Tag: Naty Matos

Unraveling the Complex Ties Between Mental Health and School Shootings

On By Naty MatosIn Thrive2 Comments

In a world where school shootings have become a tragic reality, understanding the underlying factors is crucial. This blog delves into the complex relationship between mental health and these devastating events, offering insights from concerned parents and mental health advocates.

School shootings often involve individuals with documented mental health struggles. As discussed in our recent episode, these issues range from depression and anxiety to more severe conditions like psychopathy and social isolation. It’s essential to recognize that while mental health challenges are prevalent, they do not inherently lead to violence. However, untreated or inadequately addressed mental health issues can contribute to tragic outcomes.

Many perpetrators of school shootings experience significant social isolation, feeling like outcasts or victims of bullying. This isolation can fuel anger and a desire for revenge, highlighting the importance of fostering inclusive and supportive environments in schools and communities.

A recurring theme in these tragedies is the easy access to firearms. Responsible gun ownership and secure storage are vital in preventing these incidents. As parents and guardians, ensuring that weapons are inaccessible to children and individuals with mental health issues is a critical step in safeguarding our communities.

Early intervention and consistent mental health support can make a significant difference. Schools, mental health professionals, and families must work together to identify warning signs and provide the necessary resources and support to those in need.

Addressing the mental health aspects of school shootings requires a multifaceted approach, combining awareness, education, and compassion. By advocating for better mental health care and responsible actions, we can work towards creating a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.

Subscribe now to stay informed and join us in advocating for change. Together, we can make a difference.

Why Juneteenth Still Matters in 2025!

On By Naty MatosIn ThriveLeave a comment

Imagine a world where history is a tapestry of untold stories, woven with the threads of courage, resilience, and truth. In the latest episode of Thrive by the Rising Muse, hosts Naty and Veda explore the significance of teaching real history. This journey not only honors the past but also shapes a more inclusive future.

“Juneteenth isn’t just about a moment in time. It’s about people known and unknown,” says Naty in the episode. The stories of Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth are more than historical footnotes; they are powerful narratives that challenge us to see beyond the surface. By teaching real history, we ensure that these voices are heard, their struggles acknowledged, and their legacies preserved.

Healing Through Understanding: “Freedom came, but the trauma didn’t magically disappear,” Veda reminds us during the discussion. The scars of the past linger, and understanding history is a step towards healing. By acknowledging the pain and resilience of those who came before us, we create a space for empathy and growth. Teaching real history is not just about facts; it’s about fostering a deeper connection to our shared humanity.

“Teach your children about history. Real history,” urges Naty. In a world where misinformation can spread like wildfire, the responsibility to educate the next generation is more crucial than ever. By embracing the full spectrum of history, we empower young minds to think critically, challenge biases, and build a future rooted in equality and understanding.

As we reflect on the stories shared in this episode, let us commit to teaching real history with integrity and passion. By doing so, we honor the heroes who paved the way and inspire future generations to continue the fight for justice and unity.

Join us on this journey of discovery and empowerment. Subscribe to Thrive by the Rising Muse and be part of a community dedicated to truth, resilience, and hope. For this episode, click on the image below.

The Rise of Digital Minimalism: How Disconnecting Can Lead to More Meaningful Connections

On By Naty MatosIn ArticlesLeave a comment

Introduction:

Have you ever picked up your phone to check one thing, then looked up an hour later wondering where the time went? You’re not alone. In a world where our lives are filtered through screens, digital minimalism is gaining traction as a movement to reclaim our time, minds, and relationships.

What Is Digital Minimalism?

Digital minimalism isn’t about ditching technology altogether. It’s about being intentional with your screen time—using tech as a tool rather than letting it control you. Coined by author Cal Newport, it promotes quality over quantity in digital consumption.

Think:

  • Fewer apps
  • Less mindless scrolling
  • More focus on what matters

Why We’re Craving Less Screen Time

Many people are waking up to the emotional cost of being always connected:

  • Rising anxiety and burnout
  • Decreased attention span
  • Shallow online relationships replacing deep, real-life connections

We’re longing for the stillness and clarity that used to be part of everyday life—and digital minimalism is the path back.

