Hopeology

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 overcoming; it's a blueprint for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of personal trauma and financial uncertainty—with a sprinkle of neuropsychology and biochemistry for goo...

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. Christophe's story is a beacon for anyone grappling with the complexities of identity and the transformative potential of facing our deepest discomforts. He draws on his personal battles to o...

 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 the president of the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis, illuminates the transformative impact of the Assertive Community Treatment program that he led, their dedication, and connection to the clien...

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, shining a light on how cultural shame can fuel these disorders. Join our thought-provoking conversation as Lan helps us understand the importance of validation in therapy and the journey toward...

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 found along the way. Starting with a casual observation from a friend, Chris's journey through the tribulations of cancer treatment reveals how resilience and community can turn a battle f...

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 Therapy (REBT). In a compelling discussion, she shares her profound insights on how this pioneering cognitive approach, deeply rooted in Stoic philosophy, and pioneered by her husband, Dr. Albert E...

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 transformation. His tale is punctuated by the rhythmic beat of running, a legacy of his Hopi heritage, that became his conduit for community connection and an incredible tool for personal deve...

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 as she shares her narrative of culture shock, adjustment, and the power of resilience. Her experiences are a beacon for anyone grappling with change, illustrating that with self-compassion a...

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 Empathy, and Black Bear, shared her experience with her mental health journey, revealing how her dance with depression became one of the cornerstones of her writing.

During this episode ...

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 how this experience grounded him. Growing up in the small town of Snowflake, Arizona, Brittian's life was anything but static, with frequent relocations painting a vivid backdrop t...

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!

Information on where you can find us. 

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Follow us on Instagram: @hopeologypodcast and the host @writerchristinamckelvy
To support the show, go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hopeologypodcast

Discla...

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 struggles and victories of the decolonization therapy movement. Dr. Yeghnazar Peck shares her personal experiences as a daughter of Middle Eastern immigrants and how her journey propelled her ...

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 life marred by meth addiction, through her time in the military, to her career transition into writing. This episode is a deep dive into Jamie's life, where fiction serves as a medium to ...

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 of recovery from alcohol dependence, fraught with challenges, highlights the critical role of a robust support system and that ultimately led to the creation of Everbloom, a platform providin...

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 rare disorder Phenylketonuria (PKU). Our dialogue explores Lillian's latest play, Primordial, a documentary theater piece on the topic of pregnancy and childbirth. We delve into her creativ...

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 Goldstein-Love, acclaimed author of the suspense-packed novel, The Possibilities, a discussion that promises an exploration into the heart of motherhood, where resilience and hope shine brighter am...

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 personal healing. We navigate complex issues like the influence of white wellness culture and its tendency to appropriate practices from collectivistic cultures.

We further delve into...

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 of bullying, mental health, and advocacy. Asianna shares her personal journey, highlighting how her experiences with bullying shaped her understanding of her own mental health and propelled h...

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 financial assistance to rebuild so I have listed some places below to donate to. 
https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mauifirespets/
https://m...