Inspired Journeys: Overcoming Adversity and Thriving: Recent Episodes
Lisa Ferentz
Our program will educate and inspire. Lisa will interview authors, clinicians, and everyday people who have experienced or witnessed adversity and all of its life changing consequences. We will explore the impact that sexual abuse, domestic violence, bullying, physical disabilities, panic, depression, self-destructive behaviors and addictions have on individuals, families and our society. At the same time, we will focus on how to overcome and transcend trauma through empathy, self-love, forgiveness, self-awareness and acts of kindness. Lisa will talk with guests who demonstrate the resiliency of the human spirit and have helped others achieve true healing. We will discuss the power of attachment, learning how to be in the moment, how to reclaim a sense of spirituality, hope and optimism. You will learn how to find meaning even in the most difficult traumatic experiences and will come to understand that survivors can thrive, pay it forward, and help others to heal as well.
In this hour we will explore the many reasons why psychotherapy might feel ineffective, leading people to terminate from the process prematurely or to seek out treatment somewhere else. We will look at the cognitive and emotional baggage that some clients bring in to the therapy process, which leads to preconceived notions and assumptions about the therapeutic relationship and the value of therapy itself. We will also explore the role that the therapist plays in rendering therapy ineffective, including getting triggered, imposing their own agenda, not having the appropriate skill set or not fully understanding the client's needs, wishes and feelings. We will discuss the importance of not framing therapy as a failure when it doesn't work out, but rather, listeners will learn to think about these experiences as opportunities to use their voice and proactively advocate to get their needs met.
In this hour, my guest, Betsy Otter Thompson, will inspire and motive you with her personal story of overcoming near homelessness and creating a hugely successful and meaningful life driven by spirituality, a sense of newfound purpose, personal responsibility and accountability. She will share the philosophy that she has written about in several of her books. You will learn how her mindset can allow you to work with and through many cognitive, emotional, and behavioral roadblocks. We will address how to compassionately handle issues including: making a mistake, being perfectionistic, never thinking you have enough money, disagreeing with loved ones, and feeling creatively blocked by fear. As you learn to address the “what if’s” head on, you will discover a way to navigate life’s challenges with integrity, and ultimately, a sense of inner peace. This hour will remind you that what’s most important is not what happens to us, but rather how we handle it.
In this hour, you will learn about the difference between compulsive and intuitive eating, how to let go of dieting and reach a place of genuine acceptance about your body. If you are like countless others who struggle with issues related to food and body image, our guest will offer you concrete and effective strategies to help free you from the cycle of “yo-yo” dieting and bingeing, and the unnecessary guilt that comes from labeling foods as “good” or “bad,” “safe “ or “unsafe.” We will explore how to eat more consciously, while truly savoring the experience of enjoying food without using it for “comfort.” We will also identify the deeper problems that often underlie the “symptom” of excessive eating. Our guest will share her own personal journey with weight, food, and dieting, and you will be inspired by the peace she has been able to find, and has successfully taught so many others to achieve.
Why is it that some people can pick themselves up after a traumatic experience and move forward in life, while others remain stuck and unable to move on? In this hour, my guest, Linda Graham, will define resiliency and explain the role that our brains play in allowing us to compassionately “bounce back” from traumatic and stressful life events. We will also explore how to get our brains back on-line and restore a sense of equilibrium after an overwhelming experience occurs. We will discuss the importance of developing secure attachments, the ability to incorporate mindfulness, empathy, and acceptance, and how these internal and external resources allow us to work through and transcend challenges. Linda will offer listeners a number of tools and strategies for successfully creating narratives that promote self-compassion, resiliency and healing after a traumatic experience. She will also explain her 5 C’s for coping and how we can strengthen those capacities within ourselves.
In this hour, Dr. Kevin Ferentz will discuss why people begin smoking, and who is most at risk to pick up the habit. We will also explore the various reasons why it is so difficult to stop smoking, and look at the most common kinds of “quit histories” that people share. We’ll explore the marketing and packaging of cigarettes and the impact that has on encouraging people to quit. We will look at the numerous medical complications that smokers are vulnerable to developing when they continue to smoke. We will also discuss the ways in which stopping smoking can have profoundly positive consequences for your health. Most importantly, Dr. Ferentz will describe a model that he has used for many years to help countless patients successfully quit smoking. He’ll describe the important do’s and don't that either contribute to or sabotage the ability to successfully stop smoking. He will share some wonderful success stories about patients who were able to quit smoking for good,.
