Mentally STRONG Academy: Embrace the Journey

About Dr. B Dr. Cristi Bundukamara, Ed.D., PMHNP has been a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2000, gaining extensive experience over the last several decades. Her medical career began as an Army Medic before attending nursing school and receiving a master’s degree as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Florida International University (FIU). She went on to receive a doctorate in Education at Nova Southeastern University. From there, she launched the first Mentally STRONG Clinic in Colorado Springs, CO which is committed to access and serves over 7,000 patients. She also founded the Mentally STRONG Academy. Today, when she’s not at the clinic attending to her patients, Dr. B dedicates a large portion of her time to speaking about mental health issues, sharing methods for processing grief, and providing tips for developing mental strength.

Mentally STRONG Academy: Embrace the Journey is a health podcast hosted by Cristi Bundukamara, with 274 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Cristi Bundukamara hosts Mentally STRONG Academy: Embrace the Journey, a health show with 274 episodes published.

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  Mentally STRONG Academy: Embrace the Journey

  Overcoming Survival Mode, Capacity for Grief & Community Support: Amanda’s Story

  Aug 20, 202629 min

  Do you ever feel like you’re just trying to keep your head above water, constantly living in "survival mode" and waiting for the other shoe to drop? In this episode, Dr. B sits down with Amanda (MA in Professional Counseling) to explore how we can move past simply surviving and begin building a life we truly love. Amanda shares her deeply personal journey—from navigating the heartbreak of losing her mother to early-onset dementia, to realizing that having "big feelings" isn't a weakness, but rather a vital strength for showing up for others. Together, they discuss why "fixing" ourselves is a trap, how to build the capacity to hold deep sorrow, and why true healing happens in community rather than self-sufficiency. In This Episode: Unpacking the "Good Girl" Narrative: How people-pleasing can lead to losing your authentic self Surviving vs. Thriving: Moving out of survival mode and into meaningful living Building Emotional Capacity: Holding big stories and deep grief without being crushed The Power of Community: Why we aren't meant to be entirely self-sufficient Resources & Links Mentioned: Free Live Training: Register for the Free Mentally STRONG Training Amanda's Organization: Hope House Canon City Join the Mission: Sign up for our mailing list Official Website: Mentally STRONG About Amanda: Amanda holds a Master’s in Professional Counseling from Colorado Christian University and has dedicated 15 years to supporting young mothers. At Hope House Canon City, she works to eliminate barriers for teen moms and their children by providing resources, healthy family structures, and a supportive living community. About Your Host: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara (Ed.D, PMHNP-BC) is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate in Healthcare Education. Having navigated profound personal trials, Dr. B created the Mentally STRONG Method to help others manage stress, process trauma, and cultivate mental strength. Connect with Dr. B & Mentally STRONG: Facebook: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara Instagram: @cristibundukamara YouTube: Dr. B Mentally STRONG

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  Mentally STRONG Academy: Embrace the Journey

  Raising Resilient Kids & Managing Parental Anxiety: Dr. B's Guide to Authentic Parenting

  Aug 18, 202621 min

  Raising kids who are authentic, resilient, and comfortable in their own skin feels like a massive, complicated task especially when you’re navigating your own hardships. Having raised seven children (five adopted and two biological) through periods of deep grief, loss, and overwhelm, Dr. B shares why we cannot raise mentally strong children without first doing the internal work ourselves. In this episode, Dr. B addresses key listener questions about parenting and mental health, moving beyond surface-level behavior modification to give children a reliable framework for processing their thoughts and emotions. Whether you are navigating childhood meltdowns or concerned about passing down your own anxiety, this conversation offers practical tools to help you find your footing. In This Episode: Moving past simple behavior modification to teach true emotional regulation Managing parental anxiety and avoiding passing stress down to your children Creating clear "guardrails" instead of rigid restrictions for child growth Why effective parenting is about continuous growth rather than perfection Resources & Links Mentioned: Free Live Training: Register for the Free Mentally STRONG Training Join the Mission: Sign up for our mailing list Official Website: Mentally STRONG About Your Host: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara (Ed.D, PMHNP-BC) is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate in Healthcare Education. Having navigated profound personal trials, Dr. B created the Mentally STRONG Method to help parents and individuals process trauma, manage stress, and build lasting resilience. Connect with Dr. B & Mentally STRONG: Facebook: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara Instagram: @cristibundukamara YouTube: Dr. B Mentally STRONG

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  Mentally STRONG Academy: Embrace the Journey

  Navigating Grief, Trauma & Fighting Through the Weight of Loss: Dr. B's Reset Framework

