Turning Points: Navigating Mental Health

Laura Mauldin fell in love in her twenties, and then watched that relationship change shape when her partner’s cancer returned. In this episode of Turning Points: Navigating Mental Health, host Frantzces Lys talks with Laura, now a sociologist and author of In Sickness and in Health. Laura shares her experience from the invisible slide into caregiving: the grief with no clear name, the hypervigilance, the trauma responses she didn't recognize until years later. Sociologist Dr. Sung Park adds research context, including how caregiving burdens fall unevenly across immigrant families, the "sandwich generation," and the long-term toll on caregivers' health, finances, and careers. Caregiving can't be sustained by love alone. It requires community, support, and permission to say the hard things out loud.

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Tina Walsh spent decades being the person everyone else counted on. But in her forties, she found herself in a therapist’s office for the first time. With a marriage under strain and a family history of "keeping it private,” those early conversations with a therapist kicked off decades of re-building the foundation of her mental health. 

This week, Frantzces talks with Tina about what it took to finally ask for help: the near-accidental start, the divorce she never planned for, the sudden loss of her husband, and the years of somatic therapy and yoga that helped her reconnect with herself. Then, geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Helen Kyomen, Medical Director of the Boston Medical Center–Brighton Geriatric Psychiatry Program, joins to unpack why so many older adults wait so long to seek care, what actually brings people through her door, and why it's never too late to ask for help.

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After the loss of her husband, Cynthia Blanc Preiss MacLean (@therealmentorcynthia) spent years hiding the truth. She joins the show to talk about continuing to live after loss, the judgment widows face when they start dating again, and how she learned to frolic, even while grieving. Geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Nancy Donovan explains the science behind that story: why losing a spouse doesn't just break your heart, it can measurably affect your body and brain, including a heightened risk of cognitive decline. Together, they explore what grief actually asks of us, and how connection, even imperfect and long after loss, can help us heal.

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There's often a specific moment that pushes someone to finally ask for help. This season, host Frantzces Lys explores the turning points, the ones that lead people to make that first call, walk into a therapist's office, or admit they can't do it alone.

From Tufts Health Plan, Turning Points: Navigating Mental Health dives into what keeps people going when life gets hard, what they learn about themselves in the process, and how healing rarely follows a straight line. 

Join us this season for honest conversations about mental health at every stage of life. Follow Turning Points: Navigating Mental Health on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

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Loneliness has been called more dangerous than smoking 15 cigarettes daily—a stark warning from the former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. Social isolation is a hidden health crisis affecting millions, especially older adults.

In this episode of Turning Points, Frantzces talks with Roxy Rocker, a Disability rights advocate, founder of Embracing Disability, who reveals how chronic illness and disability can intensify loneliness and offers practical strategies for overcoming barriers to social connection. Frantzces is also joined by Dr. James Lubben, Professor Emeritus at Boston College and UCLA, to learn more about groundbreaking findings from his decades-long research on social isolation among older adults. They discuss evidence-based interventions for combating elderly loneliness, and policy solutions for strengthening social support systems.

Follow the Turning Points podcast on your favorite podcasting app so you never miss an episode. Leave the podcast a rating, review or tell a friend about the show.

Visit globe.com/turningpoints for more information on mental health care and resources.

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Can a meaningful friendship bridge a 51-year age gap and help combat social isolation? Meet Peter and Pooja; two unlikely companions whose intergenerational bond proves that friendships can flourish when we break down barriers and embrace human connection.

In this episode of Turning Points, explore how Peter and Pooja’s weekly conversations through Boston's FriendshipWorks program evolved from a simple volunteer match into a life-changing friendship filled with book launches, grocery runs, and life advice that flows both ways.

We also speak with Kyle Robidoux, Executive Director of FriendshipWorks. He shares insights on addressing social isolation and loneliness and how community-based friendship programs are strengthening social connections.

Peter and Pooja's transformative friendship shows that when we approach relationships without preconceived notions, we can unlock the healing power of human connection. Their story offers hope and practical wisdom for anyone struggling with loneliness or seeking to build deeper, more meaningful relationships.

Follow the Turning Points podcast on your favorite podcasting app so you never miss an episode. Leave the podcast a rating, review or tell a friend about the show.

Visit globe.com/turningpoints for more information on mental health care and resources.

Guests: Peter MacIntyre, Dr. Pooja K. Agarwal, Kyle Robidoux

Host: Frantzces Lys

Follow the Turning Points podcast on your favorite podcasting app so you never miss an episode. Leave the podcast a rating, review or tell a friend about the show.

Visit globe.com/turningpoints for more information on mental health care and resources.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For years, Annalisa thought the anxiety, sleepless nights, and brain fog were just stress from COVID. But when she could barely function at work and felt like a stranger in her own body, she discovered the real culprit: perimenopause and menopause. We explore the profound mental health effects of this natural transition that affects nearly every woman, yet remains largely misunderstood.

Annalisa shares her five-year journey from feeling like she was "going crazy" to finding effective treatment through hormone therapy. Dr. Tara Iyer, medical director of the Menopause and Midlife Clinic at Brigham and Women's Hospital, explains the science behind why hormonal changes can trigger depression, anxiety, and cognitive issues - and what women can do about it.

If you or someone you love is navigating perimenopause or menopause, this episode offers both validation and hope. From the importance of self-advocacy to finding the right healthcare provider, we discuss practical steps for getting support during one of life's most challenging transitions.

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Caring for aging parents or loved ones — especially those with dementia — can take a deep emotional toll. In this episode, we’ll speak with a therapist or mental health professional about the mental and emotional effects of caregiving, including burnout, guilt, grief, and stress. Then we’ll hear from a caregiver who shares their honest experience: the exhaustion, the emotional complexity, and the deep sense of connection that can come from spending this time with a loved one. It’s a look at both the challenges and the moments of meaning that come with showing up day after day.

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How do we redefine who we are as we grow older? This episode explores how aging — including retirement, physical changes, and shifts in cognition — can shape our sense of self. We’ll look at the emotional and psychological impact of big life transitions, like stepping away from a job after 40+ years, and how ageism can influence the way we see ourselves and others.

But it’s not all loss — it’s also about growth. We’ll talk to a professional who can shed light on the range of identity changes that come with aging, both challenging and empowering. Then, we’ll hear from someone who’s lived through a major turning point, sharing how aging became a gateway to self-discovery, new purpose, and even joy.

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 This season on Turning Points, we're diving deep into the mental health journeys that come with growing older. These are stories of resilience, reinvention, and the turning points that reveal who we really are. Join host Frantzces Lys for intimate conversations about loneliness, isolation, friendship, and the commitment to putting mental and emotional well-being first - no matter what stage of life you're in.

Follow the Turning Points podcast on your favorite podcasting app to stay up-to-date. Leave a rating or review, and share the show with a friend.

Visit globe.com/turningpoints for more information on mental health care and resources

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