The problem of chronic pain affects millions of people, impacting every aspect of their lives and preventing them from living as fully as possible. Unfortunately, billions of dollars are spent on treatments that are often ineffective. Many of us suffer needlessly from pain diagnosed as migraines, tension headaches, fibromyalgia, or chronic neck, back, abdominal, and pelvic pain. Our guest, Dr. Howard Schubiner, author of Unlearn Your Pain: A 28 Day Process to Reprogram Your Brain, says the real cause for many of these types of pain is Mind Body Syndrome. Using cutting-edge research, Dr. Schubiner has discovered that the underlying reason for much chronic pain is nerve sensitization and learned nerve pathways, rather than actual tissue destruction. He has used this new understanding to develop a unique program to actually reverse pain and research studies support the effectiveness of the program.

We discuss various types of pain and why sometimes it remains after an injury or illness has healed. For example, sometimes pain is manifesting unresolved stress, possibly from childhood, or from traumatic events in adulthood. Certain personality traits (which affects how you respond to stress and how much pressure you tend to put upon yourself) and gender also affect pain levels. According to a self-diagnosis assessment developed by Dr. Schubiner, the first step of treating pain is understanding it, including how negative emotions (fear, anger, bitterness, etc.) are often barriers to recovering from pain. Believing that you can recover is another important aspect of the healing process, as are various integrative techniques including meditation, mindfulness and acupuncture. For more information, please visit www.unlearnyourpain.com.

NOTE: Dr. Schubiner will be giving a free presentation on Unlearn Your Chronic Pain on Wednesday, September 21, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m at The Marsh in Minnetonka, MN.

Listen: Howard Schubiner, MD

Millions of accomplished, vibrant, educated women are entering or in the midst of midlife. No longer Maidens, nor actively being Mothers, and not yet old Crones, where do these dynamic, accomplished middle-aged women fit into the traditional description of the three stages of womanhood? In her latest book, The Queen of Myself: Stepping into Sovereignty in Midlife, our guest, bestselling author, spiritual teacher and urban shaman, Donna Henes proposes a new paradigm: the midlife Queen, an archetype that more accurately reflect the wisdom, confidence and creativity of women today.

Join us for a lively discussion of how to embrace midlife as a self-assured Queen. Donna shares her own story of becoming a healer and ceremonialist, including ideas about turning the challenges of middle age into opportunities for growth and leadership. Through the use of reflection and ritual, women are encouraged to embrace the gifts and talents they are meant to share with the world.

At the end of the interview, host Mary Treacy O’Keefe discusses her own ‘meant to be’ midlife story of leaving a lucrative corporate career to become a hospice volunteer and founder of Well Within, a nonprofit holistic healing center. For more information about Donna Hennes, please visit www.donnahenes.net.

Listen: Sue Rasmussen

This week’s guest, Sue Rasmussen , a Master Certified Coach, writer and speaker, defines clutter as “anything that does not add joy or vibrancy to your life.” Sue helps people “learn how to let go of the clutter (the stuff, papers, email, activities, clients, to-dos, and self-sabotaging beliefs) that drains our energy and blocks our ability to move forward – and reconnect with what actually brings us joy.” As our guest on this week’s show, she defines 7 different types or levels of clutter: physical, ‘virtual’ (electronics), time, (how you use it), relationships, body, senses, mind, (negative messages), and as what gets in the way of connection with spirit. Sue demonstrates an exercise to help us determine what is really clutter in our lives, and it’s impact upon us. Then she helps us develop a process for getting rid of it and free ourselves from what we truly don’t need, thus creating space for more beauty, peace and less stress in our lives. For more information, please visit www.unclutter-organize-transform.com

At the end of the show, host Mary Treacy O’Keefe, shares a “meant to be” story about how getting rid of clutter enabled her family to find a letter, written 45 years earlier, that comforted her family after her father died.

