The Now What Pod

Returning Guest, Mandy Reilly, joins us at The Now What Pod to talk about her experience in the “Sandwich Generation”. Caught between raising a child, and caring for her ailing mother, Mandy shares a heart-wrenching and heart-warming story about Love, Loss, and Motherhood.

Topics Discussed:
All of the updates. Jen and Tesha talk life updates, and we chat about what's in store this season on The Now What Pod
 
Multigenerational Families: Mandy talks about life growing up in a Multi-generational home, and now living in a multigenerational home as an adult. 
 
Responsible Decision Making: Mandy shares the hardships of making difficult medical decisions for loved ones, and planning a funeral for somebody you love. 
 
Who is allowed to grieve?: We talk about defining grief and arbitrary rules for who is allowed to grieve. 
 
Sandwich Generation: Mandy talks about raising her son, while caring for aging parents at the same time. 
 
Grieving while Parenting: Mandy shares the heart-wrenching story of her mothers death, how she helped her son say goodbye to his grandmother, and grieving the loss of mother.   



Resources:
COPD 
https://www.lung.ca/copd?gclid=CjwKCAjwgr6TBhAGEiwA3aVuIUEqA6aLdNjgOrZjoW686UriZvlM0vJ4fiHHnHWf5KocewUaWbzt3xoCF2MQAvD_BwE
 
To Purchase Mandy’s Book: www.iknowiambook.com
 
About Mandy Reilly:
Mandy Reilly runs on faith, Diet Coke and to-do lists - not necessarily in that order. She wears many hats but her two favourites are wife to Blake and mom to Cristian. Armed with her late Sicilian mother's sarcasm and Mexican father's family values, she loves long naps and carbohydrates. After almost three decades of being at war with her body, Mandy has realized she can be a masterpiece and a work in progress all at the same time and wants to make sure children know the same.
 
Her book, “I know I am”, comes out 5/17/2022 and is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and via the publisher https://www.orangehatpublishing.com/product-page/i-know-i-am-paperback
 
More info about the book can be found at www.iknowiambook.com
 
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CW: Infertility, Infant Loss 
In this episode of The Now What Pod, guest Kristin Joseph, tells her story of infant loss. She and her husband struggled for 4 years with infertility. They went through multiple rounds of IVF, miscarriage, and infant loss, before having their rainbow baby. Kristin takes us through the stress, pain, grief associated with infant loss, and the decision to try having another baby. Kristin provides advice for those supporting somebody through infant loss, or experiencing loss themselves.
 
Topics Discussed:
Kristin’s Story of IVF, miscarriage, and, eventually, a healthy pregnancy. 
Mateo: Kristin describes Mateo’s birth, meeting him, and then saying goodbye to him.
Grief: Kristin describes the depths of her grief and the impact it had on her mental health then and now. 
Deciding to have another child: Kristin talks about the decision to have another child. 
Moving on or Moving through?: Kristin talks about the concept of moving forward but not moving on.
Kristin’s advice: Kristin tells our audience how people can support others going through this time. 
 
Resources:
PAIL (Pregnancy and Infant Loss) Network
https://pailnetwork.sunnybrook.ca/
 
About Kristin: 
Kristin is a Secondary Teacher in Toronto who is blessed to love her career and enjoys learning from her students every day.  She and her husband Triston and the proud parents of 15 month old Greyson and angel baby Mateo.
Kristin is a survivor of infant loss and in her episode she tells the story of losing her son Mateo and how her life changed forever.  It was the first time telling her story through fully, so it is raw, messy and real.  She hopes that by listening to her episode, others who have experienced tragic loss and trauma will feel less alone and be empathically supported with grace and understanding.
Once people realize that they are not alone in their grief, they, like Kristin, can learn to navigate the world differently and support others in their own healing. Also, Kristin hopes that loved ones will gain an understanding of how to support bereaved parents after a traumatic loss of a child.
After Mateo passed, to honour his memory, she began to write a blog post for/about Mateo that further expands on her story and how she and her family walk through and with grief and triggers as they move forward.
www.mateoanthonyjoseph.com
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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.
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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!
 
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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
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Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod?
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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
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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?
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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
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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.
 
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Buy Us a Coffee
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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
 
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