*Content warning – this episode discusses trauma and sensitive subjects around family and relationships. If you or someone you know is struggling or may need immediate help, call a crisis line, or reach out to a mental health professional or support team for assistance. [Visit findahelpline.com for more resources.] Trauma has been with us since we became conscious of threat or danger. Navigating this from a child's point of view, within the context of family is part of the multi-faceted work of Lorna Demedeiros. I've known her back in youth ministry days and she brings a lot of passion & perspective into this new path in her life. We explored family dynamics and shared stories in this enlightening discussion. Her background in trauma intervention, social work, CBT, DBT and synergetic play therapy has launched her into her own counselling profession at LD Counselling & Consulting. (Visit https://www.ldcounselling.com/ for more information.)

*Content warning – this episode discusses suicide and suicidal feelings. If you or someone you know is struggling or may need immediate help, call a crisis line, or reach out to a mental health professional or support team for assistance. [Contact 1.833.456.4566 Talk Suicide Canada or visit findahelpline.com for more resources.] Mental health challenges continue to plague us but support & mitigation is available. These struggles are best faced with a mentor and guide, and with discipline & wisdom. I asked my friend Jade Stanton-Hauser, a mental health coach from Stuart, Florida to come on again and help me dive deeper. This time we also go into the darker areas, and I share a bit more on my own experience with suicidal ideations. (Check out her new website at jadestanton.com.)

Body. Shame. Body. Bring it on. Body. Broken. Body. Blessed. Body. Brave. This is the journey of one woman, and of many others who ache in silence over a miscarriage or struggling with trying to conceive. This is particularly challenging to discuss within the Filipino culture, with its unique biases and knowledge gaps. When she broke her silence via social media many women have been enlightened about many connecting dots around infertility, personality development, nutrition, resiliency, mindset training and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Sharing her story was risky but also a gutsy and a grace-filled decision. Her openness to learning & diving into self-awareness are able companions in her path to wholeness and healing. (Erika or Ekah as we fondly call her is a native of Ontario, a proud Cathoilc wife and mama to her angel 👼 Joseph. You can connect with her, find a kindred spirit, and learn together via IG at @erikaekah.)

Mind your own business, or mind what is most important? Did the saints encroach upon territory, or did they engage the society by being examples of what it really means to be free? The context is not mere meddling or power plays but active participation in the life of individuals and in the wider world. Do we "stay in our lanes" or do we explore how the other side lives?

[ a brief update of updates, new season soon & in the works ]

"Not my circus, not my monkeys." True. Sort of. More closely we can admit that sometimes it is simply that when we have too many to handle we just need to focus on one (monkey) with enough love, attention, and some discipline. Tent up or down, the circus rather, life runs as it should. [ Updates: on leave for Advent & Christmas; next year the new season will dive even deeper. ]

Oui, c'est ca. Revolution starts in the hearts, minds, and souls of people. Sentencing is an art. Not everything is under our control, not everything depends on you. Especially in the arena of law, specifically in the justice system. Brian changed vocations mid-year in his studies, from kinesiology to criminal law. As kindred spirits who swim in a vat of ideas and thought we discussed his experiences, court cases, appreciating the nuances around truth & justice in the realities of influx and transition. He offers a no-nonsense and hopeful apologetic to present woes about the law & about life. (Mtre. Brian Kirk Vidal is a civil law attorney based in Montreal, Quebec. He loves food, fellowship, fidelity to work, his fianceé and his faith. You can reach him and avail of his services at MtreVidal@gmail.com. He can also be found on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtre-brian-kirk-vidal-781022a.)

If Jesus' family tree was a mosaic of good and not-so-good and managed to still save the world, what do you think your geneology can bring to the world? I think the same —if only you accept it, embrace it, and celebrate it. Because it is part of and grew you into who YOU are. We can only live reality, not escape it. We can only learn from history, not cancel it.

Do you close your eyes when you pray? What if your eyes were open? Sometimes we need to "see" — to look at our life and our world to connect with God. With eyes open or closed we are invited to pray. Blessed are those who do not see yet believe. And sometimes, just sometimes, we need to "see" — in order to believe.

