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Show Highlights ·       Dr. James JC Cooley along with Co-Host Dr. Michael Mantell-  renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author have a sit-down conversation with Kim Downey – Physical Therapist, Physician Advocate, and Author. ·       Every time a doctor shares their story, another doctor feels less alone ·       Medicine is a life of sacrifice for the whole family ·       Stories of patient gratitude to their doctors ·       Upcoming physician retreat  Summary: White Coats, Human Hearts: True Stories of Healing, Belonging, and the Courage to Stay Human in Medicine by Kim Downey is a collection of deeply personal narratives that illuminate the emotional realities of healthcare professionals striving to preserve their humanity within a demanding medical system. Building on themes from her earlier work, the book highlights stories of struggle—such as burnout, trauma, and moral injury—while also emphasizing resilience, connection, and the importance of compassion in medicine. Through these firsthand accounts, Downey underscores the need for belonging, empathy, and systemic change, offering a hopeful vision for a more humane healthcare culture that honors both patients and providers as whole people.   Biography Kim Downey, founder of Stand Up (for) Doctors!, is a physical therapist, three-time cancer survivor, and fierce advocate for physician well-being. As an Ambassador for the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, Clinician Burnout Foundation, and Community Ambassador for Medicine Forward, she brings deep insight into both the clinical and human sides of medicine. She amplifies the voices of doctors and patients, addressing challenges like burnout, moral injury, and loss of autonomy. Kim’s mission is to foster connection and advocacy for healthier doctors and a stronger healthcare system.    Website https://standupfordoctors.org/ Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-downey-a9307b72/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575836827532 https://www.youtube.com/@StandupforDoctors Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the helpful function of fear is most obvious, alerting us to potential threats in our environment to keep us safe, even the experiences of grief, shame, resentment, envy, and low mood are helpful, if we can learn to hold them, understand their messages, and identify what’s a helpful alarm for the current situation, and what might be a false alarm that may more resemble a past threat or be based on misunderstanding.  Our smoke alarms are set to have many false alarms—it’s better to be safe than sorry—as we don’t want to miss any fires.  But  once we identify the alarm is going off, we still need to investigate the situation to see if there’s actually a fire right now, or if a false alarm of our bagel burning in the toaster. Our shame alarms warns us that we are potentially in a rejecting or psychologically environment so we must hide parts of ourselves to fit in, or find a healthier group of people. The resentment alarm tells us when we need healthier boundaries.  The guilt alarm tells us we’ve caused hurt or harm and need to be accountable and repair the situation. The low mood alarm tells us the rewards of the environment don’t outway the potential risks so we need to find a new environment or approach or hibernate until the rewards come back The grief alarm is a compass to our heart, showing us what’s important so we can rebuild it. The envy alarm tells us what needs are unmet in us, that others have Show Highlights Dr. James JC Cooley along with Co-Host Dr. Michael Mantell-  renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author have a sit-down conversation with Dr. Joanna Cheek - Canadian psychiatrist, award-winning professor at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine, speaker, researcher, group facilitator, meditation teacher and psychotherapist. ·       Resentment Alarm ·       Guilt Alarm ·       Low Mood Alarm ·       Grief Alarm ·       The Envy Alarm Biography Joanna Cheek, M.D., is a Canadian psychiatrist, award-winning professor at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine, speaker, researcher, group facilitator, meditation teacher, psychotherapist trained in numerous styles of therapy, journalist, and mom. She co-founded Mind Space (https://mind-space.ca), a collective of physicians offering mental health groups to tens of thousands of participants, to improve access to publicly funded mental health services in BC.  Her writing is featured in the Toronto Star, CBC, NeoLife, L.A. Times, Walrus, and Maclean’s, among others. Joanna sees mental health struggles as symptoms of the imbalances in our wider systems, hoping to decrease the stigma that is too often misplaced on the individuals who suffer rather than the ailing society around them. In addition to caring for individuals, she hopes to heal the harmful dynamics of domination, division, and indifference within our collective systems, teaching that collective-care is self-care. Website https://www.joannacheek.ca/ Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Show Highlights ·       Guest Host- Dr. Renee Toppin: The Founder of Black Women Who Want More has a sit-down conversation with India Archie, Owner "Insights With India" CJ Johnson - Author "Prophetic Parenting" and Gloria Bradley - Author "How To Revive Your Dreams  ·       The advantages and disadvantages of "ditching the 9-5" and keeping your dream alive ·       Stability vs. Fulfillment ·       Fear of Risk vs. Fear of Regret ·       Identity and Self-Worth ·       The Possibility of Balance Summary: How do you transition from being a 9-5 Employee to being a fully independent profitable business owner?  