Advertise on podcast: Drop The Shades

Pain can either define you or refine you and this conversation shows exactly how to transform it into strength. In this deeply moving episode of Drop The Shades, host Joseph Elisha sits down with coach, clinical hypnotherapist, and NLP practitioner Mike Oglesbee to unpack trauma, anxiety, suicidal ideation, estrangement, self-love, and the hidden gifts inside suffering. Mike shares his raw personal journey from a troubled childhood and years of inner turmoil to building a life devoted to helping others heal. Together, they explore how childhood trauma shapes adulthood, why anxiety is rooted in fear and control, how hypnotherapy works on the subconscious mind, and what it truly means to set boundaries from a place of self-love. This is a conversation about healing, surrender, resilience, and becoming the person you were always meant to be. Key themes in this episode: How trauma can stunt emotional growth Why anxiety is future-based thinking The role of self-love and boundaries in healing Turning suffering into purpose and meaning Rewiring the subconscious through hypnotherapy and NLP If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, identity, trauma, or finding meaning in difficult experiences, this episode will leave you feeling seen, challenged, and inspired.

What if the key to your energy, mental clarity, recovery, and even emotional health starts in your gut? On this episode of Drop The Shades, Joseph Elisha sits down with nutrition coach, integrative wellness consultant, and ultra endurance athlete Lauren Callahan to unpack the surprising connection between gut health, mental health, performance, and personal growth. After struggling for years to complete a marathon despite doing “everything right,” Lauren discovered that healing her gut completely transformed both her physical and emotional well-being. From fiber-first nutrition and fermented foods to ultra marathons, meditation, recovery, and bioactive peptides, this conversation dives deep into what it really means to optimize your health from the inside out. In this episode: Why fiber may be more important than protein for most people The gut health connection to anxiety, mood, sleep, and clarity How Lauren went from failed marathons to Ironmans and 100-mile races Practical ways busy families can eat healthier without overwhelm The mindset shift from limitation to possibility If you’ve ever wondered how much better your body and mind could actually feel, this episode will challenge the way you think about health, performance, and everyday living.

What if most of the thoughts in your head simply are not true? In this reflective solo episode of Drop The Shades, host Joseph Elisha explores the quiet but powerful realization that our minds are master storytellers and not always reliable narrators. From late night cosmic worries to everyday anxieties about work, family, and the future, Joseph unpacks how our brains constantly create stories designed for survival rather than truth. By learning to question those stories, we can step out of the noise and reconnect with the only place life actually happens: the present moment. Key themes in this episode: - Why your thoughts are not the same as facts - The three biggest lies your brain tells you - How worry and mental time travel keep you stuck If you have ever felt trapped in your own head, this conversation is a reminder that you are not your thoughts. When you learn to observe the stories instead of believing them, something powerful happens. You return to the present, to your breath, and to the quiet space where clarity and peace begin.

What if the answers to better health have been hiding in plain sight all along? In this eye-opening episode of Drop The Shades, host Joseph Elisha sits down with actuary, corporate executive, and health advocate Emma Tekstra to challenge the modern healthcare model and explore what true wellness really looks like. From helping Fortune 500 companies redesign benefits programs to healing her son after an autism and ADHD diagnosis, Emma shares the personal journey that transformed her mission. They dive into preventive health, the gut-brain connection, pharmaceuticals, stress, autoimmune disease, and why employers may hold more power than governments when it comes to changing health outcomes. Inside this episode: How Emma helped her son thrive beyond his diagnosis Why stress, food, and lifestyle may be driving chronic illness What employers can do to lower costs and improve lives The hidden connection between gut health and mental health If you're ready to question the system and take ownership of your health, this conversation is for you.

What if the voice you’ve been ignoring is the one you should trust most? In this episode of Drop The Shades, Joseph Elisha sits down with Lenka Schulze to explore intuition as more than a gut feeling. She reframes it as our first sense, one that guides everything from survival instincts to deeper life decisions, relationships, and purpose. Through powerful insights and real-life examples, Lenka shares how intuition can be developed, trusted, and used to navigate a noisy, chaotic world. Key themes and takeaways: - Why intuition is your first sense, not your sixth - How stress blocks intuition and calm unlocks it - The difference between survival intuition and higher awareness If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself, this conversation will help you reconnect with the part of you that already knows the way.