In this hour, Lisa will be discussing the prevalence of Internet infidelities and the impact they have on relationships. We will explore the things that make it easier for people to gravitate towards on-line intimate chat rooms and other cyber-sex activities. We’ll talk about the “culture” of the Internet and how it invites and supports infidelities, enabling users to rationalize that they are not really “cheating” on their partners. We’ll look at the role that anonymity plays in encouraging and supporting ongoing Internet affairs. Lisa will also describe how people who excessively engage in cyber-sex activities may have a sexual addiction and she will share the red flags that are indicative of that diagnosis. As we process the devastating impact that Internet affairs can have on both the person who cheats and the person who feels betrayed, we will also look at specific strategies that couples and clinicians can do to help rebuild and restore a sense of trust in the relationship.
In this show, Dr. Silberg will explain how some people who are domestic abusers can use the children in a form of domestic violence by proxy, hoping to hurt their ex, by physically, sexually, or emotionally by abusing the children. Many domestic violence perpetrators threaten their spouses by using their children as pawns, convincing their partners that will never see their children again if they leave the marriage. As we explore this dynamic, Dr. Silberg will explain how courts sometimes misunderstand the way that battered women present in court. We will process the difference between the normal badmouthing that occurs in any divorce situation and the lethal emotional abuse found in dv by proxy. The notion of parental alienation will be dissected and explained, and we will talk about high conflict divorce and why that is often a misnomer. We will also identify where parents can get help when their children are subjected to this form of trauma.
In this hour, we will talk with Dr. Wayne Evans and his wife, Reverend Robin Williams Evans about their journey in raising their now 6 year old, Wyatt. After a normal pregnancy, a birth trauma left their newborn without oxygen for 17 minutes. As a result, Wyatt is a “severely special needs child” requiring ongoing medical care. We will explore the impact that raising a special needs child has on a marriage, as well as the physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Wayne and Robin will inspire you as they describe their decision to take a frightening and life-changing event and turn it into an opportunity to strengthen their spiritual beliefs as well as their life philosophy that crisis and trauma can transform people into their best selves. We will explore how these parents chose to focus on what their son could do, rather than on what he couldn’t do, and how they continue to see Wyatt as a blessing and a miracle in their lives.
A shockingly high number of successful people meet diagnostic criteria for narcissism. In this hour we will explore the traits found in people with narcissistic personality disorder and process some of the more common red flags that indicate we are interacting with a narcissist both in the workplace and in our personal relationships. We will explain how narcissists often acquire high levels of success and power while still experiencing a sense of emptiness in their lives. My guest will offer specific, effective strategies that explain how to respond to a narcissist in ways that don’t increase their dysfunctional power and control. Just as importantly, we will explore what not to do when interacting with a narcissist to avoid inadvertently giving them the upper hand. We will also explore the differences between narcissists and sociopaths. Listeners will come away with concrete tools to better manage the narcissistic boss, parent, spouse or co-worker.
In this hour we will discuss the dynamic of dysfunctional relationships and why some people have successful and mutually satisfying romantic relationships while many others do not. We will explore the reasons why people repeat their hurtful relationship patterns over and over again, looking at the attraction of polar opposite personality types and how their unhealthy “dance” keeps them stuck. Our guest will explain how people who are co-dependent and those who are emotional manipulators are drawn towards one another and why they become trapped in a perpetual magnetic attraction. After the initial high, we will describe how these relationships become conflicted, chaotic and unfulfilling. We will explore why these relationships are so difficult to end but also offer suggestions regarding how we can extricate ourselves from these unhappy relationships and move in the direction of healthy, and mutually gratifying intimacy.
In this hour I will explore and challenge the cultural belief that says we can and should motivate ourselves through internal bullying, relentless pushing, embarrassment, and shaming. You will learn how these forms of self-criticism actually hold us back, preventing us from achieving ours goals. Based on Richard Schwartz’s Internal Family Systems model, we will process the ways in which the Inner Critic can manifest in our thoughts and behavioral choices. We will discuss the research that proves the best form of motivation and the key to inner happiness and peace is self-compassion. Listeners will learn about the work of Kristen Neff and the key ingredients she identifies that are indicative of self-compassion. Most importantly, we will explore what to do when self-criticism is our knee jerk response to our mistakes or flaws and learn how to non-judgmentally turn those thoughts around and re-define our difficult experiences through the lens of self-compassion.
