Mental Health News Radio

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Latest Episodes:

AI as a Thinking Mirror with Jeremy G. Schneider, MFT, LMSW Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of how people think, reflect, and process their lives. But what role should it actually play in mental health?
In this episode, Kristin Sunanta sits down with therapist and technology expert Jeremy G. Schneider to explore the evolving relationship between AI and therapy. Jeremy is a licensed marriage and family therapist, trauma-informed mental health coach, and former chief technology officer who now works at the intersection of emotional wellness and human-centered technology. Together, they explore how tools like ChatGPT can function as a kind of “thinking mirror” — reflecting our thoughts back to us and helping us notice patterns in the way we process emotions, relationships, and decisions. Rather than replacing therapists, AI may become a powerful companion tool for reflection, journaling, and practicing psychological skills like self-awareness and boundaries. Kristin and Jeremy discuss the opportunities, the risks, and why learning to use AI with intention and agency may become an important part of mental health in the years ahead.
In this episode they explore:
• how AI can support emotional reflection and interactive journaling
• why some therapists are wary of AI — and why that may change
• the concept of AI as a “thinking mirror” for understanding our own minds
• how people can use AI safely while maintaining self-awareness and agency
• how emerging tools may reshape therapy and personal growth
Jeremy also hosts free educational classes on Meetup where he teaches people how to thoughtfully and safely use AI tools like ChatGPT for reflection, emotional insight, and personal growth. He also writes about artificial intelligence, therapy, and mental health for Psychology Today.
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/buildonyourstrengths/events/313301636/
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/jeremy-g-schneider-lmsw-mft
Learn more about Jeremy’s work, workshops, and writing:
https://buildonyourstrengths.com
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.

When No Contact Isn’t the End: A Real Conversation About Mother–Daughter Estrangement, Addiction, and Repair Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

What happens when a mother and daughter go no contact for four years — and actually find their way back? In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, I sit down with authors Leslie and Lindsey Glass, co-creators of The Mother-Daughter Relationship Makeover: 4 Steps to Bring Back the Love and its companion workbook for lasting change. Together, we dive deep into addiction, recovery, enmeshment, control, accountability, anger, forgiveness, and the cultural rise of estrangement between mothers and adult daughters. Lindsey shares how her journey through addiction recovery, therapy, EMDR, Al-Anon, and deep self-inquiry helped her understand her role in the breakdown of their relationship. Leslie speaks candidly about micromanagement, control masked as care, and the painful realization that “helping” can sometimes feel like domination. We explore:
• The epidemic of no contact in women
• The difference between toxic danger and reactive pain
• Negotiated separation vs. total cutoff
• How addiction and family trauma distort memory and identity
• Why anger is often unprocessed hurt
• What real accountability looks like on both sides
This isn’t about blaming mothers or daughters. It’s about doing the work. You can learn more about Leslie and Lindsey Glass, their books, articles, and resources at reachoutrecovery.com — where they offer over 2,000 articles on addiction recovery, mental health, and family healing. This is a conversation about self-discovery, letting go, and what becomes possible when both people are willing to evolve.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.

For You, Not To You: Evolutionary Astrology, Shame, and the Soul’s Long Arc Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

What if your life isn’t happening to you — but for you? In this New Year’s Eve conversation, Kristin sits down again with evolutionary astrologer Robin Jillian, revisiting a dialogue that first took place years ago during a shared Dark Night of the Soul. This time, the lens is wider, deeper, and more precise. Together, they explore evolutionary astrology as a map of the soul’s long arc — not predictive, not hierarchical, and not about “what’s coming next,” but about why your soul chose this life, these patterns, and these turning points. This conversation moves through Pluto as the great initiator, shame as a form of amnesia, surrender as courage (not collapse), and the profound difference between spiritual bypassing and true embodiment. They speak candidly about trauma, relationships as mirrors, soul contracts, neurodivergent sensitivity, and what happens when your inner scaffolding can no longer hold who you’re becoming. This episode is for anyone who has outgrown surface answers, quick fixes, and performance-based healing — and is ready to sit inside the deeper truth of transformation.
About Robin Jillian
Robin Jillian is an evolutionary astrologer, author, and guide whose work focuses on soul evolution, Pluto dynamics, and embodied transformation. Her memoir, Hugging Trees in the Dark: Finding Courage to Free the Heart, chronicles her own Dark Night of the Soul and the rebirth that followed. Website: www.robinjillian.com
(Book available via her website and Amazon. Sessions can be requested directly through her site.)
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.

