Interview with John Paizis

Introduction:

• Dr. Allen Lycka introduces John Paizis, founder of Performing Arts Studio West, which has a 26-year legacy of training performers with disabilities.
• John Paizis is also the creative mind behind Mother Goose Reanimated, an innovative art book that reimagines classic nursery rhymes with themes of diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment.
• The book features contributions from well-known celebrities and artists, and aims to resonate with modern audiences through new interpretations of traditional tales.

Performing Arts Studio West:

• Founded in 1998, Performing Arts Studio West trains individuals with disabilities in acting, music, dance, and more.
• Over the years, the studio has worked on numerous productions, ranging from small theater performances to large-scale musical presentations featuring over 80 cast members.
• The studio's mission is to prepare participants for work in the entertainment industry, with many of its students appearing in films, TV shows, commercials, and music videos.

The Concept Behind Mother Goose Reanimated:

• The project began as a way to teach participants at Performing Arts Studio West the skills needed for print work, a medium the studio had not yet explored.
• The idea was to reinterpret traditional nursery rhymes through a modern lens, bringing in celebrity friends of the studio and industry experts to collaborate.
• The book features 12 well-known rhymes, including Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty, and Little Miss Muffet, alongside more visually compelling, lesser-known rhymes.

Celebrity Involvement:

• Many well-known actors and performers contributed to the project, including:
• Deborah Wilton (Mad TV)
• Matt Frazier, Naomi Grossman, and Jamie Brewer (American Horror Story)
• Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers)
• Kurt Yeager (Sons of Anarchy)
• Nick Novicki (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse)
• Santina Muha (One Day at a Time)
• All celebrities were enthusiastic about the project, drawn to its unique and visually exciting storytelling.

The Impact of Mother Goose Reanimated:

• The book represents an important step toward greater representation of people with disabilities in media.
• 90% of the over 100 creators, models, and actors involved in the project identify as individuals with disabilities.
• The book's goal is to show how individuals with disabilities can be central to artistic expression and mainstream storytelling.

The Importance of Representation in Media:

• Paizis discusses the challenges and progress made in getting actors with disabilities cast in roles that authentically represent their experiences.
• Over the years, there has been a shift in the entertainment industry towards casting actors with disabilities in roles written for characters with disabilities, providing greater opportunities and breaking down barriers.

Personal Motivation and Family Ties:

• Paizis shares that his mother was a special education teacher, and he had a cousin with a developmental disability, which inspired his passion for working with this community.
• He combined his experience in the arts with his desire to provide more creative opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Audience and Impact:

• Mother Goose Reanimated targets art lovers, the disability community, and anyone who appreciates alternative and inclusive art.
• The book was recently debuted at Comic-Con in Los Angeles and has been well-received by a wide audience.

How to Support and Get Involved:

• Listeners are encouraged to explore and purchase Mother Goose Reanimated, which is available on Amazon in hardcover, softcover, and Kindle formats.
• Performing Arts Studio West is always open to financial donations to support its programs, as state funding does not fully cover the costs of their extensive artistic projects.
• More information about the studio can be found at their website: www.PAStudiowest.com.

Interview with Erin & Stephen Mitchell

Introduction

Dr. Allen Lycka introduces Erin and Stephen Mitchell, founders of Couples Counseling for Parents and authors of the book "Too Tired to Fight." The Mitchells have combined 23 years of experience helping parents stay connected amidst the chaos of raising a family. Their book, set to be released in July, covers 13 conflicts that are normal and necessary for maintaining strong partnerships after having children.

Getting Into Couples Counseling

• Erin & Stephen's Journey: Both started in counseling independently but realized a gap in resources for couples navigating parenting. After becoming parents, they recognized the importance of helping other parents maintain their relationships amidst parenting chaos.

The Role of Conflict in Relationships

• Stephen: Conflict isn't necessarily negative; it's about trying to convey something important. Problems arise when communication involves blame or criticism, leading to defensiveness and disconnection.
• Erin: Another issue is withdrawal. When conflicts are avoided, couples become disconnected. Resentment builds up over time, making conflicts more explosive.

