Caris Snider – Anxiety Elephants

March 22, 2021
by Rodney Olsen
Add Comment

Depression, anxiety, fear, pain, shame, failure, feeling not enough, even wanting to leave this world. These are all things that Caris Snider has experienced.

Caris is my guest this week on my podcast, Bleeding Daylight.

If we’re honest, most of us have some kind of disconnect between our personal inner world and the person that the world sees, but for Caris, it was like a gaping chasm.

She very much seemed to have it all together. She was a wife, mum, friend and worship leader. Unfortunately, below the surface, things were quite different. Caris was hiding a secret, even from those closest to her and on Bleeding Daylight we lift the lid on that secret and discover the turnaround that not only helped her, but that has allowed her to help others.

Caris is the author of the book Anxiety Elephants and it was an honour to have her join me on Bleeding Daylight.

Whether you’ve encountered any of the feelings that Caris did, or you’re wanting to help someone you know, you’ll find hope and encouragement in her story.

Listen to Bleeding Daylight wherever you find podcasts or use the audio player below.



Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Caris Snider – Anxiety Elephants? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

Rob Mason – Shame Off You

August 2, 2020
by Rodney Olsen
Add Comment

In a world of frantic busyness and increased anxiety, Rob Mason’s book Shame Off You deserves to be on everyone’s bookshelf. As well as telling Rob’s personal story of anxiety and shame, it’s a practical book that will hand every reader the keys to begin a journey towards better mental health.

In the most recent episode of my podcast, Bleeding Daylight, we take an honest and open look into Rob’s inner life and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Rob Mason suffered with the shame associated with chronic anxiety and panic attacks for over 10 years but he says that what he once thought would ruin his life, has in fact, enhanced it. As a church pastor and sports chaplain for nearly 30 years, he’s had the privilege of walking alongside thousands of people, struggling with their emotional wellbeing.

You can hear our conversation wherever you listen to podcasts or click the play button on the player below.



Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Rob Mason – Shame Off You? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

Who will you ask today?

September 11, 2014
by Rodney Olsen
1 Comment

RUOK logo

It’s heart breaking to think that some people believe that death by their own hand is a better alternative than continuing to live.

Losing someone to suicide is such a devastating experience. There’s no chance to talk things through and work towards a solution. It’s an event that fills the rest of your life with so many ‘what if’ questions.

R U OK? is doing something about the tragedy of suicide. They believe that something as simple as a conversation can make a world of difference. That means that you and I can do something that may save someone’s life.

We know that suicide prevention is an enormously complex and sensitive challenge the world over. But we also know that some of the world’s smartest people have been working tirelessly and developed credible theories that suggest there’s power in that simplest of questions – “Are you ok?”

Today, Thursday the 11th of September, has been named R U OK? Day for 2014. It’s a day that reminds us to stay connected to those around us and to make sure that those we love are doing OK in the journey of life.

We want to stop little problems becoming bigger by encouraging all people to help each other through life’s ups and downs. We all experience relationship problems, financial difficulties, stress, illness and death and we can all benefit from the support of those around us.

While R U OK? Day is an Australian initiative, suicide is a world wide tragedy. Who will you reconnect with today? Who needs you to ask if they’re OK today?

While R U OK? Day is today, let’s not only ask people if they’re OK today. Let’s make sure we’re caring for those close to us all year round.

If you are suffering any kind of emotional distress and you feel that you need help, R U OK? Day has resources available to help.



Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Who will you ask today?? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

Who will you ask?

September 12, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
Add Comment

RUOK

Losing someone to suicide is such a devastating experience. There’s no chance to talk things through and work towards a solution. It’s an event that fills the rest of your life with so many ‘what if’ questions.

It’s heart breaking to think that some people believe that death by their own hand is a better alternative than continuing to live.

R U OK? is doing something about the tragedy of suicide. They believe that something as simple as a conversation can make a world of difference. That means that you and I can do something that may save someone’s life.

To help create a world where all people are connected and are protected from suicide, [name of organisation] is urging locals to get involved on R U OK?Day on Thursday 12 September by asking ‘are you ok?’ of friends, family members and colleagues.

The R U OK? Foundation is hosting its 5th national day of action and aims to inspire more Australians to connect with anyone who might be struggling with life.

Today has been named R U OK?Day. It’s a day that reminds us to stay connected to those around us and to make sure that those we love are doing OK in the journey of life.

We want to stop little problems becoming bigger by encouraging all people to help each other through life’s ups and downs. We all experience relationship problems, financial difficulties, stress, illness and death and we can all benefit from the support of those around us.

While R U OK?Day is an Australian initiative, suicide is a world wide tragedy. Who will you reconnect with today? Who needs you to ask if they’re OK today?

If you are suffering any kind of emotional distress and you feel that you need help, R U OK? Day has resources available to help.



Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Who will you ask?? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

Anxiety

May 7, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
Add Comment

Beyond Blue has launched a campaign to help Australians recognise anxiety and then to be able to seek appropriate help. The Get to Know Anxiety campaign features the short film above which stars Australian-born and internationally acclaimed actor Ben Mendelsohn. In the video he introduces anxiety’s symptoms and challenges audiences to do something about it once they recognise the signs.

Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried. While stress and anxious feelings are a common response to a situation where a person feels under pressure, it usually passes once the stressful situation has passed, or ‘stressor’ is removed.

Anxiety is when these anxious feelings don’t subside. Anxiety is when they are ongoing and exist without any particular reason or cause. It’s a serious condition that makes it hard for a person to cope with daily life. We all feel anxious from time to time, but for a person experiencing anxiety, these feelings cannot be easily controlled.

Reports of anxiety have increased in recent years in Australia but it’s not just a problem down under. I’m sure that there are people around the world who would benefit from the resources at Beyond Blue.

Roy Morgan research shows the proportion of Australians aged 18 and over who reported experiencing an anxiety condition in the last 12 months has grown by almost 40% in the last four years. The research showed 13.8%, an estimated 2.44 million Australians, experienced an anxiety condition in the year to December 2012, compared to 9.9% in 2008.

If you recognise the symptoms of anxiety or are suffering from other forms of emotional distress, I encourage you to seek help. A great place to begin is at the Beyond Blue website.



Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Anxiety? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.