The Path Forward Mental Health with Maps

The Path Forward Mental Health with Maps
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health

Welcome to The Path Forward: Mental Health with Maps! This podcast is designed to help you navigate life’s challenges with confidence and care. Each episode features Compass Check (mindfulness & grounding), True North (real stories & conversations), and Trail Mix (tips & inspiration). Slow down, listen in, and let us be a small source of support on your journey. Presented by Maps Counseling Services.

Episodes

  1. Jul 30

    Play Is the Work of Childhood: Trauma, Connection & Growth – Jocelyn Goldblatt | S2E3

    What if play is not simply something children do for fun, but one of the most important ways they learn, connect, heal, and make sense of their experiences?In this episode of *The Path Forward: Mental Health with Maps*, Dr. Gina Pasquale is joined by Jocelyn Goldblatt, Executive Director of the Cheshire Children’s Museum, for a thoughtful conversation about adverse childhood experiences, commonly known as ACEs, and the patterns that can follow us from childhood into adulthood and parenting.Drawing from both lived and professional experience, Jocelyn shares what it has meant to carry a high ACE score, recognize inherited patterns, and create greater space between an emotional reaction and an intentional response. Together, Gina and Jocelyn explore the resilience and post-traumatic growth that can emerge when people are met with safety, connection, compassion, and support.Their conversation also examines the powerful role of play throughout our lives. For children, play can strengthen attachment, develop emotional regulation, encourage creativity, and provide a language for processing experiences that may be difficult to explain with words. For adults, playfulness can create opportunities for connection, flexibility, joy, and healing.Topics in this episode include:• What adverse childhood experiences are and how they can affect long-term mental and physical health • Recognizing patterns carried forward from childhood • Breaking intergenerational cycles without expecting perfection • “Ghosts and angels in the nursery” and the experiences we bring into parenting • Why play is considered the work and language of childhood • How repetitive play can help children process frightening or overwhelming experiences • Using mindfulness and meditation to create space before responding • Supporting overwhelmed parents without judgment • The role of children’s museums and other shared spaces in strengthening families and communities • How one compassionate interaction can change a parent’s entire experience Resources & CreditsLearn more about Maps Counseling Services: https://mapsnh.orgLearn more about the Cheshire Children’s Museum: https://cheshirechildrensmuseum.orgContact Maps Counseling Services: office@mapsnh.orgHosted by: Dr. Gina Pasquale Guest: Jocelyn Goldblatt, Executive Director of the Cheshire Children’s Museum Produced by: Maps Counseling Services Filmed | Directed | Edited by: Christopher David

  2. Jun 28

    Seeing Men’s Mental Health Differently | S2E2

    In this episode of The Path Forward: Mental Health with Maps, Dr. Gina Pasquale sits down with Austin Mabry, a therapist at Maps Counseling Services, to explore the needs of boys and men in mental health care. Together, they discuss why men’s mental health has often gone unacknowledged, how boys can learn to suffer silently, and what happens when vulnerability, sadness, sensitivity, and emotional pain are treated as something to hide rather than something human. Austin shares from both his professional work and his own lived experience, reflecting on adolescent depression, isolation, Buddhist practice, men’s groups, and the healing power of being seen by others.   This conversation looks closely at how our understanding of strength, masculinity, vulnerability, and healing can shift over time. What once may have looked like weakness, sensitivity, or failure can begin to look different when we understand it through the lens of connection, emotional honesty, and shared humanity. This conversation dives into: • Why boys and men often suffer in silence • The pressure to be strong, stoic, and self-reliant • Depression, shame, and emotional isolation in adolescence • Why vulnerability can feel risky for men • The importance of male role models and men’s groups • How healing often happens in relationship with others • The difference between shutting down and being emotionally honest • Why supporting men’s mental health also supports families and communities • How purpose and meaning can strengthen mental health Whether you are a parent, therapist, educator, partner, friend, or someone reflecting on your own path, this episode offers an honest invitation to see men’s mental health differently — with more compassion, more complexity, and more room for boys and men to be fully human.

