In this episode our guest is Ms. Eliane Dionne. Eliane is a practicing pediatric occupational therapist who works in the province of Quebec while concurrently completing her doctoral studies. She came to the cafe to discuss what occupational therapy is, how to choose the right occupational therapist, myths surrounding the profession and the impact her PhD research can have on practice. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways:

• Eliane explains the scope of occupational therapy, focusing on aiding children with motor coordination disorders, addressing misconceptions about the field, and the need for systemic changes to support children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD).
• Occupational therapists are rehabilitation professionals who help people that are having trouble with activities of daily living
• The conversation emphasizes the practical, real-life approach of occupational therapy and identifies the potential for OTs to help children make friends and improve social connections.
• It is a good idea to interview the OT to see if they are a good fit for your needs
• Referrals to OTs often come from teachers or doctors
• She outlines her dual career path as a clinician and a researcher, working with children with motor coordination disorders and exploring the academic implications of these conditions.

About Eliane Dionne

Eliane is a private self-employed Occupational Therapist working in the Gatineau and Montreal regions. She has been working with a pediatric clientele with various physical and mental health issues, primarily ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental coordination disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders. She is concurrently completing her doctoral studies at McGill University, where she studies the learning implications of motor disorders during childhood, particularly towards mathematics, to better support Occupational Therapists that are providing services to this clientele.

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In this episode our guest is Mr. Alexandre Chadi. Alexandre is a community pharmacist, a clinical instructor and diabetes specialist. He came to the cafe to share the many ways that pharmacists can help us, how to manage our medications, what to do if we want to stop a medication and so much more!. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways:

• A pharmacist does so much more than simply dispense medication
• When in doubt ask
• Keep a list of your medications
• You can make a plan to stop your medication safely
• Build a relationship with your pharmacist

About Alexandre Chadi

Alexandre Chadi is a community pharmacist, a clinical instructor at Montreal University and diabetes specialist. Through his work, he is passionate about helping his patients managing their medication through a humane approach. Alexandre recently completed a master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences and wrote a thesis on the vaccination of vulnerable populations in community pharmacies. He also participates in many interdisciplinary committees such as the Local Pharmacists Table of the Central-Western CIUSSS, the Montreal Regional Committee for Pharmaceutical Care and the professional committee of Diabetes Quebec. 

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In this episode our guest is Ms. Liza Selvarajah. Liza is a speech therapist who works with neurodiverse children and their families. She came to the cafe to share the importance of understanding and embracing different communication methods for non-speaking children, the benefits of neurodiverse affirming therapy and tips for working with a speech therapist. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways:

• A speech therapist cannot force a child to speak but they can help you understand how to improve communication with your child
• Observation is important
• Teaching children how to interact with differently abled peers is important
• Share stories about your day with your children
• Professional reports do not need to be hurtful to be effective

About Liza Selvarajah

Liza Selvarajah is a Speech and Language Pathologist but she prefers “speech therapist” without the pathologizing aspect. She is a wife and mother and enjoys therapy (in both directions) offering and receiving, as well as music (singing, playing piano, performing). She owns a company called Montreal Speech therapy, co-hosts a podcast called “The Bold SLP”, and just finished offering a course with the Bold SLP called “Strategies to prevent harm in bilingual and multicultural evaluations”. She is fluent in English, French and American Sign Language. 

The Bold SLP - theboldslpcollective

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In this episode our guest is Ms. Eva Villalba. Eva is the Executive Director of the Quebec Cancer Coalition and a value based healthcare expert. She came to the cafe to discuss value based healthcare, precision medicine and various levels of patient advocacy. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways:

• Eva believes that value based healthcare is not just the future, it's the next step in the evolution of healthcare transformation
• Precision medicine is transforming the way we approach healthcare. By targeting specific mutations, we can provide more effective and personalized treatments for patients.
• Patient partnership is key. Level one is being a partner in your own care, level two is giving back to the community, and level three is becoming a patient advocate to impact public policy
• There are patient advocacy groups and government phone lines available to help you find the right healthcare professionals and resources

