S5E3-Surviving Suicide Loss: Healing Survivor’s Guilt with Verline Davis, LPC on JR’s Hunt for Life – Safe Talk Podcast

In this deeply honest and compassionate episode of JR’s Hunt for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast, Safe Talk, host Jenny Hunter is joined once again by Verline Davis, a licensed professional counselor with advanced training in trauma and child therapy, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Together, they tackle one of the heaviest and least-talked-about experiences after suicide loss: survivor’s guilt.

Drawing from both personal and professional experience, Verlene shares her story of losing her first husband to suicide after years of attempts, safety planning, and trying everything she could think of to help him stay. She also talks about family members and clients who have been impacted by suicide, reminding listeners that “survivors” are not just spouses and parents, but also children, classmates, coworkers, church communities, and even people who have attempted suicide themselves and lived.

Jenny and Verline explore how guilt, “what ifs,” and self-blame can consume a survivor’s life, block healing, and even lead to their own suicidal thoughts. They discuss the reality that, no matter how much we love someone, we cannot control another person’s final decision, and that it is possible — and necessary — to move toward self-forgiveness, compassion, and post-traumatic growth.

In this episode, they explore:

​ What suicide survivor’s guilt looks and feels like in everyday life

​ Why our brains latch on to “What if I’d done more?” and “Why didn’t I…?”

​ The hard truth that someone who is fully determined may still find a way — and why that doesn’t mean you failed

​ How guilt can spiral into addictions, legal trouble, relationship struggles, and self-destructive choices

​ The importance of postvention (getting help after a suicide loss) through counseling, EMDR, and supportive community

​ Practical tools for healing:

​ Writing letters to the person who died and letting anger, pain, and love all come out on the page

​ Drawing or coloring to move feelings from the inside to the outside

​ Learning to reframe the story over time by looking at what you did do, rather than what you think you missed

​ Allowing tears, anger, and questions without judgment

​ How nutrition, protein, and B vitamins can support a grieving brain and body that often forgets to eat, or turns only to comfort foods

​ Ways friends and family can support a survivor with healthy food, presence, and patience

​ Why counselors are often a safe place to talk: confidential, nonjudgmental, and focused on helping you find your own path forward

Jenny also shares pieces of her own journey after losing her son JR, including exhaustion, moments of conflicted relief, and watching her daughter struggle under the weight of guilt — and how therapy, EMDR, and time helped open space for healing and self-compassion.

This episode is for anyone living with that quiet thought: “It’s my fault” — and for those who love someone carrying that burden.

Visit jrshuntforlife.org or join the private Facebook community “JR’s Hunt for Life” for confidential connection, education, and hope.

🎙️ Credits“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide-prevention movement J.R.'s Hunt; For Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer. Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul,” courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.

🕊️ No judgments. Talk saves lives.

#ChooseHope #SupportAfterSuicide #TraumaTherapy #EMDRTherapy #CommunityHealing #BeTheLight

🎧 CALM Training & Lethal Means Safety with Sheena Hicks, PPC on “Safe Talk” JR’s Hunt;for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast

In this episode of JR’s Hunt for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast, Safe Talk, host Jenny Hunter welcomes returning guest Sheena Hicks, newly graduated Provisional Professional Counselor (PPC). Sheena shares her journey through seven years of education and supervised clinical training, and she explains what it takes to become a licensed counselor in Wyoming.

Jenny and Sheena dive deeply into CALM Training — Counseling or Conversations on Access to Lethal Means. This practical, life-saving approach teaches everyday people, first responders, mental-health professionals, and community members how to:

* Recognize signs of distress or suicidal ideation

* Ask direct, clear questions about suicide

* Safely and compassionately discuss firearms, medications, and other lethal means

* Create time, distance, and safety during moments of crisis

* Understand impulsivity and the crucial 8-minute window between trigger and attempt

* Support individuals in building safety plans, storing firearms responsibly, and reducing access to high-risk items

* Maintain hope, build connection, and understand the limits — and possibilities — of intervention

Sheena emphasizes that CALM is not anti-gun; it is a training centered on responsible storage, safe households, and preventing impulsive tragedies, especially in states like Wyoming where firearm ownership is common. Jenny and Sheena talk about youth suicide, aging populations, medication safety, and the importance of 988, supportive networks, and proactive conversations long before a crisis peaks.

