In this episode of Brains Out Loud, we hear from Robbie Teasdale about his own mental health journey after losing his sister to suicide. Robbie grew up in Kenya and now lives in the United States as a talented sculptor, pottery maker, and artist. Robbie discusses his own experiences with suicidal ideation, attempts, psychiatrist hospitals, and medications. He now considers his mental health to be in the best shape of his life. Watch the full episode to learn more!

Seika Brown is a 20 year old researcher and advocate for mental health. When she was 15 years old, she founded her first nonprofit organization that focused on mental health policy change. Seika talks about what it felt like to pass their first bill in 2019. She now runs a global initiative researching how mental health is defined across cultures and backgrounds, called the YLG Research Initiative. Seika discussed not only her findings in the mental health space across numerous cultures around the world, but also what it is like to be the CEO and Founder of a global initiative at 20 years old.

Dennis Gillan and Stephen Pihl are co-authors of the newly released children's book: "Nice Shoes." This book introduces the concept of mental health and overcoming hard days to children through unique storytelling and beautiful pictures. This story is based on Stephen's experience battling mental health as a child, and shows that a little kindness can go a long way. Dennis and Stephen share where the motivation for this book came from, why talking about mental health with children is so important, and a little bit about their own experiences with mental illness. 

In this weeks episode we talk to Ne’A Moffett. Ne’A is a talented artist with first hand experience living in the foster care system. In sharing her own experience, Ne’A sheds light on the systematic issues that exist within these programs. Ne’A opens up about the negative impact foster care had on her mental health and how she overcame it. For anyone living in the foster care system who is struggling, Ne’A is living proof that things will get better.  https://www.instagram.com/neamoffett/?hl=en

Jasmine Francis shares what it was like to attempt and survive suicide. What happened leading up to that point, and the work she has put in to recover ever since. She shares her very personal mental health journey and some beautiful insight on the power of perspective.  

In this week's episode we talked to model, Gabby Britez about her mental health. She opened up about tragic losses, grief, body image, and how she copes with the pressures of the modeling industry. Gabb is super independent and uses exercise as a cathartic outlet. She shared some wise words of advice for anyone who is struggling, or wants to break into modeling.

Dr. Finneran is an expert on helping victims of violence and their loved ones. She wrote "Surviving Domestic Abuse: Formal and Informal Supports and Services", to help survivors of domestic abuse navigate effectively through the myriad of formal and informal supports and services. She interviewed real-life survivors and utilized their voices to translate what was helpful in escaping the realm of domestic abuse. We spoke with her to find out what she learned from her research, the systematic problems for victims, and how to be supportive for anyone in an abuse situation.

It’s still PRIDE month!!! We loved chatting with model, actor, and mental health professional, Faizon Cutler. He opened up about his struggles with mental health and his pride journey. Faiz got real with us and talked about coming out as a black gay man and how that impacted his mental health. We discussed unhealed trauma, self-reflection, and personal growth. Faiz now works with the youth in a mental health hospital and hopes to bring hope to anyone who is struggling.

We had a great convo with Ruddy Harootian, and he opened up about his journey to confidence. Ruddy was vulnerable and talked about everything from childhood sexual assault, bullying, drug use, and how he overcame it all in therapy. He now uses his stories to help the youth and other members of the LGBTQIA and black and brown communities.

Marisa Porco, Co-Founder of the Jordan Porco Foundation shares her deeply personal journey on grief and resilience after losing her son to suicide. As a strong mother, she uses her authentic story to help others who might be struggling right now, and shares how she turned her pain into purpose through her foundation that strives to help others.

We talked to Christopher Booth about how he uses music to help others overcome their own life experiences. He is a pianist, composer and songwriter with a love for music and a passion to bring it to those experiencing with mental health issues. https://www.youtube.com/user/ChristopherBoothOz 

We talked about spiritual healing with @blissfulxbohemian. She opened up about her anxiety, autism, and the practices that help her cope. Savannah is a multi-clair psychic, practicing Peruvian shaman, spiritual business owner / content creator, and transformational life coach who has helped guide thousands of souls along their unique path.

