TNT Open Mind Insights - Mental Health Interview Series

Building Better Access: Primary Care in Rural Nevada with Dr. Emily Shipley

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 04:36:31 GMT

Dr. Emily Shipley is seven months out of residency, working at a federally qualified health center in Carson City, Nevada. Her patients drive 45 minutes from towns with populations under 2,000. When they need a psychiatrist, that's an eight-hour drive to Las Vegas—if they have insurance that's accepted.
In this conversation, Emily shares what it's like to be the only mental health resource for patients facing serious psychiatric conditions, why she chose advanced med-peds training to work in under resourced communities, and how she's building skills through Nevada's TNT Primary Care Fellowship to diagnose and treat mental health conditions alongside physical health.
From teenagers experiencing psychosis with no specialist available, to the reality of treating depression and anxiety as routinely as diabetes, Emily's story shows both the crisis and the hope in rural mental healthcare delivery.
🎯 CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Introduction
0:45 - Why Carson City, Nevada?
2:30 - The State of Mental Health Care in Rural Nevada
4:15 - Eight Hours to the Nearest Psychiatrist
6:20 - A Teenager Seeing Shadow People: When There's No Specialist
9:45 - Why Med-Peds Over Family Medicine
12:30 - Training Gaps in Psychiatry During Residency
15:10 - Joining the TNT Primary Care Fellowship
18:25 - How Training Will Change Her Practice
22:40 - Nevada's Investment in Primary Care Mental Health
25:15 - Message of Hope: Mental Health is Treatable
28:00 - Making Primary Care the Solution
Interview Recorded On: January 16, 2026
💡 ABOUT TNT OPEN MIND INSIGHTS: A video interview series from UC Irvine's Train New Trainers Primary Care Fellowship program, featuring candid conversations with healthcare professionals transforming mental health access and delivery.
🔗 Learn more: tntopenmind.org
#RuralHealthcare #MentalHealthAccess #PrimaryCare #Psychiatry #BehavioralHealth

YouTube Tags (under 500 characters):
rural mental health,primary care psychiatry,mental health access,rural healthcare,Nevada healthcare,FQHC,underserved populations,psychiatry training,behavioral health,mental health crisis,primary care fellowship,rural medicine,health equity,mental health treatment,depression anxiety,schizophrenia,medical education,residency training,community health,telehealth alternatives

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Cultural Curiosity & Innovation with Madhuri Jha

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 21:03:40 GMT

Over 200 million Americans live in mental health shortage areas with zero access to providers. Meanwhile, patients cycle through ERs, primary care offices, and social workers— spanning multiple months of touchpoints where nobody stops to ask, "Are you okay? What do you need?"

Clinical social worker and epidemiologist Madhuri Jha breaks down the systemic communication breakdowns across the mental health care continuum and why real solutions require continuous dialogue across every level, from patient to policymaker.

In this conversation, Madhuri explores: Why "frequent flyers" signal system failure, not patient failure; the historical roots of mental health stigma; how mobile mental health care can close critical access gaps; cultural curiosity vs. cultural competence and positioning patients as experts; and building dialogue across the micro-macro divide in healthcare.

Whether you're a provider, advocate, or community member working to improve mental health access, this interview offers evidence-based insights on equity, policy, and what it takes to build systems that actually support healing.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Introduction
0:58 - Why Mental Health Equity Became Her Life's Work
2:19 - Cultural Upbringing and the Legacy of Silencing
3:35 - Bridging Micro and Macro: Clinical Work Meets Policy
4:50 - The "Frequent Flyer" Issue: System Fractures
6:16 - The Care Continuum: Patient to Policy
10:45 - Mental Health Shortage Areas: The Access Crisis
15:20 - Mobile Mental Health Care as a Solution
22:30 - Historical Trauma: Institutionalization and Stigma
30:15 - The Carceral System and Mental Health
32:33 - Finding Hope in Patient Care
34:28 - Cultural Curiosity vs. Cultural Competence
36:46 - Remembering Your Why

Interview Recorded On: January 16, 2026

💡 ABOUT MADHURI JHA: Founder of Thriving For All, specializing in mental health equity, post-traumatic stress disorder, and serving LGBTQ, immigrant, and trauma survivor populations.

🔗 Learn more: tntopenmind.org

#MentalHealthEquity #CareContinum #CulturalCuriosity #BehavioralHealth #healthcarepolicy

YouTube Tags (under 500 characters):
mental health equity, care continuum, cultural curiosity, healthcare policy, mental health access, behavioral health, primary care mental health, mobile mental health, health disparities, clinical social work, epidemiology, PTSD treatment, healthcare advocacy, mental health shortage, system change, community mental health, immigrant mental health, LGBTQ mental health, trauma informed care, healthcare equity

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Child Psychiatry: Identity, Culture & Care with Dr. Sarah Arshad

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 22:20:16 GMT

What does it really mean to know the patient in front of you? In this episode of TNT Open Mind Insights, Dr. Sarah Arshad — triple board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, pediatrician, and TNT Fellowships PC-CAP Co-Director— makes a compelling case for cultural psychiatry as the foundation of good pediatric care.

From emergency rooms to rural communities where psychiatric services simply don't exist, Dr. Arshad draws a direct line between the gaps in our systems and the children left on the other side of them. She challenges the assumption that culture only belongs to visibly diverse populations, shares what she teaches her trainees about cultural humility, and opens up about what it takes to truly sit with a family and hear what they're telling you.
This is a conversation for anyone who works with children and families — and wants to do it better.

CHAPTERS
00:00 — Introduction
01:00 — Who is Dr. Sarah H. Arshad?
02:30 — What is cultural psychiatry and why does it matter?
05:00 — The Cultural Formulation Interview as a clinical tool
07:00 — Everyone has culture
09:00 — A family who couldn't say the word suicide out loud
12:00 — Stigma, fear, and what families bring into the room
14:00 — Teaching cultural humility to the next generation of providers
17:00 — Sitting with patients
20:00 — Where health systems are falling short for children and families
23:00 — The school-to-dropout pipeline and structural inequity
26:00 — When the prescription is: move counties
29:00 — Bridging the gap — cultural psychiatry in primary care
32:00 — The TNT PC-CAP Fellowship
35:00 — Where Dr. Arshad finds hope and joy

Interview Recorded On: Jan 17, 2026
🎧 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE for new episodes from TNT Open Mind Insights — connecting personal experiences to solutions within the behavioral healthcare field.
🔗 Learn more about the TNT Fellowship: [tntopenmind.org]

YouTube Tags (under 500 characters):

cultural psychiatry, child psychiatry, pediatric mental health, mental health education, cultural humility, primary care mental health, child and adolescent psychiatry, health equity, pediatrics, mental health advocacy, immigrant mental health, rural mental health, behavioral health, TNT fellowship, psychiatric training, cultural formulation, youth mental health, pediatric primary care, mental health disparities, healthcare gaps

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Self Compassion In Elite Performance - with Stephen Hauschka

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

What does it take to perform at your best when the pressure is at its highest? Super Bowl Champion and Performance Coach, Stephen Hauschka, spent his entire career learning how. In this conversation with TNT Open Mind Insights, Stephen breaks down the mental performance framework he built, which goes beyond athletic performance into the heart of what it means to be human under pressure.

From missing a game-winning kick and getting cut, to winning the Super Bowl in Seattle, to a final playoff moment that brought everything full circle — Stephen's journey is a masterclass in fear response management, psychological safety, and the science of self-compassion.

Whether you are a healthcare professional, mental health advocate, or someone navigating high-pressure environments in your own life, this conversation will challenge how you think about fear, identity, and what it really means to perform freely.

Chapters:
00:00 — Introduction
01:35 — Stephen's Background: Neuroscience Meets the NFL
04:44 — His First Experience With Pressure and Fear
08:13 — Pressure Is Real: The Neuroscience Behind Fear
11:20 — Missing the Game-Winning Kick and Getting Cut
15:05 — Arriving in Seattle: How Culture Changes Performance
16:40 — Working With Dr. Michael Gervais
19:30 — The Paradox of High Performance and Worthiness
23:50 — Self-Compassion as a Performance Tool
25:45 — Psychological Safety and the Freedom to Perform
28:00 — The Playoff Moment That Changed Everything
30:21 — Tools and Routines: Breath work, Tapping, and Mindfulness
38:00 — Fear Never Disappears — Here's How to Work With It
41:33 — What Stephen Teaches Others Today

Interview Recorded On: Jan 17, 2026

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of mental health and self-compassion. www.tntopenmind.org

Tags:
mental performance, self-compassion, psychological safety, fear response, elite performance, NFL, Stephen Hauschka, mental health, mindfulness, breathwork, performance psychology, neuroscience, high performance, sports psychology, mental wellness, peak performance, Michael Gervais, self-compassion research, Kristin Neff, TNT Open Mind Insights, healthcare, mental health advocacy, fear management, inner game

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Foster Youth & Mental Health Access - With Angelina Medina

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:24:46 GMT

Providers often see a foster youth who survived and think they're resilient, strong, and got-it-handled. But surviving doesn't always mean thriving. And having one’s basic needs met doesn't mean all their needs are met.
Angelina Medina, Regional Lead at iFoster, discusses the critical gap between survival and healing for foster youth. Resources exist, but young people often don't learn about them until adulthood when they're struggling. Now, Angelina is working to change that.
What You'll Learn: Why the "basic needs checklist" fails foster youth’s mental health. Concrete practices to build trust: go slow, ask permission, don't assume resilience. How lived experience creates peer connections traditional models miss. Why mental health is a policy issue and what providers can do now.

Guest Bio: Angelina Medina is a Regional Lead at iFoster, where she provides support to current and former foster youth and leads groups of foster youth as they gain employment skills. Having entered the foster care system at age six, Angelina completed iFoster's internship program and is committed to utilizing her lived experience to aid others navigating similar challenges. She graduated from California State University, Northridge with a degree in environmental occupational health and has been advocating for foster youth since joining iFoster at age 21. Her lived experience informs her work connecting foster youth with the resources they need, from mental health and wellness support to education and employment opportunities.

About iFoster: iFoster is a national nonprofit employing former foster youth to bridge the resource gap. Medical professionals, caregivers, and anyone supporting foster youth can access their free resources at iFoster.org
Mental health is a policy issue. Who gets resources and what those resources are shapes whether foster youth can heal or just get by.

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:55 Angelina's Background & iFoster's Mission
3:17 What is iFoster? Services & Resources
5:58 The Gap: When Basic Needs Aren't Enough
7:28 Policy Changes Needed for Mental Health Access
9:34 The Power of Peer Support & Lived Experience
12:29 Technology & Housing Resources for Foster Youth
15:59 iFoster Jobs Program: Training Peer Specialists
19:28 Enhanced Care Management & Social Determinants
22:06 Advocacy & Hope for Current Foster Youth
25:29 Advice for Healthcare Providers: Go Slow & Ask Permission
27:11 Don't Assume Resilience
28:44 The Importance of Consistency in Care
31:19 Mental Health is a Policy Issue
32:26 How to Connect with iFoster

Interview Recorded On: Jan 17, 2026

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of mental health and policy.
🔗 Watch more interviews in the series: www.tntopenmind.org

YouTube Tags: trauma informed care, peer support, foster youth, mental health policy, social determinants of health, iFoster, behavioral health, youth advocacy, child welfare, pediatric care, health equity, lived experience, community mental health, child psychiatry, social work, case management, transition age youth

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Educating Providers - The Key to Perinatal Mental Health with Kelly O'Connor

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:29:52 GMT

The biggest challenge in perinatal mental health is that providers aren't trained to recognize it.

Kelly O'Connor, Executive Director of Maternal Mental Health NOW, shares how one mother's dismissed symptoms sparked an 18-year mission to transform perinatal mental healthcare. From training OB-GYNs to children's librarians, the organization has worked to close the provider knowledge gap that leaves too many families struggling in silence.

Topics Covered: Why "postpartum depression" is actually a range of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. How provider training changes outcomes for entire families. California's groundbreaking legislation requiring provider education. Why a simple "How are you doing?" can be life-changing.

Founded in 2007, Maternal Mental Health NOW transforms perinatal mental healthcare by training providers, supporting families, and advocating for policy change across Los Angeles County. Their mission is to ensure all new and expectant parents have access to culturally responsive mental health support.
Learn more at https://maternalmentalhealthnow.org/

The Impact: Untreated perinatal mental health conditions don't just affect parents— they impact bonding, child development, family stability, and multi-generational outcomes. But when providers are equipped to recognize and respond, early intervention becomes possible.

Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
2:58 - The Founding Story: When Care Failed
4:36 - Lack of Informed Providers: The Number One Barrier
6:28 - Kelly's Personal Journey into This Work
8:43 - Misconceptions About Perinatal Mental Health
9:13 - Beyond "Postpartum Depression": Understanding the Full Spectrum
10:14 - How Common Is It Really? The 1 in 5 Statistic
10:45 - Why the Stigma Exists: Social Media vs. Reality
11:19 - Provider Fear and Lack of Resources
17:24 - The Training Work: From OB-GYNs to Librarians
19:09 - Integrating Care into Primary Settings
20:50 - Home Visitors vs. Clinical Settings: Screening Rate Comparison
24:03 - Whose Responsibility Is Screening?
25:00 - The Power of "How Are You Doing?"
26:09 - A Pediatrician's Question That Changed Everything
26:38 - Advice for Providers Watching This
26:59 - California's Groundbreaking Legislation (AB 2193 & AB 3032)
29:15 - The Accountability Gap in Current Laws
31:15 - Multi-Generational Impact of Untreated Conditions
33:45 - Social Media's Role in Unrealistic Expectations
37:27 - Success Story: The Power of Storytelling
41:01 - How to Support This Work

Interview Recorded On: March 20, 2026

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of mental health and policy.
🔗 Watch more interviews in the series: [tntopenmind.org]

YouTube Tags (under 500 characters):
perinatal mental health, postpartum depression, provider education, maternal mental health, healthcare training, OB-GYN training, perinatal anxiety, mental health advocacy, postpartum support, pregnancy mental health, provider screening, community health, California healthcare, maternal health policy, perinatal care, mental health stigma, healthcare professionals, clinical training, home visiting programs

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From Kitchen Table to Capitol: Turning Pain into Policy Change - with Jessica Wilson (Cruz)

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 00:18:01 GMT

Join us for this deeply moving conversation with Jessica Wilson (Cruz), CEO of NAMI California, as she shares her personal journey from a daughter in crisis to becoming one of California's leading mental health advocates. In this candid interview, Jessica shares her experience of her mother's first psychiatric hospitalization, how it shaped her 15-year career at NAMI, and her vision for transforming mental health care “From Kitchen Table to Capitol."
Key Topics Covered: ✅ Personal journey into mental health advocacy ✅ The reality of family caregiving and trauma ✅ Breaking down mental health stigma ✅ Policy advocacy and systemic change ✅ Building collaborative solutions in mental health ✅ The future of mental health care for young people
📋 TIMESTAMPED CHAPTERS:
[00:00] Introduction & Welcome
[00:43] Jessica's Background & Path to NAMI
[02:16] The Interview That Changed Everything
[03:49] Mother's First Psychiatric Crisis
[05:44] How Mental Illness Affects Entire Families
[06:33] Understanding Mental Health Stigma
[08:15] The Importance of Early Intervention
[11:18] Family Support in Recovery Success
[12:37] From Daughter to Deputy Director to CEO
[13:40] Creating a Culture of Compassion at NAMI
[16:30] Building Collaborative Leadership
[18:35] Kitchen Table to Capital: Policy Translation
[22:40] Real Stories Drive Real Change
[24:35] Gathering Community Input & Building Relationships
[27:15] 15 Years of Progress in Mental Health Advocacy
[30:18] Moving from Competition to Collaboration
[32:49] The Need for System-Wide Reform
[33:32] Hope for Future Generations
[36:01] How to Get Involved with NAMI California
[36:47] Closing Thoughts
🎯 Perfect for:
Mental health professionals and practitioners
Healthcare workers and administrators
Community leaders and advocates
Families affected by mental illness
Policy makers and social workers
Anyone interested in mental health reform
📞 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
NAMI California: namica.org
Crisis Line: 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
Open Mind Insights: www.tntopenmind.org
Interview Recorded on:August 8th, 2025

#MentalHealthAdvocacy #NAMICalifornia #MentalHealthAwareness #PolicyAdvocacy #FamilySupport #MentalHealthReform #OpenMindInsights #HealthcareLeadership #CommunitySupport #MentalHealthMatters

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Connection Before Correction with Dr. Lin Lu

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 21:55:22 GMT

Join Dr. Arshad in an intimate conversation with Dr. Lin Lu, a pediatric and adult psychiatrist who calls her patients "friends" and approaches mental health care with extraordinary compassion and wisdom. Dr. Lu shares her personal journey from immunology researcher in China to becoming a mental health advocate, inspired by her sister's struggles with severe mental illness.
In this powerful discussion, Dr. Lu reveals how she overcame stigma and shame to dedicate her career to serving patients across the entire lifespan—from 3-year-olds to those in their late 80s. She discusses the transformative impact of COVID-19 on mental health awareness, the current youth mental health crisis, and her fascinating perspectives on AI technology, including Neuralink and its potential applications in psychiatry.

Key Topics:
Breaking down stigma in mental health care
The importance of human connection in an age of AI
Building therapeutic relationships: "Connection before correction"
Teaching mental health skills to primary care providers
The future of psychiatry and technology
Practical approaches to patient care with limited time
Dr. Lin Lu is an Associate Professor at Rosalind Franklin University Chicago Medical School and practices at LifeStance Health, Inc. in Barrington, Illinois. She is passionate about teaching the next generation of medical professionals and training primary care providers through TNT Fellowships.

Learn more about our interview series: www.tntopenmind.org

CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction
02:02 Dr. Lu's Practice: Treating Friends, Not Patients
04:02 Personal Connection to Mental Health
07:08 Journey from China & Family's Mental Health Struggles
10:13 Breaking Down Stigma in Mental Health
12:54 COVID's Impact & Children's Mental Health Crisis
14:16 AI, Neuralink, & the Future of Psychiatry
18:23 Practical Applications of AI in Mental Health Care
20:15 Why Human Connection Can't Be Replaced
25:52 First Appointments: Building Relationships
30:18 Teaching Connection in Primary Care
34:50 How to Connect with Dr. Lu

#mentalhealth #psychiatry #pediatricpsychiatry #mentalhealthstigma #therapeuticrelationship #patientcare #primarycare #medicaleducation #AIinhealthcare #Neuralink #COVIDmentalhealth #youthmentalhealth #schizophrenia #bipolardisorder #telemedicine #psychiatrictraining #RosalindFranklinUniversity #LifeStanceHealth #mentalhealthadvocacy #depressiontreatment #anxietytreatment #mentalillness #healthcareprovider #psychiatristinterview #mentalhealthawareness

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Brain Science and Addiction Recovery: A Doctor's Calling - with Dr. Steve Delisi

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 02:14:08 GMT

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Steve Delisi, Chief Medical Officer at YourPath, Inc., and Co-Associate Director for the Train New Trainers (TNT) Fellowships PC-TEAM at UC Irvine. In this episode of TNT Open Mind Insights, Dr. Delisi shares his transformative journey from emergency medicine aspirations to becoming a leading voice in integrated addiction and psychiatric care.

Who This Is For:
Mental health professionals and healthcare practitioners
Community leaders working with vulnerable populations
Anyone interested in understanding addiction through a scientific lens
Families and individuals affected by substance use disorders

Key Takeaways:
The neuroscience behind addiction and why stigma is scientifically incorrect
How personal calling and spiritual seeking can guide professional purpose
Revolutionary approaches to reaching marginalized populations through technology
Why hope exists for everyone seeking healing and recovery
The importance of supporting both patients AND their families

Timestamped Chapters:
[00:00] Introduction & Background
[02:29] Dr. Delisi's Personal Journey into Mental Health
[07:55] The Existential Crisis & Career Pivot
[13:36] Integration as a Life Theme
[15:01] Following the Spiritual Calling
[16:24] Serving Those Most in Need
[24:12] Reaching Marginalized Communities
[29:32] Building Trust & Breaking Stigma
[30:05] The Brain Science Behind Addiction
[37:49] Connection & Healing Alternatives
[39:23] Is There Hope for Everyone?
[42:38] Getting Help & Resources

🔗 Learn More: Visit our interview series: www.tntopenmind.org
Connect with YourPath: https://yourpathhealth.org/

Interview Recorded on: August 9th, 2025

💡 About TNT Open Mind Insights: This series explores cutting-edge approaches to mental health, featuring conversations with leaders who are transforming how we understand and treat mental health challenges in our communities.

#MentalHealth #AddictionMedicine #Healthcare #Psychiatry #CommunityHealth #Recovery #Neuroscience #Stigma #Innovation #Telehealth

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From Military Medicine to Integrative Psychiatry - with Dr. Matt Gerenz

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 23:32:27 GMT

Join Dr. Jane Gagliardi as she sits down with Dr. Matt Gerenz, a psychiatrist at Happier Living in Los Angeles, to explore his unique journey from North Dakota Army National Guard combat medic to addiction medicine specialist. Dr. Gerenz shares how 12 years of military service shaped his patient-centered approach and why he chose to pursue additional training through the TNT (Train New Trainers) Fellowship in Addiction Medicine.
In this compelling conversation, Dr. Gerenz discusses:
The critical gap between substance use disorder prevalence and adequate training
How motivational interviewing and harm reduction approaches transform patient care
The importance of whole-person, integrative psychiatry beyond symptom management
Overcoming stigma in medication-assisted therapy
Why confidence matters in asking patients the right questions
Learn more about TNT Open Mind Insights: www.tntopenmind.org
Interview Recorded on: January 17th, 2025

Timestamped Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:47 From North Dakota to Medicine: An Unconventional Path
1:32 12 Years as a Combat Medic in the North Dakota Army National Guard
2:27 Bringing Healthcare to 4,000+ National Guard Members
3:19 The Mentor Who Changed Everything
4:15 Training at UCI: Witnessing the Substance Use Crisis
6:23 How Patients Suffer from Substance Use Disorders
7:09 The Barriers to Quality Treatment
8:28 Why a Psychiatry Resident Pursued Addiction Medicine Training
10:29 Learning Motivational Interviewing and Harm Reduction
12:21 Building Patient Trust: "You Can Handle the Truth"
14:26 Gaining Confidence in Substance Use Treatment
15:52 Future Vision: Integrative and Functional Psychiatry
17:46 The Need for Holistic, Whole-Person Care
19:44 When Symptoms Don't Tell the Whole Story
21:48 Reducing Stigma in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment
23:38 The Power of Monthly Mentorship with Dr. Steve Delisi
26:36 Sharing Knowledge: The Educational Component
28:02 Key Takeaways for Psychiatry Residents
30:27 Connect with Dr. Gerenz

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Finding Meaning In Medicine - With Dr. Jane Gagliardi

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 23:07:54 GMT

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Gagliardi, Associate Director for Train New Trainer Fellowships, shares her unique journey into medicine—from a non-medical family background to becoming a leader in medical education and physician well-being.

Dr. Gagliardi combines her dual training in internal medicine and psychiatry to provide holistic patient car. Learn about her approach to maintaining completeness and thoroughness in clinical practice, and her strategies for staying well while navigating complex healthcare systems. The conversation explores critical topics including the evolution of physician wellness, the role of quality improvement in preventing burnout, moral injury in healthcare, and the thoughtful integration of artificial intelligence in medicine.

Dr. Gagliardi also discusses the mission and impact of the Train New Trainers Fellowships, which has trained more than 1,400 alumni to expand quality behavioral health care to under-resourced communities.

Visit TNT Open Mind Insights: www.tntopenmind.org

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
01:01 Dr. Gagliardi's Journey into Medicine
03:48 From Non-Medical Family to Combined Med-Psych Residency
07:07 Finding Medicine Without Traditional Mentorship
09:53 Navigating Healthcare Systems While Staying True to Core Values
12:25 The Art of Being Fully Present with Patients
14:36 Balancing Professional Completeness with Family Life
16:53 Evolution of Physician Wellness and Well-being
21:09 Are We Making Progress in Medical Education?
24:56 The Impact of Technology and AI on Medicine
26:52 Principles for Ethical AI Policy in Healthcare
30:25 The Right to Happiness in Healthcare
31:37 The Future of Train New Trainers Program
35:06 How to Learn More About TNT
37:27 Systems That Support or Undermine Well-being

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Storytelling as Healing and Empowerment - With Tamara Knox

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 07:04:30 GMT

Tamara Knox, Director of Ethics and Social Responsibility in Media at Ethical Narrative and Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW), joins TNT Open Mind Insights to discuss the power of ethical storytelling and trauma-informed photography in mental health and community healing.

