No Shame On U

No Shame On U
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A discussion about mental health with professionals, educators, and advocates.

  1. APR 10

    The Bravest Thing You Can Do: Ryan Lipsett on Asking for Help

    In this episode of the No Shame on U podcast, host Gadi Kalman is joined by Ryan Lipsett, a college freshman mental health advocate from Illinois who is already making waves in the mental health community. Ryan shares his story with remarkable openness — from a "typical childhood" that shifted in middle school when body dysmorphia and isolation set in, to years of quietly living with depression and anxiety, to a pivotal moment when he finally asked his mom for help on what he feared might be one of his last days. Ryan reflects on what it meant to finally be asked if he was okay, why that one question changed everything, and how his journey led him to advocacy work with NAMI's Ending the Silence program and a seat on NAMI's National Next Gen advisory board. He and Gadi also dig into the unique barriers men face when it comes to mental health — from toxic "man up" messaging to identities tied to performance and silence reinforced by peer culture. The conversation turns to the state of mental health education in schools, where Ryan makes a compelling case for why a one-week mental health unit simply isn't enough, and what a real, consistent, clinician-informed curriculum could look like. Throughout, Ryan models exactly what he advocates for: honesty, vulnerability, and the belief that reaching out for help is the bravest thing you can do. Whether you're a young person navigating your own challenges or someone who supports them, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to go public with your story, but getting help early can change everything.

    36 min

  2. FEB 24

    Game-Changer: One Founder's Mission to Support Struggling Teens

    In this episode, we sit down with Anusha Samani, founder of Mindzen, a dual-purpose mental health app designed to support young people's emotional growth while helping social workers detect mental health risks early. Anusha shares how watching youth labeled as "disruptive" go unseen — and her own experience of emotional struggle as a teen — inspired her to build something different.  We explore the Mindzen app's gamified approach to social-emotional learning, featuring an avatar named Koala, and how evidence-based tools work quietly in the background to flag students who may need support. Anusha also speaks candidly about the mental health stigma in her home country of Pakistan and why she sees global accessibility as central to Mindzen's mission. Plus, Anusha gets real about burnout, boundaries, and why rest isn't something to be ashamed of — a message that resonates far beyond the app itself. Learn more about Mindzen at www.mymindzen.com

    35 min

  3. JAN 26

    Gadi Speaks: A Young Man’s Mental Health Journey

    In this meaningful conversation, we sit down with Gadi Kalman, a 23-year-old psychology student and behavioral health technician who works with autistic children. Gadi opens up about his personal mental health journey, sharing the real strategies he uses to manage his anxiety and depression. Beyond his academic and professional work, Gadi has built a community through his Instagram page, Gadi Speaks, where he shares inspirational messages with one simple goal: if he can help one person feel a little less alone or bring a smile to someone's face, he's making a difference. This episode explores the intersection of lived experience and professional passion, and reminds us that sometimes the most powerful mental health advocacy comes from those brave enough to share their own stories. Instagram: @gadispeaks

    30 min

  4. 09/19/2025

    High Hopes: How Bruce Springsteen Saved My Life at 60

    What do you do when depression has been your lifelong companion and the structure that kept you afloat suddenly disappears? For Anne Abel, the answer came from an unlikely source: Bruce Springsteen. In this powerful episode, we dive into Anne's incredible story from her new memoir "High Hopes." At 59, she'd never been to a concert. At 60, she was boarding a plane to Australia alone—something that terrified her—to follow The Boss across eight concerts in five cities over 26 days. After walking away from her teaching career due to increasing classroom violence, Anne faced a terrifying reality: without the structure of work, her severe recurrent depression could pull her into the abyss. She'd been hospitalized twice, endured three rounds of electroconvulsive therapy, and tried over 20 medications. But that night at her first Springsteen concert, something shifted. For three hours, his energy and humanity lifted her out of darkness in a way nothing else had. Join us as Anne shares how an impulsive decision to chase that feeling across Australia became a journey of unexpected transformation. This isn't just a story about music—it's about the courage to reinvent yourself when everything familiar falls away, and finding hope in the most surprising places. Tik Tok - @annesimaabel Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/annesimaabel Instagram - @annesimaabel Website: https://anneabelauthor.com/about/

    48 min

  5. 07/14/2025

    Breaking Through Mental Health Stigma: How to Truly Support Your Loved Ones with Dr. Michele Nealon

    In this episode of the No Shame On U Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Michele Nealon, a licensed clinical psychologist and President of The Chicago School, to explore how we can better support the people we care about who are struggling with mental health challenges. Drawing from her extensive experience in clinical practice, academic leadership, and global mental health advocacy, Dr. Nealon shares practical insights on recognizing the subtle signs of mental health struggles, having those difficult first conversations, and navigating resistance with compassion. We dive deep into the most common mistakes people make when trying to help, effective frameworks for different relationships in your life, and how to maintain healthy boundaries while being supportive. Dr. Nealon introduces us to the CARE Model —a practical framework for approaching loved ones with concern: Choosing the right moment and setting, Acknowledging what you have noticed, Reflecting concern with compassion, and Engaging in supportive dialogue. This step-by-step approach helps take the guesswork out of those crucial conversations. Whether you're concerned about a partner, child, friend, or family member, this episode provides actionable strategies for breaking through stigma and creating meaningful support that truly makes a difference. Join us for an honest conversation about mental health, resilience, and the power of informed compassion. The Chicago School - www.thechicagoschool.edu

    46 min

  6. 03/30/2025

    Be Curious: Abby's Journey with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

    In this episode of the No Shame On U podcast, we sit down with Abby Shapiro, a sophomore psychology major at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Growing up in Northbrook, IL, Abby courageously shares her journey living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and how it has shaped her life. Abby offers valuable insights for friends and family supporting loved ones with mental health conditions, emphasizing the importance of staying curious, asking questions, and maintaining open communication. She also discusses the benefits of more intensive treatment options like Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) that played a crucial role in her own recovery process. Join us for this candid conversation about mental health awareness, the power of vulnerability, and breaking down the stigma surrounding OCD and other mental health disorders.

    43 min

  7. 02/05/2025

    Is There an Exit Ramp from Diet Culture? Yes. An Acupuncturist's Journey to Body Liberation with Intuitive Eating

    No Shame On U

    39 min

  8. 01/20/2025

    Schizophrenic.NYC: Michelle Hammer's Bold Fight Against the Stigma of Mental Illness

    Join us for an inspiring conversation with Michelle Hammer, founder of Schizophrenic.NYC and fearless mental health advocate. Diagnosed with schizophrenia at 22, Michelle transformed her experience into a groundbreaking fashion brand that's sparking crucial conversations about mental health. Michelle shares her journey from navigating a misdiagnosis to building a movement that combines art, activism, and entrepreneurship to challenge the stigma around schizophrenia. Discover how one woman's fearless approach to mental health advocacy is changing minds and lives through the power of design and honest conversation. Learn more about Michelle Hammer here: YouTube: schizophrenic.nyc Instagram: instagram.com/schizophrenic.nyc Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@schizophrenic.nyc Website: https://www.schizophrenic.nyc/

    27 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A discussion about mental health with professionals, educators, and advocates.

Information

  • Creator
    No Shame On U
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    No Shame On U