Healing Charlotte Podcast

Seeking healing can be challenging if you do not know what is out there and do not understand how it helps. Each episode, we will meet a professional in the healing community in Charlotte, North Carolina to learn what they offer and get to know them more personally. This is a place to chat about all things health and wellness.

Sharjuan Burgos, Mental Health Services for Military Members & Family 12/12/2024

Sharjuan Burgos, Mental Health Services for Military Members & Family Sharjuan Burgos, Outreach Director at the is on this episode of the podcast. She spent 27 years of active duty service in the Army and is now responsible for linking the community to the services offered at the clinic. Once she retired from the military, Sharjuan was hired at the clinic and believes her understanding of military life(enlisted member, officer, spouse, & mother) enhances her ability to bring the community together. "We want to break down the stigma behind mental health. We also want to make sure people will get comfortable and used to saying the words that need to be said when we are talking about helping someone." Services are provided to all post-9/11 Veterans, active duty(with a Tricare referral), National Guard, Reserves and anyone they consider family. They accept ages 2+ and no exclusions for race, sexuality, or discharge status. For individual therapy, the clinicians use evidenced-based, client-centered care to help with challenges such as depression, anxiety, adjustment, anger, grief & loss, transition, and behavioral concerns with children. Some of the modalities used are CBT(cognitive-behavioral therapy), CBT-I(cognitive-behavioral therapy, insomnia), Gottman Method Therapy(for couples), EFT(emotionally focused therapy for couples), DBT(dialectical behavioral therapy), MI(motivational interviewing), ACT(acceptance and commitment therapy), and IFS(Internal Family Systems). For children, the clinicians use therapy models such as MATCH(modular approach to therapy with children), PCIT(parent-child interaction therapy), TF-CBT(trauma-focused, cognitive-behavioral therapy), and play therapy. The clinic also offers family and couples therapy. They also offer case management services for help with legal issues, education, housing, and more. They work with other agencies such as , , and . The clinic recognizes that there may be barriers to receiving services and they are determined to break them down. They have partnered with the local YMCA to provide child care on site while a member is receiving services, they can provide ride-sharing for anyone in a 50-mile radius to get to the clinic, and financially they accept all insurances and can help with those who don't feel comfortable using their insurance or don't have health insurance. The Stephen A. Cohen Military Clinic at Centerstone in Fayetteville is part of the larger network of clinics() and works closely with 2 other . By partnering closely with the other 2 clinics, they are able to accommodate the fluctuating needs to reduce wait times. Virtual clients can typically get started in a week and they also offer spanish-speaking services. This partnership also allows them to provide tele-therapy to their clients in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, and other states in the future. Some of their clients enjoy the additional confidentiality and accessibility that tele-therapy offers. They were also 1 of 4 clinics to receive a grant to be able to serve members and their families in the LGBTQI+ community. This gives them services free of charge and allows for their clinicians to take supplemental trainings to work specifically with this population. They offer group therapy for grief, substance use, parenting, and attachment. Many community events are hosted as well for movie nights, charcuterie boards, vision boards, flower arranging, and many more. Check out their for the latest. "They {clinicians} understand military cultural competency and I think that's the most important part when you are trying to serve military veterans and their families." All clinicians on staff are intimately connected to the military experience and understand the unique challenges that these people and their families experience especially during transition to civilian life as well as managing trauma. "A lot of the times when people think about receiving mental health treatment, they think it's a scary thing and they don't really know who they are going to see. And when they see that the people look just like you and me, they are regular people, it's not so scary and it helps." Sharjuan stays grounded by engaging in mindfulness, meditation, journaling and healthy eating. If interested in services with their clinic you can visit their website, call 910-500-1800, or visit them at 3505 Village Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304. They are active on , , and . If interested in the larger umbrella of clinics, visit the . "I like to say when I got out of the military the one thing I learned to do was cry and it felt really good." /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/34403190

David Sanchez, Porn & Sex Addiction Therapist 09/25/2024

David Sanchez, Porn & Sex Addiction Therapist and a therapist specialized in porn & sex addiction, betrayal trauma for partners, and childhood trauma. David's work focuses on helping men in these areas as well as assertiveness training. David always had an interest in people as he watched his mom as a hairstylist listen to her clients. He earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology but found himself in sales after college. After some psychological testing, he learned that he would be a good therapist, so he returned to school to get his Master's in Counseling. His career started off in home therapy by using a system approach of not only working with the child but with the parents as well. He got into addictions work focuses on substances but shifted gears when he had a client with a porn addiction. This client fueled David to learn more. David trained at the as well as complementary methods of EMDR and Brainspotting. "You can think of counseling like that; someone is going to listen to you, not judge you, hear you out, and try to work together with you like a coach even though they may do it a little deeper to be able to help you with those deper wounds and live a life you really want to live." Through his work he has found that men put themselves through a lot of pressure to have it all and know it all which could lead to engaging in unhealthy behaviors. His work helps men shed these behaviors and discover the root of what has happened to them. He believes that porn addiction is easy to slip into based on the 3 As; Anonymity, Accessibility, and Affordability. The latest research has found that the highest users of porn are ages 12-17. Seeking treatment is hard for men because they don't get vulnerable with their friends and portrayal of men in society as "tough guys." For many men, it feels embarrassing and scary to get help and for some they worry it will affect their job status. As a society, boys and men are raised and told to let it go, move on, and it will be ok making it even more hard to ask for help. David has found that the men he work with fear not being enough and have never learned to ask for their needs to be met. "A lot of men are taught to stuff their feelings, suck it in, be happy, that's the only approved emotion, they can be angry if they are on the soccer field or football field but nowhere else, and that their feelings don't matter, that's for girls, and that could be so far from the truth. It's a human thing." Gabor Mate's definition of addiction is "a behavior or substance a person does that in the short term provides relief, pleasure, and escape. In the long term, it provides more problems and consequences coupled with the inability to stop it or stop it for long." David has seen sex and porn addiction come in many forms such as massage parlors, strip clubs, etc. When men first start treatment with him, they determine if the behavior is a problem and then assess how deep of a problem it is and what level of care is appropriate for him. From there, he helps them stop the behavior and assess the needs of their spouse and partner as well as getting them support if needed. Finally he helps them develop coping skills and learn how to set boundaries. A unique offering that offers is therapy groups for men to connect and help support one another. David also offers intensive options such as half-day, full-day, or up to 3 days of work. He strongly believes in meeting people where they are and finding the right match of a therapist with his full staff. is another resource in Charlotte that many of his clients have taken advantage of as a residential center for those with sex and porn addiction. "These guys just don't know how to express their needs and that's why they get caught up in these unhealthy behaviors. They are trying to meet their needs that provide an escape from the pain or maybe a dopamine boost in the short term because of the pressure." David believes it is important for the betrayed partner to seek treatment whether they stay in the relationship or not. A common trend that he has witnessed is the person who is addicted gets all of the attention and support. The partner needs support as well as to know it's not their fault. They may have PTSD and need trauma processing as well as work on setting boundaries and utilizing coping skills. His practice has a betrayed partners group as well. He can facilitate a formal disclosure session where the partner who is addicted will share their sexual timeline and the betrayed partner can ask questions. He has found that this type of session can be helpful in the betrayed partner deciding the future of the relationship. David describes talk therapy as utilizing the prefrontal cortex to explore thoughts and feelings and provides immediate relief. Some of the deeper methods he uses of EMDR and Brainspotting work on resourcing which is the ability to self-soothe. He describes EMDR(Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as a brain-body therapy that gets into the deeper parts of the brain attached to our nervous system. In this work, the client reprocesses traumatic material to clen up the wound and make it not as painful while introducing a positive belief. He describes Brainspotting as more of an eye-fixation modality where they have found that where you look is how you feel. The practitioner finds a point in space that is most activating and talking it out as the wound dissipates. David finds that assertiveness training includes learning how to be calm, direct, and respectful in communication. David has followed Robert Glover's work and book called The idea is that men do a lot of nice things but don't meet their own needs. Inevitably the get run down and don't do nice things such as yelling, shutting down, pornography, etc. These men don't feel they have the right to ask for what they need. This work can be done in individual therapy or his assertiveness groups. David has many things that keep him grounded outside of his work as a therapist. Mostly therapy and being a part of therapist support groups, his faith, family, music, meditation, journaling, being in nature, working out, and yoga. He would like to Heal Charlotte by spreading the positive message about therapy and provide the community with education on sex and porn addiction. You can connect with David and his practice, Charlotte Counseling Associates, through their , by calling them at 980-224-3233, emailing admin@charlottecounselors.com, or on , , and . /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/33159642

Kate Willis, Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner 05/20/2024

Kate Willis, Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner Nurse Practitioner who focuses on women's health with virtual patients in North Carolina. She has been with Hormone Wellness MD since 2023, a practice that focuses on hormones and sexual wellness in women. "For those who are willing to meet in a virtual format, it often works better for their schedules and we can accomplish really everything we need to accomplish over the telehealth platform." Kate has always gravitated towards comforting others starting when she was a young child. She began her career in the medical field as an Oncology Nurse and found her way professionally to Functional Medicine by way of her personal journey after the birth of her second child. She didn't feel well but her labs were within normal limits. This took Kate on a journey of healing and professional awakening as she became certified in 2021 through the . Typically Functional Medicine practitioners will come from a medical background as MDs, DOs, NPs, PAs, Chiropractors, or Naturopaths. In understanding where Functional Medicine fits into the medical model, Kate says that Functional Medicine does not take the place of or compete with Allopathic Medicine and that the basic standard of care is not overlooked. She describes Allopathic Medicine as disease focused or to find a diagnosis then recommending a course of treatment. Functional Medicine looks at all fo the systems and views them as interconnected. As a Functional Medicine Practitioner, she is looking for balance and oftentimes starts in the gut. At Hormone Wellness MD, she has a focus on hormonal health but does not just focus on estrogen and progesterone but rather looks at the thyroid, adrenal system, and insulin. She focuses on finding the root cause and working on all of the systems in harmony. "What makes the difference is the mindset; so not the disease-focused orientation but looking at the body systems as interconnected, seeing them as working together, and so understanding that the gut impacts the brain, impacts the hormones." Kate mentions that typically her patients will come to Functional Medicine when they aren't getting answers with conventional medicine, want a different way to manage, or their symptoms from their diagnosis aren't fully managed. It may even be intense PMS symptoms or chronic constipation. Kate loves working with women and especially those in perimenopause or menopause because of the big shifts women go through during this time. The first session with Kate is an hour long and is focused on gathering not only information on past medical issues but looking at any history of trauma or stress. She starts with lifestyle as a foundation such as nutrition, movement and exercise, stress management, relationships, and sleep. Her next session is going over labs, developing a treatment plan, and recommending medication or supplements if needed. She is always fine-tuning the foundational areas. "Women in this stage of life are doing big things. They are running their families, they are running teams at work, they are volunteering, they are making an impact in their community. When these women are feeling better, the world runs better." Kate's own self-care is about creating margins for herself. She likes to engage in naps, reading, time outside, and many activities that are not goal-oriented. Kate would like to Heal Charlotte as it is a joy to be a part of seeing someone heal and reengaging in life. You can find more information on her or . /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/31344172

