Expert Advice From Helpmesara

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Samantha Kemp-Jackson about parenting through pain. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Samantha's parenting and career journey as the mom of four An incident that led to her being physically incapacitated and how this impacted her ability to parent as she once did How Lupus has made parenting more challenging Resources that have been helpful How to tell the kids about your pain as a parent and typical ways in which they respond What impact parenting with pain has on children and family Samantha's recommendations to other parents who may be challenged by physical or mental health conditions or living with chronic pain

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Janyce Lastman about how students, parents and teachers are adjusting to the "new normal" of learning. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The challenges that students and teachers are facing such as eye strain, irritability and fatigue Mid-term difficulties as a result of students switching back into the classroom after being online and vice-versa Some of the social concerns students are facing, both online and in the classroom The confusion over symptoms such as a runny nose or fever that may necessitate or be considered when evaluating whether to keep kids that are going to school, home Changes to testing and homework policies How to plan ahead and adapt to the "new normal" Empowerment and how important it is for parents and teachers to let kids know that their voices are being heard during these challenging times Janyce recommends locallove.ca: Your guide to living well and doing good.

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Brittany Shields about helping post secondary students find the "right" career path. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: How typical it is for graduating high school students not to know what they want to do when they grow up, so to speak How typical it is for undergraduate students who are considering taking further steps by applying to a Masters or post graduate program, to still not know what they want to do with the rest of their lives Whether a "gap" year is sometimes a good idea and how students can be most productive during this time off so that they are better equipped to apply to a program of choice or go into the working world at the end of the gap period How typical it is for post secondary students to leave their program part way through and some of the reasons this happens What to do when someone has few interests and a low level of motivation What to do when someone has too many interests, ideas and possibilities and how they can fine tu

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Ann Douglas about strategies to support your family's mental health this Winter. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Ann's personal journey and how this impacts what she writes about Ann's work as a mental health advocate Why our mental health is more affected by the Winter months Why this is especially relevant during Covid Some strategies to support your family’s mental health this Winter How to make the best of the holiday season despite not being able to partake in activities with others or do what we typically do

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Suzy Rosenstein about helping women manage midlife masterfully. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: How Suzy came to work with women in midlife, and why What is midlife and does "crisis" always have to happen? Some of the issues that women encounter around midlife The positives to midlife and how to manage it masterfully

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Naomi Nurgitz about how to live in the moment. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Best approaches to slowing down and feeling more grounded in the present Why it's so important for our mental health to live in the now How long it may take to get good at learning how to live in the moment

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Amy Kung-Oliver about the human-animal bond. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The path that Amy walked down to where she is today as the owner and operator of an alpaca farm Her experience when children with special needs come to visit the alpacas at her farm Her bond with the other animals on her farm and the relationship she's seen between the volunteers at her farm and the animals that live there The benefits to bonding with animals

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Heather Skoll about simple solutions to everyday stressors. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Why the Reset Zone app was created How to use the app What it provides for people coping with everyday stressors

Sara Dimerman in conversation with science fiction writer, Robert J Sawyer. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What led Robert towards writing science fiction books after he graduated from Ryerson The difference between being a science fiction writer and a futurist Why research is so important when writing science fiction, in particular Why some people are feeling like they're living in a science fiction novel Whether any of Robert's books predicted Covid or something similar to it Robert's prediction for our future

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Leonard Carr about how to tolerate and live with uncertainty. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Why it's so difficult for people to live with uncertainty What emotions does living with uncertainty typically cause people to feel Some practical ways for people to live with uncertainty How learning to live with uncertainty can allow us to become more resilient and able to handle disappointment

Sara Dimerman in conversation with her daughter, Chloe, on managing changes on campus due to Covid. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What's different about campus this school year - in regards to learning, going to the gym, socializing How students are coping with the changes The pros and cons of these changes

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Janyce Lastman about how Covid has changed schools and classroom learning in our "new normal". Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The main changes that students and teachers are experiencing this school year in the classroom, across the school and learning in general How parents can help their kids make the best of this new normal whether they are attending classes in person, or doing the "online school at home" option How tutoring organizations are working differently now than in previous years Some tell tale signs that kids are not coping well with these changes and what parents and teachers can do to help them Some evolving or upcoming concerns parents might watch out for as the year unfolds and how they can prepare for these in advance

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Lori Pearlstein. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: How children and adults play differently Why adults forget how do play and why it's important for them to be reminded how The benefits of improvisation and how one can apply this to everyday living

Sara Dimerman in conversation with a href="https://www.helpmesara.com/podcast-experts/#amm">Anna-Marie Musson about how to stay out of court when divorcing. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The difference between the typical adversarial approach we often think of associated with divorce, versus a collaborative approach Whether there any situations, such as when the situation is highly conflictual, or where there is child abuse or domestic violence, where collaboration or mediation does not work or is not recommended Some of the top reasons that a couple (and their children, if there are any) would benefit from staying out of court When it comes to mediation, what happens when the couple hit a roadblock Whether or not mediators or collaborative family lawyers continue to work with clients when they enter into court proceedings, and if not, why not?

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Dr. Noah Lazar. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Whether or not OCD is a form of anxiety The age at which OCD is typically diagnosed The difference between an obsession and a compulsion Some of the more common groups of behaviours and thoughts that we see in people diagnosed with OCD Whether OCD is inherited or learnt Other disorders that are on the OCD spectrum, such as trichotillomania and hoarding The most common approach to treating OCD and how this works The role of medication when treating OCD

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Vera Roncon. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Whether there is a difference between ADD and ADHD Whether ADHD shows itself differently in kids versus adults If its inherited or learnt Some of the most common characteristics of this disorder How a spouse or partner is impacted by living with another adult who has ADHD How having ADHD impacts how one co parents How to manage ADHD - with and without the help of medication

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Janice Goldmintz. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: How and why the loss of a child is the same or different as other losses Some "normal" responses to losing a child How the loss of a sibling impacts children in general The impact of losing a child on the parents relationship Resources & supports available What not to say to a bereaved parent Whether a parent ever "gets over" the loss of their child

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Laura Tarcea. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Some of the more common areas of conflict that arise when separating couples are considering the needs of their children and how to manage these Parenting plans – what this means and whether parents can create this on their own or if they need professional help when doing so How to help children feel heard after their parents separate or divorce What happens if a child resists spending time with either parent Lawyers that are specifically appointed to represent the child and when this may occur Tips for parents in regards to the best way in which to make the process of separating the least stressful for their children

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Francis Atta. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Francis Atta's story - from living a life of academic failure, involvement with gangs and the law, living in homeless shelters and not feeling a sense of belonging within his family - to rising above it to become as successful as he is today Francis's book, The Flip, and the messages he offers to youth to help guide them in a positive direction The important ways parents and teachers can behave towards children and youth to build a relationship that inspires open communication and connection

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Eleanor Silverberg. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Some of the tell-tale signs that aging parents are more in need of a helping hand than before Some of the feelings that the awareness of this change elicits for both adult children and the aging parent The best way for an adult child to approach their aging parent when offering help? And what if the aging parent refuses? Some practical caregiving options when stepping in to offer help The difference between the Alzheimers and dementia? How Eleanor's 3A Coping Framework and mindfulness meditation exercises can help both caregiver and parent