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The Survivors Podcast

The Survivors Podcast

By: Gretchen Schoser and Lisa Sugarman
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About this listen

 The Survivors Podcast was born out of a serendipitous connection between Gretchen and Lisa—two individuals with powerful, lived experiences in mental health and suicide survival. Gretchen, co-host of the award-winning Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads met Lisa through PodMatch while searching for podcast guests. What was meant to be a short pre-call turned into a two-hour conversation that revealed a shared mission: to change the narrative around suicide, mental illness, and grief.

Together, they created The Survivors to bring honest, unfiltered conversations about mental health into the mainstream. This podcast offers a unique dual perspective—one of surviving the loss of loved ones to suicide and the other of surviving one’s mental health challenges.

By tackling topics often considered taboo, The Survivors provides a safe, empathetic space where the complexities of mental health, grief, and loss are explored with authenticity and hope. Join Gretchen and Lisa as they break down barriers, challenge stigma, and empower listeners to survive life, death, and everything.

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Episodes
  • What Happens When You Call 988: Real Talk from Both Sides of the Line

    What Happens When You Call 988: Real Talk from Both Sides of the Line
    May 14 2025
    In this deeply moving episode, Lisa and G open up about the lifesaving power of the 988 crisis lifeline. From personal stories to professional insights, they explore how these services are changing—and saving—lives every day.🎥 Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube:A video version of this episode is available here:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel🎙️ Episode Sponsored by TheHelpHUB.coThis episode is proudly brought to you by TheHelpHUB.co.Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just… alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB—your online destination for mental health resources, content, and tools to help you navigate whatever challenges you’re facing. With over 16 categories of support and a deeply inclusive approach, you’ll find the personalized help you need when you need it most. Visit https://www.thehelphub.co/ today. 💙📄 Episode SummaryMay is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this episode is a heartfelt homage to the value of crisis support. Hosts Lisa and G share emotional firsthand experiences, provide behind-the-scenes insight into what really happens when you call 988, and amplify the importance of accessible support through platforms like The HelpHUB, Trevor Project, and the Crisis Text Line. With raw vulnerability, they debunk misconceptions, highlight the impact of human connection, and call us all to action—because everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and safe.📘 Lessons Learned988 is more than a number—it's a gateway to connection, compassion, and lifesaving support.You don't need to be suicidal to call; any form of emotional distress is valid.Creating a personal safety plan can provide essential clarity in moments of crisis.Sharing our stories not only heals us, but can save someone else's life.Awareness is key—amplifying resources ensures they’re accessible to those who need them most.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Episode Introduction & Trigger Warning01:30 – The Power of Mental Health Awareness Month03:00 – Discovering 988 and Why It Matters06:45 – What Happens When You Call a Lifeline10:00 – The Role of Lifeline Volunteers13:30 – From Crisis to Clarity: Personal Testimonies17:10 – International Support Resources20:15 – Safety Plans & Why You Need One24:00 – The Role of Community in Mental Health26:30 – Final Reflections & Encouragement📚 Resources for Mental Health & Support🔹 The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/🔹 The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/🔹 Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions – Mental wellness coaching & support – https://schosersolutions.com/🔹 Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads – A raw, award-winning mental health podcast – https://goesoninourheads.net/📲 Follow & Connect With Us📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel#TheSurvivorsPodcast #EndTheStigma #MentalHealthMatters #SuicidePrevention #YouAreNotAlone #BreakTheSilence #GriefSupport #988Lifeline #SurvivorStories #HealingTogether #PodMatch #MentalHealth #SuicideAwareness #Podcast #Community #Hope #Grief #Stigma #MentalIllness #Support #LisaSugarman #GretchenSchoser🎙️ See You Next Week!Stay strong, keep going, and remember: You are enough. 💜
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    28 mins
  • It’s Mental Health Awareness Month — Let’s Talk About What Actually Helps

