Bounce Back Stronger with Donna Ferris

Buddha on Board: Laughs and Lessons with Author Roland Merullo

“Your heart is beating right now. My heart is beating. Air is going into us and out, and we just completely take that for granted, most of us, most of the time. And it really should not be taken for granted. It's really incredible.”
In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris interviews award-winning author Roland Merullo. Known for novels like The Talk Funny Girl and “quirky spiritual” road-trip books like Breakfast with Buddha, Merullo shares insights into his writing process, spiritual journey, and the importance of gratitude and meditation. Tune in for an engaging conversation that explores why we should eat and stay in out-of-the-way places, how to write with humor and the joy he has found in working with his daughter. 
To learn more about Roland’s books, visit rolandmerullo.com. To read his Substack with his daughter Zanny, visit merullo.substack.com. 
I hope this episode is helpful to you. If it is, please subscribe to this podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with others. Thank you.
My latest book, Bounce Back Stronger—Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our email list and receive our monthly newsletter, which includes essays on living a peaceful and purposeful life, book reviews, TV and movie reviews, funny memes, and inspirational quotes, click here.
Follow me on Instagram @donnayferris or join my Bounce Back Stronger Facebook group by messaging me @donnayatesferris or emailing me at donnayferris@minichangeyoga.com.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only).
#BounceBackStronger #Podcast #RolandMerullo #SpiritualJourney #Literature #WritingCommunity #Mindfulness #buddha #resilience #Gratitude #Inspiration #NewEpisode

Healing Through Happy Memories: A Grief Meditation

In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, your host, Donna Ferris, guides you through a heartfelt meditation focused on cherishing happy memories of lost loved ones. This meditation aims to support those on a grief journey by utilizing the powerful tool of positive reminiscence.
Research shows that recalling joyful memories can significantly improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance psychological well-being. By immersing yourself in these happy moments, you can find comfort and strength to cope with the pain of loss.
This meditation is designed to complement professional support, offering you a moment of solace and connection. It is one of a dozen that accompany Donna Y. Ferris' book Bounce Back Stronger—Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens (available here).
We hope this episode is helpful to you. If it is, please subscribe to this podcast, leave a review, and share it with others. Thank you.
To join our email list and receive our monthly newsletter, which includes monthly essays on living a peaceful and purposeful life, book reviews, TV and movie reviews, funny memes, and inspirational quotes, click here.
Follow Donna on Instagram @donnayferris or join her Bounce Back Stronger Facebook group by messaging her @donnayatesferris or emailing her at donna@donnayferris.com.
Please note that it is recommended that those experiencing loss work with a therapist, psychiatrist, grief counselor, and or grief group. If you’re looking for mental health resources, please get in touch with your medical doctor or insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only).
Music: Respire by Echowave.
#griefhealing #meditation #happymemories #positivethoughts #improvemood #reducestress #psychologicalwellbeing #emotionalregulation #griefhealing #guidedmeditation #healinggrief #bouncebackstronger #healingjourney #meditationforgrief #rememberinglovedones #happymemoriesmeditation #guidedmeditationforgrief #emotionalhealing
 

Reduce Stress Fast: An Easy Technique for Instant Calm

In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris guides you through a powerful meditation that focuses on body awareness and tension release. Discover how your emotions manifest in your body and learn the importance of releasing this tension for overall well-being. Donna also introduces a simple yet effective technique using a tennis ball to help you find relief and calm.
This episode is perfect for anyone looking to reduce stress and build mindfulness in their daily lives. It is one of a dozen that accompany Donna Y. Ferris' book Bounce Back Stronger—Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens (available here).
We hope this episode is helpful to you. If it is, please subscribe to this podcast, leave a review, and share it with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book called Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list and receive our monthly newsletter, which includes monthly essays on living a peaceful and purposeful life, book reviews, TV and movie reviews, funny memes, and inspirational quotes, click here.
Follow Donna on Instagram @donnayferris or join her Bounce Back Stronger Facebook group by messaging her @donnayatesferris or emailing her at donna@donnayferris.com.
If you’re looking for mental health resources, please reach out to your medical doctor or insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only).
Music: At Long Last by Falls.
#BounceBackStronger #Meditation #StressRelief #Mindfulness #SelfCare #DonnaFerris #Podcast