About Eva Villalba

Eva Villalba is the Executive Director of the Quebec Cancer Coalition, a non-profit patient advocacy group dedicated to improving the Quebec health-care system for people affected by cancer. Since 2008, she has been involved in health-care charities, advocacy groups and non-profits. She graduated from McGill University with a double major in Psychology and Applied Linguistics, then completed an MBA from HEC Montréal with the objective to apply best business practices to the non-profit sector. Eva is passionate about good governance, public policy, community impact, health-care reform and social innovation. She is a volunteer board member of the Artificial Intelligence Impact Alliance (AIIA) and sees great potential in applying AI and technological innovations to the health-care sector to prevent and improve health outcomes. Eva is the first Quebecker and Canadian to obtain a graduate degree in Value-Based Health Care (VBHC) with an MSc. in Health Care Transformation at the University of Texas at Austin with Professor Elizabeth Teisberg and other VBHC experts. Eva is a fierce patient advocate and believes strongly in the potential of the Quebec health-care system to be a world-class leader in Value-Based Care. Eva has an extensive international network of Value-Based Health Transformation Leaders, has a VBHC Green Belt Certification from VBHC Center Europe and is their official Canadian Ambassador. She is also the co-chair of the Resilient Healthcare Coalition (RHC), a diverse group of health system leaders across the public, private, and non-profit sectors committed to helping Canadian health care systems enhance patient care and improve health outcomes by becoming faster, nimbler, and better able to adapt to future shocks.

https://coalitioncancer.com/

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In this episode our guest is Dr. Amanda Adkins. Dr. Amanda is a board certified internal medicine and lifestyle medicine physician. She is also a board certified health and wellness coach. Dr. Amanda came to the cafe to discuss chronic disease, nutrition and some of her health navigation recommendations. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways:

• Reversing an illness is easier if it is caught early and lifestyle changes are made.
• The standard American diet doesn't provide all necessary nutrients and changing one's diet can prevent, stall, or even reverse some chronic illnesses.nutrition can help reverse chronic low grade inflammation.
• Consider asking what else you can do besides more medication
• It is important to keep track of your health information
• To make the most out of a doctor's appointment, it's important to be prepared with questions and have someone with you if needed
• An advocating family member can possibly save your life

About Dr. Amanda Adkins

Dr. Amanda Adkins, MD is a double board-certified Internal Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine Physician, health coach/owner of Enlightenment Health and Wealth. She has a deep passion for ensuring that everyone has a chance at a healthy and happy life. Her most recent focus has been to help women who are overweight prevent and possibly reverse chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Both through her medical and personal experience she knows how our lifestyle can lead to remarkable changes in our health and our ability to fulfill God's will for our lives. Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician since 2009 Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies through eCornell since January 2022 Board Certified Lifestyle Medicine 2022. She enjoys sharing her wellness journey over the past few decades and how her spirituality and faith play a huge role in the work that she is doing to help others live a healthy and abundant life. She can also discuss chronic disease and how nutrition impacts our health.

Facebook www.facebook.com/DrAmandaAdkins

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Website www.dramandamd.com 

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In this episode our cafe guest is Tiffany Vassell. Tiffany is a labor and delivery nurse, author, and founder of Nurses for Black Maternal Health and Equity based in Boston, Massachusetts She came to the cafe to share her childbirth experience, how it motivated her to become a nurse and maternal health advocate and her recommendations for how expecting families can prepare for a hospital birth. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways:

• The importance of extended postpartum care and support, including the need for comprehensive insurance coverage and workplace leave policies. 
• the importance of education, advocacy, and communication in addressing disparities in maternal health. 
• Communication is key. Birthing people have a right to bodily autonomy and choices about themselves and their babies
• Black maternal mortality rate is high due to systemic racism, discrimination, social and economic factors, and poor communication with the birthing team.
• It is crucial to have a healthcare proxy on file in case the mother cannot speak for herself during delivery.
• Patients can and should ask questions like who the people in the room are and whether they can decline some of them, or requesting a female provider if they are uncomfortable with a male one.
• A relaxing and calming atmosphere during labor can help ease stress and reduce pain. Strategies like aromatherapy, dimming lights, and calming music can help.

