A Deep Dive into the How of a Better Mental Health System with Sarah Seegal

Sarah Seegal is the CEO of Affect Mental Health. This organization incubates mental health startups, helping them accelerate mental health solutions and address the challenges of stigmas, access, and quality of the mental health system. With an extensive background in the mental health space, including healthcare economics, coaching, and counseling, Sarah has worked with healthcare companies and organizations such as Kip Health, Lyra Health, Breakthrough (later acquired by MDLive), and One Medical Group. Sarah is SafeTalk Certified and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Economics from Vassar College, where she also built a national model for peer counseling. Sarah joins me today to discuss the current failures facing the mental health system in America and the opportunities presented to society to make things right. We discuss the role that the environment plays in your mental health and how considering a patient’s environment can positively transform the success of their treatment. We discuss the four key elements that make up our mental health and the importance of connecting each element to achieve optimal mental health. We also discuss the role that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on society’s mental health status and what Sarah believes we should do to respond and help others cope with the crisis in a healthy and sustainable way. Mental health issues are a human epidemic, and our system fails to help the millions in need. This talk puts a spotlight on how each of us can help, starting with seeing the whole thing differently. “We’ve been funding basic science and neuro-science with the intention of understanding what’s going on and how to fix things at a biochemical level, but in the last few decades, we’ve really neglected the environment of the person.” - Sarah SeegalThis week on Insert:Human●     How a person’s environment can impact their mental health●     The connection between our biological, psychological, social, and spiritual elements and the impact of an unbalance between these elements●     How Affect Mental Health helps mental health startups accelerate and improve the mental health system●     The startup ventures Affect supports and the two current startup companies Affect is currently incubating●     Common stigmas around addiction and prescription medication abuse●     The education and societal limitations impacting our human development system●     The impact that COVID-19 will have on people’s mental health and how Sarah believes we should respond to the current crisis while protecting our mental health●     The challenges associated with accepting a ‘new norm’ Resources Mentioned:●     Radical Acceptance - Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)●     From Pull to Push: How to Manage Our Time In Disquieting Times●     21 ACT Worksheets and Ways to Apply Acceptance & Commitment Therapy - Positive Psychology Connect with Sarah Seegal:●     Affect Mental Health●     Affect Mental Health on LinkedIn●     Affect Mental Health on Instagram●     Affect Mental Health on Facebook●     Affect Mental Health on Twitter●     Sarah Seegal on LinkedIn Insert:Human - For a Better Life & Better WorldThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Insert:Human. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | SpotifyBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more seekers and problem-solvers, like you. Join me on Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin. For more exclusive content and to claim your free copy of the first chapter of my upcoming book, Technology is Dead, visit my website.

Fear can be a crippling emotion. It prevents us from stepping out of our comfort zones, meeting new people, and exploring new opportunities. Its primary purpose is to protect us from physical or mental harm. But we can’t live in a bubble forever. Sometimes, we must have the courage to overcome our fears, step out of our comfort zones, and try new things in order to continue our personal and professional growth. And the good news is that having courage versus fear is a choice.  So, how do you choose courage over fear? Today, I discuss the role of fear and courage in our everyday life and why we need to have the courage to swallow our fears and embrace new opportunities. I share my experiences with debilitating fear, how I allowed it to get in my way and control my life, and how I finally found the courage to step out of my comfort zone. I discuss the concept of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and how these needs play a role in our feelings of fear. I discuss why I believe fear and courage are two sides of the same coin and why conquering your fears is less about becoming fearless and more about having the courage to learn what to do with them. I also explain the benefits of choosing courage when faced with moments of fear in our daily lives and the importance of reaching out to your tribe to help you overcome fearful moments. If fear is getting in the way of you realizing the wonder of you, listen here.  “The way to freedom is through the door of fear.” - Chris ColbertThis week on Insert:Human●     My journey of exploration, contemplation, and studying of my personal fears, why I was afraid, and what I needed to do to overcome them●     Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and how your core needs impact your feelings of fear●     Common fears that manifest in each of us every day●     Why I believe it is impossible for people to be completely fearless●     Why fear is a choice and the benefits of choosing courage over fear●     Reaching out and embracing your tribe to help you conquer fearful moments●     The connection between ‘fear’ and ‘freedom’ Resources Mentioned:●     Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Insert:Human - For a Better Life & Better World Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Insert:Human. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.  Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more seekers and problem-solvers, like you.  Join me on Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin. For more exclusive content and to claim your free copy of the first chapter of my upcoming book, Technology is Dead, visit my website.

