Down For Disruption

Hey, ya'll! I won't repeat here what's in the recording. So, I'll keep it brief. As I've been saying all week, A LOT of back to back medical crisis have officially taken it's toll and I. am. not. well. So, I'm taking a much needed break from ALL business and creative endeavors for the next 6-8 weeks (roughly) to self-repair. Um, what am I always preaching??? Love ya'll, and I'll "see" everybody in early November. Thanks again for rockin' with me and ya'lls continued support. ***IF you pray to Christ Jesus or Jehovah God, our Abba Father**, please keep me in ya'lls prayers. Monetary support can be sent to **Cash App** $AJWRITEMENTAL or or ------> paypal.me/firstdibsonchange God bless! Muah! :) AJ

Hey, yall! Thanks to those who reached out to me to inquire about my health. Lets just say that Im on the mend. Um, the last 2 weeks have been BRUTAL. BUT, I am taking my pain And anxiety meds as prescribed, while trying my hardest to sit still. Some of yall KNOW how damn near impossible that is for me. Lol Anyhow, on to todays Episode! Wow! Season 2 is moving right along and today we are joined by thee Scholarly Wellspring, otherwise known as, Fran Harrison, LPCC, @francares4u to walk us through Episode 11 So What! Im grown: Mental Health and Arrested Development Lawwwddd!! Pretty much ALL of you should know by now that this topic is at the top of my soapbox list. WHY? Because our homes are broken. Our communities are shattered by self-sabotage and misguided little girls posing as grown women. What the hell happened to mamas who behaved like adults? Grown women who werent hosting twerking contests with their 5 year-olds or angrily ramming their vehicle into the side of Popeyes because the kitchen ran out of biscuits? Seriously. WTF? Its like we all became unhinged one day and disqualified ourselves from actively modeling emotion regulation and healthy parenting. If you think about it, our Whole world is ill. Yup! Were all moving robotically in a trance from one trauma to the next. Every good, common sense brain cell that Father God, Himself, created is NOT so common anymore AND each of those brain cells have been replaced by an unknowingly woeful dependence on technology. Add to that mix, a tragically broken mental healthcare system, overcrowded schools, the virtual non-existence of a morally sound, nuclear family structure AND the Heavily policed expression of free speech and emotional outreach. What we now have is a drastic need for mental and emotional repair that supersedes damn near all available global resources and the inward retreat to clinical despair that is often unrecognizable until much later after death. Were literally living in a George Jetson meets 1984 meets Handmaids Tale, mixed with a little (a Lot) of Behold A Pale Horse thrown in. We need help. We need understanding. We need meds. We need therapy. We need safety. WE ALL NEED HELP!! In todays Episode 11, Fran delivers a Keynote Speech about this Arrested Development phenomenon. The literal stuck as she terms it, in a child or adolescent-like stage and a lifestyle of behaviors that are inconsistent with or inappropriate for ones current age. Um, think about the sistas in the viral fight videos from Waffle House to Walmart to Worldstar. Fran holds our hand and walks us through reasons behind Arrested Development and how AD relates to trauma or other unresolved issues. She goes on to explain the ACES study, how a high ACE score factors into AD, and more! Trust, Fran is the Morpheus of clinical counseling and REALLY knows her stuff! She is a living, breathing textbook of modalities from Trauma Focused CBT to Race Based Trauma treatment to Compassion Fatigue and Self-Care. WOW! Talk about a Wide Range of specialties. Trust, Fran has perfected her vast, cradle to the grave assortment of specialties for literally ANY age group over the past 23 years. Listen to how she skillfully analyzes our Rontrise scenario and lovingly applies therapeutic interventions to help this lady we all know too well. That big age somebody who is still clubbing with an AARP card in her purse. The irresponsible one whos emotionally unregulated and fails miserably, at understanding insight insight into her own problems. Thee QUEEN of self-sabotage. God help us. BUT, we thank God for great minds like that of Fran Harrison, LPCC. Wahoo!!! We should ALL be grateful for her contribution to healing the Diaspora :)

Happy Saturday, everybody! I hope yall are well. We really do have a magician joining us, today! I swear anyone who works as a Registered Nurse, a Certified Nutrition Specialist, Health Coach, *AND* an Endocannabinoid (Google it) System Nurse Consultant *at the same time* is either related to Copperfield or walks on water for fun. BUT, Marsha Kentish, RN, BSN, CNS, LDN, is SO down to Earth, engaging, and relatable. Trust me, I had a Blast interviewing her! We talked about everything from the nutritional needs of our aging women, preventable diseases, vitamins/minerals/supplements, stress, popular diets, meds & midlife, and MORE! Listen to what she has to say about the gut-brain connection, fluctuating moods, and hormone imbalances. Hmmm... Dont forget yall sparkly red pen and notebook! Thanks SO much for ya'll support, as always. AJ

Maaan! Where are all of my "been put out of better places than this" folks??? Episode 9 is just for us, if no other. *Have you ever questioned your worth or purpose now that you FINALLY have some time to think straight? Maybe the kids are gone, or a parent is now deceased after you've exhausted yourself taking care of them? Maybe you're now divorced or newly graduated. Yay! Could it be that you've gotten your second wind now and ready to soar? Great! Let's explore. *Have you ever been told that you can't cut it somewhere or that you're not good enough? Not the right fit? *Always the candidate, but never the new hire? *Are you suffering from "rejection burnout" because no matter how much experience you have, you keep getting skipped over for some social media geek who's half of your age? *Is Imposter Syndrome kicking in? *Are you newly diagnosed with a mental health or some other disorder and afraid others may find out? *Or do mental illness symptoms have you skating on thin ice at work, church, school, with Bae, the kids, and other people/places/things??? *Wondering how to reinvent yourself? *Are you ready to start or scale a business? Oh, yeah! This episode is for you. Another seasoned, clinical multi-hyphenate, Charmaine Walker, LPC, NCC, will walk us through these very topics and gently reassure us that feelings of inadequacy are pretty common during these after 40, midlife years. BUT, they don't have to rule our lives. Charmaine is skilled at providing a broad spectrum of comprehensive care because not only is she an Imposter Syndrome expert, but she is also a clinical hypnotherapist, career strategist, AND job coach! Say what?! Charmaine is a master at mindfulness because she teaches clients to draw from their inner strengths in any exact moment, to best use the various therapy models that she implements. I'm not sure how much more room Charmaine has on her wall, but would ya'll believe that this clinical Wonder Woman is a certified yoga teacher too?! WOW! What Can't she do? I told ya'll, Charmaine provides a full circle therapy experience. She'll help you to process through depression and unaddressed trauma. She'll help you discover your strengths AND make practical use of her EMDR training to help you overcome anxiety and fears about cutting it in the workplace. Then she'll meditate with you and help to demonstrate how to draw on your own senses and use acute awareness of your different situations and triggers to unpack what's been holding you back. Trust me, Charmaine is THAT good! Lastly, the chronic job jumper, as she relates to mental health diagnosis, reasonable accomodation, and support services will be discussed.Sooo many gems in today's episode. Don't forget to take notes, ladies! :)

We Did It!!! We Did it, Ladies!! Wahoo!!!! > "Sandbox Champions", TODAY, August 26, 2023 concludes our VERY FIRST SEASON!! Wahoo!! I'm SO thankful. My heart is SO full at all we've been able to accomplish with our 'Down For Disruption' Podcast and all of those wounded hearts that this show has been able to reach. > I could NOT have pulled off *Season 1* without the Collective love, prayers, support, AND financial contribution$ from ALL OF YOU!!! > Please don't forget to Heart (follow), download, subscribe, and share this podcast Here on the App. You may also support the sustainability of 'Down For Disruption' by Cash App at $ajwritemental > Follow 'Down For Disruption' on Instagram at first_dibs_on_change AND @downfordisruption. I truly do LOVE each and every one You, my Women Warrior "Sandbox Champions"!!! "Together, we love; TOGETHER, we heal! > ***-------> Do NOT forget about our End of *Season 1* Celebratory Scavenger Hunt Contest on Instagram! Check out the "Black Screen" post AND my Live from 8/24--the one with the "Call Me By NAME, Not By Label" T-shirt in the Top Left Corner. > THAT T-shirt AND other Great prizes will be awarded for ANSWERING 4 VERY Show-Specific Questions correctly in a VIDEO SUBMISSION (ONLY) ON IG Live. Contest Answer SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT ANY TIME BETWEEN NOW AND Friday, September 1st, at 5:00pm EST. > Mental Health Awareness T-shirts Alone can be purchased on the First Dibs on Change SHOPIFY site https://first-dibs-on-change.myshopify.com/ OR you can access the First Dibs on Change Shopify link in My Bio on the @first_dibs_on_change Instagram page. > First Dibs on Change is my Mental Health Awareness Company, under which the 'Down For Disruption' Podcast is house. REMEMBER, sometimes the word "change" begins with the letter "I". > Come on, Now! Upload those video answers, Ladies!!! I wonder what's in the Coach bag....Hmmm.... Who's been Listening SINCE EPISODE 1 ONE 1??? Let's see who's been taking notes. Love, ya'll!!!! xoxoxo "Your always favorite menopausal Misbehave-her!" AJ >>>>Now, on to TODAY'S EPISODE 8, Part 2, "Managing Meds, Symptoms, and My Marbles: How Not to Lose Your Mind in the Daily Grind! This will be an in-depth discussion about psychotropic medications, the need for them, how they affect the brain and aging body, as well as dual neuro trauma. Renowned Forensic Psychiatrist and behavioral impairment educator, Dr. Tracey Marks, MD, will also cover medication side effects and why meds with harmful side effects are prescribed in the first place. She'll tell us all about the pre-frontal cortex of the brain in great deal and how it is affected by mental illness. She will address the "illness means incapable" myth, what others see in certain behaviors vs. what's really going on internally, and uber specific differences between child and adult ADHD. Lastly, Dr. Marks will address the 'Angry Black Woman' trope, as part of her explanation about Borderline Personality Disorder and the raging lack of impulse control often seen in adult women with a substantial trauma history. "Together, we love; TOGETHER, we heal" :)

