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In this deeply moving episode, I have a somber but powerful conversation with Dennis "DJ" Quinn, a lifelong mentor and Big Brothers volunteer, to explore the transformational power of one-on-one mentorship. 

From childhood trauma to the long-term impact of showing up for someone in need, Mr. Quinn shares his personal journey through decades of volunteering—highlighting how critical emotional support is for kids without stable homes or parental guidance. We discuss what impact he had, if at all, and how we can have an impact as mentors.

Mr. Quinn, still emotionally distraught about the suicide of one of his "little brothers" and his mentoring journey, shares the heart-wrenching yet inspiring story of Mike, a young boy he mentored from age seven through a lifetime of mental illness, institutionalization, and eventual tragedy. Through the story, we get into how mentorship is not about replacing parents, but about being consistent, compassionate, and present for someone who might otherwise feel invisible. This includes understanding that reciprocation and feedback are shown and presented to us by others in a variety of ways.

With all of this, we get into Mr. Quinn's new book, Stick Figures: A Big Brother Remembers, which chronicles his years with Mike and provides a real-world case study of how mentorship can be a lifeline.

https://www.djquinnauthor.com/

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*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.