I'm Alive Because
49 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 16 ratingsWelcome to the I’m Alive Because podcast brought to you by Stay Alive Inc. Host Sara Amundson chats with individuals who provide relatable mental health stories in an effort to inspire breakthrough for others. Join us for bi-weekly interviews and practical wellness strategies on our Mini-Mondays series. To share your story, visit our website at http://www.stayaliveinc.org or follow us on instagram and facebook @abrandforthebroken
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Episodes
Meet Courtney
February 03, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 52.3 MBCourtney Noël, of Earth, Rhythm & Womb, is all about empowering women to tap into their infinite pleasure through embodiment practices. Whether she’s facilitating ceremonial spaces, sensual Twerkshops, 1:1 sessions or hosting virtual calls through the Goddess Collective... Courtney’s passion is fueled when she can create space for women to feel seen, held & free. Through ritual, sacred practices, connecting to the earth and her body... Courtney has discovered the unlocked potential that lies...
Meet Rachel and her memoir: Against Such Things
January 20, 2021 22:00 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBHi friends! On today's episode of the podcast you meet Rachel K. Baldwin. Rachel is a second-chance enthusiast and joins us today on the podcast to discuss her journey to recovery from drugs and alcohol and living her authentic life. Rachel recently published her memoir, Against Such Things. You can find Rachel on IG @calmbeforetherach and her 5 star memoir on Amazon As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayaliveinc.org You can also find...
Meet Angela
January 06, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 51.7 MBHi friends! Today you meet Angela! Angela is a writer, coach, and makeup artist. She comes on the podcast to talk about how she healed from an abusive relationship and uses this experience to help others. You can find Angela on social media: https://www.instagram.com/thatangelamorris/ As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayaliveinc.org You can also find Sara on Instagram @saraswellnessway and schedule with her through her Holistic Heal...
Intrusive Thoughts (End of Season 2)
November 18, 2020 15:00 - 9 minutes - 6.35 MBHi friends! With the way this year has been going, it has been very hard to stay positive. On this episode, Sara discusses intrusive thoughts and provides several different ways to cope with these issues. This is very common for someone who experiences anxiety, depression, or past trauma. With this mini episode, we will be closing out season 2. We hope these episodes have helped reinforce that you are not alone this year and we encourage you to go back and review some of the previous ses...
Meet Izzy
October 28, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 42.1 MBHi friends! Today you meet Izzy. Izzy is an artist, writer, yoga teacher in training, and a mental health advocate. Her passions include cooking delicious vegan food, playing guitar and singing, and hiking with her dogs, among many other things. Her hope is to encourage others to know that they are not alone through vulnerability and sharing stories. You can find Izzy at her various social media channels: Izzy's art: https://www.instagram.com/artbyizzyrock/ Personal: https://www.instag...
Meet Paige
October 21, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 52.7 MBHi friends! Today you're meeting my friend Paige. Paige is a badass Mom, Personal Trainer, friend, and wife. She is joining us on the podcast to chat about her life and her experiences. Please note this is a heavy episode. We talk about childhood abuse, veterans PTSD and moral injury, and her experience losing someone to suicide. We don't shy away in this episode because these things deserve to be heard. You can find Paige on social media at https://www.instagram.com/ptpaigexmua/ As al...
Meet Francisco
October 14, 2020 04:00 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MBHi friends! Today you meet my friend, Francisco, who talks about his experience living with a physical disability. Francisco Oller Garcia is the Digital Operations and Marketing Specialist for BeniComp Health Solutions, a health tech company in the insurance space. He is also an active civic member, community builder, and advocate of lifelong learning. He is the Marketing Chair for the University of Tampa's Board of Counselors, on the Digital Marketing Advisory Board Member for The Unive...
Meet Laurie
October 07, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 46.5 MBLaurie Edmundson is a mental health advocate and public speaker who uses her lived experience with borderline personality disorder, anxiety, and other mental health challenges to advocate for change in the health care system, encourage better treatment of people who live with mental health challenges throughout society, and to support those who are struggling. You can find her on Instagram @laurieanned and her Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skill of the Day series on her IGTV (@laurieann...
Meet Janna
September 30, 2020 14:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MBHi friends! Today you meet Janna Holterman, BNSc, Burnout coach Janna Holterman uses her personal experiences in burnout as a Registered Nurse to shape her growth from burnout to resiliency. Janna strives to help others overcome this ever growing issue after discovering how common burnout is both in and outside the workplace. Janna has created resiliency tools from her own journey to recovery, along with training from The Co-Active Training institute and The Life Coach school. Janna provi...