Today's Episode 8 Part 1 is all about "Reclaiming Your Thrive!" An exhaustive emphasis will be placed on, and advocating to others that, a woman isn't limited to her diagnosis and 'medical life'. We are real people with real feelings and needs, and should be valued as such. Um, we may be 'sick' (some days), but our vaginas still work. Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Forensic Psychologist/Media Mental Health Expert, Dr. Nashira "Shikay" Kayode, will also talk a lot about dating in 2023 and beyond, and how we can have it all including work, travel, business ventures, a family, AND great sex! Lastly, Dr. Shikay will explain neurodivergence and how we can actually maximize our functional limitations.

Shavon will address myths surrounding therapy in black/brown communities, therapy readiness and how to find resources to begin with. Shavon will also lend her insight into the normal shame/guilt/fear/embarrassment that one can feel after starting therapy and how to self-soothe afterwards. This energetic and enthusiastic women's wellness warrior will also go over how to successfully overcome repeatedly going back to the stressor that drives one to seek therapy and putting tools to use. One of her specialties is adjustment issues; so there'll be several coping strategies offered. Lastly, some tips on what to do when one cannot afford therapy or has no insurance, and the importance of using all available resources will be emphasized.

An exploration of what often happens to the latch-key kid in adulthood. This generational trauma therapist, Tabitha Renee Morris, LICSW will help listeners understand hyper-independence, resentment, defensiveness, people pleasing, low self-worth, and identity complex. Suggestions about re-parenting oneself and mending, if a survivor so chooses, strained caretaker relationships will be offered. Several breathing exercises will be conducted during this episode.

Joyce Jiggetts, RN, a distinguished women's health nurse, is going to talk to us about what bodily changes to expect after age 40 and important preventive exams. Listeners will also get a detailed biology lesson on Menopause and Hormone Imbalances 101, how black/brown women are affected differently, symptoms/treatments, the "dry vagina" taboo topic, and ways to cope. Joyce will also touch on diabetes and nutrition, STDs in the older adult, and other midlife health issues. Joyce will end with how others can support a woman in their circle who are dealing with these issues during midlife and offer suggestions on how to cope.

Today's trauma therapist, anger management specialist and major life transition strategist, Natasha Lashay Washington, LPC-A, will walk us through how to adjust when therapy is the new normal, why talking to friends and family isn't enough, and how to navigate the "struggle to juggle". Natasha will also explore how to embrace an initial diagnosis WHILE trying to balance work/kids/elder care. This Awesome clinical multi-hyphenate even prepared a list of actionable steps to go about effective time management, stress reduction and ways to manage symptoms at work and in public. WOW! Our Episode 4 is hands down, a tremendously helpful hour of empowerment :)

Therapist, Alea Jackson, will walk listeners through Complex Trauma 101 and its relation to the black woman in crisis, signs of spiraling, the differences between panic attacks and anxiety attacks, and ways to cope.

What you get when childhood trauma, Mommie Dearest, the peek-a-boo daddy, and arrested development collide with budding mental health diagnosi(s)...

