Small Changes Big Shifts With Dr. Michelle Robin

"If there’s one thing you can do today, be kind.” - Bayleigh Petty  We’re celebrating another amazing year of the 31 Days of Kindness annual series, which began on October 14 and ended on World Kindness Day (November 13). Dr. Michelle Robin invites the Big Shifts Foundation Program Director, Bayleigh Petty, to share why this year was special to her while running it. She’ll also share why she continues to learn something new about herself every year she participates. Both Dr. Robin and Bayleigh will read some stories that were submitted to our team during the 31 days – which all truly reflect the power kindness has in our lives. At the end of the show, she’ll also explain how the series impacted kids in schools this year, and why the younger generation has an opportunity to change the world by carrying kindness forward.  About Today’s Guest:  Bayleigh Petty’s passion for health and wellness began when she first started playing sports. She studied Human Performance with an emphasis in Sports and Exercise Therap

"One of our graduates is impacting a massive amount of people every day – she's making giant change after going through our program.” - Natasha Herdman When Natasha Herdman was growing up, she took care of the marketing and bookkeeping for her mom’s grooming business in Iowa. Fast forward to 2011, she began working with homeless families in Kansas City, where she was seeing some big barriers between employment and getting out of poverty. Little did she know a vision would come to her in 2012 where these two worlds would collide into one: Pawsperity (formerly known as The Grooming Project). Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Natasha to share her behind-the-scenes story about how this vision came to life one day, and why it took a village of people – some complete strangers – to lift her up and make it a reality. She’ll share some incredibly inspiring stories about some people who have graduated from Pawsperity’s grooming school and what they are doing to give back to our community today from that experienc

"You can’t truly treat people with kindness if you aren’t first kind to yourself.” - Dr. Dave Braun  Did you know one of the most common reasons that people give on improving their health is because it gets too hard or the results take too long? Oftentimes it’s because we don’t approach our well-being with a wider lens, meaning we try to eat our way to good health or exercise our way to feeling better about ourselves. However, our well-being encompasses more than one area to reach the state of physical and mental wellness that we’re truly seeking. Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Dr. Dave Braun to share his incredibly inspiring story of living his best life – his dream job, dream house, dream family, dream cars, dream financials – only to hit rock bottom and walk through a very dark season shortly after reaching that success. He will explain what made him start becoming more self-aware of the way he was living, specifically in seven areas, which eventually led him to launch an entire brand around it cal

 "Diversity is a fact, equity is a choice, inclusion is the action, and belonging is the outcome.” - Dr. Diedrick Graham  As we continue to celebrate our annual 31 Days of Kindness series, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Dr. Diedrick Graham to share why kindness has influenced what he does today in the world for others. During this powerful conversation, he’ll reveal who helped him understand the most foundational aspects of kindness, and why their guidance taught him that no matter what’s happening in the world, it should always be our goal to connect with a person and hold space for them. Dr. Diedrick will also share why we as humans are wired for connection, and how kindness created a pathway for him to seek self-improvement. This ultimately helped him finally understand what it meant to truly belong and find his purpose. By the end of the episode, listeners will be encouraged to trace the threads in their own lives to see who has impacted it and helped them become the person they are today. About Today’s

"Kindness is really rooted in love.” - Cynthia Newsome It’s official – the annual 31 Days of Kindness series (powered by the Big Shifts Foundation) has launched across the world, and Dr. Michelle Robin has invited a true kindness champion in the Kansas City community to celebrate it. Award-winning journalist Cynthia Newsome reveals what she’s learned about kindness after being an anchor for 25 years – even through some of the world’s darkest days and her battle through breast cancer – plus, why she continues to keep her heart centered on being kind. You’ll also hear what inspired her to launch Awesome Ambitions for young girls in Kansas City, and how this nonprofit is reshaping these girls’ futures and establishing a village around them to help navigate life. There’s also an incredibly emotional story about what one group of girls chose to do for three kids at their school that showcases what kindness does for the heart. Near the end of the episode, Cynthia will also share what she believes are some missed