Megan Gelabert-McGee, Pilates Instructor 01/10/2024

Megan Gelabert-McGee, Pilates Instructor On this episode of the podcast, we meet Megan Gelabert-McGee from . Megan comes from a professional dance background and heard about Pilates through her community while dancing for 2 professional companies in New York. She took a front desk job at a 2nd generation from Joseph Pilates studio. Many of the apprentices in the training program needed practice hours and this is where Megan started her introduction to Pilates. She began to notice not just the exercise component but an improved mental state and with her dance(i.e. balance). She completed her training from there about 20 years ago. "I like to see it as the body is an orchestra; you have all these different parts that hopefully will work in sync with each other, but if that violin player is a little out of tune, it throws the whole thing off." Pilates, originally named "Contrology" was created by a man named Joseph Pilates and is a sophisticated system of movement that can be done privately or in a group setting. It's made up of a series of movements on the machine(Reformer) or on the mat. Private sessions focus on the individual body and the instructor will create movement based on what they need taking into account injuries, medical issues, and lifestyle. It's made up of exercise, breath, and alignment catered to the person. Pilates use equipment like the Reformer to work on all of the areas of the body including the ranges of motion in the spine as well as the Cadillac and many different props. The spring resistance on the Reformer makes it safe for joints and bones by not forcing extra weigh on them that they aren't ready for. "The spring weight, for instance you are on your back, and you push into a bar, the spring causes tension when it opens but then it loses tension when it closes. So not only are you creating strength to press against the tension of the spring, you have to use so much control to contain the closing of the spring." Some of the benefits of Pilates in injury prevention, injury recovery, and to train safely with your body. It uses breath-work, intentional movement, strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance. Megan enjoys working with those who are curious about movement and their body. Sessions with her would start with a health and history form filled out ahead of time and possibly a no-charge consultation to acquaint yourself with the space and to meet in person. The first session will be a review of your health and history, Megan will take an assessment of your standing posture, and begin the movement practice. The first 3 sessions typically take trial and error to determine what feels right in your body. There are approximately 500 Pilates exercises so if one doesn't feel right, there are plenty others to try. Megan emphasizes that the body is always changing so there is always something to address and support. For her own self-care, Megan uses "Transcendental Meditation" where she works with a meditation instuctor and receives a mantra to practice 2x a day. She started this practice 14 years ago. She also utilizes EMDR(Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. She wants to Heal Charlotte as she had a car accident in 2021 where she had multiple surgeries to reattach her hand and make it as functioning as possible. Her journey in regaining movement in her hand has helped deepen her passion for Pilates as well as acutely understanding medical trauma and having even more compassion for those who have gone through it. "My OTs and my Surgeon; they were over the moon, they couldn't believe the healing, they couldn't believe how far I'd come in terms of gaining all that movement back and I have nothing but Pilates, Yoga, and dance to credit that to." Her studio is located in among local artists on the outskirts of the Noda area of town. You can get more information on her , as well as her and pages. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/29395243

Kristen Bunich, The Intuitive Dietician 08/10/2023

Kristen Bunich, The Intuitive Dietician On this episode of the podcast, we meet Kristen Bunich, a Registered Dietician and owner of “.” Intuitive eating was created by two dieticians in the 90s and by now has over 200 research studies on it. The adoption rate increased in the last 10 years. It’s based on 10 principles and fosters a positive relationship with food as we move away from restrictive diets. The principles work on hunger, fullness, satisfaction, and movement and is a more holistic approach looking at what other factors are influencing our bodies. The original researchers were frustrated that diets weren’t sustainable for people. For example, some research followed contestants from “The Biggest Loser” competition show. They found that the contestants lost weight and subsequently muscle mass, then their metabolism slowed down and then they gained more weight. “We ignore hunger, we ignore fullness, we stay on that schedule, we eat at 12, we eat at 5. If you feel any pangs of hunger, we ignore it. A lot of people have broken hunger meters.” Kristen’s work before starting her private practice was spending 16 years in a hospital setting working with those in critical care. The work she did there was more problem-oriented. less flexible, and the relationships were short term. She moved into private practice where she enjoys having a much more personal relationship and can introduce those she works with to approaches like intuitive eating. She can still work with specific medical conditions with the intuitive eating approach. She fell in love with this approach and quickly became credentialed. Sessions with Kristen start off with a discovery call to see if the relationship is a good fit. Appointments can be in her office or virtual, and start off weekly. “We usually start off with the framework of timing and then more of the nutrients and then we talk more about movement and stresses, and our sleep.” Kristen will also help with meal planning and prepping and all of her patients have access to meal software that includes recipes and meal prepping ideas. “Planning ahead with your food is a form of self-care. You are really taking care of yourself and taking a minute for yourself.” Kristen enjoys working with women in a similar stage of life including those who are raising children, having gastrointestinal issues, have dipped into disordered eating, and are perimenopausal/menopausal. “If there is anything I can do in nutrition counseling that changes how people feel about their bodies and about themselves. If there is anything I can do when I post things on my social that ripples out and improves how people feel or if there is anything I can do that helps my clients live happier lives and that ripples out to the people they live with, that’s the kind of work I want to do.” You can reach out and schedule a discovery call with her on or check her out on , , , and . ReplyForward /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/27705378

Kaley J. Taylor, Conscious Breath-work Facilitator 06/21/2023

Kaley J. Taylor, Conscious Breath-work Facilitator doctors to help us get out of our heads and into our bodies. This modality can benefit anyone who is breathing. Contraindications are for those with heart conditions, epilepsy, and newly pregnant. It can be approached from physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual places. This is a deeper experience than coping skill type of breath-work. "Using our breath as a flashlight to shine within the parts of our bodies where we might be holding, suppressing, repressing, and using the breath, we are able to shine the light and dispel those shadows. In doing that we are able to live more fully, more connected, more authentically." A typical session with Kaley starts with getting to know you and learning about your intentions. Next you will move to either the massage table or the floor and start with a grounding meditation. From there, the active breath starts that moves like a wheel, no breath holds. This active breath continues for 25-40 minutes. It can take 7-10 minutes to get past the mind's resistance. During this time, you can drop into the subconscious. The active breath will end and integration happens for about 10-15 minutes. The session ends with tea and discussion if you want. Kaley recommends 6-10 sessions that can be conducted individually or with a small group either in-person or virtually. Some of her clients have said that it helps them release physical tension, create stronger connections with others, and releases bitterness or resentment. Kaley says the key is to accept whatever happens. "I am very sentient. I do love to talk about feelings and go deep with people. I care so much about the nitty gritty parts of people. I didn't know what to do with that and it was at this breath-work retreat where I had this knowing of 'this is for you, this is why I created you, this is your thing.'" Kaley was drawn to this work and she has a background in dancing, yoga, and as a fitness instructor. She has always been body oriented and in her feelings. At one point, being so connected to her feelings felt heavy for her but now she looks at it as a gift. She found this type of breath-work while on a retreat in Costa Rico. "I hold it very sacred and I recognize it's extremely vulnerable for people. So I feel very fortunate that I'm in this place to hold people and show up for people in this way." Kaley wants to heal Charlotte because she sees so much potential for goodness, love, and seeing people for who they really are. She wants to offer more compassion and connection to this community. Connect with Kaley through her , , and . /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/27205890

Charlie Petrizzo, Project 2 Heal 05/10/2023

Charlie Petrizzo, Project 2 Heal his episode features Charlie Petrizzo the Founder and CEO of . His organization is the only non-profit in the United States that focuses on expert animal husbandry and rearing of outstanding pedigree Labrador Retrievers to serve the service dog industry. Charlie's path leading up to starting was marked by tragedy and triumph during his childhood. He suffered from two accidents in his childhood; one was when he was 4 years old and was struck by a car and suffered a traumatic brain injury and paralyzed on the left side of his body ~1 year, and electrocuted at age 16 that burned 70% of his body. Charlie understood the support dogs can provide as his childhood dog was by his side during his recovery as a teenager. As an adult, he moved to Charlotte for a job and shortly thereafter lost his father in law and mother. This gave him an opportunity to rethink his own life as he went through a depression, and came out on the other side with a call to serve others. Charlie and his wife Sandy started to narrow their focus on using dogs as healers. He read an article about service dog organizations that don't have a breeding program will use dogs from the shelter and only about 1/12 dogs will make it to service work. From there Charlie found his calling. In 2006, Charlie and his wife Sandy decided that they would run a breeding program for Labrador Retrievers to donate to service dog organizations where they would train the dogs to give to military vets in need of support. The most recent shift in the service dog industry is the decline in "puppy raisers." These are volunteers who keep puppies in their home that are in line for service work from 12 weeks to 1 year old. They are a vital piece of raising a service animal. Before the pandemic, a majority of puppy raisers were in the prison population and on college campuses. These sources dried up during the pandemic. Charlie has decided to start his own puppy raising at by keeping the puppies and providing all of the necessary tasks in the first year before turning them over for the professional service dog training. He knows this will reduce costs and shorten the length of time to getting the dog to the vet. has a 4-year wait for dogs to get to their vets. which is the leading researcher of the canine-human bond, found that Vets with a service dog vs Vets without a service dog had decreased episodes of hyper-vigilance, night tremors, outbursts of anger, and irrational outbursts, and lower waking levels of cortisol. All of these symptoms are contributing factors that lead to death by suicide. "They{military vets} said yes to their country and they're coming back now and it's really hard for them to pay $30k for a service dog. So we have to find it in our non-profit work to get these dogs to these guys quicker so we don't lose as many." Labs are used in this work because they were originally breed to be working dogs. They started in Canada helping retrieve nets and fishing gear out of the water, then to England as hunting dogs, and in America were used historically for bird and duck hunting. "They{labrador retrievers} are as comfortable laying down at the feet of their owner as they are out working or retrieving in the field." Charlie and his team's work at is to breed dogs that have the right demeanor and desire to work. They do hip, elbow, heart, and eye tests as well as 8 genetic test to make sure they are donating top notch dogs free from as many health issues as possible. Before the puppies are 12-weeks old, engages them in as many activities to prepare them for this work. Early Neurological Stimulation starts at 48 hours which helps jump start further brain development and creates a stronger cardiovascular and adrenal gland system as well as makes them less reactive to novel stimulus. Puppy Prodigy works starts at 3 weeks where they learn to move their bodies which gets them ready for obedience training. At 8-weeks old, puppies start positive reinforcement for obedience. During this time, the puppies also have a puppy experience room to visit which exposes them to different objects and sounds. Service dogs for Psychiatric work take about 1.5 years of training before they are ready and Service dogs trained for mobility task work take a few months longer. Costs for training vary between $25k and $40k. Charlie's work is to lower the costs and time of getting these dogs to vets who need them. Outside of breeding dogs for service work, has several other programs. The school based program brings his dogs into Union County schools to help special needs, lower socioeconomic, and talent development students. The mental health program is for businesses to schedule time for the puppies to be on-site for employees to engage with them. The chaperone home program is for people who are willing to house a dog who may be used in the breeding program for up to 3x and then keep the dog after that. Their volunteer program is for anyone who would like to help out with puppy parties and taking the dogs to places and events. "We think that we are called to serve others and this is our community and we are trying to build a community of dog lovers who want to use that love and understanding of their own relationship with a dog and who understand how it can help someone who is really hurting to join us in whatever way they can." Ways to support are through volunteering your time, talent, and/or treasure. Charlie wants to heal Charlotte as he loves it and wishes he was born here. You can watch , a movie about his life and work. Contact through their website or call the office, 704-256-4056. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/26788170