Impact of Children on Relationship Conflicts

• Stephen: Children add stress and can trigger parents' past experiences, influencing their parenting styles. If parents aren't on the same page, it can lead to misunderstandings and conflict.
• Erin: Capacity diminishes with parenting responsibilities, making even small things, like a teacup left on the windowsill, feel significant. Communication skills are often the first to suffer.

Examples of Common Conflicts

1. "My Life Has Changed, and Yours Hasn't":

• Erin: A common sentiment where one partner feels overwhelmed by the responsibilities of parenting while perceiving the other as less affected. This feeling often arises because of differences in roles or responsibilities, such as the default parent who anticipates and plans for the children's needs.

1. Micromanaging Parenting:

• Stephen: One partner may feel their parenting is being constantly criticized or micromanaged, creating a dynamic where one feels like the expert and the other like an apprentice. This leads to resentment and a sense of being undervalued.
• Erin: Micromanaging usually stems from underlying fears or concerns, not a desire to control. Couples need to recognize and address these feelings to prevent the perception of criticism.

Techniques for Resolving Conflicts

• Conflict to Connection Equation: Intentional expression and intentional listening are key. Expressing deeper meanings behind conflicts (e.g., the teacup representing feeling overwhelmed) and listening without defensiveness fosters understanding and connection.

Emotional and Psychological Adjustments in Parenting

• Erin: Becoming a parent challenges one's emotional and psychological stability. It’s important for couples to have ongoing conversations about their parenting values and goals, as these will evolve over time. Understanding each other’s backgrounds and desires helps in aligning parenting approaches.

BIO:

Erin and Stephen Mitchell are the founders of Couples Counseling for Parents and authors of a celebrated new book coming out this July titled Too Tired to Fight (published by Putnam). Erin and Stephen have a combined 23 years of experience helping parents become and stay connected as partners amidst the often all-consuming responsibility and chaos of caring for and raising a busy family. In their book, Erin and Stephen walk couples through the 13 conflicts that are not just normal but necessary to keep a partnership strong once kids enter the picture.

Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/couples.counseling.for.parents/

https://www.youtube.com/@couplescounselingforparents

Interview with Doni Belau, Founder of Girl's Guide to the World

Guest Introduction: Doni Belau

Dr. Allen Lycka introduces Doni Belau, founder of Girl’s Guide to the World, a women-only tour company offering 60 unique trips to 40 different countries. With over 80 countries visited, Doni creates tours that blend cultural immersion, wellness, and adventure. Her extensive experience in the travel industry and her passion for empowering women make her tours transformational. When not leading trips, Doni splits her time between France, New Orleans, and sailing on her boat, Relish.

The Journey to Girl's Guide to the World

Doni shares her journey, from a career in politics and nonprofit work in South Africa to burnout and a desire to connect with her passion for France. Originally starting with Girls Guide to Paris in 2009 as an online guide, Doni expanded her company into a women-only tour business. Now, Girl’s Guide to the World offers trips to 40 countries, focusing on creating enriching experiences for small groups of women.

Favorite Travel Destinations

When asked about her favorite destination, Doni’s heart remains with France, but she is currently fascinated by Japan. She speaks about Japan's deep and intricate culture, highlighting its unique aspects such as onsen baths and incredible food. Dr. Lycka and Doni bond over their love for Japan, discussing the country's culture of peace, harmony, and punctuality.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Travel

The pandemic delayed trips to Asia, but Japan has reopened, and Doni’s company is running four exciting tours to Japan in the upcoming year. These include Art and Artisan, Soul of Japan, and a hidden gem trip to the Kyushu Peninsula, offering participants a chance to explore art, history, and Japan’s famous onsen baths.

Upcoming Trips and New Destinations

Doni shares her excitement for new trips in 2024. Some highlights include:

• Finland, where travelers will explore why it’s the happiest country in the world.
• India, with an Ayurvedic wellness tour and a local guide offering a cultural immersion experience, including a chai tea lesson in Agra.
• A wellness retreat to Maui and an exploration of Slovenia, one of Europe’s hidden gems.

Focus on Safety and Connection

Doni addresses the importance of safety for women travelers. She emphasizes that while solo travel can be daunting, her tours provide a safe and supportive environment, with experts and facilitators on the ground to ensure smooth experiences. She also encourages women not to let fear hold them back, as statistically, many countries considered unsafe are often safer than expected.

