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Ghost: Mediums, Voices, and the Stigma of "Madness" – Why Do We Celebrate One but Pathologize the Other?

Kick off Season 2 with a raw, thought-provoking conversation inspired by the 1990 classic Ghost! Robyn Priest and Charlotte Armstrong dive deep into the film's beloved medium Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg) and ask the tough questions: Why does society adore psychic mediums in movies and cultural traditions, yet label people hearing voices or seeing visions as having a "serious mental illness"?

From the iconic pottery scene to those chilling shadowy "black blobbies" that drag away the villains (and mirror real experiences shared by Robyn and peers during mania, withdrawal, or schizophrenia diagnoses), this episode challenges stigma head-on.

Robyn shares personal stories of visual experiences, cultural views on spiritual openness, and parallels with religious figures who "hear God." Charlotte reflects on listening beyond the diagnosis – what if we truly heard people's truths instead of rushing to "fix" them?

A powerful call for autonomy, respect for individual stories, and peer support that honors lived experience over labels. If it's not harming anyone, why can't we let people live their truth?

Rewatch the original Ghost (a potential remake is in the works!), drop your thoughts in the comments, and join the conversation on redefining mental health.

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Invitation, Not Expectation: The Fine Line Between Sharing and Oversharing

In this raw and unfiltered follow-up to their previous episode on parental loss, Robyn and Charlotte peel back the curtain on what it truly means to hold space for others. What happens when an attempt to connect actually creates disconnection?

Robyn and Charlotte navigate the messy, beautiful complexities of vulnerability, exploring:

* The "Vulnerability Hangover": Analyzing a moment from their last recording where Robyn felt sharing enhanced the conversation, but Charlotte felt it detracted.

* Breaking Generational Silence: Charlotte shares a personal story for the first time in 29 years regarding pregnancy loss, tracing the echoes of grief through her mother and grandmother.

* The Power of "Me Too": How to distinguish between supportive sharing and "one-upping" someone else’s pain.

* Sitting in the Discomfort: Why the most important skill in mental health and peer support.

Join the hosts of Mastery Vibes Peer Support Unleashed as they model what it looks like to 'get it wrong' and make it right, proving that authentic connection isn't about being perfect—it's about showing up. Whether you work in peer support or just want to be a better friend, this episode offers a powerful reminder that your presence is often more valuable than your words. As Robyn says: Mic drop.

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The Club No One Wants to Join: Finding Hope in Peer Support After Infant and Pregnancy Loss

It is a statistic that staggers the mind: 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss. Yet, it remains one of the most stigmatized and silenced conversations in our culture.

In this powerful episode, Robyn and Charlotte sit down with Michelle LaFontaine from the PAIL (Pregnancy and Infant Loss) Network. Michelle isn't just an expert on the subject; she is a survivor who turned her own heart-wrenching experience with the loss of her twins 20 years ago into a lifeline for others.

Together, they peel back the layers of grief that society often tries to rush past. From the trauma of being on a maternity ward while leaving empty-handed, to the "toxic positivity" of well-meaning friends, this conversation gets real about what helps, what hurts, and why peer support is the vital medicine that doctors can't prescribe.

In this episode, we cover:

* The Power of "Me Too": Why connecting with someone who simply gets it can be more healing than professional advice.

* Navigating the Healthcare System: Michelle shares the gaps in medical care for grieving parents and how hospitals are (slowly) changing to be more sensitive.

* What NOT to Say: Why phrases starting with "At least..." (e.g., "At least you can get pregnant") are invalidating, and what you should say instead.

* Generational Trauma: Robyn has a breakthrough moment realizing the impact of her own mother’s silent grief over a lost child years ago.

* Identity Shift: How pregnancy loss changes who you are as a parent and a person forever—and why that’s okay.

Whether you have experienced loss yourself, or want to know how to support a friend, sister, or colleague who has, this episode is a masterclass in empathy, validation, and breaking the silence.

