What happens when the strongest person in the room is silently drowning? In this deeply moving conversation, Gretchen Schoeser reveals how a single phone call to 988 saved her life after months of "masking up" her depression as a lifelong extrovert. Despite facing an overwhelming cascade of personal crises—early retirement, family illness, unexpected deaths, and seasonal depression—no one around her, not even her wife of 28 years, recognized her suffering until it nearly became fatal.

Gretchen takes us through that pivotal Christmas Day when, standing with a bottle of pills in her hand, she heard a small voice whispering "things might get better" and made the life-changing decision to call the 988 Crisis Lifeline. This raw account of her journey from the brink serves not as a cautionary tale, but as a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of vulnerability.

The conversation shifts beautifully to Gretchen's inspiring second act—launching an award-winning mental health podcast and founding her own company at 61 that combines her technical expertise with wellness strategies for organizations. Her innovative approach includes creating a "unicorn" code word system with her wife for mental health breaks and practical daily rituals for managing ongoing depression, from morning humor rituals to scheduled outdoor breaks.

What makes this episode especially valuable are the actionable insights for supporting ourselves and others: how to check on your "strong friends" with open-ended questions, why writing thoughts down can prevent workplace blunders, and where to find community when feeling isolated. Gretchen's powerful reminder that "you are enough, wanted, needed, and loved" encapsulates the episode's core message—that by sharing our stories honestly, we create the permission others need to acknowledge their struggles and seek help.

More on Gretchen Schoeser at her website https://www.schosersolutions.com/

Whether you're battling your own mental health challenges, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking inspiration for your next chapter, this conversation illuminates how our darkest moments can become the foundation for our most meaningful contributions to the world. In the United States  and its territories if you or someone you know is challenged with a mental health call or text Crisis 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, they understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult.

Thank you for listening!

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Thank you for listening!