Shoelaces and Sunshine: Let’s Converse About Mental Health: Recent Episodes
Rachel Calvis, Janet Grove and Nathan Calvis
Both relational and relatable, Shoelaces and Sunshine is a mental health podcast entailing the current events and personal journeys of Niece Rachel, Aunt Janet, and Nephew Nathan, family members that come from different backgrounds on the mental health spectrum. These experiences are intended to be therapeutic for all audiences to help individuals with their struggles, to learn how to build on oneself, and to advocate as a courteous ally. We hope you relate; we hope you enjoy.
It’s finally time for some Group Therapy with Rachel, Janet and Nathan! On the 33rd episode of the multigenerational mental health podcast, the Triad get real with their current state of mind. College life is ending. The next stage of life is beginning. How will this transition happen? Some Group Therapy should help.
Incite, Instigate, Provoke, Stir Up, Set Off. Triggers arrive in all sorts of fashion and they impact everyone differently. The Triad discuss the triggers to their mental health, how they see them coming and how they can triumph over these hurdles in their lives.
As their college days are coming to an end, Rachel and Nathan share the different types of class learning they are experiencing and how they are affected by them. Janet shares how these experiences can translate into the types of jobs the ‘kids’ can look for as their careers begin. Watch Out, Dennis! It’s Rachel Time!
The Triad discusses the differences between the generations in both the societal and cultural aspects of applying for a job, the expectations of the job, and the requirements of the job. They also dive into how the differences of the generations affect the mental health of the generations positively, negatively, and similarly. Nathan shares for all generations what he learned from The Rolling Stones: “You can’t always get what you want.”
As Season Three begins, Rachel takes us to Italy! She shares openly and honestly about her times of fear and anxiety and how she managed them to be able to experience a once in a lifetime, “Covid College,” two-week study program in Italy. Go Dennis!
The triad entertains you with faux pas and one-liners while sharing their individual perspectives on two specific areas of Emotional Intelligence - empathy and criticism. It is a great episode to learn about the differing effects of mental health from those that struggle to the friends and family members “watching” and how it relates to emotional intelligence. This is a must listen!
Employers have been placed in a very unique situation since the pandemic. Their employees were “forced” to work at home. As time passed, employees began to realize that the flexibility benefited their overall mental health. The employers learned that the work productivity of employees was not affected. The Triad discusses how this phenomenon has changed the outlook on mental health overall. The Triad focuses on the importance of the mental health opportunities within a company's job postings. How is searching for your first job after college like speed dating? You’ll have to listen to find out!
We are very excited to welcome our first guest to the podcast, Courtney Arbogast. She is a Clinical Therapist at the Ohio State University’s Counseling and Consultation Services where she provides individual and group therapy services, crisis intervention and campus outreach activities. We know her best as our cousin / niece extraordinaire Courtney! In this episode, you will be treated to amusing conversation, tremendous insight ‘from the opposite side of the couch’, and wonderful takeaways such as resources for providing mental health services on college campuses. This is one you don’t want to miss!
Rachel educates Janet on social media and soon, Janet learns the different ways TikTok can be helpful to those dealing with mental health issues. Stay until the end to hear Rachel’s suggestion for a future episode where Janet can return the favor and educate Rachel on something from her generation.
As life continues to change, the Triad discusses adapting to new surroundings. Nathan realizes that there really are times where he wants to be alone, and there really are times where he can’t be alone. Meanwhile, Rachel runs 100 until she collapses, and Janet compares her mental health journey to climbing Mount Everest. But in the end, the best advice always comes from Miley Cyrus.
The Triad discusses the extreme pressure that Olympic and professional athletes are under and the unfortunate consequences when they admit their mental health struggles. Even so, Janet believes that this awareness will actually provide hope and encouragement for others to admit their own challenges and find the help they need.
Janet shares how her diagnosed mental illness affects her weekly life with psychiatrist appointments and the various complications with her medications. After having lived with this illness for so long, Janet has learned she needs to ask for help and she also has to redefine what success means to her, personally. Janet hopes that everyone can strive to be non-judgmental, to be others-centered and to focus on listening.
Nathan candidly shares how the repercussions of the COVID-19 restrictions and shutdowns turned his life upside down and sideways. Not only does he express his thoughts and feelings in an analytical way, but Nathan also reveals his compassionate side in dealing with Rachel’s disastrous evening.
