Hope Starts With Us

Sara Schley, author and filmmaker whose memoir became the documentary Brainstorm. Devika Bhushan, pediatrician, public health leader, and mental health advocate. Barbara Ricci, NAMI leader and advocate who built family support programs. Paul Dalio, filmmaker and composer who channels bipolar experience into art. They discuss diagnosis stories, managing treatment and routines, films inspired by lived experience, circadian and lifestyle strategies, and using storytelling to fight stigma.

Brit Wanstrath, Manager of Workplace Mental Health at NAMI with research roots in post-trauma stress and pain, discusses workplace mental health data. She covers burnout trends and rising stress. She explains stigma and barriers to talking about mental health. She outlines who should build supportive culture and highlights training and caregiver support needs.

In honor of National Criminal Justice Month, “Hope Starts With Us” is guest hosted by NAMI’s Chief Advocacy Officer Hannah Wesolowski in conversation with NAMI’s Director of Criminal Justice Policy and Initiatives Shannon Scully. The two explore NAMI’s advocacy to end the criminalization of mental illness and creating avenues for help, not handcuffs. Through this episode, listeners will learn about our criminal justice policy priorities, the need for more support and resources, how to get involved in NAMI’s National Criminal Justice Month and Overlooked campaigns, plus the brand-new resource “Navigating the Criminal Justice System.” Listen now and learn how you can get involved today.Episode links:National Criminal Justice MonthNAMI's Overlooked campaignNAMI's new resource: "Navigating the Criminal Justice System"You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast."Hope Starts With Us" is a podcast by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is hosted by NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. Co-executive produced by Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.

Alexandra Miles, Founder and CEO of Project Blackbird who leads storytelling programs to destigmatize mental health. McCall Dempsey, founder of Southern Smash and eating disorder survivor who drives campus recovery events. They discuss shedding shame, engaging students amid social media pressures, smashing scales to start conversations, storytelling-led outreach, and practical tips for supporting young people.

Tenisha Patterson Brown, business and legal consultant and president of Off The Field NFL Wives Association, leads mental health advocacy and founded OTF Cares. She discusses caring for NFL families, preparing players for life after football, supporting caregivers, destigmatizing mental health, and the pressures of fame and NIL. Short, powerful stories emphasize resilience and community.

Frank Kosa, award-winning documentary producer and executive producer of Brain Stories, shares how underreported mental health narratives get told. He explores how personal stories build connection, reduce fear, and shift public attitudes. He highlights themes like isolation, caregiving, and diverse experiences. Listeners learn how storytelling can normalize mental illness and inspire compassion.

Samantha Vittengl, Director of Public Relations at Maybelline New York and mental health advocate, discusses family experiences with bipolar disorder and how sharing personal stories can connect people. She talks about finding support through NAMI meetings, leading workplace conversations, and Maybelline’s Brave Together mental health programs. The conversation highlights caregiving strain, self-care practices, and sustaining hope.

Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer who leads NAMI's policy and grassroots mobilization. Darcy Gruttadaro, Chief Innovation Officer focused on youth and workplace mental health, retiring later this year. They discuss growth in youth programs and campus outreach. They cover major advocacy wins, bipartisan support for mental health policy, 988 progress, and diversifying helpline services.

Maggie Ryan, caregiver and wife who offers practical caregiving and self-care tips. Major General Gregg F. Martin, retired military leader and bipolar advocate who speaks about diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and stigma. They discuss how family involvement can prompt correct diagnoses, tough-love actions that spark recovery, caregiver self-care, routines that stabilize mood, and ways families can reduce stigma and support healing.

Learning to navigate depression and other mental health conditions takes a village of support and care. In this episode, Carnie Wilson, founding member of Wilson Philips, joins NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. to discuss her mental health journey. Growing up, Carnie experienced depression and anxiety and sought to numb her pain. Today, she is an advocate for mental health and reducing the stigma surrounding effects of tardive dyskinesia (TD). Listeners will hear from Carnie about how she advocates for mental health, her experiences with mental health, and more. You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast."Hope Starts With Us" is a podcast by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is hosted by NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. Co-executive produced by Traci Coulter and Connor Larsen.