In this hour I will discuss with my guest, Denise Tordella, some of the challenges and barriers that are unique to treating women with addiction issues. We will explore the physical, emotional, and behavioral red flags that indicate the possibility of a substance abuse problem, as well as the slippery slope that quickly brings women to a place of being out of control with alcohol. We will process the relationship between addiction and trauma as well as other factors that may contribute to substance use and abuse. Special attention will be paid to the very real feelings of embarrassment, shame and denial that prevent women from seeking treatment and getting the help they deserve. We will also discuss the common myths and stereotypes that relate to women and addiction, and helping professionals will learn how to recognize the problem when treating their patients. As always, we will provide resources for hope and support!
In this hour I will talk about the exciting and optimistic concept of Post-Traumatic Growth. This theory states that traumatic life events including medical diagnoses, transportation accidents, childhood abuse and neglect, acts of terrorism, divorce, and loss can all be transformed into experiences that yield a higher level of self-actualization. We will explore how actually struggling with these experiences can help us reach this higher plane. We will process the arenas that become strengthened as a byproduct of trauma including: how we relate to others; rediscovering our inner strengths; a deepening sense of spirituality; a belief in new possibilities and opportunities; and a deeper appreciation for life. We will look at the personality traits that make post-traumatic growth more likely to occur, and how we can encourage others to see these glimmers of growth even as they struggle to process and heal from their pain. Join us for an hour that will be inspiring and uplifting!
So many people go through life burdened and overwhelmed by feelings of shame. In this hour our guest will define the concept of ”shame,” distinguishing it from guilt and other emotions. We will look at some of the ways in which shame effects our thoughts, feelings, inter-personal relationships, workplace and school performance, and behavioral choices. We will explore the life experiences and relationship dynamics that can evoke a sense of shame, and whether this is a feeling that always comes from inside of us, or if it’s an emotion that others can make us feel through their words and actions. Our guest will discuss how she works with shame as a clinician, processing the treatment strategies that she has found particularly effective. She will also share some success stories of clients who have been able to overcome their sense of shame while re-claiming a greater sense of self-worth and self-compassion.
In this hour our guest will make the distinction between obsessions and compulsions and describe the red flags that indicate if someone is suffering from OCD. We will explore the specific kinds of impairment that people experience in the workplace, at school, and in their personal relationships. We will talk about the assessment tools that are used to make the diagnosis and whether people with OCD have additional diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, or addictions. We will explore the ways in which family members and friends respond to these behaviors in loved ones and how those responses are either helpful or add to the sufferer’s distress. We will identify the common treatment options that have been available to people with OCD, including medications and therapy techniques, and then listen to inspiring anecdotes from our guest who has successfully and effectively treated OCD for many years.
In this hour we will define and explain the dissociative process, and distinguish it from other confusing or perplexing childhood behaviors. We will explore the emotional, cognitive and physical symptoms that parents, teachers, and mental health professionals are likely to see in kids and adolescents who use this coping strategy. Our guest will explain why kids dissociate, helping listeners understand the connection between dissociation and a variety of traumatic experiences. We will also look at the impact that dissociation has on kids’ functioning in school, at home, and with peers. We will identify the manifestations of dissociation across different developmental stages. Listeners will learn about the ways in which adult responses can either mitigate or further add to a child’s dissociative state. We will explore the fundamental goals of treatment when working with dissociation and share positive examples of kids who have been able to live more fully integrated and healed lives.
In this hour, listeners will learn about the prevalence of STD’s as well as the physical symptoms and psychological impact they have on those who suffer from them. We will discuss how these infections are transmitted and what can be done to prevent the spread of HIV and other STD’s. We will explore the impact that this diagnosis has on relationships and one’s sex life. We will also look at the ways in which society views women with STD’s and how we can help those who suffer to feel less shame. We will discuss that impact that this diagnosis has on women who have histories of prior trauma, shame about their sexuality, or issues with distorted body image. Our presenter will describe the resources that are available to women to help them physically and emotionally, as well as the ways in which we can help women re-frame this diagnosis as a “gift” that can strengthen rather than harm their intimate relationships.
In this hour, we will describe the main symptoms associated with anxiety, panic and fear and look at both the productive and debilitating impact that these experiences have on us. Our speaker will share his personal struggles with panic and how his healing journey led him to create a highly effective treatment model that has changed his life and the lives of his clients. We will discuss why people grapple with these emotional states and how they influence our thoughts, feelings and behavioral choices. We will learn about differences between men and women as they experience panic, and whether age or other demographics are factors. As we explore the specific treatment approaches that are most effective, we will also discuss the responses that are the least effective and inadvertently wind up adding to and prolonging our discomfort.