Heather Siblik, Dish Course 04/12/2023

Heather Siblik, Dish Course Heather Siblik the founder of is on this episode of the podcast. Her journey in creating really began 5 years ago when she moved to Charlotte from Wisconsin for a relationship that ended shortly after. She remembers how much effort, courage, and time it took to meet people and make friends. This is what sparked the idea for , a dinner party with strangers organized by categories. The categories have ranged from "Must Love Sushi" to "Starting Over" to "New in Town." Heather has found that even within the categories, there is still a lot of diversity in ages, stages of life, and situations. "Instead of getting too ahead of myself and diving in head first. I really took the time to think about it and grow it, and think about how I wanted it to look, what I wanted the process to look like to build these table of strangers for dinner parties." Heather believes it is harder to make friends as an adult due to lower confidence compared to childhood, fear from past experiences, and reduced amount of times around people to connect with. Heather wants to assume the burden of labor for getting people together, and help spark conversation between guests. Dinner parties are limited to 6 guests total including Heather. The connection doesn't stop after the dinner is over. Guests will join a group text and build their connections further. Previous guests are already planning a Reunion for all dinner guests. "You would be surprised how quickly you open up to a group of strangers because you have nothing to lose and these people are just dumping their souls and it's just so beautiful because 30-minutes ago they didn't know each other and now they are talking about their divorce all of these super heavy emotionally driven moments in their lives and it's very beautiful." Heather wants to heal Charlotte as this has become her home, where she built her social world, and the place that healed her. "How can we make Charlotte happier healthier, more social, and more connected?" You can find more about Dish Course on their , emailing Heather(hello@dish-course.com), , and . /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/26497662

Austin Buergermeister, Live Well Chiropractic 03/13/2023

Austin Buergermeister, Live Well Chiropractic Austin Buergermeister a Chiropractor from in Lake Norman is the latest guest on the podcast. His journey started out while in school at UNCC where he majored in Exercise Science and minored in Public Health. He knew he wanted to help people but had not found in what way yet. A Chiropractor came to speak at one of his classes and his interest was piqued. About the same time, he hurt his back lifting in the gym and decided to give Chiropractic a try. He felt 85% better after his first session and continued to heal quicker than he had in the past. From there, he was hooked. He attended Palmer College of Chiropractic and returned to the Charlotte area. has been opened since November 2022. Austin knew he wanted to go out on his own so he could try to reach as many people as possible. Austin describes Chiropractic as a licensed healthcare profession based on diagnosis and treatment of the cause of the condition by using holistic methods to treat. These treatments may be adjustments of the spine and extremities, dry-needling, cupping, as well as exercise and stretches. Proper alignment helps the body in that the Central Nervous System which is made up of the brain and spine connects to all other functions in the body such as organs, sensory input, and motor output. A misalignment of a vertebrae can create a kink in the flow of the CNS. The 3 causes of subluzations(misalignments) are thoughts(stressors in life), traumas(sitting, accidents, etc), and toxins(what we put in our body). "If you wait for symptoms to appear, it takes even longer to get out of that acute phase and back to your wellness picture that you really want and to function optimally." Austin encourages Chiropractic to be the first outlet of care due to the conservative nature. Intake sessions look like a range of motion testing, neurologic and orthopedic examinations, development of a working diagnosis, and creation of a treatment plan. This work focus on mobility as well as stability in the body. "A Chiropractor is similar to a mechanic but for the body. You wouldn't just let your car start breaking down before you bring it in for routine oil changes so why would you let your body start breaking down before you went to a Chiropractor?" Austin patients are usually dealing with back pain, shoulder problems, vertigo, knees, ankles, foot, and muscle issues. He enjoys working with everyone from newborns to the elderly and gravitates towards a more active population. He wants to heal Charlotte by helping everyone gain the knowledge of Chiropractic and different ways to keep the body healthy. You can find on the internet, , , , and or by calling 704-912-5050. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/26191197

Daisha Williams, CleanAire NC 01/11/2023

Daisha Williams, CleanAire NC Today's guest is Daisha Williams who is the Environmental Justice Manager for . utilizes action, education, and innovation in their partnerships to restore the environment. They started in 2003 as CleanAIRE Carolina where volunteers banded together to improve air quality and noticed the link between that and climate change and public health. Their focus today is on climate change and air quality; addressing it through advocacy, education, and community-driven research and programs. has 4 programs; health, policy, citizen science, and environmental justice. The Health program provides information to help health professionals talk to their patients about climate change, air pollution, and how it is affecting their health. The Policy program advocates for strengthening environmental policies to limit the factors that contribute to air pollution and climate change. The Citizen Science program uses air monitors in impacted communities to translate data for actions and improvements. The Environmental Justice program incorporates all of the other programs to make sure those who have been affected the most by climate change concerns are being included in efforts and decisions as well as empowered with knowledge. While is based in Charlotte, NC, they assist communities all over North Carolina and have offices in Greensboro and Durham as well. Before landing at , Daisha received her Bachelor's of Science in Sustainable Development from Appalachian State University and was interested in animals so she joined the Woodland Park Zoo in Washington. From there she learned she was more interested in working with people, so she got a job as a Legislative Assistant at the Washington Environmental Council where she worked with students in Title I schools in the Seattle area on the legislative process, who their representatives are, and how to use their voice for change. She was also part of a team that helped create a policy strategy that was passed to safeguard the environment. Next, she decided to get a graduate degree in Policy at John's Hopkins University, and moved back to Charlotte where she got a job working with the Americorps' Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas and began her work in the Historic West End. Because of her strong work in the community, it made sense to be involved with as the new Environmental Justice Manager. She also has a graduate certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology. The Historic West End in Charlotte was subjected to red lining back in the 1930s which caused this area to have a lot of pollution due to the nearby highways and industries. Three highway systems cross through this neighborhood. The Airkeepers program through was launched in 2017 which was the first one in the state. This system measured particulate matter. This is important as our lungs cannot remove certain sizes of particulate matter as it reaches deep into the lungs and bloodstream. The intention for this program was to arm the community of how much particulate matter is present and when it's at the highest concentration. In 2018, community members and created a report on pollution and health concerns to present to the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioner's in order to advocate for a federal EPA monitor which they received. The importance of the federal EPA monitor is that now the government is responsible for implementing programs to address the present issues. This also helped them formalize a which is designed to improve air quality, reduce emissions, and improve overall health. The community-led program started with 3 volunteers and now has 13. The health impacts of poor air quality are great and include issues such as inflammation, imbalanced nervous systems, can exacerbate diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. Recent studies have even found that poor air quality has a strong link to death by COVID. "It really disheartens me that pollution touches this community and many communities like it in a cumulative way; it's not just water quality concerns, it's not just air quality concerns, it's also a concern of a lack of resources, whether that's lack of access to fresh and healthy food, lack of access to medical services, you also have concerns of displacement as Charlotte expands and grows rapidly and these communities are getting pushed out of their neighborhoods." The projects are chosen by the residents and have 3 main goals; strategic tree planting and maintaining of current trees as well as installing green walls and roofs, advocating for electric car charging stations and increasing access to more clean transit, and education on sustainability and solutions for clean air. The is working on Community Benefits Agreements which would work with industries in the area to help cut down particulate matter and pollutants. "So building up those relationships because that's where you start is just listening and building up trust and expanding this work and even connecting other environmental justice communities to each other because there is power in numbers and there's also a lot of solidarity in listening and creating solutions with those that are experiencing the same things." If you would like to support , Daisha recommends educating yourself first on the historical inequities, environmental justice, and the legacy it has left behind. From there you can speak out against it and vote for people who will support efforts. You can join their or to support them. For self-care, Daisha enjoys spending time in nature, walks with her dog, and baking. To connect with CleanAIRE NC you can visit their website or email Daisha at daisha@cleanaire.org. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/25564710

