Ifyoucouldseeme

This week Erin welcomed Kim Flournoy DiJoseph to the show! This powerful conversation was hopefully just the beginning of many more! Kim Flournoy DiJoseph of the shadow work integration practice, @hotmesswork, has been called a “punk rock, modern-day Chinese medicine woman” who “sees the clearest in the dark,” and described by clients as having a “unique blend of intuitive healer and coach” and “someone who does her own work, so she can prepare and guide us in ours.”With 25+ years of combined, professional practice as a psychodynamic-bent, trauma-informed therapist way before the term was a thing, a social justice and anti-violence advocate building empathy and bridges across the victim/perpetrator dichotomy, and an associate professor in teaching with emphasis in vicarious trauma and holistic wellness of social work students and practitioners, Kim is firmly grounded in a continuum of theoretical and systematically-legitimized approaches to teaching and supporting folx through crisis, grief, trauma, and chang

M. Melissa Earley, RN, BSN, QMHP-C, NHDP-BC, is a survivor of domestic minor sex trafficking who has dedicated her life to working in healthcare. She earned her National Registry Certification as a Paramedic at The Medical College of Virginia in 1988 and has maintained her Paramedic Certification ever since. Throughout her EMS career she has held many leadership positions, including an appointment to the inaugural State Childhood Injury Prevention Committee. Ms. Earley later earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University. Choosing to devote much of her career to child and adolescent behavioral health afforded her the opportunity to register with the Board of Counseling as a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Child. Ms. Earley is also a National Healthcare Disaster Professional – Board Certified by the ANCC and is a member of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Disaster Behavioral Health Team and actively volunteers with the Medical Reserve Corps.

On September 3rd a group of amazing storytellers, lightworkers, artists, and mental health professionals came together from across the U.S., to share an evening of Seeking and Solidarity via zoom. Hosted by Erin Mahone Featuring Stories from: Amber Maiden Sean Wellington (https://speakersean.com/)Tamara CervenkaKhadijah Tishan (https://khadijahtishan.com/)Bob DancerEpisode Sponsor:Get the app and support The If You Could See Me Project at the same time! https://irel8.org/ifyoucouldseeme/iRel8 is a global, anonymous peer empowerment platform focused on mental wellness. Our platform brings people together in a safe community with others who have “been there, done that”, with the goal of helping and healing each other. iRel8 believes people have an innate need to connect to one another and uses Microsoft technology to Stop the Stigma while making a positive impact on mental wellness.iRel8 provides access 24/7/365 in a confidential and safe mobile app, and brings communities of people together to help and heal e

What an incredible conversation this week with Michelle Mercurio about grief, storytelling, love, growth, and letting go of what is in order to be able to accept what can be. Michelle Mercurio is...Writer. Firebrand. Catalyst. Authenticist. Boxer.My mission in life is to help people not miss their lives. Is it possible to let go of what is holding you back, align to your purpose and create your legacy? I think so. Whether I’m working with transformational entrepreneurs to write their brand’s story (and helping them create profitable businesses they love), or I’m having a porch picnic with my family and friends, I believe we could all be a little more ourselves, and a little less of who the world “expects” us to be. We are the answer we seek. Let’s make some magic in this world. Find me at michellemercurio.com or socially on IG and LinkedIn where I regularly drop truth bombs.Michelle's Resources:The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan DidionMISS Foundation for those who have lost a child - both national and loca

The If You Could See Me Project is changing lives by helping people change their stories! Please support our work by making a monthly pledge through our Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/ifyoucouldseeme or by subscribing, liking and reviewing in apple podcasts, and by sharing with your friends!This week Erin talks to CEO of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Amy Newmark. They address the role of the iconic institution in the ever changing world of media, working to create an inclusive space, and more! Amy Newmark is the bestselling author, editor-in-chief, and publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. Since 2008, she has published more than 170 new books, most of them national bestsellers in the U.S. and Canada, more than doubling the number of Chicken Soup for the Soul titles in print today. She is also the author of Simply Happy, a crash course in Chicken Soup for the Soul advice and wisdom that is filled with easy-to-implement, practical tips for enjoying a better life.Amy is credited with revital

The If You Could See Me Project is changing lives by helping people change their stories! Please support our work by making a monthly pledge through our Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/ifyoucouldseeme or by subscribing, liking and reviewing in apple podcasts, and by sharing with your friends! This week's episode is SO AWESOME!! Erin talks with therapist and author Kadijah Tishan. They talk about Kadijah's book, motherhood, Black Lives Matter, womanhood, being "crazy" and owning every bit of it! Khadijah Tishan is a Licensed Therapist, REAL Life Strategist and Published Author. REAL; How to Live and Serve Abundantly a memoir of generational trauma, mental health and work it takes create sustainable self care as a wounded healer. Radical Empathy and healing is so crucial for our work and I am working to change the narrative of generational trauma and burnout. Khadijah created a space for generational trauma breakers that offers tools strategy and support. REAL is available now on amazon. https://www.amaz

