United and Resilient

In our first episode of season two, we  discover how a good night’s sleep improves mental and physical health.We welcome,  Dr. Maria Isabel Macias from 8 Hour Sleep Clinic in El Paso. Dr. Macias is a sleep specialist who practices sleep and internal medicine by diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Dr. Macias shares advice on how to improve sleep habits and understand factors that disrupt our sleep at night. 

Featured this month on our intermission segment “Where were you on August 3rd?”,  is Sirius XM & 104.3 HIT FM radio host and DJ Johnny Kage. Johnny gives us a very personal and impactful look into his personal account of the August 3rd, 2019 tragedy.

Listen in to Mariana’s touching farewell, as she shares her experience as the host and creator of United and Resilient, the warm connections she shared with her listeners, and the podcast’s accomplishments.

New Host, Oscar Arriaga introduces himself to the United and Resilient family. During this conversation we get to know his roots and find out the future of the podcast.

Welcome back to another episode of United and Resilient.

For this month’s episode, we highlight one of our wonderful community partners the YWCA of El Paso. Thanks to our partnership, FRC participants are eligible to receive free fitness classes at their locations.

Today we welcome, Scott Smith Certified Personal Trained and Nutrition Coach at the YWCA. Throughout our conversation, we discuss how nutrition can boost and improve our mental health.

Featured this month on our "Where were you on August 3rd?" intermission segment, is Iris Lopez, KVIA Anchor and Mija, Yes You Can founder. Listen today, to hear her personal account personal account on the day of the August 3rd, 2019 tragedy.

Thank you, for listening.

As we hit the two-year mark of August 3rd, 2019, we want El Pasoans to know that the El Paso United Family Resiliency Center continues to offer support to the borderland community during these difficult times.

In this episode, we talk to Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, who reflects on a tragic day that is now part of our history. We talk about the importance of mental health in our borderland and the meaning of resiliency. We also discuss the impact this tragedy had on our community and how she was able to process everything as a leader - but more importantly, as an El Pasoan.

During our "Where were you on August 3rd?" intermission segment, Ames Davis, Red Cross West Texas Region Chief Executive Officer, shares her account of August 3rd, 2019 and the impact the community’s response had on her.

Welcome back to another episode of United and Resilient.

For this month’s episode, we highlight one of our wonderful community partners the YMCA of El Paso. Thanks to our partnership, FRC participants are eligible to receive free memberships and join fitness classes at their locations.

Today we welcome, Bill Coon, President and CEO of YMCA El Paso. Throughout our conversation, discuss how can physical health boost and improve our mental health.

During our "Where were you on August 3rd?" intermission segment, Lisa Sanchez, radio host for KLAQ 95.5 FM, through her testimony, she shares her experience on the day of the August 3rd tragedy and the days that followed.

As part of our long-term goals, the El Paso United Family Resiliency Center is committed to reducing the stigmas that surround mental health and provide education that can help community members navigate their healing journey.

For this month's episode, we’ll speak with Isidro Torres, Executive Director of NAMI El Paso. In our conversation we discuss how we can provide support and guidance to a loved one who is dealing with a mental illness. How can we start the conversation in our dinner tables without being invasive and how can we take care of ourselves while taking care of others?

During our "Where were you on August 3rd?" intermission segment, Jorge Salgado, former El Paso Inc, now freelance photographer, details his experience on the day of the August 3rd tragedy and the days that followed.

As part of our long-term goals, the El Paso United Family Resiliency Center is focused on increasing the understanding of mental health by providing education on the signs of trauma-induced stress, as well as removing stigmas. We understand that anxiety is a natural response to stress, however, how can we cope and identify signs of stress?

For this month’s episode we have an insightful conversation with Jazmin Silva, a local LPC and Registered Child Therapist from Counseling El Paso.

We speak on anxiety and other stress indicators and throughout our conversation, Jazmine explains to us what anxiety really is. We also share tools and education that can help us navigate our emotions whenever we manifest anxiety within.

Additionally, during our "Where were you on August 3rd?" intermission segment, we have the privilege of listening in on Bishop Mark Seitz of the Catholic Diocese of El Paso's moving personal account of his experience on the day of the August 3rd tragedy.

During the month of April, the FRC joins national efforts in raising awareness on sexual assault. The FRC understands that abuse and violence can come in different shapes and forms. It is important to recognize that, sexual assault can touch the lives of many, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, age or race.

For this episode, we have a touching but insightful conversation with Sandra Garcia, Executive Director of Center Against Sexual and Family Violence (CASFV).

Throughout our conversation we speak on the common stigmas that surround sexual assault and the importance of creating safe spaces for our youth to be educated and listened to. We’ll also discuss how we can move from awareness to action that can transcend and make a huge impact in our society.

The El Paso United Family Resiliency Center (FRC) recognizes the importance of setting the standards now to prepare for possible future adversities.

As part of our long-term goals, the FRC works towards creating partnerships and sharing experiences to build capacity in other communities responding to similar situations.

In this episode, we have an honest conversation with Ryan Logan, Director for Recovery Services at the American Red Cross. We’ll discuss lessons learned from our border region and how we can find healing by providing support and guidance to other communities.

At the FRC we recognize that providing care to others during a tragedy like August 3rd can lead to stress, anxiety, fear, and other emotions. Coping with these emotions can affect the mental health of our first responders, the care they give to others while on field, and the well-being of their loved ones outside work.

During this episode we talk to one of the FRC’s wonderful community partners, Dr. Deborah Ontiveros, founder of West Texas Responders Alliance (WTRA). Throughout our conversation, we talk about the importance of recognizing what stress looks like and how to take steps to build resilience. We also discuss the current stigmas surrounding mental health among first responders and what family, friends, and the community can do to help them cope.