Be the One

Behind The Smile - Brian Vander Ark by i understand love heals

Ben Aaron makes us smile! What an incredible conversation between Ben and Vonnie covering his journey from radio to TV, challenges with OCD and how he navigates through life. It was an absolute honor to have Ben in studio for the last episode of Season 2 of Behind the Smile. Listen and enjoy!

This episode's guest is a former NHL hockey player (Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers), best-selling author, mental performance & life coach and the founder of I Got Mind – meet Bob Wilkie! Vonnie and Bob go behind the smile for a timely discussion about the pressure placed on athletes to succeed and how we need to change the mental/brain health conversation.

Have you ever seen someone tapping their pressure points and been curious ‘why'? Brad Yates from ‘Tap With Brad' joins Vonnie for an engaging conversation about the benefits of tapping and his personal journey from actor to positive change agent and YouTube sensation. Listen and learn how you can feel better, do better and live better!

The power of sharing your own story is validated on this insightful podcast with Will Heininger and Abigail Eiler. The impact Athletes Connected, and the Eisenberg Family Depression Center are having at the University of Michigan is impressive.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be an International Fashion Designer? Join Vonnie for a behind the scenes view as she chats with her long-time friend, Pamella DeVos.

Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young has a passion for breaking barriers and serving others. Find out what motivates Sheriff Michelle and keeps her smiling during this inspiring conversation with Vonnie.

Vonnie refers to her as a tornado through the stigma surrounding mental health. Ginger Zee's transparency about her own life experiences proves to be inspiring and provides hope for others.

Celebrity psychic Laura Powers joins Vonnie to chat about tuning into signs from the universe that we can sense but not see. Listen and learn about how intuition, manifestation and serendipity all play a role in our lives.

Amazon best-selling author, Joseph Reid joins Vonnie to discuss his mental health journey that led him to write his self-published book, “Broken like Me.” Tune in to hear the impactful conversation that discusses the mental health tools Joseph has created for himself and others. As he would say, “if you feel broken, I wrote this for you."

An independent woman who knows her own mind, Sydney Johnson shares her experience on Season 25 of the Bachelor. She also opens about her own struggles with anxiety.

In the first episode of Behind the Smile, Vonnie chats with Olympian & NBC Sports commentator, Tara Lipinski on how three simple words spoken years ago, helped Vonnie heal. Tara inspires again with three words that are small but mighty, just like her!

A ray of sunshine meteorologist from Seattle, Claire Anderson was done hiding behind her smile. Her heartfelt conversation with Vonnie on the loss of her father to suicide is inspiring. Hear Clarie's passion as she shares about her devastating loss.

Jordan Carson is West Michigan's sweetheart, a television host and an award-winning journalist. The loss of her sister to an eating disorder has created a deep passion for mental health awareness.

From concept to reality, the creator of ‘The Wall' shares how his idea became the number one game show in the world. Jeff Bennett's entrepreneurial spirit and passion for mental health awareness is also discussed.

What is it like to be a NFL football official? Find out! Dino Paganelli shares his experiences from the field as well as what really drives and motivates him - his love for his late wife and family.

Aaron and Vonnie are joined by Doug Meijer to introduce Vonnie's new podcast 'Behind the Smile' launching in February. Vonnie will connect with guests as they chat about what motivates them and what lies behind their smile. Doug will join her occasionally as a guest co-host.

On this episode, Dr. Beth DeRose joins Aaron and Vonnie to discuss how the current loss of community and connection is affecting our children and gives us tips on how to bolster their coping skills. She also reminds us that in order to help others, we must put our mask on first.

Shandy Longcore, founder of embracing imperfections, joins Vonnie and Aaron to discuss her 'why' and how she has been called to share her story of being a suicide attempt survivor. Shandy reminds us that each of our lives has a purpose and we are here for a reason.

On this episode, Vonnie and Aaron are joined by celebrity psychic, Laura Powers, who is also an actress, author and creative entrepreneur. Laura shares her journey to becoming a psychic medium and her insights on angels, life after death and manifesting to better understand and change your life. Enjoy!

Pattie Thayer, the Kent County Sheriff Victim's Unit Coordinator, joins us to discuss the role of a group of volunteers that speak with families after a tragedy. Learn how you can help to support your community in times of crisis.

