In this inspiring episode of the Nobody’s Perfect podcast, host Jason Hopcus sits down with the newly crowned Miss Colorado 2024, Alexandra Lotko. Alexandra is not only a dedicated educator pursuing her Master’s in Elementary Education but also a passionate mental health advocate. Through her Community Service Initiative, “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” Alexandra is on a mission to destigmatize mental illness and encourage people to seek help without fear or shame.

In this heartfelt conversation, Alexandra opens up about her own mental health journey, how it shaped her advocacy, and her commitment to creating safe spaces in her community. As a future teacher, she discusses her plans to integrate mental health awareness in the classroom and shares strategies for using social media to amplify her message. Whether you're looking for inspiration or practical advice on how to prioritize mental health, this episode offers valuable insights from a leader who understands the importance of compassion and support.

Join us as we explore Alexandra’s journey, her vision for a more understanding world, and what "nobody’s perfect" truly means to her.

In this episode of the Nobody’s Perfect podcast, Jason Hopcus sits down with Dr. Jennifer Kelloff, a board-certified pediatrician and child abuse specialist, to discuss the lasting effects of childhood trauma and adversity. Dr. Kelloff, Medical Director of Child Abuse Pediatrics and Prevention at Kaiser Permanente Colorado, shares insights on trauma-informed care, the importance of resilience, and how parents can better support their children’s emotional well-being. Tune in to learn practical strategies for helping kids thrive, even in the face of adversity.

In this episode of the Nobody's Perfect podcast, Jason Hopcus sits down with Miss Teen Colorado, Maddie Coombes, to discuss her inspiring and life-saving Community Service Initiative, Fentanyl Free Futures. At just 16 years old, Maddie has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of the fentanyl crisis, with several peers and community members losing their lives. Determined to prevent further tragedy, Maddie launched her initiative to educate students, parents, and teachers about the dangers of fentanyl, a drug 100 times more potent than morphine.

Maddie shares how her work extends beyond the classroom, leveraging social media through her "Fentanyl Free Fridays" campaign to spread awareness about fentanyl’s hidden dangers. In addition to education, Maddie is working to make Narcan, a life-saving overdose reversal drug, more accessible in Colorado communities. Tune in to learn how Maddie is using her platform as Miss Teen Colorado to fight for a Fentanyl Free Future and save countless lives through education, advocacy, and action!

In this powerful episode of Nobody's Perfect, host Jason Hopcus sits down with Aimee Resnick, a passionate advocate for mental health and co-founder of the Colorado Alliance for Size Equity. Aimee, a third-year student at Northwestern University, has already made a significant impact by co-authoring and passing three legislative acts focused on upstream mental health promotion. Drawing from her personal experience with an eating disorder, Aimee shares her journey of recovery and how it inspired her to take on weight-based discrimination and champion health at every size.

Together, Jason and Aimee explore the often-overlooked consequences of eating disorders, the importance of changing societal attitudes, and how policies can drive meaningful change. Aimee also reflects on her involvement with the Colorado Youth Advisory Council and the critical role education and advocacy play in preventing and addressing eating disorders, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation with a young trailblazer whose personal battles have fueled a vision for creating systemic change in mental health.

In this episode of Nobody's Perfect, Jason Hopcus sits down with Marccus Spearman, a leader dedicated to transforming school environments in Denver Public Schools. As a first-generation graduate and former assistant principal, Marccus shares his journey of implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Restorative Practices, leading to dramatic reductions in suspensions and classroom referrals.

Now, as the Manager of Trauma-Informed Restorative Practices, Marccus continues to shape safe, inclusive, and supportive spaces for over 90,000 students and 14,500 staff members across 207 schools. Listen to learn how his work fosters a culture of belonging and positively impacts the entire school community.

Welcome to Nobody’s Perfect, a community dedicated to supporting and empowering youth and families.

