STORIES ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS, COPING, AND RECOVERY
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Hear how you can declutter your space and what might cause hording. With guest Phyllis White.
Previous Featured Podcasts:
Episode 59: Flipping the Script on Mental Health: A Group Conversation
In this episode, you’ll hear from three women who openly share their mental health journeys and the unique way they’ve come together to shine a light on mental illness.
Guests include: Eli Bouldin-Clopton, PRS, Executive Director, On Our Own
Jessica Harris, Founder and Artistic Director, Empowered Players; and
Lisa Wessner, Executive Director, Always, Already, Enough
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Episode 58: Living Well With Bipolar Disorder
Hear the story from the author himself of When Screams Become Whispers, a raw look at bipolar disorder. Bob Krulish’s story sheds light on the systemic problems deeply rooted in the American healthcare system. In this podcast, Bob openly discusses his depression and mania that led to his divorce, unemployment, and near homelessness; and how he finally learned to manage his symptoms in order to live well and be happy. Read more about Bob Krulish here.
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Episode 57: Eating Disorders and Dangers of Dieting
In this episode, licensed psychotherapist, Barbara Maille discusses the causes of eating disorders and the dangers of dieting while addressing issues of body image, bulimia, binge eating, and anorexia. Barbara explains the many reasons behind disordered eating, the importance of mindfulness, and serves up a healthy dose of hope to those who hate their bodies. Read more about Barbara Maille (LCSW) here.
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Episode 56: Life-Changing Decision: Self Reflection
Single mother in mid 50’s shares her dramatic life changing decision to find happiness. Guest Robin Martin-Lawson talks about her weight loss journey, the importance of having a reason to get up in the morning, and how she is now living her best life abroad in Turkey.
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Episode 55: Have You Seen His Anger?
This podcast is the personal account of one woman’s story of surviving domestic abuse. Hear Amanda in her own words as she describes the shame, disbelief, and wake up call that prompted her to leave her abuser after ten years of marriage and two children. Read more about Amanda here.
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Episode 54: Blinded by a Loved One’s Addiction
Trauma coach Jennifer Shakespere shares her experience dealing with an addict, signs of substance abuse, and patterns of a domestic violent relationship.
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Episode 53: A Medical Mystery: Living Triumph Over Eating Disorder and Addiction
Listen and be inspired by one woman’s journey of learning to live with an acquired brain injury and how she has learned to see the light and humor in everyday living.
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Episode 52: Triumph Over Eating Disorder and Addiction
Award winning author and former lawyer, Brian Cuban, talks about his battle with body image, his fall from grace, and how he is living his best life.
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Episode 51: The Suicide Note
Hear this fascinating and raw conversation about suicide and one woman’s journey toward finding her inner strength to keep living despite her on going battle with depression. Guest: Lisa Wessner, Mental Health Advocate and Play Producer.
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Episode 50: Strides in Suicide Prevention
Hear about the impact and efforts being made to prevent suicide in America from Markita Madden-Puckett, Program Director of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Plus learn about the potential causes of suicide and what you need to say to someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. There’s no shame in calling 988.
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Episode 49: Athletes and Mental Health: Understanding Sports Culture
Sports psychologists Lori Freeman offers advise for athletes and parents to help with performance and mental health issues.
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Episode 48: The Divorce Dilemma
This episode featuring Virginia family law attorney Lynn Bradley is a must for anyone contemplating getting a divorce. Lynn discusses the various legal options of divorce along with their risk and benefits.
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Episode 47: Gun Violence and Mental Health Reforms
In this passionate interview with Virginia Senator Creigh Deeds, you’ll hear about past, present, and future legislation necessary to tackle gun violence and mental health issues in America.
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Episode 46: An Adoptee’s Story: Part 2: Searching For Birth Parents
Hear one woman’s journey to locate her biological parents, what resources she found most helpful and what she learned about herself and family in the process.
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Episode 45: An Adoptee’s Story: Part 1: About family, forgiveness, hurt and healing
Danielle Gaudette talks openly about being adopted at birth, her childhood, her adoptive mother’s struggle with anxiety and depression, and the journey that led to meeting her birth mother (actress Kate Mulgrew).
