The Power of Self-Advocacy: How to Tune into Your Body | Stephanie Shaw

Have you ever felt like your body is sending you signals that are hard to understand? Learning how to truly listen to these cues and advocate for your needs is crucial for overall well-being, especially during times of change like menopause. This week, we dive deep into the art of self-advocacy and self-awareness in this episode of our Vodcast.Our guest, Stephanie Shaw—a menopause advocate and the host of the top-rated podcast, "Hello, Hot Flash." Stephanie's personal journey of overcoming a debilitating two-year illness has led her to become a leading voice in menopause education. She provides invaluable insights to help midlife women navigate challenging symptoms like sleepless nights and anxious days.In this episode, we cover: How to understand the cues your body is sending you Tips for navigating doctor appointments with confidence Debunking common myths about menopause The importance of self-awareness and self-advocacy for better health You can connect with Stephanie on her website, HelloHotFlash.com, where you’ll also find her free Menopause Symptom Scorecard—a great resource to help you track and understand your symptoms. Grab it here: Scorecard We hope this episode empowers you to tune into your body and take charge of your health journey.

The thyroid is a major regulator in the body and it’s so important to make sure that it is working well especially when it comes to mental health. You can learn so much about it in Dr Eric Osansky’s upcoming Save My Thyroid Summit, but we discussed it here as a preview of the summit.  Dr. Eric is a chiropractor, clinical nutritionist, and a certified functional medicine practitioner who has over 20 years of experience in health and wellness, and has been helping people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions since 2009. He is the author of the books "Natural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease", "The Hyperthyroid Healing Diet", and "Hashimoto's Triggers", and is the host of the Save My Thyroid podcast. Dr. Osansky was personally diagnosed in 2008 with Graves disease, and after seeing how well a natural treatment approach helped with his condition, he began helping others with different types of thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions, including hyperthyroidism and Graves Disease, and hypothyroidism and Hashimotos Thyroiditis.We discussed: The difference between hypothyroid and hyperthyroid Why thyroid labs are normal but you're still not feeling well What the correct labs are to get What are the other things to consider in the context of treating the thyroid What are some solutions to support your thyroid function Dr. Eric invites you to learn more from his upcoming Save My Thyroid Summit. Register here: https://cdi.ontraport.net/t?orid=652616&opid=200 You can also find him at: www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com⁠ ⁠www.savemythyroid.com⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/NaturalThyroidTreatment⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drericosansky/⁠

So yeah… I admit it. I was one of those people who thought they were wackos with tin foil hats talking about the harm of 5G and cell towers, the same people who warned us about Y2K and nothing happened. (I am seriously dating myself.) I was very wrong. Several years ago, I wondered if the Fitbit on my wrist was making me sick. So, I took it off and felt better. Now I wonder if it’s been my Apple Watch causing me joint pain and interfering with my ability to play Ultimate. I’ve taken it off and within days I have felt better. This is real. There is science that’s proven it and you don’t have to look far. Cecelia (Cece) Doucette, Director of Massachusetts for Safe Technology, works with health practitioners, schools, communities, municipalities, and legislatures to address wireless radiation and public health. She is also the Education Services Director with the international non-profit Safer Tech Education, which offers affordable 30-minute online training for schools, families, and companies.Cece helped her schools become the first in the nation to adopt Best Practices for Mobile Devices, worked with legislators in New Hampshire to pass the first law to investigate wireless harms, and is chaperoning six bills in Massachusetts. She was honored to co-chair the technology panel for the NIH Health in Buildings Roundtable Conference, and present state and local policy at the EMF Medical Conference.She has been featured in the films Generation Zapped, Wi-Fi Refugees, and 5G: Friend or Foe?We discussed: The science The mechanisms of harm Vulnerable sub-populations (children, pregnant women, elderly, anyone with existing health condition) Public policy overview How to reduce EMF exposures and transition to safer technology use Get her free download: EMF Points of Confusion vs. Fact sheetShe has loads of information on her website: https://www.ma4safetech.org/ Here are other resources:  Safe Living Technologies⁠,(for the meters and shielding products) ⁠Less EMF⁠, ⁠Shield Your Body⁠, ⁠TechWellness.com⁠,  Please share them with your school system. Cece can do presentations in your community. Enjoy! To your health and wellness,

