• When Getting Out of Bed Feels Impossible: My Depression Life Hack for Small Wins
    Oct 8 2025
    Ep. 134 When depression hits, even simple tasks feel impossible. In this episode of Healthy Illness, I reveal my go-to strategy for turning breakdowns into breakthroughs: the “Why or How” tool. It’s how I’ve learned to bank small wins, rebuild confidence, and actually start feeling better. If you’ve ever wondered: ✨ How can I manage my mental health when I’m struggling to function? ✨ What’s one simple mindset shift that can help me get unstuck? ✨ Where can I find real support and resources when it all feels too heavy? Then this one’s for you. I’ll walk you step-by-step through how I use the “Why or How” tool in my own healing journey—and how you can adapt it to fit your life. Because sometimes, the path to peace starts with one tiny win. 💛 🧠 Mental Health Resources 📞 Call 211 or visit www.211.org for help finding public services in your area 📱 Suicide Prevention Helpline: Call 988 anytime, 24/7 💬 Text GO to 741741 to reach a trained crisis counselor Hosted by Coach Kelly Marie, founder of Front Seat Life LLC 📸 IG: @thefrontseatlife 📘 FB: @thefrontseatlife 📧 Email: FrontSeatLife@gmail.com Other episodes you'll enjoy: Dirty Dishes & Wardrobe Malfunctions I Want My Skin Back: living with Borderline Personality Disorder Handle Stress Before It Handles You Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    19 mins
  • Be the Light, Even in the Dark
    Sep 30 2025
    Ep. 133 September 3, 2013 will always be a date etched in my heart. It was the day I tried to end my life. At the time, I wasn’t grateful to still be here—I was angry, confused, and hurting. Recovery didn’t look like joy at first. It looked like surviving one day at a time, learning to breathe through the pain, and slowly discovering that life could hold meaning again. In this episode of the Healthy Illness Podcast, I share what it’s like to live with that anniversary, how I prepare myself for heavy seasons, and the faith that carries me through. Matthew 5:16 reminds me to "Be the Light," even when it feels impossible. If you’ve survived a suicide attempt, please know this: you are not alone, and it’s okay if your healing doesn’t look like anyone else’s. It’s okay if gratitude comes slowly. It’s okay if you’re still figuring it out. 🌱 In this conversation, I talk about: How faith and community helped me rebuild my life Strategies for facing emotionally charged anniversaries The importance of self-care, mindfulness, and compassion Why it’s okay to find joy again 💜 If you are struggling, please reach out: dial 988 for the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. And if nothing else, let this episode remind you: your life matters, and you are meant to be here. Here are 5 practices I now hold onto: Set gentle reminders — Mark my calendar before September to check in with myself, so I’m not blindsided by the date. Be kind to yourself — I give myself permission to slow down and offer extra compassion during this time. Layer self-care — more than the daily routine, I become intentional about truly filling my cup. Release guilt with mindfulness — if I forget or don’t commemorate the day, I remind myself healing isn’t linear, and that’s okay. Reevaluate afterward — I take time to reflect: Did what I tried this year work? Do I need to adjust for next time? 🌱 These steps don’t erase the pain, but they give me tools to stay present and move forward. Most importantly, they remind me that it’s okay to enjoy life again. 🎙️ Healthy Illness Podcast Credits: Hosted by Coach Kelly Marie, founder of⁠ Front Seat Life LLC⁠ 📲 Instagram ⁠@‌thefrontseatlife⁠ FB ⁠@‌thefrontseatlife⁠ Email ⁠KellyMarie@FrontSeatLife.com⁠ 🎧 Produced & edited by ⁠JazzCast Pros⁠ 🔗 Click Here to rate & review on⁠ Apple Podcasts⁠ 🚀 Rate & Share this Podcast from⁠ Spotify⁠ 🔐 Add this show to your collection on⁠ Pandora.⁠ 💪 Support the Show with a one-time donation on⁠ PayPal⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    17 mins
  • Physical Therapy: A Privilege and a Challenge
    Sep 15 2025
    Ep.132 Kelly Marie provides updates on her journey post-back surgery and the challenges of accessing physical therapy. She highlights the barriers of time and cost, emphasizing healthcare system inequities. Reflecting on her privilege to undergo therapy, she advocates for systemic change toward preventative health care. Additionally, Kelly discusses her postpartum doula certification and shares insights on mindfulness' role in managing chronic pain. Engage with a dialogue on holistic wellness, insurance, and societal disparities in health access. You’re invited to be part of the live studio audience at the Aligned Entrepreneur Pod-a-thon where the Healthy Illness Podcast, will share how to align your business practices with your mental well-being. 📅 Friday, September 27📍 WXXI Studio A, Rochester, NYGet VIP Tickets with Discount Code: ALIGNED⁠WXXI Presents the Aligned Entrepreneur Pod-a-Thon | JazzCast Pros Notable Quotes: "Physical therapy is a damn privilege, not just from a medical perspective." "How do people prioritize their body functioning properly over going to work and taking care of family?" "We need to begin to focus on this holistic understanding of the body and how to take care of ourselves." "There is no reason why we should feel left out, disenfranchised, hurt, and broken." "Mindfulness for me has been so crucial to my ability to manage my pain 🔗 Resources & Links 📧 Front Seat Life → frontseatlife.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Mindfulness is Our Inheritance
