The One You Feed | Personal Growth, Emotional Resilience & Purpose

Abusers seek to isolate their victims and implement tactics to keep them silent and thinking that it’s “all in their head” or somehow their fault. However, when we talk about our experiences as victims of abuse, any false sense of shame is lifted and the experience is normalized; abuse becomes easily recognizable— and something we know how to stop. In this first of a two-part conversation, Ginny a...

With a wealth of experience in collecting life stories, Bruce Feiler has become an expert in identifying personal values in the search for fulfilling and purpose-driven work. As a best-selling author and engaging speaker, he inspires his audiences to dig deep, unearth their own personal stories, and chase their dreams rather than follow someone else’s path. In this episode, Eric and Bruce Discuss...

After the loss of someone we love, we’re inevitably faced with the question, “How do I live with this grief?” In this episode of “Something to Normalize,” Ginny and Brandi offer some answers to this question. Through research and personal experiences with grief, they share strategies, powerful bits of wisdom, and practical tools they’ve discovered. They also discuss how they’ve applied these tools...

Dr. Ken Duckworth is not only an expert in the mental health field but he has experienced firsthand the challenges of having a loved one suffering from mental illness. This experience inspired his work with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), advocating for awareness, research, and better access to mental health care. Ken continues to work to fight the shame and isolation surrounding m...

In this special two-part episode of Something to Normalize, Ginny and Brandi each share their stories of losing someone central to their lives and the grief that followed. Grief can be a complex, unpredictable, overwhelming, and isolating experience. And there are so many misconceptions about what it “should” be like. What’s worse than grieving the loss of someone you love and then feeling isolate...

Dr. Thomas Insel, a highly respected mental health expert, found inspiration in an honest comment from a frustrated family member. He was speaking to a group of mental health advocates about the advances in research and treatment when a man stood up to tell him that their family’s house was on fire, and Insel was only discussing the chemistry of the paint. This striking remark compelled Insel to r...

Have you ever felt like this? That showing vulnerability is weakness, that asking for help is a sign of incompetence, or that everyone else has the very thing you’re struggling with all figured out? These misconceptions can lead us to isolate ourselves and feel shame about our own struggles. Ginny and Brandi are here to share the power of normalizing our human experiences and how it can dissolve s...

Eric and Quan Barry discuss the power of intentionality in life and art and some of the important themes that show up in her writing. Quan shares her insights on the importance of consciously feeding our thoughts and actions in positive ways. The conversation delves into the importance of creativity, the role of gratitude in personal growth, and the challenges of staying open to new experiences, a...

Dr. Chris Palmer is a psychiatrist with a wealth of personal experience and professional expertise in the field of mental health. Having faced mental health challenges himself, Dr. Palmer has a unique understanding and empathy for those who struggle with mental illness. His determination to make a difference in the lives of others is fueled by witnessing his own mother’s battle with mental health...

Ralph De La Rosa explains how there is an important connection between nature and mindfulness. He encourages listeners to engage with nature in mindful presence and open their hearts to the natural healing force of the environment. In this episode, you’ll learn how connecting with nature can be a simple yet impactful way to improve mental and emotional health, and also… How connecting to nature fo...

Nikki Eisenhauer suggests that practicing mindfulness, being present in the moment, and consciously minimizing distractions such as excessive scrolling can help reduce inner chatter. She mentions the need for repetition and consistency in making these lifestyle changes, as well as replacing old, unhelpful habits with new ones that encourage a serene, focused state of mind. You'll Also Discover: Ho...

Meet Laura Cathcart Robbins, an inspiring writer and speaker who advocates for representation and inclusivity in addiction recovery for people of color. Laura has transformed her personal journey into a message of hope and resilience that has touched the lives of countless individuals. Her powerful storytelling, vulnerability, and candid approach to her writing have made her a sought-after persona...

