The Teaching Journeys Podcast

Dave Roberts
  • 5.0 (23)
  • Self-Improvement

Dave Roberts ,MSW, LMSW is an adjunct professor of psychology child life at Utica University, an author a bereavement support specialist, and a parent who experienced the death of an adult child on March 1,2003. He was inspired to create The Teaching Journeys Podcast by two of his former Utica University students. Dave strives to have meaningful conversations with individuals , young and old, whose life journeys, life skills and challenges ,can teach us about addressing our own challenges. It is Dave's hope that the teachings from these conversations live on in future generations. Weekly episodes have featured guests from all walks of life, with diverse experiences and life skills to share . Dave hopes that his guests ‘experiences resonate with all who listen, both young and old. We are all students and teachers...... let's learn from each other. To find out more about Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com

  1. 1d ago

    Why Most People Are Mentally Incarcerated Even After They’re Free

    Shame can look like freedom on the outside and still keep you locked up for years. Matilde Hernandez reveals how she turned incarceration, silence, and self-protection into a life of real freedom, and why the hardest prison to escape is often the one in your own mind. Host Dave Roberts sits down with Matilde Hernandez, certified coach, speaker, author of Beyond These Walls, and founder of Dare to Lift It, for a powerful conversation about what it takes to stop surviving and start truly living. Matilde shares the experiences that shaped her, from incarceration to years of mental imprisonment after release, and the moment she realized healing had to begin with forgiveness, self-awareness, and community. You'll discover: Why incarceration is not just physical, but deeply mental and emotionalHow shame, fear, and silence can keep you stuck long after releaseThe difference between strength and freedom, and why one does not guarantee the otherHow forgiveness becomes a tool for liberation, not just a moral idealWhy community, honest conversation, and aligned support matter for lasting change This episode is a reminder that your past does not get the final word. Whether you're navigating trauma, recovery, self-doubt, or a season of reinvention, Matilde's story offers something urgent and deeply practical: freedom is a choice, healing is a process, and your voice matters.Essential listening if you need encouragement to forgive yourself, reclaim your voice, and step into the life waiting beyond your walls. Matilde’s Bio and Contact Information Matilde Hernandez is a , certified coach, speaker, author, and founder of Dare 2 Lift It. For years, she carried the weight of expectation, silence, and responsibility. Matilde knew how to be strong, but didn’t always feel free. She poured into others, held things together, and kept moving — even when she hadn’t fully acknowledged what I needed to heal. Matilde’s life shifted when she stopped surviving and started asking better questions. When she chose to pause and examine the patterns that kept pulling her back. When she started reclaiming the parts of myself that were hidden or buried. Dare 2 Lift It was born out of that process. Not just personal growth, but personal liberation. She is also the author of Beyond These Walls. Website: Dare 2 Lift It — spelled “D-A-R-E,” the number 2, “Lift It”Podcast: Unpack That Be FreeListen on: YouTube and SpotifyAvailable through her website: book information, workshops, a free assessment, and a complimentary 30-minute callSubscribe to the podcast for more great episodes. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: IPWCP5GHVDFOUAWL, A44QH5EYCGOVCTYH