    Aug 25 2025
    Ep. 131 Kelly Marie, a mindfulness advocate, doula, and host of the Healthy Illness Podcast on the JazzCast Pros Network, is known for guiding individuals toward healthier relationships and culturally rooted mindfulness practices. In this episode, she’ll break down how to: 🌱 Integrate mindfulness into your daily workflow🌱 Use culturally relevant practices to stay grounded🌱 Protect your mental health while you grow professionally 🎙️ Key Quote:"Mindfulness isn't about becoming someone different; it's about coming home to yourself." – Kelly Marie What if your business could be set up in a way that protects and supports your mental health? 💼🧘🏾‍♀️ You’re invited to be part of the live studio audience at the Aligned Entrepreneur Pod-a-thon where the Healthy Illness Podcast, will share how to align your business practices with your mental well-being. 📅 Friday, September 27📍 WXXI Studio A, Rochester, NY Get VIP Tickets with Discount Code: EARLY WXXI Presents the Aligned Entrepreneur Pod-a-Thon | JazzCast Pros 🔗 Resources & Links 📧 Front Seat Life → frontseatlife.com 🎵 Episode 101 : Lil Jon's Mindfulness Album Review → Listen Here 🌸 Shannon Johns’ Calming Nature Doula Services & Center → Visit Website ☎️ Community Support → Dial 211 for therapists & local resources 🚨 Crisis Line → Dial 988 if in danger or need immediate support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    18 mins
  • Friendship as Medicine – Part 2: Compeer Rochester's Intern Turned CEO
    Aug 18 2025
    Ep.130 In Part 2 Sara Passamonte, CEO of Compeer Rochester—opens up about her path from intern to leader, what it was like guiding Compeer through the pandemic, and how personal passions like music keep her grounded. She shares how long-term peer relationships have not only shaped Compeer’s mission but also her own healing journey. This episode is a reminder that behind every program is a person with lived experience—and that recovery is possible when we find connection, purpose, and creativity along the way. ✨ Why listen: Sara’s journey from psychology student to CEO The resilience of Compeer through COVID-19 How music and creativity fuel mental wellness Stories of lasting friendships that change lives 🔗 Resources: ⁠Compeer Rochester Website⁠ ⁠Compeer International Website⁠ 🎙️ Hosted by Coach Kelly Marie, founder of⁠⁠ Front Seat Life LLC⁠⁠ 📲 Instagram ⁠⁠@‌thefrontseatlife⁠⁠ FB ⁠⁠@‌thefrontseatlife⁠⁠ Email ⁠⁠KellyMarie@FrontSeatLife.com⁠⁠ 🎧 Produced & edited by ⁠⁠JazzCast Pros⁠⁠ 🔗 Click Here to rate & review on⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ 🚀 Rate & Share this Podcast from⁠⁠ Spotify⁠⁠ 🔐 Add this show to your collection on⁠⁠ Pandora.⁠⁠ 💪 Support the Show with a one-time donation on⁠⁠ PayPal⁠ Chapters: 0:00 – Sara’s 20 year career at Compeer and Its Life-Changing Impact 2:13 – Stories of Friendship: Lifelong Bonds That Shaped Sara’s Path 3:34 – From Intern to CEO: Sara Passamonte’s Journey with Compeer 9:52 – Leading Through Crisis: How Sara Guided Compeer in COVID Times 16:12 – Balancing CEO Life, Motherhood & Mental Health Self-Care Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Friendship as Medicine – Part 1: Peer Support for Mental Health
    Aug 11 2025
    Ep. 129 I can’t help but wonder—how different would my journey have been if I’d had a Companion Peer when I was struggling? When I was at the peak of my own mental health challenges, what I needed most wasn’t another prescription or appointment—it was a person. Someone to sit with me, listen without judgment, and remind me that I wasn’t alone. That’s exactly what Compeer offers. In this week’s episode of the Healthy Illness Podcast, I talk with Sara Passamonte, CEO of Compeer Rochester, about the life-changing impact of peer companionship. Since the 1970s, Compeer has been matching volunteers with people living with mental health challenges—building real relationships that foster hope, healing, and growth for both sides. We dive into Compeer’s inspiring origin story, its programs for youth, families, and veterans, and the ways even an hour a week can transform lives. This is the kind of community-based support I wish I’d known about years ago—and the reason this podcast exists: to let you know that you’re not alone, and recovery is possible. ✨ Key Takeaways: Peer companionship addresses the human side of mental health recovery—connection, trust, and hope. Volunteering benefits everyone involved, improving emotional and physical health. Compeer offers free programs for youth, families, and veterans. Even a small time commitment can have a huge impact. Support doesn’t always come from a clinic—sometimes it comes from a friend who’s been there. 