Ruthless Compassion with Dr. Marcia Sirota

TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast discusses the topic of suicide. If you or a loved one are contemplating suicide please call or text 9-8-8. For the Kids Helpline call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT. Indigenous Peoples call 1-855-242-3310. N'alag̱a / Ḵ'áw kuuna (Avis O'Brien), a Haida/Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw artist and Land Based Cultural Empowerment Facilitator, was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia. She belongs to the Kawaas Sdaast.aas Eagle Clan from the Village of K'yuusda in Haida Gwaii and the Gigəlǧəm n̓əm̓ina sa Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ people of Cape Mudge, one of the 18 Tribes of the Kwakwaka'wakw. Avis offers Community Land Based Healing Workshops that are rooted in Decolonization, Reconciliation, Indigenous Land Based Healing & Breath & Embodiment Practices. Her work aims to highlight the intersectionality of Colonial genocide, Impacts of trauma, residential schools, and how we can utilize Ancestral forms of healing to regain a sense of balance and harmony in body, mind, and spirit. Her work in Indigenous youth suicide prevention focuses on resisting the spirit of suicide within ourselves by utilizing land based culturally rooted healing practices. Drumming, singing, dancing, medicine harvesting, ceremony, weaving, breath & embodiment practices are utilized as self regulation tools, guiding folks down the path of neurdecolonization. Her work within Non Indigenous communities has a focus on building Allyship and dismantling racist stereotypes against Indigenous folks. Social Media: @nalagaconsulting @indigenoussuicideprevention

Celia Landman, MA, is a mindfulness educator offering support to teens and adults. She draws from experiences working with those impacted by trauma, addiction, and anxiety, and creates customized meditation, visualizations, and trainings to reconnect them to their wholeness. She was ordained by Thich Nhat Hahn as a member of the Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism. She is also a certified trainer with the Center for Nonviolent Communication. Her new book, When the Whole World Tips: Parenting through Crisis with Mindfulness and Balance (Parallax Press, Nov. 21, 2023), describes how to find balance while navigating seemingly impossible parenting situations. Learn more at celialandman.com Website: celialandman.com Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/celia.landman/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/celia-landman-232185149/ https://www.instagram.com/celiasacct/ Book: When the Whole World Tips: Parenting through Crisis with Mindfulness and Balance (Parallax Press, Nov. 21, 2023)

Boo Trundle is a writer, artist, and performer whose work has appeared across various platforms and publications, including The Brooklyn Rail, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, and NPR's The Moth. She has released three albums of original music with Big Deal Records. She lives in New Jersey. The Daughter Ship is her first novel. Website: www.bootrundle.com Instagram: @bootrundle https://www.instagram.com/bootrundle/?hl=en Twitter/X: @eliztrundle Tiktok: bootrundle https://www.tiktok.com/@bootrundle Facebook: bootrundle https://www.facebook.com/BooTrundle Her debut novel, The Daughter Ship, is out now on Pantheon Books: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/713057/the-daughter-ship-by-boo-trundle/

Melanie Brooks is the author of the memoir A Hard Silence: One daughter remaps family, grief, and faith when HIV/AIDS changes it all (Vine Leaves Press, 2023) and Writing Hard Stories: Celebrated Memoirists Who Shaped Art from Trauma (Beacon Press, 2017) She teaches creative nonfiction in the M.F.A. program at Bay Path University and professional writing at Northeastern University in Massachusetts. She holds an M.F.A. in Creative Nonfiction from the University of Southern Maine's Stonecoast writing program and a Certificate in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University. She has had numerous interviews and essays on topics ranging from loss and grief to parenting and aging published in the The Boston Globe, HuffPost, Yankee Magazine, The Washington Post, Ms. Magazine, Creative Nonfiction, and other notable publications. Though her Canadian roots run deep, she lives in New Hampshire with her husband, two children (when they are home from university), and chocolate Lab. Website: melaniebrooks.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melanie.brooks.1690/ Instagram: melaniejmbrookswriter X/Twitter: @MelanieJMBrooks LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-brooks-504826121 A HARD SILENCE: One daughter remaps family, grief, and faith when HIV/AIDS changes it all

