Duncan Tree Podcast with Ouida: Recent Episodes
Duncan Tree Podcast with Ouida
This is Duncan Tree's Podcast with Ouida series on wellness & STEM mentoring and coaching. In each episode, we highlight our HS STEM program as well as the four pillars established by the Duncan Tree as a pivot caused by the pandemic, the pillars are emotional or mental, spiritual, physical, and financial wellness. Like you, we don't have it all figured out, but we do have different backgrounds and resources. Together, we will be able to not only heal ourselves, but help you along on the journey of healing. For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.duncantreefoundation.org.
My cohosts Dr. Sheila Campbell-Forrester, Tony Bennett, and I had a lovely conversation with Dr. Anna Huttenlocher about her father Peter Huttenlocher's research on synaptic pruning. Wow! What an eye-opener.
In plain English, understanding brain development and synaptic pruning in children, teens, and young adults is crucial because it shapes their cognitive and emotional abilities. Synaptic pruning can be likened to spring cleaning for the brain: the brain removes weak or unused connections between brain cells to make it more efficient. This process occurs frequently during childhood and adolescence.
This understanding is important for society as it can help create better educational strategies, mental health support, and social policies. By supporting optimal brain development, we can foster healthier, more capable individuals. This can lead to a society with fewer mental health issues, better academic performance, and improved social interactions, ultimately contributing to overall societal well-being and productivity.
This is what the Kids in the Middle Coaching and Mentoring Scholarship Program is looking to address. https://lnkd.in/gt-hbSKiWhy is this important? One reason is the pandemic wreaked havoc on our children's mental health. Schools in the U.S. are experiencing a massive attendance problem. Upon further research, we realize this is a global problem, e.g., Australian parents and teachers are struggling with the issue of school refusal. Read The Kids Who Fear School article and the growing crisis of school refusal is gripping Australia, leaving families in a hidden struggle.
Anna Huttenlocher is the Anna Ruth Brummett Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a physician-scientist who seeks to understand how cell migration is regulated and how defects in cell migration contribute to human disease. Her research is at the interface of cell biology and immunology and is centered on understanding inflammation and its resolution. She seeks to dissect how external cues and cell signaling networks are integrated to regulate cell migration during tissue damage and repair and how this is altered in human disease. Her laboratory has pioneered approaches to visualize and manipulate leukocyte motility in zebrafish and human stem cells, and using these tools has uncovered new mechanisms that regulate the resolution of innate immune inflammation. She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, was chair of the Gordon conference on Directed cell migration, Co-chaired a Banbury conference, and served on ASCI council. She also served on the council for the American Society of Cell Biology and American Physician Scientists Association.
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We recently had a very interesting conversation with Robert Ooghe, head of Marketing at Duncan Tree Ventures about the power of Kids in the Middle Coaching and Mentoring Scholarship Program.
If you're interested in learning more about Robert and his work, visit ooghe.com.
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Welcome to Zambia: A Breathwork Journey!
Ouida Duncan hosted a live recording with Wolfgang Steiner on Thursday, 25th April.
This conversation introduces potential guests to a seven-day journey, with the 509 Community in Zambia which includes a three-day breathwork retreat led by Wolfgang Steiner, a seasoned breathwork coach with over two decades of experience.
This journey will take place in Zambia from 19 June to 25 June 2024.
Imagine the transformative power of breathwork amidst the stunning landscapes of Zambia. Wolfgang will delve into his insights from the Room 509 Community, where participants embrace equilibrium on the summer solstice, symbolizing the balance between light and dark, feminine and masculine.
On June 21st, amidst the heightened energy of the full moon, guests immerse themselves in conscious awakening, surrounded by the vibrant lights of Zambia, Africa, often regarded as the Earth's center. Experience the sights and sounds of Zambia from the comfort of your own home, joining us to breathe, connect, and foster inner peace.
The Being community is dedicated to providing 100 "Books of Being," also known as "The Ultimate Coach," to future leaders across the African continent, aiming to elevate consciousness, nurture beingness, and diminish destructive energies worldwide.
To bring "Beingness" to the world.
Embark on this journey of growth with us, empowering local individuals with the transformative Room 509 experience. Discover the profound benefits of conscious breathing as we explore techniques to cultivate mindfulness, alleviate stress, and facilitate emotional release.
To support the Room 509 Scholarship Program designed to support progressive future leaders from the African Continent visit Room 509's GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/.../509-zambiaconscious...
Your help is needed to support our friends in Africa to be able to attend with scholarships. Thanks in advance for your support.
I recently had an AWESOME conversation with philanthropist Reggie Van Lee about what it means to stand in your worth.
Reggie Van Lee, is an Executive Partner & Managing Director at AlixPartners, who brings over three decades of global advisory experience. Former Chief Transformation Officer at Carlyle Group, he led organizational change programs. Prior EVP at Booz, Allen & Hamilton, focusing on strategic transformation and high-performance organizational design.
We discussed...
- Why it's important to have courage, confidence, competence, and community.
- Why self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others is important.
- Why it's up to us to decide who we want to be and how we want to live.
- Why sometimes Plan B works out better than Plan A.
- And how Nelson Mandela's quote about winning resonates with him."I never lose. I either win or I learn.”~Nelson Mandela
If you weren't able to attend and wish to support the work of K.I.T.M. which is all about showing young people what it means to know and to stand in their worth—here is a link to where you can plant a seed, have our team water it and watch the lives of, possibly, your children and your neighbor's children blossom.
Click here to plant a seed > https://bit.ly/3T2MSca
Think of it this way, you can write it off on your taxes next year.
Are you a student who finds math and science subjects intimidating? Do complex engineering concepts seem like an impenetrable fortress? Fear not, for this podcast will unlock the secret to understanding and embracing these subjects with confidence and excitement.
Join Dr. Darian Muresan, Teaching Professor at Stevens Institute of Technology in Jersey City, NJ and me on a captivating journey as we explore the power of intuition and storytelling in unraveling the mysteries of engineering. Dr. Muresan serves as an expert guest who shares inspiring stories of how he taught his 3-year old son complex math theories with storytelling and tactile approach, delving into his personal experiences with once-daunting mathematical and scientific challenges.
Discover how intuition plays a pivotal role in breaking down complex concepts into relatable, everyday scenarios. Through intriguing narratives and analogies, we'll showcase how stories serve as bridges, connecting abstract theories to real-world applications. Listen as math and science start to become less intimidating. Instead, you'll hear fascinating tales of innovation and problem-solving.
We'll discuss the ways educators can harness these powerful tools to create engaging learning experiences that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and curiosity in their students. Whether you're a student, teacher, or simply curious about the magic of intuition and storytelling, this podcast will empower you to approach engineering with confidence and zeal.
Tune in to "Intuition and the Art of Storytelling: Decoding complex math and scientific tops and embark on a transformational journey that will revolutionize your understanding of these fascinating subjects. Get ready to unlock your inner engineer and embrace the beauty of discovery!
About our guest
Darian has 25 years of relevant technology and domain knowledge in multi-dimensional signal processing, computer vision, software, and hardware engineering. He is a Teaching Professor in the School of Systems and Enterprises at Stevens Institute of Technology and the co-founder of two small technology companies, Iconasys.com and Digital Multimedia Design (DMMD.net). Other work experiences include Hewlett-Packard (HP), Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Leidos, and a few other startups.
Darian was the technical principal investigator (PI) for several Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) projects, including the Exploitation of 3D Data (E3D/3DF) and the Urban Scape programs. He holds several patents related to image processing algorithms and multi-sensor synchronization of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors with 2D cameras and inertial navigation systems (INS).
Darian has undergraduate degrees in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics from University of Washington (Seattle, WA.); and Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University (Ithaca, NY.). In his spare time Darian is an avid runner and when opportunity arises, he enjoys rollerblading, biking, swimming, and sailing. His most fun activity is trying to teach his son intuitive mathematics using sticks and figures, without any complex mathematical formulas.
