Urmi speaks candidly with Paula about menstrual stigma, its cultural and societal roots as well as personal experiences as a Muslim woman. She emphasizes the importance of education and open discussion as well as creating access and celebration to increase empowerment and decrease shame.Urmi Hossain is Bengali by blood and Italian by birth. She works in the financial services industry in Canada, where she is currently residing. She is a self-published author, speaker, blogger, polyglot, and mentor. She is the holder of the CFA charter, one of the highest designations in the financial industry. Her first book is: Discovering your identity, a rebirth from interracial struggle.  She is an advocate of women's empowerment and very passionate about teaching and mentoring other girls and women.She is part of the organization called Women In Leadership for the Victoria Chapter in Canada as the social media lead where she spreads the message of gender equality and more women in leadership positions. She enjoys being a promoter of self-investing and personal development.In her free time, she enjoys reading books and practicing Muay Thai.Contact/Socials: Book: https://amzn.to/4bAAdqlLinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/urmi-hossainInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/urmamio/Youtube: https://bit.ly/3K02dI6Follow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Paula discusses the various struggles people face in their daily lives, highlighting some of her own personal struggles and approaches that can be used to address them and alleviate feelings of isolation.Follow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Dr. O speaks candidly about the connections she made during her own reproductive journey to closing the gap through research & education for emerging social workers.Guest Bio:Dr. Olymphia O’Neale-White, also known as Dr. O, is not your average professional. With a passion for education, public speaking, professional development, and advocacy, Dr. O brings a unique approach to everything she does. As a second-generation American, service member and clinician herself, Dr. O works to promote cultural inclusion, education and competency within professional spaces. At Through My Lense Consulting Services LLC, her pride and joy, Dr. O infuses her humor, enthusiasm and infectious energy into every consultation, training session, job preparedness program, and employment service. Her goal? To provide transformative learning experiences for students and postgrad professionals, molding them into the change agents of tomorrow. Dr. O's journey into human services began with a degree in Sociology from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. Intrigued by communities, systems, and policies, she dived into social work at North Carolina Central University, later earning her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from the University of Kentucky. Driven by personal challenges in reproductive healthcare and child loss, Dr. O is also dedicated to advancing reproductive education for social betterment. Balancing her roles as a clinical military social worker, entrepreneur, and part-time professor at various universities nationwide, Dr. O thrives on contributing to the world through teaching, guiding, and volunteering. Beyond her commitments in mental health and the military, Dr. O is a creative spirit. When she's not immersed in her professional pursuits, you can find her singing, dancing, or on a flight to her next adventure.Contact/Socials:Instagram: @throughmylenseconsultingLinkedIn:  Olymphia O'Neale-White, LCSW, DSWFollow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Amelia connects their love of learning, social work practice and research passion to their doctoral studies by not only exploring the needs of multi-racial families but developing a framework for clinicians working with this population.Guest Bio:Amelia is a licensed clinical social worker who leads a small NYC based group practice, Amanecer Counseling Services. Their work centers attachment trauma, gender based and racial trauma healing with queer and trans clients. Amelia also works as an Senior Lecturer at Columbia University, and as an organizational change consultant. Their work spans 23 years of dedication to supporting movement organizers and direct service providers committed to social justice and advocacy. Amelia has authored numerous book chapters and articles about trauma informed pedagogy, and anti-oppressive practice. Amelia is also a naturalist and photographer who spends alot of time by the ocean, and in quiet forests birdwatching.Contact/Socials:Email: amanecercounselingservices@gmail.comResource Folder: https://bit.ly/ep72resourceFollow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Toshi speaks candidly about themes in her mental health journey, ways that the arts supported her ability to express herself and how this not only motivated her to become co-founder of Midnight Comics but also ignited her passion to bring comics to youth in school settings. Guest Bio:Toshi J. was born in Long Island, New York, and studied theater at Columbus State University. She has an extensive theater background, and has been studying theater and acting since middle school, and also started voice acting in 2019. Toshi J. has been an avid reader and writer since a young age, and was originally inspired by media such as Star Wars, X-men, and all things Broadway. Her writing credits range from poetry books to Novels, but Comics are a new and fun endeavor for her.Contact/Socials:Instagram: midnightxcomicsInstagram2: official_toshijYoutube: Midnight ComicsYoutube2: Toshij89Follow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Marina shares how her curiosity begun about A.I, what she has learned and how she has shifted into educating others about how it can be used an not just an application but an opportunity to affect change in the social work profession.Guest Bio: Dr. Badillo-Diaz is an experienced school administrator and counseling director with a demonstrated history of working in community mental health and in education as a social worker. Currently, Dr. Badillo-Diaz is the founder of MABD Consulting focusing on the training of educators and social workers. She is also the author of the blog, “The AI Social Worker”, a 21st Century Skills and AI guide for Social Workers. Her areas of interest include 21st-century skills, social-emotional learning programming, school social work practice, education, youth mental health, clinical supervision for social workers, AI Applications, data management, and career development.Contact/Socials:Email: marina@mabdconsulting.comInstagram: @MABDconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarinabadillo-diaz/Website: www.MABDconsulting.comFollow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Paula speaks about self-disclosure from the personal and professional lens, the shifts in the how and why it is being utilized as well the benefit of putting it into your personal practice.Follow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Paula sheds some light on the cyberattack on Change Healthcare which took place on February 21, 2024 effectively crippling the many necessary processes of our national healthcare system, how it has impacted patients and providers, the alleged parties behind the attack and several things that we should now consider in the wake of this attack.Resources:Four Big Questions for DC - https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/18/health-care-hack-questions-00147199Change Healthcare Hack: What you need to know - https://www.wsj.com/articles/change-healthcare-hack-what-you-need-to-know-45efc28cAHA: 94% of Hospitals Financially Impacted- https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/aha-94-hospitals-financially-impacted-change-healthcares-cyberattackMetro Atlanta Therapists Suffer Financially - https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/cyber-attack-change-health-care-metro-atlantaFollow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Justin shares a notable shift in the misdiagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in Women, some possible root causes of this trend, contributing factors that impact women, and what mental health providers and the public can do to address it.Guest Bio:Justin is a licensed clinical social worker, content creator, and therapist for neurodivergent people, specifically for ADHD. Justin also coaches fellow therapists on how to grow on social media and gain clients leads by being their authentic self.Contact/ Social:Instagram1:  justingillespielmsw Instagram 2: adhdtherapist_jay TikTok: adhdtherapist_jay Website: www.justingillespielmsw.comFollow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Carolyn shares her social work journey from her beginnings in child welfare, pride in her Bronx upbringing and its pivotal role in her practice as well as how she accessed support along the way.Guest Bio: Carolyn's social work journey began since a young age while growing up in the Bronx. She was a recipient of the UFT scholarship and attended SUNY New Paltz. Her passions for social work led her to Child Protective services in New Jersey where she was able to finalize 33 forever families in the 6 years she worked there. Her heart came back to the Bronx to intern at the Bronx YMCA while completing her final year Fordham Univesity. Working in the heart of the South Bronx has led to completion of hours towards the LCSW. She was also the recipient of the United Health Corps Loan Forgiveness scholarship. Carolyn is also a SIFI instructor and Youth Mental Health Aid certified instructor.Contact:Email: c.oneal22@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Mallorie speaks about pivoting her work to serving nuerodiverse children and their parents as well as some tips and tricks she has picked up along the way to support the creation of what safe spaces look like within these communities.Guest Bio:Mallorie Rodgers, MA, LPC is a therapist based in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas who has dedicated her career to supporting inclusivity and holistic care. Mallorie specializes in neuro-diversity affirming services for individuals aged 12 and above, and has a special passion for working with high achievers and perfectionists. Through her work as a therapist and advocate, Mallorie aims to make the world a safer place for people of all neuro-types. Contact/Socials:Instagram: mallorierodgersWebsite: www.mallorierodgers.comFollow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Paula expands on the different types of mental health therapists, what the letters behind their name stand for as well as how this information can be helpful for you when deciding on the right provider to meet your needs. Follow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Julie shares her journey of learning and discovery in seeking out her birth parents, navigating informational and governmental hurdles, and creating spaces for others in the adoptee community.Guest Bio:Julie Ryan McGue is an American writer, a domestic adoptee, and an identical twin. She explores the topics of finding out who you are, where you belong, and