Above Ground Podcast

Wednesdays, Will Foley and TPP have open, raw conversations on mental health, mental illness and everything on its spectrum. Stomping the stigma’s one conversation at a time. Two not so ordinary dudes sharing their stories, opinions and tools to get well, be safe and Stay Above.

Reissues:Putting it All Together 01/10/2024

Reissues:Distress Tolerance pt 2 01/03/2024

Reissues:Distress Tolerance pt. 1 12/27/2023

ReIssues: Emotional Regulation 12/20/2023

Reissues:Taking Back Your Mind 12/06/2023

Reissues:Interpersonal Effectiveness 11/29/2023

Reissues: Dialectical Behavior Therapy 11/22/2023

Unf#ck Your Mindset w/Jo 11/15/2023

Operation at Ease 11/08/2023

Save Yourself 11/01/2023

Taking Charge w/ Jacqui Letran 10/25/2023

St. Anger 10/18/2023

Closer to the Heart w/Karen Bona 10/11/2023

Help Me 10/04/2023

If Not Now, When 09/27/2023

Healing Conversations w/ Dan Egan and Missy Stolfi 09/20/2023

Conversations of Courage w/Erika Barber 09/13/2023

Conversations of Courage w/Erika Barber You will never be the same following the loss of someone you care about to suicide. Loss is part of your history, but it doesn’t have to tell the whole story. Erika Barber, first lost her older sister, Andrea. Then later on, Erika lost her dad, John. Through those losses came the ability to start having conversations of courage and Erika’s courageousness to be comfortable talking about the uncomfortable leads to connection. Welcome to episode two hundred twenty two of Above Ground Podcast. We continue with our Suicide Prevention and Awareness month episodes, as we have done since 2019, with our guest, Erika Barber. Erika Barber, first lost her older sister, Andrea, when Erika was just fifteen to suicide. When Andrea died, Erika wanted to just be a teenager. She couldn’t address her pain like an adult, she wanted to hang with her friends. Forget the inevitable changes that were ahead for her family and the grief of losing your older sister. Forget her life would be forever touched by suicide. She’d be the that girl who’s sister died by suicide. Following the loss of Andrea, Erika’s mother dealt with her pain by drowning it in alcohol, while her dad sought out help. John, went to the groups, took his meds as prescribed, faced the loss of his daughter, Andrea. John lost his battle with depression eight years ago. Once again, Erika was facing a loss by suicide. But, not just any loss. This was the loss of her dad in 2015. The loss of her dad was profound. Erika lived with mental health challenges herself. Facing a family of mental health challenges, both figuratively and literally. Erika did the work to find herself working through her loss courageously. Erika found the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in 2007, through an Out of the Darkness walk. Her ten year Board of Director’s term just ended. Erika wanted to be involved as soon as she heard a radio ad that was calling her tribe together. People that would finally get her and understand. October 24, 2023 is the Chicagoland AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk in Chicago, Illinois. Erika will be in attendance and if you’re in the Chicagoland area you should be too. Especially , since you’re more closer than you think to someone who died by suicide. Come to Saratoga Spa State Park on Sunday September, 24,2023 at 9am for the Out of the Darkness Walk for R.I.T.A. and remember our loved ones. Stop by the Above Ground Podcast table and not for profits all over Nippertown. As well as a remembrance ceremony and activities to create tributes to celebrate their memory. Sunday October 1, 2023 is the next Upstate Punk Rock Flea Market at Empire Live Albany. 11am-5pm. It is also the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Schenectady Walk at Central Park. Make sure when they ask where you heard about these events, tell them, Above Ground Podcast guided you. Thanks for listening to episode two hundred twenty-two and until next time, get well, be safe, stay above. /episode/index/show/abovegroundpodcast/id/27977679

