Rotary Wellness Wednesday's Podcast Paul Doumeng & Dr. Marilyn Braithwait-Hall

Guest - Dr. Namonya Soipan - "Sexual Vitality and Wellness" Center for Sacred Dialogue 

Conversation Questions - These are for reflection and guidance only. The conversation takes on its own energy. We won’t get to all of the questions, yet useful for thinking in advance.
The first two are asked of each guest as you recall from your last time. Perhaps there are deeper insights present since your last time on air with us and your work with Virgin Islanders. 
What does wellness mean to you?What do you do to support wellness in your life, especially given your training and expertise.  ________________________________________________________________________ 
There are certain topics that are often challenging to talk about since they create strong responses based on our history and beliefs. These often include money, religion, politics and sex. Today we are going to have a thoughtful conversation about sex & sexual vitality. We will be mindful of our language use as this is a morning show and a wide range of persons listen in. So, Dr. Namonya, why is it hard for us to talk about sex, let alone sexual vitality?What is sexual vitality and why does it matter for adults?Share the benefits of sexual vitality that may be a surprise to some in the listening audience.When we’re young we often think of ourselves as having limitless vitality and yet we are just beginning to understand who we are as an individuals which has a great impact on our sexual experiences. What are your thoughts?Many persons, especially women have had experiences that are unhealthy, negative and or traumatic that have impacted perceptions of sex and vitality. Can you comment on that reality?Gender and culture have a part to play in our perspectives on sexual vitality. Sexual vitality may mean something different to a man compared to a woman. Share your insights on this dynamic.There is an assumption that persons in their 60’s, 70’s and beyond no longer have any sexual desire. Yes, the aging process and life stresses has a part to play in sexual vitality. What are your thoughts and guidance about aging and sexual vitality.Can you share briefly the impetus for recently offering a workshop that you provided on the female orgasm?How do wellness practices aide in increasing sexual vitality?Are there foods, herbs, supplements that can help, especially for those who have chronic health problems?What wellness services do you provide at the Center for Sacred Dialogue that may be of interest to members of the listening audience?Share your contact information. Closing thoughts or words of encouragement to the audience. What’s the take away for those who are listening?

Guest- Ivelices Linares Thomas, Esq- CEO, Human Resources & Beyond,
A Strategic Human Capital Firm - “The Positive Benefits of a Healthy Workplace”

BREATHING PAUSE - October was domestic violence awareness month. But knowledge, insight and ability to stop this horrible reality of human control and abuse is every day. 
Season of gratitude and ThanksgivingFocus on person you are most grateful for, what about that person, how they make you feel, treat you, teach you & love you Conversation Questions - These are for reflection in advance used for guidance only. The conversation takes on its own energy.
We ask these two questions of all guests.
What does wellness mean to you?What do you do to support wellness in your life, especially given your training and expertise.  ______________________________________________________________________
Your background is in labor law. Talk about the role and importance of a work environment that adheres to health, safety and non discrimination laws.What contributes to creating and maintaining a healthy work environment?What is the role of supervisors in a healthy workplace?What can employees do to maintain a healthy workplace?Many of the persons employed in the Virgin Islands are in government or in small businesses. Please comment on the challenges present in those environments on a healthy workplace.Stress has been a part of our recovery journey post Hurricanes Irma & Maria. How do healthy workplaces deal with stress on the individual and in the organization?What is one thing that if done regularly can have a positive impact on the workplaces?Caribbean culture is distinct and special. Based on your experiences how may culture contribute to a healthy workplace?Many small businesses don’t have HR professionals to provide training, development and advancement. What can small businesses do to deal with this reality.Many people spend more time at work than with their families. What are some signs that work vs family balance are out of balance?What are the range of service that HR and Beyond provides?Share your contact information for follow up after our conversation today.. Closing thoughts or words of encouragement to the audience. What’s the take away for those who are listening?

Conversation Questions - These are for reflection in advance of our time on Wednesday. Used for guidance only. The conversation takes on its own energy.
The first two are asked of all guests.
 1.     What does wellness mean to you?
2.     What do you do to support wellness in your life, especially given your training and expertise?
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1.     After two years post hurricanes Irma and Maria what is your biggest takeaway about your recovery & resilience as we move through this hurricane season? 
2.     Tell our listening audience what Eco-schools USA is and why is it now being implemented in the U.S.Virgin Islands?
3.     Why did you get involved? Describe your role as the USVI Coordinator.
4.     Please explain briefly the seven steps framework.
5.     What schools are included in the start of this initiative?
6.     I was struck by the step that describes integrating into the curriculum. I thought about the challenges and expectations that are put on teachers to have important content areas added/ integrated in the midst of a full plate. Please talk about that challenge. We had Tyler Rice recently on the show who talked about the Yoga in the Schools Program. Children need much and yet there is a finite amount of time to get it all done especially with mandated aspects of the instruction day. Your thoughts?
7.     What has the response to this program?
8.     What is most encouraging?
9.     What is most challenging?
10.  There is community component of the framework. What has worked in other US areas that are good examples of dynamic community involvement?
11.  Climate is changing, and we are feeling the destruction impacts as well as the subtle shifts. How can eco-schools be a vehicle / transformative initiative that meet that reality for the present and future?
12.  What are some tangible examples of the roll out of eco-schools VI?
13.  Are there any upcoming activities?
14.  How can the listening audience learn more and/ or get involved? Share your contact information.
 Closing thoughts or words of encouragement to the audience. What’s the take away for those who are listening?

