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.

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/27353799

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 /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/26786625

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/26766852

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/26484054

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/26316465

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/26225697

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/26129592

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: /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/25996599

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 /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/25855923

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/25783185

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/25710663

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/25631631

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/25470900

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/24429573

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/24141570

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/24068265

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/24002991

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/23786375

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/23564828

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/23494310

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/23424371

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/23026970

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/22685753

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/22607099

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/22555109

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/22453298

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/22380371

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/22137818

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/21979964

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. /episode/index/show/rhoughtaling/id/21809885

Mulling It Over

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