Beyond the Smile Marylayo

Living with Childlessness
In this episode, MaryLayo talks to couple – Daniele & Tina Fiandaca, about their journey navigating through childlessness, and the impact this has had on their mental health. Daniele and Tina share about the hopes and dreams they had for a family, their experience of miscarriage, IVF treatment and grief, and their feelings about shame and societal pressure.
Concluding with a touch of spiritual wellness, MaryLayo offers a reflective tip from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, inviting listeners to join her next time for more insights on mental health and spiritual wellbeing. Remember to follow and share if you found the discussion helpful.
For dealing with mental health related matters, please seek specialist advice and support if needed.
#MaryLayoTalks #BeyondTheSmile #Childless #InfertilityJourney #MentalHealth #EmbracingChildlessness #ChildlessGrief #Miscarriage
Guest details:
Daniele Fiandaca is founder of Token Man Consulting, an inclusion and diversity consultancy which specialises in engaging senior leaders and men with I&D and inspiring them to become inclusive leaders and agents of change. Clients include BNP Paribas, Channel 4, Colt, Hitachi Vantara, Merlin Entertainments, Monster Energy, Nestlé and Ogilvy. He is also co-founder of Masculinity in the Workplace, the only I&D event that is designed specifically to engage men. He is also an executive coach, author and agent of change - he was recently named one of the Top 50 Trailblazers in Gender Equality in the UK.
Tina Fiandaca balances her career as a part-time People and Culture Director with her passion for volunteer work. She dedicates her time to counselling at Childline and assisting as a Wardrobe Assistant at Smart Works. She lives in London, and embraces the city's diverse offerings. When she's not working or volunteering, you can find her watching movies, singing with the Some Voices choir, and dancing at daytime discos.
External Resources:
Tina's blog: a Journey of Infertility and ChildlessnessDaniele's LinkedIn post: Do You Have Children? 'Grief: A Study of Human Emotional Experience' lecture - Jody DayMaryLayo's spiritual wellbeing tip: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

Summary
In this episode, guest, Angie Read, shares with MaryLayo her journey of surviving two unexpected strokes at age 46 and 47, and the impact this had on her mental health.
Concluding with a touch of spiritual wellness, MaryLayo offers a reflective tip from Proverbs 4:20-22, before inviting listeners to join her next time for more insights on mental health and spiritual wellbeing. Remember to follow and share if you found Angie's story helpful.
For dealing with mental health related matters, please seek specialist advice and support if needed.
#BeyondTheSmile #MaryLayoTalks #StrokeSurvivor #MentalHealthAwareness #InvisibleScars
Guest details:
Angie Read is an author and devoted mother of three who had a massive stroke followed by a more minor one. Afterwards, she was plagued by post-stroke anxiety and post-stroke depression. Today, Angie is sharing her story—and the tips and tools that helped her survive—to help as many fellow stroke survivors as possible. Angie's books include: Invisible Scars, Mental Health Hacks, Identity Crisis & Rise.
Guest's website: https://legacycoachingforher.com/
Guest's social media: You Tube, Facebook & LinkedIn.
Marylayo's spiritual wellbeing tip: Meditate on Bible scripture Proverbs 4:20-22.
For help in dealing with mental health related matters, please seek specialist advice and support if needed.

Starting Counselling: Genis' Story
In this episode MaryLayo and guest, Genis Fernandes, discuss seeking help, finding a counsellor and highlight some of the frustrations and benefits they experienced on their journey.
Concluding with a touch of spiritual wellness, MaryLayo offers a reflective tip from Philippians 4:13, inviting listeners to join her next time for more insights on mental health and spiritual wellbeing. Remember to follow and share if you enjoyed the conversation about finding a counsellor.
Take a moment to delve into what may be 'beyond the smile' - listen in to the conversation. For help in dealing with mental health related matters, please seek specialist advice and support if needed.
Questions include:
Why did you consider counselling?How did you go about choosing your counsellor?What do you remember when you first had counselling?How long have you been having therapy?What frustrations have you experienced or heard about counselling?What tips would you give someone who is in two minds about having counselling?
Guest details:
Genis Fernandes works as a Research Programme Lead and also serves as a volunteer for a mental health charity.
Marylayo's spiritual wellbeing tip: Meditate on the bible scripture Philippians 4:13.
External resources:
Body and Soul Charity
The Caravan
Listening Place
Samaritans
For help in dealing with mental health related matters, please seek specialist advice and support if needed.
#BeyondTheSmile #StartingCounselling #MaryLayoTalks #MentalHealth #GettingHelp #HavingTherapy

