Normalize It Forward
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Normalize It Forward episodes

  • Breaking Mental Health Barriers With Dr. Trina Clayeux

    Mental health challenges are more visible than ever, and yet access to proper care remains a major hurdle. Marc Lehman sits down with Dr. Trina Clayeux, CEO of Give an Hour, to discuss innovative solutions for mental health support, including peer-to-peer networks and expanding resources beyond traditional therapy. Dr. Clayeux shares how her organization tackles the mental health crisis by providing free services to veterans, their families, and communities in need. They also explore the importance of suicide protection, the evolving role of self-care, and why businesses must rethink mental health in the workplace. Tune in as they challenge outdated models and offer real-world strategies for making mental health care more accessible.

    31 min
  • Anxiety And Depression In Young People With Dr. Laura Saunders

    The rising number of young people struggling with anxiety and depression in this post-pandemic world is alarming. Social media and the rapid evolution of technology are not helpful to this unfortunate reality as well. Marc Lehman sits down with Dr. Laura Saunders, a staff psychologist at the Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital, to discuss how parents should guide young people in dealing with their inner battles. They talk about the hidden benefits of allowing children to experience failure and the importance of encouraging them to leave their comfort zone. Dr. Laura also delves into the dangers of social media, particularly how it pushes the youth to embrace and normalize the culture of comparison and isolation.

    25 min
  • Balancing High Performance With Mental Health With Shannon ONeil

    In today's high-pressure world of youth sports, mental health is often overlooked. Shannon ONeil, a seasoned lacrosse coach with more than 15 years of experience, joins Marc Lehman to discuss the importance of mental health care for young people in sports. As the head coach at IMG Academy, Shannon has transformed the girls' lacrosse program into a national powerhouse with a focus beyond winning. She emphasizes why it is vital to create a fun and supportive environment where young athletes can thrive and develop a deep love for their sport. Gain valuable insights on navigating college recruitment, fostering teamwork, and embracing the courage to fight your inner battles.

    26 min
  • Kevin's Afterglow: Shining A Light On Youth Mental Health With Jim Kuczo

    Looking to make a difference in the lives of young people? Join us for a heartwarming conversation with Jim Kuczo, president and co-founder of Kevin's Afterglow, a non-profit organization born from tragedy and dedicated to fostering hope and resilience. Discover the inspiring story behind Kevin's Afterglow and how they're teaching kids the power of kindness, empathy, and mental health awareness. Learn about their innovative Buddy Bench program, a simple yet powerful tool that encourages peer support and helps kids develop crucial social-emotional skills. Plus, hear Jim's personal journey of navigating grief and loss while making a positive impact on his community. This episode is a testament to the power of human connection and the importance of creating a supportive environment for young people to thrive.

    24 min
  • Addressing Alarming Suicide Rates With Emma Benoit

    Suicide rates among young people have been skyrocketing for the past couple of years. Most of them are pushed to their limits because they do not have safe spaces to be vulnerable and support systems that make them stronger. Emma Benoit attempted to commit suicide at 16, and now she has dedicated herself to addressing this ever-growing problem. Joining Marc Lehman, she explains how she uses public speaking to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and young people’s obsession with creating a picture-perfect image of themselves. Emma also shares valuable tips on how parents can better support their children and help them take care of their mental health the same way they do with their physical bodies.

    38 min
  • Dealing With Societal Pressures With Sue Lemke

    In today's fast-paced world, young people often find themselves bombarded with a huge ton of societal pressures. When these become too much to handle, their mental health gets overwhelmed and pushed to the limit. Marc Lehman discusses how to address this alarming problem with educator Sue Lemke. Together, they explain how to help the youth get rid of the fear of missing out and reduce their obsession with their cellular phones - two of the leading causes of mental health issues. Sue also explores how the COVID-19 pandemic vastly changed the social skills of students today, which has led to higher risks of anxiety and depression.

    34 min
  • A Show About Mental Health With DJ Nash

    A Million Little Things is an ABC drama series that explores various mental health topics, primarily suicide, depression, and grief. In this podcast episode, Marc Lehman sits down with the show's creator, DJ Nash, to talk about this series' inception and production. Marc shares how losing a real friend to suicide and dealing with anxiety inspired him to create a show centered on mental health issues. DJ Nash also discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic changed young people's perspective on mental health, the importance of being a good friend to yourself, and how to reach out to those struggling with inner battles.

    50 min
  • Time Management And Mental Health With Tyler Ganus

    Baseball player-turned-coach Tyler Ganus shares valuable insights about time management and how it can lead to achieving peak performance. Discover various strategies on using your time accordingly to strike the right balance between athletic and academic success. Explore the importance of having an unbreakable mindset and positive work ethic during your college years. Learn how to navigate failure without getting stuck and maintain a positive outlook. Plus, discover practical self-care tips to elevate your lifestyle and save you from anxiety that often leads to self-sabotage.


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    22 min
  • Interactive Playbook For Mental Fitness With Stephanie Szostak

    There is no single approach to taking care of your mental health; you do what works best for you. To help people determine the most effective ones for them, French-American actress Stephanie Szostak created the interactive playbook SELF!SH. She joins Marc Lehman to share how this collection of different practices helped elevate her mental fitness, eliminate imposter syndrome, and live a truly authentic life. They also discuss how young people should properly navigate social media, spend more time on their self-care regimens, and escape the pressure of having everything figured out.




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    Click Here to learn more about U Are Heard

    35 min
  • Pressures Of A Student Athlete With Jeff Calhoun

    Every student athlete is burdened with the task of balancing work and play. They are expected to perform well in their academics and in the court, and most of the time, this pressure takes a huge toll on their mental health. Marc Lehman explores the right way to provide support to student with former basketball player and current coach Jeff Calhoun. Together, they emphasize the importance of normalizing conversation about mental health among young adults and how they should connect with their elders and fellow students about it. Jeff also explains why taking moments of tranquility is extremely needed in this constantly interconnected world that does not seem to know how to take a break.


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    Click Here to learn more about U Are Heard

    27 min

About Normalize It Forward

From the publisher's feed

The transition to college and the college years are a challenging phase for a young adult. Besides jumping into a higher level of education and the bigger responsibilities that come with it, they…