The Episodes Project is a solution-based, three-component initiative designed to bring more compassion, knowledge, skill sets, humanity, and kindness to those experiencing daily or frequent turmoil related to a behavioral health concern. That "dark cloud" of misery during behavioral health moments can drain the strongest among us and tear down our spirit. For those in our community who, by virtue of their job duties, will encounter troubled or deeply disturbed individuals, there is no such thing as too many skill sets. Peter Hertsgaard, M.F.A., joins Tom McNulty, M.S., for another open discussion on the state of behavioral health in our time. Mass shootings, family murder, sexual assaults, human trafficking, dangerous drug use, suicide, peer bullying, fear, community trauma, and so much more seem omnipresent no matter what zip code you hold dear. Is behavioral health really making the impact we need? There were approximately 38,000 deaths by guns in the USA last year, and 24,000+ were suicides by gun. Is it possible you might know someone who desperately needs help? Do you know what to do? Have you lost someone? It is sad how many lives we lose every day because of flawed protocols, ignorance, stupidity, governmental incompetence, injustice, and indifference. Please help The Episodes Project come to every community to save lives. You can support our podcast with a monthly donation. Here's how: 
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1899171/support  Any amount is tremendously appreciated. Finally, please share this podcast with those you know could benefit from our information. Thank you very much.

Tom McNulty, M.S.

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Sadly, our society is overflowing with misinformation and intentionally incorrect and overestimated proclamations from individuals who are invested in protecting their own incompetence. Their primary objective is to protect and inflate their own sense of self, their flawed knowledge base in an effort to appear superior to others. They defend their intellectually deficient claims in order to control those they believe cannot see through their mask of deception. We see this daily in politics, religion, medicine, and all those in positions of expected skill strength. Too often, they are self-inflicted by the Dunning-Kruger Effect - a psychological condition of "cognitive bias". The Dunning-Kruger Effect is attributed to those who proclaim skills they do not posses. Typically, these are individuals who are attention seekers who believe they are fully equipped to render opinions or carry out tasks they have little to no knowledge about that field. Many such individuals' incompetence is a defense mechanism against their insecurities and/or a need to feel superior. Some people underestimate their skills they truly have, but most tend to fabricate their abilities. Obviously, in key areas such as medicine, politics, and other critical fields can lead to tragic outcomes or a flock of dismayed followers. Please listen to this podcast and share it with friends, professionals, media, and teachers. Thank you for listening.

Thank you to our sponsors:  DENT Neurologic Institute, Buffalo Renaissance Foundation, The Episodes Project, HHPartners, and our production company, Success Stories, Inc.

Tom McNulty, M.S.

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Are we a caring society, globe, neighborhood, school, workplace, or self? The world's attitude about others can be very unsettling to witness or read about. Further, in the United States of America and it's long history of reaching out to those less fortunate has eroded and we are no longer a trusted nation. The Mindfulness Alliance serves as a catalyst and community-builder,offering innovative programming in fostering the inner movement from "Me" to "We" to bring about the changes needed to better serve humanity and our planet. They are building a unique community of mindfulness practitioners and change-makers that spans disciplines and sectors and embraces multiple wisdom traditions. The Mindfulness Alliance believes that together we can catalyze our collective capacity to foster awareness-based social change for a more flourishing future - where individuals, institutions, and systems embody more compassion, justice, and inclusivity.

Dr. Lisa Napora is the Founder/CEO of The Mindfulness Alliance. Contact her and her team at: www.themindfulnessalliance.org The link for this podcast to share is:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1899171/episodes/17887285

Are you stuck in "Me" trying to get to "We"? Tune-in then contact Dr. Lisa Napora.

Thank you to our sponsors: DENT Neurologic Institute, Buffalo Renaissance Foundation, HHPartners, Bellissimo International: Models, Artists, & Talent Management, Success Stories, Inc. Kindness.Rocks, and Spotlight on Hope, Inc. (501 c 3) - MindSet with Tom McNulty is a program of Spotlight on Hope, Inc.  Donations and sponsorships keep us going! Thank you!

Tom McNulty, Host

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NOTES: Listen to Part One, first.

We had some infrequent sound quality issues on this recording. We deeply apologize to our terrific guests and our listeners.

Hospitality is Good, But It Belongs in the Hospital

This is Part Two of a very popular podcast on healthcare hospitality. Our podcast features a foundational discussion of how healthcare hospitality can impact "pain points" in a provider organization. Healthcare hospitality has an important role in physician recruitment, retention, attendance, communication, lawsuits, union strikes, and market position...but...there's more.

Guests, Connie Schroyer, Ph.D., an organizational psychologist, Peter C. Hertsgaard, M.F.A. HHPartners' Director, Producer, Writer, and Actor will chat about the concepts, application, implementation and the use of "interactive theater".

Follow HHPartners

www.hhpartners38.wordpress.com

Thank you and Be Well!

