In this episode, Angela shares some of her recent kitchen table conversations regarding Individual Education Plans and when and how we support students in the way that they need in order to reach their potential. Sometimes our efforts are shortsighted and not as helpful as they are intended to be, and sometimes it's simply not possible to make the …

Angela is proud to be trained in Mindfulness Yoga Acceptance Commitment Therapy/training and sees the improved outcomes in individuals and families every single day in her small but growing practice. She uses elements of the modality in her personal and professional life. Angela is pleased to be able to speak to the research and the practice based …

To follow up on our last conversation, where we discussed the holes in our social safety net, Angela focuses on the need to increase awareness within our system and within our communities regarding the incidents and the consequences that result from prenatal substance exposures. She gives examples of how misinformation and resistance does harm to t…

In this episode, Angela shares information about programs and services aimed to support people in need. She also discusses how sometimes these programs and services fall short and that we all can help to clarify the myths associated with income and disability support and realize that the system is not always easy to navigate, and oftentimes it is n…

In this episode, Angela shares a few tips and strategies that may be helpful when supporting our children with ADHD, and she also discusses some overlapping characteristics for other mental health and learning difficulties that should be considered and talked about around our Kitchen tables. Resources to Learn More: PsychCentral | Parenting Kids wi…

A chance to reflect and evaluate. In this episode, Angela talks about different needs and approaches to special days like Valentine’s Day and acknowledges that for some this can be a very difficult day, and there are no rules; no 'right' or 'wrong' way of doing things. She discusses the power of music and messaging that can help to inspire us and h…

In this episode, we are chatting about prioritizing our efforts, keeping busy and meeting our kids and the people we love and support where they are at and without so many assumptions and blame. We will discuss how important prevention efforts are, but also, how important it is to just be helpful no matter what the diagnosis is or what caused it. I…

Let's all see what we can do to bring these conversations home to our kitchen tables so we can all do our part to reduce the stigma and deepen our understanding of how we can support mental wellness beyond just a superficial level. In this episode, Angela touches on how Bell media is doing wonderful things to keep the conversation going, but also, …

What are we really looking for? In this episode, Angela chats about how we define and understand happiness, and how sometimes the quest for happiness can be counterproductive. It can leave us feeling like our efforts are not working and that we must be doing something wrong. Angela also points out that these elements are in line with ACT and highli…

In this episode, Angela chats about why there continues to be such resistance in communities and within systems to learn more and share more of this important messaging that could really be game changing in terms of the health and wellbeing of future generations. Angela encourages you to check out training opportunities from FASD ONE and CanFASD to…

A new year is a time to reflect and often involves the opportunity to look ahead and set some new intentions/resolutions. It's also o.k. to not and to just keep plugging away and working towards living our best life. There are no 'rules' here but we all can do little things that can increase our overall wellness. This episode has some tips to suppo…

Our final podcast for the year!! Hoping it finds you well and looking forward to some quiet time with family and friends. We're also mindful of those who do not celebrate or find this time of year as peaceful as they would like for a number of reasons. Our thoughts are with you. In today's episode, we are reminded of the importance of community and…

In this episode, we’re going to take some time to talk about happiness and the thing we can be doing to experience more of it. Please take a time some time to read the article I mention by Psychology Today that shares 23 ways to be happier. Take time to reflect on what’s most important to you. While happiness all day every day is not a realistic go…

This episode reminds us all of where the most meaningful learning takes place and there are times when we need to challenge historical understandings, and approaches particularly when it comes to relationships and parenting strategies. Research is evolving, and this means that there are things for us to learn and bring home. My focus continues to b…

This episode originally aired as EPISODE #17 on December 21, 2022. In this repeat episode, today's conversation will centre around the holiday season as we explore all the 'feels' and consider the needs of people who may find the season particularly stressful. These tips and considerations will be helpful to all of us, but in particular for people …

This episode addresses the urgent need for us to do things differently; to consider things like the impact of financial stress, housing issues, and overall mental wellness of the family when considering ways to improve children's mental health. We also need to consider one concrete way that we all can mitigate the risk of children's mental illness,…

I am excited to be presenting at the Canadian Mental Health Ontario Conference. My goal is to broaden the audience and invite more people to explore training opportunities to become more competent and confident in their ability to screen and identify when what people are presenting with is more than Mental Health, trauma and parenting issues and ma…

