In this episode, Melissa talks with Shelby Remillard, a licensed counselor in NYC who specializes in helping clients heal from trauma, explore grief and loss, and build healthy relationships. Shelby shares her unique experience as Indigenous from the Laguna Pueblo and Filipina, using humor and candor to tell her story.

Growing up in a conservative, predominantly white community in Colorado Springs, Shelby struggled to connect with her heritage and identity as a mixed-race individual. Despite feeling a strong connection to her Indigenous father's side, she found herself drawn to her mother's Filipino and Hawaiian heritage as she got older.

Shelby also discusses her experience with Christianity and how it influenced her relationship with spirituality. While she found comfort in certain aspects of the religion, she ultimately felt the need to seek out a more inclusive and accepting community that aligned with her values.

Melissa and Shelby also delve into the impact of religion and spirituality on mental health, community, and culture, and the importance of finding a sense of belonging and connection in the healing process. They touch on topics such as white supremacy within organized religion, the beauty of connecting with your ancestral spirituality, and the role of humor in coping with trauma.

This weeks guest:

SHELBY@STEADYNYC.COM

If you have any questions or comments, you can find Melissa here:
http://melissa-gonzales.com/

melissa@mgonzalestherapy.com

Episode was edited by Abbey Dot. For more information, find Abbey here:

AbbeyDotProductions.com
abbeydotproductions@gmail.com

Music by RomanSenykMusic from Pixabay