NOHS Roundtable Discussions

In this chilling conclusion to Mind of a Killer, host Anneliese Chase examines Richard Trenton Chase—the “Vampire of Sacramento”—who murdered six people in 1977–78, drinking their blood and mutilating their bodies. We trace his descent from a tortured childhood of animal cruelty and untreated schizophrenic delusions to a horrifying killing spree fueled by paranoid psychosis. Through expert analysi...

In this final episode of The Game Plan for Growth, host Cally McSweeney sits down with Coach Annie Lahey, the architect behind Assumption University’s remarkable turnaround field hockey program. Over her 13-season tenure, Coach Lahey has taken a team that once struggled to win and transformed it into a perennial Division II powerhouse built on resilience, grit, and community. Throughout their conv...

In this third installment of Turf Talk, Roderick Boyd reflects on a season unlike any other—one defined by a serious labrum injury that benched him for his senior year and forced him to rediscover who he was off the field. From the locker room to the media center, Roderick shares how he leaned on teammates like Gavin and Quinn Seager to stay connected, then channeled his energy into his true passi...

In this final chapter of Missing Out, Tori Richardson introduces NOMO—No More Missing Out—a personal framework for finding balance between engagement and simplicity. Rather than dwelling on fear or even joy in what you skip, NOMO celebrates the normalcy in life’s trade-offs. To illustrate this, Tori sits down with her parents, Jenny and Adolf Richardson, who share how their own childhoods—rooted i...

In this chilling second episode of Mind of a Killer, host Anneliese Chase unravels the story of Aileen Wuornos—dubbed “America’s first female serial killer”—and asks how a deeply abused child became a cold-blooded murderer on Florida’s highways. You’ll hear the harrowing details of Aileen’s childhood: abandonment by her teenage mother, sexual and physical abuse at the hands of her grandfather, and...

In Episode 2 of The Game Plan for Growth, host Cally McSweeney sits down with powerhouse defenseman and captain Jillian McSorley to unpack the life-changing power of an unapologetic attitude. Jill shares her journey from seeking external validation to discovering unshakable self-worth, and how that mindset shift transformed her confidence on and off the field. You’ll learn practical strategies for...

In this second episode of Turf Talk, senior cornerback Roderick “Deuce” Boyd opens up about the challenge of juggling football, academics, and personal relationships. Deuce takes us through his transition from high school recruit to college athlete, sharing how he built friendships in the locker room and leaned on upperclassmen to find his footing. He digs into the reality of “student-athlete” lif...

In this episode of Missing Out, Tori Richardson tackles the flip side of FOMO and dives into JOMO—the Joy of Missing Out. Inspired by comedian Nate Bargatse’s “Hello World!” special, Tori and her guest, Professor Christopher Gilbert, explore why sometimes saying “no thanks” is the best decision you can make. They unpack how intentional solitude—choosing a cozy night in, a solo bike ride, or family...

In this chilling debut of Mind of a Killer, host Anneliese Chase unpacks the case of Charles Cullen—the so-called “Angel of Death” who confessed to murdering at least 29 patients (and is suspected of hundreds more) during a 16-year nursing career. We trace Cullen’s troubled childhood in New Jersey—marked by loss, neglect, and early suicide attempts—and his turbulent stint in the Navy, where bullyi...

In this inaugural episode of The Game Plan for Growth, Cally McSweeney welcomes All-American Paige Gillette to explore the mindset that turns everyday challenges into championship-level performance. Paige explains how she learned to see mistakes not as failures but as one-time lessons and how shifting from “I have to” into “I get to” transforms obligations into opportunities. She also shares her a...

In this premiere episode of Missing Out, host Tori Richardson dives into the all-too-familiar pangs of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Tori breaks down how social platforms amplify envy and anxiety on our “control board,” then sits down with her friend Allie Smith—an over-committed RA, student leader, and gym ambassador—to hear how FOMO shapes her weekly schedule. From Google Calendar hacks to the gui...

In this debut episode of Turf Talk, host Roderick “Deuce” Boyd takes you behind the scenes of his junior season as a college cornerback—highlight plays, his first interception, and then the moment a forceful hit on a kick return shattered more than just his adrenaline. Roderick walks us through the sharp pain and grinding click that signaled a torn labrum, the daily grind of therapy and trainers’...

