Which Way Podcast

Join us for this podcast on grief with our guest, Rebecca who talks candidly about the loss of her husband 3 years ago and what she did to rebuild and create a life that allows for his memory, as well as new love and adventure! Rebecca discusses the stages of her grief and makes the point that every road to healing looks different. Her transparency is refreshing and her reassurance that there can be love..after love, gives hope. Rebecca is a successful educator and has two grown children. She enjoys traveling the world, time with friends and finds something to celebrate every day.

This podcast delves into a timely and unfathomable topic, mass violence. We don’t have a guest speaker, we don’t dissect politics or the pros and cons of the National Rifle Association, we actually don’t even talk much about mental illness vs. environment reasons for violence. We felt like there is enough about that.In this talk, your hosts, Jann and Shari discuss where we think we are falling down as a country and the little things we can do to impact the tragic way our world has shifted. We feel strongly that one person won’t change the dynamic in our world but a lot of people collectively making a decision to change the way they interact with others...will. We feel that kindness disarms rage and if we stop ignoring signs that are right in front of us the tide will begin to turn in our world.Jann and Shari are authors of Which Way? and travel the country speaking on trauma, its impact on our relationships and how we can live our lives in a resilient way. They are the hosts of whichwaypodcast on the Mental H

This podcast features Kayla Carter (name changed), who candidly and bravely talks about living with Bipolar Disorder. Kayla sheds light on the struggles that one has to endure when faced with the challenges of this mental health issue. She also emphasizes that these obstacles can drive us to live a life of love, success and happiness.

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Kennedy and Tracy Markle LPC, experts in digital media overuse. This podcast shines a light on society’s overuse of digital media, the damaging effects and how parents can set limits on screen time. Tracy is the founder and co-director of Digital Media Treatment and Education Center (DTEC®). She specializes in the treatment and recovery from digital media overuse and addictions. Tracy and the team provide education, psychotherapy, and intervention support to individuals and their families who are impacted by the effects of technology and the common co-existing factors such as, depression, anxiety, isolation, academic failure, and more. Dr. Brett P. Kennedy is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with adolescents, adults and couples. As a “digital immigrant” to the technological revolution, Dr. Kennedy has seen both the pros and the perils that digital media brings to the lives of his clients by exploring both the complications,

Self harm or nonsuicidal self injury is more common than many people think. It’s a topic that is often misunderstood and frequently judged. In this podcast, Christy Plaice, LPC reveals the truth about these behaviors and what we can do when we are close to someone who hurts themselves as a way to cope. As Founder and Clinical Director of Door of the Soul, located in Georgia, Christy provides psychotherapy, counseling, presentations/trainings, consultations, supervision, and leadership in a variety of arenas. She believes that there is no greater gift than connecting deeply with another person, and feels privileged to do this every day. Christy is dedicated to helping people move through challenges, and into a life with greater vitality and meaning.

Join us as we celebrate mothers and talk with two of our favorites, Marmot and Nancy who discuss the beauty and challenges of adopting a child. While the journey ultimately filled their home with the love and laughter of a precious daughter, it was not without struggles. These two devoted moms candidly reveal the emotions they experienced when they first held their daughter at a mere 36 hours old and they share the pain of watching her struggle as a teen in finding her own identity. Marmot and Nancy live with her daughter, love their careers and have found peace in developing a family system that is imperfectly perfect.

In this podcast, we talk to Brianne Renley, a mental health warrior who lives with two serious medical conditions, Type I Diabetes and Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID). Brianne candidly discusses the challenges and trauma that can come from navigating medical interventions. This is a topic that is rarely discussed, however, Brianne’s honesty reminds us all that while our bodies may betray us at times, our spirits are even stronger. Brianne is a counselor in Fort Collins, Colorado where she works with a wide variety of clients.

