Episode #33 is part 2 of our year-in-review, where we listen to clips from previous episodes and reflect on how we were impacted and inspired by some of our guests.
We truly appreciate the love we’ve received from our family, friends and listening community. Your support and feedback is so important for our growth and to continue producing quality content. If there’s anything that you like or don’t like...guests and topics you’d like to hear, let us know. Please like, share, and follow!
Subscribe to The Heart of the Matter podcast on iTunes and leave a review.
You can also subscribe on our website heartofmatter.net
Once again, we really appreciate your love and support. We have some great things in store for 2020! Peace.
Year-In-Review (part 1)
The Heart of the Matter podcast launched on November 19, 2018. However, our journey creating this podcast started over 3 years ago. Episode #32 is a part 1 of 2, year-in-review, where we reflect on highlights, challenges, and lessons from our first year in the podcast world.
We truly appreciate the love we’ve received from our family, friends and listening community. Your support and feedback is so important for our growth and to continue producing quality content. If there’s anything that you like or don’t like...guests and topics you’d like to hear, let us know. Please like, share, and follow!
Subscribe to The Heart of the Matter podcast on iTunes and leave a review.
You can also subscribe on our website heartofmatter.net
Once again, we really appreciate your love and support. We have some great things in store for 2020! Peace.
Mario Espitia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in palliative care, and a doctorate student at USC.
Mario is also an expert in having difficult conversations. From coming out to his parents...to leaving his religious community...to helping patients and families discuss serious illnesses...he’s been especially courageous.
He also talks with THOTM about his career switch from teaching to social work, and his exciting new journey as a doctorate student.
Haile Wright and Micheala Whaley are clinical social workers providing intensive outpatient treatment in San Diego. They joined THOTM for a discussion about mental health stigma and misconceptions, helping the underserved within a broken system, and the need for an integrative approach to mental health treatment. Haile and Micheala also share their experiences as Black women in the mental health profession.
Ernesto “Tito” Camacho and Analee “Lee” Phang are both marriage and family therapists...they’re also husband and wife. Tito and Lee join THOTM and share their experience as a therapist couple, parenting, and the great balancing act of family, career and self care. Plus, their adorable daughter makes a special guest appearance. Enjoy!
For episode #28, THOTM welcomed Camila Ceren. She is studying public policy and psychology at UCSD. We discuss the connection between public policy and mental health, the importance of culturally informed research, and engaging marginalized communities. Camila also shared her experience doing community education and advocacy related to lactation and breastfeeding/chest-feeding.
Agustin Orozco is Associate Dean of Student Services and Special Programs at Cuyamaca College in San Diego County. He has an extensive history as a counselor, educator, and mentor. Agustin joined THOTM to talk about his work helping students from marginalized backgrounds succeed in higher education. However, Agustin’s story is much deeper than his work. He shared his plight as a gay Mexican-American male, coping with grief, and fatherhood.
Rachael Parsons Svendsen is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Clarita, CA. She specializes in trauma informed care and has specific training in foster care and adoption related issues. We talked about the benefits of attachment therapy, her work with foster youth and families navigating the adoption process. Rachael also shared her inspiration for becoming a therapist and self-care practices that keep her grounded.
For information about Rachael’s therapy practice visit:
Marquise Anderson is an artist, historian and high school teacher for LAUSD. He talked an early teaching job led to his passion for art, the healing power of art, and using his creativity to engage youth in the classroom. Marquise also shares his family history and experiences that inspire his work, and his new project APSAW.
Returning guest, Curtis Howard, is a writer, public speaker, and educator on gang and prison culture. He’s the author of Cellmates and Cellouts and several articles in the San Diego Reader. In this conversation, he describes experiences that changed his perspective on gangs, prison activism, and becoming a writer. We also discuss PTSD, and overcoming the lasting effects of gang violence and the industrial prison complex.
Tanya Gentry, is the president/CEO of the Sickle Cell Disease Association San Diego chapter. She describes her experience living with Sickle Cell Disease, the physical, social, and emotional impact of living in pain, and shares her personal healing and wellness practices. She also sheds light on racial and socio-economic barriers to treatment and research, and helping people with sickle cell through education, community building, advocacy, and love. Thank you Tanya (and mom) for being a guest on THOTM.
September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
Donate to Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, if you would like to help fund Sickle Cell research and supportive services to those affected. Visit www.sicklecelldisease.org
You can also donate to Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California to support summer camps for children and other programs for individuals and families impacted by Sickle Cell. Visit www.scdfc.org
Sometimes our best conversations happen before we press “record”. This time, we just pressed the button and let an organic conversation become the episode. We had a great conversation about doing deep personal work, martial arts, emotionally disconnected men, and becoming our best selves. We hope you all join in and keep the conversation going. If you enjoy our episodes, like it, share it and subscribe on our webpage.
This episode is the first of several that will highlight martial arts as a wellness practice and way of life. Our guest, Rafael Davis is a black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu, who was led to martial arts after a devastating motorcycle accident that left him disabled. He talked with us about the accident, his physical and emotional healing, and his journey to becoming a 3-time BJJ world champion. In addition, we also discuss the path to self-mastery and the importance of financial wellness.
In this episode we sit down to celebrate Father's Day with Oswaldo Ramirez and Ashton Fulcher. Oswaldo Ramirez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and college professor. Ashton Fulcher is a youth counselor in San Diego. They join THOTM to reflect on fatherhood, and share their parenting experiences and lessons.