Meet Brittany
September 23, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 45.5 MBHi friends! Today you meet Brittany Hartmann. Brittany is a lacrosse coach, former teacher, and family friend of mine! She joins me on the podcast to discuss her longtime struggle with perfectionism, taking on too much, and the impact that had on her health. We talk sports, the responsibility coaches have when working with youth, and the impact that perfectionism has on our health. This one shouldn't be missed! As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our...
Meet Marquell & Pure Alchemy
September 16, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBHi friends! Today you meet Marquell Oliver. Marquell works for the Orlando Magic and recently started a non-profit, Pure Alchemy. He is passionate about social responsibility, youth, education, and creating more love in the world. In this episode we talk about humans as transactions, BLM, and I make him my podcasting husband. Marquell can be found: On IG @ https://www.instagram.com/ff_quellz/ Pure Alchemy can be found: On IG @ https://www.instagram.com/purealchemygroup/ On Twitter @ ht...
Meet Erika
September 02, 2020 04:00 - 57 minutes - 39.5 MBHi friends! Today you meet Erika Dannelle, podcast host of the I Luv Me 2 podcast. Erika is a mom, wife, employee, and woman living with anxiety. Her journey to recovery is beautiful and insightful and we are so excited to be able to share her story. Erika's podcast can be found: On IG @ https://www.instagram.com/iluvme2_podcast/ Online @ https://iluvme2podcast.com/ As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayaliveinc.org You can also find...
Meet Jose and We Are All One Story
August 26, 2020 03:00 - 48 minutes - 33.2 MBHi friends! On today's episode of the podcast you meet Jose of We Are All One Story. Jose Lugo is an ex-LA gang member who has re-found the value in his own story. He currently travels the U.S. listening to and sharing people's stories as the founder and lead creative of We Are All One Story. Here's some information on We Are All One Story: We listen to people's stories through the lens of hope, honesty and vulnerability, sharing them to the world through our social media accounts. We...
Meet Shanna
August 19, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 44.4 MBDescription Hi friends! On today's episode you meet Shanna, a self-love and transformation coach Shanna joins us on the podcast to chat about her childhood, the impact it had on her, and her journey to self-love and eventually teaching others through her coaching. Shanna can be found on IG @ _shanna_rose_ As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayaliveinc.org You can also find Sara on Instagram @saraswellnessway and schedule with her...
Meet Sam
August 05, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 45.2 MBHi friends! On today's episode you meet Sam Gwazdauskas MS, CSCS, CISSN Sam is a health and fitness coach with a primary focus on mental and physical health. As a kid, she was overweight and the impact was far from just physical. The emotional scars left her body obsessed and through numerous diets and exercise regimes, nothing was enough. Even after she developed an eating disorder and horrible relationship with food. As a tribute to the suffering she experienced - she wanted to join out...
Meet Joy
July 24, 2020 18:00 - 56 minutes - 38.7 MBHi friends! On today's episode you meet Isami Daehn. She is a full time career chaser with a passion for mental health. She recently obtained her coaching certification to coach those who are finding their voice after family estrangement. On today's episode she discusses her own experience with family estrangement and coping with trauma. She leaves you with this beautiful message: "Mental health is something that is extremely close to my heart, as it is something I struggle with on a da...
Meet Chris
July 15, 2020 05:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MBHi friends! Today you meet Chris Barkley. Chris lives in Spokane Washington, and describes his experience over the past year and a half since becoming paralyzed from the chest down in a skiing accident. Chris can be found on IG @chriswbarkley The foundation that Chris is an athlete and sponsored with is High Fives: www.highfivesfoundation.org The organization that I mention at the end of the episode is Coral Cliffs. Coral Cliffs is a black, queer, female owned indoor climbing gym in Flo...
Season 2 Opener
July 08, 2020 05:00 - 4 minutes - 3.25 MBHello everyone! We are SO excited to return for our season two opener. We are returning with recovery stories as well as focusing on highlighting black owned business and/or advocacy organizations consistent with the Black Lives Matters movement. We can't wait to do this work with ya'll. As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayaliveinc.org You can also find Sara on Instagram @saraswellnessway and schedule with her through her Holistic ...
Meet Shauna
May 27, 2020 07:00 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MBHi friends! Today you are meeting Shauna. Shauna is a certified holistic life coach, and is on a mission to make sure young women know their worth and their options. Her life's work has been dedicated to inspiring young women to find their unique voice, navigate their OWN path and learn to shine their authentic light brightly and without hesitation. Shauna is in the middle of a major life change and is moving into a van that she's renovating with her husband and her doggo to move across th...
