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What happens when a student with undiagnosed dyslexia and deafness grows up to become the kind of teacher who makes every child feel seen, supported, and celebrated?

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of The Fully Mindful, host Melissa Chureau sits down with second-grade teacher and literacy advocate Jill Rebholz to talk about what it means to truly support kids with learning differences—not just on paper, but in real life.

Jill shares her personal story of navigating school in the 1970s without a diagnosis, the powerful role of mentors and family in shaping her path, and how her own neurodivergence informs the way she shows up for students today. With honesty, humor, and deep wisdom, she talks about:

• Living with dyslexia and unilateral deafness in a world that didn’t yet have the language for either
• The impact of early advocacy—and missed diagnoses
• How she brings compassion, humor, and honesty into the classroom
• Creating safe, empowering spaces like her “Lunch Bunch” for dyslexic students
• Why labels can be both limiting and liberating
• How to advocate for your child with learning differences
• What she hopes to see shift in education—and what’s already giving her hope

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or someone who's ever felt like you learn differently, this episode offers validation, insight, and a deep reminder that intelligence and worth aren’t measured by grades or test scores.

Because when kids are believed in, everything changes.

Join the Fully Mindful Community: ✨ Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps others find the show!
✨ Stay Connected: Follow @the_fully_mindful on Instagram for mindfulness tips, breathwork insights, and more!
✨ Free Breathwork Sessions: Email me at info@thefully.mindful.com to get signed up for your first session for free of my monthly Unwind Your Mind session.

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Why are so many girls with ADHD still being overlooked?

In this episode of The Fully Mindful, I sit down with licensed psychologist Dr. Hila Pazner to explore the hidden side of ADHD—particularly in girls and young women. Drawing on her years of experience as a school psychologist and her current private practice where she specializes in assessing and working with children and adolescents with learning disabilities (such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia), Intellectual Disabilities, giftedness, ADHD, autism, and behavioral and social-emotional difficulties, Dr. Pazner shares how outdated systems, subtle masking behaviors, and gender bias contribute to underdiagnosis and missed opportunities for support.

Together, we dive into:

• How ADHD presents differently in girls vs. boys—and why that matters
• The long-term consequences of undiagnosed ADHD in girls
• Why a diagnosis isn’t just a label—it’s a launchpad for understanding, support, and growth
• How psychoeducational testing can uncover hidden learning differences, executive function challenges, and emotional struggles
• The hopeful evolution of school psychology toward strength-based, neurodiversity-affirming models
• Real talk on masking, stigma, and what parents can do when something “just feels off” with their child

Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone with lived experience, this episode is a must-listen. It’s an invitation to rethink how we see neurodivergence—not as a deficit, but as a different and powerful way of being in the world.

🔗 Learn more about Dr. Pazner’s work: mindmaptesting.com

Join the Fully Mindful Community: ✨ Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps others find the show!
✨ Stay Connected: Follow @the_fully_mindful on Instagram for mindfulness tips, breathwork insights, and more!
✨ Free Breathwork Sessions: Email me at info@thefully.mindful.com to get signed up for your first session for free of my monthly Unwind Your Mind session.

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Welcome to a special minisode of The Fully Mindful. In this reflective episode, I share some of my own story—navigating neurodivergence and learning differences, and my reliance on alcohol to treat my differences—and how these experiences shaped my journey through rebellion, recovery, and ultimately, a return to Self.

This episode marks the beginning of a new podcast series that explores neurodivergence, learning differences, and addiction--and the often misunderstood intersection of these experiences.

In this minisode, I'm sharing as someone who’s lived it—from a quiet, but hyper kid masking her inner world, to a rebellious young adult spiraling through chaos, to a professional woman still secretly grappling with regulation and worthiness even after sobriety and success.

In the upcoming series I'm introducing here, you’ll hear from:

• A teacher once told she'd never succeed, now fiercely advocating for neurodivergent kids—including her own
• A psychologist helping families understand and navigate learning and thinking differences
• A lawyer living in alignment with her true self after walking through addiction and into mindful sobriety
• A woman with decades of 12-step recovery, sustained by community and connection
• A therapist working at the intersection of neurodivergence and recovery—helping clients reclaim wholeness

And that’s just the beginning.

