Wellness with Kristy Kaiswatum
every Wednesday on CFNU Radio
Kristy Kaiswatum, licensed Wellness Therapist joins Lindell and Amanda every Wednesday to talk about mental health and wellness.
Join hosts Lindell and Amanda every Wednesday for insightful conversations on mental health and wellness, featuring Kristy Kaiswatum, a licensed Wellness Therapist. Kristy, who is Cree and Métis from Piapot First Nation, brings her expertise and deep connection to community to every episode.
Tune in at 1pm, with replays at 6pm and 10pm, as Kristy shares her wisdom, cultural teachings, and practical tips to help you on your wellness journey.
Featured EPISODES
The Healing Benefits of Yoga
Jan 15, 2024
In this episode of Wellness with Kristy, we explore yoga’s transformative power, particularly in healing psychological trauma. Kristy discusses how yoga enhances self-compassion, coping skills, and mind-body awareness, while also offering physical benefits like improved strength, flexibility, and relief from chronic pain.
Learn how regular practice supports stress management, better sleep, and mental health. Highlighting insights from trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk, Kristy reveals how yoga helps individuals reconnect with their bodies and foster resilience.
Join us to discover yoga’s role in boosting mood, managing stress, and building a supportive community.
Embracing the Winter Solstice
Dec 18, 2024
In this episode of Wellness with Kristy, Kristy is joined by Lindell and Amanda to explore the deeper meaning of the winter solstice. They discuss shifting away from the stress and expectations of the holiday season and embracing a more reflective, intentional way of celebrating. From honoring nature’s rhythms to creating personal traditions, they share ways to slow down, reconnect, and find fulfillment in the season’s quiet beauty.
The conversation also delves into self-reflection, grief, and personal growth—acknowledging both light and darkness as essential parts of the journey. They highlight the healing power of nature, the importance of rest, and the freedom in letting go of societal pressures. The episode concludes with meditation music, inviting listeners to embrace stillness, self-care, and the natural cycles of life.
Breaking Mental Blocks: Tools for Clarity and Creativity
Dec 11, 2024
In this episode of Wellness with Kristy, Kristy unpacks mental blockages and their impact on creativity, productivity, and well-being. She shares personal insights into overcoming perfectionism, procrastination, and decision fatigue, while exploring the role of ADHD and neurodivergence in thought processes.
Listeners will learn strategies like the Pomodoro method, active recall, and reframing negative self-talk with positive affirmations and evidence of strengths. Kristy highlights the importance of managing stress, mindfulness, healthy habits, and rest, offering practical tips to foster mental clarity and resilience. A must-listen for those looking to combat mental blocks and prioritize wellness!
Understanding the Shadow Self
Nov 27, 2024
In this transformative episode of Wellness with Kristy, Kristy and her guest unpack the concept of the “shadow self,” inspired by Carl Jung’s theories. Together, they explore how the unconscious traits we suppress—like anger, sadness, or a need for validation—shape our personal growth and relationships.
Kristy shares practical tools like root cause analysis and shadow self meditation to help listeners identify emotional triggers, uncover hidden needs, and develop healthier boundaries.
With candid stories of overcoming people-pleasing tendencies and confronting fears of rejection, the hosts offer a relatable perspective on how unresolved childhood narratives influence adult behaviors.
Self-Reflection, Communication, and Cognitive Wellness
Nov 20, 2024
In this Wellness with Kristy episode, Kristy explores self-reflection, communication styles, and personal growth. She discusses winter as a time for introspection, setting authentic boundaries, and embracing the “shadow self” for healing.
Key themes include understanding learning styles, fostering creativity, and improving brain health through mindfulness and cognitive exercises. Personal stories highlight the importance of aligning with nature’s rhythms and nurturing mental and emotional well-being.
Tune in for actionable tips and inspiring insights!
Enhancing Communication and Connections
Nov 13, 2024
In this episode of Wellness with Kristy, we dive into how communication styles, assumptions, and learning preferences impact interactions at work, home, and socially.
The discussion covers four main communication styles:
- Action-Oriented: Focus on results and concise communication.
- Process-Oriented: Provide step-by-step details and structured information.
- People-Oriented: Start with relationship-building, empathy, and collaboration.
- Idea-Oriented: Allow time for creative discussions and emphasize the “why.”
Building your Window of Tolerance
JULY 10, 2024
In this episode of Wellness, hosts Will and Lindell welcome Kristy to discuss “building your window of tolerance,” a framework for managing stress and emotional responses, particularly for trauma survivors.