Meet Connor
May 20, 2020 03:00 - 1 hour - 45.5 MBHi friends! Today you meet Connor. Connor lives in Scotland and is a boxing coach, Psychology student, and person living in recovery for an eating disorder. He shares his experience with disordered eating, the services and supports he accessed, and his commitment to advocacy and normalizing disordered eating in men. Connor can be found on IG @recoveryconnor Read some of Connor's writing: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/blog/stereotypes-and-stigma-stopped-me-talking-about-my-eating-dis...
Meet Margie and John
May 13, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 49.7 MBHi friends! On today's episode you are going to meet Margie who talks with us so vulnerably about the death of her son, John. Margaret Thompson began her career in New York City at MTV. She married and left to raise her two boys, Tim and John, ultimately finding the calling of her life, teaching. Since the loss of her son, John, to suicide, she has dedicated herself to educating others about the importance of focusing on mental health as a medical, and potentially fatal, condition. In 2...
Meet Devon
May 06, 2020 05:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBHi friends! On today's episode you meet my cousin, Devon. Devon joins us on the podcast to talk about finding peace outside, imposter syndrome, listening to your narrative, and helps me come to terms with the fact that sometimes there doesn't have to be an answer or a solution. We talk about just being with reality instead of trying to "fix" it. Devon can be found on Instagram @iversondevon As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayalivein...
Meet Anna
April 22, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 43 MBHi friends! Today you meet Anna and hear about her journey with anxiety and treating it and turning it into a way to help others! Anna Mahan Tara is a driven and compassionate coach helping people defeat anxiety. She works with people who want to be happy, are motivated to find the missing piece in their struggle with anxiety, and are ready to break free from the pain it causes. After working with Anna you will be in control of your life with a whole new world of possibilities in front o...
Meet Danika
April 08, 2020 05:00 - 52 minutes - 36.4 MBHi friends! Today you are going to meet a fellow Portlander named Danika! Danika is a dog mom, incredibly talented photographer, and someone with a story to share. Danika tells us about her experience losing her father a few years ago. She shares about grief and coping and also about how to navigate chronic pain and the mental health struggles that can be associated with that. Danika is currently enrolled in a DBT program and we get down on some of the skills we do and don't like! You ...
Meet Rachael
March 25, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 45.1 MBHi friends! On today’s episode you meet Rachael. Rachael Fisher is an Empowerment Coach who is on a mission to help women release limiting beliefs so they can create the freedom & impact they desire in life. Through her 1 on 1 coaching services & her new course Awaken & Activate Your Freedom, Rachael inspires people just like you to connect with their purpose so they can start taking action towards what matters most. Rachael can be found online at: Insta: @iamrachaelfisher Facebook Pa...
Eating Disorder Mini-Series: Meet Jillian
March 18, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 53.1 MBHi friends! On Part 3 (the last part!) of the Eating Disorder Mini Series, you meet Jillian. Jillian lives in Fort Worth, Texas and is a Transformation Coach with a passion for helping women heal from within. Her 12 year battle with bulimia and addiction to alcohol brought her to her knees at the age of 26. Now, on the other side of addiction, she utilizes meditation, movement, breathwork, and 1:1 intensive coaching to help guide women through their own healing journeys towards recovery,...
Eating Disorder Mini-Series: Meet Tianne
March 11, 2020 06:00 - 58 minutes - 40.2 MBHi friends! Today on episode 2 of the mini-series you meet Tianne. Tianne lives in Chicago and works as a nanny/house manager. In her spare time she blogs about her extensive travels in her blog “Forever in Fernweh” and enjoys working out and serving at church. She has an incredible eating disorder story and an even better recovery. For more information on disordered eating visit the following: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-diso...
Eating Disorder Mini-Series: Meet Dana
March 04, 2020 05:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBHi friends! Today you meet Dana. Dana lives in New Jersey and works as a Corporate Event Planner. She manages the Live The Benefit of The Doubt blog, is a person living in recovery, and is a future dog mom! Dana is also a Step-Mom, lover of How I Met Your Mother, and an avid gym-goer. She has done great work to recover from a Binge Eating Disorder and today she shares her story, the tools she uses to navigate disordered eating, and what she wants people to know about this struggle. A h...
