Mike Veny is a renowned mental health advocate and certified corporate wellness specialist who has profoundly influenced conversations on emotional wellness in both professional and personal spheres. He is celebrated for his transformative journey from a professional drummer dealing with his own mental health challenges to becoming an esteemed leader in mental health advocacy. Mike is the recipient of several accolades, including Corporate Livewire's 2022-2024 Innovation and Excellence Award, Acquisition International Magazine's 2025 Global Excellence Award, and the 2023 Leader of Mental Health Awareness Award from NAMI New York State. Additionally, he was recognized as one of the PM360 Elite 100 Most Influential People in the healthcare industry for his outstanding contributions to patient advocacy.

Episode Summary:

In this thought-provoking episode of DSP Talk, host Asheley Blaze welcomes mental health advocate Mike Veny to discuss the complexities of emotional wellness during the holiday season. This episode dives deeply into why the holiday season can be emotionally challenging, with Mike offering insights into preparing for family gatherings, setting boundaries, and dealing with potential stressors.

During this conversation, Asheley and Mike explore the often-stressful dynamics of family interactions and how societal expectations can exacerbate personal pressure. Mike provides actionable strategies for managing mental health during the holiday season, emphasizing the power of saying no, setting realistic expectations, and preparing emotionally for challenging interactions. Listeners are encouraged to redefine holiday traditions and focus on personal well-being, supported by Mike's profound insights into grief and loneliness for those facing a tough holiday season.

Key Takeaways:

• The holiday season often carries emotional complexities due to societal pressures and family dynamics; setting realistic expectations can help manage these challenges.
• Preparing emotionally for family gatherings includes learning to say no confidently and practicing self-care through personal coping mechanisms.
• Mike suggests cultivating silence and stillness and addressing feelings through methods like scheduling time for grief.
• Redefining holiday traditions based on personal authentic needs can help individuals manage stress and enhance emotional wellness.

Notable Quotes:

• "The holidays are very stimulating… it's important to cultivate silence and stillness, making time to just pause and be still." - Mike Veny
• "We all carry stories with us… It's important to ask, how do I know this story to be true, or is this story authentic to me?" - Mike Veny
• "Boundaries don't push people away… but they protect the relationship." - Ashley Blaze

Resources:

• Mike Veny's Official Website
• Mike Veny Videos
• The Power of a Positive No by William Ury

Listeners are invited to explore the full episode to gain deeper insights into mastering emotional wellness during the holidays. Follow DSP Talk for more engaging discussions that tackle the heart of the human experience and personal growth.

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Sindy McKinnies is a dedicated registered nurse with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. She has been associated with Cardinal Hayes Home for Children for nearly 17 years, beginning her journey in 2006 as a Direct Support Professional (DSP). Over the years, Sindy transitioned into her current role as a nurse, bringing her hard-earned expertise and passionate commitment to making a difference in the lives of those she serves. Outside of her professional life, Sindy enjoys CrossFit, attending concerts, and parenting her child.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of DSP Talk, host Asheley Blaise welcomes Sindy McKinnies, a seasoned registered nurse, to discuss the critical role of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in healthcare. Together, they delve into Sindy's journey from a DSP to a registered nurse at Cardinal Hayes Home for Children, reflecting on the profound impact these roles make on individuals' lives. Sindy shares her emotional connection to the work and offers insight into the invaluable lessons and experiences she's gained over nearly two decades in this field.

Asheley and Sindy break down the nuances of the exempt clause in the New York State Nursing Practice Act, emphasizing its significance in enabling DSPs to deliver essential healthcare services. As Sindy explains, this clause allows DSPs to function under the guidance of a registered nurse, performing key medical tasks like medication administration and vitals monitoring. Their conversation highlights the indispensable part DSPs play in maintaining the quality of life for those they support, underscoring the close-knit relationships they build with nurses and other healthcare professionals to ensure holistic and personalized care.

Key Takeaways:

• Sindy McKinnies transitioned from a Direct Support Professional to a registered nurse, a career change fueled by her desire to make a meaningful impact.
• The New York State Nursing Practice Act's exempt clause empowers DSPs to perform certain medical tasks under an RN's supervision, extending their scope of practice and improving service delivery.
• DSPs can perform a variety of medical tasks, including administering medication and providing basic wound care, supported by rigorous training and oversight.
• A strong collaborative relationship between DSPs, nurses, and physicians is vital for ensuring personalized and effective healthcare.
• Sindy emphasizes the importance of respecting DSPs' insights and acknowledges their critical role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals in care.

Notable Quotes:

1. "I felt such a desire to want to be there that I've never felt anywhere else, especially in the nursing field."
2. "It's so important to listen to them… sometimes the stuff they're providing you doesn't make medical sense, but we have to figure out how that's connecting to something medically or behaviorally."
3. "They're [DSPs] so very important for the quality of life, medically, emotionally. Just everything."
4. "I love what I do, and I don't ever want to feel like I'm not one of them. I am one of them. I am a DSP, too."

Resources:

• Cardinal Hayes Home for Children
• The New York State Nurse Practice Act (Article 139, §6908)

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Michael Hollis is an expert in food systems and urban agriculture, with over two decades of experience at the intersection of food, community, and resilience. He currently holds the position of Vice President for Community Food Security at Services for the Underserved in New York City. Michael has previously managed feeding operations in disaster zones and has a background in environmental compliance and greenhouse design. His work emphasizes empowering communities to reclaim creativity and agency in building sustainable and equitable food systems.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of DSP Talk, host Asheley Blaise engages with Michael Hollis, a leading figure in New York City's food security and urban farming movements. Michael addresses the multi-layered issue of food insecurity in New York, highlighting the quiet yet widespread struggles experienced by families across the city. He discusses how food insecurity transcends the absence of food, affecting physical health, social structures, and mental well-being.

Michael outlines the deep connections between food insecurity and broader issues like housing instability, employment challenges, and healthcare disparities. He describes how these problems interlock in feedback loops, exacerbating each other's impacts. The conversation shifts toward the impressive resilience and innovation of New Yorkers, with Michael sharing inspiring stories of community initiatives and discussing actionable steps for achieving a hunger-free city. By emphasizing justice and community-led efforts, he makes a compelling argument for redesigning systems to treat food as a human right.

Key Takeaways:

• Invisible Struggles and Trade-offs: Food insecurity in NYC is marked by unseen sacrifices families make, such as skipping meals or traveling long distances for groceries.
• Wider Impacts of Insecurity: Beyond hunger, food insecurity erodes mental health, undermines community cohesion, and adds to chronic health issues.
• Systemic Roots of Inequity: Historical planning decisions and structural racism sustain access disparities, disconnecting many New Yorkers from abundant food supplies.
• Community Ingenuity: Local initiatives like community fridges and urban farms are innovative responses, exemplifying neighborly support and creativity in addressing food access.
• Path to Transformation: Achieving food security in NYC requires systemic justice, community empowerment, and policies that treat food as an intrinsic right.

Notable Quotes:

• "The real face of food insecurity isn't just hunger; it's that stress, it's the limited choices." – Michael Hollis
• "A hunger free city isn't just one with more food, it's one with more justice." – Michael Hollis
• "Solutions don't just come from large systems or programs but from communities themselves." – Ashley Blaise
• "Food is not just a privilege, but a human right." – Michael Hollis

Resources:

• Services for the Underserved
• Friendly Fridge BX (Community Fridge Network)
• City Harvest (Rescuing Food For NYC)
• Rescuing Leftover Cuisine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.