Show Disclaimer: This show covers a wide variety of topics related to mental health and life in general. Episode 12 specifically discusses suicide and being molested at a young age. These topics can be difficult for some people so use your best judgement when listening to the show. We are not therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. Information shared on this show is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice because of something you heard on this show. 

In Episode 12 of Real Stories Real People, Ashley, Mandi, and Sam get together to discuss Sabrina, Paul, and Keith's stories. Throughout this After the Show, they discuss: 

• How media can impact your mental health in a negative way amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The inspiration in Sabrina's story when her perspective changes after her COVID diagnosis.
• Why Paul's story and charisma were so inspiring, especially within the Christian community.
• How Mandi and Ashley both felt they weren't a strong enough Christian when they struggled with depression during their teens. 
• How Keith and Paul's stories share a common theme - black men asking for help.
• Keith's experience being molested and how difficult it would be to comprehend something like that at such a young age. 
• Why there is so much shame surrounding going to therapy or seeing a counselor, and what we can do to normalize therapy. 

Tune in, and hang on, because here we go!

Additional Resources

• Blog Article - Alcoholism: What Is Alcoholism?
• Mental Health Statistics and Facts
• Moxie Support Groups

If you're interested in sharing your story on our show, please complete our Podcast Guest Application.

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Important Note About Episode 11:  Episode 11 includes discussion about sexual trauma and molestation that began at a young age. If this is something that may trigger you, you may want to sit this episode out. 

During Episode 11 of Real Stories Real People, Ashley meets with her dear friend Keith Smith to discuss sexual assault, alcoholism, and struggling as a black man asking for help.

Keith’s story is met with trials and tribulations but also filled with resilience, discovery, strength, and perseverance. During Episode 11, you'll hear:

• How Keith experienced inappropriate sexual behavior starting at the age of nine. 
• When and how he learned his brother had also been molested. 
• Why he so often asked himself, 'Who loves me?' growing up. 
• His journey with alcoholism including when he realized he had a problem.
• About his personal struggle when it came to asking for help as a black man. 
• What 'getting help' looked like for Keith. 
• How Keith's higher power prepared him for some tough moments early in his recovery journey.
• The importance of having a strong community of people surrounding you.

We are so proud of Keith for sharing his story with us. We hope you'll tune in, and hang on, because here we go!

Could've Been Me Is a nonprofit organization that exists to Inspire those struggling In life to use their voice and ask for help. For more Information, please visit: https://itcouldvebeenme.org/

Podcast Disclaimer: This show covers a wide variety of topics related to mental health and life in general. These topics can be difficult for some people so use your best judgement when listening to the show. We are not therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. Information shared on this show is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice because of something you heard on this show. 

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In Episode 10, Ashley meets with Paul Calcote a fellow podcaster and pastor who has struggled with depression. Paul was born and raised in Mississippi by his parents who were also pastors. He currently resides in Houston, Texas and serves as a Young Adult Pastor at Champion Forest Baptist Church - Champions Campus. 

Throughout Episode 10, Paul and Ashley discuss:

• How he has dealt with depression multiple times throughout his life.
• Why not meeting 'cultural norms' when it comes to the timeline of life made his depression deeper.
• A moment where he thought about driving off of a bridge.
• How COVID-19 has impacted his life.
• A concept Paul calls vent joy.
• Why finding joy daily is beyond important in his life journey.

Paul lets his personality shine through. You won't want to miss his story, so tune in, and hang on, because here we go!

To learn more about Paul, check out his podcast Real People, Real Talk!

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In Episode 9, Mandi meets with her life-long friend Sabrina Van Schepen to discuss mental health and COVID-19 and all of the unexpected a COVID diagnosis can bring. 

Throughout the show Mandi and Sabrina discuss:

• What it was like for Sabrina to receive a COVID diagnosis just before Christmas.
• How Sabrina handled being isolated over the holidays.
• Why Sabrina had to abstain from social media during her isolation.
• How you can support someone who is quarantined or in isolation. 

This episode takes a slight different view on mental health, but it is one that is necessary in 2020 and 2021.  So tune in, and hang on, because here we go!

Disclaimer: This show covers a wide variety of topics related to mental health and life in general. These topics can be difficult for some people so use your best judgement when listening to the show. We are not therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. Information shared on this show is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice because of something you heard on this show. 

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During After the Show, Mandi and Ashley discuss Case's story, the story of the Stetson family, and Sam DeCosmo's story.  The topics of illness, grief, death, experiencing suicidal ideations, and finding joy amidst hardship are discussed.

If you have lost someone you love, have experienced suicidal ideations, or are looking for ways to find joy amidst hardship, this may be the episode for you. Tune in, and hang on, because here we go!