 Mark J. Silverman is no stranger to adversity and life’s obstacles. After beating addiction and homelessness, Mark started his journey to becoming a resiliency expert, public speaker, leadership coach, and the #1 Amazon bestselling author of Only 10s: Using Distraction to Get the Right Things Done. Mark helps high-performing entrepreneurs and leaders achieve greater heights and find sustainable, fulfilling success in their life and business. He is also the host of the popular podcast, Mastering Midlife, where he speaks with high-performance business leaders to unlock their secrets of mastering life’s challenges to create a life of sustainable, fulfilling success. Mark joins me today to discuss why he believes mid-life is not really about mid-life and why it’s more about discovering what you truly want in life. He shares why society believes the hustle and grind of success are worth the insurmountable challenges and obstacles we face to achieve it and why he decided to be the voice that challenged this mindset and help others realize that success and fulfillment do not have to be mutually exclusive. He shares his lessons about mid-life, why your age has nothing to do with when you experience a ‘midlife crisis,’ and his mission to help others realize we are all free to create the person we want to be and the life we want to live. “It is absolutely possible - and preferable - to be wildly successful and sane.” - Mark J. Silverman This week on Insert:Human●     Mark’s background, his struggle with addiction and homelessness, and how he became a resiliency and leadership expert●     How Mark discovered his passion for coaching ●     Society’s belief that the hustle, grind, and success is worth the challenges, struggles, and adversity●     The lessons Mark has learned from his conversations with high-performing leaders●     What the midlife experience is and why they do not only happen in your midlife years●     Cultivating friends and relationships●     The importance of taking care of your mental health●     Strategies to get comfortable with your vulnerabilities●     Realizing we are all free to create the person we want to be●     Understanding that fear and courage are choices  Connect with Mark J. Silverman:●     Mark J. Silverman Website●     Book: Only 10s: Using Distraction to Get the Right Things Done by Mark Silverman●     Mastering Midlife●     Mastering Midlife Podcast●     Mark J. Silverman on Facebook●     Mark J. Silverman on Twitter●     Mark J. Silverman on YouTube●     Mark J. Silverman on LinkedIn Insert:Human - For a Better Life & Better WorldThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Insert:Human. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.  Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more seekers and problem-solvers, like you.  Join me on Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin. For more exclusive content and to claim your free copy of the first chapter of my upcoming book, Technology is Dead, visit my website.

If you don’t know where you’re going, then how are you going to get there? Our intentions act as a guiding light to help us realize our dreams and achieve our goals. Intentionality increases our chances of achieving the outcomes we seek. The power of setting our intentions truly applies to every area of our lives - from building relationships and parenting our children to establishing a thriving career and leading our businesses and communities. But too often, we fail to articulate what our intentions are, often leading to frustration, unhappiness and unrealized potential.  In today’s episode, I discuss the power of setting intentions and how expressing your intentions can impact your ability to reach the outcomes you desire. I discuss how intention-setting can be applied to every aspect of our lives and work. I delve into why it’s important for policymakers to articulate their intentions for their cities, states, and countries, and why each individual needs to get clear on their own, unique intentions. I also share strategies you can use to help you get clear on your personal intentions and how your intentions impact the type of people you attract into your life. If you’re feeling stuck in some part of your life or career, this show is worth a listen.    “You have to work on yourself in order to get clear about what it is you seek, but also to enable what it is you seek to be found.” - Chris Colbert   This week on Insert:Human ●     The importance of setting intentions about the way we raise our children●     How intentionality applies to our relationship dynamics●     How intentionality can be applied in the professional and academic setting●     Applying intentionality to culture and politics●     Getting clear about your own, personal intentions and how it leads to a sense of fulfillment●     How journaling and documentation can help you get clear on your life’s intentions ●     The Law of Attraction and the role that your intentions play in the people you attract  Resources Mentioned: ●     Book: This Is It by Chris Colbert    Insert:Human - For a Better Life & Better World Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Insert:Human. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.  Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more seekers and problem-solvers, like you.  Join me on Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin. For more exclusive content and to claim your free copy of the first chapter of my upcoming book, Technology is Dead, visit my website.

