I had the absolute pleasure of talking with the inspiring Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Let me tell you, Dr. Margaret’s journey is nothing short of transformative. She opened up about the pressures we put on ourselves to be perfect and how embracing both strengths and weaknesses is the key to self-acceptance. We had a fantastic discussion about the beautifully imperfect stories that connect us more deeply than any facade of perfection ever could. Margaret’s decision to share her personal struggles on social media was initially terrifying, but she found an overwhelming wave of support that made it all worth it.
From Service to Civilian: Addressing Mental Health Stigma and Veteran Suicide with Rachel Oswalt | 131
Veterans suicide death and military mental health has been making headlines for decades, on today’s episode we look at the root causes. I am joined by Rachel Oswalt, an inspiring US Navy veteran and mental wellness advocate. Rachel discusses the critical role of connecting with supportive individuals throughout her life's journey, particularly in navigating the labyrinth of military mental health. We explored some of the pressing issues plaguing military communities, from the devastating rates of veteran suicides to the overshadowing stigma that hinders mental health reporting.
Suicide Risk among Healthcare Workers with Christopher Wojnar | 130
In this episode of Hope Illuminated, nurse Christopher Wojnar shares his journey through mental health challenges, resilience, and the importance of workplace peer support in suicide prevention. Gain insights into nursing well-being and the transformative power of storytelling in mental health advocacy.
Pain, Opioids, Addiction, and Suicide – It’s Complicated with Dr. Stefan Kertesz | 129
The Bipolar General – Resilience and Recovery with Major General Greg Martin | 128
Compassion, Connection and Recovery Intention – How Faith Communities Can Best Support People Impacted by Suicide with Shannon Parkin | 127
Turn Off the Alarm Bells -- How to Prioritize Civility in a Divisive World: Interview with Sejal Thakkar | Episode 79
At the heart of civility is respect. Respect and dignity are essential for psychological safety, especially when others have diverse experiences and viewpoints. Civility is not about complacency or placating. It’s not about denying or pushing away strong feelings that can emerge when conflict emerges. It’s about temporarily suspending our alarm bells for a period of time so we can do the hard work of “climbing the empathy wall” to better understand the deep stories behind those we see as “the other.”