Drop The Shades

What if the deepest trauma in your life became the reason you could heal others?Dr. Robert Bleck shares his harrowing story of enduring years of physical and emotional abuse as a child and how that pain shaped his path to becoming a therapist and professor. Through decades of work, he developed Source Completion Therapy, a process designed to help people finally release the trauma they’ve carried for years.In this conversation, he breaks down how unresolved pain turns into addiction, anxiety, and destructive patterns, and how confronting the source can lead to real, lasting healing.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why trauma doesn’t disappear and where it actually goesHow pain turns into addictions, anxiety, and toxic patternsThe 3-phase process to truly heal and reclaim your lifeIf you’ve ever wondered whether real healing is possible, this episode might change how you see your past.

What if the cracks in your life are the very thing that makes you valuable?In this reflective episode of Drop The Shades, Joseph Elisha explores the Japanese philosophy of kintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Through this powerful metaphor, he reframes pain, failure, and hardship as essential parts of the human story rather than flaws to hide.Instead of chasing perfection, Joseph invites listeners to see their scars, struggles, and setbacks as proof of resilience and growth.In this episode you will hear about: • Why our culture’s obsession with perfection keeps us stuck • The meaning behind the Japanese philosophies of kintsugi and wabi sabi • How embracing your “cracks” can transform shame into strengthIf you have ever felt broken, this conversation offers a new perspective. Your story, your scars, and your healing may be the gold that makes you whole.

What if the person you’ve been searching for is you?In this first episode of Drop The Shades, host Joseph Elisha invites you into a quiet moment of reflection. When life gets loud with responsibilities, expectations, and constant noise, it’s easy to drift away from who you truly are. This conversation is about slowing down, getting honest with yourself, and beginning the journey back home.Instead of chasing perfection or productivity, Joseph shares how simple moments of silence, honesty, and self-awareness can help you reconnect with your inner voice and rediscover what really matters.In this episode, you’ll explore: - Why we slowly drift away from ourselves - How silence and honesty help us reconnect - Small boundaries that bring you back to who you areSometimes coming home to yourself begins with one honest question and one quiet pause.If you’ve been feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, this episode is your invitation to dim the noise and return to yourself.

In this episode of I'll Ask The Questions Around Here, Dr. Joseph Elisha shares a reflective monologue on how we think about the mind—as both a noun and a verb. Drawing from personal experience, everyday stressors, and the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, he probes the labels we apply to our thoughts and feelings. Joseph explores the practice he calls “dropping the shades,” a method of pausing and resetting through nostalgic reconnection. He explains how this mental reset—whether through music, memory, or a moment of solitude—can help us observe our inner storms without becoming them. Key Points From This Episode: [00:00:00] Introduction: the concept of the mind as noun vs. verb [00:01:30] How internal labeling shapes self-perception [00:02:55] The metaphor of the garden and choosing what we “water” [00:03:30] Introducing “dropping the shades” as a coping mechanism [00:04:05] Navigating emotional rapids and life’s stressors [00:04:21] Using nostalgia to reset and re-center [00:05:45] Operating room metaphor: connecting, pausing, and returning [00:06:40] Neuroscience behind nostalgia’s effect on the brain [00:07:15] Individual ways to “drop the shades” and reconnect [00:07:40] Closing reflections and invitation to apply the concept Joseph Elisha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-elisha-m-d-a9b7aab Subscribe to this feed so you don't miss new episodes!

