Shows
How We Got Here12. Dr. George's StoryToday on the pod, Kristen and Kelly welcome esteemed colleague and friend from the Philadelphia area, Dr. George James! Dr. George James, LMFT, MBA, and CEO of George Talks, is a renowned counselor and assistant professor at Thomas Jefferson University. He specializes in helping individuals with relationship struggles and personal development, serving a diverse clientele, including professionals, couples, and young adults. Dr. James holds degrees in psychology, family therapy, business administration, and clinical psychology and is recognized for his leadership and community service. In his personal life, he is a dedicated husband and father to two children.
✰ Fo...2024-07-0842 minHow We Got Here11. Joshua's StoryEpisode 11: Joshua's Story
Today on the pod, Kristen and Kelly are joined by a new friend and colleague in the field, Joshua (Josh) Marshall, LMFT! Josh has dedicated the last nine years as a licensed marriage and family therapist to growing a multi-faceted clinical and professional skillset. He has experience opening two psychiatric hospitals and eleven outpatient treatment programs for youth and adults within the Dallas-Fort Worth area market. Josh also brings a wealth of clinical and business knowledge, including clinical training and practice in systems theory, programming curriculum writing, brand equity and reputation, content creation and...2024-06-0753 minHow We Got Here10. How is it Spring already?🌼Happy Spring! 🌼Today on the pod, Kristen and Kelly are catching up with you! They’re sharing what they’ve been up to this Spring professionally and personally and how they’re managing it all. Most importantly, they share the challenges and successes of how they’re showing up to these spaces as young adults in the mental health field.
Thanks for tuning in! How We Got Here gives individuals with lived experiences with mental illness and addiction a platform to share their journey and expertise. Each episode explores what it is like to live with menta...2024-05-0135 minHow We Got Here09. Jamil's StoryEpisode 09: Jamil's Story
Today on the pod, Kristen and Kelly are joined by friend and colleague Jamil Elisofon. Jamil is in his final semester at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work, pursuing his Master’s in Social Work with Kelly! He is an experienced Case Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the individual and family services industry in Upstate New York. He has a background in social services and received his Bachelor of Science in Sociology from SUNY Oneonta. Jamil has started, supported, and advocated for more spaces for black social workers at th...2024-04-0553 minHow We Got Here08. Kody's StoryEpisode 08: Kody’s Story
Today, Kristen and Kelly welcome a new friend, TikTok Star, and Schizophrenia Advocate Kody Green! Kody is 28 years old with a diagnosis of Undifferentiated Schizophrenia. Kody is also the Founder of a non-profit, motivational speaker, and content creator with over 1 million followers across social media platforms. He has struggled in the past with drug addiction, incarceration, and severe mental health issues. Kody has been trained as a peer support specialist, recovery coach, and suicide prevention specialist to improve his advocacy and speaking skills. Now, Kody shares his stories about his struggles and how to...2024-03-1950 minHow We Got Here07. Corrine's StoryEpisode 07: Corrine's Story
Today, Kristen and Kelly welcome a new friend, Corrine Kopp. Corrine obtained Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Spanish with a concentration in Women’s Studies at Albright College. During that time, she also began Western treatment of talk therapy, nutritional counseling, and medication management. Later, with more desire to serve on a larger scale, she earned her Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Finding only temporary relief with the Western services she utilized and trained to provide, she stumbled upon Eastern healing, including yoga, meditation, and energy work. Connected to...2024-02-1956 minHow We Got Here06. Randy's StoryEpisode 06: Randy’s Story
Today, Kristen and Kelly welcome colleague and friend Randy Bryan Moore. Randy Bryan Moore’s story is a compelling narrative of resilience, self-discovery, and profound transformation. From the culturally rich cotton fields of South Carolina’s Pee Dee Region to the rolling Cumberland Mountains of Southwest Virginia, Randy’s roots are deeply ingrained in the Scots-Irish tradition of music and storytelling. Despite facing significant hurdles, including a struggle with severe mental illness and dropping out of high school with a 9th-grade education, Randy’s journey is one of remarkable perseverance. Randy’s musical voyage commen...2024-01-3051 minHow We Got Here05. *Minisode*: AmandaGrace's Story✨ Happy 2024! ✨
*Minisode* Episode 05: AmandaGrace’s Story
On Today's New Year's Minisode, Kristen and Kelly welcome colleague and friend AmandaGrace Krier, or “AG” as she is known to close family and friends. AmandaGrace is a dog mom, retired Irish dancer, and self-described fried pickle enthusiast. She is also a youth mental health professional, suicide loss survivor, and person in active recovery. After losing her cousin to suicide in 2017, she found a passion for youth and young adult mental health. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Behavioral Health from the Community College of Philadelphia and a peer support...2024-01-0832 minHow We Got Here04. Mark's StoryEpisode 04: Mark's Story
Today, Kristen and Kelly welcome colleague and friend Mark Travis Rivera. Telling stories is at the core of Mark’s purpose in life. He is an award-winning creative entrepreneur and the Chief Executive Officer and founder of The Professional Storyteller. As a writer, Rivera’s bylines include The Bergen Record, Herald News, The Star-Ledger, Fox News Latino, and The Huffington Post. He was also a contributing author in the anthology, Crisis, and Care: Queer Activist Responses to a Global Pandemic (PM Press, 2022), edited by Adrian Shanker. His debut collection, Drafts: An Imperfect Collection of Writ...2023-12-1953 minHow We Got Here03. Taylor's StoryEpisode 03: Taylor’s Story
Today, Kristen and Kelly welcome colleague and friend Taylor Moran. Taylor is a person in long-term recovery after struggling with active addiction for over ten years. She runs the Collegiate Recovery Program & Recovery Residence at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, PA. In 2019, she moved to the Philidelphia area to get clean. Since then, she has lived and managed recovery houses. She also works part-time at an inpatient treatment center and is in her second year of her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, focusing on substance use. Taylor shares, “I got here b...2023-10-301h 10How We Got Here02: Zane's StoryEpisode 02: Zane’s Story
Today, on the second episode of How We Got Here, Kristen and Kelly welcome colleague and friend Zane Landin. Zane recently graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Public Relations. He lives in Washington, D.C., working at the National Geographic Society as an Internal Communications Specialist. As someone incredibly involved and passionate about DEIA work, he is involved in all the inclusion networks. He serves as the Co-Chair for NGS’ “The 15%+,” the inclusion network advocating for apparent and non-apparent disabilities. He has served on over 20 youth boards a...2023-10-161h 04
How We Got Here01. But How Did We Get Here?*Trigger Warning: Suicide and Suicidal Ideations*
How did you get to where you are today? What is your story, and how does mental health play a role in that? Everyone has one, especially those in active recovery. Today, on the inaugural episode of How We Got Here, Kristen and Kelly share their stories of surviving suicide and how they got to where they are today.
1:00 - Who are we? Why are we starting a podcast?
6:03 - Reading recommendations of the week!
16:34 - Vulnerability in storytelling; how do we do...2023-09-251h 04