Today's episode features Joel Olsen, a former music therapy major. We discuss how we can curate our music playlists more intentionally to support our mental well-being, what music therapy looks like from a generalized standpoint, and more! If you like the show and want to support us please subscribe, like, and rate the show on the app you listen to…

Orlando Ochoa is a retired Military Police Officer who served in the Iraq War. He has battled his PTSD ever since. In today's episode, he talks about his deployment, what helps him cope and heal, how talking with other vets help, not forgetting who he's lost, not giving up looking for compatible therapists, and how you shouldn't dismiss strategies …

I met Krista Peryer when she was the Founder and CEO of The Geek Foundation, which provided free education, resources, and support to women, minority groups, and low-income individuals seeking careers in tech fields; video game development, computer programming, and IT. I was immediately impressed with her creativity, outside-the-box thinking, and …

In today's episode I talk with Robert Powell, President of Kwik Performance. I met Robert a couple of years ago when I started shooting YouTube videos for his business. What struck me about working with Robert was how much laughing we were doing while still making helpful and enjoyable content for his customers. It's a culture Robert said he was ad…

Rustin Pangburn stepped off the bus in Springfield, MO in 2010 following a 5-year stint in prison for drug trafficking. He had little money and no idea what to do with his second chance at freedom. He felt his old life calling him but resisted the urge to answer that call. Now, he's setting out to start a re-entry program to help others who find th…

I've got another solo pod for you! Do you ever feel disconnected from the world? Even those closest to you? I do. One of the ways to combat this is through Metta (Loving Kindness) meditation. However, I'll also share 7 tips you can use in everyday life to improve feelings of self-worth, gratitude, love, compassion and other happiness-inducing emoti…

Kara Bryant is a licensed massage therapist. Her practice is built upon Precision Neuromuscular Training which allows her to work with the nervous system when treating the body. She holds certification in Level Two Thai Massage, Level Two Reiki, CranioSacral Therapy, Somatoemotional Release, and Trauma Informed Care. In this episode, we discuss the…

Stephanie Robinson spent 14 years of her life stuck inside with agoraphobia before finally taking her life back by trying medication and therapy. She is now the Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in the Southwest Missouri area. They are a grassroots, not for profit organization dedicated to providing programs and services…

Barbara Michaels, the Jester of the Peace, joins us today to explain how humor affects our mental health, can bridge the gap of perspectives, and can offer insight within ourselves. She is the creator of Humorville, a participatory art experience and pop-up small town for humor for wellness, big laughs and bright love. We talk about how she got her…

Author and baseball fan Ethan Bryan received a baseball as a Christmas gift from his daughter one year. On an extremely cold New Year's Day he was suffering from writer's block and he decided to put his new gift to use. That led to a 366-day streak of playing catch, attracted attention across the country, and inspired others to begin playing daily.…

During the last 5 years of working and hanging out with Gabriel and Kylie, co-owners of 2oddballs Creative, I've learned how you can build a business that best represents and supports you as an individual. I've seen them give back to their community and employees in extraordinary ways. If you like the show and want to support us please subscribe an…

Recently, I joked with my therapist that while I know I have meditation as a tool for anxiety, I can't meditate all day. However, I had forgotten that, while I may not be able to sit down and perform a formal practice I am, I can practice brief moments of mindfulness. So, in today's episode I share with you some of the ways I like to practice brief…

Improving your mental health will be a lot of work, but if you don't like where you're at right now - you have to be willing to put it in. There will be days where you feel like you're getting nowhere. However, by celebrating every small win - even when it's silly - you can combat those incorrect, negative thoughts that belittle your progress when …

I'm a sports card collector so a few months ago I was looking through Reddit for fellow collectors who might have some cards I was wanting to add to my portfolio. I connected with Avi Tiwari, today's guest, and soon found out he had turned his hobby into a nonprofit called Packs 'N Snacks - donating portions of his profits to Feeding America. We ta…

It's a solo pod today! In this episode, I'll give you the tools I've been using to manage my own Generalized Anxiety Disorder. These are techniques I've picked up through therapy, reading psychologists' and other mental health professionals' books and research, and my own experiences. If you like the show and want to support us please subscribe and…

I first met Bridge Cunningham at the Ozarks Pridefest 2024 event in Springfield, MO. When Bridge told me they were a therapist with an emphasis on asexual and aromantic clients, I was intrigued. Personally, I love learning how other people's brains work and trying to see things from their perspective. Maybe that's simply because I enjoy conversatio…

How we manage our mental health and the perspectives we have as we look at our work life have a huge impact on the trajectory of our careers, whether or not we feel we have a sense of purpose, and how fulfilled we feel in life. Noble Bowman, a career coach and owner of Noble Business Strategies, tells us how to keep positive momentum following a se…

Big Dave is one of the hosts of the CHGO Bulls podcast which produces some of the best Chicago Bulls coverage around. As a Bulls fan, Derek fell in love with the podcast and appreciated the fun-loving personality of Big Dave - as many do. After listening to the podcast for a couple of years and talking with Big Dave, Derek realized what it was that…

In this episode Derek talks with Mandie Hicks who works in the Transitional Program at The Connecting Ground's Community Outreach Center. Mandie used to be homeless but after she got back on her feet she began her work helping others who are currently experiencing homelessness. We talk about her history with homelessness, how being on the streets a…

Media literacy is one of the most important abilities in my opinion. People are quick to throw the label "fake news" around these days but how often are we correct? How many times are we doing so when it simply doesn't align with our opinion? I personally think that a lack of media literacy is causing us to become more polarized as a nation and lea…

Do you constantly worry whether you're "doing it right" as a parent? Today I bring you my conversation with Charlten Henderson, a child therapist who works in the Springfield, MO area. He's here to share with us how he talks to kids about mental health, how to parent with mental health struggles, and how to be more emotionally available to our chil…

Do you avoid having difficult conversations that, deep down, you know you need to have due to fear of the emotions they may evoke? Avoiding difficult conversations can lead to misunderstandings and resentment. Here are some tips from two communications professors from Missouri State University on how to prepare for and have productive difficult con…

Shannon Russell is a recovered alcoholic who shares his continuing struggles with addiction, faith, and moving forward in life after nearly destroying it all. If you like the show and want to support us please subscribe and rate the show on the app you listen to us on. Merch, story ideas, advertising questions ->www.showmyscars.com Facebook.com/sho…

Derek talks with Matthew Blystone, owner of Theta Wellness Center in Springfield, Missouri. Matthew talks about true self care, human optimization, and his own battles with mental health. If you like the show and want to support us please subscribe and rate the show on the app you listen to us on. Merch, story ideas, advertising questions ->www.sho…

Welcome to the Show My Scars Podcast! This episode explains the purpose of my podcast and features an interview with former social worker Jackie Perry Kornegay. Jackie is a friend of mine (well, I call her my aunt) and a conversation with her following my divorce was my first foray into mental health. I explain how that came to be and ask her about…