Talking Emotions

Sarah Casper explores the nuanced world of consent. In this conversation we explore how common approaches to consent education are good, yet don't allow space for adolescents and young adults to practice nagivating the 'grey areas' of boundaries, consent, and sex. She explores principles in her approach to consent education.

Guest:
Playful. Nuanced. Principled. Sarah (SAH-rah) Casper is the founder of Comprehensive Consent, a social-emotional learning approach to equipping kids and teens with the knowledge and skills necessary for healthy, respectful, and joyful relationships. Through her in-school workshops, online classes, and social media content...

Leslie highlights the benefits and process of using Art Therapy in school settings. She starts by opening up about her process on writing and personal journey to finding art therapy. In the conversation, we explore the benefits of art therapy and how it can be used by professionals in the school setting.

Guest:
Leslie de Vera Arroyo. Leslie Arroyo (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a School Counseling Specialist for Chicago Public Schools (CPS).  She has been in the counseling and mental health field for more than 20 years.  She has ex...

Dr. Davis explores the practical application of empathy. She highlights stories from her extensive research on empathy and how it is use to facilitate better practitioner-patient relationships to improve healthcare. She highlights how this is can be used to improve listening and relationships inside and out of schools.

Guest:
Dr. Carol Davis. Carol is an international lecturer and consultant and a respected author in rehabilitation literature. She is the author of Integrative Therapies in Rehabilitation, and Patient-Practitioner Interaction, both published by Slack Books, Inc., and several textbook chapters, many focusing on the science of...

ShowYouSuck talks about the power of curiosity . This episode continues conversations about different approaches to heal from trauma. She shares her story and explains how indigenous wisdom can be a guide to process difficult life experiences and help to live a richer emotional life.

Guest:
ShowYouSuck. Clinton Sandifer creates under the name ShowYouSuck. A Rapper/Producer/Performance artist, one half of the band Air Credits, based in Chicago who releases self produced music and videos on a regular basis via Bandcamp and Youtube. Show also hosts a monthly variety show at Subterranean called the...

Mairead talks about the power of curiosity . This episode continues conversations about different approaches to heal from trauma. She shares her story and explains how indigenous wisdom can be a guide to process difficult life experiences and help to live a richer emotional life.

Guest:
Mairead Ashcroft. Art Therapist. Counselor. Nature Lover. Mairead uses compassion to support others who have experienced similar challenging life events resulting in Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Mairead has dedicated many years of study on the effects of trauma on the brain and body, enhancing her counselling, art therapy...

Elizabeth Torres leads a conversation on the power of breathing. She also opens out about her journey into meditation, and how her intention led to deepening of her practice. We'll connect the sensation and discovering the body to its connection with trauma, breathing, meditation, and personal discovery. 

Guest:
Elizabeth Torres is an awareness and meditation therapist. Studied extensively in Mexico, earning a Masters's Degree in Gestalt Psychotherapy. Takes a holistic approach to healing. She has expertise in mind-body-awareness integration and utilizing practices that foster a deep connection between physical and emotional wellness. Meditation practices f...

Kathleen Skoller leads a conversation about the power of nature, and its connection to wellness. She talks lost of emerging research, which connects to the older practice of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing).

Guest:
Kathleen Skoller is a retired teacher of 33 years. She is certified through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs – the leading voice for forest therapy programs in the United States and Europe. She practices Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing) which helps her relieve stress, detach from the digital world, think and feel her way through creative projects.

To le...

This is the 2nd In Practice Episode! Chef Jeff Wang talks about a life of purpose, and his decision to leave accounting to become a chef. He talks purpose, experiences, and happiness, connecting ideas from Dr. Bowers episode in a lived experience!

Guest:
Jeff Wang is a Chicago native and an accountant turned self taught Chef. He hit the streets in his food truck “Yum Dum” inJuly of 2014 serving up his ‘Mom’s Asian home cooking’ with offerings like handmade dumplings, bao sandwiches, and a recreation of his childhood favorite snack - the now famed Kimc...

Dr. Bower explores the connection of purpose to living a life of happiness. We will unpack the importance of considering happiness for yourself vs. connecting with others. Some surprising research will give insights into how you can to live a more purposeful life!

