Keeping Ashland Healthy

Have you ever noticed how a favorite song, a warm cup of coffee, or sunlight through your window can instantly make you feel a little better? On the next episode of  Keeping Ashland Healthy , we're exploring the power of "glimmers"—the small moments that signal safety and calm to our nervous systems. Join us as we discuss how noticing these everyday experiences can help lighten life's burdens and...

Is seeing a therapist a sign of weakness? Is therapy just paying someone to be your friend? And is your hairdresser really giving mental health advice? On the next episode of Keeping Ashland Healthy, we’re busting some of the biggest myths surrounding behavioral health and therapy — with plain language, practical insight, and honest conversation. Join us for Behavioral Health MythBusters — a conve...

Looking for a way to slow down, breathe, and reconnect? This week on Keeping Ashland Healthy, we talk with Jenn English about “The Quiet Power” — a new and welcoming yoga class designed for the recovery community and open to all experience levels. We discuss stress, healing, movement, community, and why yoga can be a powerful tool for emotional wellness. Join us as we explore how simple practices...

June is Elder Empowerment Month in Ashland County — a time to celebrate the strength, wisdom, and dignity of older adults in our community. Throughout the month, local organizations will be offering special events, trainings, and opportunities focused on connection, education, wellness, and empowerment, all leading up to Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15th. Join us as we work together to build...

This week on  Keeping Ashland Healthy , we’re talking about something that affects all of us — work, balance, and emotional wellness. We’ll explore how healthy workplaces, strong teamwork, and meaningful employment can support recovery and flourishing. We’ll also highlight the Board’s Supported Employment Program, also known as IPS, which helps individuals facing mental and emotional health challe...

May is Mental Health Month—and this year, we’re focusing on a simple idea:  more good days, together . But what does a “good day” really mean? It’s not always happiness or productivity. Sometimes it’s just getting through, feeling a little more connected, or a little less alone. On the  Keeping Ashland Healthy  podcast, we’re taking a different approach to mental health—one that’s rooted in real l...

This week on  Keeping Ashland Healthy , I’m sharing a talk on polarization—and how we move beyond division in our homes, workplaces, and communities. We’ll explore how conflict happens within us, between us, and across systems—and how clarity, respect, faith, hope, and love can turn disagreement into growth. Join me for a practical and hopeful conversation on building trust in divided times. If yo...

On the next episode of  Keeping Ashland Healthy , I sit down with the fabulous Elizabeth Hoge from Ashland University Athletics. We talk about the real pressures facing today’s student-athletes—and what it takes to support their mental and emotional wellness on and off the field. From mentorship and team culture to emerging trends we’re all seeing, this is a conversation every parent, coach, and c...

On the next episode of Keeping Ashland Healthy , Join Alyse and David as they talk about three issues impacting families right now: National Drug Take Back Day and how to safely clear out unused medications, Ohio’s move to  ban dangerous synthetic kratom  while debating natural kratom, and a new threat in the street drug supply— medetomidine mixed with fentanyl . Practical, timely, and local. Join...

Food has the power to shape our health—and on the next episode of  Keeping Ashland Healthy , we explore how. My guest is Denise Reed, Director of the Dietetics Program at Ashland University. We’ll talk about how nutrition choices influence long-term health, what the latest conversations about diet and the food pyramid really mean, and why gut health and the microbiome are getting so much attention...

Take a breath with us on the next episode of  Keeping Ashland Healthy . My guest is Ashland University Yoga Instructor, Jenn English. Jenn has spent more than twenty years discovering how simple practices—movement, breath, and mindfulness—can transform everyday well-being. We’ll talk about how yoga moved from a fitness class to a way of life and how small daily habits can reduce stress and improve...

On the next episode of  Keeping Ashland Healthy , I sit down with Josh Sumpter from Ashland University — We talk about the spiritual lives of college students, why mentorship matters more than ever, and how faith, community, and purpose can help young adults navigate one of the most important seasons of life. It’s a conversation about flourishing—mind, body, and spirit. Questions? Contact Dr. Sump...

