LC Mentally Well

What if recovery didn't start with a diagnosis... but with belonging? In this episode of LC Mentally Well, host Dr. Mike Carter sits down with Callie and Maddie from the Thomas M. Wernert Center — a rare, peer-led community that is redefining what mental health support looks like without therapy, prescriptions, or clinical charts. Based in Ohio, but needed worldwide, this Center offers a deeply human model: no intake forms, no insurance billing, no judgment — just coffee, connection, and community-led care. We unpack:

• What makes peer support a gold-standard tool for mental health recovery
• How the Center empowers people through choice, dignity, and lived experience
• Why the most powerful wellness tools may be gardening, guitar lessons, or crafting beside someone who gets it
• How spaces like this help individuals recover not just alone, but together
• The role of DEI, LGBTQ+ belonging, trauma-informed design, and accessibility in shaping real recovery environments

The Thomas M. Wernert Center doesn't treat people — it believes in them. And for many, it's the first place they've ever been seen as more than their story or their symptoms. This is more than a podcast. It's a blueprint. A call to action. A window into what every community could build. Whether you're a policymaker, practitioner, community leader, or simply someone searching for support — press play. The future of mental health starts with together.

What happens when the system meant to help doesn't? In this episode, Sunithi Kuruppu joins us for a focused look at the state of mental health crisis care in Ohio. The conversation explores the growing disconnect between rising community needs and the structures in place to meet them. We discuss:

• Clear Pathways' mission, vision, and areas of impact
• The current landscape of Ohio's crisis response system
• Community-based innovations like the Crisis Response Pilot and Local Crisis Systems Matrix
• The ongoing struggle for equitable access, particularly for marginalized communities

One theme became clear: innovation isn't the hard part. Ensuring everyone has access to affordable care is. This episode is essential for anyone interested in the future of behavioral health, equity, and the systems that shape them. 🎧 Listen in as we examine what's working, what's missing, and what must come next.

Let's talk real recovery. Not just sobriety. Not just programs. We're talking restoration. Identity. Wholeness. In this episode, I sat down with David Nalls, a respected leader and the founder of Reconciliation Recovery Unlimited. He's been in the trenches. He's led. He's served. He's built something powerful right here in the heart of the community. We unpack how affirming language creates safe space, why his 12 Steps of Reconciliation Recovery are changing lives, and how a Community Wellness Grant helped him expand his reach to those who needed it most. This conversation isn't fluff. It's fuel. Recovery is more than a topic for me. It's something I'm deeply passionate about. And if you care about healing, justice, or second chances, this episode is for you. Available now on every major podcast platform. Subscribe. Tap in. Share it with someone who needs it.

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Mike Carter is joined by Dr. La'Shardae Scott, the powerhouse founder behind The Scott Observation Center — a bold, community-rooted organization leading the charge in medical and mental health advocacy for underserved families. Dr. Scott gets real about what it means to raise a child with sickle cell disease while navigating the trauma, misinformation, and lack of access that still plagues so many communities. She opens up about her own journey as a parent, a professional, and a change agent working to close the dangerous gap between families and the systems meant to support them. We explore:

• The emotional and mental health toll of chronic illness on families
• The origin story of The Scott Observation Center and the passion that fuels it
• How her team's community-based approach earned them a Wellness Grant from the MHRSB
• Why her fearless advocacy earned her the title Advocate of the Year
• What it takes to show up for your family while also showing up for the fight

This isn't just an interview — it's a call to awareness. If you're a parent, educator, healthcare worker, or just someone who wants to understand how trauma, advocacy, and mental health collide in real life… this one's for you. 💡 Don't just listen — lean in. This episode will stretch your empathy, fuel your purpose, and leave you thinking about how we all can do more. 🔗 Learn more about Dr. Scott's mission at scottcenteroh.org 👇 Tap in and share with someone who needs this conversation today.

Let's keep it 100. Most people wait until they feel qualified to lead. But by the time you feel ready, your community might already be in crisis. In this episode of LC Mentally Well, I sat down with Taylor Balderas Buriciaga, the Executive Director of theSophia Quintero Arts and Cultural Center in Toledo, Ohio. And listen—this ain't your typical leadership story. Taylor didn't come from a mental health background. She didn't have all the answers. But when her community needed resources, support, and someone to step up, she said yes anyway. We talk about:

• Leading without a roadmap but with a full heart
• Serving Latino families and marginalized voices with real resources
• Building prevention and youth programs that actually speak to our people
• The pressure that comes with the mission and the peace that comes from purpose

This is for every person who's been waiting to feel "certified" before stepping into their assignment. This is about advocacy, authenticity, and answering the call before the conditions are perfect. Taylor didn't feel ready. But she showed up. And because she did, her whole community is breathing a little easier. Press play. Share this with the person who's second-guessing their assignment. Because leadership doesn't always start with credentials. Sometimes it starts with compassion.

What if one of the most vital mental health agencies in your city had been growing right in front of you—and you just hadn't seen the full picture yet?

In this episode, we're joined by Bill Emahiser from Unison Health to explore how this agency, with deep roots in Lucas County, is expanding its impact across the community. With a strategic East Toledo location, Unison is uniquely positioned to reach individuals and families in every direction—offering care that's personal, accessible, and increasingly comprehensive.

We unpack:

• Unison's origin story and evolution as a trusted resource for mental wellness
• Their efforts to reach the entire family, especially youth, with prevention messaging and accessible treatment
• A spotlight on their Student of the Week initiative, honoring young people and promoting mental health awareness
• Their role in providing emergency and ongoing care, alongside other mental health agencies in the community
• The strong partnership between Unison and the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board (MHRSB) to deliver high-quality, coordinated care
• How Unison is creating meaningful opportunities for community involvement through festivals, health fairs, and collaborative events

Whether you're a parent, professional, or community partner, this conversation offers real insight into what's being done—and what's possible—when mental health is treated as a shared responsibility.

Press play and discover the powerful ways Unison Health is helping our community heal, grow, and thrive—together.

What if the help you need is closer than you think—but hidden behind stigma, silence, or simply not knowing where to look? In this vibrant and hope-filled episode, I sit down with Robert Kasprzak, Senior Manager of Community Engagement and Equity at the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board (MHRSB), for a conversation that's part education, part motivation—and all heart. Robert shares what it really means to serve a community—from knocking down mental health stigmas to showing people where the lifelines actually are. We talk advocacy, outreach, and how to meet people right where they are with real resources that can change lives. Whether you're in a city with plenty of options or a small town with limited access, this episode reveals practical ways to find help, support others, and spark healing in your corner of the world. 🎧 In this episode, we unpack:

• How to navigate mental health systems with clarity
• The creative strategies being used to reach underserved communities
• Why we still struggle to talk about mental health—and how to shift that
• How YOU can become a trusted connector in your community

This isn't just a feel-good episode—it's a wake-up call and a resource map rolled into one. It's for anyone who's ever felt like they had to figure it out alone. Lean in. Take notes. And let's get free—together.

Think the Jewish Federation only serves one community? Think again. This week, we're pulling back the curtain with Ben Malczewski (Vice President) and Robin Isenberg (VP of Operations) from the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo for a mind-blowing conversation about what's really happening behind those doors. You'll Discover:

• The shocking truth about who can access their services (spoiler: it's EVERYONE)
• How their literacy programs are silently breaking cycles of poverty across Toledo
• Unexpected partnerships that are creating a web of support throughout the city
• Why mental health resources exist right now that most Toledo residents have no idea about

Ben drops this truth bomb: "The greatest barrier between people and the help they need is often just information." Why You Can't Miss This: In a city where many feel forgotten, there's a network of support hiding in plain sight. This conversation isn't just informative—it's potentially life-changing for anyone struggling or looking to help others.

Who's This For? Anyone who's been told their past defines their future. This ain't your typical success story. Jacob Spellis walked through hell—jail time, addiction, cancer—and emerged not just surviving, but THRIVING as the CEO of Vital Health. In this raw conversation, two people who've faced their own demons break it down: ➡️ How a guy with just a GED on his wall (forget the master's degree he earned later) built a behavioral health empire ➡️ Those midnight moments when everything changed—divine encounters that can't be explained away ➡️ The system that was built to keep him down... and exactly how he flipped the script ➡️ Real talk about recovery: the ugly truths nobody's telling you "I was never supposed to make it. The statistics said I was done. But I had to become more than somebody's statistic." – Jacob Spellis, author of "More than A Statistic" No filter. No sugar-coating. Just straight-up game-changing wisdom for anyone ready to rewrite their story. The question isn't whether you should listen—it's whether you're ready for what you'll hear.

Ever wondered what happens when someone who seems invincible finally breaks? In this riveting episode of LC Mentally Well, host Michael Carter sits down with Matt Bell, founder of Team Recovery, for a conversation that will change how you think about addiction, mental health, and the human capacity for transformation. Matt's story reads like a thriller—a man who had it all watches his relationships crumble, his dreams evaporate, and his carefully constructed identity collapse. But this isn't just another addiction story. It's a masterclass in how to rebuild from absolute zero, told with such electric authenticity that you'll feel like you're eavesdropping on a conversation between old friends. Whether you work in mental health, struggle with addiction yourself, or simply appreciate powerful human stories, this episode delivers practical wisdom wrapped in edge-of-your-seat storytelling. Matt shares actionable steps anyone can use to improve their recovery journey today, drawn from his new book that asks the provocative question: What happens when Superman dies? The chemistry between Michael and Matt creates a rare podcast magic—pulling you into deeper waters than you expected to explore, all while making you feel part of a community that understands the messy reality of healing. Listen now and discover why this conversation has become essential listening for anyone interested in mental wellness, personal growth, or simply the incredible resilience of the human spirit.