🔗 Resources: Compeer Rochester Website Compeer International Website 🎙️ Hosted by Coach Kelly Marie, founder of⁠ Front Seat Life LLC⁠ 📲 Instagram ⁠@‌thefrontseatlife⁠ FB ⁠@‌thefrontseatlife⁠ Email ⁠KellyMarie@FrontSeatLife.com⁠ 🎧 Produced & edited by ⁠JazzCast Pros⁠ 🔗 Click Here to rate & review on⁠ Apple Podcasts⁠ 🚀 Rate & Share this Podcast from⁠ Spotify⁠ 🔐 Add this show to your collection on⁠ Pandora.⁠ 💪 Support the Show with a one-time donation on⁠ PayPal⁠ This conversation is just the beginning. Next week, Sara returns to share her own mental health journey—the experiences that shaped her, the challenges she’s overcome, and why she’s so passionate about helping others through Compeer. Subscribe now so you don’t miss Part 2 of Friendship as Medicine. Chapters: 0:00 – Why Peer Support Can Add Years to Your Life4:47 – How Compeer Turns Socializing into Mental Health Support9:16 – Behind the Scenes: Matching & Training Compeer Volunteers12:11 – The Double Impact: Helping Others While Healing Yourself16:38 – Support for All: Families, Veterans & More20:08 – Veteran Healing Through Friendship & Fun23:24 – Expanding Veteran Services Across New York24:07 – One Hour a Week That Can Change a Life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Chronic Pain + A Moment of Pleasure
    Aug 4 2025
    Ep. 128 If you live with chronic pain, you may have convinced yourself that pain is your forever companion. But what if—just for a moment—you woke up and it was gone? In this reflective solo episode, Kelly Marie shares the unforgettable day she experienced zero pain for the first time in years, and how mindfulness helped her not only recognize the moment but fully live in it. Tune in as she unpacks the power of awareness, the role of physical therapy, and what she’s learning about healing from the inside out. 🧘🏽‍♀️ Key Takeaways: Why mindfulness is essential in pain management How one pain-free day sparked hope and reflection The emotional rollercoaster of chronic illness and healing ⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 – Living with and managing chronic pain 01:24 – Shoutout to the JazzCast Pros Community 02:41 – When Chronic Pain Becomes Your Normal 05:38 – A Day That Felt Different 06:46 – Mindfulness & Pain: A New Relationship 08:53 – Wait… Is Something Wrong? 10:04 – Sitting in Joy, Not Fear 11:05 – Chronic Pain Doesn’t Cancel Joy 12:26 – Catching the Spiral of What-Ifs 13:42 – Noticing Patterns, Honoring Progress 15:53 – You Are Not Alone 17:35 – Don’t Miss the Moment 18:50 – Final Thoughts & Call to Share Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 mins
  • Sticking to Your Boundaries, Even When it Hurts
    Jun 30 2025
    Ep. 127 Kelly Marie delves into the challenges of maintaining personal boundaries while dealing with mental health conditions on the Healthy Illness Podcast. She shares a poignant story about setting boundaries with her godmother during a significant family gathering. The episode explores the complexities of navigating personal limits, the importance of self-care, and the impact of mental health on relationships. Kelly Marie reflects on how these decisions affect her well-being and the delicate balance of honoring both personal needs and familial love. Episodes You'll Enjoy: Ep. 95 Traveling with Friends While Managing Anxiety Ep. 97 I Can't Keep Calm I'm Stuck at the Airport! Ep. 98 Expectations vs Reality: My First Trip to India 🎙️ Hosted by Coach Kelly Marie, founder of⁠ Front Seat Life LLC⁠ 📲 Instagram ⁠@‌thefrontseatlife⁠ FB ⁠@‌thefrontseatlife⁠ Email ⁠KellyMarie@FrontSeatLife.com⁠ 🎧 Produced & edited by ⁠JazzCast Pros⁠ 🔗 Click Here to rate & review on⁠ Apple Podcasts⁠ 🚀 Rate & Share this Podcast from⁠ Spotify⁠ 🔐 Add this show to your collection on⁠ Pandora.⁠ 💪 Support the Show with a one-time donation on⁠ PayPal⁠ Key Takeaways: The importance of setting and maintaining personal boundaries for mental health, even when it involves difficult decisions. Close relationships can present challenges in boundary-setting, yet understanding and support from loved ones can aid in this process. Self-awareness and honesty are crucial in recognizing mental limits and making informed decisions about personal well-being. Healthy relationships with oneself include making choices that prevent mental health decline. Communication with loved ones about personal boundaries can facilitate understanding and support. Quotes; "I knew I could not show up for her and still show up for myself." "Love doesn't force you into a position of pain that hurts you." "If I know I don't belong in a space and still allow myself to be in that space, I'm putting myself at risk of increased, further mental decline." "We don't know until we do the work... until we've done the understanding of who we are." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins