Welcome to No Shame On U’s 40th Podcast! The American Health system is in crisis, and those affected by its shortcomings are drowning without the tools and resources they deserve and need to thrive. Today we are talking with author Kenneth Nixon. Kenneth just came out with an intense and meaningful memoir Called Born into Crisis. Kenneth knows firsthand the impact trauma can have on a person's life and takes us on a power-powerful journey of his life. He does it uniquely where he shares tips, tools, and strategies for personal and collective change in our nation.

Welcome to No Shame On U’s 39th Podcast! For close to 40 years, the Jewish chaplains and staff of the HINDA INSTITUTE have dedicated themselves to helping individuals and their families navigate the criminal justice system and re-entry to society with faith, community, and dignity.

Today we speak with Abigail Rabinowitz Scheiman, Program Coordinator at the Hinda Institute. and Mary Zukowski is a registered Nurse who has serviced mental health recipients for over 30 years. She has particularly been interested in support services for patients post-discharge and, in the past, has explained similar concerns after her own family member experienced a mental health issue and subsequent incarceration.

To learn more about the Hinda Institute, go to: https://www.hindahelps.com/

Welcome to No Shame On U’s 38th Podcast with Certified Meditation and Yoga Teacher, and Health Mentor, Mara Zimmerman!

Mara is a Certified Meditation and Yoga Teacher and Health Mentor. She has a degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychology. She offers Mind-Body Centered Therapy, Holistic Counseling, and Health and Spiritual Guidance, with Mindfulness as the foundation. She has continued her studies in Eastern Philosophy, Homeopathy, and the Healing Arts. With a focus on Self-care and Well-being, Mara teaches to all ages, stages and abilities. She has learned that each person is unique and should be true to their own needs.

Welcome to No Shame On U’s 37th Podcast with Mental Health Advocate Marc Fein!

Marc Fein is a facilitator, educator, and mentor. Marc has spent the past ten years creating experiences, workshops, and events that helped thousands of people across North America develop the skills and confidence to reach their true potential. Workshops are grounded in human centered design, reflective, and directed by the learner to fit their individual goals.

As a Mental Health Advocate with lived experience Marc shares his story in an effort to raise awareness of Mental Health issues in our communities and destigmatize conversations surrounding mental health.

To learn more about Marc’s work, go HERE!

Welcome to the No Shame On’s 36th podcast! Today, we are talking with Robyn Sabel, who runs a meaningful business called Buttercup & Joy - Jewelry with Meaning. Robyn is a married mother of two (grown) children. With an empty nest on the horizon, Robyn has been trying to figure out what’s next. So far, it seems that what’s next is reconnecting with old friends, rediscovering things she likes to do, and starting a business dedicated to supporting the mental health community. Listen to this podcast to learn more about why she choose to do this type of work!

Website: https://buttercupandjoy.com/

Join us for the 35th episode of the No Shame On U Podcast! Today we talk with Frank Pomata. Frank Pomata is a Mental Health Advocate with 25+ years of experience working in the non-profit/human services sector in various capacities and settings and in the public sector for State and Local government. After a long journey coming to terms with his own mental illness, Frank embarked on a mission to utilize his writing and public speaking abilities to become a Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention speaker, trainer, author, and advocate. Since 2018, he has spoken to groups of non-profit/human services professionals, business leaders, fraternal organizations, and at school-based events for parents, students, and educators. Frank has also been interviewed on local radio, for podcasts, and has conducted both virtual and in-person trainings.

Several years ago, Mr. Pomata created and facilitates a Group on the Linkedin social media platform Mental Health Change Agents-Advocates-Motivational Speakers, whose purpose is to foster dialogue between Mental Health Clinicians and persons with “lived experience” like himself. His goal in writing and telling his story is to: educate and reduce stigma, normalize talking about mental health, and make it safer for those in emotional pain to ask for help AND for them to be treated with dignity when they do so.

Frank is also a Suicide Survivor.

LinkedIn Group: Mental Health Change Agents-Advocates-Motivational Speakers

Join us for No Shame On U’s 34th podcast! We are honored today to interview the founder of a Chicagoland nonprofit called The Balance Project, Agi Semrad, and two middle school students who created a short mental health documentary called The Stigma, made possible through the support of the balance project. Ari Braun and Eden Gunsberg …… are here with us today. 8th graders at Edgewood Middle School in Highland Park.

The Balance Project is a local non-profit organization helping families and individuals access emotional wellness support. We build mental health awareness through education and community programming. We connect you to resources and treatment. We work with you to try and eliminate financial barriers to access so you can find better balance. For more information about The Balance Project go to: https://thebalance-project.org/