Over the past year, the way we communicate with one another has changed quite a bit. We increased our technology knowledge and learned the importance of boundaries when “zoom fatigue” set in. (We also created the term “zoom fatigue”). The Mental Health and Wellness team at the Kingston Military Family Resource Centre (KMFRC) observed how our community was interacting and looked for feedback on how we could support our families while respecting these new communication boundaries. What we learned was that the desire for information and resources was stronger than ever, and a specific date and time for an event may not work for everyone. From this, Wisdom for Wellness, our new podcast (and lovechild) was born!
Wisdom for Wellness is a monthly podcast where Sarah (FLO-PSI) and Sam (VFPC) speak with a wide variety of guests about how we can improve our mental health and take better care of ourselves and each other. Our goal is to provide you with information, resources, skills and new perspectives to continue learning ways to improve your wellness. Our guests have encouraged our audience (and us!) to look at things in new ways, challenged us to be vulnerable and kept us laughing during difficult times.
Check out the episodes we already have available and get a sneak peek at a few that have yet to be released!
In January, Sam and Sarah brought the podcast to life with the first episode where they discussed boundaries, fawning (an addition to the fight/flight/freeze we all know!) and consider the question: Is saying “No” an option?
In February, the podcast welcomed its first guest, Jonathan Shippey who is one of only 26 Master Trainers with the world-renowned Gottman Institute. Jonathon shared why the Gottman method to couples therapy is so effective and what we can be doing right now to help strengthen and improve our relationships!
In March, Sam and Sarah were joined by Lynn Lyons, a well-recognized anxiety specialist who was quick to tell them that their worry did NOT care about them! Lynn discussed how children experience anxiety and ways we can support them in managing their worries. We know that the episode was focused on children’s anxiety…but why have we, as adults, been having many conversations with “Frank” about him coming around so often? (You’ll have to listen to get it!)
In April, Sarah and Sam tried to play it cool while joined byTwo-Time Olympic Athlete Adam Kreek. Adam won gold in the 2008 Olympics for Men’s Eight in Rowing and transitioned from the world professional athlete to executive business coach. Adam asks the audience to reflect on their resiliency and suggests that “change is not a crisis unless a core value has been violated”. How to know what your core values are? Give the episode a listen and you can learn how to start this discovery journey!
For the May episode, Sam and Sarah discuss grief and loss with local grief specialist Ophelia Rigault. They recognize that the past year has been tough and that many people might be experiencing grief or loss of expectations and time with loved ones. Ophelia discusses how we can experience different types of grief, how to support someone who is grieving, and weighs in on the famous quote about grief that went viral from the hit show WandaVision.
In June, Sarah and Sam speak with Elder Deb, an Indigenous CAF veteran who shares alternative ways to healing and experiencing transition. Elder Deb discusses her own experience of transitioning from the military and things we can do to improve our mental health that don’t involve talk therapy.
All episodes can be found by searching “Wisdom for Wellness” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! You can also listen online at kmfrc.com/wellness
We have put a lot of work into this podcast and have had so much fun making it! We hope that you enjoy listening to the episodes and continue to stay tuned for more! If you have questions or want to share your feedback, please feel free to reach out to us at wisdomforwellnesspodcast@gmail.com. We are always looking for ways to improve and new guests to interview!
We hope that listening to the podcast will make you…a little wiser!
By Sam Galati