April is National Poetry Month and we put together this special episode to pay tribute to the late poet, Mary Oliver.  Special guests James Crews, Danusha Lameris, Ross Gay, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, and Ginny Gay will read one of their favorite Mary Oliver poems and share why the poem is meaningful to them.  Whether you are a fan of Mary Oliver's work or are just learning about her for the first...

Get ready to dive into a conversation with Martha Beck and Rowan Mangan, two inspiring individuals known for their incredible ability to guide others towards living an unscripted life. Together, they make a dynamic duo that will leave you feeling inspired and ready to embrace your own unscripted life. In This Episode, You'll Learn: How to distinguish between intuitive and habitual responses that l...

In This Episode, You'll Learn: Learning to not resist the pain and grief of a terrible loss to find healing What it means to trust in life, even when the worst thing comes true How poetry embraces life’s greatest paradoxes Asking the question “is this the path of love?” Using the word “Hello” as a way to greet what’s going on within her How to embrace the unknown and cultivate trust during life's...

In This Episode, You'll Learn: How to utilize our five senses to more deeply connect with the world Why exploring the world through your senses to experience life more vividly and playfully. How sensory experiences are a meaningful way to connect with others. Keeping a “5 Senses Journal” as a useful tool as a form of appreciation How to elevate everyday moments with heightened sensory awareness te...

In This Episode, You'll Learn: How we can discover unique ways to approach discomfort and uncertainty that leads to personal growth and creativity. Recognizing the significance of small acts of kindness and acknowledging progress in life. Why finding simple beautiful things can be powerful and can help us through grief or difficult times  How humor can be the bridge that connects joy and grief Lea...

In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why it's important to keep asking questions, even when the answers may keep changing The challenge of going through a big life change and not expecting clear answers How looking back through your past can bring clarity to where you are and who you are now Staying open and curious when life is challenging is what keeps you from being stuck. Learning to work with and q...

In This Episode, you'll learn: How poetry and writing can be a spiritual practice Recognizing the feeling of joy and aliveness that comes from ordinary moments How inspiration can come from the practice of just showing up Why fear is a regular companion on any creative journey The importance of nurturing our inner life and spirit How self compassion is about embracing whatever comes up within you...

In This Episode, You'll Learn How his “delight” project was about learning to pay attention Discovering that joy and delight are abundant if you are looking and paying attention Defining joy and all that accompanies this profound emotion How talking about joy and gratitude helps with the difficulties in life The importance of laughter and how it connects us to joy Why we need to slow down and list...

In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why your attitude and how you pay attention is so important when it comes to mindfulness Understanding the 3 important pillars of mindfulness: intention, attention, attitude How have a mindfulness practice prepares the mind for learning Why shame stifles our ability to learn and grow How we can learn to remember to practice mindfulness by developing daily habits The...

In This Episode, You'll Learn … Why we need to honor the history of our ancestors like Harriet Tubman How struggle and hardship are universal and also necessary to learn and grow How Spring came to explore and write about the spiritual nature of Harriet Tubman The lesson and legacy of Harriet and how we can learn to break free from the “prisons” of our mind Defining internal, outer. and ultimate a...

In This Episode, You'll Learn: Exploring the complexity of emotions within us and how our choices feed into that: How to navigate caregiving and its unique challenges How can we better understand the multiplicity of feelings and desires inside of us How the process of writing can allow you to process and find distance from tough emotions The challenges in accepting aging and mortality How paying a...

In This Episode, You'll Learn How to investigate suffering and learn how to work with it in a fresh way Why we need to explore the impact of greed, shame, and other "giants" in our daily lives Understanding the power of apology and how it can help us move away from shame and toward freedom How to start bring our actions in alignment with our values to guide your spiritual path Learning to how to a...

In This Episode, You'll Learn: How has science proves that practicing self-compassion is more beneficial than self-criticism How touch can be used as a way to activate the body's natural responses to self-compassion Exploring the myths of self-compassion and how it is a powerful antidote to shame How we can use our relationships with close friends as a template to be more compassionate with oursel...