Do This, Feel Better

2021 was an unsettling year for many of us. We were still in throws of the Covid-19 pandemic, and that year two of our Shetland Sheepdogs, Thisby and Harley, crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge within a few months of each other. But through that process, we learned a new compassionate way to say goodbye. Now, we've got new energy in the house with a very rambunctious pooch.

In the final episode of Season 1, host Jay Nachlis interviews his son Teddy. This episode features a transparent look into often serious challenges the teenager has faced over the last decade, told from his perspective.This raw, yet heartwarming discussion will take you behind the scenes of impactful moments in Teddy's life. This includes the early signs of difficulties with school; nightmarish teasing that started the second day of middle school; the first diagnosis of autism; the incident that led to wilderness therapy and residential treatment; and how things are going as a freshman in high school.Parents with children that have emotional and learning challenges will hear stories that sound familiar, get examples of strategies that have worked, and learn more about the hard work that has resulted in improving each member of the family and the relationships between them. jAiEV3xlcg3TUFgnO2n5

During a particularly challenging period in his work and home life, Jay Nachlis went to Google to search for inspirational books, and found "The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy" by Jon Gordon.Jay went to the park and was so taken by the story he finished the book in just a few hours. The lessons learned in "The Energy Bus" inspired Jay to take a hard look at the negative energy he was putting out, the negative energy he was getting in return, and to employ strategies to look at things in a new light.

Do This, Feel Better host Jay Nachlis and Kevin Kolbe discovered they had a shared affection for the TV show "24" with Keifer Sutherland 17 years ago, and worked on multiple promotional campaigns together when Jay was working in radio and Kevin was working in television.After decades working for the same company as Creative Services Director, Kevin was laid off and had to make a decision. Ultimately, Kevin chose reinvention - he started his own business and learned a swath of new skills, including how to best use video and social media to market himself. 2020 has put many in unexpected "transitions". If you've ever considered reinvention, this episode is for you.

In 1985, Marty McFly traveled back in time 30 years to 1955 to meet his parents. 1985 was also the year that Do This, Feel Better host Jay Nachlis was matched with Kris Nergaard as his Big Brother by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area. In a very special 10th episode of Do This Feel Better, Jay and Kris celebrate 35 years of friendship by taking a trip down memory lane. You'll hear the story of how they were matched, and why it almost didn't happen; how Kris adopted Jay's best friend Deion as his second Little Brother; the traditional birthday celebration that doesn't always happen on birthdays; and the heartwarming story of how a Big Brother's positive influence on a shy child helped shape him into the man he is today.Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of America at www.bbbs.org.

There's no handbook for life, parenting, and relationships. But if there's one communication skill everyone should learn, it's "leading with empathy."In this episode, host Jay Nachlis explains how implementing changes in words and tone can positively influence your communication and relationships.

As of this recording, it's the day after the United States presidential election and the final results aren't in. How can this be? We're used to getting what we want, when we want it!!In this episode, host Jay Nachlis shares examples detailing why anticipation - or the lack of instant gratification - can be a good thing. It gives us time to digest, think, and share, and experience greater joy when something is worth waiting for.

When you're down, do you listen to upbeat music to try to improve your mood or sad music to validate your feelings?In this very personal episode, host Jay Nachlis shares the stories behind ten songs he's curated for a Spotify playlist called "DTFB 2020". You'll hear why hearing "Rainbow" by Kacey Musgraves resonated so deeply; how a Stevie Wonder song seems just as relevant today as when it was released 44 years ago; how Taylor Swift struck just the right 2020 mood, and much more.Discover the stories, then download the playlist on this special episode of "Do This, Feel Better."

Dell Technologies Learning Facilitator Grant Crowell started making up words when he was a kid to help manage his ADHD. Through his book "Grantasms: Creative Twisted Words for Cool People," coaching, and his new "Gerks at Work" YouTube channel, Grant demonstrates how word games can improve your at-home and at-work social skills and relationships.In this episode, Grant shares his strategies, many of which have become even more applicable thanks to the pandemic.

Have you ever wanted to write a book, but thought it was too difficult, too exclusive or too expensive? In this episode, you'll learn how to get your very own book published and distributed on Amazon for very little money out of your own pocket.Host Jay Nachlis started writing "Never Trust A Grown Man With A Ponytail: How A Regular Guy Lived A Rockstar Life" in 2016 and self-published it in January, 2017. Jay will explain the process, all the way from outlining and writing the book to sourcing affordable editing and graphic design services, and finally the process for publication on Amazon's self-publishing platform, Kindle Direct Publishing.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has created a mental health challenge for people without debilitating addictions, what it is like for a recovering alcoholic?Michael Buckenberger joins Jay to discuss how he's navigated a world filled with Zoom Happy Hours and a culture that has accepted heavier alcohol use as a necessary side effect of dealing with a pandemic. Michael shares his strategies for mental wellness and the two friends and former co-workers share how their very different backgrounds and perspectives strengthen their relationship.

Are you suffering from overwhelming mental exhaustion? In this episode, Jay shares a technique he learned during a drive from Fayetteville to Raleigh, North Carolina in which he nearly fell asleep from mental stress. You'll discover a new twist on an ancient practice, including tips on how quick bursts of rest can turn into surprising rejuvenation.

Has 2020 left you feeling punched in the gut and kicked in the teeth? This episode features Sam Fisher, who performs the Do This, Feel Better theme song heard at the beginning and end of the show. As is the case for so many others, 2020 has brought major stressors. For Sam, this includes income loss (he's a musician and artist manager); sickness (his wife is battling cancer, his father contracted COVID, and his grandmother died); as well as the all too common stress of raising three kids in our new virtual world.The result is a raw, emotional, and introspective discussion between longtime friends Jay and Sam that touches on topics ranging from tackling a pervasive mental health stigma, marriage, loneliness during a pandemic, race, and the toxicity of social media. You'll learn why Sam finally decided that taking on the world with his traditional "I Got This" mentality was no longer an option.

Who is Jay Nachlis and why should I listen to him share things I can do to feel better?In this first episode, longtime radio host Jay Nachlis explains how a series of major life events, including a career change and challenges raising a child with special needs, led to a spiral of negativity and depression.Learn how an encounter with Robin Williams acted as a catalyst to seek help, the first in many steps towards self-improvement, self-care and new outlook on life.