The truth is that we lose someone to suicide every 45 seconds. It impacts every community on the planet. Suicide isn't a bad word. We can and should talk about it because talking about it is how we quell stigma and silence the shame that has latched on to it for ages. Suicide has impacted and will impact so many. There are those we've lost to suicide, there are those who are thinking about suicide, there are those who attempt and survive, there are those who are grieving because of suicide, and there are those who are worried about someone they love considering it. We believe we all have a role to play in working to prevent these tragedies.

One piece of the puzzle that is suicide prevention is giving space for those who have been directly impacted by this epidemic, and that includes people who have lost those they love to suicide. Within the grief of losing someone, there are waves of guilt and waves of shame. Those continuing on in the aftermath are left with questions and often little to no answers. They might wonder why, they might ask what they could have done differently, and they might think it's wrong for them to smile or laugh or hope ever again.

There is a common thread between the two individuals joining us on today's episode. They have both lost sisters to suicide and they are both wanting and willing to exist in this awkward and vulnerable space for the sake of healing and hope and help. While they go about it in different ways, their goals are similar. Our two guests are none other than Billy Dwyer and Austin Andrew, and we are eager to introduce you to them.

Billy Dwyer (he/him) is a Licensed Social Worker who works as a Legislative Assistant for his personal Member of Congress in Washington, D.C. As a suicide loss survivor, he is passionate about sharing his sister's story and advocating for headache disorders. Billy is a proud TWLOHA intern alum and has helped represent the organization at events across the US. Beyond professional work, Billy enjoys being outside, drinking coffee, cooking, and lounging by the nearest body of water.

Austin Andrew (he/him) has studied outdoor adventure leadership and when he is not guiding, he can typically be found (or rather not found) outside riding his bike or climbing some mountain. Austin is the founder of a non-profit called We Shall Continue with Style, and is an ambassador for Kona Bikes and the Maxx G Foundation. Austin shares his story of living with grief after loss and works to support others through their own grief. At the present moment, he is cycling through the Americas on a bike.

Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):

Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.

Follow TWLOHA on social media at:

twitter.com/TWLOHA

instagram.com/twloha/

facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/

Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.

Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.

Connect with our team by emailing [email protected].

Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.

Download TWLOHA's daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.

To read Billy Dwyer's blog, go to https://twloha.com/blog/author/billy-dwyer/.

To read Austin Andrew's blog, go to https://twloha.com/blog/author/austin-andrew/.

To learn about We Shall Continue With Style, visit https://www.weshallcontinuewithstyle.com/.

For support for survivors of suicide loss, check out https://afsp.org/ive-lost-someone/.

Purchase a copy of Brene Brown's "Daring Greatly" at https://brenebrown.com/book/daring-greatly/.

Credits:

This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

Whether it's our own perceptions or what the media has designated, when it comes to fashion and clothing choices, we make quick assumptions based on what someone is wearing. All black? You must be emotional or depressed or troubled. Bright and light? You must be carefree and happy. We see people's mental well-being placed into boxes based on what's in their closets and on their bodies. At the same time, there's also space for our fashion choices to express who we are and what we like.

To help us address the woes of using fashion as a mental health check, we're joined by TWLOHA staff members Alex Jones and Amber Gardner.

Alex Jones (he/him) is an Ohio native and has been a designer at TWLOHA for seven years and counting. Alex grew up doodling on any scrap of paper that came his way and still enjoys creative pursuits like photography, illustration, and lettering. When he's not slinging designs at work or at home, he can often be found at the nearest theater watching the latest Oscar winners or nominees or playing games like "Up and Down the River" with friends.

Amber Gardner (she/her) works as TWLOHA's Director of Partnerships, and is originally from the Northeast but currently calls Nevada home. When she isn't cultivating relationships with both companies + individuals invested in mental health advocacy, you can find her hiking with her dog Lola, growing her plant collection (she used to name them but no longer does), or traveling the world (her favorite place thus far is Snowdonia National Park in Wales). As for this year, Amber is most looking forward to visiting Italy.

Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):

Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.

Follow TWLOHA on social media at:

twitter.com/TWLOHA

instagram.com/twloha/

facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/

Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.

Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.

Connect with our team by emailing [email protected].

Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.

Download TWLOHA's daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.

Credits:

This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

The term "therapy desert" is relatively new. Or at least, many people are learning about it for the first time. Because while talking about and even going to therapy has become way less stigmatized over the course of the last three years, there are still places without the resources, necessary infrastructure (like internet access and public transportation), and even the language to be able to access it. Therapy costs money, a lot of money, but how can you address the financial barrier when there isn't even a counselor within a 60-mile radius of where you live? And to put this into a number perspective: There are currently 570 counties in the US without psychologists, psychiatrists, or counselors. That's 17% of counties in the country.

