My name is Susie. I have three children, the youngest of whom struggles with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. I never thought this could happen to me, and I missed the signs. Being a parent is really hard, and I'm here to help! I'm talking to parents and experts to help you with the issues your kids may face. I want you to know that you are not alone and there is hope.
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This episode of The Just A Mom Podcast features a conversation with parent and advocate Laura Craciun. Laura shares her journey as a parent of an adult child who suffers from a serious mental illness and how difficult it is for families of adults to help their loved ones receive the treatment they need. Laura’s son’s journey started right before he…
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Episode 95: Allies in Recovery (https://alliesinrecovery.net/)
53:27
53:27
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53:27In this powerful episode, I am joined by three amazing guests—Kayla Solomon, licensed clinical social worker, along with Allies in Recovery family members Carolyn and Kenneth. Carolyn and Kenny outline their journey with their son’s addiction, which included a suicide attempt, overdoses, developing an eating disorder, and their discovery of Allies …
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Episode 94: Doug and Stacee Goetzinger (https://www.speakoutloud.me/) Part 3
41:54
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41:54In this final episode of the three-part series with Doug and Stacee, Stacee continues sharing about her in-patient eating disorder treatment. She emphasizes how important it was for her to make the choice to stay when many in the program left, and how she didn’t want to leave a legacy of not fighting. Stacee talks about the importance of moment-by-…
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Episode 93: Doug and Stacee Goetzinger (https://www.speakoutloud.me/) Part 2
41:00
41:00
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41:00Doug and Stacee continue sharing more about Stacee’s suicide attempt and subsequent hospitalization. They also talk about their family and how Stacee’s struggle impacted their daughters. Stacee says she couldn’t be the mom she wanted to be and had journals full of self-hatred writing in them. Stacee’s eating disorder returned, which resulted in the…
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Episode 92: Doug and Stacee Goetzinger (https://www.speakoutloud.me/) Part 1
46:05
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46:05This is the first in a series of three episodes with Doug and Stacee Goetzinger. Don’t miss this incredibly raw, honest conversation with my high school classmate, Doug, and his wife, Stacee, about Stacee’s lifelong battle with mental illness. In this episode, Stacee shares about her childhood that was full of family dysfunction. Stacee talks about…
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You don’t want to miss the last episode of this fall with Lora DeMello, mom, writer, educator and President of We Are Brave Together (https://www.wearebravetogether.org/). I knew immediately when I read Lora’s story in the book Becoming Brave Together (https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Brave-Together-Extraordinary-Caregiving-ebook/dp/B0D123VCRS) I wa…
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Episode 90: Meredith Shuman, Founder and Trauma Informed Trainer
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59:55
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59:55Meredith is the mom of five kids, four of whom are adopted, and three of these are biological sisters. Additionally, Meredith is the founder of James Trail, an organization that seeks to come alongside families and organizations impacted by trauma. Meredith talks about the different types of trauma and the services James Trail provides, including s…
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This episode is a continuation of my conversation with Stephanie. Stephanie’s daughter struggles with ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder), anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. In this episode, Stephanie shares about her daughter’s six-month residential stay at the Eating Recovery Center in Dallas (https://www.eatingrecoverycent…
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This is the first of two episodes with Stephanie James. Stephanie’s daughter battles an eating disorder, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Stephanie shares candidly how her daughter’s illness started her freshman year when she started skipping lunch and was losing weight. Stephanie took her to their family physician, who said she needed t…
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Episode 87: Tamicka Monson, Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and Author of Where Daddy Lives
52:14
52:14
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52:14I was drawn to share Tamicka’s story after we met at the Mental Health KC Conference last spring. After studying computer engineering in college, Tamicka realized she wanted to work with families and individuals to heal, grow, and become the best version of themselves. Because of her own story and experiences, Tamicka wrote the book Where Daddy Liv…
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Episode 86: Casie Fariello, Other Parents Like Me (oplm.com)
55:29
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55:29Don’t miss this episode with Casie Fariello, a mom with three kids with different mental health issues—anxiety, substance abuse, depression, and self-harm. Her knowledge range is vast, including intensive outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, wilderness therapy, and a therapeutic boarding school. Casie knows all about managing the complexi…
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Sometimes things don’t work out the way we want or the way they should. Kristie Morton knows that personally. She lost her 14-year-old son, Hunter, to suicide on February 12, 2022. Kristie shares very candidly about her journey as a mother who has lost a child to suicide. Kristie emphasizes that parents who have lost children still want to talk abo…
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Episode 84: Jessica Patay, wearebravetogether.org
1:02:27
1:02:27
