The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey

Trauma therapist, executive coach, and international consultant Julie (Jules) Alvarado joins Ken Huey to explore how foster-parenting shaped her leadership, what it takes to build emotionally safe workplaces, and simple practices leaders can use today to regulate and reconnect. Julie shares stories from global consulting (including work across nine countries), concrete coaching examples, and her practical “stop, drop, and roll” breathing practice for moving from reactivity into relationship. A warm, grounded conversation for parents, clinicians, leaders - anyone who wants tools to lead from presence and compassion.

In this episode of The Voice of Hope Podcast, host Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Valerie Shinbaum, a seasoned psychotherapist with over three decades of experience in the field. Valerie discusses her journey into psychotherapy, her unique approach to healing, and the evolution of the mental health profession over the years. She dives into the importance of developing confidence as a clinician, offers advice for young therapists, and shares her thoughts on building self-esteem in both clients and practitioners. Whether you're a therapist, a client, or someone interested in personal growth, this episode is packed with actionable insights and empowering wisdom.

Army veteran, entrepreneur, artist, and mental health founder James Garofalo joins The Voice of Hope to talk about purpose, post-military transition, and why accelerating evidence-based care matters. James shares hard-won lessons from losing friends to suicide, building two startups (the latest, Lokiten - pronounced “lock it in”), doing field research with former child soldiers in Uganda, and channeling creativity into problem-solving. We dig into what trauma really is (and isn’t), what’s broken in behavioral health, and the stubborn stigma that still keeps people from care. If you need a grounded dose of grit, authenticity, and hope - you’ll find it here.

Highlights

• James’s “why” after the Army and Iraq
• The story behind the name “Lokiten” (lock it in)
• What most people misunderstand about trauma
• Art, leadership, and bringing creativity to care delivery
• Where mental healthcare is failing - and how to fix it
• Choosing intentional hope

In this episode of The Voice of Hope Podcast, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Brianne Wolfgramm-Hardy, Director of Community and Business Development at Aspen Grove Behavioral Hospital. With over 20 years in behavioral health, Breanne has worn many hats - starting as a direct care staff member, stepping into leadership, and now building bridges between providers, families, and communities.

Breanne shares her journey of finding purpose in behavioral health, the power of mentorship, and why breaking down silos in mental health care is critical for families in crisis. From stories of helping families navigate services to her passion for uniting providers, Breanne brings both heart and strategy to the conversation.

Whether you’re a mental health professional, a parent, or simply someone who believes in hope, this episode will leave you inspired by the resilience of families and the importance of true connection.

In this episode of The Voice of Hope, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Cortney Harden, LCSW, CMNCS—a behavioral health strategist, integrative psychotherapist, and founder of Live Aligned Integrative Therapy. With over 15 years of experience driving systems-level transformation in mental health and substance use care, Cortney shares her journey from traditional therapy to a whole-person approach that blends clinical nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and evidence-based therapy.

We explore:

• The "why" behind Cortney’s shift to integrative therapy
• How lifestyle medicine transforms mental health outcomes
• What sustainable healing really looks like
• The intersection of policy, prevention, and integrative care
• Her powerful work through The Healing Journal and beyond

Whether you're a clinician, policymaker, or someone navigating your own healing journey, this conversation offers clarity, empowerment, and above all - hope.

In this episode of The Voice of Hope, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Brent Esplin, LMFT - Executive Director at Oasis Ascent and a seasoned leader in adolescent residential treatment. With more than 20 years of experience in behavioral health, Brent shares his deep passion for working with teens, his collaborative leadership philosophy, and his unique approach to building trust with youth in emotional pain.

From ski slopes to staff meetings, Brent reveals how connection, humility, and intentional team-building can catalyze healing. He also discusses the evolving dialogue around suicide prevention and offers parents practical guidance on having hard conversations with their kids.

Whether you're a clinician, parent, or program leader, this episode is a powerful reminder that hope isn’t a buzzword - it’s a process.

In this powerful episode of The Voice of Hope, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Amy Morgan, MSC - a mental health educator, author, and founder of the Center of Training. Amy shares what led her to launch and later sell Academy Hour, why she returned to working with first responders, and the surprising reason traditional therapy often fails them.

Together, they explore:

• The burnout that comes from carrying hundreds of suicide interventions
• Why most therapists aren’t ready to hear what first responders need to say
• The difference between trauma in the field and stress in the boardroom
• How post-traumatic growth fuels her mission
• A powerful reflection on hope, healing, and staying in the fight

This conversation is for anyone who works in mental health, public service, or simply believes in the power of purpose.

In this powerful episode of The Voice of Hope, Dr. Ken Huey speaks with Alec Stone, Executive Director of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP). With decades of experience in public policy and nonprofit leadership, Alec sheds light on the role of accredited therapeutic programs, their challenges with media and public perception, and how they serve as critical safety nets for youth and families in crisis. From Capitol Hill to clinical care, Alec shares his hard-earned insights on advocacy, policy, and the hope he sees for the future of behavioral healthcare.

Whether you're a parent, clinician, educator, or policymaker, this conversation will inform and inspire.

What if the person you love most is the one hurting you the deepest - and you don’t even realize it?

In this episode of The Voice of Hope, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Shannon Petrovich, a licensed clinical social worker, trauma specialist, and author of Out of the FOG Into the CLEAR, to explore the tangled world of toxic relationships, narcissistic abuse, and how trauma distorts our ability to see clearly.

Drawing from over 30 years of clinical experience and the success of her popular YouTube channel Therapist Talks, Shannon breaks down the psychology of trauma bonding, microaggressions, emotional fog, and how to reclaim clarity and peace - even when walking away isn’t easy.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, blamed, confused, or emotionally drained by a relationship, this conversation might just be the start of your breakthrough.

In this episode of The Voice of Hope, Dr. Ken Huey welcomes Julie Beem, Executive Director of the Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN), for a deep and moving conversation about childhood trauma, attachment disorders, and what it really takes to foster healing. Julie shares her personal journey from adoptive mother to national advocate, reveals the transformative power of regulation and relationship, and unpacks the myths and realities of trauma-informed care.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by a child’s behavior, confused by conflicting diagnoses, or unsure of how to help kids who’ve experienced deep emotional wounds - this episode is for you.

Learn:

• The difference between trauma-informed, trauma-sensitive, and trauma-responsive care
• What gives Julie hope — even in the hardest stories
• Why healing is possible, even if it's non-linear
• How parents, educators, and professionals can become agents of healing

Connect with Julie at attachedtrauma.org