The Self Help Antidote Podcast

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1667158/open_sms) In this episode, we’re joined by two remarkable artists who are using creativity to transform lives and communities: Shaah, founder of the creative collective GRYSKLL, and Quentin Fountain, also known as Q. aka Media Pimp, an eMCee, producer, and engineer. Together, they share powerful stories of trauma, resilience, and the healing potential of art. Shaah, a former member of Wu-Tang’s “Tha Beggas,” brings a multi-dimensional perspective to the conversation, with a background spanning music, film, photography, and writing. Through GRYSKLL, launched in 2021, Shaah has built a supportive community around creative expression and mental health. His latest project, gryMatter, is a documentary endeavor aimed at capturing his journey of healing through creativity, featuring mixtapes, books, and a unique soundtrack. Q., who returned to music after two decades away, reflects on the life-changing events that led him back to his craft. Reconnecting with old friends and joining GRYSKLL rekindled his passion and eventually brought him into audio engineering, where he has become GRYSKLL's lead engineer and a vital contributor to the collective’s sound. His single Bleeding Out marked a profound return, and he now continues to shape the sonic landscape of GRYSKLL, with a new EP on the horizon. Together, Shaah and Q. dive into the ways unresolved trauma, and the psychological impact of adverse childhood experiences, like growing up in poverty have shaped their lives, and how making music has been an anchor and light in dark times. They discuss the importance of social support, the courage to connect, and how creativity offers a way to express pain, recognize struggles in others, and build resilience. From growing up under challenging circumstances to finding belonging and purpose through community, Shaah and Q. explore how the worst experiences can give rise to profound growth. Through GRYSKLL, they are not only telling their stories but fostering a community where people feel safe, seen, and heard. This episode is an exploration of how art and community can turn pain into purpose, and the courage it takes to keep showing up, helping others, and ultimately finding healing in the process. Join us for an inspiring conversation on the transformative power of creativity, connection, and courage. Visit us at: www.theselfhelpantidote.com

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1667158/open_sms) In this episode, Tiff and I are taking on the ever-persistent hustle culture, where busyness is celebrated as success, and exhaustion is often the reward. We’ll explore the real costs of endless grinding and how it can distract us from what genuinely matters. This isn't about scaling back ambitions but recalibrating them, diving into ways to improve our focus, identify our core values, and ensure our goals align with them. Drawing from Buddhist philosophy, we’ll discuss the art of being present and letting go of what doesn’t serve us. We’ll also look at how new experiences, travel, learning, or even small changes in routine, can give us fresh perspectives, helping us see the world and our place in it with renewed clarity. And, we talk about cats, because we like cats, and they are our teachers, showing us how to balance our lives with rest and play. If you’ve ever felt burned out on a path that wasn’t yours, this episode is the antidote. Visit us at: www.theselfhelpantidote.com

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1667158/open_sms) In this episode, we’re diving into the subject of empathy vs. sympathy, because in coaching and leadership, these two are not the same. It's not so much that empathy fails, but the confusion of empathy with sympathy that's the problem.   Think of empathy as that friend who shows up with pizza when you’re stressed, while sympathy just sends you a sad-face emoji and a “Thoughts and Prayers” text. One builds connection, the other builds... well, awkward silence. We’ll unpack why empathy is the lifeblood of successful coaching and leadership, allowing you to actually "get" your clients and team, rather than just feel sorry for them. When you lead with empathy, you create space for trust, growth, and change—transforming your client’s journey and your career into a masterpiece of connection and results. But sympathy? It’s the well-meaning yet potentially damaging relationship dynamic that often makes things worse. Instead of empowering, sympathy traps your client in a “Poor You” narrative, as if they’ve just auditioned for the world's saddest soap opera. Nobody wins an Emmy for that. Seeing people as either unwilling or unable to change, void of agency is not exactly a trust and rapport builder.   So, let’s explore how this game-changer can make your client see the superhero within them, and position you for success in your career. Because when you master empathy, not only do you get to help people become their best selves, you also become the kind of coach who gets results. Visit us at: www.theselfhelpantidote.com

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1667158/open_sms) In this episode, we explore one of the most critical yet often overlooked skills for coaches: emotional self-regulation. Emotions drive decisions and behaviors more than any other aspect of mindset, and your emotional energy as a coach can either create an atmosphere of trust and growth or lead to barriers that hinder your client’s progress. Drawing on insights from affective neuroscience, we discuss how innate emotions like fear, anger, and love influence not only your clients but also your own coaching effectiveness. We’ll break down the science behind emotions, referencing the work of experts like Jaak Panksepp and Joseph LeDoux, and show how emotions are contagious, shaping the dynamic of your coaching sessions, whether you realize it or not. You’ll also learn actionable techniques to manage your emotional state through mindfulness, pre-session rituals, and reflective practices to ensure you’re bringing the best energy into every client interaction. Plus, we dive into real-world examples, highlighting how emotional states—both yours and your client’s—affect decision-making, goal-setting, and the overall coaching journey. Tune in to discover how mastering your emotions can elevate your coaching practice and lead to deeper, more impactful client outcomes. Visit us at: www.theselfhelpantidote.com

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1667158/open_sms) In this episode, we explore why prioritizing wellbeing isn't just a "nice to have"—it's a critical business strategy. Drawing inspiration from the visionary leadership of Walt Disney, we look at how businesses that proactively focus on wellbeing, like Walt saw Epcot long before it was built, can anticipate and solve hidden challenges before they surface. Wellbeing is more than offering gym memberships or wellness programs—it's about creating a culture where people feel valued, supported, and connected. We’ll delve into how organizations can elevate their value by making wellbeing a cornerstone of their business relationships. Through stories, insights from thought leaders like Seth Godin, and real-life examples, we’ll discuss why businesses that embed wellbeing into their DNA become indispensable partners for their clients. From addressing unseen issues like stress and burnout to building trust and transparency, we'll explore how wellbeing partnerships unlock long-term success. Whether you’re a business leader, coach, or just interested in enhancing workplace culture, this episode will offer strategies to foster lasting client relationships through wellbeing, turning your organization into a trusted and invaluable partner. Visit us at: www.theselfhelpantidote.com

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1667158/open_sms) In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest obstacles coaches face when helping clients navigate change—the righting reflex. The instinct to "fix" or "correct" can create resistance, damage trust, and ultimately slow down the process of change. We'll explore why it’s crucial to avoid this reflex and instead guide clients to discover their own path to transformation. We also unpack the concept of ambivalence, a natural state where clients may feel torn between conflicting desires or values. Rather than pushing for change, coaches can skillfully work with ambivalence using tools like the decisional balance sheet. This simple yet powerful tool allows clients to weigh the pros and cons of their choices, helping them clarify their own reasons for change and commit to a course of action that aligns with their values. Join us as we explore how recognizing these psychological dynamics and empowering clients to resolve their own ambivalence can lead to lasting, meaningful change. Visit us at: www.theselfhelpantidote.com