HOPEfull Conversations with Kari Eckert

Kari Eckert, Robbie's Hope
  • 5.0 (7)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Host Kari Eckert, Executive Director of Robbie's Hope Foundation, tackles meaningful conversations on teen mental health and teen suicide. Robbie's Hope Foundation is enabling teens across the country to become mental health advocates in their communities. Together we will cut the rate of teen suicide in half by 2028. For more information visit us at https://robbies-hope.com

  1. Episode 62 - Beyond Recovery

    12/09/2025

    Episode 62 - Beyond Recovery

    My guest today is Devin Daniels, the Director of Adolescent Services at Cenikor Foundation in Houston, Texas.  More than 2 million teens in the US abuse drugs once every month. Teen substance use can quickly disrupt dreams before they even begin. The earlier we intervene, the better the outcome. Early intervention services are designed to catch the warning signs of substance use and behavioral concerns before they become lifelong struggles. Through brief interventions, screenings, and family education, it is critical empower teens and their families to take proactive steps toward healing.  Whether your teen is starting to experiment with substances or showing changes in behavior, early action can help restore balance at home and at school. For nearly six decades, Cenikor has been an advocate and ally for a stigmatized class of people and continues to serve those from diverse walks of life. Everyone deserves a chance at recovery. When we remove the barriers and meet people where they are, incredible things can happen.  Being able to afford our programs makes getting into treatment easier. So does the ability to see and speak to someone relatable and familiar. Many of our team are in recovery, allowing for deep connection and empathy. Learn more at https://www.cenikor.org For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com

    35 min
  2. Episode 61 - Simple Studies

    11/25/2025

    Episode 61 - Simple Studies

    My guest today is Sarah Frank, an author and founder of the non-profit Simple Studies.  Simple Studies was founded in order to combat education inequity, especially in light of virtual learning in the midst of a global pandemic. The idea was, and still is, to provide students with free resources created for and by students. Lack of resources is one of the main pillars, but education inequity exists everywhere and in so many forms. Beyond lack of resources, problems such as lack of funding, lack of transportation, or an inability to pay for college stop students from being able to succeed in academics. This limits college choices and career opportunities. Education inequity is thus perpetuating cycles of poverty and oppression. Resources are available for high school and college age students inclusive of writing tips for essays, study tips, and AP class support.  “We believe that every individual deserves to have the resources and support they need to succeed in school. An education shouldn't have a price tag and success should not be for sale.” Learn more at https://simplestudies.org   For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com Follow us on Instagram (robbieshope1), YouTube (robbieshope), and Facebook (robbieshope2018)

    38 min
  3. Episode 60 - Hope Restored

    11/15/2025

    Episode 60 - Hope Restored

    My guest today is Stacy Schaffer, an author and therapist, with over twenty years of experience helping children navigate emotional and behavioral challenges. Specializing in both grief and Synergetic Play Therapy, Stacy creates a safe and nurturing place where people can take a deep breath. She also leads youth and family programs at The Refuge, a non-profit community center dedicated to healing community. Knowing children, teens, and young adults can feel heard and empowered energizes her soul and helps redeem all that has been lost. Outside therapy, Stacy loves spending quality time with amazing friends, surfing in the summer, reading at any opportunity, loving her golden retriever, Willow, kickboxing year round, and daydreaming about being a stand-up comedian. She continues to do her own therapeutic work in order to be genuine about her passion for healing. She loves to travel, but one can only escape the real world so many times. Her commitment to ensuring that children, teens, and young adults feel heard and empowered drives her practice, which offers essential support and recovery for those in need..  In With Love from a Children’s Therapist, Stacy takes readers on a deeply personal and professional journey through trauma, resilience, and healing.  As a survivor and a therapist with more than twenty years of experience, Schaffer weaves together her story with the lessons she’s learned from working with children, teens, and young adults. She explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma and the path to recovery, how anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation manifest in young people, and practical ways to create safety, understanding, and healing for ourselves and others. Learn more about Stacy at https://authorstacyschaffer.com For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com Follow us on Instagram (robbieshope1), YouTube (robbieshope), and Facebook (robbieshope2018)

    38 min
  4. Episode 59 - Ready Enough

    10/28/2025

    Episode 59 - Ready Enough

    My guest today is Lauren Beane, an author, keynote speaker, TEDx speaker and podcast host.  Laurent is the mom of two children and a Boston Terrier.   Lauren helps audiences take the leap and believe they are ready enough by offering tools, coaching, and her personal stories so they can embrace and own their unique talents. Too often, she found herself not taking action on her goals unless she felt that she had all the answers. But in 2020, she grew tired of waiting until she felt ready to pursue new opportunities. After taking a huge leap and launching her dream consulting business, she’s now on a mission to empower other women to feel they are ready enough (even with only 50% of the answers) and live out the life they deserve. Through her podcast, Ready Enough, she is empowering women to take action, build confidence, and chase big goals.  No perfect plan required! Learn more about Lauren at https://www.laurenbeane.com For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com Follow us on Instagram (robbieshope1), YouTube (robbieshope), and Facebook (robbieshope2018)

