Delgado Podcast

Understanding Grief & Loss: Clinical Strategies for Supporting the Bereaved - Dr. Jacob Sermeno

Grief is a deeply personal experience that affects each individual differently. In this episode of the Delgado Podcast, Dr. Jacob Sermeno, LCSW highlights the importance of distinguishing between adaptive grief, a normal response to loss, and complicated grief, which involves prolonged symptoms like avoidance, hyper-attachment, or significant daily impairment. Recognizing these differences helps clinicians provide tailored support to those struggling to process loss. Cultural factors and societal norms play a significant role in how grief is expressed. Jacob emphasizes the need for cultural humility, encouraging clinicians to create safe, nonjudgmental spaces where clients can process their emotions authentically. Whether navigating cultural expectations or personal barriers like suppressed emotions, clinicians can empower clients to grieve in ways that honor their experiences while promoting healing. Jacob also shares advice for those supporting grieving loved ones. Simple acts of presence, such as listening without judgment or offering a kind word, can provide immense comfort. He reminds us that grief is not linear and that it’s okay to have both good and bad days. Whether you’re a clinician or a friend, understanding and respecting the grieving process is essential to providing meaningful care. Conversation includes: The clinical distinction between adaptive and complicated grief. Signs of dysfunctional grief and when to intervene therapeutically. Strategies for clinicians to build rapport with grieving clients. The role of cultural humility in addressing diverse grief practices and expectations. How grief affects biopsychosocial functioning Addressing avoidance and hyperattachment in complicated grief presentations. Techniques to support emotional expression while maintaining professional boundaries. Practical advice for grief-adjacent individuals supporting loved ones or colleagues. Understanding the Kubler-Ross model: utility and limitations in modern practice. Encouraging self-awareness and self-compassion in the grieving process. About Dr. Sermeno Dr. Jacob Sermeno is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience addressing chronic mental health concerns, cognitive impairments, and aging-related challenges. His work spans end-of-life care in hospice and nursing homes, geriatric psychiatric program development, and mental health support within corrections. Jacob’s research focuses on reducing recidivism among incarcerated individuals with Severe Mental Illness (SMI), where he has pioneered treatment and discharge planning initiatives for SMI-focused housing units in San Bernardino County. Committed to advancing the field, he aspires to a career in education to equip future professionals with evidence-based practices for working with vulnerable populations.

Understanding Climate Trauma: Mental Health Impacts of Wildfires & Collective Healing - Dr. Jyoti Mishra

In this episode of the Delgado Podcast, Dr. Jyoti Mishra, a neuroscientist and associate professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego, discusses the growing field of climate trauma and its effects on mental health. Dr. Mishra provides an in-depth analysis of how environmental disasters like wildfires contribute to collective trauma, impacting entire communities with symptoms such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and cognitive dysfunctions, including decision-making challenges and difficulty maintaining focus. Drawing from her research, Dr. Mishra explains how the brain's threat response, often referred to as "fire brain," becomes hyper-aroused in the aftermath of trauma, leading to short-term and long-term psychological and neurological effects. This episode offers practical strategies for mental health professionals and community leaders to address climate trauma effectively. Dr. Mishra highlights the importance of interventions such as psychological first aid, mindfulness practices, and physical activity to build resilience during the acute and chronic phases of recovery. She also explores the role of eco-therapy in helping survivors reconnect with nature to promote healing and discusses the need for community-wide approaches to address collective trauma. For clinicians, this conversation offers evidence-informed insights into understanding and treating the unique mental health challenges posed by climate-related disasters. Learn more about her work: https://neatlabs.ucsd.edu/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyoti-mishra-neatlabs/ Books referenced: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Brain-Jyoti-Mishra/dp/B0B3Q5BRRM/ https://www.amazon.com/Listen-Kids-Our-Climate-Changing/dp/B0CVK8SN9M/

Exploring Faith Perspectives, Theological Camps & Queer Theology - Dr. Hanna Reichel

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Hanna Reichel, an associate professor of Reformed Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. In this interview, Dr. Reichel shares their unique journey of faith, from growing up in Germany with minister parents to exploring various religious communities.. Discover how Dr. Reichel's global perspective on faith informs their understanding of the universal nature of the church and its diverse expressions across cultural contexts. Dive into their experiences within Catholic and Protestant settings, where doctrinal differences posed challenges and opportunities for belonging. Explore the intersection of theology with politics, economics, and justice as Dr. Reichel emphasizes the importance of inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals within religious communities. Gain insights into fostering understanding, making room for diverse identities, and creating environments of support. This conversation delves into the complexities of faith and identity, highlighting the need for open dialogue and affirmation in religious spaces. Topics: 00:00 Dr. Hanna Reischel: Academic research and theological interests 01:31 Global Faith Perspective & Diverse Expressions of Faith 03:52 Navigating Doctrinal Differences and Belonging in Faith Communities 07:07 Social Service Work in Argentina 08:30 Unpacking the Church's Role in Dictatorships and Colonialism 10:20 Theological Intersections with Politics, Social Justice, & Economics 12:03 Academic Research on Faith and Social Justice in Lebanon 15:27 Dealing with Dissatisfaction with Certain Churches 18:08 Challenges Faced by LGBTQ+ Believers and Non-Believers in Church 21:23 Affirmation and Expression of God's Love Through the Church" 22:56 Supporting LGBTQ+ Individuals in Your Local Congregation 25:55 On Writing "After Method: Queer Grace, Conceptual Design, and the Possibility of Theology" 29:27 The Language of Design Theory for Understanding Theology 32:37 The Weaponization of Sin: Marginalized Identities Discredited and Pathologized 33:28 Queer Theological Perspectives on Sin and Solidarity 34:38 Critical Theory and Pervasive Structures in Our World 36:58 Understanding Queer Grace & Queerness of God Blog: https://www.mikedelgado.org/podcast/hanna-reichel/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/j4kRMOL24gM

