Headroom

In Part Two of my conversation with Dr. Ana Kelly, associate professor of nursing at Columbia University, we explore the transformative power of immersing oneself in different cultures and communities. Dr. Kelly has been instrumental in encouraging nursing students to study abroad, highlighting how these experiences not only broaden their understanding of diverse healthcare systems but also foster...

In this episode of Headroom , I sit down with Dr. Ana Kelly, an associate professor of nursing at Columbia University, to discuss her remarkable journey in healthcare and academia. Dr. Kelly shares how her time in the Peace Corps—teaching biology in Namibia and working in health clinics—sparked her passion for nursing. Upon returning to Michigan, she pursued a nursing degree and discovered her lov...

In part two of my conversation with Mark Vroman—former Battalion Chief of Meridian Township and current professor of online learning and prison education at Siena Heights University—we explore the critical importance of self-care for those in high-stress, service-oriented careers. Mark shares insights on preventing and managing vicarious trauma, also known as compassion fatigue, secondary stress,...

In this episode of Headroom , I sit down with my friend and colleague, Professor Mark Vroman, to explore the profound impact of a career in emergency response and education. Mark, a graduate of Lansing Community College’s Fire Science and Emergency Medicine programs, served as a Battalion Chief in the greater Lansing area before pursuing an MBA and PhD. Now a professor of online learning, he plays...

In this episode of Headroom, we continue our conversation with Jason Riley, LPC, CAADC, exploring how recovery and personal growth are deeply influenced by community and relationships. While therapy often takes place in a one-on-one setting, true transformation is accelerated and sustained through meaningful connections. We discuss the importance of group therapy, the role of relationships in heal...

In this episode of  Headroom , I sit down with Jason Riley, LPC, CAADC - once my student, now my colleague in mental health - to discuss addiction, co-occurring disorders, and the role of meaning in the recovery process. Drawing inspiration from Viktor Frankl’s  Man’s Search for Meaning , we explore how addiction counseling isn’t just about helping people stop destructive behaviors but a...

In this episode, Dr. Michael Giles, a political science professor at LCC, delves into the intersection of philosophy and political science, with a focus on political theory, which he studied extensively in graduate school. His passion for the humanities stems from a deep interest in what it means to live as a good human being. In part two of this episode, Jim and Michael move from talking about th...

In this episode, Dr. Michael Giles, a political science professor at LCC, delves into the intersection of philosophy and political science, with a focus on political theory, which he studied extensively in graduate school. His passion for the humanities stems from a deep interest in what it means to live as a good human being. This thought-provoking conversation explores Aristotle’s Nicomachean Et...

LCC Center for Student Access Consultant Andy George works with students with disabilities needing academic support and classroom accommodations. He grew up in the Lansing area and regrets having not gone to LCC prior to MSU, where he graduated with a degree in psychology in preparation to be a marriage counselor. He pivoted to education, mentoring, and coaching students and has found a way to liv...

LCC Librarian and Professional Concert Bassist Chuck Page sits down with Jim Owens to discuss the connections between Music and Mental Health. Chuck grew up in North Carolina and went to college to study music and music education at Michigan State University. He and Jim discuss the process of Chuck finding a way to live parallel lives, so to speak, as an Academic Librarian and Professional Musicia...

LCC Advisor Island Ewart is currently completing a graduate degree in clinical social work in preparation to provide clinical mental health counseling. She completed an undergraduate degree in psychology at Michigan State University, and will graduate with a Master of Clinical Social Work from MSU’s college of Social Work. Island talks about the challenges of attending a large university, and how...

In this episode, Jim sits down with Rafael "Gabe" Revilla, an LCC Counseling Office employee often found at the front desk. With his finger on the pulse of student concerns, Gabe provides unique insights into the issues students bring to counseling. Jim and Gabe discuss the diverse needs students present and how LCC's support services are tailored to meet them effectively. Drawing from his own col...

