Full Catastrophe Parenting: Recent Episodes
Chris and Scott
Finding calm in the chaos, magic in the mess and strength in the struggle. We are Chris and Scott. Two imperfect people who have been through the parenting gamut. Like you, we've struggled. A lot. We've dealt with the issues of adoption and attachment challenges, special needs parenting, health issues, disability, trauma, loss and heartache. But we've held on for the ride and we're still here. Has it been hard? You bet. Has it been worth it? Hell yes. Advanced clinical degrees in social work, counseling and school psychology helped equip us for this journey, but it didn't protect us from the hardship. Everything shared here has come as a result of rising from the ashes. From holding on to hope. From being present and learning to listen....to our children, one another and the stirrings of our hearts. If you're a struggling parent, you're welcome here. If you've ever wanted to give up (but were afraid to admit it) you're welcome here. If you're fed up with the promise of quick fixes, diagnoses or turns of the corner that never materialize, you're welcome here. Moms, dads and caregivers in the trenches...you rock. Join us as we celebrate this messy, hard and grand adventure.
Why is it important to make sense of ones parents? What is to be gained from understanding them, especially in late life? How do we lay to rest a family member who has repeatedly hurt others and caused pain?
What begins as an intimate, autobiographical story about loss and grief evolves into a universal look at the impact of trauma, the tragedy of mental illness and the meaning of family.
Combing through all the Super 8 and VHS footage her father ever filmed, Brown turns the family's apparently blissful life as a nuclear family unit on its head. Who was this man who inflicted fits of violent rage upon them all, most of all upon their mother?
The result is an engrossing film about the danger of taking unresolved grief to our graves, and the consequences of neglecting to confront and treat deep rooted emotional painfor our children, and our children's children. As we witness a vital new bond form between mother and daughter across the generational divide, far reaching truths, about patterns of behavior, family dynamics and gender roles are observed. Behind the images of happiness projected through home movies is a more complex, nuanced story about the legacy of unarticulated pain, secrets and lies.
You See Me is an inspiring, engaging and empowering film, a bittersweet love song and lament. It will help others break cycles of abuse with its powerful example of how, by using our innate intelligence, creativity and intuition, we are all capable of exploring our own family history to access undercurrents that, like the rings of water that ripple out on the familys pond--a recurring visual motif in the film--continue to touch us in the present.
You See Me can be rented directly from the website
https://youseememovie.com
On the testimonials page https://youseememovie.com/testimonials/ is a link to IMDB (internet movie data base) with audience reviews https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2877530/reviews?ref_=tt_urv Please leave a review!
https://youseememovie.com
https://www.facebook.com/YouSeeMeFilm
https://twitter.com/youseememovie
As a parent with RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder), keeping your sanity is important in the summer months. Especially after a pandemic! In this episode we will discuss the various strategies and survival tips for getting through the tough summer months.
We will offer practical tips to make your summer a bit more manageable, and suggestions for what worked for us (and what didn't!)
Tune in to hear Chris and Scott discuss this very timely topic.
Resources: RAD Talk with Tracey (www.radtalkwithtracey.com), and RAD Advocates (www.radadvocates.org)
We are so excited about this interview with neuroscientist, philosopher and author, Ben Callif about the role of epigenetic research in personal, generational, collective and systemic healing.
Ben is the Research and Mindset Director at Bader Philanthropies in Milwaukee WI and the author of "Organumics: An Epigenetic Reframing of Consciousness, Life and Evolution."
Ben is passionate about the topic of epigenetics and it's role in making the world a better place through intentionality and consciousness raising.
In this podcast we will discuss:
- What IS Epigenetics? (Defined)
- Why is it important to understand how our genetics can be changed and modified, and how is this possible?
- The role of epigenetics in understanding issues of physical health, emotional wellbeing and spirituality (they are intertwined)
- What is meant by the "sphere of influence" in the way we interact with the world?
- Intergenerational patterns--how they are helpful? How are they harmful? What can be done to change them?
- Societal trauma and the importance of understanding how intentionality can change entire communities through consciousness raising and community building.
