Small Changes Big Shifts

After 10 successful seasons on air, Dr. Michelle Robin is ready to share how the Small Changes Big Shifts podcast will be shifting gears this coming September. Before she dives into the full announcement, she pauses to reflect on her wellness wins over the years, which includes a shoutout to her community for helping her reach those wins. She believes that every small step matters, and hopes that after 10 seasons of powerful conversations, listeners have gained more light and can see their wellness path more clearly. By the end of the episode, she will also explain why brain health is gaining her attention lately, and why some upcoming episodes will help illuminate its significance to our overall well-being. Mentioned in this episode: Wellness Consortium - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/wellness-network/ Small Changes Big Shifts - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/ Nourishing Quote Deck - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/product/quote-cards/ 31 Days of Kindness series - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/kindness/ Semi-Annual Better Together Gathering - https://wellnessnetwork.smallchangesbigshifts.com/consortium-calendar/Details/semi-annual-better-together-gathering-1089654?sourceTypeId=Website0

"While I was packing, the only thing I was thinking about was how grateful I felt and how I could thank that cab driver who changed my life forever with a small act of kindness." - Tareq Hadhad Tareq Hadhad's life was changed forever during a cab ride home one day. His driver, who was singing and smiling as he drove, noticed that Tareq looked heavy-hearted. After explaining what was on his mind, the driver shared an idea with him that would positively impact Tareq's entire future – and his family's safety. It was the answer he had been searching for. In today's episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Tareq to share his awe-inspiring story about his family's refugee journey from Syria to their new home in Canada. He provides a glimpse into what was going through in his mind during this incredibly challenging time of war in their country, but also what he noticed about his father who was losing everything he had built for his family – including his chocolate factory. Enjoy this special holiday episode, which reminds us that there will be moments in life that are truly hard, sometimes devastating – and it may even feel like we are losing everything in the blink of an eye – but what matters is how true we stay to our values and how we can learn some of life's greatest lessons through crisis. About Today's Guests: Tareq Hadhad was a Syrian refugee and is now living his new life with his entrepreneurial family in Canada's east coast. He is the founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate, the recipient of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 for Atlantic, named one of the Top 25 Immigrants in the Maritimes, selected by Google as the National Hero Case, was awarded RBC's top Immigrant Award and Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020 – in addition to Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Medal. All of this happened since Tareq's arrival on Canada's East Coast in December 2015 as a Syrian-Canadian newcomer. In 2012, the Hadhad's home and factory that housed the family chocolate-making business were destroyed, which forced them to seek safety in other countries. Passionate about peace and entrepreneurship, his family relaunched the family business to recreate the chocolates they once exported across the Middle East and their story has turned into an international inspiring phenomenon. Mentioned in the Episode: Peace by Chocolate movie Tareq Hadhad's website Peace by Chocolate company website Tareq Hadhad's LinkedIn

When you're aware, you're halfway there. - Wendy Basch Sentenced to sixty-five years in a Texas prison, Damon West once had it all. He came from a great family, in a home full of God, love, support, and opportunities to reach any goal. A natural born leader, an athlete with good looks and charm, he appeared to be the all-American kid pursuing his dreams. Underneath this facade, however, was an addict in the early stages of disease. After suffering childhood sexual abuse by a babysitter at the age of nine, Damon began putting chemicals into his body to alter the way he felt. Once he was introduced to methamphetamines, however, he became instantly hooked—and the lives of so many innocent people would forever be changed by the choices he made in order to feed his insatiable meth habit. After a fateful discussion during his incarceration with a seasoned convict, Damon had a spiritual awakening. He learned that, like a coffee bean changing with the application of heat and pressure, he was capable of changing the environment around him. Armed with a program of recovery, a renewed faith, and a miraculous second chance at life, Damon emerged from over seven years of prison a changed man. His story of redemption continues to inspire audiences today. In this episode, Damon joins us to talk about his two books, The Change Agent and The Coffee Bean which he wrote with Jon Gordon, as well as the life lessons he learned during prison, the three areas of wellness we should exercise every day, and what you can do now if you're recovering or feel lost in your wellness journey. Tune in with Dr. Michelle Robin and Damon West as they discuss: Both of their thoughts on spirituality and how they are able to let go of what they cannot control in order to surrender to a higher power. How fellow Small Changes Big Shifts guest, Jon Gordon, connected with him and persuaded him to write The Coffee Bean. An inside glimpse at the profound story of The Coffee Bean and what you will learn from the book. What healthy mindset strategy he learned to help him during his time in prison and how everyone can apply it to their own lives. The opportunity he took in prison to use that time to work on himself every single day. Why we should withhold from beginning new relationships until we take the time to truly know ourselves. What lessons and new insights he has gained about what it means to be in a committed relationship. Damon's suggestions for what you should today if you're in recovery or feeling lost: Get outside of yourself by thinking about other people before yourself. Adapt a humble mindset. Commit yourself to finding ways to help people every single day. Dive into the three areas of wellness that Damon advises we should work on growing every day that are in sync with our Four Quadrants of Wellbeing: Spiritual Wellness Mental Wellness Physical Wellness Learn and try out Damon's prayer that he starts his day with each morning: "God, put in front of me what you need me to do today for you and let me recognize it when I see it." All the lessons of history in four sentences: Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad with power. The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly small. The bee fertilizes the flower it robs. When it is dark enough, you can see the stars. - Charles A. Beard

Today is a really special day on Small Changes Big Shifts. We have Dr. Terry Wahls on the show. In 2000, Dr. Wahls was diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. By 2003 she had transitioned to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. In December 2007, she began the Wahls Protocol™. Within a year, she was able to walk through the hospital without a cane and even complete an 18-mile bicycle tour. We also have Julie Robinson on the show. Julie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year. She started using the Wahls Protocol™ and within months saw huge changes in her symptoms.

You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. Do you find yourself consuming more entertaining than nourishing foods? What does healthy living truly look like and how can you get started today? Author of Habit That!: How You Can Health Up in Just 5 Minutes a Day, Dr. Jaime Hope, joins us to share how we can be the creators of healthier lives with small changes today that will lead to big shifts tomorrow. One of the many important shifts that she and Dr. Michelle Robin will discuss is how we can create healthier habits around nourishing vs. entertaining foods. More About Dr. Hope Dr. Hope is a dual board-certified physician working outside of Detroit, Michigan, in one of the busiest emergency departments in the country. In over twelve years on the job, she has learned that no matter what brought her patients to the ER, they all want the same thing: to live happier, healthier lives. Whether she's helping patients, teaching future doctors, or engaging the local community, Dr. Hope is showing others how to create better habits and make healthy living fun, practical, and accessible. Turn your health around today by focusing on Dr. Hope's top four wellness factors: Exercise Restorative Sleep Nutrition Meaningful Connection Join us as our Small Changes Big Shifts Podcast host, Dr. Michelle Robin, discusses in depth with Dr. Hope about: Her passion for encouraging others to take care of their health now. Why it doesn't cost a lot of money to live a healthy lifestyle. How she is helping physicians teach their patients how to change their habits and behaviors. Why we should focus on changing our mindsets first before our diets. What a healthy person looks like and how to mirror that in your own life. Understanding the difference between the two types of foods: nourishing and entertaining. How to uncover the best kinds of exercises that you will love and be eager to do. he power of getting in enough restorative sleep each night to release stress. There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they're falling in. - Desmond Tutu

1 in 5 women are affected by PCOS. That means that 20% of women worldwide are dealing with a syndrome that looks differently on and for everyone so how do they find the help they need? Amy Medling is here to help. Amy was diagnosed over 15 years ago with PCOS after years and years of unanswered questions, confusing conversations and painful symptoms. She has now taken her own experience and is using it to help women take back their power when it comes to their health and PCOS. A PCOS Diva is not only a woman who has hope and strength but is a woman who is taking charge of her health and life by listening and putting herself first. Amy has found a way to shine a light on a confusing and painful syndrome and bring women together at the same time.