Dr. Judith Orloff — The Highly Sensitive Rabbit: Supporting Empathic Children in a Loud World Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Mental Health News Radio, I sit down with Dr. Judith Orloff — psychiatrist, bestselling author, and lifelong advocate for empaths — to talk about her beautiful new children’s book, The Highly Sensitive Rabbit. This story is written for every child who has ever felt “too sensitive,” “too much,” or like they didn’t quite fit the mold.
Judith and I explore why sensitive kids struggle in today’s world, how parents can support them, and why empathic children are poised to become some of our most grounded future leaders. We talk boundaries, overstimulation, emotional safety, and the quiet magic of helping kids stay connected to their innate gifts without pathologizing who they are.
Learn more about Dr. Orloff’s work:
https://drjudithorloff.com
Get the book on Amazon:
The Highly Sensitive Rabbit — https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683649536
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.

This Is How We Talk: Two Neurodivergent Women, Unfiltered and Free Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

In this unfiltered, soul-resonant episode of Mental Health News Radio, Kristin Sunanta Walker, sits down with her dear friend Chaya Mallavaram—artist, technologist, and founder of Spark Launch, the company behind the neurodivergent-centered platform Sparkade. What begins as a casual reconnection blooms into a radiant, multidimensional conversation about art, grief, ADHD, cultural legacy, and the spiritual technology of the body.
Early in the episode, Chaya shares that her late mother’s name was Sunanda—a revelation that strikes Kristin deeply, as her own Thai name is Sunanta. This name resonance becomes a symbolic thread, weaving their shared lineage, creativity, and healing paths together across continents and generations.
These are two neurodivergent women who both run their own companies and genuinely dig each other's company.
This episode is a reminder of how people like us actually speak—luminous, layered, nonlinear, and fully alive.
Chaya Mallavaram is a technologist, professional artist, and advocate who brings her own life experience to the heart of neurodivergent empowerment. For more than two decades, Chaya thrived in the software world — not despite her ADHD, but because of it. Her creative problem-solving, pattern recognition, hyperfocus, and nonlinear thinking weren’t obstacles. They were assets.Everything shifted in 2020, when her son was diagnosed with ADHD. That moment brought not only clarity, but a calling: to build the kind of support system she wished she and her son had growing up. Today, Chaya leads Spark Launch with a rare blend of technical expertise, artistic vision, and deep personal insight. Whether she’s developing tools, leading strategy, or co-hosting the Spark Launch podcast, she’s creating spaces where neurodivergent minds are seen, heard, and celebrated. Her work is rooted in one belief: When we stop trying to fix neurodivergent people — and start designing systems that work for them — everyone benefits.
www.sparklaunch.com
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.

Rising Together: Mental Health, Identity, and Radical Healing with José Rosario Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful episode of Mental Health News Radio, host Kristin Walker reconnects with José Rosario — founder of The Phoenix Empowered — for a deeply human conversation on healing, identity, and the evolving language of mental health. They unpack what it really means to be minoritized instead of marginalized, explore the trauma of criminalizing homelessness, and discuss how neurodivergence sharpens empathy and awareness in a world still learning to see clearly.
José opens up about his own lived experience as a queer, disabled person of color, and how it shapes his work creating inclusive spaces for authentic dialogue, joy, and liberation. Together, they reflect on burnout, the myth of “normal,” and the quiet revolution happening inside the mental health field — one grounded in rest, radical healing, and shared humanity.
Learn more about José’s work and upcoming podcast The Phoenix Unbound at thephoenixempowered.org.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.

Jonathan Kemp: A Journey of Bipolar, Resilience, and Walking for Mental Health Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode of Mental Health News Radio, host Kristin speaks with author and advocate Jonathan Kemp about his powerful new memoir and his upcoming seven-month Mental Health Walk across the UK and Ireland. Jonathan shares how five decades of lived experience with depression, bipolar disorder, addiction recovery, and dyslexia shaped his story — and why he redefined “wealth” as knowledge and connection. His new book, releasing October 10, 2025, offers both his personal journey and practical wisdom for anyone navigating mental health and neurodiversity. We also explore his bold plan to walk from the Shetland Islands down through Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland, retracing his great-grandmother’s suffragist march of 1913. With all proceeds going to mental health charities, Jonathan’s mission is simple yet profound: to spark honest conversations and remind us that hope and help are always possible.
Learn more at www.jonathankemp.com
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.