If you find yourself feeling like you are doing all the right things but nothing seems to get better, it’s usually one of four things: hidden mold exposure and toxicity, hidden dental abscesses, hormone imbalance and/or limbic activation. What is limbic activation? Well, you’ve come to the right place to receive the answer and to learn what to do about it. Ashok Gupta is an internationally renowned Speaker, Filmmaker & Health Practitioner who has dedicated his life to supporting people through chronic illness, and achieving their potential. Ashok suffered from ME, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, around 25 years ago when he was studying at Cambridge University. Through neurological research that he conducted, he managed to get himself 100% better. He set up a clinic to treat others, and then published the well-known neuroplasticity limbic retraining recovery program and app known as the Gupta Program in 2007.He has published several medical papers including randomized controlled trials on Long Covid, ME/CFS, & Fibromyalgia, showing that the treatment is effective, and is continually researching these conditions. We discussed: What are the causes of Chronic Conditions? What is the Amygdala & Insula Hypothesis? What is Brain Retraining? What are the 3 Rs (Relaxing, Retraining, Re-engaging)? What’s the Gupta Program Process? Here's the link to Ashok's gift of meditations: https://guptaprogram.com/free-gifts-for-summit/ If you'd like to learn more, check out his: Website: ⁠www.guptaprogram.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠@guptaprogram⁠ This is a game-changer for people! We recommend this program to many patients who have chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or even mast cell activation syndrome.

A member of our practice is health coach Nancy Uston-John who has received special training from Aimie Apigian MD on the Biology of Trauma. There are very few people who know how to do somatic therapy, and Nancy is gifted and amazing at teaching you how to gain control of your nervous system.We've been taught that trauma is solely an emotional reaction to an event and that psychotherapy is needed to process it. It is necessary to gain a cognitive and emotional understanding, but this only works only to a point. For some people, this is not enough. "The body keeps the score," as Bessel van der Kolk MD would say. It's not the event, but the body's response to the event that needs to be addressed. There are specific tools that one can learn that need to be utilized daily to release the trauma, retrain the vagus nerve & limbic system, and regulate your nervous system response when reminded of the trauma. Deb Dana, LCSW is a consultant, author, and speaker specializing in complex trauma. Her work is focused on using the lens of Polyvagal Theory to understand and resolve the impact of trauma in our lives. She is a founding member of the Polyvagal Institute, consultant to Khiron Clinics, and advisor to Unyte.Deb's work shows how an understanding of Polyvagal Theory is applicable - across the board - to relationships, mental health, and trauma.  She delves into the intricacies of how we can all use an understanding of the organizing principles of Polyvagal Theory to change the ways we navigate our daily lives.  Deb is well known for translating Polyvagal Theory into a language and application that is both clear and accessible, AND for pioneering Rhythm of Regulation® methodology, tools, techniques, and practices which continue to open up the power of Polyvagal Theory for professionals and curious people from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life.She is well-published and has audio programs which will be in the show notes for your perusal.We discussed: How neuroception and hierarchy impact physical and psychological well-being What glimmers are How loneliness drives survival states Deb's clinical work published with W.W. Norton includes The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation, Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection: 50 Client Centered Practices, Polyvagal Practices: Anchoring the Self in Safety, Polyvagal Prompts: Finding Connection and Joy through Guided Explorations, the Polyvagal Flip Chart and the Polyvagal Card Deck.She partners with Sounds True to bring her polyvagal perspective to a general audience through the audio program Befriending Your Nervous System: Looking Through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory and her print book Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory.Deb can be contacted via her website: www.rhythmofregulation.com.Here is a link to obtain your personal profile map: LINK HERE

I’ve finally been able to have a conversation with an expert in psychedelics. It’s been in the news lately and people are asking me directly about it as a form of treatment. Maya Shetreat, MD is a neurologist, herbalist, urban farmer, ceremonialist, and author of The Dirt Cure and the newly released book entitled, The Master Plant Experience: The Science, Safety, and Sacred Ceremony of Psychedelics. She has been featured in the New York Times, The Telegraph, NPR, Sky News, The Dr. Oz Show, and more. Dr. Maya created Quantum Drops (www.quantumdrops.com), a vibrational Master Plant product that is safe, legal, and deeply transformative. She is also the founder of the Terrain Institute, where she offers training for psychedelic-informed practitioners as well as an upcoming Quantum Practitioner Certification. We discussed: Why doctors are now talking about them as legitimate treatments What we know about how psychedelics work in our bodies and brains What a Master Plant is versus a psychedelic What macro-dosing, micro-dosing, and quantum dosing is She is giving away for FREE the First 3 Chapters of her book The Master Plant Experience- https://drmaya.com/op/3-chapters/ You can find Dr. Maya at Website: www.drmaya.com Instagram: @drmayashetreat

I've interviewed another local holistic therapist with special skills who is now licensed in MA as well as RI.Amanda Rubio LICSW is a PTSD and Trauma psychotherapist, yoga teacher, and holistic health practitioner. She helps clients safely explore mental, physical, and emotional aspects of themselves to improve their quality of life using CBT, EFT, and somatic healing practices. She specializes in treating ADHD with tools and strategies like accountability, time management organization, social skills training, and mindfulness meditation.She has been teaching yoga, and meditation, and coaching clients into a healthier way of being for the past 20+ years. She received her MSW from New York University in 1995, and in 2000, trained as a holistic health coach at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.In 2009, she founded Yogis Feed the Hungry, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.We discussed: Tools and strategies that will ignite your motivation within What "one brick at a time" at a time means What "time blindness" What the solution are to achieving your goals You can find Amanda Psychology Today: Amanda Rubio New Website: www.amandarubio.com Instagram: @adhdholisticcoach She is taking new patients.Hope you enjoy it!

