Hopeology
We are on hiatus, but hope to be back sometime in 2025. Please still reach out if you would like to be a guest in the future.
Here at Hopeology, we interview people to hear about their authentic stories of what connects us all... hope.
New episodes every two weeks.
Disclaimer: The views reflected by any of the guests may not reflect the views of the podcast host. Some topics may be difficult for some viewers, so proceed at your own risk. This podcast does not replace psychotherapy or advice and is only for entertainment. The host is a licensed therapist, and will never disclose any conversations between her clients and her.
Do you want to be on the podcast or do you have feedback? Contact hopeologypodcast@gmail.com
Music by Scott Holmes, background website photo by: Kelly Sikkema
Podcast owned by: Hopeology, LLC
Episodes
29 episodes
Embracing Radical Acceptance and Self-Forgiveness with Chrissy Ames-Cotto
Imagine growing up with a parent struggling with schizophrenia—how would it shape your life and career choices? Chrissy Ames Cotto, a licensed marriage and family therapist, joins us to share her deeply personal and transformative journey. From...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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51:27
Fostering Connection and Resilience in Schools: Insights from Dr. Tara Armstead
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Tara Armstead, as she reflects on her 18-year journey in education. Dr. Armstead opens up about her personal battles and how they inspired her to write a book that challenges societal norm...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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51:44
Balancing Hope and Reality: Dr. Max Kusovitsky on Uncovering Authenticity and Resilience in Therapy
Join us on this episode of Hopeology as we sit down with Dr. Max Kusovitsky, a psychoanalyst from the New York/New Jersey tri-state area. Dr. Kusovitsky peels back the layers of psychodynamic therapy, debunking myths about Freudian and Ju...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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52:10
Healing Journeys Beyond Foster Care with A Home Within
Imagine the profound difference a lifetime of therapeutic support could make for those who've grown up in foster care. That's the mission at the heart of A Home Within, where Emily Yang and Candice Simonds join us to reveal the i...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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41:55
Shaping Triumph from Trials: Sam Knickerbocker on Resilience, Financial Freedom, and Legacy Building
Ever felt like life's throwing more curveballs than you can catch? Tune in as my guest, Sam Knickerbocker, and I discuss the resilience and choices that transform adversity into a foundation for growth. Sam's journey is not just a tale of overc...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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47:19
Unveiling Intimacy and Identity in the Therapeutic Space with Christophe Ngo
Christophe Ngo shares about his journey from struggling with his own sexuality to becoming a compassionate marriage and family therapist specializing in sex therapy, kink, and alternative lifestyles along with the neurodiverse population. Chris...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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46:10
Hope and Humanity on the Streets of Chicago: Zak Mucha on the Healing Power of Compassion and Connection
My latest podcast episode offers an intimate glimpse into the forgotten world of homelessness, as Zak Mucha, a seasoned social worker and psychoanalyst, joins me, Christina McKelvey, to share powerful narratives of resilience. Zak, also t...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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49:00
Breaking the Chains of Generational Trauma: Lan Nguyen on Healing from Narcissistic abuse and Shame
I speak with Lan Nguyen, who speaks on the challenges faced by adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic personality disorder. Through her experience, we peel back the layers of complex trauma that weave through generations, sh...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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44:11
Turning Adversity into Harmony: Chris Firebaugh's Story of Overcoming Cancer
When life threw a curveball at Chris Firebaugh in the form of stage four melanoma, he caught it and threw it right back. Join us as Chris opens up about the seismic shift that came with his diagnosis, and the unexpected avenues of healing he fo...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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49:08
Harnessing Emotional Health Through REBT: Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis on Rational Thinking, Gratitude, and Hope
Have you ever stopped to consider how your thoughts influence your emotional well-being? Join me, Christina McKelvy, along with the remarkable Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis, as we delve into the transformative world of Rational Emotive Behavior Therap...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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55:16
Running Towards Legacy: Jose's Journey of Exploring His Hopi Heritage, Resilience, and Storytelling
Embark on a journey of cultural immersion and resilience with our latest podcast guest, Jose from the podcast, Finding Arizona. Moving back from the East Coast to the Hopi reservation, Jose's story is a vibrant tapestry of tradition and t...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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51:33
From Displacement to Healing: Tomoko Ella's Resilient Path to Service
Imagine being uprooted from your homeland as a child, thrust into an entirely new culture without the ability to communicate. This was the reality for Tomoko, whose heartfelt journey from Japan to the United States unfolds before us. Joining us...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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51:02
The Healing Power of Shared Stories: Kiki Walter on Mental Health and the Art of Personal Narrative
This interview with Kiki Walter is both heart retching and uplifting, one that explores the intimate corridors of the personal narrative and its therapeutic impact. Kiki, the editor behind Medium publications such as The Memoirist, Age of Empat...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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44:41
Embracing Life's Journey: Brittian Rivington on Blended Families, Resilience, and Financial Empowerment
Have you ever wondered if the family you're born into is the only one that can shape your life? Brittian Rivington Blackman joins us to share his heartwarming journey through the twists and turns of being part of a blended, military family, and...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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47:14
Announcement!