This series is for anyone navigating ADHD, dyslexia, addiction—or all three.
For parents, partners, and professionals who love them.
For those tired of just surviving.
For those ready to reclaim purpose, creativity, sensitivity, and truth.

🔗 Want more of my personal story? Here's a link to an earlier minisode on The Fully Mindful.
Or check out the full story on Kintsugi Heroes.
💌 Reach out anytime: info@thefullymindful.com. I read an answer every email.
📣 Be sure to follow, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear this.

Join the Fully Mindful Community: ✨ Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps others find the show!
✨ Stay Connected: Follow @the_fully_mindful on Instagram for mindfulness tips, breathwork insights, and more!
✨ Free Breathwork Sessions: Email me at info@thefully.mindful.com to get signed up for your first session for free of my monthly Unwind Your Mind session.

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What if your biggest pain could become your greatest purpose?

In this soulful episode of The Fully Mindful, host Melissa welcomes Kate Yuka—a digital marketing pro by day and the heart-centered guide behind Mystical Rituals, where she leads yoga, breathwork, and retreats rooted in nature, rhythm, and radical self-compassion.

Kate opens up about her journey through addiction recovery, infertility, and burnout, and how these deeply human experiences guided her to create a life rich in meaning, movement, and mindfulness.

We dive into:

🔹 How Kate balances a full-time corporate career with teaching yoga & breathwork
🔹 Finding yoga during active addiction and how yoga is a recovery tool
🔹 The healing power of yoga and conscious breathwork
🔹 Transforming the pain of infertility into creative purpose: What it means to mother beyond motherhood
🔹 Using breathwork as a way to access altered states and process emotions naturally
🔹 Why nature, ritual, and rhythm guide Kate’s personal and professional path
🔹 Recognizing burnout signals and learning when to pause for self-care
🔹 Embracing nature's rhythms as a spiritual guide and higher power
🔹 Letting go of perfectionism to become a more authentic teacher
🔹 Creating retreats as sanctuaries from modern life's constant demands
🔹 The upcoming Sanctuary Retreat and who it's for

Whether you’re a multi-passionate creative, a person in recovery, or simply someone seeking more connection and calm, Kate’s story will inspire you to trust your intuition, follow what lights you up, and create your own mystical path.

🌀 Connect with Kate Youska:
Website: www.mystical-rituals.com
Instagram: @mystical.rituals

🌿 Join us this June at the SANCTUARY Retreat — a weekend of rest, reconnection, and renewal. Learn more: The Sanctuary Retreat

Join the Fully Mindful Community: ✨ Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps others find the show!
✨ Stay Connected: Follow @the_fully_mindful on Instagram for mindfulness tips, breathwork insights, and more!
✨ Free Breathwork Sessions: Email me at info@thefully.mindful.com to get signed up for your first session for free of my monthly Unwind Your Mind session.

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In this transformative episode of The Fully Mindful, host Melissa Chureau welcomes Sunflower Medicine, a renowned author, coach, and teacher, to discuss the journey of self-love, mindfulness, and expanded consciousness. Sunflower shares her deeply personal story of healing after a cancer diagnosis and how it led her to integrate mind, body, and spirit into her work. Her latest book, 21 Days of Self-Love and Mindfulness, serves as a practical guide to reclaiming self-worth and cultivating a life of presence and purpose.

Through powerful insights, Sunflower explores the challenges of living from the head versus the heart, the role of plant medicine in healing, and how simple yet profound practices like breathwork, yoga, and journaling can transform our lives. Whether you're a seasoned yogi, a high-achieving CEO, or simply someone searching for deeper meaning, this conversation offers invaluable wisdom to help you reconnect with your authentic self.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Sunflower Medicine’s cancer diagnosis became a catalyst for self-discovery and healing.
• The hidden blocks—fear, obligation, and guilt—that prevent us from prioritizing self-love.
• The power of integrating mind, body, and spirit for true transformation.
• Why mindfulness and self-compassion are essential, especially in high-pressure environments.
• How plant medicine, including ayahuasca, played a role in Sunflower’s healing journey.
• Simple yet effective mindfulness practices to incorporate into daily life.
• Why energy is our most valuable currency and how to manage it wisely.

