Strong Single and Human

EP 170 - Gina and Don Grothoff - Parenting, Mental Health, and the Grothoff Family's Journey

Gina and Don Grothoff,(Grodoff) are parents and founders of Focused Healthy Family. Despite their qualifications as occupational therapists, child-led learning coaches, EFT practitioners, and mindset coaches, One might think with all those qualifications and the fact Donald and Gina are the proud parents of three children who are now 25, 21, and 14 that they were prepared for any parenting challenges.
But along with the joys and challenges of everyday parenting, the Grothoff family has experienced issues with mental illness, extreme personality and behavior changes raising three kids two of whom suffer from severe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder,
Gina and Donald understand the joys and challenges of everyday parenting and believe that communication and emotional stability are crucial for a healthy, happy family. They are passionate about helping other families, particularly those in the "Sandwich Generation" who are raising kids while caring for aging parents, find their way through similar challenges. Their non-traditional paths of life and learning have led them to follow their passions and use their experiences to assist others.
They share their unique journey and experiences, with an emphasis on parenting, on their podcast, the Focused Healthy Family Podcast and have spoken to groups including National Alliance of Mental Illness, National Association of Women Business Owners, National American Holistic Nurses, Rotary clubs, Holistic Health Network
 
Find them here:
https://www.focusedhealthyfamily.com/index
https://www.autismspeaks.org/provider/focused-healthy-family
http://ginaanddon.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldgrothoff/
https://www.instagram.com/donaldgrothoff/
https://www.boomplay.com/podcasts/29458

EP 169 - AJ Coleman (Part2) - Finding Love After Loss: AJ Coleman's Journey of Healing and Hope

AJ Coleman is the author of Keep Those Feet Moving — A Widower’s 8-Step Guide to Coping With Grief and Thriving Against All Odds.
Throughout AJ’s life, he has had to overcome tremendous challenges.
As a child, AJ was frequently bullied for his hearing impairment. Instead of letting social challenges define him, AJ strived to overcome them.
In 2009, AJ faced the most painful challenge of all—losing his wife Cory to brain cancer—when their daughter was just one-year-old.
AJ started the Keep Those Feet Moving blog in 2013 to share his advice, experiences, and philosophical wisdom with the world. He was inspired to write by the encouragement of close friends and family members, who were all astonished by how AJ was able to stay strong after losing Cory.
Today, AJ lives in a suburb of Chicago. He is remarried with a blended family and focuses his time on raising his family and helping others overcome challenges. AJ is an avid Florida Gator fan who enjoys traveling, learning languages, and playing soccer. When he isn't writing, he always looks for opportunities to self-educate.
AJ’s story is truly an inspiration for all of us to Keep Those Feet Moving, no matter how difficult it may seem at the time. And He is back to talk to us about how he started dating after losing his wife.
 
Find AJ at:
https://keepthosefeetmoving.com/our-story

EP 168 - Cherie Morris - Transforming Divorce: Cherie's Path to Empowering Single Parents and Children

This weeks guest is a lawyer who is now a full-time divorce coach, Parent Coordinator, author, and mother who supports single parents to do better for themselves and their children with co-parenting skills
She has an approach that combines logical reasoning with empathy and compromise to achieve successful results in conflict resolution. Cherie believes that each decision made during a divorce should be carefully analyzed for its long-term consequences, especially when children are involved, and that a divorce coach can help provide an objective perspective.
Cherie is convinced that acting as one's best self is the best way to serve the best interests of children during a divorce, inspiring flexibility and resilience in them. 
As part of a blended family with four children of her own and one from her partner, Cherie understands the challenges and rewards of navigating complex family dynamics. Along with her work with Dear Divorce Coach, Cherie also offers parent coordination and coaching sessions for individuals and couples going through divorce or other life transitions.
 
Find Cherie at
https://deardivorcecoach.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DearDivorceCoach/
https://twitter.com/DearDivorceTeam
https://www.linkedin.com/in/morrischerie/
https://www.instagram.com/deardivorcecoach/
https://www.pinterest.ph/DearDivorceTeam/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJJMAXn_j7fwszBM6-Zh8EQ/featured
https://www.tiktok.com/@deardivorcecoach?

