Join us for an incredibly raw and courageous conversation with Adriene Caldwell, author of the memoir, Unbroken. Her story is a testament to the profound resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable odds.

In this episode, Adriene candidly shares her first-hand account of childhood trauma, from emotional and physical abuse to navigating a family riddled with untreated mental illness, including homelessness, extreme poverty, incest, pedophilia, sexual assault of a child, drowning of a child, emotional and physical abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, bulimia, suicide, and other deep secrets. She discusses how these experiences, including a brutal assault, forced her to find her own path to healing and self-discovery.

Adriene's powerful testimony provides a beacon of hope for anyone struggling with adversity, offering an intimate look at the journey from destruction to discovering an innate light that refuses to dim. She put it all into her new book and you can tune in to learn how to get your copy today. Her story is a powerful reminder that while we may not control the cards we are dealt, we can always choose to rebuild ourselves, find our voice, and become "unbroken."

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Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

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He's back and more determined than ever. This week on A Mental Health Break, we are honored to welcome back mental health advocate and founder, Jeff Johnston. Since we last spoke, Jeff has turned his personal tragedies—the loss of his son to fentanyl and his wife to alcoholism—into a nationwide movement for change.

In this powerful episode, Jeff shares how his profound losses ignited his mission, leading him on a 95-day journey across America to break the stigma around mental health and substance use disorder. We'll dive into the unique insights he gained from listening to countless stories of struggle and hope on the road.

Jeff also introduces us to his groundbreaking new venture, Brightn—an AI-powered mental health initiative designed specifically for Generation Z. He'll explain how his background as a financial advisor informs his entrepreneurial approach to mental health, and how Brightn leverages research from over 50 clinical studies to create a truly personalized and effective digital support system.

This conversation is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand how personal grief can be channeled into a powerful force for good.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

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Join us for a powerful and insightful conversation with Amber Brown, a true leader in healthcare, the military, and beyond. As a Patient Advisory Coordinator at Tampa General Hospital and a Physical Therapist, Amber is dedicated to integrating a patient's "lived experience" into the very systems of healthcare. She's also an Air Force Officer, overseeing medical readiness and operational health for service members.

In this episode, Amber shares her unique journey across these diverse and demanding roles, all unified by a single purpose: to lead with intention and drive meaningful change. She'll discuss how her work fosters collaboration and champions the human experience, and how the lessons learned from enhancing patient care and military readiness can be applied to our own mental well-being.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, a military service member, or simply an individual striving to live a more purpose-driven life, Amber's story offers valuable lessons on resilience, leadership, and the power of empathy to create a better world.

Be sure to follow her journey as the Host of the Voices of Experience PFAC podcast streaming everywhere podcasts can be found - you are not alone.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

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What if the darkest moments of your past are not a burden, but a blueprint for your greatest transformation?

In this raw and powerful episode of A Mental Health Break, we sit down with Justin L. Shaw, a mystical comedian, Doctor of Divinity, and author of Sourcery 101: 13 Rungs to a Higher Elevation of Consciousness. Justin, a former stand-up comedian, gets real about growing up in a "fight club atmosphere" and his personal battles with substance abuse, PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders.
Justin shares the profound experience that changed the course of his life, leading him from what he calls "spiritual bankruptcy" to a path of empowering others.

He'll shed light on the difference between "Big T" and "little t" traumas, and how we are often programmed to respond to our world in ways that no longer serve us. With a unique blend of humor, spirituality, and no-nonsense wisdom, Justin challenges the status quo and offers a new system for reclaiming your self-worth and manifesting your highest potential.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who feels stuck in a cycle of pain, and for those ready to wake up, live their truth, and embark on their own spiritual revolution.

Be sure to do a deep dive into his book, Sourcery 101: 13 Rungs to a Higher Elevation of Consciousness, on Writing with Authors, after this episode right here! Enjoy the shows and your mental health break.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

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What happens when you achieve the pinnacle of athletic success at just 16 years old, only to find yourself struggling with addiction years later?

In this deeply personal and powerful episode of A Mental Health Break, we sit down with Carrie Bates, a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and the Director of Strategic Growth and Advocacy for Caron Treatment Centers. Carrie shares her journey from a childhood in an alcoholic home, to the immense pressure of being an elite athlete, to her eventual struggle with alcoholism that led to her children being taken away.

