by Rona | Dec 17, 2015 | Announcements, KPFA, Podcasts, Radio Shows
At this time of year many people who suffer from addictions find the holidays to be particularly stressful. Isolation, illness, poverty, neglect, and abuse, are some of the things that can influence a person to use drugs as an escape from what they are feeling and thinking.
My guests were Jennifer Golick, LMFT and Jorge Partida, PsyD.
94.1FM in the S.F. Bay Area or KPFA.org online
Dr. Jorge Partida is a clinical and research psychologist, specializing in addiction and trauma. He is an author, consultant and national speaker integrating Native Ancestral Teachings with traditional Western psychotherapy. Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Dr. Partida immigrated to Chicago at nine years of age.
He has been a consultant on many national and international projects designing and implementing clinical programs to address addiction, education, health, community building, diversity and spirituality. He has worked with local and national governments to coordinate services for those most impacted by poverty, war and displacement. He has worked in Liberia, Africa in the repatriation of boy soldiers and has worked to form “intentional communities” in poverty-impacted countries of Latin America, including Colombia, Peru, and Mexico. Dr. Jorge is the author of “The Promise of The Fifth Sun” and “A Week of Awakening.”
Jennifer Golick, LMFT, is the Clinical Director at Muir Wood Adolescent & Family Services, a gender-specific, residential treatment program designed specifically for boys age 12-17 suffering from substance abuse and co-occurring issues. For many years Jennifer worked as a therapist in a non-profit mental health agency, working with underinsured and uninsured children and families. Jennifer also created and implemented the first agency-based Animal Assisted Therapy program. Previously Jennifer was Clinical Director of a residential substance abuse treatment center in the Napa Valley. Her specialties include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing focusing on helping individuals and families identify problematic patterns of thinking in order to affect systemic change.
by Rona | Nov 15, 2015 | Announcements, Appearances, KPFA, Podcasts, Radio Shows
I interviewed the author of, Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology. You can listen to the entire interview here on KPFA’s weekly show About Health:
“This groundbreaking book connects the dots between early life trauma and the physical and mental suffering so many live with as adults. Nakazawa fully engages us with fascinating, clearly written science and moving stories from her own and others’ struggles with life-changing illness. Childhood Disrupted offers a blend of fresh insight into the impact of trauma and invaluable guidance in turning toward healing!” —Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge.
Donna Jackson Nakazawa has written a groundbreaking book showing the link between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and adult illnesses such as heart disease, autoimmune disease, and cancer. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study is one of the largest investigations ever conducted to assess associations between childhood maltreatment and later-life health and well-being. In the interview we discuss how to cope with these emotional traumas and heal from them.
Donna Ja
ckson Nakazawa is an award-winning science journalist interested in exploring the intersection between neuroscience, immunology, and the deepest inner workings of the human heart. Donna’s other works include, The Autoimmune Epidemic, which investigates the causes of a growing environmental health crisis, and The Last Best Cure, which chronicles a year-long journey to test a variety of mind-body therapies in order to unlock the restorative powers of the brain. She is also the author of Does Anybody Else Look Like Me?: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Multicultural Children.
by Rona | Nov 4, 2015 | Announcements, Appearances, KPFA, Radio Shows
If you missed this weeks show on “About Health” you can listen to Dr. Will Courtenay and Niiobli Armah. They discussed the mental health disparities for men and boys, especially men of color, and current strategies that are being implemented to reduce suffering and strengthen wellbeing.
So much to think about regarding this complex and important topic!
