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If thoughts are the language of the mind and emotions are the language of the body, then art is the language of the soul. Creativity is far more than a hobby. It serves as a portal to a state of consciousness where mental obsessions simply cannot survive. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Rafael McMaster. Rafael is a creative director, artist, and youth mental health advocate dedicated to empowering young people through mindfulness, creativity, and emotional resilience. As the founder of Indivisible Arts, he leads a nonprofit that equips youth, especially those facing adversity, with practical tools for self-control and personal growth. After a successful career in the creative industry, including five years as a Creative Executive at Creative Artists Agency, Rafael shifted his focus to community impact. He now develops programs that blend artistic expression with mental wellness. His forthcoming book, “FundaMental Life Tools: Self-Empowering Toolkit for Being”, offers a hands-on guide designed to help teens cultivate emotional well-being and conscious decision-making. We are excited to have Rafael with us today to explore his personal journey and innovative approach to youth mental health. We will discuss the core principles of “FundaMental Life Tools”, and his vision for empowering millions of teens with practical, life-changing skills.   For more information about Indivisible Arts, please visit: https://www.indivisiblearts.org Please donate to support Indivisible Arts: https://www.indivisiblearts.org/donate-2 For more information about Rafael McMaster, please visit: https://www.rafaelmcmaster.com For more information about FundaMental Life Tools: Self-Empowering Toolkit for Being by Rafael McMaster, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/Fundamental-Life-Tools-Self-Empowering-Toolkit/dp/B0F89P3MBL For more information about Stream of Consciousness, please visit: https://streamofconsciousness.life Follow Indivisible Arts on social media: • On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indivisible_arts/ • On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndivisibleArtsSB • On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVP8eNYx58zbFZuBSZj6b8w

Success on the EPPP requires a structured "Snowball" effect rather than luck. By layering information and building community, you transform a debilitating and isolating process into a manageable path to licensure. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with Dr. Erica Ligons. Erica is a licensed clinical psychologist, founder of Crush That Exam, and owner of Vilago Psychology. After overcoming her own ADHD, severe test anxiety, and a history of struggling with standardized exams, she passed the psychology licensing exam with a score far above the requirement and began helping others do the same. She launched her coaching work in 2019 to bring equity, structure, and confidence to overwhelmed test takers. Using her signature Snowball Study Method, Dr. Ligons helps students and professionals master content, calm anxiety, and truly crush their exams. I am excited to have Erica with me today to break down how test anxiety impacts performance, why traditional studying often fails anxious learners, and how coaching and mindset shifts help people study smarter and rebuild their confidence.   For more information about Crush That Exam, please visit: https://www.crushthatexam.com If you would like to join a free Q&A session, view upcoming events here: https://www.crushthatexam.com/events Discover what other test-takers are saying about Crush That Exam and their program: https://www.crushthatexam.com/testimonials If you are an employer or organization that would like to become a partner, please visit: https://www.crushthatexam.com/employers-programs Connect with Crush That Exam on social media: On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crushthatexam/ On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crush-that-exam/ On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CrushThatExam On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crushthatexam

Stop relying on the dreaded service page. A generic list of specialties is not a marketing strategy; it is a deterrent. If you want a potential client to trust you with their deepest secrets, you must provide a page that actually speaks their language. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with John Sanders, the founder and CEO of RevKey. John leads a specialized digital advertising agency that helps mental health professionals grow their practices through ethical, data-driven Google Ads. Since launching RevKey as a solo operation in 2018, he has built a dedicated team of ten focused on delivering measurable results rather than marketing fluff. John is a trusted voice at leading industry conferences and podcasts, known for helping therapists navigate HIPAA sensitive environments and avoid the common traps of wasted ad spend. Today, we explore his unique approach to practice growth, covering everything from effective website strategies and essential metrics to the latest trends in the mental health space.   For more information about RevKey, please visit: https://www.revkey.com/podcasts Learn more about Google Ads for Therapists & Group Practices: https://www.revkey.com/google-ads-for-therapists See how clinets have worked with RevKey: https://www.revkey.com/google-ads-case-studies Connect with RevKey on social media: Connect on Instagram: http://instagram.com/revkeyads/ Connect on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/revkey/ Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revkeydigital