Living on a Prayer 09/06/2023

Lean On Me w/Dr. Rachael 08/30/2023

Shades of Grey 08/23/2023

Ketamine Diaries w/Rob Leathan 08/16/2023

Ketamine Diaries w/Rob Leathan We first talked with Rob in episode ninety four where he felt uncomfortably numb. A hose of truth was used to put out the fires of mental health stigma. Now Rob is back, wanting more, doing more, and ultimately doing whatever is necessary to achieve it!!! Rob is a member of the peer ranks in spreading awareness and believes silence does nothing but strengthen stigma. His work with Boots On The Ground can attest to that. Rob’s ketamine diaries help us understand what it’s like to bear witness to trauma and death and find life again. What’s up everyone and welcome to episode two hundred eighteen of Above Ground Podcast. We welcome back guest, Rob Leathen to talk about his “trips” to Field Trip, where he underwent Ketamine treatment for his PTSD from a long career as a first responder in Canada. We also hit the peer-spective by discussing his work as warm line peer for Boots on the Ground, a 24 hour a day peer service for first responders. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic, but as we are finding out in recent studies, there is a positive benefit to people living with depression and ptsd. With 30 years of experience being a first responder he is no stranger to traumatic events. Rob shared his diaries and experience through the process. He shares how he connected and realized in order to bloom, we must let go and allow the mind to bloom. With so many types of therapy available and Rob being open to them, ketamine was a very effective therapy treatment for him. As he states, he no longer approaches situations with his brain, instead he approaches them with his heart. Join us today and every Wednesday as we stomp out the stigmas of mental health. Follow us on your social media of choice and hit that subscribe button so you will stay up to date on all our new episodes!!! Check the links below for Field Trip and Boots on the Ground below to find out more. Until next Wednesday get well, be safe, stay Above. /episode/index/show/abovegroundpodcast/id/27720315

Hemispheres 08/09/2023

Operation: Gunny Claus 08/02/2023

Never Underestimate The Power of You 07/26/2023

Rebuilding the Mountain w/Marc Salvi 07/19/2023

Rebuilding the Mountain w/Marc Salvi Yoga is challenging, but it forces you to be in the moment. The more times we put ourselves in the moment we push ourselves. The postures provide you a physical map to lead you into the moment. This week we are talking yoga and rebuilding the mountain that is self. Through the trauma fires, fisticuffs and rage, Marc Salvi rebuilt his mountain and its construction of yoga, metal and connection. Welcome to episode two hundred fourteen of Above Ground Podcast. Another week, another real conversation about mental health and wellness from the peer-spective. Summer is dashing like a thoroughbred and before we know it the race will be run. Prioritizing self care and exercise is important. Yoga may be the perfect addition to your physical, mental and spiritual health. Our guest this week is Marc Salvi. Marc is a Nippertown based yoga teacher. Marc’s classes are designed to bring non yoga people to the practice. Marc came to yoga for help recovering from his aches and pains of the gym rat life. In 2021 Marc completed his RYT200 with Michelle Pollard, owner of Studio 4 Hot Yoga and Pilates of Schenectady, NY. Marc aims to help students cultivate greater body awareness by becoming mindful of every part of the body. With breath work, building strength, gaining mobility, and stability, you will move through your life smoother and more confident. Marc can be found on the schedules of Studio 4 Hot Yoga & Pilates, 151 Lafayette Street, Schenectady, NY. Marc also teaches in Slingerlands at JAI Yoga School, 5 Vista Blvd, Slingerlands, NY. When Marc is not teaching yoga, he takes part in his other passions. He is a dad of twins(boy/girl). Marc trains Tae Kwon Do with them and is a huge fan of the martial arts. His day job is a construction project manager with more than twenty years and counting in the industry. Not to mention he loves metal and hardcore music. Thanks for listening to this week’s Above Ground Podcast. Please stop by our table at NipperFest this Saturday and say hey!!! NipperFest will be rocking from 11a-10pm, Saturday at Central Park Music Haven, Schenectady, NY. Get there and support local music. Until we meet again next week, get well, be safe, stay ABOVE. /episode/index/show/abovegroundpodcast/id/27473886

