The Just A Mom Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 12: Shana Part 1 Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

Shana Burgess serves as the Director of Prevention and Community Relations for Johnson County Mental Health (https://www.jocogov.org/department/mental-health) in Johnson County, Kansas, which is a suburb of Kansas City and the largest county in the state of Kansas.

Shana shares several valuable nuggets in this episode, my favorite of which is “You don’t have to wait until it’s crisis enough” to call 988. 988 is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and wants people to know that if you are concerned about someone, please call them.

Episode 11: Jamie Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

Jamie and I were connected by a mutual friend five years ago when Jamie’s son entered an inpatient mental health hospital. Jamie was quickly trying to figure out next steps after his release. I’ve kept in touch with Jamie over the years and am glad to report her son is doing well and managing his mental illness successfully.

In this episode, Jamie references her son’s call to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) and how it saved his life. If you or anyone you know needs help, please call 988. Remember, you don’t have to wait until it’s “crisis enough” to call.

Episode 10: Carrie Nov 01, 2022

Show notes

Once again, #Zeroreasonswhy(www.zeroreasonswhy.org) is part of this podcast and this episode. They connected Carrie and me, and Carrie was excited to share her insights as an about-to-be therapist (now a fully licensed practicing therapist—https://www.theporchswingkc.com/).
Carrie shares her own journey and how it propelled her to become a therapist. She also gives valuable insight and information for parents and caregivers on tween and teen mental health. You don’t want to miss this episodes and all of the valuable insights Carrie has to offer.
Make sure you check out the Just A Mom podcast website at www.thejustamompodcast.com.

Episode 9: Melanie Oct 25, 2022

Show notes

I met Melanie five years ago at the first You Matter Festival. She was there representing her son’s organization as part of the resource fair. There is always an immediate bond when two moms who have fought similar battles meet. And that was Melanie and me.
Melanie was one of the first people I reached out to interview when I started the Just A Mom podcast. And she was more than willing to share their ongoing parenting journey. I know you will find this episode poignant, raw, real and helpful as you listen to Melanie’s story.

Make sure you check out the Just A Mom podcast website at www.thejustamompodcast.com.

Episode 8: Denise Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

I’ve known Denise for several years. But we were typical women who would be social with each other, neither revealing anything other than “everyone is doing well” about our kids.
A little over a year ago Denise and I were on a trip together. We started talking more deeply about our kids, and I learned for the first time that, like me, Denise had a child who struggles with clinical depression.
Please listen as Denise shares some amazing insights and vulnerabilities on parenting a child with mental illness.

Make sure you check out the Just A Mom podcast website at www.thejustamompodcast.com.

Episode 7: Alice Oct 11, 2022

Show notes

When my mother passed away recently, an acquaintance asked my husband if her name was Alice. That’s because Alice is my surrogate mom. I’ve known, loved, and been loved by Alice for 15 years. Ironically, I met Alice when 4-year-old Will went to her house (next door to ours) when we were moving in because he was bored. I knew some of her story as a mom of a struggling child but I learned a lot more when we sat down to talk about it.

Episode 6: Kari Oct 04, 2022

Show notes

I’ve known Kari for many years. She is the wife of my oldest son’s high school football coach. My son was very close to him, and his tragic and early death in 2017 rocked our community.

Kari is one of the many parents who have called me over the past few years because her daughter was suicidal. Kari was also an early encourager of the Just A Mom podcast. Kari has chosen to use her pain and experience as a young widow to help others as a professional grief coach (https://karidriskell.com/). In our conversation Kari shares her daughter’s mental health journey and some of the ways losing her dad at such a young age impacted that.

Episode 5: Dr. Shayla Sullivant Sep 27, 2022

Show notes

I first encountered Dr. Shayla Sullivant, child and adolescent psychiatrist, four years ago. My husband and I attended a mental health event in our area, and Dr. Sullivant was there presenting her research on safe storage as well as the prepped and ready program. And then COVID happened. But like it was for some things, COVID was a blessing in disguise for Prepped and Ready. Dr. Sullivant took this opportunity to tap into many experts to create an amazing video series for parents. You can find them here (https://www.childrensmercy.org/departments-and-clinics/developmental-and-behavioral-health/learning-opportunities/prepped-and-ready/).

Dr. Sullivant shares her insights and expertise with parents who have a child struggling. She also helps parents know what to do if they ever face issues, even if they aren’t presently.

Make sure you visit the Just A Mom website at https://www.thejustamompodcast.com/.

Episode 4: Stacy Sep 20, 2022

Show notes

I first met Stacy in august of 2021 when her daughter, Isabel, sang and spoke at the You Matter Festival (https://youmatterfestival.net/). We immediately bonded over the common experience of parenting a child with mental health issues.

Stacy and Isabel have been wonderfully candid about Isabel’s battle with Anorexia and Bulimia. They shared Isabel’s struggle on a Kansas City new station (https://www.kmbc.com/amp/article/kc-teen-who-struggled-with-anorexia-for-years-talks-about-moment-she-finally-got-help/36467872).

My conversation with Stacy was real and raw and can no doubt help someone.

Eating disorders are on the rise due to the COVID pandemic (https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/eating-disorders-pandemic). Parents, please listen to Stacy share her unfiltered account of parenting a beautiful young woman with an eating disorder.

Episode 1: Will Sep 13, 2022

Show notes

The first show is the whole reason I became a mental health advocate and, ultimately, started the Just A Mom Podcast. Will is my youngest son, and he struggles with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. When Will was in the worst of his battle, I felt alone and hopeless. There were basically no resources that I could find other than one book to help support me as a parent of a child with mental illness. And then Will started the You Matter Festival (www.youmatterfestial.net) and became a local teen spokesperson and advocate for mental health. Will is a musician, actor, writer, singer, and overall creative with many talents (www.WIlliamGurley.net). I am so thankful that he is my son and he asked for help when he was struggling.

Will and I not only talk about his mental health struggles, but Will shares some solid insights from his perspective that I think all parents would benefit from hearing. I wish I had heard a lot of these things when my kids were little!

Check out more about the Just A Mom Podcast at www.thejustamompodcast.com and make sure you follow @thejustamompodcast on Instagram and Facebook.

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