Welcome everybody to today's episode of the Lindsay Elmore show. Today we have two really special

interviews. The first is with Amanda Webster, who tells us her story of overcoming addiction

and mental illness. We talk about something that I had never heard of before, which was the

concept of parasocial relationships and how they can

potentially be healing, but also potentially detrimental to people going through traumatic experiences.

We also talk about the importance of therapy and how sometimes the therapist can say the exact wrong thing that sets

you on the right path. After that, I speak to Kieran Lanahan about the special role that foster

parents can play in their child's lives. One of the things that I thought was so special when I talked

with him was his understanding that as a foster parent, your job is ultimately to root for the

birth parent being able to take their child back one day. But we talk about the emotional ups and downs that having a child

for a short period of time can play in the adults' lives. Let's get to the show. Welcome to the

Lindsay Elmore Show, a podcast that helps you find fulfillment amidst chaos.

On this show, I interview thought leaders, doctors, creatives, spiritual gurus, and game changers who inspire you to pursue your dreams, overcome obstacles, and leave your mark.

First up, today's show is Amanda Webster.

Amanda is a fitness model and certified wellness coach who overcame depression on her

own terms after years of antidepressants as well as losing her parents and succumbing to addiction,

which ultimately led her to the ledge of a Canadian hotel room where she almost took her life.

After a year and a half of self-discovery and making healthy changes throughout her life, she was decertified as having serious mental illness by many professionals who told her that that was not even possible.

Now, she's passionate about helping others overcome their biggest struggles and find balance in their life.

Today, we talk about the importance of parasycial connections, and we talk about how you can manage your grief in both healthy and unhealthy ways when you project onto people that you do not know.

So it's interesting because I know many of our listeners as I have had those connections with music

in ways that becomes either inspirational and empowering

...