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Today’s episode is one of the most raw, real, and powerful conversations we’ve had on The Motion of Gratitude Podcast. Shannon sits down with Joe Smarro, a decorated Marine Corps combat veteran, nationally recognized mental health advocate, and CEO of SolutionPoint+. You may recognize him from the Emmy Award–winning HBO documentary Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops or his TEDx talk, I See You.

But this conversation goes far deeper than credentials.

Joe shares the story behind his mission — the childhood trauma he survived, the systems he once believed in, and the turning point that brought him face-to-face with his own suffering. What unfolds is a deeply moving look at what it really takes to come back to yourself, take full ownership of your life, and help others do the same.

From surviving sexual abuse and combat trauma to transforming police departments and creating a nationally recognized mental health training model — Joe’s story is a testament to the human spirit.

This is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt broken, stuck, unseen, or afraid to feel.

🧠 We explore:

• The childhood trauma that shaped Joe’s understanding of safety, connection, and survival
• Why behavior is communication — especially when words are dismissed
• The pivotal moment that led him to choose healing over self-destruction
• Why the “mental health guy” was still hiding in shame — and how he stopped
• His revolutionary CCRTC™ model for de-escalation through curiosity and connection
• How to stop outsourcing your self-worth — and why ownership is the ultimate freedom
• Why gratitude isn’t fluff — it’s a survival skill and a path to presence
• The powerful reframe every parent, caregiver, and first responder needs to hear
• What every man should know about healing, emotions, and self-trust

🔥 One of our favorite quotes from Joe:

🛠️ Tools + Takeaways:

• The 90-second rule for emotional awareness
• How to rewire your beliefs through daily micro-practices
• The difference between suffering and self-induced suffering
• How to teach resilience and emotional regulation to the next generation
• The connection between presence, gratitude, and suicide prevention

📚 Mentioned in this Episode:

• Joe’s book: Unarmed: Building Connection Through Courage, Compassion, and Communication
• Joe’s company:

I say it over and over again during The Motion of Gratitude podcast: we believe there’s more to life than just going through the motions. Are you ready to transform your life through the power of gratitude? Introducing ‘The Experience’—our 28-day combined physical product and digital gratitude practice designed to help you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and presence in your daily life. With ‘The Experience,’ you’ll embark on a journey of self-discovery, learning to be present, an

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to our podcast to stay updated on future episodes.
• Follow us on social media @TheMotionofGratitude for more content related to holistic well-being.

Ready to step into your life and stop going through The Motions? Let our 28 Day Gratitude Initiative be your new starting point! If you are ready to:
- find the good already in your life that you are missing
- find presence in your life so you don't let life pass you by
- start a consistent daily rhythm to set the tone in your life

Then join us! Purchase Your Experience today and get started! www.TheMotionofGratitude.com


Looking forward to connecting with you!

Send us a text

In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode, Shannon sits down with Brianna Riser, VP of Experience at Toothpillow—a mission-driven company reimagining how we support oral posture and healthy jaw development in children.

What starts as a conversation about dental health turns into something much deeper: a look at how chronic mouth breathing, disrupted sleep, and underdeveloped facial structure can quietly affect our children’s well-being—and how gentle, proactive intervention can support more than just teeth.

Shannon shares her family’s own journey using Toothpillow with her daughter, including the subtle and powerful changes they’ve already seen. Together, she and Brianna break down what every parent should know about jaw development, the link between sleep and behavior, and why it’s not just about fixing a smile—it’s about supporting the whole child.

This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever wondered:

• Why your child snores, mouth breathes, or wakes frequently at night
• What bedwetting, dark under-eye circles, or behavior challenges might really mean
• How to support your child’s health without driving across the country to find a specialist

🌿 What We Talk About:

• Shannon’s personal story using Toothpillow with her daughter
• The link between oral posture, sleep quality, and nervous system regulation
• What Toothpillow actually is (hint: it’s more than a mouthpiece!)
• Early signs your child may have underdeveloped jaw structure
• How poor sleep mimics ADHD symptoms in children
• Why early intervention (age 3–7) can be a game changer
• How Toothpillow makes holistic oral health accessible, affordable, and empowering for families
• The emotional toll of being dismissed—and the relief that comes with being seen

