Hope Starts With Us

During National Veterans and Military Families Month, Major General Gregg Martin and NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. come together to talk about what it means to be a leader – and how a leader can be changed by a late-onset mental health diagnosis. Listeners will hear General Martin talk about his mental health story, leadership and living with a mental illness, and what being an advocate for men...

Art can help us process past experiences, explore our emotions, and expand our perspectives. In this episode, NAMI CEO Dan Gillison is joined by NAMI Ambassadors and artists Alex Alpert and Pepper Auerbach, as well as The Franklin Institute’s Dr. Jayatri Das. Together, they discuss how art impacts mental health, as well as the connection between physical and mental health. Alex and Pepper will hav...

As we look ahead to the TCS New York City Marathon, we are in awe of the athletes that have trained so hard and are about to take on the grueling 26.2 mile course through the five boroughs of New York. In this episode we will talk to Race Director Ted Metellus, who has made history as the first Black race director of an Abbott World Marathon Major, and we will explore how he is working to bring fi...

In this episode, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., is joined by NAMI Connecticut's Public Policy & Affiliate Relations Manager, Thomas Burr. Thomas shares his family's story of navigating his son's mental health condition, along with how the challenges accompanying the condition impacted their family. Listeners will learn how NAMI's programs and support groups helped Thomas...

In this episode for Suicide Prevention Month, author and NAMI Ambassador April Simpkins talks with NAMI's CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., about how she has moved forward after the loss of her daughter, Cheslie Kryst, to suicide. Tune in to hear from April about how she intentionally models positive mental health habits for her children. This episode will help parents who are struggling with how...

For parents and caregivers, navigating youth mental health may be unknown territory. In this episode, NAMI’s CEO, Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., is joined by our Associate Medical Director and author of “You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers,” Dr. Christine Crawford. Together, they explore what signs parents and caregivers should watch for, how to talk about mental health with youth, and more. Pl...

Pooja Mehta, a member of NAMI’s Board of Directors, discusses her personal mental health journey with NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. During this episode, Pooja shares why she focuses on youth engagement about mental health and her experience growing up as a ‘third culture kid’ while navigating her own mental health.  You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/po...

How do you navigate a mental health challenge when your community isn’t supportive or doesn’t have mental health awareness? For our 50th episode of “Hope Starts With Us,” NAMI’s CEO, Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., discusses faith, community, and mental health. He is joined by NAMI Next Gen member, Mary Lawal, to explore the intersections of those three crucial elements.  You can find additional episodes...

The stereotype of the “strong Black woman” can be a barrier to mental health care. In this episode, guest host April Simpkins talks about the pressure of living at the intersection of Blackness and womanhood, as well as initiatives from NAMI to address the Black and African Ancestry communities. She is joined by Miss Alaska USA 2018 and NAMI Ambassador Brooke Johnson and psychologist and founder o...

In honor of Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI’s CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., is joined by Harold Turner, Executive Director of NAMI Urban Los Angeles, and Tracy McMillan, a relationship expert and television writer. In this episode, Dan and our guests explore mental health equity in minoritized communities, navigating mental health crises, the upcoming secon...

Randy Ryan, host of NAMI Westside LA’s “Man Up” podcast, joins NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., for this episode. In their discussion, hear about what it means to perform masculinity and “be a man” during Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, plus how mental health impacts veterans and service members.  You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast . "Ho...

Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, CEO of the American Psychological Association, joins NAMI CEO Dan Gillison, Jr., in remembrance of George Floyd and to discuss how his murder, as a result of police violence, shifted conversations about racism and mental health in the United States. Throughout this conversation, they explore the challenge to increase equity for Black men and boys navigating mental health...

NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., speaks to Dr. Hernando Carter, an internal medicine physician based in Birmingham, Alabama. They discuss the importance of caring for the health care professionals in our communities in honor of National Hospital Week, as well as bridging care gaps for underrepresented communities and developing increased representation within the health care field.  You can find...

As Mental Health Awareness Month begins, NAMI is talking about ways to take the moment for our mental health. Guest host Alessandra Torresani is joined by artist Alex Alpert to explore how art can act as a coping strategy when faced with mental health challenges. The pair also discusses how communication and community can be keys to navigating life, especially when diagnosed with mental health con...

In this episode of NAMI’s podcast, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. speaks to mental health advocate and Peloton instructor, Jon Hosking. They will discuss the barriers for men seeking mental health care, stress awareness and the intersection of mental health and physical health. You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast . "Hope Starts With Us" i...

In March NAMI recognized National Criminal Justice Month, and guest host Hannah Wesolowski, NAMI’s Chief Advocacy Officer, sat down to chat with Bureau of Justice Assistance Director Karhlton Moore about criminal justice and mental health. Tune in to hear about how the Bureau of Justice Assistance is supporting innovation in communities across the country through collaboration between criminal jus...

March 30 is World Bipolar Day, and NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. is chatting with speaker Gabe Howard, who hosts the podcasts “Inside Mental Health” and “Inside Bipolar,” about living a full life with bipolar disorder. Tune in to hear about Gabe’s firsthand experience living with bipolar disorder, and how he has worked to reduce mental health stigma. We’ll also touch on topics such as the evolv...

During Black History Month, guest host and manager of HBCU engagement Juno Pitchford speaks with award-winning author Antonia Hylton about her newly released book, "Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum." Tune in to hear more about the legacy of slavery and segregation in mental health care, and what possibilities for change and healing can look like. You can find additional ep...

For the first episode of Black History Month, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. speaks with Dr. Mikah Owen and Dr. Roy Wade Jr. about the long-term mental and physical health effects of racism and adverse childhood experiences, and what we can do on an individual and societal level to address the symptoms and causes of these toxic stressors. Tune in to hear about real life examples, what the researc...

As we gear up for the superbowl, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. speaks with former NFL players Rob Robertson and Devin Funchess about their personal journeys with mental health, the pressures of professional sports and life after football.  You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast . "Hope Starts With Us" is a podcast by NAMI, the National Alli...

On this first episode of the year, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. speaks with international motivational speaker, certified life coach and best selling author Steven Anthony King about how we can harness the power of purpose, positivity and perseverance to manifest healing in 2024. You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast . "Hope Starts With Us&quo...

During the holiday season, which can bring up a variety of emotions for many, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. speaks with NAMI’s National Director of HelpLine Services Dawn Brown about how people can find help and hope through the resources on NAMI's free National HelpLine. You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast . "Hope Starts With Us" i...

Tune in to hear NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. speak with social media influencer and mental health advocate Kody Green about his experience with schizophrenia and how comedy can help spread awareness and people cope. You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast . "Hope Starts With Us" is a podcast by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness....

During “Movember” (Men’s Health Awareness Month), NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. speaks with singer, dancer and actor Drew Lachey (98 Degrees) and musician Chris Bullard (CEO of Sound Mind Live) about men’s mental health and the powerful effects music can have on well-being. You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast . "Hope Starts With Us" is a...

In honor of National Veterans and Military Families Month, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. speaks with military veterans JB Moore (Air Force), Joel OJida (Marine Corps), and Katherine Martinez (Navy) about their experiences with mental health, family and supportive resources from organizations like NAMI. You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast . "H...