About Tiffany Vassell, RN

Tiffany Vassell is a registered nurse who has worked as a labor and delivery nurse for several years. She has also served as a substance use nurse assisting patients with their recovery. She is a Black maternal health advocate who supports midwifery care, equity, justice, autonomy, and access to home births and birth centers.

She is a board member of the Bay State Birth Coalition and advocates for An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options and establishing the Neighborhood Birth Center in Boston. She is the founder of Nurses for Black Maternal Health and Equity Organization, which seeks to diversify the perinatal workforce. She also recently served as Chair at the 5th and 6th Annual Black Maternal Health Conference at Tuft's University, the country's largest Black maternal health conference.

She is the co-author of the book 'Preparation for a Hospital Birth.' In the book, she seeks to demystify birthing in the hospital in ways only a nurse can explain. She aims to educate birthing people about the many available options during labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum periods to create a safer and more autonomous experience.

She serves as a member of the steering committee for Mind the Gap, which advocates for the Massachusetts Moms Matter Act that would diversify the state's perinatal mental health workforce and invest in community-based organizations supporting perinatal people. She is a Harvard Catalyst Community Coalition for Equity in Research member, which gives high-quality input on research proposals and protocols. 

She has sat on several panels to discuss her work and advocacy in the maternal health space and has written several articles. She is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society for leadership. She is the awardee of the 2022 Image of the Professional Nurse awarded by the Massachusetts Nursing Association. She is also one of the 2022 Ten Outstanding Young Leaders awarded by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

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In this episode our cafe guest is Dr. Yinka Akin-Deko. Dr. Yinka is a family physician based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia with a special interest in dermatology and health equity. She came to the cafe to discuss the essential elements of a skincare routine and her tips on healthcare navigation and doctor-patient communication. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways:

• The importance of sunscreen
• Components of a good skincare routine
• Melanoma warning signs
• Say what you’re concerned about
• ICE - Ideas, concerns, expectations

About Dr. Yinka Akin-Deko

Dr Yinka Akin-Deko is a Family Physician practicing in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. She finished medical school in 2004 and has worked as a family physician since 2012. She completed her postgraduate training in London, England.

Dr Akin-Deko moved to work in Dartmouth Nova Scotia in September 2019, a few days later she experienced her first hurricane!

Her clinic incorporates all aspects of Family Medicine including prenatal care, child health, preventative care and end of life support.

Her special interests are dermatology, especially skincare for black skin, and health equity. She is a member of various medical organisations and is a board member of the Health Association of African Canadians.

As an advocate for health equity, Dr Akin-Deko has a special insight having lived and worked as an immigrant on two continents. As a woman of colour herself, she is acutely aware of the desperate need to advocate for herself when seeking healthcare, and also make sure her black patients are able to vocalise their health concerns and demand the best of the healthcare system.

Dr Akin-Deko enjoys traveling and is passionate about reading black female authors. She enjoys running, reading and spending time with her husband and two sons.

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In this episode our cafe guest is Ms Angela Frazier. Angela is a speaker and the author of A Kid’s Book About Suicide. She came to the cafe to share her story of losing her mother to suicide, how her supportive family helped her through and some warning signs and risk factors for suicide. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways:

• Support is key
• Benefits of group therapy
• Why she shares her story
• Warning signs and risk factors

