Description

Want help demystifying mental health and wellness? Join Marcus as he interviews MJ Murray-Vachon, a therapist and mental wellness expert, and learn how we can create more compassion by navigating our emotions. Learn the skills she’ taught to freshmen football players at one of the best programs in the country and, even more importantly, how you can apply these same perspectives in your own life. Want to hear MJ’s antidote when anyone feels like they’re NOT compassionate and then learn what EMDR stands for and who might benefit. (Hint: it’s anyone who wants to have a better life…like you.) Discover a few things you didn’t know about phones and pot. If you’re a parent, ya probably want to hear this. Finally, listen to a tale from MJ about how stirring soup on a stove led to greater understanding of self-compassion.

Key topics:

• 00:00 – Introductions
• 01:30 – Marcus jumps in and asks questions about MJ Murray-Vachon’s therapy practice.
• 05:56 – MJ shares what other ventures and paths she has taken throughout her career.
• 11:20 – The two talk about mental wellness and how to maintain a healthy mental state.
• 15:19 – Marcus asks for a few suggestions on how to help that mental wellness.
• 19:16 – The idea of breathing and meditation come up and the two talk about the importance of them in a person’s overall wellbeing.
• 21:28 – Marcus pivots and asks MJ about the role of compassion in her practice. 
• 26:01 – MJ is asked about a time she has witnessed compassion and shares a moment of self-compassion. 
• 32:00 – The two talk about EMDR and explain what it is.
• 37:47 – Marcus asks his rapid-fire questions. MJ asks people to “Put down your phone and your bong.” 
• 44:36 – Thank you and conclusions!

Resources for you: 

• More communication tips and resources for how to cultivate compassion: https://marcusengel.com/freeresources/
• Learn more and reach out to MJ: https://www.mjmurrayvachon.com
• Listen to the Inner Challenge Podcast: https://mjmurrayvachon.com/podcast/
• Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusengel/
• Learn more about Marcus’ Books: https://marcusengel.com/store/
• Subscribe to the podcast through Apple: https://bit.ly/MarcusEngelPodcast
• Subscribe to the podcast through Spotify: https://bit.ly/Spotify-MarcusEngelPodcast

More About MJ Murray Vachon:

MJ Murray Vachon,  is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 44,000 hours of therapy sessions and 30 years of teaching Mental Wellness. She is the creator of the Mental Wellness Program, Inner Challenge, which was part of a junior high curriculum for 20 years,  a course for Freshmen Football Players at the University of Notre Dame and is now a podcast. MJ has given over 700 workshops and co-authored the book The Power & Pain of Nursing. MJ has loved her career but it is second to her family, husband Dominic and her kids and their partners, Nick and Madhura and Abby and Kit. 

Date: 4/17/2023
Name of show: Compassion & Courage: Conversations in Healthcare
Episode title and number: Episode 98 – MJ Murray-Vachon - How to Navigate a River of Compassion