Amanda Jones, QC Hydrate 11/30/2022

Amanda Jones, QC Hydrate Amanda Jones from joins us on the podcast to discuss her mobile hydration infusion company. The idea came to her 3 years ago and was pushed forward with the pandemic. Amanda recognized people's discomfort in going into clinical settings unless absolutely necessary so she decided to take her idea into people's homes. Amanda has been a nurse for 10 years and the last 6 were spent as an oncology nurse where she fell in love with the work. The day after chemotherapy is given, typically patients come back in for "replacements" which is an infusion of micronutrients such as magnesium, potassium, among others, and basic hydration and possibly zofran for nausea. Many times, patients aren't able to come back into the hospital the next day for many reasons. Amanda had the idea of being able to travel to patients homes and give them what they need to recover. She has now stepped back from the oncology world to focus on the growth of her business. Infusions have to be given by a licensed medical professional and Amanda's nurses all have a strong infusion background of at least 5 years. contracts with a physician to oversee policies, procedures, safety, and efficacy and works with a specialty pharmacy to create the infusions. is the only Board Certified Hydration Company in Charlotte. By offering this service in the home, people feel pampered, and can receive the treatment in their own space for a short amount of time. Amanda can help develop an individualized treatment plan with her client's goals in mind. They can provide infusions to individuals, couples, or a group of people. Some have set up for bridal parties, golf events, or ladies night. "One of the most common feedbacks that I get is 'oh I feel so pampered, this is so luxurious, or I feel like a star' and that's what we want." At , they have tried to create something that everyone can benefit from. They have immunity, athletic, beauty, and hangover blends to name a few. Infusions are not recommended for those under 18 or anyone with congestive heart failure, or liver or kidney disease. Intravenous supplements are more effective than oral because when taking one orally, the gastric acid in the stomach breaks down the nutrients and therefore lose 50-60% of the efficacy. Infusions bypass the digestive system so that 100% of the micronutrients enter the bloodstream. Many people especially in the winter months are deficient in vitamins such as B and D. has a 6-session package to get your levels balanced with a blood test before and after to. According to the NIH, dehydration affects 75% of the population. Most people aren't drinking enough water through the day to get hydrated and are also getting dehydrated in the sun or by drinking caffeine or alcohol. When people are properly hydrated, they feel better in their bodies, have less inflammation, and sleep better. recommends infusions at least 2x a month to be within the therapeutic range of hydration. "We are going to do everything we can to make sure that we are providing a safe, comfortable environment for you." By her 3 year mark, wants to have a bus to provide mobile infusions to people in the community, and provide infusions to those in the community who can not access it through charitable donations. Amanda loves reading as self-care and loves by Dr. Stephen Petteruti. She wants to heal Charlotte by giving everyone an opportunity to feel the benefits of hydration. Find QC Hydrate on their , , , and . /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/25168806

Shannon Routh, Teal Diva 10/26/2022

Shannon Routh, Teal Diva Today's podcast guest is Shannon Routh, the founder and Executive Director of . This non-profit organization supports women with ovarian and other types of gynecological cancer in Charlotte. Shannon got the idea to start the group during her 3rd chemotherapy appointment at age 32 when she realized there were no other support groups and she wanted to meet someone else going through ovarian cancer like herself. Previously, she knew one other woman who was much older and in a different stage of life. She knew if it happened to her, there had to be other woman in similar life stages to her. supports the mental and emotional health of women diagnosed with gynecological cancers as well as those who have completed their treatment. Before was created, there wasn't any local support for women with ovarian cancer. As time went by, Shannon learned of other types of gynecological cancers such as vulva and uterine that also did not have support locally, so they began to accept them as well. Some challenges in the ovarian cancer space is that there is no early screening tool. Most women don't know this and believe that during their annual visit, they are being checked for it. The symptoms are also vague which leaves many women undiagnosed until it is much further down the line. Some of the symptoms are bloating, feeling full quickly, back pain, changes in bowel habits, etc. Shannon recommends being your own advocate and if these symptoms come on or change and it doesn't feel right to you, get checked by a specialist. Shannon and originally used their fundraising efforts to fund research but shifted to supporting women locally as they felt it had the greatest impact and would go further to improve women's lives here in Charlotte. Money raised and donated goes towards their custom infusion shirts, supporting the "honey-do lists," and the sisterhood retreats. program was inspired by one local woman who lost her life to ovarian cancer and her husband wanted to create a legacy. These custom shirts are teal for recognition and have zipper openings for the ports instead of stretching out the shirt. The program is help women with household projects that they are unable to complete. recruits volunteers to come together on one day and complete the list of projects. The idea of the came from Shannon's love of retreats that she had been on. They will have group members apply for the retreats and will select 20 women to go. The women usually don't know each other beforehand and spend a weekend immersed together for support, creativity, and relaxation. Another program that has came during covid isolation. They recruit volunteers to send encouragement cards to women who need support. "For us to be able to provide this "life-changing" experience {sisterhood retreats} to someone, there are many women who have attended our retreat who pass away 3-6 months or a year later and we were able to touch them. We were able to provide for them in their final time a better experience at the life they had left." The elephant mascot came from a story originally told by Jen Hatmaker that was read at Shannon's remission party. The story goes that when a female elephant is going through labor or a difficult time, the other female elephants circle around her, stomp, and kick up dust to protect her. The story stuck with Shannon and with the help of some professionals became the official mascot with a hidden set of ovaries in it as well. "When our sisters are vulnerable, when they are under attack and they need their people to surround them so they can heal, and create, and recover, we all get in formation and close our ranks and we have each other's backs." For self-care, Shannon enjoys taking weekends away, being in nature, with her dog. She has learned through the years that she needs to separate from being the leader at times to being the survivor. Shannon also knows the importance of therapy especially with the losses and hardships the group members go through. If you would like to support , they are accepting of volunteers for events, the program, and card writing, and financial donations and company sponsorships will help support all programming and the . Shannon wanted to Heal Charlotte as she was born and raised here and wanted to make a difference in her community. "I wanted to make a difference and I wanted to get involved and I wanted to be a voice and I feel like if there is a need, then why not." You can connect with Teal Diva on the , , , , , and . /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/24801042

Kerry Kalish, Healthy Buildings TASC Force 09/07/2021

Kerry Kalish, Healthy Buildings TASC Force In this episode, we meet Kerry Kalish. She is a Design Project Manager at , an architecture firm here in Charlotte, North Carolina. She also manages the (Tactful Approach to Sustainable Cleanliness) force which focuses on research and development for "Well Building" strategies. Kerry went to Architecture school at UNCC in 2004 and was fascinated back then about how architecture relates to humans. Now she is even more health conscious and aware of how spaces affect people due to having a child with asthma and ADHD. Prior to joining , she worked for a forensic architecture firm where she was involved with more reactive work and fixing problems that already happened. She was interested in doing more proactive work from there. She joined two weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Her boss came to her with an idea to focus more on the healthy building movement. After some initial reading and research, Kerry realized how connected this movement was to her interest in college. "I even thought it{Healthy Building Movement} was mostly germs and good clean air. In hindsight, I realized this is that neuroscience stuff, this is that same scientific stuff but also the psychology and how we've gotten so much more aware of mindfulness." There are a couple of certifications including and . This movement started about 7 years ago but gained momentum due to the pandemic. These certifications include sections on; fitness and mind, light(that could cause glare and headaches or lowered productivity), water cleanliness, and air to name a few. The standards also address vending machines, catering, and cafeteria requirements. ODA created the to educate themselves as architects as well as contractors, developers, and decision makers who they were already connected with. They developed a newsletter to educate and help people see the importance of these standars as well as the return on investment. JLL created the that helps illustrate where to invest money. Every business, per year, per square foot spends $3 for utilities, $30 for rent, and $300 for payroll(insurance, PTO, sick time, etc). So in essence, Healthy Buildings protect and enhance the lives of people on the inside. The focus most recently has been on ventilation(better air, UV filters, higher quality filters), high touch areas(using surfaces that can be cleaned and bleached), and connection with nature(rooftop terraces, courtyards, and biophilic design). Some industries that are currently adopting these standards are hospitality, self-storage, and education to name a few. Where the Healthy Building Movement protects the people on the inside, where as the Sustainable Movement which strives to not damage, create minimal damage, or regenerate the environment outside of the building. In the future, the may move beyond Healthy Buildings and look at technology of materials or regenerative design. "You can really mitigate those if you reduce your employees sick time or if you can improve their productivity. You are going to be able to balance that out more than you can by putting in some slightly more energy efficient light bulbs in your building." Kerry wants to heal Charlotte because her friends and family are here and wants her daughter to have a healthy experience. Kerry is inspired by ; a group that is focused on creating a circular economy including regenerative design, composting, recycling and using underemployed folx to help. Self-care for Kerry includes an anti-inflammatory diet and being intentional with the food she ingests. "I want to take care of the people around me. I've always wanted to do that to some extent. I've always wanted to give a positive to the community around me in some way, shape, or form." Visit the website and subscribe to the quarterly newsletter. Reach out to Kerry directly at kkalish@oda.us.com or tascforce@oda.us.com. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/20066618

Molly Ruggere, Counterculture Club 08/03/2021

Molly Ruggere, Counterculture Club is on the podcast today speaking about her work as a Certified Life and Alcohol Freedom Coach as well as the alcohol-free social community she has created, . It's a global alcohol free community based in Charlotte that includes a monthly membership for virtual events 2x a week, in person events, and group coaching. Local members meet several times a month for events such as yoga, Whitewater center, dinners, etc. All of the events are alcohol free and are not limited to women who are sober or alcohol-free. Many of the members are looking for alcohol free spaces and can give those who are curious a way to dip their toe in and see if it is for them or can prove to themselves that they can socialize without alcohol. Member have found excitement by getting through events outside of the club without alcohol and realizing it was a crutch. Molly started the group in 2019 after she was in her sobriety, put tools together for herself, and done the inner work. After all of this she was lacking the like-minded community of women. During the pandemic, she opened up membership to include virtual events and saw membership increase quickly as well as members from all over the world. Alcohol consumption increased during the pandemic and especially for women making this group so important as a resource. "It's very hard to exist in a society as a non-drinker when everyone around you in drinking and we are getting these messages constantly that alcohol is what makes you fun and sophisticated and sexy. So we have to do a lot of mental de-programming to see our relationship with alcohol honestly and do some inner work." As an Alcohol Freedom Coach, Molly helps people work with their mindset to address their relationship with alcohol. She has found that people have found the impact alcohol has on their health and their relationships. She believes that this coaching and therapy can complement each other well. Coaching is more future-focused with actionable steps. "Coaching is a partnership. I'm not coming at it from an expert perspective. I'm more of a person that's here for accountability and to help you step-by-step pull out what you need to do so that it doesn't feel quite so overwhelming and it doesn't feel like a lonely journey of accomplishing your alcohol-free goals." Molly loves working with people who are ambitious, creative, curious, out-of-the-box thinkers, and open to change. For self-care, she utilizes really listening to herself and being honest about her needs. She has ever-evolving tools to take care of herself including journaling everyday. She has found that she can tune in better to herself without the influence of alcohol. Molly wants to heal Charlotte because she grew up here and has enjoyed seeing how collaborative and supportive the city has become. She is inspired by 2 local healers; who is a Yoga Instructor and Social Justice Warrior and Sam Diminich with for his work in employing people in recovery as well as creating a community for service industry workers in recovery called "It {alcohol} doesn't even come up because it's not relevant. It's not what we are focused on. We are really just focused on having fun and connecting with other people. That's the message and mission behind it." For more resources on living alcohol-free, Molly suggest the book or to visit website. Molly is also a writer for many publications on living alcohol-free. If someone attends an event in your home that is choosing not to drink, Molly suggests the following: have non-alcoholic drinks available, not just tap water don't make a big deal about it don't pry or ask for more information You can stay up to date with by visiting their website, , , or email countercultureclubclt@gmail.com. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/20011205

Abby Glen, Shelves Bookstore 07/06/2021

Abby Glen, Shelves Bookstore This episode is with Abby Glen, the owner and founder of . Shelves just celebrated their 2-year anniversary as an online and pop-up new book store. Shelves started as a pop-up store partnering with local coffee shops when COVID-19 hit. Abby quickly shifted to an online model and has now moved to offering both options to purchase books. Abby has wanted to open a bookstore for a long time but waited until she got out of debt first. In preparation, she did a lot of research online on how to run a bookstore, and started to reach out to local businesses to partner with her. Abby's history with books starts back when she was young remembering the encyclopedias in her home and visiting the library often with her family. As a teenager in Philly, she started going to a bookstore and was pleased to find books that she could relate to. Around this same time, she joined a book club through Essence magazine and was delivered . "It was the first time I read a book that I could see myself and my neighborhood, and my friends, and my family, and my school, and everything on the pages." From there, Abby began swapping the books around to her friend group, much like she does with her bookclub. This subscription service launched in February but is not a traditional bookclub. You pick 3 categories of books you are open to and each month you will be surprised with a book from 1 of your 3 categories. They also conduct a monthly zoom hangout where readers discuss their own books and hear about the others that were sent out. "The only reason I've managed to get as far as I've gotten to or where I have gotten to is because I stayed curious and I've managed to convince a couple of other people to be curious with me." Abby enjoys working with people who are serious in changing narratives. She likes people who are curious like her and have an open mind to consider new perspectives or new ways of doing things. She is currently partnered with and for her pop ups. As far as her own self-care, Abby enjoys journaling and spending time with friends. She wants to heal Charlotte's literary scene. Currently, we only have 1 other independent new bookseller and few authors come to town. Abby wants to change that and is looking forward to her brick and mortar store in the future as a gathering space for fellowship, friendship, and camaraderie. She believes by doing this and supporting other small businesses here it creates our city's culture. She is inspired by author and therapist who recently wrote, "It's your people who determine what the culture's gonna be and your small businesses set the tone of a city." Visit their website to purchase books or join the bookclub. If you live in Mecklenburg County, local pickup is available at , some areas are eligible for local delivery, or you can have your books shipped anywhere. Follow along on social media or subscribe to the newsletter for all information including the next pop-up location. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/19701596

Alicia Martin, Plant Therapy 06/09/2021

Alicia Martin, Plant Therapy Alicia Martin, the owner of , is on a mission to improve lives by fostering the love of plants here in Charlotte. Her journey started back in childhood with outdoor plants and her parents teaching her the names of them. Later on in college, she didn't have any outdoor space, so she began bringing plants into her home. Starting the business wasn't a dream of hers but more of encouragement from her friends and husband because she is so passionate about and good with plants. Plant Therapy began in September 2019 with a pop-up market and hasn't stopped since. Alicia provides consulting to gain an understanding of her clients including their physical space, light, travel schedule, and how much time they want to dedicate to care. She can then bring the potted plants to your home. She also can do virtual house calls to troubleshoot improving the plant's health. You can find Alicia at pop-up markets, private, and semi-private events. "During quarantine, people started looking at plants. We are all stuck in our homes and they are looking for ways to beautify our spaces. Aside from that, plants also bring a sense of relaxation, it gives you something to care for and nurture, and learn." She loves working with new plant parents to give them the confidence and knowledge to be successful. Alicia loves the connections she has made with other small businesses whether it's another plant company, a planter company, or a macramé maker. "Think of it not only as an investment of money but also some of your time and you are going to reap the benefits, you are going to get a lot of pleasure out of it." Alicia's self-care revolves around plants and nature. She absolutely loves taking care of plants and talking about them, strolling through a nursery, or being outdoors. Nature is very calming for her. She wants to heal Charlotte because this is where her footprint is and she is aware of all of the suffering people go through. She has a desire to create a better community for others and especially her 3 young boys. A couple of healers in Charlotte who she is inspired by are Nikki at because of the conversations they have and feeling seen as well as Ladara McKennon of who creates beautiful, colorful paintings. "That's why I want to heal Charlotte; obviously I want to heal the world, but Charlotte is my footprint right now and so I'm going to do what I can to help the people closest to me." You can check out Alicia's schedule of events on her as well as follow her on Instagram, or email her mosslady@planttherapyclt.com. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/19406159

Challise Cantleberry, Changed Choices 04/27/2021

Challise Cantleberry, Changed Choices On today's episode, we meet Challise Cantleberry, the Director of Detention Center Services at . is a local non-profit that supports women impacted by incarceration. They do this through the Mecklenburg County Detention Center, North Carolina area prisons, and in the community. When women are residents at the detention center, can support them through life skills and parenting classes, mentorship program, and counseling services. If women are accepted into their program as clients and are residing at North Carolina state prisons, supports them through their wraparound services including bible studies, pen pals, mentorship, substance abuse curriculum, and support for their families. Once the women in the program have completed their sentences, the community services include mentorship, bible study, assistance with housing and job searching. also has the "Ruth Snyder Home" named after the founder where they can support 5-6 women in the home. Challise mentions that some of the challenges that their clients face once they are in the community include finding a job and housing which can be difficult depending on what is on their record. Family reunification can also be a challenge for them. "It's a message of somebody on the outside knows this woman and she has someone who is paying attention to what's going on and she's valued and loved and all of a sudden, things change, they are just not forgotten in that prison." During COVID, has been unable to provide in person services at the detention center and local prisons. Their mentors switched over to writing letters and their classes were held virtually in the pods. Counseling services ceased at the detention center but were able to continue virtually at the prisons. They started an initiative where they collected items to go into "Encouragement Bags" for the staff at the prisons and detention center. "That's why we need second chances; sometimes people really aren't given a good start and situations perpetuate bad decisions." started in 1999 by a woman named Ruth Snyder who was asked to come mentor a couple of women at the detention center. This turned into classes and Ruth recruited other women to join her. "They look just like us. They just need somebody to give them a second chance that they've changed their ways and they want to live a life that's pleasing to the Lord. So they are attending churches and part of a congregation, they are working for employers all around town, and their kids go to school just like our kids." Before working at , Challise had a background in Social Work and Women's studies. She had a desire to move south and through a friend was connected to the organization. She has now been there 5 years. Self-care for her includes her faith(family and church family) and getting outside(walking, bike riding, and swimming). Challise loves working with the COOOL(Changing Our Outlook on Life) mentors. could use support as they are a non-profit that is funded by individuals, churches, and grants. Financial support is accepted on their website and by mail, volunteers are needed as mentors, card writers, and pen pals. Visit their website to sign up for the newsletter to learn about what is going on in the justice system and current needs. Challise is inspired by and a former podcast guest) for the partnerships they have formed and what she is doing with her organization. She also enjoys working with , , and , all Charlotte organizations. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/18879230

Hannah Kay Herdlinger, Thread Talk 03/23/2021

Hannah Kay Herdlinger, Thread Talk Today’s conversation is with Hannah Kay Herdlinger, the founder of . The company came from her personal story as a domestic violence survivor who wanted to give back to other survivors and shelters. Thread Talk sells blankets with names such as “Confidence, Love, Serenity, Strength, and Resilience” with 10% of the proceeds going back to local domestic violence shelters through . This website includes many resources as well as “live wish lists” for individual shelters. It was important for Hannah Kay to share her story because of the power of telling your story and connecting to others who have been through something similar. When she opened up about her personal story she started hearing more and more stories of domestic violence. Currently the statistics are 1 in 4 women and and 1 and 9 men are survivors. Her mission was to help start that difficult conversation. She has also created a program to help spread the word, give survivors a way to give back, and to help develop a community around this. "The way I discovered I could do that best was by selling cozy products such as blankets that everyone has in their home and uses all the time and then donating 10% of my proceeds back to domestic violence shelters." The pandemic has created some shifts in the domestic violence space. Before last year, they had a hotline for survivors to reach out and since the pandemic started, created a texting/written platform. This was implemented since many survivors may be at home with their abusers and cannot call a hotline for assistance. Shelters remain overcrowded and underfunded but this last year they have worked with hotels and other programs for collaborations to support survivors. "It feels so good to know that you are not alone and that someone else can relate to something that you are going through." has been influential in Hannah Kay’s work as she appreciates the resources they offer, the survivors stories, and inspiring songs. In Charlotte, there are resources such as , , and all geared towards supporting domestic violence shelters. Hannah Kay moved to Charlotte after she literally picked it out of a hat. Since moving here she has found it to be an amazing place where people rally around each other. Her advice for those seeking healing is to let it be known to others that you are in that you will have someone who could listen to you and support you, not to mention may offer referrals. A healer in Charlotte that Hannah Kay is inspired by is Greg Jackson of . She has been amazed at the work he has done and most recently how he supported our neighbors at tent city. You can purchase a blanket from Thread Talk on their website . /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/18418343