A diagnostic label should be a flashlight that helps you find your way, not a cage that defines who you are allowed to be. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Dr. Alastair Santhouse, a consultant neuropsychiatrist at London’s Maudsley Hospital with nearly 30 years of clinical and leadership experience. From treating complex physical-mental health intersections to serving at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dr. Santhouse has spent his career at the front lines of human distress. He is the author of “Head First” (2021) and his timely new work, “No More Normal: Mental Health in an Age of Over-Diagnosis” (2025). Together, we explore the modern "diagnostic creep" and the risks of over-medicalizing the natural spectrum of human experience. Dr. Santhouse offers a vital perspective on how psychiatry can pivot to better serve those with severe illness while restoring personal agency and a healthier societal understanding of what it means to be "normal."   For more information about “No More Normal: Mental Health in an Age of Over-Diagnosis” by Dr. Alastair Santhouse, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/No-More-Normal-Mental-Over-Diagnosis-ebook/dp/B0DB14K81B For more information about Dr. Alastair Santhouse, please visit: https://www.alastairsanthouse.com For more information about Alastair’s other books, please visit: https://www.alastairsanthouse.com/author

When "professional" is defined by a paycheck rather than a license, we trade our society's healers for a system reserved only for those who can afford the entry fee. In this episode of BHT Bytes, hosts Sharlee Dixon and Peter Fenger tackle the sobering "declassification" of behavioral health degrees under the 2026 "One Big Beautiful Bill." As the Department of Education narrows the definition of a "professional" career, social workers, counselors, and therapists find themselves sidelined into a lower funding tier, capped at $20,500 in federal loans while their peers in law and dentistry access $50,000. We explore the "funding canyon" created by the death of Grad PLUS loans, the shift toward a 30-year Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), and the dangerous message this sends to the care economy. By prioritizing high-salary ROI over essential service, is the government turning life-saving professions into "elite-only" careers? Join us as we discuss whether the technical definition of "professional" is colliding with the human reality of "essential," and what this fiscal shift means for the future of the mental health workforce and the diverse practitioners our communities desperately need.   Follow Behavioral Health Today on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/behavioralhealthtoday/ Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@behavioralhealthtoday Follow us on Threads at: https://www.threads.net/@behavioralhealthtoday Or watch us live on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvOeCMGsF7B2gNBHuWxt-fQ

Healing is an evolution rather than a graduation. While recovery is often treated as a destination, true healing is the daily process of becoming better than yesterday and gaining the tools to navigate the storm when it returns. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Chris Yadon and Ana Megrelishvili. Chris is the Managing Director of Saprea, a nonprofit devoted to liberating individuals and society from child sexual abuse through healing and prevention. As the organization's first employee in 2015, Chris has led Saprea’s growth into a global leader in survivor support. He brings both strategic executive leadership and a deep personal commitment to this critical mission. Joining him is Ana Megrelishvili, a survivor, advocate, and community leader from Atlanta. Ana co-chairs the annual Saprea Gala, where she uses her voice and lived experience to bring visibility to the realities of abuse while inspiring hope for fellow survivors. Together, Chris and Ana share the heart of Saprea’s mission and the profound impact their healing programs have on the community. This conversation explores how Saprea supports adult survivors through connection and prevention efforts, featuring Ana’s firsthand journey of resilience and transformation.   For more information about Saprea, please visit: https://saprea.org For prevention resources for parents and clinicians, please visit: https://saprea.org/prevent/ To learn more about volunteering opportunities, please visit: https://saprea.org/volunteer/ Consider a donation to Saprea at: https://support.saprea.org/give/230670/#!/donation/checkout For more information about partnerships, please visit: https://saprea.org/partnerships/ Connect with Chris Yadon on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-yadon-mpa-3533937/ Connect with Chris Yadon on Substack: https://chrisyadon.substack.com