Is it worth the risk?  How do you know when to make that move ?  Do you rely on Faith or do you need a solid plan? Many people feel stuck or unfulfilled working a job that does not align with their purpose or give them that internal satisfaction that they are doing the "thing" for which they were created. We will explore the advantages and disadvantages of "ditching the 9-5" and keeping your dream alive. From Employee To Entrepreneur.  The path to purpose. Biography Dr. Renee Toppin the Founder/CEO of Black Women Who Want More Academy is a highly accomplished Whole Life Empowerment Coach with more than 25 years of experience transforming lives through her distinctive coaching and training approach. As a dynamic professional public speaker, she motivates audiences worldwide and maintains a global social media presence exceeding 700,000 followers, with strong engagement across the United States, Nigeria, South Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. She has appeared on CNN as a surrogate for a former U.S. President and has been featured on numerous radio, television, and talk shows. Renowned for her powerful communication and impactful delivery, Ms. Toppin attracts women from around the globe to her online programs, classes, and courses. As a licensed Evangelist, Ms. Toppin integrates biblical principles and the Word of God into her Life Coaching Academy, empowering women to pursue holistic personal growth—spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially. Through multiple successful business ventures, she has expanded into global markets, ensuring sustainable growth and broad impact. She leads a team of elite coaches specializing in finance, health and wellness, accountability, spiritual awareness, book writing and publishing, and essential life coping skills. Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Show Highlights ·       Dr. James JC Cooley along with Co-Host Dr. Michael Mantell-  renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author have a sit-down conversation with Joshua D. Hartzell, MD, MS-HPEd, FACP, FIDSA – Military Veteran, Practicing Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Physician, and a Certified Executive Coach ·       Leadership inspired by caring creates cultures where people can thrive personally and professionally.  ·       Leading from a place of caring is evidence-based leadership ·       Leading from a place of caring is not soft. ·       Leading with care can be learned and intentionally implemented.   Summary:  According to Dr. Joshua Hartzell, caring should be the foundation that drives how we lead others, shaping cultures where individuals can truly thrive both personally and professionally. Leadership rooted in caring is not just an idealistic approach but an evidence-based one, consistently linked to higher engagement, stronger performance, and improved well-being. Far from being “soft,” caring leadership requires courage and discipline, as it involves holding high standards, making tough decisions, and providing honest feedback while maintaining respect and empathy. Importantly, leading with care is not an innate trait reserved for a few—it is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and intentionally implemented through self-awareness, consistent behaviors, and a genuine commitment to valuing people.   Joshua D. Hartzell, MD, MS-HPEd, FACP, FIDSA Biography Joshua D. Hartzell, MD, MS-HPEd, FACP, FIDSA is a retired Army Colonel who spent 25 years in military medicine. Dr. Hartzell has held numerous leadership positions throughout his career including being Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency and Assistant Chief of Graduate Medical Education at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Assistant Dean for Faculty Development at the Uniformed Services University. He deployed as a Battalion Surgeon with the 82nd Airborne Division to Afghanistan. Dr. Hartzell is also faculty at the MGH Institute of Health Professions where he teaches leadership development.  A practicing Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases Physician, he has devoted the last decade to developing leaders training and teaching thousands of students, residents, and faculty within healthcare. Dr. Hartzell has delivered over 100 talks on leadership development and has written numerous papers on the topic. Dr. Hartzell is a Certified Executive Coach and holds additional coaching certification in the Leadership Challenge 360.  He combined his years of boots on the ground leading in medicine with his research to teach other leaders practical strategies about how to sharpen their leadership skills in his book, A Prescription for Caring in Healthcare Leadership: Building a Culture of Compassion and Excellence. Website: https://joshuahartzellmd.