EP 167 - Andy Goldstrom - Parenting with Purpose: Andy's Journey to Empower Families

This week's guest was a successful business entrepreneur who grew up with divorced parents whose styles were very different, leading to confusion regarding his adolescent needs for support, security, and safety. And then a few years ago, he struggled with his daughter as she faced anxiety and depression as a teenager.
Both experiences were challenging and heart-wrenching. He wondered what his parents or he could have done differently. In hindsight, after much learning and reflection, he realized a lot could have been done to make these far more positive experiences.
As a result, he has made it his mission to help parents like find smoother and more productive paths, to better communicate and connect 
Andy Goldstrom is the founder of Parents Journey Coaching, he coaches and helps parents better navigate the challenges of raising children today. Deepening your knowledge about your situation, your parenting style, and what works and doesn’t by leveraging your strengths and helping you develop your own solutions.
 
Find Andy at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andygoldstrom/
https://parentsjourneycoaching.net/podcast/
https://oplm.com/speaker/andy-goldstrom/
https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fgoldstrom_andy
https://www.allkindsoftherapy.com/experts/expert/parents-journey-coaching

EP 167 - Dr. Kathryn Vecchioa - The Art of Healing: Kathryn's Journey from Adversity to Empowerment

This week's guest was born in Cleveland Ohio to a very Sicilian family. Her father played jazz trumpet and infused the arts into all of her experiences and was blessed to explore all aspects of creative expressive art forms. 
She has been personally touched by addiction, adoption, and complex trauma and as an athlete overcame extraordinary obstacles.
With over 30 years of experience in the consulting and coaching field. She has worked with individuals, couples, and families and in various roles for example at the maximum security prison in North Carolina. managing the psychiatric in-patient unit, assessed custody levels, and provided services to death row inmates. 
Another role she was part of the team contracted by the U.S.  Army in Ft. Bragg, as health coaches and team members partnered with soldiers preparing for deployment.
Now as the executive director of The Vecchio Group, Art for the Heart, Kathryn's unique take on using all art forms to tap into the client’s creativity is brilliant. She is using art to encourage creativity to gain access to different perspectives on any given issue.
 
Find Kathryn at:
http://www.artfortheheartfoundation.org

EP 166 - Momma Firefox - Strength in Diversity: Navigating Parenthood and Identity with Momma Firefox and Jax

This week we have 2 guests.
One Momma firefox is a mental health advocate and part-time live show host/podcaster/content creator and variety gamer with a full-time job on top of all that. This superstar mum is raising her two kids as a single mom! She has a 9 year old who has Tourette Syndrome and a 16 year old who is transgender and struggles with anxiety. 
The second guest is Jax Momma Firefox’s is 16, who’s biggest challenge he has faced since coming out as transgender has been communicating with his parents. Conversely, he has found a lot of joy in interactions with complete strangers when they affirm his gender even unknowingly. He enjoys gaming with his friends, spending time with his girlfriend, playing with his little brother and pets, chilling with family, "art stuff" and listening to music.
They both live in Texas and together they just do their collective best to get by with all the politics and real dangers that come along with being *different* these days.
All they want to do is help others feel less alone and encourage people to seek help when it feels the hardest but they need it most.
 
Find Momma at:
https://www.twitch.tv/mommafoxfire/about
https://www.instagram.com/mommafoxfire/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/MommaFoxFire/about
https://www.tacosfallapart.com/about

EP 165 - Patti Handy - Thriving Single Motherhood: Overcoming Financial Challenges with Patti Handy

Todays guest Patti handy has spent a combined 20 years as a Financial Advisor and Mortgage Advisor, however it was only after she experienced a heartbreaking divorce that shattered her world and made her feel overwhelmed and fearful about her financial future as a single mother and where she made costly mistakes out of desperation despite her background in finance, Patti now is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and experience to help women overcome financial challenges and achieve fulfillment and joy in their lives.
She acknowledges the difficulties that women face when it comes to money and aims to provide them with the tools and guidance they need to navigate financial decisions confidently. Patti's story of resilience and transformation serves as an inspiration for those who may be going through similar challenges, offering hope and the promise of thriving even in the face of adversity.
 
