276 Mental Health and Personal Freedom with Kristina Sarhadi

Kristina Sarhadi is a holistic therapist, Reiki Master, writer, and “recovering social worker.” A Hudson Valley native, she is the founder of Kingston Reiki + Holistic Therapy in Downtown Kingston, where she also runs The New Leaf Holistic Health Clinic with Dr. Ileana Tecchio and Dr. Glenn Finley. Kristina studied at Vassar College, UC Berkeley, the University of Southern California, The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and the Soma Healing Center, and received the International Health Leadership Award in 2011. Since 2012 she has lived in Kingston, where she is an ongoing Clinic Provider at The O+ Festival, an active member of several mutual aid and wellness circles, an enthusiastic punk show attendee and a published poet. She has received several awards for her writing and multiple Chronogrammies for her work with clients. Most recently, she was voted Best Mental Health Counselor in 2023. Prior to opening her private practice, Kristina spent a decade in social services as a domestic violence counselor, foster care case manager, teen mentor, women’s legal advocate, Early Intervention specialist, youth arts group director, and crisis counselor for victims of abuse, neglect and sexual assault. Because she has always been obsessed with balancing pain and joy, she has also taught preschool, run a cupcake shop, managed local bands, and written for several punk music publications.

Currently, Kristina works with clients to integrate deep trauma exploration with energy work and narrative reframing—helping folks of all ages become more mindful, empowered and joyful in their daily lives. An Iranian-Italian-American, Kristina’s philosophy centers around self-empowerment, mindfulness techniques, and consciousness engineering—a combination of ancient Eastern practices and modern Human Potential modalities. On rare days off she can be found reading in a sunspot with her tiny cat, Button, or laughing till her stomach hurts with her three sisters, two nieces, and one nephew.

Today Kristina shares how and why she works to support other’s mental health. We talk about the difficulties people may experience on Memorial Day mourning the loss of family members/friends while others protest the day for its perceived pro-military agenda or bypass the grief with barbecues. Kristina shares some thoughts on how to navigate the days’ heaviness.

She opens up about her own process of grief and loss related to a long term relationship/friendship and how it has taught her the power of making hard decisions when they are the ones that will open you up to living authentically in your personal freedom. This wasn’t her first challenging transition in life. You can read more about the serious accident that caused the pivot in her career leading her to where she is today.

Because of her personal experiences in cutting cords that don’t serve you, Kristina supports her clients in doing the same, often helping them release and repair when needed.

I loved this conversation and related to so much of Kristina’s lived experience. She’s such an inspiration! She can be found on Instagram, Facebook or reached via phone/text (845-383-0137) for anyone interested in connecting with her and her work.

Today’s show was engineered by Ian Seda from Radiokingston.org.

Our show music is from Shana Falana!

Feel free to email me, say hello: she@iwantwhatshehas.org

** Please: SUBSCRIBE to the pod and leave a REVIEW wherever you are listening, it helps other users FIND IT

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251 Adrianne Theetge “Returning to and Taking Care of Self”

Adrianne Theetge moved to the Hudson Valley from Georgia after doing disaster relief in NYC for 9/11 in the AmeriCorps NCCC program. After several years working and serving our elections and our political system, she just recently went back to graduate school to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher. She loves her new career as an ENL teacher serving students who are learning the English language. Experiencing grief after the loss of her brother and father she shares with us some of what has helped her through that process. She is a proud mother of two daughters. One of which, Aliza, has been a guest on the show in the past.She enjoys being outside running on the beautiful trails in the Hudson Valley, playing soccer, reading, thrift store shopping, exploring new places, and meditating (a new found invaluable tool).

I loved our talk today that actually took place at my house over tea. Adrianne is so warm and thoughtful and shares deeply from her heart space about grief, talking through the hard bits, career change, overcoming fears, letting people in, saying yes or no when that’s her truth, being a mom, and the secrets to her happy marriage.

Today’s bonus conversation with Warren is about brain health.

Today’s show was engineered by Ian Seda from Radiokingston.org.

Our show music is from Shana Falana!

Feel free to email me, say hello: she@iwantwhatshehas.org

** Please: SUBSCRIBE to the pod and leave a REVIEW wherever you are listening, it helps other users FIND IT

http://iwantwhatshehas.org/podcast

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240 Kingston Design Showhouse with Maryline Damour and Jennifer Salvemini

Joining me today are two highly talented women, Maryline Damour and Jennifer Salvemini.

Maryline is a seasoned interior designer, entrepreneur, and home expert based in the Hudson Valley. She founded the design/construction firm Damour Drake with partner Fred Drake, and then developed Kingston Design Connection and the annual Kingston Design Showhouse to help connect designers, makers, artists, contractors and design/build businesses in the region.

I’m honored to have her return to the show this year considering she has since appeared on the Drew Barrymore show and been featured on a billboard in Time Square! Looking forward to learning about becoming a non-profit and what to look forward to at this year’s showhouse.

P.S. you can catch previous conversations she’s had with other creatives on her radio show, “Maryline By Design.”