About Angela Frazier

Angela N. Frazier, MPH is a speaker, Founder of Sisters in Public Health, and author of A Kids Book About™ Suicide. Angela received her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Communication from Portland State University. She also holds a Masters of Public Health in Community Health from UTHealth School of Public Health. She was honored to represent her graduating class as the 2018 Student Commencement Speaker. Since the loss of her mother to suicide in 2016 she has dedicated her time and efforts to sharing her story by bringing tough topics to the forefront of conversation. This began with the opening of a shelter for survivors of domestic violence in honor of her mother. The Tami Best Emergency Shelter was created for survivors of domestic violence fleeing abusive relationships. In 2020, Angela founded a nonprofit, Sisters in Public Health (SIPH) to connect all women in public health. SIPH now has chapters in nine different cities and has awarded over $5,000 in scholarships to masters and doctorate level public health students. Hearing her reflect on her journey towards service and healing gives those who hear her a renewed and inspired sense of purpose, grounded in her shared resilience.

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Episode 65: Weight Loss that sticks

In this episode our cafe guest is Dr. Charmaine Woode. Dr. Woode is a practicing weight loss physician and coach. She came to the cafe to share some challenges to consistent behavior change, how to not get discouraged on the weight loss journey, myths and misconceptions about weight loss and of course, because this is The Good Health Cafe, we also get her perspective on how to advocate for yourself in the healthcare system. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways:

• Tips to losing weight
• Know the aspects of self care. Some include: sleep, movement and nutrition
• Your doctor isn't a mind reader

About Dr. Charmaine Woode

Charmaine Blake Woode, MD is a practicing weight loss physician and Coach. She graduated from Oakwood University in 1990 with a B.S. in biology, received her M.D. from the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1995 and completed her residency in Pediatrics at Emory University in 1998. After years of practicing pediatrics in the private, public health and academic sectors in Birmingham, Dayton, and Memphis, she and her husband Dwain Woode, MD, moved to Huntsville in 2011 and opened their own practice, Diabetes and Endocrine Wellness Center. In 2018, they opened a second practice, The Lighter Weigh, which focuses on weight loss. Individuals who have worked with Dr. Woode have been able to change their relationship to food, relate to themselves in a more loving way, develop the habits that lead to permanent weight loss, and bring unbalanced areas of their lives into balance so they could be successful in losing weight. What she loves most about what she does is seeing the increased energy, confidence and joy that accompany her customers’ weight loss journeys. When she’s not working, she enjoys travelling, taking pictures of nature while walking, completing jigsaw puzzles, and watching superhero and star-wars themed entertainment with her son, Blake.

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In this episode our cafe guest is Ms. Jessica Lorion. Jessica is an actress and host of the Mamas in Training podcast.  She came to the cafe to share how she received her psoriatic arthritis diagnosis and how she was able to successfully wean herself off her medications. We also learn her motivation for doing so and her recommendations for living with an autoimmune disease. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways:

• Know your why
• Be your own advocate
• Know your body
• Having supportive people in your corner is essential
• Sometimes it's better not to say anything 

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About Jessica Lorion

Jessica Lorion is an American TV, film, and theatre artist based in NYC. She’s also the Host and Producer of the Podcast: Mamas in Training.

Screen credits include Metro Park (Eros Now/Amazon Prime), Homicide City: Charlotte (Investigation Discovery) and a national commercial for King Clean. Her theatrical credits include the North American tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Babette) and two productions of Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins).

She has been a part of new readings with Broadway Licensing Worldwide and recorded new works with Theatrical Rights Worldwide. She also helped create Ghost: The Musical - Chamber Version in a world premiere production (co-produced by The Fulton Theatre and Maine State Music Theater).

The creator, host, and producer of the podcast, Mamas in Training, Jessica is learning everything she can about motherhood before she is a mother. She created the podcast to give new moms guidance and community from moms who’ve been there. As she fights an auto-immune disease that delays her motherhood journey, she is learning right alongside you.

Listen to the @MamasinTrainingPod HERE OR, on iTunes, Spotify and GooglePlay.