Whew! This is a DOOZY! Buckle up for one hell of a ride! Welcome to the Down For Disruption Podcast--The "Safe Sandbox" for black and brown women over the age of 40 who are struggling to survive midlife event WHILE battling a mental health diagnosis. Yikes! Just think--*Hot Flashes AND Bipolar Mania *Empty Nesting AND Schizophrenia *Mammograms AND PTSD *Um, Colonoscopies AND ADHD (yes, seriously) *Hell, Divorce Depression AND Broken Vibrators...Tee Hee In this Premier Episode, listeners will be able to tell right off the bat that the nucleus of dysfunction and ring leader of generational trauma in any black family, is usually a maternal caretaker. In this case, it's mama; or, "Mommie Dearest", as I call her. This episode is loaded with one egregious example after another of how unimaginable trauma festers throughout one household. The free world will get a fly on the wall view of the chaos of an unstable childhood, predators running amok, and how my Mommie Dearest groomed undiagnosed mental illness when she looked the other way for years. I mean everything from one child's rape, to the sexual violation of numerous other children, homophobia that uncles seemed to find funny, drug use, alcohol abuse, threats, brutal corporal punishment, rampant verbal abuse, one kid thrown through a plate glass screen door, neglect, and every other miscreant shenanigan that Mommie Dearest allowed under her roof. That's what we're discussing this week on Down for Disruption. Listen, I'm well aware that this episode, and a few others are pretty heavy. And can be triggering. Please believe that my intention with this podcast is not to spiral anyone into emotional distress. BUT, we Gen X ladies Have to unearth the layers of trauma that landed many of us in a therapist's office today. Look what all of that Latch-key independence and survivalist upbringing did to many of us. So, I have to provide context. Please participate in the shows' breathing and self-repair exercises. They really are a tremendous help. I thank you so much for your support! Together, we heal :) AJ ----->Be sure to download the ALIVE Podcast app and select Down for Disruption when subscribing to support this podcast.

Welcome to the Down For Disruption Safe Sandbox, Ladies! Eh hem, my "Sandbox Champions" :) Yes, we are all gathering in this safe space, AKA, the "Safe Sandbox" where we support, learn, grow, and heal. What makes us Champions, you ask? Great question! Champions excel, and we do just that. We trauma survivors excel at healing. Many of us are just in progress--AND THAT'S PERFECTLY Okay :) Anyhow, are you tired of hearing about therapy and trauma; trauma and therapy? Do you feel like your life is a very unique jigsaw puzzle that no one seems to be discussing? WELL! Im glad you raised your hand. Grab your favorite journal and sparkly red pen. This Saturday, July 1, the Down for Disruption podcast premieres and were gonna discuss all things midlife and mental health diagnosis. Thats right! Hot Flashes and Bipolar Disorder. Estate Planning and Anxiety. Schizophrenia and Empty Nesting. Colonoscopies and ADHD (yes, seriously). Hell, Divorce Depression and Broken Vibrators. Tee hee... HUGE DISCLAIMER: Okay, so this podcast is a Very trauma intensive show. My apologies in advance. Why? Because we Gen X ladies are suffering. Everything from losing ourselves as we age with ongoing, undiagnosed/untreated mental health symptoms or just feeling flat out worthless now from a long life of feeling not good enough or invisible, entirely. Many of us are running to keep up with this woefully, tech-driven world. Say, how many of you are latch-key kids who were so busy helping to raise other children, that you didn't really get a chance to have a childhood, yourself??? Aaaand we wonder why there are so many 48 year old's in nightclubs trying to outdrink 20 year old's. We'll discuss that. Um, we must also talk about the unaddressed sexual trauma that applies to far too many of us, sadly. Mama worked. Or mama knew and did nothing to stop it. You weren't believed. And often blamed. Am I the only one who grew up obsessed with sex and masturbated frequently at an early age? Promiscuous from as far back as you can remember? Daddy issues totally effed up your life and every romantic relationship you got yourself into for years? Uh, huh! Me too :( Yeah, we're gonna swan dive into symptoms and Mental Health 101. We'll uncover why the anger that's been pent up in many of us all out fueled that hurt little girl many of us still harbor. Trust, we'll make sense of who that little girl turned out to be, good or bad, and we can successfully kick a$$ during these midlife years. You get the idea. But do not worry. Episodes 1 and 2 are for context. You'll see. And then we'll have a therapist or some other relevant professional to hang out with us in OUR "safe sandbox" to give clinical advice, actionable steps towards coping, and therapy suggestions. Believe me, my goal is NOT to make folks uncomfortable and send them running under the bed. No. Here, at Down For Disruption, we do things in the interest of emotional safety. Trust, TOGETHER, WE will heal :) Tune in this Saturday, July 1st at 1pm with your new favorite host, the Menopausal Misbehave-her, AJ Write Mental! Don't forget to like, download, and subscribe to this Down For Disruption Podcast!