Take What Serves. Leave the Rest.

We're focusing on addiction and recovery in this week's episode.  Bryan talks to Connor Johnson about his journey with recovery and emerging from the grips of alcohol addiction. Connor is a yoga & meditation instructor, and Lululemon Ambassador. He's also is a housing consultant and the founder of Would Works .  Connor shares more about his journey in sobriety, how alcohol became a tool to numb wh...

We're keeping things super "chill" on this episode.  Bryan is joined by Luis Leonardo and Harrison Klein to talk about cold plunges and cold showers. They are both using cold exposure in their daily lives to develop a new relationship with their comfort zones.  Luis is the Founder of Embrace North , which is a cold plunge & sauna space in Minneapolis. Both Luis and Harrison also have teamed up to...

In this episode, Bryan talks to Dr. Chad Puffer about ways to maneuver the experience of a panic attack. Dr. Puffer is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, and the Medical Director for Child and Adolescent Services in Southern Minnesota for PrairieCare .  Dr. Puffer opens up about struggling with panic attacks in medical school, and shares what helped him. He also talks about what's happening in o...

In this episode Bryan talks to KARE 11 News Anchor and Reporter Rena Sarigianopoulos about her journey with social anxiety.  Rena says she's experienced anxiety in social settings for as long as she can remember. She talks about how social anxiety manifests for her and the importance of showing up for people. "Showing up for people is more important than anything that's going on in my head," Rena...

In this episode Bryan talks to mental health advocate Sam Eaton about his journey with depression and suicidal thoughts.  In 2011 Sam nearly took his own life, but made the decision to stay. He is now a speaker and founder of Recklessly Alive . He also is the author of the book, "Recklessly Alive: What My Suicide Attempt Taught Me About God and Living Life to the Fullest" . Sam shares what helps h...

In this episode Bryan talks with Dr. Alice Gu about the impact of screen time and kids mental health.  With technology surrounding us constantly, Dr. Gu gives advice to help parents address the topic with their children. She also discusses some of the negative impacts of excessive screen time, and how a parent can recognize the signs that their child is too attached to their device.  Dr. Gu is a c...

To mark OCD Awareness Week, this episode is intended to offer gratitude to the resources and people within the OCD community that have helped light the way for me and so many others. I share some of the things that have been most helpful for me, and hope they can help you too. I also talk more about the term "Pure O", which is used to describe OCD that presents as intrusive thoughts with mental co...

In this episode, Bryan talks to Lindsey Young about her journey with anxiety and depression. Lindsey is a staff writer for the Minnesota Vikings, and recently created the Getting Open Series where people within the organization publicly shared their experience with mental health.  Lindsey opens up about what has helped her maneuver dark moments in her life, and what helps her reach out to others w...

In this episode, Bryan talks to Jack Jablonski about the process of embracing his sexuality. Jack publicly came out in early September, posting on social media that he is gay.  Jack was paralyzed from the chest down during a high school hockey game in Minnesota back in 2011. Since then, Jack has shared his journey publicly and founded the Jack Jablonski Foundation .  In this episode Jack shares mo...

In this episode Bryan talks to Matt Landsiedel about what it means to be a highly sensitive person. Being a highly sensitive person comes with many gifts to share with the world, and also can present some challenges.  Matt is a Life & Spiritual Coach, and the host of the "Inspired To Be Authentic" podcast. He talks about growing up as a highly sensitive child, and how he's learned to nurture this...

In this episode, Bryan sits down with a cup of coffee and hits record, as we all step into a new week together.  He encourages us all to notice when perfectionism tries take hold, bring some awareness to our actions - and be gentle with ourselves along the way.  As always, take what serves you - and leave the rest.  Click here for information on Bryan's virtual Breathwork event coming up on Octobe...

The beginning of the week can certainly be a time of anxiety and overwhelm. Bryan offers a few words to help you ground as you step into your Monday. He talks about not waiting for things to feel "perfect" before we show up for our lives, and bringing awareness to our actions.  As always, take what serves you - and leave the rest.  You can learn more about, and register for, Bryan's upcoming virtu...

