Glass Half Full With Leslie Krongold, Ed.d.

In the second part of this podcast episode series Jeanette Marin shares her story about a thyroid cancer diagnosis and how it changed her life. Jeanette is married with 4 children and a stand-up comic. To see Jeanette perform, follow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

How does a diagnosis of cancer and treatment change a person? In this 3-part series you'll hear different stories on how a woman - diagnosed with cancer (breast, thyroid, and ovarian) - experienced the changes. In part 1 Shannon Lee Knorr, a Pilates and yoga instructor, shares how her own yoga practice and teaching style changed.

February 28 is International Rare Disease Day. There are over 6,000 rare diseases or disorders with 80% having genetic origins. Global events are planned to draw attention to the need for medical research. This brief, light-hearted podcast episode shares a few less critical aspects to having a rare disease. For a deeper dive, check out last year’s Rare Disease podcast episode. Make sure you become a Subscriber to our YouTube channel. All subscribers are entered into Glass Half Full give-aways. Picture yourself sipping your favorite warm beverage…

An echocardiogram technician told me I have a beautiful heart and that got me going. What makes for good heart health? What role do genetics, lifestyle, and environment play? Dr. Erica Pitsch talks about the Framingham Heart Study, John talks about congestive heart failure and Mended Hearts, and Saurabh shares how yoga and meditation help his stress level and coping with myotonic muscular dystrophy. 

One yoga teacher's health journey. Katrina LaShea was able to ease her back injury and subsequent ankle injury pain through a yoga practice. What once worked as a treatment, later became her passion. Today Katrina teaches yoga to African-American women and girls at Girl Trek retreats as well as at her Oakland yoga studio. Beginning this February, the Girl Trek founders will be visiting 50 cities across the country bringing the message of radical self-care and healing at teach-ins and wellness festivals. The Road to Selma culminates this summer in Selma, Alabama.

Need help with sleep? David -- resident DIY expert -- explains how to decarb, squish, and infuse cannabis. Unfamiliar with these terms? No worries. These terms, and more, are explained for the novice. Podcast episode, and complementary YouTube video, demonstrate the processes involved with creating cannabis tinctures and infusions for making edibles. An earlier podcast episode features six people sharing how cannabis helps with their physical and/or emotional challenges including cancer, depression, muscular dystrophy, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, bone fracture, and bipolar disorder. Once you're familiar with the process known as decarbing, you may want to check out this podcast episode featuring a fine dining chef who prepares meals infused with cannabis.

Holidays can be tough; that's why we're focusing on our favorite things. Peni, Laurel, and Kristl share their voices and 22 previous podcast guests tell us how they beat the funk when dogs bite or bees sting. Since this is the shortest podcast episode ever...check out these previous episodes all about optimism: Passion: Motivation to move through the bad stuff and experience joy Skydiving, Triathaloning, and Mountain Climbing New Year's Resolutions: You must do the things you think you cannot do Music gives me a peace bubble

How do you give back? In previous podcast episodes we heard from Amy - a music philanthropist - who sings to raise money for causes she believes in, Chris - a software engineer - who has been involved with a nonprofit organization that helped him as a youth, and Hazel - a retired government employee - who teaches others about service dogs. Today's episode features Susan, diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, who helped the Women's Cancer Resource Center thrive; first as a volunteer and then as its first executive director.

Tis the season to be thankful, grateful, and appreciative. But how does one get to a place of gratitude if you're feeling miserable -- physically, emotionally, or both? Toni Bernhard, author of How to Be Sick (Second Edition): A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers, talks about gratitude as it relates to the Four Sublimes States of Buddhism.  A brief introduction to Robert A. Emmons', Ph.D. research on gratitude is presented on the physical, psychological, and social benefits to a gratitude practice. Emmons has written a number of books but here is a quick read for those anxious to jump into a gratitude practice, The Little Book of Gratitude: Create a life of happiness and wellbeing by giving thanks. Join Leslie with her 30-day gratitude challenge of daily journaling in the Glass Half Full Facebook group. Listen to Toni Bernhard in her earlier podcast episode and her articles on Psychology Today's website.

November is the time to recognize Family Caregivers. One man's caregiving story leads to a conversation about strokes - one  of the most debilitating medical conditions - and stroke recovery. Erica Pitsch, PT, MPT, DPT, NCS, of University of California, San Francisco, explains what happens during a stroke and what may be involved with stroke recovery and rehabilitation. Caregiver Resources include an earlier podcast episode with three family caregivers. You may also want to check out these national organizations: National Alliance for Caregiving and Caregiver Action Network. Be extra kind to your family caregivers this month. Dr. Pitsch works with stroke patients at this San Francisco location. To hear advice about balance and falling, listen to this earlier podcast episode. Check out the Balance Rap Song on the Glass Half Full YouTube channel.

Maybe you have a firm grasp on what being an Advocate is all about? This episode explores different ways people with disabilities, their allies, and their caregivers practice advocacy. Whether you're searching for the best healthcare options, leading a support group, mentoring newbies, meeting with legislators, or using social media to get a message out -- it's all about advocacy. Nancy Husari, a retired college instructor with Parkinson's disease, felt empowered by her advocacy experiences at California's state capitol and in Washington, DC. Brook McCall, Grassroots Advocacy Manager for the United Spinal Association talks about her work. Marla Murasko, a Down Syndrome Mom Advocate, shares her advice and experience using social media platforms for advocacy. Nina G., comedian, professional speaker, storyteller, writer and educator, discusses how to be a disability ally.

To kick off Disability Awareness Month, our guest is Nina G - the first female stuttering comedian and dyslexic writer. You'll get a taste of her stand up material as well as learn about her path to comedy and the educational and advocacy work she's been engaged in for years.

In the continuing series, Food=Medicine, Cooking with Love explores different interpretations of how love can be a vital element in the food we eat. Whether it’s part of the mission of a local organic farm,...

High temperatures can exacerbate symptoms for someone with a chronic health condition. The best way to cope may be to seek refuge in an air-conditioned environment. If that proves to be difficult, you may learn...

Sound Bath? Sound Meditation? Sound Symphony? It’s become a wonderful therapeutic tool to access deep relaxation. For many, it is a gateway to meditation. Melissa Felsenstein of Inner Sounds Meditation shares her story of how...

What is Nature and how is it beneficial to our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being? Bonnie Lewkowicz (Program Manager, Access Northern California) and Lori Gray (Adventures & Outings Program Coordinator) both work for the Bay Area...

Nicole Cavales — yoga instructor — was diagnosed with the BRCA1 gene mutation making her a high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. She chose to have surgery and reconstruction. Nicole’s plastic surgeon referred her...

Is using Social Media important to you? Which platform do you use to find support from others with the same chronic health condition? If you’re a caregiver, do you access an online group to connect...

International Dance Day is April 29th. Here in Northern California we have Bay Area Dance Week with all types of free dance classes and performances. As Judith Smith, co-founder of the physically integrated dance company,...

Singing along to classics from my youth definitely has a positive effect on my mood. From sharing a karaoke night with friends to learning about music therapy from a licensed creative arts therapist, this episode...