In this conversation, Tamara shares how she merged her photography background with clinical social work to create a new approach to visual storytelling—one that centers collaboration, consent, and healing rather than extracting trauma narratives. She explains the shift from trauma-informed to healing-centered engagement, emphasizing the "3 C's": community, collaboration, and celebration.

Tamara discusses her project "Surviving to Thriving," a book and exhibition featuring community leaders who are survivor-thrivers. Rather than focusing on trauma details, these stories highlight resilience and current contributions—proving that people are "not a mess, but a blessing" navigating life's challenges.

Key insights include:

How photography became part of Tamara's own healing journey
The power dynamics in traditional storytelling and how to shift them
Why language matters: moving from "subject" to "person," from trauma focus to asset-based narratives
Practical advice for healthcare providers working with trauma survivors
The importance of self-care routines for helping professionals
Tamara's work demonstrates that when we change how we tell stories—centering voices, celebrating strengths, and creating collaborative processes—we don't just document healing; we facilitate it.

Learn more: www.tntopenmind.org
Connect with Tamara Knox:
TMKinspiredphotography.com
ethicalnarrative.com

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:37 Meeting Through Photography & Photojournalism
3:12 Combining Social Work with Photography
5:32 Tamara's Journey as a Survivor-Thriver
8:59 Reframing Narratives: From Trauma to Assets
10:10 The Healing Power of Shifting Story Focus
11:01 Photography as Personal Healing
12:44 Power Dynamics in Storytelling
14:04 Trauma-Informed to Healing-Centered Engagement
15:17 The 3 C's: Community, Collaboration, Celebration
18:06 "Surviving Thriving" Book Project
22:58 Collaborative Portrait Process
24:30 Therapeutic Purpose of the Book
28:10 Advice for Healthcare Providers
29:20 The Power of Asset-Based Language
30:19 Self-Care and Morning Routines
33:09 Sustaining Self-Care Practices
35:33 Where to Connect with Tamara

Tags
ethical storytelling, trauma informed care, healing centered engagement, narrative therapy, social work, clinical social work, mental health, photography therapy, community healing, asset based narrative, trauma recovery, healthcare providers, photojournalism ethics, survivor stories, resilience, therapeutic storytelling, mental health professionals, community leaders, trauma informed photography, self care practices, patient centered care, collaborative storytelling, visual storytelling, healthcare communication

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Treating Substance Use in Pediatric Patients: From Shame to Science With Dr. Justine Welsh

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 03:34:20 GMT

Join Dr. Sarah Arshad in this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Justine Welsh, the Associate Director of UCI's TNT Fellowships PC-TEAM track.
In this essential interview, Dr. Welsh shares critical insights about the youth mental health and addiction crisis affecting our communities. With 27% of young adults meeting criteria for substance use disorders and 8.7% of adolescents struggling with these challenges, this conversation couldn't be more timely.

🔑 Key Topics Covered: • The alarming statistics behind youth substance use disorders • How mental health conditions intersect with addiction • Why today's substances are fundamentally different from past generations • Building therapeutic relationships with reluctant young patients • The importance of family-centered care and harm reduction approaches • Breaking down stigma in healthcare systems • Practical advice for healthcare providers and families

💡 Perfect for:
Mental health professionals
Healthcare practitioners
Community leaders
Parents and families
Anyone working with youth in crisis

🌐 Learn More: Visit our interview series at www.tntopenmind.org for more conversations with leading experts in mental health and healthcare.

📍 TIMESTAMPED CHAPTERS:
[00:00] Introduction & Welcome
[00:30] Meet Dr. Justine Welsh - Background & Current Role
[01:05] Early Influences - Growing Up with Psychologist Parents
[02:57] Path to Psychiatry & Specializing in Youth & Addiction
[04:22] The Addiction Crisis - Staggering Statistics
[06:38] Why Rates Are Rising - Multiple Contributing Factors
[08:22] Today's Substances vs. Past Generations
[10:01] Mental Health & Addiction Connection
[11:33] First Patient Visit - Creating Safe Therapeutic Spaces
[13:48] Building Rapport with Reluctant Patients & Families
[15:12] Most Rewarding Aspects of the Work
[16:51] Essential Skills for Addiction Medicine Providers
[18:59] When Patients Don't Know What They're Using
[19:22] Healthcare System Changes - The Magic Wand Question
[22:14] Artificial Barriers in Treatment Access
[23:47] Training Future Pediatric Providers
[24:46] Understanding Substance Use Disorders in Adolescents
[26:24] Talking to High-Achieving Kids About Cannabis
[29:23] Harm Reduction Approaches
[30:15] Resources for Primary Care Providers
[31:27] Closing Thoughts

#YouthMentalHealth #AddictionMedicine #SubstanceUseDisorder #MentalHealthAwareness #HealthcareEducation #PediatricPsychiatry #HarmReduction #CommunityHealth #TNTOpenMindInsights

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White Coats & Hidden Wounds: Breaking Medical Addiction Silence - with Dr. Luther Philaya

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:49:53 GMT

In this deeply moving interview, Dr. Luther Philaya, an addiction medicine specialist with Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, courageously shares his personal journey from perfectionism and addiction to recovery and healing. This conversation addresses the rarely discussed mental health crisis among healthcare professionals and the cultural factors that contribute to physician suffering.

Dr. Philaya openly shares his struggle with benzodiazepines, opioids, and alcohol while practicing rural family medicine, the devastating consequences he faced, and his ultimate path to recovery after losing his medical license and facing federal charges. Most powerfully, he shares how the tragic loss of his daughter to suicide became his "rock bottom" - and how his recovery community held him up during his darkest moment.

This interview is essential viewing for healthcare professionals, medical students, patients, and anyone interested in understanding the human side of medicine and the importance of mental health support in healthcare settings.

🔗 Visit our interview series: www.tntopenmind.org

⏰ TIMESTAMPED CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction & How We Met
03:10 - The Journey into Addiction: Perfectionism & Self-Loathing
05:05 - Rock Bottom: Near Suicide & Treatment Decision
08:18 - Medical Culture: Competition, Intimidation & Lost Humanity
09:20 - Identity Crisis: When the White Coat Becomes Everything
10:31 - Learning Self-Love: "Luther, I Love You"
12:22 - Post-Treatment Reality: No Casseroles in Recovery
14:42 - Legal Consequences: Medical Board & DEA Charges
18:47 - The Ultimate Loss: Losing His Daughter Lindsay
19:35 - Recovery Community: "We'll Work Your Recovery For You"
21:57 - Transformation: From White Coat to Human Connection
24:30 - The Barrier to Seeking Help: Fear of Consequences
26:09 - State-by-State Differences in Professional Recovery Programs
27:57 - Changing the Culture: Humanity First, Medicine Second
30:29 - Message to Patients: We're Human Beings First
32:30 - How to Connect with Dr. Philaya

🏷️ TAGS: #PhysicianMentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #MedicalCulture #HealthcareProfessionals #MentalHealthAwareness #PhysicianBurnout #RecoveryStory #MedicalAddiction #TNTConference #HealthcareHumanity
👥 TARGET AUDIENCE: Healthcare professionals, medical students, mental health advocates, patients, community leaders, addiction recovery community

Subscribe to TNT Open Mind Insights - Mental Health Interview Series on Soundwise

From Motel Room to CEO: Addressing the Crisis of Unhoused Youth with Jennifer Friend

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 18:37:44 GMT

Join Dr. McCarron in this eye-opening conversation with Jennifer Friend, CEO of Project Hope Alliance as she shares her powerful personal story of experiencing homelessness as a child in Orange County and how it shaped her mission to support invisible youth facing the same challenges today.

🔍 What You'll Discover: • The hidden reality of student homelessness - over 32,000 identified students in Orange County alone • Why traditional definitions of homelessness fail our most vulnerable youth • How trauma-informed case management is achieving 95% graduation rates • The critical connection between education and breaking generational homelessness • Practical ways mental health professionals can recognize and support homeless students

💡 Key Insights for Healthcare Practitioners: Jennifer reveals how students experiencing homelessness are 40% more likely to have suicidal ideation, highlighting the urgent need for integrated mental health support in educational settings. Learn how Project Hope Alliance's holistic approach addresses not just housing, but the complex web of trauma, isolation, and systemic barriers these youth face.

🤝 Get Involved: Visit Project Hope Alliance: www.projecthopealliance.org Learn more about our interview series: www.tntopenmind.org

📚 Timestamped Chapters:
• [00:00:24] - Opening: The mission to improve mental health and homelessness
• [00:02:28] - Jennifer's personal story begins
• [00:02:58] - Growing up homeless in Orange County
• [00:06:48] - The 30-day motel cycle and educational disruption
• [00:08:37] - The power of invisibility and hidden struggles
• [00:11:54] - School experiences and academic challenges
• [00:13:50] - The scope of student homelessness today
• [00:16:35] - Project Hope Alliance's model of care
• [00:20:36] - Types of homelessness among students
• [00:25:25] - The need for unified homelessness definitions
• [00:29:32] - Jennifer's transition from law to advocacy
• [00:32:32] - How to get involved and make a difference
• [00:35:41] - Building partnerships for systemic change

Tags: #StudentHomelessness #MentalHealth #TraumaInformed #EducationEquity #CommunitySupport #YouthAdvocacy #HomelessnessAwareness #ProjectHopeAlliance #OrangeCounty #SystemicChange

Subscribe to TNT Open Mind Insights - Mental Health Interview Series on Soundwise

Why This Doctor Fell in Love with Addiction Medicine - With Dr. Gail Reilly

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 22:17:14 GMT

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Gail Reilly, a family medicine physician who discovered her passion for addiction medicine.

In this powerful interview, Dr. Reilly shares her journey from military medicine to becoming a champion for treating substance use disorder in primary care settings. She discusses the life-changing impact of buprenorphine, the critical importance of peer recovery support, and why treating addiction should be as routine as managing diabetes or hypertension.

Key Topics Covered: • The effectiveness and safety of buprenorphine in addiction treatment • Building therapeutic relationships with patients who've been failed by the healthcare system • The vital role of peer recovery support specialists • Integrating addiction medicine into primary care practice • Overcoming stigma and fear around MAT prescribing • Self-care strategies for healthcare providers • The importance of team-based, holistic care approaches

Perfect for:
Healthcare practitioners considering addiction medicine
Mental health professionals
Community leaders addressing substance use issues
Anyone interested in compassionate, evidence-based addiction treatment
🌐 Learn more about our interview series: www.tntopenmind.org

⏰ CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction & Welcome
02:30 - Dr. Reily's Background in Family Medicine
04:15 - Discovering Addiction Medicine Through MAT Practice
07:45 - The Power of Buprenorphine: Medicine That Works
09:20 - Building Trust & Therapeutic Relationships
12:30 - The Role of Peer Recovery Support
15:45 - Challenges & Struggles in Addiction Treatment
18:30 - Integrating MAT into Primary Care
21:15 - Breaking Down Stigma: Addiction as Chronic Disease
24:00 - Fellowship Training & Spreading Knowledge
26:45 - Personal Motivation & Caring for Patients
30:15 - Self-Care & Maintaining Balance
33:30 - Team-Based Care & Professional Boundaries
36:45 - Building Community Partnerships
38:30 - Cultural Humility in Healthcare
40:00 - Contact Information & Closing Thoughts

#AddictionMedicine #PrimaryCare #MAT #Buprenorphine #HealthcareTraining #MentalHealth #SubstanceUseDisorder #PeerRecovery #MedicalEducation #TNTOpenMindInsights

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The Power of Reproductive Psychiatry with Dr. Melissa Wagner

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 03:41:27 GMT

Join Dr. Rimal Bera in this insightful interview with Dr. Melissa Wagner, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at the University of Cincinnati, as she shares her journey into reproductive psychiatry and discusses why maternal mental health is now the #1 morbidity following childbirth.

Dr. Wagner is triple board certified in general psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and pediatrics. Her work focuses on the critical intersection of hormones and mental health throughout a woman's reproductive lifespan - from puberty through menopause.