Meghan Lowery, Honest Elderberry Co 03/09/2021

Meghan Lowery, Honest Elderberry Co Today's podcast guest is Meghan Lowery, the owner and founder of . The company officially started in March 2019 and was especially vital in supporting her family during 2020 when her husband lost his job. sells syrup in 3 sizes as well as a "make your own kit" where one can get creative with adding their own sweetener or no sweetener at all. She has some more offerings coming out in the future including an elderberry body butter that is currently in the works. Meghan has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to help people especially after a lifestyle change many years ago. Elderberries have been used for centuries for their anti-viral properties and some of Meghan's customers have used her syrup for their inflammation. Elderberries are also known for their bioflavonoid properties meaning that they attack sick cells and viral strains. By this, research studies have shown that they can shorten the duration and intensity of an illness. Meghan's syrup also uses aroniaberries which have the highest anti-oxidant properties of any fruit. Other ingredients include organic cinnamon sticks, organic ginger root, organic whole clove, and North Carolina/South Carolina honey. All of these ingredients together can create a powerful immune support. Meghan suggests taking 1 tablespoon daily for general wellness and can up the dosage during an illness. The difference in her syrup versus a more commercialized brand is that it has to be refrigerated, meaning that it has no preservatives, alcohol, added sweeteners or thickeners. also has recipes on their social media for different ways to use the syrup including mocktails, glazes, and in smoothies. "We use fresh, organic elderberries. We have a couple of partnerships with a couple of berry farmers throughout the United States. So we source our berries directly from them." Meghan loves building relationships in the community especially when she gets to meet customers at Farmer's Markets or other events. She also enjoys working with her retail partners and her husband. He just created his own apparel line during this time called . Counseling, eating well, and Christianity is what keeps her grounded. She wants to heal Charlotte because of her desire for people to have an experience with the healing powers of plants, herbs, and berries. "First and foremost, I'm a big people person and I love getting out and building relationships with people and meeting people in the community. My favorite people I love working with is when I go to Farmer's Markets and meet people I get to hear their story and I get to know who they are. That's one of my most favorite things." It's important to Meghan and her husband to also give back to the community. They have donated financially and products to several organizations including; , , , and the who has partnered with . She is inspired be the following healers; who provide high quality smoothies and juices, , and . If interested in buying some Honest Elderberry Syrup, they are located in 35 stores currently in the Charlotte region(click on the Locations tab) or you can order directly from their . This Spring and Summer season, you can find Meghan and her family at the and various other events in the area. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/18250250

Gratitude for Others in 2020 02/09/2021

Anna Egleston, Yoga Retreats 01/12/2021

Anna Egleston, Yoga Retreats On this episode, we meet Anna Egleston, the Chief Zen Officer, of . She leads Yoga Retreats for adults. She has combined her love for yoga, travel, adventure, and professional background in corporate travel to cultivate a community of adults. Anna has lead international retreats to places like Ireland, Cambodia, and the South of France to name a few. She has trips booked for Croatia and Morocco this year and is looking to add domestic destinations in the near future. Anna compares her retreats to "adult summer camp" because of the mix of yoga, culture, food, adventure as a way for people to meet and cultivate relationships in adulthood which can be challenging. "We don't get those kind of interpersonal experiences as adults." Anna has completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training and is currently involved in her 300-hour training as well as finishing up her Master's Business Administration. She loves having guests on her retreats who are new to yoga as well as experienced. It excites her to have people who are maybe new to international travel, group travel, or yoga and assimilate quickly and grow during the retreat. A differing factor of Above Yoga retreats are that Anna scouts the area at least a year in advance, develops relationships with the vendors, and familiarizes herself with the area to help her guests feel comfortable with it and her as the leader. While her retreats offer yoga, culture, and physical activity such as hiking or biking, Anna leaves it up to each guest to determine how they want their vacation to go. Anna has been inspired by after a friend gave it to her during a challenging time in her own life. She reminds herself of each agreement daily and as a way to feel confident in the service she is providing to others. She discusses how a yoga retreat can help someone grow by the relationships and community formed on the trip. She speculates that it could take years of day-to-day life interaction to form the connections that someone can make during a week-long retreat. Anna has been inspired by Jillian Longsworth of . Jillian's influence has been woven throughout Anna's yoga journey. She attended her first yoga retreat with Jillian to Italy, completed her 200-hour teacher training, and has invited her to co-teach at one of her own retreats. She loves the inclusivity of her studio and the broad range of styles of yoga that she offers. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/16605599

End of Year Reflection Prompt 12/29/2020

Theresa Leskowat, Starting Mental Health Therapy 12/15/2020

Theresa Leskowat, Starting Mental Health Therapy Today's podcast features Theresa Leskowat discussing with Katie all the aspects of starting Mental Health Therapy. Together we discuss reasons to go, benefits, finding a Therapist, when to start, payment, and different types of therapy modalities. Theresa is a private practice owner at , where she works with adults in managing their anxiety. Why go to therapy Typically people start therapy during a life event or change, want to start a relationship with a therapist proactively, for self-improvement and growth, may have exhausted their own resources, or noticed familial patterns that they would like to break. Benefits of therapy Usually people will increase their self-insight, find that it's an outlet to process their experiences, want a relationship that is not friends or family and to hear a perspective that challenges them, are looking for a confidential space to share things that may be difficult to talk about, will practice relationship and communication skills, and lastly appreciate a place to share vulnerabilities first. Barriers to starting Some people view going to therapy in that it signifies weakness but in actually there is a lot of strength in asking for help and receiving support. For some, they worry about vulnerability and talking about the hard things as it may open up the "flood gates" and dealing with difficult emotions. Lastly, some believe it means they have a problem. When to start The best time to start going to therapy is when you decide it will be beneficial. You can start during a crisis and it will be better to establish a relationship when things aren't as challenging. Frequency of sessions and duration People usually start a weekly appointments to establish a relationship and can go down from there once things stabilize. Everyone is individual so it depends on what people come in with and when they feel like they have gotten out of it what they set out to do. Therapists do provide homework for those who want to work on things outside of sessions. Finding a Therapist All clinicians who do this work will have at least a Master's degree in one of the following; Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy and have requirements for continuing education. You can start by getting a referral from someone you know personally or professionally. Psychology Today is another place to start by entering the information you are looking for a various profiles of therapists will be available. Visiting the clinicians website could be a good way to start to get to know them and their areas of speciality. Lastly, a Google search may be another way to start getting some names. Psychologists and Psychiatrists get mixed up quite frequently so to help in keeping that straight; a Psychologist usually does therapy, or Psychological testing, or both, a Psychiatrist has gone through Medical school, prescribes medication, and sometimes offers therapy but not often. "We {therapists} are people too. If you go and you just don't feel connected to them or you don't feel they get what you are saying then maybe that's not the connection you are looking for. That's ok and they won't be offended. It's more important that you find what you are looking for." Payment You can possibly use your insurance where you may have a copay or a deductible to meet. You will need to make sure the therapist you want to see accepts your insurance. Most therapists have private payment options and some offer sliding scale rates or rates based on your income. If finances are a concern, lower rates can be found by students working towards their degree or clinicians that are not fully licensed yet. Some companies offer EAP benefits as well. Most therapists will provide a no-charge consult session or phone call in order to meet before committing. Usually those sessions will be for discussing what you are looking for support around and to learn about the therapists approach to that particular area. Telehealth Due to the COVID-19 crisis, most therapists are providing telehealth sessions. With that, there are some pros and cons. Some of the pros are that it is convenient as it may be relaxing in your own home. Cons may be that there is the lack of energy exchange, technology issues, and it's harder to pick up on non-verbal communication through a screen or phone. Types of Therapy When it comes to Mental Health Therapy, there are options for individuals, groups, families, and couples. Also, some clinicians are more seasoned in mental health vs. substance abuse so you will want to find someone who has experience in the type of therapy you are looking for. There are various types of treatment modalities that Therapist's offer: Rogerian - not a style particuarly but he emphasized that all Therapists should exhibit "unconditional positive regard" for their clients. CBT - short for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and is fairly common for Therapists to provide this. This type of therapy looks at unhelpful thoughts and unhelpful behaviors and works to reframe those thoughts which in turn helps with more helpful behaviors. Psychoanalytic - not widely practiced anymore but will be a deep dive into the psyche. EMDR - short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing which helps process and file unprocessed memories and traumas without talking about it. Yoga & Mindfulness - many Therapists are now getting certified in Yoga. Helps bring the body into the therapy space as it really is a mind-body connection. DBT - short for Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which helps with emotional regulation, mindfulness, and relationships. Experiential - this type of therapy is about "doing it" vs "talking about it." This may include role play or movement. Neurofeedback - this modality will train the brain to regulate itself. No talk therapy is necessary for this. Motivational Interviewing - usually effective with addictions and teenagers and can meet people where they are even if they aren't fully bought into therapy yet. Some Therapists use a "bottom up" vs "top down approach to therapy. You will typically see this when the body and self-regulation comes into the therapy space instead of using the mind to thing about, process the situation, or modulate the body. "With CBT we are talking about thoughts but a lot of times if we are really anxious it's really hard to think clearly about those thoughts because it's a different part of the brain and that Yoga can tap into that relaxation system so that we can make talk therapy more effective so that it can go somewhere and that we can use those coping skills." Resources is a book written about a Therapist's experience with her own life crisis, her own therapy process, and the process of her clients. is a Doctorate of Social Work, Researcher, Author, Public Speaker, Podcaster, etc whose work focuses on vulnerability, authenticity, and shame. Many of the things that happen or are discussed in therapy! /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/17196530

Melanie McIntyre, CBD Retailer 12/01/2020

Melanie McIntyre, CBD Retailer Today's conversation is with Melanie McIntyre, the owner of , an e-commerce business selling CBD products. She started the business officially in February 2020 but had been working on researching the product and setting it up for a year prior. sells tinctures, gummies, topical, soft-gels, and dog treats all made with CBD. Melanie has always been interested and passionate about natural health for her own issues and found CBD. She did her own research on companies, tried various brands, and began to discover the benefits for herself. helped put CBD on the map without the stigma when in 2018 a Farm Bill was passed that made the cultivation of hemp legal in all states. Stipulations for how much THC, how it's grown, and how it is cultivated. CBD comes from the hemp plant which is the same as marijuana. The difference is in how it's cultivated. CBD can have up to .3% of THC(which is the psychedelic) and marijuana has 15-20% of THC. This product is not regulated currently by the FDA, so some CBD companies will do 3rd party testing to discover any possible pesticides or chemicals, the amount of CBD that is on the label is reflected in the product, and if there are any added ingredients. Not all CBD companies are the same so it's important to research them and look into their 3rd party testing. products have a QR code to see the testing results for that particular batch and all have 0% THC. Studies have shown that CBD can help with sleep issues, anxiety, stress, muscle and joint pain to name a few. For dogs, the products may help with anxiety; everyday or situation specific, and arthritis. Each of our bodies have an endocannabinoid systems that helps create overall balance. Our body produces it and sometimes could use more of it for balance which is where CBD supplements come in. is a non-profit dedicated to research and findings regarding CBD products. "It's considered to be a supplement because our body already produces these chemicals but we may need a little more because we are in a high stress environment or we are struggling with sleep or we just have anxiety because we have a chemical imbalance or it's just lifestyle so it just provides that extra support to create more balance." Melanie has been influenced by the which was started to support their daughter who had multiple seizures a day and found some relief with CBD. For natural health in general, Melanie has enjoyed information from , a nutritionist with her website and podcast, Meathead Hippie. Melanie wants to heal Charlotte as she has been here for 16 years and see how high stress the environment is here. "CBD is a product that can help that because it just helps to bring balance and that's part of what Charlotte needs. You know people in Charlotte, we just need to find that balance between doing but also resting. Taking time for ourselves and not being all about this one thing but really paying attention to self." A healer in Charlotte who inspires her is at Greenapple who is a Chiropractor and Acupuncturist. Use code "healclt" at to take advantage of the 25% discount. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/16878827