My dear friend and Chakra healer, Melissa Yahia, joins me today to discuss the importance of seeking clarity from within and trusting your intuition. We discuss how she helped me through a period of ‘stuckness’ and how it paved the path to become who I am today. We discuss why intuition and metaphysics are considered ‘taboo’ concepts and why we believe your intuitive connections allow real meaning and happiness to flourish. We discuss why most people need to hit ‘rock bottom’ before discovering a new path toward happiness and fulfillment, how burying feelings like anger impacts your physical, mental, and emotional health, and empathy's role in dealing with these emotions. Melissa also shares her prediction for the future after the coronavirus pandemic has subsided and her advice for reclaiming your power as a human and regain your momentum.“Trust YOUR inner guide. Trust YOUR information. Trust your intuition.” - Melissa YahiaThis week on Insert:Human●     How Melissa helped me through my ‘stuckness’ and how it transformed my life●     Why intuition and metaphysical experiences are considered ‘taboo’ in society and why it’s in these connections that real meaning and happiness can flourish●     How Melissa found clarity in herself and her life by looking within●     The concept of The Tree of Empathy and its role in removing deeply buried anger●     Melissa’s predictions for what the future holds after the COVID-19 pandemic is over●     Why Melissa believes our true power as human beings is our level of consciousness and awareness●     Melissa’s advice for getting unstuck and taking back your power to gain momentum●     The importance of following your intuition and stepping out of your comfort zone Resources Mentioned:●     Book: Lotus Flower Living by Julie Matheson●     Book: Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins, M.D. Ph.D Insert:Human - For a Better Life & Better World Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Insert:Human. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.  Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more seekers and problem-solvers like you.  Join me on Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin. For more exclusive content and to claim your free copy of the first chapter of my upcoming book, Technology is Dead, visit my website. 

Rabbi Marc Baker is the President and CEO of Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), a Jewish non-profit organization in Massachusetts. Having spent most of his life in Greater Boston’s Jewish community, Rabbi Marc has served as Head of School at Gann Academy, Greater Boston’s pluralistic Jewish high school, for over a decade. He has also served as scholar-in-residence for CJP’s Cynthia and Leon Shulman Acharai Leadership Program from 2013 to 2018. Rabbi Marc has also spent 4 years in Jerusalem studying at Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies and The Hebrew University. He attended Phillips Academy Andover and received his bachelor’s degree in religious studies at Yale University. Currently, Rabbi Marc resides in Brookline, Massachusetts with his wife and four children. Rabbi Marc joins me today to share his perspective on what it means to be human. He describes the CJP mission to bring people together and how the organization’s mission aligns with his perspective on humanity. He explains why he believes being human is not merely an individual journey, but an inter-connected one and how the modern world has lost that deep sense of interconnection. We discuss how the coronavirus pandemic has encouraged people’s sense of excessive individuality and inequality and how we can use this experience as a way to realize our individual and collective humanity as an effective guide toward a better future generation. We also discuss how moments of micro and macro fear provide us with unique opportunities of choice and the importance of getting comfortable with the complexities of being courageous. “We are, fundamentally - in our DNA - inter-connected with one another.” - Rabbi Marc Baker This week on Insert:Human●     How CJP’s mission aligns with what Rabbi Marc believes the definition of ‘being human’ truly is●     Why Rabbi Marc believes the human journey is not, fundamentally, an individual one●     Unpacking the term ‘individuality’ and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people’s sense of excessive individuality and inequality●     The COVID Paradox of Intimacy and what Rabbi Marc believes our greatest obstacle for us to realize is our individual and collective humanity●     Confronting moments of macro and micro fear and how it’s an opportunity to choose whether to embrace fear or embrace courage●     Getting comfortable with the complexity and spectrum of being courageous●     The Circles of Trust concept and the two fundamental challenges of building cultural community●     How the Jewish community is contributing to a better world Our Favorite Quotes:●     “Choosing hope over fear does not mean denying that we feel fear.” - Rabbi Marc Baker●     “It’s very hard to make decisions when you acknowledge there might be more than one right way.” - Rabbi Marc Baker●     “It’s continuity in the name of transformation. It’s knowing where you come from because it has something to say to where you’re going.” - Rabbi Marc Baker Resources Mentioned:●     Book: Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit by Parker J. Palmer Connect with Rabbi Marc Baker:●     Combined Jewish Philanthropies●     Combined Jewish Philanthropies on LinkedIn●     Combined Jewish Philanthropies on Instagram●     Combined Jewish Philanthropies on Facebook●     Combined Jewish Philanthropies on Twitter●     Rabbi Marc Baker on LinkedIn Insert:Human - For a Better Life & Better World Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Insert:Human. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.  Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more seekers and problem-solvers, like you.  Join me on Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin. For more exclusive content and to claim your free copy of the first chapter of my upcoming book, Technology is Dead, visit my website.

