversity is life shattering and triggers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression and Traumatic Brain Injury?  How can someone still flourish and thrive through such adversity?  Find out about the human potential to flourish in this inspiring conversation with Lauren Roegele.  She is a Yoga teacher and trainer who has fac...

Struggling with stress, life challenges, pain or illness? How can we create change and transformation amidst the darkness of where we may find ourselves?  Listen to this special interview with Saki Santorelli, former director of the internationally  acclaimed Stress Reduction Clinic, and executive director of the Center for Mindfulness (CFM) in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University...

How can we intervene with overthinking, and what is the consequence of not doing so?    As a practioner and expert on mindfulness, Professor Mark Williams shares practically how mindfulness can help us prevent depression and depression relapse, find clam, and minimize the cost of spiralling mentally and emotionally.  He also guides us through a mindfulness practice.   Mark Williams is an Emeritus...

Sometimes we think that caring for ourselves is selfish whether engaging in self-care, mindfulness, exercise or hobbies.  However, what happens when we overly focus on others and not give ourselves enough care and attention?  What if it ends up being selfish not to take care of ourselves?  Watch this Pause To Elevate Podcast episode as Dr. Mark Sherman, MD, shares the importance of caring for ours...

Chasing your goals can be fulfilling but how are you doing in the process?  We are all at risk of getting caught up in the never ending "go-go" mentality that can take away the joy from pursuing personal and professional success.  Listen to this heartfelt podcast conversation with Dr. Ghazala Radwi, MD.  She is Hematologist who speaks candidly about how this busy way of living was costin...