3 Ways Yoga Therapy Can Improve Your Life Now with Bob Butera

“What makes you feel good? What centers you? Do more of that.”
In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris interviews Bob Butera, a Ph.D. in yoga therapy who founded the Comprehensive Yoga Therapy Training at Yoga Life Institute.
What is yoga therapy? A discipline that adapts yoga’s mind, body, and spirit practices to mental and physical health challenges.
During our time together, Bob shares three simple ways yoga therapy can improve our lives. We also discuss the importance of community and connection and how to find peace in everyday activities like driving in heavy traffic or standing in the grocery line. Finally, Bob will teach one of Donna’s favorite breathing practices – the three-part breath.
Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to yoga, this episode is for you.
To learn more about Bob’s latest book - The Yoga Life: Applying Comprehensive Yoga Therapy to All Areas of Your Life - other books, events, and writing, please visit yogalifeinstitute.com. 
If you like this episode - you may want to listen to Episode #5 – Leave Guilt Behind with Erin Byron, or Episode #25 – From Stress to Success: Three Ways Mindfulness Upgraded My Life. Also, please subscribe to this podcast, leave a review, and share it with others – that is the best way to get it into the hands of those who may benefit. Thank you.
My latest book Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list and receive our monthly newsletter, which includes essays on living a peaceful and purposeful life, book reviews, TV and movie reviews, funny memes, and inspirational quotes, click here.
Follow me on Instagram or my YouTube channel @donnayferris and/or join my Bounce Back Stronger Facebook group by messaging me @donnayatesferris or emailing me at donna@donnayferris.com.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only).
#BounceBackStronger #YogaTherapy #InnerPeace #HolisticWellness #MindBodySpirit #YogaLife #Podcast #DonnaFerris #BobButera #FindYourBalance #Meditation #CommunityHealing

Resilience in Full Color with Artist Judith Bigham

"I just felt like the world didn’t need any more sadness - it really needed more prettiness. And I also felt like with flowers, there was this stereotype of women, mothers, older women painting flowers, and I thought I'm gonna own that."
In this week’s episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris sits down with Judith Bigham, an artist whose resilience and creativity shine brightly in the face of adversity. Judith, a Rhode Island School of Design graduate, shares her journey from New York City's bustling streets to the Pacific Northwest's tranquil landscapes.
After the sudden loss of her husband, Judith turned to her art for solace, transforming her grief into stunning botanical paintings that exude love, passion, and beauty. In this episode, we also discuss the emerging field of neuroaesthetics - and how looking at beautiful colorful things can positively rewire our brains.
To see Judith’s beautiful art, watch this episode on YouTube or follow her on Instagram @judithbigham.
If this episode is helpful to you, you may enjoy Episode #18, The Healing Power of Wonder, with Caldecott Winner Micha Archer, and Episode #29, Moms, Memoirs, and Mental Health, with Mira Bartok.
Please subscribe to this podcast, leave a review, and share it with others – that is the best way to get it into the hands of those who may benefit. Thank you.
My latest book called Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list and receive our monthly newsletter, which includes monthly essays on living a peaceful and purposeful life, book reviews, TV and movie reviews, funny memes, and inspirational quotes, click here.
Follow me on Instagram or my YouTube channel @donnayferris and/or join my Bounce Back Stronger Facebook group by messaging me @donnayatesferris or emailing me at donna@donnayferris.com.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only).

Overcoming Loss with Grief Yoga: Kim Bernardo’s Journey

“Pain gets suppressed in the body either consciously or subconsciously. I think this isn't talked about enough. When you start to express that suppressed pain in any sort of movement, not just yoga, it allows you to release heaviness in the body.”
In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris delves into the healing power of yoga and meditation with grief yoga teacher Kim Bernardo.
After experiencing profound personal loss, Kim turned to yoga and now guides others to find strength and resilience through her specialized grief yoga practice.
Discover Kim's unique blend of yoga and meditation techniques that help her students achieve resilience and peace amidst grief. Kim also shares three essential yoga postures designed to release pain and bring a sense of calm. Tune in to learn how yoga and other movement practices can transform your healing journey.
To learn more about Kim's grief yoga classes, follow her @travelandbalanced on Facebook and Instagram or email her at travelandbalanced@gmail.com.
If this grief episode is helpful to you, please subscribe to this podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with others. You might also like listening to:
Episode #5, Leave Guilt Behind, with Erin Byron, and Episode #13, Find Happiness After Loss, with Maria Sirois.
My latest book on resilience, Bounce Back Stronger—Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our email list and receive our monthly newsletter, which includes essays on living a peaceful and purposeful life, book reviews, TV and movie reviews, funny memes, and inspirational quotes, click here. Transcripts for all guest episodes can be found on my website donnayferris.com.
Follow me on Instagram or my YouTube channel @donnayferris or join my Bounce Back Stronger Facebook group by messaging me @donnayatesferris or emailing me at donna@donnayferris.com.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only).