When people think of a sex therapist, sometimes they conjure up erotic scenarios in their minds bringing feelings of embarrassment and even feelings of guilt or shame. It has become a taboo subject. However, having sex is a normal and healthy part of life, and having difficulties in this area can be a source of distress leading to depression and anxiety. I wanted to bring to light this area of frustration for people to discuss in a normal and healthy fashion. At the same time, I hope my YouTube Channel doesn’t get shut down because of it! Please subscribe so you can continue to get the episodes. I interviewed Shannon Oliver-O’Neil on the subject. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. She works at the intersection of mind and body to help clients struggling with sexual function issues including low desire, anorgasmia, genito-pelvic pain, erectile dysfunction, dysphoria and dissociation during sex, and more. A proud Rhode Islander, Shannon can be found at The Center for Growths RI office in Providence. We discussed: relationship between depression and sexual desire/pleasure common causes of low sexual desire general conceptualization of how desire functions/overview of dual control model common causes of vulvo-vaginal pain and their tx impact of mindfulness and mind-body connection on desire and pleasure role of sex and sexual relationships in building a meaningful life, especially in the context of chronic physical or emotional illness You can find Shannon’s contact information at her website: www.thecenterforgrowth.com

Many might not realize that I am a DO, not an MD. We have the same prescribing privileges in the US as our MD companions, but osteopaths have different training and in other countries, they do not prescribe medications. We are holistically trained with an emphasis on the philosophy that everything is connected. There is a history that Dr. Van Deven can tell you about in this episode.  Osteopathy is far more than musculoskeletal dysfunction. We have access to diagnose and treat every tissue, fluid, and organ of the body. The clinical applications are endless when it comes to improving detox, digestion, immune function, energy, mood, sleep, etc.Dr. T. Carmine Van Deven is an osteopathic physician with expertise in identifying and treating the underlying cause of complex illness from a place of health. He is a graduate of the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine where he taught and conducted research as an OMM Scholar.Dr. Van Deven completed a Family Medicine Residency in Mount Vernon, Washington, and NMM Fellowship in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Cranial and Biodynamic Osteopathy are a continual focus of study. He is dual board-certified in Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (FM/OMT) and Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (NMM/OMM).Dr. Van Deven has a private practice in Scottsdale, AZ, where he provides a synergistic blend of Traditional Osteopathy and Functional Medicine. His holistic and heartfelt approach embraces the spiritual nature of each patient as a vital component of the healing process. Evaluation and treatment are applied in cooperation with natural law, to resolve disease and to assist in the embodiment of The True Self.Besides discussing the philosophy and practice of Osteopathy in general, including the historical treatment of depression, we discussed: applying osteopathy to treat depression   emotions/spirituality and healing   finding a DO who provides OMM https://traditionalosteopathyedu.com https://cranialacademy.org You may find Dr. Van Deven at www.drvandeven.com

Our lifestyles are soooo busy and stressful which ultimately leads to burnout of a sort. Sometimes that can be confused with depression. Burnout is caused by a multitude of factors that might not even be in your control. Sometimes there are demanding jobs that ask too much of us and are unreasonable. Sometimes it's being sandwiched between kids and parents and taking care of everyone but yourself.If you're the type of person who is Type A, always raising your hand, and don't know where or how to draw the line or  know how to take time for yourself despite demands without feeling guilty, take a listen to this episodeDr. Romie Mushtaq is a board-certified physician who brings together more than two decades of leadership in neurology, integrative medicine, and mindfulness. She is an award-winning speaker working with Fortune 500 companies, professional athletes, & global associations.Her brainSHIFT programs improve mental well-being and help to build a culture of wellness. Dr. Romie serves as Chief Wellness Officer for Evolution Hospitality, where she scaled a mindfulness & wellness program to over 7,000 employees. Her expertise is featured in the national media, such as NPR, NBC, TED talks, and Forbes. Her first book, "The Busy Brain Cure" was published by Harper Collins in January 2024. We discussed: What inspired her transition from traditional medicine to stress management Why the trend of glorifying stress and burnout is so dangerous How the "Busy Brain" impacts productivity What sets the brainSHIFT Protocol apart A quick tip for immediate relief from a "Busy Brain" She has a FREE Busy Brain Test here: https://drromie.com/busy-brain-test-oa/You can learn more and join the brainSHIFT movement at: ⁠https://drromie.com/⁠  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drromie/⁠  ⁠https://www.facebook.com/DrRomie⁠