If you or your organization are interested in CALM training, Sheena continues to offer sessions and can be contacted through Jenny.

If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone — help is available.

📞 Need Support?
In the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If danger feels immediate, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Visit jrshuntforlife.org or join the private Facebook community “JR’s Hunt for Life” for confidential connection, education, and hope.

🎙️ Credits
“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide-prevention movement JR’s Hunt for Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer. Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul,” courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

📲 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.

🕊️ No judgments. Talk saves lives.

#JRsHuntForLife #SafeTalkPodcast #TalkSavesLives #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAwareness #PassiveSuicidalIdeation #YouAreNotAlone #EndTheStigma #CheckInOnYourFriends #AngelMountainMedia #JennyHunter #WyomingCounselor #TherapyWorks #HopeAndHealing #988Lifeline #NoJudgmentZone #MentalHealthMatters #CommunityCare #calm

Season 5 Premiere — Understanding Passive Suicidal Ideation with Cassidy Lach, MA, LPC on “Safe Talk” JR’s Hunt;for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast

Season 5 opens with an eye-opening conversation about a topic that’s rarely named but widely felt: passive suicidal ideation. Jenny sits down with Cassidy Lach, a licensed professional counselor with nearly two decades of experience in Wyoming’s mental-health community, to unpack what it means to feel “okay if something happened” — without an active plan to end one’s life.

Cassidy explains the critical differences between passive and active suicidality, emphasizing the importance of intent and imminence. She helps listeners recognize common warning signs — such as thoughts like “I don’t care if I wake up tomorrow” — and explores how these thoughts can stem from deeply rooted beliefs of being “not good enough” or “broken.” Drawing on her background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and the Gottman Method for marriage and relationship counseling, Cassidy offers grounded, compassionate tools for reframing these beliefs before they escalate.

Together, Jenny and Cassidy remind listeners that talk saves lives — and that asking directly, without judgment, can be the most powerful act of care. They discuss how to identify imminent risk, when confidentiality limits apply, and why simply checking in — even with a “Good morning, how are you doing?” — can truly make a difference.

Key Takeaways

• “Passive” thoughts don’t always mean immediate danger — but they always deserve compassion.

• Validation, not minimization, builds safety for honest conversation.

• We can only act on what we know in the moment, but consistent connection can change outcomes.

• If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone — help is available.

Need Support?

In the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If danger feels immediate, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Visit jrshuntforlife.org or join the private Facebook community “JR’s Hunt for Life” for confidential connection, education, and hope.

Credits

“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide-prevention movement JR’s Hunt for Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer. Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul,” courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.

No judgments. Talk saves lives.

#JRsHuntForLife #SafeTalkPodcast #TalkSavesLives #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAwareness #PassiveSuicidalIdeation #YouAreNotAlone #EndTheStigma #CheckInOnYourFriends #AngelMountainMedia #JennyHunter #BillyFloyd #CassidyLachLPC #WyomingCounselor #TherapyWorks #HopeAndHealing #988Lifeline #NoJudgmentZone #MentalHealthMatters #CommunityCare

🎙️ Season 4 Finale: Sibling Survivors — The Invisible Mourners on “Safe Talk” JR’s Hunt;for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast.

In this powerful final episode of Season 4 of JR’s Hunt for Life, host Jenny Hunter sits down with long-time friend and fellow Casper resident, Dawn, to explore the unique and often overlooked grief of sibling suicide loss. Dawn shares the story of her brother Michael — his warmth, his struggles with mental illness, and the heartbreak of his passing — offering listeners an unfiltered and compassionate look at what it means to lose a sibling to suicide.

Jenny and Dawn open up about the emotional complexity of being a "forgotten mourner," the guilt and anger that often surface, and the loneliness of navigating loss without the support of remaining family. They also discuss the crucial role that community, support groups, and honest conversations play in the healing process.

