Mental Perk
Real people...Real Issues...Real Talk. Destigmatizing misconceptions about mental health and encourage conversations about tough topics. We understand all of us are impacted by the effects of mental health in different ways. We want to highlight guests who are winning the battle, their very real struggles, and how honest talk can change the way we view mental health. We want everyone to know "You're Worthy...We're in this together".
Episodes
Dave Ebert is an Improv Comedian and Missionary who uses his gifts and talents to help heal the emotional pain of sex trafficking victims. Dave describes in detail how humor and comedy saved his life in his own battle with depression and suicidal thoughts and how the power of laughter extends a healing hand. Dave shares his passion and his mission with his wife Robbie and together they give women whose lives ...
Richard "Trey" Ashcroft is a career police officer, member of the Garland SWAT Team, and President of the Police Association. Trey highlights the challenges police officers face on the job and in their personal lives and the importance of managing mental health both on and off duty. Trey uses honest dialogue to describe the crucial elements police officers face everyday and helps the audience see po...
Mental Perk welcomes Brad Newton, a former educator, an official photographer for the Texas Rangers, as well as an Improv Comedian with a mission. Brad talks about his experience as an educator as well as his amazing career with the Texas Rangers. Most of all, Brad touches all our hearts as he tells his story of losing his wife to a tragic death. Through Brad's enormous personality, he finds a way to man...
Jacob Talley discusses the impact of experiencing PTSD as a firefighter and first responder. He highlights the stigma of mental health in his industry and the dangers it poses when left untreated. In this episode, Talley opens the discussion of promoting positive mental health in firehouses across the country and the importance of first responders receiving treatment following a traumatic event.
Anthony "Tony" Monnin visits Mental Perk to talk about his non-profit organization, Carry On, that honors fallen veterans and first responders through the symbolic carrying of the log on special memorial occasions. Tony shares his first hand experience as a veteran and the importance of honoring the fallen and their families as well as talks us through the significance of the log and what it means t...
Mental Perk welcomes Elizabeth de Moraes, a formerly shy introvert turned acclaimed international performer, motivational speaker (including TEDx), master communication coach, and trained transformational coach with a career that spans multiple decades. Elizabeth discusses the impact of self-sabotage and your unique ability to transform your inner struggles into a life-altering super power. She also discuss...
Karla and Brandi discuss the trials of modern dating with a nostalgic perspective. Tune in to hear details about social media, dating apps, first dates and so much more. While dating has many new challenges, one thing stands true: "You're Worthy...We're in this Together"!
If you or anyone you know are struggling with a mental health issue, suicidal thoughts, or self-harm be...
Dr. Sarah Wakefield, the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Texas Tech University Health Science Center and the School of Medicine, talks about her career as a Board Certified Psychiatrist, Forensic Psychiatrist as well as the amazing community connections they are making through their medical school and psychiatry programs. Dr. Wakefield shares professional insight into mental health diagnosis and trea...
Brandi and Karla highlight the importance of mental health awareness through their discussion of celebrity mental health initiatives. The Mental Perk hosts get real with their audience and really dig into normalizing mental health conversations while showing real struggles throughout Hollywood. Mental health does not discriminate, and it definitely doesn’t have to debilitate. Tune in to this episode and email...
Justin Beamis is a firefighter who truly understands the challenges of first responders and mental health. Based on his own experiences, Justin is empowering first responders through updated and interactive trainings and making sure departments throughout Texas are keeping up with the growing mental health statistics. Justin understands the importance of spouses, significant others and family in helping fir...
DEA Special Agent Eduardo Chavez discusses the growing crisis and distribution of illegal drugs across the United States, most importantly Fentanyl. Special Agent Chavez has a career that expands over 22 years with multiple roles in the agency and has been a national spokesperson for the DEA impacting his field throughout the country. He does not hold back on the important details every American should know a...
Israel Lewis is a Licensed Professional Counselor for the last 25 years and the founder and director of the Sulpher Springs Counseling Center in Sulphur Springs, Texas. In this episode Israel describes his battle after a routine surgery had life altering complications and changed him forever. Israel's motto is "We are Better Together" and he talks about how the relationships and connections i...
Alyssa Guzman talks about witnessing the death of her father. This episode is Part II of the story describing devastating and tragic loss Alyssa, her Mother, and two brothers faced when Sam Guzman was senselessly hit by a drunk driver while tending to his truck on the side of the road. Alyssa's journey of recovery details the impact and shock she felt seeing her father struck and laying lifeless on the g...
Michelle Guzman tells her heart wrenching story about losing the love of her life to a drunk driver which was also witnessed by her teenage daughter. Michelle shares who her husband, Sam Guzman, was as a person and father, their young love story, and describes the night she received the call from her daughter. She shares the shock, grief, recovery process and the strength she found to carry on for her childre...
McKinley Shultz holds a full-time job, while completing her degree and working in the evenings as a bartender. She describes the valuable aspects of her job and the interaction she has with patrons who come in search of connection and a good drink. McKinley, offers humor, empathy and emotional perspective as she describes the importance of supporting others and the difference a friendly face and voice can mak...
It’s finally here! Part 2 of getting to know your Mental Perk hosts. Karla and Brandi ask each other thought provoking questions with a little sense of humor. Our goal is to get real with our audience and make sure each of you know “You’re Worthy … We are in this Together!”
If you or anyone you know are struggling with a mental health issue, suicidal thoughts, or self-harm behaviors, please r...
Mental Perk welcomes Dr. Kelly Robinson, DDS to talk about then impact of mental health in her practice. In this podcast, Dr. Robinson talks about the levels of anxiety her patients experience due to their perceptions of dental care, the levels of stress and anxiety associated with providing competent dental care, as well as the physical tolls most dentists experience doing the daily tasks of their job, Dr. ...
Mental Perk interviews Michael Habib and Michelle Tes from Southern Methodist University Campus (SMU). Michael and Michelle discuss their roles as members of the Well-Being Education Student Team (WEST) and the impact their organization is having in bridging positive care and communication to students on campus. The SMU WESTies provide critical support, guidance, and mentorship to help students adjust to cam...
Nicole Plotner, an SMU student, shares her inspirational story of grief, PTSD and recovery following the tragic loss of her father. Nicole describes how she navigated the shock of her father's sudden decline at an early age, how she had to grow up quickly to help support her family, and the mental impact she suffered over time. She shares the dark details of her journey but also her courage and fight tha...
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