Coming up on  Keeping Ashland Healthy , I sit down with Dr. Yvonne Glass of  Ashland Theological Seminary  to talk about something many communities are wrestling with—how faith, counseling, and community support can work together to strengthen mental health. We’ll explore why belonging, purpose, and connection matter so much for emotional well-being, and what faith communities can do to help peopl...

Coming up on  Keeping Ashland Healthy , David & Alyse take you inside the  17th Annual Pat Risser RSVP Conference —where experts and community leaders explore the powerful connection between lifestyle and mental health. From sleep and nutrition to movement, mindfulness, and even therapy dogs, we’re talking about simple habits that can transform your health. If you want practical ways to feel b...

On the next episode of  Keeping Ashland Healthy , I sit down with Jennifer Wininger, Director of International Student Services at Ashland University and creator of the idea of “Courageous Connections.” Jennifer shares how stepping beyond our comfort zones—across cultures, languages, and perspectives—can strengthen mental and emotional health. We also explore the unique challenges international st...

There’s more happening at Ashland University than you might realize — especially when it comes to helping people live well. In today’s episode of  Keeping Ashland Healthy , I’m joined by  Janel Molnar, Director of Recreation and Wellness at AU . We talk about the wide range of programs, activities, and resources designed to support the well-being of students, faculty, and staff — from fitness and...

Farming feeds our state — but who supports the farmer? In our next episode of Keeping Ashland Healthy, Board member Connie Butler joins me to explore the hidden stresses of agricultural life, the power of community, and the strengths farmers already carry. It’s a conversation about land, loneliness, and belonging — and how we can care for the people who care for the soil. Listen to  Keeping Ashlan...

On the next episode of  Keeping Ashland Healthy , I’m joined by Hunter Edwards from  Ashland University’s Psychological Counseling Services . We’re kicking off a new podcast series focused on student mental health—highlighting campus initiatives, reducing stigma, and encouraging help-seeking. We’ll talk about what students are facing today, how counseling services are responding, and why these con...

Ever check the news and end up feeling anxious, exhausted, or on edge – even when nothing bad is happening to you? That’s doomscrolling. Bad news has always existed, but smartphones & other devices have changed how often the human brain encounters it. In our next episode, we unpack key points from a piece by  Glanze Patrick  on why constant negative news affects the brain, disrupts sleep, and...

We’ve been told for years that depression and anxiety are caused by chemical imbalances – but that story doesn’t hold up. In this episode of Keeping Ashland Healthy, we explore why psychiatric diagnoses aren’t diseases, what the science actually says, and why reframing mental “illness” as human distress could change how we care for people and our community. Read Dr. Shedler’s piece  HERE  and chec...

What if depression isn’t about what’s wrong with us – but about how we make sense of our lives? In our next episode, we explore a powerful and challenging idea from psychologist Dr. Roger McFillin: that meaning, purpose, and perspective may matter more than we think. Join us as we talk honestly about depression, suffering, and what we don’t talk about enough. Read Dr. McFillin’s piece  HERE  and c...

What if the key to better mental health isn’t just therapy or medication—but community? Harvard researchers are studying what helps people truly flourish, and one of the strongest factors might surprise you. In our next episode, we explore Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program and why faith, belonging, and purpose matter for health and longevity. Plus, we highlight Rebecca McLaughlin’s research-base...

On the next episode of  Keeping Ashland Healthy , we’re talking about something that transforms mental health at every age:  building meaning and purpose in everyday life . I’ll share ten practical strategies you can use to feel more grounded, more connected, and more hopeful, even during stressful seasons. And remember, if you or someone you know is struggling, help is always available. Call our...

On the next episode of  Keeping Ashland Healthy , we’re talking about something a lot of us feel this time of year:  Holiday stress . David shares ten simple, practical ways to slow down, set healthy boundaries, stay connected, and keep your routines steady—so the season feels lighter and more manageable. And if the holidays bring up heavier emotions, we’ll talk about how to navigate those too, an...

On today’s episode, David celebrates the recent success of the levy and talks about the new and expanded programming the levy funds will bring. Thank you for voting  YES  and  Continuing the Caring  in Ashland County! The Board can be reached by visiting our website at  www.ashlandmhrb.org/  or by phone at: 419.281.3139. (Record Date: November 6, 2025)