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In this episode our cafe guest is Ms. Sophie Blondin. Sophie is a certified coach who has worked in oncology for 14 years. She came to the cafe to discuss how to support someone with cancer, her favourite resources for reliable information, share some misconceptions that she has observed among caregivers and supporters of those with cancer and debunk some myths. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways:

• What’s not said is interpreted
• Life doesn’t automatically go back to normal after the last treatment
• You have cancer, you are not a cancer
• Just listen, be there and don’t forget yourself as a caregiver
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions

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About Sophie Blondin

Sophie has been working in oncology for 14 years. She worked in different organizations (CCS, Hope & Cope, MUHC, BTFC and ROCO). Combining her first career in education and her training as a certified coach, she put in place many services and programs for patients and caregivers.

Today while doing her research on coaching and After Cancer, she now works in HR in a hospital. Her work is to support the mental health of the hospital staff. 

In this episode our cafe guest is Dr. Dwain Woode. Dr. Woode is an endocrinologist and the owner and medical director of Diabetes and Endocrine Wellness Center and The Lighter Weigh in Huntsville, Alabama. He came to the cafe to discuss diabetes, its causes and its management and how to advocate for yourself in health care settings. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways:

• There are two forms of diabetes - type 1 and type 2
• Diabetes is not a sugar problem
• Blood sugar levels are affected by more than just food and exercise 
• Sleep is important

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About Dwain Woode

Dr. Dwain Woode is the owner and medical director of Diabetes and Endocrine Wellness Center and The Lighter Weigh in Huntsville, Alabama. He is a graduate of Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama where he obtained his undergraduate degrees. He completed his training in internal medicine and pediatrics at the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State university in Dayton, Ohio. His fellowship training in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism was at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine. Dr. Woode is a speaker, life coach, youTuber, father and husband. His goal is to educate, empower, and encourage his listeners to take charge of their health and life, avoid complications and live the life they have always wanted. He lives in Huntsville, AL with his wife Dr. Charmaine Woode, a weight loss physician and their son Blake.

In this episode our cafe guest is Dr. Judy Brangman. Dr. Judy is a board certified Internal Medicine Physician and Plant Based Nutrition Expert. She came to cafe to explain what lifestyle medicine is, the benefits of a plant based diet and how to advocate for yourself in health care settings. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation! 

Some key takeaways:

• You don’t need to be 100% plant based to reap the benefits
• You don’t need dairy to get calcium
• You can get adequate protein on a plant based diet

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About Judy Brangman

Dr. Judy Brangman, MD, is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician. Dr. Judy obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree from Wake Forest School of Medicine and completed her Internal Medicine residency at East Carolina University/Vidant Hospital. She is also certified in Lifestyle Medicine by the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine and holds a Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition from T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies. She has been plant based for over 7 years. 

Dr. Judy’s passion is helping people transition to a healthy plant based diet so that they can thrive and live an abundant life. She does this via online programs, courses, public speaking, and her social media platforms (@theplantbasedmd). She believes that in order to fully live the life you were intended to live on this earth, you need to be in optimum health (physically, emotionally, and spiritually). Dr. Judy is originally from Bermuda. She currently also works as a Hospitalist in Raleigh, NC. 

Dr. Judy’s website: https://theplantbasedmd.com 

In this episode our cafe guest is Dr. Quantrilla Ard. Dr. Ard is a passionate maternal health advocate. She came by the cafe to share her experiences of miscarriage and preeclampsia. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation! 

She offer her suggestions on:

• How to deal with grief
• How to support others
• How to advocate

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About Quantrilla Ard

Quantrilla Ard, PhD, is a recent transplant to the Atlanta area along with her husband and three littles. She is a literary agent, faith-based personal and spiritual development author and speaker who believes in the power of collective strength, community, and fellowship. She recently graduated from Walden University with a PhD in Health Psychology and is an advocate for social justice with a focus on Black maternal and infant health and mortality. You can find her sharing stories of triumph at www.thephdmamma.com.