Find Patti here:
https://www.pattihandy.com/about
https://www.facebook.com/groups/870805444193498
https://www.instagram.com/patti.handy/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattihandy/

EP 164 - Sheila Carroll - Transforming Children's Health Through Parental Guidance

In 20 years of clinical medicine, Sheila has taken care of a lot of very sick children but to an even greater extent, she saw kids with lifestyle induced problems. Poor sleep, unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy weight and frequently a lot of depression and anxiety were keeping these kids from living in their best health. 
Dr. Sheila Carroll is a board-certified pediatrician and obesity medicine physician who is dedicated to helping children achieve their best health.
Shelia opinion is a child cannot be expected to change their lifestyle habits by themselves. Children need their parent's and caregiver's help. And parents need help figuring out first, exactly what to do and then, how to actually do it. 
She does this by working exclusively with parents who are willing to focus on modifying their own behaviors to ultimately improve their child's health. 
She help children by empowering their parents to be the parents they truly want to be . 
 
Find Shelia at:
https://weillcornell.org/sjcarroll
https://doctors.nyp.org/sheila-j-carroll-md/pediatric-cardiology-upper-east-side
https://vivo.weill.cornell.edu/display/cwid-sjc7002
https://www.mainehealth.org/Provider-Directory/C/Carroll-Sheila-M
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-carroll-a2326322/
https://health.usnews.com/doctors/sheila-carroll-415361
https://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-sheila-carroll-xkmr2

EP 163 - Susan Gold - Redefining Parenthood: Overcoming Trauma with Resilience

Susan Gold's life is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. 
She was raised in a challenging and chaotic family system, the middle child of five. Escaping the toxic family environment after high school graduation, she embarked on a remarkable journey of self-discovery. 
Professionally, Susan became known for attaching celebrity talent to projects in NYC which led her to produce for television and film and on to Los Angeles. 
She convinced modern art legend Andy Warhol to do an on-camera commercial for Pontiac, and on behalf of Disney Channel persuaded A-list celebrities including Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Taylor Swift, David Beckham and more to be interviewed by cartoon characters…Phineas & Ferb. 
Susan is also a decorated endurance athlete competing in three marathons, and dozens of triathlons and has the distinction of finishing third in her age group at the treacherous Escape from Alcatraz event.  
Keen on leaving a legacy to help others heal from challenges she’s successfully documented her journey of transforming trauma into triumph with the release of her book, "Toxic Family: Transforming Childhood Trauma into Adult Freedom," which chronicles her personal trajectory.
In her book, Susan shares her own experiences of overcoming a challenging family dynamic and provides invaluable insights for others facing similar obstacles. Her story is an inspiration to those who have endured childhood traumas, 
Susan's ability to transform her own pain into a source of strength and empowerment has made her a beacon of hope for countless individuals seeking healing and personal transformation.
Today, Susan continues to make a profound impact through her speaking engagements, workshops, and coaching programs. She passionately helps others navigate their own healing journeys, encouraging them to reclaim their lives and find joy and purpose beyond their past. 
She has become a guiding light for those seeking to turn their trauma into a powerful gift and live a life of authenticity and fulfillment.
Find Susan at:
Official Website
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter
Speaker

EP162 - Trisha Clarke - Canvas of Parenthood: A Journey of Courage and Creativity with Patrisha Clarke

Patricia Clarke is a British Columbia-based artist, writer, and speaker who draws much of her inspiration from the natural splendor surrounding her and her real-life experiences. 
During her rewarding journey she has been an entrepreneur and won various awards and contracts to import her specialty candy into stores like Costco, London Drugs, and Superstore. 
However in 2010, she left her import/export career to channel her experience and energy into building her art practice. Her intuitively painted art can be seen hanging in galleries, homes, and businesses worldwide. 
But this isnt why she is with us 
Today she published her 1st book, The Unknown Sister - A Memoir of The Search For The Truth Of My Paternity and it has become a best-seller, 
Her purpose in writing this book was to support others and to give them the courage to have difficult conversations. 
Patricia has been seen on screens and stages educating about adoption, secrets, art, and spirituality, and often, her art and book are woven into her speaking. You can often find her traveling and spending time in nature when she's not in her studio creating.
 
Find Trisha at:
https://patriciaclarkecreations.com/gallery/
https://www.facebook.com/patriciaclarkecreations/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-clark-11209b24/