The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey

Dr. Ken Huey
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  • Entrepreneurship

Join Dr. Ken Huey on The Voice of Hope, where real stories and expert insights meet to inspire healing and transformation. With decades of experience in behavioral health and trauma therapy, Dr. Huey draws from his personal journey and professional expertise to offer practical advice for families, adoptees, and anyone seeking growth. Discover strategies to navigate trauma, build stronger relationships, and embrace hope in every episode. Tune in for thoughtful conversations that uplift and empower.

  1. Roy Leitstein - President, LifeChef Health

    6d ago

    Roy Leitstein - President, LifeChef Health

    What does it take to turn a childhood filled with trauma into a life dedicated to helping others heal? In this episode of The Voice of Hope Podcast, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Roy Leitstein, President of LifeChef Health, healthcare executive, entrepreneur, investor, and longtime leader in behavioral health. Roy shares his deeply personal story of growing up in the child welfare system, surviving abuse and neglect, and finding purpose through service. From volunteering while serving in the Army to leading organizations that grew from helping hundreds to serving tens of thousands, Roy reflects on the lessons that shaped his leadership, resilience, and mission. The conversation explores trauma, ACEs, resilience, leadership, the importance of building on strengths, and why helping others has remained the driving force behind Roy's career. Roy also discusses his transition into the Food as Medicine movement through LifeChef Health and how nutrition can become a powerful tool for improving health outcomes at scale. This is an inspiring conversation about overcoming adversity, creating lasting impact, and choosing every day to move from surviving to thriving.

    20 min
  2. Zack Schafer – Executive Director, Mountain Valley Treatment Center

    Jun 2

    Zack Schafer – Executive Director, Mountain Valley Treatment Center

    What if anxiety isn't something you have to live with forever? In this episode of The Voice of Hope Podcast, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Zack Schafer, Executive Director of Mountain Valley Treatment Center and occupational therapist, to explore how hope, community, and meaningful participation can transform the lives of young people struggling with anxiety, OCD, and other mental health challenges. Zack shares the personal experiences that led him into the field of mental health, including the loss of a close friend to suicide and his commitment to helping others find healing and purpose. Together, Ken and Zack discuss the role of occupational therapy in mental health treatment, the power of exposure and response prevention (ERP), how meaningful daily activities support emotional wellbeing, and why connection is often the catalyst for lasting change. They also explore the growing impact of technology and AI on youth mental health, the importance of resilience, and how anxiety can sometimes become a strength rather than a limitation. Whether you're a parent, clinician, educator, or someone navigating anxiety yourself, this conversation offers practical insights and a powerful reminder that hope is possible. In this episode: • Zack's personal journey into mental health care • How occupational therapy supports healing and recovery • Why community and connection are essential for resilience • The role of ERP in treating anxiety and OCD • Helping young people find purpose beyond their symptoms • Anxiety as both a challenge and a potential strength • Concerns about technology, AI, and adolescent development • Why meaningful participation is critical to mental wellbeing If you or someone you love is struggling with anxiety, OCD, or fear-based challenges, this episode provides both practical guidance and hope for the future.

    21 min
  3. Perry LaRoque, Ph.D. - Founder, Mansfield Hall

    May 26

    Perry LaRoque, Ph.D. - Founder, Mansfield Hall

    In this episode of The Voice of Hope Podcast, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Perry LaRoque, Ph.D., founder of Mansfield Hall and a leading advocate for neurodiverse learners. Perry shares why traditional education systems often fail students who learn differently, how mental health and academic struggles are deeply connected, and what parents can do to better recognize when a young adult is struggling in college. The conversation explores self-advocacy, belonging, labels, resilience, and the power of finding a community where students feel accepted for who they are. Perry also offers a powerful message for any young person who feels like they do not fit the mold: there is nothing wrong with you — you just need to find the people and places that see your strengths.

    17 min
  4. Ricky Santiago - Clinical Director, American Addiction Centers

    May 19

    Ricky Santiago - Clinical Director, American Addiction Centers

    What happens when therapy moves beyond four walls? In this episode of The Voice of Hope Podcast, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with behavioral health executive and experiential therapy expert Ricardo Santiago to explore how adventure therapy, leadership, culture, and purpose can transform mental health treatment. Ricky shares his deeply personal journey into behavioral healthcare, including how losing his mother to alcoholism shaped his mission to help families heal. He opens up about the power of experiential therapy, why true healing often happens outside the traditional therapy room, and how challenge-based experiences can help people rediscover confidence, connection, and hope. The conversation also dives into leadership in behavioral health, building healthy organizational culture, the dangers of gossip in teams, and the lessons behind Ricky’s book How Long to Sing This Song? If you care about mental health, addiction recovery, leadership, or creating cultures where people can truly heal, this episode is packed with insight and heart.

    16 min
  5. Nick Padlo – Founder & CEO, Sophros Recovery

    May 12

    Nick Padlo – Founder & CEO, Sophros Recovery

    What happens when success on paper hides a life falling apart? On this episode of The Voice of Hope Podcast, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Nick Padlo, TEDx speaker, Army combat veteran, and founder of Sophros Recovery, to talk about the reality of addiction, recovery, and rebuilding a life with purpose. Nick shares his journey from West Point to the battlefield, to business success - and ultimately to a breaking point that forced him to confront addiction head-on. What followed wasn’t a perfect path, but a powerful one. This conversation dives into:  Why high performers often struggle in silence  How trauma builds over time - and how to manage it  The role of accountability in long-term recovery  Why there is no “one solution” to healing  Practical first steps for anyone struggling Nick’s story is raw, honest, and deeply hopeful - a reminder that recovery isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress and having the right tools around you. If you or someone you know is navigating mental health or addiction, this episode offers real insight and a clear message: healing is possible.

    15 min
  6. Dr. Cindy Howard – Founder, Positively Altered Project

    May 5

    Dr. Cindy Howard – Founder, Positively Altered Project

    What if happiness isn’t something you find… but something you choose, especially in the hardest moments? In this episode of The Voice of Hope Podcast, Ken Huey sits down with Dr. Cindy Howard, keynote speaker, wellness expert, and founder of the Positively Altered Project, to unpack what it really means to build resilience. From her own cancer diagnosis to decades of clinical and leadership experience, Dr. Howard shares how mindset, language, and daily habits shape our ability to heal, grow, and perform under pressure. This is a practical and powerful conversation on choosing your response, rewiring negative thinking, and building resilience in both life and leadership. In this episode, we cover:  Why the brain is wired for negativity and how to override it  The difference between reacting and responding  How a victim mindset holds people back and how to shift out of it  Signs your nervous system is out of balance  Simple tools like breathing and “I am” statements to reset your mindset  How adversity, including cancer, can become a catalyst for growth  Why connection and vulnerability are essential for healing

    23 min
  7. Beatriz Martinez-Peñalver - Founder, Triumph Steps

    Apr 28

    Beatriz Martinez-Peñalver - Founder, Triumph Steps

    What if happiness was a skill you could learn? In this powerful episode of The Voice of Hope Podcast, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Beatriz Martinez-Peñalver, licensed psychotherapist, founder of Triumph Steps, and co-founder of Healthy Connections Community Mental Health Center. With more than 30 years of experience in mental health, Beatriz shares why emotional literacy may be one of the most important missing pieces in today’s mental health conversation. She explains how thoughts shape feelings, feelings drive actions, and actions create the results we experience in life. They also explore prevention, healing, family support during crisis, and why true triumph includes health, relationships, purpose, and freedom. If you want practical wisdom on growth, resilience, and creating a better future, this episode is for you.

    15 min
  8. Melanie Dallas - Chief Executive Officer, Highland Rivers Behavioral Health

    Apr 21

    Melanie Dallas - Chief Executive Officer, Highland Rivers Behavioral Health

    What does it take to lead one of Georgia’s largest behavioral health organizations while staying deeply connected to the people you serve? In this episode of The Voice of Hope Podcast, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Melanie Dallas, CEO of Highland Rivers Behavioral Health, to explore leadership, crisis response, compassion fatigue, trust, and the future of behavioral healthcare. With more than 37 years of experience, Melanie shares powerful lessons from the front lines of crisis care, what first responders taught her about building trust, why many people in crisis need connection more than hospitalization, and how leaders can create cultures where teams feel safe, empowered, and heard. She also opens up about navigating mergers during the pandemic, shaping behavioral health policy in Georgia, and the life-changing moments that remind her why this work matters. This is a conversation about service, resilience, and creating hope where it’s needed most. Learn more about Highland Rivers Behavioral Health: https://highlandrivers.org/about-us/executive-leadership/ https://highlandriversfoundation.org/about/

    21 min
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About

Join Dr. Ken Huey on The Voice of Hope, where real stories and expert insights meet to inspire healing and transformation. With decades of experience in behavioral health and trauma therapy, Dr. Huey draws from his personal journey and professional expertise to offer practical advice for families, adoptees, and anyone seeking growth. Discover strategies to navigate trauma, build stronger relationships, and embrace hope in every episode. Tune in for thoughtful conversations that uplift and empower.

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