170. Finding Social Success and Joy through Laughter: A Conversation with Allison Marean

In this episode, Colette Brown sits down with Christine Santos, a significant and inspiring figure behind this podcast's creation. Christine shares her personal story of growing up with divorced parents, her father leaving her family, and her mother’s struggles to support them. Despite the hardships, Christine learned resilience and optimism from her mother and brother, whom she considers her heroes. She shares her life, her career journey, and her 20-year marriage. Christine also talks about her work in podcast production, the importance of maintaining a joyful home, and her dedication to healthy living. Christine emphasize the value of kindness, especially towards the elderly, and the importance of sharing one’s story to inspire others.00:30 A Unique Introduction01:55 Christine's Impact and This Podcast's Beginnings03:09 Christine's Childhood and Family Struggles08:28 Meeting Her Husband and Building a Family16:59 Health Tips and Personal Well-being20:10 Final Thoughts and Messages______________________________________ Connect with Colette:Instagram: @wellnessbycolette Website: love-colette.com Thank you for listening to the Limitless Healing podcast with Colette Brown! It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! In Health,Colette

In this episode, Colette interviews Dr. Moshe Daniel Block, a leader in naturopathic medicine and developer of the VIS dialogue, a mind-body healing technique.Dr. Block shares his journey from being a sick child in Montreal to developing myasthenia gravis in his twenties. He discusses his commitment to holistic healing, which blends science with natural healing modalities, and critiques the conventional medical approach. Dr. Block emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of illness rather than merely suppressing symptoms. He shares about his book 'The Revolution of Naturopathic Medicine' and his holistic counseling certification program, the VIS Dialogue, which aims to help individuals get to the core of their health issues through deep mental and emotional healing. The conversation covers the mind's power in healing, the importance of true self-alignment, and practical steps for individuals to start their own healing journeys.02:12 Dr. Block's Personal Health Journey03:08 The Evolution of Naturopathic Medicine03:36 Challenges and Misconceptions in Medicine10:07 Mind-Body Connection and Healing13:48 Practical Steps for Mind-Body Healing18:23 Understanding Personal Health Patterns21:07 Understanding Psychosomatic Reactions22:11 The Power of Mindfulness and Meditation23:47 Introducing the VIS Dialogue and Holistic Counseling24:43 Balancing Diet and Inner Well-being28:01 The Role of the Subconscious Mind30:13 Aligning with the 'I Am' for Deeper UnderstandingMore about Dr. Block:Moshe Daniel Block, ND, VDP, HMC, VNMI got his degree of Naturopathic medicine from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Toronto, Ontario) in 2000 (ND). Dr Block then went on to complete the Homeopathic Master Clinician course with Louis Klein, FSHom, in 2003 (HMC). Dr. Moshe is the author of The Revolution of Naturopathic Medicine: Remaining True to Our Philosophy (2004), a book about the philosophy and practice of naturopathic medicine, and Holistic Counseling – Introducing the Vis Dialogue (2016), a book about the breakthrough healing method uniting the worlds of Mind-Body Medicine & Psychology. He became a Vitalist of the Naturopathic Medicine Institute in 2018 (VNMI). Dr. Moshe has deepened and evolved his breakthrough mind-body medicine technique (The Vis Dialogue) over 25 years of practice, helping thousands of patients achieve life-changing results. He began training doctors in 2012 and has since created his full certification program and also works with those struggling with their own health issues. Offerings:Dr. Moshe offers a training for practitioners on how to do the Vis Dialogue. It's a one year certification program. Click here: Holistic Counseling Certification for PractitionersDr. Moshe offers a six month Health Program for anyone struggling with health issues, mental, emotional, and physical, chronic disease. Click here: https://dr-moshe.com/.______________________________________ Connect with Colette:Instagram: @wellnessbycolette Website: love-colette.com Thank you for listening to the Limitless Healing podcast with Colette Brown! It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! In Health,Colette