Prior to the pandemic, life was on fast forward. Work was nuts, bars and restaurants were jammed, schedules were packed, traffic was bad and getting worse. There was not enough time on our days to do it all.  And then, COVID-19.  The world stopped. And so did we. We now find ourselves sitting alone with our thoughts. Scrolling through Facebook or binge-watching Netflix series after Netflix series. We’re doing a whole lot of nothing. But there’s a lot we can learn about ourselves and the world around us when we embrace nothingness. In today’s episode, I discuss the importance of doing nothing and why it’s a muscle or skill you can build and hone. I discuss how nothingness encourages creativity and innovation, creating both contrast and focus in our lives while allowing us to face the truths of our current reality. I discuss how businesses and organizations can benefit from encouraging their employees to take time off to ‘just be’ and do nothing. I also discuss how the quietude forced upon us during the COVID-19 pandemic has created a profound opportunity for personal growth, placed a spotlight on humanity, and challenged us to learn how to create from within without requiring external forces to define the trajectory of our lives.   “We all have the capacity to create something from nothing. The key is a combination of courage and time.” - Chris Colbert   This week on Insert:Human ●     Society’s perspective on worthiness●     Harvard Business Review contributor, Peter Bregman’s perspective on the ‘white space’ in life, why it’s important, and why he believes it’s a muscle you can build●     The importance of encouraging your staff to stay home and do nothing●     Addressing unfounded fears and feelings of discomfort around doing nothing●     How to embrace doing nothing and how it can help eliminate the stress and worry of our daily lives●     How the world has shifted from ‘pull’ to ‘push’ and how the blank space it creates has impacted us and our children●     Why learning how to deal with nothingness is hard, but not impossible●     How the COVID-19 pandemic has shined a spotlight on humanity and created a profound opportunity for personal growth  Our Favorite Quotes: ●     “What if the best life preserver is not doing more - but rather, doing less? In fact, doing nothing.” - Chris Colbert●     “To do nothing, we must find the courage to let go of all that we think we have to do - and replace it with a silent contemplation of what we could and should do.” - Chris Colbert●     “When the omnipresence of pull recedes to be replaced by push, we feel a quiet desperation emerge in ourselves and our children.” - Chris Colbert●     “That is what makes these unprecedented times a form of opportunity, of profound opportunity - the chance to change the context of our lives from pull to push.” - Chris Colbert  Resources Mentioned: ●     The Importance of Doing Nothing article●     Not Enough Time? Try Doing Nothing by Peter Bregman, Harvard Business Review●     From Push to Pull: How to Manage Our Time in Disquieting Times article    Insert:Human - For a Better Life & Better World Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Insert:Human. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.  Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more seekers and problem-solvers, like you.  Join me on Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin. For more exclusive content and to claim your free copy of the first chapter of my upcoming book, Technology is Dead, visit my website.

Lameen Abdul-Malik is the Founder of 100 Ideas Cafe, a crowd-sourcing platform designed to generate impactful ideas for the world, focusing on UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Lameen’s ultimate goal with 100 Ideas Cafe is to change the lives of a billion people. In December 2005, Lameen and his team received the Nobel Peace Prize from the International Atomic Energy Agency for their non-advocacy of the Iraq war.  Lameen joins me today to discuss what 100 Ideas Cafe is, how he plans to change the lives of 1 billion people, and his thoughts on AI in finding climate change solutions. He shares how 100 Ideas Cafe works and how it's physically set up in major cities. He explains how technology can offer solutions that are grounded in nature. Lameen also describes his love for coffee and his thoughts on conveniences that allow people to never step outside their homes. "Start today. Start the journey now. Don't wait for anything to happen first." - Lameen Abdul-Malik This week on Insert:Human ●     Why Lameen wants to impact 1 billion people●     What 100 Ideas Cafe is and how it works●     Lameen's thoughts on climate change and related deaths●     UN Sustainable Development Goals●     Crowdsourcing ideas and potential market viabilities●     How 100 Ideas Cafe manifests physically in the real world●     Looking at technology-based challenges to solve climate change●     Lameen's love for coffee and how he prefers his cup●     How technology created the wrong kind of anonymity Connect with Lameen Abdul-Malik: ●     100 Ideas Cafe●     Lameen Abdul-Malik on LinkedIn Insert:Human - For a Better Life & Better World Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Insert:Human. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.  Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more seekers and problem-solvers, like you.  Join me on Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin. For more exclusive content and to claim your free copy of the first chapter of my upcoming book, Technology is Dead, visit my website.

