The Now What Pod

CW: Birth Trauma, Medical Trauma Kayleigh joins The Now What Pod to talk about her experience with AFE (Amniotic Fluid Embolism), a rare, and often fatal complication affecting pregnant women shortly before, during, immediately after childbirth . She shares her post-partum journey, dealing with trauma as a new mom, and how we can better support new moms. Topics Discussed: Kayleigh’s Birth Story  Coming Home - Kayleigh takes us through a range of emotions she experiences, from feelings of fear, anger, and grief to trying to be grateful all the time that she was alive. AFE or Postpartum depression? Supporting moms through Birth Trauma, and Recovery. Resources: Postpartum support internationalhttps://www.postpartum.net/ To learn more about AFEafesupport.org About Kayleigh  Kayleigh Summers is an LSW working as a school clinician at a boarding school in PA. She lives with her husband, Steve, 18 month old son, Callahan, and dog, Daxton. Kayleigh hopes to continue helping women on their birth trauma journeys through sharing her own experiences and creating space for others to share. Kayleigh also runs birth trauma peer support groups for women who are interested in making connections and finding support among other birth trauma survivors. You can find her on Instagram & TikTok @thebirthtrauma_mama. To find out more about AFE please visit afesupport.org. Want to be a guest on the show?You can reach us atEmail: thenowwhatpod@gmail.comFollow us on IG, FB, TikTok & Twitter @thenowwhatpod Shop our merch nowwhatpod.com Love the show, support us Patreon starting at just $3patreon.com/nowwhatpod Buy us a Coffeebuymeacoffe.com/nowwhatpod

Today on The Now What Pod we celebrate 1 year of releasing episodes of the show. We also make a fun announcement before sharing some fun and silly outtakes from the show.   Thanks so much for listening!   Support The Now What Pod Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes monthly Buy our Merch   Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod?   You can reach us at  Email: thenowwhatpod@gmail.com IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod    

Marci Warhaft joins The Now What Pod to share her jaw-dropping journey to self discovery.  After suffering years of trauma, Marci coped by abusing both food and sex. She was a soccer mom by day, and stripper by night before eventually deciding to get healthy.  Working as a body image and self-esteem expert, Marci constantly worried her past was going to be found out, until she finally learned how to let go of the shame.   Topics Discussed: Jen and Tesha Life/ Podcast Update Marci’s Childhood, and the loss of her brother Traumatic Overload Abusing Food and Sex Feeling like she didn’t deserve to be here Struggling with disordered eating and body image Worrying about what others think Letting go of Shame   Resources: Your Dance Class (where Jen takes her dance class) www.Yourdanceclass.ca   We Should Talk About That Podcast https://www.westatpod.com   Buy The Good Stripper: A Soccer Mom’s Memoir of Lies, Loss, and Lap Dances https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1989555349?tag=onamzteshagib-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=1989555349&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.H4MR7OBC8Q39     About Marci: Marci Warhaft is a recognized expert on body image and self-esteem, and founder of The Fit vs Fiction body image workshops. She was named one of Canada’s Top 100 influencers for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 by Optimyz fitness magazine. She is the author of, “The Body Image Survival Guide for Parents” and, “The Good Stripper: A Soccer Mom’s Memoir of Lies, Loss and Lap Dances” Where she shares in raw, honest and intimate detail her eye-popping journey to self discovery. Marci uses her experiences to help others release themselves of the shame, guilt and insecurities that keep them from living their lives with the joy they deserve.   Support The Now What Pod’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content   Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: thenowwhatpod@gmail.com IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod

Afshin joins The Now What Pod to share her story of living with chronic pain. Afshin began experiencing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis as a teenager, but learned to mask her suffering after years of being dismissed by doctors. She talks about the impact pain has had on her relationship, daily life with pain, and her service dog.    Topics Discussed: Life Update with Jen and Tesha Difficulty getting diagnosed  Masking the pain Impact on her relationships Stress and flare-ups Familial Support Daily life with chronic pain Service Dog  Unsolicited advice  Learning to support others    Resources: Rheumatoid arthritis https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/rheumatoid-arthritis.html#:~:text=Rheumatoid%20arthritis%2C%20or%20RA%2C%20is,usually%20many%20joints%20at%20once.   Fibromyalgia https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/fibromyalgia.htm#:~:text=Fibromyalgia%20     About Afshin Bhimani: Find Afshin on Instagram @desi.spoonie and TikTok @solo.spoonie www.desianddiseased.com   Support The Now What Pod’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content   Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: thenowwhatpod@gmail.com IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod  

The wonderful, Nadia George, joins The Now What Pod to share about childhood trauma. She shares her story of growing up in a dysfunctional family, with a father who was in and out of jail, and being failed by the child welfare system until she eventually left home at 15 years old.    Topics Discussed: Life Update with Jen and Tesha Introduction to Nadia Thunder Woman George Childhood Trauma: CPTSD, and developmental trauma Leaving home at 15 years old: running away, couch surfing, getting pregnant at 18  Child Welfare and the Indigeneous Community Power of positive affirmations Being gifted her Mi'kmaw name    Resources: Walkerton water crisis: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/inside-walkerton-canada-s-worst-ever-e-coli-contamination-1.887200 Lori Gill Lori Gill, R.P., M.A., (Counselling Psychology), Certified Trauma Specialist www.holisticwellnessforhealth.com Kids Help Phone www.kidshelpphone.ca Child Welfare Political Action Committee www.childwelfarepac.com Water First www.waterfirst.ngo Frasier crane https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier_Crane The haunted museum episode 9 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14708338/   The Now What Pod Episode Quotes:  “My voice was always there. I just had to find it, and then have the courage to use it” “Trauma comes through the 5 senses” “Life can be different. It can be good.” “It's not my fault that these things happened to me, but it is my job to heal from them.” About Nadia George, Kaqtikew E’pit (Thunder Woman):  Nadia Thunder Woman George, is of Mi'kmaw First Nation and Canadian descent. Nadia is an award winning actor and public educator, and media personality based in Toronto; with over a decade of professional experience in social services specializing in trauma informed care. Gaining international recognition for her advocacy work on topics of mental health and environmental inequity, she continues to use her voice and platform to empower individuals, address stigmas around contemporary Indigenous identity, and advocate for equity of rights for Indigenous people in Canada. Website: ww.nadiageorge.com IG/FB: @nadiageorgeofficial   Support The Now What Pod’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content   Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: thenowwhatpod@gmail.com IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod

Lisa Hicks joins us on The Now What Pod to talk about finding happiness and success as a queer, quirky, and neurodivergent adult. In this episode, she walks us through the self-discovery journey that led to her accepting what her ADHD diagnosis actually means, learning to focus on what happiness is to her, and eventually coming out as bisexual.   Topics Discussed: (0:00) Life update from Jen and Tesha (6:27) Introducing Lisa Hicks (8:18) Being diagnosed with ADHD at 18 years old.  (10:27) Masking: Trying to fit in with others throughout her life, and being a people pleaser (21:22) Lisa’s specific symptoms: absentmindedness, impulse control, hyperfocusing (36:15) Strategies she's developed to help her succeed (47:19) Coming out as bisexual within a heterosexual monogamous marriage (1:01:10) Finding happiness for herself (1:05:06) Questioning the “rules”   Resources: https://www.lisa-hicks.com/   About Lisa Hicks:  Lisa (she/her) is a queer, quirky, neurodivergent, Mom of 2. She lives with her kids and her husband of 10 years in Ontario.   Lisa was diagnosed with ADHD when she was 18 years old but was never told what that meant. It wasn't until she was 34 and saw a relatable TikTok video that had her finally understanding why her brain worked the way it did.     Through this journey of self-discovery, Lisa came out as a queer woman and is navigating what that means in a happily monogomous, hetero-presenting marriage.    Lisa owns a coaching business and has a team of three other incredible coaches working alongside her. Her business and coaching method is designed to help folx understand why their brains work the way they do, help them to unlearn old stories and help them to live the happiest and most fulfilling life possible. Lisa and her team offer virtual one-to-one sessions, online community gatherings, an ADHD support group and other group programs.  Website: https://www.lisa-hicks.com/ IG/ TikTok: @thatlisahicks   Support Now What’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content   Want to be a guest on the The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: thenowwhatpod@gmail.com Instagram: @thenowwhatpod Facebook: thenowwhatpod