What does creativity look like in your home? How do you manage potential? A little bit of this and a little bit of that, this was an epic catch up & exploration on many subjects around the value of seasons and stepping out in faith. May, a dear friend from highschool, shares her joys & sorrows in raising her children while being a jane of all trades in both entrepreneurship and stewardship. (May has been a consummate artist since the age of 14. She and her husband Jay "have been a homeschooling family of more than 10 years, using the interest-led approach" on their three boys, Pablo, Lukas and Judah. Her blog, fullyhousewifed.com, is a good resource on tips & advice for family, marriage, parenting, money matters and tiny living. Check out Raising Kings PH on YouTube to get a glimpse of the talent & hope this family of artists offers to the world.)

A turtle's shell is part of the turtle's body. It is attached and if ripped off will hurt the creature. What are we attached to or what holds space in our life that if ripped from us will either heal us or kill us? The truth is that those which we hold most valuable will take up the most space.

Perception is powerful. And a veritable poison when it becomes the substitute for the truth. Opinions are an angle aka a spin, an embellishment to what is essentially true. Truth is its own spin. How have both our individual & collective stories regressed into mere opinions? Would it be (more) helpful to curb that opinion instead?

*A quick-ish update on the podcast* and my latest reflections for the start of the year. Thoughts are a powerful thing. If we only know how to engage it, and even question it maybe we will be a bit more discerning and less regretful. "Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny." (Lao Tzu) [ avatar by notioned.shop | designed on Geulgram ]

"What child is this?" And I add, what does this child see when there is no story yet to see? How we tell the narrative depends on how we perceive or project { on } our experiences. We can either wither in regret or be open to wonder —to see something new behind all these experiences. Then maybe we can approach life from a child's perspective. (Thank you to DJ Boogey the Beat & all my guests on YMIA this season.) More to come soon! 🎄🎄🎄 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

What does an empty space look like to you? For entrepreneur Eva Tamayo (or April as her friends fondly call her) empty spaces have become more than what they seem. She gives us a unique and hopeful perspective and I am fortunate to discuss this with her in more depth. Her lived experience is inspiring and a story worth sharing. (April is the Community Events lead for her company, The Foundry Room, a private studio loft event space for weddings, business functions, celebrations and the like. She and her team of in-house specialists strive to ensure the experience is as unique as the event by offering several all inclusive packages that include in-house catering, one of a kind rentals, photography packages, as well as an event design specialist to bring events to life. Visit https://foundryroom.com/ to book your event.)

What is the point of waiting? How do we remain joyful in the anticipation of something amazing? The questions we ask and the quiet sit while we wait may help clarify many things. Waiting is an art, a process, and an opportunity to grow. [ music by Boogey the Beat ]

How does one define passion? How do you find it? How is it sustained? Author, motivational speaker, trainer, songwriter and passion coach Kirby S. Llaban joins me in conversation about his book "The Fired Up Life: Passion Principles to Motivate You for Work and Life" —which he defines as "a life of passion in pursuit of a dream." Here we explore what a passionate life could look like and what the basic framework is from start to finish. After 16 years of missionary work Kirby found himself on a new adventure, emboldened with the same great purpose, wisdom at his core and a growing creativity, and invests in the gifts God has given him which in turn has blessed him & his family. (Kirby helps others by fanning the flame lying dormant in the hearts of many by helping them discover, build and spread  the fire of their God-given passion. Visit kirbyllaban.com or thefireduplife.com for more information. His new book "365 Fired Up Days" is out now. Order your copy today.)

This is the *third (and last) of three separate poems on breath, written some months ago when our world and the human race began struggling to breathe. - [ Thanks in part to the creative people at HITRECORD and my friends, the Acosta family (Winnipeg), for providing additional voice acting for these clips. ]

This is the *second of three separate poems on breath, written some months ago when our world and the human race began struggling to breathe. - [ Thanks in part to the creative people at HITRECORD and my friends, the Acosta family (Winnipeg), for providing additional voice acting for these clips. ]

This is the *first of three separate poems on breath, written some months ago when our world and the human race began struggling to breathe. - [ Thanks in part to the creative people at HITRECORD and my friends, the Acosta family (Winnipeg), for providing additional voice acting for these clips. ]