We are going to be taking a break for December. In the meantime, listen to past episodes, leave reviews, share episodes, buy me a coffee...and have a wonderful holiday season. See you in 2024!
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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1:13
Navigating Cultural Identity and Mental Health: The Journey of Dr. Pauline Yeghnazar Peck
Navigating the complex intersection of cultural identity and mental health can be a challenging journey. Listen to our fascinating conversation with esteemed psychologist, Pauline Yeghnazar Peck, MA, MMFT, PhD as she unearths the often hidden s...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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48:26
From Addiction to Redemption: The Extraordinary Story of Jamie Hairston
Addiction grips your life and drowns you in turmoil, but you find a lifeline in a place least expected – the military. Meet Jamie Hairston, a living testament to the power of transformation and resilience. Jamie takes us on her journey from a l...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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50:01
Discovering Hope and Healing in the Sobriety Journey: A Conversation with Sonia
Have you ever wondered about the powerful role community plays in the journey of sobriety? Our enlightening conversation with Sonia, founder of Everbloom, shines a revealing light on this often overlooked factor. Sonia's personal journey ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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44:20
A Deep Dive into Pregnancy and Childbirth Through the Lens of Theatre with Lillian Isabella
What if the theatre had the power to not only entertain, but to also enact change on societal norms ? Welcome to a riveting conversation with Lillian Isabella, a remarkable Cuban-American playwright, actor, and the first playwright with the rar...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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44:02
Navigating Parenthood Through the Lens of Fear and Hope with Author Yael-Goldstein Love
Fear and anxiety, are two emotions often associated with the dark side of parenting, specifically motherhood, which become the catalyst for an enlightening conversation in our latest episode. We're thrilled to welcome Yael Goldstei...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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47:42
The Power of Expressive Arts in Personal Transformation with Bridget.
Have you ever considered the depth of healing that art can provide? We welcome Bridget, an Expressive Arts Therapist, and owner of Expressive Arts Works, who takes us through her transformative journey and the remarkable impact of art on her pe...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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45:57
From Bullying to Mental Health Advocacy: Asianna Saragosa-Torres's Inspiring Journey
Do you ever stop to question the impact of social media on our mental health? This episode is a must-listen as we welcome Asianna Saragosa-Torres, a mental health advocate and former Miss Hawaii contestant, who unpacks the complex intersection ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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44:47
The Role of Community in Healing and Recovery: with Hannah Carr
I want to first bring attention to the Maui fires in Kula and Lahaina that occurred last week. It just breaks my heart what is happening. The devastation is heartbreaking to observe. The locals and Kanaka Maoli are going to need finan...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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51:54
The Power of Authenticity and Self-Compassion in Healing with Dr. Andrea Annibale.
Dr. Andrea Annibale shares with us her journey into getting her doctorate in psychology, a career change she made later in life, and the significant role therapies like EMDR and Accelerated Resolution Therapy have played in her journey through ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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48:00
Acting with Emotion and Vulnerability with Director, Actor & Producer, Rob Grabow
Rob Grabow, is an actor, director, and producer. His most recent work is an independent film called, The Year of the Dog. He talks about learning emotional vulnerability and attunement through acting, we explore men’s struggle with being vulner...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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57:32