On this episode of CASA Talk, I sit down with Amy Sandeen to have a conversation about the land, the history and heritage of this Nebraska land, and how we, as a people, are people of the land no matter where we live. Let it be an invitation to explore and discover anew your connection with the outdoors. 

To find out more, visit their website: www.prairieloft.org

I take every opportunity I have to talk to Peter Himmelman. A singer/songwriter, composer, businessman, writer, Peter is amazing. A Grammy-nominated, Emmy-nominated electric live performer and highly sought-after workshop presenter on creativity. He's also a friend of mine. His career in music is inspiring and impressive and he brings the wonder of creativity to every day life in a way that seems effortless to me.

To find out more: www.peterhimmelman.com

www.bigmuse.com

In this second installment of a two-part conversation, CAC's Training & Prevention Director, Christy Prang, talks about their work educating the general public in ways to protect and advocate for children. In this conversation, we talk about topics participants would be introduced to through the CAC's "Bystanders Protecting Children" training, a supplement to their "Darkness to Light" Curriculum. For more information, visit their website: www.smallvoices.org

to contact Christy directly: [email protected]

This is part one of a two-part conversation with Christy Prang, Training and Prevention Director from the Child Advocacy Center in Lincoln, NE. In this episode, Christy gives us an overview of what the CAC does and it serves children and families in our communities.

For more information, visit their website: www.smallvoices.org

To contact Christy directly: [email protected]

On this week's episode, we talk to Dr. Cody Hollist, private practice LIMHP and Associate Professor at UNL about the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study or "ACES," its background its findings, and how it can help to better see our neighbors and ourselves in our ever-unfolding human story. 

Here is a list of resources mentioned in today's show

Dr. Hollist mentions "The Deepest Well" by Nadine Burke-Harris

Dr. Harris-Burke's TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/nadine_burke_harris_how_childhood_trauma_affects_health_across_a_lifetime?language=en

"I wish my Teacher Knew" by Kyle Schwartz

The UNL Project: Coming Together for Wellness (to get connected with a therapist) https://cehs.unl.edu/comingtogetherforwellness/

This week's guest is Javier Castellote, Training Specialist from Project Harmony, in Omaha, Nebraska. Together, Hope and Javier spend time reflecting on the barriers facing those living in generational poverty, the differences between poverty and middle-class perspective, and the challenge of meeting in the middle to form bridging relationships that widen the prospects of possibility and widen our sense of community found in connection with one another no matter our background.

Find out more about Project Harmony at their website: www.projectharmony.com

CASA Talk invites Pastor Jon Dunbar on the show to talk about the holidays, about the definition of pastoral care, and how the church extends help and hope on a daily basis.

Laura Vandenberg, Drug and Alcohol Counselor from Blue Valley Behavioral Health, joins us this week to talk about her work in recovery, education, and prevention. 

For more information on Blue Valley, visit their website: www.bvbh.net where there are free self-assessments.

On this week's episode, Hope is joined by mental health counselor, writer and presenter, Heidi Goehmann to talk about leaning in, noticing, and how we, as adults can model good mental health practices for ourselves and for the children and young people in our lives. 

In this week's episode, recorded back in September, it was our pleasure to have Karen Shoemaker talk to us about how story has shaped her as a writer and continues to shape her as a person. Together we talk about the endless power of story and how we, as friends and neighbors can help change each other's stories for the better. 

To find out more about Karen and the Larksong Writer's Place, go to: www.larksongwritersplace.org