In this episode of I'll Ask The Questions Around Here, Dr. Joseph Elisha speaks with 12-year-old Madelyn Quinn and her parents, about Madelyn’s life as a heart transplant recipient. From enduring multiple surgeries in infancy to becoming a world-ranked junior golfer, Madelyn shares her powerful story of resilience, gratitude, and connection with her donor family. The conversation explores medical challenges, family dynamics, emotional healing, and the lasting impact of organ donation. Join us for a deeply human conversation about strength, purpose, and the extraordinary gift of life.Key Points From This Episode:[00:00:00] Dr. Elisha shares a personal experience with organ procurement.[00:03:30] Madelyn introduces herself and reflects on life with a donor heart.[00:07:29] Madelyn and her parents recount the emotional and medical journey.[00:14:37] Madelyn shares her "superpowers" and passion for golf.[00:18:58] The Quinn family meets their donor family for the first time.[00:24:19] Reflections on honoring the donor's legacy and the responsibility of receiving life.[00:29:52] Madelyn answers whether she would choose a different path if she could.[00:34:17] Dad discusses how Madelyn’s journey led him to a new career in transplant innovation.[00:38:30] The family recalls the exact moment they received the transplant call.[00:43:12] Madelyn shares her fears—medical and otherwise—and how she manages them.[00:50:04] The importance of organ donation and Madelyn’s message to skeptics.[00:54:59] Reflections on faith, gratitude, and the unseen hands that guide their path.[00:56:57] Dr. Elisha confirms his own decision to become an organ donor after hearing Madelyn’s story.Learn more about OneLegacy: https://www.onelegacy.org/wp/Joseph Elisha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-elisha-m-d-a9b7aabSubscribe to this feed so you don't miss new episodes!

In this episode, I take a hard look at the cost of political assassination — not just in the moment, but in the waves it sends through history and society. From the shot that killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand and set off World War I, to the attempt on Donald Trump that only deepened his support, we see a pattern: violence doesn’t silence a movement, it often strengthens it. What drives a person to believe a bullet is more powerful than dialogue? And what does it say about us, as a nation once seen as the standard of democracy, when we accept violence as a form of speech? This is a conversation about what we lose when dialogue dies — and why we have to do better…

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Elisha explores the Japanese art of Kintsugi—the practice of repairing broken pottery with gold—and how it mirrors the way life breaks us, heals us, and makes us more whole than before. Through stories, reflection, and urgency for our times, he challenges us to rethink our scars not as flaws to hide, but as the very seams that make us strong, valuable, and beautifully human.

In this episode of I'll Ask The Questions Around Here, Dr. Joseph Elisha speaks with Anyse Smith — educator, public interest attorney, and fierce advocate for the unhoused. Once in the throes of addiction and homelessness, Anyse recounts the turning point at a Riverside motel that launched her into recovery, community service, and ultimately law school. She shares hard-earned lessons on trust, shame, healing, and the underestimated humanity within addiction. With warmth and clarity, Anyse details how her experiences shape her legal work and her run for city council, offering a rare window into the complex realities of substance abuse, recovery, and redemption.____________________________________________________________[00:00:00] Intro[00:02:59] Anyse describes her California upbringing and her move to the Coachella Valley.[00:04:11] She outlines the progression of her addiction and how trauma and loss contributed to her substance use.[00:08:54] Anyse explains how addiction led her to unemployment, couch-surfing, and ultimately being unhoused.[00:12:44] She reflects on the deception, guilt, and family fallout common in addiction.[00:17:50] Anyse recalls the moment she hit rock bottom in a Riverside motel.[00:21:15] She discusses her early recovery, including two relapses before committing to sobriety.[00:23:57] Her first night at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and the reality of shelter life.[00:27:40] Why the Gateway Program at CVRM was transformative for her recovery.[00:29:43] Anyse shares how faith slowly returned to her life and recovery journey.[00:31:04] She reflects on initial judgments and how hearing others’ stories reshaped her outlook.[00:34:22] Why sobriety remains her greatest and hardest-won accomplishment.[00:35:29] How her relationship with her father evolved, including his own shift into addiction medicine.[00:37:42] The societal perception of homelessness and the importance of hearing individual stories.[00:40:49] How her law practice serves formerly incarcerated and unhoused clients.[00:43:04] How her church and singing community supported her reintegration.[00:44:45] The moment she’s most proud of — and the mindset she’s least proud of.[00:46:15] Why she wouldn’t change her past, despite the pain.[00:47:17] What she’d say to her late mother if given the chance.[00:48:28] Her run for Palm Desert City Council and why she believes lived experience belongs in office.