    Why Most People Are Mentally Incarcerated Even After They’re Free

  2. 3d ago

    Why We Grieve Long Before Goodbye: Lessons From Alzheimer's Care

    The most painful part of Alzheimer’s is not always the diagnosis - it’s the slow, heartbreaking loss of the person you love before they’re gone. Sarah Vosburgh shares the story behind Who Will Name the Bees? and the moment a simple question about bees became the title of a memoir about memory, grief, and holding on.Sarah - a psychologist, mother, wife, and memoirist - opens up about her mother’s decline, the emotional toll of caregiving, and the impossible choices families face when autonomy begins to disappear. She and host Dave Roberts talk candidly about memory care, the grief that starts long before death, and why caregivers so often feel isolated even when they’re not alone. You’ll discover: Why the title Who Will Name the Bees? carries so much emotional weightWhat Sarah’s mother was like before Alzheimer’s and how dementia changed their relationshipThe painful reality of losing autonomy, driving, and independenceHow Sarah navigated the decision to place her mother in memory careWhy caregiver guilt is so common, and why grace matters more than perfectionDave also draws on his own experience with loss, creating an honest, compassionate conversation about anticipatory grief, end-of-life decisions, and the burden so many families carry in silence. If you’ve ever cared for a parent, walked alongside someone with dementia, or questioned whether you made the right choice, this episode will meet you where you are.Sarah’s memoir itself was born in the middle of the night from dreams, memories, and a pile of Sharpie notes on the glass beside her bed - and the result is a deeply personal book shaped by prose, poetry, and family. This is essential listening for anyone navigating Alzheimer’s, caregiving, grief, or the search for meaning inside loss. Sarah Vosburgh is a psychologist, memoirist, and member of the International Memoir Writers Association and San Diego Writers, Ink. Sarah’s Bio and Contact Information It was never in Sarah Vosburgh’s plan to be an author or to write a memoir. As a busy mom, wife, and psychologist, she always saw her life as full (sometimes overfull). But in the dark of night, memories knocked on her brain, compelling her to commit them first to paper, then to bits and bytes. Sarah is a member of the International Memoir Writers Association and San Diego Writers, Ink. Her work has been published in A Year in Ink and numerous volumes of Shaking the Tree: brazen. short. memoir. A native New Englander, she now lives in San Diego with her husband, her daughter, her granddog, and a most extraordinary feline. Her book Who Will Name the Bees? is available at whowillnamethebees.com, sarahvosburgh.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Audible. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: 3DFUAJAMXM8978CV, 65FERJUZUZMY3PKW

    Why We Grieve Long Before Goodbye: Lessons From Alzheimer's Care

  3. 6d ago

    How Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Rebuilt Ron Klopfanstein's Life, Career and Purpose

    Discover the inspiring story of resilience and rebirth in our latest episode featuring Ron Klopfanstein, an adjunct professor at Utica University and host of Hot Seat Media Monday. After suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome for over a decade, Ron shares how he transformed his life from debilitating illness to impactful educator and community activist. Ron’s journey is not just about overcoming a health crisis; it’s a testament to the power of choice in the face of adversity. He candidly discusses the struggles that come with chronic fatigue syndrome, including the physical and emotional toll it takes. You’ll hear about the innovative treatments that finally helped him reclaim his life, including the surprising role that colloidal silver played in his recovery. In this episode, you'll discover: - The lesser-known symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and its elusive causes. - The unconventional treatment paths that led to Ron's recovery. - How his experiences shaped his teaching philosophy and approach to life. - Insights into the importance of choosing gratitude over bitterness after loss. - The ways in which chronic illness can redefine one’s purpose and passion. Ron’s story is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always a path forward. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, the strength found in vulnerability, and the impact of maintaining a positive outlook. Whether you’re facing your own challenges or simply seeking inspiration, this episode is essential listening. Ron’s journey will leave you motivated to confront your own obstacles with courage and determination. Tune in and be inspired to live with intention and purpose Ron’s Bio and Contact Information Ron Klopfanstein is an adjunct professor at Utica University and has taught in the Utica New York school system for several years. He is also involved in various social causes in the Utica area, with his husband Jim Hale. Ron is also the host of Hot Seat Media Monday, a live podcast which highlights individuals and organizations who are having a positive impact in the Utica, New York community. Ron’s Contact information All Social Media: Ron Klopfanstein Podcast: Hot Seat Media Monday uticapheonix.net/media-monday , 95.5 FM The Heat, Mondays from 5–6 p.m, and on all major podcast platforms Music licensed through Soundstripe.( For Audio) Code: KSVELDKHTBG33F1B, VIFGXBNKLK8BORNN

    How Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Rebuilt Ron Klopfanstein's Life, Career and Purpose

