In this episode, Heather Croas sits down with Astrid Ross, Georgia Senate candidate, certified peer specialist, and founder of the Mental Health Support Network. Astrid opens up about her experiences as a suicide loss survivor, a mother of five, and a longtime mental health advocate, sharing how trauma, anxiety, and depression have shaped her work.

Astrid’s nonprofit provides free mental health resources, community education, and advocacy, aiming to normalize conversations about behavioral health and create safe spaces where people can seek support without stigma. She discusses practical ways to support mental wellness, break cycles of trauma, and build compassionate communities that prioritize connection and prevention.

This conversation goes beyond inspirational talk, diving into the realities of behavioral health, the importance of peer support, and why safe spaces can literally save lives. Tune in to hear honest, real-world insights on mental health awareness, advocacy, and the everyday work of building networks that make a difference.

Whether you’re a caregiver, advocate, or simply interested in mental wellness, this episode offers perspective, practical guidance, and a candid look at what it takes to support yourself and others through life’s hardest moments.

🔗 Learn more about Astrid
For more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join me as a guest on a future episode  please don't hesitate to shoot me an email.

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In this episode, we sit down with community mentor and advocate Akella Clore to talk about foster care, creativity, connection, and what it really looks like to support others while carrying your own challenges.

Akella shares her journey as a mother of nine, a former foster parent, and the founder of Colorful Creations, a program built around confidence, art, and youth empowerment. We explore her passion for working with teens, the emotional realities of caregiving, and the quiet strength behind the smile she’s known for.

The conversation opens up into emotional masking, burnout, the importance of healthy boundaries, and why community plays such a vital role in recovery. Akella also reflects on the experiences that shaped her, the kids who changed her life, and how creativity helps young people find their voice.

This is a warm and honest discussion about resilience, belonging, and the power of showing up for one another through both the easy and the messy parts of life. It’s a reminder that healing grows stronger in community.

🔗 Learn more about Akella or your contact via email
For more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join me as a guest on a future episode  please don't hesitate to shoot me an email.

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In this episode, we talk with professional networker Sara Branch about connection, community, and why networking is far more than business cards and elevator pitches.

Sara shares her transition from corporate life to building a networking franchise and developing her own curriculum to help business owners connect with clarity and confidence. We explore social awkwardness, storytelling, mindset shifts, and why structure can create freedom for both introverts and extroverts.

The conversation moves beyond business into belonging, examining how face-to-face interaction builds trust, why community matters for mental health, and how learning to relate to others is truly a life skill.

This is an honest discussion about reframing networking from transaction to relationship and rediscovering the power of authentic connection.

🔗 Learn more about Sara and Branch Consulting Group or connect with her on LinkedIN

For more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join me as a guest on a future episode  please don't hesitate to shoot me an email.

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In this episode, we talk with mindset coach Andy Robinson, founder of LFG Mindset Consulting, about identity, trauma, and what it really means to choose your next chapter.

Andy shares his path from serving in the United States Marine Corps to surviving a life-changing injury during Operation Iraqi Freedom and rebuilding his life with intention. His experience led him to a simple but powerful realization. When we do not have a clear vision for the future, it is easy to get stuck in circumstance instead of shaping what comes next.

We explore how early beliefs influence our mindset, why identity struggles are so common, and how people can begin to rewrite the patterns that hold them back. The conversation touches on neurodivergence, communication, and the importance of support systems in healing and growth.

This is an honest and grounded discussion about resilience, self-definition, and learning to see possibility after loss. If you are navigating change or questioning who you are becoming, this episode offers practical insight and an encouraging reminder that you have a say in what comes next.

🔗 Learn more about Andy and LFG Mindset Consulting

In this episode, we sit down with newly published author and retired court professional Tracie Ingram for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, identity, mindset, and the power of encouragement.

After 30 years in the criminal justice system and service in the United States Army, Tracie reflects on what she learned working in high-emotion environments and how those experiences shaped her perspective on compassion, bias, and the importance of seeing people as more than labels. We revisit lessons from Toastmasters International, explore how communication and perception influence our relationships, and discuss the balance between struggle and hope in everyday life.