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joshhartzellmd Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Show Highlights ·       A sit-down conversation with Dr. Michael Mantell-  renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author ·       How we disturb and upset ourselves ·       The key thoughts we use to sweat the small stuff ·       Self-rating is harmful ·       Stress… its negative impact on our lives  SUMMARY: We often disturb and upset ourselves not because of events themselves, but because of the way we think about them. When we “sweat the small stuff,” it is usually driven by key thoughts such as demanding perfection, assuming minor problems are catastrophic, or believing that mistakes define our worth. This leads to harmful self-rating, where we judge our entire value as a person based on single outcomes or flaws rather than viewing ourselves as complex and constantly developing individuals. These patterns of thinking fuel stress, which can negatively impact our mental focus, emotional well-being, relationships, and even physical health. By recognizing and challenging these unhelpful thoughts, we can reduce unnecessary stress and respond to life’s challenges in a healthier, more balanced way. Biography Dr. Michael Mantell, a renowned and esteemed mental health architect, earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976 and his MS in Clinical Psychology in 1972 from Hahnemann Medical College. He guides clients to disturb themselves less, by identifying, challenging, and restructuring irrational beliefs, helping them build a reliable foundation of rational, flexible thinking, and adopt healthier behaviors and attitudes. His expertise bridges the art and science of mental health, empowering clients to disturb themselves less and construct a mindset that enables them to respond to life’s challenges with resilience, acceptance, and self-compassion. Throughout his career, Dr. Mantell has held various prestigious positions, including Chief Psychologist for Children's Hospital of San Diego, Chief Psychologist of the San Diego Police Department, and Chief Behavior Science Consultant for the American Council on Exercise. He was a co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Plus Size Certified, Inc. and is a member of the Science Advisory Council of the International Council on Active Aging. In addition, he served as Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UCSD Medical School, where he taught the Doctor-Patient Relationship course. He brings a specialty focus on physician wellbeing, physician burnout and elevating the patient experience. He has lectured at Pt. Loma Nazarene University and has provided a yearly 3-day Physician Wellness Studio for the American Society of Hematology. He is an invited guest instructor at Harvard University. Dr. Mantell is a prolific author with four books to his name, including his recent work, "The Link is What You Think," "Ticking Bombs: Defusing Violence in the Workplace," and his iconic 1988 original "Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff PS: It’s All Small Stuff" and its 25th Anniversary Edition. Dr Mantell has been a member of SAG-AFTRA since 1981, Chair of its Election Committee and Vice-Chair of the Government Affairs and Public Policy Committee. He was elected to the Board of SAG-AFTRA San Diego in September, 2025. He’s been bringing psychology to the broadcast media for decades including regular appearances on Good Morning, America, Oprah Winfrey and weekly spots on local and nationwide news. You can follow his free daily “MantellPoints2Ponder” on LinkedIn and Facebook. Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Show Highlights ·       Dr. James JC Cooley along with Co-Host Dr. Michael Mantell-  renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author have a sit-down conversation with Lee Jordan, MS, NBC-HWC, SHRM-SCP- Adjunct Professor of Kinesiology & Integrative Wellness, Nationally Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, ACE Subject-Matter-Expert, author, speaker and consultant. Fears – “Will I (HWC’s) be replaced? Historical examples where skilled workers felt threatened by emerging tech but were actually elevated. One example is the emergence of calculators in the 70’s – instead of declining the mathematician profession, it took away tedious tasks and created time for conceptual thinking – automation of routine tasks raised the value of complex thinking and judgement. Another example more directly connected to health and wellness, when telemedicine rapidly expanded during and post pandemic there was concern in-person traditional practice might take a hit $ and erode. Instead, telemedicine expanded access and increased efficiency. Primary Difference – “AI can hear but it can’t listen.” AI is very good at behavior tracking, personalizing engine for lifestyle data, admin and content tasks. A health coaches’ value is our ability to “be with someone” to be fully present, People crave acceptance and connection – they want to be valued NOT for what they can DO, but simply for who they are. AI can imitate but it can’t replicate the human experience. Listening is the True Superpower to facilitating the change people seek. This type of listening means we are listening to people’s words, emotions and expressions. We hear and notice not only what is being said, but what is not being said. The experience being delivered is that I have time for you… not just time to address your problem… time with and for you.   