What if the thoughts in your head are not telling you the truth? In this reflective solo episode of Drop The Shades, host Joseph Elisha explores the nonstop noise of the human mind and why so many of our thoughts are misleading, exaggerated, or completely imagined. After a humorous real life moment sparks deeper reflection, Joseph breaks down how our brains create stories that pull us away from clarity, peace, and the present moment. By learning to question those mental narratives, we can stop letting fear, worry, and past regrets run the show. In this episode, Joseph explores: - Why thinking something does not make it true - The illusion that worrying gives us control - How the mind constantly drags us into the past or future When you learn to observe your thoughts instead of believing them, you begin to reclaim your calm, your focus, and your power. Take a breath, slow down, and drop the shades. Your peace might be closer than you think. 🎙️

What if the deepest trauma in your life became the reason you could heal others? Dr. Robert Bleck shares his harrowing story of enduring years of physical and emotional abuse as a child and how that pain shaped his path to becoming a therapist and professor. Through decades of work, he developed Source Completion Therapy, a process designed to help people finally release the trauma they’ve carried for years. In this conversation, he breaks down how unresolved pain turns into addiction, anxiety, and destructive patterns, and how confronting the source can lead to real, lasting healing. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why trauma doesn’t disappear and where it actually goes How pain turns into addictions, anxiety, and toxic patterns The 3-phase process to truly heal and reclaim your life If you’ve ever wondered whether real healing is possible, this episode might change how you see your past.

What if the key to healing isn’t doing more, but slowing down? In this episode of Drop The Shades, Dr. Emily shares her journey from years of autoimmune disease and medication to finding true healing through functional medicine and lifestyle change. In this conversation with Joseph Elisha, she breaks down how stress, inflammation, and everyday habits silently shape our health and how small, intentional shifts can completely transform it. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why stress is one of the biggest hidden drivers of chronic illness - How small daily habits create massive long term health changes - The power of “pausing” to activate your body’s natural healing If you’ve been running on empty and searching for real answers, this episode is your invitation to slow down, tune in, and start healing from within.

What if the cracks in your life are the very thing that makes you valuable? In this reflective episode of Drop The Shades, Joseph Elisha explores the Japanese philosophy of kintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Through this powerful metaphor, he reframes pain, failure, and hardship as essential parts of the human story rather than flaws to hide. Instead of chasing perfection, Joseph invites listeners to see their scars, struggles, and setbacks as proof of resilience and growth. In this episode you will hear about: • Why our culture’s obsession with perfection keeps us stuck • The meaning behind the Japanese philosophies of kintsugi and wabi sabi • How embracing your “cracks” can transform shame into strength If you have ever felt broken, this conversation offers a new perspective. Your story, your scars, and your healing may be the gold that makes you whole.

What if recovery is not about willpower, but about belonging? In this powerful episode of Drop the Shades, host Joseph Elisha sits down with Beck Gee, CEO of Breathe Life Healing Centers in Los Angeles, to explore a journey shaped by addiction, secrecy, gender identity, faith, and ultimately, profound self-acceptance. From growing up in an alcoholic home to navigating sobriety, depression, and coming out as trans later in life, Beck shares how community became the lifeline that made healing possible. Together, they unpack the layers of trauma, the cost of hiding, the courage it takes to live authentically, and the transformative role of collective support in long term recovery. Key themes include: - The hidden impact of childhood trauma and family secrecy - Addiction as both escape and connection - Gender identity, faith, and the fear of losing community - Why healing happens through belonging, not isolation

What if the person you’ve been searching for is you? In this first episode of Drop The Shades, host Joseph Elisha invites you into a quiet moment of reflection. When life gets loud with responsibilities, expectations, and constant noise, it’s easy to drift away from who you truly are. This conversation is about slowing down, getting honest with yourself, and beginning the journey back home. Instead of chasing perfection or productivity, Joseph shares how simple moments of silence, honesty, and self-awareness can help you reconnect with your inner voice and rediscover what really matters. In this episode, you’ll explore: - Why we slowly drift away from ourselves - How silence and honesty help us reconnect - Small boundaries that bring you back to who you are Sometimes coming home to yourself begins with one honest question and one quiet pause. If you’ve been feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, this episode is your invitation to dim the noise and return to yourself.

This podcast is evolving. In this special episode, Joseph shares the story behind the transition to Drop The Shades—a new direction focused on helping you quiet the noise, reset your nervous system, and find calm in a chaotic world. Drawing from decades in the operating room, Joseph introduces a deeper, more personal format built around stories, reflection, and practical tools to help you step out of overwhelm and reconnect with yourself. New episodes every Friday, starting this week.

In this episode of I'll Ask The Questions Around Here, Dr. Joseph Elisha shares a reflective monologue on how we think about the mind—as both a noun and a verb. Drawing from personal experience, everyday stressors, and the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, he probes the labels we apply to our thoughts and feelings. Joseph explores the practice he calls “dropping the shades,” a method of pausing and resetting through nostalgic reconnection. He explains how this mental reset—whether through music, memory, or a moment of solitude—can help us observe our inner storms without becoming them.    Key Points From This Episode:  [00:00:00] Introduction: the concept of the mind as noun vs. verb  [00:01:30] How internal labeling shapes self-perception  [00:02:55] The metaphor of the garden and choosing what we “water”  [00:03:30] Introducing “dropping the shades” as a coping mechanism  [00:04:05] Navigating emotional rapids and life’s stressors  [00:04:21] Using nostalgia to reset and re-center  [00:05:45] Operating room metaphor: connecting, pausing, and returning  [00:06:40] Neuroscience behind nostalgia’s effect on the brain  [00:07:15] Individual ways to “drop the shades” and reconnect  [00:07:40] Closing reflections and invitation to apply the concept    Joseph Elisha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-elisha-m-d-a9b7aab    Subscribe to this feed so you don't miss new episodes!