"Don’t be afraid to listen to what’s going on in your mind – your body can speak to you.” - Luke Russert  As we get ready to dive into our annual 31 Days of Kindness series this year, Dr. Michelle Robin invites author of Look for Me There, Luke Russert, to talk about why processing the grief of his father’s sudden passing was one of the kindest acts he ever did for himself. Rather than follow society’s way of moving on as quickly as possible, Luke shares what inspired him to push pause on his life and run a self-diagnostic test to explore what he was feeling after losing his father. He’ll also share some tips about what someone can do to begin tuning in to what you are feeling inside and explain why there’s power in being kind to yourself and seeking what your soul needs. At the end of the show, he’ll also share a kind gesture that a stranger did for him during his travels and why it remains in his heart to this day. About Today’s Guest:  Luke Russert is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who was an NBC News co

"Kindness is showing an investment to each other.” - Darcy Swan  A recent study revealed that two in three millennials don’t feel like they belong in their local community. Looking a little further up the stream, another study showed that one in five students don’t feel like they belong at their school. There’s a growing void developing among the younger generations, who are looking for who they are in this great big world – and the YMCA wants to close that gap for them. Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Darcy Swan from the Y to talk about why they’ve implemented specific Youth Development Services in our community to help kids find their belonging and develop a purpose in life. Darcy will also share some impactful encounters she had during her school years that led her into a teaching profession and later to the Y. The power of kindness will also become a cornerstone in this conversation, which proves how far small acts go in another person’s life – such as calling someone by name or remembering what th

"Eating habits are going to play a bigger role in the disease process than we’ve been led to believe.” - Dr. Denise Scott  Did you know that 70 to 80 percent of our immune cells live in our gut? Why is that important? Because what goes on in the gut communicates whether our body thrives or attacks itself. Ultimately, our gut is responsible for how our immune system responds and functions – and more importantly, it's responsible for how well we are. Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Dr. Denise Scott to talk more about this fascinating connection between the gut and disease prevention. She’ll share what led her down this journey of wanting to work with kids and parents, and what missed opportunities and conversations parents should be having with their kid’s pediatrician. She will also provide wisdom behind what our gut needs so that the rest of our body functions well – and why the first few years of a child’s life are crucial to setting the stage for their future health. About Today’s Guest:  Dr. Denise

"We all have our identity journeys.” - Princess Sarah Culberson  During her teenage years, Princess Sarah Culberson began to get curious about her identity, biological history, and even who she looked like. Once embarking on her journey, she learned that her biological mother died when she was 11, and her father lived in a village in Sierra Leone, West Africa. From him, she learned about her royal family, and that she is a Mahaloi, the granddaughter of a Paramount Chief, which meant Sarah is a princess. During today’s show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Princess Sarah to share more of her story and the search for her family – and the extraordinary things that began to happen when her two worlds came together into one story. She also shares how her adoptive parents played a vital and positive role in learning more about her roots – plus, how their response and engagement in their community taught her about confidence. To end the show, she will also provide her best guidance to listeners around building confidence

"When you write down what you eat, suddenly you become aware.” - Stacy Cahalan   Kids are establishing their school routine again, but students are still struggling to regain some aspects of what they lost during the pandemic. This results in loss of connection, loneliness, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. During today’s show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Stacy Cahalan to share why she decided to leave her previous career path and begin helping younger generations navigate these unchartered waters. Stacy also reveals a personal story about why food can play a major role in that disconnection and the way a child feels each day. Their conversation also dives into why gut health directly impacts moods. By the end of the show, Stacy will also share more about the book she and Jane Hosey Stern wrote that helps put simple, yet powerful life lessons back into focus.  About Today’s Guest:  One of Stacy’s favorite quotes is by Emily Dickinson, “I am out with the lanterns looking for myself.” All the

