Show My Scars

Playing catch for a year - How play affects our mental health

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. 
On today's episode we talk about what play does for our mental health, what he learned from his Catch 365 experience, and he shares stories of others who decided to accept his challenge to play catch for at least a month straight.
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Building a business from the values up with 2oddballs Creative

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.
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Brief practices of mindfulness

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 moments of mindfulness to insert some calm when needed. 
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Working on Your Mental Health has to Become a Habit

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 you're feeling low. 
In this short, solo pod I let you in on my progress, why I've been adamant about continuing to work on my mental health when I still struggle mightily after all this time, and I share some advice and books I've read.
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Turning a hobby into charity

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 talk about the mental health benefits of working with charities and how making an effort to make every interaction with others - even strangers - a positive one can help you feel less socially isolated.
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How I manage my anxiety

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.
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Bridge Cunningham discusses Aromanticism, Asexuality, and Attraction

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 conversation but I also find it provides me a sense of connection, I always learn something, and it helps me better shape or understand my own perspectives.
In this conversation, we discuss how Bridge wound up a counselor, the different types of attraction we all have, how anxiety is a sort of super power, the importance of boundaries, and the RAIN mindfulness technique.
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Mental health and our career lives with Noble Bowman

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 setback, how to identify good sources of outside perspective, the importance of finding a passion before starting a business, and managing stress among other great information. 
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CHGO Bulls host Big Dave on being his authentic self

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 makes everyone love him - his authentic personality.
What does it mean to be your authentic self? It means being true to yourself, your values, your spirit, and acting in ways that align with your core needs and beliefs. Believe it or not, being your most authentic self is paramount to both your mental and physical health. 
In this episode, Big Dave shares how he developed this skill in childhood and how he refuses to be anything less than his true self in any aspect of life.
If you're a Bulls fan, check out the CHGO Bulls podcast at https://allchgo.com/bulls/podcast/
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The homeless person's perspective & how public perception affects us all

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 affects one's perspective, how public perception of those experiencing homelessness affects both parties, and how small acts can make a big difference.
To find out how you can support the The Connecting Ground's Community Outreach Center go to this page. They are a no-barrier resource center that offers warm meals, clothing, survival gear, and community resources to provide aid and support to anyone experiencing a need in Springfield, MO. 
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