Hope Pieced Together

When an athlete learns to train their inner game just as much as their outer one, something profound happens. During this episode, we talk about athletes and mental health, including transitioning away from athletics, by choice or other factors. Nate Guyton is the founder and Lead Clinician at Guyton Counseling Services, where he brings a unique athletics-informed perspective to athletes, first responders, high-achieving teens and professionals, offering solution-focused, trauma-responsive, and faith-friendly therapy. He shares his expertise on the mental health challenges and opportunities faced by athletes, highlighting how strength, resilience and hope can be cultivated both on and off the field. Join us as we explore the pillars of his practice, and the key nuances between hope, expectation, and possibility that inform his approach.  

Key Points From This Episode: 

• How Nate’s experience and training has shaped the way in which he delivers therapy. 
• The unnamed grief that comes with transitioning out of being a student athlete.  
• A solution-focused lens that he offers to some recurring needs among clients. 
• Reframing harmful beliefs about the past and future. 
• Common pillars of identity expansion and hope reconstruction for the next chapter. 
• Why community building is such an important pillar of his work. 
• Navigating grief and agency in therapy. 
• The Made For Victory support group that Nate initiated.  
• Supporting athletes in the long game of life through recognizing peer support and beyond. 
• The upcoming event exploring the struggle of substance abuse in former athletes. 
• Unpacking Nate’s faith-friendly approach to therapy.  
• Hope, expectation, and possibility.  
• The number one thing Nate wishes more people understood about athletes and mental health. 

Nate Guyton on LinkedIn 

Guyton Counseling Services: (281)-584-3145 

Guyton Counseling Services 

Jennifer Myers on LinkedIn 

Mosaics of Mercy 

Hope Pieced Together 

Everyone has the ability to heal from complex childhood trauma and share their stories to spread hope to people who are going through similar struggles. Today, we are joined by mother, resilient trauma survivor, and owner of Sweet Texas Treasures Boutique, Morgan Calhoun, to discuss healing the inner child and improving mental health. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about Morgan’s traumatic upbringing, how counseling helped her heal from her trauma, how parents can provide consistency for their children, and how she has found hope in her experiences. Morgan shares how she is breaking her mother’s cycles with her own child before discussing who has helped her heal her inner child. Our guest also tells us about how she has found faith and talks about how instrumental Mosaics has been in her healing journey. Finally, Morgan tells us about her boutique, Sweet Texas Treasures, and what led her to start it. This is an inspirational story that you don’t want to miss, so be sure to tune in now!  

Key Points From This Episode: 

• Welcoming today’s guest, Morgan Calhoun.  
• A brief overview of today’s guest’s life.  
• How she got into counseling and how it helped her.  
• Morgan shares some ways parents can provide consistency for their children.  
• Who has helped Morgan heal her inner child.  
• How she found God and became a Christian through her struggles.  
• Morgan’s experience with Mosaics.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

 Morgan Calhoun on LinkedIn 

Morgan Calhoun on Instagram 

Sweet Texas Treasures Boutique 

Jennifer Myers on LinkedIn 

Mosaics 

Hope Pieced Together 

Nutrition and lifestyle impact our mental health far more than many people may realize, and today’s guest is passionate about educating others about the ways that nutrition and lifestyle impact mental health. Rachel Plympton is a licensed Social Worker practicing in the Cypress, Texas area. To kick off our conversation, we discuss the impact of inflammation on the body and mind and how we can work to reduce it. Next, we dive into wellness panels and how they can support a deeper dive into assessing and understanding the state of your health. Rachel also helps us explore how to distinguish between food sensitivities and food allergies and shares a list of some of the vitamins and minerals that play an essential role in supporting our best health. Join us for an informative conversation with this inspiring guest to celebrate National Nutrition Month!

Key Points From This Episode:  

• Introduction and welcome to Rachel Plympton with Cypress Counseling and Wellness.  
• How she combines her love of natural health and wellness with traditional talk therapy.  
• The impact of nutrition and lifestyle on our mental health.  
• Some symptoms of chronic inflammation in the body. 
• A definition for inflammation and how to reduce it.  
• How a wellness panel can help to dig deeper. 
• Differentiating between a food allergy and a food sensitivity.  
• Vitamins and minerals that play an essential role in our health. 
• Using V Light to stimulate Gabba production. 
• Moving beyond judgment to empowerment.  
• Rachel’s experience with and connection to Mosaics

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Rachel Plympton on Instagram 

Cypress Counseling 

Jennifer Myers on LinkedIn 

Mosaics

Hope Pieced Together 

Secondhand caregiver trauma is often unrecognized or easily dismissed when, truly, it needs to be acknowledged and normalized as an inherent part of a caregiver’s daily struggles. Today, we welcome the dedicated mental health advocate and Clinic Manager at Sandstone Center for Neurofeedback, Dawn Kuhn, who’s passionate about caregivers dealing with the stress of caring for their loved ones. We begin with Dawn’s passionate empathy for caregivers and how she goes about her daily work, before unpacking some of the biggest misconceptions many have about caregivers. Then, we discover how to determine if you’re a caregiver suffering from burnout, why caregiver support groups matter, how to get involved with Dawn and her work, and the steps to take to start your own caregiver support group. We end with details on Dawn’s brand new caregiver support website, Care for the Care the work being done at Sandstone Center for Neurofeedback, and our guest details her long-term goals and why dreams of the future fill her with hope

 Key Points From This Episode: 

• Clinic Manager, Dawn Kuhn describes her passion for caregivers.  
• Unpacking the biggest misconceptions about caregivers.  
• How to know if you’re suffering from caregiver burnout.  
• Why caregiver support groups matter, and why Dawn started a caregiver support network.  
• More details on Dawn’s caregiver support groups and how to get involved.  
• How Dawn helps others to start their own caregiver support groups.  
• The ins and outs of her brand new caregiver support website, Care for the Care.  
• Learning about the work being done at Sandstone Center for Neurofeedback.  
• Dawn’s long-term goals in caregiver support, and why she’s optimistic about the future.  

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:  

Dawn Kuhn on LinkedIn  

Dawn Kuhn Email 

Sandstone Center for Neurofeedback  

Sandstone Supports  

Care for the Caring 

Jennifer Myers on LinkedIn 

Mosaics of Mercy 

Hope Pieced Together

OCD is one of the top reasons that people file for disability across the world and it only gets worse when left untreated. But it is often (and very problematically) brushed off as a silly quirk or something that will pass. Today on Hope Pieced Together, the founder of The OCD Institute and The Peace of Mind Foundation, Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale, joins us to discuss all things OCD and mental health. Tuning in, you’ll hear a detailed explanation of what obsessive-compulsive disorder is, how it manifests, the devastating nature it has on peoples’ lives, why devaluing the impact of OCD affects treatment, and the differences between OCD and anxiety. We delve into Dr. McIngvale’s own OCD experience before discussing how her OCD affected her mother. Our guest even talks us through what a good OCD diagnosis looks like, shares advice for parents who think their children have OCD, and talks about how she helps her patients trust their treatment teams, and so much more! Dr. McIngvale tells us why she hates social media and how it’s changed the landscape of mental health issues. She even talks about how we can protect minors from the kinds of dangers that social media brings, and her hopes are for it to become a safe educational platform in the future. Finally, Dr. McIngvale reminds us that the right treatment exists for any mental illness and it can save lives. Thank you for listening!  

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale to the Hope Pieced Together podcast. 
• Dr. McIngvale explains what OCD is and how the behavior manifests. 
• How the incorrect perceptions of OCD in society affect treatment. 
• Differentiating between OCD and general anxiety disorder. 
• Dr. McIngvale shares her own personal OCD journey with listeners. 
• Becoming aware that her behavior was dysfunctional and the effect of that. 
• How isolated Dr. McIngvale’s mom felt and the strange advice she received. 
• Dr. McIngvale shares some advice for parents who suspect their children have OCD. 
• How she measures OCD and helps skeptical clients trust their treatment teams. 
• The positive and negative impacts of social media on mental health issues. 
• How to protect minors from mental health issues in today’s climate. 
• The hopes she has for social media to become an effective education platform. 
• Final thoughts about the effectiveness of mental health treatments. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale on LinkedIn

Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale on Instagram
The Peace of Mind Foundation

The OCD Institute

The Anxious Generation

Mosaics

Dr. Paulraj Samuel 

Self-care isn’t all about expensive spa days or luxury pampering. It’s also about finding what truly nourishes your body and mind. Joining Jennifer Myers today to redefine self-care in a much more personal and accessible way is Michelle Lewis-Prince, co-leader of the Trauma & Grief Work Group at the Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention Task Force (BHSP) and a respected mental health counselor with over 25 years of experience. In this episode, Michelle shares practical strategies for integrating self-care into your daily routine and debunks some of the common myths surrounding its commercialization. From creating affordable self-care boxes based on the five senses to using simple (and joyful!) tools like bubbles for mindfulness, she offers actionable tips to help listeners reconnect with their mental and emotional well-being. If you want to discover how self-care can become a sustainable, guilt-free practice that helps you show up better for yourself and others, don’t miss this soulful and inspiring conversation with Michelle Lewis-Prince!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The commercialization of self-care, associated with luxury products and pampering.
• Exploring why true self-care is personal and unique to each individual.
• Ways to practice self-care without feeling pressured to meet societal expectations.
• Why you have to learn to take care of yourself before you can take care of others.
• Self-care boxes: tools that incorporate the five senses for emotional regulation.
• How to use bubbles as a mindfulness exercise for focus and stress relief.
• Integrating self-care into your daily life using simple, affordable tools and practices.
• Why emotional self-care is vital for reducing anxiety and improving mental health.
• How a simple shower meditation can help you “wash away” daily stress.
• Three rules for managing anger in more constructive ways.
• Reasons to avoid over-complicating self-care or relying on “quick fixes.”

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention Task Force (BHSP)

BHSP Trauma & Grief Work Group

Jennifer Myers

Tragedy has the power to make us or break us, but it can also become a catalyst for meaningful change. In this inspiring episode of Hope Pieced Together, Dr. Srinivas Panja shares the heartbreaking story of losing his beloved son, Sanjeev, to suicide and how this profound loss ignited the creation of the Run for Jeev Foundation. Alongside Santosh Shiva, a board member of the foundation, Dr. Panja passionately discusses their mission to break the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, particularly within the South Asian community. The foundation’s annual 5K run, held in partnership with Mosaics of Mercy in 2024, not only raises awareness but also fosters open conversations and unites individuals in the healing process. This conversation underscores the power of community, highlights the unique challenges faced by immigrant parents, and illustrates how even small actions (like joining a race) can lead to significant change. Tune in to discover how this remarkable family transformed their pain into purpose and learn how you can join the movement to prevent future tragedies. As Dr. Panja emphasizes: together, we can make a difference!

Key Points From This Episode:

•   The story behind the founding of Run for Jeev after the tragic loss of Dr. Panja’s son.

•   Turning personal loss into purpose to promote mental health and prevent suicide.

•   How the annual 5K embodies the foundation’s mission by raising mental health awareness.

•   Why the Run for Jeev Foundation chose to partner with Mosaics for the 2024 race.

•   The need to break mental health stigma, especially in South Asian communities.

•   Community support and the crucial role it plays in mental health recovery.

•   Difficulties in addressing mental health with children, particularly for immigrant parents.

•   Sanjeev’s legacy, his passion for running, and how it inspires the foundation's work

•   Reasons it’s important to look beyond the common stereotypes of mental illness.

•   The unique struggles men often face in expressing their emotions and seeking help.

•   Ways that you can support mental health awareness through participation and advocacy.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Run for Jeev Foundation

Sign Up: Run for Jeev Memorial 5k Run/Walk 2024

Run for Jeev Foundation on Instagram

Run for Jeev Foundation on Facebook

Dr. Srinivas Panja

Santosh Shiva on Instagram

Hindu Temple of the Woodlands

Dr. Paulraj Samuel

Mosaics of Mercy

In this episode of Hope Pieced Together, Jennifer Myers, Community Outreach Coordinator at Mosaics, sits down with Kimberly Rosinski, one of the founders of M-COPE (Montgomery County Overdose Prevention Endeavor). M-COPE is a vital program designed to equip communities with the tools and knowledge needed to prevent overdoses and respond when they occur. Kimberly shares her powerful journey of transforming the pain of losing a loved one to a drug overdose into a purposeful mission through the creation of M-COPE. Hear about the range of educational events M-COPE hosts, the resources it provides to families, and the meaningful ways it honors those lost to overdosing. Hear practical advice on detecting hidden drugs in the home, the importance of consistent communication with children, and the initial steps to take if there is a problem. Discover how you can get involved with M-COPE, from becoming a volunteer to participating in their upcoming annual awareness event. Tune in to find out how you can make a difference in the fight against drugs in your community with Kimberly Rosinski.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introduction to Kimberly Rosinski and background about M-COPE.
• What led to the creation of M-COPE and its overall mission.
• M-COPE’s values: prevention, education, remembrance, and awareness.
• The Texas Memorial Walkway and how it helps raise awareness.
• Kimberly explains the latest overdosing trends observed in her community.
• Overdosing prevention insights and how to help spread awareness.
• Why early education on drug dangers should begin at home.
• Learn about the signs that indicate your child might have a drug problem.
• M-COPE’s Overdose Awareness Day 2024 event and what to expect.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Kimberly Rosinski on LinkedIn

Kimberly Rosinski on Facebook

Kimberly Rosinski Email

M-COPE

M-COPE on Facebook

The Texas Memorial Walkway

Grief Recovery After Substance Passing (GRASP)

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Mosaics

Jennifer Myers

Jennifer Myers on LinkedIn

Hope Pieced Together Podcast

Walk and Talk therapy is an incredible tool used by therapists to help clients process difficult emotions more calmly and clearly. Today on Hope Pieced Together, we are joined by psychotherapist, Allie Haydon to discuss all things Walk and Talk therapy. In this episode, you’ll hear all about what inspired Allie to start using Walk and Talk therapy, what it’s used to treat, why it’s so beneficial, the kind of client Allie believes it works best on, and more! Allie even tells us how she conducts her Walk and Talk therapy before sharing why she doesn’t believe that she’s not ‘the therapist for everybody’. We delve into the other services she offers, her new job and availability, and finally, Allie tells us about some of the common mental health issues she encounters in her clients. Thanks for tuning in! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming Allie Haydon to the podcast. 
• What her inspiration was for Walk and Talk therapy and why she loves it so much. 
• What Walk and Talk therapy is used to treat and why it is so helpful.  
• Allie tells us about an experience with a Walk and Talk client. 
• Why she loves working with young clients in her Walk and Talk therapy. 
• How she conducts Walk and Talk therapy and the process of getting started. 
• Why Allie doesn’t see herself as ‘the therapist for everybody’.
• A breakdown of the other services Allie offers. 
• Some of the common mental health issues Allie sees in her clients. 
• What the future holds for Allie’s career and what her availability looks like. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Allie Haydon on LinkedIn

Flourish Mental Health

Dr. Francine Shapiro

Wellness and mental health education is as important as any other part of the school system as it teaches students how to prioritize their holistic wellbeing by becoming curious and compassionate about their emotions. Today on Hope Pieced Together, we are joined by the incredible Head of The John Cooper School, Dr. Stephen Popp, and the school’s Director of Wellness, Dr. Diego Estrada, to discuss their systemic and evidence-based approach to educating student populations on mental wellbeing. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about our guests’  backgrounds, what their school’s mission is, why mental health is part of your overall well-being, and a breakdown of their systemic approach to educating their community on wellness and wellbeing. We delve into how they started the mental wellbeing conversations with their staff and  students before our guests discuss the importance of evidence-based education and how they navigate the complexities of society while trying to destigmatize mental health discussions. We  even talk about the multitude of projects they offer and skills they are fostering in their students when it comes to this subject, how parents can support their children through anxiety in their  academic environments, and why they want their students to become ‘emotional scientists’ not  ‘emotional judges’. Finally, they remind us that their mental well-being mission is an ongoing  process that needs constant evolution and work. You don’t want to miss this one, so be sure to listen now!

Key Points From This Episode: 

• Introducing today’s guests, Dr. Stephen Popp and Dr. Diego Estrada.
• Our guests tell us about their school's mission and how they carry it out. 
• Their systemic approach to educating the community on wellness and well-being. 
• Why mental health is part of your overall well-being and should be maintained consistently. 
• How they transitioned from educating their facility and staff to the students in their school. 
• The importance of evidence-based education when it comes to emotions. 
• How they navigate the challenges and complexities of the world while educating students. 
• Teaching students to be proactive and intellectually curious about their emotions. 
• Why their staff do not act as counselors and how they handle mental health challenges. 
• Their incredible collaborations and opportunities for their students on this topic. 
• How they are teaching their students invaluable skills. 
• What parents can do to help their children with academic anxiety. 
• The importance of becoming an ‘emotional scientist’ instead of an ‘emotional judge’.
• Why their mission is an ongoing process.
• The best and worst advice ever, the legacy they want to create, and one law they’d create.
• Our guests share some inspirational stories of hope that have driven them in their lives. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Dr. Stephen Popp on LinkedIn 

Dr. Diego Estrada on LinkedIn 

The John Cooper School 

Dr. Paulraj Samuel on LinkedIn 

Hope Pieced Together Podcast