Colette is a fashion blogger who loves to help others feel confident in what they are wearing, no matter the budget! Colette is passionate about mental health and opened up about taking a year off from influencing to work on her emotional well-being. Colette was vulnerable about her mental health struggles discussing how she's coped with an eating disorder while often in the spotlight.

Aalia is a multiple award-winning novelist, award-nominated executive producer and podcast host! She's turned her pain to purpose and shared her journey battling cancer, experiencing trauma, being homeless, and overcoming it all! Aalia is open about her mental health experiences and is passionate about helping survivors of trauma through her organization UNSUGARCOATED Media. https://unsugarcoatedmedia.com/aalia-lanius/

Julie is a 100% plant-based certified ACE health coach with a certificate in Plant Based Nutrition. She loves creating new ways to make "healthy'' tasty, fun and healing! After overcoming her own depression, mood and digestive issues using plant-based wisdom, she brings 25 years of first-hand experience to the table, helping health educators and clients understand that optimal health is possible, and healthy food can taste great! She founded Fresh Food Alchemy, and focuses on how foods can boost energy, joy and focus! https://freshfoodalchemy.com/services/

Got to interview actor, activist, and fitness enthusiast Nick Mathews. Born and raised in in Teaneck, New Jersey, the New York City native studied at Rutgers University and the William Esper School of acting before continuing his education with Masterclasses at Beverly Hills Playhouse East. He has gone on to appear in several television shows and films including, In Between Menand The Mysteries of Laura. Currently working on two new films, Heather and DIEry, which will be released soon, Mathews starts 2021 with another professional milestone with the release of An Imperfect Murder. Today we are going to have an authentic conversation with Nick about domestic violence and the impact that it has on mental health. https://www.instagram.com/iamnickmathews/?hl=en 

Dr. Kojo Sar-fo is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, entrepreneur, and writer who is passionate about spreading positivity and awareness about mental health. He is a Popular TikTok Influencer and he posts to debunk mental health myths, and give helpful tips. We had a great conversation about covid-19's uncertainty, self-care, and coping strategies.  https://www.kojosarfo.com/​ https://www.instagram.com/drkojosarfo/?hl=en 

We had the honor of interviewing Corey Rae, an activist, actress, consultant, model, producer, speaker, and writer who helps break social stigmas surrounding the trans experience. Corey is dedicated to representing the transgender experience in a positive light through prioritizing mental health awareness. Corey has both a strong personal and academic knowledge of the LGBTQIA+ community, studying the sociology of gender and sexuality at Hofstra University and in Amsterdam at UvA. We admire her resilience and loved hearing about her mental health journey. https://www.instagram.com/imcoreyrae/?hl=en

We spoke with Erwin B. Valencia, or "E." as he's commonly known. E is a Well-Being Expert and Polymath-- High-Performance Sports Specialist/ Well-Being Coach/ Community Nurturer/ Non-Profit Founder/ Mentor/ and a Dance Ninja. He is the first Filipino, raised and educated in the Philippines, to be hired full-time on a medical staff of any major US sports team, and in fact succeeded to do it in both Major League Baseball and the NBA. He shared with us his story on discovering well-being, practicing mindfulness and gratitude, and bringing it into his business to help others.

James is a serial entrepreneur and born leader with a proven track record of success in eCommerce and Event Marketing. During his battle with mental illness, James was led down a common path of pharmaceutical drugs with terrible side-effects. The doctors he thought he could trust, simply didn’t have the necessary education or resources to help in any other way. This led James to take his health into his own hands and begin researching holistic health practices. This research led him down a rabbit hole that exposed the systemic problem with the medical system and revealed why all the doctors he saw were unequipped to actually help him with his problems. James is now using his entrepreneurship and leadership skills to develop new resources and systems to help others take control over their own health and happiness.  Check him out https://www.instagram.com/heyjamesbennett/ https://www.instagram.com/we.are.welll/?hl=en