To assist us in answering some questions about therapy deserts like: What are they? Where are they? And what can we do to address them? We're joined by two wonderful folks that are bringing professional and personal experience to the mic.

Our first guest is JoAnn or "Jodi" Davis, who is an MS, LPC, and NCC that currently works at a comprehensive homelessness program in Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University and a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of North Texas. When not providing therapy or doing advocacy work, Jodi often volunteers at local therapeutic horsemanship programs. Jodi's favorite hobbies include drinking way too much coffee, cruising down backroads, and taking selfies with various dogs and farm animals.

And our second guest is no stranger to this podcast. Bianca Mujica is TWLOHA's Community Care Coordinator, which means her work focuses on finding inclusive and creative ways to connect with supporters online. She is a Mexican-American queer woman from Texas with a background in journalism and a love for language. Outside of work, she can be found eating lots of pasta, cuddling with her dog, and creating colorful pieces of art.

Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):

Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.

Follow TWLOHA on social media at:

twitter.com/TWLOHA

instagram.com/twloha/

facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/

Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.

Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.

Connect with our team by emailing [email protected].

Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.

Download TWLOHA's daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.

To read blogs penned by JoAnn Davis, go to https://twloha.com/blog/author/joann-davis/

To read blogs penned by Bianca Mujica, go to https://twloha.com/blog/author/bianca-mujica/.

Credits:

This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

Even before social media and influencers, celebrity culture has permeated our senses through magazines, billboards, advertisements, TV shows, and movies. We're told what is and isn't attractive or desired when it comes to the way we look on the outside. And now, with technology at our fingertips, with filters on nearly every image our eyes take in, and with products and routines that will supposedly transform us into the individual we're admiring, it's no wonder so many of us deal with dysmorphic thinking when it comes to our bodies.

In addition to body dysmorphia, there's also body positivity and more recently, body neutrality. To explore all three of those things and more, we're joined by Alex Jones and Auslyn James.

Alex Jones (he/him) is an Ohio native and has been a designer at TWLOHA for seven years and counting. Alex grew up doodling on any scrap of paper that came his way and still enjoys creative pursuits like photography, illustration, and lettering. When he's not slinging designs at work or at home, he can often be found at the nearest theater watching the latest Oscar winners or nominees or playing games like "Up and Down the River" with friends.

Auslyn James (she/her), TWLOHA's Director of People Operations, has spent a number of years honing her craft and is a Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources as well as Certified in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. When she isn't doing all things HR, she can be found traveling, walking along the beach, hanging with friends, or video-chatting with her family. Auslyn is originally from the small island of Antigua but has spent the majority of her life living in NY before moving to Central Florida seven years ago.

Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):

Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.

Follow TWLOHA on social media at:

twitter.com/TWLOHA

instagram.com/twloha/

facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/

Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.

Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.

Connect with our team by emailing [email protected].

Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.

Download TWLOHA's daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.

To read the blog by Claire Biggs mentioned in the episode, go to https://twloha.com/blog/demi-lovato-is-only-human-recovery-relapse-and-response/.

Credits:

This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

Mental Health Month is upon us and we're in the midst of our Show Up For Yourself campaign which focuses on finding 20 minutes a day to care for things that relate to your heart, mind, body, and community. This can look like gentle movement, calling a friend, journaling, and deep breathing. While we're putting an emphasis on small, accessible, and tangible ways that we can all show up for ourselves, there's obviously a bigger avenue for us, if we have the resources, to tend to our mental well-being: Therapy.

So that's what we're talking about today. But this isn't just about the rather cliche vision we all have when we think about therapy. A shrink sitting upright in a chair taking notes across from their patient who's sharing their thoughts. Of course, there's great value to talk therapy, but there are more options. And that's a good thing because therapy is not one-size-fits-all. We all have varying experiences, varying abilities, and varying needs, so naturally the therapy that suits us best might look different than what we are familiar with and what TV shows and films project out into the world.

In today's episode, we have the honor of exploring alternative therapy options, like Art Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in particular, with the guidance of the wonderful and creative Alyse Ruriani.

Alyse Ruriani (she/they) is a queer femme art therapist, licensed professional counselor, illustrator, and person with lived experience. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and a Masters in Art Therapy and Counseling. Alyse's work aims to communicate information, provide tangible tools, and validate the human experience through engaging illustrations and designs. They live in a colorful apartment in Chicago with their black cat/co-therapist Boo. When Alyse is not working, you can likely find her swimming in some body of water, making art with friends, or hyper fixating on some new ideas.

Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):

Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.

Follow TWLOHA on social media at:

twitter.com/TWLOHA

instagram.com/twloha/

facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/

Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.

Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.

Connect with our team by emailing [email protected].

Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.

Download TWLOHA's daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.

Follow Alyse Ruriani on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alyseruriani/.

Keep tabs on Alyse by visiting https://alyseruriani.com/.

