MHAI Talks

MHAI Talks

MHAI is dedicated to promoting care and treatment for persons living with or impacted by mental and emotional disorders. The podcast provides education and discussion with experts in the field promoting wellness and to end stigma.

Episodes

Sound Therapy 101: The Healing Power of Vibration

August 4, 2025 • 36 mins
Ever wondered how sound can actually help you feel better—mentally, physically, and emotionally? You're not alone. In this episode, we sit down with sound practitioner Victoria Kowalska from Inner Peace Counseling Center and Lunar Sol Bloom to explore what sound therapy is all about. From tuning forks and singing bowls to brainwave shifts and emotional release, Victoria breaks it down in a way that's easy to understand (and even e...
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Undocumented No More

July 13, 2025 • 66 mins
In this powerful episode of MHAI Talks, our host, Morayo Orija, sits down with actress and advocate Mariel Martinez to explore the deeply personal journey of immigration, identity, and mental health. Born in Mexico and once undocumented, Mariel shares her experience of moving to the United States as a child, the emotional cost of leaving home, and the psychological toll of growing up in the shadows. With candor and grace, Mariel ...
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Stronger Together Initiative

June 24, 2025 • 19 mins
In this episode, we spotlight an important new initiative from The Chicago Lighthouse that provides greater access to mental health services for people with disabilities and their caregivers in Cook County. Through the Stronger Together Initiative, more members of the community who are Veterans and/or impacted by vision loss or other disabilities, as well as their caregivers will have access to mental health resources, chiefly ...
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Divine Wellness with Rev. Jodi Suson

May 13, 2025 • 56 mins
“My life was divinely guided from the day I was born — and so was yours.” After living for two decades with a major misdiagnosis and unknowingly adopting habits that deteriorated her mind and body, Rev. Jodi Suson made a life-altering decision: to reconnect with her divine spirit and align it with her physical well-being. Now a nutritionist, brain health professional, and quantum energy healer, Jodi empowers others through her pr...
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Reversing the Mental Health Worker Shortage

March 13, 2025 • 39 mins
Illinois, like many states, is facing a critical shortage of mental health professionals, including counselors, therapists, and behavioral health specialists—leaving many in need without access to care. But what’s being done to address this growing crisis? In this episode, we explore efforts from schools, professional associations, and the state of Illinois aimed at expanding the mental health workforce. Listen as Brooke Werner, ...
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What's new from Springfield in 2025?

February 27, 2025 • 48 mins
MHAI board member and retired clinical law professor Mark Heyrman walks through top mental health legislation signed into law by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Topics: 3:20 Health Care Protection Act 7:56 Appeals 11:02 The end of step therapy ("Fail First") policies 13:18 Medicaid, the state, federal partnership 16:09 Mental Health Summit 19:33 Worker shortage 23:50 Criminal justice legislation 30:24 Youth...
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Murder-Suicide & The Unique Grief Model

October 6, 2024 • 36 mins
Tina Chevalier, Kristina Faulkner and Michael Vinton were once three strangers from distant corners of the U.S. Then, remarkably tragic events united them. Their lives were changed by acts of murder-suicide and loss of loved ones. They soon found they were also united in the need for understanding and support that fit their grief journey. Through their pain and unmet needs, they created help and purpose by founding Impacted S...
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Access for all in Illinois?

August 8, 2024 • 38 mins
Jessica Gimeno is an unrelenting advocate for the disabled community. She seeks equality and representation for the individuals who historically do not "have a seat at the table". The search for justice and inclusivity drive her work as the Mental Health Policy Analyst at Access for Living in Chicago. There she focuses on mental health parity, child and adolescent mental health, and the implementation of the Community Emergency Se...
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Mental Health in the Workplace

May 16, 2024 • 44 mins
Naomi Ruth Cohen Institue's Executive Director Tracy Levin shares information about their 2024 conference that focuses on the definition of work and workplace, work cultures, challenges, and the importance of valuing mental health.
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A Suicide Loss Survivor Talks to Save Others

April 9, 2024 • 60 mins
Dr. Dimple Patel is many things. She's a proud, first-generation Indian-American, a daughter, sister, mental health advocate and a suicide loss survivor. Through the struggles of a tragic family event, Dimple confronted many emotions, including the courage to step beyond her South Asian traditions to create a place of healing and purpose for her life. In this episode, we discuss the impact that a death by suicide can leave...
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Humor and Healing the Anxious Mind

February 22, 2024 • 35 mins
Clinical Psychologist and author, Dr. David Carbonell, practices therapy with a style of hope that focuses on clients' present-day issues. He shows clients and therapists that phobias and anxiety can be approached with humor. He joined MHAI Talks to share more of his thoughts on healing with humor and founding The Therapy Players, a group of improv-performing therapists who bring laughter to the practice and audiences.
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Alexander Technique: Mind and Body Connection

December 8, 2023 • 45 mins
Alexander Technique instructor and body wellness expert, Sharon Jakubecy, M. AmSAT, discusses the impact of stress and tension on our bodies and the practice that we can use to ease pain, calm the nervous system and alleviate stress symptoms.
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CIT in our Communities

November 7, 2023 • 49 mins
Retired Orland Park Police Lt. Troy Siewert discusses the efficacy of CIT (Crisis Intervention Teams) in our communities when the model is used properly and goes beyond law enforcement. He also shares how he uses his new endeavor Insightful Crisis Response to train the community to prevent and reduce crises in individuals.
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Mental Health and the Law

October 16, 2023 • 46 mins
Law expert and Mental Health America of Illinois Board Member Mark Heyrman discusses major advancements and new mental health laws that take effect this year.
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