Key Quotes from Sunflower Medicine:

• “I thought I was living a successful life until my body said no. That was my wake-up call.”
• “We don’t have to wait for pain to force us into transformation—we can choose self-awareness now.”
• “Clearing the FOG—Fear, Obligation, and Guilt—allows us to step into our true selves.”
• “You don’t need permission to prioritize yourself. Your energy is your most valuable resource.”

Connect with Sunflower Medicine: 🌻 Website: www.sunflowermedicine.com
📖 Books: 21 Days of Self-Love and Mindfulness & Midlife Medicine (available on Amazon)
🌿 Instagram: @sunflowermedicine

Resources & Recommendations:

• Dr. Joe Dispenza – Meditation and healing research
• Dr. Gabor Maté – The link between emotions and disease
• Jack Kornfield’s After the Ecstasy, the Laundry – On integrating mindfulness into daily life
• The Fully Mindful’s Guided Meditations – Available Here

🎧 Listen & Share: If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it! Tag us on social media and let us know your biggest takeaway. 💛

Join the Fully Mindful Community: ✨ Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps others find the show!
✨ Stay Connected: Follow @the_fully_mindful on Instagram for mindfulness tips, breathwork insights, and more!
✨ Free Breathwork Sessions: Email me at info@thefully.mindful.com to get signed up for your first session for free of my monthly Unwind Your Mind session.

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Engaging with spirituality is deeply connected to our responsibility towards social justice. Rev. Dr. David Alexander, a thought leader in the New Thought Movement, joins Melissa of The Fully Mindful to explore how spiritual principles act not only as personal guides but also as catalysts for societal change. Addressing topics like the importance of community and the realistic intersections of spirituality and social justice, this discussion is a beacon for anyone feeling lost or isolated in today's chaotic world.

Rev. Dr. Alexander shares his personal journey, illustrating how a commitment to oneness leads us directly to respond to the suffering and injustices around us. Through powerful narratives and actionable insights, we highlight the essential steps to transform spiritual practices into collective action. Whether you’re searching for belonging, seeking to activate change, or simply wanting to understand the depth of mindfulness philosophy, this episode offers something for everyone.

In this episode:

• Defining the New Thought Movement and its historical significance
• Rev. Dr. Alexander's personal journey into ministry and spirituality
• The intersection of spirituality and social justice in today's society
• Importance of community in fighting isolation and division
• Actionable steps for listeners to engage in activism through spirituality
• The need for rest and recalibration amidst societal challenges
• Encouragement to embrace difficult conversations in spiritual contexts
• Reflecting on connectedness and communal responsibility
• Resources for further engagement and learning in social justice issues

If you found this episode valuable, please subscribe, leave a review, or share with someone who would appreciate it.

Find out more about Rev. Dr. David Alexander and his work:

http://www.revdavidalexander.com/home

The Liberation Lens--Substack

Join the Fully Mindful Community: ✨ Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps others find the show!
✨ Stay Connected: Follow @the_fully_mindful on Instagram for mindfulness tips, breathwork insights, and more!
✨ Free Breathwork Sessions: Email me at info@thefully.mindful.com to get signed up for your first session for free of my monthly Unwind Your Mind session.

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Join Debbie from New World Normal and Melissa from Fully Mindful for a lively, in-depth discussion on the big issues facing us today—right from the heart of local activism to the challenges of doing business as usual. In this monthly live crossover episode, recorded on the third Monday at 5:30 PM Pacific, our hosts dive into topics that range from political reform to personal mindfulness.