Sarah McFarland is the Founder of The Learning and Integrating New Knowledge and Skills Center, Inc. (The LINKS Center, Inc.). a nonprofit organization that provides support services to families caring for children diagnosed with mental illness. Sarah uses her lived experience to encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to move from hopelessness to wholeness. Her work includes, Certified Parent Support Provider, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Youth Counselor, CASA Guardian Ad Liten volunteer, Advocate for Sexual Trauma Services and Domestic Violence Prevention and Mental Illness. Sarah is a Board member, advocate and facilitator for NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Illness.Overcoming Adversity and living with ResilienceWhether we like it or not adversity is part of life. Overcoming adversity is one of the big challenges we have in life. Sarah has overcome and defy the odds, succeed in the face of adversity, survive tragedy and display strength and resilience when challenged. She will inspire y

Craig Lewis joins Erin for the second time in as many months. This time he shares aspects of his medical journey, the discovery of medicinal cannabis as a treatment for his mental health symptoms that brought him relief for the first time in his life. In this powerful episode, Erin sits with Craig as he describes the pain, shame, abandonment, anger, and desperation he has felt on his long journey to healing. Craig is raw and open about his life, his experiences, his mistakes, and the liberation of shifting his perspective. Listeners can find numerous ways to connect with Craig through the various links below, to purchase his books, art, and to invite him to train or speak for your organization. Visit our blog to read excerpts from Craig’s new book! https://www.ifyoucouldseeme.com/blog Craig Lewis chooses to be happy. During the past five years, Craig has been healing from a traumatic brain injury, he was disowned by his family for speaking about childhood abuse, he was disinherited by his working community in

Richmond Virginia native, Douglas Powell/Roscoe Burnems is a poet, published author, spoken-word artist, comedian, educator, father, and husband who has dedicated his craft to entertaining and educating. Performance poetry has afforded him the opportunity to enlighten and entertain crowds across the country; he's been seen everywhere from coffee shops and schools, to universities, theaters, and arenas. In 2019 he added a TEDx Talk to his list of accomplishments, speaking at a TEDxYouth event in November of 2019. He is no stranger to community and youth engagement. He has been a staple in the Arts Education scene for years and highlights arts integration as a host for PBS/VPM's The Art Scene. As a “slam poet” he has been a two-time regional finalist (2009, 2014), National Poetry Slam Champion (2014), NPS Group Piece Finalist (2018), and NUPIC/Underground Slam Champion (2019). He is the founder and member of The Writer's Den Poetry Slam team and collective. With Roscoe as a coach The Writer's Den has been con

This week Erin is participating in the RVA Share the Mic initiative and sharing the mic with Malikah Karim, yoga teacher, mind and body wellness expert. Erin and Malikah talked about race and learning, understanding, listening, holding silence for the magnitude of the conversation. They also talked about love, resilience, and making change from the heart space. The real message though is that, y'all this goes way beyond social media. This is about impact and action. How are you being inspired to act in your sphere of influence? Visit us on Check out the video of this conversation on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/Dishesinthesink/featured?view_as=subscriber Find Malikah Karim @mkpurewellness on Instagramhttps://www.facebook.com/PureYogaRVA/www.purewellnesscoaching.com

On this episode, Erin is joined by Lucretia Anderson. Lucretia shares her beautiful piece from the October 2019 live show in which the audio failed to record during the first half of the show. They talk about the Black Lives Matter movement, mindfulness practice, the benefits of feeling and processing the spectrum of emotions, even anger. They talk candidly and with humor about mindful motherhood. Also, about the value of theatre education in helping them develop compassion and interpersonal understanding. They discuss all the ways in which they each combine lifetimes of eclectic experience to shape new narratives and help others choose which inner voice to follow. This was such an awesome conversation! Lucretia M. Anderson, B.F.A, West Virginia University, is a Washington, DC native where she was a teaching artist and educational theatre director with several theatre companies including the Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater, Adventure Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Round House Theatre, Imagination S

Craig Lewis chooses to be happy. During the past five years, Craig has been healing from a traumatic brain injury, he was disowned by his family for speaking about childhood abuse, he was disinherited by his working community in the United States after he reported sexual and ethical violations in the workplace, he spent 15 months homeless mostly in Europe and while there he gave more than 50 professional mental health trainings and community empowerment events and now he has just celebrated his one year anniversary of living in Mexico, where he arrived with nothing but a backpack and the clothes on his body, and without speaking the language. Craig has published two books (one of which is currently available in 10 languages) and in the next few months he will be publishing three new books including a coping skills workbook based on what he has learned during the past 5 years, titled, “The Craig Lewis Guide to Surviving the Impossible”. Craig lives his life with Viktor Frankl and other brilliant spirits whisp

Erin was honored and excited to talk about mental health management during the pandemic.How can we help ourselves, our children, and those in our circles who may be struggling? Erin,Senator Hashmi and some of her constituents who joined this conversation via Zoom in mid-April, discuss these important issues and more.