Jennifer Salvemini is at heart a producer, bringing elements from her personal passions into cohesive creations, ranging from living spaces to curated events. As a student of anthropology and philosophy, her academic interests evolved into an obsession for aesthetic expression in all areas of culture. She developed an intense appreciation for deep sensory experiences and finds great satisfaction in creating sensational experiences for others. Jennifer is an interior designer living and practicing in the Catskills and is the founder of Hinterland. Hinterland is an unfurling dream. It’s a playground, a sanctuary, and a home – an evolving concept to bridge disciplines, build community and generate joy. You’re invited! Jennifer is also a member of the Kingston Design Connection strategy team, the organization which produces the annual Kingston Design Show House, as well as a participant designer.

This year’s showhouse takes place October 7-23. We talk about lots more including career changes, following your passion, stars aligning, magic happening, and how to keep the design world aimed towards quality of life for all regardless of income levels.

Today’s show was engineered by Ian Seda from Radio Kingston.

Our show music is from Shana Falana!

Feel free to email me, say hello: she@iwantwhatshehas.org

Leave me a voicemail with your thoughts or a few words about who has what you want and why! (845) 481-3429

** Please: SUBSCRIBE to the pod and leave a REVIEW wherever you are listening, it helps other users FIND IT

http://iwantwhatshehas.org/podcast

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#156 Maryline Damour” Kingston Design Connection

Today’s guest is Maryline Damour of Kingston Design Connection and Damour Drake. After many years working in marketing, business development and public relations for firms such as Deloitte, Ernst & Young, PwC and Accenture, Maryline returned to school to study interior design at Parsons The New School for Design. Originally from Haiti, Maryline has been actively involved in interior design projects in Haiti since the earthquake of 2010. She is currently developing a vocational school in Léogâne, Haiti focused on teaching safer building techniques and practices for the construction industry.

The Kingston Design Connection mission is to aid the creative community in the Hudson Valley to connect, collaborate and support each other’s businesses. It hosted its first design showhouse in October 2018 to showcase and celebrate Hudson Valley design which included 10 interior designers and over 100 local makers, artists and retailers. It has grown exponentially each year and has been featured in Architectural Digest; House Beautiful; Hudson Valley Magazine; Aspire Design and Home; Chronogram; Upstate House; Almanac Weekly; WSJ; and MSN.

Today we talked about how Maryline went from being a literature major to a marketing professional to an interior designer and most recently forming the Kingston Design Connection. Hint, it’s all really just communication. She’s full of deep wisdom and a desire to build community, and I loved our conversation!

You can find Maryline and KDC on Instagram.

I also introduced Malebo Sephodi, author, development worker and social commentator on development, identity and gender issues. We get to hear her Lyttleton Women TEDx Talk about self care as a tool of liberation! She’s going to be an upcoming guest so wanted to introduce you to her.

Last but not least, I announce our book club! It’s official, at the suggestion of past guest, Rakel Stammer, we’re going to read and discuss, Sylvia Federici’s, Caliban and The Witch. Our plans are to spend the month of March discussing, but for now you can get a head start on reading if you want to follow along! More to come on how to join in the conversation…

Today’s show was engineered by Manuel Blas of La Dosis Perfecta on Radio Kingston.

Our show music is from Shana Falana !!!

Feel free to email me, say hello: she@iwantwhatshehas.org

** Please: SUBSCRIBE to the pod and leave a REVIEW wherever you are listening, it helps other users FIND IT

http://iwantwhatshehas.org/podcast

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#86 “Women Helping Women” with New Start for Women Program Director, Jordan Scruggs + Grief Coach, Claire Papell’

Writing from Espańa and after a little schedule mixup on my part, sharing the proper episode for today’s show. Don’t worry, Keiko and Claudia are next week, I promise!!! I am so excited to be sharing these interviews that I recorded with these two fabulous women who embody a big theme of this show, Women Helping Women!

My first interview is with Jordan Scruggs, a past guest with an exciting new job at SUNY Ulster as director of the New Start for Women Program. Jordan shares all the details about this program which to me is a great example of how one community is working to help lift up women who so deserve it. Jordan shares the fears and excitement of a career change and the lessons she’s already learning on her new job about the reality of what life can be like for these women. I can’t wait to have the women in the program on the show to hear about their experiences and the sisterhood they are already forming!

Midway through today’s show you’ll hear my chat with Claire Papell, a Grief Coach for Women holding space for women to heal and recover from the loss of a loved one. I was introduced to Claire by friend Amy Short and was so impressed by the meaningfulness of her work that I wanted to have her on as a guest. Claire is an advanced certified yoga teacher and a continuing student of yogic philosophy and spiritual wisdom which she brings into her work. Claire shares about her own past trauma and how it has led her to the work she does in holding space in a world that is often trying to push and pull us into places we are not yet ready to go. Thank you Claire!

Brava ladies!

Today’s show was engineered by Manuel Blas of Radio Kingston, http://www.radiokingston.org.

We heard music from our fave, Shana Falana, http://www.shanafalana.com/

Feel free to email me, say hello: she@iwantwhatshehas.org

Leave me a voicemail with your thoughts or a few words about who has what you want and why! (845)481-3429

** Please: SUBSCRIBE to the pod and leave a REVIEW wherever you are listening, it helps other users FIND IT 🙂

http://iwantwhatshehas.org/podcast

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