"People are beginning to get comfortable with the idea that it requires just as much planning to transition out of this world as it does to give birth and bring a new soul into this world." - Dr. Tamara MacIntyre According to a recent study, nearly half of participants (47 percent) admitted they were afraid of death. Some of those factors include fear of pain and suffering, fear of the unknown, fear of non-existence, fear of eternal punishment, fear of loss of control, and fear of what will become of our loved ones. In today's episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Dr. Tamara MacIntyre to share why there are ways a person can begin to get comfortable with the idea of dying with the help of an end-of-life doula. Dr. Tamara will also share her story of becoming this type of doula for people, and some of the greatest lessons she has learned about living through those facing death soon. She will also unpack why it's just as important to have an end-of-life doula as it is to have a birth doula. "People don't even know they can die with a level of love and peace that is outside the conventional approach," she shares during the conversation. About Today's Guest: Dr. Tamara MacIntyre, certified End of Life Doula, is also a chiropractor, doctor of functional medicine and recovering high ed administrator. Tamara is the co-founder of The PRANA Foundation (www.PranaFound.org) where she offers education, mentorship, and retreat to others serving in health and healing professions. She is passionate about assisting, fostering agency and empowerment while educating and supporting others in choosing a death that aligns with the core values that have defined the way they have chosen to live their lives. Her vision is to facilitate a space where people are more curious than afraid; acknowledging that this beautiful life is finite. Tamara offers end of life education, individualized and small group care planning and client advocacy. Mentioned in the Episode: Dr. Tamara's website The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware The Essential Questions When Planning a Good Death

If you were told you only had a couple months to live due to a terminal illness, what would you do? Dr. Nasha Winters, N.D. and CEO of Optimal Terrain, was told this at the young age of 19 as she was diagnosed with cervical cancer after dealing with multiple health issues. Dr. Nasha took her diagnosis and decided she wanted to go out on her own terms so she went to the library and the book, Quantum Healing by Deepak Chopra, popped out at her so she read it one night. By reading this book, Dr. Nasha's diet, lifestyle and college major would all be changed overnight. Now Dr. Nasha, is helping others by educating clients, doctors, and researchers on ways to apply the integrative oncology philosophy to treatments and therapy. She finds pleasure is seeing the joy in others and finding the "blessing in the lesson" in everyday life.

"This is something that connected our region like never before." - Eileen Weir There's a famous saying that goes, "It only takes one tree to start a forest, one smile to begin a friendship... one thought to change the world" and that's exactly what happened in the Kansas City community through the Parade of Hearts that began from one drawing on a napkin. During its last auction in 2022, it raised more than $2 million for Kansas City charities. During today's episode, Dr. Michelle invites Jenn Nussbeck and Eileen Weir to share how this project began, the doors that it opened in our community, and the opportunity it provided to build connections with people in different neighborhoods across the metro. They also explain why public art has become a crucial piece to our community's well-being and why it evoked certain senses for the people who live here. Jenn will also tell a moving story about two people who met at one of the hearts and how that location formed their new friendship. At the end of the episode, they will give listeners an exclusive update about what's next for the Parade of Hearts in Kansas City, which means you will be the first to hear it on this episode! About Today's Guests: Jenn Nussbeck is the Parade of Hearts Executive Director. She has served on numerous public charity boards as well as dedicated the last 15 years supporting organizations throughout communities in Kansas City. Assisting those navigating the philanthropy and civic channels is not only her work, but her passion. Jenn was born in San Diego but raised in Kansas City. She comes from a large Irish family. Her great uncle (Pat O'Neill Sr.) started the Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade with Mike Murphy. Eileen Weir was elected Mayor of the City of Independence, Missouri, in 2014. Prior to her election, she served on the Independence City Council representing the city's 4th District from 2012 to 2014. She began her career in communications and public relations with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1992, acting as the team's Manager of Public Information and Media Services. She served as the Chiefs Charity Game Coordinator from 2009 to 2013 for the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City. Eileen and her husband Tom live in southwestern Independence with their twins, John and Nora. Mentioned in the Episode: Parade of Hearts website Parade of Hearts mobile app Parade of Hearts on Facebook Parade of Hearts on Instagram Parade of Hearts on Twitter The story about the heart at Your Wellness Connection

At 9:00am Christmas morning, Dr. Michelle Robin was joined by author Paul Young. In an interview Paul said he had written primarily as a way to create unique gifts for his friends, until his wife repeatedly urged him to write something for their six children in order to put down in one place his perspectives on God and on the inner healing Young had experienced as an adult. The resulting manuscript, that later became The Shack. Join Dr. Michelle and Paul as they talk about: How he has cultivated the ability to be present and not get lost in anxious thoughts about the future. Why trust, love, and gratitude are always in the present tense. What you can do when you are experiencing fearful thoughts in the present moment; either let them control you or trust life's journey. Why 'grace' is a freedom word that is buried in trust. Difficult moments in his marriage and the choices he faced. The abuse that both Dr. Michelle and Paul experienced early on in their own lives and how that has impacted their journeys of healing. Identity issues we are facing in 2020 including our focus on money. How writing The Shack blessed his life even before it was published. Why everything becomes a gift when you learn to live without expectations. Gifts that we have been given in 2020 if we look hard enough for them and realize that this has been a year of exposure. If anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will be the same again. - Wm. Paul Young, The Shack Mentioned In This Episode Paul Young The Shack by Paul Young The Shack Trailer SCBS 40 Days of Gratitude AdventHealth CommunityAmerica Credit Union SCBS 31-Day Kindness Campaign

What is the blessing of fear? Join us as we gather to reset our new daily rhythm and build resilience during this time of change. I'm excited to have Adam Hamilton. Adam is senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, one of the fastest growing, most highly visible churches in the country. The Church Report named Hamilton's congregation the most influential mainline church in America, and he preached at the National Prayer Service as part of the presidential inauguration festivities in 2013. Hamilton is the best-selling and award-winning author of The Call, Making Sense of the Bible, Love to Stay, The Journey, The Way, 24 Hours That Changed the World, Revival, Not a Silent Night, Enough, When Christians Get It Wrong, and Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White,all published by Abingdon Press. Adam has been married 30 years to LaVon. They have two grown daughters. I'm happy to have Adam share how they're finding Rhythm and Resilience right now, and how we can do the same. I invite you to tune in as we unite as a community. Looking forward to spending time together for some R & R. Join Dr. Michelle and Adam as they talk about: The importance of rhythm during quarantine. Pastor Adam's call to church. Faith being an experience of trust. Rising levels of anxiety and suicide, and how to create hope. Tuning out the noise and paying attention to the nudges, whispers, and God moments. Pastor Adam's "God-incidence" in Atlanta with a man who passed. Tragic passings of Mindy Corporan and Erin Langhofer. How to reconcile tragedy with an all loving God, Dr. Martin Luther King's interpretation. Fear being a gift of God. Being mindful of media consumption. A quick breath prayer Pastor Adam's prayer practice What guidance and gifts have come from quarantine Pastor Adam's medicine Not coincidences, God-incidences. - Adam Hamilton Mentioned In This Episode United Methodist Church of the Resurection Adam Hamilton's Website Unafraid by Adam Hamilton Why by Adam Hamilton Psalm 31:5 The Story of Elijah When God Winks by Squire Rushnell Mindy Corporan Erin Langhofer

With so many different diets, regimens, fads and trends out there in the world of health and wellness, how do we know what works for us? Dr. Mark Hyman is helping people take a step backwards to look at themselves from a whole person perspective in order to move forward with their health. The connection between how you feel and how you eat is so telling to the human body but so often overlooked. Instead of focusing on restrictive diets and what your body can't break down, Dr. Mark focuses on why your body is reacting that way to certain foods. Dr. Mark is changing the way we look at and eat food when it comes to our health and wellbeing. He is using functional medicine to approach food and illnesses with a new perspective that is transforming the way we treat any and all conditions in the human body.

"Blood sugar is like comparing water to Kool-Aid – while water flows through our body, Kool-Aid can't flow as well because it's stickier. When we have too much sugar in our bloodstream, our body has a harder time carrying out the processes it needs to." - Dr. Georgia Nab About 1 in 5 people in the United States have diabetes but don't know it, according to the CDC. While people generally know sugar isn't good for the body, most people don't know why our consumption of it needs to be managed – not eliminated. In today's show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Dr. Georgia Nab – a Functional Medicine doctor at Your Wellness Connection – to help people understand what's really happening in the body once we consume sugar and why it's then converted to blood sugar. If you have ever wondered what glycemic and glucose mean – or the difference between metabolic syndrome (prediabetes), Type I, Type I.5, Type II, and Type III – this week's episode will give you a clearer understanding of each one in very simple terms. Dr. Nab even dives into how our blood sugar numbers have a tremendous impact on our hormonal levels and anxiety issues in today's world. She encourages listeners that small changes can make a big difference. At the end of the episode, Dr. Nab will also share why sleep and movement matter in managing your blood sugar – ending with some tips that can help you get on a better path toward wellness. About Today's Guest: Dr. Georgia Nab entered the chiropractic industry in 1992 by owning a chiropractic clinic in Wichita, Kansas. From 2012 through 2017, she joined a manufacturing facility in Wisconsin to provide chiropractic care, nutritional counseling, and educational training to the employees at the company's corporate headquarters. While there, she authored her book called 1 Degree of Change, in addition to numerous other publications. In 2015, she graduated with her Master's degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine degree. She is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Western States for their Master's program. Dr. Nab is a Certified Nutrition Specialist from the Board for Nutrition Specialist and works with Affiliated Monitors, an independent monitoring company for professionals. Mentioned in the Episode: Your Wellness Connection 1 Degree of Change book by Dr. Georgia Nab – contact Dr. Nab for a free PDF version

"It's the small choices we make that determine the rest of our lives." - Robyn Rosenberger Each year, more than three million children are hospitalized – either for procedures or ongoing treatment for chronic or terminal illness. Additionally, one in six children have a disability in the U.S. such as autism, ADHD, Aspergers, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, to name a few. During today's show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Robyn Rosenberger to share her awe-inspiring story about what led her to become the founder of TinySuperheroes in 2013 to help these kids fight unimaginable battles. Since launching her tiny cape organization, she has served over 120,000 children and families by providing capes for each child. Robyn shares how it all started with a little girl named Brenna and tells how the organization has evolved into ways these kids can experience extracurricular activities since 80% of them almost never get to participate in them. By the end of the episode, your heartstrings will be pulled by some of the powerful encounters she has had with kids who have received her capes and all the ways it has transformed their lives by giving them courage and strength. About Today's Guest and Co-Host: Robyn Rosenberger is a passionate and dedicated entrepreneur who is committed to making a positive impact in the world. As the founder and CEO of TinySuperheroes, a social enterprise that empowers children with disabilities or illnesses, Robyn has helped thousands of children to embrace their inner strength and courage. Her organization has been featured in numerous media outlets, including CNN, NBC News, and The Huffington Post. She is an inspiring example of a mission-driven entrepreneur who is passionate about building for-profit businesses that create social impact. She believes that businesses can be a force for good. Robyn's commitment to building a profitable business that makes a difference has resulted in a growing community of supporters and advocates who share her passion for social entrepreneurship. Through her work, she is a true champion for those who face adversity. She is dedicated to helping every other child feel like a superhero and inspiring others to make a positive difference in the world. Desiree Cole is the Content Director and Brand Manager at Small Changes Big Shifts. She creates, writes, and manages the voice and content for the brand. She has loved all things wellness since she was introduced to the lifestyle in college, where she learned to cook more plant-based food and care for the whole body in holistic ways. She began her journalism career in Chicago and New York City, where she worked in Manhattan as an editor for news agencies, magazines, and book publishing. She's part of the Small Changes Big Shifts team because she believes words are powerful messengers to the spirit, heart, and mind. Desiree was born and raised in Kansas City and believes there's no place like it. Her husband (Zach), son (Ollie), and two golden retrievers (Linus and Lucy) live in a loud and happy house with its eight paws and a very joyful little boy who loves his dogs. Mentioned in the Episode: TinySuperheroes website Nominate a child at TinySuperheroes Sponsor a cape for a child TinySuperheroes Mission Program John O'Leary

Today on Small Changes Big Shifts we'll check in with Dr. Michelle Robin for an update and what's to come over the next few months on this show. In the second part of this episode we have Mindy Corporon. Mindy is the mother of Reat Underwood and daughter of Dr. William Corporon, who were murdered by a convicted white supremacist in a hate crime outside of Jewish facilities in April 2014 along with Terri LaManno. Corporon, family and friends created SevenDays — Make a Ripple, Change the World to spread kindness and interfaith understanding.

As long as I have some love in my heart, it mitigates the sense of separation. - Frank Ferrante This week we are sharing Dr. Michelle's interview with Frank Ferrante from our 2020 Rhythm & Resilience series. Frank is a Sicilian from Brooklyn living in San Francisco. A lover of life, great food, and a good laugh, Frank was also a drug addict, morbidly obese, pre-diabetic, and fighting Hepatitis C. Estranged from his daughter, single, and struggling with depression, Frank knows that life can be better than this, and looked for a way out. Through Frank's story of love, redemption, and transformation, the viewers of the May I Be Frank documentary and readers of his book, May I Be Frank, documentary witness the power of change for themselves and the world. It's the essence of the human condition and what it truly means to fall in love again. Join Dr. Michelle and Frank as they talk about: Unpacking his life before the film including health, family, work, and education. How the May I Be Frank documentary completely changed his life and the obstacles he went through including imposter syndrome at the beginning. His COVID-19 lockdown experience and how it allowed him to self-reflect and positively impact his relationships. What guidance he has to share on cultivating long term relationships with the people we meet during our lifetimes. Taking a closer look at how our behavior affects the people in our lives. Why he believes a key part of why depression happens is because we're not aligned with our core beliefs. What steps you can take right now if you are feeling lonely. Learn new tools to add to your wellness toolbox including: The power of connecting with yourself and how to release thoughts and feelings that are no longer serving you anymore. What process he goes through to get rid of the different voices inside his head and instead just listen to one - his own. Why reaching out and helping someone else can be some of the best medicine for your own wellbeing. Unpacking why we're the happiest when we're not even thinking about ourselves but of other people. How we can show up as our authentic selves by focusing on what brings us joy. Do something nice for somebody and don't get caught. - Frank Ferrante Mentioned In This Episode SCBS Ep. 18: Raz Ingrasci and Frank Ferrante – Ready to Feng Shui Your Soul? May I Be Frank Trailer Stream May I Be Frank Documentary May I Be Frank Book: May I Be Frank DVD Day 8 - Rhythm and Resilience with Reverend Patricia T. Bass The Hoffman Process Day 6 - Rhythm and Resilience with Teri Griege Byron Katie

Today on this part 2 episode on Small Changes Big Shifts, Dr. Robynne innovative solutions backed by science that can help you improve your digestive wellness today! Have you ever wondered if you need to take a probiotic? Are you one of the hundreds of thousands who has eaten well and still struggle with your weight? Do you wonder if you should take the antibiotic just in case? What about hand sanitizer?

Today on Small Changes Big Shifts I will be speaking with Dr. Robynne Chutkan. Dr. Chutkan is one of the most recognizable gastroenterologists working in America today. She is the author of two bestselling books, Gutbliss and most recently, The Microbiome Solution. And she is the founder of the Digestive Center for Women.

Discover how to tap into a whole new level of healing and spirituality no matter your religious beliefs. "When your body is free of interference, your body will heal." - Dr. Gilles LaMarche Dr. Gilles LaMarche was living his best life – a successful chiropractic practice, healthy, fit, active, and raising his children who became incredible human beings themselves. But in 2003 at age 48, his world was turned inside out when he suddenly began having difficulty breathing while doing simple activities like walking from one side of the room to the other. Doctors soon discovered he had cardiomegaly – an enlarged heart that was continuing to enlarge due to breathing difficulties. He was given 24 months left to live, with the only option being a heart and lung transplant that may give him another five years. Because his lifestyle would be extremely limited after the double transplant, he decided to come to terms with the terminal diagnosis and opt out of the procedure. On May 15, 2004, Dr. Gilles woke up with a revelation. He realized he had been preaching the chiropractic paradigm and its healing power for 25 years to his patients, and began wondering about his own spine and nervous system. This episode will have you leaning in to hear every word of his powerful story about how he discovered what was really going on inside of him – and how his body could heal from chiropractic medicine. As he approaches his 25thyear since his diagnosis, he is preparing to run the 2023 Masters World Championship – the toughest race in all of track and field. About Today's Guest: Dr. Gilles LaMarche is a natural-born leader and one of the greats within the chiropractic world. He is the Vice President of University Advancement and Enrollment, but has also dedicated his life to helping over 750,000 people as a chiropractor over 25 years in Northern Ontario, Canada. He has spoken to audiences throughout Canada, United States, Mexico, Japa, Scandinavia, Australia, Europe, and the Caribbean. He is the co-author of more than nine books including Say Yes to Chiropractic Success and the Parker System for Professional Success. He was named Canadian Chiropractor of the Year in 2006 by readers of Canadian Chiropractic Magazine, and has been sharing his story around the world about the healing power of the nervous system in our body. Mentioned in the Episode: Parker's Principles Gilles LaMarche LinkedIn Diversity Woman Media Conferences Life University

You can't heal what you don't reveal. How is the universe holding you today? That is the question our guest this week, Rev. Cynthia Alice Anderson, asks herself every single morning when she wakes up. In this episode, Rev. Anderson and your host, Dr. Michelle Robin dive deep into how you can bring more gratitude to your life, a breakdown of her 7 Spiritual Laws of Release, and how you can take your soul's journey into your own hands. About Rev. Cynthia Alic Anderson Rev. Cynthia Alice Anderson has been serving as senior minister at Christ Church Unity in Orlando, Florida since 2007. Under her spiritual leadership, Christ Church Unity continues to be a thriving, welcoming community that is dedicated to transforming lives, celebrating diversity and supporting soul growth. Rev. Anderson recently wrote 7 Spiritual Laws of Release and it is in its 3rd printing currently. She has two other books: A Grateful Life: 30 Days of Conscious Gratitude is a 30-day mindfulness and prayer book and her prosperity book, PRSPRTY 4U, is currently being taught in churches around North America. She is also the Founder of the podcast platform, Experience of the Soul. Discover more about Rev. Anderson as she shares: Her life growing up as the youngest of 9 and the struggles her family faced. How the church of her youth differs from her church now as a Unity Minister Her physical healing crisis during her late 20s that awakened her spiritual nature. A big shift that was created in her life when she made the small change of now longer eating any gluten. How she re-organized her refrigerator to reflect her new healthy lifestyle and help her build small habits. Continue your own wellness and spiritual journey by learning about: Steps you can take each morning to tune into the universe and be energetically grounded. Why you'll be ready to let go of trauma, harm, and forgive others when the healing becomes bigger than the hurt. What we are learning and healing from now as a society in the USA. The power of acknowledging what you do have and what you can do vs. what you don't have and can't do. Discover how to tap into a whole new level of healing and spirituality no matter your religious beliefs. Joy is a sign of the wonderful presence of God. - Rev. Cynthia Alice Anderson