  3. May 25

    When Childhood Memories Take On New Meaning | S2E1

    In this episode of The Path Forward: Mental Health with Maps, Dr. Gina Pasquale sits down with Liz LaRose, President of Monadnock United Way, for a personal conversation about meaning making, resilience, childhood experiences, and the power of community. Liz shares a story from early childhood about a frightening encounter she did not fully understand at the time. Years later, as her awareness grew, she began to make sense of what happened, not by forcing a silver lining, but by reflecting on how the experience shaped her understanding of purpose, service, connection, and care for others.   Together, Gina and Liz explore how we continue to understand our experiences over time, how community support can help us move through difficult moments, and why relationships, belonging, and shared connection are essential to mental health. The conversation also highlights the work of Monadnock United Way, the importance of early childhood support, financial stability, social-emotional resilience, and the growing Monadnock Chamber of Connection initiative.   This conversation dives into: • Meaning making after difficult experiences • Childhood confusion, adult reflection, and self-compassion • The role of family, friends, and community in resilience • Why belonging and connection support mental health • The impact of early childhood support and financial security • How one person’s life of service can grow from personal experience • The importance of creating “points of connection” in a community Whether you are reflecting on your own story, looking for a deeper sense of purpose, or thinking about how communities help people heal, this episode offers a powerful reminder: we are not meant to move through life alone.

    When Childhood Memories Take On New Meaning | S2E1

  4. Mar 31

    Music, Belonging, and Mental Health: How Music Builds Community | Ep 8

    Episode 8: Music, Belonging, and Mental HealthIn this episode of The Path Forward: Mental Health with Maps, Dr. Gina Pasquale sits down with Sam Bergman, Executive Director of Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music, to explore the connection between music, belonging, and mental health.From early childhood experiences with the Suzuki method to a lifelong career in music and leadership, Sam shares how music became more than an art form—it became a lifeline. Together, they examine how community, mentorship, and shared creative experiences can serve as powerful antidotes to loneliness.This conversation dives into:• How music creates deep, lasting community• Why belonging is essential for mental health• The impact of summer camp culture and shared experiences• The dangers of the “suffering artist” myth• How programs like “Playing for Peace” use music to build global connection• Why young people today need community more than everWhether you are a musician or simply someone who has ever been moved by music, this episode offers a powerful reminder: we are not meant to do life alone.

  5. Jan 26

    When Mental Health Shapes Leadership: A Community Leader Reflects | Ep 7

    The Path Forward: Mental Health with Maps In this episode, Dr. Gina Pasquale sits down with Mark Bodin, President of Savings Bank of Walpole, to talk about how mental health shapes families, leadership, and the places we work. Mark shares his personal experience of losing his father to suicide, the long shadow that loss cast over his family, and how openness, compassion, and community can help reduce stigma and support healing. Mark reflects on grief, survivor guilt, and why focusing on how someone died can distract from what families truly need: understanding, care, and presence. He also explores how these experiences have informed his leadership philosophy and helped shape a workplace culture that supports employees as whole human beings — especially during life’s most difficult seasons. This conversation is a reminder that mental health is not a private issue — it lives in our families, our communities, and our workplaces — and that talking about it is one of the most powerful forms of prevention and care. Topics in this episode include: • Living with the loss of a parent to suicide • Grief, stigma, and survivor guilt • Why “how they died” isn’t the right question • Making mental health mentionable — and manageable • Supporting employees through trauma and life transitions • Creating trauma-informed, human-centered workplaces • Mental health across different seasons of life Content Note: This episode includes discussion of suicide and grief. If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Whether you’re navigating loss, supporting someone who is grieving, or thinking about how to create healthier workplaces and communities, Mark’s story offers perspective, compassion, and hard-earned wisdom. ⸻ — 🌱 Learn more about Maps Counseling Services: https://mapsnh.org 📧 Contact: office@mapsnh.org 🎙️ Hosted by: Dr. Gina Pasquale 🏢 Produced by: Maps Counseling Services 🎥 Filmed | Directed | Edited by: Christopher David #MentalHealthMatters #ThePathForward #SuicideAwareness #GriefSupport #WorkplaceMentalHealth #CommunityCare #TraumaInformed #KeeneNH #MapsCounselingServices #SavingsBankOfWalpole

