Brains Out Loud

In this episode of Brains Out Loud, we hear from Robbie Teasdale about his own mental health journey after losing his sister to suicide. Robbie grew up in Kenya and now lives in the United States as a talented sculptor, pottery maker, and artist. Robbie discusses his own experiences with suicidal ideation, attempts, psychiatrist hospitals, and medications. He now considers his mental health to be in the best shape of his life. Watch the full episode to learn more!

Seika Brown is a 20 year old researcher and advocate for mental health. When she was 15 years old, she founded her first nonprofit organization that focused on mental health policy change. Seika talks about what it felt like to pass their first bill in 2019. She now runs a global initiative researching how mental health is defined across cultures and backgrounds, called the YLG Research Initiative. Seika discussed not only her findings in the mental health space across numerous cultures around the world, but also what it is like to be the CEO and Founder of a global initiative at 20 years old.

Dennis Gillan and Stephen Pihl are co-authors of the newly released children's book: "Nice Shoes." This book introduces the concept of mental health and overcoming hard days to children through unique storytelling and beautiful pictures. This story is based on Stephen's experience battling mental health as a child, and shows that a little kindness can go a long way. Dennis and Stephen share where the motivation for this book came from, why talking about mental health with children is so important, and a little bit about their own experiences with mental illness. 

In this weeks episode we talk to Ne'A Moffett. Ne'A is a talented artist with first hand experience living in the foster care system. In sharing her own experience, Ne'A sheds light on the systematic issues that exist within these programs. Ne'A opens up about the negative impact foster care had on her mental health and how she overcame it. For anyone living in the foster care system who is struggling, Ne'A is living proof that things will get better. 

https://www.instagram.com/neamoffett/?hl=en 

Jasmine Francis shares what it was like to attempt and survive suicide. What happened leading up to that point, and the work she has put in to recover ever since. She shares her very personal mental health journey and some beautiful insight on the power of perspective.  

In this week's episode we talked to model, Gabby Britez about her mental health. She opened up about tragic losses, grief, body image, and how she copes with the pressures of the modeling industry. Gabb is super independent and uses exercise as a cathartic outlet. She shared some wise words of advice for anyone who is struggling, or wants to break into modeling.

Dr. Finneran is an expert on helping victims of violence and their loved ones. She wrote "Surviving Domestic Abuse: Formal and Informal Supports and Services", to help survivors of domestic abuse navigate effectively through the myriad of formal and informal supports and services. She interviewed real-life survivors and utilized their voices to translate what was helpful in escaping the realm of domestic abuse. We spoke with her to find out what she learned from her research, the systematic problems for victims, and how to be supportive for anyone in an abuse situation.

It’s still PRIDE month!!! We loved chatting with model, actor, and mental health professional, Faizon Cutler. He opened up about his struggles with mental health and his pride journey. Faiz got real with us and talked about coming out as a black gay man and how that impacted his mental health. We discussed unhealed trauma, self-reflection, and personal growth. Faiz now works with the youth in a mental health hospital and hopes to bring hope to anyone who is struggling.

We had a great convo with Ruddy Harootian, and he opened up about his journey to confidence. Ruddy was vulnerable and talked about everything from childhood sexual assault, bullying, drug use, and how he overcame it all in therapy. He now uses his stories to help the youth and other members of the LGBTQIA and black and brown communities.

Marisa Porco, Co-Founder of the Jordan Porco Foundation shares her deeply personal journey on grief and resilience after losing her son to suicide. As a strong mother, she uses her authentic story to help others who might be struggling right now, and shares how she turned her pain into purpose through her foundation that strives to help others.