DE-Stress 302: A Mental Health Podcast in Delaware

The CAUSE

DE-Stress 302 is Delaware's newest answer to mental health in The First State. The show consists of local experts and those with lived experience with mental health. Brought to you by The 988 Lifeline and The CAUSE.

  1. 09/02/2025

    DE-Stress 302 Episode 8 with Mz. Lyrik

    Episode Notes On DE-Stress 302, host Alena Duggan and The CAUSE Production Crew produced a Delaware-centric podcast all about mental health. Lashann “Mz. Lyrik” Broaden has made a name for herself in the music industry as the Queen of Positive Rap. Coming from an upbringing that would serve as a justified excuse for mediocre living for most people never limited Lashann’s view on what she could achieve. As a child, Broaden was exposed to domestic violence and drug abuse, resulting in her being tossed from home to home. At the young age of seven, she was violated in a way that no little girl should ever experience, and the odds stacked solidly against her. Lashann was born in Las Vegas, NV and was raised between Nevada, California, and Alabama. Using music and poetry as an escape from the realities she was facing, her peers began to refer to her as “Mz. Lyrik,” due to her uncanny similarities to the character portrayed by Jada Pinkett in the movie, Jason’s Lyric. She would eventually realize that the life she was leading was headed in the wrong direction, and Mz. Lyrik committed herself to offering back to God what the devil has attempted to corrupt – MUSIC. Broaden now uses her talent to be accountable and transparent in her music ministry. Although music will always be her passion, Lashann has decided to bring others along with her in her rise to success. It is her desire to empower other visionaries and unique artists – as well as entrepreneurs and business owners – by giving them a platform to excel. She founded the Shepowerment Movement to unite, educate, and assist visionary women in creating the reality that God has instilled within them. Broaden is a serial entrepreneur with a heart to build up the confidence and abilities of women and youth. Not only is she the founder of Shepowerment Movement, but she is also a celebrated plus-sized model and the Vice President of Marketing for Primetyme/Dapham Production Studios. Shepowerment Movement is a full production and empowerment company and has produced television shows, created unique marketing plans, and developed effective business branding for many companies nationwide. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

    33 min
  2. 08/26/2025

    DE-Stress 302 Episode 7 with Jaycee Wendell

    Episode Notes On DE-Stress 302, host Alena Duggan and The CAUSE Production Crew produced a Delaware-centric podcast all about mental health. Jaycee Wendell (they/them) is currently the Suicide Prevention Specialist at The Mental Health Association in Delaware (MHA). Versatile, they have also served as a Community Educator, Website & Communications Associate and Intern at MHA. In their current role, they coordinate the organization’s suicide prevention efforts, including chairing the Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee and co-chairing the Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition. Jaycee is a certified trainer for Mental Health First Aid, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training and Question, Persuade, Refer for adults, and they also provide Lifelines Prevention for youth. In addition to working in the mental health field, they are active in LGBTQ+ advocacy, including previously being a Program Coordinator for AIDS Delaware’s The Village Youth Leadership Team. They graduated cum laude from the University of Delaware with dual degrees in Human Services- Clinical Concentration and Sociology in 2021, and are currently pursuing their Master’s in Social Work at University of Maryland Baltimore. Jaycee is passionate about advocacy, social issues and human rights, especially for the LGBTQ+ and disability communities. In their free time, Jaycee likes to be creative, go on adventures and explore nature. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

    33 min
  3. 08/19/2025

    DE-Stress 302 Episode 6 with Esther Hofknecht Curtis

    Episode Notes On DE-Stress 302, host Alena Duggan and The CAUSE Production Crew produced a Delaware-centric podcast all about mental health. Esther has worked in healthcare advocacy, marketing, and fundraising for nearly 18 years. She worked with people with brain injury, disabilities, and mental health and substance use disorders. Esther has had her own struggles with depression and anxiety and found healing by way of one of MHA’s educational programs. In 2024, Esther joined the Mental Health Association in Delaware as a Development Manager focusing on Growth & Education. She works to promote MHA's four annual community mental health education conferences and raise funds to enhance them each year. Esther is a graduate of Wilmington University with a Master of Science in Management and earned her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Thomas Edison State University. Esther is also a proud graduate of the Academy for Women and Leadership with Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business. Esther is also a mixed media teaching artist. She is certified to teach the Lifetime Arts Creative Aging Arts Education Model. In 2024 she completed the Trauma-Informed Teaching Practitioner of Art (TIPTA) certificate with the Bartol Foundation. She was part of the team of teaching artists facilitating Delaware's first CreatiVeterans program. Esther celebrated 20 years of living in Delaware in 2024. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

    41 min

About

DE-Stress 302 is Delaware's newest answer to mental health in The First State. The show consists of local experts and those with lived experience with mental health. Brought to you by The 988 Lifeline and The CAUSE.