Turning Points: Navigating Mental Health

Loneliness has been called more dangerous than smoking 15 cigarettes daily—a stark warning from the former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. Social isolation is a hidden health crisis affecting millions, especially older adults. In this episode of Turning Points, Frantzces talks with Roxy Rocker, a Disability rights advocate, founder of Embracing Disability, who reveals how chronic illness an...

Can a meaningful friendship bridge a 51-year age gap and help combat social isolation? Meet Peter and Pooja; two unlikely companions whose intergenerational bond proves that friendships can flourish when we break down barriers and embrace human connection. In this episode of Turning Points, explore how Peter and Pooja’s weekly conversations through Boston's FriendshipWorks program evolved from a s...

For years, Annalisa thought the anxiety, sleepless nights, and brain fog were just stress from COVID. But when she could barely function at work and felt like a stranger in her own body, she discovered the real culprit: perimenopause and menopause. We explore the profound mental health effects of this natural transition that affects nearly every woman, yet remains largely misunderstood. Annalisa s...

Caring for aging parents or loved ones — especially those with dementia — can take a deep emotional toll. In this episode, we’ll speak with a therapist or mental health professional about the mental and emotional effects of caregiving, including burnout, guilt, grief, and stress. Then we’ll hear from a caregiver who shares their honest experience: the exhaustion, the emotional complexity, and the...

How do we redefine who we are as we grow older? This episode explores how aging — including retirement, physical changes, and shifts in cognition — can shape our sense of self. We’ll look at the emotional and psychological impact of big life transitions, like stepping away from a job after 40+ years, and how ageism can influence the way we see ourselves and others. But it’s not all loss — it’s als...

 This season on Turning Points, we're diving deep into the mental health journeys that come with growing older. These are stories of resilience, reinvention, and the turning points that reveal who we really are. Join host Frantzces Lys for intimate conversations about loneliness, isolation, friendship, and the commitment to putting mental and emotional well-being first - no matter what stage...

Host Frantzces Lys explores the profound impact of end-of-life doulas with two deeply personal stories involving the death of a family member. First, David Duffin, a high school teacher, reflects on his experience working with a doula during his sister’s final days and how this support helped his family navigate the emotional complexities of end-of-life care .  Next, Frantzces speaks with Daw...

Host Frantzces Lys explores the stories of adults who discovered their autism or ADHD and their overlap (sometimes called “ AuDHD ”) later in life. With a compelling lineup of guests, she discusses the challenges and unique perspectives of living with these conditions, shining a light on how they shape everyday experiences.  Frantzces first speaks with Grace Oribhabor, a high school teacher a...

Host Frantzces Lys explores the multifaceted nature of trauma , the barriers to recovery , and the critical role of community support in fostering healing and resilience . We unpack the nuances of PTSD, , particularly in the context of sexual trauma , with experts Dr. Tara Galovski and Sharon Imperato, as well as survivor and advocate Kate Speer. Kate Speer, a survivor and advocate , shares her pe...

A cancer diagnosis can be a profound emotional journey, often accompanied by anxiety , depression , and distress. Host Frantzces Lys delves into the mental health challenges that cancer patients face throughout their treatment journey. She is joined by Dr. Beverly A. Zavaleta, a board-certified family physician, and cancer survivor who was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2015. Dr....

Finding the right form of therapy is crucial for a new mental health journey . Host Frantzces Lys talks with Charles Daniels, who shares insights on group therapy for men, specifically fathers. He emphasizes the cultural aspects that influence fatherhood , men's mental health, and therapy engagement, and underscores the importance of support networks in recovery from substance use disorders and ad...

Turning Points: Navigating Mental Health returns, delving into empowering moments in mental health journeys. We explore family and peer-based therapies , tackle the unique challenges of trauma and PTSD in women, and confront the emotional impact of cancer . Later in the season, we introduce the compassionate work of end-of-life doulas , and uncover the reality of late-in-life diagnoses of autism a...