Today’s podcast is among our favorites! We interview Joseph Fusaro for a genuine and transparent discussion on isolation. Often times, when we struggle with mental health issues, we tend to withdraw from friends and loved ones...at the very moment we need them most. Joe’s journey is real, gritty, complex and ultimately, inspiring. Joe describes the dark spiral his life took as a college student with undiagnosed schizoaffective, bipolar, general anxiety disorder, chemical dependence, depression, insomnia and agoraphobia that sent him to several psychiatric hospitalizations. After several years of loneliness and self imposed isolation, Joe ultimately found a path to healing and in the process, mended relationships with those who welcomed him back with open arms. Joe is an editor with the Mental Health News Radio Network and host of Hysteria Radio, a podcast and internet radio show that focuses on writing, music, expressive arts, and all things related to self-care and recovery from or management of a mental

Today’s podcast features, Erin Mahone, founder of #IfYouCouldSeeMe project. Erin’s passion is infectious as she talks about the importance of “sharing our stories.” Her work is inspired by a childhood growing up in a family touched by mental illness, years working in the arts and in the mental health field, and her own experiences with anxiety and depression. She believes that life's struggles, no matter how severe, do not define, or limit, a person’s capacity for greatness, achievement, or love. Every person has a distinct story that is worthy of respect and Erin combines storytelling, writing, music, and other elements to share and teach this message. #IfYouCouldSeeMe is a multi-media project and a podcast on the Mental Health News Radio Network that looks past labels and surface judgments to see real, diverse, fascinating people living with mental health diagnoses. They are mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, friends, artists, activists, veterans, and above all human beings with whole lives not defined by

Shari and Jann sit down as mother and daughter to delve into the recent betrayal Jann experienced that sent her spiraling into a 2-week emotional battle with the ‘boogeyman’...A.K.A. PTSD! Jann was feeling confident in her ability to neutralize the impact of her PTSD triggers but this latest event was more than she bargained for. Shari reminded her mom that no amount of therapy or bag of tools a person has in their arsenal can prepare a person for the triggers that will likely always exist. There are times that triggers hit so deep that they can momentarily take your breath away and what one does next is what really matters…Shari and Jann wrote Which Way?, a memoir and self help book about trauma. They have a podcast on the Mental Health News Radio Network, called: whichwaypodcast.com

Join us for a very "real" discussion with Ms. Complexities, as she talks about her complex post traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and her winding road to a healthier place, where her inner child can run free and play! In this candid podcast, we hear about Ms. Complexitie's childhood growing up with a narcissist, finding her own identity and whether all of this recovery "$*!%" is worth it. You'll fall in love with her vulnerability and fearlessness as she puts words to crazy circumstances, an eating disorder, sobriety and what recovery is all about. Ms. Complexities has her own podcast on the Mental Health News Radio Network, called Complexities Podcast, where she and her partner discuss healing trauma and how people can break free from the abusive cycles in their lives and in their minds.

In Part I of this podcast series, Ashley speaks candidly about her 8-year old child who recently said to her, “...my body is sad!” She discusses the confusion her child felt because, while he was born female, he feels as though he should be in a male body. Sadly, Ashley’s picture cannot be shown, given that her family has received negative backlash after discovering that she and her husband not only embrace their “son” but celebrate him!Ashley and her husband operate a thriving business and have four beautiful children, who are allowed to be whoever they want to be...and are appreciated for it!!!

In Part II of this podcast series, *Simon (name changed), a 16-year old transgender youth bravely discusses the pain he has faced along his journey and the complexities of “passing” as a male. Compassionate beyond his years and with a gentle heart, he discusses the forgiveness for those who don’t always show kindness by saying, “Maybe they are going through a hard time themselves” and reveals the underlying pressure of looking in the mirror and not approving of his own reflection. Simon is a beautiful soul who attends school, loves his family, looks forward to college and has established a supportive network of friends.

To round out our series, we speak to Sorin Thomas, Founder and Executive Director of Queer Asterisk, a nonprofit organization with a team of queer and trans therapists and educators serving the LGBTQPIA communities with offices in Boulder, Denver and Longmont, Colorado. With a gracious heart, Sorin discusses work that Queer Asterisk does with youth, family systems and within the community. This work encompasses therapy, mentorship, community events and training. Sorin is a queer and non-binary transgender licensed professional counselor and licensed addictions counselor offering a variety of therapeutic services to queer and trans folx. A graduate of Naropa University with a master's degree in Somatic Counseling Psychology, Sorin utilizes body sensation/movement and mindfulness practices. Therapy is strengths-based and client-directed for children, adolescents, adults, and couples/families of all configurations to inspire growth and healing. Sorin specializes in modalities such as wilderness therapy and can