The Link is What you Think - What HC’s chose to think about AI and their future as HC’s and how it impacts the people, they are called to serve will significantly shape their experience in the field. Word on the street – Daniela Amodei, cofounder and president of Anthropic, an AI company (Claude) that raised $30 billion in Series G funding valuing their company at $380 billion, says, “The things that make us human will become much more important instead of much less important… “And what I mean by that is when we look to hire people at Anthropic today, we look for people who are great communicators, who have excellent EQ and people skills, who are kind and compassionate and curious and want to help other people.   Lee Jordan, MS, NBC-HWC, SHRM-SCP Biography Lee Jordan lives out his purpose to "show up for people in meaningful and transformative ways" through his work as an Adjunct Professor of Kinesiology & Integrative Wellness, Nationally Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, ACE Subject-Matter-Expert, author, speaker and consultant. Lee helps people throughout the United States live a full life through his physician-endorsed behavior change program, 30 Seconds to Victory™. In his role as a consultant he has helped shape and deliver corporate health and wellness coaching programs and works with digital health companies creating apps engineered with evidence-based health behavior constructs. Lee speaks on health and wellness coaching and other wellness-related topics at conferences such as the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) and the IDEA Nutrition & Behavior Change Summit. Lee is dedicated to equipping a legion of passionate wellness professionals with the practical competencies needed to transform lives. Social Media: www.linkedin.com/in/leejordanhealth Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. James JC Cooley along with Co-Host Dr. Michael Mantel - renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author have a sit-down conversation with Linda Roszak Burton –NBC-HWC, ACC, BBC, BS, is President of DRW Coaching. Linda is an executive and board-certified health and well-being coach, academic researcher, author and public speakerSummary: Harnessing the Science of Gratitude: Blending positive psychology, neuroscience and gratitude research to elevate individuals, teams, organizations and communities.  1)Individual Well-Being - purpose, values and strengths, personal GPS and fuel system. 2)Teams - stronger collaboration, psychological safety, moral cognition, more prosocial behaviors (IHB) 3)Leaders – presence - starts at the top, enhanced engagement, virtuous cycle 4)Community - enhanced social bonds and a greater sense of community   Biography Linda Roszak Burton, NBC-HWC, ACC, BBC, BS, is President of DRW Coaching. Linda is an executive and board-certified health and well-being coach, academic researcher, author and public speaker. As a coach, Linda champions humanism in healthcare. She is committed to bringing well-being and strength-based coaching methodologies to her clients—methodologies informed by cutting-edge research and evidence-based practices in neuroscience, positive psychology, gratitude and positive organization behaviors (POB).   As an academic researcher, she supports initiatives in leadership development, employee engagement, and the fostering of a healthy, positive work environment. Her international studies include gratitude interventions to support stress management, mental health of nurses, managers and support staff and employee engagement and meaningfulness of work.   Linda is a credentialed executive coach through the International Coach Federation, a National Board Certified Health and Well-being Coach (NBC-HWC), a certified Brain-Based Coach through the NeuroLeadership Institute, a certified Positive Psychology-Based Health and Well-Being Coach through the College of Executive Coaching, and a Charter Member of A Loving Organization. A member of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School Affiliate, she holds a B.S. in Health Education from Virginia Tech and has completed coursework pursuing an M.S. in Conflict Management at the University of Baltimore. Linda is the author of Gratitude Heals®- A Journal for Inspiration and Guidance (Available on Amazon). Additionally, her Great Mills TEDx Talk on Gratitude- The Power to Heal the World was released in December 2022. Linda has been a regular contributor to the Wharton Healthcare Quarterly on the science of gratitude since 2017.   Website www.drwcoaching.