Stay ConnectedEver wish you had a zen friend? Someone who could help you ease your tween or tween’s anxiety, while also supporting you, so parenting was more peaceful?
Well good news, host Lauren Wolfe, a therapist and mom who’s made it through those anxious teen years is here to offer parents some zen!
A full-length episode comes out every Tuesday. And “A Drop of Zen,” a short guided meditation or a “Zen Bonus Boost,” a mini episode, come out every Friday.
Copyright: © 2022 Your Zen Friend
Ever wondered how you can best support your children to be successful learners in school? On this episode I will share what I've learned as a mom and therapist working with kids and families. This includes how parents can start fostering the skills that kids will need for a successful future starting in elementary school.
I'll use some examples of how I supported my own kids when they were in grade school including the time one of my kids cranked out a school project in about 10 minutes. I'll also tell you about a middle school child I worked with and the plan we came up with to help her increase her motivation for completing school work. And finally, I'll tell you about a high schooler who wasn't as ambitious about his school work as his mother hoped he would be and how he went on to find success on his own terms.
I'd love to hear from YOU! Here's how to connect with me:
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourzenfriend
Email me at: YourZenFriendPod@gmail.com
Find me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/yourzenfriendpod/
If you would like to learn more about Lauren's counseling services you can view her website here:
https://www.laurencounseling.com/
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.
On this Drop of Zen I will guide you through a meditation designed to help you when you are having difficulty falling asleep.
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.
Ever wondered what the difference is between a therapy dog, emotional support dog and service dog? Abby Hill, Executive Director of Exceptional Sidekick Service Dogs, is here to not only tell us the difference but also explain how these extraordinary four-legged friends play vital roles in their owners’ lives.
Abby's shares how her experience as a Newtown community member following the Sandy Hook tragedy led her to creating The Exceptional Sidekick Service Dogs. She also shares the role that puppy raisers play in raising these dogs and the incredible gifts the puppy raisers give to the humans who will depend on these life changing dogs.
Abby tells us some ways that her service dogs have profoundly impacted the lives of the individuals they serve. Whether an individual is living with PTST, anxiety, depression or another disability, Abby tells us how service dogs help their humans to live more fulfilling lives.
If you've ever been curious how service dogs serve their owners, Abby gives some specific examples of tasks these animals can perform. And if you think that a service dog might be helpful for you or someone you care about, Abby gives some resources for where you can find a reputable organization to get more information from.
Abby's Bio: Abby was one of the first people in CT to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Abby is owner of The Exceptional Pet, the Founder and Director of The Exceptional Sidekick Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs, as well as being an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and a Member of the National Association of Canine Scent Work.
Abby regularly attends conferences and classes to try to learn new, exciting techniques and loves to learn from the thousands of dogs that she has trained over the years. She lives with her 3 kids, 3 dogs, 7 chickens, 1 tortoise, 1 hamster, a constant rotation of Service Dogs in Training, and a very patient husband.
If you would like more information on who to acquire a service dog:
For individuals local to Fairfield County CT:
https://exceptionalsidekick.org/
https://theexceptionalpet.com/
For a reputable organization that helps place individuals with service dogs:
https://exceptionalsidekick.org/
https://assistancedogsinternational.org/
I'd love to hear from YOU! Here's how to connect with me:
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourzenfriend
Email me at: YourZenFriendPod@gmail.com
Find me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/yourzenfriendpod/
If you would like to learn more about Lauren's counseling services you can view her website here:
https://www.laurencounseling.com/
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.
Feeling overwhelmed with the busyness of life? Take just a few minutes to connect with your breath in this guided Drop of Zen, a short guided mediation designed to help you feel more calm and grounded.
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.
Would you like some more zen in your life? If the answer is yes, then this episode is for you! While I've been talking a lot about decluttering on some recent Your Zen Friend episodes, this episode is all about the items I would never think of parting with.
Some of the things I will be talking about include: my favorite clothing item, a beverage I enjoy daily, my go to face moisturizer, a free app, my favorite podcasts, a membership that brings great value and more. And stay tuned to the end of the episode when I share a SUPER exciting announcement!