Kevin Frankish has been a vocal mental health advocate since suffering his first panic attack while on air on City TV Toronto's Breakfast Television. He lives with Severe Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. He now works with The Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby, Ontario and hosts a podcast called The Mental Health Podcast. He works to remove the stigma of mental health encouraging people to reach out because there is HOPE out there for everyone. Learn more: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinfrankish Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevinFrankish Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinfrankish/?originalSubdomain=ca The Mental Health Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-mental-health-podcast/id1710036842 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KevinFrankishChannel Website: https://kevinfrankish.com/

Mimi Nicklin is the internationally bestselling author of 'Softening The Edge,' the Founder of the world's first organizational empathy platform, www.EmpathyEverywhere.co, and the top 5-rated podcast host of 'The MiMi YouYou Show'. She is an experienced organization consultant and the CEO. As an inclusive millennial leader, she passionately talks about empathy as the road to higher performance, workplace wellness, multigenerational team engagement and effective communication. You can find more about her and her work below: Website: https://www.empathyeverywhere.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miminicklin/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miminicklin/ The MiMi YouYou Show on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/47LYXu1 The MiMi YouYou Show on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3tlHSbe Softening The Edge (Mimi's book): https://amzn.to/48qOKnQ

Bailey Parnell is the Founder & CEO of SkillsCamp, a soft skills training company, and was named one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women. Bailey is a 2x TED speaker with over 4 million views, an award-winning and internationally-recognized entrepreneur, an active humanitarian, and one with a talent for helping people develop the skills they need for success. Her work and expertise have been featured in Forbes, Good Morning America, Fox, and more. Bailey is currently working on her EdD in Learning and Organizational Change, exploring how generative AI can help us learn human skills. Previously, she completed her Masters in Communications and Culture at Toronto Metropolitan University with research looking into social media's impact on mental health, the results of which she's presented in multiple global forums and turned into her signature 5 Steps Towards #SafeSocial and a connected non-profit of the same name. Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/baileyparnell Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bailey.parnell?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/baileyparnell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baileytaylorparnell

Founding Executive Director Carlita Ector is a Raleigh, North Carolina native, she attended The University of NC at Greensboro (BFA Dance Performance & Choreography, K-12 Dance Education). A committed mental health advocate, Carlita founded Darkness RISING Nonprofit for Black mental health to create a safe space and mental health resources for the Black community, due to her personal mental health experiences. Carlita is a Licensed Mental Health First Aid Instructor and the Chief Wellness Advisor for the Harriet Tubman Effect, an institute of research and strategy for justice advocacy. Carlita is also an active performer and certified personal fitness instructor. REBUILD Fundraiser: Since January of 2023, we have funded over 400 therapy sessions for formerly incarcerated people of color. However, REBUILD will close its doors in December 2023 if we cannot raise $300,000. With your partnership, we can reach this goal together. Please help Darkness RISING by sharing our fundraising campaign. Here's how you can help us make a significant impact: SHARE & REPOST: We kindly request you to share and repost our fundraising posts on your social media platforms. By amplifying our message to your network, we can reach a wider audience and inspire more people to contribute to our cause. Share our posts via our: Instagram @darknessrisingproject Twitter @darkriseproject Facebook @darknessrisingproject ENGAGE YOUR NETWORK: Encourage your colleagues, friends, and family to get involved by sharing our campaign with them. Together, we can create a ripple effect of support and bring positive change to the lives of those who need it most. PERSONALIZE YOUR SUPPORT: Consider donating to our campaign and encourage others to do the same. Regardless of the size, your financial contribution will directly impact the number of therapy sessions we can fund and the lives we transform. Find Me A Therapist Program: A free service which directly assists community members in the search for Black therapists. Black people can make customized requests for culturally competent therapy and receive contact information for up to 3 Black therapists which meet their criteria, tips for their first therapy consultation, and more.

As a model and professional lacrosse player, Jonathan’s life was perfect on the surface. But the mental health and addiction issues that held him in their grip made it difficult to move forward fully in life. Behind the lens and beneath the spotlight, Johnathan faced a private hell of depression, anxiety, and a crippling eating disorder. He confronted the aftermath of a traumatic sexual assault, the loss of dear friends, and a fierce struggle with addiction. In 2017, he made a resolute decision to reclaim his life, embarking on a path of therapy, recovery, and redemption. https://www.podfol.io/profile/jonathan-niziol/r/recGkEe23ga9DHrb1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanniziol/ Sutherland Model Portfolio: https://www.sutherlandmodels.com/men/110-jonathan-niziol/bio/