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1:02:27Don’t miss this encouraging and inspiring episode featuring Jessica Patay, founder of We Are Brave Together. As the mother of a child with Prader-Willi disease (https://www.fpwr.org/), Jessica founded We Are Brave Together in 2017 to be a safe place for women with children with any issue or diagnosis. We Are Brave Together is a place for women to f…
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This episode is a continuation of Sierra’s story. After the birth of her second child, Sierra was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Again, Sierra talks about the empathy she developed by being on the receiving end of mental health services. She also frankly shares how traumatizing the admission process into the psychiatric hospital was, how her f…
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Sierra works as the Community Prevention Manager for Johnson County Mental Health. But that’s not why she is on the podcast. Sierra shares an incredible story of her lived experience very candidly. Sierra struggled with postpartum depression, major insomnia, hallucinations, and psychosis after the birth of her first child. In this episode, Sierra s…
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Episode 81: Tracey Yokas, Author, Bloodlines
1:04:49
1:04:49
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1:04:49This episode of The Just A Mom podcast features Tracey Yokas, author of the book Bloodlines: A Memoir of Harm and Healing (https://www.amazon.com/Bloodlines-Memoir-Self-Harm-Healing-Generational-ebook/dp/B09CD4F614). In the book, Tracey explores her relationship with her own mother as well as the family dynamics of a child with mental illness. Trac…
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Brandon Saho was a successful sportscaster in Cincinnati. He was living his professional dream, but away from his job there was an unseen story. Brandon struggled with depression and suicidal ideation as well as alcoholism. On this unique episode of The Just A Mom podcast, Brandon and his mom, Debbie, share about Brandon’s journey with mental illne…
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Episode 79: Kristina Miller, Mom of Former Ohio State University Football Player Harry Miller Part 2 (reair)
35:53
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35:53This episode is a continuation of my conversation with Kristina Miller, mom of former Ohio State University football player Harry Miller. In this episode, Kristina recounts some of the fears and challenges of parenting an adult son with mental health issues. Make sure to check out the Don’t Make It Weird Foundation (https://dmiw.org/ (https://dmiw.…
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Episode 78: Kristina Miller, Mom of Former Ohio State University Football Player Harry Miller (reair)
41:39
41:39
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41:39If you haven't heard my conversation with Kristina, you don't want to miss this re-air. In the first of two episodes, Kristina talks about the beginnings of Harry's mental illness at a young age and all the things she did to help him. We discuss the tremendous pressure on student-athletes, particularly high-profile ones. Kristina also shares about …
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Episode 77: Just Because Someone is Smiling Doesn't Mean They're OK: Kansas State University Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Jareem Dowling Part 2 (reair)
41:27
41:27
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41:27*Trigger warning - this episode contains explicit talk about suicide and methodology This episode is a continuation of my conversation with Coach Dowling. If you haven't listened to last week's episode, please go back and listen to it. Coach Dowling is honest, raw, and real about his brother's death by suicide and his own mental health struggles.…
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Episode 76: Just Because Someone is Smiling Doesn’t Mean They’re OK: Kansas State University Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Jareem Dowling (reair)
43:13
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43:13*Trigger warning- this episode contains explicit talk about suicide and methodology This episode is the first in a two-part series that you don't want to miss if you didn't hear it the first time. Coach Dowling is very open and vulnerable about losing his brother to suicide as well as his own battle with depression and suicidal ideation. He shares …
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Episode 75: Addiction Can Happen To Anyone: Ronda (reair)
1:04:49
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1:04:49I decided to re-air this incredibly powerful episode of The Just A Mom podcast because of the meteoric rise in fentanyl addiction and deaths related to fentanyl use. Ronda’s son survived a fentanyl addiction. My conversation with Ronda is a no-holds-barred one. Her son battled an eating disorder and undiagnosed depression in high school. He found a…
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Episode 74: Healing and Hope in Sharing My Story: Suzanne (reair)
1:04:27
1:04:27
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1:04:27My incredibly brave and strong friend Suzanne talks about losing her son, Nic, to suicide in 2017. She started noticing signs of anxiety and depression before people were really talking openly about mental health. Suzanne shares deeply intimate details about losing her son her grieving process, and how losing a child to suicide can happen to anyone…
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Episode 73: Just Because Everything Looks OK on the Outside Doesn’t Mean It Is: Trevor (reair)
1:17:07
1:17:07
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1:17:07When I first started The Just A Mom podcast, I was only focused on interviewing parents of children who have struggled with mental health issues. That changed when I met with Trevor, and he shared the story of the last few years with me. Trevor is an adult who suffers from depression and suicidal ideation. Trevor was a middle school teacher and coa…
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Episode 72: I’ll Never Not Worry: Kari (reair)
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1:00:12
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1:00:12Kari was the first person (outside of my family) that I interviewed for The Just A Mom podcast. I’ve known Kari for many years. She is the wife of my oldest son’s high school football coach. My son was very close to him, and his tragic and early death in 2017 rocked our community. Kari is one of the many parents who have called me over the past few…