Links and Resources
Tom & Lindsay's Nonprofit : SpreadJOY
Sam DeCosmo's Blog: A Purpose in Pain
Ashley's Caringbridge Journal: Cornelius Brewer

Disclaimer: This show covers a wide variety of topics related to mental health and life in general. These topics can be difficult for some people so use your best judgement when listening to the show. We are not therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. Information shared on this show is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice because of something you heard on this show. 

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In Episode 7, Ashley meets with Samantha 'Sam' DeCosmo. Sam is a wife, a rescue dog mom, and a blogger who believes in the power of sharing stories to help others feel less alone in theirs.

Throughout Episode 7, Sam eloquently shares about: 

• Her journey with chronic pain.
• The headache that lasted for 16-years and still occasionally rears its head today.
• How she struggled in her journey to find answers about what was causing her pain.
• How pain led her to a point of extreme depression.
• What it was like experiencing suicidal ideations. 
• How she found love in the midst of chronic pain.
• Why her support system has been such an important part of her journey. 
• What it is like living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
• Why she decided to find a purpose in the midst of her pain.

Sam's story is one of resilience and beauty. It's about taking a crappy situation and making the best of it. Sam is committed to finding meaning and beauty in life's obstacles and truly has found a purpose in pain.

Tune in, and hang on, because here we go!

To learn more about Sam, check out her blog, A Purpose in Pain.

Real Stories. Real People. is proudly brought to you by Could've Been Me, a nonprofit organization that exists to inspire people who are struggling In life to use their voice and ask for help. For more information visit https://itcouldvebeenme.org/ or email [email protected].

DISCLAIMER: This show covers a wide variety of topics related to mental health and life in general. These topics can be difficult for some people so use your best judgement when listening to the show. We are not therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. Information shared on this show is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice because of something you heard on this show. 

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After receiving a poor prognosis while fighting a battle with cancer, Lindsay Anne Stetson made it her life goal to live like she was dying. In the midst of her own pain, she found ways to SpreadJOY to others on a daily basis through social media. In her last days on earth, she filed paperwork to start a nonprofit, SpreadJOY. The mission of SpreadJOY is to fulfill needs for and give a pick-me-up to people going through a difficult time in their life. 

Throughout Episode 6, Ashley met with Lindsay's husband Dr. Tom Stetson. His story includes much more than Lindsay's journey to start SpreadJOY. Ashley and Tom also discuss: 

• How he and Lindsay met. You'll literally hear him light up sharing this story!
• The story of the 50+ hour birth of Tom and Lindsay's son Connor. 
• How Tom was able to see God's sense of humor after making jokes about building an ark right before his chiropractic clinic flooded. 
• How Connor receiving a feeding tube at the same time that Lindsay was receiving treatment impacted Dr. Tom personally.
• The tremendous amount of love and support Tom, Lindsay, and Connor have received from their tribe. 

Dr. Tom will have you laughing and crying, so tune in, and hang on, because here we go!

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Ashley's world came crashing down on her the day that she turned 23-years-old when her son, Cornelius John Brewer, was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and given a 50% chance to live to see his second birthday. How does a parent grasp this type of news? 

During Episode 5, you'll hear Ashley and Sam discuss the life and death of Ashley's son, Cornelius John Brewer, or baby Case as many know him. It's a story that includes highs and lows, ups and downs, joy and sorrow.  So tune in, and hang on, because here we go!

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Join Ashley, Sam, and Mandi for the very first After the Show where we discuss common themes, statistics, data, and listener feedback from the previous episodes. During Episode 4, we discuss anxiety, depression, showing up for people who are struggling, and so much more. Tune in, and hang on, because here we go!

Disclaimer: This show covers a wide variety of topics related to mental health and life in general. These topics can be difficult for some people so use your best judgement when listening to the show. We are not therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. Information shared on this show is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice because of something you heard on this show. 

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Anxiety began for Samantha "Sam" Montgomery at a young age, but she didn't know what it was or what to do about it. It was in a college psychology class where Sam finally realized that there was a name for all of the thoughts and feelings she had been experiencing for so many years - anxiety. She reached out to her mom, sought the help of a professional, and began on her own personal recovery journey.

Throughout Episode 3, Sam and Ashley connect to discuss her coping mechanisms and recovery journey. Sam openly shares:

• What she was feeling at a young age
• How she has been paralyzed at times by perfectionism
• When she realized that she had anxiety and what she decided to do about it
• The misconceptions surrounding anxiety when there is no known associated trauma
• How everyone's journey to recovery is different

During the show, Sam also shares how her own family was affected by suicide after losing a close family member to it. She walks through her journey of coming to accept that it had happened and that it was suicide and talks about how her family has changed for the better as a result.

This is an episode you won't want to miss, so tune in, and hang on, because here we go!

Disclaimer: This show covers a wide variety of topics related to mental health and life in general. These topics can be difficult for some people so use your best judgement when listening to the show. We are not therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. Information shared on this show is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice because of something you heard on this show. 

Support the show