Checkered Jaguar: Recent Episodes
Brescia Dover
The Checkered Jaguar is a podcast that normalizes having difficult + vulnerable conversations. Host Brescia Dover engages in important discussions about mental health, culture, life, and other meaningful topics. You can expect Brescia to be joined by guests who will aid in bringing more important and real conversations to the table.
Brescia is a business owner, mental health advocate, Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer survivor, and creator.
Today we are joined by Bethany Gardner-Blue who is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in relationship issues, Women’s issues, ADHD, LGBTQ+, and sex therapy.
In this episode, we will be discussing sexuality and getting comfortable with having "sex" conversations. I hope that by the end of this episode, you will feel less guilt, shame, or fear surrounding this topic. So many individuals aren’t raised in a sex-positive environment, which creates problems with their future partners or their self-down the road. Let this episode serve as an education and awareness check, so that future you can feel more at-ease when it comes to your sexuality.
Find Beth on social:
https://www.instagram.com/bet.talks.sex/
Today we are joined by an amazing individual: Baylie Janis, who will be sharing her journey through infertility and faith transitions, offering insights and understanding to others who may be going through what she went through. Baylie's story is full of resilience, hope, and highlights the power of embracing change. Baylie also owns a social media management company called The Social Butterfly! Bailey is an inspiring individual who is an amazing mom, friend, and business owner.
Learn more about The Social Butterfly: https://www.instagram.com/heysocialbutterfly_/
Follow along with Bailey: https://www.instagram.com/bayliejanis/
William Yank is a 4x cancer survivor who has dealt with more health challenges than most people deal with in their entire lifetime- and he’s only 26! William has been through intensive treatment in his lifetime for Leukemia, including chemotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy, radiation, a stem cell transplant and so much more. Today, William has been in remission for about 2 ½ years and has a powerful story to share. The Leukemia and Lymphoma society named him their honored hero for Indianapolis’s visionaries of the year campaign and he continues to share his inspiring story with audiences all over.
Today we are joined by Rick Czaplewski, a resilient 2x Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer survivor of 27 years. Rick has done some incredible things in his lifetime including: climbing Mt. Rainier, running the Boston Marathon, swimming from Alcatraz to shore 12 times, and more! He uses his second chance at life to train for adventurous events, participate in public speaking, and he even wrote a book called “Better Dirty Than Done, An Inspirational True Story, a book about survivorship.”
Learn more about Rick: https://rickczaplewski.com/
Today we will be discussing some of the following themes that are crucial no matter what stage of life you are in. These themes include: how to get out of your own way, setting goals, making career jumps, life hacks, and more!
Follow along with The Checkered Jaguar on social:
https://www.instagram.com/checkeredjaguar/
https://www.tiktok.com/@checkeredjaguar
Learn more about The Checkered Jaguar marketing services:
https://www.checkeredjaguar.com/
We're diving deep into the world of entrepreneurship in the fitness industry with the dynamic duo behind "GROUNDWRK" – the gym that's all about combining high-intensity training, strength building, and mindfulness. Get ready for a candid chat as we explore the grit of entrepreneurship and the challenges faced by our guests, Ryan Coyle and Christian Nelson as they’ve successfully grown Groundwrk.
Find GROUNDWRK on social: @groundwrkphx
Find GROUNDWRK on the web: www.groundwrkphx.com
In my 25 years of life, one thing has become increasingly clear: adulting is not easy. We're put into a world where bills, taxes, and life's complexities demand our attention, but we're rarely equipped with the necessary tools to navigate it. Today we’re going to talk about all of it.
Today we have a very special guest with us, 10-year-old Charlie. We're here to explore the world through her eyes, talk about girlhood in the modern world, and normalize the conversations that are often challenging but so important.
Feeling uncertain about your romantic relationships? If so, this episode is for you, from someone who completely gets it. Today we'll be talking about the importance of knowing what you need in a romantic relationship, understanding your self-worth, and recognizing the signs that it might be time to move on.
It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you have to settle for less than you deserve in a relationship, but that's not true. We are going to talk about finding the courage to end/move on from "red flag" relationships + opening up the door for finding a more meaningful kind of romantic relationship.
Today we are joined by James Mount who is a non-binary and trans individual with a powerful story to share. This story is honest, real, and vulnerable. There is a lot to unpack in this episode, including James’ coming out experience, leaving a religion with strict gender roles, eating disorders, and so much more.
Join us as we dive into the captivating world of equine-assisted therapy with Ann Wilson, CEO of Ignite Counseling & Equine Psychotherapy. Discover how horses play a pivotal role in mental health recovery, as we unravel the wonders of equine-assisted therapy programs. Gain a deeper appreciation for the profound horse-human connection and hear inspiring stories from Ignite's seven years of practice. If you share a love for horses or are curious about their healing effects on humans, this episode is a must-listen!
