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Today we have Dr. Eleanor Tanno with us, discussing the vital topic of advanced directives. Dr. Tanno is the creator and founder of Advanced Direct MD. Dr. Tanno, thank you for being here today. I see you a lot on social media and reached out because I know that not everyone has an advanced directive.

Discussing advanced directives can be uncomfortable, but it's crucial when making decisions for someone else. Family members often feel obligated to pursue aggressive care, which might not align with the patient's wishes. An advanced directive can guide family members or friends, ensuring decisions reflect the patient's desires.

Dr. Tanno, how did you get into this field? Your experience highlights the importance of advanced directives, especially in hospitals where critical decisions are made. Please share your journey and the background of Advanced Direct MD.

Thank you for having me. During my time in the ICU, I noticed that very few patients had discussed care planning with their families. Only 36% of people have an advanced directive, often skewed towards older individuals. This lack of planning leads to family members making uninformed decisions, often opting for more aggressive and sometimes futile care. I realized that advanced directives should be created with physicians, not just attorneys. This led me to teach people how to create comprehensive advanced directives through courses and lectures, providing real-life examples to clarify their importance.

Let's discuss some tips for our listeners on creating an advanced directive. Firstly, you don't need an attorney to make an advanced directive. You can download your state's form online. However, it helps to create it with someone knowledgeable to ensure it's legally sound and up to date.

Tip one is to name your medical decision-maker. Without one, your spouse or adult children might be the default, which can lead to conflicts. Name someone explicitly to avoid these issues. Tip two is to have a detailed conversation with your decision-maker about your medical wishes. Teach them the answer to the question: "I would want to be kept alive as long as I am still able to ___." This answer changes throughout life and should be communicated clearly to your decision-maker.

About Dr. Tanno:
Dr. Eleanor Tanno is a practicing full time Family Physician and the founder of AdvanceDirectiveMD. Through speaking and her online course, she educates clients on how to create a meaningful Advance Directive that eventually guides their loves ones.

Website and Social Media links:
https://advancedirectivemd.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tanno-m-d-4b8698189/

#AdvancedDirectives #HealthcarePlanning #PatientAdvocacy #MedicalDecisionMaking #EndOfLifeCare

The Power of Peacefulness and Stress Relief Podcast was created by Sharon McLaughlin MD FACS to help normalize mental health.

If you need help creating peace in your life be sure to download our peacefulness workbook.
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Today, we have Naketa Ren Thigpen with us to discuss generational trauma. Naketa is a licensed psychologist, social worker, sexologist, and trauma specialist. Naketa, your background is impressive. Please introduce yourself to our audience.

Thank you, Sharon. My background is indeed layered, covering human behavior and relationships. I have degrees in psychology, sociology, anthropology, and clinical social work, specializing in TFCBT and DBT. My focus is on understanding why people behave the way they do and the impact on their ecosystem—partners, children, elders, siblings, and colleagues. At Big Pearl Balance and Relationship Management Institute, we help individuals self-actualize, ensuring they ripple the good and healed parts, not the hurt.

Stronger families are the result of this work. How did you get into this field?

I come from a non-strong family. I've experienced every type of big T trauma imaginable, from sexual abuse to domestic violence. My father has been in and out of jail since I was 15, and both my parents have struggled with substance abuse. Learning became my escape and source of validation. I delved into psychology to understand our behaviors and how I could help heal. My journey into understanding generational trauma led me to study epigenetics, revealing that trauma impacts everything from sexual desires to parenting.

Talking about generational trauma, where do we begin unpacking it?

Trauma is universal. There’s cultural-specific trauma, and it’s in our genes, impacting us for generations. Awareness is the first step. You need a safe place to unpack it and acknowledge that trauma can coexist with beautiful work. Trauma lives in the body, so our awareness and processing of it in the present are crucial.

Tell us about your book, "Selfish."

"Selfish" is my survivor memoir and personal transformation story. It took over eight years to write, detailing my experiences, early scripting from my parents' actions and inactions, and how choosing to be selfish saved my life.

About Naketa:
Naketa Ren Thigpen is formerly trained as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who is now a Psychotherapist, Trauma Specialist, Sexology and Relationship expert with strategically infused tenets of coaching to set a new bar and create ripples inside the personal development industry. Naketa is also the CEO of Thigpro. ThigPro Balance (And) Relationship Management Institute Is A Global Personal Development Company That Amplifies Intimacy From The Bedroom To The Boardroom.

Website and Social Media links:
https://thigpro.com/
https://www.facebook.com/asknaketa
http://www.instagram.com/asknaketa

#GenerationalTrauma #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfHealing #TraumaInformed

The Power of Peacefulness and Stress Relief Podcast was created by Sharon McLaughlin MD FACS to help normalize mental health.

