Hope Illuminated Podcast: Helping the Helpers Bring Light to Life’s Darkest Moments
by Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas
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On the show
From 12 epsHosts
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Recent episodes
The Text That Saves a Life: Caring Contacts, Peer Support & Suicide Prevention
Jun 2, 2026
59m 17s
How Well-Being Multipliers Create a Mental Health Tipping Point at Work with Laura Putnam
May 5, 2026
30m 15s
Healing Trauma Beyond Words: Brain, Body, and Spirit with Julia Hassall
Mar 30, 2026
47m 19s
How Men’s Groups Help Men Make Meaning in Dark Times with Rabbi Baruch HaLevi ("Dr. B")
Mar 6, 2026
33m 09s
Leadership Under Assault -- Caring for People and Institutions in a Polarized Age with Jeff Gorter
Feb 24, 2026
34m 22s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/2/26 | The Text That Saves a Life: Caring Contacts, Peer Support & Suicide Prevention✨ | suicide preventionpeer support+3 | Brandon Wilcox | Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners | — | suicide preventioncaring contacts+5 | — | 59m 17s | |
| 5/5/26 | How Well-Being Multipliers Create a Mental Health Tipping Point at Work with Laura Putnam✨ | mental healthworkplace culture+3 | Laura Putnam | Motion InfusionGallup | — | mental health culturewell-being multipliers+3 | — | 30m 15s | |
| 3/30/26 | Healing Trauma Beyond Words: Brain, Body, and Spirit with Julia Hassall✨ | healingtrauma+3 | Julia Hassall | Hope IlluminatedHealing Trauma Beyond Words | — | brainspottingsomatic work+2 | — | 47m 19s | |
| 3/6/26 | How Men’s Groups Help Men Make Meaning in Dark Times with Rabbi Baruch HaLevi ("Dr. B")✨ | men's mental healthgrief+5 | Rabbi Baruch Halevi | Hope Illuminated | — | men's groupspurpose+3 | — | 33m 09s | |
| 2/24/26 | Leadership Under Assault -- Caring for People and Institutions in a Polarized Age with Jeff Gorter✨ | leadershippolarization+2 | Jeff Gorter | R3 ContinuumHope Illuminated+1 | — | emotional demandtargeted violence+2 | — | 34m 22s | |
| 1/13/26 | Inside the Black Box: What Digital Clues Reveal Before Suicide with Kim Burdett Bartlett✨ | suicide preventiondigital clues+3 | Kim Burdett Bartlett | digital devicesBlack Box Project White Paper+5 | — | Black Box Projectsuicide warning signs+3 | — | 44m 56s | |
| 1/6/26 | After the Unthinkable: Workplace Suicide Postvention, the First 48 Hours & Peer Support with Dr. John Gaal✨ | workplace suicidepostvention+3 | Dr John Gaal | After the Unthinkable | — | EAPsmental health first responders+2 | — | 33m 34s | |
| 12/30/25 | A Year in Review: Mental Health, Healing, and Hope✨ | mental healthhealing+9 | — | Headspace for the WorkplaceHope Illuminated | — | impact metricstools developed+4 | — | 19m 06s | |
| 12/16/25 | When the Hits Don’t Heal: Athletes, CTE, & Suicide Risk with Dr. John Gaal✨ | CTEsuicide risk+3 | Dr John Gaal | Hope Illuminated | — | Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathydepression+3 | — | 55m 16s | |
| 11/4/25 | Transforming Grief Into Meaning: How Stories and Art Support Children After Suicide with Ryan Abramowitz✨ | griefchildren+3 | Ryan Abramowitz | Elegy for an ElephantHope Illuminated+1 | — | Elegy for an Elephantwatercolor+2 | — | 46m 02s | |
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| 10/28/25 | Sowing Hope in Rural America: Tackling the Farm Mental Health Crisis with Monica Kramer McConkey✨ | farm mental healthrural communities+3 | Monica Kramer McConkey | Sowing Hope in Rural America: Tackling the Farm Mental Health Crisis | AmericaMinnesota | resilienceconnection+3 | — | 45m 49s | |
| 9/30/25 | Tech for Transformation: Building Mental-Health Skills with AI Tools that Work – with Alex Willis✨ | AI toolsmental health+3 | Alex Willis | AI-powered toolsNFL+2 | — | NFLdepression+2 | — | 46m 40s | |