In this episode of I'll Ask The Questions Around Here, Dr. Joseph Elisha welcomes Dr. Shaan Patel, founder and CEO of Prep Expert and Shark Tank entrepreneur. Shaan shares his inspiring story of overcoming an average SAT score to achieve perfection, launch a successful test-prep business, and become a board-certified dermatologist. The discussion traverses his childhood in a budget motel, his parents' immigrant sacrifices, and the resilience that propelled him through rejection to success with Mark Cuban on Shark Tank. Shaan also explores entrepreneurship, telemedicine, and why standardized tests matter more now than ever.____________________________________________________________[00:00:00] The impact of asking children, "What do you want to do when you grow up?"[00:01:16] Dr. Elisha's personal story about identity and completing med school[00:04:03] Shaan Patel's upbringing in a motel and the value his immigrant parents placed on education[00:05:17] Shaan’s initial struggles with standardized testing and journey to a perfect SAT score[00:07:28] From book rejections to launching Prep Expert[00:09:31] Growing Prep Expert during medical school breaks[00:10:01] Lessons on empathy and education from Shaan’s childhood environment[00:13:17] Dealing with rejection and embracing the underdog mentality[00:15:00] Parental influence and leading by example[00:20:56] Shaan's Shark Tank audition and securing a deal with Mark Cuban[00:26:57] Insights into working with Mark Cuban[00:28:56] What Prep Expert offers and the value of test preparation beyond exams[00:31:29] Entrepreneurship as freedom versus residency constraints[00:33:35] The risks and uncertainties of entrepreneurship[00:37:09] The importance of prioritizing helping others over making money[00:40:18] Are standardized tests valid measures of intelligence?[00:41:30] How test preparation builds essential life skills[00:44:31] The most important advice Shaan plans to give his child[00:46:30] Balancing career, entrepreneurship, and family life[00:51:18] Advice for healthcare providers considering entrepreneurship

In this episode of I'll Ask The Questions Around Here, Dr. Joseph Elisha sits down with Brandt Kuhn, Managing Director and Partner at Beacon Pointe. Brandt shares how his early career was shaped by the 2008 financial crisis and what ultimately brought him back to the Coachella Valley. They explore the realities of financial planning, addressing everything from risk and taxes to fatherhood and the role of money in our mental wellbeing. Brandt unpacks financial myths seen on social media, explains the real impact of debt, and shares how his nonprofit work and family values shape his approach to money. This wide-ranging conversation blends grounded advice with reflections on community, resilience, and what it means to live a rich life.______________________________________________________________________[00:00:28] Introduction of Brandt Kuhn and overview of his professional and personal background.[00:02:08] Why Brandt returned to the Coachella Valley and started his financial planning career.[00:04:05] Early influences and how a meeting with a financial advisor shaped his path.[00:06:12] How becoming a father changed his financial priorities and planning approach.[00:08:22] Common misconceptions about financial planning and the complexity of the system.[00:12:14] Joseph Elisha reflects on the lack of financial education in medical school.[00:16:21] Brandt's perspective on the anxiety caused by money and the importance of building margin.[00:18:57] Thoughts on economic shifts, job security, and the need for adaptable education.[00:20:29] Distinction between knowledge and service economies and the impact of automation.[00:23:44] Brandt's view on rising labor costs, automation, and the evolving workforce.[00:26:30] Financial myths on social media and concerns over 'get rich quick' content.[00:29:18] Risk management in financial planning and adapting to client life stages.[00:30:59] Trends in how the wealthy spend—on homes, experiences, and modest living.[00:34:31] The generational shift toward lifestyle balance over endless work.[00:38:28] How Brandt stays grounded amid managing hundreds of millions in assets.[00:40:34] Brandt’s nonprofit work and its impact on his personal and professional values.[00:42:51] Teaching kids about money and the realities of household budgeting.[00:45:33] Financial myths and facts: markets, housing, and economic uncertainty.[00:52:22] The role of hope and optimism in facing financial challenges.[00:56:03] What defines a rich life for Brandt Kuhn—emphasis on time over wealth.[00:57:27] Final insights on building real wealth and overcoming early investing fears.Links:Beacon Pointe Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1sYqRME1BlueSBz9BlG3eQ Most recent Macro & Markets – May 2025 - https://youtu.be/GIGdwQc_EJk?si=ZoFT-FwEJkkcqdHW Beacon Pointe Palm Desert Website - https://beaconpointe.com/contact-us/california-palm-desert/