  Aug 16, 202618 min

  I’ve had many moments where I just wanted to run times when the weight of the "fight or flight" response felt like it was going to swallow me whole. After losing my three children and my husband over the course of 20 years, I had to learn how to do more than just survive; I had to learn how to be Mentally STRONG in the midst of absolute trauma. If you are feeling overwhelmed by grief, anxiety, or a life that feels like it’s falling apart, this episode is an invitation into a mental reset. Dr. B walks through her personal framework for healing after profound loss, sharing how you can begin to separate your pain from your trauma to find an authentic path forward. We aren't just "pushing through" anymore we are authentically rebuilding. In This Episode: Navigating the "fight or flight" response during times of deep crisis Practical tools for separating immediate pain from underlying trauma Rebuilding your life authentically after overwhelming loss Moving past survival mode and stepping into long-term mental resilience Resources & Links Mentioned: Free Live Training: Register for the Free Mentally STRONG Training Reset Event: Mentally STRONG Reset Live Join the Mission: Sign up for our mailing list Official Website: Mentally STRONG

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  Mentally STRONG Academy: Embrace the Journey

  Finding Your Authentic Self & Overcoming Rock Bottom: Frank’s Story

  Aug 12, 202634 min

  I’ve spent my career helping people navigate the darkest corners of their minds and the heavy weight of grief, but every so often, I meet someone whose journey reminds me exactly why we do this work. Frank Sinclair is one of those people, and his story is a profound masterclass in mental strength, authenticity, and the power of being truly seen. Have you ever felt like a "hopeless case" numb, or like you’re simply a burden to those around you? Frank lived this reality, spiraling from a high-achieving Air Force career into addiction and homelessness on the streets of Colorado Springs. Just when he was ready to give up, a moment of genuine human connection gave him a second chance, proving that our value remains unchanged even at our lowest points. In this episode, Dr. B sits down with Frank to discuss what it means to be honest with yourself, how to navigate the complex reality of recovery and losing a child, and how reframing homelessness can open our eyes to a community deserving of dignity. In This Episode: Moving from rock bottom and addiction to finding true purpose The power of feeling seen and human connection in healing Navigating grief, child loss, and the "leaky" process of recovery Reframing how we view homelessness and dignity in our communities Resources & Links Mentioned: Free Training: Register for the Free Mentally STRONG Training Frank Sinclair's Work: Dream Again LLC | Be Encouraged Podcast Join the Mission: Sign up for our mailing list Official Website: Mentally STRONG About Frank Sinclair: Frank Sinclair is the Chief Encouragement Officer of Dream Again LLC, a coaching, speaking, and training enterprise. He is the founder of the podcast Be Encouraged with Frank and Lisa , an in-demand speaker, and author of four books, including The Encouragement Revolution . About Your Host: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara (Ed.D, PMHNP-BC) is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate in Healthcare Education. Having navigated profound personal trials, Dr. B created the Mentally STRONG Method to help others process depression, anxiety, grief, and stress to build lasting mental resilience. Connect with Dr. B & Mentally STRONG: Facebook: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara Instagram: @cristibundukamara YouTube: Dr. B Mentally STRONG

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  Mentally STRONG Academy: Embrace the Journey

  Bipolar Diagnosis & Finding Your Authentic Self: Sean’s Story

  Aug 11, 202650 min

  Whether we’re in front of the camera or behind the scenes in a high-pressure job, many of us carry an internal dialogue telling us we aren't enough. In this episode, Dr. B sits down with filmmaker and clinical social worker Mari Moxley to peel back the layers on why we often sacrifice our true selves just to be "palatable" to others. Together, they dive deep into the reality of negative self-talk, the "micro-griefs" we experience every day, and why choosing authenticity even when it leads to rejection is the ultimate act of mental strength. If you’ve ever felt like you’re performing a version of yourself just to belong, there is peace waiting for you on the other side of that performance. In This Episode: The impact of negative self-talk and daily "micro-griefs" Why we sacrifice authenticity to feel accepted How to step out of performance mode and embrace your true self Resources & Links Mentioned: Free Training: Register for our free training today Watch the Documentary: Watch the full documentary here Join the Mission: Sign up for our mailing list Official Website: Mentally STRONG About Mari Moxley: Mari Moxley’s background in clinical social work and philosophy fuels her passion for crafting film stories that highlight diverse human perspectives. She views filmmaking as a therapeutic intervention that fosters meaningful conversations and deeper understanding. Mari has led mental health awareness campaigns within the U.S. Air Force, collaborated with the Department of Defense and NATO, and documented advancements in medicine and space exploration. About Your Host: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara (Ed.D, PMHNP-BC) is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate in Healthcare Education. Having navigated profound personal trials, Dr. B created the Mentally STRONG Method to help others manage depression, anxiety, grief, and stress to build mental strength and choose happiness. Connect with Dr. B & Mentally STRONG: Facebook: Dr. Cristi Bundukamara Instagram: @cristibundukamara YouTube: Dr. B Mentally STRONG

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