Joy isn't something you chase. It's something you notice, when you finally stop, put down your phone, and look around. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with Hiroko Yoda, a Tokyo-born cultural historian, writer, and journalist who has spent decades making Japanese spirituality, folklore, and tradition feel alive and accessible for Western audiences. A certified Shinto cultural historian and former Miko shrine dancer, Hiroko has authored and co-authored numerous books exploring Japan's rich spiritual heritage, and co-founded AltJapan Co., Ltd., a creative bridge helping Japanese storytellers in video games, anime, manga, and film share their work with the world. Her latest book, “Eight Million Ways to Happiness: Wisdom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan”, is at once a memoir, a travel log, and a cultural deep dive. Drawing on the Shinto concept of kami, the countless unseen presences said to inhabit everything from mountains and oceans to the words we speak, Hiroko invites readers to loosen their grip on rigid ideas of belief and discover spirituality as something far more flexible, practical, and personal. Part grief journey, part cultural history, the book shows how small rituals, reverence for nature, and a spirit of play can make us feel less alone, even in the hardest seasons of life. Today, we explore what it means to live as though everything has a spirit, and why that simple shift in perspective might be one of the most powerful tools we have.   For more information about “Eight Million Ways to Happiness: Wisodom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan“ by Hiroko Yoda, please visit: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735293/eight-million-ways-to-happiness-by-hiroko-yoda/ For more information about Hiroko and her work, please visit: https://www.hirokoyoda.com Join Hiroko’s newsletter at: https://blog.hirokoyoda.com Connect with Hiroko on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/hi_yoda_1/ Connect with Hiroko on Tiktok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@hiroko_yoda Connect with Hiroko on X at: https://twitter.com/Ninetail_foxQ

Your nervous system learned danger. It can learn safety too. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with Nora Rodden, CEO and co-founder of Nervana, a science-based mobile app helping people regulate their nervous systems and reclaim their lives from chronic pain. After a life-altering car accident left her suffering from chronic pain, GI issues, and insomnia for over five years, Nora didn't find relief through injections, surgery, or nerve ablation. She found it through neuroscience. A clinical trial at Harvard Business School introduced her to the power of mind-body therapy, and effectively rewired her brain's alarm system. Now, drawing on her background in biotech and her training as a certified yoga teacher, she's on a mission to bring these evidence-based neuroplasticity tools out of the research lab and into the hands of millions. In this conversation, Nora takes us inside her recovery, the science behind chronic pain, and how Nervana is helping users move from a chronic state of fight-or-flight back to one of lasting internal safety, one small, powerful experiment at a time.   For more information about Nervana, please visit: https://www.trynervana.com To download Nervana from the Apple App store, please visit: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nervana-chronic-symptom-coach/id6754898332 Listeners can save $50 on their subscription with BHT50. Questions about Nervana? Please contact Nora at [email protected] If you are a clinician and interested in sharing Nervana with your clients, please visit: https://www.trynervana.com/for-clinicians Connect with Nora on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/norarabah

Your hippocampus isn't a fixed shape, it's a garden. With the right sleep, movement, and purpose, it can actually grow larger and stronger at any age. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Dr. Majid Fotuhi, a pioneering neurologist and neuroscientist with more than 35 years of experience in brain health, memory, neuroplasticity, and the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Fotuhi earned his PhD in neuroscience from Johns Hopkins, completed his medical training at Harvard Medical School, and returned to Johns Hopkins for his neurology residency, where he now serves as an adjunct professor. Known for translating complex brain science into practical tools, his award-winning work has helped thousands improve memory, focus, and clarity. His expertise has been featured on CNN, NBC News, the Today Show, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more. He is also the author of the new book “The Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life.” In this conversation, Dr. Fotuhi shares the science behind his 12-week program and the everyday habits, movement, nutrition, mindset, stress control, purpose, and even embracing boredom, that help prevent cognitive decline and keep your mind sharp for life.   For more information about Dr. Majid Fotuhi, please visit: https://drfotuhi.com For more information about “The Invisible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life” by Dr. Majid Fotuhi, MD, PhD, please visit: https://drfotuhi.com/pre-order/ For more information about Dr. Fotuhi’s online courses, please visit: https://drfotuhi.com/online-course-app/ For more information about The Invincible Brain App, please visit: https://invincible.drfotuhi.com Connect with Dr. Fotuhi on social media: Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrFotuhi Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_fotuhi/ Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.fotuhi Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drmajidfotuhi Connect on X: https://x.com/drfotuhi

August 2026 is closer than you think, and the changes could work in your favor or catch you off guard. Whether you're deep in exam prep or just starting your licensure journey, this conversation will help you decide whether to test now or wait and why that decision matters more than you think. In this episode, Peter Fenger and Sharlee Dixon break down exactly what's shifting, from fewer questions and a new three-area content structure to a heavier emphasis on ethics over academic memorization. We dig into what it really means that Values and Ethics is now the most heavily weighted section, how the shorter exam format creates both opportunity and new traps for overthinking, and how to honestly assess whether the current exam or the new version plays to your natural strengths. We also tackle the bigger picture, from racial and socioeconomic pass rate disparities to the push for universal licensing, and why this shift may signal that the profession is finally being tested the way it's actually practiced. Walk away with a clear strategy, honest self-reflection questions, and the confidence to take your next step toward licensure.   Follow Behavioral Health Today on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/behavioralhealthtoday/ Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@behavioralhealthtoday Follow us on Threads at: https://www.threads.net/@behavioralhealthtoday Or watch us live on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvOeCMGsF7B2gNBHuWxt-fQ