Jess Buchanan was held hostage for 93 days in Somalia, before being rescued by Seal Team Six. In this episode of The Now What Podcast, she sits down with Jen and Tesha to talk about her kidnapping and time as a hostage. Jess B explores the ways that she kept hope alive until she was rescued, how she will never again be the person she was before, and what she has learned during her recovery.  Topics Discussed: (0:00) Life update from Jen and Tesha (5:05) Introducing Jess Buchanan and her work in Africa (13:04) The Kidnapping (18:50) “Camping out”:  Jess describes what it was like to be held hostage including what she ate, how she used the washroom, how she kept clean, and eventually getting sick (22:32) Not Losing Hope: Jess talks about how she kept mentally strong while figuring out how to stay alive, and not go crazy.  (36:25) After the Rescue: Jess found out that she was pregnant 2 weeks after the rescue. She talks about her postpartum recovery while coping with PTSD.  (46:30) Losing My Identity: Jess found that she was a new person, and could not get back to the woman she was before, even if she wanted to. (56:50) Jen and Tesha talk about how the podcast started.   (1:01:00) Key Takeaways: Jess shares what she hopes we can all take away from her story.    Resources: My TEDx Talk Change is Your Proof of Life TEDx Pearl Street My weekly Podcast We Should Talk About That  My Speaker's Academy The Project You Collective Watch our Project You Collective Video Bio   About Jess B:  Jessica Buchanan: Teacher, Author, Humanitarian, Speaker, SurvivorOn October 25, 2011, while on a routine field mission in Somalia, working as the Education Advisor for her non-governmental organization, Jessica was abducted at gunpoint and held for ransom by a group of Somali pirates for 93 days. Forced to live outdoors in deplorable conditions, starved, and terrorized by more than two dozen gangsters, Jessica’s health steadily deteriorated until, by order of President Obama, she was rescued by the elite SEAL Team VI on January 25, 2012.   Support Now What’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content   Want to be a guest on the Now What Podcast? You can reach us at  Email: thenowwhatpod@gmail.com Instagram: @thenowwhatpod Facebook: thenowwhatpod

CW: suicide  Sneha, of the MindMatters Podcast, talks to us about the sudden death of her older brother when she was only 16 years old. As a teenager, living in a culture where mental health is taboo, Sneha was forced to seek professional help while hiding the truth from her family. She details how this loss shook her entire understanding of death and grief. We learn about Sneha’s recovery and how she is now helping others on their mental health journeys.  Topics Discussed:   (0:00) Life update from Jen and Tesha (4:17) Introducing Sneha (6:14) Her brother’s death: Sneha describes her older brother’s sudden death (11:24) How this loss shook her entire understanding of death.  (12:58) Attempting suicide and deciding to get help (14:45) Shame and hiding the truth from her family  (18:42) The importance of having more than one outlet, or coping mechanisms  (23:15) Making meaning by starting Mind Matters (36:00) Finding coping mechanisms that work for you,  (39:39) Grief and healing are not linear   Resources:   Mind Matters Podcast Mind Matters Website Deep vein thrombosis https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352557 Stages of grief https://www.healthline.com/health/stages-of-grief   About Sneha:  Sneha Suresh is the founder of MindMatters, an initiative that is dedicated to raising awareness on mental health and de-stigmatising therapy. MindMatters is dedicated to recognising the right to good health and well being of everyone. They are the host of the “Mind Matters” podcast series “Perspectives” and “A Step Towards Help”,  and also the creator behind their newest project, the wellness support program. Coming from a culture that never talked about mental health or grief, MindMatters is the project created out Sneha's own life story, the loss of her older brother. They're also a final year law student and want to continue to specialize in human rights law. They believe in wanting to help people and supporting community. Website: www.mindmattersinitiative.com   Support our drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content   Want to be a guest on the show? Email: nowwhat.podcast.info@gmail.com Instagram: @nowwhat_podcast Facebook: nowwhatpodcommunity

