Kindness is more than just an act; it’s a way of connecting deeply with the world around us. 

Don Carter shares his inspiring journey of embracing kindness, connection, and self-acceptance as transformative forces in life. From his work supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs to his personal experiences as a new father, Don emphasizes the power of showing up authentically and being open to life's simple, beautiful moments. He highlights the importance of self-acceptance and how embracing who we are allows us to connect more deeply with others. Through heartfelt stories and practical wisdom, Don reminds us that kindness can be the bridge that turns strangers into friends and transforms ordinary days into extraordinary ones.

About the Guest: Don Carter has spent a lifetime in pursuit of service and protection, previously during a decade in law enforcement and now through working with emerging leaders in business. His relentless journey has led him from healing hearts to radical new starts for black executives and entrepreneurs breaking through to their next levels of growth and success. Don Carter is an author, speaker, business shaman and transformational executive coach who brings a vibe that generates life-shifting insights for his clients’ work and for themselves as human beings. Using principle-driven purpose, he helps high-performing individuals shift the focus from what seems wrong on the outside to everything that is right on the inside. And by embracing transition and change as a necessary experience, helps others grow into deeply authentic, fulfilled and successful business leaders. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/doncarterkc/

https://theselfsabotagesolution.com/ 

Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at: https://smallchangesbigshifts.com

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts

https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts

https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco

Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. 

Navigating life’s challenges isn’t always a straight path, but embracing small changes can lead to big transformations.

In this episode, Dr. Michelle invites new co-host Bayleigh Petty to discuss her journey of personal growth, professional challenges, and the importance of wellness in every aspect of life. Bayleigh shares her story of navigating an identity crisis, balancing motherhood with her professional life, and the transformational power of getting still to rediscover her purpose. Through heartfelt anecdotes and valuable lessons, she emphasizes the importance of listening to your inner voice, being patient with yourself, and embracing wellness as a lifelong, evolving practice. This episode is a reminder that no journey is perfect, but small, intentional choices can pave the way for a fulfilling and balanced life.

Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:

https://smallchangesbigshifts.com

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts

https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts

https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bayleigh-petty-scbs 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichellerobin/

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. 

What if the wisdom of experience could seamlessly blend with fresh, new perspectives? Dr. Michelle Robin takes you on a reflective journey through the growth and transformation that have defined the show, now welcoming Bayleigh Petty as the new co-host. This episode marks a significant moment, where past insights meet the future of wellness. Together, they’re committed to inspiring you to take the small, meaningful steps that lead to profound, lasting change. As they share stories of growth and evolution, you'll be reminded that every chapter, past and present, shapes the journey to well-being.

Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at: https://smallchangesbigshifts.com

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts

https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts

https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco

www.linkedin.com/in/bayleigh-petty-scbs 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichellerobin/ 

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. 

One of my favorite guests is back for another episode - Dr. Norm Shealy of Shealy Wellness. Dr. Shealy knew from age 4 that he wanted to be a physician and by age 16 knew he wanted to be a neurosurgeon so it is no surprise he is still changing the world of holistic medicine at 85.

His lifelong quest to find ways to successfully manage chronic pain has led to numerous breakthroughs in the medical field and more often than not have nothing to do with medication or the conventional way of treating chronic pain in the US.

Dr. Shealy believes the one purpose in being alive is helping people and that is what drives him each and every day.

Downloads

• You can download our free ebook Small Changes Big Shifts - Putting the Odds In Your Favor here: https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/download/2690/

Qiana Thomason has dedicated her career to the improvement of health and wellbeing across the region. As the CEO of Health Forward, she focuses on communities over-represented in health injustice and those living in marginalized conditions.

While Qiana has an impressive career repertoire, it’s her health journey that is the highlight of her story.

After years of suffering from intense skin issues, self-isolation, and joint and gut pain, Qiana found the answer. It took stepping away from conventional medicine and discovering the root cause of her symptoms through a functional approach.

The problem? An overgrowth of Candida albicans in her gut created an autoimmune response in the rest of her body.

Through listening to her body, building relationships with her healthcare providers, and relentlessly pursuing wellbeing Qiana was able to find healing.

