Small Changes Big Shifts With Dr. Michelle Robin

"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

“When people come in and talk about stress, I find that it’s actually anxiety they are facing.’”   - Subrena Hicks Did you know that anxiety is the most common mental health issue in the world? Moreover, other studies say that 1 in 5 adults don’t receive therapy services to address their mental health. In today’s episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites licensed therapist Subrena Hicks to share her mission on breaking the stigmas around mental health. She’ll share insights about what she’s been noticing with stress and anxiety today – and why there are repercussions in the body when we aren’t able to understand which one we’re experiencing. She’ll also explain why many adults struggle with anxiety and why therapy can help them develop the right coping skills to lessen the buildup of anxiety in the body. Subrena ends the show with some tips around kids and mental health, providing some guidance on when parents should consider therapy for them. She’ll discuss why we need to be teaching the younger generations that i

“This is something that connected our region like never before.’”   - Eileen Weir   There’s a famous saying that goes, “It only takes one tree to start a forest, one smile to begin a friendship... one thought to change the world” and that’s exactly what happened in the Kansas City community through the Parade of Hearts that began from one drawing on a napkin. During its last auction in 2022, it raised more than $2 million for Kansas City charities. During today’s episode, Dr. Michelle invites Jenn Nussbeck and Eileen Weir to share how this project began, the doors that it opened in our community, and the opportunity it provided to build connections with people in different neighborhoods across the metro. They also explain why public art has become a crucial piece to our community’s well-being and why it evoked certain senses for the people who live here. Jenn will also tell a moving story about two people who met at one of the hearts and how that location formed their new friendship. At the end of the episode

“When I started taking the cofactors to get vitamin D into my body, immediately my brain chemistry turned on and I thought, ‘This is what happy feels like.’”   - Dr. J Dunn   This month, Dr. Michelle Robin has invited a series of guests on the show to speak about the mental health crisis happening - something that has been a problem long before the pandemic hit. To kick off the series, she’s invited Dr. J Dunn, who has been creating waves within the mental health landscape by unveiling why gene expression could be causing a rise in brain imbalances such as depression, anxiety, as well as other disorders and conditions. Dr. Dunn shares an incredibly powerful story about her own battle with depression, and how epigenetics played a significant role in how she began to heal from it. She’ll also tell the story about what got her curious to go down this path, and how it began to translate into her own clients and resulted in her founding My Happy Genes. By the end of the show, she’ll explain why understanding gene

“We need the skills of people on the spectrum.”   - Dr. Temple Grandin   We are bringing you a very special episode this week as it marks the end of our series on Autism Acceptance Month. In today’s show, Dr. Michelle Robin welcomes Dr. Temple Grandin to share the significant impact that early intervention had on her future and how it elevated the quality of life that she lives today. She tells her remarkable journey on the spectrum – everything from not speaking until she was four years old to becoming one of the most recognized autistic advocates, professor, best-selling author, and the person who changed the cattle industry forever going forward with her visual thinking designs. Dr. Temple tells how her mother and a science teacher, Dr. Carlock, were highly influential in helping her reach her potential. She also explains why she's an advocate today in bringing back those hands-on classes to encourage those inventor and curious mindsets – especially for kids on the spectrum. She tells a humbling story abou

“There’s something about these kids just getting on the field or court because it’s their turn to try.”   - Raegan Shurr Research shows that early intervention for kids with autism spectrum disorder can significantly improve their quality of life as they grow older. In today’s episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Raegan Schurr to share how the YMCA of Greater Kansas City has built something called the Challenger Program that helps these kids fulfill some of those critical early intervention needs through sports and teamwork. Raegan explains why they have cultivated an environment that helps parents let their guard down and watch their kids explore and grow by learning about patience, why it’s important to show up on time, how to be a good teammate, and so much more. With over 300 volunteers across Kansas City who are giving their time to impact these kids’ lives, the Challenger Program has multiple benefits for early intervention learning opportunities. At the end of the show, Raegan shares a heartfelt story a

“This experience awoken a grace in me towards other parents.” - Diana Toman Parenting can open new doors to community. While kids may be different from one another, parents are still able to speak the same language and navigate similar things happening in their lives. However, raising a child with autism spectrum disorder or other special needs can be a different experience for a parent – one that comes with a realization that you aren’t speaking the same language as everybody else. These parents say isolation can be the hardest part of the journey. In today’s episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Diana Toman to tell her story about raising her son who is on the spectrum, graduating high school, and soon entering college. She shares some of the challenges and triumphs that came while raising him in those early years, and why support and community made a difference in her family’s life and her well-being. Diana also provides some guidance and advice to co-host Desiree Cole, whose son is also on the spectrum and

“It’s the small choices we make that determine the rest of our lives.” - Robyn Rosenberger   Each year, more than three million children are hospitalized – either for procedures or ongoing treatment for chronic or terminal illness. Additionally, one in six children have a disability in the U.S. such as autism, ADHD, Aspergers, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, to name a few. During today’s show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Robyn Rosenberger to share her awe-inspiring story about what led her to become the founder of TinySuperheroes in 2013 to help these kids fight unimaginable battles. Since launching her tiny cape organization, she has served over 120,000 children and families by providing capes for each child. Robyn shares how it all started with a little girl named Brenna and tells how the organization has evolved into ways these kids can experience extracurricular activities since 80% of them almost never get to participate in them. By the end of the episode, your heartstrings will be pulled by some of the powerfu