Mark is the bestselling author of "So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience," (HarperCollins, 2021). He previously served as National Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Canadian Mental Health Association, and as a board member for the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Mark is a Master of Journalism Student at Toronto Metropolitan University. He has previously studied psychology and philosophy at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, child development at the Erikson Institute in Chicago, neuroscience at King's College London, and cognitive psychology at the University of Cambridge. His TEDx talk on why we need to talk about suicide is among the most watched in the world. Mark is a nationally syndicated weekly radio columnist for CBC. Twitter: @markhenick FB Page: @markhenick IG: @markhenick His book: https://a.co/d/hMIqH4S

An award-winning social entrepreneur, Jenn Harper is the Founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC. Cheekbone Beauty is a digital direct to consumer brand helping Indigenous youth see themselves in a beauty brand while using the concept of Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) in the brands ethos and in developing products. Cheekbone Beauty's mission is to help every Indigenous youth see and feel their enormous value in the world while creating sustainable cosmetics. Cheekbone Beauty is a certified B. Corp Certified company committed to meeting and exceeding high standards of transparency, employee benefits and charitable giving not only to staff but to supply chain practices. During Cheekbone Beauty's infancy, Jenn endured a heavy personal loss with the suicide of her brother B.J. This loss, though difficult, has remained a driving force behind the desire to see Cheekbone Beauty succeed with its mission, to empower Indigenous youth. In addition to Cheekbone's mission, she strives to educate as many people as possible about the Residential School System and the effects it has had on her family and friends through decades of generational trauma. She speaks regularly to university, college and high school students about social entrepreneurship, empathy and the history of her First Nations family. Use our discount code RUTHLESS15 for 15% off of Cheekbone Beauty products at: www.cheekbonebeauty.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheekbonebeauty/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheekbonebeauty/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/cheekbonebeauty Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/cheekbone-beauty Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS-JpqTI-QdLv1vtCotPArQ

At the end of our lives there are many decisions we have to make. Sometimes, we need to make those decision well in advance and sometimes, we need other people to make those decisions for us. In this episode, lawyer Mark Handelman discussed his work dealing with issues of consent, capacity, and end-of-life wishes. Mark Handelman was called to the Ontario Bar in 1978 and holds an MHSc in Bioethics from the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics. He was a part time Member of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal from 2008 to 2018 and from 1998 to 2008 a Vice Chair and Senior Lawyer Member of the Consent and Capacity Board, to which he was reappointed in 2018. Mark's articles on consent and capacity law, mental health law, end of life decision-making and Powers of Attorney have appeared in the popular press as well as peer-reviewed medical and legal journals. While practising law in London, Ontario between 1978 and 2002 he was president of the London Chamber of Commerce, president of the Better Business Bureau and a director of the London Club, among other community activities and wrote about 300 restaurant reviews and food articles for The London Free Press. He now lives in Toronto and Mallorytown and devotes much of his time to presiding at Consent and Capacity Board Hearings as a senior lawyer Member.

Landon Y. (Lanny) Jones is an editor and author. He is the former managing editor of People and Money magazines and the author of William Clark and the Shaping of the West (2004), a biography of the co-leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Jones also edited a selection of the expedition journals, The Essential Lewis and Clark (2000). In 1980, he published Great Expectations: America and the Baby Boom Generation, which popularized the term "baby-boomer" and was a finalist for the American Book Award in Nonfiction. In 2015, he received the Henry R. Luce Award for Lifetime Achievement from Time Inc. He is from St. Louis, Missouri, and currently resides in Princeton, New Jersey. His most recent book is Celebrity Nation: How America Evolved into a Culture of Fans and Followers, published in May 2023 by Beacon Press. https://www.lannyjones.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lannyjones?s=20 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lannyj1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/landonyjones/?hl=en Threads: landonyjones

Sober mom advocate Celeste Yvonne is a writer and certified recovery coach (IAPRC) with over 20 years of experience as a communications professional in corporate America. Her essays on parenting, the mental load of motherhood, mommy wine culture, and sobriety resonates with mothers everywhere and has been featured in the Washington Post, Good Morning America, Today Show, and Refinery 29, among others. She is also a contributing writer to the Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestseller So God Made a Mother. Over five years sober and a founding host of the Sober Mom Squad, Celeste advocates for mothers who struggle with addiction and mental health. She is a recipient of the Windfelt Inspire Award by the Dry Society Social Club, as well as 2x winner of Red Tricycle's Spoke Challenge for best writing. She lives in Reno, Nevada, with her husband and two children. Her new book It's Not About The Wine: The Loaded Truth Behind Mommy Wine Culture comes out Sept. 12. https://www.instagram.com/theultimatemomchallenge https://www.facebook.com/theultimatemomchallenge