In this transformative episode, host Colette sits down with Andray Sumeer, who shares his powerful journey from a childhood filled with rejection and anger to becoming the self-proclaimed 'superhero of love.' Andray recounts the dark times, including a suicide attempt in 2018, and how a person's intervention led him to rediscover love and compassion. Through small actionable steps like morning routines, journaling, meditation, and affirmations, Andray turned his life around and now spreads a message of unconditional love. He emphasizes the importance of energy and vibration in transforming one’s reality and offers guidance to those in dark places to start radiating love from within.00:00 Introduction: The Power of Compassion and Love00:45 Meet Andray Sumeer: The Superhero of Love00:56 Childhood Memories: Dreams and Challenges02:17 Teenage Struggles: Bullying and Identity06:41 The Spiral of Hate and Anger10:16 A Turning Point: The Brink of Despair16:49 The Awakening: Finding Purpose and Motivation18:31 Steps to Transformation: Actionable Advice21:49 The Power of Affirmations and Self-Love23:08 The Law of Vibration and Energy25:19 Theta Healing and Spiritual Growth26:48 Final Thoughts: Embracing Love and CompassionTo find out more and follow along with Andray:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesuperherooflove/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesuperherooflove/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheSuperHeroOfLove______________________________________ Connect with Colette:Instagram: @wellnessbycolette Website: love-colette.com Thank you for listening to the Limitless Healing podcast with Colette Brown! It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! In Health,Colette

In this episode, Colette interviews John Mendez, a dynamic speaker and host of the Walk to Wealth podcast. John shares his evolution from a regular high school student to a recognized figure in AI and content creation. He discusses his impactful childhood memory and how it influenced his business, Stop and Stare Media. The conversation delves into John's insights on using AI for business efficiency, his wellness practices, and his mental and physical health routines. Additionally, John offers practical tips on adopting AI tools like ChatGPT to create content effortlessly. Listen until the end to hear John sharing his core life philosophies and a unique biblical quote that guides his actions.01:00 Introduction to John Mendez03:08 A Childhood Memory That Shaped John06:18 The Origin of Stop and Stare Media07:22 Journey into Entrepreneurship10:33 Wellness and the Five Ingredient Rule14:26 Intermittent Fasting and Fitness Journey18:29 The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting19:33 Mental Workouts and Sports21:30 Finding Comfort in Solitude24:25 Navigating the World of AI34:14 Core Life Philosophies Website: https://www.stopandstare.mediaAI Tools: https://www.stopandstare.media/blogPodcast: Walk 2 Wealth ______________________________________ Connect with Colette:Instagram: @wellnessbycolette Website: love-colette.com Thank you for listening to the Limitless Healing podcast with Colette Brown! It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! In Health,Colette

In this episode, Colette interviews Alison Marean, a social coach with over 20 years of experience in helping others. Alison shares her journey from being a school teacher to co-founding Successfully Social, a business offering neuro-affirming coaching for individuals with unique social and learning needs, with a focus on autism, social thinking, and laughter yoga. Alison highlights the transformative power of creative strategies, including the use of imagination and laughter, to boost self-confidence and reduce social anxiety. She discusses the significance of childhood memories, the educational system, and her pivot to creating a program that helps children and families navigate social interactions positively. Additionally, she discusses the benefits of laughter yoga and practical methods for integrating play and laughter into daily life.00:40 Introduction to Alison Marianne01:56 Alison's Childhood Memories04:20 Journey to Becoming a Teacher06:24 Founding Successfully Social06:50 The Importance of Social Emotional Learning12:05 Laughter Yoga and Parenting Tips16:55 Laughter Exercises Demonstration23:57 Final Thoughts and Contact InformationGet to know Allison:With over 20 years of experience, Allison Marean is a sought-after Social Coach known for her patience, creativity, and ability to connect with diverse learners. Holding degrees in Communication Sciences and Special Education, she has taught in Boston and Denver, where her passion for social cognitive learning grew.As the co-founder of Successfully Social, Allison offers neuro-affirming social coaching for individuals with unique social and learning needs. A lifelong learner, she has specialized training in Autism, Social Thinking®, and Laughter Yoga. She shares laughter as a powerful tool for self-regulation and building meaningful connections especially in schools to support the teacher student relationship. Her creative teaching style combines mindset strategies, science and laughter to help kids improve their self-confidence, reduce social anxiety, and bolster problem-solving skills for social success.. Allison has recently served as a keynote speaker in Springfield, Missouri, and Stamford, Connecticut, where she shared the importance of using laughter as a tool for self-regulation and social connection. She is also preparing for her upcoming TEDx talk in December.When she’s not coaching, inspiring audiences, or leading laughter sessions, she enjoys adventures with her family, cheering on her kids from the sidelines, tending her garden, and caring for her animals.Website: https://www.besuccessfullysocial.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonmarean/______________________________________ Connect with Colette:Instagram: @wellnessbycolette Website: love-colette.com Thank you for listening to the Limitless Healing podcast with Colette Brown! It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! In Health,Colette