Memorable Quotes:

• “There’s the food you get through what you eat, and the food you put on your body, and the food you put in your mind and your soul.”
• “I’ve always eaten healthy, I eat well. She goes, according to whom? That’s when it clicked. My body is the source of truth.”
• “Slow down, check on your people, and check-in with yourself.”
• “God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved.” Psalm 46:5
• “Keep your head above the crowd.”

What You’ll Learn:

Why you should listen to your body to pursue optimal health & the importance of food and relationships to that journey. 

This Episode Includes:

• Well-being is critical to our ability to create connections with others.
• Well-being starts by listening to your own body first.
• A nutritarian is someone who focuses on nutrition and how your personal body experiences it.
• The difference between conventional food advice and a functional medicine perspective.
• Qiana’s health crisis with skin, joint, and gut pain and how she overcame those symptoms by addressing the root cause.
• Poor health causes you to self-isolate and can lead to anxiety and depression.
• You can’t be your best self and live out your purpose when you don’t feel well.
• Listening to the people who are speaking into your life is critical to finding healing.
• It’s important to find a practitioner with cultural proximity and form relationships with your medical providers.
• The inequality created by an insurance model that doesn’t pay for functional medicine.
• How to be present and intentional in order to form connections that support mental health and overall wellbeing.
• Living Vitality and the upcoming LIV Conference Oct. 1st on Empowering Women.

Three Takeaways From Today’s Episode:

1. Create margin in your life by taking time to slow down and practice self-care. For example, invest in intentional conversations that bring you joy.
2. Consider what you can do to listen to yourself more and what it is that your body is telling you.
3. Think of three ways you can pursue greater wellbeing and put your health first this week.

Mentioned In The Episode:

• “People need People” by Maddie & Tae
• Big Shifts Foundation
• Small Changes Big Shifts
• “Out of the Rat Race: A Practical Guide to Taking Control of Your Time” By Susan Gregory
• Advent Health
• Living Vitality Liv Conference
• HealthForward

Dr. Bowen White is an “organizational physician” who is interested in the “people piece” when it comes to the workplace and life in general. He encourages people to take responsibility for their own health and life because at the end of the day we have to start with ourselves in order to help others. 

He likes to be known as a “perspirational speaker” instead of a motivational speaker because he motivates himself and makes others sweat. How so? He talks about how we are our own biggest problem but we are also our own greatest strength and how it all starts and ends with us. 

Dr. White travels the world speaking to different organizations, teams, companies, schools and more on the human nature and relationships. He believes in the power of helping others and that in order to see change happen then we must be willing to change ourselves.

“Counseling helped me befriend my nervous system.” - Brooke Seiz

Did you know we only need one teaspoon of sugar in our body at a time? During today’s episode, Dr. Robin invites Brooke Seiz to unpack why sugar can oftentimes be a culprit for anxiety. Brooke shares what inspired her to become a counselor and functional medicine practitioner for others, including her own bout with anxiety, an eating disorder, and other mental health challenges. She goes on to describe why there can often be many root causes of anxiety, but when our blood sugar levels are too high or low, our cortisol levels (stress response) get activated and we easily enter that fight or flight mode. Brooke also covers how sugar is often disguised on labels, and how fast our bodies can experience inflammation (even pain) after we consume too much sugar. By the end of the episode, she’ll provide some ways you can test if sugar may be causing problems. She’ll also provide what foods can help aid in regulating sugar levels. Grab a pen and paper – this episode is packed with helpful tips!

About Today’s Guest: 

Brooke Seiz with Evolve Wellness & Counseling helps individuals as well as couples find a better quality of life, fulfillment in their relationships, and comfort in their body through counseling and functional nutrition. She is a licensed counselor and helps individuals as well as couples in therapy to befriend their nervous systems using Somatic Experiencing and in turn improve trauma, PTSD, anxiety, as well as binge and emotional eating. She also provides sex therapy to individuals and couples, in addition to couples' therapy. For those interested in functional nutrition, she takes a deep dive into gut, hormonal. health and more to address the root cause for their symptoms with nutrition and lifestyle interventions. Brooke is a mom of three awesome young people, and also enjoys going out to sing at local music venues with her spouse. She’s grateful to be involved with the Small Changes Big Shifts team and mission! 