Crystal Emerick, Brave Step 11/17/2020

Crystal Emerick, Brave Step In this episode, we meet Crystal Emerick, the founder and Executive Director of , a non-profit that focuses on supporting those affected by sexual violence; survivors or loved ones. This 5-year old non-profit strives to empower adults impacted by sexual violence in 3 ways; personalized care(individual counseling, group therapy, peer support groups, empowerment groups), Brave public conversations, and to cultivate Changemakers. Once a survivor or loved one reaches out, their case manager completes a thorough intake and then lays out the options. The options they currently offer are individual counseling with a highly vetted therapist and will provide financial assistance if needed for up to 26 sessions, 12-week group therapy led by a licensed therapist, peer-led support groups, empowerment groups focused on coping skills, or "Finding Your Voice" programs including storytelling, art classes, etc. They meet the survivor or loved one where they are in their healing journey. Crystal has put together a diverse group on her Advisory Board who are all trained in various trauma treatment modalities so that can offer a combination as well as have the understanding of all offered. "Sexual violence doesn't discriminate, it doesn't care what faith you are, what financial status you are, what color you are, or what culture you are. It welcomes everybody with open arms. Until we can truly embrace that and the fact that each of us is impacted in one way or another, I don't know how we convince people of how detrimental this is to our community." Crystal shares her own story of surviving childhood sexual abuse. She recognized the guilt, shame, and blame that was growing inside her and told her mom about it at the age of 13. As she grew older, she turned towards what she could control which manifested into unhealthy behavioral patterns. When she moved to Charlotte in 2001, she asked her doctor for help and was referred to a therapist, . During her work with her therapist, she realized that she could not turn away from how prevalent sexual assault was in the world and in 2011 was challenged to "do something about it." She spent a good 2 years trying to figure out her role in doing something about it. In November of 2014, officially became a non-profit and she started assembling her Advisory Board and Board of Directors. She recognized that there was not a lot of representation of adult care of sexual violence survivors. When she started the non-profit, she was running her own business in communications and public relations. She kept feeling the tug to give her all to the non-profit, so 2 years ago she closed down her business and moved over full-time. Last year, 60% of their funding came from individual donors and they continuously apply for grants. She would like to create in the future more specific programming for the loved ones of survivors but in the meantime, they can access services through . She has been influenced by Nancy Brinker's book, As the founder of the , this book provided Crystal inspiration for changing people's tolerance for talking about the difficult topics such as breast cancer and sexual violence. She wants to heal Charlotte to help those survivors either crack open or bust down the door to their healing because she understands the negative impacts on survivors, family members, communities. She wants to do this work to help future generations. Her advice for sexual violence survivors is as follows; take 1 brave baby step at a time, fight for yourself, and find community with people like you. She is inspired in Charlotte by , a therapist and all of the members of her . "It's my obligation now. It's to turn my pain into a purpose and as long as I can keep doing that and do it effectively, then I'm here to stay." In the short term future, will be releasing the "Change Makers" program this year that will focus on education around sexual assault and will be diving deeper on supporting loved ones. Visit 's website for more information or to get help, donate, or volunteer. You can reach Crystal directly at info@bravestep.org or 704-361-5230. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/16800404

Kent Crawford, Neurofeedback Practitioner 11/03/2020

Kent Crawford, Neurofeedback Practitioner is our guest on the podcast today. Neurofeedback, Brainwave Biofeedback, or EEG Biofeedback is a modality he has been practicing for 18 years. He describes neurofeedback as a technique that frees us up from our neurology. It's a non-invasive treatment that works with the non-conscious part of the brain and frequencies we ask the brain to exercise. On a simple level, while training, the person is watching a movie with sensors on their head and the screen gets larger and smaller based on what the brain is doing in that moment. Kent has practiced many different versions of neurofeedback but enjoys the the best based on the quickness and depth of results. Kent says neurofeedback can help with an unlimited number of things including; depression, anxiety, autism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. There are a minimum of 20 sessions to achieve completion and remission of symptoms but one will see results before then. Kent mentions that some conditions will need more than 20. "It's like our thoughts and even our emotions are a plant growing out of the soil. That is the neurology of our brain and if that soil is in a negative place, then that's the kind of thoughts you're are going to have." Kent discusses Alpha-Theta training which is another portion of the work in that it can get people to the theta state of brainwave activity that can take weeks instead of a long-term dedicated meditation practice. He says that people tend to get along with others better, care about others more, and are generally happier. Alpha-theta gets more into the emotional and spiritual space. Kent's journey to Neurofeedback training began after reading a book about different brain techniques and was really drawn to it. He then found a training with the Othmers and began practicing. He continues to be so impressed with the affects and how quickly success came to those he trained. Over the last 18 years, Kent estimates he has trained thousands of people's brains and typically receives word-of-mouth referrals. Kent emphasizes that the process is non-invasive and that side-effects will happen somewhere along the course of treatment. He discusses that the side-effects are within your past range of experience and if somethings gets thrown off, he can correct it. "It {Neurofeedback} has a foot in both camps; it has a foot in the standard healthcare camp and that camp is a 'we've got a problem, let's fix it' kind of thing. Neurofeedback also has it's foot in the preventative healthcare practice of making ourselves healthier so that we don't get whatever the problem is, psychological or physiological." Kent is from Charlotte and enjoys the location in between the mountains and the coast. He likes the green spaces we have and that Charlotte is a financial and energy capital for the country. Visit his or call 704-527-0071 to book an appointment or for more information. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/15491267

Susan Hughes, Finding Your Yoga Home 10/27/2020

Susan Hughes, Finding Your Yoga Home Today's discussion is with Susan Hughes, a 500-hour teacher focused on Therapeutic Yoga. The two provide information on different types of Yoga, hands-on assisting, finding a teacher, and other topics to help you find your Yoga home. Susan's advice when starting your journey is to try different studios and notice how the space makes you feel. "You get a feeling right away I feel like when you go someplace that feels like home to you. You meet teachers who feel like they have the same interests as you, you feel comfortable in that location physically and with the people that are there." Levels of Exertion for Styles Power - This is a strengths based class, that includes even more flow than a vinyasa and students will usually end up very sweaty at the end of class as this is one of the more athletic styles. Vinyasa(Flow) - Will move faster and links one breath per movement. It's more athletic but not necessarily more advanced. The teacher will offer modifications and variations(helps make the pose more accessible for your body), and the flow is sequenced around "sun salutations." Classes typically start with breath and centering, on to a warmup, moving into the flow where the heart rate increases, next to the cool down, and them some stretching at the end. Basics or Beginner - Typically for beginners or anyone wanted to break down each shape for their body. The purpose is for people to learn and be able to get into poses safely. The class pace is usually really slow and may include workshopping poses or a theme. The student will learn about engagement and modifications/variations. This class is not necessarily gentle. Gentle - This class will not have a flow state and is more athletic. Will usually explore the 6 movements of the spine(forward and back bends, twisting, lateral stretches), many poses will be from the floor with less overall exertion, and will move slowly in between shapes. Yin(Deep Stretch is similar and different) - All poses will be on the ground and will use many props(blankets, blocks, bolsters) to hold poses for 3-5 minutes where the student will get into a meditative state. The props are to hold the body up so that it can get into a state of not totally relaxed but not totally pushing/activating. Works to help put the fascia back into place. Restorative - Will use even more props(blankets, blocks, bolsters, eye covers, chairs) to hold the body up in a position of comfort and relaxation. In this class, there are no demands or exertion and will include a few poses. Poses are typically held anywhere from 5-7 minutes up to 20 minutes or more. The student will be able to get into a deeper state of relaxation and meditative. The classes may be warm, dark, still, and quiet. Therapeutic - Typically done one-on-one with a highly trained teacher who will complete a whole-human reading including the injury or ailment the student entered with and will explore sleep, social support, past traumas, a spiritual practice, etc. The teacher will put all the pieces together to help the student heal. Trauma-Sensitive - The purpose of this class is to create an environment that is as safe as possible for someone who has experienced trauma to heal. Not necessarily the only place to heal from them but an important one. The classes may not include any hands-on assisting, will offer options for poses and ways to make the poses as accessible as possible. Helps to create more interoception(noticing sensations in the body) so that the student can take good care of themself. Teachers trained in this can also help the student reframe relationships they will practice boundary setting, autonomy, and being seen in a space. Susan and Katie discuss some other aspects of Yoga including: Sanksrit - This is the language of Yoga. Each poses has a Sanskrit name. Some teachers will use this in class and most likely will use the English translation as well. Safety - You can hurt yourself in Yoga and especially with repetitive motion if not done mindfully. Everyone's bone structures are different and it's important for a teacher to be highly trained to understand this. Hands-On Assisting - May happen in Yoga class. The purpose of these generally speaking are for safety reasons as well as help the student deepen their experience. It's good to know that they are not usually to correct you in a pose. Touch can be healing but sometimes it doesn't feel safe to students. This is why it's important to know if the teacher provides hands-on assisting and if they ask permission each time. It gives the student autonomy and choice. Most Yoga teachers are 200-hour certified which means they have graduated from a Registered Yoga School through and have the basic knowledge of teaching Yoga. Some teachers go through an additional 300-hour program to become 500-hour certified which means they have completed more specialized training and have taken a deeper dive with understanding Yoga. During her 300-hour program, Susan recognized her passion was to help give students their power back in a yoga class. "Giving the power back to the student is teaching them that trauma-sensitive way in an effort to let the student know that it doesn't matter what I say, it doesn't matter if I want your foot here and you put it here. If you are getting the experience out of the posture, you're doing Yoga. If you're with your breath and you are moving, you are doing Yoga." Katie and Susan agree that when choosing a Yoga Instructor, students look for a teacher who is at least 200-hour certified. A 500-hour certification or specialization in that style is even better. Make sure your teacher has been practicing awhile and notice how you feel in the space with that person. Susan and Katie met at when they were going through . Susan loves that she has always been recognized and acknowledged by name at . The physical space is comforting to her and she appreciates dedication to accessible yoga. Accessible means that the space offers Yoga that everyone can participate in, the use of props, and attend to the socio-economic status of all students. Both agree that the variety of styles offered is amazing. Katie thinks the experience the teachers have is unmatched in the city. Lastly, do you have to be flexible to do Yoga? Absolutely not! It can increase flexibility and that may not even be the intention of starting a Yoga practice. "I think that the accessibility like representing the broad spectrum of types of people that there are in the world via our teachers and making the studio a welcoming place to every type of person is part of what makes it home for me." You can join Susan for a class through the website or book a private session through her page. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/15950519