In this episode, Bryan talks to Dr. Kyle Cedermark about the process of beginning mental health medication. Deciding to take medication for your mental health is a very individual, personal choice. This episode is aimed at helping answer some of the common questions you might have, if you decide that medication is a helpful piece of your mental health "toolkit".  Dr. Cedermark talks about when med...

In this episode, Bryan talks to Lora Devore-Matz. Lora brings over forty years of experience as a psychotherapist and educator. She is specifically drawn towards spiritual psychology and transpersonal development.  Lora is a senior faculty member with the internationally recognized Center for Mind-Body Medicine , and also is a Clinical Education Specialist at PrairieCare .  In this interview, Lora...

In this episode, Bryan talks to Hope Elliott about her mental health story, and what she has learned along the way. Hope teaches yoga and is a wellbeing educator based out of Burlington, Vermont.  She shares her experience of growing up in a home with a parent experiencing mental health struggles. Hope also talks about her experience getting diagnosed with anxiety, depression, ADHD and panic disor...

In this episode, Bryan talks to Dr. Suzanne Jasberg about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS is being used to help people struggling with treatment resistant depression, along with other mental health conditions.  Dr. Jasberg talks more about what TMS is, how it works, and who qualifies for it. Dr. Jasberg is a psychiatrist in the Center for Neurotherapeutics at PrairieCare.  As always,...

In this episode Bryan talks to Allegra Miles. Allegra just appeared on Season 20 of American Idol, and was also a semi-finalist on The Voice.  Allegra shares her journey with her mental health, including struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder. She also shares how music has been instrumental in her healing, how cleansing it can be to cry - and much more.  As always - take what serves you, an...

In honor of Pride month, Bryan talks in this episode to Lisa Bauer about how to support someone through the coming out process.  Bryan and Lisa share pieces of their own coming out process and help guide parents on what to say to their kids when they come out. In addition, Lisa talks about how parents can maneuver their own emotions as they continue to show up for their child.  Lisa is a Licensed...

In this episode, Bryan talks to breathwork facilitator and author Michelle D'Avella about how breathwork can help you heal. Michelle talks about how breathwork has impacted her life, how the practice can help guide you into your heart, and what she would say to anyone who's finding themselves in a dark place.  You can learn more about Michelle and her offerings on her website, PushingBeauty.com . ...

In this episode, we continue our conversation about perinatal mental health. Bryan talks to Perinatal Therapist Lisa Cross about her own experience with perinatal OCD and how she's now helping new moms nurture their mental health.  Lisa works in the Perinatal Clinic at PrairieCare . She also recommends reaching out to Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Minnesota if you're in Minnesota. You can also...

In this episode, Bryan explores the concept of opening up to the emotions we're experiencing, without needing to know why they are there.  Sometimes we may know where an emotion is coming from, other times we may have no clue. This episode is an invitation to allow what's present to be felt, and expressed. We don't need to "figure it out" in order to heal. Bryan also guides you through a meditatio...

In this episode, Bryan talks about what's helped guide him when emotions are feeling particularly intense.  He talks about leaning into connection, feeling emotions vs. thinking about them - and giving ourselves space to do what we need in the moment.  As always, take what serves you - and leave the rest.  (This podcast is not meant to replace therapy. If you feel you need it, we encourage you to...

In this episode, Bryan talks to Chelsea Elker, who started experiencing intrusive thoughts about her newborn baby shortly after giving birth. Chelsea talks about how Perinatal OCD shook her to her core, and how it's led her to the work she's doing today. Chelsea is now a Clinical Care Coordinate for the perinatal speciality clinic at PrairieCare.  If you are a new or pregnant mom in need of mental...

In this episode Bryan talks to Dr. Josh Stein about how to help someone who is suicidal.  This can be a very heavy conversation to absorb, so we encourage you to take care of yourself as you listen.  Dr. Stein gives us advice on opening up dialogue with someone you might be worried about, and how to help keep them safe. He also explains the QPR approach to preventing suicide.  Dr. Stein is a child...

This week, Bryan chats with licensed therapist Kimberley Quinlan about her journey maneuvering perfectionism & cultivating self compassion. Kimberley also shares her experience living with an eating disorder.  Kimberley specializes in treating people with anxiety & OCD. She's the host of the "Your Anxiety Toolkit" podcast, and the author of the "Self Compassion Workbook for OCD" . Kimberley is als...