This month's episode was taped at Friendship Cirlce Pittsburgh's Walk 4 Friendship, where we celebrate the spirit of community and inclusion. In this episode, hosts Alex, Ekow, and Sara bring you a collection of mini interviews with participants from the Walk4Friendship, capturing moments that made the day unforgettable. From personal reflections to experiences of connection and unity, each interview highlights the meaningful impact of the Walk for Friendship. We're incredibly thankful for Alex, Ekow, and Sara's dedication in hosting this episode rain or shine. Special shout out to all of our interviewees for joining us and sharing their stories.

Find our Wellness Playlist, put together by our Teen Wellness Committee, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

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Watch this conversation on Youtube, for a better and more accessible experience!

In this month's episode, our teen host Georgia interviewed a dynamic duo of #Besties, Jakob and Reid. During the episode, we discuss what it means to be a friend, how Reid and Jakob show up for each other, and the qualities they admire about both them and one another and how friendship impacts their day-to-day lives. In addition, Reid and Jakob give some expert tips on how to relax and cope when they're feeling stressed out. Give this episode a listen! Big thanks to our guests and host, you all are rockstar friends.

Find our Wellness Playlist, put together by our Teen Wellness Committee, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow us on Instagram for our latest updates! https://www.instagram.com/friendsonairpodcast/

Watch this conversation on Youtube, for a better and more accessible experience!

In this month's episode, our special guest shares the not-so-simple story of her life's journey. Gabriel began to acquire a disability in her years of young adulthood, and the experience furthered her involvement in advocacy and activism around a large variety of societal issues including those surrounding inclusion and disability rights. The vulnerable moments that Gabriel tells are filled with the very real struggles of life; one's that many can relate to. Along with the tremendous amount of insight that she provides, Gabriel details the process of coming to terms with, and embracing, her own unique identity. Listeners are bound to be inspired by Gabriel's authenticity and learn about how we, as friends and allies of the disability community, can constantly be better and contribute to a better world.

Find our Wellness Playlist, put together by our Teen Wellness Committee, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow us on Instagram for our latest updates! https://www.instagram.com/friendsonairpodcast/

Watch this conversation on Youtube, for a better and more accessible experience!

In this month's episode, Noa and Naomi lead a conversation that addresses the overwhelming emotions that have come up for many individuals within, and outside of, the Jewish community in the wake of the terror and tragedy in Israel since October 7th. In addition, we have just passed the 5th anniversary of the Tree of Life shooting, which has been the cause of immense trauma and pain in our community over the years. In this month's powerful discussion, we bring a mental health professional, and Pittsburgh Jewish community member, to talk about practical ways to cope with the challenges we're facing at this time. With her therapeutic expertise, Mrs. Shoshana Thaler teaches listeners about various tools and quick methods that can help lighten the heavy burden and deep hurt that many are carrying. She discusses the way that immense emotions, such sadness, grief, anger, frustration, confusion and shock might be impacting people; along with how to properly treat and embrace those feelings, while still enabling us to live our daily lives without falling apart. Shoshana also advises on how to engage (or sometimes disengage) from people in our lives, when there is a conflict or clashing in opinions, world views, and values.

Thank you, Mrs. Thaler, for sharing your expertise and powerful advice with us, in a way that is practical, understanding and compassionate. Thank you, Naomi, and Noa, for guiding and contributing to this important, yet hard, conversation. We hope this episode brings more peace, both internally and externally, to the world.

With October being Depression Awareness Month, this month's discussion surrounds that exact topic. Ally, our guest speaker, leads an insightful, educational and practical conversation around the reality of living with depression. From the perspective of a clinical mental health professional who also lives with a mental health diagnosis, Ally shares her story that so many will relate to in some way, shape or form. By sharing her experience, Ally destigmatizes mental health challenges (such as depression) and highlights how knowledge, support (friends, family, medicinal, etc.) and experience will affect the intensity and duration of episodes. teen host, with a bit of good humor, leads a conversation that touches on some of the pain that comes with depression, as well as some of the methods that can bring healing; all through Ally's real-life examples. We hope that this episode provides a candid, yet impactful, look at how we should be approaching mental health challenges, specifically within the teen and young adult stages. Thanks, Ally, for sharing so openly with us, and to Alex for hosting and sharing on such an important topic.

Find our Wellness Playlist, put together by our Teen Wellness Committee, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow us on Instagram for our latest updates! https://www.instagram.com/friendsonairpodcast/

Watch this conversation on Youtube, for a better and more accessible experience!

In this month's episode we explore everything related to Friendship Circle's new teen wellness space- The Beacon! Kaitlin, our clinical director, leads us through the background, mission, and vision for this project. She describes the who, what, where, when and why of the space while giving a glimpse into the people (our teens!) who inspired it. Kaitlin shares a bit about her journey as well, and the reasons as to why she is passionate about her job in the mental health field. Our teen hosts lead a fun discussion around the importance of having a safe and welcoming environment, one that The Beacon was created to provide. We're excited to announce that this space is open to all Pittsburgh teens, and will be opening its doors with consistent programming in this new school year! Thank you Goldie and Ashira for hosting a meaningful and exciting discussion, and to Kaitlin for guiding us through this exciting new phase!

Find our Wellness Playlist, put together by our Teen Wellness Committee, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow us on Instagram for our latest updates! https://www.instagram.com/friendsonairpodcast/

Watch this conversation on Youtube, for a better and more accessible experience!

In this month's episode we hear from Bob Nelkin, former CEO of the United Way of Wester PA and is said to have turned the organization into "one of the most successful of its kind in the country." Bob is an admirable advocate who has made major change around disability and accessibility rights, and has been working on these efforts since his 20's. The words of wisdom that he shares in this episode are moving, inspiring, and encouraging. He guides listeners to think about their purpose while contemplating the areas in which they can live more deeply and help build a greater world with small action. Our hosts lead a meaningful discussion around Bob's advocacy journey and share a bit about the impacts that they, as teens, are making. This is not an episode you want to miss. Thank you Bob for your words of wisdom and for sharing your experience and insight with us all. Thank you to Abby and Sarah for hosting and contributing to this beautiful conversation. Let us know what you loved most about this episode!

Find our Wellness Playlist, put together by our Teen Wellness Committee, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow us on Instagram for our latest updates! https://www.instagram.com/friendsonairpodcast/

Watch this conversation on Youtube, for a better and more accessible experience!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOWGd25raNU

In the spirit of Mental Health Awareness Month, we flipped our usual roles and instead of our teen hosts interviewing guest speakers, our FC staff speak with a number of our teen hosts to hear about the way mental health impacts their lives personally. Ashira, Bracha, Alex and Abbie share insightful experiences and stories relating to their mental health journeys, allowing listeners to relate and connect with the struggles we address. We talk about mental illness, the stigma that surrounds it, and the various healing methods that have proven effective for our speakers. This episode is filled with authentic and meaningful real-life wisdom, from the teens themselves. You don't want to miss it!

Thank you to Abbie, Alex, Ashira and Bracha for your vulnerability, strength and willingness to speak openly.

Find our Wellness Playlist, put together by our Teen Wellness Committee, on Spotify or apple music!

Follow us on Instagram for our latest updates! https://www.instagram.com/friendsonairpodcast/

Watch this conversation on Youtube, for a better and more accessible experience!

In this month's episode our teen hosts interview one of our very own Friendship Circle staff members, Becca Greenhouse! Becca shares her expereince living with diagnosed ADHD and how that journey has played out through her life. She speaks about the importance of breaking stigma around mental health issues and the treatment options that exist to support them, including medication and therapy. An impactful message that Becca hopes listeners hear and understand is how vital self love and acceptance is as a young person, while recognizing that it can be a struggle to get there. Through this meaningul, honest and authentic dialogue between our teens hosts and speaker, we hope you benefit from the wisdom and experiences they shared.

Thank you Becca for contributing in an incredibly valuable way, and to Bracha and Ava for leading this inspiring conversation!

Find our Wellness Playlist, put together by our Teen Wellness Committee, on spotify or apple music!

Follow us on Instagram for our latest updates! https://www.instagram.com/friendsonairpodcast/

Watch this conversation on Youtube, for a better and more accessible experience!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubGVz0rb5U0

In this month’s episode, a group of teens and adults chat in a candid conversation around inclusive spaces, as well as their individual experiences of being a part of them. We talk about the way that safe spaces allow for healthy processing of trauma, loss and any other mental health challenge. Enjoy this free flowing discussion - although it is different than our usual structure, we hope you will gain something from it! Thank you Erin for sharing your story and insight with us, and to Jennifer for inviting us to your space and contributing to our conversation. Thank you Bracha, Rivka and Naomi for contributing as well; having teen insight into real life is what we’re all about.

Please note, there is brief mention of trauma, disordered eating, and family loss.

Find our Wellness Playlist, put together by our Teen Wellness Committe, on spotify or apple music!

Follow us on Instagram for our latest updates! https://www.instagram.com/friendsonairpodcast/

Watch this conversation on Youtube, for a better and more accessible experience!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_bjQwJIU1s

We are also having a major sale on all FC Wellness Merchandise throughout the winter season! Visit our merch store and get 40% off of all items with the code "SpreadLight"!