This candid conversation is a heartfelt reminder that sibling survivors matter — and they are not alone.

🕊️ "You feel invisible. You feel like you're 'just a sister'... But you're not. You're someone who loved them, too."

💬 Listen in, reflect, and help us continue the conversation that saves lives.

“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide prevention movement J.R.’s Hunt For Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer.

Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul”, courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Music, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.

#SuicidePrevention #SafeTalkPodcast #MentalHealthMatters #SafeTalkPodcast #SuicidePrevention #GriefSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #YouAreNotAlone #BreakTheSilence #TalkSavesLives #JRSHuntForLife #EndTheStigma #HopeAndHealing #SiblingLoss #SiblingSuicide #MentalHealthAwareness #SafeTalk #JRsHuntForLife #TalkSavesLives #SeasonFinale #SiblingLoss

🎙 Safe Talk Podcast: Autism, Suicide Prevention & The Power of Checking In with Karol Santistevan, MS, OTR/L, ASDCS🎙

In this insightful episode of Safe Talk, host Jenny Hunter speaks with Karol Santistevan, founder of Ropes and Roses Therapy Services, to explore a critical but often overlooked topic—the heightened suicide risk among autistic individuals.

Jenny and Karol discuss why autism is rarely included in mainstream suicide statistics and how cognitive inflexibility, social isolation, and mental health challenges can increase risk. Karol shares insights from her exclusive interview with Dr. Temple Grandin, offering a deeper understanding of sensory processing, neurodiversity, and how mental health professionals can be more inclusive.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✔️ Autistic individuals are at a significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population.

✔️ Cognitive inflexibility can make it difficult for someone to see alternatives to their struggles.

✔️ Bullying, masking, and societal stigma contribute to higher distress levels.

✔️ The power of curiosity over judgment—learning to ask why someone experiences the world differently instead of making assumptions.

✔️ The importance of checking in—with others and with yourself—before things reach a crisis point.

✔️ How animal-assisted therapy and nature-based approaches provide meaningful support.

Karol also previews her upcoming presentation at the Wyoming Counseling Association’s Spring Webinar (April 5, 2025), featuring her recorded conversation with Temple Grandin.

🔗 Tune in to learn how we can replace judgment with curiosity, check in before it’s too late, and create a world that truly values neurodiversity.

Karol Santistevan, MS, OTR/L, ASDCS

Karol is an occupational therapist specializing in mental health utilizing equine and animal-assisted therapy. She is the founder of Ropes and Roses Therapy Services in Casper, WY, where she integrates nature-based therapy approaches to support individuals with autism, PTSD, and other neurodevelopmental challenges. In addition to her clinical work, Karol teaches at Casper College and continuously researches best practices in the field of occupational therapy. She is a Clinical specialist for Autism Spectrum Disorder. (ASDCS) and an accredited ICDL - Home of DIRFloortime® Practitioner.

“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide prevention movement J.R.’s Hunt For Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer.

Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul”, courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Music, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.

S4E17-Glenn Woods Interview-The Power of Simplicity: Alleviating Anxiety One Step at a Time on “Safe Talk” JR’s Hunt;for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast

In this insightful episode of Safe Talk, Jenny Hunter welcomes author and radio talk show host Glenn Woods to explore the profound impact of simplifying life’s challenges. Glenn, author of The Uncomplicated Life, shares how overthinking and clutter—both mental and physical—contribute to anxiety, and how stripping away the unnecessary can bring clarity and peace.

Glenn delivers a powerful reminder: tackling life one step at a time, every single day, is the key to overcoming stress and uncertainty. Jenny expands on this, emphasizing how his approach to simplifying life can ease anxiety, making the overwhelming feel manageable. Together, they discuss practical strategies to shift from chaos to calm, with Glenn’s signature wit and wisdom offering a refreshing take on life’s everyday struggles.

Tune in for an uplifting conversation that challenges the way we approach problems—and offers a path toward a more peaceful, uncomplicated life.

🎧 Listen now and discover how small, intentional steps can lead to big transformations!

