Mulling It Over
Each week I interview guests who delve into a myriad of substance abuse, mental health and social justice concerns. Hear some provocative discussions that will hopefully provide an impetus for change and better understanding.
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Lessons Learned
07/03/2023
Lessons Learned
MULLING IT OVER with host, Bob Houghtaling EPISODE 3: Bob Houghtaling discusses how kids learn whether it is while at play or in a classroom setting. Special emphasis is placed on knowledge gained, in and out of school, as well as some of the challenges which can impede or delay learning.
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Important Connections
05/09/2023
Important Connections
Building Connections Episode 43: Hosts Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling interview Cameron Kadek Cameron Kadek, Title 1 Family Facilitator, discusses her work in the City of Warwick, supporting underprivileged children and their families. Special emphasis is placed on building relationships that assist and augment school efforts. Text or call: 401-291-8288
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Mental Health Awareness Month
05/07/2023
Mental Health Awareness Month
Episode 2: Bob Houghtaling discusses how awareness of Mental Health has increased while also pointing to challenges that lay ahead. Emphasis is placed on the importance of creating allies as well as the value of seeing young people as wonderful advocates.
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School Safety
04/08/2023
School Safety
MULLING IT OVERwith host, Bob Houghtaling Episode1: Bob Houghtaling discusses school shootings and how we need more than just police officers, social workers, buzzers/bells, and teachers with guns, to address this national plague. Special emphasis is placed on our responsibilities as well as the importance of hope, awe and possibility.
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New Perspectives
03/23/2023
New Perspectives
Building Connections Episode 42: Hosts Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling interview Kaia Marinelli Kaia Marinelli discusses her prevention work with the Kent County Prevention Coalition inclusive of conferences, presentations, Sticker Shock and a myriad of other initiatives. Special emphasis was also placed on her school experience, at The Met School, as well as insight into young people and mental health.
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Keeping A Promise
03/14/2023
Keeping A Promise
Building Connections Episode 41: Hosts Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling interview Emily Kendall Emily Kendall joins Building Connections to discuss her work with Sandy Hook Promise. Using her experience as a child, regarding a school shooting, she has become a powerful advocate for mental health and safety.
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A Journey Through Grief
03/05/2023
A Journey Through Grief
Host, Bob Houghtaling with Ann Boulet A Journey Through Grief EPISODE 8: Ann Boulet discusses how the loss of her husband led to a journey and the writing of After Winter Comes Spring. Special emphasis is placed on how each individual has a unique grieving experience as well as how death is a topic which many have difficulty speaking of.
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RI Teen Institute
02/21/2023
RI Teen Institute
Building Connections Episode 40: Hosts Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling interview Jen Stevens Jen Stevens joins Building Connections to discuss her work helping to bring RI Teen Institute back. Emphasis is placed on how T.I. influenced her life as well as ways young people can benefit from this incredible initiative. Teen Institute will be held in August of 2023 and promises to develop many talented and informed youth leaders. RI Teen Institute contacts: 401-244-7386 email: website:
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Making Our Highways Safe
02/07/2023
Making Our Highways Safe
Episode 39: Hosts Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling interview Diana Gugliotta Diana Gugliotta, Director of Public Affairs for AAA, speaks to highway safety placing emphasis on impaired driving caused by alcohol and marijuana. Working closely with the court systems she looks to educate young people, helping them to make healthy and safe choices. 401-868-2000 ext. 2120
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A Powerful Perspective
01/31/2023
A Powerful Perspective
Building Connections Episode 38: Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling with Elle and Xia Elle and Xia, representatives of the student-led club ASAPP, visit Building Connections to discuss mental health. Special emphasis is placed addressing eating disorders and those factors that help create them. ASAPP, and a middle school version ASAPP II, continue advocating for additional awareness regarding mental health in the East Greenwich community.
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A Powerful Advocate
01/24/2023
A Powerful Advocate
Building Connections Episode 37: Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling with Tom Coderre Tom Coderre, Regional Administrator (Region 1) for SAMHSA, speaks to overdose prevention, treatment and recovery regarding substance use. Special emphasis is placed on reducing stigma and supporting harm reduction. A local resident, he continues to advocate on the national level.
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Mental Health Advocacy
01/17/2023
Mental Health Advocacy
Building Connections Episode 36: Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling with guest Lindsey Miga Lindsey Miga joins Building Connections to discuss transition to college, mental health, and her continuing work supporting young people. Special emphasis is placed on how Covid-19 and school distancing impacted the social emotional growth for many students.
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Happy New Year
12/31/2022
Happy New Year
Bob Houghtaling offers reflections on 2022 as well as his ‘hopes’ for next year. Special emphasis is placed on enhancing community through the unique talents we each possess and share. Differences are made by those who care. Happy New Year.
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Making a Difference
09/20/2022
Making a Difference
Building Connections Episode 35 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling. Gracie Kauffman, a senior at East Greenwich High School, discusses losing a dear friend due to a hit and run accident that involved impaired driving. Special emphasis is placed on work she is doing to raise awareness of mental health and substance related concerns within the community.
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Raising Awareness
08/23/2022
Raising Awareness
Building Connections Episode 34 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling. Angel Schultz, Prevention Specialist for West Warwick’s Health Equity Zone–HEZ, discusses her work raising awareness of our nation’s opioid epidemic. Special emphasis is placed on outreach, reducing stigma and supporting families who have lost a loved one due to an overdose.
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Supporting Marginalized Youth
08/16/2022
Supporting Marginalized Youth
Building ConnectionsEpisode 33 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling. Deidre O’Donnell, Program Manager with the South County Prevention Coalition, discusses her work addressing youth tobacco use and marginalized populations. Special emphasis is placed on health disparities in the LGBTQ+ community as well as how best to create bridges of support for young people.