The benefits of artificial intelligence go well beyond improved efficiency and decision-making. AI can also improve organizational effectiveness and strengthen teams and enterprise cultures.
Artificial intelligence can generate cultural as well as financial benefits for organizations. With AI systems in place, teams can perform tasks with more pride and confidence and collaborate more effectively: They can actually get stronger. These cultural benefits can penetrate the foundation of business operations, improving assumptions that drive organizational behaviors and ensuring the pursuit of smarter goals.
We sat down with Lawrence Edmondson, CTO, Barbarian, a while back to discuss his thoughts on the intersection of AI, Race and Culture. Listen to his insights and let us know where you land on this subject. We hope this conversation sparks a revolution in how AI is currently being used in recruitment and hiring practices. There is an opportunity to break down barriers here.
To learn about about Duncan Tree Foundation and our Kids In the Middle Youth Empowerment program for kids interested in STEM careers, please visit www.duncantreefoundation.org.
In this episode, Andrea Hoban, Certified Professional Executive Coach, and Co-Founder of Oji Life Lab, an e-learning platform used to develop business leaders by increasing their emotional (and business) intelligence, discusses the benefits of having a high level of emotional intelligence with Duncan Tree's Founder Ouida Duncan, MBA, Certified Professional Emotional Intelligence Coach.
5 ways emotional intelligence leads to more joy
- Understanding and regulating your own emotions can lead to more self-awareness, allowing you to better recognize and manage your own needs and feelings. This can help reduce stress and create more joy in your life.
- Being able to recognize and empathize with the emotions of others can lead to more meaningful connections with those around you. This can bring more joy to your life through positive relationships.
- Being able to identify and manage emotions in a constructive way can help you make better decisions and take more effective actions. This can lead to more success in your life and create a sense of joy and satisfaction.
- Having emotional intelligence can help you create more positive and productive work environments. This can lead to more successful projects and a sense of accomplishment that can bring more joy.
- Developing emotional intelligence can help you better manage difficult situations and stay positive in challenging times. This can lead to more inner peace, which can bring more joy to your life.
For more information about Duncan Tree Foundation, please visit our website www.duncantreefoundation.org where at the top right nav you can stay connected with us on all of our social media platforms.
We are delighted to present this special episode with Dr. Millicent Ferguson Comrie, recorded on Good Friday 2022 Dr. Millicent Comrie is the epitome of excellence when it comes to empowerment, healing and teaching. In this episode she shares her journey into medicine. The explicit bias she overcame to rise to the top of her field.
Millicent A. Comrie, MD,MPH,FACOG, is the Director and founder of the Center for Women’s Health, Maimonides Medical Center for Women’s health in Brooklyn. Dr. Comrie was also Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the State University of New York (SUNY) - Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn.
Named in the Top 100 Physicians in Obstetrics and Gynecology in New York City, several years in a row. She is a recipient of many prestigious awards and most importantly she is a proud wife, mother and grandmother.
If you want to learn about the real history of Jamaica, formerly Xamayca, the "land of wood and water" listen to this first of several episodes with Dr. Bertrand Bonnick. This fascinating historical perspective reveals how Jamaican history was forged by West Africans, Arawaks, Tainos, and Carib Indians who were living in Jamaica long before Christopher Columbus was commissioned by the Queen of Spain to travel there.
Did you know the Vikings were in North America before the Spanish and Portuguese? The Spanish converted Catholics (some were Portuguese Jewish), and those who served Spain, along with Africans (some were maroons and could not be enslaved) were in Jamaica along with the indigenous people (some of whom intermixed).
Later came the British, some East Indians, Chinese, Scottish, Irish, Syrians, Germans, and others. If you are a history buff, you are going to love this episode. Comment below and let us know what you think.