In this episode our cafe guest is Ms. Amadea Kezar. Amadea is the owner and clinical director of ASK Physiothérapie, a pelvic health physiotherapy clinic in Montreal. She came by the cafe to give us an overview of what pelvic floor physiotherapy entails, who it is for and why pelvic health issues are too common to be taboo. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways included:

• Pelvic floor physiotherapy is for everyone
• It is much more than kegels
• There’s value in looking beyond, 
• Speak up 
• There is hope!

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About Amadea Kezar

Amadea Kezar is the owner and clinical director of ASK Physiothérapie, a pelvic health physiotherapy clinic in Montreal. She holds a Masters degree in physiotherapy from McGill University and is an expert in pelvic floor physiotherapy for cis and trans men and women. In addition to treating urinary, ano-rectal and pre-postnatal dysfunction she has a particular interest in persistent pelvic and genital pain.

Amadea is an international speaker and regularly presents for teaching hospitals in Montreal. In 2011 she created the “More Than Kegels” workshop which she hosts within the community to raise awareness about pelvic health and pelvic floor dysfunction. Her mission is to quicken access to pelvic health physiotherapy by addressing the taboo surrounding symptoms of pelvic health issues. 

Website: https://askphysiomontreal.com

In this episode our cafe guest is Karla Mans Giroux. Karla is a holistic health coach, facilitator and speaker. We discuss the 10 healing factors outlined in Dr. Kelly Turner’s book, Radical Hope: 10 Key Healing Factors from Exceptional Survivors of Cancer & Other Diseases, 

Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways included:

• Of the 10 factors 3 are physical and the remaining 7 are emotional/spiritual 
• This list was generated based on the research of Dr. Kelly Turner who analyzed over 1500 cases
• This research has now expanded to include other diseases

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About Karla Mans Giroux

Karla Mans Giroux is a cancer thriver living with metastatic breast cancer. She knows how important change can be, and never more important than when faced with a life-threatening disease.​

Karla was originally diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and underwent a mastectomy, chemo, and radiation. Eleven years later, in late 2014, a metastatic cancer challenge arose. With a goal to live to be 100,+ this did not align.

Karla embarked on a healing and learning journey to help herself regain optimal health and longevity. She is blessed to report stable scans / “no evidence of disease” since 2016! Now she is helping others find healing and wholeness on their journey through cancer.

​

Karla received her certification as a holistic health coach through Wisdom of the Whole Coaching Academy, as well as the National Board of Health & Wellness Coaches (NBHWC). She is also a Certified Radical Remission™ Workshop Facilitator and Speaker, and is passionate about inspiring and teaching those on a cancer journey, as well as those seeking prevention, general health and longevity.​

Karla has every intention of making it to 100 and with the strength of resilience and a positive spirit she is loving every moment on that journey! Join her in December 2065 for the party of the century!

​

Email: Karla@KMGCoach.com

Tel: 847-306-9599

Virtual Workshop coupon code for $50 off: 50off

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In this episode our cafe guest is Marissa McKool. Marissa is a coach who helps professionals eliminate their burnout without quitting their job. We discuss the health effects of burnout, the power of choice, the importance of your beliefs and why quitting your job isn’t necessarily the answer. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways included:

• Burnout isn’t inevitable/there is an alternative
• Changing your environment will not work if you don’t change your beliefs
• Rest is not a reward that needs to be earned

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About Marissa McKool

Marissa McKool, MPH is a career and life coach who helps public health professionals eliminate their burnout without quitting their job. Marissa received her MPH from Emory University and served in several leadership roles in government and academia, leading sexual violence prevention and reproductive health programs, before finding herself burning out. Through coaching, she was able to eliminate her stress without anything outside of her changing. She has since started McKool Coaching, where she helps individuals reduce their workload, create more time, get more rest, and feel better without having to quit. 

