Friends, what does resilience mean to you?

Many would say it’s about staying strong in the face of adversity and life’s difficulties, and they would be right.

But that’s not all.

The truth is, resilience doesn’t always mean being tough and taking all the hits; in fact, sometimes, it’s all about the willingness to be open and vulnerable—yes, even as a leader.

Someone who understands the power of resilience is our guest on the podcast this week, our very own founder, the amazing Mike Holloway.

Mike is also the founder of Futures Recovery Healthcare. But more than that, he is someone who leads with heart. With over a decade in behavioral health, he’s seen the highs, the lows, and everything in between. And in this conversation, he opens up in a way most leaders don’t.

Laura and Mike talk about what resilience actually looks like. Mike also shares how therapy changed the way he leads, how he’s learning to prioritize family without letting go of professional drive, and what it really takes to build teams that stick around.

This discussion is a gold mine of great advice for anyone who wants to become a better leader and a better person.

Sounds like you?

Then tune in now!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

What is true resilience? (01:07)

Staying positive during hard times (06:43)

Lessons of resilience (08:07)

How to stay grounded as a leader (11:47)

Let’s talk about work life balance (18:51)

Why you need to have difficult conversations (24:10)

Additional Resources:

🌱 Book a FREE demo of our preventative mental health platform: https://spirencewellness.com/solutions/ 

🌱 Go to https://spirencewellness.com/ and gain access to: 

🔹 Extensive content library with courses, live events, and tools

🔹 One-on-one coaching & therapy for individuals

🔹 Manager wellness & leadership support 

🔹 Seamless integration into your existing benefits ecosystem

—

Prevention Pioneers is a podcast for leaders who are committed to using cutting-edge preventative wellness strategies to shift the narrative of mental health, maximize engagement, and minimize absenteeism.

This podcast is hosted by Laura Kunz, the Co-Founder & CGO of Spirence and a passionate mental health advocate. 

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss a new episode!

Leading in the midst of chaos, when lives hang in the balance, is a challenge few can master. And no one knows this better than our guest on the Prevention Pioneers podcast this week, the amazing Houston Park.

Houston is a true leader in the field of crisis management, he has spent decades leading teams through life-and-death situations, from his work as a firefighter and paramedic to his time consulting on disaster preparedness internationally. 

He’s no stranger to high-pressure moments where every decision matters. 

In this episode, he opens up about what it really takes to lead when the situation is chaotic and the risks are high. He also talks about his work in tackling the opioid epidemic, where he pioneered a program that combines Narcan with buprenorphine (Suboxone) to treat overdose victims.

Leading through chaos isn’t easy, but Houston’s approach highlights how preparation, mental resilience, and strong leadership can help guide teams through even the toughest challenges. His story is about more than just saving lives, it’s about supporting your team through high-stakes situations and preventing burnout.

Want to learn more about Houston’s journey?

Then don’t miss this episode!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Houston (00:28)

How to build resilience (14:13)

Houston’s career shift (20:44)

Working on the opioid crisis (27:42)

Prevention tips from Houston (48:29)

Additional Resources:

🌱 Book a FREE demo of our preventative mental health platform: https://spirencewellness.com/solutions/ 

🌱 Go to https://spirencewellness.com/ and gain access to: 

🔹 Extensive content library with courses, live events, and tools

🔹 One-on-one coaching & therapy for individuals

🔹 Manager wellness & leadership support 

🔹 Seamless integration into your existing benefits ecosystem

—

Prevention Pioneers is a podcast for leaders who are committed to using cutting-edge preventative wellness strategies to shift the narrative of mental health, maximize engagement, and minimize absenteeism.

This podcast is hosted by Laura Kunz, the Co-Founder & CGO of Spirence and a passionate mental health advocate. 

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss a new episode!

In this episode of Prevention Pioneers, Laura sits down with Sims Tillirson, a mental health messaging strategist, keynote speaker, and president of the board of directors for Pathways to Healing, a rape crisis center. 

Sims takes us on a deeply personal journey, sharing how his experiences with trauma, addiction, and recovery have shaped his life and his career alike.

He also talks about how, in a world that often demands perfection, especially from men, his decision to share his story of childhood sexual abuse and CPTSD publicly became a game-changer. What began as a vulnerable post on social media about his struggles with substance abuse spiraled into a wave of professional opportunities, including keynote speaking engagements and consulting work with companies focused on mental health.

Finally, Sims discusses the crucial role that middle management plays in building mentally healthy workplaces. He breaks down how organizations can do more than just offer crisis intervention programs; they can empower their managers to create real, supportive cultures that prioritize mental well-being for all employees.