Learn more about Ignite Counseling & Equine Psychotherapy:
https://igniteequine.com/
Reach out to Ann: awilson@igniteequine.com
Today’s difficult & vulnerable conversation is on reclaiming your identity after growing up in the LDS church. This episode is for you are experiencing a faith crisis, trying to find yourself, or simply having doubts or questions surrounding your faith, specifically within the LDS or Mormon church. It's time to talk about how YOU can reclaim your identity.
In today’s episode we will be discussing a vital & crucial topic: mental illness from the parent’s perspective, and how to help your child who is dealing with mental illness. We are joined by my mom, Susie Dover, who has had two of her children deal with significant + challenging mental illnesses- me, and my brother Jensen. As Susie has been there for both my brother and I through anorexia, bipolar, and anxiety, she has learned MANY ways to help show unconditional love and support to us… which is why Suz is the perfect parent to help educate, inspire, and create an understanding for other parents surrounding this topic.
Reach out to Susie: Susan.dover@cox.net
Instagram: @suzy_dover
Today I am going to be discussing a crucial and fitting topic in this modern world: social media. I will be sharing a unique perspective surrounding the positives of social media as well as the negatives. This episode is intended to educate you and help inform you about addictive patterns with social media as well as inspire you to end comparisons across all social media platforms. I know that social media can have a direct effect on your mental health and well-being and this is why I believe it is important we talk about it.
Today we are joined by Melody Griffith who is an oncology social worker for the Mayo Clinic. I had the privilege of working with Melody while I was going through my treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer. In this episode we will be talking about what it’s like to be a social worker for individuals in such a sensitive/challenging time of their life and what Melody’s experience has been like as she has provided emotional support to cancer patients.
Today we will be discussing Nicholas’s journey to psychiatry and his overall experience as a psychiatrist. We will be covering ways to take care of YOUR mental health + showcasing ways to end the stigma around mental illness. Something to keep in mind is that 1 in 5 U.S adults live with a mental illness, that's why it’s vital we have this conversation and continue normalizing the discussion surrounding mental health. Please share this episode with anyone you think could benefit from listening.
Today I am sharing what my journey with bipolar disorder as a young adult looked like. Some of the things I will be discussing today are things that I don’t normally share with people, mostly because it brings up memories that I don’t like to think about. But I believe that by sharing my story and being vulnerable, I may be able to inspire you to do the same. Get ready to learn… what the warning signs for bipolar look like, how to tell if someone you love is struggling with bipolar, how to help someone you love who is struggling, things you can do to take care of your mental health, and finally how you can live a happy and successful life with bipolar or any form of mental illness.
Today we are joined by Rebecca Jones. Rebecca is a neurologist and mother of Shannyn Leavitt, who was a previous guest on the Checkered Jaguar podcast. If you missed Shannyn's episode, we covered his experience with “coming out” and being a transgender individual. In this new episode we will be providing an important perspective from the parent’s point of view on what it's like to have a transgender child. Rebecca has powerful insight to offer listeners on what it’s like have a child who is part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Today we will be talking about controversial but very crucial subject matter that I feel needs to be shared: the importance of self-pleasure. The overall theme of this episode and my stance towards this topic is that self-pleasure IS a form of self-care. It's time to get vulnerable and de-stigmatize the conversation around self-pleasure.
Today we are joined by Shannyn Leavitt who will be sharing his experience with being a transgender individual who has undergone the necessary steps to live in the body he has always felt he belonged to. This episode is an amazing awareness check and opportunity for listeners to gain a better understanding into what being transgender really means.
Today we are joined by the incredible Tina McGuff all the way from Scotland! Tina is an Anorexia survivor, mental health advocate, and best-selling author of her memoir Seconds to Snap. In this episode wewill be covering Tina’s story from crippling Anorexia and suicide trauma to full recovery. With a very similar shared background of mental illness, Tina and I have a lot of insight and valuable experiences that can motivate and inspire those who may be affected or have loved ones who are affected by mental illness.
In this episode we are joined by Leah Frandsen and her daughter Savannah Perez. Together we will be breaking down the stigma and having honest conversations on what it really is like to identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
On this episode, we cover an important and highly relevant topic in society that many stigmatize and don’t like to talk about: marijuana. This episode will cover the science behind marijuana, why there is a stigma associated with it, and the benefits that marijuana may have on users. My goal with this episode is for our listeners to take away a deeper understanding towards weed, and maybe even take a less-judgmental approach towards users.