Website: https://www.mckoolcoaching.com/

Free Burnout Recovery Course: https://www.mckoolcoaching.com/courses

Podcast (Will be Redefining Rest on April 11th): https://www.mckoolcoaching.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/publichealthcoach/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-mckool-a9701892/

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In this episode Kimani Daniel, a maternal and child health nurse and Assistant Professor in Nursing came by the cafe to share her recommendations on how to navigate the health system based on her years of bedside experience. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways included:

• Trust your instincts
• Ask for what you need
• Don’t go to appointments alone

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About Kimani Daniel

Kimani Daniel is an Assistant Professor at the Ingram School of Nursing. Before joining the School as full-time faculty, she was Conseillère-cadre (Clinical Nurse Specialist) in Maternal-Child Health at the CIUSSS de Centre-Ouest-de l’île-de-Montréal (Jewish General Hospital) and was involved in nurse orientation, educational initiatives, projects, and clinical policy development. Kimani holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and a Master of Science-Applied in Nursing from McGill University. She is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and holds Perinatal Nursing certification from the Canadian Nurses Association. 

Podcast Sponsor Info:

The Good Health Candle Company

www.goodhealthcandle.com

@goodhealthcandle on Instagram and Facebook

The Good Health Cafe Feedback Form https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/submit-your-question

Subscribe to The Good Health Cafe mailing list here: https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com

In this episode Tonya Nash, a public health consultant and mom to two sons with autism came by the cafe to share lessons she has learned as a mom to children with special needs. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways included:

• Thinking about out of the box solutions to get the services that you need 
• Seeking the help of a respite care provider
• There are tons of ways you can help families e.g. meal trains, gas cards, etc, but most importantly, ensure that you create an atmosphere in your group that is inclusive, that will allow all children to participate. Remember to show that you're here and that you care, but don't give any unsolicited advice!

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About Tonya Nash

Tonya Nash, MPH, CHES® is a public health consultant in the Metro Atlanta area. Over the course of her career, Tonya has worked at nonprofit organizations, private sector businesses, a district health department, military bases and more! In these roles, she served a variety of populations, such as the poor and underserved, military families, senior citizens, the disability community and those with chronic health conditions.

Tonya’s passion for faith-based health promotion led to the formation of the award-winning Autism Faith Network, a nonprofit organization that equips churches to serve persons with autism and their families. Since 2016, the organization has served over 35 churches and educated thousands of persons about autism. 

In August of 2020, Tonya started Spectrum Public Health Strategies, LLC after working as a subcontractor on several public health projects. This public health consulting company focuses on health communications, faith-based health promotion and social media strategy for businesses. Tonya has worked on a variety of topics through her consultancy, such as suicide and opioid misuse prevention, asthma, autism, epilepsy and COVID-19.

Tonya is passionate about advocating for underserved communities and communicating health information in a way that people from all backgrounds can understand. 

Podcast Sponsor Info:

The Good Health Candle Company

www.goodhealthcandle.com

@goodhealthcandle on Instagram and Facebook

The Good Health Cafe Feedback Form https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/submit-your-question

Subscribe to The Good Health Cafe mailing list here: https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com

In this episode Stacie Lampkin, a pediatric pharmacist and certified aromatherapist came back to the cafe to discuss aromatherapy. We discuss its benefits, safety, how to use it and what to look for in an aromatherapist. Tune in for a great conversation!

Free medication tracker here

About Stacie Lampkin

A pediatric pharmacist with a passion for education, Stacie has spent more than 10 years providing clinical pharmacy services and supports providers and families who care for medically complex kids and adolescents. Stacie also inspires and educates future healthcare professionals in both classroom and patient care settings.

In 2019, after experiencing first-hand the difficulties of navigating a new health issue, Stacie started sharing her knowledge about pediatric medications on a larger scale. Through Stacie Lampkin LLC, she combines her expertise, experience as a patient and parent, and interest in aromatherapy and herbalism to create digital resources, online courses, and virtual presentations. Her interest in aromatherapy turned into her becoming a certified aromatherapist. 

Podcast Sponsor Info:

The Good Health Candle Company

www.goodhealthcandle.com

@goodhealthcandle on Instagram and Facebook

The Good Health Cafe Feedback Form https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/submit-your-question

Subscribe to The Good Health Cafe mailing list here: https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com