This discussion is all about embracing your authentic self, confronting your past, and using your pain as a source of strength. 

Sims’ story is a testament to the power of vulnerability, and his insights on leadership, substance abuse recovery, and corporate wellness are nothing short of inspiring.

Tune in to learn more about his journey.

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Sims (01:14)

Authenticity in corporate America (09:05)

The most important layer in an organization (13:31)

From sharing on social media to becoming a keynote speaker (18:42)

All you need to do is show up as yourself (22:23)

Breaking the generational curse of trauma (29:30)

How to get people help efficiently in the corporate world (37:51)

Additional Resources:

🌱 Book a FREE demo of our preventative mental health platform: https://spirencewellness.com/solutions/ 

🌱 Go to https://spirencewellness.com/ and gain access to: 

🔹 Extensive content library with courses, live events, and tools

🔹 One-on-one coaching & therapy for individuals

🔹 Manager wellness & leadership support 

🔹 Seamless integration into your existing benefits ecosystem

—

Prevention Pioneers is a podcast for leaders who are committed to using cutting-edge preventative wellness strategies to shift the narrative of mental health, maximize engagement, and minimize absenteeism.

This podcast is hosted by Laura Kunz, the Co-Founder & CGO of Spirence and a passionate mental health advocate. 

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss a new episode!

Somewhere between trying to fix the system and surviving inside of it, many of us start asking: is there a better way?

In this episode of Prevention Pioneers, Laura sits down with Dr. Jessi Gold, a psychiatrist, bestselling author, and the first-ever Chief Wellness Officer for the university of Tennessee system which encompasses all five campuses of the University of Tennessee.

Together, Laura and Jessi explore how wellness—too often treated as a checkbox—can become a deeply rooted value across institutions.

Jessi shares the behind-the-scenes story of how her role came to be, the lessons she carried from clinical practice into systems change, and why being herself—fully and unapologetically—is a critical part of doing this work well. 

You’ll also hear how her unique position allows her to zoom out and reimagine what true, system-wide wellness support should look like on college campuses.

They also talk about the limits of crisis response, the often-overlooked importance of teaching emotional and social skills, why peer-to-peer support is more necessary than ever for today’s students, and so much more.

This conversation is thoughtful, candid, and rich with insights for anyone working to change complex systems from the inside out.

Tune in now to start changing the world.

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Jessi (00:39)

From campus clinician to mental health leader (03:26)

Why authenticity matters (09:41)

Why counseling alone isn’t enough (36:39)

What we need to exact real change (46:27)

Additional Resources:

🌱 Connect with Jessi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessi-gold-md-ms-14844bb/

🌱 Get Jessi’s book, How Do You Feel?: https://a.co/d/gXfJIOY

🌱 Book a FREE demo of our preventative mental health platform: https://spirencewellness.com/solutions/ 

🌱 Go to https://spirencewellness.com/ and gain access to: 

🔹 Extensive content library with courses, live events, and tools

🔹 One-on-one coaching & therapy for individuals

🔹 Manager wellness & leadership support 

🔹 Seamless integration into your existing benefits ecosystem

—

Prevention Pioneers is a podcast for leaders who are committed to using cutting-edge preventative wellness strategies to shift the narrative of mental health, maximize engagement, and minimize absenteeism.

This podcast is hosted by Laura Kunz, the Co-Founder & CGO of Spirence and a passionate mental health advocate. 

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss a new episode!

Some days, it feels like we’re all just trying to hold it together, and even the best of us experience mental health challenges. 

The pressures of work, life, and everything in between are piling up—and our mental health is paying the price. 

But what if we didn’t have to wait until everything feels like too much to get support?

In this episode of Prevention Pioneers, Laura sits down with Jason Richmond, Chief Growth Officer at Kindly Human and long-time mental health clinician. 

With a background that spans outpatient therapy, product innovation at Anthem, and mental wellness strategy at Headspace, Jason brings a rare, compassionate perspective on how and when people actually need help.

Together, Laura and Jason explore why we need to shift from crisis response to prevention in mental health care, and how companies can become true allies in that mission. 

Jason also opens up about his own journey through burnout, what helped him regain balance, and why today’s employees—especially younger generations—are demanding something better.

You’ll also hear about the hidden cost of overloading clinical systems, the rising importance of peer-based support, and the small things leaders can do to create real loyalty and trust.

If you’ve ever wished the world slowed down just long enough for you to breathe—or lead with more heart—this episode is for you.

Tune in now.