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Episode 44: Overcoming Haphephobia – The Fear of Touch
Guest Doddie Green is a published author who has suffered her entire life with depression. Her first book, Touch, tells a semi-autobiographical tale about a young woman who can’t stand any type of physical contact and resigns herself to a lonely existence of duty to her family – until, that is, she meets a special person. Doddie has also published her three books in her murder mystery series and blogs regularly about her personal struggles with depression, panic attacks, loneliness, and more.
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Episode 43: Impact of ADHD
The rabbit hole is real says our guest Susan MGinnis, a certified ADHD coach who has lived with ADHD her entire life. Susan shares her personal experience along with expert advice and resources to help those with ADHD live their best lives.
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Episode 42: Navigating Through Grief (Encore Presentation)
Life coach, author, and fellow podcaster Troia Butcher discusses the inspiration behind her incredible new book SoulTies: Letters of Love, reveals her own struggles with PTSD and grief, and offers advice on navigating the loss of a close friend, family member, or pet.
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Episode 41: Pregnancy Loss and Infertility
Author and singer-songwriter Julie Aguas shares her personal struggles with pregnancy loss and infertility in this very raw, emotional and enlightening interview.
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Episode 40: What Your Gut Is Saying
In this episode, gut health expert and author, Julia Loggins shares her personal journey to improving her physical health through better gut health. Loggins offers tips to eating healthier even on a budget and nutritional advice for reducing depression, anxiety, addiction, and even trauma responses.
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Episode 39: A Good Life Beyond Prison
In this episode, Candace talks with Gilie Garth, a woman who has overcome addiction, a prison sentence, and the loss of her right to vote. Gilie was charged with a felony for prescription fraud. She never thought she would be able to practice nursing, drive, or vote ever again. Hear the rest of her story.
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Episode 38: Relationships, Racism and Resiliency
In this episode, writer, editor and entrepreneur, Tanya Brockett, shares her very personal experiences as a successful black woman working her way up the corporate ladder despite racism and prejudice. Tanya’s can-do attitude is contagious and her stories may surprise you.
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Episode 37: Triumph Over Body Dysphormic Disorder
Award winning author and former lawyer talks about his battle with body image, his fall from grace, and how he is living his best life.
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Episode 36: On Our Own: The Cost of the Pandemic on Mental Health
Erin Tucker, Executive Director of On Our Own, talks about the difficulties of supporting individuals with mental health recovery and substance abuse during the Pandemic.
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Episode 35: Managing Chronic Depression
Radio personality, Pam Garrison, shares her experience with severe depression and how she managed to go on air with a smile while trying to find her way out of a deep dark depression that started when she was just eight years old.
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Episode 34: Art Imitating Life
Filmmaker and director Ty Cooper talks about his latest film project, Amanda, and what inspired him to write the screenplay about love, trauma, relationships, art and community.
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Episode 33: What We Remember About Childhood Trauma
Tasha Hunter, mental health advocate and author of the memoir What Children Remember, talks openly about surviving child abuse, sexual assault, neglect, and years of depression and anxiety. In this deeply raw and candid interview, Hunter, who is now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, offers both personal and professional advice to those struggling with trauma and PTSD.
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Episode 32: The Blind Blogger: Seeing Beyond Adversity
When it comes to staying positive and productive, our guest Maxwell Ivy, aka The Blind Blogger, has turned his vision loss into a mission of helping others see that anything is possible: if you set realistic goals, approach obstacles one step at a time, and ask for help. Listen to this episode to get great advice and motivation to create your best life.
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Episode 31: How to Combat Negative Thoughts
Health and Wellness Coach, Heidi Shaner talks about why women are considered twice as likely to have depression compared to men and what women can do to take control of their mental and physical health.
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Episode 30: Paving The Way For Women and LGBTQ Rights
Writer, victim advocate, and former University of Virginia professor, Dr. Claire Kaplan, talks openly about the feminism movement, gender violence, self-acceptance, and having the courage to make waves to advance equality for woman and the LGBTQ community.
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Episode 29: Recognizing Toxic Relationships
Ever wonder how you can improve your relationship? Are you dating a narcissist? Are you in a co-dependent relationship? Listen to this podcast to recognize the signs of a toxic relationship and what you can do to create healthier relationships. Guest Life Coach and Health and Wellness Expert, Heidi Shaner.