Women, Autism, and the Power of Late Diagnosis with Dr. Stephanie Holmes Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful episode of Mental Health News Radio, host Kristin Sunanta Walker sits down with Dr. Stephanie Holmes—counselor, author, and advocate—for an intimate look at the overlooked experiences of women on the autism spectrum. Stephanie shares her family’s multi-layered journey with neurodivergence, from her daughter’s diagnosis more than 20 years ago to her husband’s and her own later discoveries. She and Kristin dive into:

Why so many women go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for decades.
The unique pressures of masking, fawning, and being “too much” in a world that wasn’t built for autistic women.
How late diagnosis transforms identity, relationships, and self-acceptance.
Stephanie’s books, including Embracing the Autism Spectrum: Finding Hope and Joy Navigating the Neurodiverse Family Journey and Uniquely Us: Navigating the Maze of Neurodiverse Marriage.
Her current work amplifying autistic voices in education and research.

Connect with Dr. Stephanie Holmes:

Website: https://www.holmesasr.com
Neurodiverse Christian Marriage: https://www.christianneurodiversemarriage.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.

Grief in Peace: Healing, Sibling Loss, and The GRIP Spot Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

In this moving episode, Christal Pennic, LPC-MHSP—licensed therapist, grief advocate, and host of The GRIP Spot—shares her journey of surviving sibling loss and transforming pain into purpose. Christal founded The GRIP Spot (Grieve In Peace) to give voice to the often unspoken stories of grief and to remind us that healing is possible, even when life feels broken into pieces. Through her counseling work at The Grief Center in Nashville and her podcast, Christal creates a space where authenticity, vulnerability, and compassion lead the way. Listeners will be inspired by her honesty, her mission, and her dedication to helping others navigate the universal experience of loss.
Learn more about Christal and her work:

Website: thegripspot.com
YouTube: The GRIP Spot

About Christal:
With a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Christal’s approach to mental health combines academic rigor with the personal insight gained from her own experience of sibling loss. As the owner of The Grief Center and a former Mental Health Practitioner with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services and Metro Nashville Police Department, she has extensive experience in community counseling, crisis debriefings, employee trauma/grief education, and youth development. Christal is trained in Brainspotting, facilitating deeper healing for individuals coping with trauma, and she extends this transformative work into workshops for organizations. Her passion for mental wellness is also expressed through The GRIP Spot podcast, which offers a safe space for surviving siblings and grievers to find solace and community. Credentials:

LPC-MHSP – Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health Service Provider
Education – M.A. in Mental Health Counseling, B.A. in Psychology
Specialization – Grief counseling, trauma therapy, and post-traumatic growth
Experience – Owner of The Grief Center; former practitioner at TN Dept. of Children’s Services and Metro Nashville Police Department

We are honored to welcome Christal Pennic and The GRIP Spot to the Mental Health News Radio Network.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.

From Silence to Strength: Dr. Pamela J. Pine on Healing After Child Sexual Abuse Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful episode of Mental Health News Radio, Dr. Pamela J. Pine joins Kristin Sunanta Walker for a courageous conversation about child sexual abuse and the lifelong impact it has on survivors, families, and communities. Dr. Pine, founder of Stop the Silence and a leading voice in global prevention and healing efforts, shares insights from her book Stop the Silence: Thriving After Child Sexual Abuse and her decades of work in public health. Together, they discuss the heavy toll of shame, the resilience of survivors, the systemic failures in courts and healthcare, and the growing movement to bring these conversations into the light. Listeners will also learn about practical resources, educational programs, and new children’s literature designed to empower families to talk openly and prevent abuse.
Learn more about Dr. Pamela J. Pine: drpamelajpine.com
Stop the Silence – A Program of IVAT: ivatcenters.org/stop-the-silence
Stop the Silence: Thriving After Child Sexual Abuse – available on Amazon
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.

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