Ruthless Compassion with Dr. Marcia Sirota

Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald is a researcher, author, and trauma expert who's been studying the mind's response to overwhelming experiences for 15 years. She holds a PhD, has written four books and over a dozen research articles, and specializes in reframing trauma through the lens of neurobiology, resilience, and empowerment. Her latest book, The Joy Reset [https://a.co/d/2qXkP2X], explores six barriers that block us from accessing joy - and how to get it back. Dr. McDonald blends science, storytelling, and deep compassion to help people reconnect with hope, healing, and their own inner strength. Learn more about Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald: TikTok: mc.phd [https://www.tiktok.com/@mc.phd] (https://www.tiktok.com/@mc.phd [https://www.tiktok.com/@mc.phd] ) Instagram: mc.phd [https://www.instagram.com/mc.phd/] (https://www.instagram.com/mc.phd/ [https://www.instagram.com/mc.phd/]) Her latest book, The Joy Reset: Six Ways Trauma Steals Happiness and How to Win it Back. [https://a.co/d/2qXkP2X]

**Thank you to this episode's guest, Benny of Muted Circus, for permission to use a clip of his song ("Wait for What [https://open.spotify.com/track/07lyO9589z0elcgLg7alQr?si=7269305054e0437f]") in this podcast episode. ** In the latest episode of the Ruthless Compassion podcast I speak with Benny, who makes music under the name Muted Circus [https://open.spotify.com/artist/3BGFACqqp9d8Go9aGL26RZ?si=_QO7dLtlQQSIMizBZgd4eg].  Benny is a trained musician (violin, viola, electric bass, guitar, etc.) and a graduate of the Berklee College of Music. After briefly touring with a Sony artist and seeing things from the inside he got disillusioned with music and set it aside completely to do other things. But when his artist father was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, music rushed back in. What started as one song led to two, which led to three, and on and on, which ended up becoming a 10 EP x 50 song cycle. Each song explores death, mourning, loss, and aging in its own way. Half instrumental, half vocal. Benny is gearing up to release the 10th and final EP of the Muted Circus project and is ready to share his story. You can check out his music on Spotify, YouTube, and Instagram. Listen to his song, "Wait for What [https://open.spotify.com/track/07lyO9589z0elcgLg7alQr?si=7e9a6cb2d2194f4b]" (discussed in this podcast). (https://open.spotify.com/track/07lyO9589z0elcgLg7alQr?si=7e9a6cb2d2194f4b [https://open.spotify.com/track/07lyO9589z0elcgLg7alQr?si=7e9a6cb2d2194f4b]) Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mutedcircus?igsh=MW52anUyczlwdHkzNg== [https://www.instagram.com/mutedcircus?igsh=MW52anUyczlwdHkzNg==]  Listen to his music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3BGFACqqp9d8Go9aGL26RZ?si=hb_76ZdtRvW949yeEGV2UA  [https://open.spotify.com/artist/3BGFACqqp9d8Go9aGL26RZ?si=hb_76ZdtRvW949yeEGV2UA%C2%A0] Check out The Starting Gun (Spotify Track) Instrumental Songs Collection (Spotify Playlist) *Permission granted by the artist to use a clip of his song ("Wait for What") in this podcast episode.*

A sociologist, psychotherapist and social worker, Ross Ellenhorn's work focuses on the importance of social worth and connections in psychiatric recovery. In 2002, he founded Ellenhorn, the robust program in the country serving individual experience extreme events of mind and mood outside of residential and hospital settings. In 2022, Ross co-founded CARDEA, a groundbreaking practice centered around psychedelics, assisting seeking to overcoming psychological anguish and individuals looking for greater awakening in their lives. He has published three books on Human behavior, the last, "Purple Crayons: The Art of Drawing a Life" by Harper Collins, explores the significance of play in modernity.

Julie Wignall received international acclaim for her trailblazing accomplishments in environmental practices, animal care, and leadership working with Mirage Resorts, a Fortune 500 company. Her unconventional career path has given her first-hand experience working with innovators in national politics, conservation, international business, television, and the arts. Along her unconventional journey, Julie encountered many remarkable people who, like her, had forged uncommon pathways to create meaningful change. Julie coined the term "Fireflies" to describe these visionaries: people you see beyond what is and take action to create a better reality. She shares her story and those of others in her multi award-winning book, The Extraordinary Power of Fireflies: How to Shine Your Light Brighter and Transform the World [https://a.co/d/9H7lJnb]. Today, Julie is a sought-after consultant, workshop leader, coach, and speaker. She empowers changemakers with the tools to align with their purpose and amplify their impact as she shares what is possible when individuals harness their light to transform the world. Social Media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtraordinaryPowerofFireflies [https://www.facebook.com/ExtraordinaryPowerofFireflies]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/extraordinarypoweroffireflies/  [https://www.instagram.com/extraordinarypoweroffireflies/%C2%A0] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-wignall-38548668/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-wignall-38548668/] Multi award-winning book, "The Extraordinary Power of Fireflies: How to Shine Your Light Brighter and Transform the World [https://a.co/d/9H7lJnb]" PROMO: Free download of "Flying Lessons for Fireflies [Flying%20Lessons%20for%20Fireflies]" and Free discovery call, found at www.extraordinaryfireflies.com [www.extraordinaryfireflies.com]

Dr. Hillary Cauthen is a clinical sport psychologist based in Austin TX. Hillary was a division 1 college track athlete, before embarking on a career focusing on the mental health and mental performance dimensions of high performers. She studied and competed at the University of New Hampshire, and Miami, Ohio, before completing her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, in Los Angeles. Dr. Cauthen is the Founder of Texas Optimal Performance & Psychological Services. Formerly served as the Director of Organizational Wellness & Performance for Austin FC and the performance psychologist for the San Antonio Spurs, where she developed their mental performance and wellness programs. Dr. Cauthen has developed private businesses that bring mental wellness curriculum to school districts across the nation, as well as an analytics company that helps predict the behavioral risk factors in players for teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and Premier League. Her work with high performance is breaking down stigma across communities which is highlighted in her book, "Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate [https://a.co/d/2oI2hsa]." and her podcast "The Highs & Lows of X's & O's" Website: https://www.txopps.com/ [https://www.txopps.com/] Instagram: drcmindset [https://www.instagram.com/drcmindset/] (https://www.instagram.com/drcmindset/ [https://www.instagram.com/drcmindset/]) Book: Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate [https://a.co/d/2oI2hsa] (https://a.co/d/2oI2hsa)