Julie Paez is a victim/survivor of Dec 2, 2015, San Bernardino terrorist attack joins me for a conversation about her personal journey following the mass shooting. Julie exemplifies grace, courage, and resilience after the shooting and became an advocate for her friends and colleges injured in the attack. Julie shares her nonjudgemental insight and wisdom to create a healing path for others.
In this series, we are highlighting the voices of youth and giving them a forum to talk about what is on their minds. 18 year old Zoey Bekkela joins us to discuss how missing her senior of high school changed everything…in a good way! She reveals the insights and wisdom this year taught her about self care, mental health, checking on friends, social justice and politics. While the negative impact of the pandemic on youth has been a focus in the media; Zoey provides a different perspective. Her positivity is a breath of fresh air and something we all need to hear.
In this series, we are highlighting the voices of youth and giving them a forum to talk about what is on their minds. Ten year old ‘Matt’ joins us, along with his mom, to talk about his decision to live in this world in the way he has always felt…male. His words are so simple, yet so poignant, “Just BE who you are.” He goes on to remind us that we would all “just be happier” if we could accept each other.
This incredibly vulnerable, raw, and heartbreaking conversation with Dion Greene. Dion is a bereaved victim/survivor of the Dayton Ohio mass shooting from August 2019 where nine people were killed and seventeen others were injured.
Dion Green, MBA, Founder/CEO of Flourishing Under Distress Given Encouragement (FUDGE)
Dion Green is the Founder/CEO of Flourishing Under Distress Given Encouragement (FUDGE), a 501c3 non profit that helps survivors through traumatic experiences with resources and support. Green recently finished his MBA at Keller’s Graduate School in Business Administration with a minor in Entrepreneurship, and holds a Bachelor of Science from DeVry University in Business Administration.
Green is an advocate on gun violence and on gun legislation which was inspired by the mass shooting that occurred in Dayton, Ohio in August of 2019, which claimed his father’s life and many other innocent victims. He speaks around the country and speaks in the communities that have been impacted by gun violence. Green authored a memoir called Untitled Act of God/Act of Man sharing his tragedies and demonstrating a sense of resilience through his journey by forgiving and giving back to his community.
In addition to his Foundation, Gun Legislation Advocacy service, and Gun Rally participation, he serves on the Board of Felons with a Future, Upturn Ohio, and numerous other community initiatives and support networks across the country.
Dion has spent the past 5 years as a real estate investor and served as a case manager with St. Vincent Depaul homeless shelter as a Case Manager. He currently resides in Dayton with his fiancee and 13-year-old daughter.
on Twitter @DionGre95543236
http://www.linkedin.com/in/dion-green-mba-b15b44171
In this series, we are highlighting the voices of youth and giving them a forum to talk about what is on their minds. ‘Holly’ joins us for this podcast and discusses what life has been like growing up with a sibling who struggles with mental health issues. She artfully paints a picture of the pain, worry and insight she has gained during the journey with her brother. Holly reminds us all that love is big and messy!
Today’s podcast tackles the topic of isolation (an issue we know all too well as of late) and how it can boar it’s way into our psyche. Prolonged loneliness and lack of connection can impact our thoughts and break down our beliefs. It can then morph into something we become habituated to. In this talk, we feature our favorite author, Tony Garcia, who shares two poignant writings as a springboard for our conversation. Tony has written three books, available on Amazon:
Wanna Know a Truth? A Simple Man’s Search for the Truths in His Life
Whispers From My Heart
Secrets, Truths & Whispers: Lessons from a Good, Hard Life
He can be found at:
https://bublish.com/author/tonygarcia, http://www.facebook.com/CoachGForce
Terri Keener, Behavioral Health Coordinator from the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center joined me for an important conversation about the importance of connection for victims and survivors of mass violence. “Healing does not happen in isolation.”
Terri Keener, LCSW, LSCSW
Behavioral Health Coordinator, Division of Child and Family Services
Vegas Strong Resiliency Center
I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Master of Science in Social Work and I am professionally licensed as a clinical social worker in Kansas and Nevada.
