Social Harmony - Time to Talk

On the face of it, things seem ordinary and run of the mill. An average family life with a loving marriage between two professional people, the usual trappings and nothing that would raise an eyebrow. However, things aren't always as they may appear and this was definitely the case for Christine Dillard - mother, business leader and author of 'The Truth She Showed Me'.

Many of us get into relationships and perhaps let the occasional incident slide "I don't want to be difficult", "It's not a big deal" or "oh that's just how he/she is" are typical stories that we tell ourselves and others as we want to make it work, don't want to be seen as uncooperative and sometimes we even gaslight ourselves.

Christine's story is one that many will relate to but often feel unable to talk about - one of coercive control, of putting on an act for others, of walking on eggshells constantly and of feeling trapped in a situation where one feels helpless. The place where we should feel safe really does become like the war at home - or feels like it constantly will be, with reasons that continually change.

This episode is for anyone who has felt trapped in a cycle of abuse as an example of hope, that it can change and that there is another way. Christine's story is unique in that it is her experience but her work has brought her into contact with many others who have felt the same level of fear, blame, shame and more - please know that you are not alone or that your neighbour, friend, colleague or whoever could be the one hiding a life of terror behind a painted-on smile.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts:

http://www.youtube.com/@SocialHarmonyTimetoTalk

https://open.spotify.com/show/4aAdbPrTjEEnwco5jII65U?si=0dec9da29b814328

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-harmony-time-to-talk/id1792776061

Check out Christine's work on the links below:

Amazon.com: The Truth She Showed Me: Choosing freedom when the cost of staying is you...: 9798995438601: Dillard, Christine: Books

Coercive Control, Gaslighting and the Long Road Back to Yourself - with Christine Dillard - Unspoken Emotions | Podcast on Spotify
(2) Facebook

Raising children is incredibly rewarding and ultimately what te species is here to do - but seldom do we hear about the work that goes into bringing up our children as well as the emotional toll, both individually and upon our relationships.

Sadly, societal norms down the years have left the lion's share of child-rearing to mothers, in addition to an expectation that domestic tasks will be covered and also being an attentive partner. While the tide has been turning in recent years, many mothers are struggling to keep up - particularly in a world that appears to prioritise the external optics that we see splashed across our social media highlight reels.

As a mother of three, owner of a production company and host of 'Mom'n Real Hard', Candace Ridley is very much aware of the stresses and strains - and also the great joys - of motherhood and family life. With this in mind, Candace provides a space for mothers to connect and come together in a place of safety and honesty with someone who 'gets it' and they can feel less alone.

In addition to this, Candace talks openly about the challenges of raising a child with autism and the 'differabilities' that present when parenting a child who views the world differently and encourages parents to let go of their previously-held expectations and take joy from life.

While parenting brings its' own challenges and rewards, it can be easier to fall into dutiful patterns and move away from a partner - another side-effect that can bring about a seperate set of issues. Candace and I talk openly about making time for one another, rituals that keep us connected and being truly present for one another - even in difficult times.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts:

www.youtube.com/@SocialHarmonyTimetoTalk
https://open.spotify.com/show/4aAdbPrTjEEnwco5jII65U?si=7b3c784818414b6e

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-harmony-time-to-talk/id1792776061

Check out Candace's work on the links below:

Facebook
https://open.spotify.com/show/2acQHvLIgnA7ymluLz082C?si=85399b36008c4a04

Mom'N Real Hard - YouTube

Mental health and wellbeing appears to be a continuing topic of conversation of late but who is to say what path we should follow when looking to make sense of ourselves and the world around us? Today's guest Mindy Jackson is a psychotherapist, reiki master, energy healer and much more - whilst also being one of the most genuinely interesting and intelligent people I have spoken with.

In our current Western-paradigm of mental health, there is usually a trend towards the medical model and the cause/effect method of treatment in a kid of "I feel bad, I take a pill, I feel better" mode of thinking - but why are current statistics showing us to be lonelier, unhappier and more disconnected than in any other period in history?

What began as an inquisitive conversation about alternative methods of healing grows into a real eye-opener (for my untrained mind) about looking beyond the overly-rational way of looking at the world and our place within it - with a particular focus on the recent trend of gender wars played out in our media, highlighting how we as a society have lost our way to the detriment of our communities, our wellbeing and the way we communicate as a society.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts:

http://www.youtube.com/@SocialHarmonyTimetoTalk

https://open.spotify.com/show/4aAdbPrTjEEnwco5jII65U?si=9ed11beb162b4751

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-harmony-time-to-talk/id1792776061

Check out Mindy's work on the links below:

Mindy Jackson, LPC, Reiki Master, Licensed Professional Counselor, Carrollton, GA, 30117 | Psychology Today
Mindy Jackson LPC | (Book Now) - Anxiety Therapy
Ascension Counseling Services - Counseling

When you hear the word 'family' what springs to mind for you? You would hope words like 'love', 'support', 'safety' and similar words would be high on your list - but what if the word conjures up a different set of experiences for you? While for some family can be a haven, for others it can be something much different...

My guest today is Luigina Giampietro and her story is traumatic in parts, hopeful in others but there are often times when "what happens behind closed doors stays behind closed doors" creates an atmosphere of gaslighting, coercive control and the opposite of what we think of when we talk about family values.

Gina grew up in a traditional Italian-American household and as such, straddled two seperate cultures although her parents were more versed in "the old tradition". From the outside looking in, Gina's family appeared to be a postcard image of what a hard-working, middle-class family should aspire to - although it is the things not discussed that give a greater indication of the wellbeing of those within that family.

Gina goes on to detail episodes of parental abuse, being scapegoated for when things went wrong, physical violence and many times down the years when she was expected to remain quiet and just let things slide for the sake of family harmony - when all this did was make things worse.

Reaching breaking point and deciding that enough was enough, Gina - with the support of her husband and two sons - broke contact with toxic family members in a move that was heartbreaking on a personal level but also 'not the done thing' within a tight-knit, traditional culture which places a high value on the family unit but also more ominously, 'La Cosa Nostra....'

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts:

http://www.youtube.com/@SocialHarmonyTimetoTalk

https://open.spotify.com/show/4aAdbPrTjEEnwco5jII65U?si=998a4105012f4939

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-harmony-time-to-talk/id1792776061

Returning for today's episode is Geraecka Lyonns, founder and director of The Mars Rising / The Mars Contract to discuss something that is very much front and centre in her work - The Mother Wound.

In her time as a tomboy, a construction worker, a dominatrix and a mother, Geraecka has been in a position to observe and speak with a wide spectrum of men in various guises, learning about their struggles, their triumphs and their lives as a whole - all while giving practical advice from a feminine perspective that nurtures positive masculinity rather than shying away from it.

In recent years, a great deal has been spoken about The Mother Wound and Geraecka explains exactly what this is in her forthright style, detailing its' origins, how it presents across various domains, avenues to healing and means of support for boys and men affected - again, using a nurturing method that promotes rather than emasculates.

As a condition that starts in developmental stages, Geraecka discusses her work with men and with mothers to explain how origins can stem from both traumatic and caring models of parenthood right through to common triggers and the impacts on adulthood - both for the self and in relationships.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts:

http://www.youtube.com/@SocialHarmonyTimetoTalk

https://open.spotify.com/show/4aAdbPrTjEEnwco5jII65U?si=a19f4228313144e4

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-harmony-time-to-talk/id1792776061

Check out Geraecka' s work on the links below:

The Mars Contract
Geraecka Lyonns - YouTube
Instagram