PTSD and Beyond

Episode 47: The Intersection of PTSD and TBI with Attorney, Michael Kaplen

"You're not crazy, this is a real injury," says New York attorney Michael Kaplen. 

Mr. Kaplen isn't just any ordinary attorney. He's dedicated his life's work and practice to helping people and families affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD. Michael teaches the only course in the USA devoted to traumatic brain injury law at the George Washington University Law School, served three terms as President of the Brain Injury Association of New York State, and was invited to the White House by President Obama to participate in the Healthy Kids & Safe Sports Concussion Summit.  Michael also serves as a member of the American Academy of Neurology, Concussion Work Group and is a member of the Board of Advisors for the New York Traumatic Brain Injury Model System Program and Brain Injury Research Center of Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.

"Both worlds have trauma and are still real to this person," Michael Kaplen, Esq.

In Episode 47 of PTSD and Beyond we welcome TBI and PTSD advocate, educator, author, Senior Partner of De Caro & Kaplen, LLP, Mr. Michael Kaplen.  Michael shares ways to help navigate the unseen injuries of TBI and PTSD and the challenges for the survivors, the family, the caregivers, and the treatment team. He also shares information on what things to look for when trying to find legal representation as well as how to alleviate the frustrations often felt and experienced by survivors when communicating challenges to third parties and the casual observer.

Give a listen and to learn more about Michael's work as well as listen to his series, Brain Injury Insider, connect with him here:

Web: BrainLaw.com

Facebook: BrainLaw

Episode 46: Reversing Trauma through Mental Imagery

"In imagination, anything can happen," 

Phyllis Kahaney, Ph.D. & Rachel Epstein, L.Ac., J.D.

 

In this episode of PTSD and Beyond, we welcome the authors of Reversing the Trauma of War, Rachel Epstein, L.Ac. and Dr. Phyllis Kahaney where they share the effectiveness of using mental imagery in reducing symptoms of PTSD and Stress.

"There is always hope and the possibly of change,"

Phyllis Kahaney, Ph.D. & Rachel Epstein, L.Ac., J.D.

 

Both Rachel and Dr. Kahaney bring a blend of lived-experience to this PTSD and Beyond. Episode. Rachel is the director of the American Institute for Mental Imagery (AIMI) in New York City where she continues the legacy and work of her late husband and founder of AIMI, Dr. Gerald Epstein.  After successfully overcoming the symptoms of PTSD using mental imagery, Dr. Kahaney's uses mental imagery as a core treatment modality in her work as a readjustment counselor at the San Diego Vet Center.

 

As a bonus within this episode, Rachel and Dr. Kahaney guide us through a mental imagery exercise (Disclaimer: do not drive or operate a moving vehicle or machinery when doing the exercise).  To learn more about their work as well as to connect, contact them at:

Web: Reversing War Trauma

Book: Reversing the Trauma  War

 

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Episode 45: Why Don't People Do What They're Supposed to Do

This episode is prompted from thoughts that happened throughout the day.

Making space and reflecting, the underlying question became clear,

"Why don't people do what they're supposed to do?"

From this question, I wrote. Then read. And here we are. Give a listen.

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Episode 44: Dr. Alex Pattakos - Trauma Recovery through Meaning & Purpose

"Meaning is something we discover, not something we create,"

Dr. Alex Pattakos

In this episode of PTSD and Beyond, we welcome Political Scientist and International-Best-Selling Author of the OPA! Way and Prisoners of Our Thoughts, Dr. Alex Pattakos, aka "Dr. Meaning," where he discusses recovering from trauma through meaning and purpose. Moments of life include trauma and those moments have a commonality to create mini-meanings that we string together and create milestones.

"Your search for meaning is precious," Dr. Alex Pattakos

"Meaning is always there," shares Dr. Pattakos, who is also the founder of the Global Meaning Institute where they help people discover new meaning in life and work, as well as help organizations, communities, and societies develop a deeper meaning in their purpose.

"It's more important to be aware than smart," Dr. Alex Pattakos

A mentee of Holocaust survivor, philosopher, and psychiatrist, Dr. Viktor Frankl, Dr. Pattakos continues Dr. Frankl's work in helping others including governments discover meaning and the awareness that hope is linked to purpose.

Meaning is intrinsic, hope builds resilience, and the human spirit is what connects and unites us.  "We often think 'mind, body, and spirit,' where it's really 'spirit, mind, and body,'" states Dr. Pattakos. It's this shift in mindset that brings a deeper awareness and builds upon the concept of OPA! - others, purpose, and attitude!