In this episode of I'll Ask The Questions Around Here, Dr. Joseph Elisha is joined by Lauren Del Sarto, founder of Desert Health and co-founder of Good Vibes Sound Bath. They explore Lauren’s remarkable journey from organizing Wall Street events to pioneering platforms for holistic wellness and integrative medicine. Lauren opens up about her battle with breast cancer, the alternative treatment path she chose, and how it reshaped her perspective on health. She also shares how fearlessness returned through equestrian pursuits and discusses the explosive popularity of floating sound baths. Join this warm and revealing conversation about resilience, purpose, and creating space for healing in a noisy world.[00:00:00] Introduction to Lauren Del Sarto and her background[00:04:13] Founding Desert Health and focusing on positive health journalism[00:05:34] Career path from Wall Street to event marketing to wellness publishing[00:09:44] Impact of childhood moves on adaptability and people skills[00:12:50] Vision behind Desert Health as a bridge between medical and natural care[00:14:49] Lauren's breast cancer diagnosis and decision to pursue cryoablation[00:17:58] Effects of an anti-inflammatory diet on tumor size[00:21:24] Advocating for cryoablation and clinical trials[00:24:25] Importance of integrative care teams[00:26:41] Overcoming fear to return to competitive horseback riding[00:30:45] Views on mortality and the power of presence[00:33:44] Founding Good Vibes Sound Bath and its viral growth[00:36:32] Description of the floating sound bath experience[00:40:51] Volunteering with Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine[00:42:29] Receiving Trailblazer and Health Influencer Awards[00:44:17] Regret around father’s end-of-life care[00:47:00] Personal values: integrity and positivity[00:48:41] Reflections on authenticity and staying true to oneself[00:53:53] Mentoring youth through the Health Academy student column[00:56:24] Where to find Desert Health and Good Vibes Sound BathLinks:Lauren Del Sarto on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-del-sarto-5b14b47Connect with Lauren: lauren@deserthealthnews.comDesert Heal News: http://www.deserthealthnews.com/Good Vibe Sound Bath: https://www.goodvibessoundbath.com/

Welcome to this special episode of I’ll Ask The Question Around Here, where I talk about Mother’s Day; what it means to me, and to the world.Motherhood, as seen through the lens of two remarkable women—my mother and my mother-in-law—is not a role defined by ease or perfection, but by resilience, complexity, and quiet determination. My mother’s stroke in 1980 reshaped our family forever, yet she refused to let it define her. Though she lost physical function, she never relinquished her role as the family’s emotional anchor. Her unwavering presence and commitment, even while married to a man grappling with depression, revealed a strength that surpassed physical ability. At first, I saw her constant giving as self-neglect, but I came to realize it was her way of asserting her completeness, of reclaiming her identity in the face of loss. Similarly, my mother-in-law, Patricia, lived a life marked by trauma, loss, and reinvention. Surviving domestic violence, the death of a child, and fractured family dynamics, she eventually found peace in a rural retreat and redefined herself. Though her earlier years as a mother were marked by hardship and absence, she later became a powerful presence in our children’s lives, showing that motherhood is not a fixed state but an evolving act of love and courage. Her decision to step away, once seen as abandonment, became an act of self-preservation that allowed her to heal and return stronger.Mother’s Day, then, is far more than a celebration—it’s a reflection on the expectations, grief, gratitude, and quiet heroism that shape maternal relationships. It’s a day that carries both beauty and pain, honoring those who gave everything, those who couldn't, and those who are still figuring it out. For many, it’s not simple. There are unspoken hopes, disappointments, and the weight of societal expectations. But whether you're a mother, grieving one, estranged from one, or simply holding complex feelings—your experience matters. Today, let’s hold space for all forms of mothering and all the people doing their best to show up, with honesty, forgiveness, and grace.