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindaroszakburton/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_lroszakburton/ Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Show Highlights ·       Dr. James JC Cooley along with Co-Host Dr. Michael Mantell- renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author have a sit-down conversation with Dr. Harvey Castro -- AI Futurist, Healthcare Visionary, and Author. ·       The Good: Where AI Is Already Delivering Real Value ·       The Bad: Risks We Cannot Ignore ·       The Unknown: Agentic AI and the Shift from Advisor to Actor ·       The Leadership Imperative: Building Human-Centered AI SUMMARY: In healthcare, AI is already delivering real value by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, accelerating research, optimizing workflows, and supporting more personalized patient care—the clear “Good.” At the same time, the “Bad” includes serious risks such as algorithmic bias, patient privacy concerns, cybersecurity threats, regulatory gaps, and the danger of overreliance on automated systems in high-stakes clinical environments. The “Unknown” emerges with the rise of agentic AI, which could move beyond supporting clinicians to independently initiating actions, fundamentally shifting AI’s role from advisor to actor and introducing new ethical, safety, and accountability challenges. This reality creates a leadership imperative: healthcare organizations must intentionally build and govern human-centered AI systems that prioritize transparency, equity, oversight, and trust to ensure technology strengthens clinical judgment and patient outcomes rather than undermines them.   Biography Harvey Castro, MD, MBA known online as #DrGPT is an emergency physician, AI futurist, and Chief AI Officer at Phantom Space. A 5× TEDx speaker and advisor to governments and health systems, Dr. Castro focuses on building human-centered AI that enhances safety, performance, and trust from hospital systems to space-based health innovation. He is the author of ChatGPT & Healthcare and a leading voice on responsible AI governance, digital twins, and the future of clinical decision-making. With over 50,000 LinkedIn followers, he helps clinicians and executives move beyond hype toward practical, safe AI deployment. Website www.Harveycastromd.com Social Media Platforms LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveycastromd YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/harveycastromd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveycastromd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarveyCastroMD Twitter: harveycastromd Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A certified IRS tax professional explains that effective IRS tax strategies and credit repair go hand in hand when building long-term financial stability. By leveraging legal deductions, credits, proper entity structuring, and proactive tax planning, individuals and business owners can reduce tax liability while remaining fully compliant with IRS regulations. At the same time, strategic credit repair—such as correcting reporting errors, reducing utilization ratios, negotiating settlements, and establishing positive payment history—helps improve credit scores, increase borrowing power, and lower interest costs. When coordinated properly, smart tax planning can enhance cash flow, which in turn supports debt reduction and credit rebuilding, creating a comprehensive approach to financial growth and protection.     Biography My name is Kim Shockey-Hampton. I was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and recently retired after nearly 40 years of federal civilian service, primarily with the Department of the Army. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio, graduating Magna Cum Laude. I was honored with selection into Kappa Gamma Pi Honor Society, which recognizes excellence in leadership, scholarship, faith, and service. My passion lies in supporting others, particularly in achieving financial independence. Following graduation, I was chosen as an Army Materiel Command (AMC) Fellow and relocated to Texarkana, Texas. There, I completed a Master’s degree in Business Management at Texas A&M College. To further my expertise, I pursued advanced coursework to become an IRS Certified Tax Professional. This qualification allows me to be listed in the IRS Tax Preparers Guide, connecting clients seeking assistance with tax preparation in their local area. Additionally, I possess electronic filing authorization for client tax returns, ensuring efficiency and compliance in the filing process. Co-Authored a book entitled “The Path to Financial Independence” Strategies for Eliminating Debt and Gowing Wealth.  I am also a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP), which provides access to timely updates on tax law changes and knowledgeable staff support throughout the tax season. NATP offers regular tax webinars to ensure I remain current on all tax industry changes and developments.   I also maintain a subscription to weekly IRS tax newsletters. Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Show Highlights ·       A sit-down conversation with Gloria Y. Bradley - Author, Educator, Licensed real estate professional, and Faith-based community leader ·       Reviving dreams through faith, action, and purpose ·       Writing your vision down  Summary In this powerful and uplifting episode, author and educator Gloria Y. Bradley joins the show to discuss how faith, action, and perseverance can revive dreams that feel delayed, discouraged, or forgotten. Drawing from her book How to Revive Your Dreams That Have Been Buried Six Feet, Gloria shares personal stories, practical wisdom, and spiritual insight to help listeners rediscover purpose, overcome setbacks, and move forward with hope. From youth searching for direction to adults navigating financial and life transitions, this conversation offers encouragement, clarity, and a reminder that no dream is buried too deep for God to revive. Biography Gloria Y. Bradley is an author, educator, licensed real estate professional, and faith-based community leader with more than four decades of experience empowering individuals, families, and communities. She is the author of How to Revive Your Dreams That Have Been Buried Six Feet, a faith-driven book that helps people rediscover purpose, hope, and direction through God, faith, and action. Gloria has been a California state–licensed real estate agent for over 11 years, specializing in first-time homebuyers, housing education, and down payment assistance. She regularly serves as a Guest Speaker for Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles and West Angeles Church Community Development Corporation, teaching First-Time Homebuyer Workshops and empowering families toward sustainable homeownership. Her work has been featured on NBC News Los Angeles and will be highlighted in an upcoming documentary focused on the importance of down payment assistance programs. Gloria is also the founder of Driving Detective, a driver education company serving teens and adults, and My Travel Dreams with Lady Gloria B., a purpose-driven travel business. Her message is simple and powerful: No dream is buried too deep for God to revive. Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Show Highlights ·       Dr. James JC Cooley along with Co-Host Dr. Michael Mantell- renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author have a sit-down conversation with Dr. Susan Baumgaertel – Internal Medicine Physician, healthcare navigator, medical advocate, author, and talk show host. · “Voices With Vigor” talk show · Dr. Baumgaertel career: physician, advocate, guide, author, writer, talk show host   Biography Dr. Baumgaertel’s internal medicine practice began in 1996, encompassing many types of clinical work over time. In 2021 she stepped away from direct patient care to expand her impact through myMDadvocate, a virtual consultation and advocacy service that serves as a bridge between patients and the often-complex healthcare system. As a physician consultant, healthcare navigator, and medical advocate, Susan shares her wisdom on everything from referral advocacy to chronic condition management, from aging gracefully to supporting caregivers through their most challenging moments. Her passion for helping women through life transitions led to the creation of MenopauseMenu, a comprehensive online resource offering evidence-based information and holistic support. This work formed the foundation for her 2023 book, The Menopause Menu — an all-in-one guide that transforms medical complexity into accessible wisdom. In 2025 Susan launched a vibrant talk show, Voices with Vigor, showcasing guests from diverse backgrounds who share common threads of curiosity, kindness, dedication, and resilience.  Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FOUR TALKING POINTS Why people can feel anxious or low even when nothing is “wrong”Many people come in saying, “My life looks fine, but I don’t feel like myself anymore.” From a psychiatric perspective, this often happens when the way someone understands themselves, their role, or what gives life meaning begins to shift. The brain and nervous system are built for predictability, so when that internal sense of self changes, distress can emerge even without an external crisis. What the “in between” phase actually feels likeThere is often a confusing period where old motivations stop working, new ones have not formed yet, and people feel untethered. Common experiences include restlessness, emotional flatness, rumination, social withdrawal, or a quiet fear that something is wrong with them. Because most people lack language for this phase, they often interpret it as failure or illness. How a holistic psychiatric perspective looks at this differentlyRather than focusing only on symptoms, I look at what is happening across the whole system. That includes mood, nervous system regulation, sense of identity, life context, and meaning. Sometimes medication is helpful, and sometimes it is not the primary answer. The goal is to understand what the symptoms are responding to, not just to suppress them. What actually helps when someone is in this phaseOften the most helpful first step is not fixing or forcing decisions, but creating stability. This includes calming the nervous system, reducing pressure to have immediate answers, and helping people understand what is happening so they do not panic or overidentify with a diagnosis. With the right support, clarity tends to return over time. SHORT BIO: Dr. Sarah Hollander is a board-certified psychiatrist, writer, speaker, and founder of Psychiatry of Life. She focuses on how identity shifts affect the nervous system, mood, and meaning, and how psychiatric symptoms often emerge during periods of self-identity change. Her work integrates evidence-based psychiatry with a holistic, existential perspective. Links: website: www.psychiatryoflife.