11/8/12 This is part three of a seven part series sponsored by Emblem Health. During this episode we are talking about emotional aspects of being a family caregiver. We are joined by Catherine Thurston,the Senior Director for Programs at Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE) and Rev. Robert Chase, the executive director of Intersections International.

11/1/12 - From October 28th into the 29th, New York City was hit with hurricane Sandy. The bull’s-eye locally was the eastern shores of Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, lower Manhattan and the Jersey Shore. At the height of the storm, water surges flooded whole communities, gutted neighborhoods and took the lives of over 40 people in New York City
alone. In its aftermath, the storm left millions without electrical power and basic services.

Traumatizing events like hurricanes can destroy our sense of the world as safe and predictable. It is common for people to feel grief, sadness, shock and anger. These feelings are then later followed by resignation and a resolve to return to normalcy—the need to get back into the routine of daily life, the desire to rebuild homes and neighborhoods, and restore connections among family and friends- ALL OF THESE ARE PART OF A NORMAL PROCESS.

The notion of a disrupted routine, especially in the midst of a disaster, can wreak havoc on our psychological and emotional
well-being. While we are physically rebuilding, we are also desperate to mentally rebuild. We crave our creature comforts; cell phones, internet, commutes to work. For some of us, these things will be restored quickly. For others, it will take time.

The scope of loss has varied greatly in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Some have lost loved ones, others have lost their homes or have had serious damage, some have lost power, or internet and phone service, and others have been inconvenienced. The widespread, varied damage can lead to feelings of guilt, and leave us wondering why we may have been spared, while our neighbor has lost everything.

It is important to understand that "normal" is not black or white, especially during disaster recovery. Most disaster survivors are NORMAL PEOPLE responding to an abnormal event and we need to avoid pathologizing or viewing people as sick because of their response to the event. How soon is too soon to begin to get back to normal? Go on with planned events? What is the line between resilience and respect?

For more information on how you can help in the relief effort, go to the following websites:

NYC 311 - http://www.nyc.gov/apps/311/
Feeding America - http://feedingamerica.org
NYULocal - http://nyulocal.com/city/2012/11/05/where-to-volunteer-for-sandy-relief-this-week/
Disaster Assistance - http://www.disasterassistance.gov/
American Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org//support/volunteer/interest-form

"Maintaining the physical"- 10/25/12 - Are YOU a Family Caregiver? If you provide regular and unpaid care to a loved one, YOU are a caregiver. We are joined this week by Sheila Warnock author of "Share the Care" and Dr. Robin Finley from the Department of Aging in a conversations that focuses .  This is the second of a seven part series sponsored by Emblem Health focused on caring for the family caregiver.

10/18/12- During this hour we talk about pedophilia, child molestation and what we can do protect our children. We are joined by expert special guest Paula Felps who is the founder of the Sexual Abuse Resource Network - www.pedophilesdontdiscriminate.com.

LOU FERRIGNO brings it to The Dr. Fritz Show ComicCon style!. Then were joined in the studio with BRAND NEW SINGLES from Brooklyn Band, The Energy!

We are joined this week by Gregory Johnson of Emblem Health (www.emblemhealth.com) to talk about family caregiving. This is the first of a seven part series sponsored by Emblem Health focused on caring for the family caregiver.

9/27/12 - Psychological resilience is the process of coping with stress and adversity. It is the process of regaining control, finding meaning, and moving forward with your life despite and in spite of stress, trauma, and loss. Resilience is generally understood as a process. It is not a specific set of traits. It is skills that can be learned and developed. Friedrich Nietzsche said, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." During this hour we are talking about resilience through the narrative of a very special guest, Zoey Mendoza. This episode may change the way you see your current challenges and if there was ever an episode you didn't want to miss this is the one.

Have you ever been bullied, witnessed someone being picked picked on, or have been the bully yourself? Bullying is a social drama requiring three characters; the bully, the bullied and the bystander. During this episode, Dr Fritz and co-host Melissa Nicoletti explore this dynamic and are joined by martial arts expert Sensei John Mirrione who is traveling the country to share with school children his inspiring story and teach them about building inner strength through meditation and philosophy.

This September marks the 11th year since our lives were indelibly changed on a sunny Tuesday morning. Although it has been over a decade, we still remember that day like it was yesterday. We tend memorialize tragic events, disasters, death and loss. Why do we actively try to remember tragic events, disasters, and significant loss? What is the role of memorials, anniversaries and days of remembrance in our process of healing?

Have you ever made a 'New Year' resolution that you did not keep? Did you expect that willpower alone would carry you through to personal success? Is there something in your life you would like to change but are not sure where to start?During this hour we talk with Kerry Patterson, the author of Change Anything: The new science of personal success. We focus on the "six sources of influence" that once understood can give you the road map needed to you help reach your goals.