How Do We Deal?! Coping With the Confounding

We're back! And our podcast title is more relevant than ever. Dara and Amber talk about how they're dealing with and resisting the dismantling of democracy, and how history and the universe are providing much needed perspective in the midst of confounding events. Episode links: - https://www.discoveryplus.com/... series - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/.../28 Economic Blackout - https://thepeoplesunionusa.com... way down on the People's Union home page) Thank you to https://open.spotify.com/artis... for our podcast intro and outro music! Note: Please forgive some small glitches in this episode. We're continuing to work on audio quality!Music by the talented Amanda Zorzi. Find her on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4W7xuppzxE0ntRhDNncNtU

Get ready to treat your ears and heart. Dara and Amber are huge fans of the alternative, dreamy pop songs of Amanda Zorzi, the Philly-based songwriter/independent artist who generously created the theme song for this podcast! But they're even bigger fans of her as a human. Amanda is a certified music therapist, foster mom to dogs in need of homes, and a professional advocate for neuro-inclusive workplaces (a path that connected her to Amber).Music has always been and remains a main source of expression and comfort for her. In this conversation, you'll not only hear about how the process of musicmaking and performing unfolds for Amanda, but how it helps her deal with challenges, fears, and whatever's going on in her life. Listen in full to the song by Amanda that Dara and Amber literally fell in love with (Keep Me Awake), and in the episode closing, hear the first song she released (Stealing Pictures). Find and follow Amanda Zorzi on Spotify.Remember to follow the show, give a 5-star review, or tell a friend! Thank you for supporting "How Do We Deal?!" Coping with the confounding is much easier with a village (even a tiny one).Music by the talented Amanda Zorzi. Find her on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4W7xuppzxE0ntRhDNncNtU

Struggling to deal with the loss of their husbands, one to the trap of addiction and one to a shockingly sudden death, Nicole and Suzanne connected and soon bonded over wine and karaoke. In this refreshingly candid "How Do We Deal?!" chat, they share how their friendship, forged out of grief and sustained by humor, helps them manage and embrace their lives as solo parents. Suzanne and Nicole give their hilarious and insightful takes on caring for their children as they all grieve, and the oddities of a social world that can't seem to handle the very common, fundamental topics of death or divorce (not to mention the people in the throes of them).Dara and Amber were blown away by their strength and wit, as they confronted the full weight and gravity of having recently lost their spouses. Nicole and Suzanne still haven't identified their signature karaoke songs, but they do have a lot of wisdom and laughter to share! Podcast theme music by the soulful and talented https://open.spotify.com/artis...Editing by Dara the amazing. We're always grateful for a follow, 5-star review, or a quick share-with-a-friend. Thank you for listening and supporting "How Do We Deal?!" We hope it helps you deal, just a little bit better, each day.Music by the talented Amanda Zorzi. Find her on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4W7xuppzxE0ntRhDNncNtU

Our friend Bernard Grant, Ph.D. is many things, all of them remarkable. Multiply neurodivergent, they are an Autistic advocate, life coach to Autistics and parents seeking insight from an Autistic person on how better to support their Autistic children, neurodiversity trainer, award-winning writer of fiction and essays, and talented editor. To say that our conversation opened our eyes and minds would be the understatement of the century. You do not want to miss the opportunity hear their unique, clarifying perspective on everything from Autistic vs. neurotypical culture, racelessness and why racializing people perpetuates racism, and how they finally learned to love themself and disregard the judgements of (neurotypical) others during the calm and stillness provided by the pandemic. We loved our discussion so much, we look forward to having them back soon. Listen now, and you'll walk away with potentially life-changing insight!Links for resources mentioned in our discussion, and some definitions of terms that many may not be familiar with, are below.LINKS:Bernard's professional website: bernardgrant.comFollow Bernard on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bernardgrantHigh five habit with Mel Robbins on Instagram: @high5habitSheena Michele Mason's substack on racelessness: racelessness.substack.comYoga Nidra meditation playlist on YouTubePercival Everett's novel: ErasureTERMS:PDA: Pathological demand avoidance, while framed negatively by the medical establishment, applies to a neurotype with an intense need for autonomy and whose nervous system is set on alert by external demands.Info dumping: A form of communication reserved for trusted connections, in which a person shares in-depth, detailed information about a specific interest or passion.Dyspraxia: Also sometimes called developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), a neurological difference affecting movement and co-ordination (not related to intelligence or intellect). Increases the difficulty of tasks requiring balance or fine-tuned motor skills, like playing sports or learning to drive a car.CREDITS:Hosted by Dara and Amber.Music by Amanda Zorzi.Editing by Dara.Music by the talented Amanda Zorzi. Find her on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4W7xuppzxE0ntRhDNncNtU

F*CK CANCER. In part 1 of 2 in the ultimate "How Do We Deal?!" discussion, we welcome childhood friend (from our Massachusetts hometown) and certified badass Monica Jones, who has been living with metastatic (Stage IV) breast cancer for over nine years. During that time, she became a parent, defied odds and expectations, and jumped into fierce, much-needed advocacy to help address the most deadly type of breast cancer, which is severely underfunded and poorly understood by most. Get to know the amazing force that is Monica. Find out what it's like to deal with a terminal diagnosis, on top of all the other big and small struggles we all face, while cultivating hope. Learn how best to support friends facing this situation. And become aware of the biggest threat to women's health you've likely never heard of. Monica is an incredibly strong person, with whom we also have fun reminiscing, so you don't want to miss this! METAvivor (Metastatic Breast Cancer Research and Support)https://www.metavivor.org/Dana-Farber Cancer Institutehttps://www.dana-farber.org/ Music by the talented Amanda Zorzi. Find her on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4W7xuppzxE0ntRhDNncNtU

In the season 1 finale, Dara and Amber look back, and forward, talking about the experience of podcasting, how they've dealt with the vulnerability, what they've learned, and the feedback they've received. As your hosts look to season 2, they prepare to welcome guestperts to tackle important topics, including everything from gun violence to self care. Hear about how it's gone, what the podcast and the listeners they call "Dealers" have meant to them, and the best that's yet to come. And get ready for a new level of dealing this fall!Music by the talented Amanda Zorzi. Find her on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4W7xuppzxE0ntRhDNncNtU

Dara and Amber realize that while stereotypes divide us, they're also how our brains make sense of a fast-moving, diverse world. So how do we deal? By pausing to reflect on the assumptions we make, and the limits we place on the fullness of others' being. Dara and Amber explore input from our listeners (whom we lovingly refer to as "Dealers") on the stereotypes they face in their own lives. Your hosts also realize that they hold different stereotypes for the very same group (drivers of fancy cars). Do you stereotype? Pause, reflect, and be human with us. Life is ridiculous.Music by the talented Amanda Zorzi. Find her on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4W7xuppzxE0ntRhDNncNtU

Anxiety is on the rise–and with all that’s going on, it’s no wonder. But we can’t let anxiety own us, so how do we deal? Dara slyly tries to skirt-skirt the issue, then dives in to realize how she gets angry to avoid feeling out of control. Amber’s life was absolutely ruled by anxiety–until motherhood led to an epiphany, medication, and change. A catchphrase from Dara’s mentor (“live lightly”) helps crystallize the issue in brilliant fashion. Mini revelations and big laughs ensue. (As per usual.)Music by the talented Amanda Zorzi. Find her on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4W7xuppzxE0ntRhDNncNtU