Amber, a model citizen, went to federal prison for sending an email. This week, she joins Jen and Tesha to share her story. We talk about her arrest, conviction, prison life, and life after incarceration. Amber is on a mission to destigmatize and humanize “felons”.    Topics Discussed:   (0:00) Intro: Jen and Tesha talk about applying for passports.  (7:23) The 7- year long investigation (13:35) Getting arrested and charged (24:14) Prison life: from her prison job to buying soap, and ramen noodles. (28:53) What happens when Mom goes to prison (38:45) Pandemics and Prison (43:42) Good Behaviour and not getting “shots” (47:30) Half-way house (53:22) The people you meet in prison (57:30) Life After prison (59:36) What role did race play in the case? (1:05:01) The Been Down Project: coaching and mentoring women facing incarceration   Resources: Former D.C. Schools Employee and Business Owner Plead Guilty to Federal Charge in Bid-Rigging Scheme https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/former-dc-schools-employee-and-business-owner-plead-guilty-federal-charge-bid-rigging   The Bob Barker Company https://www.bobbarker.com/   About Amber:    Amber Crowder’s Been Down Project is a returning citizen’s brutally honest, yet comedic, account of how she went to federal prison for an email.  Her vulnerable and transparent account highlights the inequities and flaws of the federal criminal justice system and the unique hardships for women in the industrial prison complex.     Amber uses her platform to be a voice, a resource, and an inspiration for women with recent federal indictments, women currently incarcerated, and women reentering society.    Amber is a student, and an entrepreneur in the hospitality industry who currently resides in Washington, D.C. Follow Amber on Instagram and TikTok @thebeendownproject   Support our drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content   Want to be a guest on the show? You can reach us at  Email: nowwhat.podcast.info@gmail.com Instagram: @nowwhat_podcast Facebook: nowwhatpodcommunity

Jen and Tesha chat with Krista O’Reilly-Davi-Digui about the tragic loss of her son to suicide/severe depression. The episode includes a lengthy conversation about the importance of community, and learning how to support others through difficult times. Krista shares an uplifting message about learning to allow joy to live alongside grief.    Topics Discussed: (0:00) Jen and Tesha talk about what they’ve been up to lately… mostly decluttering and podcasting. (6:32) Meet Krista: We learn a little bit about Krista, how she met her husband.  (14:01) Krista talks about her son Jairus, his mental health struggles, dealings with the health care and law enforcement systems in Canada, and eventual suicide.  (20:00) Motherhood, Guilt and Shame (21:41) The importance of community and community care (32:35) How to support others through difficult time (50:42) Allowing joy to live alongside grief (66:55) Working while in crisis Resources: https://www.alifeinprogress.ca/tools-for-child-or-suicide-loss/ Here’s the Glennon Doyle Quote we were trying to reference: 'I will not stay, not ever again—in a room or conversation or relationship or institution that requires me to abandon myself.'    And… the Viktor Frankl quote: “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”   About Krista:  Krista O’Reilly-Davi-Digui C.H.N.C works as a writer, Holistic Embodiment Coach + Joyful Living Educator. She helps brave, weary, and curious women from different corners of the world remember their way to freedom by reconnecting with and befriending their true self, reclaiming their voice, and relearning how to feel safe, at home, and joyful in their body and their life. Connect with her at www.alifeinprogress.ca   Support our drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content   Want to be a guest on the show? You can reach us at  Email: nowwhat.podcast.info@gmail.com Instagram: @nowwhat_podcast Facebook: nowwhatpodcommunity