Coached Soul

Family Dialogue - Holidays

n the latest episode of their podcast, Steve and Kenya delve into the intricacies of family communication, particularly focusing on the challenges presented during holidays. They shed light on the various factors that contribute to this difficulty, emphasizing the importance of awareness and dedicated efforts to foster effective communication within families. By understanding and acknowledging these obstacles, individuals can work towards creating an environment that allows their family to come together and genuinely enjoy the holiday season. Steve and Kenya encourage listeners to actively engage in open, honest, and respectful conversations, while being sensitive to the unique dynamics and expectations that arise during this festive time.

Dealing with Bioplar Part-2

Steve, in part 2 of interviewing Nicole, discuss the important topic of mental health and its associated stigma. Nicole highlights that a person's own perception of their mental health can give permission for others to view them through the same lens. She has dealt with bipolar disorder and shares how she coped by focusing on self-care and expression through writing. Nicole's story also emphasizes the importance of seeking help and support for mental health issues.
Steve and Nicole also emphasize the need to educate the masses on mental illness to reduce stigmatization. Understanding and compassion towards those suffering from mental health issues is crucial for preventing further damage to the victims. Nicole's story showcases how owning one's mental health can help to reduce the stigma.

Living with a Diagnosis of Bipolar

In the podcast, Steve interviews Nicole, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. They discuss the stigma surrounding mental health diagnoses and debate whether bipolar is a label or not. Nicole candidly shares her experience of living with this condition and the challenges she faces in managing her symptoms. They also explore the difficulties that come with seeking help when one doesn't know how or where to start. Understanding the complexities of bipolar disorder is critical for supporting those who live with it, and this conversation provides valuable insights for listeners.

Internal Dialogue - Speaking Truh

During the podcast, Kenya and Steve delved into the topic of internal dialogue. They discussed the problematic nature of generalizations, specifically using words such as "always" and "never" in statements. Such language implies that a situation or behavior is actual in all cases, disregarding exceptions and leading to unfair judgments. The hosts emphasized the importance of being aware of our language and avoiding hasty generalizations. They stressed the need for more specific language that reflects the situation accurately. Kenya also pointed out how being stuck in our thoughts can hinder our presence in the current moment. She asks listeners to consider whether they live in the past or the present and encourages them to avoid getting caught up in negative internal stories.

Man’s Internal Dialogue

In this episode, Kenya takes over as the host to delve into the crucial topic of a man's internal dialogue, while Steve takes a back seat. A man's internal dialogue can be influenced by several factors, such as their upbringing, experiences, personality traits, and cultural background. It's common for men to internalize their emotions and thoughts, leading to difficulties in expressing themselves openly. This can result in extensive rumination and self-talk.
Many men struggle with insecurities and self-doubts concerning their body image, relationships, careers, social status, and other aspects. They might engage in negative self-talk and compare themselves constantly with others, leading to damage to their mental health, which may result in anxiety and depression.
Society's expectations of men to display emotional strength and avoid vulnerability often cause men to suppress their emotions and struggle with identifying and expressing them. Men might frequently question their feelings, causing doubts about their masculinity and sensitivity.

Women’s Internal Dialogue

During their discussion, Steve and Kenya explored the concept of women's internal dialogue. Internal dialogue is the back-and-forth conversation we have with ourselves within our minds. It's a mental process that involves reflection, reasoning, and self-talk. It can be referred to as self-talk or inner monologue and encompasses a range of thoughts, beliefs, opinions, ideas, and emotions. Depending on the situation, internal dialogue can be conscious or unconscious and is shaped by a person's life experiences, values, and attitudes. Ultimately, the most significant question to ask oneself concerning this inner conversation is whether it is truthful. It is vital for individuals to process their experiences and make sense of the world around them. What is your internal dialogue about?

Boundaries in Communication

Steve and Kenya dive deeper into the topic of communication boundaries. In essence, these are the limits we set for ourselves or others regarding what is considered acceptable in communication. These may relate to verbal or non-verbal cues and could encompass personal space, confidentiality, cultural norms, and respect. Ultimately, the purpose of boundaries is to facilitate healthy relationships, promote effective communication, and minimize conflicts or misunderstandings. Some examples of communication boundaries include expressing personal needs and preferences clearly, avoiding negative language or tone, acknowledging and respecting different perspectives, and allowing others to speak without interruption.