    31 min
  5. Episode 57 - Let Them Play

    09/30/2025

    Episode 57 - Let Them Play

    My guest today is Amy Bryant, author of Let Them Play and owner of Bryant College Coaching.  Amy has spent over 20 years coaching in the NCAA.  Amy is a mother of two student athletes and in her free time enjoys hiking and traveling.   Let Them Play offers practical advice for parenting athletes, emphasizing fun, balance, and personal growth over pressure and success. It guides parents to nurture holistic development through youth and high school sports, as well as the college recruitment process.    In the early years of youth sports, the focus should be on fun, exploration, and development. Let Them Play offers practical strategies for parents to help their children build confidence, develop a passion for sports, and navigate challenges like teamwork and competition.  As student-athletes enter their high school years, the dynamic changes, and so do the challenges. Let Them Play explores how to help teenagers balance the increasing demands of academics, athletics, and social pressures. Learn more about Amy at https://bryantcollegecoaching.com For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com Follow us on Instagram (robbieshope1), YouTube (robbieshope), and Facebook (robbieshope2018)

    39 min
  6. Episode 56 - The Gardening Club

    09/16/2025

    Episode 56 - The Gardening Club

    My guest today is Bella Wright, co-writer & producer of The Gardening Club, a new pop rock musical that debuts in London this coming Thursday.  Bella was the winner of Robbie’s Hope’s Hall of Personal Expression in 2020 as a junior in high school.   Bella is an actress, musician, composer, musical director and producer from Missoula, Montana, now based in Liverpool, England. After completing her high school diploma from the Interlochen Arts Academy, she moved abroad to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, where she founded and fronted her alternative rock band. She has played shows with her band across venues in Liverpool, such as the BBC-hosted night at The Cavern Club, Rough Trade, and The Jacaranda. Wright also has three successful single releases, one with over 100K streams. In 2022, Wright co-wrote and composed the book, music and lyrics to a new feminist rock musical, called The Gardening Club, with Carleigh McRitchie. This story that debuted onstage with three sold-out shows in Liverpool March 2024, and went on to a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2024, of which she performed in the cast. The Gardening Club has been named by Playbill as Top 20 Shows to See at Edinburgh Fringe, out of 4,000. A timely tale about life’s bitter pills, The Gardening Club is set in 1960s Georgia, where six girls scheme to illegally distribute the birth control pill with their gardening club as a cover up. The pop-rock soundtrack showcases themes of pleasure, self-discovery, and the power of female friendships. Read more about The Gardening Club in Playbill at https://playbill.com/article/the-history-of-the-birth-control-pill-blossoms-at-the-edinburgh-festival-fringe Follow Bella at:  https://maestramusic.org/profile/bella-wright/ For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com Follow us on Instagram (robbieshope1), YouTube (robbieshope), and Facebook (robbieshope2018)

    33 min
  7. Episode 55 - Fear[less]

    04/29/2025

    Episode 55 - Fear[less]

    My guest today is Rebecca Heiss, author of Instinct and an Evolutionary Biologist and Stress Physiologist.  Her book reveals the science behind our behaviors that affect our productivity, success, and ultimate happiness. “Our instincts were developed hundreds of thousands of years ago t help us survive a world ruled by scarcity and danger.  But they are devastatingly mismatched to our current environments.  We live in a diverse world of abundant choices and almost limitless connections, which means they outdated instincts now stop us from succeeding.” https://rebeccaheiss.com For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com Follow us on Instagram (robbieshope1), YouTube (robbieshope), and Facebook (robbieshope2018)

    39 min
  8. Episode 54 - Who is Abby Moore?

    04/15/2025

    Episode 54 - Who is Abby Moore?

    My guest today is Abby Moore, an inspiring young Crossfit athlete who is on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.  Abby started participating in Crossfit at age 11 when her parents joined a local gym.  In the last 7 years she has participated in the Crossfit Open 5 times and qualified to attend the Crossfit Games twice.  In 2021 she was ranked 11th in the world. Abby is currently a senior at Holy Family High School in Colorado.  Like most teen athletes, she has had to discover who she is, and decide on what is going to define her.  Through physical and mental struggles she is finding balance in her life. For additional resources visit us at:  https://robbies-hope.com Follow us on Instagram (robbieshope1), YouTube (robbieshope), and Facebook (robbieshope2018)

    32 min
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5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Host Kari Eckert, Executive Director of Robbie's Hope Foundation, tackles meaningful conversations on teen mental health and teen suicide. Robbie's Hope Foundation is enabling teens across the country to become mental health advocates in their communities. Together we will cut the rate of teen suicide in half by 2028. For more information visit us at https://robbies-hope.com

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