In this episode, we’ll look at some surprising statistics and what people do not know about some of our most complicated and beautiful brains. Listen in to hear of some of Angela’s recent and upcoming efforts to increase awareness and build system capacity. A shout out to MPP Rob Flack for giving us so much of his valuable time to listen to the nee…

In this episode we will look at the passing of a ‘friend’ and have further discussion about complicated mental health and addictions from the real experts. Check out the links below for Rebecca Tillou's work and we recommend Matthew Perry's book, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. We feel that hearing from people with lived experience is …

Today's episode centres once again around the role of prenatal exposure to alcohol and how so few of us understand the impact on individuals and families every day. Angela speaks of what she learned while attending and presenting at the London Region FASD Conference (Learn more by following #LFASD and @FASDLondon). Our goal here is to broaden the a…

In this episode we look at the importance of checking our biases once again, and realizing that when typical parenting, or mental health supports are not working as expected, we need to be open to trying things differently. There is resistance to change, and families feel the blame and shame everyday. So do some of the service providers who are try…

Join us for a short mindfulness practice. This episode explores acceptance commitment therapy and ways that we can both settle and evaluate our thoughts in order to learn and move forward in ways that bring us closer to the things and people that are important to us. Check out the Programs section on our website to learn more about individual and g…

This podcast discusses the importance of being able to identify when we have a problem and how best to get diagnostic clarification. We also discuss how, in our efforts to build more inclusive supports and services, we sometimes become more exclusionary by requiring prenatal exposures to be confirmed before getting a full assessment. We discuss the…

In this episode, we’ll look at the responsibility to provide accurate information around alcohol use and pregnancy. I remain passionate about reducing both the incidents and the impact of prenatal exposures. We can do better and we have a responsibility to provide people with evidence based information. Listen in to this episode and please feel fre…

In the spirit of FASD awareness month, let's keep these important conversations going! Did you know that so many people with FASD have been misdiagnosed with ASD and ADHD? Listen in to find out more facts about FASD and head to the website to learn more.By Angela Geddes

We've known about FASD since the 1600's - What???? Why are we still so confused about this largely preventable condition? Listen in to hear why we continue to get so many mixed messages and how we can contribute directly to healthier pregnancies, people and communities by bringing this conversation home to our own kitchen tables. Head to the websit…

This episode of Kitchen Table Conversations focuses on our ongoing efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding complicated mental health and learning difficulties that are often associated with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and FASD. We will also discuss ongoing opportunities to reduce both the impact and incidents of prenatal alcohol exposure and h…

September, which is FASD awareness month, is fast approaching. Let's get a head start!! Listen to this episode where we discuss opportunities to learn more about the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), and hear more about some surprising statistics. We will also learn more about what we all can do to improve our prevention efforts and to sup…

Today's episode will touch on how we can make the transition back to school as good as it can be. We have to be mindful and creative when addressing resistance about going back to school. We will discuss how important it is for us as parents and caregivers to be mindful of our mood and messaging, and how we can support and validate feelings while e…

In this episode, we aim to normalize the benefit of therapy/counselling and doing our best to provide early access that can really help to lighten the load, and to prevent chronic difficulties or illness. Let's bring this conversation back home to our kitchen tables so others who struggle with feeling stuck, low energy, high stress or anxiety and m…

In this episode, we’re talking about supporting healthy pregnancies and clarifying some language and messaging. When we know better, we can do better! Feel free to send me some ideas on how to share messages in ways that help people realize that FASD can happen to anyone, not just for those who struggle with “problem drinking." Head to the website …

The theme for this year's World Breastfeeding Week is "Let's make breastfeeding and work, work!" We still have some work to do to support working mothers in their breastfeeding efforts. Visit my website to read an article by the WHO outlining their research regarding children's health and how breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition, and how childr…

This is a repeat episode that originally aired as EPISODE #12: A Positive Look at Anxiety. We think it’s worth another listen. People with anxiety often really struggle with many things, and often with their view of themselves. They often find themselves frustrated with their perceived shortcomings and often with inability to deal more effectively …