If you need help creating peace in your life be sure to download our peacefulness workbook.
https://sharonmclaughlinmd.com/workbook

I would love to hear your thoughts.

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In today's episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Dr. Valerie Cacho, a renowned sleep specialist. She will discuss common sleep problems, their causes, and practical solutions for those struggling with sleep issues.

Dr. Cacho shares her personal inspiration, rooted in her father's experience as an interventional cardiologist who often worked without adequate rest. She explains how her passion for preventive health and lifestyle medicine, combined with the profound impact of sleep on overall wellness, guided her career path.

Dr. Cacho emphasizes that poor sleep can lead to serious health issues, including increased risk for cancer, fertility problems, and mood disturbances. Reflecting on her medical training, she highlights the irony of being trained to function with minimal sleep and shares her own struggles with sleep deprivation during her residency.

She breaks down sleep issues using a mind, body, and soul framework. Mentally, stress and hormonal changes can hinder sleep. Physically, conditions like obstructive sleep apnea are often overlooked in women due to gender biases. She notes that women can snore as loudly as men and that up to 90% of women with sleep apnea are undiagnosed. Dr. Cacho also touches on the impact of joint pain, medication side effects, and other physical discomforts on sleep.

Spiritually, she discusses the importance of living a fulfilling life, whether in terms of career satisfaction or life transitions. She uses a blend of art and science to help her patients find the root causes of their sleep issues.

Dr. Cacho addresses the misconception that eight hours of sleep is necessary for everyone, citing research showing that seven hours can be sufficient for good health. She also talks about the importance of not relying solely on sleep aids and the value of cognitive behavioral therapy for treating insomnia.

For those waking up in the middle of the night, Dr. Cacho offers several tips, including addressing untreated sleep apnea, ensuring physical comfort, managing stress, and understanding one’s natural sleep patterns. She suggests tools like the morningness-eveningness questionnaire to determine the best sleep schedule.

About Dr. Cacho:
Dr. Valerie Cacho is an integrative sleep medicine specialist (MD) and women's sleep expert . Her interests and expertise include: diagnosing and treating medical sleep disorders, mind-body therapies for insomnia and whole living.

Website:
https://sleephoria.com
Book link:
https://www.amazon.com/Integrative-Medicine-INTEGRATIVE-MEDICINE-LIBRARY/dp/0190885408
Social Media Links:
https://www.youtube.com/@sleephoria https://www.i

The Power of Peacefulness and Stress Relief Podcast was created by Sharon McLaughlin MD FACS to help normalize mental health.

If you need help creating peace in your life be sure to download our peacefulness workbook.
https://sharonmclaughlinmd.com/workbook

I would love to hear your thoughts.

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Today, we have Dr. Anissa Hansen with us. She will be discussing how to calm our inner anxiety. Dr. Hansen holds a Ph.D., and she is both a therapist and a therapeutic coach. We are thrilled to have her here. Anxiety, unfortunately, is a significant issue in our society, and many, including myself, have suffered from it since childhood.

Dr. Hansen shares her personal experience with anxiety, explaining how she was a highly sensitive child growing up in the late 80s and 90s when anxiety wasn't widely recognized or understood. She recalls experiencing physical symptoms of stress, such as ulcers and dizziness, from a young age. Her parents, unaware of how to cope with her sensitivity, took her to various specialists who focused solely on physical ailments, ignoring the emotional and psychological aspects.

As a child, Dr. Hansen underwent numerous tests and treatments, none of which addressed the underlying stress and anxiety. She was even told by a specialist that she was making up her symptoms for attention, which led her to hide her struggles. It wasn't until graduate school that she began to understand her anxiety and its roots in her family dynamics and personal sensitivities. This realization came through her studies in psychology and her own therapeutic journey.

Dr. Hansen emphasizes the importance of recognizing anxiety as a messenger rather than an enemy. She suggests that anxiety can be a gift, albeit an uncomfortable one, signaling misalignments in our lives. By shifting our perspective on anxiety and becoming curious about its messages, we can begin to understand what it is trying to communicate.

At the end of the podcast, Dr. Hansen provides information on how to get in touch with her for those interested in her services. She offers a complimentary phone call to potential clients to determine if her approach is a good fit for them. Dr. Hansen can be reached through her website, AnissaHansen.com, and on Instagram, where she shares free videos and content.

It has been a pleasure having Dr. Hansen on the show, and we are grateful for her insights and tips on calming anxiety.

About Dr. Hanson:
Over the past decade, Aniesa has helped all walks of people from CEO’s, and entrepreneurs to stay-at-home moms. She’s been a featured therapist in many publications. She has MA in Counseling, PhD in Psychology, and a licensed therapist.