We sat down with DJ 'Lefty' Hernandez recently to have a very deep and healing conversation about his struggles with substance abuse and his ultimate recovery. He passionately shares his story from a place of vulnerability, fear, and triumph. 'Lefty' shares how, as a child of the sixties, living and growing up in Greenwich Village and how misfortune changed the trajectory of his family's life from the West Village to the Lower Eastside. Facing a new world where he goes from being Puerto Rican American, a minority, living in The Village, with European features. Although he was considered 'a minority' he was able to 'blend in' with other children of European descent. He now has to adapt and change when his family is forced to move into public housing in the Lower Eastside, where his family is now one of many Puerto Rican American families, but 'Lefty' is lost as a pre-teen who learns the mores of the other kids in his new community. He talks about how he picked up bad habits, is introduced to marijuana, booze, and sex at a very young age, and how it takes him off track. Later in the interview, 'Lefty' shares his painful memories of how becoming addicted to cocaine, takes a toll on him and takes him away from his family who loves him, whom he loves, but the influences are so strong he turns his back on his family. We share his story as a way to help others who are currently struggling with their own addictions. 'Lefty' learns how to survive during difficult times, spends a long-time in the darkness, and eventually finds redemption through the light through NA and through his relationship with Christ.
For more information on resources available to individuals struggling with addiction to substances please visit the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
For information on where to find a Narcotics Anonymous Meeting near you, we invite you to visit: https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/
We recently sat down with Nathalie Heywood-Smith, founder of Heywood-Smith Consulting, and Duncan Tree Foundation board member to hear what she had to say about job hunting strategies in a post-pandemic world, social distanced world. We think you'll enjoy learning from the insights Nathalie provides and are curious to hear your main takeaway from this important episode. Listen. Like. Share.
In this episode Dr. Odis McKinzie helps us understand why it's important to understand "family of origin"; including a family history of suicide, the spiritual elements we need to pay attention to and how the church, families and society can play a more significant role in identifying when someone is in crisis, considering self-harm and needs immediate mental health intervention.
In the United States, European ethnic groups have the highest suicide rate compared to all other ethnic groups. People with diagnosed mental illnesses and chemical use have a higher risk for suicide than the general population. While suicide rates among youth have increased, suicide rates are higher among middle-aged and older adults.
According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center-Racial and ethnic groups differ in their access to culturally appropriate behavioral health treatment, experiences of discrimination and historical trauma, and other factors that may be related to suicide risk. At the same time, our understanding of racial and ethnic differences in suicide and suicidal behaviors is limited by underreporting and other limitations in data collection systems.
If you or someone you know is considering self-harm and suicide, we implore you (and them) to call: 800-273-8255.
Dr. Odis McKinzie Jr., Ed.D, NCC, LPC (VA), LMHC (HI), ACS, CSAT
Bio
Dr. Odis McKinzie is a person-centered, clinical generalist. He helps his clients through their various life transitions: career change, grief and loss, premarital and couples, divorce and relationship transitions to include partner betrayal, family of origin (FOO) issues, veterans reintegration to civilian life, pre-deployment and post-deployment transitions, pursuit of life purpose, Christian counseling, trauma, sex addictions, and sexualized trauma, healthy sexuality, anger management, substance abuse, dual diagnosis, parenting skills and family team building, domestic violence (DV) transition, forensic work with courts, divorce mediation, clinical supervision, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counseling, and Critical Incident Stress Debriefings (CISD)
We were delighted to interview Dr. Sachin Shah. Dr. Shah has a specific interest in treating brain and spinal tumors using minimally invasive techniques for faster recovery. He treats tumors of the brain and spine with stereotactic radio surgery as well. Being from India and open minded, he had the benefit of embracing and practicing eastern and western medicine to treat his patients in a holistic way so they can live rich and fulfilling lives.
Duncan Tree's podcast is aimed at uplifting minds, finances and souls.
In this episode Ouida speaks with Mark A. Smith about his journey as a young athlete from Jamaica who landed a scholarship at Adelphi University. He became a banker who ultimately became a wealthy insurance broker, who remained humble and focused.