Carrie gets candid about "chasing something that was never going to be repeated" and the unique pressures that CEOs, celebrities, and athletes face that can lead to addiction. She offers invaluable advice for individuals and families struggling with substance use and provides a beacon of hope for finding sustainable recovery. You'll also learn about Caron Treatment Centers' innovative, neuro-restorative approach to addiction treatment, and what makes their signature programs at Ocean Drive and Grand View so special.

This is more than just a story of a fall from grace; it's a powerful narrative of resilience, redemption, and the unwavering commitment to a new life. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt the weight of high expectations and the struggle to find their way back to a life of purpose.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

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Have you ever wondered what's really happening inside your mind when you're struggling with anxiety, trauma, or depression? And what if there were specific, proven strategies to help you navigate these challenges and find a path to healing?

In this episode of A Mental Health Break, we’re joined by Dr. Catherine Nobile, a licensed Doctor of Clinical Psychology with a specialty in evidence-based treatments for a variety of psychological conditions. Dr. Nobile, who is also a clinical psychologist at Northwell Health and a supervisor at Yeshiva University, demystifies the nature of mental health struggles like depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.

She shares her expert insights into what maintains these conditions and what you can expect from treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT). Dr. Nobile also brings her expertise in couples and family therapy to the conversation, offering valuable advice on how to navigate interpersonal conflict and find a way to the other side.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of their own mental health journey or that of a loved one. Dr. Nobile offers a compassionate and clear guide to making sense of our psychological struggles and taking the first steps toward real, lasting change.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

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This week on A Mental Health Break, we're honored to host a guest who has turned profound personal struggle into a mission to heal millions. Jason Hopcus, the founder and CEO of Connection Project, is a pioneering entrepreneur who's using cutting-edge technology to revolutionize access to mental health resources.

His journey began in 2011 when a personal crisis led him to lose everything. From that moment, Jason transformed his story into a powerful mission to make support radically more accessible, blending his 25 years of business leadership with a deeply personal understanding of what it means to feel lost.

Jason’s work is a masterclass in turning empathy into action. As the President of NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties, he's reached over 7 million people through strategic media campaigns, and his podcasts "Get Unstuck. Move Forward with Your Life" and "Nobody's Perfect" have resonated with countless listeners. He's also a bestselling author and a certified life coach who’s now building AI-powered solutions to make mental health support more efficient and human-centered, especially for vulnerable populations across Colorado.

In this powerful episode, Jason will share the moment that led him to shift from personal crisis to becoming a leading mental health advocate. We’ll explore his tech-driven approach to mental health support, discussing how AI makes care more accessible and how he balances technology with the deeply human side of healing. Jason will also offer practical steps for anyone feeling stuck, and he'll reveal the one key takeaway from his book, Get Unstuck and Move Forward with Your Life, that he hopes resonates most with readers. This is an essential conversation for anyone looking for hope and a roadmap to moving forward.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

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Welcome! This week on A Mental Health Break, prepare for a profoundly transformative conversation on healing from within. We are incredibly honored to welcome Deborah Grassman, a distinguished author, contributing writer to multiple textbooks, and the compassionate voice behind the powerful concept of "Soul Injury." While her impressive resume includes three books, 25 published articles, four documentary films, and a TED Talk, none of these achievements compare to the profound wisdom she gained from caring for 10,000 dying veterans as a VA hospice Nurse Practitioner for three decades. As Deborah wisely says, "If anyone wants to learn how to achieve inner peace, ask a veteran who has successfully struggled to find it for the rest of their lives after they returned from war."

Deborah's invaluable experiences culminated in her groundbreaking concept of "Soul Injury"—a deep wound that separates an individual from their own sense of self, often causing unseen distress. She believes that these injuries arise from unmourned loss and unforgiven guilt/shame, leading to a diminished sense of self-worth. In this essential episode, Deborah will illuminate the phenomena of Soul Injury, exploring its causes and offering pathways to recovery. She'll share the profound lessons learned from her time with dying veterans, revealing how their journeys to inner peace can guide us all.

Join us as Deborah discusses realizing your life truly matters, making peace with your present and future, and effective ways to work through trauma. We'll delve into overcoming childhood pain, understanding how "hurt people hurt people," and crucially, how to courageously connect with your own hurt to begin the healing process. With her powerful tagline, "Don't waste your suffering...use it to help heal our hurting world," Deborah Grassman offers not just insights, but practical pathways to recover your lost self-worth and foster a profound relationship with yourself. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to transform their pain into purpose and find lasting inner peace.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

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