Dr. Gruber highlights the benefits and process of using relational mindfulness practices with young adults. Her work explores mindfulness practices to build internal and interpersonal awareness to decrease social isolation and increase wellness. Tune in to learn about this approach and her personal journey that called her to this work.

Guest:
Dr. Natalie Gruber is a well-being scholar, practitioner, researcher, and consultant. She has a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Innovation (Arizona State University). Dr. Gruber is a certified mindfulness teacher (UCLS) and art therapist (Northwestern University). She also completed a fellowship in positive organizational scholarship (University of Michigan, Ross School of Business).

To learn more about Dr. Gruber, please visit:
https://nataliegruber.com/

To learn more about mindfulness and relational mindfulness, please visit:

https://www.uclahealth.org/uclamindful
https://www.uclahealth.org/ulcamindful/ucla-mindful-app

Timestamp:
4:00 - Concept - Loneliness Epidemic
4:00 - Report - Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation (US Surgeon General, 2023)
4:30 - Research - The Connection Prescription: Using the Power of Social Interactions and the Deep Desire for Connectedness to Empower Health and Wellness (Martino et al., 2015)
6:00 - Research - Mindfulness training reduces loneliness and increases social contact in a randomized controlled trial (Lindsay et al., 2019)
6:20 - Concept - Default Mode Network & Connection
7:45 - Program - ASU Mindfulness & Connection Program
9:40 - Research - Effects of Mindfulness on Psychological Health: A Review of Empirical Studies (Keng et al., 2011)
10:30 - Concept - Default Mode Network decreasing and Increasing Connection
11:30 - Personal Story - How Dr. Gruber Found Mindfulness
23:45
25:00 - Concept - Defining Mindfulness
26:20 - Practice - STOP Practice
28:00 - Concept - Taking Time to Pause
30:00 - Outcomes - Benefits of Relational Mindfulness
34:00 - Concept - Vulnerability vs. Fear of Judgment
35:00 - Concept - How to Practice New Ways of Being
37:30 - Strategy - Silence to Support Connection
40:00 - Practice - Hot Seat
45:40 - Strategy - Integrating Ways to Connect in Schools
53:10 - Strategy - Practice Self-Compassion
54:15 - Parent Strategy -
57:20 - Concept - Emotions are Contageous
58:40 - Concept - How to Start Making an Entry into Using Mindfulness
61:00 - Resources - Where to Access Mindfulness Practices
70:00 - Personal Wellness Strategy - Hiking

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
Jinsang: https://jinsangbeats.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

Sarah Casper explores the nuanced world of consent. In this conversation we explore how common approaches to consent education are good, yet don't allow space for adolescents and young adults to practice nagivating the 'grey areas' of boundaries, consent, and sex. She explores principles in her approach to consent education.

Guest:
Playful. Nuanced. Principled. Sarah (SAH-rah) Casper is the founder of Comprehensive Consent, a social-emotional learning approach to equipping kids and teens with the knowledge and skills necessary for healthy, respectful, and joyful relationships. Through her in-school workshops, online classes, and social media content, Sarah has helped thousands of kids, adolescents, and adults throughout the world shift their understanding of consent as something we simply “give” and “get” to a practice we are all responsible to uphold. You can find her on Instagram @ComprehensiveConsent.

To learn more about Sarah, please visit:
https://www.comprehensiveconsent.com/
@comprehensiveconsent

Timestamp:
4:00 - Concept - Loneliness Epidemic
4:00 - Report - Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation (US Surgeon General, 2023)
4:30 - Research - The Connection Prescription: Using the Power of Social Interactions and the Deep Desire for Connectedness to Empower Health and Wellness (Martino et al., 2015)
6:00 - Research - Mindfulness training reduces loneliness and increases social contact in a randomized controlled trial (Lindsay et al., 2019)
6:20 - Concept - Default Mode Network & Connection
7:45 - Program - ASU Mindfulness & Connection Program
9:40 - Research - Effects of Mindfulness on Psychological Health: A Review of Empirical Studies (Keng et al., 2011)
10:30 - Concept - Default Mode Network decreasing and Increasing Connection
11:30 - Personal Story - How Dr. Gruber Found Mindfulness
25:00 - Concept - Defining Mindfulness
26:20 - Practice - STOP Practice
28:00 - Concept - Taking Time to Pause
30:00 - Outcomes - Benefits of Relational Mindfulness
34:00 - Concept - Vulnerability vs. Fear of Judgment
35:00 - Concept - How to Practice New Ways of Being
37:30 - Strategy - Silence to Support Connection
40:00 - Practice - Hot Seat
45:40 - Strategy - Integrating Ways to Connect in Schools
53:10 - Strategy - Practice Self-Compassion
54:15 - Parent Strategy -
57:20 - Concept - Emotions are Contageous
58:40 - Concept - How to Start Making an Entry into Using Mindfulness
61:00 - Resources - Where to Access Mindfulness Practices
70:00 - Personal Wellness Strategy - Hiking

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
ohricky: https://ohrickybeats.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

Leslie highlights the benefits and process of using Art Therapy in school settings. She starts by opening up about her process on writing and personal journey to finding art therapy. In the conversation, we explore the benefits of art therapy and how it can be used by professionals in the school setting.

Guest:
Leslie de Vera Arroyo. Leslie Arroyo (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a School Counseling Specialist for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). She has been in the counseling and mental health field for more than 20 years. She has experience working in inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities before serving as a school counselor in CPS elementary and high school settings for 14 years. She has a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy and went to DePaul University to obtain school counselor licensure.

In her current role, she supports school counselors in the implementation of ASCA-aligned comprehensive, data-driven, and student-centered school counseling programs. Also in this role, she is running a pilot program on the use of art therapy techniques in school counseling practices. The goal of the pilot program is to examine the impact on student learning and the development of academic and social/emotional skills that contribute to college and career readiness.

To learn more about Leslie, please visit:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-de-vera-arroyo-maat-lcpc-637a266/

3:40 - Concept - Writing in a Linear Process
6:50 - Quote - "Just Do The Thing"
7:15 - Concept - What's art therapy?
9:10 - Personal Story - How Leslie found art therapy
15:00 - Concept - Verbal and Other Methods for Expression and Meaning
16:30 - Research - Art Therapy for Psychosocial Problems in Children and Adolescents (Bosgraff et al., 2020)
17:55 - Research - Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants' Responses Following Art Making (Kaimal et al., 2016)
21:23 - Benefits of Art Therapy
21:50 - Concept - Getting Over Judgment
29:00 - Concept - De-Escalating and Accessing Emotions & Thoughts
32:20 - Concept - Benefits of Art Therapy
40:00 - Concept - Art Therapy for Retaining Professionals
49:30 - Strategy - Do What Brings You Joy
51:30 - Strategy - Utilize Your Senses
52:30 - Parent Strategy - Fostering Student Space for Exploration
56:00 - Parent Strategy - Encourage Healthy Risk Taking
61:00 - Personal Strategy - Art, Movement, Mindfulness


Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
G Mills: https://gmills.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast