Hope Starts With Us

National Alliance on Mental Illness
  • 4.8 (32)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

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.

  1. 2d ago

    Serving Families Through Compassion and Experience Featuring Jessica Clementino, Megan Rochford, and Inigo San Gil

    Did you know that the NAMI HelpLine is staffed by trained volunteers? In this episode, hear from two volunteers, Jessica Clementino and Inigo San Gil, and National Director of NAMI HelpLine Services Megan Rochford about why the NAMI HelpLine is so critical. Listeners will also learn about the impact of the HelpLine, why NAMI launched the new Family Caregiver HelpLine option, the experience of volunteering, and more.    Are you interested in becoming a NAMI HelpLine volunteer? Visit nami.org/volunteer to learn more.   As students head back to classrooms this month, discover all that NAMI's Back to School resources can offer. Visit NAMI's Back to School resource hub for more ways to connect with young people heading back to school and support them through their new routines. Check out nami.org/BackToSchool to learn 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.

    Serving Families Through Compassion and Experience Featuring Jessica Clementino, Megan Rochford, and Inigo San Gil

  2. Jul 29

    How the Young Doctors Project Builds Pathways for the Future Featuring Dr. Sabina Berretta, Mahlon Williams, and Dr. Malcolm H. Woodland

    Through the Community Health Equity Alliance (CHEA), NAMI is working to reduce mental health crises nationwide, especially in Black/African Ancestry communities. One component of increasing access to mental health care and trust in mental health care systems is increasing representation among providers. By partnering with the Young Doctors Project, NAMI is helping to Pack the Pipeline with diverse mental health professionals. This episode highlights the partnership NAMI has with the Young Doctors Project, why this work to increase representation is crucial, how diversity in research leads to important findings, and more. Through this conversation with Dr. Sabina Berretta, Mahlon Williams (Young Doctors Project participant), and Dr. Malcolm Woodland, NAMI highlights the need for more representation and diversity in mental health professions and the notable impact increased diversity has on mental health care.    Learn more about the Community Health Equity Alliance (CHEA).  As students head back to classrooms this month, discover all that NAMI's Back to School resources can offer. Visit NAMI's Back to School resource hub for more ways to connect with young people heading back to school and support them through their new routines. Check out nami.org/BackToSchool to learn 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.

    How the Young Doctors Project Builds Pathways for the Future Featuring Dr. Sabina Berretta, Mahlon Williams, and Dr. Malcolm H. Woodland

  3. Jul 8

    Navigating Mental Health Systems as Caregivers Featuring Dr. Glenda Wrenn Gordon and Christopher Hampton

    This episode highlights mental health systems and caregiving for loved ones with mental health conditions. As NAMI recognizes Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month this July, Dr. Glenda Wrenn Gordon and Christopher Hampton join NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. to discuss the NAMI Family Caregiver HelpLine and Crisis Can’t Wait materials, as well as exploring advice about navigating mental health care systems.  As students head back to classrooms this month, discover all that NAMI's Back to School resources can offer. Visit NAMI's Back to School resource hub for more ways to connect with young people heading back to school and support them through their new routines. Check out nami.org/BackToSchool to learn 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.

    Navigating Mental Health Systems as Caregivers Featuring Dr. Glenda Wrenn Gordon and Christopher Hampton

  4. Jun 24

    Beyond the Label: Living With Schizophrenia Featuring Kody Green

    Kody Green joins “Hope Starts With Us” to share his story of living with schizophrenia. From diagnosis to incarceration to his thriving present-day life, this episode will explore the impact of Kody’s experiences on how he has evolved over the years. As a content creator with a following of two million across platforms, Kody’s story resonates with so many who want to feel community with someone who lives with mental illness and learn more about what it’s like to navigate schizophrenia.   Learn more about Kody’s experiences with schizophrenia through his social media. Find him @schizophrenichippie on Instagram and TikTok. As students head back to classrooms this month, discover all that NAMI's Back to School resources can offer. Visit NAMI's Back to School resource hub for more ways to connect with young people heading back to school and support them through their new routines. Check out nami.org/BackToSchool to learn 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.

    Beyond the Label: Living With Schizophrenia Featuring Kody Green

  5. Jun 10

    Building a Welcoming, Loving World Featuring Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, Taylor Locke, and Hannah Wesolowski

    In honor of Pride Month, this episode explores mental health for LGBTQ+ young people. NAMI’s Chief Advocacy Officer Hannah Wesolowski is joined by Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen (The Trevor Project) and Taylor Locke (NAMI Next Gen, NAMI New York State). Together, the trio discusses recent research from The Trevor Project about mental health among LGBTQ+ youth, the importance of supportive adults for LGBTQ+ young people, how communities can reduce the risk of suicide for young queer people, and more.  Learn more from The Trevor Project's research here.  As students head back to classrooms this month, discover all that NAMI's Back to School resources can offer. Visit NAMI's Back to School resource hub for more ways to connect with young people heading back to school and support them through their new routines. Check out nami.org/BackToSchool to learn 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.

    Building a Welcoming, Loving World Featuring Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, Taylor Locke, and Hannah Wesolowski

  6. May 20 ·  Bonus

    Encore - Treasuring Moms’ Mental Health Featuring Kate Kennedy-Lynch, Barb Solish, and Alessandra Torresani

    In this key episode, NAMI explores how becoming a parent brings many changes to anyone’s life. To add to the changes, balancing new or forthcoming parenthood with mental health conditions might feel difficult.  Guest host Barb Solish, NAMI’s National Director of Innovation, is joined by Kate Kennedy-Lynch, NAMI Director of External Relations, and Alessandra Torresani, actress, podcast host, and NAMI Ambassador. They discuss their own lived experiences navigating mental health conditions before, during, and after their pregnancies, sharing what they’ve learned throughout their mental health journeys. Finally, they share ways they’ve found to balance mental health and parenthood for Mental Health Awareness Month and Maternal Mental Health Month. As students head back to classrooms this month, discover all that NAMI's Back to School resources can offer. Visit NAMI's Back to School resource hub for more ways to connect with young people heading back to school and support them through their new routines. Check out nami.org/BackToSchool to learn 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.

    Encore - Treasuring Moms’ Mental Health Featuring Kate Kennedy-Lynch, Barb Solish, and Alessandra Torresani

  7. May 6

    The Role of Hope As You Heal Featuring Joshua Bassett

    Joshua Bassett, popular musician and actor best known for his role in “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” joins the podcast for an exploration into coming of age under constant evaluation. Joshua’s new book, “Rookie: My Public, Private, and Secret Life,” was released this week, published as Mental Health Awareness Month begins. As a young person struggling with anxiety and addiction, Joshua learned that the journey to recovery is often not linear. In this episode, listeners will hear NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. and Joshua discuss the keys to Joshua’s recovery, how acting in a high-profile show impacted his identity and growth, the ways art surpasses performance and becomes survival, the role of hope in his healing journey, and more.  As students head back to classrooms this month, discover all that NAMI's Back to School resources can offer. Visit NAMI's Back to School resource hub for more ways to connect with young people heading back to school and support them through their new routines. Check out nami.org/BackToSchool to learn 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.

    The Role of Hope As You Heal Featuring Joshua Bassett

  8. Apr 22

    United in Action Through NAMIWalks Featuring Mary Sorensen

    This episode of “Hope Starts With Us” features NAMI’s Director of Field Resource Development Mary Sorensen. Through this conversation, listeners will learn about NAMIWalks, NAMI’s community-driven fundraising event happening nationwide. This discussion will highlight the importance of community mental health events, the power of coming together with our neighbors, how to get involved, and more.   Sign up for a NAMIWalks near you today! As students head back to classrooms this month, discover all that NAMI's Back to School resources can offer. Visit NAMI's Back to School resource hub for more ways to connect with young people heading back to school and support them through their new routines. Check out nami.org/BackToSchool to learn 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.

    United in Action Through NAMIWalks Featuring Mary Sorensen
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4.8
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    National Alliance on Mental Illness
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    109
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hope Starts With Us
  • Show Website
    Hope Starts With Us