Mentioned in the Episode: 

• Connect with Brooke Seiz on LinkedIn 
• Evolve Wellness & Counseling 
• Signos CGM technology – glucose monitor 
• Glucose Goddess on Instagram 
• Resistance Starch

Daneen West is a Cisco Customer Success Executive, mother of three, and Brain Health Coach.

For the past 21 years, Daneen has worked for Cisco Systems, designing, and leading industry award-winning talent development programs 

After years of being on the verge of burnout, she is professionally more resilient, energized, and mentally sharp than decades earlier because of discovering brain health, where all the power is to up-level your life.

Certified through the NeuroLeadership Institute and Amen Clinics, Brain Health has transformed every area of Daneen’s life, and she is compelled to provide the opportunity for others to ease anxiety, boost focus and finally work on their sleep struggles.

Daneen’s Brain-Boosting checklist is a great resource to discover practical tips to heal, protect and grow the brain (See below).

Memorable Quotes:

• “So as parents, if we have that intuition like that, something's wrong, check it out. And if the first doctor may not, if you don't resonate there, you're not being heard. Keep pursuing it.”
• “It's not a badge of honor to stay up all night. Right. Our culture sometimes will make you feel that way or sleep when you're dead. But there's so much that we've learned now around sleep. That’s because it is the only way that our brain detoxes every night.”
• “As you're walking through this journey, you're going to come across ideas, thoughts, music, books, people and they're going to feel right or they're not. I'm going to encourage you to trust yourself. Just because it works for me doesn't mean it works for you.”
• “What makes the brain work is what you put in your mind, what you put on your body, what you put in your mouth.”

What You’ll Learn:

Why brain health is important and how to pursue a healthy brain through small lifestyle changes.

This Episode Includes:

• Daneen first started looking into brain health when three different doctors diagnosed her son with three different issues: sensory processing, ADD, and Asperger's.
• After a long journey of searching, Daneen finally came to the realization that brain health was at the root cause of her son’s health situation.
• Daneen found the Brain Balance Program which revolutionized the way she viewed brain health for herself and her children.
• She believes her health journey is a forever resource which she now shares with others through her coaching program.
• Robin reminds the audience that health is layered and that there are many factors that can influence brain health.
• Daneen shares that the first step to supporting brain health is getting good quality sleep.
• Getting sleep is how the brain detoxifies itself from neurotoxins incurred throughout the day.
• Daneen shares a few more steps to supporting brain health in children like eating enough healthy fats and getting energy out early in the morning through jumping ropes or jumping jacks.
• Sleep is one of Dr. Robin’s three non-negotiables for a well life.
• Daneen encourages parents to model the health behavior the would like to see in their children.
• Daneen and Dr. Robin both agree that small steps are the key to success when pursuing a healthy brain.

Three Takeaways From Today’s Episode:

1. Practice getting good quality sleep each night this week.
2. Add enough healthy fats to your diet to support your energy levels and brain health.
3. Do 50 jumping jacks with your kids before they head off to school in the morning to help them release energy and feel encouraged through exercising together.

Mentioned In The Episode:

• Community America Credit Union
• Advent Health
• Brain Balencing Program
• Mark Nepo
• Unleash the Power of the Female Brain by Dr. Aman
• Bruse on Small Changes Big Shifts
• Brain Boosting Checklist

"Life is really simple but we insist on making it complicated." - Confucius

In this episode of the Small Changes Big Shifts podcast, we are joined by board-certified psychiatrist, acupuncturist and yoga teacher, Dr. Ellen Vora who has also authored the chapter on Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Psychiatry in the textbook Mount Sinai Expert Guides: Psychiatry.

Dr. Vora takes a functional medicine approach to mental health, considering the whole person and addressing the problem at the root, rather than reflexively prescribing medication to suppress symptoms.

She also takes the whole person into consideration, focusing on everything from physical health, sleep, nutrition, digestion, thought patterns, relationships and community to our connection with nature and creativity, and the ways we find meaning in life.

Ash she sits down with Dr. Michelle, we learn what drew Dr. Vora to learn more about holistic approach and other trainings to heal the human body such as Chinese medicine, movement, nutrition, and acupuncture.