Laura Carney is a repeat guest on the show. We interviewed her when she was in the middle of finishing her mission to complete her late father's bucket list—54 items in five years. She has since published a book about her experience, a memoir from Post Hill Press, distributed by Simon & Schuster, out in bookstores July 11, 2023. A writer and magazine copy editor in New York, Laura Carney has been published by the Washington Post, the Associated Press, The Hill, Runner's World, Good Housekeeping, The Fix, Upworthy, Maria Shriver's The Sunday Paper, and other places. She has worked as a copy editor in national magazines—primarily women's—for twenty years, including Vanity Fair, GQ, People, and Good Housekeeping. This is her first book. myfatherslist.com bylauracarney.com @myfatherslist

Kai Cheng Thom is a writer, performance artist, and community healer. She is the author of the novel Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars, which was chosen by Emma Watson for her online feminist book club and shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award. Her poetry collection a place called No Homeland was an American Library Association Stonewall Honor Book, and her essay collection, I Hope We Choose Love, received a Publishing Triangle Award. She writes the advice column "Ask Kai: Advice for the Apocalypse" for Xtra. Kai Cheng Thom's newest book, Falling Back in Love with Being Human will be out on August 1, 2023. https://kaichengthom.com/ https://twitter.com/razorfemme https://www.instagram.com/kaichengthom https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/713624/falling-back-in-love-with-being-human-by-kai-cheng-thom/9780735245938

Kai Cheng Thom is a writer, performance artist, and community healer. She is the author of the novel Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars, which was chosen by Emma Watson for her online feminist book club and shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award. Her poetry collection a place called No Homeland was an American Library Association Stonewall Honor Book, and her essay collection, I Hope We Choose Love, received a Publishing Triangle Award. She writes the advice column "Ask Kai: Advice for the Apocalypse" for Xtra. Kai Cheng Thom's newest book, Falling Back in Love with Being Human will be out on August 1, 2023. https://kaichengthom.com/ https://twitter.com/razorfemme https://www.instagram.com/kaichengthom https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/713624/falling-back-in-love-with-being-human-by-kai-cheng-thom/9780735245938

Laura Pratt is a journalist, writer, and editor. Her second book, Heartbroken: Field Notes on a Constant Condition, was published in early 2023 by Penguin Random House Canada. She has written for numerous Canadian magazines and her articles have appeared in Canadian Living, Toronto Life, Maclean’s, and Chatelaine. Her first memoir, The Fleeting Years, was published in 2004. She is a 2020 graduate of the University of King’s College’s creative nonfiction MFA. She won an honourable mention in Prairie Fire’s 2020 CNF contest and was shortlisted for The Fiddlehead’s 2019 CNF contest. She lives in Toronto and has served as a judge at the National Magazine Awards for several years. Follow Laura on: Linkedin Instagram Facebook http://www.laurapratt.ca/about/

International speaker, personal development trainer and certified coach, Carol is on a mission to empower people to live BIG lives (how many folks can say they’ve lived in an Ashram, shaved their head, or bungee jumped in their birthday suit?) no matter what life throws at them. She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance and an MA in Communication, and believes your voice and story have the power to inspire action and instigate change. Carol is the creator of ‘Spark your G.E.N.I.U.S.’ and the initiative ‘Women Living BIG’, and is committed to helping women get out their comfort zones so they can excel in their career, start and grow their own businesses, and achieve their potential by taking real action. She has lived, worked and/or volunteered in Thailand, India, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the US, the UK, visited 30 countries and counting, and brings a unique and global perspective to all she does. Passionate about many things, Carol is also a volunteer bereavement facilitator and camp counsellor, marathon runner, and yoga instructor. Follow Carol on: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook

International speaker, personal development trainer and certified coach, Carol is on a mission to empower people to live BIG lives (how many folks can say they’ve lived in an Ashram, shaved their head, or bungee jumped in their birthday suit?) no matter what life throws at them. She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance and an MA in Communication, and believes your voice and story have the power to inspire action and instigate change. Carol is the creator of ‘Spark your G.E.N.I.U.S.’ and the initiative ‘Women Living BIG’, and is committed to helping women get out their comfort zones so they can excel in their career, start and grow their own businesses, and achieve their potential by taking real action. She has lived, worked and/or volunteered in Thailand, India, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the US, the UK, visited 30 countries and counting, and brings a unique and global perspective to all she does. Passionate about many things, Carol is also a volunteer bereavement facilitator and camp counsellor, marathon runner, and yoga instructor.

Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who was the film critic for The Associated Press for nearly 15 years and co-hosted the public television series "Ebert Presents At the Movies" opposite Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, with Roger Ebert serving as managing editor. Christy co-hosts the film review podcast and YouTube show "Breakfast All Day." She also appears regularly on the Southern California radio shows KPCC FilmWeek and KCRW Press Play. A third-generation Los Angeles native, Christy is a member of the LA Film Critics Association. You can find her on Twitter.

Peter Gray Ph.D. is a research professor at Boston College. He is also is author of Free to Learn (Basic Books) and Psychology (Worth Publishers, a college textbook now in its 8th edition). He has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. His current research and writing focus primarily on children's natural ways of learning and the life-long value of play. He a founding member of the nonprofit Alliance for Self-Directed Education and a founding board member of the nonprofit Let Grow. You can find Professor Peter Gray online... Facebook

Sean Patrick Kelly is a film blogger and freelance writer based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He graduated with a B.A. in Cinema and Media Studies in 2010. He later expanded his film production knowledge by receiving a continuing education certificate from Ryerson University in 2013. In addition to his writing for his own site, Sean Kelly has contributed as a freelance film writer to the following outlets: MONDOmagazine, TheSubstream, Toronto Film Scene, HuffPost, The LAMB, Screen Anarchy, Rue Morgue Magazine, and Screen Rant. You can find Sean Kelly online... Website

Linda Cook is a digital multimedia journalist/film critic, who worked 35 years at a newspaper before joining the Local 4 team in August 2020. She is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, rottentomatoes.com, Alliance of Women Film Journalists, and the American Jail Association. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and elementary education from Monmouth College, Monmouth, Ill., and a master of criminal justice degree from St. Ambrose University, Davenport. She taught criminal justice, English, and other classes at St. Ambrose, Kaplan University, Hamilton Tech, and Brown Mackie for many years.

Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who was the film critic for The Associated Press for nearly 15 years and co-hosted the public television series "Ebert Presents At the Movies" opposite Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, with Roger Ebert serving as managing editor. Christy co-hosts the film review podcast and YouTube show "Breakfast All Day." She also appears regularly on the Southern California radio shows KPCC FilmWeek and KCRW Press Play. A third-generation Los Angeles native, Christy is a member of the LA Film Critics Association. You can find her on Twitter @christylemire.

Dr. William Li is a world-renowned physician, scientist, and New York Times bestselling author, best known for his role as President and Medical Director of the Angiogenesis Foundation. His work has led to more than 40 FDA-approved therapeutics and devices for cancer, cardiovascular disease, wound healing, and vision loss. Dr. Li examines “food as medicine” through molecular nutrition, which applies biology and biotechnology to understand not only the components of food but how the body responds to what it is fed. You can find Dr. William Li online... Twitter Instagram Facebook Website TikTok

Vicky Stergiopoulos is a Clinician Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Before joining CAMH, she served as the Psychiatrist-in-Chief at St. Michael’s Hospital, leading the development of several innovative health solutions for people experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges. She has a keen interest in mental health policy, community development, and the redesign of our mental health care system for system improvement. She champions equitable access to high-quality health care for people experiencing social disadvantage, and the inclusion of service users in both service delivery and research.

Leanne Nicolle is a social innovator, changemaker, and advocate for girls and women. She has dedicated her career to driving societal change to improve women’s well-being in athletics, education, and the workplace. Leanne launched the Olympic movement programs with sports organizations and strategic partners, enabling talented athletes to excel in their sport, most recently as the president and executive director of the Canadian Olympic Foundation. As a board member of the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport, Nicolle has advocated for advancing women and girls through the power of sport. She is also the founder of Ubuntu Marketing, a collective that puts organizations in touch with humanity.