Toxic Theology, Deconstruction & Coping with Complicated Grief – Dr. Terri Daniel

We’re honored to learn from Dr. Terri Daniel about her academic work on toxic theology as a contributing factor in complicated mourning and work as an interfaith chaplain. Topics covered: 01:17 The Conference on Death, Grief & Belief 03:17 Toxic Theology as a Contributing Factor in Complicated Grief (Or Mourning) 05:22 The Atheist Purity Test 08:24 Complicated Grief in Relation to Toxic Theology 09:18 Dark Night of the Soul & Questioning God 12:00 Dealing with trauma (and feeling like God is not pleased with us) 12:30 Example of toxic theology in Christian movies 13:29 Interfaith chaplaincy and supporting hospice clients 17:45 Fowler’s Stages of Faith Development 20:05 Religious Critique of Fowler’s Stages of Faith Development 21:00 Evelyn Underhill’s 5 Stages of Mysticism & The Exodus Story 22:12 The Exodus Myth: Enslaved to Ego & Mystical Union 23:19 Fowler’s Stages, Managing Grief, and Religious Coping Scales 25:32 Making Meaning of Loss 27:54 When trauma leads to a faith deconstruction 31:13 Counseling those who are deconstructing (and need help processing trauma) 41:37 Why would a loving God ordain or allow traumatic events 46:49 How to become an interfaith chaplain & clinical pastoral education programs You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Dr. Terri Daniel is an inter-spiritual hospice chaplain, end-of-life educator, and grief counselor certified in death, dying and bereavement by the Association of Death Education and Counseling and in trauma support by the International Association of Trauma Professionals. She conducts workshops throughout the U.S. and is an adjunct instructor in thanatology and chaplaincy at Marian University, the University of Maryland and the Graduate Theological Union. She is also the founder of The Conference on Death, Grief and Belief, and the Ask Doctor Death podcast. Over the years Terri has helped hundreds of people learn to live, die and grieve more consciously. Her work is acclaimed by hospice professionals, spiritual seekers, counselors, theologians, and academics worldwide. Learn more by checking Dr. Terri Daniel’s books, resources and conferences. You can read a summary of this blog and get links to video clips here: https://www.mikedelgado.org/podcast/toxic-theology/

Identity Formation, Faith Reconstruction, Hermeneutics & Queer Theology - Father Shannon T.L. Kearns

Father Kearns was a former fundamentalist who became the first openly transgender man ordained in the Old Catholic priesthood. He believes in the transformative power of story and has made it his life's work to explore the intersection of theology, church life, and creativity. Father Kearns grew up in a rural area in the 80s and 90s when access to information and language around gender identity was limited. He struggled with his own gender dysphoria but didn't have the words to express it or anyone to know how to talk about it. As a result, he felt a sense of isolation and had to form his identity in a vacuum. This experience of not being able to name himself was alienating and made him feel like he was the only one in the world. It's a reason he became a writer and storyteller. As he began to question his faith and re-examine his relationship with scripture, Father Kearns found it helpful to read books from theologians who were doing theology from a very particular place and were naming the place they were doing it from. He found this approach to be eye-opening and it helped him to better understand the context in which the Bible was written and how different lenses can affect how we read and interpret scripture. Topics covered in this episode: • Challenges of Identity Formation for Gender Minorities • Puberty, Purity Culture & Gender Dysphoria • Grappling with sexuality and sadness • Leaving church communities. asking questions, and finding a new spiritual home • Questioning evangelical doctrines and discovering older faith traditions • Dispensationalism & Getting Left Behind • Passion for scripture, going to seminary, and getting educated in church history • How to read and understand the Bible with a beginner’s mindset • John Dominic Crossan (Historian) and Marcus Borg (Pastor) • On reading theology from different marginalized perspectives • Empowering passages for LGBTQ+ Christians • The power of reading in community (and seeing texts differently) About Father Shannon T.L. Kearns: Father Shannon Kearns is the co-founder of QueerTheology.com. His first book "In the Margins: A Transgender Man’s Journey With Scripture " was just released from Eerdmaan’s books. He started and led Uprising Theatre Company for 6 years. Shannon is a Humanitas New Voices Fellow for 2022 and was a recipient of the Playwrights’ Center Jerome Fellowship in 20/21 and he was a Lambda Literary Fellow for 2019 (in playwriting) and 2022 (in screenwriting) and a Finnovation Fellow for 2019/2020. He is a sought after speaker on transgender issues and religion as well as a skilled facilitator of a variety of workshops. His work with Brian G. Murphy at QueerTheology.com has reached more than a million people all over the world through videos, articles, and online courses and community. Subscribe to his newsletter here: https://www.shannontlkearns.com/ Follow him: https://twitter.com/shannontlkearns https://www.facebook.com/shannontlkearns https://www.instagram.com/shannontlkearns/ Shannon’s Patreon community: http://www.patreon.com/shannontlkearns Subscribe to Queer Theology podcast to learn more: https://www.queertheology.com/listen/