Listen: Sue Rasmussen

In anticipation of Suicide Prevention Month (September), host Mary Treacy O’Keefe invites Nancy Rappaport, MD, to help all of us to understand the tragic dimensions of suicide. Dr. Rappaport discusses her compelling book, In Her Wake: A Child Psychiatrist Explores the Mystery of Her Mother’s Suicide, written from her perspective as both a child psychiatrist and as a daugther who lost her mother to suicide. In addition to sharing her own powerful story, Dr. Rappaport offers suggestions about ways to help prevent this tragic event; including how to detect the warning signs that often proceed a suicide attempt. She also offers sage advice to families who are grieving the loss of their loved one to suicide.

“I didn’t want to turn my mother into a case study,” says Dr. Nancy Rappaport of her book. While her mother may or may not have been Bi-Polar, Nancy chooses instead to focus on her personal feelings toward her mother, and how her loss changed her life. Currently 19 years older than her own mother was when she died, Dr. Rappaport examines her life with Mary Treacy O’Keefe: Has she surpassed her mother? What’s it like to share her mother’s looks as well as her name?

What are the signs to look for when someone is contemplating suicide? Are the treatments for clinical Depression and/or suicidal tendencies the same or different? How should someone you know, on the verge of suicide, be treated? Learn the answers to all of these questions and many more!

At the end of the show, host Mary Treacy O’Keefe shares a “meant to be” story about a comforting “sign” that occurred three times within the week after the suicide of her son’s best friend.

Additional helpful resources: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK, www.save.org, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Listen: Nancy Rappaport

Mary Treacy O’Keefe’s guest, Harvey Deutschendorf is an Emotional Intelligence (EI) coach and the author of The Other Kind of Smart: Simple Ways to Boost Your Emotional Intelligence for Greater Personal Effectiveness and Success. EI, or “people skills,” is another dimension within the growing field of positive psychology. Aspects of EI include emotional self-awareness, empathy, independence, interpersonal relationships, social responsibility, impulse control, stress tolerance, optimism, and happiness. Emotional intelligence affects every aspect of our lives and contributes greatly to our ability to live fulfilling lives. Throughout this episode, you’ll be learning how to increase your Emotional Intelligence, overcome the barriers that are preventing you from realizing your true potential, and improve your personal and professional well-being!

“Emotional Intelligence is our ability to recognize and to manage our own emotions and the emotions of others around us,” starts Deutschendorf. Whether or not we can actually control the emotions of others is debatable; however, Deutschendorf claims that, with practice, we can certainly influence the emotions of those around us in our favor.

If you were to die today, would you be able to die knowing you’ve accomplished everything that you wanted to? Are you happy with the way you’re living your life? Fifteen years ago, Harvey Deutschendorf asked himself these very questions and found that his answer was “no.” But then he discovered Emotional Intelligence and his life took a turn. Listen in as Deutschendorf and O’Keefe discuss how you can apply these same principles to your own life to be able to live the life YOU want.

Is Emotional Intelligence something we’re all born with? Something we have to develop? Something we learn? And why do some people seem to have more of it than others? “The first step is the recognition that there are certain areas we need help in,” says Deutschendorf, on how to become more attune with one’s EI. “We can’t just read about it, we have to actually do things.”

For more on the secret to unlocking your inner control of your emotions, tune in now!

Listen: Harvey Deutshendorf

Today’s medical treatments have resulted in the possibility of living months and sometimes years after a terminal diagnosis. Death has become a process rather than a sudden, unexpected event. As death has changed, so has the way we grieve. “The new grief”, as guests, Joseph Nowinski, PhD and Barbara Okun, PhD refer to it, in their new book, Saying Goodbye: How Families Can find Renewal Through Loss , is complex and challenging for both patients and caregivers. But, it can also be one of the richest and most meaningful periods a family will ever share. Join in as host Mary Teacy O’Keefe interviews Joseph Nowinski, Ph.D, Supervising Psychologist at UConn Health Center; and Barbara Okun, Ph.D, a professor of counseling psychology at Northeastern University and a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School. They’re here to offer wise advice for anyone faced with living with–or caring for someone living with–a terminal or life-threatening illness.