In this hour, Lisa will share stories and words of wisdom from her remarkable 98 year old grandmother, Faye, who endured many hardships throughout her life, but always maintained a remarkably positive outlook, and a deep understanding of human behavior despite her limited formal education. As the matriarch of her family, Faye touched the lives of several generations, shaping and changing family dynamics in positive and important ways. We will explore issues including the importance of gratitude, using your imagination, looking at situations through a positive perspective, the value of connecting to others, the power of family rituals, taking healthy risks, and the idea that it is never to late to grow, change or learn something new. At 98, Faye continues to touch the lives of many people, and still has words of wisdom to impart!.
With prescription drug abuse reaching epidemic rates, we will look at the most commonly abused medications and learn about the stressors and influences that seem to drive so many kids to the behavior. We will identify the red flags that are indicative of possible misuse and abuse. We will discuss whether or not parents are unwittingly enabling the problem, and dispel some of the myths associated with prescription drug use and abuse. Our guest will discuss a specific initiative called The Medicine Abuse Project that is designed to empower educators, mental health professionals, parents, and law enforcement. This ongoing project gives stakeholders effective ways to talk with kids about the problem, while helping them to respond appropriately and effectively connecting them to resources for treatment when needed.
We will explore the many ways in which kids are physically, emotionally and psychologically bullied and the impact that bullying has both in the short-term and the long-term. We will look at the role that families, society, and our culture inadvertently plays in modeling and enabling bullying behaviors. We will explore why certain kids are more vulnerable to bullying, and if being bullied affects girls differently than boys. We will compare the differences between face-to-face and cyber-bullying. We will discuss what parents, schools and society at large need to do to strengthen a zero tolerance policy about bullying, and raise kids who have greater empathy towards others. Most importantly, we will address the ways in which kids can overcome teasing and social ostracism, so they can experience less trauma and maintain a sense of self-worth.
In this hour we will define the many ways in which people experience intimate partner violence and abuse, as well as the power and control tactics that abusers use. Our guest will describe the police response to domestic violence calls and what needs to change in their training so their responses are more appropriate and effective. We will look at the role that socialization and violence in the media has on this issue, as well as the impact of having a firearm in the home. We will explore the why it is so difficult to leave an abusive relationship and how to assess for lethality. We will also describe the impact that abusive power and control has on the victim and on children. Resources and guidance for safely leaving these kinds of relationships will be discussed
One in five people will experience a Major Depressive episode in their lifetime. In this hour, Dr. Ferentz, a national expert in the treatment of depression, will discuss the debilitating symptoms associated with this diagnosis. We will explore the impact that depression can have on our physical, social and emotional wellbeing, such as increased health problems; workplace and academic decline; and inter-personal strife. We will look at the populations that are most vulnerable to the onset of a depressive episode, and discuss some of the less healthy forms of “self-medication” that clients engage in. Dr. Ferentz will also share with us a range of effective treatment options including: medication; psychotherapy; and newer modalities designed to alleviate symptoms. Join us for this important and enlightening program.
We will explore the current state of adoption, including misconceptions about the process, who is adopting, who is placing their children up for adoption and who needs to be adopted in the United States. We will look at what makes an adoption successful or unsuccessful, how to talk with kids about adoption, and the challenges and rewards of adopting older children and profoundly traumatized kids. We will also look at how early life traumas impact a child’s ability to trust and attach to adoptive parents. Our guest will also describe what happens when adopted kids want to seek out their birth parents. Most importantly, we will share moving and heartwarming stories about the ways in which the lives of infants, developmentally delayed kids and older kids have been changed through the healing and reparative process of adoption.
Lisa will explain the dynamics that can make life events traumatizing, and the ways in which we are hard-wired to respond to trauma. We will look at the issue of loss and how that colors a victim’s sense of the world and others around them. We will identify some of the reasons why people can react differently to the same traumatic event. We will also discuss the impact that these experiences can have on physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing throughout the different stages of development. Most importantly, we will look at the positive influences, mindsets and behaviors that can help victims work through and heal from trauma. This helps to transform survivors into people who re-claim a sense of connection to others, positive identity, and meaning in their lives.
Matthew Jeffers was born with a rare form of dwarfism, called Skeletal Dysplasia, but that has never dampened his extraordinary life philosophy that “the only real adversity is a bad attitude.” Matt will discuss the medical complications he has endured, and the influences that have made a positive difference in his life. Undaunted by his 4’2” size, Matt is successfully pursuing a career in theatre, and will share with us the role he recently played in inspiring the Baltimore Ravens to their Super Bowl championship.