In this episode of I'll Ask The Questions Around Here, Dr. Joseph Elisha sits down with pastel artist Robin Frisella, PSA-MP, IAPS/MC, whose still life paintings evoke nostalgia, serenity, and emotional depth. Robin shares how a casual invitation to a pastel class ignited her lifelong artistic journey, transforming a quiet post-childraising chapter into a vibrant second act. The discussion touches on the emotional processes behind her art, the meaning she finds in vintage objects, and how her work provides a calming experience for others. They also explore themes of creative authenticity, family support, and art’s healing potential.    Key Points From This Episode:  [00:00:00] Joseph Elisha recalls discovering Robin Frisella’s work in Boston.  [00:02:38] Robin shares how a pastel class began her journey as an artist.  [00:04:15] Transition from working at a copy center to painting full time.  [00:06:56] Childhood love for drawing and early creative expression.  [00:07:32] Why she was drawn to still life over landscapes or portraits.  [00:09:05] Favorite objects to paint and their nostalgic emotional weight.  [00:10:05] The story behind her mother-in-law’s butter churn painting.  [00:11:28] How antique shops inspire her artistic compositions.  [00:12:55] Capturing emotional resonance through light and setup.  [00:14:31] Building emotional connection even with commissioned pieces.  [00:15:41] Responding to whether art is created or uncovered.  [00:16:37] Visualizing the final product and evolving it through the process.  [00:17:50] Attachment to her work and meeting collectors at shows.  [00:19:05] Managing pressure and how deadlines can sharpen creativity.  [00:19:46] Pastel as a challenging but expressive medium.  [00:21:21] Leaving areas unfinished and the beauty of imperfection.  [00:22:13] Viewers' emotional responses and what they take away.  [00:23:36] Memories from her childhood and their influence on her work.  [00:25:34] Using painting as a form of emotional reset during stress.  [00:26:44] The role and emotional pull of her signature dark backgrounds.  [00:27:42] Connection to old master traditions and family support.  [00:29:10] If not art, her love for interior decorating.  [00:29:49] Her children’s support and how her art evolved over time.  [00:31:07] Losing awareness of the world while painting.  [00:31:48] Becoming more open and confident through art.  [00:32:45] Introversion, public interaction, and creative paradoxes.  [00:33:53] What she wants future generations to take from her work.  [00:34:49] Dealing with doubt and finding reassurance through audience feedback.  [00:36:02] The only critique she’s ever received and staying true to her style.  [00:37:02] Why she’d still paint even if she never sold another piece.    Learn more about Robin: https://www.robinfrisella.com/    Joseph Elisha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-elisha-m-d-a9b7aab    Subscribe to this feed so you don't miss new episodes!

In this episode of I'll Ask The Questions Around Here, Dr. Joseph Elisha speaks with 12-year-old Madelyn Quinn and her parents, about Madelyn’s life as a heart transplant recipient. From enduring multiple surgeries in infancy to becoming a world-ranked junior golfer, Madelyn shares her powerful story of resilience, gratitude, and connection with her donor family. The conversation explores medical challenges, family dynamics, emotional healing, and the lasting impact of organ donation. Join us for a deeply human conversation about strength, purpose, and the extraordinary gift of life. Key Points From This Episode: [00:00:00] Dr. Elisha shares a personal experience with organ procurement.[00:03:30] Madelyn introduces herself and reflects on life with a donor heart.[00:07:29] Madelyn and her parents recount the emotional and medical journey.[00:14:37] Madelyn shares her "superpowers" and passion for golf.[00:18:58] The Quinn family meets their donor family for the first time.[00:24:19] Reflections on honoring the donor's legacy and the responsibility of receiving life.[00:29:52] Madelyn answers whether she would choose a different path if she could.[00:34:17] Dad discusses how Madelyn’s journey led him to a new career in transplant innovation.[00:38:30] The family recalls the exact moment they received the transplant call.[00:43:12] Madelyn shares her fears—medical and otherwise—and how she manages them.[00:50:04] The importance of organ donation and Madelyn’s message to skeptics.[00:54:59] Reflections on faith, gratitude, and the unseen hands that guide their path.[00:56:57] Dr. Elisha confirms his own decision to become an organ donor after hearing Madelyn’s story. Learn more about OneLegacy: https://www.onelegacy.org/wp/ Joseph Elisha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-elisha-m-d-a9b7aab Subscribe to this feed so you don't miss new episodes!