  6. 10/30/2025

    From Uprooted to Unshakable: How Becky Beaton Found Her Way Forward | Ep. 6

    🎙️ Ep. 6 | Becky Beaton on Healing, Housing, and Holding It All Together The Path Forward: Mental Health with Maps In this episode, Dr. Gina Pasquale sits down with Becky Beaton, Executive Director of Hundred Nights, to talk about navigating life after early childhood upheaval, family separation, addiction, imposter syndrome, and devastating personal loss — including a house fire that destroyed her home with a 3-month-old infant. Becky opens up about her lifelong journey of resilience and connection — how she broke generational cycles of alcoholism, learned to build enduring relationships, and now leads one of New Hampshire’s most vital homeless shelters. Her story is a profound reminder that strength doesn’t mean going it alone. It means knowing where — and with whom — you can land when the unexpected comes. Topics in this episode include: • Coping with childhood trauma and divorce • Understanding addiction and intergenerational impact • Rebuilding after losing a home • Parenting with compassion and boundaries • The invisible effects of imposter syndrome • Loving through imperfection • Why community support is non-negotiable Whether you’re struggling with your past, trying to support someone in crisis, or building something new from the ashes, Becky’s story offers clarity, compassion, and hard-won wisdom. ⸻ 🌐 Learn more about Maps Counseling Services: https://mapsnh.org 📬 Contact: office@mapsnh.org 🎧 Hosted by: Dr. Gina Pasquale 🎥 Produced by: Maps Counseling Services 📸 Filmed | Directed | Edited by: Christopher David #MentalHealthMatters #ThePathForward #GriefRecovery #GenerationalHealing #ImposterSyndrome #SubstanceUseAwareness #CommunitySupport #KeeneNH #HundredNights #MapsCounselingServices

  7. 09/29/2025

    On the Other Side of the Door: A Mother’s Journey Through Grief and Growth | Ep. 5

    he Path Forward: Mental Health with MapsIn this episode, Dr. Gina Pasquale sits down with Barbara Weisman to talk about life after the unimaginable — the death of her son, Stratton. Known for her leadership in food insecurity and community support, Barbara shares a deeply personal side of her experience through grief, identity, nervous system healing, and what it means to continue showing up in the world.Together, they explore how loss reshapes us, the difference between trauma and grief, the importance of rituals, and the beautiful coexistence of joy and sorrow. Barbara opens up about facilitating a grief retreat in Costa Rica, navigating “the other side of the door,” and how she’s found meaning in community and service.Topics in this episode include: • The myth of “getting over” grief • Rebuilding a nervous system after trauma • Ego rupture and post-traumatic growth • Holding space for other grieving parents • The healing power of writing and breathwork • Grief and joy coexisting — literally dancing togetherWhether you’re grieving, supporting someone who is, or simply looking to better understand the human experience, Barb’s insights offer profound empathy, wisdom, and light.🌐 Learn more about Maps Counseling Services: https://mapsnh.org📧 Contact: office@mapsnh.org🎙️ Hosted by: Dr. Gina Pasquale🎥 Produced by: Maps Counseling Services & Ava Drenkhahn📽️ Filmed | Directed | Edited by: Christopher David#ParentalGrief #MentalHealthMatters #CommunityHealing #ThePathForward #MapsCounselingServices #GriefAndJoy #PostTraumaticGrowth #KeeneNH

  8. 08/29/2025

    Carrying History Into Service: Mayor Kahn on Generational Trauma, Mental Health, and the Power of Community Ep. 4

    Mayor Jay Kahn’s journey—from the son of German Jewish refugees to a lifelong advocate for higher education, mental health, and community belonging—is a masterclass in civic empathy and transformational leadership.In this deeply personal conversation, Dr. Gina Pasquale sits down with Mayor Kahn to explore identity, prejudice, and the power of listening. Together, they trace his family’s escape from Nazi Germany, his formative years in Chicago, his rise through higher education, and his tireless efforts to build a more inclusive Keene, New Hampshire—including for the LGBTQIA2+ community and local youth. Through it all, Kahn shares the mindset that guides him: seek discomfort, listen deeply, and “find the leverage point.”Whether you’re interested in community leadership, mental health policy, or creating spaces of true belonging, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and a profound sense of hope.

  9. 07/31/2025

    How a Childhood Crisis Shaped a Reporter’s Mission – Elijah de Castro on Health, Family & Justice | Ep 3