- Mental health, as seen through the lens of epigenetics, and the real possibility of healing through compassionate community
- Ben's involvement with the HIR Wellness Institute, whose motto is: "Illness becomes Wellness when 'I' becomes 'WE'."
Ben can be reached at: bencallif@gmail.com
In this episode, a first generation Indian American discusses growing up in an affluent, predominantly White community. He talks about what it was like, in the wake of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, to experience varying levels of discrimination, anxiety and self-doubt. Through a retrospective lens, Sagar shares his emerging insight about these difficulties and challenges.
Topics include:
- Cultural appropriation and claiming of identity
- Anxiety, depression and coping
- Resilience in the face of adversity
- School and Family dynamics
- Ethnic differences and parenting challenges
- Self-discovery, acceptance and perseverance
Listeners will find this episode very informative and eye-opening, as Sagar shares his bravery and fortitude in tackling his challenging life circumstances--Emerging stronger, more self-assured and compassionate.
Listen in!
A follow up discussion on the importance of understanding how Asian Americans continue to be targets of hate, and how AAPI females have been fetishized in US culture.
In this episode, we will discuss:
- How the Atlanta spa shooting has unearthed the issue of Asian women experiencing covert sexism and fetishization in US culture.
- US history and Asian relations. The Page Act, Chinese Exclusion Act, and how Asian women became viewed as "comfort women" in war times.
- Perspectives from an Asian American adoptive female and her White parents (the learnings we encounter)
- How we can begin to learn compassion for one another, by acknowledging how history has hurt people--and how we can move forward by listening to the stories of others.
Keeping Hope Alive, Part 2
In this episode we talk about the difficult early years after the adoption of our second child who suffered profound orphanage neglect. We discuss the serious challenges our family faced as we tried to bond with our new addition—as he struggled to learn to trust. What sustained hope in the early years? Tune in to find out.
Things we will discuss in this episode:
· What attachment challenges look and feel like. How resistance to attachment is experienced within a family, as a result of early trauma and neglect.
· Personal and professional interventions that were pursued. What worked, and what didn’t.
· What services and resources were obtained to help share the burden and support our struggling family.
This episode offers hope to adoptive families who are in the trenches of working through their child’s traumas. It will help families feel less alone, and more supported on the adoption journey.
Thoughts from an Asian Adoptee about what it's like to be "different" in many ways. What is it like? When we perceive this reality through our own parental lenses, we may be completely off.
In this podcast you will hear about:
- The subtle (or not so subtle) racism experienced by an Asian adoptee
- Ways you can become more aware of the trans-racial / international adoptee experience
- What it is like to grow up as a child of "White" parents
- Lasting psychological / emotional effects of being adopted
- How to talk with your child about difficult, sensitive subjects.
Parenting kids with developmental issues can be hard. Now throw in a traumatic accident!
How DO we keep hope alive when things fall apart? Tune in as we talk about how we got through when pushed beyond our limits.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
- When the overwhelming struggles of parenting led to a life-changing accident
- How the Morgan family kept pushing on when things felt unbearable.
- What were the valuable lessons gained in rising from the ashes?
- How you, too, can hold on to hope in the most demanding of times.
Subscribe and stay connected at www.fullcatastropheparenting.com. In the meantime, Embrace the Catastrophe!
Welcome to the Full Catastrophe Parenting Podcast! Where we try to find some calm in the chaos, magic in the mess, and strength in the struggle.We have been through the parenting gamut, dealing with the issues of adoption and attachment challenges, special needs parenting, big-time health issues, disability, trauma, loss... and finding hope.
Full Catastrophe Parenting is a platform to share our struggles. What worked, and what didn't. We will interview others offering some wisdom about topics relevant to self-care, trauma, parenting and other issues. We know it takes a village, and we'd like you to be a part of ours.
If you're a struggling parent, you're welcome here. If you've ever wanted to give up (but were afraid to admit it), you're welcome here. Moms, dads, professionals and caregivers in the trenches, YOU ROCK!
Join us as we celebrate this messy, hard and grand adventure.