Let food be thy medicine; let medicine be thy food. - Hippocrates In the second Small Changes Big Shifts podcast episode with Author of The Paleo Cardiologist and Host of The Healthy Heart Show, Dr. Jack Wolfson, he shares his own personal health journey, how he decided he needed to change his focus both in life and career for better wellness, and what steps we can take to begin to honor and celebrate our own physical bodies, mind, and wellbeing by clearing out all the "noise". Specifically in this interview, Dr. Michelle and Dr. Jack, discussed how mental health is highly linked to cardiovascular risk if you are facing situations of isolation, depression, stress, or anxiety. Listen and find out how heal and feel better by meeting with a professional health coach, social worker, or psychologist and doing activities such as meditation or yoga to break the cycle. Discover how being outside, eating a Paleo-based diet, and getting enough sunshine can boost your emotions, decrease your stress, and help improve your overall wellbeing. Life is really simple but we insist on making it so complicated. - Confucious

Hope, healing, and happiness all begin in the heart. - Dr. Michelle Robin Why are we given a diagnosis that we're dying before we really start living? In this very special Part 1 of 2 Small Changes Big Shifts podcast episodes with Author of The Paleo Cardiologist and Host of The Healthy Heart Show, Dr. Jack Wolfson, he dives into the truths and myths surrounding cholesterol, why he decided to become a Doctor of Cause by focusing on helping patients heal through a holistic approach, and why many people believe that the trifecta of aspirin, statin drugs, and blood pressure drugs are winners to help people but this idea couldn't be further from the truth. Find out how you can make small changes into big shifts by focusing on these four factors that Dr. Wolfson considers to be vital for a healthy heart: Having a primary caregiver who is a functional, holistic doctor. Embracing the power of the natural sun and the nutrients it gives us at all times of the day. Making it a priority to get enough sleep every night. Living in a clean, low-pollution environment at least at home if not your city. The beauty of the sun and sleep is that they're free. There's no excuse as to why you shouldn't be getting enough of both. - Dr. Jack Wolfson Guest Dr. Jack Wolfson The Paleo Cardiologist Author Podcast Host Mentioned In This Episode Free copy of The Paleo Cardiologist by Dr. Jack Wolfson Statin Drugs Are Killing Millions Of People MRFIT Trials Ancel Keys Lipitor Thief of Memory by Duane Graveline Dr. Casey Baker

Today on Small Changes Big Shifts we have Ron Hall. Ron is the author of "SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME." Now turned into a movie, it is the story of an international art dealer Ron Hall (Greg Kinnear) who must befriend a dangerous homeless man (Djimon Hounsou) in order to save his struggling marriage to his wife (Renée Zellweger), a woman whose dreams will lead all three of them on the most remarkable journey of their lives. Jon Voight plays Hall's father, with whom he reconciles thanks to the revelations of his new life. Ron Hall's life was centered around a successful career as an international art dealer and a passion for his Rocky Top ranch on the Brazos River. All this changed in 1998 as a result of an encounter with a homeless man who was threatening to kill everyone in sight in the homeless shelter where Ron and his wife Deborah had begun to volunteer two weeks earlier. This life-changing encounter, featured on many television and radio shows, inspired Ron to write his first book SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME, a story of hope and redemption. The word-of-mouth hit became a New York Times platinum bestseller and stayed on the list for more than three and one-half years. In 2007, President Bush appointed Ron to the State Department Cultural Property Committee to advise the President on diplomatic matters regarding international art and antiquities. He served through December 2011. Ron is a screenwriter and producer of the movie version of his book SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME. It was released in theaters across America by Paramount Pictures February 3, 2017. He also published SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME, Children's Version, also known as EVERYBODY CAN HELP SOMEBODY. Ron and his wife Beth reside in Dallas where they direct the Same Kind of Different as Me Foundation. into achieving better sleep and overall well-being.

Today on Small Changes Big Shifts Dr. Michelle Robin interviews The Sleep Doctor, Dr. Michael Breus about his top tips for small changes in our sleeping habits that truly can lead to big shifts in our wellness. Tune in for practical insights into achieving better sleep and overall well-being.

Dr. Michelle Robin interviews internationally renowned speaker John O'Leary about his incredibly inspiring story surviving a house fire at age 9 that burned 100% of his body. Michelle and John also discuss his book "ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life."

Today on Small Changes Big Shifts we have Melissa Hartwig Urban. Melissa is a Certified Sports Nutritionist who specializes in helping people change their relationship with food and create life-long, healthy habits. She is the co-creator of the original Whole30 program, the New York Times bestselling author of The Whole30 and It Starts With Food, and has been featured by Dr. Oz, Good Morning America, the Wall Street Journal, Details, Shape, Outside, and SELF. Melissa has presented more than 150 health and nutrition seminars worldwide, and provides support to more than 1.5 million people a month through the Whole30 website. Melissa enjoys kettlebell training, traveling, hiking, winter sports, yoga, and riding her motorcycle, and is on the advisory board for Paleo Magazine. She lives in Salt Lake City, UT.

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? - Mary Oliver Be grateful. Have faith. Live Oola. Those are the words of wisdom that the OolaGuys and Authors of Oola and Oola for Women, Dave Braun and Troy Amdahl, of OolaLife are spreading to the USA: That we must always be grateful; even be grateful for our past, have faith in the future, and live in the present. As you listen to Dr. Michelle's interview with them, you will learn what the 7 F's | 7 Blockers | 7 Accelerators of the OolaLife are, what sparked them to do the OolaLife Dream Tour, how they've incorporated the OolaLife into their own lives, and what big shifts you can make with their 21 Day OolaLife Challenge. Turn small changes into big shifts with their 3 core steps to living an OolaLife by thinking about: Where you are today Where you want to go How you're going to get there If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time.- Zig Zaglar About OolaLife What is OolaLife all about? The OolaLife isn't just a book series but a process of life. It allows you to take a day or two every day to step outside of your life and look at it give yourself an honest assessment with where you are with your life, career, family, friendships, and yourself. Once you have assessed that, you can think about where you want to go with your life and how you're going to get there. Listen and discover the deep truth that where you are now is simply just that and it doesn't define who you are.

"I hear well-being differently every year based on how I've grown – and I know you will, too." - Dr. Michelle Robin As you approach the New Year, it's a wonderful time to develop fresh perspective about your goals, dreams, purpose, and overall life. People do this by taking time to reconnect with their heart, utilizing the power of "yes" toward themselves, flexing their empathy muscles, and even zooming out from situations to see from a wider lens. In this solo show, join Dr. Michelle Robin as she talks about the importance of renewing your energy so you can focus on your calling and well-being. She'll explain why it can be easy to give up on our needs (i.e. self-care) when other needs seem so much greater around you – and she'll also share why it helps to recall lessons you've learned along the way to get you to the next step in life. As she celebrates 10 years of this podcast, she'll explain why there will be some upcoming changes to the show beginning in 2024. You'll also get to hear a sneak peek of episodes to come, in addition to some new products she'll be releasing next year that will continue to pour hope into our community. About Today's Guest: Dr. Michelle Robin is the founder of Small Changes Big Shifts, the Kansas City Wellness Consortium, and Your Wellness Connection. More importantly, she's a visionary for the well-being of many generations. After opening her chiropractic practice in Kansas City over 30 years ago, she's become a national influence and memorable leader in the wellness industry. Her simple framework – called the Quadrants of Well-Being – is the key to what many people have been looking for when it comes to discovering their best life. She has spent the majority of her career helping people make small changes that ultimately create the biggest shifts in their well-being. As a chiropractor, author, teacher, holistic healer, podcast host, unshakable optimist, international speaker, and passionate advocate for generational change, Dr. Robin has left an impression on thousands of lives by helping them find their unique path to wellness and enrich their purpose in life. Mentioned in the Episode: Your Wellness Connection services Teen Therapy Group with Stacy Cahalan "Experience Oola" event with Dr. Dave Braun in Kansas City Whole 30 website Quadrants of Well-Being

