On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Dr. Tracy Stecker speaks with retired New Jersey State Trooper, first responder, therapist, and poet John Muccino.

John reflects on responding to the World Trade Center attacks, serving during Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy, supporting fellow officers through trauma, and his own journey with PTSD, burnout, and recovery.

Together they discuss resilience, community service, mental health in law enforcement, EMDR therapy, and the importance of finding healthy ways to process life's most difficult experiences.

A moving conversation about humanity, healing, and what it means to spend a lifetime helping others.

Why do so many people struggle to seek help for alcohol use disorder, even when effective treatment is available?

In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker is joined by two leading experts in addiction research and treatment:

Dr. Stephen Maisto, Professor at Syracuse University and expert in the assessment and treatment of substance use disorders.

Dr. Ken Conner, Professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center and expert in substance use disorders, stigma, suicide prevention, and recovery.

Together, they discuss the realities of alcohol use disorder, why people often delay treatment, the impact of stigma and shame, and the many evidence-based treatment options available today.

In this episode of the Choosing Help Podcast, Dr. Tracy Stecker welcomes clinical social worker and author Amber Jewell to discuss her book Finding Hope. Amber shares insights from her own journey through childhood trauma, foster care, epilepsy, and healing while exploring practical principles that help people navigate adversity.

Together, they discuss accepting life's challenges, building resilience, finding supportive relationships, embracing vulnerability, understanding forgiveness, and cultivating hope as an ongoing process.

This conversation is a reminder that healing is possible, support matters, and even during difficult seasons, hope can be found.

Fear of the dentist is more common than most people realize. In this episode, Dr. Tracy Stecker sits down with dental professionals Angie Thomas, Lisa Bishimi, and Amanda Pendley to explore the causes of dental anxiety and what patients can do to overcome it.

The conversation covers fear of pain, embarrassment, financial concerns, traumatic experiences, sensory sensitivities, and the important connection between oral health and overall well-being. Listeners will also learn practical tools for finding the right dental provider, communicating their concerns, and building confidence through positive experiences.

Whether you've been avoiding the dentist for months or years, this episode offers compassionate guidance and hope.

Learn more at: https://choosinghelp.com

What if grief isn't something we "get over," but something we learn to carry?

In this episode of Choosing Help , Dr. Tracy Stecker speaks with internationally recognized grief expert Dr. Robert Neimeyer about the realities of loss, resilience, and healing.

Together they explore how grief extends far beyond death, why loss changes our identity, how attachment influences mourning, and what it means to maintain a healthy connection with loved ones after they are gone. Dr. Neimeyer also explains when grief becomes complicated, why avoidance can keep us stuck, and how people can grow through grief rather than simply endure it.

This thoughtful conversation offers practical wisdom and hope for anyone navigating loss or supporting someone who is.

What does it mean to truly grieve?

In this episode, Dr. Tracy Stecker welcomes community doula, death literacy advocate, and author Francesca Arnoldy for a powerful discussion about grief, loss, mourning, and healing.

Francesca shares why grief is "boundless and wild," how everyday losses can prepare us for life's most profound heartbreaks, and what it really means to support someone who is grieving. From practical tools and grief rituals to compassionate listening and navigating suicide loss, this conversation offers guidance for anyone facing loss or walking alongside someone who is.

Whether you're grieving a loved one, supporting a friend, or seeking a deeper understanding of loss, this episode provides wisdom, validation, and hope.

Retired Navy SEAL, endurance athlete, and author Don Mann returns to the Choosing Help Podcast for a powerful conversation about pain, resilience, and personal growth.

Together, Dr. Tracy Stecker and Don explore why discomfort is often a prerequisite for growth, how purpose can sustain us through hardship, and the mental strategies that help people overcome adversity. Drawing from Navy SEAL training, endurance sports, survival stories, and personal experience,

Don shares practical insights on visualization, self-talk, gratitude, embracing challenges, and finding the balance between pushing limits and protecting well-being.

This episode is an inspiring reminder that while pain is a natural part of life, resilience can be learned, strengthened, and practiced.

Learn more about Don Mann: https://usfrogmann.comLearn more about Choosing Help: https://choosinghelp.com

Many people experience suicidal thoughts, but only a small percentage act on them. Why?

In this episode of the Choosing Hope Podcast, Dr. Tracy Stecker interviews clinical psychologist and researcher Dr. Keyne Law about the science of suicide, why asking directly about suicidal thoughts is essential, and how decision-making processes influence suicidal crises.

Dr. Law shares her innovative research using game theory and behavioral economics to explore how individuals weigh the perceived costs and benefits of living and dying. The conversation offers practical guidance for families, clinicians, and anyone seeking to better understand suicide prevention.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into help-seeking, reducing barriers to care, and finding meaningful reasons for living during life's most difficult moments.

Learn more at:www.choosinghelp.com⁠www.crisislab-seattle.com

In this heartfelt episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker welcomes author Nigel Roberts to discuss his memoir, The Leopard in the Moon.

After losing both his wife and daughter to the devastating effects of bipolar disorder and substance use, Nigel embarked on a 450-mile trek through Nepal—an experience that became the foundation for a profound exploration of grief, caregiving, guilt, resilience, and healing.

Together, Tracy and Nigel discuss mental illness as a family experience, the complexities of enabling behaviors, the importance of professional support, and the difficult questions caregivers often carry after loss. They also reflect on hope, forgiveness, and the remarkable resilience of Nigel's grandson Alex.

This episode offers compassion, wisdom, and practical insights for anyone supporting a loved one through mental health or substance use challenges.

What if anxiety isn’t just emotional—but biological?

In this episode of the Choosing Help Podcast, Dr. Tracy Stecker talks with neuroscientist and author Dr. Troy Rohn about the science of anxiety and what’s really happening in the brain.

They explore how anxiety functions as a fear-based neural circuit, why current treatments like SSRIs have limitations, and how emerging gene therapy approaches could revolutionize mental health care.

Along the way, Dr. Rohn shares his personal experience with anxiety, offering hope and practical insight for anyone navigating their own mental health journey.

This conversation breaks stigma, deepens understanding, and highlights a future where treatment is more precise, effective, and compassionate.