  4. Oct 10

    Trauma Is Not What Happened- It Is The Wound Left Behind

    What if the behaviors that make you great at helping others are also the ones that keep you stuck, burned out, and disconnected from yourself? Trauma expert and award-winning professor Dr. Adam McCormick joins host Dave Roberts for a deeply practical conversation about adverse childhood experiences, emotional survival, and why so many helping professionals are drawn to this work long before they ever realize it. Adam shares how growing up with an alcoholic father and becoming a parentified child shaped his path into social work, and why so many adults recreate familiar pain in relationships, work, and self-sabotage without meaning to. He breaks down the difference between ACEs and trauma, why trauma is the wound rather than the event, and how shame, control, and survival adaptations like fight, flight, freeze, overfunctioning, and people-pleasing follow us into adulthood. You’ll discover: Why emotional and relational trauma often shapes professionals more than overt abuseHow childhood survival skills get rewarded in social work, teaching, and other helping rolesWhy “just do self-care” fails when someone has disconnected from their authentic self to surviveHow countertransference can reveal unresolved childhood material in the roomWhy connection, co-regulation, and being truly seen matter more than perfect advice Adam offers a powerful framework for understanding how meaning gets made, how trauma spreads when it goes unrecognized, and how healing begins when someone finally stays present without judgment. This conversation is essential listening for anyone who works with trauma, supports young people, or is trying to break generational cycles in their own life. About Adam Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhD, is an award-winning professor, social worker, keynote speaker, and author whose work explores trauma, burnout, emotional development, helping professionals, foster care, resilience, masculinity, and the emotional lives of boys and men. Over the course of his career, Adam has delivered nearly 300 keynote presentations, workshops, conference sessions, continuing education trainings, and professional development programs for social workers, counselors, healthcare professionals, educators, universities, and helping organizations across the United States. In 2026, Adam received the Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award, widely regarded as the highest honor for teaching excellence in the state of Texas. He is also a candidate for the 2028 Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching, one of the most prestigious teaching awards in higher education in the United States, and was the recipient of St. Edward's University's Distinguished Teaching Award in 2025. Adam is the author of Healing the Helping Professional: The Unfinished Business of Childhood (NASW Press, 2026), a book exploring childhood trauma, emotional survival adaptations, burnout, authenticity, and the journey back to the self. He is also currently completing The Cost of Becoming a Boy: Trauma, Boyhood, and a Return to Self, a forthcoming book examining the emotional, developmental, and cultural experiences that shape boys and men. Dr. McCormick is the author of LGBTQ+ Youth in Foster Care (Routledge). Known for blending trauma science, storytelling, vulnerability, humor, and practical application, Adam's presentations help audiences better understand both the people they serve and themselves. Connect with Adam McCormick: Follow Adam on LinkedIn for his social links and weekly trauma-focused newsletter. His book is available through Amazon and NASW Press. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: XWLO67WFURMT2DN2, ABDSVWEN4S5MUN7Y Subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes.

    Trauma Is Not What Happened- It Is The Wound Left Behind

  5. Oct 8

    Behind the Painting: Mary Marquiss on Art, Grief and Serendipity

    Some paintings are beautiful. Mary Marquiss makes paintings that answer back. In this conversation, the Oregon artist and author of Behind the Painting reveals how grief, synchronicity, travel, and 30 years of watercolor work turned her art into a mirror for the most life-changing moments of her story. Mary and host Dave Roberts trace the deeply personal paintings in her memoir, including the poppy that became a symbol of unexpected strength, the bird that felt like her sister Betty's spirit, and a cave in Scotland that opened into a moment of profound release. What begins as an art conversation becomes something much larger: a meditation on how creativity helps us survive loss, recognize meaning, and keep moving through the dark toward the light. You'll discover: How Mary's psychology background shaped the way she sees art, memory, and emotionWhy watercolor became the perfect medium for play, layering, and transformationThe role of synchronicity in her travels through Ireland, Scotland, Paris, and southern FranceWhy she believes life is not linear and neither is healing, forgiveness, or growthHow kindness, boundaries, and self-compassion became central themes in both her life and workMary also shares the hard-won wisdom behind surviving divorce, miscarriage, cancer, and the death of loved ones without becoming bitter - and why one small act of kindness can echo for a lifetime. Dave brings his own reflections from psychology, teaching, grief, and spiritual meaning, creating a thoughtful conversation about what art can hold when words fall MARY MARQUISS – BIO AND CONTACT INFORMATION Marquiss developed her interest in art as a child, surrounded by the lush beauty of Oregon. Originally from Corvallis - she is a fifth generation Oregonian and has lived in Bend for 34 years. Marquiss attended both the University of Oregon and UCLA, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. After graduating she became the Admissions Director for a private psychiatric hospital in Reno, Nevada, owned by HCA with 500 hospitals worldwide. After two years as the hospital Admissions Director she was promoted to Marketing Director and then became a Marketing Consultant for HCA. In 1995 she moved to HCA’s corporate offices in Nashville to become the product manager for Seniority – a benefit that only comes with age - which was franchised in hospitals across the country. When her daughter was born 38 years ago, she left her corporate career and returned to her love of art and writing. “I focused primarily on watercolor because it can be playful, has a beautiful transparency and teaches me about the challenge of controlling this medium – when to take it and when to let go – as in life,” she explains. Marquiss has written and illustrated two cookbooks, and taught art and design classes to both adults and children in Bend for over 30 years. Combing her art and writing she is the author of the forthcoming book: Behind the Painting – An Artist’s Memoir which holds ten of her paintings and a story interwoven behind each one over a thirty years trajectory. This book takes the reader on an adventure with both the high notes in Paris and finding love late in life through challenges she faced including family suicide, a stroke and cancer. Her original art and book information can be seen at www.marymarquiss.com. Email: mary.marquiss@gmail.com Book: Behind the Painting on Amazon Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: EUVL5TMU3OAME5WY, 0EMPZ9AVHFR3XLNJ Subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes.

