This Life, Reconsidered

So, in the wake of Black Lives Matter, companies of all sizes are choosing to embark on a road to course correct hiring, business practices, marketing and even the causes their support. That said, although these efforts are positives, this scramble to make such drastic changes begs the questions: what's to it? How authentic is it? And, how are they going to appease audiences to let them know they're working on the issue that should have been addressed long ago?   

Yes, social distancing and quarantine are exhausting and frustrating. That said, have we tried to figure out if there are tiny benefits we can extract from it, if we can to get through it?

In this episode we try to take a human, sensitive look at the protests and demonstrations... And what we should really be learning from them. For more insight, check out the show's blog on Medium: Why you need to pay attention to these protests

In the midst of of the most game-changing live events, we're so focused on getting OUT of the issue, that we forget to ask ourselves the basic questions that allow us to really understand how we can be better versions of ourselves. To dig into this idea, Jenina shares her reframing of the popular Five W's and H when it comes to moving on from a tough moment. Email the show at reconsideredthepod [at] gmail.com

When navigating a crisis (or a pandemic), what normal looks like also change. That said, I highlighted a handful of lessons to try and keep things in perspective. Reference:  This Life, Reconsidered on Medium: Learning from Moments of Crisis      

Since coronavirus (or known as COVID-19) has evolved from epidemic to pandemic, it's immediately led to illness, death and changing the way we live -- even the way we interact. In this episode, host Jenina Nunez talks to therapist Monica Gonzalez of Balanced Lotus Counseling & Wellness about one of the byproducts of this current global crisis -- the impact of social distancing. Why is this a big deal? How do we make the best of it now? And, how do we learn from it? Reference Links Jenina on the Today Show: https://on.today.com/2QMZbM9 Balanced Lotus Counseling & Wellness: https://www.balancedlotuscounseling.com/ What Is Social Distancing?: https://time.com/5800442/social-distancing-coronavirus/ World Health Organization: https://bit.ly/2yagSyW

Breakups are a sad reality of relationships. That said, when a romantic coupling ends, how often can we look back  and without doubt, own our own mistakes in how things went? In this special episode This Life, Reconsidered, talk to Elaine, a divorcee that takes a hard look at the person she was in her marriage. Above that, she allows her to learn from the hurt and the turn of events. What we learn from this episode is that it IS possible to learn from the end of a relationship, if you're open to it.   Have questions, thoughts and opinions? Email the show at [email protected]  

In this follow up to our episode about understanding trauma, we speak with Monica Gonzalez, owner of Balanced Lotus Counseling & Wellness (https://www.balancedlotuscounseling.com/). She offers some suggestions on how we can consider dealing with the moments that challenge us.  Email the show at [email protected].

Live events impact people differently. However, how can a distressing event affect you? In this episode, we speak with Monica Gonzalez, owner of Balanced Lotus Counseling & Wellness (https://www.balancedlotuscounseling.com/) to understand this experience. In a special follow up bonus episode, Monica shares some advice on managing personal stresses. Email the show at [email protected].

Lillian Ruiz, former former COO of Civil Media Company and the Civil Foundation bestows some of her best tips on what it means to act & live BOLDLY, something that can be empowering when you need it! 

In this season two opener, I kick things off by focusing on one of the most empowering messages we tend to forget - how to being afraid of the choices we need to make for ourselves, especially if we're going to pursue the lives we want. To dig into this important lesson, I interviewed Lillian Ruiz, former COO of Civil Media Company & Civil Foundation. As a person that has made big, bold decisions to create her own reality, I thought she's have some great perspective to share.  Tune into this discussion for some motivating and insight stuff.  

Launched as "Stroke of Wisdom," Jenina rolls out this brief news update to explain the new title before new episodes roll out later this summer.  Email the show at [email protected]. More to come! 

At the end of Season 1, Jenina parts with the lesson she learned after all the other ones: that’s letting go in order to recover. Healing doesn’t happen overnight, but once you can let go, then you can make the rest count. Season 2 will return later this summer with new episodes. But don't worry, there will be mini updates to keep plugged in! :-)  Thoughts and insights? You can always reach the show at podcast [at] strokeofwisdom.com.  