Parent’s Communication with Children

In the past, parents believed that using guilt and shame as disciplinary tools was the most effective way to teach their children right from wrong. However, research has shown that this discipline style can negatively affect a child's self-esteem, self-worth, and overall mental health. As parents, it is crucial to understand how our words and actions impact our children and strive to create a positive environment for them. Communicating with children is critical, and Steve and Kenya discuss the importance of words in parenting. How we speak to our children has implications for their development into adulthood. Unconditional love involves setting boundaries and disciplining when necessary while consistently reinforcing the message that the child is loved and valued. This means being a constant source of comfort, security, and assurance that they are loved unconditionally, no matter their challenges. Parents must understand the power of their words and actions and strive to create a positive and loving environment for their children. 

Men’s Communication with Women

In their podcast, Steve and Kenya highlight the significance of men communicating with women courteously and sympathetically. They stress the value of active listening, being aware of the tone and body language used, and refraining from behaving defensively or aggressively while communicating with women. Men should aim to comprehend and demonstrate compassion towards women and avoid actions contributing to harmful stereotypes or maintaining gender inequalities. Above all, men should prioritize creating an environment where women feel heard, appreciated, and esteemed. This can be accomplished by being receptive, empathetic, and encouraging in all interactions with women. Men must understand and exercise practical communication skills, which foster healthy relationships and empower women to express themselves freely by creating an emotionally safe place.

Women’s Communication with Men

Is there an underlying message that women convey to men? The phrase "You're not listening" is a form of shaming that may have originated from the wounds inflicted by parents, and it can impact present communication between genders. Therefore, checking our internal emotional state before speaking is essential because avoidance is not a conscious reaction. Communication stems from within and is projected onto the other, making understanding how women can effectively communicate with men crucial. In this regard, the podcast of Kenya and Steve on communication can be enlightening. Communication cannot flourish in a hierarchical relationship, and Kenya shares her experiences of improving herself and her marriage through effective communication. Click the “Learn More” link for the podcast on the topic of women communicating with men.

The Power of Communication

Steve and Kenaya's discussion on embracing who we are in communication is an essential reminder that our interactions with others are influenced by how we see ourselves. If we have a low sense of self-value, we will likely behave in ways that compromise our self-respect and self-worth. We may find ourselves in toxic relationships or constantly seeking validation from others. On the other hand, if we have a strong sense of self-value, we are more likely to respect ourselves and others, speak up for ourselves, and set healthy boundaries. We become less dependent on external validation and are more confident in our decisions and choices. Do you check out in conversations with your partner because your voice matters? They talk about how women can stop giving their power away in communication.

Learning to Empower

Steve is excited to have Kenya as the new co-host. Kenya is a musician and does music therapy to guide women to embrace their true selves, overcome past trauma, and find their unique voice. As a musician, she understands the power of tuning into your mind's voice, and she's even written a song on how to rid ourselves of "Being the Victim." In today's episode, we'll explore ways to disengage from negativity and tap into the positive frequencies that empower us to evolve. We'll also discuss methods to recognize and break free from repeating habits and trauma as Kenya shares her insights on how cultivating compassion, seeing what's needed to move beyond oneself, and honoring oneself can lead to self-growth.

I’m Fine

This podcast, "I'm Fine" is phrase that should depend on the context and relationship. A deeper conversation can be prompted if there is genuine concern for the person. In more casual situations, an acknowledgement with care can suffice. People should also recognize moments when "I am fine" isn't honest. Addressing emotional and psychological needs can allow for constructive solutions.

Who’s Voice Are You Listening to?

In the second part of the podcast, Steve joins Kenya to discuss ways in which individuals can overcome feelings of inadequacy. Kenya emphasizes the importance of assessing whether one's needs are being met and identifies how factors from our past may influence our present state through a specific combination of "frequency, vibration and code." She then shares strategies on how to channel a healthier version of oneself by breaking free from a hypnotic state of negativity and insecurity and bravely owning one's power and voice. Ultimately, Kenya encourages listeners to consider whether it's more painful to continue living in the dark or to take ownership of their own voices.