What people who experience loss want you to know is that the baby who died is irreplaceable... We talk a lot about integrating the loss into your life, not moving 'past' it." — Michelle LaFontaine

Learn more about PAIL: https://pailnetwork.sunnybrook.ca/

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When mental health challenges strike a family, the instinct is often to jump in, take control, and "fix" the problem. Parents get on the "rat wheel" of worry, looking for the next crisis, while their loved ones often feel over-managed and unheard. But what happens when "helping" actually hurts?

In this episode, hosts Robyn Priest and Charlotte Armstrong are joined by RoxAnne and Alix, a dynamic mother-daughter duo who have navigated the stormy waters of mental health together. They peel back the curtain on their transformation from a relationship defined by conflict, yelling, and "poking the bear," to one grounded in deep connection and mutual respect.

The conversation gets real about the scary parts of letting go. RoxAnne shares how Family Peer Support taught her to surrender the "savior complex," while Alix opens up about the crucial need for autonomy—including a revealing story about making a major medication change without her mother's knowledge for six months. Whether you are a parent trying to support a child or an individual fighting to be seen beyond your diagnosis, this episode is a raw, honest, and surprisingly funny look at why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply hold space.

In this episode, we cover:

* The "Fixer" Trap: Why trying to solve your loved one's problems can actually steal their discovery process and block their growth.

* Medication & Autonomy: Alix’s journey toward informed choice and the critical role that non-judgmental support plays in navigating treatment decisions.

* React vs. Respond: Moving from chaotic arguments to calm communication by learning to pause and listen.

* Interdependence: Challenging the Western ideal of total independence and embracing the fact that humans are designed to lean on one another.

Let's meet Alix and Roxanne:

"Hi, I’m Alix—poet by passion, culinary architect, film enthusiast, music explorer, and always ready to twirl around my home! I thrive on nature’s beauty and love the thrill of solving puzzles. Oh, and I embrace my journey with mental illness—it's just one part of my vibrant story!"

In RoxAnne's words "As Alix's mom, she’s opened my eyes to new perspectives on life. Thanks to Family Peer Support, I’ve been able to connect with her deeply, fostering a trust and friendship that I cherish and wouldn't have found otherwise."

Join Robyn, Charlotte, RoxAnne, and Alix for an unvarnished, often humorous, and profoundly insightful conversation. This episode empowers listeners to move beyond the urge to fix, towards the liberating and healing power of truly waiting and listening—a crucial step for fostering authentic connection and growth in any mental health journey.

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#MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #FamilyMentalHealth #MotherDaughter #TeenMentalHealth #MentalHealthJourney #FamilySupport #PeerSupport #HoldSpace #ParentingMentalIllness #MentalHealthPodcast #ListenMore #MomLife #RealParenting #MentalHealthMatters #EmergingAdultsMentalHealth

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Ever feel trapped by echoes of your past?

Are you still carrying the weight of someone else’s past?

In Mastery Vibes Episode 7 – “After the Echoes: Stepping Out from Under Their Past” – we go deep into the invisible chains that keep us stuck: family expectations, old traumas, childhood programming, and the silent stories we inherited but never chose.

This isn’t just another “let it go” talk.

This is about recognizing the echoes, feeling them fully, and then intentionally stepping out from underneath them – for good.

Whether it's a struggle with mental health, addiction, or just being branded as the family "scapegoat," old labels can feel like a life sentence. But what if the people you love—and even you—are accidentally sabotaging the chance for a new beginning?

In this powerful episode of Mastery Vibes, hosts Royin and Charlotte get personal and tackle the painful truth about stepping out from under your "echoes."

In This Must-Watch Episode, You Will Learn:
The "Scapegoat" Trap: Why certain people are perpetually branded as the problem, and how this label can force them to keep playing the part.

The Dangerous Message: Discover the subtle, well-intentioned messaging (like the "You can't do life without me") that stops loved ones from gaining independence and finding success.