"When we operate from the premise that everybody is going through something, we show more grace." - Matt Miller For over 30 years, Matt Miller has been serving kids, teachers, and their communities in the education system by helping them reach their potential. Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites him to share how he met John O'Leary, what inspired him to join John's mission in 2016 after that interaction, and why they are on a mission to help people live inspired. Matt will also explain some things he's learned over the years about people, and why our lives (and the lives of people around us) improve when we decide to love each other more. His story and wisdom will help you see that living a better life isn't as complicated as we make it – we just need to do simple better. About Today's Guest: Matt Miller is a former special education teacher and spent the majority of his educational career as an elementary principal. Under Matt's leadership, Kellison Elementary went from a low performing school in 2000 to being named a Top Ten High Performing School in the State of Missouri by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2004. Matt transitioned to Stanton Elementary in 2004. Stanton was the lowest performing school in the district. In two years, Stanton was named a Top Ten School in the State of Missouri by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Stanton went on to be one of the first schools in the world to use the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People with students and was named a Lighthouse School by the Franklin Covey Organization in 2011. Matt contributes this increase in achievement to the power of positive relationships. When organizations are focused on people – great things happen... and it's the little things that make a big difference. Mentioned in the Episode: John O'Leary website 7 Habits of Highly Effective People book John O'Leary podcast episode about igniting your life Paul Young podcast episode on Small Changes Big Shifts John O'Leary podcast On Fire movie about John O'Leary

"Trust is the firm belief in the truth of something." - Cory Scheer Due to the declining trust across the globe, experts say its absence is making it harder to solve key problems than it used to. Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Cory Scheer – author of Closing the Trust Gap – to share what inspired him to begin researching this word 12 years ago and why it's now inspired him to re-educate people what it means and how to gain it or regain it in a new way. He provides insight and wisdom on just how powerful this word is in our language, and why his father was an influential part of his life when it came to modeling trusting relationships. About Today's Guest: Cory Scheer is the Founder and CEO of TrustCentric™ Consulting, an organizational and leadership development firm. TrustCentric™ helps leaders, teams, and organizations become more trustworthy, focused, and productive by using empirical evidence to define reality, implementing a proven trust building framework, and walking alongside clients to develop clear, obtainable, and long-lasting data informed strategies for success. In addition to over 25 years in leadership roles in multiple sectors, Cory has obtained an Executive MBA (Rockhurst University) and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (University of Missouri). Cory has worked with small businesses, school districts, corporations, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, ministries, the military, and municipalities to provide vital support and clear direction on how to ensure people, practices, and policies become more trustworthy so that key performance indicators improve. Cory is the co-author of The National Survey on Brand and Trust with BrandCertain as well as the developer of the online course, The Complete Guide to Building Organizational Trust (www.StructureOfTrust.com). Cory is also the author of Closing the Trust Gap: Taking Action on What Matters Most for Leaders, Teams, and Organizations. Mentioned in the Episode: Closing the Trust Gap book by Cory Scheer The Complete Guide to Building Organizational Trust - www.StructureOfTrust.com

"It feels good to be grateful. Gratitude opens your heart and unleashes a power of love." - Mark Hulet As we head more into the holidays, this season helps us become more aware of the level of gratitude in our lives. Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Mark Hulet from the YMCA of Greater Kansas City to share some lessons and insights he's learned over the course of this year. He'll speak about what it means to reflect and forgive, and why sometimes we can get stuck in a place with relationships by thinking about what should be next – when really it's important to first pause and find gratitude in those relationships. As he prepares to start his 24th year at the YMCA, he'll also explain the impact their nonprofit has had on families' lives in Kansas City this year – and why they couldn't do what they do in the community without their volunteers. About Today's Guest: In July 2023, Mark Hulet became the 11th chief executive officer to lead the YMCA of Greater Kansas City since it was founded in 1860. Hulet has served as interim president and CEO from January 1, 2023. Hulet's background includes all aspects of YMCA leadership, philanthropy, operations, and support. He began his YMCA of Greater Kansas City career in 2000 as an executive director of a Y membership center, and has held various positions including chief operating officer, senior vice president of capital assets and risk, and vice president of membership. As interim president and CEO, Hulet successfully launched the current strategic plan to address organizational culture, operational excellence and sustainability as the Y recovers from the pandemic. During the pandemic, Hulet led the reopening of Y centers and programs as chief operating officer, including mobilization of resources and programs to provide childcare for essential workers, combat social isolation for older adults and support vaccine distribution throughout greater Kansas City. Over the years, Hulet has provided operations and philanthropic leadership and established innovative partnerships. Projects have included partnerships for the Y to operate community centers in Platte County and North Kansas City and bringing the University Health primary care clinic to the Linwood YMCA/James B. Nutter, Sr. Community Center. In addition, he led capital projects including the construction of the new Kirk Family YMCA in downtown Kansas City, MO, and the renovations of the Linwood and Atchison Y's as part of the largest capital campaign in the Y's history. A longtime Kansas City resident, Mark has two sons, Keagan and Killian, and three grandchildren, Gracelynn, Raiden, and Ruari. Mentioned in the Episode: YMCA of Greater Kansas City YMCA – find a location around the U.S. Your Wellness Connection Volunteer at the YMCA of Greater Kansas City

"When I took someone who felt lost, and I would suddenly see the clouds lift and that lightbulb come on for them – that's where I discovered my joy." - Gina Creek Did you know there's a difference between feeling happy and experiencing joy? Experts often describe happiness as a positive state of overall well-being and impacts your outlook on the meaning of life. However, joy is felt in moments such as listening to a friend make a toast or receiving a hug from a dear friend. When we experience joy, it's less about that overall sense of how life is going, and more about discovering what moments touch your heart. Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Gina Creek to share how she began to lean into those joyful moments early in life, which eventually impacted her career path in a profound way and now helps her experience that same joy throughout the workday. She'll share about her journey into healthcare and why it was the people who mentored and surrounded her that became a key ingredient to learning what lit up her heart. About Today's Guest: Gina Creek is the Vice President and Chief People Officer for the Mid-America Region. She leads human resources at AdventHealth's hospitals and clinics in Kansas and Wisconsin, including AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, AdventHealth South Overland Park, AdventHealth Ottawa, and AdventHealth Durand. In this role, she leads human resources initiatives, including attracting, motivating, and retaining top talent; performance management; leadership development and change management for the health care system's information technology team. She then led the system-wide Emerging Leader Program, developing high potential leaders for executive roles. Starting in 2018, she led AdventHealth's Leadership Institute, developing multi-level leadership programs and interventions to meet the needs of an 80,000-member workforce. Creek earned her doctorate in leadership and learning from Vanderbilt University, her master's in organizational development from Avila University and her bachelor's education from Union College. She is also a publication author in leadership culture. Mentioned in the Episode: Junior and adult volunteer opportunities at AdventHealth AdventHealth website Your Wellness Connection Small Changes Big Shifts

"I'm grateful for where I'm planted in each season of life." - Caleb Cooper What would you do differently with your health if there were no barriers? Would you choose more organic? Workout at a gym? Plug into your community through classes or even see a therapist? Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Caleb Cooper from the YMCA of Greater Kansas City to share why their organization is focused on health equity in our community - a state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. He'll also explain how kindness and gratitude overlap within their mission, and why he recognizes that many people choose the Y because they find kindness and gratitude within their walls. Caleb will also explain why it's a human need to feel like we belong, and how the Y delivers on that need. At the end of the episode, he'll also share some personal stories that he recalls over his 20-year career with the Y. Each one is rooted in the power of what happens when we give people an opportunity to reach for the best version of themselves. About Today's Guest: Caleb Cooper joined the YMCA of Greater Kansas City as Chief Operating Officer. He brings mor than 20 years of experience from the Ys across the country. Most recently, he was the Vice President of Equity and Belonging for the YMCA of South Hampton Roads. In previous roles, Cooper successfully led more than 14 Y locations, raised over 2 million to benefit marginalized communities, created a diversity, equity and inclusion department, and rebranded six Ys as Health Equity Campuses. As COO of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, he is a key member of the executive leadership team which is focused on supporting the vision and setting the strategy for all operations and programs. Cooper leads a comprehensive and complex array of services and programs that focus on healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility in 11 membership centers and more than 90 before- and after-school programs and summer-day camps in 14 school districts. He also provides leadership for Marketing and Communications. Cooper has a bachelor's degree in business management (Human Resources). His volunteer work has included serving as a board member for Rotary, Exchange Clubs, Sentara College of Health Sciences, Hampton Roads Diversity and Inclusion Consortium, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. Outside of work, Cooper enjoys golf, coaching soccer, fishing, and spending time with his family, which includes his wife Crystal and their two children. Mentioned in the Episode: YMCA of Greater Kansas City YMCA locations in the U.S. Small Changes Big Shifts Quadrants of Well-Being