My Guests:
Niiobli Armah, Program Manager at Prevention Institute, works on the Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing team. He is the former Director of Health Programs for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) where he was responsible for managing the NAACP’s national policy and advocacy work, including HIV/AIDS, healthcare reform, and health equity portfolios. He also has worked at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, coordinating the daily operations of a childhood health collaborative focused on policy and environmental change. He is a graduate of the Southern University Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy. http://www.preventioninstitute.org/about-us/our-staff.html
Dr. Will Courtenay, is an internationally recognized expert in men’s health and in helping men, boys, and fathers. The American Psychological Association calls him, “a leading psychologist in the field of masculinity.” He provides psychotherapy and counseling to individuals in the S.F. Bay Area, and phone consultation to those outside of the area. You can reach him at 415-346-6719 or check out his website at http://www.themensdoc.com. He is also the author of Dying To Be Men: http://www.amazon.com/Dying-Men-Environmental-Biobehavioral-Psychotherapy/dp/0415878764
by Rona | Oct 19, 2015 | Announcements, Appearances, KPFA, Radio Shows
Take a listen to the show I did on”About Health” with two wonderful women sharing their stories and wisdom: https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=217404
October is Nation Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
I was honored to have in studio two of the authors of 
“Shivering in a Paper Gown, Breast Cancer and Its Aftermath: An Anthology,” Laurie Hessen Pomeranz and Meaghan Calcari Campbell. “Through its thirty contributing authors, this anthology reveals the realities of life, through and with cancer, as the authors learn how to survive and in the process, how to live.”
Guests:
Laurie Hessen Pomeranz is a San Francisco-based Marriage, Family and Child Therapist who works with teenaged boys and their parents. She has a teenaged boy of her own, with her wonderful husband of 17 years. Laurie was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 41, and has found writing as a part of her healing process. Her work has been published on Salon.com, The Mother Company, and in 3 Anthologies: The Day My Nipple Fell Off, I am With You, and Shivering in a Paper Gown. Laurie is a singer in the local tot-rock band, Charity and the JAMband.
Meaghan Calcari Campbell works in philanthropy and ocean conservation with local communities and non-profits. Diagnosed with breast cancer at thirty-two without a family history of the disease, her initial treatments lasted sixteen months and will continue for many years. She discovered blogging and its power in her healing from day one of her diagnosis. Meaghan’s work has been published in two Anthologies: The Day My Nipple Fell Off and Shivering in a Paper Gown. Meaghan finds great joy in serving as President of the Bay Area Young Survivors (BAYS). To see more of Meaghan’s writing, visit http://keepingabreast.me/.
by Rona | Oct 5, 2015 | Announcements, Appearances, KPFA, Radio Shows
Children and teens often get confusing messages about healthy sexuality from their parents, friends, the media, and their school sex education program (if there is one).
If we want teens to grow up with a healthy attitude, and practice safe sex, then parents and teachers need to feel comfortable talking about this complex and emotionally charged topic.
What does quality sexual health education in the schools look like? And what do parents need to give their kids accurate information to help them when they are young, and when they become sexually active?
The California Healthy Youth Act (AB 329), by Assembly member Shirley Weber, has passed!
Guests:
Anya Manes, a former high school science teacher for 11years. Her biology class also became a sex-ed class where she came to understand what kids knew and what they didn’t, and what kinds of social skills they lacked. Anya did her master’s coursework in education and completed the Interchange Counseling Institute’s training program. Anya has a coaching practice, teaching parents to talk to their kids about sex and relationships. You can find out more about her work at http://talkingaboutsex.com/
Phyllida Burlingame, the ACLU’s Reproductive Justice Policy Director. She sets the strategic direction for this work and engages in policy advocacy, research, and community organizing to secure passage of legislation and ensure its implementation.
by Rona | Sep 18, 2015 | Announcements, Appearances, KPFA, Radio Shows
On Monday September 21st, I participated in KPFA’s Fund Drive, on 94.1 FM or online at KPFA.org.
On “About Health” I played excerpts from the Four CD set “Taking The Power Struggle Out of Parenting: The Art of Powerful, Non-Defensive Communication,” Written and narrated by Sharon Strand Ellison.
I hope to continue to host “About Health” on a regular basis, so please let the station know that you appreciate this show. I am grateful for your support.
Nurse Rona