Throughout the episode, Drs. Okun and Nowinski encourage individuals and families to cope with terminal illness in collaboration with the patient. They present a 5-stage model of grief that reflects the contemporary realities of extended death and dying. We’ll discuss in depth each of the five stages: Crisis, Unity, Upheaval, Resolution and Renewal. This show provides invaluable information, not only to families living with a terminal illness, but it encourages all of us to prepare for the inevitability of the end of our lives. When we do this, we can focus on living fully for however much time we have to live. Are you ready to grieve in a whole new way?

At the end of the show, host Mary Treacy O’Keefe, shares a “meant to be” story (from her book, Thin Places: Where Faith is Affirmed and Hope Dwells) that demonstrates how her own family successfully navigated some of the issues that emerged during the final days of her father’s life. Keep the Kleenex box handy: This is one heart-felt episode you’re not going to want to miss!

Listen: Dr. Barbara Okun and Dr. Joseph Nowinski

“Life is full of wounds–physical, emotional, and spiritual. The wounded psyche and spirit heal in much the same manner as physical wounds,” writes Doctor David Knighton, one of the leading experts on wound healing and what they can teach us as covered in his new book: The Wisdom of the Healing Wound:A New View on Why We Hurt & How We Can Cure Even the Deepest Physical and Emotional Wounds. Join in as host Mary Treacy O’Keefe interviews this fascinating doctor on wound healing and the role of forgiveness.

As one of the leading experts on wound healing and one of America’s Top Doctors in the early ’90s, Dr. Knighton established wound healing clinics early in his medical career. Knighton was subsequently one of a small group of experts from the Wound Healing Society to create medical definitions of wounding and healing that today are used throughout the world. In his new book, he explores how the physical nature of wounds–and the healing process involved–can be transposed to healing emotional and even spiritual wounds.

Dr. Knighton discusses the roles of forgiveness, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) massage therapy, and vitamins in enhancing healing. “Emotional wounds are very humbling. So are physical wounds. But especially emotional wounds [because] they force the process of growth,” says Knighton.

He also shares information about a third type (in addition to embryonic and adult stem cells) of stem cell, called “wound-derived stem cells.” These stem cells were first discovered in late 2009 in his research lab and may speed up the healing process in the future.

And stay tuned to the very end to hear host Mary Treacy O’Keefe share a “Meant to Be” healing story about how her own recovery from Breast Cancer surgery eventually motivated her to open Well Within, a nonprofit holistic wellness center in Woodbury, Minnesota!

Listen: Dr. David Knighton

Due to a whopping two-thirds of Americans being either overweight or obese, learning to eat for both weight loss and optimal health is more important than ever before. This week’s guest, KC Craichy, is a leading health researcher, speaker, and consultant on optimized natural health, nutrition, and fitness. KC’s collaborative work and research with many of the top medical and nutritional practitioners and researchers in the United States led to the founding of Living Fuel, one of the fastest-growing, high-end nutritional companies in the world. KC and host Mary Treacy O’Keefe discuss his latest book, Super Health Diet:The Last Diet You Will Ever Need.

KC Craichy starts off the interview by explaining his motivation for writing his most recent book–going into detail about his own obesity as a young adult and his wife’s former health issues. Is the Super Health Diet truly “the last diet you will ever need?” KC says “yes!” and is here to explain why.

“Hydration is a huge issue,” says KC. What’s the best way to get hydrated? If you said “Water” then you’re on the right track! But what kind of water should you drink? What’s the best filtration system? Of the bottled water brands, which is the best? And what about herbal tea? Wouldn’t you like to know before putting any old thing into your body?

