The Teaching Journeys Podcast

10 Episodes
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By: Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts ,MSW, LMSW is an adjunct professor of psychology child life at Utica University, an author and a bereavement support specialist. He created The Teaching Journeys Podcast with one thing in mind: To have meaningful conversations with individuals , young and old, whose life journeys/challenges, can teach us something about addressing our own. It is Dave's hope that the teachings from these conversations live on in future generations.Weekly episodes have featured guests from all walks of life, with diverse experiences and life skills to share . Episodes so far have addressed topics such as : Millennials, Gen Z’s and Me...

Life Without Firsts: Joy Harris's Path to Healing and Advocacy
#91
Last Tuesday at 12:00 PM

In this episode of 'The Teaching Journeys Podcast,' hosted by Dave Roberts, guest Joy Harris, a seasoned entrepreneur and author, shares her profound and emotional journey of losing her son Darien during pregnancy. Joy discusses the challenges of dealing with such a heart-wrenching loss and the importance of acknowledging and talking about it. She emphasizes the need for resources and support for families experiencing similar tragedies. Joy also touches on her book Missed Baby Steps, Life Without Firsts, detailing her experience and offering guidance for others in grief. The conversation underscores the significance of compassion, effective communication, and...


Rituals and Realities: SB Rawz on Death, Grief and Personal Growth
#90
10/15/2024

In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts interviews SB Rawz, a coach who emphasizes personal growth through understanding inner turmoil and establishing positive change. The conversation delves into Rawz's background, her approach to coaching, and the importance of rituals and core values in overcoming life's challenges. Rawz shares her thoughts on grief, death, and the meaningful connections that arise from loss. She also discusses her projects such as the Substack 'Death Plus Stuff' and 'Grief Nooks,' which aim to disrupt the taboos surrounding death and provide accessible coaching. The episode emphasizes the significance of...


Third Chances: Tyler Barkey's Path to Helping Others and Finding Meaning
#89
10/08/2024

In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts discusses with guest Tyler Barkey, who shares his life experiences and journey towards recovery from addiction. Tyler, a counselor with over a decade of experience working with different age groups, opens up about his struggles stemming from a challenging childhood, substance abuse during his teenage years, and his eventual path to sobriety. He highlights the importance of spiritual awareness and the role of community support in recovery. Tyler also talks about his work through Third Chance Services, where he provides coaching and counseling to individuals, focusing on empowering...


Unleashed Hearts: Victoria Volk on Grief Recovery and Energy Healing
#88
10/01/2024

In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, Dave Roberts interviews Victoria Volk, owner of Unleashed Heart LLC, an expert in holistic grief recovery. Volk, who hosts the Grieving Voices podcast, shares her personal journey through immense childhood grief and trauma, including losing close family members and experiencing sexual molestation. She explains her pivot to energy work, becoming a Reiki master and biofield tuning practitioner. Volk discusses her unique approach by integrating the grief recovery method with YouMap assessments to help clients understand their strengths and align their life paths post-grief. Dave and Victoria also explore the impact of...


Embracing Integrative Health Practices: A Conversation with Catherine Miller
#87
09/24/2024

In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts interviews Catherine Miller, an integrative wellness professional and Reiki master. They discuss Catherine's extensive background in wellness practices, including Reiki, yoga, and nutrition, highlighting her personal journey through significant health challenges such as hip surgeries and a brain tumor. Catherine shares how these experiences shaped her holistic approach to health and wellness, emphasizing the importance of spiritual self-care and intuition. The conversation delves into the role of Reiki in healing, its integration with Western medicine, and the impact it has had on patients, families, and healthcare staff at...


Rethinking Health and Wellness: A Conversation With Dr. Jacob Kendall
#86
09/17/2024

In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts talks with Dr. Jacob Kendall, who has a unique background in health care, including surviving two open heart surgeries and extensive training in gerontology, public health, social work, biology, and theology. Dr. Kendall emphasizes the importance of a four-dimensional approach to health care that integrates multiple perspectives beyond the individualistic medical viewpoint. The conversation also delves into the importance of spiritual care, societal views on aging, and the necessity of embracing one's mortality for a better quality of life. Dr. Kendall shares personal anecdotes, professional insights, and his...


Grief ,Growth and The Magic of Connections
#85
09/10/2024

In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts welcomes back Michael Gershe, a survivor of a drunk driving crash that claimed his mother's life and almost his own. Gershe shares his journey from trauma to triumph, detailing his accomplishments as a collegiate swimmer, comedian, speaker, author, college educator, and photographer. They discuss the impact of connections in Gershe's life, spotlighting his latest TED Talk 'Saved by Our Connections,' and highlight the role of humor and personal relationships in healing. Gershe reflects on his significant life events, including his work to prevent impaired driving through The...


Igniting Resilience: Yankel Meislin's Journey From Addiction to Coaching
#84
09/03/2024

In this episode of the Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts interviews Yankel Meislin, a former drug dealer who turned his life around and became a coach for men and young adults. Yankel shares his story of overcoming addiction through rehab and a spiritual journey in Judaism. He emphasizes the importance of 'being' as an action word and explains his individualized approach in coaching to help clients find their true identity and life's mission. The discussion covers the challenges of addiction, the role of support systems, and how failures can be reframed as opportunities for growth. Yankel's book, 'The...


Life, Death and The Deadbook: A Conversation With Tripp Tillery
#83
08/27/2024

In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts speaks with Tripp Tillery about The Dead Book, an initiative inspired by Tripp's late mother, Susan. The Deadbook helps individuals plan for their eventual passing, providing a comprehensive guide to ease the administrative burden on their loved ones. Tripp shares his deeply personal experiences with grief, the importance of facing mortality, and how understanding death can lead to a more fulfilling life. They also discuss the benefits of open conversations about death and how The Deadbook aims to foster a society more comfortable with this inevitable topic.

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Advocacy in Action: Dr. George Ackerman's Fight Against Parkinson's Disease
#82
08/20/2024

In this episode of the Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts interviews Dr. George Ackerman about his advocacy work following the death of his mother, Sharon, from Parkinson's disease. Dr. Ackerman discusses the creation of TogetherForSharon.com, a platform aimed at raising awareness and providing support for those affected by Parkinson's. They cover Dr. Ackerman's background in criminal justice, his transition to education, and his experiences as a caregiver for his mother. The conversation also addresses the recent passage of the National Plan to End Parkinson's Disease, the challenges of caregiving, and Dr. Ackerman's continued efforts, including his upcoming...