The Two Keys to Reinvention: The critical steps a person must take—and the vital permission they need from others—to shed their old skin and fully embrace their new life.

How to Stop Sabotaging Your Loved Ones: Learn to let go of the "already always listening" habit—the toxic expectation that keeps you waiting for someone to fail.

This conversation is more than a podcast; it's a roadmap for empowerment, agency, and change. If you're ready to stop being treated as "fragile or different" or want to learn how to truly support a family member on their recovery journey, you need to hear this.

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In a world obsessed with diagnoses and clinical definitions, are we missing the true potential of human connection? This week, Mastery Vibes: Peer Support Unleashed challenges conventional wisdom with a provocative discussion on lived experience and the transformative power of peer support.

Join hosts Robyn Priest and Charlotte Armstrong as they sit down with Will MacPherson, a trailblazer in harm reduction and peer support from Salt Spring Island. Will offers a unique perspective on mental health, spirituality, and the vital role of genuine connection.

William MacPherson, also known as Willie B, formerly promoted battle rap for King of the Dot Entertainment. He has since become a dedicated mental health advocate and activist, working full-time as an outreach worker and serving as Program Coordinator for the Salt Spring Mental Wellness Initiative. Privately, Willie B hones his skills as a rapper and singer, choosing not to release music publicly. He finds profound health benefits and joy in his musical practice with each song.

William advocates for the transformational potential of peer support in mental health care and hopes to amplify other voices through public speaking. His story underscores that his incredible healing journey was made possible by a foundation of privilege. Committed to destigmatizing mental health trauma, William emphasizes providing unconditional care as essential for well-being.

Discover:

• Why traditional labels may be limiting: Learn how a focus on lived experience can unlock individual potential, even when traditional paths seem blocked.
• The power of 'unconditional love in a boundaried way': Explore how genuine support, free from judgment and agendas, can foster healing and self-discovery.
• How to turn personal struggles into powerful medicine: Discover how Peer Support Workers can leverage their own experiences to create safe, validating spaces for others.

If you're ready to challenge assumptions and explore a more human-centered approach to mental health, this episode is a must-listen. Because sometimes, the greatest breakthroughs come not from textbooks, but from the wisdom of shared experience.

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Join Charlotte and Robyn as they welcome De from Advocates for Recovery Colorado (AFRC) for an inspiring episode of Mastery Vibes: Peer Support Unleashed. D shares their transformative journey, describing their switch from a career in the clinical world to the rewarding field of peer support. D reveals how a new role at AFRC and a chance peer support training led by Robyn and Charlotte sparked a passion that not only changed their professional path but also enriched their approach to parenting their child with autism. Discover how embracing lived experience and the power of connection can lead to unexpected fulfillment and revolutionize the way we support each other.

Meet De:

"Hi I’m Dë Waldron (or if you’re cool enough to know, Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman in work boots). I am a parent, scholar, and Certified Peer & Family Specialist who turned addiction into a messy public transformation of resilience. I recover out loud, so others don't die in silence. My work lives at the intersections of recovery, education, and building unique infrastructure in peer support communities. I show up to embody that lived experience isn’t a liability, it’s leadership. I’ve walked through the fire and now light torches for others who are finding their own voice. Everything I do, from classrooms to peer support professional networks, is about showing that recovery isn’t about going back; it’s about becoming."

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On World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th, join Robyn Priest and Charlotte Armstrong for a powerful episode of Mastery Vibes: Peer Support Unleashed. In Episode 4, we confront the tough topic of suicide head-on, dismantling harmful myths, challenging stigma, and sparking open, compassionate conversations that save lives.

Robyn and Charlotte explore how to shift the narrative around suicide, offering insights from lived experience and practical tools to foster hope and connection. Whether you're navigating your own mental health journey, supporting a loved one, or seeking to understand, this episode will inspire you to engage in meaningful dialogue and break the silence.

Tune in now to be part of the change—because every conversation matters.

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