The Benefits of Disconnecting

Going minimalist with your tech habits can spark powerful changes:
✅ Improved mental clarity and focus
✅ Deeper relationships (you’re truly present)
✅ Better sleep and reduced stress
✅ More time for creativity, hobbies, and goals

5 Practical Ways to Embrace Digital Minimalism

  1. Audit your apps. Remove any that don’t serve your purpose or joy.
  2. Set screen-free hours. (Example: no phones after 8 PM.)
  3. Use tech with intention. Ask: “Is this helping me or distracting me?”
  4. Rediscover analog joys. Read a book. Journal. Take a walk.
  5. Go on a digital detox weekend. Experience a full reset.

Real Talk: It’s Not Easy—But It’s Worth It

At first, the silence might feel uncomfortable. But then, something shifts. You start noticing things—the sound of birds, the taste of your food, the way your loved ones smile when you actually look up.

Digital minimalism isn’t just about less tech. It’s about more life.

In a society obsessed with connection, maybe the greatest rebellion is intentional disconnection. Try it—not to reject the digital world, but to reclaim your real one.

🧘‍♀️ Ready to try digital minimalism? Share your first step in the comments or tag me on your favorite platform (we are @therisingmuse everywhere) after your digital detox! #DigitalMinimalistChallenge

Balancing Work, Family, and Personal Goals: A Journey to Fulfillment

On By Naty MatosIn ThriveLeave a comment


In today’s fast-paced world, finding the right balance between work, family, and personal goals can feel like an elusive dream. But with intentional planning and a clear vision, it’s possible to create a fulfilling life that honors all aspects of who you are. This week on Thrive by The Rising Muse, we interviewed Rob Rolston, who gave us a great perspective on wealth.


The Art of Prioritization
“Success is different for everybody,” says Rob, a guest on our recent podcast episode. For him, success isn’t about flashy cars or material wealth; it’s about having the time and freedom to spend with family. This perspective highlights the importance of prioritizing what truly matters to you. By identifying your core values, you can make decisions that align with your long-term vision.


Communication is Key
Rob emphasizes the importance of open communication with his wife, stating, “Everything is discussed openly.” Whether it’s about work, parenting, or personal aspirations, having honest conversations ensures that both partners are on the same page. This transparency fosters a supportive environment where both individuals can pursue their goals without feeling isolated.


Embracing Flexibility
Life is unpredictable, and sometimes plans need to change. Rob shares how having various exit strategies in business allows him to pivot when necessary. This flexibility is equally important in personal life. By being adaptable, you can navigate challenges without losing sight of your goals.


The Power of Compounding
Rob’s journey underscores the power of starting early and the principle of compounding. Whether it’s investing in your career, relationships, or personal development, small consistent efforts can lead to significant growth over time. As Rob puts it, “It’s the same principle of eating an elephant. You only do it one bite at a time.”

Balancing work, family, and personal goals is a continuous journey that requires patience, communication, and adaptability. By staying true to your values and embracing flexibility, you can create a life that is both fulfilling and aligned with your vision. Remember, it’s not about achieving perfection but about making progress towards a life that resonates with your true self.

Robert Rolston was told his learning disabilities and mental health struggles would hold him back. But instead, he built a thriving property business, retired his parents, and gave his family a life most people only dream about.


Subscribe now to stay updated on more insights and stories that inspire a balanced and fulfilling life. Watch the full episode here.

Finding Hope and Healing: Navigating the Journey from Sexual Trauma

On By Naty MatosIn ThriveLeave a comment

Healing from sexual trauma is a deeply personal journey that requires courage, support, and understanding. In our recent conversation on Thrive by The Rising Muse, with Tabitha Westbrook, a licensed trauma therapist and author, we explored the pathways to restoration and hope. Her insights offer a beacon of light for those seeking healing.

Understanding the Urgency:
Tabitha emphasizes the critical need to address sexuality after trauma. “People are realizing and reckoning with the harm they’ve experienced,” she notes, highlighting the importance of movements like Me Too in creating safe spaces for survivors to share their stories.

The Role of Faith and Community:
Faith and community play pivotal roles in the healing process. Tabitha shares, “God is also a God of how and practicality,” underscoring the importance of practical steps and community support in the journey towards healing.


Building Healthy Relationships:
A key aspect of healing is learning to build healthy relationships. Tabitha advises, “Prioritize friendship first, and good things will come from that.” Understanding and respecting boundaries are essential in fostering connections that support healing.

Healing from sexual trauma is not a linear path, but with faith, community, and a commitment to personal growth, it is possible to find hope and restoration. As Tabitha reminds us, “The same God that brought me out, He can bring you out.”
Tabitha Westbrook, LMFT-S, LCMHC-QS, LPC-S, is a licensed therapist who helps people who have messy, funky pasts (and sometimes messy, funky presents) live amazing, empowered lives today. In addition to being a licensed counselor and supervisor, Tabitha is an EMDR Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Certified Christian Trauma Care Provider. 

