Stacy Schaffer is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Arvada, Colorado, with over twenty years of experience specializing in child and teen therapy. She is passionate about helping children heal from grief, anxiety, and childhood trauma through innovative approaches like Synergetic Play Therapy, which emphasizes therapist authenticity and creating a safe, understanding space for children. Stacy's work and her book, "From a Child Therapist with Love," offer valuable insights for parents seeking mental health support for their children and themselves. Her mission is to empower families to heal and to shift the origin stories of trauma through compassionate, evidence-based therapy. Stacy brings a heartfelt and knowledgeable perspective to the More Than Therapy podcast, sharing her journey and expertise in child mental health and trauma recovery.

Today on More Than Therapy, we have the profound pleasure of welcoming Leah Johnson, a transformational leader whose journey from a 25-year career in politics to a life devoted to creativity, healing, and joy is nothing short of inspiring. Leah is a best-selling author, internationally sought-after speaker, certified Intentional Creativity instructor, and retreat leader who helps people reconnect with their creative power and live intentionally aligned lives.

After a long and demanding career in public service, Leah experienced profound burnout and depression, which became a catalyst for deep personal transformation. She courageously walked away from the identity and system that no longer served her and ventured into the world of art, spirituality, and self-advocacy. Through her books, workshops, and retreats — including her signature transformational journeys in Teotihuacan, Mexico — Leah guides others to shed limiting beliefs, cultivate authentic joy, and co-create lives filled with meaning and soul.

Leah’s work reminds us that joy is not a luxury but a lifeline. As she often says, “You are the artist of your life — and the canvas is ready.” Today, she shares her wisdom on how to quit what no longer serves you with intention, reclaim your creativity, and embrace a joyful, resilient path forward.

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Hosted by:

Felipe K. Blue, LCAS, LAC, LCMHC, LPC, CCS, CCTP, CMNCS, C-DBT

Executive Director of More Than Therapy

201 W Main Street

Suite 316

Durham, NC 27701

Office: 1-919-729-6300

Cell: 1-919-679-2263

www.morethantherapy.orghttps://amazon.com/author/mistertherapist

Gratitude: I live and work on the ancestral lands of Occaneechi, Shakori, Lumbee, Catawba and Cheraw Native American tribes.  I gratefully acknowledge the past and present Native Peoples on whose ancestral homelands I make my life.

Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M. Brown now calls the North Carolina coast home. In 2020, she and her husband, Bruce, rode a tandem bicycle across the United States from Astoria, Oregon to Washington DC, successfully raising money for Toys for Tots. Teri’s debut novel, Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, is a historical fiction set in Ukraine, her second, An Enemy Like Me, is set in WWII, and her third, Daughters of Green Mountain Gap, is a generational story about Appalachian healers. Her short story, The Youngest Lighthouse Keeper, came out in the anthology Feisty Deeds: Historical Fictions of Daring Women. 10 Little Rules for a Double-Butted Adventure (Feb 2025), is an inspirational look at the life lessons she learned riding across the United States on a tandem bicycle. Her latest book, Little Lola and Her Big Dream, is a children’s picture book helping children realize that it is okay to have big dreams even in the face of opposition. Learn more at www.terimbrown.com.

Facebook.com/TeriMBrownAuthor
Twitter.com/TeriMBrown1
Instagram.com/TeriMBrown_Author
LinkedIn.com/in/TeriMBrown
Goodreads.com/terimbrown
Tiktok.com/@terimbrown_author
Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.com/author/terimbrown
Youtube.com/@TeriMBrown_Author
Bookbub.com/profile/teri-m-brown

Hosted by

Felipe K. Blue, LCAS, LAC, LCMHC, LPC, CCS, CCTP, CMNCS, C-DBT

Executive Director of More Than Therapy

201 W Main Street

Suite 316

Durham, NC 27701

Office: 1-919-729-6300

Cell: 1-919-679-2263

www.morethantherapy.orghttps://amazon.com/author/mistertherapist

Gratitude: I live and work on the ancestral lands of Occaneechi, Shakori, Lumbee, Catawba and Cheraw Native American tribes.  I gratefully acknowledge the past and present Native Peoples on whose ancestral homelands I make my life.

Jim Marshall is a polymathic intellectual who has has devoted over 50,000 hours to the study and practice of multiple dimensions of human development. He received a classical education at a Jesuit Military School, was accepted into engineering school while still a junior in prep school, and attended college on academic scholarship. He graduated college with a Bachelor of Science cum laude. While still an undergraduate, he began the study of “alternative” Arts and Sciences which today would be described as Transformational and Holistic. Eventually, he became a professional practitioner and, after 28 years of formal education, had a long career as a Human Development Engineer. He has successfully worked with hundreds of clients, and is the inventor of Septemics and several consciousness-expanding systems. His areas of expertise include psychology, philosophy, theology, parapsychology, science, engineering, mathematics, law, literature, history, music, organization, metaphysics, military science, political science, physical culture, human potential and education.

• What are you afraid of? What caused these fears originally?
• Are the same factors still in place now as when the fears were first created?
• In what ways can we face our fears?
• What happens to fear when we accept it for what it is instead of fighting it?---

This episode was recorded by Felipe Blue, LCAS, LAC, LCMHC, LPC, CCS, CCTP, CMNCS, C-DBT at More Than Therapy.

www.morethantherapy.org

201 W Main Street

Suite 316

Durham, NC 27701

Check out the books authored by Felipe Blue available on Amazon:

https://amazon.com/author/mistertherapist

Are you looking for therapy services? Check out Felipe Blue, licensed therapist in South Carolina and North Carolina, at:

www.misterblue.net

• What kinds of thoughts keep you from feeling joy for the good fortune of others? How can you learn to feel this joy?

• How can you increase your awareness of your feelings towards others?

• How do you feel when someone else shows sincere joy for the happiness and good fortune in your life?

This episode was recorded by Felipe Blue, LCAS, LAC, LCMHC, LPC, CCS, CCTP, CMNCS, C-DBT at More Than Therapy.

www.morethantherapy.org

201 W Main Street

Suite 316

Durham, NC 27701

Check out the books authored by Felipe Blue available on Amazon:

https://amazon.com/author/mistertherapist

Are you looking for therapy services? Check out Felipe Blue, licensed therapist in South Carolina and North Carolina, at:

www.misterblue.net

Felipe Blue, LCAS, LCMHCA, CCS has created "Addicted to Surviving" which is a book and program from More Than Therapy, a non-profit organization, which explores the profound connection between past trauma and the development of compulsive and addictive behaviors. It posits that these behaviors are not personal failings but rather adaptive survival mechanisms that, while once necessary, can later hinder well-being. The text introduces trauma-informed care and practical healing tools, emphasizing self-regulation, resilience, and the importance of supportive relationships. Through a blend of scientific insights and personal narratives, the book guides readers toward understanding and transforming these deeply ingrained patterns, ultimately aiming for a life of conscious choice and thriving rather than mere survival.

You can buy a copy for yourself and your agency at: https://amzn.to/4lHgr1y

It's Okay to Not Be Okay!: An Empowering Gude to Men's Mental Health by Felipe Blue, LCAS, LCMHCA, CCS from More Than Therapy... here's a comprehensive guide addresses men's mental health, exploring the historical and cultural roots of stoic masculinity that often hinder emotional expression. It emphasizes recognizing signs of distress and the power of vulnerability as crucial steps toward well-being. The text advocates for reclaiming emotional sovereignty through practices like setting healthy boundaries, cultivating self-compassion, and fostering emotional intelligence. Ultimately, it calls for a transformative shift toward a more authentic and balanced understanding of strength, integrating emotional openness with traditional resilience for lasting personal and societal change.

You can buy your copy at: https://amzn.to/4ezE1L2

Andrain Horton meets with Felipe Blue to discuss trauma.

Andrain Horton is the visionary founder of Bend The Mind Metamorphic Academies, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in October 2021. Driven by a commitment to serve underserved communities, Andrain co-founded the academies with Alexis Figueroa to provide healing and coping mechanisms for individuals impacted by trauma from social stressors, learned behaviors, and adverse environments, regardless of age, gender, or race.

Under Andrain's leadership, Bend The Mind Metamorphic Academies aims to empower participants to heal themselves, become positive agents of change within their families and communities, and ultimately teach others to do the same. The organization fosters a "village" of wellness and recovery through empowerment, education, arts, and entertainment, collaborating with community partners to support transformation and growth.

Find out more about the movement at: https://www.btmma.com/

Pick up your copy of Addicted To Trauma written by Felipe Blue at: https://amzn.to/4eA8bhf

This extensive book explores the profound impact of absent fathers and societal expectations of strength on Black men, emphasizing the "unspoken burden" of emotional suppression. It highlights how historical and systemic barriers intertwine with personal experiences of loss, leading to cycles of isolation. The source then transitions to discuss pathways to healing, stressing the importance of vulnerability, self-compassion, and open communication within families and communities. Ultimately, it advocates for a redefinition of masculinity that integrates resilience with tenderness and authentic emotional expression, aiming to foster a legacy of love, connection, and collective well-being for future generations.

You can buy it now at: https://amzn.to/3Gsthlb

Check it out and other books by Felipe Khristopher Blue and his team at: https://amazon.com/author/mistertherapist

Felipe Khristopher Blue discusses men's mental health, and the title of his book, "It's Okay to Not Be Okay." He talks about how societal expectations have shaped the way men express themselves, and how this can lead to issues like anger, irritability, depression, and substance abuse. He provides practical strategies and self-care practices for men, such as mindful journaling, cognitive reframing, and building Supportive relationships. The book also covers the importance of confronting barriers to connection and seeking help.

IT IS OK TO NOT BE OK - A MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH EVENT ON 6/28/2025 at 12pm

Join us for an afternoon of honest conversation, reflection, and community as we launch It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: An Empowering Discussion Regarding Men’s Mental Health in recognition of Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. This event is designed to break the silence around men’s mental health, challenge outdated narratives, and empower attendees to embrace vulnerability as a pathway to resilience and connection.
Who Should Attend:

Men seeking support, understanding, or a new perspective on mental health.
Allies, partners, and community members interested in breaking down stigma.
Therapists, counselors, educators, and advocates for men’s wellness.
Anyone ready to challenge the old script and help build a new, more inclusive narrative.
Why Attend?

Despite progress, many men still struggle in silence, caught between inherited expectations and the realities of modern life. This event offers a safe space to explore the roots of stoic masculinity, unpack cultural myths, and discover that real strength comes from authenticity and connection, not suppression.

What's Included?

Community, discussions, food and light beverages, a signed copy of the newly released book on the same subject matter which includes an 8 week programming one can use for self empowerment or use in a group setting, resources, and ongoing support via networking, and for mental health professionals, up to 3 CEU from the NCSAPPB board under General Skill Building.

https://nextevent.morethantherapy.org/