To connect with Dr. Pattakos and find out more about his work, follow the links below:

Web: Global Meaning Institute

Books: The OPA! Way     Prisoners of Our Thoughts

Twitter: @DrMeaning

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Episode 43: The Fear of the Unknown

There's lots about life to react to. How in today's world can we create a safe space and feel safe? How can we live life and make things okay? Logic doesn't always help us FEEL better. When we feel better, then we feel safe.

 

In this episode, I openly share a moment of when feeling "a fear of the unknown" and process by showing listeners how to stay present and be self-reliant, process, and move through to arrive to a safe space and feel safe.

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EP 42: Building Secure Attachment with Dr. Meg Van Deusen

"When we have secure attachment we're more resilient." ~ Dr. Meg Van Deusen

In Episode 42, we welcome licensed clinical psychologist, author, and mindfulness practitioner Dr. Meg Van Deusen where she discusses the importance of building secure attachment in turbulent times, how secure attachment is a foundation for resilience, and how from mindfulness compassion and non-judgement are the basis for secure attachment.

"Secure attachment says 'everything is going to be okay' and 'we are there for ourselves no matter what',"

~ Dr. Meg Van Deusen

Dr. Van Deusen's book, Stressed in the U.S. : 12 Tools to Tackle Anxiety, Loneliness, Tech-Addiction and More, looks at how current cultural stressors have increased our stress levels, changed our stress levels, and weakened our resilience to stress. Dr. Van Deusen shares that "every minute provides an opportunity to change your life in some positive way."

To learn more about Dr. Van Deusen's work, book, connect with her at:

Web: MegVanDeusen.com

Book: Stressed in the U.S.

Twitter: @DrVanDeusen

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Episode 41: Possibilities for Recovery with Jesse Zook Mann

"You don't know what words are going to change someone's life." ~ Jesse Zook Mann

In Episode 41 of PTSD and Beyond, we interview guest Jesse Zook Mann. Jesse is an Emmy-Award winning TV producer and the host of the Mental Radio Podcast which is Educating patients about all of the ways to heal from, recover from, and thrive with mental illness.

 "Everyone can make progress." ~Jesse Zook Mann

We hope you enjoy this episode and that you find words that create a space for the possibility for recovery.

For more information about Jesse Zook Mann and his work, connect with him at:

Podcast: Mental Radio

Web: https://mentalhealthmedia.org/

Twitter: @ZookMann

Insta: ZookMann

 

Episode 40: Self-Help and Helping Ourselves with Dr. Glenn Doyle

"Reconnect, it is there. Reconnect with who we are." Dr. Glenn Doyle

 

Licensed psychologist and author, Dr. Glenn Doyle's interest in self-help started as a youngster. Picking up books to learn ways to help yourself led him to the awareness that each book was was a seed written by a "paperback mentor." Those seeds were planted in the brain; encouraging him to to find answers. 

What did he find? What were the lifelong discoveries that prompted Dr. Doyle's well know quote, "building better live better lives, day by day, in the real world.?"

In this episode, Dr. Doyle shares his encouraging discoveries about self-help and ways to help ourselves and reconnect with ourselves.

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To learn more about Dr. Glenn Doyle, contact him:

Web: www.realisticlifechange.com

Twitter: @DrDoyleSays

Book: Wish I'd Known That

 

Episode 39: Champion's Comeback w/ Dr. Deb & Mark Gruesbeck, MA

What do we do when we're knocked down? How does pausing, creating space, reflecting, and reigniting our spirit act as the set-up to the comeback?

The final episode of a 4-part series covering Dr. Jim Afremow's work - The Champion's Mind and The Champion's Comeback, Mark Gruesbeck, M.A. and I dive deeper into the comeback.

We share snippets of comments from others in their feelings that part of the comeback is the return to coming home.

Listen. Download. Share. Comment. Enjoy!

Episode 38: Sam Swidzinski - Winning the War Within

How do we face our storms?

How do we face and overcome the war within ourselves?

 

This week's PTSD and Beyond Podcast guest is mental health public speaker, author, podcast host, PhD student, Sam Swidzinski.

Sam's life goal is to be a part of the movement to improve clinical and functional outcomes across the globe for all with mental illness as well as to teach others to do the same.

Sam shares his lived experience with mental health challenges as well as his work with Winning the War Within (book and Podcast).

 

To learn more about Sam Swidzinski, Winning the War Within Bipolar, Winning the War Within Podcast, or to connect and follow -

 

Web: samskihealth.co.uk
Instagram: Winning the War Within
Twitter: @SamSwidzinski 
YouTube: Sam Swidzinski