Transforming Shame and the Difference Between Self-Care & Escapism With Mike Veny

In this episode, we talk to Mike Veny about meditation, corporate wellness, transforming shame through self-care and the difference between self-care and escape activities.

mike veny

For the safety of our listeners, we want to note that the following episode may contain information that some may find triggering and/or may not be suitable for younger audiences. Listening discretion is advised.

SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2021

Episode Notes

Mike Veny was determined to overcome a lifetime of serious mental health challenges to become a professional drummer and a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist. In this episode, we unpack his book, “Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero.” Mike discusses depression, his past suicide attempt and shares advice on how to navigate mental health and wellness from a personal and corporate standpoint.

Memorable Moments:

  • 7:29: When we talk about the stigma, as we do with mental health, it’s actually a three-part process. You transform shame through self-care. When you take care of yourself, for some oddball reason, you start to feel better about yourself. You transform silence through conversation. You transform the sabotage social injustice, self-destructive behavior, and suicide through connecting with others at a deeper level, which is something we are so lacking in this world.
  • 14:20: When we think about our businesses, we think about being productive and profitable and there are so many studies that show in a mentally healthy work environment, the company is more productive and profitable. So addressing it is a win for everyone.
  • 15:43: And that’s what I have been seeing when I’ve been speaking in workplaces, is that people are slowly starting to embrace that we can’t put it [mental wellness] into a box. We can’t just get some breathing exercises and you’re going to be okay. It’s dirty. It’s messy, but it’s also beautiful and there’s gold on the other side.
  • 16:29: If you made that courageous step of getting help, first of all, it’s important to realize that it’s a process to find the right treatment for yourself.
  • 18:38: We confuse escape activities and self-care. There’s nothing wrong with escape activities, but it’s important to distinguish the two. And when you do, you start getting on the road to a mentally healthier life.
  • 24:01: When you participate in an art activity, whether it’s drawing, painting or anything, you get to have a conversation with yourself. That’s all art is, a conversation with yourself and it allows you to express things that maybe you can’t express in words.

Dear Mind, You Matter is brought to you by NOBU, a new mental health and wellness app. To download NOBU, visit the app store or Google Play

This podcast is hosted by Allison Walsh and Dr. Angela Phillips. It is produced by Allison Walsh, Ashley Tate, and Nicole LaNeve. For more information or if you’re interested in being a guest on this podcast, please visit www.therecoveryvillage.com/dearmindyoumatter.

Show Contributors
mike veny

Mike Veny

Mike Veny was determined to overcome a lifetime of serious mental health challenges to become a professional drummer and a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist. He’s the author of the best-selling book, Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero. His expertise and life experience have been featured on ABC, NBC, and CBS news. As a 2017 PM360 ELITE Award Winner, our next guest was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the healthcare industry. 

In addition to MikeVeny.com, his insightful writing is published in Corporate Wellness Magazine and on HealthCentral.com. His captivating presentations are popular with companies, including Microsoft, CVS Health, T-Mobile, Heineken, Salesforce and The Wounded Warrior Project. Between delivering a TEDx talk, maintaining a lively YouTube channel and teaching continuing education courses, you can feel confident knowing that you will have an enjoyable experience in this presentation.

In his spare time, he enjoys weight training, meditating for 20 minutes twice a day, and eating a good bone-in ribeye steak cooked medium-rare. He lives in New York City and is ADDICTED to buying luggage, along with watching YouTube videos on how to pack a suitcase. His packing checklist for business trips is one of his most prized possessions. You can find Mike at @mikeveny on every channel.