making sense of it. She is the author of two books: Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging, and Belonging Matters: Conversations on Adoption, Family, and Kinship. Her third book, Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood releases in February 2025.Contact/Socials:Facebook: juliemcguewritesInstagram: julieryanmcgueLinkedIn: Julie McGueGoodreads: julieryanmcgueX: juliermcgueFollow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Ancy speaks with Paula about her discoveries regarding self-worth, how it is intertwined with our mental wellness, and how we can work to improve it at any age. Upcoming Event:reTreat, reLearn, reVitalize: A Weekend for NYC School Social Workers & CounselorsFriday, March 1st - Sunday, March 3rdStony Point, NYFor more information visit: https://bit.ly/nycschoolswsandcounselorsPassword: "RETREAT" for access :)Guest Bio:Ancy Lewis is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked with multiple populations for 20+ years in the areas of mental health, early childhood, adult nursing care, child welfare, and higher education. Currently, Ancy is an assistant director of field education serving the online and on-campus field education programs at Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. Ancy is also the co-founder and president of Velocity Visions, Inc., a personal and professional development company committed to providing individuals, groups, and organizations the tools for transformation through training and experiential activities that promote self-care practices, personal and professional growth, and prevention of burnout and compassion fatigue. She hosts the podcast Self-care to Success. She has also contributed to Parents Magazine, The Journal News, Pregnancy Corner, Reader’s Digest, and The Baltimore Times. Contact/Socials:Email: velocityvisions@gmail.comWebsite: www.velocityvisionsinc.comFollow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

In this follow-up episode, Antonia responds to questions she received based on her first appearance on the show where she spoke about her journey of self-discovery as the primary caretaker of her husband and son while navigating their disabilities away from home.Guest Bio:Antonia is Puerto Rican from the Bronx, now in rural Texas with her disabled military husband and child with autism navigating life.Follow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

In this episode, Marci Grossman shares a taste of her 30+ years of experience as a CPA and why she shifted her focus to follow her passion.Guest Bio: Marci is a CPA with over 30 years of experience working with people and businesses on their financial information. I've recently changed my focus to follow my passion and as a financial literacy educator, author, and speaker I am able to help people to better understand the financial decisions that come up in their lives on a regular basis. Let's talk about money.Contact/Socials:Email: marci@moneymarci.comFacebook: MoneyMarciInstagram: money.marciTikTok: marcigrossmanWebsite: www.moneymarci.comFollow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Kelly speaks about her experience engaging in active professional development, the personal work she engaged in to heal her intersecting identities, and the connection to how these two themes enhance her ability to effectively support her clients.Guest Bio:With a deep-rooted passion for the helping profession, Kelly Little, LMFT has amassed over 18 years of valuable experience, commencing in 2004 within the mental health field, offering comprehensive support, guidance, and advocacy. In 2012, she made the decision to further her education and successfully completed her undergraduate studies in psychology. Building on this foundation, she pursued and achieved her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2017. She now holds a license in CA as an LMFT providing a healing space for adult individuals to journey toward their authentic selves through her private practice, specializing in trauma, grief, and anxiety. Contact/Socials: Instagram - @kelly.little.lmftWebsite - https://www.kellylittlelmft.comFollow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Happy New Year 2024! Paula breaks down the differences and similarities between setting intentions and resolutions. Since it is the start of a new year, this can be a great time to see which of these best aligns with you or if neither is a good fit and they both get the boot.Follow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Paula's second annual version of "Ask Me Anything" where she responds to questions that listeners asked on Instagram and via email.Follow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod

Benjamin details his experiences navigating Autism, education, peer relationships, and the workforce, pokes holes into how we can craft improved experiences for others, and shares how he plans on doing his part.Guest Bio: Benjamin is a Podcaster, Autism Advocate, and Healthcare worker all in one. He has enjoyed podcasting as well as writing for the last two years and wants to share his gifts with the audience.Contact/Socials:LinkedIn: Benjamin VabnerInstagram: @bv99001Youtube: pickyourbrainswithbenjamin761If you are interested in participating in the Latino Social Work Coalition & Scholarship Fund's Dia de los Reyes Celebration, you can find more information and purchase a ticket here!https://secure.givelively.org/event/latino-social-work-coalition-and-scholarship-fund-inc/dia-de-los-reyes-holiday-celebration-honoring-our-espiritu-de-los-reyes-honoreesFollow us on Instagram @whydontwetalkabouthispod