This episode is a ‘Must Listen’. Rachel takes the mic and shares her daily life experiences over the past week. She opens up to Janet and Nathan about dealing with anxiety, learning how to cope, and working with a therapist. You will want to grab a pen and piece of paper because everyone will have something to take away from this episode. “Can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen!” Enjoy!
Rachel, Janet & Nathan discuss the continuing mental and emotional repercussions of COVID-19 while providing creative outlets to help cope. The Triad also reminds us that we are all different and that’s OK! We never know the full story of what someone is going through, therefore - no judgment. Be kind to yourself and celebrate the small stuff.
The triad discusses the complexities of advocacy by sharing their individual experiences navigating through their own mental health journeys. Stressing the importance of: 1) The “Golden Rule” to treat people the way you would like to be treated, 2) Never assume, 3) Listen and be present. Remember: We are all different.
We have become three! We are excited to announce that Nathan is joining in on the conversation permanently. The Triad discusses our personal thoughts and feelings about re-entering society after more than a year of isolation, stay-at-home orders and social distancing. Rachel sums up the conversation with “Honor each other’s differences. The differences are not right or wrong. Do what makes you feel happy, comfortable and confident! We support you!”
Nathan joins the Triad as a co-host for the launch of Season 2 as they discuss the tragic, unforeseen repercussions of quarantine restrictions. Janet shares a People Magazine article (4/30/21) about Hayden Hunstable, a 12-year-old boy, who died by suicide amid the pandemic. Rachel shares the “Real Depression Project” developed by two Australian brothers, one with lived experiences and the other a professional counselor. Their site helps identify symptoms, provides warning signs and posts inspirational quotes and stories. Follow them on Instagram.
Quiet the ‘negative’ self-talk. Stop doubting your potential by facing your fears (easier said than done). Begin to trust yourself! Start to discover who you are and are you doing what is right for you?
Rachel and Janet talk about the power of the media and its effect on the portrayal of perpetrators in violent crimes. Janet references the book: Gun Violence and Mental Illness edited by Dr. Liza H. Gold which concludes through evidence-based research that less than 1% of all yearly homicides are committed by someone with a serious mental illness.
As we resume our discussion on Dual Diagnosis, our beloved Special Guest, Nathan, is back to help continue the conversation. In this episode we spend time looking at the effects of Covid-19 on mental health disorders and substance use disorders. We relay some staggering statistics bringing back some questions from our last episode. Is substance use disorder covering up an underlying mental illness or is the substance use disorder occurring to numb the pain of a mental illness? Is it like solving a puzzle for each person?
Janet offers another example of a “Not Uncommon Phenomenon” by being clueless about a meme. Special Guest, Nathan, provides insight into the relationship of brain functions and Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder.
During these difficult times of uncertainty and chaos, life becomes overwhelming. Rachel surprises us with her political lobbying. We discuss anxiety and how we cope. Rachel introduces us to the world of Squishmallows and how these cute little huggable “pillows” provide comfort and help ease anxiety. But then again, so does binge-watching “Love Island”!
Rachel shares her new routine of healthy living including diet changes and exercise. Janet and Rachel explore the importance of being honest about your mental health and living in the moment. It’s easier said than done, but with continual work, it’s the best gift you can give yourself and ultimately those you love.
Rachel helps Janet follow through with her New Year’s Resolutions by introducing her to S.M.A.R.T. Goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-based). A process that helps our focus change from unattainable expectations to realistic goals to achievement = Manageable.
It’s Rachel’s 21st birthday! She shares her disappointment in yet another thing being disrupted by the pandemic. Rachel admits that this has been the most difficult year of her life, but discovers the greatest gifts.
On this very special episode, Janet and Rachel have the distinct pleasure of introducing the newest member of the podcast family and share the significance of the podcast name. The three continue to passionately discuss the importance and value in the nationally established Mental Illness Awareness Week dedicated to mental illness and all it encompasses.
Janet and Rachel surf through the concept of highs and lows in life on this week’s episode.
Janet and Rachel discuss the hardships of the holiday season, as well as further delve into “tail-gating” essentials.
With football season in full swing, Janet and Rachel discuss the importance of emotional support, and all the ways it can be practiced.
Janet and Rachel discuss Halloween costumes while relating them to the idea that individuals mask their emotions daily, no matter the circumstance.
Like leaves, each individual is unique. Janet and Rachel emphasize on this, as well as the importance of self-esteem, in this week’s episode.
Janet and Rachel discuss the stigma that comes with being diagnosed with a mental illness. Rachel dives into the conversation of how in the world of digital media, millennials glorify the idea of having a mental illness.