Introducing the Eating Disorder Mini Series
March 02, 2020 06:00 - 3 minutes - 2.71 MBHello friends! In support of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (NEDA) we are hosting a 3 part mini series. The next three Wednesday's we will feature an individual who is willing to share their story with disordered eating. Together we will learn about eating disorders, their impacts, and how some people start and maintain recovery because recovery IS possible. For more information on disordered eating visit the following: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ https://www....
Meet Lena
February 26, 2020 06:00 - 56 minutes - 39 MBOn today's episode you meet Lena Suarez-Angelino. Lena is a Social Worker who joins us on the podcast today to talk about her work in mental health. She received both her Bachelors and Masters in Social Work from Monmouth University. She has experience working in a variety of settings such as Partial Care, Outpatient and Intensive In-Community (IIC). She has worked with children, adolescents and adults from all walks of life. Lena joins me on the podcast today to talk about her work in men...
Mini Monday: Music Heals
February 17, 2020 04:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MBOn today's Mini Monday episode, Damien is back telling us more about how music heals. He owns Between The Lines Media, which can be found on IG @btlmediareviews where he reviews music and sponsors music events. Between The Lines Media can also be found at https://www.betweenthelinesmedia.org Damien’s personal IG is @beardedcatdude As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayaliveinc.org You can also find Sara on Instagram @saraswellnesswa...
Meet Damien
February 13, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 43.5 MBOn today’s episode Sara talks with Damien about his experience with depression, suicidality, and recovery. He shares his vulnerable and authentic story with you all. Damien is a husband, cat dad, and music lover. He owns Between The Lines Media, which can be found on IG @btlmediareviews where he reviews music and sponsors music events. Between The Lines Media can also be found at https://www.betweenthelinesmedia.org Damien’s personal IG is @beardedcatdude As always, please follow St...
Mini Monday Episode 5: Daily Gratitude Practice
February 10, 2020 05:00 - 9 minutes - 6.4 MBHi friends! On today's Mini Monday series I share just a few of the reasons why using a daily gratitude practice can be helpful! As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayaliveinc.org and myself, Sara @saraswellnessway and sunshinesarablog.com. Please utilize your national mental health resources if you are in need: National Prevention Suicide Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255 The Crisis Text Line - text HOME to 741741 National Drug/Substance A...
Mini Monday: Daily Gratitude Practice
February 10, 2020 05:00 - 9 minutes - 6.4 MBHi friends! On today's Mini Monday series I share just a few of the reasons why using a daily gratitude practice can be helpful! As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayaliveinc.org You can also find Sara on Instagram @saraswellnessway and schedule with her through her Holistic Health and Wellness coaching at https://www.thewellnesswayllc.com/ Please utilize your national mental health resources if you are in need: National Prevention...
Mini Monday Episode 4: 8 Wellness Domains
February 03, 2020 06:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBHi friends! On today's Mini Monday series we review the 8 wellness domains and talk about ways to promote wellness within each domain! This is a great reminder that health is multifaceted and we are best served when we actively work at our wellness in all domains, not just in one or two. Here's a bit more information on those domains if you're interested! As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayaliveinc.org and myself, Sara @sunshinesara50...
Mini Monday: 8 Wellness Domains
February 03, 2020 06:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBHi friends! On today's Mini Monday series we review the 8 wellness domains and talk about ways to promote wellness within each domain! This is a great reminder that health is multifaceted and we are best served when we actively work at our wellness in all domains, not just in one or two. Here's a bit more information on those domains if you're interested! As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayaliveinc.org You can also find Sara on Insta...
Meet Sergey
January 29, 2020 06:00 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MBHi friends! On today's episode I meet Sergey who has followed Stay Alive Inc. since the beginning. We talk about his personal experience with depression and its impact on his relationship with his family. We discuss his work as a personal wellness strategist and tools and interventions that can be used to transition from a suffering state to a wellness state. I hope you enjoy our laughs, stories, and us staying alive together. We hope you join us. As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc...
Episode 3: Meet Sergey
January 29, 2020 06:00 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MBHi friends! On today's episode I meet Sergey who has followed Stay Alive Inc. since the beginning. We talk about his personal experience with depression and its impact on his relationship with his family. We discuss his work as a personal wellness strategist and tools and interventions that can be used to transition from a suffering state to a wellness state. I hope you enjoy our laughs, stories, and us staying alive together. We hope you join us. As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc...
