Anthologies of Hope

Kenneth Westphal joins us this week on Anthologies of Hope! A former To Write Love On Her Arms intern and an amazing photographer, we dive into what makes photography so special for Kenneth, the difference between sunrises and sunsets, and why camp is such an important part of Kenneth's story. We also discuss the tools that Kenneth has picked up along the way to help with conversations of hope and how the timing of the first Heart Camp session in January 2018 could not have come at a more perfect time for him!

Don't forget to check out our companion Spotify playlist at anthologiesofhope.com/playlist.

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Special Guest: Kenneth Westphal.

Erin Hird, co-host of the Blackbird Podcast, joins Anthologies of Hope this week for plenty of laughs, dishing on the “checklist of life”, the Hero's Journey, and making it through to the other side of a divorce, as well as a little of the Zen of Dawson's Creek.

Be sure to check out Blackbird, a podcast for young widows & divorcees (& those that love them) to find themselves, and happiness again.

Don't forget to check out our companion Spotify playlist at anthologiesofhope.com/playlist.

You can find us on the web at:

We are available anywhere you listen to podcasts:

Please leave us a review, let us know your thoughts, send us questions, and what else you'd like to hear on the future episodes of Anthologies of Hope.

Special Guest: Erin Hird.

If there’s one word that I would use to describe our guest this week, Sarah Messali, it would be WARRIOR. Once you hear her story, you’ll understand why. I’m so grateful I got to sit down with Sarah in LA at Heart Camp and then again sightseeing & having the hard conversations at the same time over the summer when Sarah visited Chicago. From being a Breast Cancer & BRCA Previvor to a weightlifting badass to an unstoppable writer/blogger/author, Sarah’s story and voice is one you’ll definitely want to follow along with.

Don't forget to check out our companion Spotify playlist at anthologiesofhope.com/playlist.

You can find us on the web at:

We are available anywhere you listen to podcasts:

Please leave us a review, let us know your thoughts, send us questions, and what else you'd like to hear on the future episodes of Anthologies of Hope.

Special Guest: Sarah Messali.

Our guest this week is with Teri Valente, Summer Camp Director for Camp Arrowhead in Lewes, Delaware. While planning to record, Teri mentioned that she didn’t know how interesting her story would be or how much she would have to share. Despite that initial modesty and deference, we found way more than enough to talk about in this episode ranging from the mental health impact at youth summer camps, a “never expected to go on” trip to Africa, and hanging out with Bob Goff - as one does. So as you can tell, it’s quite the conversation.

Don't forget to check out our companion Spotify playlist at anthologiesofhope.com/playlist.

You can find us on the web at:

We are available anywhere you listen to podcasts:

Please leave us a review, let us know your thoughts, send us questions, and what else you'd like to hear on the future episodes of Anthologies of Hope.

Special Guest: Teri Valente.

Jennie Gillies, the proud Canadian from the first Heart Camp, joins us this week. There are a few stories that you will hear over the course of on Anthologies of Hope that were key to the genesis of the podcast actually coming together. Jennie’s story is one of those stories.

Jennie has an amazing grasp of her story and tells it with wisdom far beyond her years. She has one of the biggest & fiercest hearts I’ve ever known & there's no one else you'd want on your team fighting for you. We touch on Jennie’s struggles with depression, coming to terms with her physical disability, anxiety, suicidal ideations, and being an only child attempting to overcome imposter syndrome.

Don't forget to check out our companion Spotify playlist at anthologiesofhope.com/playlist.

You can find us on the web at:

We are available anywhere you listen to podcasts:

Please leave us a review, let us know your thoughts, send us questions, and what else you'd like to hear on the future episodes of Anthologies of Hope.

Special Guest: Jennie Gillies.

This weeks episode isn’t so much of an interview or conversation. More like putting our guest, Jen John, in the spotlight and letting her run with it. We were constantly amazed by Jen’s resilience to keep coming back and fighting throughout all the curveballs thrown her way, along with her desire to truly own her story. We touch on topics including the impact of suicide attempts by loved ones, being part of an active shooter situation first-hand, post-traumatic stress disorder due to that encounter, as well as the need for and new found sobriety.

Don't forget to check out our companion Spotify playlist at anthologiesofhope.com/playlist.

You can find us on the web at:

We are available anywhere you listen to podcasts:

Please leave us a review, let us know your thoughts, send us questions, and what else you'd like to hear on the future episodes of Anthologies of Hope.

Special Guest: Jen John.

From the moment I read Brit’s Twitter profile full of shared interests, I knew this conversation was going to be a great one. We touch on some powerful tools and perspectives for those in our audience that may be questioning the value of therapy in their own mental health journey, as well as the validity of a current therapist relationship. As you’ll hear, Brit is a licensed therapist and gives some great insight onto overcoming the… awkwardness of those first therapy visits.

Don't forget to check out our companion Spotify playlist at anthologiesofhope.com/playlist.

You can find us on the web at:

We are available anywhere you listen to podcasts:

Please leave us a review, let us know your thoughts, send us questions, and what else you'd like to hear on the future episodes of Anthologies of Hope.

Special Guest: Brit Barkholtz.

Welcome to the first episode of Anthologies of Hope! Anna joins us this week to share her mental health journey, why community is so important to her, and how working on her mental health has made her a better friend, a better daughter, and a better nurse.

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We are available anywhere you listen to podcasts:

Please leave us a review, let us know your thoughts, send us questions, and what else you'd like to hear on the future episodes of Anthologies of Hope.

Special Guest: Anna Johnson.

Everyone has a story.

These are just some of the topics we’ll cover in Anthologies Of Hope, a new podcast on journeys taken, battles won, and pain endured. But ultimately, why we are still here. We'll dive deep into why we’re all still fighting for our better tomorrows and why we believe they exist.