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New year, new season, new YOU! What better place to start positive change than to reflect upon and assess your family culture? In this episode, Donna chats with Fr. Chris Looby, pastor of three parishes in upstate New York (and podcaster!). He shares daily reflections on his weekday mass readings through his podcast to make his work more accessible as well as to strengthen faith among a local and global community.

In the latest episode of the Brighten Up Pod, Donna and Fr. Chris talk about the role faith can play in the health of families, regardless of what they look like. Join the conversation and consider your own family culture in the meantime as the discussion touches on many areas of daily family life, such as time management, rest, and social media.

The Father Chris Podcast - Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/33eRnrm6dzVfquvrVFMwuo

The Father Chris Podcast - Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-father-chris-podcast/id1548207870

Hey listeners,

we're coming up on completing our first year anniversary, so we want to continue growing and connecting. We're asking all our listeners to connect with us on social media to demonstrate their support. Give us a hello on any comments and we'll happily give shoutouts! We'd also love to highlight questions or comments from fans to say thanks! Keep following the sunshine!

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The old African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child" is widely known, but is enough attention paid to the power of community in overcoming family hardships? Of all the difficulties the family unit faces, few are as daunting as a breast cancer diagnosis. There is a great deal to be hopeful of on a medical front, but the emotional front is a terrain all too treacherous that more women are having to endure.

In this episode, Donna sits down with lifetime friend, Tara LaMalfa to discuss her journey of surviving breast cancer. Tara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, so navigating mental health is her expertise, yet nothing could prepare someone for the emotional toll a cancer diagnosis can take. As a working mom of three, the stakes were immensely high, but somehow the strength was discovered to persevere. Upon closer reflection from Tara, she reveals to us that it was all possible with the support of family, friends, and community.

For those seeking a story of inspiration, for those who have a loved one undergoing this life journey, or for those who are just starting their journey navigating breast cancer, the Brighten Up team invites you to listen in on this month's episode with the goal that this story of survival teaches you lessons to live a fuller and richer life, and to even dare to hope in a time of uncertainty when hope may feel scarce.

Hey listeners,

we're coming up on completing our first year anniversary, so we want to continue growing and connecting. We're asking all our listeners to connect with us on social media to demonstrate their support. Give us a hello on any comments and we'll happily give shoutouts! We'd also love to highlight questions or comments from fans to say thanks! Keep following the sunshine!

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Frontiers are often characterized as unknown territory because of the lack of knowledge there is to them. The same rings true for the video game industry. It has only been a short time since children began growing up with them. Those that did are adults and little is known about their long-term effects. Even less is known about the effects of this new era with highly immersive, often violent video games in which kids, especially teens, are clocking in excessive hours of playtime each day.

Donna sits down with Dr. Thomas Osika to discuss the effects of excessive video gaming on the social development of children, more specifically, teenage boys. What may seem like an innocuous hobby, is quickly consuming children and their upbringing.

Dr. Osika is licensed in the state of New York and can be reached at:
https://www.ospsychservices.com/home.html

Hey listeners,

we're coming up on completing our first year anniversary, so we want to continue growing and connecting. We're asking all our listeners to connect with us on social media to demonstrate their support. Give us a hello on any comments and we'll happily give shoutouts! We'd also love to highlight questions or comments from fans to say thanks! Keep following the sunshine!

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