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Episode 71: It's A Marathon, Not A Sprint: Kristen (reair)
50:12
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50:12This week we are re-airing the episode featuring Kristen. Kristen’s story is one of fear, patience, endurance, love, and hope. It’s also another example of how the mental health battle is a journey—more of a marathon than a sprint. Kristen and her husband have gone to great lengths to help their son with his mental illness. While Kristen’s son’s ba…
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Episode 70: Back to the Beginning: Will (reair)
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45:37
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45:37The Just A Mom podcast will be re-airing some of the earliest episodes of the podcast the next few weeks. The first re-air is the very first episode of The Just A Mom podcast with my son, Will. This show is the whole reason I became a mental health advocate and, ultimately, started the Just A Mom Podcast. Will is my youngest son, and he struggles w…
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The final episode of Season 5 is the conclusion of Susie’s conversation with Kyle. Kyle shares candidly the many challenges he faced as the parent of a child struggling with depression and suicide attempts. Don’t miss this story of hope and perseverance that will undoubtedly encourage all.By Susie Gurley
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In this episode of the Just A Mom podcast, Susie converses with Kyle about his journey as a parent raising a child grappling with mental health issues. Kyle delves into the hurdles he encountered in identifying early indicators and the opportunities for intervention. He sheds light on the struggles of securing suitable treatment and the toll it too…
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This is the second in a two part series with Ryan LeFevbre, Kansas City Royals Announcer. Ryan continues his story by sharing more about his mental health journey and his road to healing. We discuss Ryan’s book, The Shame of Me: One Man’s Journey to Depression and Back (https://www.amazon.com/Shame-Mans-Journey-Depression-Back/dp/0984113029). Don’t…
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Episode 66: Ryan Lefebvre, Baseball Announcer for the Kansas City Royals part 1
48:35
48:35
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48:35Podcast Episode Show Notes: "Ryan Lefebvre" In this episode of the Just A Mom podcast, Susie engages in a conversation with Ryan Lefebvre, the baseball announcer for the Kansas City Royals. Together, they delve into Ryan's profound journey through depression and his subsequent recovery. Ryan candidly shares his upbringing in a fractured family, she…
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Episode 65: Carron Montgomery, Licensed Professional Counselor and Author, Part 2
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41:16Podcast Episode Show Notes: "Carron Montgomery, Licenced Professional Counselor and Award-Winning Author Part 2" Introduction: Welcome back to the Just a Mom podcast! In this highly anticipated episode, Susie is joined once again by Carron Montgomery. Carron brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, delving into topics ranging from n…
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Episode 64: Carron Montgomery, Licensed Professional Counselor and Author--part 1
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33:54Podcast Episode Show Notes: "Carron Montgomery, Licenced Professional Counselor and Award-Winning Author" Introduction: In this episode of the Just a Mom podcast, Susie introduces Carron Montgomery, a licensed professional counselor, registered play therapist, level two trained EMDR, and trauma specialist. Carron shares her wealth of knowledge and …
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Episode 63: Pat Aussem, The Partnership to End Addiction
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57:25On the latest episode of the Just a Mom Podcast, Susie brings in Pat Aussem, Vice President for Consumer Clinical Content Development at the Partnership to End Addiction. They delve into a conversation exploring the Partnership's goals and services, the intricate link between mental health and substance abuse, and the consequences of marijuana lega…
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Episode 62: Major General Gregg F. Martin, Part 2
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35:03
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35:03Podcast Episode Show Notes, part 2: "Major General Gregg F. Martin" Introduction: In the second episode featuring Major General Gregg F. Martin conversation extends to the prevalence of bipolar disorder in the military, addressing the significant challenges faced by service members. Major General Martin underscores the persistent stigma surrounding…
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Episode 61: Major General Gregg F. Martin
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36:46Podcast Episode Show Notes: "Major General Gregg F. Martin" Introduction: In this episode of the Just A Mom podcast, Susie engages in a compelling conversation with Major General Gregg F. Martin, a combat veteran and resilient bipolar disorder survivor. Major General Martin candidly shares his tumultuous journey of grappling with bipolar disorder, …
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Podcast Episode Show Notes, part 2: "Meggin Rose" Introduction: In the second part of the episode, Meggin reflects on her son's high school years, highlighting his compassionate nature. The narrative unfolds to reveal significant changes before college – a noticeable loss of energy and breakdowns in communication. Meggin courageously shares her son…
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Podcast Episode Show Notes: "Meggin Rose" Introduction: Join us for a powerful and insightful Just A Mom podcast episode as Susie sits down with the remarkable Meggin Rose. In this emotional conversation, Meggin candidly shares her journey as a parent navigating the complex terrain of mental health challenges within her family. From the early signs…