🔍 Key Topics Covered: • The evolution of reproductive psychiatry since 1997 • Why perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the leading cause of maternal morbidity • How hormonal changes impact mental health across the lifespan • Breaking down stigma around maternal mental health • Caring for vulnerable populations including incarcerated pregnant women • The importance of screening and early intervention • Global perspectives on maternal mental health

📍 TIMESTAMPED CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
01:00 - Dr. Wagner's Educational Journey & Triple Board Training
03:07 - The Path to Reproductive Psychiatry
04:53 - Finding the Perfect Professional Fit
06:12 - Defining Reproductive Psychiatry and Its Scope
07:56 - The Role of Hormones in Mental Health
10:17 - Fertility Challenges and Reproductive Mental Health
12:02 - Maternal Mental Health as Leading Morbidity
14:21 - Growth and Recognition of the Field
16:05 - Addressing Stigma in Maternal Mental Health
17:51 - Collaboration with OB-GYN Providers
20:34 - The Importance of Mental Health Screening
22:01 - Global Perspectives on Maternal Mental Health
25:03 - Working with Incarcerated Pregnant Women
28:30 - Navigating Complex Healthcare Systems
32:18 - Expanding Access and Training
33:57 - Economic Impact and Investment in Maternal Mental Health
35:25 - Personal Joy: Music and Family
37:34 - Resources for Learning More
39:12 - Reaching Younger Audiences
40:01 - Closing Thoughts

🌐 Learn More About Our Interview Series: Visit www.tntopenmind.org for more conversations exploring mental health, healthcare innovation, and community leadership.

👥 Target Audience: Mental health professionals, healthcare practitioners, community leaders, expectant parents, and anyone interested in understanding the critical importance of maternal mental health.

#ReproductivePsychiatry #MaternalMentalHealth #PerinatalCare #MentalHealthAwareness #WomensHealth #Psychiatry #Healthcare #TNTOpenMindInsights

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"They're Not Broken" - Reframing How We Help Vulnerable Youth with Tina Chang

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 19:12:22 GMT

In this insightful interview, Tina Chang shares her journey from being raised by a teen mom to becoming a dedicated advocate for young people facing trauma and exploitation. As Programs Director at Olive Crest, she oversees a wide range of services that strengthen families and support vulnerable youth.

Learn how medical providers can better support young people through trauma-informed approaches and discover the importance of seeing potential rather than problems.

This interview is essential viewing for mental health professionals, healthcare practitioners, and community leaders who want to better understand how to support young people through trauma with dignity, patience, and a strength-based approach. Tina's insights on trauma-informed care and the importance of seeing potential rather than problems offer valuable guidance for anyone working with vulnerable populations.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
01:06 - Tina's Personal Journey and Motivation
04:05 - Overview of Olive Crest's Services
06:25 - The Power of Language: "Young People" vs "Youth"
08:07 - Challenges Facing Young People Today
10:54 - How Medical Providers Can Better Support Young People
15:02 - Trauma-Informed Approaches to Mental Health
17:25 - Building a Trauma-Informed Workforce
19:52 - The Concept of Vicarious Resilience
22:21 - Systems Change and Positive Expectations
25:28 - The Impact of Believing in Young People's Potential
28:52 - The Importance of Positive Focus in Trauma Work
30:38 - Supporting Victims of Exploitation
32:40 - Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

For more interviews in this series, visit www.tntopenmindinsights.org
#MentalHealth #TraumaInformedCare #YouthServices #HealthcareProviders #CommunitySupport #OliveCrest

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Laughter is the Best Medicine: A Pharmacist's Wisdom on Geriatric Care - with Dr. Kofi Abrampah

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 02:55:30 GMT

In this interview, we sit down with Kofi Abrampah, a certified geriatric pharmacist since 2016, who shares his passion for improving care for older adults. Dr. Abrampah discusses how the geriatric population is often underserved in healthcare, the dangers of polypharmacy, and why focusing on "what matters" to patients should drive treatment decisions. Learn about the "4Ms" approach to geriatric care, why addiction medicine is still important for geriatrics, how certain medications can contribute to dementia, and why laughter truly might be the best medicine with no side effects!
Join us as we explore compassionate approaches to mental health care for older adults and challenge common assumptions about aging and medication management.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction and the power of laughter
01:57 - Kofi's journey to becoming a pharmacist
03:15 - Why Kofi chose to specialize in geriatric pharmacy
06:46 - Definition of geriatrics and identifying underserved populations
10:03 - Cultural differences in elder care
11:32 - Mental health challenges in geriatric populations
13:45 - The problem with antipsychotics for behavior management
15:53 - The "4Ms" approach to geriatric care
16:29 - Understanding anticholinergic medications and dementia risk
19:18 - Fall risks and mortality in older adults
21:47 - Why older adults need specialized medication approaches
24:14 - Starting with "what matters" to patients
26:34 - The dangers of polypharmacy and prescription cascades
28:15 - Addiction medicine for older adults
31:23 - Breaking stigma around addiction
32:19 - Closing thoughts and contact information

Learn more about our interview series at: www.tntopenmind.org

Connect with Kofi Abraham: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkofi/ Website: www.Cliniplex-RX.com

#MentalHealth #GeriatricCare #Healthcare #Pharmacy #ElderCare #CompassionateCare #MedicationManagement #TNTOpenMindInsights

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The Language of Healing: One Provider’s Journey - with Zane Grant

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 17:46:12 GMT

In this insightful interview, Family Nurse Practitioner Zane Grant shares his journey working with underserved populations, particularly those experiencing homelessness and addiction. Learn how integrating psychiatric and medical care can improve patient outcomes, and discover the importance of cultural sensitivity and genuine human connection in healthcare.

🔗 Visit our website for more interviews: www.tntopenmind.org

NP Grant discusses the challenges of integrating mental health and medical care, addressing addiction (particularly methamphetamine use), and navigating cultural differences when providing care to diverse communities.
This interview highlights the importance of listening without judgment, understanding trauma's impact, and building trust with patients. NP Grant also shares personal insights about what motivated his career path and how he maintains his own wellbeing while doing emotionally demanding work.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction and Background
01:09 - Integrating Psychiatric and Medical Care
02:17 - Barriers to Mental Health Services for Underserved Populations
03:44 - Addressing Addiction in Healthcare Settings
06:01 - Personal Motivation for Serving Vulnerable Populations
08:45 - Trauma in Homeless Populations
10:44 - The Importance of Listening and Motivational Interviewing
12:53 - Managing Chronic Physical Effects of Substance Use
15:42 - Navigating Cultural Differences in Mental Healthcare
18:11 - Personal Experience Informing Professional Practice
20:43 - Supporting Healthcare Colleagues
23:09 - Book Club and Professional Development
25:49 - The Housing Crisis and Mental Health
27:06 - Hope for the Future of Mental Healthcare
28:56 - Key Takeaways: Learn to Listen
#MentalHealth #HealthcareAccess #AddictionTreatment #HomelessnessServices #CulturalCompetence #IntegratedCare #TraumaInformedCare

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The Doctor Who Calls Your Family - with Dr. Vivi Nguyen

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 20:15:06 GMT

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Nguyen, a clinical pharmacist at Wynn Medical Center, who is improving mental healthcare for the Vietnamese community in Los Angeles. In this interview, Dr. Nguyen shares her unique journey from being her mother's medical translator in Germany to becoming a trailblazer in culturally-sensitive mental health treatment.

🌟 What You'll Discover:
• How cultural barriers impact mental health treatment in immigrant communities
• The innovative collaborative care model between pharmacists and physicians
• Real patient success stories
• Why representation matters in mental healthcare
• The exciting future of Vietnamese mental health services

Dr. Nguyen’s story demonstrates the profound impact one person can make when they combine professional expertise with cultural understanding and genuine compassion. Her work is breaking down generational stigmas and creating new pathways for healing in under-resourced communities.

🔗 Learn More About Our Interview Series: Visit www.tntopenmindinsights.org for more inspiring conversations with healthcare innovators and community leaders making a difference in mental health.

📋 TIMESTAMPED CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Introduction & Welcome
0:41 - Meet Vivi: Background & Current Role
1:55 - What Does a Clinical Pharmacist Do?
3:19 - Personal Journey: From Germany to Healthcare
4:37 - The Inspiration Behind Her Career Choice
6:49 - Why the T&T Addiction Medicine Fellowship?
8:01 - Current Knowledge Base & Training Others
9:36 - Common Conditions & Cultural Barriers
12:53 - The Art of Asking the Right Questions
14:00 - Independent Patient Care Model
15:43 - Training & Mentorship Approach
17:41 - Success Stories: Connecting Families
21:04 - Future Plans: Opening a Mental Health Clinic
22:34 - The Search for Vietnamese Mental Health Providers
23:56 - Cultural Stigma: Breaking Down Barriers
26:36 - Generational Change in Mental Health Dialogue
27:44 - Being a Change Maker in the Community
29:44 - How to Connect with Vivi & Wynn Medical Center

Interview recorded on March 21, 2025

🎯 Perfect for: • Mental health professionals • Healthcare practitioners • Community leaders • Anyone interested in culturally-competent care • Those working with immigrant communities

#MentalHealth #CulturalCompetency #Pharmacy #VietnameseCommunity #HealthcareInnovation #TNTOpenMindInsights #PrimaryCare #MentalHealthStigma #CommunityHealth #HealthcareLeadership

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Fixing Our Fragmented Healthcare System: Policy, Advocacy and Heart - With Dr. Le Ondra Clark Harvey

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 19:25:12 GMT

Join Dr. McCarron in this insightful conversation with Dr. Le Ondra Clark Harvey, CEO of the California Behavioral Health Association and a clinical psychologist turned policy advocate. Discover how one person's journey from the therapy room to the state capitol is reshaping behavioral health care for millions of Californians.

In this episode, Dr. Le Ondra shares her unique perspective on bridging the gap between frontline mental health providers and the policymakers who shape their work. From advocating for under-resourced communities to tackling California's fragmented care system, learn how interdisciplinary collaboration and strategic advocacy can transform mental health outcomes.

🎯 Perfect for: • Mental health professionals seeking advocacy guidance • Healthcare practitioners interested in policy impact • Community leaders working in behavioral health • Anyone passionate about improving mental health access

📋 TIMESTAMPED CHAPTERS:
[00:00] Introduction & Welcome
[00:43] From Clinician to CEO: Clark Harvey’s Journey
[02:24] Advocating for Frontline Providers
[05:25] Why Every Mental Health Professional Should Advocate
[07:54] Practical Ways to Get Involved in Advocacy
[09:52] Most Challenging & Rewarding Aspects of Policy Work
[12:52] California's Fragmented Care System Challenge
[15:59] Comparing Physical Health vs. Behavioral Health Access
[17:28] Solutions for Reducing Wait Times & Improving Access
[19:40] The Power of Integrated, Interdisciplinary Care
[21:45] Whole Person Care vs. Whole System Care
[24:51] Training the Next Generation of Advocates
[25:57] One Key to Transforming Mental Health Care
[26:31] How to Connect with California Behavioral Health Association

🔗 Learn More:
Visit our interview series: www.tntopenmind.org
California Behavioral Health Association: calbha.org

💡 Key Takeaways:
✅ Advocacy training should be integrated into all mental health curricula
✅ Interdisciplinary care teams produce better patient outcomes
✅ System-level changes are needed for true whole-person care
✅ Individual practitioners can make a difference through local involvement

🤝 Join the Conversation: What's your experience with advocacy in mental health? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don't forget to subscribe for more insights from leaders transforming behavioral health care.

#MentalHealthAdvocacy #BehavioralHealth #HealthcarePolicy #InterdisciplinaryCare #MentalHealthProfessionals #CaliforniaMentalHealth #HealthcareReform #CommunityMentalHealth

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The Heart of Giving: Love, Loss and Purpose with Guity Javid

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 19:39:27 GMT

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Guity Javid, a remarkable humanitarian who has dedicated 35 years to Rotary service and is now channeling her passion into the Negeen Foundation - a mental health organization focused on anxiety support for children and young adults ages 7-25.

In this heartfelt interview, Guity shares her incredible journey from Iran to her groundbreaking work chartering the first mental health club in Rotary, and how personal loss transformed into purposeful action. Discover evidence-based approaches to childhood anxiety, the importance of removing mental health stigma, and why early intervention can change lives.

