A Slice of Empathy

Valerie J Kelly

Just a 30-something-year-old gal trying to navigate this roller coaster we call life. On this podcast, we will discuss topics such as marriage & family relationships and mental & physical health. I am not an expert or professional and I am constantly learning new things. I felt like I should quote have it all together, but then I realized that would not be realistic or relatable. A Slice of Empathy is really just that, a slice of life built on empathy. Learning how to live our lives more intentionally without restrictions as we learn how to better support and uplift one another. I think sharing the struggles we go through can help bring us closer together and realize that we’re not alone. read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

When Life Gives You Lemons - A Conversation of Empathy & Resilience with Shari Bookstaff
6d ago
When Life Gives You Lemons - A Conversation of Empathy & Resilience with Shari Bookstaff
In this powerfully inspiring episode, we delve into the life-journey of Shari Bookstaff, a marine biology professor and champion of empathetic healthcare. A brain tumor survivor, she shares the catalyst of her transformative venture, Impact of Empathy. Explore her remarkable journey to recovery, her revelations on the stark empathy deficit in healthcare, and the subsequent steps she undertook to bridge this gap. Shari doesn't limit herself to healthcare alone. She broadens the scope of conversation, talking about her love for marine biology, her experiences teaching and exploring with her students, and her strategies for lifestyle adaptability in the wake of survival. Through her unique viewpoint on positivity and determination, she offers practical yet powerful techniques that reach far beyond generic advice. Shari's stories also touch upon a surprising aspect: football's role in her recovery, providing her with life lessons to fight adversity face-on. She is indeed a living example of resilience made possible by the will to adapt and overcome. Finally, Shari unveils insightful tips, borne from her work and experiences, on expressing empathy - the building block of her venture. Learn about the essential requirement of instant patient connection and the crucial role of empathy in work efficiency. Traverse through Shari Bookstaff's extraordinary path, from wrestling with life-changing adversity to spearheading positive change, only on this episode. Also included is an intriguing narrative about a guest who had aspired for nursing but ended up making her mark in marketing. Listen to her underline the influential role of empathy in healthcare through invaluable anecdotes. The insights offered in this compelling conversation extend beyond the healthcare sector, touching upon the lives of individuals going through their distinct hardships. Inspirations on facing and overcoming life's challenges in light of positivity, acceptance of help, the healing power of humor, and proactive empathy make this episode a must-listen. Packed with unparalleled personal experiences and practical takeaways, get ready for an episode that promises to redefine your perception of empathy and resilience. Visit her website here: ImpactofEmpathy.net When Life Gives You Lemons...Make Cranberry Juice!
Procrastination to Power: Quest for Self-Growth and Discovery with Katy Andrews
May 10 2024
Procrastination to Power: Quest for Self-Growth and Discovery with Katy Andrews
In this eye-opening episode of Slice of Empathy Podcast, our special guest, Katy Andrews recounts her remarkable journey from switching up her life in the United Kingdom to fearlessly pursuing her love for travel. Katy explores the transformative lessons woven into her experiences, touching on aspects of self-growth, adaptability, building resilience, and forming connections with like-minded individuals on her travels. She also advises on battling fears associated with enormous life changes, reassuring listeners by underlining the importance of rooting to 'why', crafting a clear vision, and setting definitive goals. Deep-diving into a prevalent issue, Katy shares her struggle with stress and procrastination and how she uses travel as a coping mechanism. She bares the pressures of being a perfectionist and reveals helpful strategies in managing these challenges, endorsing self-awareness, practicing self-kindness, and maintaining pragmatic daily expectations. Adding value to the conversation, our speakers further delve into the problem of procrastination. They introduce the eBook, "Time Ninja, Conquering the 9 to 5", that gives practical advice to professionals looking to effectively manage their time. The discussion emphasizes becoming self-aware, breaking tasks into manageable pieces, and constantly learning from past experiences in successfully managing procrastination. Katy narrates her continuous journey across parts of South America, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Asia, encapsulating the liberation that came with detaching from material possessions. She stresses the positive impact of travel on personal and professional aspects of life, demonstrating how an uplifting environment and work-life balance influence one's happiness and client service quality. In a memorable recount of her travel experience in Bogota, Katy explores the unpredictable nature of life and travel, emphasizing the importance of embracing uncertainties to nurture resilience. She also sheds light on coping strategies for job-related challenges and the value of self-care and passion projects when dealing with redundancy. Implementing these lessons derived from her travels, Katie encourages individuals to transform trials into opportunities for self-evolution and career growth. On Katy's website, you can access the Time Ninja 60-page ebook right on the homepage. If you're feeling overwhelmed, check out the 14-day Time Management Plan. Additionally, you'll find two extra free ebooks in the store—one on overcoming procrastination and another on navigating the career search. Visit https://msha.ke/katyandrews to explore these resources.