Kristine Kaoverii Weber, Yoga Ethics for Transforming Racism 10/20/2020

Kristine Kaoverii Weber, Yoga Ethics for Transforming Racism On today's episode, we meet with , who created the program with . Kristine is an internationally recognized Yoga Therapist and Yoga Teacher trainer who has presented internationally and founder of the , the first training for behavioral health professionals in the country. Kristine has trained thousands of people around the world since 2003. Her journey with Yoga began in middle school when she joined the "Yoga Club" that one of her teacher's provided. She remembers the transformational experience she had. Yoga continued to be a constant in her life when she moved to Washington, D.C to San Francisco, and on to Japan to teach English. From there, she was drawn to explore Yoga even more and decided to tour India for 2 years. After her experiences in Ashrams and with her teachers, she knew she had to share what she learned to those struggling with mental health upon returning to the States. was born in 2006 and in 2009, she began presenting at the in Asheville. Kristine is married to a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist so many of their conversations have centered around the intersection of Yoga and Mental Health. Back then, Yoga wasn't as trauma-informed as it is today and she found a niche in training Mental Health professional Yoga to bring to their clients. In 2012, she started her first 200-hour training that was also supported by a major continuing education provider. She continued to find how powerful it was to put Yoga training in the hands of professionals who were already trauma-informed and had strong ethics. It has been her mission to bring more professionalism to Yoga. She began offering courses online 2 years ago and her reach continues to broaden. Kristine's Subtle Yoga is accessible, person-centered, low-risk, and low-cost as an intervention. It can be applied in a therapy space, Yoga studio, gym, etc. One of her teacher's, (), has influenced her development of . There are lots of repeated poses and moving with the breath. Kristine thinks about sequencing poses in regards to the nervous system. "I think about my sequencing in terms of where do we want to take the nervous system; do we want to go in the direction of energy and nourishment, do we need to stimulate the system a little bit, do we need to go in the direction of letting go and lightening or helping folx to feel more relaxed." Fast forward to 2016, Kristine was asked to speak at an Integrative Health Conference in Charlotte, NC right after Keith Lamont Scott was murdered. She found that no one was talking about the protests and what was happening right outside the conference. She decided to speak to social, economic, and environmental determinants of health that account for the majority of health outcomes. "I've felt very passionate about social justice for a long time and I see it as intimately connected to the Yoga process." Earlier in 2020 when the Black Lives Matter movement gained momentum, Kristine reached out to , a former student of hers, and asked if she would be willing to collaborate on a course regarding racism as viewed from the lens of the Yamas and Niyamas, the yoga ethical principles. "Where they really shine is when you operationalize them and you think about them in terms of a particular problem, in this case racism, and then really how do I use these ethics to take right action in the world?" In her career, Kristine has been influenced by , the founder of , Susan Andrews, a Yoga teacher in Brazil, Gabor Mate's book Bessel Van Der Kolk's book, Barbara Frederickson's book, and her husband . In Charlotte, Kristine is inspired by , a Yoga Instructor, Samantha Leonard of , , of Pure Wellness and Healing, all of the owners of Yoga Studios navigating COVID-19, and , a Physical Therapist. Kristine wants to help others heal because she has received so much from Yoga and for her, there is no other choice but to give it back. Her advice to those seeking healing is to find a good therapist and trust yourself. Find more about her program, /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/16465061

Kiesha Battles, Yoga Ethics for Transforming Racism 10/13/2020

Kiesha Battles, Yoga Ethics for Transforming Racism In this episode, we have the pleasure of talking with Kiesha Battles of and co-creator of the program with Kristine Kaoverii Weber of . "It's the conversation that we hope that people are open to having because with this Yoga, you know it's more than doing, it's taking action and what we are trying to do is take that action of just sharing more of the tools and the practices that can benefit us in this world. We both have this understanding that there are many paths to Yoga, and not all of them focus on the ethical principles. So what we want to do is share with people that they are there." Her Yoga journey began when she found a flyer in the hallway of her graduate program in Asian Studies. She started out studying the Iyengar method and after moving to Charlotte, began practicing more Vinyasa and Power Yoga. She's completed two 200-hour Yoga Teacher programs, the first being with Kristine and the second with her mentor . She's also completed a 300-hour program with Maya and is currently in another with . Presently, she is the Yoga Director at and founder of I Am Yoga where she leads Yoga Teacher Training programs and provides Accessible Yoga. Kiesha is a full time Yoga teacher with over 20 years of experience. Before COVID, she was teaching 20 classes a week to over 300 students. During COVID, she found herself with more time on her hands by not driving from class to class. This intersection paired with the momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement provided the opportunity to co-create with Kristine. Kiesha's study of Yoga Philosophy began when developing her research paper for Kristine's 200-hour Training Program on This research led her to , her "Grandmother of Yoga." She attended her and began private studies with her afterwards on Living Yoga. She studied intimately with Maya for years going deeper and deeper with the Yamas and Niyamas(Ethical Principles of Yoga). She then began practicing with in Charlotte who was integrating the Yoga principles more directly. This partnership with Kristine reminds Kiesha of Yin and Yang. Not only by the styles they teach, Kristine teaching more of an active style and Kiesha teaching Yin, but by who they are as women. Each present the Yamas or Niyamas as it relates to racism, humanities, and ethics, paired with a physical practice. All proceeds go towards scholarship foundations for BIPOC organizations; and . After 1 month of offering the program, they have been able to contribute $3k to each organization. She believes this program gives the participant a path to change and understand racism through the lens of the ethical principles of Yoga. "What are your values? What are the values that you hold true that you would stand your ground for, that you would fight for, that you would be willing to die for. For some people in our path, it could be God, it could be Spirit. For some people it's love and for some people it's country. But what are you holding true as a value outside of who you vote for?" has been influential in Kiesha's work and from her she found T.K.V Desikachar's book which has done the same for her. , her partner in I Am Yoga was influential in developing her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. Kiesha enjoys working with everybody as she believes working with everybody provides her an opportunity to learn. She wants to Heal Charlotte because she is a loyalist. She moved to the Carolinas during her adolescent years and is now so embedded in the community here, she wants Charlotte to be well. In Charlotte, she's inspired by , her business partner and bodyworker, her Mom as she has found healing in the extra time spent with her after surgery, interactions with her friends during COVID, and , her Reiki Master. is another bodyworker in Charlotte who Kiesha appreciates. "If you are looking for healing, ask for it, there are so many resources out there and there's no one right way of healing." Learn more about /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/16373183

Lisa Moore, Ayurveda Consultant 10/06/2020

Lisa Moore, Ayurveda Consultant This episode, we meet Lisa Moore of . She's been a therapeutic yoga teacher for 15 years, facilitates many workshops, seminars, retreats, does energy work as a Shamanic practitioner, as well as an Ayurveda Consultant. She describes Ayurveda as the sister science to yoga and the oldest medical system in the world, and was banished in India when the British invaded. It combines energy medicine, diet and lifestyle changes, and the interplay of the mind for wellness. In Ayurveda, everyone has a constitution which is a system of doshas that are categories people fall into based on their elemental makeup assigned at conception. It focuses on digestion and high functioning tissues and organs. In Ayurveda, the goal is for people to live in sattva which is a pleasing and neutral state. Each dosha is made up of 2 elements; ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Vata is made up of ether and air and these people move a lot in space, are creative, and intelligent. Pitta is made up of fire and water and this is the energy of transformation and these people are natural born leaders. Kapha is made up of water and earth and is the energy of structure as these people tend to be compassionate, loyal, and stable. Lisa's work begins with an assessment where she will look at digestion, stress, unprocessed trauma, sleep and meal times, exercise, and quality of relationships. A physical analysis will be done on the tongue, fingernail, hair, skin, among other things. She's going to look into someone's energy patterns as well such as prana and apana. After the constitution is determined and imbalance is discovered, understanding the root problem including possibly eating the wrong foods or eating at the wrong time as well as developing a plan for supporting their constitution is developed. Digestion is a major focus of the beginning work of Ayurveda. Lisa mentions that getting digestion under control for each person is paramount. From here, she will create a maintenance plan taking into account the season and help each person understand when to eat, the types of food to eat, hydration, exercise, sleep time, the right type of yoga, meditation, and breathwork to support their constitution. After everything is in balance, Lisa will prescribe herbs based on what organs and doshas were out of balance. "It's a process that unfolds because you want it to be a lifestyle. I don't want it to be novel that someone is going to try and then say 'oh it didn't work, so I'm going to move on to something else." Lisa became inspired to get into this work after the health issues that she encountered about 10 years ago. She believed she had a stellar diet and had all types of intense symptoms. Her doctors ran invasive tests and determined that nothing was wrong. She knew something was not right and was introduced to Ayurveda. She realized she was eating the wrong foods for her dosha and within months felt grounded for the first time in her life. From there she spent many years training and obtaining her certification. Lisa enjoys working with people who are curious, motivated, and want to truly understand the root causes. She is motivated by people who want to break out of patterns, understand the role of nature in their health, and are ready to inspect relationships they have in their life. Lisa moved to Charlotte in 2001 from Arizona and was interested in finding a local Naturopath. At the time, there was only 2, so she called up one. He became a mentor to her with energy work. She's also be influenced by who was an Astrologer and Shaman as well as Dr. Vasant Lad, who is the head of the A in New Mexico. is a documentary about him and his work. "I would like to heal Charlotte in terms of people getting expansive, people being more compassionate, people being more open to other cultures and systems of beliefs, and let those things interplay with one another, and a deeper connection to yourself at the core level." As the former editor of magazine for 10 years, Lisa is inspired in the Charlotte community by so many healers it's hard to name just one. She finds herself most inspired by nature. Connect with Lisa through her or by calling her at 704-277-3887. /episode/index/show/healingcharlotte/id/15079925

Healing Charlotte Podcast

TOPICS