As Jenina reflects on Season One, she also shares one of the biggest lessons she’s gathered since her life-altering trauma. Thoughts and insights? You can always reach the show at podcast [at] strokeofwisdom.com.  

We all get to that point where things get rough and stress bubbles over… So, for Stress Awareness Month, Jenina shares some of the simple tactics she's embraced to deal with stress. It's not supposed to be foolproof, but food for thought as you get your head in the game to tackle the stuff you'll inevitably need to address... **Reach Stroke of Wisdom by email (podcast [at]strokeofwisdom.com) or leave a voicemail (312-275-5777) and maybe we'll use your voice note for a future episode** Reference Links: American Heart Association: Stress and Heart Health: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/stress-and-heart-health  Three Tips to Manage Stress: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/3-tips-to-manage-stress Harvard Health Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/best-ways-to-manage-stress  Fast Company: Four signs of stress you shouldn't ignore: https://www.fastcompany.com/90324086/four-physical-signs-of-stress-you-shouldnt-ignore  

Sometimes it takes trauma (or even a stroke) to drill certain life lessons into your head that you probably should have already known. That said, I pulled together this round up of some of the most meaningful lessons I realized as I recovered, although I'd contend that these insights are universal.  **Reach Stroke of Wisdom by email (podcast [at]strokeofwisdom.com) or leave a voicemail (312-275-5777) and maybe we'll use your voice note for a future episode**

Actor Emilia Clarke’s personal story of surviving two aneurysms really hit close... Her experience is not only a powerful story about being stronger and willing to share, but it's a reminder that getting past the event itself is just part of experience. Ultimately, survival is a journey and should be respected as such. Listen to this week's episode for more! At the end of the day, there only a few things that matter in that journey, too... Emilia Clark's essay in the New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/personal-history/emilia-clarke-a-battle-for-my-life-brain-aneurysm-surgery-game-of-thrones   ***Reach Stroke of Wisdom by email (podcast[at]strokeofwisdom.com) or leave a voicemail (312-275-5777) and maybe we'll use your voice note for a future episode!***  

The word ‘selfish’ has always had negative connotations. But, in this week’s installment of Stoke of Wisdom, we poke at this idea, even suggesting why it may not ALWAYS be a bad thing… ***Reach out to Stroke of Wisdom by email (podcast [at]strokeofwisdom.com) or leave a voicemail (312-275-5777) and maybe we'll use your voice note for a future episode!***

Gratitude is good for the soul (or so they say) but it requires some real of effort, especially when it comes to getting past trauma. It's these feelings that host Jenina explores in this episode of Stroke of Wisdom.   Some casual reads on gratitude: The definition of gratitude according to Merriam-Webster: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gratitude The New York Times (Opinion): https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/opinion/sunday/choose-to-be-grateful-it-will-make-you-happier.html The Guardian (Health & Wellbeing): https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/oct/23/is-gratitude-secret-of-happiness-i-spent-month-finding-out Forbes (WomensMedia): https://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2016/07/08/8-ways-to-have-more-gratitude-every-day/#2db7cd711d54 ***Reach Stroke of Wisdom by email (podcast[at]strokeofwisdom.com) or leave a voicemail (312-275-5777) and maybe we'll use your voice note for a future episode!***  

His unexpected passing has sparked plenty of conversation, but what should this tragedy teach us?   ***Reach Stroke of Wisdom by email (podcast[at]strokeofwisdom.com) or leave a voicemail (312-275-5777) and maybe we'll use your voice note for a future episode.***

After the intro, host Jenina uses this mini-episode (also called a short) to highlight why denial is an essential part of the healing process... And how you benefit from going through it.  ***Feel free to reach Stroke of Wisdom by email (podcast[at]strokeofwisdom.com) or leave a voicemail (312-275-5777) to share your thoughts. Maybe we'll use it for future episode!***

In this inaugural episode of Stroke of Wisdom, host Jenina recounts the life experience and stroke that gave way to the podcast, ultimately inspiring her to flip her view on life… Or at least to work on how she sees things.     *** How have you had trauma affect you? Thoughts? Reach Stroke of Wisdom by email (podcast[at]strokeofwisdom.com) or leave a voicemail (312-275-5777) to share your thoughts.***