Establishing Boundaries, Self Love, and Navigating Codependency with Lindsay Andrews
Apr 26 2024
Establishing Boundaries, Self Love, and Navigating Codependency with Lindsay Andrews
In this enlightening episode, Lindsay Andrews—an integrative trauma coach and host of the podcast 'Unstuck on You'—shares her personal experiences with overcoming codependency. Drawing from her struggles and self-healing journey, Andrews provides useful insights into therapy, journaling, and other aids for those striving to maintain healthy boundaries and relationships. Andrews discusses her journey of self-discovery towards holistic healing and her endeavors to understanding the importance of setting boundaries amidst self-neglect and a tendency for people-pleasing — the hallmarks of codependency. She emphasizes the importance of being proactive and intentional in one's self-improvement journey and shares her experiences on how she developed effective communication skills and healthier relationships. In this engaging conversation, the guests share their strategies for managing and overcoming codependency. They open up about their pasts, marked by feelings of anger and a sense of victimhood and how they navigated towards a healthier way of dealing with conflict resolution and relationships. They stress the importance of setting personal boundaries, especially for people struggling with issues like low self-esteem and obsessive worry about others' opinions. The conversation extends to societal pressures that perpetuate codependent behaviors and offers relevant tips on starting small with something as empowering as saying "no." It underscores the importance of self-care and explores the challenges of holiday family dynamics and fears of disappointing others. The discussion underscores the critical role of self-awareness in managing personal responsibilities and emotions with emphasis on listening to one’s inner voice as an integral part of the healing process. In the concluding segment of this episode, the guest sheds light on strategies for dealing with emotional addictions positively related to codependency. They stress the importance of finding support through therapists or support groups during rough phases. They encourage listeners to stay connected, tune into the podcast, 'Unstuck on You,' and they sign off with a note of gratitude – a testament to shared experiences and unity in self-reclamation. Website: www.unstuckonyou.com Instagram: unstuckonyou
Embracing Your 30s, Debunking Common Age Myths and Breaking Away from Societal Expectations with Urmi Hossain
Apr 19 2024
Embracing Your 30s, Debunking Common Age Myths and Breaking Away from Societal Expectations with Urmi Hossain
In this captivating episode of our 'A Slice of Empathy' podcast, we welcome Urmi Hossain, a truly inspirational blogger, YouTuber, self-published author, and social media lead at Women In Leadership for the Victoria Chapter in Canada. This enlightening conversation provides a fresh perspective on life in your 30s – how one can debunk common misconceptions, embrace this phase, and allow it to spark self-growth. Urmi shares enthralling stories of her life, personal development, and how her outlook transformed after turning 30. Our talk dives deep into the challenges and misconceptions associated with stepping into the 30s. We explore the mental and physical strength this age gives and how it allows you to understand your unique value. We also discuss how life's beauty and experiences only gain depth with age while breaking away from societal judgments and expectations. Urmi shares five significant lessons she learned in her 30s, emphasizing the importance of embracing change, nurturing friendships, continual learning, celebrating simple life pleasures, investing in experiences instead of material possessions, and seeing positivity in negativity. Don’t miss this enriching chat on navigating life in your 30s with Urmi Hossain. We give profound insights into how our perceptions of life, happiness, relationships, and self-identity evolve. We highlight how smaller joys of life, such as being in nature and exploring diverse cultures, can enhance awareness, gratitude, and inner growth. We discuss shifts in our priorities and the quest for happiness beyond high-paying but unfulfilling jobs. Our conversation reflects on the truth about enduring friendships and how these relationships can change as life progresses. We assure our listeners about overcoming bittersweet challenges, such as maintaining long-distance friendships, by staying true to oneself. Lastly, our guest discusses her life experiences after relocating and the significance of investing effort in fostering relationships. She emphasizes the need for mutual dedication in maintaining relationships and the courage to let go when required. This heartwarming episode concludes with insights from Urmi’s book and sharing details for staying connected on various social media platforms. Join us to explore the complex, beautiful journey of embracing life in your 30s. Connect with Urmi and all of her great work here:  https://linktr.ee/urmihossain