Using music as a medium. Let’s take another listen to this episode, which originally aired as EPISODE #44: Challenging Our Biases Around People Who Don't 'Work', and the song recently released by Dean Brody called Broke. I think it warrants another listen with a little more explanation as to why this discussion should come home to your Kitchen Tabl…

In this episode, Angela discusses the importance of noticing, honouring and learning from our feelings and evaluating whether or not our responses help or hinder us. Listeners are invited to take a few minutes to breathe and imagine a temporary button and explore ways to help us avoid getting stuck when things get very difficult. Angela and her tea…

Using music as a medium, this episode challenges the listener to bring this discussion back to our kitchen tables to explore the unique challenges that people with hidden disabilities experience. People do want to work; and they do work very hard... But there are many times when this is impossible within our communities. We can do better, and when …

Parliament passed Bill C-22; establishing the first ever Canada Disability Benefit. This is fantastic news and a result of much advocacy from Inclusion Canada, various organizations, families and individuals who know that 40% of people with a disability live in poverty. The work continues, and much more advocacy is necessary to help clarify who qua…

Welcome to summer! In today’s episode, I’m sharing tips for good health, plus some reviews on my book (thank you!) and the need to raise awareness; all in an effort to help people and communities be as healthy as they can be.By Angela Geddes

Today's episode is highlighting an upcoming FASD Conference scheduled for the Fall which focuses on breaking stigma and supporting success in a complex world. Angela is honoured to be a part of this amazing event to help share information from the frontline and family perspective in our effort to build more inclusive service delivery systems and co…

So many times our past continues to interfere with our day to day existence in disruptive ways. Often we allow our distressing past experiences to continue to alter our world view and our view of our self. Have a listen to this episode to hear about some of the ways that we can make peace with our past and move towards our values with more wisdom a…

In this episode, I will share my experience from the Newfoundland FASD Conference that I was honoured to speak at this past week. We had an amazing time meeting so many people who are so committed to making a difference: reducing stigma and raising awareness for people with complicated and beautiful brains. We met so many resilient people with some…

In this episode, as Angela heads to Newfoundland to speak at a conference on FASD, we recognize the impact proper education and awareness can have on prevention when it comes to prenatal alcohol expose. Increasing awareness can dramatically change the landscape of FASD in a relatively short period of time. It’s so important to have these conversati…

Today's episode is focused on how many people struggle with life's challenges and mental illness alone, and so often their method involves self medicating with substances. Addictions often result from untreated trauma or mental illness. In fact, I've been in this helping profession for a very long time, and I've never seen addiction without an unde…

Can finding joy in other peoples successes be the secret to our own happiness? I learned a new word! Freudenfreude - the opposite of Schadenfreude. Let's talk about the mental health benefit of being genuinely happy for others when they experience joy or success. “Acts of service, being happy for others, all some of the little things to help bring …

May is mental health awareness month. Let's take some time to learn a few facts and stats, and to further understand the ongoing impact of poverty and stigma on overall wellbeing. We will also explore opportunities to promote mental wellness while doing what we can to prevent both the impact and the instances of mental illness and other hidden comp…

How much is too much when it comes to screen time? Yet another pressure we put on parents that is so hard to define and sometimes manage. Let's talk about quality and not quantity. Four things to consider; mitigate, mindful usage, modelling healthy usage, and minimizing.By Angela Geddes

This episode focuses on the results of an article published by Futurity.org which shares the findings of mice studies indicating direct impact from male alcohol consumption on the pregnancy including "a profound shift in the organization of the face." Let's bring this topic home to our Kitchen Table Conversations because it's up to all of us to sup…

This episode looks at the compounded vulnerability for people with Complex Neurodevelopmental disorders. When we know better… we can do better; whether we are impacted directly or if we love and support people who are. Please check out the additional resources available on my website.By Angela Geddes

Today's podcast is focusing on some tips and strategies to develop skills and a family 'team' approach getting everyday tasks completed and the importance of taking care of ourselves and each other. Check out the website for links to Mama Systems by Laura Hernandez and her podcast, Mama Advocate, for more info and support in helping to keep our hom…

This episode focuses on challenging some of the myths that are often shared and understood with regards to cannabis use. Many view cannabis use as natural, healthy, and without significant risks. However, research is indicating that there are risks from long term use to the individual and risks from any use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This …