In this powerful podcast, Aaron and Maia Huey talk about how their father/daughter relationship has evolved over the years. Aaron, host of the podcast, Beyond Risk and Back on the Mental Health News Radio Network and founder of Fire Mountain Residential Treatment Facility, humbly discusses how his addiction lost him custody of his young daughter and how in his recovery, he was able to become the father she needed. Learn how Aaron's mission became to equip Maia with a strong belief in herself and the tools needed for self reliance. Maia, who is due to graduate from college this May and already owns her own marketing company, talks candidly about the pressures of living in her father's shadow and emerging with her own sense of empowerment and identity. This talk reveals the generational impact that parents have on their children and the forgiveness that can exist within that relationship when we listen, own mistakes and love unconditionally. Please join us for both, this heartwarming podcast and the after show

In this podcast, our guest, Kris (Last name protected, given the nature of her work within the mental health community) talks about the recent 20 year anniversary of the Columbine shooting where two high school students took the lives of 12 students and 1 teacher. This anniversary was significant because several schools in Colorado were closed after the FBI named an 18-year-old woman, a potential threat. This young woman ultimately committed suicide after a statewide manhunt ensued. In the aftermath of her suicide in the mountains of Colorado, social media exploded with shouts of celebration over her death, as well as reminders that losing any life is a tragedy. No matter where you stand on the issue, this episode highlights a broader topic of mental health and how we all have a responsibility to ask questions and show compassion to those in our society who may be struggling. Kris is a therapist, leader and advocate on mental health issues in her community. Given the sensitive nature of her work within the me

Today we talk with the woman who started it all, Kristin Sunanta Walker, founder of the Mental Health News Radio Network. Kristin has built the network to over 50 podcasters and will be starting a television series next month. Kristin is an outspoken advocate on mental health issues and has used her voice to create a network where all of us can shine a light on what society often tries to bury. In this talk, Kristin discusses the power of reconciling relationships with our parents in order to break free so we can create our own lives, families and happiness. With vulnerability, Kristin gives us a look at her own childhood wounds and how she has turned them into something incredibly powerful.

Join us as we talk to the infamous Frank King! aka, the "Mental Health Comedian". Frank was a writer for the Tonight Show for 20 years, and he holds the record for the longest non-stop comedy club road trip ever. Along the way he worked with Jerry Seinfeld, Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White, Adam Sandler, Dennis Miller, Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O’Donnel, Kevin Nealon, Bill Engval, Dr. Ken Joeng, Rita Sirleaf and Kevin James among others. Since becoming a public speaker on Suicide Prevention in 2014, he’s done five TEDx Talks. Frank boldly and bravely shares his personal experience with suicidal thoughts and helps audiences look at this topic through a lens of laughter and vulnerability. Frank has been a co-host on several podcasts through the mental health news radio network and can be found on the network under: The Mental Health Comedian. In this talk, Frank discusses the secrecy of "chronic suicidality" and validates the shame associated with it. Find out more about Frank at thementalhealthcomedian.com and join

Kristin Watts is the Founder of Project 31:25. After escaping an abusive relationship herself, Kristin found her voice and the desire to give back to women still bound by the chains of abuse. She has lived in Fort Collins her entire life and understands how desperately her town and the surrounding areas need a program like this. Project 31:25 embodies a holistic approach that helps countless women understand the abusive loop they were in and provides resources to help them start a new life. Guided by a relentless pursuit of Safety, Empowerment and Strength, this volunteer run, nonprofits strives to heal and restore all that the trauma from abuse has stolen. Their number one priority is to deliver Clarity, Dignity and Hope through every step of the journey. More regarding Project 31:25 can be found at www.project3125.org, 970-834-3125 or by emailing at info@project3125.orgYou can find out more about us at www.whichwaypodcast.comYou can find out more about Mental Health News Radio at www.mhnrnetwork.com

In their first podcast, Shari and Jann Simmons reveal the reasons for writing Which Way? - a memoir and psychological handbook and starting their new which way podcast. With candid discussion, they talk about how Jann's PTSD, dissociation and suicide attempts affected Shari's formative years. They also touch on how their relationship has evolved with grace and love at the center. Both women share memories of a journey together that defines who they are today and why their mission is helping others decide which way they will choose.You can find out more about us at www.whichwaypodcast.comYou can find out more about Mental Health News Radio at www.mhnrnetwork.com