Jason Anderson is a film programmer, journalist and lecturer in Toronto. He programs for the Toronto International Film Festival, Aspen Shortsfest and the Kingston Canadian Film Festival. A former film critic for Toronto's Eye Weekly and The Grid, he writes regularly for such publications as Broadview, Sight & Sound, Uncut and Cinema Scope.

Dr. Xavier Amador is an internationally renowned clinical psychologist, author, and leader in his field. His books, published clinical research, worldwide speaking tours and extensive work in schizophrenia, bipolar and other disorders have been translated into 30 languages. He is also the CEO of the Henry Amador Center on Anosognosia and a family caregiver of two close relatives with serious mental illness. Dr. Amador is a Visiting Professor of Psychology at the State University of New York, and over the course of two decades he was Professor of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology at Columbia University and Director of Psychology at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. His expertise has been called upon by government, industry and the broadcast and print media where he has appeared as a frequent expert for CNN, ABC News, NBC News, NBC Today Show Fox News Channel, CBS 60 Minutes, New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Cosmo, Wall Street Journal and many other national and international news outlets. He is the Founder of the LEAP Institute. (see: www.LEAPinstitute.org for information about LEAP, his books, appearances and recent media/press). You can find Dr. Xavier Amador online... www.leapinstitute.org www.hacenter.org Facebook Twitter Originally published 1/26/23

Jason Anderson is a film programmer, journalist and lecturer in Toronto. He programs for the Toronto International Film Festival, Aspen Shortsfest and the Kingston Canadian Film Festival. A former film critic for Toronto's Eye Weekly and The Grid, he writes regularly for such publications as Broadview, Sight & Sound, Uncut and Cinema Scope. Originally published 1/9/23

David Sax is a writer, reporter, and speaker who specializes in business and culture. His book The Revenge of Analog was a #1 Washington Post bestseller, was selected as one of Michiko Kakutani’s Top Ten books of 2016 for the New York Times, and has been translated into six languages. He is also the author of three other books: Save the Deli, which won a James Beard award, The Soul of an Entrepreneur, and The Tastemakers. He lives in Toronto. You can find David Sax online... Website Twitter Originally published 15/12/22

Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD, is author of The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss. She is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, where she directs the Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab, which investigates the effects of grief on the brain and the body. O’Connor earned a doctorate from the University of Arizona in 2004 and completed a fellowship at UCLA. Following a faculty appointment at UCLA Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, she returned to the University of Arizona in 2012. Her work has been published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, Biological Psychiatry, and Psychological Science, and featured in Newsweek, the New York Times, and The Washington Post. Having grown up in Montana, she now lives in Tucson, Arizona. For more information go to https://www.maryfrancesoconnor.com/ You can find Mary-Frances online... Website Instagram Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Originally published 15/12/22

Juan Ayala is an actor, journalist, podcast producer, and host, born and raised in Connecticut. After discovering an early love of performing, he earned his degree in Theater Arts from Housatonic Community College and later studied at the renowned Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City. As an actor he has appeared in network television shows including NBC’s Blindspot and ABC’s For Life, as well as commercials for major brands like Sprint and Blink Fitness. In 2020, Juan launched his first podcast Actors With Issues, which features conversations with actors from across film, TV and Broadway, sharing their stories and breaking down the issues and obstacles that they’ve faced as actors. Juan also hosts the podcast Multicultural TV Talk for MediaVillage.com, where he has worked as an entertainment journalist since 2017, focusing conversations on diversity, inclusion, and representation in entertainment. You can find Juan online... Instagram Twitter Podcast Instagram

In this episode of the Ruthless Compassion Podcast, Dr. Marcia Sirota talks to us about hatred, and why hate only gives us more hate. We might hate because we fear the unknown and something bad happening to us. An easy way to let go of hate is to understand where it's coming from and no longer be afraid of the unknown. Connection and community are the #1 predictor of wellness, and we can't be well if we continue to hate. Website Instagram Twitter

Founder & Managing Director of Bandelli & Associates, Dr. Adam C. Bandelli is an organizational psychologist and seasoned leadership advisor with over twenty years of corporate consulting experience. Adam's calling and purpose in life is to help the leaders identify, embrace, and unleash their true authentic selves. In his latest book Relational Intelligence, he details the five essential skills he has found to create life-changing relationships. Adam received his Ph.D. and master’s degree from the University of South Florida in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. Now, he runs Bandelli & Associates where he and his consultants leverage psychological insights to help their clients unleash their true leadership potential. Prior to founding his current agency, Adam was a Partner with Korn Ferry, where he coached C-suite executives. He has been featured in Chief Executive Magazine, SUCCESS, Fast Company, HR.com and more. He hopes that through his work and book, he can help eradicate the stigma that people with mental health disorders are damaged or broken and change the stereotypes that are associated with people who have bipolar disorder. You can find Dr. Adam online... Website Instagram Twitter Originally posted on 11/17/22