    Behind the Painting: Mary Marquiss on Art, Grief and Serendipity

  6. Oct 4

    Why Fear Keeps You Stuck in "Fine" and How To Break Free

    Fear does not disappear by accident. It gets transformed when you finally face the root, reframe the story, and stop calling stuck "fine." Claudia Wyatt returns with the energy, honesty, and hard-won insight to help you break the loops that keep you repeating the same patterns. Dave Roberts and Claudia go deep on the hidden ways fear shows up - in change, in grief, in old childhood wounds, and in the pressure to stay comfortable. Claudia explains why the very thing you keep avoiding can become the doorway to your next level, and why your brain often clings to safety even when safety is keeping you small. You'll discover: Why "fine" is often code for stuckHow fear of change quietly shapes your decisionsThe difference between changing something and reframing itWhy childhood moments can echo through adult behaviorHow to spot the patterns that keep replaying like Groundhog DayWhy awareness is the first step to breaking the cycleClaudia also shares how her own walkabout method grew out of her refusal to keep repeating the same emotional patterns. She and Dave explore what it really means to sit with pain instead of outrun it, and how that process can unlock confidence, clarity, and momentum you may not realize you already have. If you are navigating a transition, carrying old baggage, or simply tired of living on autopilot, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are. It is a powerful listen for leaders, coaches, and anyone ready to move from fear into freedom. Claudia's Bio and Contact Information Claudia Wyatt is a globally recognized inspirational leader, international keynote speaker, consultant, coach and writer known as The Enthusiasm Igniter™ and Self-Doubt Eraser™. With over 20 years of experience coaching high-performing teams and leaders, she helps individuals and organizations break free from limiting beliefs, strengthen communication, and lead with unshakable confidence. Claudia is a certified confidence, cognitive behavior and life purpose coach with emphasis in leadership, empowerment and wellness. She is the founder of The Walkabout Method™, her signature framework guiding leaders & individuals to reclaim their power, elevate emotional intelligence, and lead boldly from within. Showing up as themselves for themselves and living on purpose. Claudia was recently named Professional Training and Coaching Provider of the Year, New York, 2026. Claudia’s impact is immediate, audiences leave energized, empowered, and ready to rise. Social Media Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiawyattcoaching/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theclaudiawyatt/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554805040594 Company pages: LinkedIn: : https://www.linkedin.com/company/claudia-wyatt-coaching-llc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567176611416 Website: https://claudiawyatt.com/ Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: YRJTM1LEAQOJS5RU, ULOO0HBNYD8BM6JH Subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes.

    Why Fear Keeps You Stuck in "Fine" and How To Break Free

  7. Oct 2

    The Hidden Grief: How Pet Loss Mirrors Human Loss

    Grief is grief is grief - and if you support people, lead teams, or live with loss yourself, this conversation will change how you think about it. Suzanne Jabour returns to unpack the overlooked world of pet loss, why it hits so hard, and how intuition led her from grief education into a new mission that many people desperately need. After the death of her son Ben, Suzanne built a life around helping others understand grief more clearly. Now she’s following a new trail of breadcrumbs into pet-loss support, where shame, dismissal, guilt, and complicated family dynamics often leave people grieving in silence. She and Dave explore why pet loss is so often disenfranchised, why it can reopen older grief, and why animals can become anchors of comfort, identity, and survival. You’ll discover: Why “you can just get another one” is one of the most harmful responses to pet lossHow pet grief can be intensified when an animal is linked to a deceased loved oneWhy some pets become lifelines during the hardest seasons of lifeWhat actually happens inside Suzanne’s pet loss gatheringsThe surprising framework that makes support more effective: say something open, offer something specificWhy grieving people need long-term help, not just sympathy in the first few daysDave also brings his own lived experience of profound loss, creating a raw, honest conversation about how grief reshapes identity, how support groups help people find language and belonging, and why the emotional load of loss cannot be measured by society’s approval of it. Together, they make the case for a kinder, smarter, more human way of showing up for people in pain. This episode is essential listening for grief professionals, pet lovers, caregivers, workplace leaders, and anyone who has ever felt dismissed in their mourning. If you’ve ever wondered how to support someone after a loss - or what to do with your own - this conversation gives you the language, the perspective, and the reminder that no grief deserves to be minimized. Suzanne’s Bio and Contact Information Suzanne is a grieving mom who has found meaning in her loss through providing grief education – sharing how grief really works and how we can support people experiencing it. She works with organizations and businesses to build the skills and protocols to better support people who are grieving at work. She is available as a speaker to share her story and help normalize grief as a healthy response to losses big and small. She has a BA and BEd and decades of experience as a trainer. She is a certified Grief Educator, Transformational Coach and Workshop Leader. Connect with Suzanne Jabour Website: https://suzannejabour.com Pet Loss Gatherings: https://suzannejabour.com/pets LInkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-jabour Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: GW8LVRKETJYGTSDH, L0WYQCAOBIARQYKK Subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes.