Psychedelics are a pattern interrupt, not a panacea. They don't offer a "free lunch," but they do provide a "free snack", a brief, radical perspective shift that disrupts long-standing mental loops so you can begin the real work of transformation. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Keith Kurlander, MA, LPC, Co-Founder of the Integrative Psychiatry Institute, the largest professional education organization specializing in integrative mental health and psychedelic therapy. Keith also co-hosts the Higher Practice Podcast and co-founded the Integrative Psychiatry Centers, a clinic at the forefront of innovative mental healthcare. With over 20 years as a psychotherapist and coach, his path into this work didn't begin in a classroom, it began at 19, on the 19th floor of a college dormitory, in the middle of a suicidal crisis that would reshape the entire trajectory of his life. Now Keith dedicates his work to understanding what actually moves the needle in mental health, not symptom suppression, but root cause transformation. His integrative approach weaves together psychedelic-assisted therapy, trauma healing, gut health, metabolic medicine, spirituality, and the science of presence into a framework that treats the whole person, not just the diagnosis. In this conversation, you'll hear Keith's unfiltered take on why psychedelics aren't a cure but a pattern interrupt, a brief, radical disruption of the mental loops keeping people stuck. You'll also explore the spiritual dimension of trauma, the gut-brain connection most practitioners ignore, and why he believes healing isn't just personal anymore. It's our collective responsibility.   For more information about the Integrative Psychiatry Institute, please visit: https://psychiatryinstitute.com For more information about programs for professionals, please visit: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/overview-of-programs/ If you are looking for a therapist, consider the Integrative Psychiatry Provider Directory, please visit: https://directory.psychiatryinstitute.com For more information about the Higher Practice Podcast, please visit: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/podcast/ For more information about Integrative Psychiatry Centers, please visit: https://psychiatrycenters.com Connect with the Integrative Psychiatry Centers on social media: On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integrativepsychiatrycenters On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegrativePsychiatryCenters/ On YouTube: https://twitter.com/InPsychCenters On X: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp1K0NagrJRPxLxu4K8Dhew/playlists

We spend our lives running from discomfort, but when we stop to actually feel the sensations in the body, we realize they are the gateways to liberating our consciousness. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with Allura Halliwell, a transformational guide and creator of The Consciousness Method, a multidimensional healing approach designed to lead individuals from inner fragmentation to wholeness. With a deep commitment to human evolution, Allura empowers people to rewire their relationships, heal core wounds, and access higher states of consciousness. Her work invites us to release fear, decode long-held illusions, and transform pain into a portal for lasting change. Through her unique method, she helps others shift their timelines to create aligned, soul-centered lives from the inside out. We are excited to welcome Allura to the show to explore how The Consciousness Method offers a transformative path beyond traditional therapy. Together, we discuss addressing the root of emotional pain, dismantling mental health stigma, and creating accessible, sovereign pathways to healing.   For more information about “Unloved, Unworthy, Uknown: A Journey to Wholeness” by Allura Halliwell, please visit: https://unlovedunworthyunknown.com/book-332516 For more information about Allura Halliwell, please visit: https://allurahalliwell.com For more information about The Consciousness Method podcast, please visit: https://allurahalliwell.com/podcasts If you would like a consultation with Allura, please schedule: https://calendly.com/allurahalliwell/time-to-connect Connect with Allura Halliwell on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/allurahalliwell Connect with Allura Halliwell on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/allura.halliwell/