John Richardson-Lauve is a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experienceworking in the field of community mental health. He is committed to the support andstrengthening of individuals and communities that struggle with adversity. His experienceincludes work with chronically mentally ill adults, substance abuse, residential youth care,foster care, and outpatient mental health. He has worked with homeless veterans in New YorkCity, in a hospice home for those with HIV in the early stages of the AIDS crisis, and 6 yearsliving together with his wife in a home with 8 teenage girls in foster care. He is an experiencedtrainer, lecturer and keynote presenter. He is the Director of Mental Health and the LeadTrauma and Resilience Educator at ChildSavers, an outpatient mental health clinic that hasserved children and families in the Richmond community for over 90 years. He and his wifehave a 12-year-old son and have worked with over 50 children in foster care in their home.Hand model of the brainvideo:

This show took place at the CsZ theater - home of Richmond Comedy Sportz, on Thursday, December 5th, 2019. IYCSM participant storytellers were (listed in order of performance): Rob TargosJonathan FraserDanny HolcombJosh FritzPodcast interviewee: Ari Laoch, M.S., LPC, CRC, CBISTFor more information on the If You Could See Me Project visit www.ifyoucouldseeme.com The If You Could See Me podcast is a member of the Mental Health News Radio Network. Big thanks to Dave Gau and the staff at the CsZ theatre for their support and partnership.

Chelsea Higgs Wise, MSW is a clinical social worker and experienced facilitator who specializes in connecting people from different walks of life to create equitable communication strategies. Chelsea is an experienced advocate and inclusion educator who consults with a wide range of organizations, campaign narratives and events/activities to achieve outreach results in local districts. Chelsea is passionate about dialogue & deliberation for attitudinal shifts and evolving structural approaches specifically aimed toward racial justice and gender equality. Find Chelsea:www.chelseahiggswise.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ChelseaHiggsWiseMarijuana Justice @THCjusticenow on FacebookRace Capitol @RaceCapitol on FacebookInstagram @ChelseaHiggsWise Twitter @ChelseaWiseRVALinkedIn @Chelsea Higgs WiseBlog womenpoliticsva.blog

Alden GrovesAlden Groves has been exploring the potential of music for more than a decade. He has spent much of that time examining his relationship with many different styles, talents, and interests and taking inspiration from genres such as pop, R&B, hip-hop, indie rock, underground bass, and even glitch and post-hardcore. Formerly known as Evoke, Alden Groves re-branded under his name and released his album FOOL//Savior that summarized his past ten years in the industry.His lyricism and ambient esthetic holds a heavy focus on his own experience with mental health diagnosis. His last few releases tell a story of what it is like to live with bipolar. He released CRAZY, an exploration of the mania of bipolar, followed by his single Anhedonia, which shows us the comatose, wholly detached state. Finally, his latest single Sway illustrates the push and pulls between the two. He has utilized his public platform to share his experience in hopes that others can also find solace and courage in their journey wit

Rabbi Mike MoskowitzAdvocacy For LGBT Inclusion & EqualityRabbi Moskowitz was assigned secular, then identified as ultra-orthodox for twenty years, and now embraces a religiously non-conforming identity. He has the cultural competency and language to translate beyond the words of the text and to hear the intentionality in the rabbinic voice speaking for social justice and inclusivity.Rabbi Moskowitz has three ultra-orthodox rabbinic ordinations. He spent a decade in the largest yeshivas in the world and studied the entire Babylonian Talmud. He founded and headed a kollel - a sacred think tank, served as a rabbi at Columbia University, and of a congregation in Harlem. Rabbi Moskowitz explored academic Talmud at Yale and at Jewish Theological Seminary, where he is currently completing a Doctorate in Hebrew Literature. As one of the leading thinkers at the intersection of trans issues and Jewish thought, he is a sought after lecturer, educator, and researcher.Buy his book Textual Activism on Amazon: https://

Johnny Crowderhttps://copenotes.com/https://binged.it/2N2vDsaAs a suicide/abuse survivor, Johnny Crowder spent his formative years searching for resources to help him cope with his mental health issues, ranging from OCD and bipolar disorder to schizophrenia.Crowder’s deeply personal experience with mental illness, university-level education in psychology, and contagious positivity combine to fashion a spirit of advocacy unlike any other.As a touring musician, creative writer, and motivational speaker, Crowder has impacted millions of lives across the globe by de-mystifying taboo psychological principles with levity and wit.After nearly a decade of clinical treatment, volunteer peer counseling, and public advocacy, Crowder now relies on the strategies he shares through Cope Notes to live a happier, healthier life.

Frank King, aka The Mental Health Comedian, is a Suicide Prevention and Postvention Public Speaker and Trainer who turned a lifelong battle with depression into a keynote worth spreading.After writing for the Tonight Show for 20-plus years and performing corporate comedy, Frank’s attention…His mission is to end the stigma surrounding mental health by share his insights with anyone and everyone who will listen in an effort to “start the conversation.”Frank has thought about killing himself more times than he can count. Like many of us, depression and suicide run in his family. He addresses his own trials and tribulations using a tool people from all walks of life can relate to, humor. With his TED Talk A Matter of Life or Death” he openly addresses topics considered taboo in today’s society.As a Motivational Public Speaker and Trainer who travels the world, Frank uses comedy and personal life lessons to help break the ice and start an engaging conversation amongst those struggling with mental and emotional sta