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Saving Lives
08/09/2022
Saving Lives
Building Connections Episode 32 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling Saving Lives Michelle McKenzie, co-founder of Preventing Overdoses & Naloxone Intervention (PONI), discusses the importance of harm reduction strategies and how these can work closely with Prevention. Special emphasis is placed on naloxone kit distribution, trainings and the evolution of support initiatives.
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Music to My Ears
07/19/2022
Music to My Ears
Building Connections Episode 31 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling Music to My Ears Abby White, a student at the Hartt School of Music and former East Greenwich High School graduate, discusses the role music has played in her life. Special emphasis is placed on advocacy for choral programs and how creating teams of belonging helps address mental health. Abby also discusses how they found support through connection with music.
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Prevention Throughout the Summer
06/28/2022
Prevention Throughout the Summer
Building Connections Episode 30 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling Prevention Throughout the Summer Kathy and Bob discuss how prevention initiatives continue through the summer months. Special emphasis is placed on enhancing relationships that support mental health and a drug-free environment.
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Providing Hope
06/21/2022
Providing Hope
Building Connections Episode 29 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling Providing Hope Omar Bah, founder of the Refugee Dream Center, and candidate for The House of Representatives, details how trauma impacts marginalized populations. Special emphasis is placed on how he found significant support after escaping Gambia and the Death Penalty. Mr. Bah promises to continue advocating for those who struggle with mental health concerns.
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Supporting Children’s Mental Health
06/14/2022
Supporting Children’s Mental Health
Building Connections Episode 28 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling Supporting Children’s Mental Health Aly Kazmier and Bree Knight join Building Connections to Discuss BEE SMART, a program addressing mental health and young children. Presently the program is being piloted at Hanaford Elementary School and features information, engaging conversation and fun. You will be hearing much more from this dynamic duo in the future.
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Tori for Change
05/06/2022
Tori for Change
Building ConnectionsEpisode 27 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling Tori for Change Cathy Andreozzi discusses how a driver, under the influence of alcohol, hit her daughter, Tori, leaving the young girl severely hurt. This horrific event not only impacted an entire family, it would also serve as an impetus for change. Special emphasis is placed on supporting prevention efforts as well as the impact of adult drinking.
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An Accepting Place
04/05/2022
An Accepting Place
Building Connections Episode 26 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling An Accepting Place Rachel Channen, from the Warwick Boys and Girls Club in Warwick (Club at Cooper), discusses the wide array of services her program offers youth. Utilizing music, technology, art and more, the club plays an integral role in addressing children’s mental health. Finally, LGBTQ youth are also provided ample opportunities to feel connected.
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Preparing the Community
03/29/2022
Preparing the Community
Building Connections Episode 25 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling Preparing the Community Andrew Nota, East Greenwich Town Manager, explains how the recent Opioid Settlement(s) and potential legislation of marijuana will influence local communities. Special emphasis is placed on social and financial impacts as well as creating supports to address the many substance abuse/mental health conditions cities and towns are confronted with.
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Making Dreams a Reality
03/24/2022
Making Dreams a Reality
Mulling it Overwith Bob Houghtaling Making Dreams a Reality Dr. Omar Bah tells his incredible story which includes escaping Gambia after being given a death sentence, by a Warlord, to finding a new life in America. Along the way he created the Refugee Dream Center, earned a Doctorate, and is now running for Congress. Grateful for the opportunities he’s been given, Dr. Bah feels that democracy is something that needs to be fought for.
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Addressing Many Needs
03/15/2022
Addressing Many Needs
Building Connections Episode 24 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling Addressing Many Needs Mike Fratus, with Warwick’s Collaborative/Substance Abuse Task Force and CCAP, discusses adding a Health Equity Zone to the city’s tool kit. Special emphasis is placed on how the Health Equity Zone will address the needs of many diverse populations. Finally, this discussion also points to the involvement of numerous departments and individuals.
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Addressing Childhood Anxiety
03/08/2022
Addressing Childhood Anxiety
Building Connections Episode 23 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling Addressing Childhood Anxiety Dr. Ellen Flannery-Schroeder, Director of the Child Anxiety Program at URI, visits Building Connections to discuss her work regarding anxiety and young people. Special emphasis is placed on Cognitive Treatment Modalities, as well as how parents can support their children. Finally, Covid-19 has exacerbated mental health concerns while also bringing much needed attention to youth related anxiety.
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Friends Way
02/15/2022
Friends Way
Building ConnectionsEpisode 22 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling Friends Way Ryan Loiselle, Program Director for FRIENDS WAY, discusses his important work supporting children who are grieving the loss of a parent. Special emphasis is placed on how the Opioid Crisis has impacted young people’s ability to connect. Volunteers are at the core of FRIENDS WAY and they are asked to make a big, yet important, commitment. Recruitment is an ongoing process. Finally, the impact Covid-19 has had, along with the need for additional funding, was explored.
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Media Ready
02/01/2022
Media Ready
Building Connections Episode 21 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling Lily O’Toole, Project Coordinator for a Partnership for Success Grant, discusses addressing underage drinking and tobacco use. Special emphasis is placed on educating students about media influence as well as creating ways of impacting elementary aged youth.
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Starfish Circle II
01/18/2022
Starfish Circle II
Building Connections Episode 20 with Kathy Sullivan & Bob Houghtaling Starfish Circle II Lindsey Miga discusses mental health, college transition and her helping High School students cope during a time of great uncertainty. Special emphasis is placed on child development as well as her creating a survey which looks into High School aged youth’s attempts to navigate through many present challenges.
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