In Episode 8 Greg DiCharry, Jennifer Eales & Greg Mead, dive into the deep waters of Teen Suicide. We discuss it with courage and sensitivity; all the while in the context of HOPE.

Greg DiCharry has directed and produced 3 films covering the topic of suicide: The most recent, "My Ascension", the story of Emma Benoit; At 16 years old, varsity cheerleader Emma attempted to end her life. MY ASCENSION is the story of the day that changed Emma’s life, and everything that’s happened since.

SriPonya screened "My Ascension" in partnership with the Tower Theater, Youth Line, the LGBTQ Community, and Central Oregon Community College.

Greg's 1st film "Suicide - The Ripple Effect" (Trailer) is a feature length documentary film and MOVEMENT, focusing on the devastating effects of suicide and the tremendous positive ripple effects of advocacy, inspiration and hope that are helping millions heal & stay alive. Seen by over 250,000 people already, across 7 countries, this film is having a global impact.

The film highlights the journey of Kevin Hines, who at age 19, attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. Today Kevin is a world-renowned mental health advocate, motivational speaker and author who travels the globe spreading a message of hope, recovery and wellness. 

The 3rd Offering is a film called "Big Infinite's Power of Expression" (Official Trailer) When singer-songwriter Jordan Lally lost his father to suicide, he knew he could no longer hide his own struggles with anxiety & depression. It was time for him and his bandmates in Big Infinite to get “real” and share their own mental health struggles with the world.

As I mention in the Intro, this conversation was recorded in August of 2022 but bringing it to you now has to be considered "perfect timing". We are excited to announce that MY ASCENSION will be broadcasting nationwide on PBS starting this September!

Greg DiCharry, Greg is the founder of SmileStyle Entertainment which produces mental health related documentary films and other uplifting media content. He co-directed and produced the 2018 Award winning film Suicide the Ripple Effect, and he has recently completed a new documentary feature, My Ascension, which focuses on youth suicide prevention and will air nationally on PBS in September 2023.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING & ARRANGE A SCREENING

Halie Shares:

My own journey into recovery began long before I was even aware that it was happening. I had graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in art history and a clearly laid out plan in which I would move to New York and have a life-long career in the art world. After a couple years of corporate city life it came as a surprise when I found myself feeling more unfulfilled than ever and battling substance abuse.

I went to rehab after rehab, burned bridge after bridge, lost all sense of Self, and eventually wound up homeless living on the streets of Oakland, CA for a period of time. My addictions brought me to my knees. When I finally entered into recovery all I had left was a shell of myself and the shattered remnants of the life I had torn apart in my addiction. It was a devastating and terrifying place. I had hit bottom, and there was nowhere else to go. Nothing left to do but turn around and face everything I had been so desperately running from. Little did I know that the wreckage I was ashamed to stand in would soon become the foundation upon which I would begin to build a life more fulfilling than I could dream.

I LOVE being sober now. It truly feels like a superpower. To be able to be a CLEAR channel because I’m not poisoning myself daily; to feel energized, alive, and able to show up to Life fully, courageously, vulnerably; to know without doubt that I am strong enough to handle ANYTHING that life throws at me without needing to revert to addictive behaviors, is nothing short of a miracle for me. And if it’s possible for me, then it is absolutely possible for you too! My vision is that every woman in recovery will come to know and fully inhabit her body as a safe and sacred space so she can recover her sense of Self-trust, her authenticity, her intuition, and her vibrancy. My mission is to offer you tools and support that help you fall in love with your recovery and empower you to trust that you are ultimately your own best healer. When one of us bravely commits to her healing there is a massive ripple effect. She brings healing to her entire lineage past, present and future, and inspires healing in her community as well.

Find Halie @ Embodied Recovery Community - Sacred Grounding FB Halie Taylor Instagram HalieDevlin

Balarama Chandra was born into a family of soft hearted Native American and Mexican farm workers. Inner strength through struggle and seeking love in all things were his caring parents. He found new vibrance in life once he heard the voice and conversation of Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. Like brush in a wildfire he was consumed by the vast wisdom of the Vedic vision of life and the cultural practices of Yoga and Ayurveda. These arts enticed him to spend the next 8 years immersed in monastic living and spiritual practice.

Currently, unrestricted by form, his study continues to find no end while sharing whatever fresh and ripe fruits he has with anyone who comes close, is feeling hunger, or desires to taste new things. Balarama Chandra currently focuses his professional practice on Ayurvedic Psychology and Habit Reformation through positive expression and the simple means of yoga, breath, and diet.

He loves facilitating the conversation of self transformation and dharma via international educational trainings, retreats, and personal counseling. Balarama is a true pleasure to study with as he has the dynamic ability to make the seemingly complicated - practical, humorous and exciting.

My conversation with Jaylyn Suppah is powerful, personal and provocative in the best sense of each of these words.

Alish (ah-lish) is Jaylyn Suppah’s name given to her by her namesake and grandmother Margaret Suppah. Jaylyn Suppah is her English name. She is a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and a descendant of the Yakama Nation from her paternal side. On her maternal side, she is a descendant of Shoshone-Bannock and Cree Canadian.

Jaylyn is a mother of two school age children, an educator, an advocate for social justice, equitable education and equitable representation. She was raised on her Reservation in the northern part in a community called Simnasho, Oregon and is a traditional food gatherer for her Tribe. Her passion is decolonizing education and using her cultural teachings with her children, and her community. Her culture is woven into  the life of her home, her classroom and programming.

Jaylyn is the founder and director for Papalaxsimisha. The organization began in 2014 and works to advocate for equitable education, the uplifting and incorporation of Traditional knowledge and advancing cultural and health equity practices and policies.

Papalaxsimisha incorporates education on historical trauma, healing, self-identity, and cultural awareness. It also supports tribal members in high school, college and career readiness with a curriculum she and two other native teachers developed.

Jaylyn is the co-director of the Tribal Democracy Project that works to protect, uplift and empower indigenous communities through civic engagement, equitable representation and Tribal sovereignty.

Jaylyn obtained her Bachelors of Arts degree with an emphasis in Tribal Governance from The Evergreen State College through the Native Pathways Program. Her background includes cultural awareness facilitation trainer, Traditional Health Worker, youth mentor, facilitating workshops on historical trauma with the focus on healing, curriculum development and youth program development.

She is always looking for ways to advocate for her Tribe, her people, and her community;  building the capacity for collective and collaborative work. Jaylyn creates spaces that allow for others to learn, have voice and to join the efforts.

We are considering a "Rita's Corner" as a regular feature of SriPonya's "One Breath" Podcast. In this episode we take a deeper dive into the realms of justice, mercy, colonialism and much more. 

Rita's wisdom, love and commitment to 'make a difference' are inspiring. Let them inspire you...They certainly continue to inspire me.

Meet my friend Rita and prepare to be inspired. You can't help it. Rita speaks with powerful passion and compassion. They use language like "fierce love" & "selfless service".

Rita, I am inspired...AGAIN...as I listen