Website and social media links:
https://aniesahanson.com/
https://www.instagram.com/aniesahanson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aniesa-hanson


#CalmYourAnxiety #MentalHealthMatters #AnxietyRelief #TherapeuticCoaching #MindfulnessJourney

The Power of Peacefulness and Stress Relief Podcast was created by Sharon McLaughlin MD FACS to help normalize mental health.

If you need help creating peace in your life be sure to download our peacefulness workbook.
https://sharonmclaughlinmd.com/workbook

I would love to hear your thoughts.

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Chantal Wade is a psychotherapist specializing in trauma, self-esteem, and anxiety
I spoke to Chantal about Shame

Key Takeaways:

• Healthy vs. Toxic Shame: Healthy shame once served to maintain social order, while toxic shame is pervasive and damaging, leading to feelings of unworthiness.
• Curiosity as a Tool: By becoming curious about our feelings and bodily sensations related to shame, we can begin to dismantle harmful beliefs.
• Empathy and Self-Compassion: Shame cannot survive in the presence of empathy, and self-compassion is key to healing from toxic shame.
• External Influences: Society, media, and relationships often reinforce toxic shame, making it important to recognize and address these external sources.

Resources:

• Chantel Wade Therapy: Follow Chantel on social media at @ChantelWadeTherapy.
• Free Resources: Chantel offers monthly free workshops and additional resources through her social media and website.
• Befriending Your Parts Framework: A program designed by Chantel to build self-esteem, regulate the nervous system, and work through shame.

https://chantalwadetherapy.com/

The Power of Peacefulness and Stress Relief Podcast was created by Sharon McLaughlin MD FACS to help normalize mental health.

If you need help creating peace in your life be sure to download our peacefulness workbook.
https://sharonmclaughlinmd.com/workbook

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/sharonmclaughlinmd/
Tik Tok-https://www.tiktok.com/@sharonmclaughlinmd
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Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Sonny Miles, a specialist in integrative medicine and palliative care, to our podcast. Dr. Miles focuses on a holistic approach to health and comfort care, making her insights particularly valuable for our discussion today. Thank you, Dr. Miles, for joining us and sharing your expertise on lightening the load.

Dr. Miles begins by sharing her journey into palliative care, which she discovered during her residency at UCSF. Initially, she didn't see herself in this field, opting instead for hospital medicine at Indian Health Services in Northwest New Mexico. However, she quickly realized the importance of honest and open conversations about patient care. These conversations often revealed a mismatch between medical expectations and patient desires, leading her to pursue further training in palliative care. This field emphasizes early and meaningful conversations that allow patients to make informed decisions about their lives and care, focusing on quality of life and personal choices.

Dr. Miles reflects on the profound impact of these conversations, both on her patients and on her own life. Discussing what matters when time is short has made her live more intentionally, choosing what truly matters to her. She notes that while the work is challenging, it is also deeply enriching and meaningful.

Dr. Miles offers practical advice for caregivers, including a mantra from her acupuncturist: "I give you back to you, and I give me back to me." This practice helps in separating oneself from the emotional burdens of others. She also highlights the importance of mindfulness and somatic exercises, which help reconnect the physical and emotional bodies. These practices, such as craniosacral therapy, can release stored trauma and emotions, facilitating healing.

Thank you, Dr. Miles, for joining us and sharing your wisdom.

About Dr. Miles:
Dr. Sonny Miles practices integrative medicine and palliative care. Her experience taking care of those with serious illness have fostered a special interest in intentional living and connecting our physical health and our emotional journey.

Websites:
http://sonnymilesmd.com/
https://www.healingwithintentionim.com/

Social Media Links:
https://www.instagram.com/healingwithintentionim/ https://www.facebook.com/healingwithintentionintegrativemedicine

#IntegrativeMedicine #PalliativeCare #HolisticHealth #CaregiverSupport #MindfulLiving

The Power of Peacefulness and Stress Relief Podcast was created by Sharon McLaughlin MD FACS to help normalize mental health.

If you need help creating peace in your life be sure to download our peacefulness workbook.
https://sharonmclaughlinmd.com/workbook

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/sharonmclaughlinmd/
Tik Tok-https://www.tiktok.com/@sharonmclaughlinmd
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In today's episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Jessica Dawda, an accomplished engineer with an MBA, who is here to discuss a very important topic—mental health. Jessica, thank you so much for joining us today.

Jessica's journey into engineering began with a childhood fascination for cars and machines, leading her to become a mechanical engineer who designed hydraulic motors. Despite the male-dominated field, Jessica’s passion drove her to excel in engineering. Her supportive parents played a crucial role in nurturing her interests from a young age.

