The Brighten Up Pod: Like the Sunflower that faces the Sun

Eat. Sleep. Behave. Repeat. — Your Brain on Food, Rest, and Exercise

For comments, questions, and positive vibes, TEXT US! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307696/fan_mail/new] Hey Listeners, as mentioned in the last episode, Donna is taking a step back to have a more executive role for the Pod. Moving forward, the Brighten Up Pod will have guest hosts in her place.  In this episode, a new era begins, with Jared Pennington, Ph.D., guest-hosting. Jared is a Physician Assistant and was gracious enough to sit down and share his conversation with Michael Asbach, Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc), PA-C. Michael gives us his thoughts on what he argues are among the most important areas of mental health: diet, sleep, and exercise. Prescription medication Vs. Wellness Products — What are your thoughts? Michael shares his with us and believes this — you're not going to want to miss it! Hey listeners, We're asking all our listeners to connect with us on social media to demonstrate their support. Give us a hello on any comments and we'll happily give shoutouts! We'd also love to highlight questions or comments from fans to say thanks! Keep following the sunshine! Facebook For the Memes and Positive Vibes: https://www.facebook.com/BrightenUpPod/ [https://www.facebook.com/BrightenUpPod/] Instagram For Good Energy & Inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/brightenuppod/ [https://www.instagram.com/brightenuppod/] Threads For Quick Bites of Wisdom: https://www.threads.net/@brightenuppod [https://www.threads.net/@brightenuppod]

The Brighten Up Pod: Like the Sunflower that faces the Sun

For comments, questions, and positive vibes, TEXT US! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307696/fan_mail/new] Hello Listeners! In today's episode, Donna sits down. . . on the other side of the table? Because in this installment of the Brighten Up Pod, Donna is not interviewing, but rather, she is the guest for today!  You'll just have to listen in so you know why and what exactly marks this bonus episode as so special.  Hey listeners, We're asking all our listeners to connect with us on social media to demonstrate their support. Give us a hello on any comments and we'll happily give shoutouts! We'd also love to highlight questions or comments from fans to say thanks! Keep following the sunshine! Facebook For the Memes and Positive Vibes: https://www.facebook.com/BrightenUpPod/ [https://www.facebook.com/BrightenUpPod/] Instagram For Good Energy & Inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/brightenuppod/ [https://www.instagram.com/brightenuppod/] Threads For Quick Bites of Wisdom: https://www.threads.net/@brightenuppod [https://www.threads.net/@brightenuppod]

A Militant Sense of Duty to Family

For comments, questions, and positive vibes, TEXT US! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307696/fan_mail/new] Hello Listeners! We are back for another installment of The Brighten Up Pod! Warning: This episode is not for the faint of heart. The premise begins with a simple question that today's guest sought to discover the answer to: Can a positive impact be created by teaching children the core values of the military?   In today's episode, Donna sits down with Colonel Joseph Land, founder of the youth leadership program, Extreme Military Challenge (XMC). For most, this program would appear like a boot camp with a "scared-straight" approach to behavioral modification. The curriculum, however, is far from that misconception. XMC is NOT some correctional facility for troubled youth – it teaches children a sense of duty to self and others by challenging them individually and collectively. This rigorous curriculum has demonstrated that inspiring leadership in others is about creating a yearning to succeed in tasks too difficult for most to accomplish. When children succeed in the program, they develop a monumental confidence that simply cannot be found elsewhere.  Donna connected with Colonel Land after she and her husband found the program and offered it to their 16-year-old son, Christian. He left as a boy and came back a gentleman. Despite the trials and tribulations, he wanted more and is on track to return for XMC's advanced program for Cadet Basic Training graduates.  Extreme Military Challenge Website: https://www.xmccamp.com/ [https://www.xmccamp.com/] Hey listeners, We're asking all our listeners to connect with us on social media to demonstrate their support. Give us a hello on any comments and we'll happily give shoutouts! We'd also love to highlight questions or comments from fans to say thanks! Keep following the sunshine! Facebook For the Memes and Positive Vibes: https://www.facebook.com/BrightenUpPod/ [https://www.facebook.com/BrightenUpPod/] Instagram For Good Energy & Inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/brightenuppod/ [https://www.instagram.com/brightenuppod/] Threads For Quick Bites of Wisdom: https://www.threads.net/@brightenuppod [https://www.threads.net/@brightenuppod]

Faith & Family Wellbeing, part 2: Faith Amid Chaos

For comments, questions, and positive vibes, TEXT US! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307696/fan_mail/new] Since our last episode, so many historical and politically charged events have been jam-packed into the brief time that has passed. No matter your views, odds are you are among the millions experiencing a spike in anxiety because of one development or another. Here's a secret: you are not in control of the things that happen out there, but you have tools to empower yourself to control how you feel from within.  Exercising gratitude, mindfulness, and servitude, among other things, can be transformative. In this second installment of Brighten Up's Faith series, Donna sits down with ordained Rabbinic Pastor Shayndel Kahn to talk about how she believes faith can be used to live a fulfilling life as well as to overcome adversity.  After listening to this episode, if you'd like to connect with Rabbi Kahn, check out her website at: https://www.shayndelkahn.com/ [https://www.shayndelkahn.com/] In this episode, Rabbi Kahn shares a bit about her music background. She shares with us an album she produced. Check it out at:  https://www.shayndelkahn.com/music [https://www.shayndelkahn.com/music] Hey listeners, We're asking all our listeners to connect with us on social media to demonstrate their support. Give us a hello on any comments and we'll happily give shoutouts! We'd also love to highlight questions or comments from fans to say thanks! Keep following the sunshine! Facebook For the Memes and Positive Vibes: https://www.facebook.com/BrightenUpPod/ [https://www.facebook.com/BrightenUpPod/] Instagram For Good Energy & Inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/brightenuppod/ [https://www.instagram.com/brightenuppod/] Threads For Quick Bites of Wisdom: https://www.threads.net/@brightenuppod [https://www.threads.net/@brightenuppod]

Faith & Family Wellbeing, part 1: Improving Relationship Culture with Religion

For comments, questions, and positive vibes, TEXT US! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307696/fan_mail/new] New year, new season, new YOU! What better place to start positive change than to reflect upon and assess your family culture? In this episode, Donna chats with Fr. Chris Looby, pastor of three parishes in upstate New York (and podcaster!). He shares daily reflections on his weekday mass readings through his podcast to make his work more accessible as well as to strengthen faith among a local and global community.  In the latest episode of the Brighten Up Pod, Donna and Fr. Chris talk about the role faith can play in the health of families, regardless of what they look like. Join the conversation and consider your own family culture in the meantime as the discussion touches on many areas of daily family life, such as time management, rest, and social media. The Father Chris Podcast - Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/33eRnrm6dzVfquvrVFMwuo [https://open.spotify.com/show/33eRnrm6dzVfquvrVFMwuo] The Father Chris Podcast - Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-father-chris-podcast/id1548207870 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-father-chris-podcast/id1548207870] Hey listeners, We're asking all our listeners to connect with us on social media to demonstrate their support. Give us a hello on any comments and we'll happily give shoutouts! We'd also love to highlight questions or comments from fans to say thanks! Keep following the sunshine! Facebook For the Memes and Positive Vibes: https://www.facebook.com/BrightenUpPod/ [https://www.facebook.com/BrightenUpPod/] Instagram For Good Energy & Inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/brightenuppod/ [https://www.instagram.com/brightenuppod/] Threads For Quick Bites of Wisdom: https://www.threads.net/@brightenuppod [https://www.threads.net/@brightenuppod]