Hope Illuminated Podcast: Helping the Helpers Bring Light to Life’s Darkest Moments

NOTE: Fenway Jones will be speaking at the American Association of Suicidology’s Annual Conference on Thursday, April 22nd at 2:00PM ET. You can listen to her and the many other diverse speakers virtually or in person at the conference in Orlando.

Her TED-Style talk is called: “Building and Reaching a Community”

REGISTER HERE: https://www.aasconference.org/registration



Overview
Jasper’s Game Day

While many non-gamers might have only heard of some of the potential negative consequences of excessive (mostly video-based) gaming (e.g., desensitization, sleep deprivation, and neglect of other life priorities like academics, work and exercise), those inside the gaming community (especially board and role play-based games) have come to realize there are many well-being benefits:

Often radical acceptance and unconditional regard

A virtual community that is highly accessible and inclusive

A reprieve from the toxicity of bullying, harassment and discrimination

Opportunities to learn and excel in problem-solving and communication

A chance to envision and experiment with ideal versions of themselves

In this episode, I speak with the amazing Fenway Jones, a high school student who is changing the world. We talk about the psychological benefits of being a part of a positive gaming community. We also discuss how she has made meaning after losing two friends by engaging the gaming community in suicide prevention.

About Fenway Jones
Fenway Jones is a high school senior. At 11 she started her gaming career with Pathfinder and Dungeons and Dragons. At 14 she lost two friends to suicide and decided to use the grief and pain she was feeling to take actionable steps to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. She started the 501c3 non-profit Jasper’s Game Day to use her hobby, gaming, to raise money for suicide prevention and awareness. She wants to bring the gaming community together and show everyone they are not alone. Since starting JGD just under $200k for crisis hotlines and centers has been raised.

Fenway’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/FenwayTeenDM

For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/86

When it comes to the field of Suicidology, we often work in silos. The researchers, clinicians, public health practitioners, advocates, and crisis service stakeholders often focus primarily in their own communities, finding comfort and validation in joining with others who share similar culture, values and priorities. When it comes to groups implementing best practices, collaboration with researchers is essential. In this interview I speak with internationally renowned expert on suicide and self-harm, Prof. Nav Kapur from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. We discuss some of the tensions and opportunities that we face as we bridge research to practice.

About Prof. Nav Kapur
Nav is Professor of Psychiatry and Population Health at the University of Manchester, UK and an Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. He has spent the last 25 years researching suicidal behaviour, particularly its causes, treatment and prevention. He has led committees for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK including those developing guidelines for how all clinical staff should treat people with self-harm. He sits on the main advisory group on suicide for the Department of Health in England and is currently helping to lead a national quality improvement project to prevent suicide. He is the lead author of Suicide Prevention (3rd Edition, Oxford University Press) and has published over 300 academic papers. He is the 2021 recipient of the American Association of Suicidology’s Louis I. Dublin Award for lifetime achievement in suicide prevention. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/85

What is transformational leadership?
Transformational leadership happens when people come together to rise for a daunting challenge to benefit the common good. Transformation leaders focus on impact and empower others to reach for higher and higher levels of motivation and morality. Transformational leaders are:

Bold

Idealized influencers

Creativity encouragers

Role models for a compelling vision

Process challengers

Purpose AND people driven

Today’s podcast is about transformational leadership in the area of construction suicide prevention. I interview Jerry Shupe, the Corporate Director of Safety and Health for Hensel Phelps, one of the nation’s largest construction contractors.

About Jerry Shupe
Jerry Shupe
Jerry Shupe, CSP is the Corporate Director of Safety and Health for Hensel Phelps which specializes in building development, construction, and facility services. He graduated from Montana Tech with a degree in Occupational Safety and Health and has more than nineteen years’ experience in the industry. Jerry serves on the Industry Advisory Board for Montana Tech’s Safety and Health Program and is involved in a variety of industry groups including the American Society of Safety Professionals and the National Construction Safety Executives. He was recognized as the Safety Professional of the Year by AGC of California and received the Award of Excellence from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/84

“Falling in love is easy. Falling in love with the same person repeatedly is extraordinary.”
Every so once in a while, many of us in long-term relationships find we need to reboot our relationship — routines may have made relationships go stale and perpetual conflicts breed resentment. In this episode I speak with Marriage and Family Counselor Lisa Stull, an expert in the Gottman method of relationship transformation. She shares what differentiates “master couples” from “disaster couples,” teaches about the four horseman and their antidotes, and gives us tools on how to build a sound relationship house.