Guest:
Dr. Tracy Brower is a sociologist studying work life fulfillment, happiness and the future of work. She is the author of two books. The Secrets to Happiness at Work provides insights for joyful work and life. Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work provides fresh perspectives and alternative...

Dr. Luke unpacks a number of concepts around the neuroscience of anxiety. We dive into understanding how the brain functions around fear and anxiety. 

Guest:
Chad Luke holds a Ph.D. in counselor education from the University of Tennessee, and teaches at St. Bonaventure in Saint Bonaventure, NY. Dr. Luke is also a licensed professional counselor and an approved clinical supervisor, whose writing has appeared in the International Journal for Education and Vocational Guidance and the Journal of Counseling and Development. He has authored more than 20 journal articles, book chapters, and books. He is a...

Dr. Wilkinson explores two theories for constructing emotions and their value in interpreting emotions. We pull apart key ideas of each theory to explore how they can me utilized for improving our emotional lives.

Guest:
Dr. Brett Wilkinson serves as Director of the Counselor Education program, founding Director of the PFW Institute for Counseling Research (ICR), and Editor-in-Chief for the ACA's national Journal of Humanistic Counseling. A Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), he earned Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Kentucky and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling...

Dr. Becker leads a conversation about marijuana and its myths. He explores the decades of research that he compiled in his book, Whoa Dude. We discuss common myths and important ideas when considering how to approach use, regardless if its in an abstinence or harm reduction model.

Guest:
Dr. Kevin G. Becker - Is a scientist and researcher. He received a Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1989 in Molecular Biology and Genetics. He spent 30 years as a scientist in the Intramural Research Program of the U.S. National Institutes...

Dalton Welsh is 1/2 of the beatmaking collaborative Open Contact. He opens up about creativity, synchronicity, and connection as a beatmaker. Through the practice of mindfulness, Open Contact explores processing emotion and connection. This is the first In-Practice feature, focusing on Dalton's personal experiences.

Guest:
Dalton Welsh. Open Contact is a collaboration-based multimedia collective. Dalton is one half of the collective, residing in Fort Wayne, IN. Together with his creative partner, Andy Ong, they are working on creating a meditative sound that extends beyond the boundaries of music. Open Contacts’ creations are produced in healing fr...

Dr. Mary Lamia talks motivation. She explores the connection of emotions to getting things done. In this conversation, Dr. Lamia articulates how emotions are  pivotal for understanding how to motivate yourself and navigate through life's demands. 

Guest:
Mary Lamia, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and author. She is a professor at the Wright Institute in Berkley, CA. She also works with adults, adolescents, preteens, and couples in her Marin County private practice. Her blogs on Psychology Today, Thrive Global, and PsychWire, along with extensive media interviews and commentaries, explore her deep understanding of emotions an...

Tom James highlights different practices that influence his school's continued emphasis on a 'pedagogy of joy.' From his perspective as assistant division head, he explores ideas and practices to increase joy in schools.

Guest:
Tom James is the Assistant Division Head of High School at The Grace Church School in Manhattan, New York. He's an educator of 12th years, having taught math in  public, charter, and independent schools. He has also served as a math department chair and DEI coordinator.

To read more on articles discussed in this conversation, please see t...

This session Dr. David Naff talks over key points from a recent research brief on student absenteeism. He highlights key trends and factors that impact absenteeism, then engages on ideas to help increase student attendance.

Guest:
Dr. David Naff is the director of the Metropolitan Education Research Consortium (MERC) at VCU. Prior to starting a running MERC, Dr. Naff was a school counselor in North Carolina.

To read more on MERC projects and the MERC research brief on student absenteeism:
Strategies for Addressing Chronic Absenteeism in the Post-Pandemic Era: ...

We're exploring Hope Action Theory. This theory is explored with doctoral student, Jonathan Adams. He highlights contemplative practices to make space for exploring hopes and values around career decision making. 

Guest:
Jonathan Adams is a doctoral student at William & Mary University, exploring contemplative practices. Prior to starting a doctoral program, Jonathan worked as a career counselor at multiple universities in North Carolina. 

To learn more about Hope Action Theory:
https://hope-action.com/hope-action-theory

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/