This week on Limitless Healing with Colette Brown, we’re bringing back a listener-favorite episode featuring Jennifer Walsh, a trailblazer in beauty, wellness, and biophilic design. Why? Because we’ve been sharing about the importance of connecting with nature and bringing the outside in; making this episode a must-listen all over again!  Jennifer shares her inspiring journey, from creating Beauty Bar, the first omni-channel beauty brand in the U.S., to her groundbreaking work in nature-based corporate wellness programs. She explores how integrating biophilic solutions into our homes, workplaces, and lives can profoundly impact our well-being.  Let’s celebrate our connection to the outdoors; because nature truly heals! In this episode Colette interviews Jennifer Walsh a true visionary and architect of the beauty, wellness and retail landscape as the creator of Beauty Bar in 1998, the very first omni-channel beauty brand in the United States. She changed the way people shopped for beauty and wellness by creating a first retail powerhouse that allowed beauty and wellness shoppers to see and experience niche and independent beauty products in her brick and mortar stores, on her e-commerce website, and a weekly TV show. It was a first to market fully interactive experience.Jennifer shares how her relationship with the beauty industry was deeply rooted in the natural world and how we connect to nature. Jennifer, always curious about how nature affected our wellbeing, began spending time with neuroscientists around the country to learn more about this link to nature and its effects on the brain.  She began working with companies that wanted to infuse nature into their corporate wellness programs, into their business practices, and as part of employee education. This not only meant creating the now sought after Wellness Walks with Walsh program and educating on the impact and importance of integrating biophilic, nature based solutions into cities, corporate campuses, retailers and homes.Tune in to rediscover the healing power of nature, the magic of trees, and why we all need dirt to thrive! Let this episode reignite your passion for connecting with the natural world. Episode Highlights:03:10 Jennifer shares so many good childhood memories growing up and learning to fish with her Dad06:53 Jennifer's TV segment turned into 27 years on TV sharing beauty products10:40 Getting away from screens and connecting with nature16:00 The healing power of trees19:36 Tent life in the summer, living in harmony with the natural world29:10 Jennifer shares, "we need dirt to survive"Connect with Jennifer:Website: https://www.walkwithwalsh.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejenniferwalsh/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejenniferwalshBiophilic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers Podcast:https://www.biophilicsolutions.com______________________________________ Connect with Colette:Instagram: @wellnessbycolette Website: love-colette.com Thank you for listening to the Limitless Healing podcast with Colette Brown! It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! In Health,Colette

In this podcast episode, on the Limitless Healing Podcast with Colette Brown, Colette reflects on the evolving definition of wellness, sharing personal experiences and highlights from the Global Wellness Summit in St. Andrew's, Scotland. Colette shares key takeaways from the Global Wellness Summit that include the importance of incremental health improvements and profound inspiration from influential speakers like Wim Hof and Louis Swire. This episode encourages you to commit to small, non-negotiable health practices and invites you to share your suggestions for future topics and specialists to feature on the podcast.Episode Highlights:00:30 Defining Wellness00:37 Personal Wellness Journey00:59 Global Wellness Summit Insights02:02 Highlighting Key Speakers03:17 Taking Action for Your Health______________________________________ Connect with Colette:Instagram: @wellnessbycolette Website: love-colette.com Thank you for listening to the Limitless Healing podcast with Colette Brown! It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! In Health,Colette

This episode was so impactful early on in the first few episodes of the podcast I wanted to share it again as we head into the Holidays.Sugar!  It is an addictive substance that is linked to many health issues we experience today.In this episode I present real scientific data , studies  and share ways you can take control of your well being right now.Grab your favorite cup of tea, a pen and paper and listen in on how you can begin to reduce your sugar intake. Episode Highlights:1:33 Colette's sugar story3:24 Scientific data on sugar7:18 Recommended daily sugar intake9:30 Four steps to help reduce your sugar consumption16:15 Facing your objectionsResources mentioned in this episode:Reference to 9 out of 10 cases of type 2 diabetes are preventable - https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/disease-prevention/diabetes-prevention/preventing-diabetes-full-story/CDC stating that 1 in 10 Americans have Type 2 diabeteshttps://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html#:~:text=Healthy%20eating%20is%20your%20recipe,adults%20are%20also%20developing%20it.NIH - Bariatric patients transfer sugar addiction to substance abusehttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25064307/Coronary Heart Disease and its link to sugar:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5099084/______________________________________ Connect with Colette:Instagram: @wellnessbycolette Website: love-colette.com Thank you for listening to the Limitless Healing podcast with Colette Brown! It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! In Health,Colette

On a previous episode, 163. The Psychological Benefits of Cleanliness and Organization, Colette shares the psychological impact of cleanliness and organization, highlighting various studies that support the notion that a tidy environment improves mental well-being. In doing the research for that episode Colette found profound research by Dn. Joseph R. Ferrari, Ph.D. and reached out to him to share his expertise on the show.On this episode Dr. Ferrari joins Colette and shares his vast knowledge on the subject, his research, his findings and the psychological roots of why we accumulate clutter, why it’s so challenging to manage, and the powerful ways it impacts our homes and offices. Dr. Ferrari explains the differences between clutter and hoarding, practical strategies to tackle physical clutter, actionable methods for moving beyond the past, creating a positive legacy, and building a clutter-free environment. Episode Highlights:00:30 Dn. Joseph R. Ferrari, Ph.D. his New York roots and Academic Journey  04:47 Exploring Procrastination and Its Psychological Roots  06:26 Clutter and Its Impact on Personal Well-being  16:44 Overcoming Barriers to Decluttering  20:50 Practical Decluttering Tips for Key Spaces  24:26 Mental Challenges Beyond Biological Factors  33:06 Identifying Different Types of Declutterers  36:13 Legacy, Letting Go, and Moving ForwardAbout the expert: Dn. Joseph Ferrari, PhD:Deacon Joseph Ferrari, PhD, is a professor of psychology and Saint Vincent DePaul Distinguished Professor at DePaul University in Chicago. He is a leading expert on the study of chronic procrastination and, more recently, of clutter. Ferrari studies the psychology of clutter, including why we accumulate it, how it affects our mental health, and the link between clutter and procrastination. He has published more than 400 scholarly articles and 35 books and book chapters, and is a fellow in six professional organizations, including APA. Ferrari is also a permanent deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Joliet, Illinois.Still Procrastinating with Dr. FerrariDeacon Joseph Ferrari, PhD Vincent de Paul Professor, Psychology, Community PsychologyDr. Ferrari’s book “Still Procrastinating? The No Regrets Guide to Getting It Done”______________________________________ Connect with Colette:Instagram: @wellnessbycolette Website: love-colette.com Thank you for listening to the Limitless Healing podcast with Colette Brown! It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! In Health,Colette

As the holidays approach, I’ve been reflecting on the connection between mental health and the stress that many experience during this season. After diving into some research from the American Psychological Association and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, it’s clear that holiday stress impacts a significant portion of the population, 64% report feeling stressed, and for 38%, that stress intensifies specifically because of the holidays.That’s why I’m revisiting an earlier episode featuring Jennifer Fraser, author of The Bully Brain. Tune in to hear Jennifer’s personal story and the strategies she recommends for mental well being.This episode is a soul-stirring episode of "Limitless Healing with Colette," where Colette speaks with Jennifer Fraser PhD on the profound journey of healing and empowerment. Jennifer shares her deeply moving narrative and groundbreaking insights into brain health. In this episode, Jennifer delves into her personal ordeal with trauma, recounting the challenges she faced and the strides she's made in reconnecting with her past to foster a healthier, more integrated self. Jennifer and Colette explore the disturbing dynamic of how adults, unwittingly or not, protect abusers, and how perpetrators exploit empathy to serve their own ends.Jennifer brings her expertise in neuroscience to the table, discussing how genetics, environment, and epigenetics play into abusive behaviors and the hope that lies in rehabilitating "hurt brains."Episode Highlights:02:20 Jennifer's brother's learning disability experience shapes her brain interest06:06 Jennifer turned to science to understand abuse10:30 Jennifer's trauma memories were triggered when she uncovered her son's abuse12:40 Questioning behavior when child abuse allegations arise17:33 Genetics play a role, but environment factors are very influential19:46 Internalized negativity can trap us in helplessness22:01 Neuroscience reveals brain's reaction to split personality31:32 Difficult for kids to recognize adult abuse34:02 Be vigilent as abusers can appear kind and smart37:46 How to identify abusers, through questioning, asking for evidence and sharing with others40:39 You can heal a hurt brain: Neuroscience confirms benefits of exercise and mindfulnessInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bulliedbrain/Website: https://bulliedbrain.com/Book: The Bullied Brain: Heal Your Scars and Restore Your Health: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=THE+BULLIED+BRAINBrain Training: Brain HQ: https://www.brainhq.com/______________________________________ Connect with Colette:Instagram: @wellnessbycolette Website: love-colette.com Thank you for listening to the Limitless Healing podcast with Colette Brown! It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! In Health,Colette