The UNNI Podcast

“If you or someone you know identifies as LGBTQ+, this is a MUST LISTEN!!”

Host Bianca McCall talks with Andre’ Wade; a professional with 20 years experience in Human Services, and 12 years working in the spaces of LGBTQ+ policy and advocacy. Andre helps to distinguish between sexual orientation, gender identity and sexuality; which are often confused as the same. The call to action is to educate and empower LGBTQ+ Communities, as well as their systems of support; so the two talk tolerance, acceptance, and understanding of the individual experience one goes through, to form their identity.

PART ONE -- Host Bianca McCall invites two women, having lived experiences with substance abuse and addiction; to discuss the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and suicidal risk, identifying substance abuse as a non-suicidal and self-injurious behavior (NSSI).  The trio discuss Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder (STSD), and the risks for someone who is experiencing STSD, to abuse substances as a primary coping modal.

Host Bianca McCall and Community Health Worker Alisa Howard discuss suicide prevention, from a public health; community action planning lens. Controversy arises as the two professionals openly discuss health equity, within the context of racial and cultural division. Calling to action; the emergence of diverse leadership, which represents all races and all cultures; with parts of the conversation focused on Black American Communities.

Grief & Loss expert, Melissa Lunardini of Tribal Grief & Loss in San Diego, CA, US; joins the UNNI Podcast and adds insight to what the grief process is for youth. Melissa also talks resiliency building blocks, and how systems can provide greater support to young people who are exposed to trauma inducing grief.  Calling to action, all parents and caregivers be willing to be the ones to lead conversations about death and suicide.

Gary King joins the UNNI Podcast, from Brisbane, Australia. Gary presents his experiences working with youth -- From practice, bound with theory; he talks non-suicidal and self-injurious behavior (NSSI), and how they relate to suicidal risk for young people.

Bianca McCall is joined by published author, comedian and suicide survivor, Mr. James Bean; from Las Vegas, Nevada, US. James shares his lived experience with suicide; while discussing stigma and misinformation about the subject, and other important socio-economic factors to suicide.

The UNNI Podcast is the conversational space which features the journey to finding a cure for suicide. Join in our efforts to connect communities all over the world; to promote unity, universal intelligence, and compassion for anyone and everyone whose life has been impacted by suicide.  

Hosted by Bianca McCall