Hear Me See Me

Breast Cancer Awareness Month highlights the physical battles many women face, but in our latest Hear me See me. podcast, we shine a light on the mental impact.

Deborah Edelman-Dolan, LSCW is a social worker with the Stormont Vail Cancer Center in Topeka. She helps us understand how the physical changes associated with breast cancer in particular can affect a person’s sense of identity and self-worth.

She also offers advice for both patients and loved ones.

Behind the drive, leadership, optimism and smile, Johnathan Sublet has a story.

The founder of SENT Topeka and leader of Fellowship Hi-Crest church gets real in this conversation. He shares his journey from childhood poverty, to becoming a chemical engineer and finding his calling in community leadership. But also how an overwhelming feeling of failure nearly led him to take his own life, and gave him the courage to ask for help. 

It’s a story of overcoming addiction, only to continue a slide into deep depression.
Penny Kryfka shares her journey in our latest Hear me. See me. podcast.

Penny said she remembers, even as a child, wishing she would die. It lead to using illegal substances as a teen. She says she quit using drugs when she had her children, but still could not shake her depression.

However, with the support of family, she never gave up and finally found the right help.
Today, she’s a peer advocate with NAMI.

Listen to hear her amazing journey.

Summer vacation is almost over, which is sure to bring some big feelings for everyone in the family - including you!

Jennie Watson, LSCSW walks us through it all in this Hear me. See me. podcast. Watson is manager of community based program services at Astra Mental Health and Recovery in Topeka, Kan.

This is a conversation for all parents, as Watson takes us through the various grade levels, and gives insights on why kids are feeling what they're feeling and how you can get ahead of it.

Teresa Taylor's younger brother Doug was "her person." When he died by suicide, she was left struggling to find her footing in a life that threatened to send her tumbling downhill.

Teresa reflects on her journey in this Hear me. See me. podcast. As an ER nurse and trauma prevention specialist, she's using her caregiving tendencies in a new way.

How do you mentally prepare yourself to travel to space? We find out in this episode of the Hear me. See me. podcast.

Retired astronaut Steve Hawley flew on five space shuttle missions. The Salina native shares how the experience changed him, and the focus it takes to meet any goal.

What is it like to grow up with a famous mother who's also publicly and privately battling mental illness?

Actor Sean Astin opens up about his life in the latest Hear me. See me. podcast.

The 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Stranger Things' star shares how he reconciled experiencing physical and emotional abuse from his mother, actress Patty Duke, with the love and support he also felt from her.

He also reflects on the understanding of her diagnosis with bipolar disorder that makes him passionate about continuing his mother's advocacy, and appreciate the gifts he says she gave him.

Taking care of an aging parent or loved one can be rewarding, but also can take its toll.

Michele Dillon and Rebecca Holmes from Topeka's Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging look at some of the struggles caregivers might fee, .and also why you shouldn't feel you have to go it alone.

How do you react when you're faced with life-altering news?

Matt Hay was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF) when he was in college. NF is a genetic condition causing tumors to grow on your nerves. In Matt's case, he was told a tumor on his auditory nerve would take away his hearing.

He shares the journey that followed in his book "Soundtrack of Silence,"using music to guide lessons learned. What songs would you want to keep in your head if your world would soon go silent?

The school year is winding down. But parents, take note: stress doesn’t end for kids once summer vacation arrives.

We’re giving you tools for both experiences in the latest Hear me. See me. podcast.
School counselors Mallory Jacobs with Topeka Public Schools and Nick Brummet with Clay Center Community Schools offer insights into what’s taking a toll on mental health of young people, and why summer brings its own set of concerns.

They offer signs to watch for that could indicate your child is struggling, and practical advice to connect, communicate and support.