Most developmental struggles aren't caused by a "broken" brain, but by a functional disconnect, a gap between a child’s extraordinary gifts and their maturing systems. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Dr. Robert Melillo, a world-renowned expert in childhood neurological disorders, to challenge the "broken brain" narrative and introduce a revolutionary look at brain imbalances. Dr. Melillo explains that most developmental struggles, from ADHD and autism to dyslexia, aren’t caused by injury or pathology, but by a functional disconnection between different brain networks that creates a gap between a person’s extraordinary gifts and their daily challenges. Drawing on 30 years of clinical success and his best-selling work in “Disconnected Kids”, Dr. Melillo explores how specific windows of development, movement, and nutrition influence brain maturation, and why the brain’s incredible plasticity means it is never too late to bridge that gap. Whether you are a parent or an adult seeking answers, this conversation provides a practical roadmap for identifying root causes and using directed repetition to transform neurological function at any age.   For more information about Dr. Melillo and the Melillo Method, please visit: https://www.drrobertmelillo.com For more information about “Disconnected Kids” by Dr. Robert Melillo, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593713419 For more information about vitamins and supplements recommended by Dr. Robert Melillo, please visit: https://dr-robert-melillo.myshopify.com/collections/supplements-vitamins For more information about courses for clinicians and parents, please visit: https://www.drrobertmelillo.com/courses/ For more information about the Write Brain podcast with Ellis Melillo and Dr. Robert Melillo, please visit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-write-brain/id1781732884 Connect with Dr. Melillo on social media: On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DrRobertMelillo On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-melillo-a287b618b/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrRobertMelillo/ On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrRobertMelillo On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drrobertmelillo On X: https://twitter.com/DrRobMelillo On Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/robert-melillo-dc-phd-c-new-york?osq=robert+melillo

Resilience isn’t made of heroic leaps forward, it’s built from the small, everyday choice to keep going, even when the path ahead isn’t clear. In this episode, host Peter Fenger sits down with Renee Zukin, educator, writer, and mental health advocate with over 20 years of experience using the written word as a tool for self-transformation and empowerment. Renee is a contributing author to “Navigating the Clickety-Clack: How to Live a Peace-filled Life in a Seemingly Toxic World”, and her newly released memoir, “Every Day, I’m Brave: Cultivating Resilience to Gain Freedom from Fear”, explores how compassion, courage, and resilience can loosen fear’s grip on our lives. Passionate about creating safe spaces for growth and healing, Renee helps others find clarity, connection, and bravery in the ordinary moments of life. Together, Peter and Renee explore the journey behind “Every Day I Am Brave”, how journaling and self-compassion support us through uncertainty, and the everyday practices that help us move beyond fear and toward deeper courage and connection.   For more information about “Every Day, I’m Brave: Cultivating Resilience to Gain Freedom from Fear” by Renee Zukin, please visit: https://www.reneezukin.com/brave-book To download journal prompts and free resources, please visit: https://www.reneezukin.com/resources For more information about the Every Day, I’m Brave Facebook Group, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/everydayimbrave Connect with Renee Zukin on Social media: On Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/reneezukin/ On Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rzukin/ On YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51PgkA1Q-Hw On TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/zukin1 On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/zukin1

When communities lead, care works: culturally grounded support, early intervention, and multiple doors to emotional wellness. In this episode, host Sharlee Dixon sits down with Dr. Cara McNulty, CEO of Vibrant Emotional Health, the national organization behind the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, serving more than five million people each year. A population health scientist and nationally recognized leader, Cara is committed to breaking down stigma and democratizing access to mental health care across the country. Before joining Vibrant, she served as President of Behavioral Health and Mental Well-being at CVS Health, where she launched bold, data-driven initiatives, including a strategy to reduce suicide attempts by 20% among Aetna members, and helped spearhead Minnesota’s transformational population health legislation. With a doctorate in public administration and decades of experience translating evidence-based science into scalable solutions, Cara is passionate about building a society where emotional wellness is accessible to all. Together, Sharlee and Cara explore how community-driven peer support, led by people with lived experience, is reshaping youth mental health. They discuss how families can better navigate complex systems, access culturally competent care, recognize early warning signs, and create identity-affirming spaces where teens feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. The conversation also looks at the systemic changes needed to ensure emotional wellness isn’t a privilege, but a possibility for every young person.   For more information about Vibrant Emotional Health, please visit: https://www.vibrant.org/ For more information about Vibrant Emotional Health’s Community Programs, please visit: https://www.vibrant.org/what-we-do/community-programs/ For more information about 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, please visit: https://988lifeline.org If you’re interested in supporting Vibrant Emotional Health through donation, please visit: https://www.vibrant.org/donate/ Connect with Vibrant Emotional Health on social media: on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vibrantforall/ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vibrantforall/ on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vibrantforall on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/VibrantForAll on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vibrantforall on X: https://x.com/vibrantforall