Megan Bruneau, M.A. Psych is a therapist, executive coach, the bestselling author of How To Be Alone (And Together): 72 Lessons On Being At Peace With Yourself, and the host of The Failure Factor: Stories Of Career Perseverance. She helps entrepreneurs and high-achievers gain the knowledge and tools necessary to pursue their dreams – and to keep their sh*t together in the process. You can find Megan online... Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

Mimi Winsberg is a Stanford-trained psychiatrist with twenty-five years of clinical experience. She is a cofounder of the telehealth startup Brightside and has been the on-site psychiatrist at the Facebook Wellness Center. Winsberg appears regularly on Good Morning America, and her work has been featured in GQ, Glamour, Fast Company, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and Business Insider. She has a B.A. in Neuroscience from Harvard College. Speaking in Thumbs is her first book. You can find Mimi online... LinkedIn Twitter Instagram

As a Toxic Relationship Awareness & Healing Specialist, Dr. Heidi Brocke has turned her past into her passion as she provides hope, healing, and freedom to those whose lives have been affected by toxic relationships, emotional abuse, and narcissistic behaviors. After 24 years of service in healthcare she has now moved on and uses her life experience and her education to be the person she needed when she herself was trapped in the darkness of an unhealthy relationship. Through education, she presents the understanding needed to empower others to walk through fear and into their freedom. She has been featured in both Forbes and Time Magazines for the dedication given to her clients and for her work in the toxic relationship area. Her podcast reaches clients and followers world wide and her programs are proven to help others regain their lives as her plans to continue her mission to educate as many as she can on the devastating effects of emotional abuse continues to grow. You can find Dr. Heidi Brocke online... Website Facebook Podcast Originally published 10/06/22

Dr. Jaime Zuckerman is a Pennsylvania-based licensed clinical psychologist in private practice and mental health influencer. She specializes in the treatment of adults with mood disorders, anxiety, relationship stress and psychological symptoms associated with medical illness. She is a frequent speaker on various mental health topics and media contributor to several online publications, TV, radio and podcasts. Dr. Zuckerman also has a weekly podcast, It’s Me, Dr. Z with JB, that focuses on the impact of anxiety and depression in everyday life. She recently released his first book, a mental health workbook titled, “Find Your Calm: A Workbook to Manage Anxiety.” You can find Dr. Zuckerman online... Website Instagram Originally published 09/22/22

As a Relationship Transformation Expert, two-time TEDx Speaker, and host of the Relationship Alchemy podcast, Marie-Elizabeth Mali shows women and couples how to cultivate deeper love and connection in their relationships. Drawing on her Master’s degree in Chinese Medicine and over 20 years of client work, she teaches people how to be real in their relationships and life instead of twisting themselves to fit in. You can find Marie-Elizabeth Mali online... Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Originally published 09/08/22

Jennifer Rosado is the author of “My Alternate Universe: Anxiety, Autism, and Adventure in a Parallel Reality,” a memoir about her experiences raising a son with severe autism while struggling with her own anxiety disorder. In it, she shares her emotional journey, including the sense of isolation, loss of identity, and yearning for ‘normal,’ as well as the acceptance, adaptation, and wisdom gained from living a life completely unlike the life she had expected. "My Alternate Universe: Anxiety, Autism, and Adventure in a Parallel Reality" was released in April 2022 and is available for purchase now. For more information and to follow her blog, visit jennifer-rosado.com. You can find Jennifer Rosado online... Website Originally published 08/25/22

Shanenn is an ACA (adult child of an alcoholic) survivor and understands the behavior challenges that come with growing up in that environment. After many years of working to overcome jealousy in her own relationships, she is now one of the few who specialize in jealousy (a topic often ignored but many suffer from) and is the host of Jealousy Junkie podcast. You can find Shanenn Bryant online... Website Instagram Facebook Originally published 08/11/22