🔗 Learn more about our interview series: www.tntopenmind.org

⏰ TIMESTAMPED CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction & Welcome
00:43 - Guity's 35-Year Rotary Journey Begins
01:30 - The Heart of Giving: Why Service Matters
04:39 - Three Groundbreaking Rotary Clubs: Mental Health, Environment & LGBTQ
06:45 - Career Success vs. Life Purpose
07:19 - Zimbabwe Environmental Project: Changing Lives Globally
08:38 - Introducing the Negeen Foundation
09:15 - Honoring Negeen: A Daughter's Legacy
11:48 - Focusing on Anxiety: Ages 7-25
13:31 - Evidence-Based Solutions & TNT Partnership
15:57 - Funding Fellows: Putting Money Where Your Heart Is
17:20 - Parent Education: Breaking Through Denial
19:03 - Creating an Anxiety Toolkit 20:28 - Early Intervention: Preventing Escalation
22:01 - CBT & Evidence-Based Approaches
24:39 - The Ripple Effect of One Person
27:25 - Vision for Humanity: Peace, Love and Thriving Children
28:53 - Keeping Negeen's Spirit Alive
31:13 - Connecting with the Negeen Foundation

🎬 ABOUT TNT OPEN MIND INSIGHTS: This interview series highlights innovative leaders in mental health, healthcare, and community service who are making measurable impacts in their fields.
👥 PERFECT FOR: • Mental health professionals seeking inspiration • Healthcare practitioners interested in pediatric anxiety • Community leaders looking for service opportunities

• Parents wanting to understand childhood mental health • Anyone passionate about evidence-based mental health solutions

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring conversations with changemakers in mental health and community service!

#MentalHealthAwareness #ChildhoodAnxiety #CommunityService #Rotary #MentalHealthStigma #EvidenceBasedTreatment #PediatricMentalHealth #Philanthropy #TNTOpenMind

Subscribe to TNT Open Mind Insights - Mental Health Interview Series on Soundwise

Mental Pain is Real Pain: Solving Our Behavioral Healthcare Crisis with Dr. Robert McCarron

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 18:14:24 GMT

In this powerful interview, Dr. Robert McCarron, founder of the TNT Fellowship Program, shares his innovative approach to addressing the critical shortage of mental health providers. Learn how TNT is training primary care clinicians to effectively diagnose and treat common psychiatric conditions, bringing mental health care to under-resourced communities across the country.

Dr. McCarron discusses the mind-body connection, provider burnout, and his personal journey that led him to create this groundbreaking program. With more than 1000 frontline providers trained and a team of 55+ faculty, TNT is revolutionizing access to mental health care in areas that need it most.

Visit www.tntopenmindinsights.org for more interviews!

Chapters:
00:01:55 - Introduction to TNT and the Mental Health Crisis
00:03:43 - The Intersection of Primary Care and Mental Health
00:05:05 - The Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions
00:06:01 - The Mind-Body Connection and Pain Spectrum
00:07:51 - Training Methods for Primary Care Providers
00:09:08 - Addressing Provider Burnout and Demoralization
00:11:32 - Community-Based Care and Strategic Training
00:14:41 - Building on Existing Medical Foundations
00:16:30 - The Pediatrics Track and Mental Health Training
00:18:47 - Addiction Medicine and Substance Use Treatment
00:20:58 - Mentorship and Support Systems for Providers
00:22:07 - Life Balance vs. Work-Life Balance
00:23:35 - Team-Based Approaches to Healthcare
00:25:45 - Dr. McCarron's Personal Connection to Mental Health
00:28:30 - The Future of Medical Education and Mental Wellness
00:31:30 - Integrative Approaches: "Medicate and Meditate"
00:32:44 - Increasing Access to Mental Health Care

Keywords: mental health training, primary care, psychiatry, healthcare access, TNT Fellowship, provider burnout, substance use disorders, integrative medicine, mind-body connection

#MentalHealthAccess #PrimaryCare #IntegrativeMedicine #HealthcareTraining #MedicalEducation

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"Is Anyone's Life Better Off?" Data, Accountability and Vision 2030: With Karen Larsen

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 23:20:39 GMT

In this candid conversation, Karen Larsen, CEO of the Steinberg Institute, shares her remarkable journey from personal struggles to becoming a leading advocate for behavioral health reform in California.

With decades of experience from direct service to statewide policy, Karen offers unique insights on improving mental health outcomes, addressing workforce challenges, and implementing effective community-based solutions.

Learn how her lived experience shapes her vision for transforming California's behavioral health system through data-driven approaches, community partnerships, and a focus on measurable outcomes that truly improve people's lives.

Visit www.tntopenmindinsights.org for more interviews with leaders in mental health.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey
00:52 From Felony to Finding Purpose
04:13 Bringing Community Experience to Statewide Work
05:41 The Impact of Multi-Generational Patterns
07:08 Results-Based Accountability Framework
08:29 The Steinberg Institute's Mission
10:16 Finding Hope Amid Challenges
11:54 Implementation: The Critical Gap
14:07 California's Diverse Needs and 988 Implementation
15:28 Vision 2030 and Research Initiatives 16:16 Behavioral Health Workforce Research
18:16 Full Service Partnerships as a Solution
19:14 Self-Care Strategies for Mental Health Advocates
21:02 The "No Excuses" Approach to Data
23:01 Mental Health, Homelessness and Incarceration
24:58 Understanding Full Service Partnerships
27:31 Proposition 1 and Infrastructure Challenges
29:37 Building the Peer Workforce
30:59 How to Get Involved in Advocacy

#BehavioralHealth #MentalHealthPolicy #CaliforniaMentalHealth #SteinbergInstitute #FullServicePartnerships #MentalHealthAdvocacy #RecoveryJourney

Subscribe to TNT Open Mind Insights - Mental Health Interview Series on Soundwise

Stability Over Crisis: A Compassionate Model for Schizophrenia Care with John Henry Foundation

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 18:01:08 GMT

In this conversation, Mary Ellen Stuart (Board Chair) and Mindy Andrews (Executive Director) of the John Henry Foundation share their humanistic approach to long-term residential care for adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Learn how their community-based model provides stability, dignity, and purpose for residents while challenging conventional thinking about mental illness treatment.

This interview explores the critical distinction between mental health and mental illness, the importance of long-term stability over short-term "recovery," and the remarkable courage displayed by individuals living with schizophrenia. Stuart and Andrews make a compelling case for expanding residential care programs like theirs, which prevent hospitalizations, incarceration, and homelessness at a fraction of the cost.

Visit www.tntopenmindinsights.org for more interviews with mental health innovators.

Video Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction: TNT Open Mind Insights
00:14 - How Mindy and Mary Ellen first met through the John Henry Foundation
01:29 - Early memories and relationship development
03:21 - The importance and fulfillment of their work with schizophrenia patients
04:46 - The value of having family members on the board
06:02 - Biggest challenges facing mental health services
07:36 - Misconceptions about recovery and the need for lifelong support
08:59 - The goal of stability versus traditional recovery metrics
11:48 - Preventing negative outcomes through residential treatment
12:29 - How psychotic episodes affect long-term stability
14:33 - The daily courage and strength of residents living with schizophrenia
16:59 - Mindy's background and journey into social services
20:22 - What makes the John Henry Foundation unique and effective
22:51 - Funding challenges for residential mental health facilities
25:53 - The need for more John Henry Foundation-type programs statewide
28:28 - Discussion about Prop 1 funding and mental health services
30:41 - The complex ways schizophrenia affects individuals beyond visible symptoms
35:31 - How to learn more about the John Henry Foundation
37:14 - Training opportunities and partnerships with NAMI

Learn more at www.tntopenmindinsights.org
Visit johnhenry.org to connect with the John Henry Foundation.

#SchizophreniaCare #MentalHealthPolicy #ResidentialTreatment #CommunityModel #MentalIllnessAwareness

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The Cultural Bridge: A Refugee's Path to Healing Her Community

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 23:25:55 GMT

In this timely interview, Executive Director Gulshan Yusufzai shares her journey and mission with MAS Social Services Foundation, providing critical mental health support to refugee and immigrant communities in Sacramento and throughout California. Learn about the unique challenges these communities face, the importance of culturally-informed care, and innovative approaches like peer support specialists working alongside clinical providers.

As a refugee herself, Gulshan offers profound insights into the intergenerational trauma affecting these populations and the life-changing impact of appropriate mental health services. This conversation is essential viewing for healthcare providers, community leaders, and anyone interested in culturally responsive mental health care.

CHAPTERS:
00:19 - Introduction and Welcome
01:00 - About MAS Social Services Foundation
01:25 - Challenges Facing Refugee Communities
05:25 - The Cost of Untreated Trauma
08:28 - Gulshan's Personal Journey as a Refugee
12:36 - Finding Purpose in Service
15:29 - Supporting Refugee Populations Effectively
18:55 - Cultural Competence vs. Meeting People Where They Are
21:29 - The Power of Peer Support Models
26:50 - Integrated Care: Clinicians and Peer Specialists
31:40 - How to Support MAS Social Services Foundation

This interview is part of the TNT Open Mind Insights series, exploring innovative approaches to mental health care and community support.
Watch our interview series: www.tntopenmindinsights.org

#MentalHealth #RefugeeSupport #CulturalCompetence #PeerSupport #HealthcareEquity #CommunityServices #TraumaInformedCare

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Village Required: Why Perinatal Mental Health is Everyone's Business - With Janelle Watson

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:57:16 GMT

In this important conversation, we sit down with Janelle Watson, a sought-after perinatal mental health expert from Embrace Wellness who partners with Maternal Mental Health Now. Janelle shares her expertise on the challenges surrounding perinatal mental health, the importance of community support, and how healthcare providers can better serve birthing people and their families.

This interview explores the realities of perinatal mental health challenges, dispels myths about postpartum depression and psychosis, and offers insights into creating more supportive environments for parents. Whether you're a healthcare professional, community leader, or someone interested in mental health, this conversation provides valuable perspectives on improving care and support during the perinatal period.

Visit our website for more insightful interviews: www.tntopenmindinsights.org

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction and Personal Experience
02:52 - Why Perinatal Mental Health Matters
04:09 - Janelle's Journey to Perinatal Mental Health
06:12 - What is the Perinatal Period?
08:13 - Advice for Healthcare Providers
11:02 - Stigma and Misconceptions
13:47 - The Impact of American Culture on Parenting
15:22 - Social Media's Influence on Parental Expectations
17:29 - The "Monster" of Isolation and Fear
20:02 - The Importance of Community Support
23:59 - Shifting the Culture Around Birth
26:57 - Moving Toward Authentic Birth Stories
28:07 - Addressing Disparities in Perinatal Care
31:27 - The Value of Warm Handoffs Between Providers
32:24 - Final Thoughts: Staying Grounded in the Present

#PerinatalMentalHealth #MaternalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #HealthcareEquity #BirthSupport #PostpartumCare #CommunitySupport

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Sleep: The Hidden Key to A Child's Mental Health

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 23:07:04 GMT

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Katharine Simon, an expert in behavioral sleep medicine, as she explores the fascinating relationship between sleep, cognition, and mental health across the lifespan. In this interview, Dr. Simon shares her groundbreaking research on how sleep serves as a gateway to understanding brain function, particularly in pediatric populations.

Discover how sleep patterns influence memory consolidation, emotional processing, and cognitive development from infancy through adolescence. Dr. Simon explains the bidirectional relationship between sleep and mental health, offering practical strategies for improving sleep hygiene and addressing common sleep challenges.

Whether you're a healthcare practitioner, community leader, or someone interested in mental health, this conversation provides valuable insights into the critical role of sleep in overall wellbeing and development.

Learn more about our interview series: www.tntopenmindinsights.org

Timestamped Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:31 - Dr. Simon's research focus on sleep and brain function
01:18 - Bidirectional relationship between sleep and mental health
02:23 - How learning impacts sleep oscillations
03:25 - Sleep research in mental health populations
03:58 - Effects of medications (zolpidem/Ambien) on memory consolidation
06:13 - Most effective interventions for sleep difficulties
07:48 - Advice for parents of teenagers regarding sleep consistency
09:06 - Technology's role in sleep medicine and research
10:23 - Preliminary findings on sleep patterns and subclinical depression
11:34 - The science of napping: benefits and considerations
14:13 - Dr. Simon's journey into sleep research
16:09 - Future research directions and preventative interventions
18:42 - Societal attitudes toward sleep and needed changes
24:51 - Integrating technology into behavioral sleep medicine
27:28 - Infant sleep research and language acquisition
28:58 - Normalizing infant sleep patterns for parents
30:59 - Addressing nighttime waking in children with anxiety
33:28 - How to learn more about Dr. Simon's work

Tags:
#SleepScience #MentalHealth #Cognition #PediatricHealth #BehavioralSleepMedicine #HealthcareResearch #SleepHygiene #ChildDevelopment #TNTOpenMindInsights #SleepAndMemory

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Culture as Prevention: Indigenous Wisdom for Mental Health Care - With Anthony Guzman

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 23:19:28 GMT

In this powerful interview, Dr. McCarron speaks with Anthony Guzman, Chief Cultural Officer at the Native American Health Center about reimagining mental health care through cultural integration. Discover how traditional wisdom combined with modern practices creates more effective healing pathways for indigenous communities and beyond.