Stigma can affect everything from how we see ourselves to how we access help for our mental health. So how can we overcome shame around a mental health condition and medication? Host Frantzces Lys talks with Rachel Star Withers, who has experienced these stigmas as a person living with schizophrenia, as well as licensed therapist Kati Morton. Both guests have found strength in taking ownership of...

There are significant ways that pregnancy and birth can shake our mental health. What can cause postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and psychosis? Who can you turn to for help and support to pull you out of what can be an isolating experience? And what happens when the doctor's office itself causes even more anxiety?  Host Frantzces Lys first speaks with a doula and a reproductive psychiatri...

No two mental health journeys are the same. Our unique identities and experiences play a huge role in shaping our perspectives and actions.  How can our cultures uplift our spirits and benefit our collective health? What’s preventing more therapists from various cultural backgrounds from joining the field? And how do you find a therapist who understands and respects your culture?  Host F...

Therapy is a big step in any mental health journey but finding a therapist who meets your needs can be daunting, and even discouraging. Join us as host Frantzces Lys talks to psychologist Dr. Charmain Jackman and licensed therapist Celeste Viciere about the process of finding the best therapist for you.  Frantczes and her expert guests discuss how to overcome the challenges of finding a thera...

It’s no secret that work causes us stress, but how can we prioritize our mental well-being while navigating the demands of our work? Host Frantzces Lys talks to Morra Aarons-Mele, mental health advocate, author, and self-described “anxious achiever” about the importance of understanding your mental health in order to create a work environment that supports your well-being. In this era of burnout a...

Hear personal stories from advocates who learned to thrive while living with anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and maternal mental health conditions such as postpartum depression. Every week, Turning Points explores pivotal moments from a wide range of mental health journeys. Experts and advocates join us to offer guidance, as we cover topics including how people with marginalized identiti...

Grief can stem from losing a loved one — but we can also feel grief from other kinds of life events such as a complicated pregnancy or receiving a major diagnosis. Understanding that it’s okay to grieve in all these situations can be an important step on the path to healing and growth. Host Frantzces Lys talks to Tracy Grant, the editor-in-chief of Encyclopedia Britannica, who wrote a moving essay...

Recovery from addiction isn’t a linear path. People with a substance use disorder can face setbacks, relapses, and stigma — but the strength to move forward comes from finding the right support and treatment. Brendan Little is the Founding Policy Director of Boston's Office of Recovery Services, and he has also been sober for the past 18 years. Host Frantzces Lys talks to Brandon about how he foun...

Taking hold of your mental health journey can include unlearning the expectations set by society over a lifetime and, instead, discovering who you really are and what you really want as an individual. This can start with re-examining “success” in life and what that really means. Creative entrepreneur, Glo Atanmo, and the founder of Black Girl Ventures, Shelly Omilâdé Bell share how they are redefi...

Every family has different needs when it comes to managing wellness, and there may be times when parents struggle to bring harmony into their households. In this episode of Turning Points, host Frantzces Lys talks with Julia Dennison, a single mother, about how she co-parents with her ex-husband and creates a village to support her child’s growth. Parenting expert Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart shares ho...

Whether you’re a pro athlete or in a high-performance field, the pressure to be perfect can be overwhelming. We’ll talk to Red Sox player Alex Verdugo about how he has developed his own strategies to stay at the peak of his game – physically and mentally. We’ll then talk to an expert Dr. Amishi Jha, PhD, about research-driven methods from her book, Peak Mind that are proven to help people face hig...

Each and every one of us is on our own journey with mental health. Mental health journeys look different for everyone -- but throughout our journeys, we all experience turning points – those pivotal moments where we rise to the occasion, commit ourselves to a better quality of life, and find an idea or treatment that really helps. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priv...

In this bonus episode celebrating Marathon Monday, Frantzces talks to Joan Benoit Samuelson, an American Olympic Icon and two-time Boston Marathon winner. Samuelson recounts her struggle with anxiety after becoming a mother, and describes how running, gardening and a strong sense of place have kept her grounded through her long career. For a transcript of this episode and more information, visit G...