CASA Talk

Today we talked to Mandy VanLaningham from Hope Crisis Center.  Information about Hope Crisis Center can be found at:  https://hopecrisiscenter.org/ To listen to the training Southeast Nebraska CASA volunteers had from Mandy - please find the recording at https://southeastnebraskacasa.org/news-events/ - click on CEU Opportunities and find what trainings are coming up and recordings of Southeast Nebraska CASA's past training.

Sonia Almodovar joins me this episode to do a little update for our audience about what's been happening at Southeast Nebraska CASA and talk about what's coming up in the future.  To find out more: https://southeastnebraskacasa.org/

Nebraska State CASA Conference is coming up August 26-27 and we have Nebraska CASA Executive Director, Corrie Kielty, on the show to tell us a little bit about what we can expect. She'll tell us about the morning and afternoon key note speakers, Dr. Algers Studstill and Mr. Luis Sotelo, share a little about the break out sessions happening on Saturday and much more! It was a pleasure to get a chance to talk. In person Registration deadline is August 10th. You can find registration here: https://www.nebraskacasa.org/stateconference.html

On the 22nd of each month groups of veterans meet informally all around Nebraska to build community and let veteran service men and women know they are not alone and that there is someone who understands. Greg Holloway joins me on the show to talk about his life, his work in veteran services and offer his encouragement to fellow veterans seeking community and to know there are people who want to support them and offer help. This is an amazing conversation. Greg is an amazing example of what it looks like to be a neighbor and advocate to former service members who need a voice and he continues to do that in big and small ways. To find out more about Buddy Check in the Seward area, you can contact Greg at: gregholloway46@gmail.com

This episode is the continuation of our conversation around resilience. Kim Marxhausen brings her expert knowledge and wisdom back to CASA Talk to discuss resilience. If you haven't heard the previous episode, I suggest starting there.  To find out more about Kim and her work, visit her website: kim.marxhausen.net 

Kim Marxhausen returns to the podcast to talk about Resilience- what it looks like, how to build it, how to work on it in our own lives and help children develop their own. We had such a great conversation that we decided to make this a two parter, so be sure to tune in again soon for the continuation of our conversation. Kim Marxhausen is an author, educator and presenter. Her book, "Weary Joy: The Caregiver's Journey" is available everywhere. To find out more about Kim, visit her website: kim.marxhausen.net   

Just because Social Worker Awareness month was back in March doesn't mean we can't keep appreciating this amazing changemakers among us! This week I am joined by Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Nikki Allen, from Denver, Colorado. She is also a coach serving helping professional with Mindful Maven Coaching. https://mindfulmavencoaching.com/

This is the second of two episodes we're dropping this week in support of volunteering. CASA volunteers are the superheroes of this world and are the voices for children who cannot speak for themselves. We aim to create the strongest volunteer culture possible for today and for the years to come. Part one was geared toward volunteer coordinators and team leaders, this episode is speaking directly to volunteers themselves. If you've ever given of your time, if you've ever participated in the collective mission of an organization or cause, this is for you. If you've ever been called to serve, but haven't taken the plunge this for you. 

It's Volunteer Awareness week and for this week we are releasing two episodes around volunteerism and volunteering. CASA knows our work relies on open hearts of open hearted individuals willing to give of their time and their wisdom to be the voice for children in need of one. So volunteering and our cultures around volunteering can't be an after thought. We must be vigilant in how we're thinking, and what we're doing to create solutions, be empowered and do good work on behalf of the people in need of caring people raising their hands. This episode is geared toward anyone who has ever been in charge of creating a volunteer work force or supporting one. 