In this episode, Sheila Campbell-Forrester, MD, former Chief Medical Officer of Jamaica (a position similar to the surgeon general of the United States) sheds light on how to remain vigilant and safe during the pandemic and why it's important to be compassionate toward those who are fearful and hesitant about being vaccinated. For more information, to volunteer or to make a tax deductible donation to Duncan Tree Foundation, visit www.duncantreefounation.org
In this episode our founder, Ouida Duncan, shares how God inspired her to use her life to heal physically, emotionally, spiritually & financially. Listen in and tell us how her story resonates with you. For more information and to donate, please visit our website www.duncantreefoundation.org
Episode 1- DTF Genesis Lawrence: 00:00 Hey everyone. This is Lawrence Edmondson here with Ouida Duncan from the Duncan Tree Foundation. This is our first episode. This is fun. You have a lot of smiling faces on our zoom call, as we have our board members, Paul Jennings, Nathalie Heywood Smith. And we also have our esteemed colleagues, Mr. Jenny De Leon. And we also have Dr. Sheila Forrester joining us as well. So welcome to you all. Welcome Ouida to our inaugural episode. How are you feeling today? Ouida: 00:31 I'm feeling great, thanks. How are you feeling? Lawrence: 00:33 I'm feeling blessed. And in good company. And really energized. I have a lot of positive vibes right now that this will be something magnificent that we start. So, this is the Duncan Tree Foundations talk show, you know, tell us a little bit about the Duncan Tree Foundation, how it started and how it's been going since it started? Ouida: 00:57 Well, I'll give you the 30 second version, or maybe the 40 second version. So it started, initially started coming out of my Bible college days and understanding that my, even if I'm in a dark place, that I'm responsible for my happiness, I'm responsible for my future, that regardless of what I've been through in the past, those things are no longer driving me, those things are no longer determining what the next step I'm going to take to and then it kind of blew up when I when I participated in the Landmark Education, curriculum for living, where I had to come together to put a project together and enroll other people in the possibility of helping me put a project together and I hardly had the idea for Duncan Tree from my Bible college days, and audibly hearing the voice of God say, “I'm going to use you to help you, my people”. And so, I always say that the Bible college, let lay the fuse and Landmark lit the match. Lawrence: 02:04 Could you say that again? That? What did the Lord say though? That's a powerful statement right there. Ouida: 02:10 The Lord said to me, “I'm going to use you to help heal my people”. Lawrence: 02:15 Wow. Well, if that is not a call to action, I don't know what it is. And that's powerful. You know. So, having received that call, take us through the journey, you know, what happened? What was your immediate besides your immediate reaction? Right? You know, let us know what happened next, and kind of how Duncan tree foundation became a reality out of that, you know, call to action. Ouida: 02:45 It was me submitting to the Lord's will and being obedient. And in spite of what I was going through, in spite of whatever storms I was going through, to put that aside and pick up that mantle. And take action, right. So, what Landmark helped me do Landmark really helped me to focus my energy. And it helped me to understand that I can't, whatever it is I'm trying to do in my life, I can't do it alone, that I need help from other people. And so, I incorporated the foundation, I applied for the 501 C three application, it usually takes about a year. So, we got it in less than three months. So, a lot of things just started lining up. And the people that were in my immediate network, I knew that I needed an attorney. So, I invite an attorney friend of mine to join David Adams, I knew that I needed someone with a business background, and Natalie was kind enough to agree to join. I knew that I wanted some medical folks involved. So, I invited my physical therapist and my acupuncturist. And I also knew that I wanted young people involved. So, I invited my daughter Chanel, who I think she had finished Georgetown by then, and one of her colleagues from Hotchkiss...
This is the premier of Season 1 of Duncan Tree Foundation's podcast series on wellness where in future episodes we're going to discuss the four pillars established by the Duncan Tree foundation as a pivot caused by the pandemic, the pillars are emotional, spiritual, physical and financial wellness. Like you, we don't have it all figured out, but we do have different backgrounds and resources. Together ,we will be able to not only heal ourselves, but help you along on the journey of healing.
Episode Two is titled 'unhealthy earth'. Today's guests are Ouida Duncan, MBA, the founder of Duncan Tree Foundation, and Lem "Lefty" Hernandez, our musical consultant. With our host for this episode Jenny DeLeon.