Hope Starts With Us

Learning to navigate depression and other mental health conditions takes a village of support and care. In this episode, Carnie Wilson, founding member of Wilson Philips, joins NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. to discuss her mental health journey. Growing up, Carnie experienced depression and anxiety and sought to numb her pain. Today, she is an advocate for mental health and reducing the stigma surrounding effects of tardive dyskinesia (TD). Listeners will hear from Carnie about how she advocates for mental health, her experiences with mental health, and more. You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast. "Hope Starts With Us" is a podcast by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is hosted by NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. Episode production is provided by NAMI staff, including Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

Behind the medals, records, and highlight reels are stories of perseverance that extend beyond physical performance. In this powerful keynote panel from NAMICon 2025, world-class cyclist and Peloton instructor Christine D’Ercole; former WNBA player and mental health advocate Imani McGee-Stafford; Olympic gold medalist swimmer Allison Schmitt; and middle distance track & field athlete representing ASICS Rachel McArthur open up about their personal mental health journeys — sharing the challenges they've faced and how they continue to prioritize mental health in high-performance environments. Moderated by Anne Wintroub, head of social impact and engagement at lululemon, this conversation explores what it means to be truly strong — and why vulnerability, support, and self-awareness are essential for lasting resilience.You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast. "Hope Starts With Us" is a podcast by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is hosted by NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. Episode production is provided by NAMI staff, including Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

Taanvi Arekapudi, a high school student and mental health advocate, joins experts Dr. Christine Crawford and Dr. Pooja Tandon to discuss youth mental health. They reveal that 73% of youth prioritize mental well-being, emphasizing issues like suicide prevention and the impact of social media. Dr. Crawford shares insights on family communication and prevention, while Dr. Tandon highlights the importance of outdoor play for mental health. They also offer valuable advice on how parents can effectively engage in conversations about mental health with their children.

In this special episode recorded during NAMICon 2025, hear from a panel of mental health champions who bravely share their personal stories of struggle, survival, and hope. Raymond Braun and James Longman share their personal, lived experiences of mental health and serious mental illness while Don Mordecai, MD, shares his expert knowledge. Through this episode, listeners will be inspired by their commitment to challenge stigma, break down silence, and create spaces for connection, healing, and recovery. Listeners will also discover the critical work Calm and Kaiser Permanente are doing to support men’s mental health through awareness, education, and culturally responsive resources – and understand how to turn men’s mental health awareness into action.You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast. "Hope Starts With Us" is a podcast by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is hosted by NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. Episode production is provided by NAMI staff, including Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

Actor and mental health advocate Da’Vinchi joins NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. for a conversation about making waves in mental health. As an advocate, Da’Vinchi uses his platform and voice to have widespread conversations about mental health stigma within Black and Brown communities, as well as the loneliness epidemic and rising rates of depression and suicide for youth. Throughout this conversation, hear from Da’Vinchi about why he advocates for mental health, what is changing in Hollywood, and what youth need to feel supported.You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast. "Hope Starts With Us" is a podcast by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is hosted by NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. Episode production is provided by NAMI staff, including Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

Every one of us has taken solace in “comfort food” before and knows how much what we eat can impact our moods. In this episode, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. speaks with Carla Hall, a chef, host, and author. After recently participating in an episode of Celebrity Family Feud benefitting NAMI, Carla joined Dan to talk about her mental health journey and current projects, as well as how food can support mental well-being and keep memories alive.You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast. "Hope Starts With Us" is a podcast by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is hosted by NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. Episode production is provided by NAMI staff, including Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. talks with Candace Washington, licensed certified social worker-clinical (LCSW-C), psychotherapist, production therapist, suicide survivor, and a United States Air Force Veteran, to kick off Suicide Prevention Month this September. The pair discuss Candace’s mental health journey, lessons she has learned, faith, the entertainment industry, and suicide prevention. If you or someone you know are experiencing a mental health crisis, reach out for help today. Call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for online chat options, to speak with a trained support specialist. You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast. "Hope Starts With Us" is a podcast by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is hosted by NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. Episode production is provided by NAMI staff, including Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

Going back to school can be tough for kids – and their parents. In this episode, Barb Solish, from NAMI’s Office of Innovation, guest hosts for a conversation with child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Christine Crawford. Hear from Dr. Crawford about what parents are worried about, how to address screen time for children, and modeling behavior at home. Plus, hear about what mental health warning signs parents can watch for and when to escalate concerns.   To hear more from Dr. Crawford, check out her recent appearance on The TODAY Show and her previous “Hope Starts With Us” interview. You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast. "Hope Starts With Us" is a podcast by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is hosted by NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. Episode production is provided by NAMI staff, including Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. discusses childhood literacy and youth mental well-being with President and CEO of Reading Is Fundamental, Alicia Levi. Brought together by our shared partnership with Macy’s, these leaders explore how Reading Is Fundamental and NAMI’s missions align. This episode asks: By developing reading and mental well-being skills, can we increase the chances that these children grow into adults who are better equipped to care for their mental health?  The Back to School Round Up at the Register campaign runs from July 1 – September 14, 2025. Learn more about NAMI and Reading Is Fundamental’s partnership with Macy’s at macys.com/purpose. You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast. "Hope Starts With Us" is a podcast by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is hosted by NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. Episode production is provided by NAMI staff, including Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

This episode is part of NAMI’s recognition of International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on Saturday, August 9. In this episode, guest host Stephanie Robertson, Director of Mental Health Equity Innovation, is joined by Mechelle Negrete, NAMI’s Manager of American Indian Mental Health Community Outreach. They discuss their experiences with mental health, how they became mental health advocates, barriers to care for American Indian communities, what change they hope to see, and more. You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast. "Hope Starts With Us" is a podcast by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is hosted by NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. Episode production is provided by NAMI staff, including Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.