🔗 Learn more about our interview series: www.tntopenmindinsights.org

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction and Role Overview
02:49 - Historical Context of Mental Health Challenges
06:13 - "All My Relations" Philosophy
08:54 - Holistic Approach to Mental Health
12:32 - "Culture is Prevention" Research Initiative
15:17 - The Medicine Bundle Survey
16:44 - Cultural Wellness Plans
18:37 - Global Impact and Replication Potential
20:49 - Addressing Physical and Mental Health Together
23:33 - Building Trust Through Cultural Integration
26:54 - Team-Based Approach to Cultural Care
30:58 - Honoring the Past, Present, and Future Generations
33:21 - How to Connect and Learn More

KEY INSIGHTS:
• Research validates that integrating cultural practices into healthcare leads to measurably better outcomes across physical and mental health metrics
• Building trust through cultural understanding is essential, especially for communities with historical reasons to distrust healthcare systems
• Team-based approaches with specialized Cultural Health Associates can deliver culturally-informed care even within time-constrained healthcare settings

Anthony Guzman shares groundbreaking work in developing Cultural Wellness Plans that complement traditional therapy approaches like CBT and EMDR with culturally-specific practices.
For healthcare practitioners, community leaders, and mental health professionals, this interview offers practical insights into creating more effective, culturally-responsive care systems that can be adapted for diverse communities worldwide.

Connect with the Native American Health Center: Website: nativehealth.org Instagram: @7gen1d (7 Generation One Direction)

#MentalHealthInnovation #CulturalWellness #IndigenousHealth #HolisticHealing #HealthcareEquity #CommunityBasedCare

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Whole Health Integration: An Executive's Vision at CalOptima Health

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Sat, 03 May 2025 00:34:47 GMT

In this insightful interview, Carmen Katsarov shares her experience as a social worker and licensed clinician, discussing CalOptima Health's innovative approach to behavioral health integration. Learn how Orange County's largest health plan is breaking down silos between mental health and medical care through strategic partnerships, workforce development, and innovative care models.

Katsarov discusses CalOptima's groundbreaking $50 million investment in healthcare workforce development, their partnership with all 29 Orange County school districts, and their implementation of dyadic care models that bring behavioral health specialists directly into primary care settings.
This interview offers valuable insights for mental health professionals, healthcare practitioners, community leaders, and anyone interested in the future of integrated healthcare delivery.

🔗 Learn more about our interview series: www.tntopenmindinsights.org

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Collaborative Care - The Missing Link: With Dr. Thomas Heinrich

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 09 May 2025 22:55:50 GMT

Dr. Thomas Heinrich shares his groundbreaking journey of integrating mind-body approaches within healthcare. Learn how collaborative care models are achieving remarkable improvements in patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
1:33 The Mind-Body Disconnect in Healthcare
4:19 A Career-Defining Patient Story
7:46 Evolution of Collaborative Care
14:52 The Collaborative Care Model Explained
17:18 Proven Results and Impact
21:24 Implementing Change in Healthcare Systems
26:00 Key Learnings and Future Vision

View other interviews of leaders within the mental healthcare space at www.tntopenmind.org

TAGS : mental health care, collaborative care model, healthcare innovation, mind body connection, integrated healthcare, dr heinrich, primary care mental health, healthcare transformation, depression treatment, anxiety treatment, medical education, healthcare solutions, physician burnout, patient outcomes, healthcare systems, psychiatric care, behavioral health, medical training, healthcare reform, evidence based healthcare

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Lead with Vulnerability: Radical Healthcare Strategies with Luke Tharasri

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 16 May 2025 18:42:54 GMT

In this episode of TNT Open Mind Insights, we sit down with Luke Tharasri, President of Mindful Living Centers, who shares his journey from hospital CEO to mental health innovation. Luke reveals how a personal trauma became the catalyst for creating a revolutionary approach to mental health treatment that addresses the whole person.

Discover how Mindful Living Centers is transforming unused hospital space into psychiatric care units while simultaneously building community-based centers staffed by providers who reflect the populations they serve. Luke's innovative "care sherpa" model combines mental health support, physical wellness, and social determinants of health to create truly comprehensive care.

This conversation offers valuable insights for healthcare practitioners, mental health professionals, community leaders, and anyone interested in the future of behavioral healthcare delivery.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Luke Tharasri
02:38 Personal journey and the trauma that shaped his mission
06:55 The power of vulnerability in leadership
10:41 From hospital CEO to mental health innovator
13:05 The pandemic's impact on mental health services
15:21 Repurposing empty hospital units for psychiatric care
19:21 The vision: "A Mindful Living Center on every corner"
23:13 Whole person care: The three-legged stool approach
26:19 What makes Mindful Living Centers different
31:25 The essence of healing: Lived experience as expertise
34:53 How to connect with Mindful Living Centers

Connect With Us:
🌐 Learn more about our interview series: www.tntopenmind.org
📱 Follow Mindful Living Centers: @mindfullivingcenters on Instagram
📞 Contact: 833.777.MFLC (6352)

#MentalHealthInnovation #HealthcareLeadership #TraumaInformed #CommunityBasedCare #WholePersonApproach #MindfulLiving #HealthcareAccess

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Healing the System from Within - with Dr. Veronica Kelley

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 23 May 2025 19:52:59 GMT

Join Dr. Bera as he sits down with Dr. Veronica Kelley, Director of OC Health Care Agency, to discuss her journey from social worker to healthcare leader. Drawing from both personal and professional experience, Dr. Kelley shares powerful insights on transforming mental health systems through collaboration, lived experience, and innovative approaches to crisis response.
In this candid conversation, discover how OC Health Care Agency is breaking down silos between clinicians, law enforcement, peers with lived experience, and academic partners to create more effective mental health care delivery systems.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:
The power of incorporating lived experience in mental health care
Breaking down silos through cross-sector collaboration
Transforming crisis response systems
Workforce development challenges and solutions
Partnerships between mental health professionals and law enforcement

CHAPTERS:
00:01:20 - Introduction and Dr. Kelley's Journey
00:03:19 - Collaboration Between Mental Health Practitioners
00:05:18 - Progress in Mental Health Leadership
00:07:31 - Importance of Peer Support and Lived Experience
00:09:15 - Supporting Schools with Mental Health Resources
00:10:38 - Navigating Healthcare Resource Allocation
00:12:05 - Addressing Workforce Challenges in Mental Health
00:15:25 - Maintaining Personal Wellbeing as a Healthcare Leader
00:18:03 - Using Crisis as an Opportunity for System Change
00:20:20 - Effective Use of Healthcare Funding
00:24:53 - Law Enforcement and Mental Health Crisis Response
00:29:53 - Building Partnerships Between Clinicians and Law Enforcement
00:34:08 - Resources for Mental Health Support in Orange County
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
OCHealthInfo.com - Orange County Health Care Agency website
OCNavigator.org - Free access to mental health resources and information

For more insightful conversations with mental health leaders, visit: www.tntopenmind.org

#mentalhealthcare #HealthcareLeadership #CrisisResponse #CollaborativeCare #OrangeCountyHealth

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People Over Protocols: Integration Ideas with Marshall Moncrief

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 30 May 2025 18:51:17 GMT

In this interview, Marshall Moncrief, Chief Integration officer at Care Solace, shares his vision for transforming mental healthcare by expanding our definition of providers and flipping the script on traditional healthcare models. Drawing from over 25 years of experience in Southern California hospitals and mental health programs, Moncrief demonstrates how personal connection drives the most passionate advocates for change and why seeing the person behind the diagnosis can transform treatment outcomes.

"We have to harness community and expand the definition of what constitutes a provider and really start to move things upstream." - Marshall Moncrief

CHAPTERS:
Introduction 00:00
Background 02:13
Personal Connection to Mental Health Work 07:38
Expanding Impact Beyond One-on-One Care 10:47
The Expansive Nature of Mental Health Needs 14:51
The Power of Seeing the Person Behind the Diagnosis 19:48
Finding Humanity in Clinical Settings 23:22
Expanding the Definition of Providers 26:42
Flipping the Script: Mental Health as Entry Point to Healthcare 30:02
Addressing Social Media and Connection Challenges 33:32
Supporting Children's Mental Wellness 35:41
Integrating Mental Health Education in Schools 36:31

About Care Solace https://www.caresolace.org/
Learn more about TNT Open Mind Insights and watch more interviews at: https://www.tntopenmindinsights.org

#MentalHealthcare #HealthcareTransformation #PeerSupport #CommunityMentalHealth #MentalWellness

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Unleashing Imagination: A Pediatrician's Journey

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:16:14 GMT

Dr. Patricia Riba shares her groundbreaking approach to children's health, combining mental healthcare with nutrition in ways that are transforming lives. With a remarkable 91% success rate in treating childhood obesity without traditional diets, her innovative methods are changing how we think about healthcare.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
2:39 The Birth of a Revolutionary Approach
6:43 The No-Diet Success Story
11:42 The Dream: Prevention First
13:04 Learning Through Play
20:08 Origins: From Bird Rescue to Healthcare Innovation
24:54 The Power of Imagination in Healthcare
30:20 Breaking Down Mental Health Barriers
👉 Learn more about our work: www.tntopenmind.org
🏥 Connect with Dr. Patricia: https://www.drpatriciamd.com/

TAGS: children's mental health, pediatric care, childhood obesity, healthcare innovation, mental health solutions, holistic healthcare, preventive medicine, Dr Patricia, pediatrician interview, healthcare transformation, mental health access, children's wellness, integrated healthcare, innovative medical solutions, puppet therapy, child development, healthcare leadership, medical education, mental health barriers, healthcare equity

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The Art of Mental Healthcare with Dr. Rimal Bera

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 20:00:22 GMT

In this compelling interview, veteran psychiatrist Dr. Bera shares insights from 35 years of practice, revealing how mental healthcare is evolving and why human connection remains at its core.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
2:56 Discovering Psychiatry as an Art
6:16 The Betty Ford Center Experience
11:09 Understanding the Brain: The Last Frontier
14:44 Challenges in Mental Health Treatment
18:09 Early Intervention and Prevention
22:51 The Human Element in Mental Health Care
27:30 Teaching Mental Health in Schools
29:46 Future of Mental Healthcare

🔍 Key Topics Covered:
The evolution of mental health treatment
Why human connection matters in healthcare
Early intervention strategies
The role of education in mental health
Breaking down stigma in healthcare

Connect with Dr. Bera and learn more about mental health initiatives by following @tntfellowships

TAGS: mental health interview, psychiatrist interview, dr bera, mental health education, healthcare professional, mental health care, psychiatry career, medical education, mental health awareness, psychiatric treatment, mental health future, healthcare innovation, mental health stigma, brain science, medical school experience, betty ford center, early intervention, mental health prevention, healthcare training, medical professional interview

CODE: LD-TEAXK1OWYLRFK

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How to Become a Mental Health Advocate: Expert Tips from a Legislative Champion

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 23:19:30 GMT

A powerful conversation with Randall Hagar, legislative advocate and mental health policy expert, who shares his journey from being a parent navigating his son's schizophrenia diagnosis to becoming a leading voice in mental health policy reform. Learn practical steps for becoming an effective advocate, regardless of your background.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction & Personal Journey
3:45 The Turning Point: From Parent to Advocate
7:36 Building Effective Advocacy Networks
14:13 Working with Media and Legislators
21:02 Creating Change at the Local Level
24:35 Overcoming Fear in Advocacy
28:16 Building Coalitions
32:41 Getting Started in Advocacy

Key Topics Covered:
Personal story of navigating mental health systems
Creating California's mental health insurance parity bill
Building relationships with media and legislators
Practical tips for new advocates
Working with different stakeholder groups

Connect with us: Website: www.openmindlinks.com

Tags: mental health advocacy, healthcare policy, Randall Hagar, mental health reform, advocacy tips, legislative advocacy, healthcare access, mental health policy, NAMI, schizophrenia, family advocacy, mental health system, policy change, mental health insurance, California mental health, healthcare advocacy, mental health rights, community advocacy, mental health storytelling, policy reform

CODE: LD-TEAXK1OWYLRFK

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When Science Meets Soul: With Dr. Y Pritham Raj

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 19:57:43 GMT

Join Dr. Pritham Raj as he explores groundbreaking developments in mental health treatment and the crucial role of human connection in healing.
In this eye-opening interview, discover how Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is revolutionizing depression treatment and why the human element remains vital in mental healthcare. Dr. Raj shares insights from his pioneering research and personal journey in mental health innovation.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
2:28 The Loneliness Epidemic
6:17 Journey into Mental Health
9:54 Understanding TMS Therapy
11:25 How TMS Transforms the Brain
14:48 The Power of Human Connection
18:40 Dark to Light: Supporting Children
21:30 Maintaining Mental Wellness
27:37 Finding Purpose in Helping Others

Connect with Dr. Raj: www.activepath.com

TAGS : mental health, TMS therapy, depression treatment, Dr Pritham Raj, psychiatry, brain health, mental wellness, healthcare innovation, therapeutic connection, medical breakthrough, transcranial magnetic stimulation, mental health treatment, depression cure, mental health expert, brain science, psychiatric care, mental health research, healthcare technology, modern psychiatry, mental health support

CODE: LD-TEAXK1OWYLRFK

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More Than Meds: A Mother's Truth with Millie Christie

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 01:36:20 GMT

In this powerful interview, Millie Christie shares the heartbreaking journey of her son Derek's battle with mental illness. After years of misdiagnoses—from autism to bipolar disorder—Derek finally received a proper diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder in 2015, which briefly transformed his life with the right medication and support.

