Normalize The Conversation by Inspiring My Generation

Christina Aldan is a brand strategy consultant, keynote speaker, trainer, and mentor. She offers businesses brand consulting and creative content for everyday media. With over 15 years of experience in the digital realm, Christina is highly regarded for her approach to business, partnering with clients to find unique strategies that ensure their goals are met. Christina builds connections through her keynote addresses, training workshops, and technological education. She uses these tools to help individuals and businesses cultivate value in everyday media. Christina has delivered talks on all 7 continents, presenting training workshops for the Microsoft MVP community, international corporations, and conferences worldwide. Christina uses her charisma and expertise to inspire others by mentoring women in business like herself. She also has sat on state and local boards supporting women in tech, entrepreneurship, mental health, and children with learning disabilities.

Emma Benoit became extremely passionate about suicide prevention after surviving a suicide attempt in 2017, the summer before her senior year in high school. At the time, she was a popular varsity cheerleader with a supportive family and lots of friends, but on the inside, she was filled with depression and anxiety, and had never told a soul about it.  Her attempt resulted in a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed but helped her find faith and purpose; and propelled her on a mission to use her painful experience and miraculous recovery to help others.

Herbert (they/them) is a pianist, photographer, and mental health advocate. They are a graduate of the music program at McGill University and plans to be a music educator and performer. Herbert is working on content to educate and promote social media safety as they believe that is an integral and important part of mental health advocacy. They are a speaker for jack.org and have attended a number of mental health events including the National Jack Summit. In their spare time, Herbert loves to travel, go on outdoor trips (such as hiking, kayaking) and do professional photography.

In this episode of Normalize The Conversation, Jill and Dave Henry guide us through the following questions:  Reframing the college experience and understanding the challenges of the transition: Why is the transition to college so challenging for students? What message should students receive as they prepare for the transition to college?  Dependable obstacles in the college setting & assessing how you’re doing: The college environment is “comically designed for students to fail.” How can students check in with themselves to see how they’re doing? Reframing “what I want to be” to “what I want to do” → in all aspects of life: What are some ways that students can “course correct” if they realize they’re off track?  Preparing for College: What are some things students can do this summer to prepare for the transition to college?

Laura Spaulding is the founder and franchisor of Spaulding Decon, a leading decontamination company in the United States. After 7 years in law enforcement, and serving in the military, Laura Spaulding started Spaulding Decon as a one woman show. In 2016 she franchised the company and has 53 locations across the country. Featured in The Wall Street Journal, Inc Magazine, and Entrepreneur magazine she has become a featured expert in growing a dirty business. In 2020, Laura took the company to a 608% growth to make the Inc 5000 list at #768. Laura earned her spot on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list in less than 4 years of franchising. Laura created and produced the popular Youtube series Crime Scene Cleaning and has a podcast called Talking Decon. With over 50 million views Spaulding Decon has become a household name and the go-to for their services.   Laura has launched several charitable acts like the Holiday Hoarding Giveaway where her company provides a free cleanup for one lucky winner per year. Laura also gives one free franchise to a Veteran every year. Laura’s goal is to give back to those who deserve it and create goodwill in the community where they serve.

Sam Eaton is an author, speaker, and founder of Recklessly Alive, a suicide prevention organization sprinting towards a world with zero deaths by suicide. Sam has spoken at over one-hundred events throughout the U.S sharing his story of battling depression and suicidal thoughts. Sam’s first book, Recklessly Alive: What My Suicide Attempt Taught Me About God and Living Life to the Fullest, was released in January 2021 and reached the top 200 best-selling books on Amazon.

In this episode of Normalize The Conversation, Krista Montague discusses:  How dementia affects one's brain  Some "challenging behaviors" exhibited by individuals living with dementia  Common frustrations caregivers experience  3 things every caregiver should know

Dan Olson is an autoimmune warrior, depression survivor, adversity debunker, former professional water skier, and a live life to the fullest kind of guy! He helps lead, teach, and inspire others to live to their fullest potential by overcoming adversity in all forms. Back in 2019, Dan started The Olson Project Foundation after being hospitalized for a super rare autoimmune condition which turned his life upside down again. The Olson Project Foundation is a non for-profit that focuses on men’s mental health and autoimmune disease. If you would like to further connect with Dan or learn more about his mindset coaching business and nonprofit - you can find him @thedanolson on instagram or at www.thedanolson.com.

UPDATE: Since this interview was recorded, Tim has left NAMI WLA and now serves as Communications and Operations Director for an organization dedicated to ending homelessness in Los Angeles. He and Ryder are developing a talk and workshop based on their shared lived experience. Tim and Ryder Davis's journey into the mental health space began when Ryder was diagnosed with bipolar1 disorder in February of 2018. (Their more general mental health journeys began at birth, as all of ours did!) While Ryder was bravely taking on a condition he neither deserved nor asked for, Tim began attending family support groups and classes offered by NAMI Westside LA, the local affiliate of the Nat'l organization. NAMI not only provided Tim with much-needed support and education, but it also provided a calling. Previously serving as NAMI WLA's Sr. Program Director, Tim has spearheaded the expansion of their Family and School programs, which include offering Ending the Silence presentations to students and families about the importance of prioritizing mental health and learning how to be good friends to those of us struggling with mental health conditions. Ryder's recovery has been an inspiration to his family and friends and, as one of NAMI WLA's incredible ETS Youth/peer presenters, to students and parents throughout the LA community. Tim and Ryder have given countless presentations together, led workshops on communication, and continue to enjoy having honest conversations around any number of relevant, complicated topics. Even when they don't always agree!  Update: Since recording, Tim no longer works for NAMI WLA, but continues to support their work and mission.

Dr. Monica is a Clinical Pharmacist With over 19 years of experience. She currently works for Walmart Health & Wellness. Dr. Monica is a huge MH advocate and began her public speaking engagements in 2018. Her mission is to help in the powerful work needed in De- Stigmatizing Mental Health topics. She is currently a Medical Writer for an MH platform called PSYCOM, where she brings a monthly column on MH real case scenarios. Dr. Monica feels strongly in this area of health care because she’s gone through the trauma and grief herself. In 2011 she lost her husband to cancer and battled depression for many years. She faced stigma from Society and friends. I knew I wanted to be a voice for all who have dealt with loss, grief, and depression- which is something every single person will face at some point in life. Dr. Monica is a cohost with Dr. Gandhi on their IG live talk show called Grow and Glow. Dr. Monica is also the creator and cohost with the pharmacy podcast network where she helped create the MH series. Dr. Monica is a single mom to two beautiful teens girls and enjoys quality time with them. Dr. Monica is also doing Media appearances and you will find her on TV on the new GoodRx Commercials.