Emotion Well

Johanna Dunlevy - Wellness Manager
  • 4.7 (9)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

EFR's Podcast about all things related to emotional wellness. Listen to learn about the different experiences people face and how to enhance emotional well-being!

  1. 6D AGO

    From Addiction to Recovery: One Man’s Journey Through Alcohol Use Disorder

    In this episode of Emotion Well, host Johanna Dunlevy sits down with Brock Milligan, Business Development & Community Relations at ThriveNow Recovery Centers, for a powerful and personal conversation about recovery. Brock shares his 19-year journey with alcohol use disorder, the pivotal moments that led him to seek treatment, and what ultimately made recovery stick. With honesty and vulnerability, Brock opens up about how sharing his story has helped reduce the stigma surrounding substance misuse and mental health challenges. He also discusses ThriveNow’s Iowa-based programs, which include medical detox, residential care, medication-assisted treatment, and community reintegration and speaks to the barriers many Iowans face when trying to access care. This episode offers an honest, insightful, and hopeful perspective for anyone impacted by addiction, mental health challenges, or who is on the path to recovery. You can watch the podcast here on YouTube. Learn more about ThriveNow and Renewal Falls Recovery Centers. Watch Brock’s interview on WHO-13 here. Contact Brock LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brock-milligan/ Email: brock@thrivenowrc.com Call him at 515-444-6433 EFR is committed to helping the central Iowa community with our Substance Abuse Services. If you need help navigating a loved one’s addiction or recovering, read our blog, Finding Strength Through Support. Donate to EFR. 1 in 3 Iowans needing mental health care cannot afford it. Your gift enables us to offer counseling to anyone in need regardless of their ability to pay. Thank you for helping us keep our promise to the community: that everyone who needs help, gets help.

    41 min

  2. MAR 30

    From Diagnosis to Purpose: Turning Health Challenges into a Meaningful Life

    In this episode of Emotion Well, host Johanna Dunlevy sits down with certified health and wellness coach Nilay Gokdag, ICF-ACC, NBC-HWC, to explore how a chronic health diagnosis motivated her to change her lifestyle and ultimately find her calling in health coaching. Nilay shares how navigating different struggles in her life, including her move from Turkey to Iowa and managing cultural expectations around food, helped her build a healthier life grounded in curiosity and gratitude. She also discusses how finding the meaning in her disease led her to wanting to support others to share her core values of good health and learning. Tune in for an honest conversation about how challenges can lead to growth, purpose, and lasting change. Connect with Nilay on LinkedIn. Follow her on Instagram. Visit her website here and view her Associate Certified Coach credentials. You can watch the podcast here on YouTube. Donate to EFR. 1 in 3 Iowans needing mental health care cannot afford it. Your gift enables us to offer counseling to anyone in need regardless of their ability to pay. Thank you for helping us keep our promise to the community: that everyone who needs help, gets help.

    32 min

  3. MAR 3

    Self-Awareness as the Catalyst for Meaningful Change

    In this episode of Emotion Well, host Johanna Dunlevy sits down with Sara Klute Behn, owner of Your Wise Self with Sara and one of EFR’s newest wellness trainers. Sara shares her journey from two decades in nonprofit health care philanthropy to launching her own practice—an evolution she describes as a midlife awakening rooted in curiosity, courage, and intuition. Sara explains what yoga therapy really is and how it differs from a traditional yoga class. She also talks about the mind-body-spirit tools used to support people navigating stress, anxiety, chronic conditions, and major life transitions. Sara also introduces listeners to human design, a personalized framework that can help people understand their energy, decision-making style, and natural strengths, and explains how it intersects with astrology, including why some people may resonate with “true sidereal” placements more than traditional horoscope signs. Listen and learn how self-awareness is the starting point for meaningful change and how wellness is about supporting the whole person, not just physical health. You can watch the podcast here on YouTube. Donate to EFR. 1 in 3 Iowans needing mental health care cannot afford it. Your gift enables us to offer counseling to anyone in need regardless of their ability to pay. Thank you for helping us keep our promise to the community: that everyone who needs help, gets help.