A Conversation with Author Bracha Goetz on Overcoming Food Addiction and Inspiring Mindful Living
Apr 12 2024
A Conversation with Author Bracha Goetz on Overcoming Food Addiction and Inspiring Mindful Living
In this riveting episode, we feature an insightful interview with Harvard-educated author Bracha Goetz, renowned for her contributions to children's literature and her remarkable story of triumph over food addiction. Goetz invites us into her transformative journey, underlining the importance of nurturing positivity, self-worth, and mindfulness in children and the powerful impact of her writings on readers around the globe. Displaying an exceptional knack for simplifying complex matters, Goetz unveils the dark undercurrents of eating disorders, addiction, and personal growth, while stressing the significance of acknowledging children as unique souls on an intriguing journey, rather than mere physical entities. She further explores societal pressures and their contribution towards unhealthy habits and addictions. Goetz introduces the 'Pleasure Ladder,' a potent tool underpinned by ancient wisdom, during the course of the enlightening exchange. The concept represents the five soul stages and their corresponding pleasures, serving as a stark reminder of our inherent capability to incorporate enduring pleasure into our lives. The episode proceeds to navigate through the profound aspects of joy, creativity, satisfaction, and spiritual connections. Exploring the concept of transcendence, this part of the dialogue urges listeners to overcome their limitations and continuously evolve while preserving a profound connection with the world around them. Here, we delve into the treasures of creativity and its power to evoke a sense of fulfillment. We further talk about finding pleasure in workdays through simple acts like incorporating music into work routines. The episode closes with a discussion about sustainable joy through the practice of gratitude, addressing addictions from a unique perspective. The conversation invokes a sense of appreciation for life's simple pleasures, encouraging listeners to open their hearts to the life-altering power of gratitude and celebrate their tiny victories on their journey towards lasting joy and fulfillment. Our enlightening journey awaits your presence at www.goetzbookshop.com. Join us now and embark on your pursuit of lasting pleasure through the transformative power of gratitude!
A Journey of Healing Trauma & Complex PTSD with Counselor, Lisha Song
Feb 9 2024
A Journey of Healing Trauma & Complex PTSD with Counselor, Lisha Song
Welcome to an insightful episode of The Slice of Empathy Podcast where we converse with Lisha Song, a seasoned Licensed Mental Health Counselor proficient in handling trauma and complex PTSD. Lisha brings to the table an empowering approach to healing that is inclusive of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects. We delve into the insights from Lisha's book, "Love What Hurts – A guide for Healing Emotional Wounds and Following Your Intuition", accentuating the potency of this self-help resource in building a robust healing process. Lisha elucidates the nuances of complex PTSD and emphasizes the need for trauma therapy to aid in emotional recovery. In this engaging discussion, we navigate the issue of 'minimizing personal pain through comparisons', emphasizing the harm it can cause. We illuminate 'toxic positivity' and shed light on the importance of addressing deep-seated pain, stressing the need for a holistic healing approach. This enlightening episode explores elements of trauma and its resolution process, particularly the role of the physical body in healing. Our guest shares the benefits of systematic healing practices like EMDR therapy, ego state therapy, and somatic experiences. Lisha sketches a clear picture of her extensive healing sessions to demonstrate the imperative of these comprehensive healing strategies. Through the process of demystifying complex trauma healing concepts, we hope to enlighten listeners on the significant role of comprehensive, rather than surface-level, healing practices. An important aspect of our discussion includes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. We bring forth its potential effectiveness by introducing its function and various approaches. We also bring attention to the role of spiritual resources in healing, advocating their role in fostering a sense of protection and unconditional love during one's healing journey. We sincerely hope that the resources and experiences shared in this episode bolster your understanding and appreciation for EMDR therapy, sparking an interest for those keen on embarking on their own healing journeys. Connect with Lisha below: Love What Hurts: A Guide for Healing Emotional Wounds and Following Your Intuition: https://amzn.to/3SrlS7K http://www.SacredHealingPlaceTacoma.com https://www.facebook.com/sacredhealingplacetacoma https://www.instagram.com/sacredhealingplace