Creating Lifelong Connections Through Travel

One of the unique aspects of Doni’s tours is the emphasis on bonding. With small groups of 6 to 10 women, these trips foster deep connections between travelers. Many participants leave with lasting friendships, and the shared experiences make the trips more enriching.

BIO:

Doni Belau is the founder of Girls’ Guide to the World, a women-only tour company empowering women to explore 40 countries through 60 uniquely crafted tours. An adventurer at heart, Doni has traveled to over 80 countries, curating trips that range from cultural immersions to wellness retreats, all designed to inspire connection and create lasting memories.

With a background in TV production and humanitarian work, Doni blends personal growth with the joy of exploration in every journey she creates. Her 15+ years in the travel industry ensure each tour is a transformative experience.

When she’s not leading trips, Doni splits her time between France, New Orleans, and her sailboat, Relish—embracing life’s adventures wherever they take her.

Social Media:

Women's Solo Group Travelgirlsguidetotheworld.com

Doni Belau (@gg2theworld) • Instagram photos and videos

Girls' Guide to the World

BIO:

Kay Loughrey is a dynamic speaker, transformational health and weight loss coach, and registered dietitian nutritionist who tackles health from the inside out.

A trailblazer in public health, Kay has led groundbreaking initiatives at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, shaping national programs like the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, and the WIC Food Supplement Program.

With a blend of scientific expertise and compassionate coaching, Kay empowers her clients to break free from inner obstacles, transform food-related shame into confidence, shed excess weight, and embrace a joyful, healthy lifestyle.

Social Media:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/SweetLifeWellness

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KayLoughrey

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sweet.life.wellness/

Surviving and Thriving After Tragedy with Sally Raymond

Host: Dr. Allen Lycka

Guest: Sally Raymond, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Introduction

Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes back Sally Raymond, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Sally's journey into advocacy and mental health began after the tragic suicide of her eldest son in 1992. Since then, she has dedicated her life to helping others through therapy, teaching, writing, and speaking on suicide prevention, wellness, spirituality, and mental health. In 2021, she published her book, The Son I Knew Too Late: A Guide to Help You Survive and Thrive, based on her experiences and her son's story.

Lessons from Personal Tragedy

Key Points:

• Sally reflects on the painful lessons learned from her son's life and death.
• As a newly licensed psychotherapist at the time, Sally realizes she missed critical signs of her son's pain due to a lack of awareness about developmental stages and core issues in each stage of a child's growth.
• Her experience led her to understand the importance of parents being aware of these stages to support their children's development effectively.

Early Signs and Missed Clues

Key Points:

• Sally shares that the first missed clue was at her son's birth when he cried excessively due to a broken collarbone that went undiagnosed, leading to a deep mistrust from the outset.
• This incident created a lifelong impact on her son's ability to trust and form bonds, which Sally believes contributed to his eventual suicide.

Overcoming Adversity in Childhood

Key Points:

• During the early years of her son's life, another critical incident occurred when he was molested as a toddler, severely affecting his development.
• Despite these traumas, Sally's son excelled academically, demonstrating his resilience and intelligence.
• Sally emphasizes the need for awareness and support systems for children who have experienced trauma.

The Impact on Sally's Other Son, Brett

Key Points:

• Sally's younger son, Brett, faced his own struggles, feeling overshadowed by his older brother's brilliance.
• Brett’s journey from struggling in school to excelling and working on major projects like the visual effects for The Lord of the Rings showcases resilience and self-responsibility.
• Brett’s story highlights the importance of learning how to learn, a skill he mastered on his own terms, which led to his success.

Turning Tragedy into Triumph

Key Points:

• After her son’s suicide, Sally chose to view her son as a teacher rather than a tragedy.
• She committed to understanding what went wrong and to making a difference in the lives of others by sharing her insights and experiences.
• Sally's work focuses not only on individual and family healing but also on improving societal structures to support mental health and resilience.