Gimme Three Steps 07/12/2023

Gimme Three Steps Self love is huge. Our deficit of self love is huge too. Accepting the real is a true test of mindfulness. People with abandonment issues often have difficulty staying in the real, for fear of being let down by the real. This week we are throwing down and singing gimme three steps, gimme three steps mista, gimme three steps to self love. Or, at least help us narrow it down. Welcome to episode two hundred thirteen of Above Ground Podcast. We are speeding through the summer of 2023 and continue to bring real, raw conversations about mental health from what we deemed the peer-spective. This week is no different. We hope you enjoyed last week's show with our guest, John 'Bloodclot' Joseph. Next week we are joined by Yogi Marc Salvi. Check it out every Wednesday. Mindfulness is the amusement park of the self. Within these walls resides emotion. Our connection. Our pain and the path to our healing. Our forgiveness. And our letting go. In the bigtop is the circus of life. All it's balancing acts, high flying acrobatics and sometimes a clown falls off their bike or their horn is stuffed. Either way, the clown who is an extra, might lose faith in themselves. When their bucket is empty. The clown blames himself. Our friend might not love himself after. With blame comes shame and Pagliacci may never regain his smile again. Have no fear, sad clown, Above Ground Podcast has some steps to learning how to love yourself again. Remember mindfulness is a process, a concept. Yes, it's acceptible that a clown, is a clown. Nothing more, and certainly nothing less. It's accepting that as a clown, you're expected to entertain people all the time. No matter how you feel. But, if you're causing yourself suffering by holding onto dreams of being one of the flying trapeze performers, please take the step of letting go. Forgive yourself and accept that you are the greatest clown ever, toot your horn like no one else can. And shout that I am Pagliacci, the horn tootinist', insightful and forgiving mo fo to ever paint a sad face. Thanks for checking in this week. Please come by Empire Live Albany, this Sunday from 11am-5pm for the next installation of Upstate Punk Rock Flea Market. Come to 93 North Pearl St. Albany, NY, and get your hands and eyes on some of the darkest, coolest, unique items anywhere. It's macabre. Lots of your parents wouldn't approve. Get outta the swamp of 'Toga tierras and come get ya some devil horns, animal remains and beard oil. Don't forget to come to Central Park Music Haven in Schenectady, NY for NipperFest 2023. Saturday July 22, from 11am-10pm. Come to Central Park and listen to some great 518 music and grab yourself a fistful of mental health resources to share with your neighbors. Be there or wish you were. Thanks for listening to episode two hundred thirteen of Above Ground Podcast. Please subscribe and turn on notifications in order to hear a new episode every Wednesday, four years and growing. Until next week when we are joined by Marc Salvi, get well, be safe, stay ABOVE. /episode/index/show/abovegroundpodcast/id/27416892

Never Give Up w/ John Joseph 07/05/2023

Never Give Up w/ John Joseph John Joseph is the definition of never giving up. John grew up in some of the most abusive environments a human can withstand. John nearly lost his human form on more than one occasion. John slung dope and shot dope. He was an addict and a criminal. Then finding himself begging for a way to stay above. John found service to be his path. Welcome to episode two hundred twelve of Above Ground Podcast. This week we are joined by John Joseph. John is a vegan triathlete, author, and singer in his namesake band, Bloodclot (Upstate Records). John wrote the help yourself classic, The PMA Effect; how a positive mental attitude can make you the badass you were born to be. This week we discuss substance abuse, real life on the streets and just who you need to become for a life of survival of the fittest. This is dedicated to the memories of Kevin McQuaid and Frank McGowan. From John’s earliest days the deck was stacked against him. Having gone from an abusive home where his prize fighter dad would use his mom for a punching bag. Then through the horrendous foster system where his childhood was nearly erased from existence. Rather taking his chances, John, eventually ran away and claimed Alphabet City as his playground and training ground. John found a spiritual path out of the pain and torment he was in. Finding the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. John learned that freedom comes in the form of service. Begging for help on the steps of the Krishna Temple, was the opening of the light. John Joseph says knowledge without application is useless. Don’t just read his books. Use them. Use them to find your own path. Knowledge can take us from hell to heaven in a minute. Get a camp together and don’t be surprised by the ones who leave. Be surprised by the ones who stay. Stay humble and more tolerant than a tree and don’t let your ego get in the way of your life. John is currently the singer for Upstate Records recording artist Bloodclot. Thank you to Mario Cangemi for connecting us with John. Check out John at these links: /episode/index/show/abovegroundpodcast/id/27349635