About Lisa Stull
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Lisa Stull is a Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice, Comprehensive Counseling Solutions, in Parker, CO. With 25 years of experience she has a unique approach that attracts clients seeking a no nonsense perspective. Working on difficult issues can be challenging and her clients appreciate her ability to make the work interesting and fun, yes, therapy can be fun! Being passionate about helping couples create their ideal relationship led her to the Gottman method. The proven science behind the framework and tools, is what makes this approach so different, because it actually works! Her dynamic Art & Science of Love workshops transforms a couples perspective on what a healthy relationship looks like and they leave with proven tools to renew their connection.
In her spare time she owns two other businesses, a wellness center and an aesthetics center. Both centered around her desire for every person to be the best version of themselves - on the inside and out.
And just to send her mother into a fit of worry, she does all this working virtually so she can live full time out of her RV, traveling to all the beautiful national parks with her husband, fluffy dog, and two fluffier cats. For more information about this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/83

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, nearly 2/3 of all gun deaths in the US are suicide fatalities. A surge in firearm purchases during the last year have many in the suicide prevention field concerned about increasing suicide rates long term, because the research is clear — easy access to lethal means for suicide increases risk for people when suicidal intensity surges.

In this podcast, I speak with one of the worlds leading experts on guns and suicide. Dr. Mike Anestis shares concrete action steps we can take as we work toward a collaborative solution to keep our homes safer from suicide.

Dr. Mike Anestis
Dr. Mike Anestis

About Dr. Michael Anestis
Dr. Mike Anestis is the Executive Director, New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and an Associate Professor at Rutgers University’s Department of Urban-Global Public Health

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Mike Anestis received his PhD in clinical psychology from Florida State University, where he studied under Dr. Thomas Joiner. His work focuses on suicide prevention among both civilians and service members, with a particular focus on the role of firearms. He is the author of approximately 150 peer reviewed articles as well as the book Guns and Suicide: An American Epidemic, published by Oxford University Press in 2018. Dr. Anestis was the 2018 recipient of the Edwin Shneidman Award from the American Association of Suicidology in recognition of his early career achievements in suicide research and currently serves on advisory board for a number of organizations, including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Jed Foundation. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/82

In today’s world, we are set up for polarization. How do we turn our 5-alarm fights into something more constructive?

Conflict for many is unpleasant at best. Often when conflict is particularly intense or prolonged in high stakes relationships, the psychological pain can be excruciating. As humans, when we experience things that cause pain we tend to escape, avoid or react. On one hand, retreating from the “threat” of conflict means we stuff it down and pretend nothing is wrong and resentments can smolder into contempt. On the other hand reacting usually results in us saying or doing things that we regret or puts us in an escalating pattern.

In this episode I speak with culture and nonviolent communication expert Lisa Stokes Nicholas. She shares tools you can use in your work and personal life to move from conflict to curiosity.

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About Lisa Stokes Nicholas
Lisa Stokes Nicholas, President of Kavi Consulting Services brings 25 years of nonprofit management and consulting experience to each engagement. This extensive background, blended with her training in mindfulness and nonviolent communication has provided a unique blend of guidance and support resulting in significant improvements within domestic and international organizations serving multiple sectors including: advocacy; education; faith communities; food security; healthcare; hospice; information technology; government; security; sustainable energy; technology; and travel.

Prior to founding Kavi Consulting Services, Lisa was the Director of Strategic Restructuring for Planned Parenthood Federation of America where she developed and implemented restructuring initiatives for the federated organization with combined assets of more than $1billion and more than 100 affiliates in 50 states and led negotiations with senior leaders from more than 60 organizations.

In addition, Lisa has worked with a multitude of organizations to strengthen their governance processes, create strategic plans, or move from crisis to sustainability. During this process Lisa has served as a coach to many individuals. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/81

Overwork. Burnout. Resentment. Churn. Bullying. Exclusion. Gossip. These qualities define the toxic work conditions that Mari Ryan calls a “dive hive.” She makes the argument that personal and community resilience are highly influenced by the cost-saving and life-saving preventative care we cultivate at work. Instead of a ‘“dive hive,” we need an “alive hive” filled with purpose, joy and impact. In this podcast Mari outlines a strategy on how companies can advance worker well-being and thrive.

