Voices of Resilience

Karen and Rick talk with her youngest brother, Matt Wilkof. Matt was only 15 when they lost their father to suicide, opening up a journey of addiction, grief, redemption and resilience. This is his inspirational life story told through his words and music.

Harper Spero, business coach, podcast host, and writer talks with Rick and Karen about navigating invisible illness. Her story of resilience encourages us all to advocate for ourselves and to live compassionately. To learn more visit harperspero.com

In honor of National Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week, we talk with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center addiction specialists Dr. Julie Teater and Mohamad Moinzadeh about hope, healing, treatment and the path forward. By breaking down barriers for those struggling and humanizing them, we can build more empathy throughout society for everyone effected by addiction.  If you or someone you know needs help with drug or alcohol addiction, please call:  614-257-3760 or visit The OSU Wexner Medical Center Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Services website. 

Dr. Adel Korkor, grew up unknowingly with panic disorder. Now, through running 5Ks in all 50 states in 50 days, he’s working to raise awareness for mental health through his foundation, AB Korkor Foundation for Mental Health.  His hope is that someday society will realize mental health is something that affects us all. Taking care of our minds and taking care of our bodies is synonymous. When we all look at mental health the same way we look at physical health, we can feel and function better as humans.   

Dr. Tamur Gur of The Ohio State University discusses the grief of pregnancy loss, stillbirth and infertility with Karen and Rick. After suffering a deep, personal loss with the stillbirth of her daughter, Dr. Gur is working to eliminate the profound loneliness and stigma attached to women struggling with pregnancy loss, infertility, and maternal mental health.

Hosted by Rick and Karen Milenthal……We finish the year how we started, with Dr. Luan Phan Chairman of The Ohio State University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, talking about how the pandemic has shaped us permanently as human beings. Reminding us all that hope and resilience beat strongly inside our core, and with gratitude we can keep moving forward together.

Danielle Leedy was a vibrant, strong, powerful life force, and young woman. At age 33, she lost a long battle to chronic depression. Donna and Jeff Heck, Dani’s parents, founded 33 Forever in her honor. 33 Forever, a nonprofit, is operated by Dani’s family and friends, working together, using their knowledge, passion, and resources to positively impact everyone affected by the mental health crisis. By generating awareness around mental health challenges our society faces each day, Danielle’s family and friends strive to bring hope, healing and encouragement to those who struggle to find any.

Rick talks with Lt. General Michael Ferriter, U.S. Army (Retired), President and CEO of The National Veterans Memorial and Museum about leadership, adversity and providing a “rally point” to find resilience.

Rick talks with Achea and Michael Redd. After being diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Achea’s shame and fear of her diagnosis only caused her greater suffering. By accepting and acknowledging the situation with the support of her husband, Michael Redd, her condition improved. Michael realized his lack of knowledge surrounding mental health issues, treatments, and stigmas, rolled up his sleeves and went to work in better understanding and empathizing with his wife’s struggles. Working alongside her to break stigmas and drive more open conversations around mental health, they were both able to grow through their challenges together. Michael and Achea’s experience taught them that empathy is the connection that unites them both. By understanding and loving each other through their challenges, they can help navigate their struggles and journey together.

Patricia Gabbe, MD, pediatrician, clinical researcher and professor at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center began Moms2B ten years ago in Columbus, OH. By creating an innovative, community-based pregnancy program for low-income women, Dr. Pat has helped improve the health status of at-risk communities by empowering pregnant women to deliver full-term healthy babies, reduce infant mortality, and eliminate racial and economic disparities. By recognizing inner strength and resilience in other women, she hopes to change disparity gaps for generations.

She has battled an 18-year journey with bi-polar type 1 disorder and alcoholism. Now, she wants to contribute to the mental health dialogue and specifically shed light on bi-polar disorder. Driven by her passion to eradicate the stigma and shame associated with mental illness in today’s society, she’s gathering up her courage and sharing her story of resilience with others in an effort to spread hope for those, who like her, struggle with mental illness and substance abuse.

Rick talks with Dr. Craig Bryan of The Ohio State University, professor of the Stress, Trauma, Adversity and Resilience (STAR) program. Bryan is a world renowned suicide prevention researcher and innovator who helps people find resilience in their darkest times. His aspirational concept of a future with zero suicides is profoundly inspiring. His research shows intervention treatments, crisis response planning, and specific cognitive therapies can reduce suicide attempts by up to 76% as compared to usual mental health treatment. 

Steve O’Leary changed his life, sold his business, and altered his priorities when his wife of 40 years was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. After losing Patty just over three years ago, he’s dedicated his life to finding a cure and helping others navigate the devastating impacts of the disease.

Sarah Nerad had her first sip of alcohol at age 15. This began a journey from self-destruction to leadership in recovery-centered education. As a co-founder of Heartland High School her experience and passion drive her to help teenagers in need of a safe and accepting environment to recover.  

Hosted by Rick Milenthal. Elaine and Nate Goldberg share how the loss of their daughter Mellissa fueled their passion to improve lives of thousands facing mental health challenges.

Rick Milenthal hosts Castlecomer, the hot Indy rock band from Australia, as they tell their story of how the pandemic cut their world tour short.  What does the future hold for the band that began together as children and grew to millions of downloads worldwide as they launch their second album?

Hosted by Rick Milenthal. Edith Korda shares her remarkable journey surviving the Nazis…..and then the Bolsheviks, escaping Hungary through the Iron Curtain…… to building a new life in America. She is truly a voice of resilience.  

Hosted by Rick Milenthal, CEO of The Shipyard. David Grzelak shares his story of losing his teenage son to suicide and how that has led him, and his wife Elizabeth, to a mission of helping others. Dr. Luan Phan of The Ohio State University tells us how we can all fight the suicide epidemic in this country together.

Hosted by CEO Rick Milenthal. Dr Luan Phan and Arianna Galligher from The Ohio State University give us an inside look on how health care professionals navigate stress, trauma and adversity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rick Milenthal, CEO of The Shipyard, hosts Holly Kastan, MSW, LSW, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. She tells us how the profound trauma from the loss of her child led her to a life of leadership in mental health……helping countless others. A wonderful story of resilience.

Hosted by Rick Milenthal of The Shipyard. Dr. Ken Yeager tells his personal journey of navigating challenges as a young adult to become a leader in the field of mental health. An inspiring and motivating story that teaches us all that resilience is within our grasp. 

Hosted by Rick Milenthal of The Shipyard. The new term to describe our state of mental health while social distancing during the Covid-19 Pandemic.  Learn how to identify and navigate these challenges through the personal stories of Dr. Luan Phan, Chairman of The Ohio State University Department of Psychiatry.