Tracie also shares the inspiration behind her children’s book The Can-Do Girl—a story born from her desire to plant seeds of encouragement in the next generation. She was also certified last year as a fitness instructor and gospel teacher through Revelation Wellness, which allows her to continue her mission to uplift others and remind people of their inherent worth and potential.

This episode is an honest, thoughtful conversation about reframing perspective, navigating hardship, and choosing to live with purpose. Whether you’re facing personal challenges or simply need a reminder that growth is possible, Tracie’s message is clear: encouragement can change lives, and it’s never too late to become a can-do person.

🔗 Learn more about Tracie and grab a copy of the “Can-Do Girl” here
For more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join me as a guest on a future episode  please don't hesitate to shoot me an email.

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In this episode of 4:12 Connections, Heather is joined by attorney and empath Shannan Collier Stalvey, Esq. for a thoughtful conversation about communication, emotional regulation, and the assumptions that shape how we see others and ourselves.

The episode explores how emotions show up in everyday interactions, why behavior is often a form of communication, and how conscious and unconscious bias can influence understanding. Together, they discuss the balance between empathy, boundaries, and accountability, and why reframing perspective is essential for meaningful connection.

Heather also shares the inspiration behind Reframing Your Perspective, an improv-based exercise designed to challenge assumptions and remind us that people are variables, not formulas. This episode invites listeners to pause, reflect, and approach relationships with greater clarity, compassion, and curiosity.

In this episode, Chase Sanger shares his mission to advocate for veteran mental health after his own experience with traumatic brain injury and medical retirement from the Army. Hear how the SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center gave him the tools to heal and how he now works to raise awareness and support for veterans facing invisible wounds. This conversation is a reminder that asking for help is a sign of strength and that recovery is possible.

Resources & Support for Veterans:

SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center – A specialized program for veterans and service members dealing with traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and related challenges. Learn more or start the intake process: shepherd.org/treatment/services-clinics/share

Connect with Chase Sanger – Follow Chase’s work, advocacy, and community initiatives: linktr.ee/chasesanger

Veteran Crisis Line – If you or someone you know is in crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or visit veteranscrisisline.net

For more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join me as a guest on a future episode  please don't hesitate to shoot me an email.

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In this episode, Heather and Josh dive deep into the many forms of communication; from body language and bilingual love stories to marketing and emotional expression through art. Josh shares his experience living in Honduras, surviving a medical crisis, and building a business rooted in meaningful connection. A thoughtful exploration of how we speak, listen, and understand each other.

🔗 Learn more about http://Awedynamic.com

For more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join me as a guest on a future episode  please don't hesitate to shoot me an email.

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Welcome to Season 6 of 4:12 Connections! In this powerful kickoff episode, Heather Croas and co-host Larry sit down with Brent Rittersdorf , local real estate agent, keynote speaker, and leader of Cobb County’s most dynamic networking group. Brent shares his journey from hospitality to real estate, the evolution of his keynote speech Ten for Ten, and the inspiration behind his new book The Point Is in the Purpose. Together, they explore the deeper meaning of purpose, how it shifts over time, and why true leadership is rooted in service and encouragement. Whether you're building a business, navigating life transitions, or seeking clarity in your own journey, this episode offers heartfelt insights and practical wisdom to help you connect with your purpose.

🔗 Learn more about Brent and his book at http://www.10for10.net

For more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join me as a guest on a future episode  please don't hesitate to shoot me an email.

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In the Season 5 finale of 4:12 Connections, Heather and Larry reflect on a year of transformation, storytelling, and learning to navigate life’s challenges. From masking and burnout to finding purpose and building community, this candid conversation explores what it means to grow, stretch, and stay anchored… even when things get messy. A powerful wrap-up to a season rooted in real talk and resilience.
📩 For more information about The Green Phoenix or to be a guest on a future episode, contact Heather Croas at: [email protected]