"It's the emotions and habits that create a powerful formula for financial well-being." - Anita Newton A recent study revealed that money negatively impacts 52% of adults' mental health in the U.S. - and 4 in 5 of those individuals say it causes them to lose sleep at night. There's a problem in today's world with money, and it's time we address that the traditional approach to saving isn't working anymore. Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Anita Newton from CommunityAmerica Credit Union to highlight some key findings their in-house Innovation Lab have discovered about our spending habits. She will also share how they are helping members (customers) approach their money story and why it matters to their success. Additionally, she'll explain some tools and resources they offer their members that work better in today's financial climate vs. the traditional approach. Anita will also tell why she's passionate about helping others reach their financial goals, which includes her personal money story. Get ready for a conversation rich in tips that can help you take your next small step on your financial well-being journey. About Today's Guest Anita Newton currently serves as the Chief Innovation Officer of CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Her mission is to create digital products and services that will help us deliver peace of mind to our members. The Innovation Lab has received numerous awards, and their work has been mentioned in USA Today, Forbes, and the Kansas City Business Journal. Newton has spent the last 20 years helping marketing organizations both large – P&G and Spring – and small – Zave Networks, myEdmatch, and Adknowledge – grow. She currently advises a startup called Mighty Good Solutions, a consumer goods company that makes products that are currently sold in Walmart, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, and Amazon. Newton helps support the community by serving as Trustee of the Kauffman Foundation and Cristo Rey, Board Committee Chair for the University of Kansas Liberal Arts, and co-chair Rose Brooks 2019 Cabaret. Newton was the 2018 Recipient of the Athena Award. She has also taught startup marketing through the Kauffman Foundation's Founders School and FastTrac Venture programs. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas and Harvard Business School. Anita currently lives in Prairie Village with her husband, two children, Sydney and Spencer, and two goldendoodles, Scout and Bailey. Mentioned in the Episode: CommunityAmerica Credit Union Financial Well-Being Coach Services ScoreMore Loan

"If there's one thing you can do today, be kind." - Bayleigh Petty We're celebrating another amazing year of the 31 Days of Kindness annual series, which began on October 14 and ended on World Kindness Day (November 13). Dr. Michelle Robin invites the Big Shifts Foundation Program Director, Bayleigh Petty, to share why this year was special to her while running it. She'll also share why she continues to learn something new about herself every year she participates. Both Dr. Robin and Bayleigh will read some stories that were submitted to our team during the 31 days – which all truly reflect the power kindness has in our lives. At the end of the show, she'll also explain how the series impacted kids in schools this year, and why the younger generation has an opportunity to change the world by carrying kindness forward. About Today's Guest: Bayleigh Petty's passion for health and wellness began when she first started playing sports. She studied Human Performance with an emphasis in Sports and Exercise Therapy. She graduated from Fort Hays and began working with Dr. Michelle Robin at her chiropractic practice. In 2021, she joined Small Changes Big Shifts because she believes in approaching health from a whole-person perspective and loves educating the younger generation about connecting their mind, body, and spirit. In 2022, she transitioned to the Big Shifts Foundation team as the Program Director. Mentioned in the Episode: 31 Days of Kindness – sign up here 7 Days of Kindness for kids Read all kindness stories submitted Submit your kindness story Big Shifts Foundation

"One of our graduates is impacting a massive amount of people every day – she's making giant change after going through our program." - Natasha Herdman When Natasha Herdman was growing up, she took care of the marketing and bookkeeping for her mom's grooming business in Iowa. Fast forward to 2011, she began working with homeless families in Kansas City, where she was seeing some big barriers between employment and getting out of poverty. Little did she know a vision would come to her in 2012 where these two worlds would collide into one: Pawsperity (formerly known as The Grooming Project). Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Natasha to share her behind-the-scenes story about how this vision came to life one day, and why it took a village of people – some complete strangers – to lift her up and make it a reality. She'll share some incredibly inspiring stories about some people who have graduated from Pawsperity's grooming school and what they are doing to give back to our community today from that experience. At the end of the show, she'll also give an inside look at why the human-animal bond can be a powerful healer for so many who have gone through severe trauma in their lives. About Today's Guest: As founding CEO of Pawsperity, formerly known as The Grooming Project, Natasha Herdman believes in a two-generation approach to breaking the cycle of poverty. Basic needs for food and shelter must be met before a parent can focus on guiding children through school and out of poverty, so a living-wage, family-flexible career for the parent is key. Natasha's innovative approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and proven success has received several awards and the attention of a national catalyst foundation. Natasha has an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Iowa and an Executive Master's degree in public administration from the UMKC Bloch School. She is passionate about working with mothers and fathers with multiple barriers to entering the workforce, such as low reading skills, severe trauma, or past incarceration and brings experience in both staff and volunteer roles for Healing House, Reach Out and Read, Community LINC and Stop Child Trafficking Now to the EPC project. Natasha enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids ages 19 and 15. Mentioned in the Episode: Pawsperity website 31 Days of Kindness – sign up for the free emails Big Shifts Foundation Newhouse

"You can't truly treat people with kindness if you aren't first kind to yourself." - Dr. Dave Braun Did you know one of the most common reasons that people give on improving their health is because it gets too hard or the results take too long? Oftentimes it's because we don't approach our well-being with a wider lens, meaning we try to eat our way to good health or exercise our way to feeling better about ourselves. However, our well-being encompasses more than one area to reach the state of physical and mental wellness that we're truly seeking. Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Dr. Dave Braun to share his incredibly inspiring story of living his best life – his dream job, dream house, dream family, dream cars, dream financials – only to hit rock bottom and walk through a very dark season shortly after reaching that success. He will explain what made him start becoming more self-aware of the way he was living, specifically in seven areas, which eventually led him to launch an entire brand around it called Oola Life with good friend, Dr. Troy Amdahl. Dave will explain the revelations he began to have around kindness and hope and why they were designed to work together on his journey, and why Oola Life's brand is built around both. By the end of the episode, he will also share two powerful stories of people whose lives were turned around from their encounter with the Oola message. About Today's Guest: Dr. Dave Braun has a deep-rooted commitment to empowering individuals to find balance and transform their lives. He's spent over a decade guiding people towards holistic well-being. As President, he plays a pivotal role in shaping Oola's strategic direction, leading the team in creating science-based products and transformative programs that promote life balance. Mentioned in the Episode: Oola Life Oola: Find Balance in an Unbalanced World book Oolapalooza 2023 Connect with Dr. Dave Braun 31 Days of Kindness – free to sign up Big Shifts Foundation

"Diversity is a fact, equity is a choice, inclusion is the action, and belonging is the outcome." - Dr. Diedrick Graham As we continue to celebrate our annual 31 Days of Kindness series, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Dr. Diedrick Graham to share why kindness has influenced what he does today in the world for others. During this powerful conversation, he'll reveal who helped him understand the most foundational aspects of kindness, and why their guidance taught him that no matter what's happening in the world, it should always be our goal to connect with a person and hold space for them. Dr. Diedrick will also share why we as humans are wired for connection, and how kindness created a pathway for him to seek self-improvement. This ultimately helped him finally understand what it meant to truly belong and find his purpose. By the end of the episode, listeners will be encouraged to trace the threads in their own lives to see who has impacted it and helped them become the person they are today. About Today's Guest: Dr. Diedrick Graham is the DEI and Organizational Development consultant for Margolis Healy and Associates. Dr. Graham brings over 20 years of experience as a Master Trainer, Facilitator and Mediator, making him highly qualified in the resolution of complaints, appeals, and internal grievance processes for employee/employer issues. As the former Ombudsperson at Princeton University, San Diego State University, and the University of Kansas, Vice President, Global Integrity Leader at the Nielsen in NYC, and Former Director of Human Resources at The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Dr. Graham has a wealth of experience in resolving issues between diverse parties through distinct types of intervention and communication processes. He's also designed and taught numerous courses and workshops on communication, conflict engagement skills, JEDI, and accountability at multiple universities, corporate, and nonprofit organizations. Mentioned in the Episode: Connect with Dr. Diedrick Graham Hoffman Process Sign up for the free 31 Days of Kindness series Big Shifts Foundation

"Kindness is really rooted in love." - Cynthia Newsome It's official – the annual 31 Days of Kindness series (powered by the Big Shifts Foundation) has launched across the world, and Dr. Michelle Robin has invited a true kindness champion in the Kansas City community to celebrate it. Award-winning journalist Cynthia Newsome reveals what she's learned about kindness after being an anchor for 25 years – even through some of the world's darkest days and her battle through breast cancer – plus, why she continues to keep her heart centered on being kind. You'll also hear what inspired her to launch Awesome Ambitions for young girls in Kansas City, and how this nonprofit is reshaping these girls' futures and establishing a village around them to help navigate life. There's also an incredibly emotional story about what one group of girls chose to do for three kids at their school that showcases what kindness does for the heart. Near the end of the episode, Cynthia will also share what she believes are some missed opportunities our world is missing when it comes to kindness. About Today's Guest: Cynthia Newsome is Community Relationships Director for KSHB 41, NBC in Kansas City, Missouri. After 25 years on the air at KSHB 41, Cynthia stepped down from the anchor desk and into her new role as Community Relationships Director. Cynthia came to KSHB 41 in January of 1997. Prior to that, she was in Oklahoma City for 13 years serving as Weekend Anchor at KWTV Channel 9, and a reporter at KFOR-TV and WKY Radio. She is an award-winning journalist, whose 30-plus year career in broadcasting includes covering the Oklahoma City bombing of the Murrah Federal Building. Cynthia's reports on the lives of bombing victims are shown at the Oklahoma City Memorial and Museum of Oklahoma City. When Cynthia came to Kansas City, that's when she met and married the love of her life, Ed Newsome. He actually popped the question to Cynthia on live TV on NBC Actions News on June 13, 2001. Mentioned in the Episode: Sign up for the free 31 Days of Kindness series Awesome Ambitions Facebook page Big Shifts Foundation

