PiZetta Media: Podcast with a Cause

Andrew DeGood, CEO and co-founder of AskBob AI, opens up about his journey with Bipolar 2, the struggles of being undiagnosed for years, and how discovering the right treatment transformed his life. He shares his experience of coming out publicly about his diagnosis in 2021, the overwhelming support he received, and how embracing his mental health has become a superpower in business and leadership...

In this inspiring interview, Kirsy Chanel Espejo, founder of Kind Wholeness, shares her journey from a career in corporate finance to creating a nonprofit dedicated to holistic wellness education. Drawing from over 20 years of professional experience, Kirsy reflects on the universal challenges of stress, burnout, and lack of purpose that affect individuals across all walks of life. Kind Wholeness...

Scott Clary, host of the Success Story Podcast, shares his journey of entrepreneurship, personal growth, and the power of learning from others’ experiences. In this episode, Scott explains why he started the podcast and how it has become a platform for amplifying the voices of industry leaders. He discusses the importance of building a personal brand, removing friction from career growth, and how...

Abbie Rosenberg, founder and executive director of Mental Health Collaborative, shares her powerful journey from psychiatric nurse practitioner to mental health advocate. After the tragic loss of a former patient to suicide, she turned her grief into action by creating a nonprofit dedicated to mental health literacy. In this conversation, Abbie discusses the critical role of early education, break...

Dr. Joe Oravecz, Ph. D., has spent over 30 years in higher education, leading student life and counseling services, but his personal journey led him to become a passionate mental health advocate. As the CEO of NAMI Broward County, Dr. Oravecz is dedicated to reshaping mental health conversations in education and the workplace, emphasizing the importance of holistic well-being. From witnessing the...

Brandon Saho, former sports reporter and founder of The Mental Game, opens up about his battle with mental health, from experiencing suicidal thoughts at 14 to hitting rock bottom while living his dream as an NFL sports journalist. After checking himself into a mental health facility, Brandon found a new purpose—combining journalism with mental health advocacy to create The Mental Game, a platform...

In this deeply personal and inspiring interview, author Tina Djuretic shares her profound mental health journey, shaped by a childhood marked by abuse, trauma, and a strict religious upbringing. Tina opens up about how these early experiences influenced her relationships, leading her to a breaking point that sparked a powerful spiritual awakening. Her candid reflections reveal the impact of genera...

In this heartfelt conversation, Bruce Schutter shares his incredible journey from struggling with bipolar disorder, alcoholism, anxiety, and PTSD to becoming a beacon of hope and resilience. Bruce opens up about his experiences starting as a high school EMT, battling inner turmoil, and enduring decades of emotional challenges before finding clarity at 40. His "aha" moment of diagnosis became a cat...

Seti Babaeian, BS is the Intake office coordinator at GMU Center for Community Mental Health

Susie Reece, founder and executive director specializing in suicide prevention, opens up about her personal journey through grief, loss, and major depressive disorder. From losing her father at a young age to navigating the complexities of her own mental health, Susie shares how these experiences shaped her understanding of humanity and her mission to bring mental health resources to those who nee...

Meet Scott H. Silverman, CEO of Confidential Recovery, founder of the Veterans Navigation Center, and a passionate crisis coach and author. Scott shares his powerful journey of overcoming addiction, navigating mental health challenges, and achieving 40 years of sobriety. From battling substance use disorder to becoming a leader in recovery and veteran support, Scott's story is a testament to resil...

Tim Markle, founder and director of The Forgiveness Factor, shares his deeply personal journey through mental health challenges, addiction, and the transformative power of forgiveness. Struggling with depression, anxiety, and unresolved anger, Tim turned to his faith and science to uncover the healing potential of forgiveness. Through his research and lived experience, he developed a program that...

Meet Myles Metkowski, the founder and executive director of M2H Mental Health, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting men’s mental health. Myles shares his personal journey of overcoming loneliness and depression during his college years, which inspired him to create a platform for men who may not have a support system to talk about their struggles. Launched in March 2024, M2H Mental Hea...

For years, Michael VanZetta thrived in the high-stakes environment of television broadcasting as a newscast director. His role demanded split-second decisions, calling camera shots and orchestrating the fast-paced flow of live television. Each broadcast was a test of precision and composure. When everything went smoothly, it felt like winning the Super Bowl—an electrifying high. But even small mis...

Meet Kristy Towson, founder of Inner Strength Writing Solutions and author of Speak Up Against Stigma. Kristy shares her powerful mental health journey, from experiencing severe depression and a life-altering traumatic event to finding hope, healing, and purpose. After hitting rock bottom, Kristy discovered the transformative power of storytelling and now dedicates her life to helping others navig...

Erin Harris, founder and executive director of Un/Do Mindset, has turned her personal journey with trauma, including surviving a school shooting and navigating the challenges of mental health treatment, into a mission to bring trauma-responsive tools and skills to communities worldwide. Drawing on her experiences as an educator and insights from her time in mental health facilities, Erin establish...

In this insightful interview, we sit down with Rosa Guixens, Executive Director of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, and Troy Anderson, Executive Director of Officer Safety and Wellness, to discuss the critical findings from the 2024 Fatalities Report and the innovative programs making a difference for law enforcement officers nationwide. Rosa provides a heartfelt look into the chall...

Antwanette Weaver is the Executive Director and co-founder of A Bold Story Never Ends, an organization inspired by the loss of her son, Cameron, to suicide in 2020. As a licensed therapist and a grieving mother, Weaver channels her pain into purpose by advocating for mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and providing support to families facing similar struggles. The organization, founded with...

Mike Kogan, a psychologist with over a decade of dedication to mental health, describes his journey into the field as a discovery of his true calling. Initially engaged in various careers, from sales to IT, he always found himself gravitating toward people, listening to their challenges, and offering support. More than ten years ago, he decided to formally pursue psychology, earning multiple degre...

Andrew Ackerland, BS is the Protocol office supervisor at the GMU Center for Community Mental Health.

Craig Mason, Co-Founder and CEO of Raise Health, shares his inspiring journey and the mission behind his groundbreaking organization. Combining personal lived experiences with a deep background in technology, Craig discusses how Raise Health focuses on early detection of mental health needs and automates connections to the right resources in real time. He highlights the importance of addressing me...

Bruce Simpson, a 74-year-old attorney from Lexington, Kentucky, shares a powerful and deeply personal journey through decades of untreated mental health struggles and his eventual path to healing. Having long denied his mental health needs out of fear of stigma and perceived weakness, Bruce masked his pain, even as it intensified through his legal career. The cultural and personal biases he intern...

Dr. Brianna Hernandez is a Post Doctoral Fellow at the GMU Center for Community Mental Health

Kallen Campbell is a therapist at Ellie Mental Health of Woodbridge, VA

Lisa Sugarman, an author, mental health advocate, and crisis counselor, shares her deeply personal mental health journey and how it shaped her life's mission. After discovering 35 years later that her father's passing was due to suicide, Lisa channeled her grief into action, becoming a crisis counselor and dedicating herself to organizations like the Trevor Project and NAMI. She speaks candidly ab...