    The Hidden Grief: How Pet Loss Mirrors Human Loss

  8. Sep 30

    Dr Vasu Tolia's Inspiring Journey from Doctor to Artist

    What if your next chapter is not a restart, but a metamorphosis? Dr. Vasundhara Tolia - physician, former pediatric gastroenterologist, and self-taught visual artist - shares how she turned a distinguished medical career into a second act built on creativity, resilience, and purpose.Host Dave Roberts sits down with Dr. Vasu to trace the path from India to Michigan, from pioneering pediatric gastroenterology to finding a new voice on canvas after medicine. Along the way, she reveals how the same skills that made her a strong clinician - observation, listening, empathy, and comfort with uncertainty - became the foundation of her art.You'll discover: Why practice and persistence matter more than innate talentHow a medical mindset shapes abstract and semi-abstract paintingThe meaning behind her mixed-media pieces, including Entangled and Twilight TidbitsHow she uses found objects, texture, acrylics, and symbolism to create emotionally layered workWhy she sees art as a form of healing, not just decorationDr. Vasu also opens up about the identity shift that comes with leaving a career that defined you, and how she rebuilt meaning without discarding the wisdom of everything that came before. Her story is a powerful reminder that reinvention does not require erasing your past - it asks you to build on it.They also explore the charitable mission behind her art, including her support for mental health awareness, trafficking survivors, women's empowerment, neurodivergent individuals, and environmental protection. She even shares how she donates 50% of original artwork sales to the charity chosen by the buyer.This episode is essential listening for physicians, artists, educators, caregivers, and anyone standing at the edge of a major life transition. If you need a reminder that creativity can renew purpose, and that your experience still belongs to you no matter how your life evolves, this conversation will stay with you. Dr Vasu's Bio and Contact Information Dr. Vasundhara (Vasu) Tolia is a physician and visual artist whose work bridges science and creativity. After a distinguished career as a tenured Professor and Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Wayne State University — where she established Michigan's first pediatric endoscopy unit and published over 150 peer-reviewed papers — she reinvented herself as a visual artist. Her artwork has been selected by The Washington Post as one of the nation's Top 20 COVID-era artworks, featured on the cover of the CDC's Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, and shown in numerous solo and juried exhibitions. She has contributed a chapter to the anthology Mastery Unleashed: Stories & Strategies to Unleash Your Potential, and her story has been featured on over 45 podcasts. Website: www.vasutolia.art Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vasundhara.tolia Instagram @toliavasu L inkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vasundhara-tolia-79695a34/ Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: YXHDHQOKAYUGB5ZG, YF5RNCZOBCAXNDPU The Teaching Journeys Podcast can be found on your favorite podcast platforms.

    Dr Vasu Tolia's Inspiring Journey from Doctor to Artist
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5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Dave Roberts ,MSW, LMSW is an adjunct professor of psychology child life at Utica University, an author a bereavement support specialist, and a parent who experienced the death of an adult child on March 1,2003. He was inspired to create The Teaching Journeys Podcast by two of his former Utica University students. Dave strives to have meaningful conversations with individuals , young and old, whose life journeys, life skills and challenges ,can teach us about addressing our own challenges. It is Dave's hope that the teachings from these conversations live on in future generations. Weekly episodes have featured guests from all walks of life, with diverse experiences and life skills to share . Dave hopes that his guests ‘experiences resonate with all who listen, both young and old. We are all students and teachers...... let's learn from each other. To find out more about Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com

Information

  • Creator
    Dave Roberts
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    324
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Teaching Journeys Podcast 2023
  • Show Website
    The Teaching Journeys Podcast