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Jason (00:41)

We need preventative mental health care (12:13)

Resilience is the key to everything (20:21)

Mental health advice for leaders (25:39)

The disconnect between employers and employees (31:29)

How a good manager impacts your mental health (35:53)

Additional Resources:

🌱 Book a FREE demo of our preventative mental health platform: https://spirencewellness.com/solutions/ 

🌱 Go to https://spirencewellness.com/ and gain access to: 

🔹 Extensive content library with courses, live events, and tools

🔹 One-on-one coaching & therapy for individuals

🔹 Manager wellness & leadership support 

🔹 Seamless integration into your existing benefits ecosystem

—

Prevention Pioneers is a podcast for leaders who are committed to using cutting-edge preventative wellness strategies to shift the narrative of mental health, maximize engagement, and minimize absenteeism.

This podcast is hosted by Laura Kunz, the Co-Founder & CGO of Spirence and a passionate mental health advocate. 

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss a new episode!

Do you ever feel like you’re juggling more than just your work? 

You’re not alone.

Between balancing the demands of your job, personal challenges, and the constant pressure to show up as your best self, it’s not always easy to thrive at work. 

The modern workplace (and life) has made it difficult—if not impossible—to take care of yourself and your mental health.

But the truth is, taking care of your mental health is just as important for your professional success as it is for your personal well-being.

In this episode of Prevention Pioneers, Laura sits with Shira Wilensky, National Practice Leader for Health and Well-being at One Digital. 

Shira has spent over fifteen years in the corporate wellness space, helping organizations shift the way they approach employee well-being. 

Together, Laura and Shira dive into how workplace mental health has evolved, why emotional support at work is essential, and the generational differences that shape how employees experience mental health today.

Shira opens up about the challenges of being part of the “sandwich generation”—balancing care for aging parents with raising kids—and how that personal stress shows up at work. 

Finally, they also talk about the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, how to make employees feel safe enough to ask for help, and why managers need the right tools to support their teams through tough times.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re barely holding it together or you’re trying to create a work culture that actually supports mental health, this episode is for you.

Tune in now for more insights from Shira.

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Shira (00:39)

The evolution of corporate wellness programs (02:25)

Generational perspectives on mental health (15:36)

All about mental health literacy (26:23)

How to create a supportive culture for employee well-being (36:47)

Additional Resources:

🌱 Book a FREE demo of our preventative mental health platform: https://spirencewellness.com/solutions/ 

🌱 Go to https://spirencewellness.com/ and gain access to: 

🔹 Extensive content library with courses, live events, and tools

🔹 One-on-one coaching & therapy for individuals

🔹 Manager wellness & leadership support 

🔹 Seamless integration into your existing benefits ecosystem

—

Prevention Pioneers is a podcast for leaders who are committed to using cutting-edge preventative wellness strategies to shift the narrative of mental health, maximize engagement, and minimize absenteeism.

This podcast is hosted by Laura Kunz, the Co-Founder & CGO of Spirence and a passionate mental health advocate. 

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss a new episode!

Mental and emotional well-being isn’t just a personal issue, it’s deeply professional too. 

Whether it’s postpartum anxiety, ADHD, or the sheer overload of modern life, showing up to work every day as your whole self isn’t easy. And yet, it’s essential.

In this episode of Prevention Pioneers, Laura sits down with Beth Finkle, a wellbeing leader at Wawa, professor, TEDx speaker, and mother of four, to talk about what it really takes to integrate identity, feelings, and leadership in the workplace.

Beth shares her journey of rethinking “success,” navigating neurodiversity, and why emotional transparency can actually improve organizational performance. 

From her experiences with perimenopause and overstimulation to the generational divide around mental health, she brings honest, actionable insights to the table.

Together, they also discuss the power of restorative practices, percentage-based team check-ins, and why even something as small as crying at work deserves a fresh look.

If you’ve ever felt like you're holding it together with duct tape—or leading a team that is—this episode is for you.

Tune in now to learn more.

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Beth (01:04)

Mental health in the workplace (10:55)

All about psychological safety (14:30)

Generational differences in the workplace (18:15)

Why early intervention is a must (26:15)

Additional Resources:

🌱 Book a FREE demo of our preventative mental health platform: https://spirencewellness.com/solutions/ 

🌱 Go to https://spirencewellness.com/ and gain access to: 

🔹 Extensive content library with courses, live events, and tools

🔹 One-on-one coaching & therapy for individuals

🔹 Manager wellness & leadership support 

🔹 Seamless integration into your existing benefits ecosystem

—

Prevention Pioneers is a podcast for leaders who are committed to using cutting-edge preventative wellness strategies to shift the narrative of mental health, maximize engagement, and minimize absenteeism.