This podcast episode features therapist Dr. Denzel Wilson. Host, Jason Hopcus, and Dr. Wilson delve into the profound impact of technology on teens. They discuss how technology has changed teen behavior and mental health, shedding light on common misconceptions parents might have about their teens' tech use. Dr. Wilson also provides valuable advice on balancing technology use with healthy boundaries, along with identifying warning signs that technology might be negatively affecting a teen's well-being.

This important episode explores the role of technology in facilitating cyberbullying and discusses strategies for prevention. Additionally, Dr. Wilson highlights some of the positive effects of technology on teen development, which often go overlooked.

Listeners will gain practical advice and insights. Parents and caregivers, join the conversation and support teens in understanding and managing technology in their lives.

This Nobody's Perfect podcast features guest, Dara Erck, the Founder of SAM+LEO, a brand committed to enhancing teen mental health through specially formulated gummy vitamins. Dara's extensive background in global health strategy and her passion for mental health advocacy have fueled her mission to support the well-being of teenagers. In this episode,

Dara shares her inspiration for creating SAM+LEO, the mental health challenges teenagers face today, and how her products address these issues. She also delves into how her professional background has influenced her approach to tackling the youth mental health crisis and shares the science behind her specially formulated gummy vitamins.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into essential strategies for improving mental health support for young people and Dara's vision for the future impact of SAM+LEO on youth well-being. Don't miss this enlightening conversation.

Listen and learn more at www.nobodysperfect.community

#TeenMentalHealth #SAMandLEO #Wellness #Teenvitamins #supplements

Nobody’s Perfect recognizes that making smart financial decisions can drastically increase our independence and quality of life while decreasing daily stress. Unfortunately, many teens and young adults lack the resources and information needed to save and spend money wisely.

To support the financial health of our youth, Nobody’s Perfect sat down with Red Rocks Credit Union’s CEO, Darius Wise. Join the powerful conversation between Darius and our own Jason Hopcus as they explore the vital connection between financial stability and mental health. This episode aims to educate both youth and parents on the benefits of understanding finances and how financial health plays a crucial role in overall mental wellness.

Don’t miss this insightful discussion! Learn more at www.nobodysperfect.community/podcasts/

The illusion that teens today somehow ‘have it easier’ is cloaked in misinformation and stereotypes, mainly because teens decades ago didn’t share the same struggles that youth manage today. Between fitting in, performing well academically, understanding identities, and familial tensions, each of these realities often exist simultaneously and at varying intensities.

Monica Crnogorac, Academic and Executive Skills Life Coach for Study Spot Educational Services, joins Nobody’s Perfect host Jason Hopcus as a guest on the podcast for a powerful discussion on anxiety and its impact on youth. Monica, who experienced bullying at a young age, has leveraged her journey in service to others by educating and equipping youth with skills that guide them on a journey to self-empowerment.

Monica’s conversation with Jason reveals just how much more intentional we can be with reaching youth at a young age to prevent anxiety from evolving into bigger mental health concerns. Visit nobodysperfect.community for more mental health content, including clinically-approved resources and tools aimed at supporting you on your journey to self-empowerment, and follow Nobody’s Perfect on social media for updates and more info.

Even when we’ve achieved great success, we can still face struggles we may have never even realized we had. And when we do, sometimes the lessons they teach us become more than just wake-up calls: they can become the reason we decide to lead healthier, more purposeful lives.

Former running back for the Wisconsin Badgers and Denver Broncos, proud father, published author, coach, and clinical outreach manager Montee Ball joins Jason Hopcus on the latest episode of Nobody's Perfect. The two-time All-American, who played alongside Peyton Manning when the Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl back in 2016, speaks with Jason about his journey with substance abuse and his experience with alcoholism as early as high school.

Join Jason and Montee for an authentic and honest conversation that elevates the realities of being a teen in today’s world and how we can better support youth struggling with substance abuse and the demands of everyday life. Visit nobodysperfect.community for more mental health content, including clinician-approved resources and tools aimed to support you on your journey to self-empowerment, and follow Nobody’s Perfect on social media for updates and more info.