"Connectivity is so important – no matter what age.” - Amy Jewell   A recent study showed that 2 in 5 Americans haven’t made a new friend in five years due to shyness or introversion. Even more, another study revealed that the loneliness rate in America has doubled since the 1980s. That number has now reached 40 percent of adults in America, and some experts believe the “real number” may be a lot higher than that. During today’s episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Amy Jewell from the YMCA of Greater Kansas City to share the multitude of ways their organization is helping to address the loneliness and mental health crisis for all ages. Amy will share why connection and relationships make all the difference in the world when we’re going through challenges – saying that she can see relationships building everywhere you look at the YMCA. She will also explain why creating friendships can be a powerful form of therapy for kids and how some of their longest and lifelong friendships begin at the Y.  About Today’s Gu

"People are beginning to get comfortable with the idea that it requires just as much planning to transition out of this world as it does to give birth and bring a new soul into this world.” - Dr. Tamara MacIntyre  According to a recent study, nearly half of participants (47 percent) admitted they were afraid of death. Some of those factors include fear of pain and suffering, fear of the unknown, fear of non-existence, fear of eternal punishment, fear of loss of control, and fear of what will become of our loved ones. In today’s episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Dr. Tamara MacIntyre to share why there are ways a person can begin to get comfortable with the idea of dying with the help of an end-of-life doula. Dr. Tamara will also share her story of becoming this type of doula for people, and some of the greatest lessons she has learned about living through those facing death soon. She will also unpack why it’s just as important to have an end-of-life doula as it is to have a birth doula. “People don’t even kn

“Breakdowns are breakthroughs. You go through life with multiple layers, so how can you shed those layers to get to your authentic self?” - Sarah Uchytil  The demand for life coaches has steadily increased over the years as people are seeking more empowerment, connection, and conversation. According to recent statistics, 80% of clients who introduce a life coach feel that it greatly helps align their lives and helps them finally get to where they want to go. Join Dr. Michelle Robin as she invites Sarah Uchytil to talk about some fundamental reasons why a life coach is different from a therapist, what life coaches do for an individual, and why group coaching retreats can be so impactful for people. Sarah will also share what inspired her to become a life coach after a memorable encounter she had with a friend one day. By the end of the show, she’ll help listeners think about three questions they can ask themselves if they are considering introducing a life coach into their lives.  About Today’s Guest:  Sarah U

“When money is a problem, it’s on your mind all the time – the stress is obvious.” - Jeremy Davis According to the Federal Reserve Bank, the average American is $58,604 in debt. Additionally, at least 77 percent of American households are in some sort of debt. Today, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Jeremy Davis from CommunityAmerica Credit Union to offer encouragement to anyone who has financial goals, be it saving more, getting out of debt, or simply managing money better. He will share a personal story about who taught him about financial freedom at an early age, and how that wisdom at a young age impacted his adult years – allowing him to focus on his physical and mental health. As a Financial Well-Being Coach, he will also reveal some surprising trends among people coming in for financial advice. Jeremy ends the show by providing tools and resources for anyone looking to reach goals in our economy today. If you are looking for some simple and small steps to activate those financial goals in your life – this ep

“While in France, we stumbled across this herd of donkeys, fell in love with them, and immediately were drawn to their Zen-like presence.” - Kate Barker  When Kate Barker was injured, it derailed her from her ability to compete in the 2011 London Olympics. But little did she know that her life was about to take some major turns over the next five years – ultimately, playing a major role in helping the Kansas City community get well through her donkey farm and a juicing company. In today’s episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Kate to tell her story from professional athlete and corporate America employee, to unplugging from it all to launch Zen Donkey Farms. She shares the incredible healing journey she went on after exiting the Olympic scene, and how that time in her life eventually brought her back to her own farming roots. It was during a trip to France and a memorable encounter with some donkeys there that caused a lightbulb to come on about what was next for them. She’ll explain how their farm began to unf