“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide prevention movement J.R.’s Hunt For Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer.

Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul”, courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Music, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.

#SafeTalkPodcast #PodcastEpisode #NewPodcast #Podcasting #ListenNow #PodcastLife #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthMatters #YouAreNotAlone #EndTheStigma #BreakTheSilence #988Lifeline #TalkSavesLives #HopeAndHealing #ItsOkayToNotBeOkay #AnxietyRelief #StressFreeLiving #MindsetMatters #MentalWellness #CalmYourMind #EmotionalHealth #TheUncomplicatedLife #SimpleLiving #MindfulLiving #OneStepAtATime #SmallStepsBigChanges #ClarityAndPeace #GlennWoods #WakeUpWyoming #SelfHelp #DailyInspiration #LifeHacks #SelfImprovement

S4E16-Sibling Bereavement: A Deeper Dive on “Safe Talk” JR’s Hunt;for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast

Sibling loss to suicide is a grief that often goes unspoken, leaving many to navigate their pain in silence. In this deeply personal episode of Safe Talk, Jenny Hunter revisits the profound and often overlooked struggles of siblings who have lost a brother or sister to suicide. Reflecting on her own journey and a powerful conversation with her daughter, Cortney, Jenny explores the unique challenges of sibling bereavement—the guilt, the search for answers, the need to be "strong" for others, and the struggle to find space to grieve.

Drawing on insights from Psychology Today’s article, Sibling Suicide Survivors: The 'Forgotten Mourners' by Leah Royden, this episode sheds light on the emotional complexities faced by suicide-bereaved siblings and the societal stigma that often silences them.

How do siblings answer the question, "How many brothers or sisters do you have?" How does their grief impact relationships, mental health, and personal identity? And how can we, as a community, create more understanding and support for these "forgotten mourners"?

Join us in this essential conversation as we take a deeper dive into sibling bereavement, breaking the silence and fostering healing for those left behind.

Safe Talk—where there are no judgments, and talk saves lives.

“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide prevention movement J.R.’s Hunt For Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer.

Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul”, courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Music, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mourning-after/201902/sibling-suicide-survivors-the-forgotten-mourners

#SafeTalkPodcast #SuicidePrevention #SiblingLoss #GriefSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #YouAreNotAlone #BreakTheSilence #TalkSavesLives #JRSHuntForLife #EndTheStigma #HopeAndHealing #BraveConversations #LossAndResilience #SupportForSiblings #SiblingBereavement #ForgottenMourners #SiblingGrief #SurvivorsOfSuicideLoss #ComplicatedGrief #NavigatingLoss

S4E15-The Silent Struggle of Siblings After Suicide Loss

In this deeply moving episode of Safe Talk, Cortney, Jenny Hunter’s daughter, bravely shares her journey through the devastating loss of her younger brother, JR. Though she believed she was ready to talk about it, the conversation reveals just how deeply grief remains, no matter how much time has passed. Her raw and honest account sheds light on the often-overlooked pain of siblings—the “forgotten victims” of suicide loss—who, while supporting their grieving parents, must also navigate their own immense sorrow.

This conversation was just as difficult for Jenny, who, as a mother, had to witness her daughter's pain in real-time. Both women display extraordinary courage in confronting their grief and sharing it with the world. Jenny openly acknowledges how hard it was to stay composed while recording this, but she also affirms why they do this—to help others, to let those suffering know they are not alone, and to ensure that JR’s loss is not forgotten, but instead turned into something meaningful.

Cortney’s story is one of unimaginable heartbreak but also of resilience. She shares her struggles with anger, guilt, and self-destruction and the difficult path she took to find healing. Through it all, her journey serves as a powerful reminder that grief reshapes lives, changing one’s direction and purpose in ways that are impossible to predict.

This episode is not just about loss—it’s about survival, bravery, and the strength to keep going even when the pain feels unbearable. If you or someone you know has lost a sibling to suicide, this episode is a must-listen.

💙 Listen now and join the conversation on grief, healing, and the enduring impact of love.

“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide prevention movement J.R.’s Hunt For Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer.

Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul”, courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Music, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.