Millie candidly discusses:
• The challenges of navigating county and state healthcare systems
• The intersection of mental illness, substance abuse, and incarceration
• The brief period of hope when Derek began thriving with proper treatment
• The devastating loss of her son at age 41

This interview provides crucial insights for healthcare professionals, families supporting loved ones with mental illness, and advocates working to improve our mental healthcare system.

SUBSCRIBE for more interviews and resources on mental health awareness and advocacy on our website at www.tntopenmind.org

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
2:28 Early Warning Signs
9:47 Family Unity in Crisis
19:08 Navigating the Healthcare System
26:02 Treatment Challenges
30:01 Hope and Moving Forward
35:44 Call to Action

#MentalHealth #HealthcareReform #FamilySupport

TAGS: mental health care, family mental illness, mental health system, healthcare reform, mental illness support, mother son mental health, psychiatric care, mental health advocacy, family support mental illness, mental health crisis, mental healthcare access, psychiatric treatment, mental health awareness, mental health solutions, family mental health journey

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Prevention Over Reaction: Transforming Mental Health with Dr. Sharmil Shah

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 23:09:11 GMT

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Sharmil Shah, a passionate advocate for mental health who transitioned from clinical practice to policy-making to address California's behavioral health challenges. Learn how she's working to increase access to care, reduce stigma, and develop preventative strategies through innovative programs.

Discover more powerful conversations at www.tntopenmind.org

Video Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to TNT Open Mind Insights
00:25 Meeting Dr. Sharmil Shah and her background
01:15 From medical aspirations to psychology passion
03:20 Transition from clinical work to policy-making
05:45 Current role in behavioral health workforce development
07:30 Preventative approaches to mental health
09:10 Community engagement strategies
10:40 Addressing funding challenges creatively
11:50 Integrating primary care with behavioral health
13:15 Five-year vision for mental health workforce
15:20 Most critical change needed: improving access to care
16:45 Self-care strategies for mental health professionals
18:30 Long-term career aspirations in mental health
19:15 Creating a statewide culture of mental health awareness
20:40 How to get involved in mental health advocacy
22:30 Finding motivation and energy for the work
24:50 Teaching the next generation of clinicians 26:15 California's leadership in mental health initiatives

#MentalHealth #HealthcareWorkforce #BehavioralHealth #PreventativeCare #CommunityEngagement #ReducingStigma #CaliforniaHealthcare #WorkforceDevelopment #MentalHealthPolicy #AccessToCare

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Introducing a new interview series: hosted by UCI's Train New Trainers Fellowships

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 19:50:41 GMT

Our new video series reveals the human side of transforming mental healthcare. Our guests share more than data and theories - they lay bare their personal stakes in this effort. From the immigrant doctor who found her calling helping the unhoused, to the family member who stepped up when others stepped away, to the psychiatrist whose deepest insights came from patients in recovery rather than from textbooks. These conversations link lived experience with breakthrough solutions. But most importantly, they remind us that behind every mental health statistic is a human story, and behind every solution is someone who refused to accept the status quo. CODE: LD-TEAXK1OWYLRFK

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Family First: A Brother's Journey - With Steve Pitman

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 06:19:56 GMT

In this powerful interview, NAMI OC President Steve Pitman shares his transformative journey from concerned brother to mental health advocate.

Learn how his personal experience shaped a vision for better mental healthcare that puts families at the center of the solution.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
1:52 The Call That Changed Everything
3:37 When Crisis Hits: The 800 Number Story
9:29 Learning to Love Without Conditions
15:21 What Healthcare Providers Need to Know
19:01 The Truth About Family Support
23:03 The Crisis in Mental Healthcare Access
27:30 Making Change Happen
31:27 The Power of Real Connection

Join us as we explore how combining professional care with family support can transform mental health outcomes. Learn practical strategies for supporting loved ones while maintaining your own wellbeing.

👉 Learn more at www.tntopenmind.com
👉 Connect with NAMI: www.namioc.org

CODE: LD-TEAXK1OWYLRFK

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Housing is Healthcare: A Leader's Vision with Dr. Pooja Bhalla

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:08:16 GMT

Breaking the cycle of homelessness requires innovative solutions. Dr. Pooja, CEO of Illumination Foundation, shares groundbreaking approaches to combining healthcare and housing solutions. From street medicine to senior micro-communities, discover how one organization is revolutionizing homeless care in Southern California.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
1:08 The Street-to-Home Model Explained
4:55 Dr. Pooja's Personal Journey
9:05 Understanding Isolation and Connection
14:29 Breaking Down System Barriers
19:59 The Reality of Life on the Streets
25:24 Mental Health Access Challenges
30:14 Innovation: Senior Micro-Communities
33:54 Vision for Ending Family Homelessness

Learn more about Illumination Foundation: https://www.ifhomeless.org/
Connect with us! www.tntopenmind.org

TAGS: homelessness solutions, mental health care, healthcare innovation, Illumination Foundation, homeless healthcare, street medicine, housing first, social determinants of health, community health, Orange County homelessness, healthcare leadership, homeless services, mental health access, senior housing, family homelessness, healthcare policy, community development, social impact, medical respite care

CODE: LD-TEAXK1OWYLRFK

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Embracing the Challenge: Insights on Addiction Medicine with Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 04:34:03 GMT

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, a physician, public health advocate, and pioneer in low-barrier addiction treatment. In this episode of TNT Open Mind Insights, we explore the critical gaps in our healthcare system and innovative solutions that are making a real difference in communities across America.

Dr. Salisbury-Ashfar shares her journey from rural Illinois to becoming a leading voice in addiction medicine, discussing the evolution of harm reduction, the importance of naloxone accessibility, and her groundbreaking walk-in clinic model in Madison, Wisconsin that serves people who use substances with dignity and comprehensive care.

Key Topics Covered:
✅ The evolution from HIV care to addiction medicine
✅ Breaking down stigma in healthcare settings
✅ Harm reduction as part of the recovery continuum
✅ Creating sustainable, low-barrier treatment models
✅ The role of mentorship in non-traditional medical careers
✅ Policy advocacy and systems change in healthcare

Perfect for: Mental health professionals, healthcare practitioners, community leaders, policy advocates, and anyone interested in innovative approaches to addiction treatment and public health.

Interview Recorded in March 2025.

🔗 Learn more about our interview series: www.tntopenmind.org

#AddictionMedicine #HarmReduction #PublicHealth #HealthcareInnovation #MentalHealth #CommunityHealth #HealthEquity #TNTOpenMindInsights

Timestamped Chapters:
[00:00] Introduction & Welcome
[01:12] Educational Background & Midwest Connection
[01:50] Early Career Path & Medical School Journey
[02:58] Discovering Urban Poverty & Wealth Disparities
[04:18] The Pivot from HIV Care to Addiction Medicine
[05:39] Identifying Healthcare System Gaps [
06:42] Root Causes of Healthcare Disparities
[08:45] Signs of Hope & Progress in Treatment Access
[09:36] Naloxone Success Story & Accessibility
[10:40] Reducing Barriers to Medication-Assisted Treatment
[12:03] Federal Embrace of Harm Reduction
[12:47] Breaking Down Recovery vs. Harm Reduction Myths
[14:19] Rural Background & Social Determinants of Health
[16:23] Medical School Advocacy & Preventive Medicine
[17:43] Balancing Clinical Work & Public Health Impact
[18:40] Building Madison's Low-Barrier Clinic
[21:43] Comprehensive Care Model & Services
[22:34] Grant Sustainability & Long-term Planning
[25:27] Healthcare System Silos & Billing Challenges
[27:07] The Power of Mentorship in Medicine
[29:35] Message of Hope for Those Struggling
[31:45] How to Connect & Get Involved
[32:26] Final Thoughts on Healthcare System Change

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The Doctor Fighting Texas' Mental Health Crisis - with Dr. Dustin DeMoss

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 01:08:17 GMT

Mental Health Leadership & Innovation: Dr. Dustin DeMoss on Transforming Healthcare in Texas
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Dr. Dustin DeMoss, TNT Allied Faculty, where we explore the critical intersection of mental health, substance use treatment, and medical education. As a psychiatry residency director and vice chair of education, Dr. DeMoss shares his unique perspective on addressing the mental health workforce shortage and transforming healthcare delivery in Texas.
In this episode, we dive deep into: ✅ The innovative combined internal medicine-psychiatry training model ✅ Texas's progressive approach to mental health workforce development ✅ Breaking down stigma in substance use disorder treatment ✅ Competency-based medical education as the future of training ✅ Leadership strategies for developing the next generation of clinicians ✅ Practical approaches to primary care mental health integration

Learn More: Visit our interview series: www.tntopenmind.org

Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction & Welcome
02:22 - Dr. DeMoss's Background & Combined Training
05:15 - Internal Medicine, Psychiatry & Addiction Medicine
08:04 - Leadership Role as Residency Director
10:12 - Mental Health Landscape in Texas
16:01 - Texas's Progressive Workforce Development
21:03 - Mass Shootings & Mental Health Policy Response
25:48 - Leadership Philosophy & Resident Developmen
t 33:01 - Statewide Substance Use Treatment Initiatives
38:20 - B.Well Texas & SHOUT Grant Program
45:02 - Cultural Change & Harm Reduction
52:06 - National Medical Education Trends
57:00 - Competency-Based Training Models
62:17 - Association of Medicine & Psychiatry Work
67:24 - Teaching Leadership to Residents
72:19 - Training Non-Mental Health Specialists
79:20 - Addressing Stigmatizing Language
84:02 - Primary Care Mental Health Integration
89:17 - The "Pandora's Box" Challenge
94:03 - Incremental Change Philosophy
98:15 - Advice for Patients
101:43 - Building Trust with Healthcare Providers
104:02 - Contact Information & Closing

Best for: Mental health professionals, healthcare practitioners, medical educators, community leaders, policy makers, and anyone interested in innovative approaches to mental health care delivery and medical education.

#MentalHealth #MedicalEducation #Psychiatry #SubstanceUse #HealthcareLeadership #Texas #MentalHealthWorkforce #PrimaryCare #MedicalTraining #HealthcareInnovation

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Psychiatry + Addiction: What Every Provider Should Know With Dr. David Marcovitz

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 19:02:50 GMT

Dr. Marcovitz discusses why understanding co-occurring disorders is essential for effective treatment, showing how many patients cycle through residential programs without proper diagnosis of underlying mental health conditions. He emphasizes the importance of motivational interviewing—not just as a clinical technique, but as a powerful tool for reducing provider burnout while improving patient outcomes.

Key topics include:
The relationship between addiction and mental health disorders
Breaking down silos in psychiatric care
Training gaps in addiction medicine education
How to diagnose co-occurring disorders effectively
The role of empathy and nonviolent communication in healthcare
Policy work and expanding access to care for uninsured patients
Whether you're a healthcare practitioner, mental health professional, or community leader interested in improving addiction treatment, this conversation offers practical insights into creating better outcomes for patients with complex needs.