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Episode 58: Dr. Samantha De Caro, The Renfrew Center
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58:01
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58:01Introduction: In this episode of the JAM podcast, we explore eating disorders with Dr. Samantha DeCaro, a licensed clinical psychologist. Dr. DeCaro discusses the prevalence, causes, and prevention of eating disorders, touching on the complex relationship with mental health, anxiety, and depression. Pandemic's Impact on Eating Disorders: Isolation …
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Introduction: Welcome to a special episode of the "Just A Mom" podcast, where we kick off Season Five with a heartfelt and personal update. In today's episode, Susie is excited to be joined in the studio by a very special guest – her son, Will. As Susie expresses her joy at having Will home for the recording, the focus of this episode is centered a…
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Episode 56: Karen Dickson and Kathleen Harnish McKune, Remarkably Resilient (https://teamtechinc.com/remarkably-resilient/)
1:04:20
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1:04:20Podcast Episode Show Notes: "Kathleen McKune and Karen Dickson" Introduction: In this insightful episode, Karen and Kathleen, integral members of the resilient Harnish family, join Susie on the Just A Mom Podcast. Co-authors of the impactful book "Remarkably Resilient," the three sisters delve into their experiences, upbringing, and the profound mo…
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Episode 55: Wesley Hamilton, Disabled But Not Really (https://disabledbutnotreally.org/) Part 2
38:58
38:58
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38:58Podcast Episode 2 Show Notes: "Wesley Hamilton" Introduction: The last episode of the Just a Mom podcast captures the life story of Kansas City native Wesley Hamilton. The episode explores Wesley's mental struggles, including battles with depression, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts amid a lack of mental health support. Wesley Hamilton's impactf…
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Episode 54 : Wesley Hamilton, Disabled But Not Really (https://disabledbutnotreally.org/) part 1
31:47
31:47
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31:47Introduction: In this episode of the Just a Mom podcast, host Susie welcomes Wesley Hamilton, a Kansas City native known for his personal struggles, foundation work, and TV stardom. Wesley reflects on his upbringing as a product of his challenging environment, growing up without his father, and battling low self-esteem and negative thinking. He sha…
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Episode 53: Rennie McKinney, Administrative Director of Behavioral Health Services, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission
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39:07
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39:07Podcast Episode Show Notes: "Rennie McKinney" Introduction: In this "Just A Mom" podcast episode, Susie engages with guest Rennie McKinney, Administrative Director of Behavioral Health Services at Advent Health Shawnee Mission. They delve into the evolving landscape of mental health, influenced by reduced stigma, younger generations' openness, and …
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Episode 52: Coach Jareem Dowling, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, Kansas State University, Part 2
41:27
41:27
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41:27Season 4, Episode 9 Show Notes: "Coach Jareem Dowling" Introduction: In the first part of this episode, we've delved deeply into Coach Jareem Dowling's life, uncovering a powerful journey filled with moments of reflection, tragedy, and resilience. Coach Dowling's story underscores the significance of mental health awareness and the unwavering suppo…
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Episode 51: Coach Jareem Dowling, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, Kansas State University part 1
42:15
42:15
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42:15*WARNING–This episode contains explicit talk about suicide and methodology.* Introduction: In this episode of the "Just A Mom" podcast, Coach Jareem Dowling's life journey is explored, focusing on his coaching career at Kansas State University and the loss of his brother, Leo. The conversation underscores the importance of mental health awareness a…
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Episode 50: Brenda and Faith Ferber
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1:00:11Introduction: In this episode, Susie Gurley welcomes Brenda and Faith Ferber to the podcast. Together, they embark on a deeply personal journey, exploring mental health, resilience, and the power of open communication. Brenda, the author of the impactful article 'My Daughter Told Me She Wanted to Die to Save Her Life I Gave Her Permission to End It…
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This is a continuation of episode 4 with Beth. Beth’s son, Zach, suffered from anxiety, depression, and substance abuse ultimately cost him his life on March 25, 2019. Beth tells listeners that parents need to have open communication, and if you feel that something is wrong with your child you need to reach out for help. While Beth grieves the loss…
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In this heartbreaking episode, Beth chronicles her son, Zach’s, early years and how his battle with anxiety, depression, and substance abuse started and ultimately cost him his life on March 25, 2019. Beth believes mental illness and substance abuse went hand-in-hand for Zach, and that Zach’s substance abuse started when he self-medicated with ille…
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Episode 47: Jason Bohn, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Adolescent Services, Renew Counseling (anxietycenterkc.com)
56:49
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56:49Don’t miss this information-filled episode with Jason Bohn, who holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology and has almost 30 years of working with children, youth, and families. Jason’s career started in the child welfare system, and he developed the Renew Counseling Center Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program for adolescents struggling with…
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