Kevin Polky - The Journey

During this reflection, I share about how to manage fear: completing the threat response cycle and identifying your fear and developing a plan to manage your response if worse case scenario does happen. We can’t always stop the worse from happening, but we can develop a plan for our response if does happen. Enjoy!

During this reflection, I talked about different ways, awareness, education, action and empathy to keep our Light burning bright for others who are struggling in the darkness. Together, we can prevent suicide. Enjoy!

A Mom on a Mission to Make a Difference. Laura Kane joins us again on The Journey. She shares the story of Zach’s death and the origin of Marshmallow’s Hope. She took a leap of faith over 2 years ago and now her organization is providing counseling services for over 88 counties in Illinois. Check out her site www.marshmallowshope.org to learn more and about her upcoming event.

Matt Weldon returned to The Journey to share about a special organization, www.dontbenext.org that raises awareness and funds for local organizations who are making a difference in people’s lives. Check out his story and what they have coming up.

September is suicide awareness month. Shatter Our Silence is 10 years old and we are celebrating by having our biggest fundraiser yet. Check it out at www.shatteroursilence.org

Xavier Whitford returns to The Journey. It has been 12 years since her son has died from suicide. She has been committed to suicide awareness and education through her non-profit, Tommy Corrall Memorial Foundation. Today, she is reaching hundreds of people each year with the services they provide. They are starting a new event on September 10 th , Hope in Motion. Check it out at www.tommycorralmem...

This is an exceptional episode which Mike talks about his son, Ben and his wonderful gifts and talents and his tragic death by suicide. Mike shared about his grief journey and what helped battle the shame of feeling he failed his son. Enjoy!

During this reflection, I talk about setting goals for the upcoming school year and having the intention and daily discipline to create the story you want to tell at Christmas. Enjoy!

As summer begins to wind down and we prepare for the fall season, I’ve been reflecting on the value of stepping away from our normal routines and experiencing new places. Some of the trips Diane and I have taken have given us more than just memories. They have created meaningful moments of peace, perspective, and spiritual connection. In this episode, I share how those experiences inspired me to c...

Heather returns to The Journey to share her story about her near-death experience when she was healthy, athletic 28-year-old educator who collapsed from a sudden heart attack. Thank goodness for the educators who were with her performed CPR and saved her life. Today, she openly talks about the primary reason for her heart attack was stress. More importantly, not managing her stress. During the epi...

In this Reflection on The Journey, I share a lesson that started for me when I was a teenager preparing for a bodybuilding competition. During a difficult stretch of dieting and training, I began to realize how much the words we use can shape the way we experience what we are going through. Over time, “Today’s better than yesterday” became a phrase that helped me shift my perspective. More recentl...

During this reflection, I share about recent article from Adam Grant who reviewed 35 year study on the impact of perfectionism on mental health which predated the digital age of social media. Though, I do believe social media and digital media have amplified the validation of perfection and think this is a good conversation about self judgment, fear of being judged by others and wanting to avoid m...

This week on The Journey, Kevin is joined by Heather Hackman for an honest and heartfelt conversation about family, community, grief, and carrying love forward after loss. Heather shares about her life in the Rockford area, her upcoming wedding and event venue, and the importance of staying connected to the community. She also opens up about the significant losses her family has faced, including t...

Diego shares his story of losing two of his friends to suicide. He is using his music to remember them and make a difference so that others will not have to go to a funeral. Being a Light in the darkness. This week on The Journey with Kevin Polky, Kevin sits down with Diego Rosas to talk about the parts of life that shaped him: wrestling, music, friendship, grief, and purpose. Diego shares his bac...

Movement in Nature | Nick returns to The Journey to share about the expanded services of Rockford Barbell. We had engaging conversation about what Barbell is doing to help combat the youth exposure to digital platforms. Enjoy!

Noelle shares about her 20 years of experience working as a school counselor and her transition into clinical counseling. She has a passion for helping young people, as well as supporting other counselors. She also shares exciting news about her first book coming out in July, an online resource for counselors, and an in-person conference taking place in October.

During this reflection, I reflect on the different teaching points from the month and include a new one regarding confidence. Most people think, I need confidence to do something new and scary before taking an action step. In reality, you need a desire to do the given act and need to action toward that act and then confidence will follow. Enjoy!

Madalyn shares her story of 10 years in the child services industry and how that led to her new business Reorganize and Renew. She has taken her passion for helping people into their homes to help them renew and organize their living space. Amazing energy and a great story!

It’s May and May is mental Health awareness month. During the reflection, I talk about difference between mental illness and mental health. Shared about how we can use this month as a reminder of what we can do for developing our own growth as well increase awareness for others.

During this reflection, I share about utilizing the techniques that I teach to clients on grounding, journaling, movement, reframing to move from fear mode to growth mode and external locus of control to internal. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Journey, I share a simple moment from Fort Myers Beach that turned into a powerful reminder about growth, change, and the opportunities we miss when we keep our hands full of the past. As I watched a young boy struggle to grab a starfish because he was already holding shells, I could not help but reflect on how often we do the same thing in life. We hold onto what is familia...

During this reflection, I continue the conversation about the importance of developing a morning and evening routine. I suggest about being intentional of utilizing activities to develop physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Enjoy!

During this reflection, I share about a new fitness goal of walking to increase my stamina and endurance through walking has led me to being intentional about how many steps, miles I am walking each day. I have noticed the increase in strength and endurance. It has also allowed for growth in emotional and spiritual areas as well.

Ben has committed his life to helping others. He primarily gives back to others what has helped in his own journey. He has been with Safe Families for the past four years. Safe Families is an essential resource for our community and our most valuable and vulnerable assets, single parents and their children.

I welcomed Kelli Ritschel Boehle to The Journey. Kelli shared her moving story of her youngest son, Nik’s battle with cancer. During his treatment Nik met another young adult, Nate who had cancer but was ineligible for Make-a-Wish because he was 18 years old when diagnosed. Nik thought that was wrong and wanted to do something for this group of individuals from the age 18-24 who are battling. Afte...