Hear Me See Me

Hear Me See Me

AJ Wilkerson firmly believes laughter is the best medicine, and experiencing joy with others is part of the healing. AJ lives with autism, social anxiety, ADHD and depressive tendencies. In this candid interview, he discusses his later-in-life diagnosis, and how getting out of his comfort zone to do standup comedy helps him cope.

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What law enforcement and first responders see on the job will change how they view the world. That's why Tony Mattivi said he worked to ensure mental wellness programs remained a priority when he stepped in as director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.  In this conversation, he shares the surprising revelation he experienced in implementing one new measure - and he brings along a special guest who made us all feel better!

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Food can feed our bodies, minds and souls. Chef Adam VanDonge, a 2023 James Beard semifinalist and owner of in downtown Topeka, uses creating and serving food as an outlet for his . In this conversation, he shares how he copes with anxiety and depression, and how he's learned to put social media in proper perspective.  

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You likely spend more waking hours with your co-workers than you do with your family. In this candid conversation, Cody Foster, co-founder of Topeka-based Advisors Excel, shares what led him to make mental health support a priority in his workplace, the surprising lessons he's learned, and why it makes sense - as a human and as a business person.     

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You've heard of CPR and direct pressure for physical first aid response, but what about becoming a first responder for mental health?   Mikki Burcher with Topeka's Valeo Behavioral Health shares the basics of Mental Health First Aid, and why the personal reason she's so passionate about sharing the knowledge.

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Do you know "The Sigh?!" Ariel Ludwig, outpatient services manger for Valeo Behavioral Health in Topeka, Kan., explores why the holiday season brings up so many emotions, how we can cope with them, and why it's normal to get in our feelings once in a while. Take a deep breath - you'll be glad you took time for this!

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His humorous social media posts are sprinkled with serious offers of a listening ear and a fancy sparkling water. They're born from experiences on the job as a law enforcement officer, and on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan. In this episode, Marine Corps veteran and Wabaunsee Co., Kan. undersheriff Eric Kirsch reveals the personal struggles that shaped his personal mission to help others overcome and know they're not alone.  

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Melissa Owen's sister loved lighthouses. When she died by suicide, Melissa wanted to offer others a light in the darkness through Beacon for Hope. In this conversation, Melissa shares her journey to founding the suicide prevention organization and how they work to connect people with resources addressing issues that might lead to mental health struggles.

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If parents' love could stop bad things from happening, John 'The Iron Man' Cantrell said he had ten times more than he needed. But it wasn't enough to keep mental illness from leading him down a path of addiction, prison, even attempting to take his own life.  In this conversation, the boxing champ gets raw about his story, and why he feels obligated to share it - so others know they're not alone.

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Brail Watson is a classically-trained musician, a rapper and a pastor. His latest album is focused on mental health - it even debuted with a youth mental health awareness event. In this candid conversation, Brail shares how his upbringing shaped his mental health journey, how music is an outlet, and how his own experiences with racism - and a conversation with a friend - caused him to rethink his own views on race.