"Don't be afraid to listen to what's going on in your mind – your body can speak to you." - Luke Russert As we get ready to dive into our annual 31 Days of Kindness series this year, Dr. Michelle Robin invites author of Look for Me There, Luke Russert, to talk about why processing the grief of his father's sudden passing was one of the kindest acts he ever did for himself. Rather than follow society's way of moving on as quickly as possible, Luke shares what inspired him to push pause on his life and run a self-diagnostic test to explore what he was feeling after losing his father. He'll also share some tips about what someone can do to begin tuning in to what you are feeling inside and explain why there's power in being kind to yourself and seeking what your soul needs. At the end of the show, he'll also share a kind gesture that a stranger did for him during his travels and why it remains in his heart to this day. About Today's Guest: Luke Russert is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who was an NBC News correspondent from 2008 to 2016, primarily covering American politics. Since leaving broadcast journalism, he is the author of Look for Me There, a travel memoir about his three-and-a-half-year journey around the world that took him to more than sixty-five countries. Based in Washington, DC, he is the son of journalists Maureen Orth (Vanity Fair) and the late Tim Russert (NBC's Meet the Press). Mentioned in the Episode: Look for Me There book by Luke Russert Look for Me There website 31 Days of Kindness email series – sign up for free

"Kindness is showing an investment to each other." - Darcy Swan A recent study revealed that two in three millennials don't feel like they belong in their local community. Looking a little further up the stream, another study showed that one in five students don't feel like they belong at their school. There's a growing void developing among the younger generations, who are looking for who they are in this great big world – and the YMCA wants to close that gap for them. Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Darcy Swan from the Y to talk about why they've implemented specific Youth Development Services in our community to help kids find their belonging and develop a purpose in life. Darcy will also share some impactful encounters she had during her school years that led her into a teaching profession and later to the Y. The power of kindness will also become a cornerstone in this conversation, which proves how far small acts go in another person's life – such as calling someone by name or remembering what they are interested in. At the end of the show, Darcy will provide some wisdom to families looking to improve their overall well-being. About Today's Guest: Darcy Swan is Senior Vice President of Youth Development at the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. She providesleadership and strategy while building relationships to advance before and after school, summer day camp, preschool, and other YMCA out-of-school time programs throughout the greater Kansas City area. Prior to joining the YMCA in 2022, she was an executive director of curriculum and instruction for Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools. She started her career in education with the Shawnee Mission School District as a middle school teacher and served in multiple advancing roles in the Shawnee Mission district including district resource specialist, interim elementary principle, and elementary curriculum coordinator. The Y is the largest provider of childcare services in the greater Kansas City area, serving more than 4,600 youth a year through before- and after-school programs, in addition to 2,300 youth a year in summer day camps. The Y provides before- and after-school programs and summer-day camps in districts throughout the metro, including Blue Valley, Bonner Springs, Lansing, Leavenworth, Lee's Summit, Piper, Platte County R-3, Shawnee Mission, Spring Hill, and Turner, as well as Crossroads Charter Schools, University Academy, Ascension, and St. Ann. Mentioned in the Episode: YMCA Kansas City website YMCA locations in the U.S. Youth Development Programs at the Y 31 Days of Kindness email series – sign up for free Big Shifts Foundation website

"Eating habits are going to play a bigger role in the disease process than we've been led to believe." - Dr. Denise Scott Did you know that 70 to 80 percent of our immune cells live in our gut? Why is that important? Because what goes on in the gut communicates whether our body thrives or attacks itself. Ultimately, our gut is responsible for how our immune system responds and functions – and more importantly, it's responsible for how well we are. Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Dr. Denise Scott to talk more about this fascinating connection between the gut and disease prevention. She'll share what led her down this journey of wanting to work with kids and parents, and what missed opportunities and conversations parents should be having with their kid's pediatrician. She will also provide wisdom behind what our gut needs so that the rest of our body functions well – and why the first few years of a child's life are crucial to setting the stage for their future health. About Today's Guest: Dr. Denise Scott is a pediatrician, pediatric endocrinologist, and culinary medicine specialist who is passionate about improving children's health with nutrition by educating parents. She has spent the last three decades taking care of children and wants to continue to improve their health with food as prevention. Mentioned in the Episode: AdventHealth Living in Vitality event FeedFutureHealth.com - Dr. Denise Scott's blog Book by Dr. Denise Scott – Feed Your Child's Future Health

"We all have our identity journeys." - Princess Sarah Culberson During her teenage years, Princess Sarah Culberson began to get curious about her identity, biological history, and even who she looked like. Once embarking on her journey, she learned that her biological mother died when she was 11, and her father lived in a village in Sierra Leone, West Africa. From him, she learned about her royal family, and that she is a Mahaloi, the granddaughter of a Paramount Chief, which meant Sarah is a princess. During today's show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Princess Sarah to share more of her story and the search for her family – and the extraordinary things that began to happen when her two worlds came together into one story. She also shares how her adoptive parents played a vital and positive role in learning more about her roots – plus, how their response and engagement in their community taught her about confidence. To end the show, she will also provide her best guidance to listeners around building confidence and identity, adding that if we don't take care of ourselves, it can be very difficult to operate in the world. About Today's Guest: Princess Sarah was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, to an African father and white mother. As an infant, she was put into foster care, then adopted by a loving white West Virginia family. She grew up contemplating and dealing with questions about her identity and her biracial roots. She fell in love with theatre in early childhood and won an undergrad acting scholarship to West Virginia University. She earned her MFA at The American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and joined the Los Angeles acting community. Princess Sarah has danced and acted on stage as well as in films and television. She has been a guest performer with the Urban Latin Dance Theater Company CONTRA-TIEMPO. However, her biggest role so far came when she decided to locate her biological parents. Mentioned in the Episode: Princess Sarah's website SierraLeoneRising.org Princess Sarah's Facebook Princess Sarah's Instagram Advent 2023 LIV Event A Princess Found book by Princess Sarah The E Factor book by Dr. Michelle Robin Water.org Bridgerton tv series trailer Queen Charlotte tv series trailer AdventHealth

"When you write down what you eat, suddenly you become aware." - Stacy Cahalan Kids are establishing their school routine again, but students are still struggling to regain some aspects of what they lost during the pandemic. This results in loss of connection, loneliness, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. During today's show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Stacy Cahalan to share why she decided to leave her previous career path and begin helping younger generations navigate these unchartered waters. Stacy also reveals a personal story about why food can play a major role in that disconnection and the way a child feels each day. Their conversation also dives into why gut health directly impacts moods. By the end of the show, Stacy will also share more about the book she and Jane Hosey Stern wrote that helps put simple, yet powerful life lessons back into focus. About Today's Guest: One of Stacy's favorite quotes is by Emily Dickinson, "I am out with the lanterns looking for myself." All the years she's wandered the earth, she doesn't know a lot to be true, but she strongly believes that we are all doing the best we can with what we have. Sometimes we just don't have what we need. We are all better together. We are all wandering this earth trying to find purpose. And we all need help finding our way. As a Licensed Professional Therapist and Licensed School Counselor, her goal is to help people find hope. She has been called the Hope Dealer and she's cool with that. Her style is fun, direct, and focused on your here and now and your future. She has a shovel tattoo on her wrist to remind herself to dig deep and do the work. Every day, if we are lucky enough to wake up, we have another chance. She is ready to help people do their life's work with more grace, mercy, hope, and love. Mentioned in the Episode: Dr. Neal Barnard episode on dairy Learn more about the blood type diet Fed Up movie trailer Connect with Stacy at Prairie Group Girl Your Wellness Connection counseling services Stacy's book called Atlas for Good Living

"Connectivity is so important – no matter what age." - Amy Jewell A recent study showed that 2 in 5 Americans haven't made a new friend in five years due to shyness or introversion. Even more, another study revealed that the loneliness rate in America has doubled since the 1980s. That number has now reached 40 percent of adults in America, and some experts believe the "real number" may be a lot higher than that. During today's episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Amy Jewell from the YMCA of Greater Kansas City to share the multitude of ways their organization is helping to address the loneliness and mental health crisis for all ages. Amy will share why connection and relationships make all the difference in the world when we're going through challenges – saying that she can see relationships building everywhere you look at the YMCA. She will also explain why creating friendships can be a powerful form of therapy for kids and how some of their longest and lifelong friendships begin at the Y. About Today's Guest: Amy Jewell joined the YMCA of Greater Kansas City as the Senior Vice President of Operations in April 2023. She provides operations leadership for 11 of the Greater Kansas City Y Centers and their programs, including membership, healthy living, aquatics, youth, and family. Jewell has more than 15 years of experience in operations leadership at organizations including the Joplin YMCA in Joplin, Missouri; the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, Kansas; Central Florida YMCA in Orlando, Floraida; and the City of Mount Dora, Florida. Most recently, she was a consultant facilitating partnerships between public and private sector clients to meeting community needs in Boca Raton, Florida. Mentioned in the Episode: YMCA of Greater Kansas City YMCA locations around the U.S.