The Importance of Taking Responsibility

Key Points:

• Dr. Lycka and Sally discuss the importance of taking responsibility for one’s life and decisions, a critical factor in overcoming adversity and achieving success.
• Sally believes that by taking full responsibility, individuals can transform from being victims to achieving triumphs.

A Message of Hope

BIO:

Since 1991, Sally Raymond is a survivor of her eldest son’s suicide. Since 1992, has been a practicing Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT), a fashion/print model, a high school communication and leadership skills coach, and multiple-award winning, top Toastmaster. Sally has appeared in numerous interviews and published articles on suicide prevention, wellness, spirituality and mental health. In 2021, Sally published The Son I Knew Too Late: A Guide to Help You Survive and Thrive, a unique, story driven suicide prevention book dedicated to help everyone else at any age know what to do and not do to avoid the needless tragedy no one really survives.

Social Media:

Website: sallyaraymond.com

LinkedIn: sallie4th

Facebook: Sally A Raymond

Interview with Jennifer Riggs

Introduction

• Guest Introduction: Jennifer Riggs, a certified hypnotherapist and mindset coach, shares her journey and insights on emotional processing and subconscious mind work.
• Dr. Allen Lycka's Introduction: Discusses Jennifer's background and the importance of her work in helping people live happier lives by changing thoughts and behaviors.

Jennifer Riggs' Journey

• Personal Challenges: Jennifer shares her difficult experiences, including her parents' divorce, a miscarriage, her own divorce, and a misdiagnosis of leukemia. These challenges led her to seek ways to heal herself.
• Healing Journey: Through her journey of healing, Jennifer discovered hypnotherapy, which helped her address the emotional baggage she was carrying.

Hypnotherapy: A Path to Healing

• Discovering Hypnotherapy: Jennifer explains how traditional talk therapy provided some relief, but it was hypnotherapy that brought profound change by accessing the subconscious mind.
• Subconscious Mind: The subconscious mind drives most of our behaviors and thoughts, often based on past experiences and traumas.

Common Misconceptions About Hypnotherapy

• Mind Control Myth: Jennifer dispels the myth that hypnotherapy involves losing control of one's mind, explaining that it's actually a heightened state of awareness.
• Trance State: She clarifies that people are already in a "trance" of repetitive thoughts and behaviors. Hypnotherapy helps break this trance by addressing the subconscious beliefs driving those patterns.

Jennifer's Book: "Free from the Cage"

• Book Inspiration: The title was inspired by a piece of art Jennifer created years before. It symbolizes breaking free from negative beliefs that keep us trapped.
• The First Step - "Taking Out the Garbage": Jennifer emphasizes the importance of addressing and processing negative emotions rather than just covering them up with positive thinking.
• Tools for Change: The book offers keys to unlocking the "cage" of limiting beliefs and changing one's life.

Healing and Growth

• The Role of Fear: Jennifer discusses how fear often holds people back but facing fear can lead to growth and new opportunities.
• Victim Mentality vs. Responsibility: She highlights the importance of taking responsibility for one's life and actions, rather than staying stuck in a victim mentality.

Abundance vs. Scarcity Mindset

• Scarcity Myth: Jennifer and Dr. Lycka discuss the misconception that resources are limited. In reality, abundance is possible, and there's enough for everyone.
• Encouraging Others: Supporting others in their success doesn't diminish one's own opportunities but rather creates a positive, abundant environment.

Authenticity and Self-Worth

• Being True to Yourself: Jennifer encourages embracing authenticity, even if it means not pleasing everyone. Being true to oneself attracts the right people and opportunities.
• Self-Worth Issues: She shares that many people struggle with self-worth, which is often at the root of their challenges. Addressing this is key to living a fulfilling life.

Living a Fantastic Life

• Jennifer's Take: She shares that turning challenges into opportunities and finding the blessings in difficult situations has helped her live a fantastic life.
• Growth Through Challenges: Emphasizes the importance of using life's challenges as stepping stones to personal growth and success.

BIO:

Jennifer Riggs is a certified Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who is passionate about helping people process their emotions to change their thoughts and behaviors so they can live a happier life.

Social Media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSUQY4i72E6Y3DE-QhHG3Kw

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090248955213&mibextid=LQQJ4d

https://jennifer-riggs.com