On this episode we are joined by siblings Meghan Parrish + George Dover. We will be discussing what it is like for a family that is raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when one of their children decides to leave the church. We will be covering how a scenario like this not only affects the family but the sibling dynamic as well. This episode is going to help siblings in the LDS church learn how to navigate the tricky waters of talking to a sibling who leaves their religion, & how to have productive conversations out of love with a desire to understand one another.
Host Brescia Dover, brings up important topics surrounding self-love and self-compassion & teaches how to cut out self-criticism in life. This episode is the perfect quick listen, & will leave you feeling inspired & ready to embrace the skin you are in.
On today’s episode we are joined by Cole Jones. Cole was in a severe car accident three years ago that dramatically changed his life and ultimately led to him being diagnosed with epilepsy. Looking at Cole you honestly wouldn’t know that he has epilepsy. The truth is though, not many people are educated about what epilepsy actually is- I know I wasn’t until I met Cole. This is the overarching theme of this episode: learning what it’s like to live with epilepsy. My goal is that you leave this episode with more of an awareness and understating towards epilepsy.
On this episode we will be discussing dating, and the cultural pressures surrounding youth getting married at a young age in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Featuring Nicole Horlacher, who is a part of the LDS church, and host Brescia Dover who is no longer a part of the LDS church. An important thing to note here is that Brescia & Nicole's friendship is built on the premise that they support each other's beliefs no matter what. No cuts or belittling of the LDS church is going to happen in this episode. Nicole & Brescia are the perfect example of two friends who may not see eye-to-eye on everything, but who genuinely have each other’s back, and who support each other’s beliefs no matter what.
Jake Coyle is a fitness & personal training expert as well as the owner of Todd Smith Fitness in Phoenix, Arizona. He is much more than just a fitness guru though, he is a husband, brother, son, and soon to be father. He is also a very entrepreneurial minded individual, who has been through quite a bit in his lifetime. On this episode we will be talking about how Jake was affected as a young boy with his parent’s divorce. We will be covering what it was like for him to navigate his world, after the challenges he faced that inevitably come with a parent’s divorce.
Jake's Instagram: @Jakecoyle
Jake's Email: jake@tsf-az.com
On this episode we are joined by Max Aaron who is a former team USA athlete. Max began ice skating as a hockey player at age 3 & then switched to mens figure skating full-time at age 16. He was the United States Championship Men’s Champion in 2013 and the Olympic team alternate in 2014 and 2018. This podcast will cover Max’s journey on ice, as well as the challenges he faced along the way with injuries & setbacks and how he found the strength to keep going and rise above the fray. The theme of this episode is not just ice skating, but more so what it takes to become a dedicated athlete, and how to get to where you want to be in this life through hard work & dedication.
In this episode we are joined by Chailey Cording who has overcome addiction & homelessness in her lifetime. We will be diving into Chailey's story & discussing how she reached sobriety. This episode will leave you with more empathy & understanding towards people who struggle with addiction.
In this episode, we will be covering the pressing question of what a throuple really is & how it works. We are joined by Christian Nelson & Ryan Coyle who are in a polyamorous (three way) relationship. Get ready to learn what it's like to be in a modern day polyamorous relationship.
Find Ryan & Christian on Instagram: @rycoyle @christianmnelson
Polyamorous Relationship Article: https://psychcentral.com/health/polyamorous-relationship
Recently, Morgan lost her older brother Kyson unexpectedly. Morgan was very close to Kyson & this experience is something that no sister should have to go through in their lifetime. In this episode we are going to learn how Morgan has dealt with grief, and how she has found the courage to continue to live her life, even with the loss of her older brother.
Just in time for Valentine's Day... it's time to talk about sex! This episode features Suzy Dover, who is Brescia's mom. Brescia & Suz talk about the importance of having discussions with your children surrounding the topic of sex. They also discuss Suz's upbringing in the Mormon church, and how that directly affected her sex life. This episode breaks down the walls & gets down to the nitty-gritty stuff.
Follow Suz on Instagram: @Suzy_Dover
For The Strength of Youth LDS Article: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/for-the-strength-of-youth?lang=eng
On this episode we are joined by one of my favorite humans- Taylor. We will be discussing what it was like for Taylor, coming out as gay, and the challenges she faced in a conservative Mormon/LDS high school, as well as discussing the concept of being gender fluid & so much more. My goal with this episode is to help others to better understand what it is like to be a part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Another important goal of this podcast is to help those who may not support or understand this community, to take a closer look and see things from a new perspective- from someone who is a part of this LGBTQ+ community.
Find Taylor on Instagram! @g4ylor
Get to know the Checkered Jaguar and find out how the Checkered Jaguar came to be. Then dive deep into topics surrounding mental illnesses. This episode talks specifically about mental health versus physical health, and figuring out why people seem to be more empathetic towards physical illnesses but not as much mental illnesses.