Is the Fountain of Youth real? According to KC, in a sense, it can be: Through diet. He goes on to explain that if one focuses on nutrients rather than calories, they’ll not only feel better, but they’ll look better too! Are you ready to look younger?

KC Craichy also discusses Sarcopenia (which can result from not getting enough protein), the benefits and drawbacks of fasting, and why we shouldn’t snack between meals.

Are you tired of being overweight, unhealthy, and unhappy? Then maybe it’s time you listened in on this informative episode!

Listen: KC Craichy

This week’s guest on Hope, Healing, and WellBeing is Rachel Lloyd, founder of GEMS (Girl Education and Mentoring Services) and the author of the deeply moving memoir Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls Are Not for Sale, an Activist Finds Her Calling and Heals Herself.  Rachel discusses the harm done by the largely misunderstood epidemic of the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the US.  Yet, as she demonstrates, it is possible for healing to occur for the young women who have been exposed to the horrors of sex trafficking. Rachel speaks from experience as, beginning at the age of 13, she found herself spiraling into a life of abuse as a victim of commercial sexual exploitation.  In this inspiring interview, Rachel shares how she escaped this horrific life and went on to empower other young women to do the same.

Many falsely assume that sex trafficking is only in “other” countries, but it’s right here in the United States.  Host Mary Treacy O’Keefe and Rachel Lloyd discuss the annual statistics of girls being lured into prostitution in the US (most of them between the ages of 12 and 14!).  How do these young girls become involved in this lifestyle?  Does this lifestyle stem from a background of trauma and abuse?

“I thought I was an adult. I was 13 and I thought I could handle everything…” says Rachel of her troubled childhood.  Rachel’s emotional vulnerability eventually lead her to a life of domestic trafficking.  Rachel then goes on to explain the stigma behind prostitution and why changing the language–the semantics of the term–can help people get past their assumptions and misconceptions on the issue of sexual exploitation.

“Girls have been trained by society, period, but often times by their pimps, not to trust other girls,” says Rachel Lloyd.  “Girls come in like ‘I don’t want to be in a program with all girls.’”  But, in the end, GEMS becomes their family.

This is an episode that will inspire you like no other Hope, Healing, and WellBeing ever has before.  Don’t miss out!

Listen: Rachel Lloyd

This week on Hope, Healing, and WellBeing, Mary Treacy O’Keefe welcomes David Kessler, world-renowned expert and lecturer on death and grief.  Kessler talks about healthcare, hospice professionals, the unique experience of dying, and shows off his lastest book: Visions, Trips, and Crowded Rooms: Who and What You See Before You Die.

Kessler starts off the interview by sharing what made him decide to write his new book.  He goes on to share how the death of his mother (he was 12 at the time) affected not only his entire life, but his entire life’s work.  “I came away from that somewhat scarred,” admits Kessler. “I’m really a product of that day [my mother died].”

On the subject of his new book, Kessler explains the meaning behind the title: Visions, Trips, and Crowded Rooms: Who and What you See Before You Die.  He also explains the format of the book and the type of research that went into creating it.  Not only does Kessler’s latest book include interviews with doctors, patients, priests, and rabbis on the subject of “what happens immediately before death,” but he’s also included a look at death “visions” from a historical and literature perspective… and a legal perspective?  Kessler explains how the “Law of Hearsay” can be bent for someone’s “dying words.”

Kessler shares his personal experiences of being with people when they’re dying and shares his advice on how to remain calm and completely at ease when faced with the death of a loved one.  Kessler says, when comforting someone on their death bed, he tries to bring about the feeling of “We may see each other again and this might not be the end” and encourages others in similar situations to do the same.  O’Keefe agrees, having touched upon this subject in her own book, Thin Places.  And what advice did Mother Teresa give Kessler on the subject before her own death?

Listen in to what you can learn from the dying.  Find out what might happen when you die.  And learn how it all ties into living a life of hope, healing, and well-being.

Listen: David Kessler