She’s the Founder & CEO of The Journey and The Process, a private practice with offices in North Carolina and Texas, specializing in complex trauma, with a focus on domestic abuse and coercive control. Tabitha’s a nationally known expert and speaker on domestic abuse & coercive control, providing training to churches, therapists, and agencies. She also helps train domestic abuse advocates through Called to Peace Ministries’ faith-based advocacy training, as well as co-facilitates the G5 Men’s Batterer Intervention Group. Tabitha is the author of the forthcoming book Body & Soul, Healed & Whole: An Invitational Guide to Healthy Sexuality After Trauma, Abuse, and Coercive Control.


Join us on this journey of healing and hope. Subscribe to Thrive by The Rising Muse for more insightful conversations and support.

Memorial Day: Reflection, Family, and Faith

On By Naty MatosIn Articles, Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

This weekend, many of us will gather with family and friends, grateful for the pause and the unofficial start of summer. There will be laughter, shared meals, and the simple joy of togetherness. But as we embrace these moments of peace, it’s essential to hold space for the profound reason we are given this day: to remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

Memorial Day is a day of solemn remembrance. It’s a day to honor those who laid down their lives in service to our nation. For many, this is not a day of celebration but one of quiet reflection, of visiting cemeteries, and of honoring the empty chair at the family table. It’s a powerful reminder that our peace was purchased at a great price.

At The Rising Muse, we believe in the convergence of faith, mental health, family, and personal growth. On Memorial Day, these pillars of our community are poignantly intertwined.

Faith in Sorrow

For families of the fallen, faith can be both a sanctuary and a struggle. The loss of a loved one can test the very foundations of what we believe. Yet, it is often in these moments of profound grief that faith can offer a glimmer of hope—a belief in a peace that surpasses all understanding and a reunion beyond this life. This Memorial Day, let us hold in our hearts the Gold Star Families, who walk a journey of faith and resilience that most of us will never know. Let us pray for their comfort and their strength.

The Weight of Remembrance and Our Mental Health

Grief is a heavy burden, and for military families, it is a unique and often lifelong journey. The quiet respect we show on Memorial Day is a testament to our collective acknowledgment of their loss. It is a way of saying, “Your loved one is not forgotten. Their sacrifice matters.”

Honoring this day with intention is also an act of communal mental well-being. It allows us to connect with a sense of gratitude and to understand the cost of the freedoms we often take for granted. By taking a moment for silent reflection or by participating in a memorial service, we create a space for collective healing and remembrance.

The Enduring Strength of Family

The families of our fallen heroes are a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit. They carry on the legacy of their loved ones through their own lives of service, courage, and love. They are a vital part of our national family, and on this day, we have a sacred duty to remember them, to support them, and to honor the sacrifices they have also made.

Personal Growth Through Remembrance

How do we live a life that is worthy of such a great sacrifice? This is perhaps the most profound question Memorial Day asks of us. It calls us to a higher purpose in our own lives. It challenges us to be better citizens, kinder neighbors, and more engaged members of our communities.

Let this Memorial Day be a catalyst for your personal growth. Reflect on the freedoms you have and consider how you can use them to make a positive impact. Perhaps it’s by volunteering, by having meaningful conversations with your children about the cost of freedom, or by simply living with a greater sense of purpose and gratitude.

This Memorial Day, as you gather with your loved ones, we invite you to join us at The Rising Muse in a moment of quiet reflection. Let us remember the fallen, honor their families, and commit to living lives that are a testament to their enduring sacrifice.

May we never forget.

🌸 Dear Caregiver: You Deserve Care Too

On By Naty MatosIn ThriveLeave a comment

This Mother’s Day, we’re asking a different question.
Not “What are you doing for others?” but “When was the last time you did something for yourself?”

In our latest episode of Thrive by The Rising Muse, we sit down with the powerhouse, Maz Alexander—mental wellbeing coach, social worker, speaker, and author of Arise Kintsugi Queens—for a conversation every caregiver needs to hear.

If you’ve ever:

  • felt invisible while showing up for everyone else,
  • been told that rest is a luxury,
  • struggled to say no without guilt,
    —This episode is your reminder that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s survival.

