Beyond Well With Sheila Hamilton

Sabrina Ullman Matthews is one of my favorite people; a brilliant therapist, a curious and sharp mind, and such insightful views on ageism and true beauty. We spoke with her about how she lives the back half of her life with optimism and passion. How do we avoid and ignore the negative stereotypes of aging and live with full authenticity and joy? This is an episode filled with Sabrina's insight and humor.

There is no role as humbling or fraught with the potential for heartbreak than caring for an aging parent. Siblings who live nearby often shoulder the majority of hands on work, while others who live remotely do the best they can to offer financial assistance and other expertise. In this episode, Dr. James Polo talks about how communication at every step of your parent's aging process can help alleviate some of the problems that inevitably crop up when making decisions about care, housing, and end of life decisions.

The share of American adults providing uncompensated care to friends or family members with serious medical conditions and the elderly is growing rapidly. What is even more alarming is that thirty percent of long term facilities could face bankruptcy in the coming years, forcing even more of the caregiving impact in-home and onto unpaid family and friends. Dr. James Polo discusses the psychological impact of long term caregiving and shares some of the strategies for staying well.

The stigma of mental illness prevents far too many people from seeking care. Even more concerning is how difficult it is to find a practitioner in a timely manner, especially one who is taking new patients. Dr. James Polo talks about the difficulty of navigating mental healthcare and provides tips for running the gauntlet.

Dr. James Polo talks about some of the difficulties, challenges and opportunities of middle age.

Ellen Urbani is a human rights activist, mother, and urban farmer who has spent most of her life in service of others. Now, Ellen shares with us the excruciating process of uncoupling from her life partner in order to fulfill her dream of living internationally. With exquisite care, Ellen sets the stage for eventual divorce and her departure from the people and the life she’s nurtured so lovingly.

The CDC has released a worrying report on adolescent mental health. More than 2/3 of teenage females report suffering from persistent sadness. Dr. Polo discusses the role of social media, early puberty, and external pressures that are creating a pressure cooker for adolescent mental health.

Dr. LeJune and Dr. Brian Goff talk about cancel culture, the increase in trigger warnings, and the pros and cons of safe spaces on college campuses, businesses and public gathering places.

Sheila Hamilton is a national speaker on suicide prevention, mental health, and resilience. In this live presentation, Sheila talks about the unique opportunity we have to remake ourselves, again and again. During Suicide Prevention month, reach out to someone who may be suffering from prolonged grief, complicated depression or suicidal thoughts and remind them: One day, your story about what you are going through will help someone else survive another day. There is an opportunity for growth in every aspect of our suffering. Stay Another Day.

Many people who are deep in the throes of depression or anxiety can't recognize how sick they've become, and they resist help. Here's a simple guide for broaching the subject of well-being, when and how to get professional help, and the language of love that should be used again and again in dealing with someone's mental health disorder.

Long before Sheila started the podcast Beyond Well she found herself feeling depressed, lethargic and sluggish during the winter months. Seasonal affective disorder in the Pacific Northwest is a serious challenge. Here, she talks to the host of City Cast about the evidence-based strategies she used to recover.

Dr. James Polo talks about the science behind seasonal affective disorder and why we need to attend to our diets, light exposure, and willingness to socialize during the winter months.

Technology has opened a new frontier in mental health support and data collection. Mobile devices like cell phones, smartphones, and tablets are giving the public, doctors, and researchers new ways to access help, monitor progress, and increase understanding of mental well-being. Mobile mental health support, apps that can help people create changes in their personal behaviors, and telehealth are just a few of the many digital breakthroughs that have come to the aid of people who are suffering from mental health distress. However, the new technology frontier includes a lot of uncertainty regarding effectiveness, data collection worries, and lasting impacts.

Payton Nyquvest had a history of trauma that resulted in deep depression. He tried every form of therapy and meds, and was considering ending his life when he tried Ayahuasca. The experience was guided, reassuring, and transformative. Payton devoted his life to understanding psychedelics and empowering people to heal and be well through the development and delivery of psychedelic medicine and integration. Payton is the Co-founder and CEO of Numinus, a company that engages in both the research for psychedelics and the commercialized expansion of the sector. Payton has deep business leadership experience, particularly in the finance sector, and is a recognized innovator and visionary in mental health care.

Dr. Jim Polo has been watching the rise and fall of psychedelics in the treatment of mental health since the 1960’s when many physicians were duscredited for supporting alternative treatments. Through the lens of a practicing psychiatrist, Dr. Polo talks about the potential of psychedelics at a time when the development of other psycho pharmaceuticals has stalled. 

Nearly eighty percent of people who make New Year's resolutions abandon their goals within three weeks.  Dr. James Polo talks about how to hack your resolution into more manageable, actionable goals that will help you achieve success. Whether you are considering a weight-loss regimen, dry-January, or changing your relationship to work, these tips are helpful and doable. 

Being laid off from work is one of the major traumas an individual can suffer. Our jobs have a profound impact on our financial well-being and sense of security, as well as providing a necessary social support and daily purpose. So, how do we cope when we are suddenly laid off from work? Dr. Jim Polo provides a framework for making sure your mindset remains strong and optimistic, including:  Taking time to reassess what went right and what you'd do differently at work. Finding a support group who can help you decompress and begin a job search. Avoiding catastrophic thinking. Focusing on what you can control.  Eliminating the stigma of unemployment and using available resources. Taking the opportunity to reassess your life's goals. Networking the right way to find the next meaningful role.

Trish Walker turned a pivotal birthday into an opportunity for spiritual growth and self-development. Her bucket list of fifty mind expanding and heart thumping experiences taught Trish the value of reaching beyond our comfort zones at mid-life. Now a certified coach, energy healer, author and part time actor, Trish inspires all of us to just get started. 

  Part two of our conversation with Dr. Brian Pilecki on the potential promise of psychedelics in a therapeutic setting. Dr. Brian Pilecki combs the findings of science with compassion and curiosity. He is research the efficacy of psychedelics and studying harm reduction for people who want to use psychedelics to help with trauma, ptsd, anxiety disorders, and depression. In recent years, psychedelics have drawn interest for their unique ability to create a mind shift and lasting relief for clients who have otherwise battled intractable suffering. 

Oregon has approved the use of psyilocybin in a clinical setting. Within the year, some practitioners will be licensed to guide people through a pcilosybin experience. Dr. Brian Pilecki is one of the psychologists who has studied the efficacy of psychedelics and studying harm reduction for people who want to use psychedelics to help with trauma, ptsd, anxiety disorders, and depression. In recent years, psychedelics have drawn interest for their unique ability to create a mind shift and lasting relief for clients who have otherwise battled intractable suffering.