    44 min

  4. FEB 2

    Beyond the EAP: How EFR’s Community Programs Create Lasting Impact

    In this episode, our host Johanna Dunlevy is joined by EFR colleagues Tammy Hoyman, CEO and Haley Pederson Hundley, Substance Abuse Programs Director, for a deeper look at the heart of EFR’s mission-driven work. While many people are familiar with EFR through its Employee Assistance Program (EAP), this conversation shines a light on the wide range of community outreach and prevention programs that extend far beyond the workplace. Tammy and Haley discuss how grant-funded initiatives allow EFR to meet critical community needs, with a special focus on the Restorative Justice Program. They explore how restorative practices support accountability, healing, and connection, and offer an alternative to punitive justice. You’ll get an inside look at how EFR’s prevention and community-based programs (including our Student Assistance Program) work, why grant funding is essential, and how EFR’s mission-based approach helps create lasting, positive impact in the community. If you are in the Fifth Judicial District and/or in the Iowa counties of Polk, Warren, Jasper, or Marion, or willing to travel to the Polk County, Iowa area, you can reach EFR Diversion team, by phone at 515-471-2323 or by email at diversion@efr.org. For more information about our Student Assistance Program (SAP), visit our SAP webpage. You can call 800-327-4692 or 515-244-6090 to see if your school is one of our SAP partners. Donate to EFR. 1 in 3 Iowans needing mental health care cannot afford it. Your gift enables us to offer counseling to anyone in need regardless of their ability to pay. Thank you for helping us keep our promise to the community: that everyone who needs help, gets help.

    43 min

  5. JAN 5

    Finding the Funny: Comedy, Connection, and Mental Health

    In this episode of Emotion Well, host Johanna Dunlevy sits down with fellow EFR employee—and 2025’s Funniest Person in Iowa—Mel Mackey. Mel shares how she got started with comedy and improv, what inspired her to take the stage, and how humor can be a powerful tool for connection and communication. Together, they explore how comedy can create an atmosphere of psychological safety and break down barriers. Mel also opens up about the challenges of being a woman in the comedy world and reflects on how writing and performing comedy has supported her own mental health and personal growth. This episode offers both laughs and insights into the role humor can play in resilience, well-being, and belonging. You can follow Mel on Instagram. She also recommends following Underground Comedy Des Moines and comedian Matthew Jacobsen. You can also find Damon Tucker at The Station in Des Moines, IA for weekly comedy. Donate to EFR. 1 in 3 Iowans needing mental health care cannot afford it. Your gift enables us to offer counseling to anyone in need regardless of their ability to pay. Thank you for helping us keep our promise to the community: that everyone who needs help, gets help.

    32 min

  6. 12/02/2025

    Finding Balance Through Emotional Intelligence

    In this episode of EFR’s Emotion Well Podcast, our host Johanna Dunlevy welcomes Ernest Phillips, founder of Relationship Wealth Enterprises, to explore how understanding our values and emotions can strengthen every part of our lives. Ernest, an emotional intelligence coach, author, and speaker, shares his insights on self-awareness, ownership of our choices, and how we can give and receive “universal currency”. You can connect with Ernest here: LinkedIn – Ernest Phillips Click here to learn more about or purchase his book Tug Tips. Click here to visit Ernest's YouTube channel, The System Works. Donate to EFR. 1 in 3 Iowans needing mental health care cannot afford it. Your gift enables us to offer counseling to anyone in need regardless of their ability to pay. Thank you for helping us keep our promise to the community: that everyone who needs help, gets help.

    49 min

  7. 11/04/2025

    Strengthening Businesses, Teams, and Communities

    In this episode of Emotion Well, we talk with Nick Krehbiel from Agri-Prime Consulting. Bringing over a decade of experience in facilitation, education, and organizational development, he is a certified DiSC partner, helping teams strengthen communication and performance. In this conversation, Nick shares real-world examples from his consulting work and explains what DiSC assessments are and how they go beyond labels to help individuals and teams work better together. We also discuss the bigger picture: how strong local businesses play a vital role in supporting rural communities. You can connect with Nick here: Nicholas Krehbiel - LinkedIn Agri-Prime Consulting Learn more about our DiSC training: Understanding Yourself and Others: A DiSC-Based Approach to Communication EFR offers our clients a variety of services, including Counseling, Life Coaching, and Child and Eldercare Resources. If your company would like to partner with us to offer these services to your employees, visit efr.org/employers to learn more. Donate to EFR. 1 in 3 Iowans needing mental health care cannot afford it. Your gift enables us to offer counseling to anyone in need regardless of their ability to pay. Thank you for helping us keep our promise to the community: that everyone who needs help, gets help.

    46 min

  8. 10/01/2025

    Happy at Home: Occupational Therapy for Everyday Life

    Sydney Marshman, OTD, OTR/L is an occupational therapist and the founder of Happy at Home Consulting, where she helps individuals and families thrive in their own homes through practical, person-centered solutions—from simple adaptive tools to full remodel planning. A graduate of Drake University’s OT program with a background in kinesiology and public health, Sydney partners with clients, caregivers, and community organizations to support independence, accessibility, and aging in place. In this episode you’ll learn about what OT really is, how it relates to mental health, and how proactive planning can help people stay home and live well. Sydney's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-marshman/ Call for more information about Happy at Home Consulting: 515-635-4050   Explore your Eldercare benefit with EFR: https://efr.org/employee-assistance-program/child-elder-care/

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

EFR's Podcast about all things related to emotional wellness. Listen to learn about the different experiences people face and how to enhance emotional well-being!

Information

  • Creator
    Johanna Dunlevy - Wellness Manager
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Emotion Well
  • Show Website
    Emotion Well