Mini Monday Episode 3: Fact Checking
January 20, 2020 06:00 - 10 minutes - 7.06 MBHi friends! On today's Mini Monday series we talk about one of my favorite skills to use for emotional regulation: fact checking. Checking the facts has been one of the most helpful tools for identifying if my emotional responses to situations are appropriate and if I’m leading my behavior by my values. Fact checking is a skill from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayaliveinc.org and myself, Sara @sunsh...
Mini Monday: Fact Checking
January 20, 2020 06:00 - 10 minutes - 7.06 MBHi friends! On today's Mini Monday series we talk about one of my favorite skills to use for emotional regulation: fact checking. Checking the facts has been one of the most helpful tools for identifying if my emotional responses to situations are appropriate and if I’m leading my behavior by my values. Fact checking is a skill from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayaliveinc.org You can also find Sar...
Meet Verita
January 15, 2020 06:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBHi friends! On today's episode I interview my dear friend, Verita. We talk about her childhood experience with anxiety, self-harm, and how her mom responded. We talk about coping with loss, coping strategies for grief, and how to keep a person’s memory alive. And, we talk about her use of CBD and cannabis products for wellness. I hope you enjoy our laughs, stories, and us staying alive together. We hope you join us. As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and...
Episode 2: Meet Verita
January 15, 2020 06:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBHi friends! On today's episode I interview my dear friend, Verita. We talk about her childhood experience with anxiety, self-harm, and how her mom responded. We talk about coping with loss, coping strategies for grief, and how to keep a person’s memory alive. And, we talk about her use of CBD and cannabis products for wellness. I hope you enjoy our laughs, stories, and us staying alive together. We hope you join us. As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and...
Mini Monday Episode 2: Moderation
January 13, 2020 06:00 - 9 minutes - 6.71 MBHi friends! On today's Mini Monday series we talk about Moderation. This topic is perfect for the first month in the new decade! Moderation is necessary for wellness and should be applied to all things. Let’s talk about how to identify if we’ve got too much or too little of a good thing going! As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayaliveinc.org and myself, Sara @sunshinesara503 and sunshinesarablog.com. Please utilize your national ment...
Mini Monday: Moderation
January 13, 2020 06:00 - 9 minutes - 6.71 MBHi friends! On today's Mini Monday series we talk about Moderation. This topic is perfect for the first month in the new decade! Moderation is necessary for wellness and should be applied to all things. Let’s talk about how to identify if we’ve got too much or too little of a good thing going! As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayaliveinc.org You can also find Sara on Instagram @saraswellnessway and schedule with her through her Holis...
Mini Monday: Cope Ahead Planning
January 06, 2020 06:00 - 12 minutes - 8.93 MBHi friends! On today's Mini Monday series we talk about one of my favorite skills to use for managing anxiety: cope ahead planning. Coping ahead has been one of the most helpful tools I have used for day to day anxiety, relationship struggles, and anxiety about upcoming significant events. Coping ahead is a skill from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. You can learn more about it here if you'd like! As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayal...
Mini Monday Episode 1: Cope Ahead Planning
January 06, 2020 06:00 - 12 minutes - 8.93 MBHi friends! On today's Mini Monday series we talk about one of my favorite skills to use for managing anxiety: cope ahead planning. Coping ahead has been one of the most helpful tools I have used for day to day anxiety, relationship struggles, and anxiety about upcoming significant events. Coping ahead is a skill from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. You can learn more about it here if you'd like! As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandforthebroken on IG and at our website stayal...
Meet Tori
January 01, 2020 06:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MBHi friends! On today's episode I interview my wife, Tori about what it's like living with and being married to me and my health! We talk dating, her coping, and how to support a spouse or loved one with a mental illness. We also talk Tori's work and what it's like being in law enforcement surrounded with people who struggle with mental health. I hope you enjoy our laughs, realizations, and us staying alive together. We hope you join us. As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandf...
Episode 1: Meet Tori
January 01, 2020 06:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MBHi friends! On today's episode I interview my wife, Tori about what it's like living with and being married to me and my health! We talk dating, her coping, and how to support a spouse or loved one with a mental illness. We also talk Tori's work and what it's like being in law enforcement surrounded with people who struggle with mental health. I hope you enjoy our laughs, realizations, and us staying alive together. We hope you join us. As always, please follow Stay Alive Inc. @abrandf...
Intro
December 12, 2019 04:00 - 4 minutes - 3.3 MBI'M ALIVE BECAUSE IS BORN! In this pilot episode, Sara introduces herself as the new host of the I'm Alive Because podcast for Stay Alive Inc. Listen in to hear about how we provide a platform for individuals to share their stories with mental health as well as tools for maintaining mental health and wellness.