    It’s Mental Health Awareness Month — Let’s Talk About What Actually Helps
    May 7 2025
    In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Lisa and Gretchen open up about their respective mental health advocacy platforms—The HelpHUB, Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads podcast, and Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions. They highlight the urgent need for inclusive, accessible mental health resources that speak to people across different communities, life stages, and identities. If you’ve ever Googled “mental health help” and felt overwhelmed, this episode offers hope and clarity.🎥 Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube:A video version of this episode is available here: YouTube: @TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel🎙️ Episode Sponsored by TheHelpHUB.coStruggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just… alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to TheHelpHUB.co—your online destination for mental health resources, content, and tools to help you navigate your mental health challenges. At The HelpHUB, you’ll find individualized tools tailored to your unique needs. Over 16 curated categories cover crisis support, grief, mindfulness, LGBTQ+ support, workplace mental health, and more. Whether you need downloadable toolkits, peer stories, or just a starting point to feel seen, this is where healing begins. Visit https://www.thehelphub.co/ today.💙Because your mental well-being matters. 💙💡 Lessons LearnedPersonalized mental health support matters. Not everyone experiences trauma or heals similarly; resources should reflect that diversity.You don’t have to be a professional to help someone heal. Lived experience, open dialogue, and community can be just as transformative.Laughter is healing. Sometimes the best therapy is an honest conversation with a friend—and a moment to laugh through the pain.No one is alone. From TheHelpHUB to weekly podcast episodes, there are always free tools, stories, and safe spaces to turn to.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Introduction & Content Warning00:25 – Why May Matters: Mental Health Awareness Month01:06 – Advocating 140%: Our Year-Round Commitment03:30 – Normalizing Conversations Through Resources05:00 – Lisa’s Journey to Building TheHelpHUB10:55 – Personalized Support by Category14:00 – Gretchen’s Experience Using TheHelpHUB15:10 – The Power of Sharing: Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads18:00 – Building Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions20:00 – From Suicide to Survival: Why We Do This Work23:30 – Listener Homework & Final Thoughts25:00 – Community, Courage, and Showing Up📚 Resources for Mental Health & Support 🔹 The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/🔹 The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/🔹 Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions – Mental wellness coaching & support – https://schosersolutions.com/🔹 Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads – A raw, award-winning mental health podcast – https://goesoninourheads.net/📲 Follow & Connect With Us 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel #TheSurvivorsPodcast #EndTheStigma #MentalHealthMatters #SuicidePrevention #YouAreNotAlone#BreakTheSilence #GriefSupport #988Lifeline #SurvivorStories #HealingTogether#PodMatch #MentalHealth #SuicideAwareness #Podcast #Community #Hope #Grief#Stigma #MentalIllness #Support #LisaSugarman #GretchenSchoser🎙️ See You Next Week! Stay strong, keep going, and remember: You are enough. 💜
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    28 mins
  • 6 Harmful Myths About Suicide—And the Truth Survivors Need You to Know

    6 Harmful Myths About Suicide—And the Truth Survivors Need You to Know
    Apr 30 2025
    In this deeply raw and heartfelt episode, hosts Gretchen and Lisa delve into the heavy topic of suicide, unpacking personal stories, public perceptions, and the damaging power of stigma. They offer unflinching honesty, resilience, and hope, reminding us all that healing begins when we start speaking out. 🎥 Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube:A video version of this episode is available here: YouTube: @TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel🎙️ Episode Sponsored by CalmerryThis episode is proudly brought to you by Calmerry, an online therapy platform providing affordable and accessible professional counseling.🌐 Visit: https://calmerry.com/the-survivors-podcast/🎟️ Use code SURVIVORS20 for 20% off your first month.💙 Because your mental well-being matters. 💙🔍 Episode SummaryGretchen and Lisa crack open the emotional complexities surrounding suicide, from attempted survival to loss, and share their journeys with unfiltered vulnerability. They explore how language shapes stigma and how powerful conversations can unravel decades of misunderstanding, shame, and silence.🎓 Lessons LearnedWords Matter: The way we discuss suicide ("committed" vs "died by") can either reinforce stigma or dismantle it.You’re Not Alone: Those who survived attempts and those grieving a suicide loss are not only survivors—they are parents, professionals, friends, and leaders.Be kind, always: You never know what battle someone may be fighting internally.Trust Falls Are Real: Opening up about mental health can feel like a trust fall, but there is a community ready to catch you.Mental Illness Is Not a Moral Failure: Suicide is often a result of mental illness, not a sign of weakness, sin, or selfishness.⏱️ Chapters0:00 – Trigger Warning & Crisis Resources1:20 – What Bugs Us: Stigma Around Suicide5:40 – From Silence to Sharing: Personal Stories of Attempt Survival12:30 – Language and Labels: Changing the Narrative17:00 – Workplace Stigma and Healing in Public Spaces20:10 – Generational Beliefs and Breaking the Cycle24:00 – Final Reflections: Humanity, Hope, and Community📚 Resources for Mental Health & Support🔹 The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/🔹 The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/🔹 Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions – Mental wellness coaching & support – https://schosersolutions.com/🔹 Calmerry – Affordable & accessible online therapy – https://calmerry.com/🔹 Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads – A raw, award-winning mental health podcast – https://goesoninourheads.net/📲 Follow & Connect With Us📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel #TheSurvivorsPodcast #EndTheStigma #MentalHealthMatters #SuicidePrevention#YouAreNotAlone #BreakTheSilence #GriefSupport #988Lifeline#SurvivorStories #HealingTogether #PodMatch #MentalHealth#SuicideAwareness #Podcast #Community #Hope#Grief #Stigma #MentalIllness #Support#LisaSugarman #GretchenSchoser🎙️ See You Next Week!Stay strong, keep going, and remember: You are enough. 💜
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    26 mins

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