"People are beginning to get comfortable with the idea that it requires just as much planning to transition out of this world as it does to give birth and bring a new soul into this world." - Dr. Tamara MacIntyre According to a recent study, nearly half of participants (47 percent) admitted they were afraid of death. Some of those factors include fear of pain and suffering, fear of the unknown, fear of non-existence, fear of eternal punishment, fear of loss of control, and fear of what will become of our loved ones. In today's episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Dr. Tamara MacIntyre to share why there are ways a person can begin to get comfortable with the idea of dying with the help of an end-of-life doula. Dr. Tamara will also share her story of becoming this type of doula for people, and some of the greatest lessons she has learned about living through those facing death soon. She will also unpack why it's just as important to have an end-of-life doula as it is to have a birth doula. "People don't even know they can die with a level of love and peace that is outside the conventional approach," she shares during the conversation. About Today's Guest: Dr. Tamara MacIntyre, certified End of Life Doula, is also a chiropractor, doctor of functional medicine and recovering high ed administrator. Tamara is the co-founder of The PRANA Foundation (www.PranaFound.org) where she offers education, mentorship, and retreat to others serving in health and healing professions. She is passionate about assisting, fostering agency and empowerment while educating and supporting others in choosing a death that aligns with the core values that have defined the way they have chosen to live their lives. Her vision is to facilitate a space where people are more curious than afraid; acknowledging that this beautiful life is finite. Tamara offers end of life education, individualized and small group care planning and client advocacy. Mentioned in the Episode: Dr. Tamara's website The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware The Essential Questions When Planning a Good Death

"Breakdowns are breakthroughs. You go through life with multiple layers, so how can you shed those layers to get to your authentic self?" - Sarah Uchytil The demand for life coaches has steadily increased over the years as people are seeking more empowerment, connection, and conversation. According to recent statistics, 80% of clients who introduce a life coach feel that it greatly helps align their lives and helps them finally get to where they want to go. Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Sarah Uchytil to talk about some fundamental reasons why a life coach is different from a therapist, what life coaches do for an individual, and why group coaching retreats can be so impactful for people. Sarah will also share what inspired her to become a life coach after a memorable encounter she had with a friend one day. By the end of the show, she'll help listeners think about three questions they can ask themselves if they are considering introducing a life coach into their lives. About Today's Guest: Sarah Uchytil is a dynamic International Coach Federation (ICF) Professional Certified Coach (PCC), connector, and change maker. She works with individuals on topics including empowered leadership, personal development, life balance, energy management, career transition, professional branding, LinkedIn presence, networking strategies, interview skills, salary negotiation, and goal setting. Sarah incorporates meditation into her coaching sessions to encourage her clients to grow and stretch even further than they thought possible. Meditation is a powerful tool to dissolve limiting beliefs and remove blocks which get in her client's way. Sarah believes in coaching the whole person and living a healthy well-balanced life. In 2015, Sarah became a certified yoga instructor to deepen her personal yoga practice over the last 24 years and to learn the best practices for yoga and meditation to share and incorporate with her coaching clients. Since 2017, Sarah has created and led 38 wellness retreats including yoga, meditation, life coaching, energy management, and goal setting. Sarah was named Best Resume Writer and Career Coach by the Kansas City Pitch in 2022. Feedspot.com also named Sarah's blog one of the Top 100 Global Life Coaching blogs to follow since 2018. Mentioned in the Episode: Sarah Uchytil's website Sarah Uchytil's LinkedIn Sarah Uchytil's Facebook Finding the right life coach for you

"When money is a problem, it's on your mind all the time – the stress is obvious." - Jeremy Davis According to the Federal Reserve Bank, the average American is $58,604 in debt. Additionally, at least 77 percent of American households are in some sort of debt. Today, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Jeremy Davis from CommunityAmerica Credit Union to offer encouragement to anyone who has financial goals, be it saving more, getting out of debt, or simply managing money better. He will share a personal story about who taught him about financial freedom at an early age, and how that wisdom at a young age impacted his adult years – allowing him to focus on his physical and mental health. As a Financial Well-Being Coach, he will also reveal some surprising trends among people coming in for financial advice. Jeremy ends the show by providing tools and resources for anyone looking to reach goals in our economy today. If you are looking for some simple and small steps to activate those financial goals in your life – this episode may be just what you need to get started! About Today's Guest: Jeremy Davis is a Financial Well-Being Coach at CommunityAmerica Credit Union. An advocate for financial education, he loves helping people grow their knowledge in a fun, engaging way that is easy to understand and apply to their lives. He has a deep background in finance and marketing that gives him a creative approach to making financial literacy accessible to anyone. As a Kansas City native and graduate from Kansas State University, Jeremy loves all things KC and serving his community! Mentioned in the Episode: CommunityAmerica Credit Union Community Access Centers at CommunityAmerica Financial Coaching at CommunityAmerica Where to Turn When Raising a Child with Special Needs episode with Heath Burch Quadrants of Well-Being

"While in France, we stumbled across this herd of donkeys, fell in love with them, and immediately were drawn to their Zen-like presence." - Kate Barker When Kate Barker was injured, it derailed her from her ability to compete in the 2011 London Olympics. But little did she know that her life was about to take some major turns over the next five years – ultimately, playing a major role in helping the Kansas City community get well through her donkey farm and a juicing company. In today's episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Kate to tell her story from professional athlete and corporate America employee, to unplugging from it all to launch Zen Donkey Farms. She shares the incredible healing journey she went on after exiting the Olympic scene, and how that time in her life eventually brought her back to her own farming roots. It was during a trip to France and a memorable encounter with some donkeys there that caused a lightbulb to come on about what was next for them. She'll explain how their farm began to unfold her and husband Andy's story in 2017, and how it eventually led to their successful juicing company called Zen Donkey Farms. Kate will also help define how cold-pressed juice is different from conventional juices, when the best time is to consume their juices, and what mistakes people often make when they begin incorporating a juice regime into their lives. At the end of the episode, she'll also share more about their farm's amazing nonprofit organization called the Zen Donkey Experience, which is helping people and kids experience a mind-body-soul connection by interacting with their donkeys. About Today's Guest: Kate Barker Sternberg is Founder and President of mission-driven health and wellness lifestyle brand Zen Donkey Farms, and sister nonprofit organization Zen Donkey Experience. Kate received her Bachelor of Arts in International Political Economy from The Colorado College with emphasis in Romance Languages from La Universidad de Salamanca, followed by an intensive Entrepreneurship cohort from the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. Kate spent 12 years in the technology strategy and management consulting space prior to taking the leap to full-time self-employment. Residing in rural Greenwood, Missouri, with husband Andy and rescued fur-children, Kate is a lifelong equestrian athlete, plant-based farmer, aspiring pianist, outdoor enthusiast, live theater junkie, lover of travel, and passionate advocate for the healing power of the animal/human connection. Mentioned in the Episode: Zen Donkey Farms Order Zen Donkey juices Zen Donkey Experience - Book Online Dining for Donkeys 2023 on Sept. 30, 2023 – tickets available here

Dr. Michelle Robin invites Frankie Banuelos to share what his experience has been like going through the Big Shifts Foundation Scholarship Program this year. As he's getting ready to wrap-up his six-month curriculum in the program, he reflects on some of the highlights of being part of it and how his perception and understanding of self-care has shifted since he began the journey. He also shares some of the habits he's embodied, and most of all, how his new lifestyle and mindset has translated and impacted other youth in the Kansas City area. By the end of the show, Frankie shares what he would go back and tell his younger self if he could, and how this program taught him to develop a clearer vision for his life going forward. About Today's Guest: Since 2020, Frankie Banuelos has been working as a project manager for a nonprofit organization called Young Women on the Move in Kansas City, Kansas. His primary responsibility is to facilitate and implement a program called Love Notes, which helps youths make wise choices regarding relationships and sexuality during their teenage and young adult years. Frankie's strengths lie in his excellent organizational skills, his willingness to learn and grow, and his passion for working closely with young people to help them develop skills. Mentioned in the Episode: Young Women on the Move in Kansas City Love Notes Program Big Shifts Foundation Scholarship Program Energy healing with Alex McAnderson Quadrants of Well-Being Counseling with Subrena Hicks Your Wellness Connection Center Atypical TV show on Netflix Dr. Georgia Nab at Your Wellness Connection