Purchase a copy of The Big Feelings Survival Guide at https://store.twloha.com/collections/accessories/books-and-journals.

Listen to "Look Up" by Paramore by going to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By8xCnMkAQM.

Credits:

This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

Burnout. You've probably heard the term over the course of the last few years in regard to work, the pandemic, and the general state of the world. According to Psychology Today, burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress. Though it's most often caused by things at work, it can also appear in other areas of life, such as parenting, caretaking, or romantic relationships. At the core of burnout, is stress. Stress can manifest itself in many different ways and it does a number on the body, mind, and soul when it's not acknowledged and addressed.

In today's episode, we talk about how to recognize burnout and how to treat it with the help of two people who are rather familiar with it: Sheena Grosshans who is a parent and the spouse of an educator, and Jen Sutton, a long-time teacher.

Sheena works as TWLOHA's Director of Key Relationships and is a Brooklyn, NY native who found both her love and home in the South. She is a lifelong creative and professionally compassionate but spends most of her days being bossed around by her two-year-old daughter. She also shares an eight-year-old son with her husband, a third-generation educator who currently teaches at a middle school in Florida.

Our second guest, Jen, is in her 13th year as a high school science teacher. This year, in particular, she has even added a few middle school classes to her agenda. And one of her coworkers is actually her husband, who teaches at the same school. But Jen is much more than just a teacher—she is passionate about mental health and advocating for both educators and students alike, she has a corgi named Millie and a cat named Bev, and she's a really big fan of the show Ted Lasso (her favorite character is Mae).

Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):

Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.

Follow TWLOHA on social media at:

twitter.com/TWLOHA

instagram.com/twloha/

facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/

Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.

Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.

Connect with our team by emailing [email protected].

Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.

Download TWLOHA's daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.

Learn more about Between The Bells by going to twloha.com/highschool/.

Read Jen Sutton's blog "More Than a Teacher" at twloha.com/blog/more-than-a-teacher/.

Join our Show Up For Yourself campaign by visiting twloha.com/showup/.

Read about the stress being felt by America's youth at an overwhelming rate at apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2021/one-year-pandemic-stress-youth.

Credits:

This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

Season six is officially upon us and we're excited for a number of reasons. First, we're going to have the joy of talking to more To Write Love folks and holding in-person conversations. Second, the topics we're diving into might feel a bit more culturally relevant. We'll get into the mental health assumptions made based on the way someone dresses, different types of counseling like art therapy or combining two forms into one, using bodies as fashion and how it hurts our well-being, and even the burnout being experienced by teachers, parents, and students alike.

In today's episode, we're focusing on two things that are rather intertwined. Two things that have become common topics and common language on the internet—especially on a little app called TikTok: namely, ADHD and neurodiversity. To help us lay out some definitions, break down some long-held stigmas, and address the gray area of digital self-diagnosis, we'll be accompanied by TWLOHA team members Sabrina Coyle and Katie Mumper.

TWLOHA Graphic Designer, Sabrina Coyle is a Florida native and an avid creator. Almost every week, when she isn't working on projects for the non-profit, she attempts to master a new hobby—sometimes with little luck but always with a whole lot of enthusiasm. Beyond work and artistic endeavors, you can find her cuddled up with her dog Luke while she crochets, plays Animals Crossing, or watches anime.

Our second guest Katie Mumper joined the TWLOHA team in 2018 after 12 years of experimenting with potential career paths. She now serves as Director of Communications. She loves being a geek about a variety of things—like Doctor Who, Broadway shows she enjoys, and her particular cross-section of TikTok—as well as being Aunt Katie to seven incredible young humans.

Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):

Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.

Follow TWLOHA on social media at:

twitter.com/TWLOHA

instagram.com/twloha/

facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/

Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.

Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.

Connect with our team by emailing [email protected].

Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.

Download TWLOHA's daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.

Check out KC Davis on TikTok by going to tiktok.com/@domesticblisters/.

Tune in to the ADHD As Females Podcast at adhdasfemales.com/.

Credits:

This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

Being vulnerable is no easy task. Sharing our pain and fears and struggles can make us feel exposed, weak, and susceptible to others' criticisms. Add in our own personal stigmas against things like therapy and vulnerability, and getting honest ends up being one heck of a challenge. Today, we have the honor and pleasure of talking to singer-songwriter Andy Grammer about his experience with all of the above. Andy talks about the grief of losing his mother in 2009, but how caring for his own mental health didn't enter his reality in a big way until 2020 due to the pandemic. As a pretty lively and energetic person who sings a lot of uplifting and catchy tunes on stage, Andy also shares how he has and is using music to make room for the heavier things in life, too.