Eric Weiner is an author, keynote speaker, and blogger. He is known for writing books that ask some of life’s more profound questions on happiness, intellect, and philosophy. His latest book, The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers, explores what dead philosophers can teach us about modern-day living. Eric was also a former foreign correspondent for NPR and a reporter for The New York Times. Eric joins me today to discuss the idea of progress and whether it’s always good or bad. He explains why religion still has a place in today’s technology-driven life. He describes the different ways technology can be biased. He shares what it means to be useful when aging alongside newer and faster technologies. Eric also discusses the easiest ways to find happiness today. "What I find interesting is not what is said, but what is unsaid. What is unsaid is we are confused about progress, what it means, what it looks like, and its importance." - Eric Weiner This week on Insert:Human ●      Why Eric is a recurring guest on my show●      Eric's thoughts on the state of the world and the role of technology ●      Why progress is a topic we all collectively find confusing●      Why technological progress can be considered a religion●      Why every piece of technology has a bias●      Some of the simplest ways to boost personal happiness●      Why people assume technology is a good thing●      Why Eric says religion is still essential in today's society●      How usefulness is attached to age●      The one thing listeners should think about after this episode Connect with Eric Weiner: ●      Eric Weiner Website●      Writing & Wellbeing in Bhutan●      Atlas of Ideas Newsletter●      Book: The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World●      Book: The Geography of Genius: Lessons from the World's Most Creative Places●      Book: The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers●      Book: Man Seeks God●      Eric Weiner on LinkedIn Insert:Human - For a Better Life & Better World Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Insert:Human. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.  Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more seekers and problem-solvers, like you.  Join me on Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin. For more exclusive content and to claim your free copy of the first chapter of my upcoming book, Technology is Dead, visit my website.

Julie Jungalwala is the Co-founder and President of the Academic Leadership Group. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Institute for the Future of Learning as well as a leadership instructor in Harvard Extension School’s Essential Management Skills for Emerging Leaders professional development program. She is the author of The Human Side of Changing Education. Julie has a Master’s degree in Education, Technology, and Innovation and Education from Harvard University Graduate School of Education as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Queen’s University Belfast. Julie joins me today to discuss the three truths of education, which expose the actual goals of the educational system, what it should be aiming for, and where its weaknesses are. She discusses the need for schools to release control and compliance, helping children be more self-authoring and curious. Julie explores cultural bias and examples of the educational system not leveraging what we know about how humans learn and grow. Julie also reveals five critical decisions and questions for educators and leaders that intersect with the three truths. “With how events have unfolded in the last eighteen months, we really need to make some fundamental changes reflected by these three truths, and our future depends on it.” - Julie Jungalwala This week on Insert:Human ●      Defining the three truths of education●      Why schools are an institute of knowing and not an institute of learning●      How schools need to reorient themselves to help kids be more autonomous●      Enabling human beings to change, learn, and grow continually for the rest of their lives●      How cultural bias affects the educational system●      How the educational system doesn’t leverage what we know about how human beings learn and grow●      How experimentation, feedback, and the chance to try again are fundamental to success●      Five critical decisions and questions for any system of education Resources Mentioned: ●      Podcast: The Reinvention Mandate with Julie Jungalwala●      Book: Helping People Change: Coaching with Compassion for Lifelong Learning and Growth by Richard Boyatzis, Melvin Smith, and Ellen Van Oosten Connect with Julie Jungalwala: ●      Academic Leadership Group●      Institute for the Future of Learning●      Reinvention Mandate●      Book: The Human Side of Changing Education: How to Lead Change With Clarity, Conviction, and Courage●      Julie Jungalwala on LinkedIn●      Julie Jungalwala on Twitter Insert:Human - For a Better Life & Better World Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Insert:Human. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.  Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more seekers and problem-solvers, like you.  Join me on Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin. For more exclusive content and to claim your free copy of the first chapter of my upcoming book, Technology is Dead, visit my website.