Dr. Michelle Robin invites Frankie Banuelos to share what his experience has been like going through the Big Shifts Foundation Scholarship Program this year. As he’s getting ready to wrap-up his six-month curriculum in the program, he reflects on some of the highlights of being part of it and how his perception and understanding of self-care has shifted since he began the journey. He also shares some of the habits he’s embodied, and most of all, how his new lifestyle and mindset has translated and impacted other youth in the Kansas City area. By the end of the show, Frankie shares what he would go back and tell his younger self if he could, and how this program taught him to develop a clearer vision for his life going forward. About Today’s Guest:  Since 2020, Frankie Banuelos has been working as a project manager for a nonprofit organization called Young Women on the Move in Kansas City, Kansas. His primary responsibility is to facilitate and implement a program called Love Notes, which helps youths make wis

“I had a visceral understanding – people are dealing with some real stuff. If we don’t see people as people, we can’t make the progress we need to make.” - Dr. Nicole Price In 2011, Dr. Nicole Price received shocking news that her mother had been hit and killed by a drunk driver. Shortlyafter, she also learned that her father wasn’t her biological father. As she was navigating her late mother’s four-year murder trial – and facing a shift in her identity by beginning to establish a relationship with her biological father – she was doing her best to show up every day for work as an engineer and push through the hours without giving away clues that she was struggling with emotional pain. During today’s show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Dr. Price to sharewhat happened when she realized what is missing in our society – more empathy. Her story includes the epiphany she experienced, and the revelation that prepared and shaped her to write her book called Spark the Heart. She’ll also explain why “doing the work” to he

“You get to make a choice that’s bigger than this moment.” - Rachel Freiman   Did you know Americans spend a whopping $33 billion (yes, BILLION!) on diet products every year? Yet most diet programs and products are designed to go against our human nature (to avoid pain and seek pleasure). During today’s show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Rachel Freiman to share her profound journey of going from a successful jazz musician in New York City to a major influencer in the nutrition and fitness industry. Her story tells what happened when she started exploring the health industry, finding that diet culture is all about living in an uncomfortable and self-sabotaging state, which isn’t how we were designed to live. It’s also why people so often fail along this path. She’ll also explain what T.F.A.R. means and how it can help us navigate and break down those major life overhauls that so many people are chasing. Grab a pen to jot down some notes – this episode is packed with truth, guidance, and a high vibration of good

“The source is more complex than the symptoms.’”   - Debra Campbell   A recent CivicScience poll revealed that the number of U.S. adults who reported taking at least one prescription medication per day now is 70 percent – a 14 percentage-point increase since 2019. Many people often come in to be treated for one thing, but rarely is it a singular issue in the body. During today’s show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Debra Campbell to share why a multidimensional holistic approach is how where people get better – especially on the mental health front. Debra will also explain her own journey into the mental health landscape, and what inspired her to co-found Curis Functional Health – an organization that helps unlock people’s optimal health through physical, mental, and nutritional care. To end the show, she will also explain why mental health symptoms - such as depression - can be a culprit of other issues going on in the body. About Today’s Guest:  Debra Campbell is the Chief Vision Officer at Curis Functional Hea

“There’s a part of the person that knows something is wrong, but they live with it for so long that they’ve learned to adapt around it.’”   - Greg Helsel A National Survey of Children’s Health data showed approximately 30 percent of children experience one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) - excluding external factors – and about 14 percent experienced two or more. Another study said that 1 in 6 adults experienced four or more types of ACEs in their lifetime. During today’s show, Dr. Robin invites Greg Helsel to unpack what some of those ACEs people often experience in life and why it can disrupt their life and cause them to get stuck. He will also share some reasons people choose not to seek a therapist – everything from shame to their vulnerability of being wounded from previous help. Greg also explains some key landmarks that have changed about therapy in the last 10 years – including the accessibility for it being much easier than it used to be. He’ll provide some helpful ways someone can take their fir