Watch More TNT Open Mind Insights interviews: www.tntopenmind.org

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:50 Personal motivation and family background in psychology
4:18 Connecting psychiatry with policy work
6:09 Education and training gaps in addiction medicine
8:02 The relationship between psychiatry and addiction
10:15 The problem with diagnostic silos
12:27 The importance of clinical skills beyond checklists
14:22 Power dynamics and motivational interviewing techniques
16:53 Training pathways in addiction medicine vs. addiction psychiatry
18:34 What's exciting in addiction medicine today
20:09 Key teaching principles: co-occurring disorders and motivational interviewing
24:23 Reducing burnout through better communication techniques
25:07 Human connection and nonviolent communication
28:31 Self-care for healthcare providers
29:55 Resources and how to connect

Tags
#DrDavidMarcovitz #addictionpsychiatry #VanderbiltMedicalCenter #mentalhealth #substanceusedisorder #cooccurringdisorders #motivationalinterviewing #addictionmedicine #psychiatrytraining #opioidcrisis #behavioralhealth #integratedcare #TNTOpenMind #healthcareeducation #primarycare #psychiatricfellowship #burnoutprevention #patientcommunication #addictiontreatment #dualdiagnosis

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The Power of Reproductive Psychiatry with Dr. Melissa Wagner-Schuman

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 00:14:28 GMT

Join Dr. Rimal Bera in this insightful interview with Dr. Melissa Wagner, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at the University of Cincinnati, as she shares her journey into reproductive psychiatry and discusses why maternal mental health is now the #1 morbidity following childbirth. Dr. Wagner is triple board certified in general psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and pediatrics. Her work focuses on the critical intersection of hormones and mental health throughout a woman's reproductive lifespan - from puberty through menopause. 🔍 Key Topics Covered: • The evolution of reproductive psychiatry since 1997 • Why perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the leading cause of maternal morbidity • How hormonal changes impact mental health across the lifespan • Breaking down stigma around maternal mental health • Caring for vulnerable populations including incarcerated pregnant women • The importance of screening and early intervention • Global perspectives on maternal mental health 📍 TIMESTAMPED CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 01:00 - Dr. Wagner's Educational Journey & Triple Board Training 03:07 - The Path to Reproductive Psychiatry 04:53 - Finding the Perfect Professional Fit 06:12 - Defining Reproductive Psychiatry and Its Scope 07:56 - The Role of Hormones in Mental Health 10:17 - Fertility Challenges and Reproductive Mental Health 12:02 - Maternal Mental Health as Leading Morbidity 14:21 - Growth and Recognition of the Field 16:05 - Addressing Stigma in Maternal Mental Health 17:51 - Collaboration with OB-GYN Providers 20:34 - The Importance of Mental Health Screening 22:01 - Global Perspectives on Maternal Mental Health 25:03 - Working with Incarcerated Pregnant Women 28:30 - Navigating Complex Healthcare Systems 32:18 - Expanding Access and Training 33:57 - Economic Impact and Investment in Maternal Mental Health 35:25 - Personal Joy: Music and Family 37:34 - Resources for Learning More 39:12 - Reaching Younger Audiences 40:01 - Closing Thoughts 🌐 Learn More About Our Interview Series: Visit www.tntopenmind.org for more conversations exploring mental health, healthcare innovation, and community leadership. 👥 Target Audience: Mental health professionals, healthcare practitioners, community leaders, expectant parents, and anyone interested in understanding the critical importance of maternal mental health. #ReproductivePsychiatry #MaternalMentalHealth #PerinatalCare #MentalHealthAwareness #WomensHealth #Psychiatry #Healthcare #TNTOpenMindInsights

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What Is the Cost of a Human Life? | TNT Open Mind Insights Season 2

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:35:06 GMT

What happens when the people closest to the behavioral health landscape — a Super Bowl champion, a state senator, frontline clinicians, and system architects — speak without a filter? Season 2 of TNT Open Mind Insights brings together leaders across behavioral health to confront what's broken, what's possible, and what it actually costs us to look away. From a lawmaker who spent nights wondering where his loved one was, to a primary care doctor who became the last line of care by default, to a policy director whose own loss exposed the price of bad decisions — these are the conversations happening at the edges of the official agenda. Watch the full Season 2 interviews at 👉 www.tntopenmind.org Featured in this reel: Steven Hauschka | Super Bowl Champion & Performance Consultant Dr. Bruce Leewiwatanakal | TNT Core Faculty Angelina Medina | iFoster Dr. Robert McCarron | Founder, TNT Fellowships Dr. Emily Shipley | Nevada Health Centers Dr. Alyson Myers | TNT Fellowships Allied Faculty NP Marcos Cota | Community Health Alliance Luke Bergmann | Health Management Systems Senator Tom Umberg | California District 34 Dr. Sarah Arshad | TNT Core Faculty Dr. Steve Delisi | TNT Core Faculty Autumn Payne | Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency Madhuri Jha LCSW | Thriving for All Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:04 The pressure is real 0:17 State of behavioral health: "Terrible" 0:38 When policy fails people 0:48 A senator's 3am 0:59 What is the cost of a human life? 1:13 The answers aren't complicated 1:19 Hope is always somewhere 1:29 Love the moment Tags behavioral health, behavioral health reform, behavioral health access, mental healthcare transformation, primary care behavioral health, behavioral health policy, healthcare innovation, health equity, lived experience, California behavioral health, TNT fellowship, UC Irvine, integrated care, healthcare leaders, Open Mind Insights, TNT Open Mind Insights

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Bilingual Providers: Building Trust With Kids with Marcos Cota

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Sat, 09 May 2026 00:07:42 GMT

What happens when a provider speaks your language?

Bilingual pediatric physician assistant Marcos Cota knows firsthand. Growing up in a Spanish-speaking household in Truckee, California, he watched families struggle to be heard in a system that wasn't built for them. Now practicing at Community Health Alliance in Reno, Nevada, Marcos is doing something about it.

In this conversation, Marcos shares what it really takes to build trust with Latino families, why kids should never have to translate for their own healthcare, and the very real gaps in pediatric mental health access that are leaving families with nowhere to turn. As a TNT Fellow training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UC Irvine, he's expanding what's possible for the communities he serves.

If you work in healthcare, advocate for mental health access, or care about equitable care for kids — this conversation is for you.

Chapters:
00:00 — Introduction: Meet Marcos Cota, PA-C
01:26 — From Family Medicine to Pediatrics
02:20 — Why Language Barriers Fall on Kids
03:43 — Culture, Trust, and Better Patient Outcomes
06:01 — The Limits of Interpreters
07:20 — Marcos's Personal Connection to the Work
09:08 — Community Health Alliance: Filling the Gaps
10:38 — Barriers Facing Underserved Families
12:51 — Why Marcos Joined the TNT PC-CAP Fellowship
14:41 — Seeing the Whole Patient: A Pattern of Purpose
17:07 — Pilates, Wellness, and the Mind-Body Connection
20:55 — The Real Barriers to Wellness Recommendations
22:19 — Magic Wand: What Pediatric Care in Reno Really Needs
24:20 — What Gives Marcos Hope
25:25 — How to Connect with Community Health Alliance

Interview Recorded On: Jan 17, 2026

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on mental health, equity, and the people closing the gaps in care.
🔗 Watch more interviews in the series: www.tntopenmind.org

bilingual healthcare, pediatric mental health, language access, mental health equity, bilingual providers, Latino health, child adolescent psychiatry, pediatric care, community health, TNT fellowship, health equity, Spanish speaking provider, underserved communities, mental health advocacy, cultural competency, physician assistant, bilingual PA, kids mental health, healthcare access, Community Health Alliance, Reno Nevada healthcare, pediatric psychiatry, language barriers healthcare, Latino families, behavioral health

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When Diabetes Meets Depression - Lessons from the Bronx with Dr. Alyson Myers

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 20:23:07 GMT

What happens when you treat diabetes without addressing depression? Or prescribe insulin to a patient with no refrigerator? Dr. Alyson Myers has spent her career answering questions like these — and her answers challenge how most clinicians were trained to think.

Triple board-certified in internal medicine, psychiatry, and endocrinology, Dr. Myers practices in the Bronx, where the gap between clinical guidelines and patients' lived reality is impossible to ignore. In this conversation, she breaks down the bidirectional relationship between metabolic and mental health, reframes what "non-compliant" actually means, and shares how a five-year chart review revealing a 44% amputation rate led her to co-found a multidisciplinary limb preservation clinic.

This is whole-patient care in practice — not as a concept, but as a necessity.
In this episode:

Why treating diabetes without addressing mental health guarantees worse outcomes for both
The real meaning of "non-compliant" in underserved communities
How inaction violates the oath to do no harm
A data-driven response to a 44% amputation rate in the Bronx
The cost of diabetic foot ulcers to patients, families, and the healthcare system
What telehealth rollbacks mean for urban populations
How Dr. Myers protects her own mental health while carrying the weight of this work

⏱ Chapters 0:00 Introduction
1:01 Why diabetes became personal — and professional
3:20 Listening as a clinical tool
4:27 The whole-patient model: why silos fail
5:38 Food insecurity and glycemic control
6:49 No refrigerator? Getting creative with insulin storage
8:02 Reframing "do no harm" — inaction is harm too
8:47 Diabetes and depression: the bidirectional relationship
12:39 Med-psych training and what most physicians are missing
14:02 Women's health, menopause, and the data gaps
15:05 Social drivers of health and what "non-compliant" really means
17:48 Telehealth rollbacks and the CMS policy gap
18:28 Health equity, DEIB, and the Albert Einstein legacy
20:55 A 44% amputation rate and the clinic built to change it
23:50 The true cost of diabetic foot ulcers
26:06 Physician wellness: how Dr. Myers stays grounded
28:36 Reasons for hope 32:26 Connect with Dr. Myers

🔗 Hear more insightful interviews :🌐 tntopenmind.org
📸 Follow Dr. Myers on Instagram: @dr.savalimb

Tags: diabetes and mental health, health equity, behavioral health, integrated care, diabetic foot ulcer, limb preservation, Bronx healthcare, health disparities, endocrinology, diabetes depression, social determinants of health, whole patient care, telehealth policy, physician wellness, TNT Open Mind Insights, healthcare leadership, diabetes care, underserved communities, non-compliant patients, biopsychosocial model

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Perinatal Recovery & Shame-Free Care With Amber Williams

Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 22:14:00 GMT

What does it look like when a patient becomes the CEO? Amber Williams walked into Janus of Santa Cruz suffering with substance use disorder as a teen mom with a newborn son and no insurance coverage left. Twenty years later, she runs it — and this September, Janus opens its first major infrastructure project: a 25-bed perinatal facility built so mothers in recovery won't have to be separated from their babies. In this conversation, Amber talks with Autumn Payne about what it takes to put clients at the center of every decision — from building environments that raise expectations, to asking providers to check their biases before they walk into a patient room. She also gets personal about the moment her own bias crept into her clinical work, and what she did about it. If you work in healthcare, treat patients with substance use disorder, or care about what recovery looks like for families — this conversation is for you. In this episode: Why environment is a clinical tool, not an amenity The three barriers keeping providers from treating substance use disorder What happens when you recognize your own bias before it reaches a patient Why perinatal-specific facilities are so rare — and what's at stake without them The aging population being left behind on medsurg floors Where a bottomless well of hope comes from Chapters 0:00 Introduction 1:20 How Amber first came to Janus as a patient 4:00 The decision that changed everything 5:30 Putting clients at the center of every decision 7:00 Why environment is a clinical tool 9:00 The new 25-bed perinatal facility 11:30 Why perinatal facilities are so rare 13:45 Three barriers providers face with SUD patients 18:00 Checking your own bias — a personal story 21:30 What to do when you can't check it at the door 23:00 Self-care for clinicians in high-intensity settings 25:00 Warm handoffs in a 15-minute appointment 28:00 Resources: 988 and the ED Bridge program 29:30 The California SUD landscape 33:00 The aging population left behind on med surg floors 36:00 Where Amber finds hope Interview Recorded On: March 20. 2026 TNT Open Mind Insights is a video series linking personal stories to solutions in mental healthcare. Sponsored by UC Irvine's Train New Trainers Primary Care Psychiatry Fellowship and produced by Ethical Narrative Storytelling Agency. 🔗 Hear more insights: [tntopenmind.org] Connect with Amber: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-williams-laadc-98779b111/ Connect with Janus of Santa Cruz: https://janussc.org #SubstanceUseDisorder #AddictionRecovery #PeriNatalCare #BehavioralHealth #MentalHealth #HealthcareProviders #TNTOpenMindInsights #HealthcarePolicy #StigmaFreeRecovery Tags: substance use disorder, addiction recovery, perinatal care, behavioral health, mental health, healthcare providers, stigma, recovery, Janus Santa Cruz, TNT Open Mind Insights, healthcare policy, maternal health, addiction medicine, California healthcare, substance abuse treatment, harm reduction

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