I am a member of the 2021 cohort of the Jameson Fellowship.
My professional experience includes:
•More than 30 years of experience working with trauma and special needs populations in various communities and settings including child welfare, education, and community based mental health.
•Direct services, supervision, management, consultation, team development, training, program development, grant writing and management, quality assurance, provider vetting, collaborative projects, outreach and media relations.
•Since June 2018, serve as the Behavioral Health Coordinator at the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center, learning about the behavioral health needs of those impacted by mass violence and developing and establishing programming to meet those needs.
Relevant Training:
•EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
•EMDR – Recent Event Protocol
•Member EMDR Trauma Resource Network for Southern Nevada
•Critical Incident Stress Management (Group and Individual)
•NOVA Crisis Response Team Training (National Organization of Victim Assistance)
•Employee Trauma Intervention Program (E-TIP)
•Trauma Recovery Yoga
•Field Based Consultant, Inclusive Network of Kansas, KU Graduate School of Education
•Conference Presentations including:
oImpact of childhood trauma on parenting (National Association of Case Management)
oFacilitating Child and Family Teams (NV Statewide Differential Response Conference)
oSchool-Based Programs and Partnerships (KS Mental Health Services Conference)
oDisaster Behavioral Health (Minnesota Regional Conference)
oUNR Public Health Perspectives Webinar – Impact of Mass Violence
•Strategic Management and Planning Facilitator
•Clark County Leadership Academy
•Georgetown University Leadership Academy
Relevant Accomplishments:
•Establishment of a Peer Support program and Critical Incident Teams for Clark County Department of Family Services
•Vetting and matching of providers for survivors of mass violence in multiple states and Canada
•Implementation of Peer Support groups through NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
•Coordination of volunteer emotional support providers for mass violence anniversary and special events
•Establishment of a network of local and out of area mental health and supportive services providers for those impacted by mass violence and trauma
•Media appearances and development of press release and social media and educational material as Behavioral Health Coordinator at Vegas Strong Resiliency Center
•Organization of various training and information session opportunities for those impacted by mass violence, including responder peer support teams.
In part II of our suicide series, Jann discusses the two suicide attempts that left her and Shari reeling for answers. While emotionally difficult for both as they re-lived the emotions they experienced; they felt the need to share. Jann highlights the fact that while suicide is a choice, it doesn’t need to be the final choice if we can help others find a glimmer of hope through connection. Despair, pain and guilt are dissected in this vulnerable discussion as both mother and daughter speak from two very different perspectives.
Shari and Jann travel the country speaking on trauma and resiliency. More about them and their book, Which Way? can be found at www.traumaspeakers.com
Given that the world has seen a drastic jump in suicides since the start of the pandemic, suicide expert Paula Fontenelle candidly talks about her personal experience with losing a loved one to suicide. Referencing her book, Understand Suicide: Living with loss. Paths to prevention, Paula discusses the myths associated with suicidality, highlights signs to look for, and provides helpful tips on how to address this topic with loved ones.
“Understanding Suicide” is the result of Fontenelle’s journey of self-discovery. Her book and podcast help us understand the complex nature of suicide, as well as its profound impact on those left behind. She can be found at: www.understandsuicide.com.
In this powerful podcast, we talk with Gerry Murphy, author of And You May Find Yourself: A Guided Practice To Never Fearing Death Again. Gerry’s near-death experience, where he felt as though he was “signing his life away”, forever changed the way he lives. Gerry encourages everyone to “practice” death, meaning that if we stop to truly think about our ending, we might find the urgency in changing the way we live. In doing this, he believes we are all given a second chance to create the life and legacy we want. This podcast is particularly relevant in today’s uncertain world and listening to Gerry’s accent is a bonus!
Gerry is from Scotland but lives in New York and runs Pentalogy Marketing https://www.pentalogymarketing.com/ His book can be found on his website, at Barnes and Noble, and on amazon https://www.amazon.com/You-May-Find-Yourself-Practice/dp/1734837608