Brandin Staglin, President of One Mind, joins us via phone to discuss the initiatives of his family-run brain health organization. In this episode you'll hear his story about coming back from schizophrenia, the important work One Mind is doing to help neuro-atypical people, and why the term "Brain Health" is replacing "Mental Health." Listen today!

Welcome to Season 2 of Be the One with Aaron and Vonnie! Doug Meijer returns to discuss depression and a change in terminology from mental health to brain health. Learn about the Doug Meijer Innovation Center that is being built in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and more! Welcome back! Original song "Working Boots" by Kelley Ann of Nashville, Tennessee.

Coronavirus has struck! Join us as we discuss Vonnie's diagnosis of Covid-19, testing shortages, and discovering hope within the quarantine. Original song by Kelley Ann of Nashville, Tennessee.

Madison Woodrick joins Vonnie and Aaron to talk about the premature end of her school year - how it affects her, her friends, and those around her. With the rug pulled out from underneath the last year of her university experience, today's episode is for everyone who feels a loss from the upending of expectations. Listen today! Original song by Kelley Ann of Nashville, Tennessee.

Quarantine - social isolation is tough on the best of days. What happens when we're forced into social isolation for our health? On today's episode of Be the One, we will explore ways to take control of your isolation, key behaviors to monitor, and more! Be the one who says I understand love heals! Original song by Kelley Ann of Nashville, Tennessee.

Chef Jenna of Amore Trattoria Italiana joins Be the One to discuss a life lived in the shadow of a narcissist. Learn about the warning signs and discover how to walk away from a relationship that is unhealthy for everyone involved. Listen today on Be the One! Original song by Kelley Ann of Nashville, Tennessee.

Trevor Thompson joins Aaron and Vonnie to discuss the stigma of suicide within Christianity. As a scholar of biblical texts, Trevor provides a unique historical perspective of stigma of suicide and how it has developed over the ages within Christian thought. Trevor is the Senior Acquisitions Editor at Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company based in Chicago, IL and an adjunct religion professor at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. Original song by Kelley Ann of Nashville, Tennessee.

Vonnie's daughter, Maddie, was only five years old when her dad lost his fight to depression. Growing up with her dad in Heaven changed how she grew up and forced her to adapt to a life most can't understand. Listen to Maddie's story today! Original song by Kelley Ann of Nashville, Tennessee.

Steve Kelly of Wood Radio joins Aaron and Vonnie to discuss self-medication through alcohol and drugs. After his father died by suicide, Steve was faced with a reckoning that forced his demons into the light. Now recovered, he shares his story to help others find their way back to hope. Listen today! Original music by Kelley Ann of Nashville, Tennessee.

Doug Meijer joins us to discuss his battle with depression and how he has learned to live life again. From a cancer diagnosis and the death of his father to an "ah ha" moment that changed his life...his story is one of heartbreak and hope. Doug's story reminds us that depression knows no bounds, but that together we can overcome. Listen today! Original music by Kelley Ann of Nashville, Tennessee.

Alec Green of the Sanford House Treatment and Recovery Center joins Be the One to discuss addiction in Michigan. Learn about the warning signs of addiction, the dual diagnosis problem, and how to get on the road to recovery. Original music by Kelley Ann of Nashville, Tennessee.

Julie Gregory joins us on a heartfelt episode of Be the One. After her daughter, Jessica, lost the battle against depression, Julie set herself on a path of hope and healing to shine a light on bullying and the warning signs of a mental health crisis. Listen today! Original music by Kelley Ann of Nashville, Tennessee.

In today's episode, Vonnie walks with Aaron down the path of his story. Depression in his youth led to a life less lived, but he found hope through the struggle. Listen today! Original music by Kelley Ann of Nashville, Tennessee.

Vonnie Woodrick is the founder of I Understand Love Heals. In today's episode, she tells the story of her husband's death, the pain of tragedy, and the hope that comes along with it. Original music by Kelley Ann of Nashville, Tennessee.

Be the One is on its way!

In the very first episode, Aaron and Vonnie talk about the genesis of the Be the One podcast. What started as a business meeting turned out to be so much more – a podcast about mental health, suicide prevention, and so much more. Join us today for our first episode of Be the One!