SHERRIE CAMPBELL, PHD, is a licensed psychologist who specializes in helping healthy people cut ties with the toxic people in their lives. She is a nationally recognized expert on family estrangement, a best selling author, inspirational speaker, host of the Sherapy Sessions: Cutting Toxic Family Ties podcast, a well-known social media influencer and a regularly featured media expert. You can find Dr. Sherrie online... Website Originally published 07/28/22

Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang is a mother, cancer survivor, mindfulness teacher, and integrative pulmonologist. She is a leader and international speaker on wellness, mindfulness, anti-racism, integrative and pulmonary medicine who has taught courses, led retreats, and designed wellness curricula for a decade. She has been recognized as a San Diego Top Doctor 2017, 2019, and 2021, received the San Diego American Lung Association Lung Health Provider of the Year Award in 2019, and was recognized by Mindful magazine as one of the 10 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement in 2021. She co-hosts the Mindful Healers Podcast and founded the Mindful Healthcare Collective, providing free wellness sessions to reduce suffering amongst healthcare professionals. You can find Dr. Liang online... Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Originally published 07/14/22 ------ To learn about my online event click here

Paula Durlofsky, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. As a practicing therapist for over 18 years and the recent winner of Best Therapist in 2017’s Best of the Main Line awards, Durlofsky helps individuals, couples, and families to reach their full potential for leading lives with passion and purpose. Durlofsky is a member of the American Psychological Association’s Device Management and Digital Intelligence committee whose goal is to support healthy relationships with technology through intelligent engagement and modeling positive digital citizenship. She is also affiliated with Bryn Mawr Hospital, Lankenau Medical Center and The Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia. Over the course of her career, she has taught as an adjunct professor and as an instructor to medical residents specializing in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry. She has even been immortalized as the inspiration for the character Dr. Paula Agard on the popular USA Network show, Suits. Her expert opinions based on over two decades of clinical experience and training have been featured in Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, APA’s Monitor on Psychology, Oprah Magazine, Parade Magazine, Cheddar, Psychology Today, Exceptional Parenting Magazine, Main Line Health, Psych Central, and Main Line Today, as well as at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women and on ABC 10-KXTV. You can find her online,,, Website Originally published 06/30/22

Host Dr. Marcia Sirota talks about the different stages of perfect love to disillusionment and rupture inspired by Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's relationship. These stages may first seem like true love but in reality, it's just a recipe for disaster. She takes Johnny Depp and Amber Heard as an example of a relationship that began as infatuation and ended with rupture and disillusionment. Website Twitter Instagram

Host Dr. Marcia Sirota talks about disconnecting from the workplace amid the recent "Right to Disconnect" law implemented in Ontario which enables some employers to outline how employees can disconnect from work after hours. A lot of people are experiencing burnout and it is important to notice the signs and be proactive about knowing when to take a break. To learn about my free online event visit https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/recognizing-signs-of-burnout-and-how-to-disconnect-from-work-tickets-365760348047?

Dr. Melanie Badali is an award-winning clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience working as a psychotherapist, researcher, and educator. At the North Shore Stress and Anxiety Clinic, she helps people optimize their personal and professional potential using science-based strategies. A committed mental health advocate, she believes everyone should have access to mental health information and services. After serving on the Board of Directors for Anxiety Canada for 8 years, she is now on the Scientific Advisory Committee. She enjoys sharing what she knows about psychology through writing, public speaking, and media communication. You can find Dr. Badali online... Website Twitter LinkedIn

Niro Feliciano is a psychotherapist, author, podcast host of “All Things Life”, and expert on anxiety, brain science, and spirituality. She is often interviewed on relationships, parenting, mental health, and faith, having appeared in national media outlets including Parents Magazine, Today, Today Parents, and NBC News. Her blog “The Good Enough Life” can be found on Psychology Today online. Feliciano has been in private practice for sixteen years, treating both adults and adolescents. Feliciano graduated from Columbia University with a masters degree in social work, completing her internship at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Her first book “This Book Won’t Make You Happy- 8 Keys to Finding True Contentment” was released on April 5, 2022. A first-generation Sri Lankan American, Niro and her husband Ed have four children and live in Fairfield County, Connecticut. For more from Niro follow on Instagram @niro_feliciano, FB: Niro Feliciano, The Good Enough Life and at nirofeliciano.com You can find Niro online... Website Instagram Facebook Psychology Today blog Originally published 06/02/22