The Beacon Way

Supporting mental health in Minnesota schools, Prairie Care Fund provides crucial funding for resources, training, and peer-to-peer initiatives.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introduction to Prairie Care Fund, a mental health nonprofit boosting mental health initiatives in Minnesota schools. 
• Overview of how the funds can be used including curriculum, books, fidgets, HeartMath monitors.
• Highlighting the impact of Prairie Care Fund: $1.4M awarded, over 80,000 students and staff impacted.
• Tackling the challenge: 69 grant applications in 2023, $1.5M requested, only $220,000 awarded.
• Unfolding the success stories: mental health first aid training, peer-to-peer training, and early onset mental illness identification skills.
• Striving to reduce mental health stigma and provide coping mechanisms.
• The imperative need for mental health resources and support in schools.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Jennifer Christensen on LinkedIn

Jennifer Christensen on Twitter

Beacon Media + Marketing

Beacon Media + Marketing @beaconmm

linkedin.com/in/michael-moody-800b5b187

https://www.linkedin.com/company/prairiecare-fund/

https://www.prairiecarefund.org/

This informative 29th episode of The Beacon Way podcast explores the transformative insights on homelessness and mental health through Interfaith Sanctuary. Interfaith Sanctuary is a low-barrier homeless shelter in Boise, Idaho, providing a safe haven for everyone. Discover how they challenge misconceptions about homelessness and the intersection with mental health.

Key Points From This Episode: 

• Interfaith Sanctuary is a year-round homeless shelter that began as a mobile winter shelter. 
• The shelter welcomes all individuals, regardless of background, sobriety status, or sexual orientation. 
• A new building has been purchased to expand the facility from its current 10,000 square feet. 
• The shelter provides for approximately 170 guests each night with an additional 97 accommodated in a hotel during the pandemic. 
• On-site programs include mental health services, a homeless art collective, a newspaper, and a food service training program. 
• The future shelter plans to be a national model, focusing on de-escalation, continuous safety, and a secured space for progress. 
• Homelessness is primarily due to system failures and limited housing availability. 
• Mental health and addiction issues are generally a consequence of homelessness, not the root cause. 
• Common triggers for homelessness include loss of income, health problems, inaccessible benefits, and loss of required documentation. 
• Emphasis is placed on the importance of empathetic listening and assistance in mental health care. 
• Interfaith Sanctuary offers several programs to help individuals reintegrate into the community. 
• Former guests of the shelter are encouraged to take part in mentorship programs and support groups. 
• Private funds sustain general operations while diverse funding streams support specific programs. 
• Despite facing opposition and legal setbacks, a capital campaign is underway to finance the new shelter. 
• The local community significantly contributes to the funding of Interfaith Sanctuary's operations.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

linkedin.com/in/jodi-peterson-stigers-a845548 

interfaithsanctuary.org  

Jennifer Christensen on LinkedIn 

Jennifer Christensen on Twitter 

Beacon Media + Marketing 

Beacon Media + Marketing @beaconmm 

Join The Beacon Way podcast as host Ken Okonek sits down with Peter Caputa, CEO of Databox, for a deep dive into the world of data. Learn about Databox's integrations, capabilities, and how it uses machine learning to forecast results and identify trends. Discover how generative AI can boost your company's knowledge and insights. Tune in to understand how Databox can help improve your business's performance and visit benchmarks.databox.com to see where you stand compared to other companies.

Show Notes:
In this enlightening 28th episode of The Beacon Way podcast, host Ken Okonek welcomes Peter Caputa, the CEO of Databox. Peter underscores the significance of data in making informed business decisions. He opens about Databox's functionality, detailing its integration with over 70 tools for comprehensive business data monitoring. The platform enables companies to construct dashboards, track conversions, bridge with CRMs, and more. Peter highlights the potential of machine learning algorithms in predicting outcomes using historical data and pinpointing shifts in metrics like sales call volume or PPC costs. Lastly, he stresses Databox's primary objective – aiding businesses in interpreting and enhancing their performance data

Key Points from This Episode:

• The Beacon Way podcast hosts Peter Caputa, CEO of DataBox.
• DataBox is a software system that helps businesses gather crucial data.
• Data from DataBox aids in measuring business performance and operations.
• DataBox aims to support small businesses by offering data free of charge.
• Users participate in surveys or share tool access to acquire the data.
• This system promotes smarter decision-making in business through data utilization. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

linkedin.com/in/pc4media

pc4media on Twitter

www.databox.com

linkedin.com/in/ken-okonek

Jennifer Christensen on LinkedIn

Jennifer Christensen on Twitter

Beacon Media + Marketing

Beacon Media + Marketing @beaconmm

In episode 27 of The Beacon Way podcast, host Jennifer Christensen welcomes Chris Maliszewski, one of the founders behind the Walking Tall movement. Chris shares his personal journey as a mass shooting survivor and how it led to the creation of Walking Tall—a mental health movement aimed at turning tragedy into triumph. The episode explores the importance of vulnerability, storytelling, and the power of human connection in overcoming trauma and promoting mental well-being. Chris and Jennifer discuss the challenges faced in today's society, the worsening mental health statistics, and the need for a different approach. This episode is a source of inspiration and hope for anyone navigating trauma or mental health struggles. It reminds listeners that they are not alone and that healing and growth are possible.

Key-points in the episode:

•  Guest: Chris Maliszewski, one of the founders of the Walking Tall movement
• The Walking Tall movement aims to create a mental health movement based on severely traumatizing experiences.
• Chris is a mass shooting survivor, having experienced a mass shooting on July 4th, 2022
•  Todd Blyleven, another mass shooting survivor, reached out to Chris and they collaborated to start the Walking Tall movement.
• The movement believes that vulnerability is strength and aims to help others through their experiences.
• The Walking Tall podcast is the first part of their movement, where they share stories of people walking through trauma and turning tragedy into triumph.
• The podcast covers various mental health issues, not limited to mass shootings.
• The movement encourages people to use the hashtag #WalkTall on social media to identify as part of the movement and show support.
• They are recruiting ambassadors who are willing to share their stories and be resources for others.
• The movement aspires to expand its efforts through charitable work and technology initiatives to improve access to therapy.
• Chris and Todd emphasize the importance of vulnerability, caring, kindness, and listening to help reduce mental health crises and support those in need.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Jennifer Christensen on LinkedIn

Jennifer Christensen on Twitter

Beacon Media + Marketing

Beacon Media + Marketing @beaconmm

linkedin.com/in/chris-maliszewski-cprp-20190061

https://www.linkedin.com/company/walking-tall-movement/

linkedin.com/in/todd-blyleven

linkedin.com/in/vanetta-larosa-91157b44

Episode Description: In The Beacon Way Episode 26, host Jennifer Christensen interviews Lexi Trainor of Yaaruin Consulting about integrating personal values into business, authentic self-awareness, and celebrating the uniqueness of culture in our businesses.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Lexi Trainor is the CEO of Yaaruin Consulting, a business whose name derives from the traditional Yup'ik women's story knife used to pass down traditional knowledge.

• Lexi has worked diligently to hone in on her self-awareness and offer value to others through her business.

• As an Alaska Native woman, she experienced difficulties growing up due to negative stereotypes and a lack of exposure to higher education opportunities.

• She draws inspiration from Gloria O’Neil, the CEO of Cook Inlet Tribal Council, as well as her own culture’s emphasis on connection and community.

• Jennifer Christensen values differences between people and celebrates how unique perspectives can enhance one another.

• Jennifer Christensen posed the question of how to celebrate and embrace differences and also uplift women as a community.

• Lexi Trainer shared her experiences of feeling like women's appreciation is countercultural, but hopeful that it is changing.

• She described that when putting together her business values, empathy and understanding everyone's life story was a priority.

• Lexi believes that recognizing the struggles of others, even if they are not shared publicly, is the best way to support one another in the community.

• Specifically, she suggests ways such as providing specific help or opportunities for one-on-one or group communication and listening/learning each other’s stories. Ada's story about “ability without visibility not being worth anything” was used as an example.

• Lexi Trainer is a storyteller and strategic communications expert who specializes in Alaskan Native cultural consulting.

• Her services include helping people strategize their branding, social media management and photography.

• She encourages others to be vulnerable and form strong connections with one another through sharing experiences.

• Lexi’s passion lies in providing outreach and education campaigns for people in rural Alaska.

• Jennifer Christensen recommends Lexi’s services, noting her openness and ability to make a difference.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Lexi Qass’uq Trainer
 
yaaruinconsulting.com 

[email protected] 

Jennifer Christensen on LinkedIn 

Jennifer Christensen on Twitter 

Beacon Media + Marketing 

Beacon Media + Marketing @beaconmm 

CIRI Foundation

Join hosts Adrienne Wilkerson and Jennifer Christensen in episode 25 of The Beacon Way podcast, as they chat with Paul Roetzer, founder of Marketing AI Institute, about the state of AI for marketers. Discover how AI is revolutionizing the marketing landscape and what businesses can do to stay ahead of the game. From automating content creation to optimizing user experiences, explore the benefits and challenges of implementing AI in your marketing strategy. Tune in now to stay ahead of the rapidly-evolving digital landscape.