    The Path Forward: Mental Health with Maps 🎙️ Hosted by Dr. Gina Pasquale In this episode, Gina sits down with Elijah de Castro, Health Solutions Reporter for the Keene Sentinel, for a wide-ranging conversation on connection, resilience, and the injustice embedded in our health care system. At just 23, Elijah shares the deeply personal story of his father’s stroke—and the financial and emotional weight it placed on his family. That moment, and the system that failed them, would ultimately shape his mission as a journalist. Together, he and Dr. Gina explore the crisis of disconnection facing young people, the pressures placed on young men, and the healing power of human connection—at home, at work, and in our communities. From surviving challenging life events to finding purpose in uncertain times, this episode reminds us why storytelling matters—and why our mental health depends on being seen, heard, and believed. ⸻ 👍 Like & Subscribe for more stories of healing, purpose, and resilience. https://youtu.be/kHCCffFlT4k ⸻ Resources & Credits 🌐 Maps Counseling Services: https://mapsnh.org 📧 Contact: office@mapsnh.org 🎙️ Hosted by: Dr. Gina Pasquale Produced by: Maps Counseling Services & Ava Drenkhahn Filmed | Directed | Edited by: Christopher David #MentalHealthMatters #YoungMenMentalHealth #HealthcareJustice #Resilience #ThePathForward #MapsCounselingServices #KeeneSentinel #ElijahDeCastro

  10. 06/27/2025

    Ep. 2 Resilience, Grief, and the Courage to Reach Out – Julie Schoelzel’s Story.

    The Path Forward: Mental Health with Maps In this moving episode, Dr. Gina Pasquale speaks with Julie Schoelzel, President and CEO of the Greater Monadnock Collaborative, about how we survive—and grow—through trauma, grief, and the challenges of postpartum mental health. Julie shares her firsthand account of being in New York City during 9/11, the profound experience of losing both of her parents, and the moment she reached out for help after battling postpartum depression. This episode explores trauma-informed care, the power of family connection, and what it means to ask for help in a culture that too often expects perfection. If you’ve ever struggled with grief or the quiet weight of holding it all together—this conversation is for you. 🛑 Trigger Warning: Includes discussion of 9/11 and medical procedures. Resources & Credits 🌐 Maps Counseling Services: https://mapsnh.org 📧 Contact: office@mapsnh.org 🎙️ Hosted by: Dr. Gina Pasquale Produced by: Maps Counseling Services & Ava Drenkhahn  Filmed | Directed | Edited by: Christopher David

  11. 05/27/2025

    Ep 1: Graduation, Uncertainty, and Transitions to What’s Next | The Path Forward Mental Health with Maps

    In this episode of The Path Forward, Gina Pasquale, Executive Director of Maps Counseling Services, talks with Ava — our associate producer — about one of life’s most daunting challenges: the transition from college to what comes next.With honesty and vulnerability, Ava shares what it feels like to be standing at the edge of graduation — caught between excitement and fear, hope and uncertainty. She reflects on the pressures of finding a career, the challenges of moving back home, and the deep friendships and family support that have carried her through.Whether you’re graduating soon, supporting someone who is, or simply remembering your own transition into adulthood, this conversation offers connection, compassion, and perspective.🎧 Subscribe and walk with us.Maps Counseling Services: https://mapsnh.org🎙️ Hosted by: Dr. Gina PasqualeProduced by: Maps Counseling Services & AvaFilmed|Directed|Edited by: Christopher David #TransitionAfterCollege #Graduation2025 #MentalHealthPodcast #ThePathForward #MapsCounseling

  12. 05/22/2025

    Ep 0: Welcome to The Path Forward Mental Health with Maps – Finding Calm, Clarity, and Connection

    In this premiere episode of The Path Forward: Mental Health with Maps, hosts Ava (Associate Producer) and Gina Pasquale (Executive Director of Maps Counseling Services) introduce the mission behind the podcast. Discover how our three guiding segments—Compass Check, True North, and Trail Mix—create space for grounding, storytelling, and small moments of hope.Whether you’re navigating stress, uncertainty, or seeking meaningful connection, this is your invitation to slow down and take the first step forward.🎧 Subscribe and walk with us.—🌐 Learn more: https://www.mapsnh.org🎙️ Hosted by: Ava & Dr. Gina PasqualeProduced by: Maps Counseling Services Filmed|Directed|Edited by: Christopher David #MentalHealth #Mindfulness #WellBeing #PodcastLaunch #MapsCounseling #mentalhealthmatters This is Episode 0 of The Path Forward podcast.

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    11 Episodes

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About

Welcome to The Path Forward: Mental Health with Maps! This podcast is designed to help you navigate life’s challenges with confidence and care. Each episode features Compass Check (mindfulness & grounding), True North (real stories & conversations), and Trail Mix (tips & inspiration). Slow down, listen in, and let us be a small source of support on your journey. Presented by Maps Counseling Services.

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