In this episode Jim sits down with LCC Anthropology Professor Kali Majumdar to discuss mental health through a multicultural lens. The conversation ranges from collectivistic versus individualistic ethics, exploring false dichotomies, and understanding the overlap of biology, sociology, and psychology in understanding the human experience. Learning is a lifelong process which includes both unlearn...

LCC Police Chief Daryl Gaines sits down with Jim Owens to discuss the positive impact that physical health has on mental health. Chief Gaines talks about how physical fitness is required to be able to perform competent policing, and it helps manage the high amount of stress that comes with the job. There are inherent physical risks in doing the work of policing, and police departments are providin...

Dr. Steve Robinson, President of Lansing Community College, returns for part two of a discussion on mental health. In this episode, Dr. Robinson speaks less about his own journey in mental health, and more about what he has learned as a leader serving in higher education as a professor, provost, and president. He spent 15 years as a writing professor and learned firsthand the struggles that his st...

Dr. Steve Robinson, President of Lansing Community College, grew up in metro-Detroit, in a split-household, where his family was supportive of mental health, inspiring him to become an outspoken advocate of mental health care. He shares his journey through being an introverted theatre major who barely got accepted to MSU to discovering a love of English and teaching, persevering through 3 college...

Ronda Miller, Dean of Student Affairs at Lansing Community College, shares her story of life as a kid through high school, college, adulthood, and finally into a career as a leader for student services. She shares what life was like as a kid of the 70s, and that she was expected to go to college after high school graduation. Her first attempt at college ended early, and she had to regroup to resta...

Angela Mathews, chairperson of the LCC Board of Trustees, defines herself as a community activist. She wants everyone to know that college is possible, and that it’s okay to figure things out as you follow your heart's desire. Like so many other guests, she highlights that one of the things that made college so hard was trying to figure things out on her own. She finally graduated and got a degree...

Dr. Felipe Lopez-Sustaita, Associate Dean at Lansing Community College for Support Services, shares his story of growing up in the United States as a migrant worker. Felipe received his master's degree in clinical social work, and his Doctorate in Community College affairs. Citing Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Serach for Meaning , he defines success in life as someone taking risks to pursue their purpose...

Sam Bultman is an LCC Academic Advisor where he helps students plan their academic journey through college and beyond. Sam is also a licensed professional counselor who works part-time in mental health counseling. He defines his background as “blue-collar” and talks about the difficulty in being the first person in his family to go to and graduate from college. Some of the things he learned throug...

Demarquis Battle, Advisor working in Financial Aid at Lansing Community College, describes his circuitous journey through higher education from playing college football and aspiring to run a Fortune 500 company, to discovering that he instead wanted to focus on serving people as a servant-leader. Daring to make a major occupational change in college, he found that his family and friends were there...

Stephen McCorry, LCC Student, shares his journey in life as a father, recovery coach, author, and acclaimed MC. Stephen and Jim start the discussion on the topic of “Who am I?”, then move to examining the paradox of choice, sometimes known as analysis paralysis. Stephen shares his wisdom on balancing multiples roles and responsibilities while working toward life-changing goals. Paralyisis in decis...

In this episode Jim interviews fellow LCC mental health counselor Curlada Eure-Harris. The “L” in Curlada’s name was given by her father to stand for “Love”. She goes on to explain that she sees her role as helping people learn to love and accept themselves. She talks about the unlimited capability of the human brain to learn, regardless of age, referred to as neuroplasticity. Jim dispels the myth...

In this episode Jim interviews fellow LCC mental health counselor Pam Davis who describes herself as a casual person who loves her job and spending recreational time with friends. Pam's been at LCC 28 years and even as she gets ready to retire, she still plans to practice as a professional counselor. Pam highly values interacting with people with a variety of perspectives. Pam shares how she came...

In this episode Jim Owens and fellow LCC Mental Health Counselor Louise Rabidoux discuss the value of spending time in nature, following one’s passion, and overcoming the loneliness that can accompany moving away to attend college. Louise shares how her parents inspired her to go to persist in college even though she struggled mightily in making friends in a new city.   Jim cites some re...