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Episode 28: A Voice for the Voiceless
In this episode, Anna Mendez, the Executive Director of Partner for Mental Health, speaks passionately about her work aimed at combating mental health inequality and the criminalization of people with mental illnesses. Hear how Virginia’s criminal justice system is to blame, and how the recent passage of one state bill is the first step forward towards a fairer future.
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Episode 27: Black Men, Barbers and Mental Health
Millennials and fellow podcast hosts, Daniel Fairley II and John Thompson. explain the importance of mental health among black males, the challenges and experiences that inspired them to create their own mental health podcast, and how we can all benefit from some one-on-one time with our therapist (or barber).
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Episode 26: Advice on Navigating Grief
Life coach, author, and fellow podcaster Troia Butcher discusses the inspiration behind her incredible new book SoulTies: Letters of Love, reveals her own struggles with PTSD and grief, and offers advice on navigating the loss of a close friend, family member, or pet.
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Episode 25: Co-parenting Advice from Moms
Hear how two moms, Amanda and Brook, are challenging the myths of divorce and co-parenting. Get tips on dealing with the ex and how to be a “bonus” mom instead of a stepmom.
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Episode 24: Overcoming a Life Destroyed
Losing a child is one of the most painful experiences a parent can endure – what if it happened to you? Hear how a son’s suicide almost destroyed his mother and what she did to survive her own suicidal thoughts. Guest: Jill D’Arpino, Author and Mental Health Awareness expert.
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Episode 23: Celebrating Life Despite Living with Cerebral Palsy
Win Kelly Charles shares her challenges and triumphs as an individual living with Cerebral Palsy and is on a mission is to help others with physical and mental disabilities. Win, who is the host of her own podcast, talks about celebrating life with people from different walks of life, how she manages to stay positive, and her future career in journalism.
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Episode 22: Finding the Punchline in Mental Illnes
Laughter really is the best medicine! Frank King, the Mental Health Comedian. openly discusses his family history with suicide and his lifelong battle with Major Depressive Disorder and Chronic Suicidality. Hear how Frank turned his mental illness into a comedy career including spending 20 years as a writer for the Tonight Show, hosting 5 TedTalks, and why laughter is the best medicine.
Episode 21: Journey from Survivor to Mental Health Advocate
Learn how one woman found that having a mental health condition inspired her to set a new career path as a recovery specialist with Mental Health Association of Virginia (MHAV). Jenny Sappington reveals her personal struggles with depression and anxiety, and discusses the variety of programs available through MHAV to help others battling mental illness.
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Episode 20: What Children Remember About Trauma
Tasha Hunter, mental health advocate and author of the memoir What Children Remember, talks openly about surviving child abuse, sexual assault, neglect, and years of depression and anxiety. In this deeply raw and candid interview, Hunter, who is now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, offers both personal and professional advice to those struggling with trauma and PTSD.
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Episode 19: Out of the Darkness: One Woman’s Battle with Bullying, Depression and Suicidal Thoughts
From school bullying victim to thriving adult, 21 year old Katherine Grace Mulokey opens up about her dark days of depression and thoughts of suicide and how she got the help necessary to keep living.
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Episode 18: Divorce, Alcoholism, and the Narcissist
Life and Fitness Coach, Heidi Shaner shares how she gathered up the courage to confront her abusive marriage and how therapy changed her life. Heidi talks candidly about the help she needed in order to divorce her husband after 15 years and why her mantra is “the best revenge is a well lived life,”
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Episode 17: The Secret Suicide
Michelle Anhang bravely discusses her husband’s suicide and why she decided to keep it a secret for 10 years from her kids, friends and co-workers. She also shares how therapy helped her move forward both personally and professionally, and why she is now determined to help others find emotional support following a traumatic event.
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Episode 16: Opening Up and On A Mission
In this episode, podcast host Candace Schoner reveals her struggles as a child of an alcoholic and her recent health scare that led her to pursue a new career around helping others with mental health issues.