After completing her MBA, Jessica worked for renowned companies like Uber and Amazon, as well as several Indian startups. The demanding work hours, often extending up to 20 hours a day, took a toll on her health. She began experiencing severe physical issues such as fatigue, gut problems, and dizziness. Despite consulting various specialists, it took a year of struggle and a severe panic attack for her to realize that she was suffering from mental health issues.

Jessica shares her story of resilience and transformation. Upon realizing the impact of stress on her health, she left her corporate career to prioritize her mental well-being. Her journey led her to research and understand the triggers and symptoms of her panic attacks. With her engineering background, she utilized wearable technology to analyze her data and predict panic attacks. This innovative approach helped her reduce her panic attacks by 95% and eventually become free of medication.

Inspired by her own experiences, Jessica developed the Stress Monitor Watch App, a tool designed to help others manage stress, anxiety, and panic attacks. The app connects to wearable devices, analyzing heart rate patterns and providing real-time alerts and calming techniques. Users can log their triggers and symptoms, helping them understand and manage their mental health better. Additionally, the app features a chatbot named Mind Genie and a function to alert a loved one during an anxiety attack.

Since its launch, the app has garnered around 6,000 downloads and positive feedback from users, who appreciate its practical features and the ongoing improvements based on user suggestions.

Thank you, Jessica, for sharing your inspiring story and innovative solution with us. Remember, if you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend, like, and follow us. Join us next week on the Power of Peacefulness.

About Jessica:
Jessica, founder of Stress Monitor | Watch App (MindGinie), is a corporate employee turned entrepreneur. Previously worked at Uber, Amazon, and Zupee, now on the road to help people reduce panic & anxiety attacks. She has reduced her panic attacks by 95%.

Website and social media links:
https://www.mindginie.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mindginie/

#MentalHealthAwareness #StressRelief #WearableTech #Wom

The Power of Peacefulness and Stress Relief Podcast was created by Sharon McLaughlin MD FACS to help normalize mental health.

If you need help creating peace in your life be sure to download our peacefulness workbook.
https://sharonmclaughlinmd.com/workbook

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/sharonmclaughlinmd/
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Today, we are thrilled to have Dr. Brittany Chidley with us. She's a clinical psychologist, marital and family therapist with over two decades of experience in the mental health field. Currently, she is the director of Trails Therapy and the founder of We Feel, a platform that offers resources about emotional wellness. Our discussion today will focus on emotional wellbeing and the importance of tuning into our feelings.

Dr. Brittany, thank you so much for joining us today. "Oh, my pleasure, Sharon. Thank you for having me. I'm delighted to be here and very excited about this topic."

Let's dive right in. Could you explain the difference between emotions and feelings? It can be a bit confusing. "Sure, Sharon. This might sound nitpicky, but in terms of research, it helps to differentiate the two. Emotion is more of an unconscious response of your body. For example, if you're sitting in your office and someone comes banging on the door, your body might have a fear response. How we make sense of that response is our feeling. Emotions are the electrical activities in our body, while feelings are our perception of those emotions."

That's a great explanation. So, turning into our emotions, what advice would you give to people who feel they overreact and want to change? "In some ways, we're talking about everyone. Everyone has emotions, and as a psychologist, I see many people who struggle with regulating their feelings. I reference Mark Brackett’s research on the RULER approach, which breaks down ways to cope with intense emotions: recognizing the feeling, understanding its origin, labeling it, explaining and elaborating on it, and finally, regulating it."

We often try to change our emotions, which sometimes makes us feel worse. Can you elaborate on that? "Absolutely. I see this daily in my practice. Most people seek out a psychologist because they want to feel better. Sometimes, situations outside of our control cause trauma or grief, and we can't change these situations. Understanding our feelings and choosing coping skills allows us to handle our emotional wellbeing better."

Dr. Brittany, it's been a pleasure talking to you. Your insights on tuning into our feelings are invaluable. "Thank you so much, Sharon. It's been a pleasure meeting and talking with you.

About Dr. Brittany:
Dr. Brittany is a clinical psychologist and marital and family therapist. She has been in the mental health field for two decades and is the director of Trails Therapy, APC and the founder of And We Feel and platform with resources about emotional wellness.

Website and Social Media links:
https://andwefeel.com/
https://trailstherapy.com/
https://www.instagram.com/andwefeel/

The Power of Peacefulness and Stress Relief Podcast was created by Sharon McLaughlin MD FACS to help normalize mental health.

If you need help creating peace in your life be sure to download our peacefulness workbook.
https://sharonmclaughlinmd.com/workbook

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/sharonmclaughlinmd/
Tik Tok-https://www.tiktok.com/@sharonmclaughlinmd
Linkedin -https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonmclaughlinmd/
Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/sharon.t.mclaughlin/

Email
sharon@sharonmclaughlinmd.com