Guest- Merla Phillips, Stroke Support Group Founder, Retired Nurse 
"Living a Full Life After a Stroke"

Conversation Questions - These are for reflection in advance of our time on Wednesday. Used for guidance only. The conversation takes on its own energy.
We love to ask these first two questions of all guests.
What does wellness mean to you?What do you do to support wellness in your life, especially given your training and expertise.  ______________________________________________________________________
Let’s begin with a brief overview. What is a stroke? What impacts can it have on an individual?As you are comfortable, please share with the listening audience what type of stroke you had and how your recovery is going.You shared with me that you listen regularly to Wellness Wednesdays. How has the program been helpful to you?Are there symptoms and signs that an individual should pay attention to?Did your nursing background prepare you to be a patient?What is a recovery plan like for a stroke survivor?There is an emotional and psychological component of any illness of health challenge. What has surprised you the most about that part of the recovery process?You started a stroke support group here in St Thomas, why?Share some information about meeting time, frequency and what happens when the group meets.Are there misconceptions or misinformation about strokes that would be helpful to address with the listening audience?What can friends and family members do to be helpful for persona who are recovering from a stroke?You shared with me that next week in October 29th is World Stroke Awareness Day. Is there any activity taking place in the VI to mark it’s observance?Please share any contact information for follow up for the support group or to contact you.Closing thoughts or words of encouragement to the audience. What’s the take away for those who are listening? 

Rotary Wellness Wednesday 10/16/19 Guest- Anya Stuart, Executive Director, Family Resource Center - “Increasing Awareness of Domestic Violence in the VI”
Conversation Questions - These are for guidance only the conversation takes on its own energy.
The first two are asked of all guests.
What does wellness mean to you?What do you do to support wellness in your life, especially given your training and expertise. ________________________________________________________________________ 
It’s been two years since Hurricanes Irma and Maria, what have you learned about yourself and its impacts as we move through this hurricane season.You became the Executive Director after many years of working on behalf of women & families impacted by violence. Share briefly your journey from consumer to Exec Director.What is domestic violence?Please talk about the cycle of abuse?What creates violence in a domestic environment?Are there warning signs that are helpful to pay attention to when in a relationship?How much of a issue is Domestic Violence in the U.S. Virgin Islands?At times there has been concern that law enforcement doesn’t take these cases seriously. Please comment.Talk about the cultural and for some religious beliefs that influence how an individual’s thinks about Domestic Violence?Was there a spike in services after IRMARIA? Has that changed as we have moved into the recovery period?October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Why is it important to have a month devoted to increasing awareness?Take Back the Night will occur on Thursday. Talk about the event and what inspired it and what will occur and why?If someone is listening and is concerned or fearful for his or her safety what can that person do?Share info about the range of other services provided at the Family Resource Center.Any other upcoming activities that would be of interest the listening audience?Please share your contact information.Closing thoughts or words of encouragement to the audience. What’s the take away for those who are listening? 

Conversation Questions - These are for reflection and used for guidance only. The conversation takes on its own energy.
The first two are asked of all guests.
What does wellness mean to you?What do you do to support wellness in your life, especially given your training and expertise.

It’s been two years since Hurricanes Irma & Maria, what have you learned about yourself and the impacts of creativity on the recovery journey?Share with us the origins of the documentary Paradise Discovered: "The Unbreakable Virgin Islands".Loss is a part of recovery even as we move forward. I read that your father had passed shortly before the island screening of the documentary. My condolences to you and your family. What was the impacts of his death on your resolve to share the documentary?What has been the response to persons on island and Caribbean people in the states and Canada to your work?Often traumatic experiences are buried in non verbal parts of ourselves. How has the film helped people to open up to those places?“Don’t Be A Slave to Perception” I was intrigued by that statement by you. What does it mean?Creativity and story telling is part of the heritage of the islands and African culture. Talk about how others can use story telling in ways that control personal narrative that can  affirm culture and bridge understanding across many divides.What are your thoughts about Island Strong and the ways this can be a blessing and challenge for men.What advice would you offer for those who want to explore a career in film and arts on a global stage?How can someone watch the documentary?What are other projects that you have coming in the future?Please share contact information.Closing thoughts or words of encouragement to the audience. What’s the take away for those who are listening?