In this episode, Kara features Amy Salzman, a registered nurse and mother from the Nebraska Sandhills, who bravely shares her daughter Molly's journey with schizophrenia, a diagnosis that dramatically altered their lives when Molly was just 20.

This conversation peels back the layers of mental illness, revealing not just the clinical aspects but the deeply personal impact. Amy transparently discusses the subtle, early signs of the "prodromal phase" – the quiet shifts in behavior and mood that precede an acute break. She recounts the overwhelming challenge of seeking help, the desperation for answers, and the profound realization that their family was embarking on an unforeseen path.

Amy's story is a testament to the unyielding strength of a mother's love and the vital importance of open conversations about mental health. We delve into the difficult reality of mental illness stigma and why sharing these journeys is crucial for education, empathy, and support. This episode offers powerful insights into advocating for a loved one, finding strength in vulnerability, and transforming pain into purpose. It’s a message of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of never giving up.

Highlights:

• Hear a firsthand account of the emotional and practical challenges families face when a loved one receives a severe mental illness diagnosis, highlighting the isolation and the search for knowledge.

• Discover how one family is actively working to dismantle the societal stigma surrounding mental illness by bravely sharing their experiences and advocating for greater understanding.

• Witness the incredible fortitude and unwavering commitment of a mother fighting for her child's well-being, transforming immense personal struggle into a source of inspiration and education for others.

Quotes:

• "I want to educate people on this disease and maybe do something a little bit about the stigma surrounding it, because there is a lot of that. And if I can change one person's mind on stigma or one person feels okay talking about it, then I feel like my purpose is done."

• "We felt like we were on an island and we could not get off. And I don't want other people to feel that way."

• "That's all you want for your kids, is for them to be happy and healthy. And if they're not healthy, how are they going to be happy?"

• "You have to grieve who your child was. And then you have to love who they are now."

Connect with Amy:

Amy Salzman is a wife, mother, grandmother and Registered Nurse. After her daughter went through a difficult time in her life with a mental illness, Amy wants to share what she has learned to help other families in similar situations.

Connect with Kara:

• Support on Patreon: patreon.com/KaraStoltenberg

• Website: ⁠⁠https://www.steppinginwithkara.com⁠
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• Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/steppinginwithkara⁠
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In this introspective solo episode, Kara invites you to explore the profound power of rest and stillness in a world that often demands constant pushing and productivity. She delves into her personal journey of recognizing the hidden magic in pausing, recharging, and listening to the subtle cues of your body and mind. Kara shares candid insights on the societal pressures and ingrained habits that make rest feel counterintuitive, and how leaning into moments of quiet can lead to unexpected breakthroughs and a deeper sense of well-being. This episode is a gentle yet powerful reminder that true progress often comes not from striving harder, but from allowing yourself the sacred space to simply be. If you've been feeling the strain of constant motion, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on the transformative potential of rest.

Highlights:

• Discover how the belief that "pushing equals progress" can hinder your true potential and lead to burnout.
• Kara shares a personal revelation about the surprising peace found in letting go of the need to constantly "do" and produce.
• Explore the concept that rest isn't a reward for hard work, but a fundamental ingredient for sustainable creativity and joy.
• Hear how prioritizing stillness can lead to a deeper connection with your intuition and inner wisdom.
• The episode challenges the conventional wisdom that growth only happens through continuous effort, offering a fresh perspective on effective living.

Quotes:

• "As I was able to really allow myself to be in true stillness, that's when things started to shift."
• "I found that the more I allowed myself to just be, the more I was able to truly hear the soft voice of my own body, telling me what it needed."
• "It's counterintuitive to think that when you stop, you're actually gaining, but that's been my experience time and time again."
• "We're taught from such a young age to just go, go, go, produce, produce, produce, and there's so much value in doing that, but there's equally as much, if not more, value in just being."

• Connect with Kara:

  • Website: ⁠https://www.steppinginwithkara.com
  • Patreon: patreon.com/KaraStoltenberg
  • Newsletter: ⁠https://www.karastoltenberg.com/subscribe⁠
  • Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/steppinginwithkara⁠
  • Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/karastoltenberg⁠

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In this heartfelt solo episode, Kara invites listeners on a deeply personal journey from simply "being okay" to fully reclaiming a vibrant sense of aliveness, no matter life's twists and turns. After navigating profound shifts and working diligently to find a place of peace, Kara explores what it truly means to live by her powerful mantra, "The more here I am, the more okay I can be." This episode delves into the freedom found in releasing comparisons to the past, embracing your inner truth, and creating the life of your dreams from exactly where you are right now. You'll hear about navigating the often-overlooked challenge of regulating your nervous system around good things, the profound humility of generosity and the circle of giving and receiving, and Kara's own remarkable story of finding renewed freedom and joy through unexpected avenues, including the new experience of driving with a full self-driving vehicle. Prepare to be inspired to explore your life with wonder and trust its beautiful unfolding.

Highlights:

• Discover the shift from merely "being okay" to actively "squeezing the joy" out of your life experience and truly living.
• Explore the often-overlooked challenge of regulating your nervous system around beautiful and good things, not just the difficult ones.
• Understand the profound harmony and balance that comes with fully embracing both giving and receiving in your life.
• Learn how to intentionally bring yourself into the present moment to find a true sense of "I am okay," even when feeling out of sorts.
• Hear Kara's inspiring personal story of regaining freedom and joy, symbolized by the return to driving with the help of new technology, and how life reforms around you when you step into the present.

Quotes:

• "The more here I am, the more okay I can be."
• "I want more than to be okay. I want to be squeezing the joy out of my life experience. I want to be truly living. I don't want to be surviving. I want to feel and be alive."
• "I trust the unfolding of my life."
• "Nature heals in the most effortless way… literally all you have to do is get yourself into the true depths of nature and things start to shift."
• “Im taking a stand in my life… for freedom.”

• Connect with Kara:

  • Website: ⁠https://www.steppinginwithkara.com
  • Patreon: patreon.com/KaraStoltenberg
  • Newsletter: ⁠https://www.karastoltenberg.com/subscribe⁠
  • Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/steppinginwithkara⁠
  • Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/karastoltenberg⁠