Key points from the Episode:

• Paul Roetzer, CEO of Marketing AI Institute, discusses the history and evolution of AI in marketing.
• AI can help marketers understand the needs and preferences of their customers better by analyzing data and predicting their behavior.
• Marketers need to ensure that they are using AI ethically, transparently, and responsibly, to avoid biases and maintain customer trust.
• Automation is likely to play a more significant role in marketing as AI technologies continue to develop and improve.
• The future of AI in marketing may involve the increased use of chatbots and other conversational interfaces to provide more personalized marketing experiences.
• There is a trend of advising companies to use AI for the first draft of content.
• It is possible for AI to generate content for clients under a work-for-hire agreement, but there may be copyright issues to consider.
• AI can assist in generating ideas or providing insights for content creation.
• AI-generated content can be used as a starting point, but editing and revisions are still necessary to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Human input and creativity are still essential in the content creation process to maintain authenticity and engagement.
• Podcasts, videos, events, and opinion pieces with clear points of view are all great forms of marketing content.
• Authentic branded content is becoming increasingly important, as it helps consumers connect with the people behind the content.
• The utility is important in marketing content; it should answer a question or provide some value to the reader or viewer.
• Efficiency tools can help reduce costs and improve the quality of content over time, making it difficult for competitors to keep up.
• Efficiency improvements of 10-30% can be achieved through the use of technology across various areas such as writing, advertising, video production, and graphic design.
• Competitors who are slow to adopt technology risk falling behind quickly in the next 12 months.
• The game is evolving rapidly, and the use of technology is no longer just an incremental improvement but a game-changing differentiator between firms.
• Catching up with firms who have already started to infuse technology into their services will become increasingly difficult over time.
• Continuous evolution in technology makes keeping up with emerging trends and innovations is essential for businesses to remain competitive.

Marketing AI Institute

LinkedIn: Paul Roetzer

Twitter: paulroetzer

In this episode of the Beacon Way Podcast, Beacon CMO Jennifer Christensen speaks with Kelly Farrell, founder of Design Room, about the power of branding. Kelly shares her expertise in the field and explains why branding is so crucial to the success of businesses. As a specialist in branding, Kelly offers insights into niching your business, a tactic that can help you stand out in a crowded market. She shares her journey of discovering her passion for branding, and how Design Room has become a goto agency for healthcare branding, with a focus on behavioral health. Don't miss this episode to gain key insights into the importance of branding and what sets businesses apart.

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction of our guest, Kelly Farrell of Design Room
• Branding is crucial for the success of
  businesses.
• Branding is not well understood by most
  clients.
• Design Room specializes in branding, while Beacon is a digital marketing
  company.
• Kelly explains why niching your business is
  important.
• All aspects of a business should work together to remove barriers and provide a seamless customer experience.
• Don't be afraid to embrace a more brand minded mindset moving forward. 
• Take small steps and make sure your values, vision, mission, and culture reflect what you say. 
• Competition is no longer an issue, it's the clutter from all the noise options that people have.
• Take a consistent position in the market so your light can shine through.
• Utilize experts within the business to create rich content that supports digital efforts.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• linkedin.com/in/kellydrc
• designroom.com
• https://twitter.com/designRoom
• Jennifer Christensen on LinkedIn
• Jennifer Christensen on Twitter
• Beacon Media+Marketing
• [email protected]

In this episode of The Beacon Way, Jennifer Christensen interviews Steve Turney, the organizer of the Mental Health Marketing Conference. Steve shares his insights into the challenges and opportunities of scaling a business, and the role that conferences can play in driving growth. 