Influential Power - Overcoming Trauma

During his interview, Steve spoke with Kenya, a co-author of My Two Cents of Self-Love, about her background of abandonment and how she overcame it. Kenya, who hails from Brazil, came to America when she was 22. Despite experiencing trauma, she could identify "magic moments" from her childhood that helped her on her path to healing. When her bio father left her at 3, Kenya internalized that as a personal failure. Her deep-seated "code" was that her power hurt other people; this led to recurring trauma that eventually prompted her to pursue a degree in music therapy. Through this experience, she reprogrammed her inner dialogue to believe that her power empowers others. Steve and Kenya discuss how she overcame her trauma and found strength within herself with a new influential power of self-love. 

The Importance of Self-Love in Education: with Christine Jones

On his podcast, Steve converses with Christine Jones, who serves as a school teacher, parent, and foster parent and has also penned a a chapter to be include in an international number one best-selling book about self-love. Christine shares her insights with women on how to improve their self-love and delves deeper into her personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of looking within rather than evaluating oneself based on external factors. Furthermore, Christine is designing a curriculum to encourage the discussion of self-love and building healthy circles amongst teachers and students. She strongly believes in understanding the perspective of children and their initial struggles and desires to assist them in their endeavors. Christine's passion for teaching stems from her involvement as a foster parent for autistic children.

A Teacher’s Impact: Christine Jones on Self-Love

During his podcast, Steve interviews Christine Jones, a school teacher who shares her newfound experience of publishing in an internationally bestselling book. The conversation centers around Christine's passion for becoming a teacher and the satisfaction she derives from impacting young minds positively. She emphasizes her desire to assist parents in generating ideas to help their children and highlights the importance of developing strong connections with her students to guide them towards successful outcomes in high school. Christine reflects on her book chapter named "My Sweet Struggle," in which she shares her journey of recognizing her self-love stemmed from her accomplishments instead of genuine self-acknowledgment. The chapter explores how her childhood years were impacted when she moved and how it affected her self-love.

Overcoming Challenges Through Art: A Conversation with Nathalie Villeneuve - Part Two

During the second part of the podcast series, Steve engages in an insightful conversation with Nathalie Villeneuve, a highly talented artist and celebrated author. Nathalie shares her personal experiences of battling with a severe medical condition during her childhood and how she surmounted the difficulties to emerge as an accomplished artist and writer. In addition, Nathalie provides valuable knowledge on her contribution to the newly published book titled My Two Cents on Self Love. Moreover, Nathalie emphasizes the importance of shedding negative self-talk by stating, "I am confident that I have a story within me, a book waiting to be written. We should never let negative inner dialogue hold us back from achieving greatness."

Escaping through Art: Nathalie Villeneuve’s Journey towards Healing - Part One

During Steve's interview, he speaks with an artist who uses her art to escape her world as a coping mechanism. Nathalie Villeneuve, a French-Canadian residing in Connecticut, has achieved as number one international success as a bestselling author. She collaborated with Steve on an anthology called My Two Cents of Self Love. Nathalie honed her artistic abilities and literary expertise as a means of effectively healing from traumatic experiences. In part one of the podcast that comprises two sections, the listeners can delve into Nathalie's magnificent journey towards self-discovery while hearing her powerful statement: “Full healing comes from helping other people”.

Independence Day -Be Mindful

Steve and Julia wish you a Happy and Safe Fourth of July. Steve discusses with Julia the importance of being mindful of this holiday. As a therapist, it is crucial to recognize that the loud and explosive nature of the 4th of July festivities, particularly fireworks, can be triggering for individuals with PTSD and veterans who have experienced traumatic events during their service. The sudden, intense sounds of fireworks can mimic the sounds of gunfire or explosions, leading to feelings of distress, anxiety, and panic. It is also essential to understand that individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia may not fully comprehend the events happening during fireworks displays, leading to confusion and distress. As we celebrate this holiday, it is crucial that we are considerate and mindful of these potentially tricky reactions and that we respect the needs and feelings of those who may struggle during this time.