

Hope Starts With Us
National Alliance on Mental Illness
On this podcast, Daniel H. Gillison Jr., CEO of NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness), brings important mental health topics to light, one conversation at a time. Hope starts with us sharing our stories. Hope starts with us breaking the stigma. Hope starts with us sharing resources and practical advice. If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental health condition and are looking for hope, this podcast is for you.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 21, 2025 • 43min
Mental Health Care Rooted in Community Featuring Dr. Sidney Hankerson
In this episode, Stephanie Robertson, NAMI’s Director of Mental Health Equity Innovation, is joined by Dr. Sidney Hankerson, Associate Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. They discuss the incredible work being done in local communities by Dr. Hankerson’s work with the HOPE Center and TRIUMPH study. Dr. Hankerson also explores the ways these programs collaborate with community-based organizations and offers advice about building meaningful and lasting partnerships that support mental health through initiatives rooted in community.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. Co-executive produced by Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

May 14, 2025 • 1h 1min
Living With Anxiety and Thriving as Young Adults Featuring Srihitha Dasari, Nadiyah Fisher, Anuj Gandhi, and Caitlyn Jennings
May is National Anxiety Awareness Month, so four members of NAMI Next Gen joined NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. to talk about their experiences with anxiety. In this episode, Srihitha Dasari, Nadiyah Fisher, Anuj Gandhi, and Caitlyn Jennings share stories about their mental health journeys with us. Their conversation will cover their personal experiences, the many different types of anxiety, some ideas for managing anxiety, how mental health education can help youth, 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. Co-executive produced by Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

May 7, 2025 • 48min
Take Time to Recharge Featuring David Ko
Taking care of your health includes mental health, too. In this episode, NAMI CEO and host Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. is joined in conversation with David Ko, CEO of Calm and author of the #1 bestselling book, “Recharge: Boosting Your Mental Battery One Conversation at a Time.” Together, they discuss why David wrote “Recharge,” how Calm highlights mental health at work, and supporting youth as they navigate life both online and off. Learn more about David's book, "Recharge: Boosting Your Mental Battery One Conversation at a Time" 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. Co-executive produced by Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

Apr 23, 2025 • 38min
Braver Through Hope With NAMI HelpLine Volunteers Featuring Megan Rochford, Madison Rubert, and Dave Tippett
At NAMI, we work to ensure that anyone experiencing mental health conditions knows that they are not alone. The staff and volunteers on our NAMI HelpLine and Teen & Young Adult HelpLine work on the frontline, responding to phone calls, texts, and chats from people seeking help. Today, host and NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. is joined by two NAMI HelpLine volunteers, Madison Rubert and Dave Tippett, along with NAMI HelpLine Operations Director Megan Rochford. In this conversation, we celebrate the hard work of our volunteers, discuss the recent accreditation from the International Council for HelpLines, and close out National Volunteers Month with gratitude for the care NAMI volunteers exhibit every day. 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. Co-executive produced by Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

Apr 16, 2025 • 54min
Caring for Communities After Traumatic Events Featuring Erin Raftery Ryan and Dr. Shauna "Doc" Springer
Following their previous conversation in episode 63, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. is joined again by NAMI West Los Angeles CEO Erin Raftery Ryan and Stella Mental Health Chief Psychologist Shauna “Doc” Springer. This episode asks us to consider how we continue to support communities after traumatic events occur and after the news is no longer “breaking.” How can local community members support each other? How can caring folks who are far away contribute to efforts to heal? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this continued conversation. Mentioned in this conversation, two additional resources:LA ConnectLA Jewish FederationYou 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. Co-executive produced by Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

Apr 9, 2025 • 30min
Medicaid and Mental Health: What Changes Could Mean for Our Community Featuring Sue Abderholden, Anita Burgos, and Hannah Wesolowski
In this episode, NAMI’s Chief Advocacy Officer Hannah Wesolowski guest hosts a special episode about Medicaid’s importance for the mental health community. Hannah is joined by NAMI Minnesota Executive Director Sue Abderholden and NAMI’s Director Public Policy, Anita Burgos. Together, they discuss the potential changes to federal Medicaid funding, what Medicaid is and why it’s so crucial, how federal funding cuts could impact states, and options for listeners to get involved and advocate for Medicaid and the mental health community.Learn more at nami.org/medicaidYou 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. Co-executive produced by Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

Apr 2, 2025 • 48min
Mental Health is Health Featuring Elliott Connie
In this episode, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. is joined by Elliott Connie, a psychotherapist and advocate for mental health. This discussion focuses on Elliott Connie’s solution focused therapy practice, men’s mental health, and opening up conversations about mental health within Black communities. 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. Co-executive produced by Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

Mar 26, 2025 • 47min
10 Years of Stepping Up With the National Association of Counties Featuring Matthew D. Chase
As part of National Criminal Justice Month, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. is joined by Matthew D. Chase, CEO/Executive Director of the National Association of Counties (NACo). As long-time friends and colleagues, they will reflect on efforts to divert people with mental illness from the criminal justice system, including 10 years of the Stepping Up initiative, and where they see the work of and ways that local governments, like counties, have led the charge. 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. Co-executive produced by Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

Mar 12, 2025 • 40min
Honoring Women in Mental Health Featuring Jamie Gray Hyder, Alessandra Torresani, and DeWanda Wise
NAMI was founded by families coming together in an alliance to advocate for mental health care and an end to discrimination against mental illness. While many family members were part of our founding, it was largely women leading at the helm. In this episode of “Hope Starts With Us,” we’re joined by three NAMI Ambassadors: guest host Alessandra Torresani, Jamie Gray Hyder, and DeWanda Wise. Together, they will explore the impact of significant women in mental health and how their contributions have helped pave the path to today’s mental health advocacy landscape.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. Co-executive produced by Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

Mar 5, 2025 • 25min
What Employees Need for Their Mental Health Featuring Darcy Gruttadaro and Brit Wanstrath
NAMI released our second poll about workplace mental health on February 27. The poll was conducted in partnership with Ipsos and highlights key findings for employees’ mental health at work. NAMI’s Chief Innovation Officer Darcy Gruttadaro serves as our guest host in discussion with Brit Wanstrath, NAMI’s Manager of Workplace Mental Health Initiatives. In this episode, the pair will discuss the poll’s four key findings, stigma surrounding mental health at work, and how employers can best support their workforce.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. Co-executive produced by Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.