Key Points From This Episode: 

• The conference started as a more localized event and transitioned to a national event. 
• Private equity frothiness, technology and innovation changes, and health systems awakening have helped mental health gain more attention in recent years. 
• Mental health is the last bastion of Biocare and is critical to address. 
• Trends in technology, economics, and societal changes are creating a giant wave that needs to be navigated. 
• Steve Turney is actively working to create an inclusive conference experience. 
• He has included affinity groups for solo travelers and implemented a policy to ensure no one feels like a second-class citizen. 
• The goal is to create a true melting pot of people, regardless of their ticket type or perceived status. 
• Steve Turney suggests creating a room setting that encourages comfort with leaning forward and backwards, indicating important or divisive conversations. 
• He advocates providing content in advance via fractional work groups to accommodate different paths up the mountain. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Jennifer Christensen on LinkedIn 

Jennifer Christensen on Twitter 

Beacon Media + Marketing 

Beacon Media + Marketing Twitter @beaconmm 

linkedin.com/in/steveturney 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/mentalhealthmarketingconference/ 

https://youcanpym.com/ 

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/164027/will-guidara/ 

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/setting-the-table-danny-meyer?variant=32122420363298 

Today we take a deep dive, continuing with what we discussed in our previous episode, into the field of mental health. The conversation today is with a special guest, Avivit Fisher, a marketing consultant who founded REdD Strategy. Her mission is to help mental health private practice owners understand, plan, and enjoy marketing. She wants to educate therapists and clinicians who are starting with what they need, how to structure their messaging, and what language to use so that they are targeting and attracting the appropriate clientele. As listeners tune in, they’ll hear about what brought Avivit to the field of mental health, the problem with the messaging being sent out by therapy marketers, and how she helps therapists remove barriers to reach the right people. She shares her catalyst for pursuing therapy and what lead her to start her own business. For some key insights and great resources, don’t miss this episode! Enjoy. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to our guest, Avivit Fisher.
• What brought her to mental health field.
• The problem with the messaging sent out by therapy marketers.
• How Avivit helps therapists to break down barriers and get to the right language point to reach the right people.
• We talk about the specific things people are looking for and who your message should target.
• The catalyst that pushed Avivit in her journey, to want to go and talk to somebody.
• When Avivit started her business and started helping other therapists.
• The difference between strategy, tactics, and marketing language.
• Avivit’s vision for expanding and growing her business.
• Jen talks about the process of finding a business partner.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Avivit Fisher on LinkedIn

Avivit Fisher on Instagram

Avivit Fisher on Twitter

REdD Strategy

Therapy Business Brief

Adrienne Wilkerson on LinkedIn

Adrienne Wilkerson on Twitter

Jennifer Christensen on LinkedIn

Jennifer Christensen on Twitter

Beacon Media + Marketing

Beacon Media + Marketing @beaconmm

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pandemic that has sat with us throughout the ages and, sadly, the trend seems set to continue in the foreseeable future. Victims of GBV are often silenced, and forced to sit with their trauma within the harsh confines of their minds. Today’s guest, musician, life coach, and entrepreneur Hana Kahn, has broken the shackles and freed her voice as she speaks about the difficult situations she’s been forced to overcome. She shares a potentially triggering account of the abuse and sexual violence she endured as a teenager and an adult, and how those experiences drove her to pursue a career in mental health. Then, we take a look at her other professions as we find out about her love for marketing and the impressive array of musical instruments that she plays. Hana explains why she can’t see herself living a life without therapy, a necessary component in dealing with the extreme levels of GBV that we see in Alaska and across the country. On a lighter note, our guest names the people that have helped shaped her career, and she gives some uplifting advice for those who are ready to embark on a journey of healing and recovery. We are grateful that women of all ages are starting to speak up more about their horrible experiences, and we applaud Hana Kahn for being so brave in her vulnerability. As you listen to and engage with the difficult topics explored in this episode, please do so with care.     

Key Points From This Episode:

• Today’s special guest, Hana Kahn, tells us why she enjoys being on podcasts.
• TW: For listeners wishing to avoid Hana’s accounts of abuse and rape, please skip audio between [02:08] and [03:37]. 
• The personal traumas that drove Hana to get involved in the mental health industry. 
• Where Hana’s love for marketing stems from. 
• Why she can’t see herself living a life without therapy
• The instruments she plays as a musician. 
• Discussing the daunting state of gender-based violence in Alaska and everywhere else.  
• Hana’s day-to-day activities and what she’s currently working on. 
• The people in her life who helped shaped her professional journey. 
• Hana shares some wholesome advice for those who are starting their healing process. 
• Exploring the age groups of her clientele. 
• The beauty of being able to have difficult conversations more openly and across all generations.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Hana Kahn

Hana Kahn on Instagram

Hana Kahn on YouTube 

Hana Kahn on TikTok

Hana Kahn on Spotify

Hana Kahn on Apple Music

This Is My Brave 

We are Golden Stars 

The Limitless Life Course 

Taylor Rae

Jennifer Christensen on LinkedIn

Jennifer Christensen on Twitter

Beacon Media + Marketing

Beacon Media + Marketing @beaconmm