About Mari Ryan, MBA, MHP, CWP
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Mari Ryan is a workplace well-being expert, international speaker and award-winning author. She is the CEO and founder of AdvancingWellness and leverages over 30 years of business experience in a variety of industries. For the past decade, Ms. Ryan has been creating thriving workplaces, through her consulting work and speaking on worksite well-being. Mari earned a Bachelor’s degree from Lesley University, an MBA from Boston University, a Master’s degree in Health Promotion from Nebraska Methodist College. Mari is an active member of the National Speakers Association. Mari is the author of award-winning book The Thriving Hive: How People-Centric Workplaces Ignite Engagement and Fuel Results. for more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/80

At the heart of civility is respect. Respect and dignity are essential for psychological safety, especially when others have diverse experiences and viewpoints. Civility is not about complacency or placating. It’s not about denying or pushing away strong feelings that can emerge when conflict emerges. It’s about temporarily suspending our alarm bells for a period of time so we can do the hard work of “climbing the empathy wall” to better understand the deep stories behind those we see as “the other.”

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In this podcast, I interview Sejal Thakkar, an employment lawyer whose family immigrated from India. She has lived the duality of a “betwixt/between” life and has experienced the incivility of discrimination. As she grew through these experiences, she developed a “civility plan” to help workplaces improve their tactics for psychological safety.

About Sejal Thakkar, Esq.
Sejal Thakkar
Dubbing herself "Chief Civility Officer", Sejal is not your average employment law attorney! Her more than fifteen years of experience advising clients, human resources personnel, and legal counsel regarding sound, standard employment practices uncovered a need - and personal passion - for bringing more proactive, relevant, and impactful workplace training programs to her clients and their teams. Her highly experiential customized workshops tailored to executives, managers, and individual contributors bring the courtroom to the training room in an interactive, engaging environment that favors human stories over compliance checklists. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/79

How we see ourselves often is shaped by the many voices of our experience —- intersecting identities, some which may be aligned, others in conflict with one another. The voices we internalize may come from our parents or other influential adults from our childhood, or our religions and cultures more broadly. Still, other voices may be those of our ancestors, whom we have never met, but whose experiences have been imprinted in our bodies.

In this conversation I speak with the inspiring Dr. Tammy Sanders, a self-identified, Black, gay woman raised in the Black Baptist Church of the deep South. She realized at an early age that in order to survive, she needed to escape parts of herself or perish. Come listen to her incredible journey to wholeness — a holistic approach towards uncomfortable growth surrounded by deep connection with others.

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About Tammy Sanders, Ph.D.
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For nearly 30 years, Tammy’s life and work have been an active commitment to self-awareness, healing and growth. Her professional life has focused on behavioral development for leaders and managers, while her personal emotional, mental and spiritual growth has leveraged 12-step, therapy, and entheogenic experiences to move beyond addiction, depression, complex PTSD and transgenerational trauma.



With expertise grounded in experience and research, Tammy remains committed to holistic and accessible mental wellness in service of a stable and just world. Where there are initiatives, efforts and people who share this commitment, she’s keen to connect and is best reached via www.linkedin.com/in/tammyssanders.



Professionally, she is a seasoned strategist, advisor, facilitator and coach with an MA Anthropology of Media from the University of London, an MBA from the Monterey Institute of International Studies, and a PhD in Education and Technology from Florida International University. Tammy’s evolutionary career in media, tech, management, and professional development includes guiding the behavioral growth of leaders at all stages in their careers, from a variety of cultural backgrounds, and across a wide range of industries.



Personally, her emotional, mental and spiritual growth has leveraged 12-step, cognitive and somatic therapies, and entheogenic experiences to move beyond addiction, depression, complex PTSD and transgenerational trauma.



With expertise grounded in experience and research, Tammy remains committed to holistic and accessible mental wellness in service of a stable and just world. Where there are initiatives, efforts and people who share this commitment, she’s keen to connect and is best reached via www.linkedin.com/in/tammyssanders. For more information on this episode please go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/78

When we face adversity or toxic environments, how we respond makes all the difference. Breathing helps us create space in between the stimulus and our response, and in that space we can sometimes find calm, gratitude and possibilities. In this podcast I chat with Reggie Hubbard, a man who found yoga as he tried to cope with workplace toxicity and transition. His three criteria for finding tools too help him cope:

Does it enhance creativity?

Does it lower my blood pressure?

Does it make me smile?

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About Reggie Hubbard
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Reggie Hubbard is a certified yoga teacher and the founder/Chief Serving Officer of Active Peace Yoga. Adopting a disciplined yogic has saved his life and he is committed to sharing these practices to help others.

His wellness journey was born of curiosity; forged in adversity due to a toxic employment situation; and has become a lesson in surrender to the miracles that exist in commitment to personal peace and wellbeing as a foundation, rather than an afterthought. By prioritizing wellness, calm and balance become our resting state, from which we are better able to receive Life’s challenges and blessings with equanimity. for more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/77