Fred Rogers and the Healing Power of Fatherhood with Art Carey

"Everybody has a treasure. Everybody is a gem in some way. And that's why I'm so curious. That's why I ask people questions because I like to try to discover or plumb their being or their soul and find out what is that special spark that makes them unique and interesting."
In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris interviews the illustrious Art Carey, an acclaimed author, journalist, and editor with over 34 years of experience at the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Art shares insights from his interviews with legends like Fred Rogers and Jack Bogle and discusses his exploration of health, fitness, and human resilience through his writing. Discover how his passion for fitness, inspired by his grandfather, led him to write the enduring health book Body for Life and how his column "This Life" delved into the philosophies that sustain and fulfill us. Art also discusses his recent heartwarming project with his son, building a cabin in Maine, and how this experience helped him overcome a decade-long battle with depression. To learn more about Art’s books, events, and editing services, please visit artcarey.com.
If this episode is helpful to you, please subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with others.
Donna's latest book called Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list and receive our monthly newsletter, which includes monthly essays on living a peaceful and purposeful life, book reviews, TV and movie reviews, funny memes, and inspirational quotes, click here.
Follow Donna on Instagram or her YouTube channel @donnayferris or join her Bounce Back Stronger Facebook group by messaging @donnayatesferris or emailing donna@donnayferris.com.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only).

Feeling Stuck & Frustrated? This Walking Meditation's for You

Tune into our latest podcast episode for a powerful meditation that combines mindfulness and movement to help you overcome barriers and walk your way to inner peace.
This meditation is one of a dozen that accompany Donna Y. Ferris' book Bounce Back Stronger - Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens (available here).
We hope this episode is helpful to you. If it is, please subscribe to this podcast, leave a review, and share it with others. Thank you.
Click here to join our email list and receive our monthly newsletter, which includes essays on living a peaceful and purposeful life, book reviews, TV and movie reviews, funny memes, and inspirational quotes.
Follow Donna on Instagram and YouTube @donnayferris or join her Bounce Back Stronger Facebook group by messaging her @donnayatesferris or emailing her at donna@donnayferris.com.
If you’re looking for mental health resources, please reach out to your medical doctor or insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only).
The music for this meditation is Walz for Walter by Fleece Mob.

Manifest Your Best Summer (and Life) with Cristina Leeson

“There's always something that's going to test us and try to knock us off kilter. But if you stay resilient and open, I swear you will receive blessings, opportunities, epiphanies, and a connection to the divine that gets stronger and stronger and stronger.”
We are thrilled to welcome our first repeat guest, the internationally renowned psychic medium, spiritual teacher, and real-life ghostbuster Cristina Leeson.
We had so much fun talking (I don’t think I’ve ever laughed this much in an interview) with her about the ghostly encounters detailed in her new book, Live in the Light, Respect the Dark and the practical steps she recommends to protect your space and connect with your spirit guides.
Cristina also shares her guide's message with us: "This is the perfect time to let go of the anchor of toxicity so we can manifest the life of our dreams." 
I hope this episode is helpful for you. If it is, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with others. Thank you.
To learn more about Cristina's book, events, and services, please visit innerlighthc.com. 
My latest book called Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list and receive our monthly newsletter, which includes monthly essays on living a peaceful and purposeful life, book reviews, TV and movie reviews, funny memes, and inspirational quotes, click here.
Please follow me on Instagram @donnayferris or join my Bounce Back Stronger Facebook group by messaging me @donnayatesferris or emailing me at donna@donnayferris.com.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only).

4 Ways to Sleep Better Now with Julie Wright

“People sacrifice sleep. They put it last, and I'm hearing things like, I'll sleep when I die,  sleep is for the wicked, or  you want to show that you're a superhero by not needing  more sleep...”
This is our third episode in Mental Health Awareness Month, and this week, we are focusing on a fundamental activity that directly affects our mental health.
What is it? Sleep.
Our guest is Julie Wright, the visionary founder of We Sleep, a pioneering company dedicated to helping individuals and businesses conquer poor sleep and end insomnia.
Julie’s journey into the world of sleep is guided by a profound motto: "Sleep and your dreams will come true." With her groundbreaking book, The Natural Sleeper, Julie provides invaluable insights, practical tips, and techniques to help us all reclaim our nights and wake up refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to embrace each day with vitality and purpose.
In this episode, Julie shares:
The complex processes that occur during sleep and why it’s more active than it appears.
The critical importance of anchoring your wake-up time and exposing yourself to natural daylight.
Simple yet powerful self-care practices that can significantly improve your sleep quality.
The intriguing world of sound therapy and herbal remedies, blending scientific and holistic approaches to enhance sleep.
Julie’s approach is refreshingly open, and provides encouragement for listeners to explore various solutions to find what works best for them.
To learn more about Julie’s book, events, and services, please visit wesleep.co.uk. 
I hope this episode is helpful to you. If it is, please subscribe to this podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with others.
My latest book called Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list and receive our monthly newsletter, which includes monthly essays on living a peaceful and purposeful life, book reviews, TV and movie reviews, funny memes, and inspirational quotes, click here.
Follow me on Instagram @donnayferris or join my Bounce Back Stronger Facebook group by messaging me @donnayatesferris or emailing me at donnayferris@minichangeyoga.com.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only).