Episode Highlights:

• The Orange Elephant in the Room:
  • Explore the metaphor of the “orange elephant” as a symbol for the unspoken challenges in today’s political climate and societal norms.
  • Delve into the frustrations with “business as usual” in a time of governmental turmoil and social unrest.
• Civic Engagement & Local Activism:
  • Discuss practical ways to make your voice heard—from calling your local representatives to attending town hall meetings.
  • Consider how localized efforts can drive broader policy changes on universal health care, livable wages, and accessible education.
• Community Building & Social Innovation:
  • Reflect on the importance of fostering genuine community connections in an age of individualism and digital isolation.
  • Share ideas on redesigning suburbs and cities to nurture inclusivity and community spirit.
• Environmental & Social Justice:
  • Debate pressing issues like climate change, clean energy, and the role of corporate and government policies in protecting our environment.
  • Discuss how diversity, equity, and inclusion can pave the way for a more resilient society.
• Mindfulness, Wellness & Resilience:
  • Learn about upcoming breathwork classes, resilience boot camps, and other mindfulness practices designed to help you navigate these challenging times.
  • Enjoy humorous yet insightful asides—from the “orange sticky pad” to quirky anecdotes that remind us to keep perspective.
• Call to Action:
  • We invite you to join the conversation! Share your thoughts on what you’re fighting for and how you’re contributing to the change you want to see.
  • Connect with us on Instagram and through our podcast platforms to stay updated on future live sessions and events.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in political activism, community building, and practical mindfulness. Whether you’re looking to engage locally or simply curious about new ideas for a better future, tune in and get inspired!

Find Debbie at The New World Normal: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/new-world-normal/id1558776039

Join the Fully Mindful Community: ✨ Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps others find the show!
✨ Stay Connected: Follow @the_fully_mindful on Instagram for mindfulness tips, breathwork insights, and more!
✨ Free Breathwork Sessions: Email me at info@thefully.mindful.com to get signed up for your first session for free of my monthly Unwind Your Mind session.

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Andrew Daniel, Author, Self-Development & Spiritual Teacher: Melissa introduces you to Author Andrew Daniel who didn’t always have it together. Like so many of us, he leapt from one self-help practice to another, searching for the answer that would solve it all. He learned how we get trapped in our own “stucky story,” fueling perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and addictive cycles. Hedeveloped his groundbreaking work on getting unstuck, using the power of embodiment and deep healing practices.

https://andrewdaniel.org/awaken-to-your-true-self/

FULL EPISODE LINK HERE!

Mayda Poc, Career Strategist & Executive Coach: Next, Meet Mayda Poc, who loves to challenge us with the question, “If I’m not a lawyer, a CEO, a doctor, in finance, a chef, a restauranteur, then who am I?” That’s the question that so many of us have asked ourselves—and are terrified of the answer. There is nothing wrong with working hard or being ambitious. But where things unravel is when we focus so much on success, and so much on our careers, that we lose our sense of the whole self. Mayda candidly shares the moment of clarity that led her to leave it all behind, despite having no clear plan, and the wisdom she’s gained about success, identity, and truly living.

https://maydapoccoaching.com

FULL EPISODE LINK HERE!

Michael Amster, M.D., Author, Physician: Dr. Michael Amster has the solution–and it takes less than a minute a day. With this practice, the practice of accessing awe (as in wonder), Dr. Amster and his colleague, Jake Eagle, found an easy, and remarkably simple, scientifically-proven practice to overcome burnout and anxiety, ease chronic pain, find clarity and purpose–and a sense of calm and acceptance with what is, all the while savoring what is–in less than a minute a day. They call it the Power of Awe, which they published in book form available now, with science, observations, history, and daily practices.

https://thepowerofawe.com/book/
FULL EPISODE LINK HERE!

Sarasvati Karahan, Yin & Hatha Yoga Teacher
What if slowing down was the key to deep healing? Yoga teacher Sarasvati Karahan shares how Yin Yoga—once something she resisted—became a powerful tool for treating sleep disorders, mental health, addiction, and more. In the full episode, we dive into the science and art of this practice, exploring its martial arts roots, modern neuroscience, and its surprising benefits for even the most restless among us. If you’ve ever struggled with slowing down, this episode might just change your mind.

Join the Fully Mindful Community: ✨ Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps others find the show!
✨ Stay Connected: Follow @the_fully_mindful on Instagram for mindfulness tips, breathwork insights, and more!
✨ Free Breathwork Sessions: Email me at info@thefully.mindful.com to get signed up for your first session for free of my monthly Unwind Your Mind session.