Healing Connections: Supporting Youth In Crisis with Emma Nelson, Sarah Nelson, & Brianna McKenzie At the roundtable we have a conversation with Sarah, Emma, and Bri from CommUnity Crisis Services, a nonprofit organization in Iowa City. The organization provides crisis services and support to individuals in need. The conversation explores their roles and the services they offer, including cris...

In this conversation, Alex Kaplan, the founder and executive director of Substance, shares his personal journey through addiction and recovery, and how it inspired him to create a platform that uses short films as tools for mental health professionals. The discussion explores the intersection of art and mental health, the importance of storytelling in healing, and the innovative approach of using...

Heath Hightower, an assistant professor of social work, joins us at the roundtable to discuss suicide prevention and the need for a shift in how we approach suicidality. He emphasizes the importance of creating spaces for open and honest conversations about suicide and challenging the stigma surrounding it. Hightower suggests that suicide prevention, assessment, and intervention should be integrat...

In this conversation, Dr. Braxton Morrison discusses his work in crisis intervention, particularly in the context of emergency services. He shares his personal journey and experiences with mental health challenges and how they led him to focus on crisis intervention. Dr. Morrison emphasizes the importance of crisis intervention in supporting emergency services personnel who often face traumatic ev...

Join us as we explore the complexities of educating and advocating for children with autism with our guest, Lawrence Nentwig. With a background in neuroscience and psychology, and experience as an autism consultant, Lawrence shares the critical issues parents face in navigating the public education system. He emphasizes the importance of understanding educational regulations, the lack of training...

In the final episode of "In Focus," host Alicia delves into the multifaceted challenges associated with ADHD. This episode unpacks common symptoms, self-sabotage behaviors, and the stigma surrounding ADHD. Alicia explores how social media can negatively impact individuals with ADHD, exacerbating two major challenges: poor wellness habits and lack of routine. She discusses the unique conn...

In the third and final episode of "Beyond the Label," host Molly delves into the personal stories of individuals living with chronic illnesses, diseases, and disabilities. Drawing from film, poetry, and media, Molly examines how words profoundly impact those with chronic conditions. This episode highlights how language is often misused, perpetuating black-and-white stereotypes. Through p...

In the final episode of "I Wish I Knew," host Rachel is joined by her cousin Sabrina for a powerful discussion on the roles and unfair challenges women face in a "man's world." Together, they explore the evolving expectations of womanhood, examining how gender roles have changed and remained the same over generations. They delve into the types of jobs women are expected to...

In the final episode of "The Virtues of Laziness," host Maureen delves into the crucial topic of personal space. She explores the cycle of anxiety and personal rumination, offering practical advice on how to stop the "run away jitters" and create a space that fosters relaxation and peace of mind. Maureen helps listeners understand their own definitions of personal space and exa...

In the second episode of the In Focus podcast, host Alicia Spatafore delves into creating a personal toolkit designed to help those with ADHD develop good habits and minimize life's distractions. Alicia explains that an effective ADHD toolkit begins with something personal, incorporates universal elements, and results in something practical. Drawing from her own experiences following her ADHD...

In this heartfelt episode of Beyond the Label, host Molly returns to share her deeply personal journey with type one diabetes, a condition she was diagnosed with at the tender age of six. Joined by her mother, they delve into the raw and emotional experience of navigating life with a chronic illness from both the perspective of a child and a parent. Molly opens up about the initial shock of her di...

In the second episode of "I Wish I Knew," host Rachel McDonagh dives into the profound impact that expectations have on building and maintaining relationships. Joined by her sister Olivia, Rachel explores their personal experiences with past relationships, sharing valuable lessons they've learned along the way. Together, they discuss the importance of setting healthy boundaries in bo...

In Episode 2, Maureen explores how social expectations shape our perceptions of importance and self-worth. She delves into the challenge of making time for our favorite lazy activities in our busy lives and offers strategies to prioritize our own opinions over others'. Maureen discusses the importance of taking external judgments lightly and using intentionality to focus on our own needs and d...