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Episode 15: Anxiety Insights
My guest Lori Maney Lentini, co-author of the newly released book Anxiety Insights: What Gets to Us and What Gets Us Through, shares her personal experience with anxiety, raising her two children, going through divorce, and why there is no one way to treat anxiety. If you are struggling with anxiety or know someone who is, you don’t want to miss this episode.
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Episode 14: Hope Over Cancer
Listen to how one young woman’s battle with ovarian cancer challenged and changed her, but never broke her. Guest Mashana Crawford shares her inspiring story of survival, which motivated her to help others who have been recently diagnosed with cancer, and discusses the importance of receiving emotional support when fighting a disease.
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Episode 13: Struggling with Gender Identity and Educating Others
Guest Kimberly Keese, an active member of the LGBTQ community, talks openly about the challenges of coming out as queer in the 80’s versus today and why she is working on her upcoming documentary featuring conversations about gender and diversity.
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Episode 12: An Opportunity for Writers
Ghostwriter, editor, and book publishing coach, Tanya Brockett, shares her advice for how to become a published author during Covid-19 and using social distancing as an inspiration and an opportunity to overcome the fears and struggles of writing a best selling book.
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Episode 11: Musician Fights Hearing Loss
Hear how Renee Blue O’Connell became a professional musician despite a severe hearing loss and how she is sharing her journey to help others.
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Episode 10: Hope and Healing from Childhood Trauma
Guest Ann, who has chosen to remain anonymous, bravely shares her personal struggles coping with parental abuse, date rape, and relationship abuse.
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Episode 9: My Vietnam: Paying It Forward
Hear how social entrepreneur Toan Nguyen went from working in corporate America to becoming a business owner, to helping lift others out of poverty.
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Episode 8: A Journey to Sobriety
Hear one man’s heart-wrenching story about his decision to get sober after he found himself stealing money to pay for his drug and alcohol addiction. 31 years later, he remains clean and sober.
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Episode 7: How to Conquer Fear
Get the inside scoop on some life changing tips for 2020 with Transformative Coach Michelle Fowler. Michelle has nearly three decades worth-of experience as an Internal Auditor and uses her business and financial expertise to operate her own business as a Transformative Coach helping organizations and individuals build their dreams and create more fulfilling lives.
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Episode 6: Man on a Mission
An inspiring interview with Ty Cooper, a Documentary Producer, Promoter and Founder of Lifeview Marketing and Visuals in Charlottesville, VA. He has promoted over 1300 events since 1993. Ty was born and raised in Harlem, New York and is passionate about creating diversity and inclusion which are often topics for his creative ventures.
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Episode 5: Help for Trauma Survivors
Former U.S. Marine, trauma survivor, and musician Michele Zehr talks about her journey to create The Center for Earth-Based Healing and how she is following her passion to help sexual assault survivors. She has worked as a trauma survivor advocate since 2009 and is the Founder of The Center for Earth-Based Healing in Virginia. Michele also delves into her experience as a gay woman serving as a U.S. Marine during “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and her personal opinion on the 2nd Amendment Bill of Rights.
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Episode 4: Beating the Odds of Stage 4
Hear the story of one woman’s remarkable courage and journey with Stage 4 Cancer. Guest Katherine Couvillion speaks candidly about living with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC), the accompanying physical and emotional toll, friends, family and helping others.
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Episode 3: Lifting the Stigma of Suicide
Cynthia Hash, founder of the Mitchell Hash Foundation, discusses her son and the foundation that bears his name. The Foundation is specifically for parents who have experienced the death of a child with the purpose to lift the stigma, erase the shame, share hope, and educate the general public about the warning signs and resources for suicide prevention through in-person and online programs and resources.
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Episode 2: Healing on the Camino Trail
Hear how Karen (aka Kim) Culbertson has managed to overcome her brother’s death, endure two divorces, come out as gay late in life, and hiking 100 miles to celebrate her upcoming 70th birthday.
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Episode 1: Walking in a Fog
Guest Doddie Green is a published author who has suffered her entire life with depression. Her first book, Touch, tells a semi-autobiographical tale about a young woman who can’t stand any type of physical contact and resigns herself to a lonely existence of duty to her family – until, that is, she meets a special person. Doddie recently published her third book in her murder mystery series and blogs regularly about her personal struggles with depression, panic attacks, loneliness, and more.
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