Social support is one of the strongest protective factors for mental health—but finding the right community isn’t always easy. In this episode, we sit down with educator and community builder Jess Levasseur to talk about the power of connection.

Jess shares her personal journey—from growing up feeling out of place to using her event-planning skills to build spaces where people truly feel like they belong. What started as a personal search for connection led to the creation of San Diego Sapphic Book Club, a rapidly growing community that now brings together about 100 people each month with shared interests and lived experiences.

We discuss why community matters, how to foster it, and how building spaces for belonging can transform mental health. Whether you're looking for support or thinking about starting something of your own, this conversation is for you.

Resources

@sapphicbookclubsd

For educators: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/

Looking to build your own community, start here: https://www.priyaparker.com/book-art-of-gathering

To support our work and access our downloadable infographics and worksheets, find us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ or visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠.

Music Credit: Nathan Byrne with Reel Byrne Media.

Note: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical or therapeutic advice. Such information is not intended nor otherwise implied to be mental health advice or a substitute for mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a mental health or medical professional. If you become distressed and need support, use the free 988 24/7 Mental Health Hotline, call 911, or visit your nearest Emergency Room.

Feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to find relief? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving into another set of DBT distress tolerance skills—Self-Soothing. While last episode’s DEEP skills focused on physiological relief, this week, we explore how to regulate our nervous system through sensory comfort.

Let’s be real—we don’t outgrow the need to be soothed; we just stop getting handed binkies and warm blankets when we’re upset. Many of us develop self-soothing habits unconsciously, like nail-biting, cheek chewing, or skin picking. But what if we could be intentional about how we comfort ourselves?

We’ll teach you how to use your five senses to shift focus away from distress and onto something calming. Plus, we’ll walk you through how to build your own self-soothing kit, so you have reliable tools to turn to when emotions run high. Because self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

To contribute to our mission or to access our downloadable infographics and worksheets, find us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Music Credit: Nathan Byrne with Reel Byrne Media.

Note: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical or therapeutic advice. Such information is not intended nor otherwise implied to be mental health advice or a substitute for mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a mental health or medical professional. If you become distressed and need support, call 988 to access the free 24/7 Mental Health Hotline, call 911, or visit your nearest Emergency Room.

Grief isn’t just about losing loved ones—it can come from lost opportunities, lost identities, and the weight of regret. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Montrell Corbin as he shares his journey through profound loss, including the loss of a job, passing of family members, and the heartbreaking end of his military career due to a mistake he made.

Men are often told to suppress their emotions, but Montrell’s story is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability. He opens up about how shame and grief nearly consumed him—and how gratitude, self-reflection, and emotional honesty helped him move forward. His story is raw, real, and a reminder that healing isn’t about avoiding pain, but learning how to carry it.

If you are having thoughts about suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 to reach the free, 24/7 U.S. national mental health hotline. To contribute to our mission or to access our downloadable infographics and worksheets, find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Music Credit: Nathan Byrne with Reel Byrne Media

Note: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical or therapeutic advice. Such information is not intended nor otherwise implied to be mental health advice or a substitute for mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a mental health or medical professional. If you become distressed and need support, use the free 988 24/7 Mental Health Hotline, call 911, or visit your nearest Emergency Room.

Overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or other intense emotions? You’re not alone. In moments when life feels unmanageable, we all need tools to help us get through. In this episode, we introduce you to four practical distress tolerance skills using a simple acronym - D.E.E.P. - to help you remember, which you can start using right away. These science-backed tools from DBT will help you regain control, find relief, and build your capacity to survive and thrive—even in the hardest of times.

Music Credit: Nathan Byrne with Reel Byrne Media.

To contribute to our mission or to access our downloadable infographics and worksheets, find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Note: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical or therapeutic advice. Such information is not intended nor otherwise implied to be mental health advice or a substitute for mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a mental health or medical professional. If you become distressed and need support, call 988 to access the free 24/7 Mental Health Hotline, call 911, or visit your nearest Emergency Room.

Overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or other intense emotions? You’re not alone. In moments when life feels unmanageable, we all need tools to help us get through. In this episode, we introduce you to four practical distress tolerance skills using a simple acronym - D.E.E.P. - to help you remember, which you can start using right away. These science-backed tools from DBT will help you regain control, find relief, and build your capacity to survive and thrive—even in the hardest of times.

Music Credit: Nathan Byrne with Reel Byrne Media.