Listen and discover:

• The fact that most commonly medications and antidepressants such as for anxiety, depression, and OCD don’t have great solid evidence that they actually work.
• Her advice on trying out a couple of holistic approaches before taking prescribed medicine.
• Our current mental health epidemic throughout the world with the number of cases increasing
• The difference between an episodic depression and chronic depression
• Why feeling out alignment with your work and daily life is actually a good call to action for you to change something.
• The vital importance of building a community in a comfortable environment with lower standards and avoiding isolation.

Specifically for expecting and young mothers, Dr. Vora explains:

• How to get your body ready for and after a baby with a good diet or nutritious, whole foods.
• Combating postpartum depression by focusing first on nutrition.
• Her top parenting tip: None of us is perfect, just show up the best you can for them as an authentic human.

"In fact, it's not an exaggeration to say that the history of science has been the history of most people being wrong about most things most of the time. The willingness to challenge even our most deeply-held assumptions and the humility to admit when we've been wrong are essential to good science." - Chris Kresser

Tune in and find out what small changes you can make today for big shifts tomorrow with your wellbeing, community, and family.

A real giver is a generous receiver, those are two sides of the same coin. - Edith Varley

Join us as we gather to reset our new daily rhythm and build resilience during this time of change.

Today, I’m excited to have Edith Varley. Edith is a speaker, advisor, educator and the founder of The Varley Group where she drives an outcome-based mission to transform human potential into constructive contribution. In her practice, she uses systems thinking initiatives to identify needs and establish outcome-based objectives.

Prior to founding The Varley Group in 2000, she served for 25 years in the business of chemical manufacturing where she started in sales and ultimately led the company as CEO and owner. During her tenure, Edie helped people find the meaning in their work and the value in their contribution and as CEO led the company to double-digit net operating profit.

I’m happy to have Edith share how they’re finding Rhythm and Resilience right now, and how we can do the same. I invite you to tune in using the login information below, as we unite as a community.

Looking forward to spending time together for some R & R.

I believe the most valuable, renewable resource in the world is the Human Spirit. - Edith Varley

Join Dr. Michelle and Edith as they talk about:

• How to take advantage of this time to pause, refresh, and also remember that change is constant.
• The moment she realized she was running on fear and how she developed emotional intelligence to regain her power.
• Why short term stress will make you ‘awake and alarmed’ but constant stress will ‘eat you alive.’
• How the practice of being present will help you keep your stress levels at bay.

Learn how you can continue growing during this time as Edith shares:

• What exactly emotional intelligence is and how to apply it to your life.
• How to stay loyal to the honor code that we have with ourselves and others.
• Why taking time for yourself for self-care is making you ‘self-full,’ not selfish.
• Fun activities you can do with your family at home.
• Why emotional intelligence is a never ending journey we can continue to enjoy and learn from each day.  

Mentioned In This Episode

• Living Up to the Fullness of Your Promise | Edith Varley | TEDxGatewayArchSalon
• Emotional Intelligence Is Essential
• Eckhart Tolle
• Live Inspired Podcast: S4 | Ep. 35 John’s Coach – Edie Varley
• Boundaries: When to say yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
• The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth am I here for? by Rick Warren
• The Economics of Higher Purpose by Robert E Quinn & Anjan V Thakor

Connect

• LinkedIn

After 10 successful seasons on air, Dr. Michelle Robin is ready to share how the Small Changes Big Shifts podcast will be shifting gears this coming September. Before she dives into the full announcement, she pauses to reflect on her wellness wins over the years, which includes a shoutout to her community for helping her reach those wins. She believes that every small step matters, and hopes that after 10 seasons of powerful conversations, listeners have gained more light and can see their wellness path more clearly. By the end of the episode, she will also explain why brain health is gaining her attention lately, and why some upcoming episodes will help illuminate its significance to our overall well-being.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Wellness Consortium - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/wellness-network/ 
• Small Changes Big Shifts - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/ 
• Nourishing Quote Deck - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/product/quote-cards/ 
• 31 Days of Kindness series - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/kindness/ 
• Semi-Annual Better Together Gathering - https://wellnessnetwork.smallchangesbigshifts.com/consortium-calendar/Details/semi-annual-better-together-gathering-1089654?sourceTypeId=Website0