Resilience After Brain Injury
In this episode, Marylayo talks with guest, Greg Ward. Greg shares his personal story of recovery following a brain haemorrhage that occurred when he was just 14 years old; and reflects on how after many years he's only now more comfortable discussing his challenges openly.
Discussion points
(00:00:01) MaryLayo and Greg Ward on Brain Injury Recovery(00:08:17) Journey from Zero to Academic Achievement(00:17:13) Overcoming Trauma with Support and Work(00:19:47) Career Reflections After 50(00:21:44) Reflective Shifts due to COVID(00:23:41) Advice for Similar Challenges(00:28:46) Spiritual Wellness Tip
Take a moment to delve into what may be 'beyond the smile' - listen in to the conversation.
Marylayo's spiritual wellbeing tip: Meditate on the bible scripture: Joshua 1:9.
For help in dealing with mental health related matters, please seek specialist advice and support if needed.

Summary
In this episode of "Beyond the Smile" with host MaryLayo, we delve into the intricacies of finding not just a job, but a fulfilling career that aligns with one's interests and talents. Career and talent strategist Stephen Shortt, CEO of Career Fit, unpacks the importance of job satisfaction and how it contributes to overall happiness and good mental health.
Listeners will explore the idea of passion versus enjoyment in career choice, the growing phenomenon of career burnout, and the evolving landscape of jobs that may not even exist yet. Stephen Short emphasises the value of career guidance in schools and how parental expectations can shape—and sometimes limit—a child's career aspirations.
The episode also discusses how individuals can navigate career transitions, whether early in their work life or in their later years. It reassures those at career crossroads that happiness in their profession is not just attainable but deserved.
Concluding with a touch of spiritual wellness, MaryLayo offers a reflective tip from Psalm 37, inviting listeners to join her next time for more insights on mental health and spiritual wellbeing. Take a moment and delve into what may be 'beyond the smile'. Remember to follow, like and share if you enjoyed the discussion on the critical relationship between career satisfaction and overall life satisfaction.
For help in dealing with mental health related matters, please seek specialist advice and support if needed.
#BeyondTheSmilePodcast #FindYourCareerPath #PassionVersusEnjoyment #MaryLayoTalks #MentalHealth #SpiritualHealth
Timestamps
(00:00:01) Introduction to Mental Health and Spiritual Well-being
(00:00:45) Aligning Career with Interests
(00:04:01) The Cost of Misaligned Career Choices
(00:14:11) Career Guidance in Irish Schools
(00:16:31) Teen Readiness for Career Choices
(00:18:32) Future of Work Discussion in Schools
(00:24:49) Multiple Career Changes in a Lifetime
(00:26:01) Insights from the eBook 'Your Next Career'
(00:30:09) Transforming Passion into Career
(00:33:47) Identifying a Career Focus
(00:36:01) Biannual Career Trends Update
(00:38:30) Advice for Career Crossroads
(00:41:52) Spiritual Wellness Tip: Psalm Chapter 37
Guest details:
As a Career & Talent Strategist, Stephen is deeply committed to helping individuals and organisations in devising and achieving their career aspirations through a blend of career counselling, talent assessment, and strategic planning. His work with ETC Consult, CareerFit, Talent Select, Successful Succession, Delta Events and Distributed Training is centred around helping to match the right people with the right careers. Stephen’s upcoming books, “Your Future Career” and “Your Next Career,” are further examples of his commitment to helping others at different stages of their career journeys. “Your Future Career” is geared towards students and young professionals, while “Your Next Career” offers guidance for those seeking to change or enhance their career paths.
Marylayo's spiritual wellbeing tips: 
Meditate on Bible scripture: Psalm 37:23-24Meditate on song: Open My Heart,...

In this episode, Marylayo is with guest, Richard (Junior) Asomaning, who shares his experience of having a brother diagnosed with autism.  
Discussion points include:
What are some of the signs/traits of Autism? How did your brother come to be diagnosed with autism?Did you ever feel overlooked in your family due to the focus on your brother’s needs?Were there specific challenges you faced growing up that you attribute to having a sibling with autism? How did you deal with them?As you’ve both grown older, in what ways has your relationship with your brother evolved over the years? What are the misconceptions or stereotypes about autism that you’ve encountered?Are there any specific strengths or unique qualities that you admire or appreciate in your brother? Are there any general concerns that you have related to your brother having autismHow do you deal with those concerns?How has this experience shaped you as a person?Has there been anything along your journey that you found really helpful?Bible verse to support spiritual wellbeing.
Take a moment to delve into what may be 'beyond the smile' - listen in to the conversation.
Marylayo's spiritual wellbeing tip: Meditate on the bible scripture Deuteronomy 31:8.
Connect with MaryLayo:
LinkedIn
Instagram
For help in dealing with mental health related matters, please seek specialist advice and support if needed.