The trio introduces the “spoon theory” to illustrate how those with chronic pain or mental health challenges have limited emotional reserves. They explore strategies for regaining balance, emphasizing the healing potential found in understanding our emotional landscapes and fostering genuine connections.
Thoughts, Feelings, Actions: The CBT Guide to Self-Compassion
JULY 3, 2024
In this episode of Wellness, Kristy dives into the transformative power of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to understand and shift the connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Exploring how automatic negative beliefs can shape our lives, the conversation offers tools for challenging these thoughts and choosing healthier, more constructive responses. With insights on workplace communication, the role of social media in shaping our perceptions, and personal stories of grief and growth, the episode encourages self-kindness and awareness as foundations for change.
Nurturing Kindness: Strategies for Self-Care
JUNE 26, 2024
In this episode of Wellness on CFNU Radio, hosts Will, Lindell, and Kristy discuss the transformative power of “ridiculous kindness,” focusing on self-kindness. Kristy shares her humorous “mirror work” technique to boost self-affirmation. The hosts explore the differences between kindness, empathy, and compassion, especially concerning compassion fatigue in caregivers. They emphasize the role of positive morning routines and mindfulness in mental health, particularly for those with ADHD. The episode concludes with a collective affirmation activity, promoting connection and self-acceptance in our wellness journeys.
Understanding Attachment Styles
JUNE 19, 2024
In this episode of Wellness Wednesday on CFNU Radio, hosts Will, Lindell, and Kristy Shaw discuss how attachment styles—secure, avoidant, anxious, and disorganized—affect our relationships. They share personal stories about parenting and the deeper emotions behind children’s expressions of anger. The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding these styles to enhance communication, build trust, and foster healthier connections. The episode concludes with a grounding exercise for self-trust and forgiveness, encouraging listeners to strengthen their relationships within families and communities.
Exploring the Vagus Nerve & Emotional Well-Being
JUNE 12, 2024
In this episode, the Wellness Wednesday hosts discuss the vagus nerve’s role in emotional well-being and trauma. They share personal experiences with the “freeze” response and stress the importance of self-awareness and coping strategies for managing anxiety.
The conversation includes gentle communication methods for youth and concludes with practical self-regulation techniques, such as breathing exercises, to promote mindfulness and emotional resilience.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Embracing Self-Acceptance
JUNE 5, 2024
In this episode of Wellness Wednesday, hosts Will, Lindell, and Kristy discuss impostor syndrome and its effects on mental health. Lindell shares her personal experiences with self-doubt, and the group addresses lateral violence in communities and the importance of open dialogue. They stress self-awareness, valuing lived experiences, and prioritizing self-compassion over external validation.
Join us for insights on overcoming impostor syndrome and fostering a healthier self-image.
Redefining Self-Care: Healing from Within and Embracing Community
MAY 9, 2024
On this episode of Wellness Wednesday on Wana, therapist Kristy explores self-care beyond Western consumerism, emphasizing personal and intentional practices that nurture the mind, body, and spirit.
The discussion touches on emotional healing, recognizing triggers, and setting boundaries for self-protection. Kristy explains how trauma is stored in the body, with yoga and somatic healing helping to release it.
The conversation also covers neuro decolonization, a concept by Dr. Michael Yellowbird, blending mindfulness with Indigenous practices to reshape thought patterns. Kristy encourages gratitude, self-kindness, and rewriting internal narratives to support healing.
Unmasking Masculinity: Embrace Vulnerability & Stress Relief
MAY 29, 2024
In this episode of Wellness on Wana, the hosts explore men’s wellness through the lens of both Indigenous and Western perspectives. They discuss the impact of traditional masculinity, shaped by emotional restraint and stoicism, and how these ideals have been influenced by colonization. They also emphasize the importance of role models, both male and female, in helping guide young people through life’s challenges.
The conversation shifts to ego and emotional expression, focusing on how societal expectations drive men to mask vulnerability, often leading to midlife crises.
The episode concludes with a discussion on self-care, relaxation, and stress management, encouraging intentionality in self-care practices.
ALL EPISODES
Airs every Wednesday at 1pm,
with encores at 6pm & 10pm.
Replays on Weekends @ 3pm.
About The Host
Kristy Kaiswatum is Cree and Metis from Piapot First Nation. Kristy is a Wellness Therapist who holds a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work from FNUC and is a Registered Social Worker with the Saskatchewan Association of Social Work. Kristy has been an Oskiskwewis (female helper) in the local community for the last decade spending her time working and volunteering in the Regina Community.