Tom McNulty, M.S.

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Just Imagine!

If healthcare isn't the most critical service to others, what could it be? Everyday, in some fashion or experience, we interact with others who treat us very well or we have an encounter that drives up our anxiety or anger. Today's podcast focuses on the practical, well-documented, and proven philosophical approaches to fellow human beings in any healthcare environment. The word "hospital" is part of the word "hospitality." Hospitality is not customer service, valet parking, a gift shop, or a McDonalds in your facility; rather, it is innately in those in the healthcare profession, but it may have lost some luster. Why do people study for years and keep studying and learning as healthcare workers? Because the passion to help others demonstrates kindness, compassion, and a commitment to go the extra mile to provide comfort to a patient and their family. Did you know most healthcare lawsuits are a result of poor communication, frustration, and a feeling of being ignored? Preventable? HHPartners' Peter Hertsgaard, M.F.A. and Tom McNulty will chat about today's "pain points" in healthcare organizations and how a "no heavy lifting added" approach can help an organization's environment draw more physicians, nurses, donors, patients, support staff and marketshare. The HHPartners are: Nancy Sheehan, RN, JD, Cynthia Ambres, M.D., M.S., Connie Schroyer, Ph.D., Susan Roberts, M.S., Peter C. Hertsgaard, M.F.A., and Tom McNulty, M.S. Please visit our website: www.hhpartners38.wordpress.com If you believe in Healthcare Hospitality and want to know exactly what we do, please contact us. Share this podcast with a healthcare professional. Thank you!

Tom McNulty, M.S.

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Behavioral Health in America is Badly Broken: The Episodes Project Has A Solution

This bold podcast addresses the failure of most behavioral health systems across America for many decades. Tom McNulty, M.S., with 45+ years in behavioral health (mental illness and addiction), is joined by Invizion's president and president of Episodes Motion Pictures, Peter C. Hertsgaard, M.F.A. As co-creators of The Episodes Project, Peter and Tom have designed a three-component continuum of behavioral health solutions. The movie, Episodes (written and cast) is a full-feature film that follows a 15-year-old girl, Allie. The neighborhood, city, town or village with frontline responders will receive training and coaching on enhancing intervention, rapid evaluation, and appropriate referral skills. This would include EMTs, law enforcement, campus security, teachers, caregivers, religious leaders, urgent/primary/ER providers, and family. This component is Spotlight on the Community and it uses "interactive theater" as a training tool. The third component, "the EPISODES" is copyright protected and trademark registered. This component keeps the messaging on behavioral health going - long before and after "Mental Health Awareness Month" every May. It consists of 50 shows (Copyright Protected) that could run for five years with 10 episodes/season. The Episodes Project is ready! Additional funding is currently being secured. Spotlight on the Community will launch first.

Behavioral health in America is badly broken at a time when our country is facing sudden and massive layoffs, fear is rampant, mass shootings continue, lying is accepted, kids live with a "fear of impending danger" due to school drills, mass shootings, human trafficking, cyber-assaults, opioids, fentanyl, teen suicide, despair, and...depression is still the number one reason employees call in sick. How many mass shooters have failed behavioral health intervention?

Learn more about The Episodes Project on Facebook and LinkedIn. The website is: www.episodesthemovie.com.  Send Tom an email at: [email protected]. Please share this podcast. Thank you.

Tom McNulty, M.S. -Host

A program of Spotlight on Hope, Inc.  Produced by Success Stories, Inc.

Sponsored by: DENT Neurologic Institute, Success Stories, Inc., HHPartners,

Buffalo Renaissance Foundation's Veteran Affairs Committee

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For many years, the message about marijuana was it was a "gateway" drug to other more dangerous and illegal drugs. As a therapist working with adolescents in South Florida in the 1970s and 1980s, that was our clinical message to teens and adults. Pablo Escobar, the Calle Cartel, and Manuel Noreiga were flooding the streets with all kinds of drugs. Today, "street" drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, opioids and Xanax-look-a-likes are laced with fentanyl that produced more than 115,000 overdose deaths in 2023 - up from 64,000 in 2017. Along comes medical cannabis and states approving recreational marijuana use.
In this podcast, we talk with an internationally recognized expert in the therapeutic, pharmaceutically produced, and medically scripted cannabis and its applications for many conditions from anorexia to a list of neurologic conditions. Our guests include, Laszlo L. Metchler, MD, FAAN, FEAN,FASN, FAHS, Board Certified Neurologist and Oncologist and expert in neuro-research and neuroimaging, Maria Caserta, Director of Community Education and Marketing ([email protected]), and DENT's researcher, Chris Ralyea. This podcast is straightforward, purely science, research, and clinically accurate information from the experts at DENT Neurological Institute www.dentinstitute.com  (716) 250-2000. Dr. Metchler has spoken about the appropriate use of medical cannabis around the world and has developed a line of products - available now. DENT Neurologic Institute is the largest neurology practice in the USA. They created the DENT Neuroscience Research Center (not-for-profit) to constantly explore new treatments- both located in Amherst, NY. Please share this podcast with those who can benefit from this information. Thank you very much! Be well!
Tom McNulty, M.S.
Host

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Hurricanes, Tornado Storms, Flash Floods, Mudslides, Forest Fires, & Trauma:
What To Say and Not Say To Children and Adolescents

We get multi-level, print and electronic, and tragically repetitive news stories that adults take for granted. Still, the weather and natural disasters emotionally impact children because the drama leads to the trauma. Recently, several neighbors with children have asked me about what they should say regarding the fear and worry they see in their children about "weather trauma". It is a real thing. The reoccurring threat of hurricanes, floods, forest fires, and tornado storms has caught the attention of our kids. Their brains cannot properly process the power of these traumas and, therefore, they tighten up, cry, have nightmares, and have lots of questions. Are you ready to answer their questions or recognize their warning signs?
This broadcast will give you fundamental tips to address your children's reactions and the critical importance of active listening and helpful communication. Be well. Be safe.
Thank you,
Tom McNulty, M.S.
Sponsors: DENT Neurologic Institute, Buffalo Renaissance Foundation, The Episodes Project

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Tom McNulty, M.S. has 45+ years in behavioral health. As such, he was very excited about interviewing DENT Neurologic Institute's Director of Addiction Medicine, Dawn Harbatkin, M.D. - board-certified in Addiction Medicine and also in Internal Medicine.
If you have a family member, neighbor, co-worker, colleague, or friend struggling with addiction to nicotine, alcohol, opioids, or is a multi-drug user/abuser, there is tremendous help at DENT Neurologic Institute (716-961-9204) - the kind of immediate help that can save a life! Why wouldn't you call today?
DENT Neurologic Institute's Addiction Services promises an appointment within 48 hours - that's incredible! Using an "integrative" approach, Dr. Harbatkin can address medical and addiction issues together, in collaboration with your loved one's other physicians and primary care. Treatment is compassionate and educational, and Dr. Harbatkin addresses addiction as the brain disease that it is with no punitive messaging should someone relapse. Gone are the days of being kicked out of treatment for a "dirty urine" report. Find out about the humanistic approach Dr. Harbatkin employs and how she supports the use of medicines she believes are grossly underutilized, yet extremely effective. 
This is a podcast to share! Please! You may save a life. Let TODAY be the day you find the courage to call DENT Neurologic Institute's Addiction Services at (716-961-9204). Thank you and thank you, Dr. Dawn Harbatkin for saving lives.

Tom McNulty, M.S.
Host, MindSet with Tom McNulty, M.S.
Sponsored by The Episodes Project, Buffalo Rennaissance Foundation's Veteran Committee, DENT Neurologic Institute, Success Stories, Inc. and Spotlight on Hope, Inc. 

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A veteran once asked me, "So, you think you know me?" After 10 seconds, I realized I was full of misconceptions, 'bad intel", and unrealistic expectations. I took the time to listen and better understand and it opened up my eyes to the often insurmountable challenges returning veterans face. I learned that when a military person serves, the whole family serves and is full of emotions. It seems each war has its own inhumanity, psychological turmoil, survivor guilt, fear of failure, and major adjustments for its service men and women. While Vietnam veterans probably had it the worst, each generation of military face enemies that can't see, they can't define them because of no official uniforms, or they use children to carry bombs to kill Americans.
The suicide rate for Iraq/Afghanistan veterans is the highest of any American military war or conflict. Why?
Didn't the Commander's debrief with the troops prepare them for returning home? "What debrief?" a soldier once said back to me. This podcast's guest is Army Reserve Veteran, Chris Kreiger, Founder, President/CEO of WNY Heroes, Inc. (501 c 3 Not-for-Profit Since 2008). Chris did four tours in Iraq and was seriously injured four times. As a medic, he pushed to get back in the battle and take care of the wounded, but when he came home, how was he treated? Please listen to this podcast and share it with someone who could benefit. Also, Chris will talk about, "Pawsitive for Heroes" - a military service dog program for qualified veterans (only). This has grown to become a nationally requested need of many veterans around the United States. They have matched more than 200+ veterans to military service dogs. They need more support. Each graduating dog costs between $7,500-$10,000 to fully train. Maybe you love animals or you have a veteran in your family or community who could benefit from a service dog. Here's how to apply: Call- (716) 630-5020 or www.WNYHeroes.org. Tell them you heard about it on MindSet with Tom McNulty, M.S.
Support Our Troops by Supporting WNY Heroes!!
Tom McNulty, M.S.
P.S. "Not Broken" is a hit by Goo Goo Dolls about returning veterans. Thanks, guys!

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