To contribute to our mission or to access our downloadable infographics and worksheets, find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Note: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical or therapeutic advice. Such information is not intended nor otherwise implied to be mental health advice or a substitute for mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a mental health or medical professional. If you become distressed and need support, call 988 to access the free 24/7 Mental Health Hotline, call 911, or visit your nearest Emergency Room.

Ever feel like your emotions are running the show, leaving you overwhelmed and unsure how to respond? In this episode, we dive into the "Model of Emotions" to uncover what's really happening when you experience an emotional response. Using insights from DBT, learn about the complex set of processes that occur when we have an emotion, discover the difference between primary and secondary emotions, and begin to identify how you can intervene to better navigate your emotions.

Music Credit: Nathan Byrne with Reel Byrne Media.

To contribute to our mission or to access our downloadable infographics and worksheets, find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Note: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical or therapeutic advice. Such information is not intended nor otherwise implied to be mental health advice or a substitute for mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a mental health or medical professional. If you become distressed and need support, call 988 to access the free 24/7 Mental Health Hotline, call 911, or visit your nearest Emergency Room.

Ever feel like your emotions are running the show, leaving you overwhelmed and unsure how to respond? In this episode, we dive into the "Model of Emotions" to uncover what's really happening when you experience an emotional response. Using insights from DBT, learn about the complex set of processes that occur when we have an emotion, discover the difference between primary and secondary emotions, and begin to identify how you can intervene to better navigate your emotions.

Music Credit: Nathan Byrne with Reel Byrne Media.

To contribute to our mission or to access our downloadable infographics and worksheets, find us on ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠ or visit our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠.

Note: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical or therapeutic advice. Such information is not intended nor otherwise implied to be mental health advice or a substitute for mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a mental health or medical professional. If you become distressed and need support, call 988 to access the free 24/7 Mental Health Hotline, call 911, or visit your nearest Emergency Room.

Ever feel like your mind is stuck on a hamster wheel of thoughts? In this episode, we explore what it means to be "fused" with your thoughts and share evidence-based strategies to break free from overthinking. Discover practical tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to stop ruminating and live more fully in the moment.

Music Credit: Nathan Byrne with Reel Byrne Media.

To contribute to our mission or to access our downloadable infographics and worksheets, find us on ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠ or visit our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠.

Note: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical or therapeutic advice. Such information is not intended nor otherwise implied to be mental health advice or a substitute for mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a mental health or medical professional. If you become distressed and need support, use the free 988 24/7 Mental Health Hotline, call 911, or visit your nearest Emergency Room.

Ever feel like your mind is stuck on a hamster wheel of thoughts? In this episode, we explore what it means to be "fused" with your thoughts and share evidence-based strategies to break free from overthinking. Discover practical tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to stop ruminating and live more fully in the moment.

Music Credit: Nathan Byrne with Reel Byrne Media.

To contribute to our mission or to access our downloadable infographics and worksheets, find us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ or visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠.

Note: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical or therapeutic advice. Such information is not intended nor otherwise implied to be mental health advice or a substitute for mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a mental health or medical professional. If you become distressed and need support, use the free 988 24/7 Mental Health Hotline, call 911, or visit your nearest Emergency Room.

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, we sit down with award-winning Chef Chris Curren and his wife Megan, co-owners of The Graceful Ordinary, to explore the unique mental health challenges faced in the hospitality industry. Together, they share their personal mental health journeys, the realities of working in high-pressure environments, and their inspiring commitment to mental health advocacy. A must-listen for anyone navigating the intersection of work, wellness, and resilience.

Check out the charities that they support and learn more about their work by visiting the handles below:

TriCity Family Services: @tricityfamilyservices_il

Hope for the Day: @hopefortheday

Cal's Angels: @calsangels

CASA Kane County: @casa_kanecounty

The Graceful Ordinary: @thegracefulordinary

Access free mental health resources for the hospitality community by visiting:

https://www.bensfriendshope.com/

https://southernsmoke.org/mental-health/

Music Credit: Nathan Byrne with Reel Byrne Media

To contribute to our mission or access our downloadable infographics and worksheets, visit our website: www.gutsnonprofit.org.

Note: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical or therapeutic advice. Such information is not intended nor otherwise implied to be mental health advice or a substitute for mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a mental health or medical professional. If you become distressed and need support, use the free 988 24/7 Mental Health Hotline, call 911, or visit your nearest Emergency Room.