Multi-platinum artist Andy Grammer continues to engage, energize, and empower audiences with stomping stadium-size pop anthems meant to be shared at full volume. His observations and affirmations pick people back up when they need it, affirm their potential, and encourage them to keep going. His catalog consists of numerous bona fide hits, including the quadruple-platinum single "Honey, I'm Good;" the platinum singles "Keep Your Head Up," "Fine By Me," "Don't Give Up On Me," "Fresh Eyes," and "Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah);" the gold single "I Found You;" and the gold albums Andy Grammer (2011) and Magazines Or Novels (2014). He has generated billions of streams and lent his music to films such as Five Feet Apart.

Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.

Follow TWLOHA on social media at:

twitter.com/TWLOHA

instagram.com/twloha/

facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/

Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.

Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.

Connect with our team by emailing [email protected].

Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.

Download TWLOHA's daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.

Visit Andy's website for tour information, merchandise, and more by going to https://andygrammer.com/.

Keep tabs on Andy by following him on social media at https://www.instagram.com/andygrammer/, https://twitter.com/andygrammer, and https://www.facebook.com/andygrammer.

Credits:

This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

How we talk about, approach, and care for suicide is a pretty big deal. Suicide is a tragic and intense topic, and it's also a very real and human-centered topic. That's why we want to explore the ways in which we can reframe and change how we address it in a more compassionate sense—and how we, on a person-to-person level, can care for ourselves, friends, and loved ones who might be thinking about or considering suicide. So today, we have the honor of hearing and learning from suicide prevention expert Shelby Rowe. Shelby will walk us through everything we mentioned and she'll also touch on why the suicide rate is notably higher for different communities of people—specifically BIPOC communities.

Shelby Rowe is an award-winning artist, mother of three sons, suicide attempt survivor, and director of one of the nation's largest federally funded suicide prevention projects. She is the recipient of the 2021 American Association of Suicidology Transforming Lived Experience Award and the 2016 Chickasaw Nation Dynamic Woman of the Year. Ms. Rowe has been a leader in the suicide prevention movement at the local, state, and national levels since 2007.

This episode is a part of our You Are Not a Burden campaign in honor of September being Suicide Prevention Month. You can learn more about the campaign by going to youarenotaburden.com.

Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):

Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.

Follow TWLOHA on social media at:

twitter.com/TWLOHA

instagram.com/twloha/

facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/

Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.

Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.

Connect with our team by emailing [email protected].

Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.

Download TWLOHA's daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.

Learn about and connect with Shelby Rowe by going to https://www.shelbyrrowe.com/.

Read Dr. Joiner's theory on suicide at https://twloha.com/blog/talking-about-suicide/ or Youarenotaburden.com.

Watch Insecure on HBO by visiting https://www.hbo.com/insecure.

Watch Reservation Dogs on Hulu at https://press.hulu.com/shows/reservation-dogs/.

Watch Rutherford Falls on Peacock by going to https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/rutherford-falls.

Credits:

This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

In 2018, after Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain died by suicide, Deanna Zandt felt compelled to address the words of encouragement others were offering those in the midst of a mental struggle. That piece is titled "Why 'you are loved' & 'please reach out' are crappy things to post after someone has died by suicide" and it explores the way in which our words and actions can help or hurt someone struggling. In today's episode, we're honored to be joined by Deanna to explore her perspective and thoughts on how we can genuinely support and show up for someone who's thinking about suicide.

Deanna Zandt (she/her) is a writer, artist, and award-winning technologist living in Brooklyn, NY. She spent 15 years working at the forefront of social justice, technology and media; after she burned out for the third time, she realized that maybe that work wasn't suiting her particularly well. Currently, she spends her time: supporting other very impressive people and organizations behind-the-scenes with their technology; writing & drawing when she feels like it; walking and playing with her two dogs and their friends; connecting with humans near and far; and figuring out how to exist with meaning, fulfillment, and as many giggles as possible.

This episode is a part of our You Are Not a Burden campaign in honor of September being Suicide Prevention Month. You can learn more about the campaign by going to youarenotaburden.com.

Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):

Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.

Follow TWLOHA on social media at:

twitter.com/TWLOHA

instagram.com/twloha/

facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/

Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.

Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.

Connect with our team by emailing [email protected].

Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.

Download TWLOHA's daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.

Read Deanna's article on Medium at https://medium.com/@deanna/why-you-are-loved-and-please-reach-out-are-the-crappiest-things-to-post-after-someone-has-died-484eb23d6715.

Learn more about the Silk Ring Theory by going to https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-xpm-2013-apr-07-la-oe-0407-silk-ring-theory-20130407-story.html.

Follow Deanna on Twitter at https://twitter.com/deanna or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/deannazandt/.

Check out Robot Hugs comics by visiting https://www.robot-hugs.com/comic/nest/.

Watch/listen to "I'm With You" by JVNA at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hTvEBiehu0.

Visit The Weather Report by going to https://get.theweatherreport.org/.

Credits:

This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.