Maz shares raw stories, wisdom passed through generations, and the truth about the emotional cost of caregiving. You’ll laugh, reflect, and probably exhale in relief because finally, someone gets it.

Maz Alexander is a Mental Well-Being and transformational Coach, Social Worker, Mother, Speaker, and Author based in South London. She supports busy professionals and caregivers in developing and maintaining healthy boundaries so that they can implement the self-care they need to live balanced, authentic, and fulfilled lives.

 Her first published book, Arise Kintsugi Queens: You Are Becoming All You Were Meant to Be, encompasses her personal and professional insights into mental health and wellbeing, faith, and recovery. It ministers to the souls of women who feel overworked, depleted, rejected, and unworthy. It assists them to reclaim their identity and discover their purpose.

🎧 This is for the mothers, the nurturers, the women who never get asked, “How are you really?”

👉 Tune in and give yourself the gift of being seen.

🎥 Watch on YouTube
📘 Grab Maz’s book: Arise Kintsugi Queens on Amazon

Finding Hope After Rock Bottom

On By Naty MatosIn ThriveLeave a comment

What if your darkest moment could become the beginning of your greatest transformation?

In our latest episode of Thrive by The Rising Muse, hosts Naty and Veda sit down with the incredible Meredith White, a Kentucky Certified Peer Support Specialist, recovery advocate, and founder of Simply Sober. Meredith’s journey takes us through the depths of childhood trauma, addiction, prison, and profound heartbreak — but it’s not the tragedy that defines her. It’s her relentless resilience, her hope, and her commitment to helping others find their light.

From surviving life on the streets to creating a community that champions non-judgmental recovery, Meredith’s story is raw, real, and breathtakingly honest. You’ll hear about the pivotal moments that led to her sobriety, how she built her life back one small victory at a time, and why her mantra “Every Little Bit Helps” can change the way you look at healing forever.

This conversation will move you, challenge you, and leave you believing that no matter how far you’ve fallen, hope is always within reach. 💚✨

To connect with Meredith

TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube

🎧 Listen now and be reminded: You are never alone, and it’s never too late to reclaim your life.

Finding Joy in the Everyday: A Faithful Perspective

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

Big achievements get all the attention. Graduations, promotions, weddings — they’re celebrated loudly. But the quiet truth is that real happiness often lives in the small, almost forgettable moments. A good cup of coffee. A random text from a friend. The way sunlight spills across the kitchen floor in the morning.

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

We spend so much time chasing major milestones that we miss the everyday wins. We rush through breakfast thinking about the next deadline. We zone out during conversations because our minds are already five steps ahead. Meanwhile, life is happening in the background, quietly offering small joys to anyone paying attention.

Noticing these moments takes intention. It’s about slowing down, even briefly. It’s pausing to appreciate the rhythm of rain against the window or the smell of fresh laundry. It’s hearing your favorite song at the grocery store and actually letting yourself smile.

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” (Zechariah 4:10)

Gratitude is part of it, sure, but it’s more than that. It’s a mindset shift: choosing to see your daily life as enough, rather than a waiting room for something “better” to happen.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Start small. Put your phone down when you’re eating. Watch how your dog greets you like you’re the best part of its day. Laugh at a bad joke. Feel the weight of a cozy blanket. These moments won’t make headlines, but they build a quiet, lasting happiness that’s hard to shake.

Joy isn’t hidden in some grand future. It’s scattered all over your ordinary day, waiting to be noticed.

The Power of Prayer—A Path to Mental Peace

On By Naty MatosIn ThriveLeave a comment

Have you ever found yourself at the edge of your strength, unsure of the next step, but managed to whisper a single prayer that somehow changed everything?

In our latest episode of Thrive by The Rising Muse, we dive deep into the transformative connection between prayer and mental health. With our usual blend of honesty, humor, and heartfelt wisdom, we explore why prayer is more than just a spiritual tradition—it’s a lifeline. A powerful tool for healing. A sacred space where burdens are laid down and peace is picked up.

You’ll hear personal stories that will touch your soul, moments of laughter that remind us we’re human, and reflections that might just feel like home. From teething toddlers to teary breakthroughs, this episode is raw, real, and restorative.

If you’ve ever questioned your prayers, struggled with silence, or simply longed to feel heard, this one’s for you.

🎧 Come take a seat at the table. Let’s talk. Let’s laugh. Let’s heal. Together.

👉 Tap the link, press play, and meet us in the conversation. We promise you’ll walk away feeling seen, supported, and spiritually full.