This episode I am joined by New Orleans native musician and singer/songwriter, Joy Clark. Listen as we hear Joy tell us about her life, her music and becoming who she is today. She'll share about her experiences around community, creativity, being a black female guitarist and this moment in Americana that is celebrating black voices and artistry coming to forefront thanks, in part to the Black Opry House from Americana Fest 2021.  Find out where Joy is playing next: www.joyclarkmusic.com Get her newest single at www.joyclark.bandcamp.com Find out more about the Black Opry in this Rolling Stone article by Jon Freeman: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/black-opry-country-music-1301297/

My friend, Joel Endorf, and I sit down to talk about money, our lives and building the world we want to live in on purpose. I hope it helps spurs conversation around these themes in your own life. 

This mini-episode has Sonia Almodovar talking about Bridges out of Poverty training and how she is now certified to lead workshops too! Contact the office to find out more about bringing this very important training to your community soon!

In this episode I am joined by educator, author, speaker and blogger, Kim Marxhausen to revisit the study on Adverse Childhood Experiences, talk about the serve and return way in which we all learn, and consider how Positive Childhood Experiences help rewrite the stories for us, our neighbors and the children in our lives. To find out more about Kim: www.kim.marxhausen.net To order Kim's Book, "Weary Joy: The Caregiver's Journey,"

I had the pleasure to sit down with The Set Me Free Project's Executive Director, Stephanie Olson, to talk about human trafficking and the work of prevention education to protect children and families from its devastation.  The Set Me Free Project continues to expand its reach and its message of the inherent human value and worth every person has.  Check out its website: https://www.setmefreeproject.net/

This week's episode centers around the work done by Nebraska's Foster Care Review Office and the many Foster Care Review Boards around our state. Mary Furnas joins me to talk about FCRO and her background in human services. Join us for a great conversation about believing in our neighbors and ourselves to help one another.  To find out more about the Foster Care Review Office and to contact Mary about volunteering visit: https://fcro.nebraska.gov/#

To finish off our three-part series celebrating 25 years of CASA in Seward County, I got to sit down with two long-time CASA volunteers, Glenda Dobbertien and Virginia Fraser. The heart of our work is the volunteer representing the child in need of a voice. In this episode we talk to those voices.

Our mini-series continues this episode with Sonia Almodovar. She's the Recruitment and Training Director for Southeast Nebraska CASA and she tells us how she first heard about CASA's mission and what she's looking forward to in the future.

This episode featured former Southeast Nebraska CASA Executive Director, Jonathan Jank. To celebrate 25 years of CASA in Seward County, CASA Talk invited Jonathan on to talk about this tenure with the organization to commemorate such a great milestone. Jonathan is currently the President and CEO of Seward County Chamber & Development Partnership.  https://sewardregional.com/

I'm joined today by author and educator, Lisa Clonch Tschauner to talk to us about her new novel, "Reclamation." I loved this conversation because it contains so much of what is important in the helping profession. Lisa talks about her growth, her discovery, her learning, and her increased connection and awareness to ideas, people, vulnerable communities, and the people working to help survivors of human sex trafficking. Lisa's website: www.lisatschauner.com To get your copy of "Reclamation": https://www.amazon.com/Reclamation/dp/B09881SY4C/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Reclamation+by+Lisa+Tschauner&qid=1634310773&sr=8-1 To find out about the work of Agape International: www.aimfree.org 

On today's program we get to sit down with Allyson Horne  who works in Match Support and Training for Teammates Mentoring. You'll learn a little about Allyson, about Teammates, the power of relationship, and what it means to be a "strengths-based organization." Links from mentions in the podcast include: Teammates Mentoring: https://teammates.org/ Genn and Millie podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/genn-and-millie/id1436185495 Clifton Strengths Finder: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx

It's September, after Labor Day, and a new school year is in full swing. Our guest this week, Dr. Trisha Sams, joins me to have a conversation on getting this year off to a healthy start for students, families, faculty, and staff. Listen in as we spend time thinking about important intentional healthy practices we can start today to ensure a great academic year!

CASA Talk checks in this week with Southeast Nebraska CASA Executive Director, Marci Fehlhafer, to find out what's new at CASA since we last talked, we talk about how to help our littlest neighbors prepare for returning to school, especially if they are new to our communities and we talk about the upcoming Nebraska State CASA Conference coming up at the end of August. So much good stuff.

I had the pleasure of talking with John Hendrix about making stuff, process, learning, growth, and teaching. It was awesome. I hope you enjoy it.

June was a month to remember Immigrant heritage and to reflect on what makes this country so great- the coming together of peoples from all over the world to create a strong society under an idea that all of us are created equal and are free to pursue life, liberty and happiness in many and various ways. Our guest today is Khenda Mustafa from the "Nebraska is Home" project talking to us about how we as people and communities can welcome our newest Nebraskan neighbors into the circle, into all areas of civic life, and build stronger communities together. For more information visit: http://nebraskaishome.org/ https://neappleseed.org/immigrants  

Today's guest is magician and comedian, Michael Callahan. Listen in as Michael talks about how he got his start in magic, what sets magic apart from other performance arts and the kind of connection and discovery that resides in a magic show. It was such a pleasure to have this conversation.  To find out more about Michael and to reach him for future bookings, michaeljamesentertainment@gmail.com

This week's CASA talk is a reflection on Fatherhood. Included is a reading from Garrison Keillor's book, "Leaving Home: A collection of Lake Wobegon stories."

Krista Koch from Region V Services joins us to talk about the Host Homes Housing Program and the work she's doing to find safe transitional housing for youth on their own as they work to build an independent life.  To find out how you can be a Host Home for a young adult in Nebraska, contact Krista: kkoch@region5systems.net To find out about the national movement to end youth homelessness visit Pointe Source Youth https://www.pointsourceyouth.org/what-we-do

This episode is a powerful conversation with two amazing women representing Rise Academy, a non-profit organization working in the prison system in the state of Nebraska and helping their clients post-incarceration to build stronger, healthier lives. Join me, Amanda Struble, and Chantal Randall to talk about being a felon and the obstacles and trauma that exist in serving a prison sentence and then rejoining society.  To find out more and to become a volunteer: www.seeusrise.org

Today's mini-episode is in honor of April being Child Abuse Awareness Month and, we are celebrating our CASA volunteer's this week most especially for all they do to protect and advocate for kids in foster care. Thank you. To find out more and to become a volunteer yourself, listen to the information at the end of the episode. Nebraska's Child Abuse Hotline is: 1 (800) 652-1999

Join me on this episode where I have the pleasure of sitting down to talk with performing artist, songwriter, advocate, clinician (and my friend), Kyshona Armstrong about the history of Music Therapy, her work in the field and how it has informed her work as a songwriter and performer. To find out more about Kyshona, visit her website: www.kyshona.com Her album, "Listen" is available everywhere.

On this episode of CASA Talk, I sit down with Amy Sandeen to have a conversation about the land, the history and heritage of this Nebraska land, and how we, as a people, are people of the land no matter where we live. Let it be an invitation to explore and discover anew your connection with the outdoors.  To find out more, visit their website: www.prairieloft.org

I take every opportunity I have to talk to Peter Himmelman. A singer/songwriter, composer, businessman, writer, Peter is amazing. A Grammy-nominated, Emmy-nominated electric live performer and highly sought-after workshop presenter on creativity. He's also a friend of mine. His career in music is inspiring and impressive and he brings the wonder of creativity to every day life in a way that seems effortless to me. To find out more: www.peterhimmelman.com www.bigmuse.com  

In this second installment of a two-part conversation, CAC's Training & Prevention Director, Christy Prang, talks about their work educating the general public in ways to protect and advocate for children. In this conversation, we talk about topics participants would be introduced to through the CAC's "Bystanders Protecting Children" training, a supplement to their "Darkness to Light" Curriculum. For more information, visit their website: www.smallvoices.org to contact Christy directly: Christy@smallvoices.org

This is part one of a two-part conversation with Christy Prang, Training and Prevention Director from the Child Advocacy Center in Lincoln, NE. In this episode, Christy gives us an overview of what the CAC does and it serves children and families in our communities. For more information, visit their website: www.smallvoices.org To contact Christy directly: christy@smallvoices.org

On this week's episode, we talk to Dr. Cody Hollist, private practice LIMHP and Associate Professor at UNL about the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study or "ACES," its background its findings, and how it can help to better see our neighbors and ourselves in our ever-unfolding human story.  Here is a list of resources mentioned in today's show Dr. Hollist mentions "The Deepest Well" by Nadine Burke-Harris Dr. Harris-Burke's TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/nadine_burke_harris_how_childhood_trauma_affects_health_across_a_lifetime?language=en "I wish my Teacher Knew" by Kyle Schwartz The UNL Project: Coming Together for Wellness (to get connected with a therapist) https://cehs.unl.edu/comingtogetherforwellness/

This week's guest is Javier Castellote, Training Specialist from Project Harmony, in Omaha, Nebraska. Together, Hope and Javier spend time reflecting on the barriers facing those living in generational poverty, the differences between poverty and middle-class perspective, and the challenge of meeting in the middle to form bridging relationships that widen the prospects of possibility and widen our sense of community found in connection with one another no matter our background. Find out more about Project Harmony at their website: www.projectharmony.com  

CASA Talk invites Pastor Jon Dunbar on the show to talk about the holidays, about the definition of pastoral care, and how the church extends help and hope on a daily basis.

Laura Vandenberg, Drug and Alcohol Counselor from Blue Valley Behavioral Health, joins us this week to talk about her work in recovery, education, and prevention.  For more information on Blue Valley, visit their website: www.bvbh.net where there are free self-assessments.

On this week's episode, Hope is joined by mental health counselor, writer and presenter, Heidi Goehmann to talk about leaning in, noticing, and how we, as adults can model good mental health practices for ourselves and for the children and young people in our lives. 

In this week's episode, recorded back in September, it was our pleasure to have Karen Shoemaker talk to us about how story has shaped her as a writer and continues to shape her as a person. Together we talk about the endless power of story and how we, as friends and neighbors can help change each other's stories for the better.  To find out more about Karen and the Larksong Writer's Place, go to: www.larksongwritersplace.org

On this mini-episode, host Hope Dunbar, reflects on all the cool things and reminds listeners that CASA's fall fundraising campaign ends Dec. 1st and so there's still time to donate by going to www.mightycause.com/story/CASAforeverykid  

In this week's episode of "CASA Talk," Hope talks to Nebraska CASA Executive Director, Corrie Kielty about the day to day challenges of helping child victims of abuse and neglect, the history of foster care in Nebraska and how one volunteer can be what changes a child's story forever. It was really a pleasure to have this conversation and I hope you find it as fascinating as I did! www.nebraskacasa.org

In this week's episode, Hope talks to public school behavioral counselor, Shannon Henry, about the importance of a school structure to children's mental health, the role of every Nebraskan as a mandatory reporter, the effect of Covid-19 on students and educators alike,  and the normalizing an emotional well-being protocol within the school day. 

This week Hope's conversation with Seward County Sheriff, Mike Vance, is a discussion about the differences between law enforcement in a city versus a sheriff's department covering a rural county, like Seward. We learn about community policing, fostering relationship and trust among our citizens and how we can work together to create safer communities for our children.

"Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." Two helpers join Hope Dunbar on this episode of "CASA Talk" to talk about crisis recovery in a time of COVID-19. Jennifer Igo and Maricela Galmadez tell us about the work they do reaching out to Nebraskans affected by our present global pandemic, how we're all vulnerable population at this time, we are in a continuing shift of strength and vulnerability as the virus moves through our communities in different ways and how, helpers like Jennifer and Maricela, are actively reaching out to people in crisis and extending kindness, empathy and pathways to assistance. The concept of asking for help is still weighed down by stigma and they are showing up every day working to normalize help. 

In this week's episode we introduce our podcast community to Southeast Nebraska CASA's Executive Director, Marci Fehlhafer and Marci shares a little bit about her background and how she found CASA and the things she's had to overcome in the past 2 years. Listen in, find out more about CASA, and how we're launching a Capital Campaign starting Friday October 16 and ending December 1st, 2020. Find out more and donate: www.mightycause.com/story/CASAforeverykid

This week's episode showcases the discomfort and curiosity of two people talking about systemic racism, current conditions in our communities, what we get to learn and how we get to grow. This is an imperfect conversation about race by two imperfect people. It was meant to be that way. It is a representation of two people wishing to grow, help and become better while modeling the imperfect uncomfortable way that happens. We thank you for your listening, we encourage you to seek our resources like we are doing ourselves.  You can find out more about Carlos and his work at www.ichoosepurple.com

In this first episode of CASA Talk, host, Hope Dunbar, discusses the Network Relationship Map with Linda Kallhoff and the idea of healing a person by healing the map. We talk connection, reciprocity and the power of relationship to change a life. This episode will have you thinking more deeply about your relationship with the world, your relationship with those you meet in a thousand different ways and how human connection contains healing worth our time and focus.    Using the Network/Relationship Map above, complete your own by filling it out accordingly: RULE: Paid relationships do NOT go in the map In the center circle: Identify by name the most important people in your life. List the close spiritual relationships, people you share your dreams with, people who know the skeletons in your closet. List the people who, if they left, your heart would break! Social media friends can only be listed here if they meet the above criteria. In the outer circle: Other important relationships (friends, extended family, etc.) Think, "Family Tree." People you might invite to a significant celebration in your life (wedding, anniversary, first communion of your child, graduation party, "over the hill" birthday party). People who might show up to your funeral and be sad, people on your Christmas card list (if you do that). Social media friends may be listed if they fit the above criteria. Upper Left quadrant: Your hobbies, interests, recreational and vocational past and present. Your causes, What you do for fun (or what you would do for fun if you had the time), what you do to relax, vacations, where you spend your weekends. Upper Right quadrant: Civic, social and professional organizations past and present. Your religious or church affiliation and any sub-group or committee where you've helped within the organization. List all the schools you've attended (where you do have alumni status?), memberships you had during childhood or adolescence (clubs, teams, activities), and any memberships you have as a parent (soccer coach, PTA, den mother, etc.). Also, any informal social groups you are a part of - (coffee group, walking club, Friday after work friends) Lower Left quadrant: Businesses where you spend your money. Think, "Bank Statement." Places where you are a customer and one of the employees recognizes as a regular customer or even knows your name. You might even know one or more of the employees by name. Businesses where, when you pay by check,  they won't ask you for a form of identification because they know you.  Lower Right quadrant: All the jobs you've ever held from childhood on. (Babysitting, lawn mowing, car washing all the way through high school jobs, college jobs into adulthood). Any internships or classes that were connected to work experience. List different positions held within the same company due to promotion or restructuring or downsizing or reinvention. List subtitles you hold if you are a parent or guardian (taxi driver, tutor, chef, nurse, crisis coordinator, maid, etc). Any mentoring you've received or performed and any charities you've supported past or present. Your map is a snapshot of your footprint in the world and how and why you are connected both intimately and distantly to potential relationships. Look at your inner and outer circles and see if there are connections from those circles out to the different quadrants. How are the quadrants connected and through whom are they connected? What would it be like if your inner circle were empty?  Listen as we talk about the map and the power of the map to invigorate our lives and make us healthier.  

CASA Talk, a new podcast produced by Southeast Nebraska CASA, is centered around the idea of seeing and being seen. As advocates for child victims of abuse and neglect, we want to inspire our audiences to act in small ways and champion the care and safety of children in need of a voice while also exploring our shared humanity and connection.