The Facing Project Indiana Public Radio

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we wanted to revisit one of our favorite episodes. Genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events—these are all contributing factors to the more than 40 million adults in the U.S. who suffer from anxiety or depression. Yet, with nearly 12% of the overall population battling these illnesses, mental health is still stigmatized and misunderstood. Join J.R. Jamison as he shares the story of a missionary who battled depression 4,000 miles from home, and another from a college student with a “broken brain” who says the best way to help is to listen. Later in the show, J.R. is joined by that former college student who is now a high school English teacher at a virtual public school in Washington state. Photo: Via Flickr Creative Commons by Seth Jackson: https://flic.kr/p/TrtEhh . Stories included in this episode: “It’s Not the Common Cold” Bailie Sage’s story as told to Jon Toronto from Facing Depression in Cache Valley, Utah. Performed by Amy Leffingwell. “It’s Not My Fault My Brain is Broken” Kiah Penfield’s story as told to Chris Bavender from Facing Depression in Muncie, Indiana. Performed by Melinda. Music used in this episode – "spring_thaw" by The Green Kingdom Released under an Attribution 3.0 United States (CC BY 3.0 US) license. From the Free Music Archive. There Is Always A Reason" by Borrtex Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.

We’ve all seen and read the stories of those with disabilities portrayed as secondary characters, there in the background to support the able-bodied lead in their quest for love, adventure, and success. But what if the script were flipped, and those with a disability were the main characters finding their own love, adventure, and success?

Join J.R. Jamison as he shares the story a polio survivor who loves to dance; a former runner with an auto-immune disorder who is finding a new path; and a college student with autism who asks us to pay attention. Later in the show, J.R. is joined by global disability influencer Monica Engle Thomas who has reclaimed her own narrative and uses it to inspire others.

Originally released on April 30, 2022.

Photo – Provided by Monica Engle Thomas.

Stories included in this episode –

Carry
Sandy Penrod’s story as told to Jennifer Stanley from Facing Disabilities in East Central Indiana. Performed by Beth Nahre.

Finding My Way
Antonio Kioko’s story as told to Deirdre Lane from Beyond Face Value: A Facing Project from Principal Financial in Des Moines, Iowa. Performed by Carl Frost.

Pay Attention
Carter Tharp’s story as told to Jamie Reece from Facing Autism in Muncie, Indiana. Performed by Charley Isaacs.

Music used in this episode –

"HOEDOWN" by Jason Shaw
Released under an Attribution 3.0 United States (CC BY 3.0 US) License.
From the Free Music Archive.

"The Woods (Remastered)" by Axletree
Released under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.
From the Free Music Archive.

"Gourd Hunting" by Jesse Spillane
Released under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.
From the Free Music Archive.

Humans are hardwired for empathy through mirror neurons, but time, culture, and climate determine if empathy grows, remains neutral, or worse—leads to anger or distress. On this episode of The Facing Project, J.R. Jamison will explore empathy through two stories: one from a woman in Indiana who teaches kids empathy through theatre, and the other from a woman in Ohio who found it by loving her trans daughter. Later, he is re-joined by former co-host Kelsey Timmerman for a two-way where they make the argument for why empathy, if practiced in the right ways, has the ability to save us all. Photo Credit – Provided by The Facing Project. Stories included in this episode – “The World Through the Eyes of Another” Laura Williamson’s story as told by Monique Armstrong from Facing Mentoring in Muncie, Indiana. Performed by Lorri Markum. “Hearts & Homes” Katie Flesch’s story as told by Kate DeVantier from Facing Intolerance in Springfield, Ohio. Performed by Laura Williamson. Music used in this episode – "my bloody beating heart" by kitchenromance Licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License . From the Free Music Archive. All other music used with permission or through licensed use. The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

Ahead of its nationwide theatrical release, J.R. Jamison sits down with the producer and director of Van Jones’s documentary, The First Step, to discuss Jones’s attempts to bring people together across party lines to pass landmark criminal justice reform, while finding himself under fire from all sides. Later, the trio discuss filmmaking, storytelling, and why it’s more important than ever to create bridge-building art during a time of extreme polarization.

Photo Credit – Meridian Hill Pictures (used with permission)

The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates. 

Jealousy is an emotion that everyone has experienced at one time or another, but if not controlled jealousy could lead to other feelings and actions such as embarrassment, depression, codependency, low self-esteem, or even anger. But with jealousy being such an innate emotion, how does one turn it off or use it for good? J.R. Jamison explores that question as he shares the story of two women in East-Central Indiana who lost friends to jealousy. Later, he is joined by Dr. Bob Bringle, Chancellor's Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Philanthropic Studies at IUPUI, and a widely-known expert on jealousy in close relationships. Photo Credit – Everton Yamamoto via Flickr Creative Commons: https://flic.kr/p/5sSPjn . Stories included in this episode: – “Concerns of a Friend” Ashley’s story as told by Erin Lichtenfeld. Performed by Katy Lynne Wolfe. “Suffering in Silence” Alicia’s story as told by Brianna Thompson. Performed by Tiffany Erk. The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.

It’s the time of year when most of us will gather to give thanks, clinking our seasonal beverages over plates of food; but that won’t be the case for nearly 34 million Americans who are food insecure. But how is that even possible when the United States is one of the richest countries in the world? On this episode of The Facing Project, J.R. Jamison will explore that question as he shares the story of a mother in Kansas who struggles to make ends meet after an accident; another from a volunteer in Indiana who sees the unexpected faces of poverty; and one from a food pantry provider in Georgia who worries what will happen when the shelves go bare. Later, he is joined by Ami McReynolds, the Chief Equity Officer of Feeding America. Photo Credit – Ada Be via Flickr Creative Commons: https://flic.kr/p/7WoGYG . Stories included in this episode – “The Story of a Hit-and-Run Survivor” An anonymous story as told to Katie Omo from Facing Hunger in Manhattan, Kansas. “Unexpected Faces of Poverty” An anonymous story as told to Kayla Conrad from Facing Poverty in Muncie, Indiana. “Something’s Got to Give” The story of the Georgia Mountain Food Bank as told to Cassidy Collier from Facing Homelessness in Gainesville, Georgia. The Facing Project Radio Show is made possible in part by Behavior Associates.