Want to check out the items I mention on today's show? Here are the links:
Alba Botanica Hand and Body Lotion: https://a.co/d/7F1UIAS
Starbucks London Fog Tea: https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/477/hot
LL Bean Wool Slipper Clogs: https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/112639?page=womens-llbean-wool-slipper-clog&bc=511913&feat=511913-GN2&csp=a&pos=13
Newman's Own Organic Coffee: https://a.co/d/80D0eBL
Bambu Earth Petigrain Moisturizer: https://bambuearth.com/products/petitgrain-moisturizer
Bambu Earth Intense Hydration Cactus Concentrate:
https://bambuearth.com/products/intense-hydration-cactus-concentrate
Heated Mattress Pad: https://www.costco.com/true-north-heated-mattress-pad.product.4000095292.html?langId=-1&krypto=cWOKJOyIAv2gdAfRzromGZLy3TXZbzE9uZfhvvmqWfKKRC4DHlk3wAGPfu7ZaSUerixktM13VfVHGbazjsf8AQ7Y6Fk0bsLAjEbfMAI0PCd96SGI0MPegvikcqutveqwMCi%2F8MlqF4JqWI7cxg60kGbxrPNh%2BV6OSiWlPjhQm9WdAjveEfpcM2y%2FcErvcBZSkPaEO8dWn%2FRMvF1GZwuJ3s3twgA2g2kc0nYCdOmm5oebuQ3eFQOHYQBh82g%2FWV2R
Meditation App: https://insighttimer.com/
Lauren George Virtual Fitness Membership: https://laurengfitness.com/
My favorite podcasts:
Good Enoughish: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-enough-ish/id1618600313
Happier with Gretchen Rubin: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happier-with-gretchen-rubin/id969519520
Happier in Hollywood: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happier-in-hollywood/id1236845161
Satellite Sisters: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/satellite-sisters/id443780324
Preorder Lian Dolan's New Book - The Marriage Sabbatical:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-marriage-sabbatical-lian-dolan/1143703607
Find out more about Lian Dolan and her other fabulous books here: https://www.liandolan.com/
If you would like to learn more about Lauren's counseling services you can view her website here:
https://www.laurencounseling.com/
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.
On this Drop of Zen I will guide you through a meditation designed to help you feel less overwhelmed and feel more peace and calm.
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.
Ever wondered how to strike a balance between minimalism and maximalism in your home? Well, you're not alone. Join me as I catch up with my best friend, Lori Simon, in a fun and insightful chat about these contrasting styles and how they shape our living spaces. Lori shares her love of collectibles and blow up holiday decorations and I share how I fantasize about a more simplistic approach to decorating in the autumn months. What's more - we both open up about our emotional battles with letting go of sentimental items even when we know they no longer serve us.
As we get into our approaches for decorating our homes I'll talk about the lengths some minimalists go to in order to have only what is essential in their homes. And I'll tell you about a woman I found on Youtube who embraces collecting including collecting vintage items and vintage clothing and describes her style as, "chaotic hobbit."
Lori and I will talk about what our perfect, imaginary home space would look like for each of us and find common ground with both wanting less clutter. I'll share some questions you can ask yourself when you are in the process of decluttering to help determine if an item stays or goes.
Lastly we will discuss getting ready for the holiday season and find out if Lori will do things differently this year or if she will continue to embrace maximalism when it comes to all things Hanukkah and Christmas related.
Things mentioned on this episode:
Author's Gretchen Rubin and Kim John Payne
https://gretchenrubin.com/
https://www.simplicityparenting.com/podcast
Youtubers on minimalism and maximalism:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheMinimalMom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfnPNUZwp4o&t=387s
Previous Your Zen Friend Episodes Mentioned:
Ep#51 Affordable Home Design to Boost Your Wellbeing with Don Richards
Ep#11 Holiday Fantasy vs Holiday Reality
I'd love to hear from YOU! Here's how to connect with me:
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourzenfriend
Email me at: YourZenFriendPod@gmail.com
Find me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/yourzenfriendpod/
If you would like to learn more about Lauren's counseling services you can view her website here:
https://www.laurencounseling.com/
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.
On this Drop of Zen I will guide you through a meditation designed to help cultivate peace within yourself while sending thoughts of peace and wellness to others. This mediation is especially helpful when you have a heavy heart for others in the world who are suffering.
This meditation was inspired by one that I found here: https://mindworks.org/blog/lovingkindness-meditation-a-daily-script/
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.
Are you a flexible thinker? Are the children in your life flexible thinkers? What does it even mean to BE a flexible thinker? On this week's episode we will explore what it looks like to have brain flexibility and how you can support your children in improving their flexible thinking.
Before we get into brain flexibility I'll tell you how I'm struggling with some changes in my life, how I can be a rigid thinker and how I need to practice what I preach to be more in the present moment.
Things mentioned on this episode:
Your Zen Friend episode # 17 Feeling All the Feelings
Book: What To Do When You Grumble Too Much by Dawn Huebner: https://a.co/d/eH15Mr6
I'd love to hear from YOU! Here's how to connect with me:
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourzenfriend
Email me at: YourZenFriendPod@gmail.com
Find me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/yourzenfriendpod/
If you would like to learn more about Lauren's counseling services you can view her website here:
https://www.laurencounseling.com/
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.
On this Drop of Zen I will guide you through a meditation to help you to let go of some of the stress in your life as well as some of the tension in your body.
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.
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