Katherine Vilchez is a counselor and instructor at several community colleges in San Diego, working specifically with programs that support underrepresented student populations. Darielle Blevins is also a college counselor and instructor, who is earning a Ph.D in early child development. Our conversation focused on the unique experiences of first generation college students, mental/emotional needs of Black and Latino students, systemic oppression, and the specific challenges facing Black girls in education. Talking with these women is always a joy, so you’ll definitely be hearing more from them in the near future.
Tracy Gilmour-Nimoy is a licensed marriage and family therapist in San Diego, who specializes in working with children. Her path to becoming a therapist started in childhood, as she recognized her passion for helping others. Tracy talked with us about her approach to therapy, the challenges and benefits of starting a private practice, and how she balances career, relationships and self-care. We found out that Tracy is also a writer and artist, currently working on a book series for children. Enjoy this episode!
For info on Tracy’s practice and therapy services go to:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tracy-gilmour-nimoy-san-diego-ca/458688
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Elyde Arroyo is a Postpartum & Abortion Doula and Mesoamerican medicine practitioner. She is the owner of XoXo Baby natural baby products, and part of the Sacred Healing Collective, a San Diego based group that provides alternative and holistic health services. Elyde talked with us about her personal journey and motivation behind her practice, ancient wisdom, service to others, and the balance of being a single mother and business owner. We hope that everyone had a happy Mother’s Day!
For more info about Elyde’s services and products go to:
Facebook @sacredhealingcollective
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Dr. Mychal Odom is a historian and Black Studies professor at University of San Diego, Mesa and Miramar community colleges in San Diego. He is also a member of Pillars of the Community and other organizations working to empower the people of Southeast San Diego. Dr. Odom talked with THOTM about his dynamic approach to teaching, commitment to community activism, family and wellness.
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We started this episode a little different than usual, by talking current events. We discussed the tragic death of rapper Nipsey Hussle and his positive influence on a whole culture, as well as MDMA research as an approach to PTSD treatment. We also answer a couple of questions from our listeners about overcoming personal challenges.
Articles:
MDMA and PTSD
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20181030/ecstasy-study-results-promising-for-ptsd
MDMA and Neuroplasticity
https://hub.jhu.edu/2019/04/04/mdma-opens-critical-period-for-social-behavior/
https://www.inverse.com/article/54583-mdma-mice-critical-period-neuroplasticity
Ongoing Psilocybin Research
https://hopkinspsychedelic.org/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028390818302296?via%3Dihub
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Two and a half years ago we stepped into something new...a podcast and a political circus. This episode was recorded in November 2016, just 3 weeks after the Trump election. It was our very first recording - an episode we were initially unsure whether we would use but, after reflecting, it seemed timely and important given our current political climate. Dr. Maria Nieto-Senour, Professor Paul Khalid Alexander, and school psychologist Vi Nguyen, shared their reactions to the election, talked local politics and community activism.
As beginners in podcasting, our sound quality and hosting needed some improvements. Thankfully, we had amazing guests who carried the conversation. Thank you Maria for opening your home to us...again. We invite you to listen and reflect with us. Hope you enjoy!
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How to Find a Therapist with Michael and Jermaine
Join us for an episode in which Jermaine and Michael discuss the process of looking for a therapist.
-What does it mean to find a good therapist?
-How to find a good therapist?
-What are the differences between the different types of therapist designations?
-What are some cost effective options for therapy?
-What to do if you are having a hard time finding a therapist or can't afford one?
-What is the difference between therapy and coaching?
Resources:
San Diego Resources 211 - Be sure to find the equivalent for your city
Access & Crisis Line San Diego - be sure to find the equivalent for your city
Therapist Aid - tools and resources for personal exploration
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Q&A with Michael and Jermaine
Join us for an episode in which Jermaine and Michael answer questions related to their experiences in the mental health profession:
-How did you become a counselor and why?
-What is it like being a male counselor in a profession mostly comprised of women?
-How have your views on mental health changed in your life?
-What do you believe is true about mental health, even though you can’t prove it?
-Is there a mental health quote that you live by or think of often?
-What have you changed your mind about in the past few years and why?
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Kasimu Harley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. For over 30 years, he has worked as a mental health clinician and advocate for under-represented students in San Diego Unified School District. We discussed the mental health, environmental, and systemic barriers to education. Kasimu also shares his personal journey overcoming community violence, racism, and the importance of overall wellness.
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Marriage and Family Therapists Ojore Bushfan and Oswaldo Ramirez joined The Heart of the Matter to talk about men, mental health, and masculinity. We discussed the challenges associated with “toxic masculinity” and early messages we received about manhood that influenced our development. This is a necessary conversation that we plan to revisit in the future. Please let us know your thoughts and feelings. Take care.
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In this episode we spoke with immigration lawyer, Maricela Amezola. Maricela educated us on immigration laws and policies, how they impact people from particular countries, the barriers faced by immigrants trying to obtain citizenship, refugees, the migrant caravan, and also shared some of her personal experiences. We discuss many facets of the immigration system which can be complex. With all the recent headlines about immigration, we hope this is a conversation that can help you cut through some of the noise. We hope you enjoy it!
Connect with Maricela:
Amezola Legal Group Facebook:
https://www.
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