In Episode 3, podcast host Seth Perry explores the countless public health barriers faced by Indigenous peoples.
This episode mentions overdose death, violence, trauma and sexual assault. If you are in crisis, call or text 988. More resources are below in the show notes.
Here's the question to ponder throughout the episode: What would it be like if your community came together to explore the deeper roots of mental health and addiction challenges in Indigenous communities today? How would that conversation go? When, if ever, has your community had a conversation about this issue?
Special thanks to this episode's interviewees: Lynne Moratzka; Richard Wright; Tanya; Dr. Steve Delisi; Representative Dave Baker; and Jeremy Drucker.
About the podcast:
We're finally talking about mental health and addiction in faith communities. But have we really listened? Lutheran Pastor Seth Perry hosts this six-part podcast exploring mental health and addiction in spiritual communities.
For the past year, Perry has looked beyond the statistics to the real stories: rural towns with no treatment options, African American communities facing rising opioid overdoses, Indigenous populations with a 10-fold disparity in statistics, and third-generation immigrant families watching their encampments disappear overnight. Meanwhile, Muslim brothers and sisters seek recovery that honors both faith and culture.
The crisis is deep, the conversations are overdue, and the time to listen is now. "Our Stigma" is a six-part podcast exploring faith, culture and recovery. It's hosted by Seth Perry, pastor of Elim Lutheran Church in Scandia, Minnesota, and himself a recovering addict living with bipolar disorder.
Episodes start dropping weekly on Thursday, May 1, 2025. They will be accompanied by a study resource for small groups focused on developing grassroots mental health outreach. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
Other resources:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline
National Alliance on Mental Health: https://www.nami.org/
National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline: https://www.nami.org/support-education/nami-helpline/
Find Both Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Here: https://findtreatment.gov/
The Trevor Project-Crisis Counseling for LGBTQ+ Youth: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
"Our Stigma" is sponsored by M Health Fairview and the Washington County Opioid Settlement. Writer / creator / host: Seth Perry. Producer: Cliff Vaughn of Good Faith Media. Additional support: Mitch Randall and Cally Chisholm of Good Faith Media. Special thanks: Sean and Rolando from Washington County, and Diane from M Health Fairview. Music: Pond5.
Episode release date: May 15, 2025.
Links:
"Our Stigma" Podcast Page: https://goodfaithmedia.org/ourstigma/
"Our Stigma" Project: https://www.ourstigma.com/
Good Faith Media: https://goodfaithmedia.org/