This podcast is hosted by Laura Kunz, the Co-Founder & CGO of Spirence and a passionate mental health advocate. 

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss a new episode!

Navigating mental health in the workplace efficiently can be done—one employee at a time. 

Focusing on your team’s mental well-being is a must, especially in our post-pandemic world where people everywhere are dealing with more depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

But how can you offer each employee the exact support they need? After all, mental health isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. In fact, it’s as unique as the people who experience it. 

When it comes to creating a workplace culture that truly supports well-being, there are a few things you need to do to meet the diverse needs of employees across all levels.

To discuss this in more detail, Laura sits down with Kellie Regn, Wellness Coordinator at Stream Companies, on this week’s episode of Prevention Pioneers. 

Together, they discuss Kellie’s groundbreaking approach to employee wellness. With over 25 years of experience in nursing, Kellie has transitioned from emergency care to building a robust wellness program that focuses on mental health, prevention, and overall employee well-being.  Her program has helped shape a culture where mental wellness is not only accepted, but embraced.

In this episode, Kellie shares how Stream has integrated mental health literacy, health coaching, and accessible resources into their employees’ daily life, making mental health a priority from the very first day a new team member joins. 

She also discusses the importance of education, coaching, and psychological safety in the workplace and how a proactive, prevention-based approach can make all the difference for employees.

Tune in now to learn more.

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Kellie (00:35)

Mental health focus and education (06:08)

Mental health post-COVID (11:20)

The Spirence platform integration (15:57)

Communication strategies you need (21:56)

Employee wellness frustrations (37:48)

Additional Resources:

🌱 Book a FREE demo of our preventative mental health platform: https://spirencewellness.com/solutions/ 

🌱 Go to https://spirencewellness.com/ and gain access to: 

🔹 Extensive content library with courses, live events, and tools

🔹 One-on-one coaching & therapy for individuals

🔹 Manager wellness & leadership support 

🔹 Seamless integration into your existing benefits ecosystem

—

Prevention Pioneers is a podcast for leaders who are committed to using cutting-edge preventative wellness strategies to shift the narrative of mental health, maximize engagement, and minimize absenteeism.

This podcast is hosted by Laura Kunz, the Co-Founder & CGO of Spirence and a passionate mental health advocate. 

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss a new episode!

Five generations. One workplace. A thousand different views on mental health. What sparks resilience for one might sound foreign to another.

So with this emotional tug-of-war companies are facing, what can we do to build wellness strategies that truly reach everyone?

This week on Prevention Pioneers, Laura sits down with Joe Coughlin, the CEO and founder of Corporate Risk Solutions. 

Joe has over 30 years of experience in the consulting, advisory, underwriting, and brokerage segments of the insurance industry. Over that time, he has originated thousands of engagements and provided services for many of the largest and most intricate transactions within the private equity and distressed debt markets. But today, they are talking about something even more critical—resilience.

From navigating the hardest insurance market in 40 years to watching the pendulum swing in workplace wellness, he opens up about mental health in leadership, intergenerational tensions, and the power of proactive support.

They also explore the tools that can prevent burnout and build resilience long before a crisis hits. Joe and Laura dig into how simple, educational tools can drastically shift workplace dynamics.

Tune in to hear stories that span decades, industries, and major cultural shifts—and get inspired to build your own resilience before burnout ever knocks.

Key Takeaways:

• 00:00 Intro 
• 00:46 Joe’s background
• 04:50 Pioneers in mental health at the workplace 
• 09:46 Building resilience in high-stress industries
• 16:02 Supporting 5 generations in the workplace
• 22:40 Joe’s personal experience with stress
• 25:56 The role of preventative mental health programs 
• 39:51 Why Joe “feels like Forrest Gump”
• 46:17 Outro 

Additional Resources: 

Go to https://spirencewellness.com/ and gain access to: 

🔹 Extensive content library with courses, live events, and tools

🔹 One-on-one coaching & therapy for individuals

🔹 Manager wellness & leadership support 

🔹 Seamless integration into your existing benefits ecosystem

Prevention Pioneers is a podcast for leaders who are committed to using cutting-edge preventative wellness strategies to shift the narrative of mental health, maximize engagement, and minimize absenteeism.

This podcast is hosted by Laura Kunz, the Co-Founder & CGO of Spirence and a passionate mental health advocate. 

Don’t forget to follow so you never miss a new episode! 

The teaser for episode 1 of Prevention Pioneers.