I Can See Clearly 06/28/2023

BFF Therapy w/Dr. Jaimee Arnoff 06/21/2023

BFF Therapy w/Dr. Jaimee Arnoff Insight, humor and a good dose of reality sounds like a great way to approach a conversation about therapy, the secret lives of teenagers or anything, when you think about it. That’s just it, maybe you haven’t thought about the benefits of therapy. You should, and maybe a bit of BFF therapy is just what the doctor ordered. Hey everyone, time for episode two hundred ten of Above Ground Podcast. We attempt to live out the tenants of what Dr.Jaimee Arnoff Ph.D. offers her clients and kiddos. Dr.Jaimee is a Clinical Psychologist based in Beacon, NY. No topic is off limits, including trashy young adult novels and tap dancing. We talk therapy and how we can help parents struggling with talking about mental health to their kiddos. If someone is having a hard time starting the conversation with their child about mental health, you can help. Start by asking why this is difficult or what barriers they face to just having a conversation? Let them know sometimes it is as easy as saying, I’m here for you if you ever want to talk, and I will listen". Let the parent make the choice about how to act, but guide them along the way by sharing your own tips and this podcast. We don’t always have the answers. It’s ok to not know how to proceed. That vulnerability can be a benefit, not a barrier. At least for your child. For you, your ego may revolt and force you into unmindful tact or energy. You only get one chance to make a first impression on anyone, but especially our children. We do not want to leave them with a sense that speaking to us is not safe. Trust me, you can have hard conversations. You might be surprised at just how much it helps your kiddo and you. When you can't, call Dr. Jaimee. That's what she is there for. You can find Dr. Jaimee Arnoff Ph.D down in Dutchess County at BFF Therapy. Located at 33 Henry Street, Beacon, NY 12508. Dr. Jaimee has a very active page and is also part of the team for . You can find all of Dr. Jaime's appearances at her . Until next week get well, be safe, stay Above. /episode/index/show/abovegroundpodcast/id/27203514

Flipping the Script w/The Misfit Therapist 06/14/2023

Flipping the Script w/The Misfit Therapist In 2020 the life expectancy in the US was 77 years old and a month or two. With that alarming number it’s no wonder we don’t talk about death. We don’t like to plan our death and we definitely do not want to acknowledge it. We have our second ever repeat guest this week. Time to get flipping the script with Dr. A the Misfit Therapist. It’s time for episode two hundred nine of Above Ground Podcast, and we are rocking into year four with only our second ever repeat guest, , herself, Dr. A. We were stoked to have her back on and catch up. We jumped right in with some heavy facts. That’s your trigger warning. Dr. A expresses that, ”you’re allowed to go backwards a little bit, to go forward.”. As you see up top the topic of death is very prevalent this week. Death of parent, death of relationship, and death of identity. As people that are very comfortable in uncomfortable conversations this was just a natural order and the tape rolled for it. Dr. A appeared back on episode 152 Island of Misfits w/Dr.A the Misfit Therapist. A lot has changed in her world since that appearance in May of 2022, she shares. Dr. A is a busy psychotherapist in California. Dr. A is a mom , an MBA and a former professor. Her specialty is trauma focused CBT and she is a LCSW and LPCC. Dr. A clearly needed to get some stuff off her chest and the vulnerable conversation led us through her father’s death, the uncoupling of her first marriage, her upcoming second one. Yes, she knows the odds. We got to talk divorce and how difficult it is to have a not so normal parting of the ways. The common theme of death led us to a good resting place and we are so grateful to have had our second repeat guest. As we celebrate year four and march toward five, we will have some other respect guests from the years past. We also have some killer guests. We hope you will check in every Wednesday. Thanks for listening to this week’s episode of Above Ground Podcast. We look forward to seeing and hearing from you. Please follow our socials for updates daily. Come see us at an AGP pop up event. Check Facebook and Instagram to find us wherever you might be. Until next week get well, be safe, stay above. /episode/index/show/abovegroundpodcast/id/27134616

Above Ground Podcast

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