This month we open our hearts to our community's more vulnerable individuals. Join Malene and Bob for some insightful conversations.

Randy Hoak, Commissioner of Senior Services for Erie County shares resources for older Western New Yorkers who are looking for ways to be active and engaged.

Tanya Drake is Spectrum Health's Re-Entry Coordinator. She tells us about her team's work in helping individuals acclimate to the community after incarceration.

Ellen Cool, music therapist at Sound Transformations Music Therapy, talks about the power of music to transform and heal us...and bring us joy, too. Tom Tharp, Clinician at Spectrum Health's Wyoming County Counseling Center, gives us some ideas on how to embrace 2026 in good health.

JoAnn Falletta, Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra talks about her book of original poetry, and the power of music. Mr James Peterson from Spectrum Health's Buffalo Hope COMPS team shares tips for Find it on shswny.org/podcasts/ Spotify, Apple Podcast and iHeartRadio coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during these short winter days.

Finally the podcast team remembers the guests and conversations over the past year.

Best wishes for happy and joyful holidays, filled with love and hope!

Caregivers are loving, stressed, and anxious and The Prevention Council of Erie County is here to help. Janice Burns and Anne-Marie Huurre share advice. Rural Health Day is November 20 and Amanda Burkett and Tom Tharp from Spectrum Health's Springville and Wyoming County counseling centers respectively share the challenges and rewards of serving our rural communities.

Dawn Marie Domke shares the exciting news about Spectrum Health's Riverside Counseling Center and its services for youth.

Brie Kishel, Program and Operations Manager for the Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention at the University at Buffalo, talks about the upcoming annual conference.

Celia Spacone, Ph.D. from the Erie County Suicide Prevention Coalition talks about ways to help people in crisis. Jodie Altman, Executive Director of Kids Escaping Drugs introduces us to the life-changing work on this campus.

Zachary Kay from the Erie County Department of Health talks about substance use in the region and a community event on August 28.

Jack Freedenberg from The Kensingtons talks about Spectrum Health's Fifth Annual Not One More: Stand Together to End Overdose event on August 26.

DawnMarie Sainsbury, School Based Clinician from Spectrum Health, talks about preventing "summer slide" when kids are home from school.

Meichle Latham, Career & Life Coach, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and Business Consultant, takes her business outside to trails and parks for nature-inspired counseling and coaching.

Dawn Stone, Peer Support Specialist from Spectrum Health, catches us up on summer activities in Wyoming County.

Terry Seay from the Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network talks about the Fatherhood Initiative and programs for men. My Brother Lost in Time is a Buffalo-made film about Dan and Paul Lukasik and their depression diagnoses. Spectrum Health is hosting a screening on June 24.

Our guests share unique stories of family, resilience, and brotherhood. Listen to Tara Burgess, Executive Director of Every Person Influences Children, and Navy Veteran Chad Miller a peer support specialist from Veterans One Stop talk with co-hosts Malene, Bob, and Cherie.