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

• Toothpillow Website – Use code GRATOSIS for a free initial video consult by a trained airway dentist ($50 value) and receive $200 off the cost of treatment!
• 📖 Breath by James Nestor
• 📖 Why We Sleep by Dr. Matthew Walker
• 🧠 Karen Bonuck’s research on sleep-disordered breathing and ADHD
• 🦷 Myobrace & Vivos Guides (used in the Toothpillow program)

💡 Quotes to Remember:

I say it over and over again during The Motion of Gratitude podcast: we believe there’s more to life than just going through the motions. Are you ready to transform your life through the power of gratitude? Introducing ‘The Experience’—our 28-day combined physical product and digital gratitude practice designed to help you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and presence in your daily life. With ‘The Experience,’ you’ll embark on a journey of self-discovery, learning to be present, an

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to our podcast to stay updated on future episodes.
• Follow us on social media @TheMotionofGratitude for more content related to holistic well-being.

Ready to step into your life and stop going through The Motions? Let our 28 Day Gratitude Initiative be your new starting point! If you are ready to:
- find the good already in your life that you are missing
- find presence in your life so you don't let life pass you by
- start a consistent daily rhythm to set the tone in your life

Then join us! Purchase Your Experience today and get started! www.TheMotionofGratitude.com


Looking forward to connecting with you!

Send us a text

In this heartfelt and powerful episode, Shannon is joined by Gwen Olson—a licensed clinical social worker, perinatal mental health specialist, and founder of Redefine Wellness in Wisconsin. Gwen opens up about her personal journey into motherhood, including a challenging postpartum experience and the pivotal moments that led her to specialize in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).

Together, Shannon and Gwen dive into the often unspoken mental health challenges of motherhood, the gaps in traditional postpartum care, and the power of redefining support for moms. Gwen also shares tangible insights into what therapy can actually look and feel like, and why prioritizing your mental health as a mother is essential—not optional.

Whether you're a mom in the thick of early motherhood, a supporter of caregivers, or someone curious about what deeper support could look like, this conversation is a gentle, validating, and empowering listen.

💬 What We Talk About:

• Gwen’s personal postpartum journey and the emotional toll of an unexpected C-section
• The overlooked struggles of new motherhood—and why so many moms feel alone
• What PMADs really are, and why diagnosis isn’t enough
• The gaps in maternal mental health care and how Gwen is working to fill them
• A look inside the therapy process for moms (including the intake, treatment plans & CBT)
• How intention setting (with feelings, not just tasks) can shift your experience of motherhood
• The myth of “bouncing back” and why motherhood isn’t something to just push through
• Why “you can’t pour from an empty cup” is more than a cliché—it’s a call to action

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

• Postpartum Support International (PSI): https://postpartum.net – Directory to find certified perinatal mental health professionals
• Book: Crap, I Have a Toddler by Jamie Glowacki – A real and relatable look at parenting with intention
• Nine Steps to Wellness by Jane Honikman – A framework Gwen uses to help her clients navigate postpartum mental health
• Podcast: Feeling Good by Dr. David Burns – For those interested in learning more about Team CBT techniques

🔗 Connect with Gwen:

Practice: Redefine Wellness
Location: Watertown, Wisconsin
Website: h

I say it over and over again during The Motion of Gratitude podcast: we believe there’s more to life than just going through the motions. Are you ready to transform your life through the power of gratitude? Introducing ‘The Experience’—our 28-day combined physical product and digital gratitude practice designed to help you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and presence in your daily life. With ‘The Experience,’ you’ll embark on a journey of self-discovery, learning to be present, an

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to our podcast to stay updated on future episodes.
• Follow us on social media @TheMotionofGratitude for more content related to holistic well-being.

Ready to step into your life and stop going through The Motions? Let our 28 Day Gratitude Initiative be your new starting point! If you are ready to:
- find the good already in your life that you are missing
- find presence in your life so you don't let life pass you by
- start a consistent daily rhythm to set the tone in your life

Then join us! Purchase Your Experience today and get started! www.TheMotionofGratitude.com


Looking forward to connecting with you!