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-hollander-md Substack: https://substack.com/@psychiatryoflife?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psychiatryoflife/ As seen in KevinMD: https://kevinmd.com/2025/12/joy-in-medicine-a-new-culture.html The ideas in this article evolved from an earlier podcast conversation exploring these themes: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Bs2dxPy0LHLjyfHptdmNx Plenty of Positivity podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HelUqQgHhic Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Show Highlights Dr. James JC Cooley along with Co-Host Dr. Michael Mantell- renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author have a sit-down conversation with Dr. Stephen Mateka is the Medical Director of Psychiatry for Inspira Health System and serves as Co-Chair of Psychiatry Rule #1 is Know Your Audience. You cannot effectively help what you do not understand. Empathetic curiosity is key. Kids and teens unknowingly give away their power of choice to external forcesand internal thinking traps in how they act, react, the type of effort they have, andtype of attitude they bring.Empowering youth to take ownership of their unique and individua impressiveness will carry them to overcome future obstacles and challenges.Support is the top predictor of resilience and top protective factor againstdecompensation of mental health. Biography Dr. Stephen Mateka is the Medical Director of Psychiatry for Inspira Health System and serves as Co-Chair of Psychiatry. He is the Immediate Past President of the New Jersey Psychiatric Association, Executive Committee member of Eastern Pennsylvania/Southern New Jersey Regional Organization for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric Times Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Section Editor, a member of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s Inpatient/Partial Hospitalization/Residential Treatment Committee and Public Resources Committee, and works with the state of New Jersey’s Children’s System of Care as Psychiatrist Advisor. Dr. Mateka completed medical school and general psychiatry residency at Rowan University-School of Osteopathic Medicine and his Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Michigan. He is double board certified in General and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Mateka resides in southern New Jersey and enjoys spending his free time with family and friends. He is also a passionate fan of Philadelphia sports teams, despite their negative impact on his wellness. Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Show Highlights ·       It’s Your Life With Dr James JC Cooley and Co-Host Dr Michael Mantell- Rational Emotive & Cognitive Behavior Coach have a sit-down conversation with Joanna Moncrieff -- Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College London ·       Is depression caused by a chemical imbalance? ·       What are antidepressants and why are we taking them? ·       Do antidepressants help? ·       Why have we got things so wrong?   Biography Joanna Moncrieff is a Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College London and has also worked as a consultant psychiatrist in the NHS in London for over 20 years. She writes about the nature of mental health problems, how to treat them and how not to treat them. She has led large UK government-funded research studies. She is author of numerous scientific papers and several books about psychiatric drugs including her most recent, Chemically Imbalanced: the making and unmaking of the serotonin myth (Flint Books, 2025). Her website is https://joannamoncrieff.com/, Twitter handle @joannamoncrieff Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katelyn Carey Podcast Discussion Options Show Highlights ·       It’s Your Life With Dr James JC Cooley and Co-Host Dr Michael Mantell- Rational Emotive & Cognitive Behavior Coach have a sit-down conversation with Katelyn Carey, BSN RN - Nurse Educator, Author, and Award-winning speaker. ·       Empathy vs Compassion in Healthcare ·       The Science of Stress in high-emotion conversations Biography Katelyn Carey is a nationally recognized nurse educator, author, and award-winning speaker dedicated to transforming healthcare through compassion science and innovative program design. With over 20 years of experience across hospital, hospice, and nonprofit settings, she has led clinical operations, developed nurse residency programs, and created trauma-informed education resources, including the internationally utilized Beauty After Breast Cancer book. A TEDx presenter and frequent speaker at leading medical conferences, Katelyn blends science, humor, and storytelling to translate complex data into practical tools that improve patient experience, strengthen provider competence, and reduce burnout while inspiring cultural transformation in healthcare. Links https://katelyncarey.com https://beautyafterbreastcancer.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-carey-0000/ Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.