| 9/9/25 | Healing the Healers: Moral Injury, Privacy, and Pathways to Hope with Corey Feist | Healthcare workers give their all, but too often, the system gives little back when it comes to protecting their mental health. In this Hope Illuminated episode, I sit down with Corey Feist, Co-Founder & CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, to talk about moral injury, systemic solutions, and the strategies that actually work.Together, we unpack how confidential peer support, equal privacy protections in mental health care, and humane re-entry pathways can restore dignity and safety to those who care for us. Corey’s work has helped drive landmark federal legislation, shift national culture, and spark movements that reach over 1.5 million healthcare workers.This episode isn’t just for healthcare leaders. If you care about building psychologically safe workplaces —in medicine or beyond — you’ll walk away with actionable strategies for protecting wellbeing, reducing stigma, and honoring the humanity of workers everywhere. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/153 | 1h 01m 15s | ||||||
| 7/29/25 | The Youth Suicide Prevention Breakthrough We’ve Been Waiting For: The Sources of Strength Story | In this powerful episode, Scott LoMurray, TIME100 Health honoree and CEO of Sources of Strength, shares how his organization has transformed youth suicide prevention through peer leadership, strength-based storytelling, and community-driven culture change. We unpack the evidence, the vision, and the movement that’s shifting suicide prevention from reaction to resilience. for mor einformation on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/152 | 44m 50s | ||||||
| 7/8/25 | The Power of Time -- Slowing Down to Save Lives in Suicide Prevention with Gergö Hadlaczky | What if the most powerful suicide prevention tool we have… is time?In this groundbreaking episode, suicide prevention expert Dr. Gergö Hadlaczky shares insights from science, strategy, and lived experience about how creating time—even just a few minutes—can change the trajectory of a suicidal crisis.We explore the rapidity of suicidal crises, how emotional intensity and suicidal thoughts often pass with time, and why time-buying can often help people win the internal debate around living or dying.Time gives people a second chance at life and a fighting chance to survive. For mre information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/151 | 44m 21s | ||||||
| 6/24/25 | Technology of Survival -- How Emotions Like Fear, Grief, Anger, and Guilt Keep Us Alive with Russell Peterson | Why do we fear emotions, particularly in cultures where strength is defined by stoicism? What if we reframed emotions not as liabilities, but as essential survival systems?When are get stuck in our emotions like fear, grief, anger, and guilt, we’re not failing. Our emotions are over-functioning. Emotional systems have evolved "fail-safe" systems; they won’t stop to help us survive. And while that keeps us alive, it can also overwhelm us. In this powerful episode of Hope Illuminated, I sit down with Russell Peterson, a counselor, military mental health specialist, and wilderness survivalist. Russell introduces his compelling “Technology of Survival” framework, illustrating how emotions such as fear, grief, anger, and guilt have evolved to keep us alive.When emotions are seen through a survival lens, we begin to understand their purpose, reduce shame, and reclaim our humanity.For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/150 | 49m 27s | ||||||
| 6/10/25 | Time to Get Noisy -- What Construction Can Teach Us About Suicide Prevention in Every Industry with Sebastian Ison-Jacques | In this episode, we explore one of the most urgent yet often overlooked crises facing high-risk industries: suicide in construction. Our guest, Sebastian Ison-Jacques, brings a powerful blend of personal experience, academic research, and sector insight to this critical conversation. From digital construction to workplace mental health, Seb’s mission is to expose what’s broken and help build something better. for more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/149 | 44m 18s | ||||||
| 5/27/25 | Uncovering Hidden Stories: Psychological Autopsies and Suicide Prevention in Middle Aged Adults with Dr. Eva De Jaegere | In this episode of Hope Illuminated, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas sits down with Dr. Eva De Jaegere from Belgium to explore the stories behind suicide through the lens of psychological autopsy. Together, they discuss Dr. Eva’s research on suicide risk in middle-aged adults, revealing surprising findings about the role of work stress, financial worries, and the importance of open conversations about suicide and mental health. Discover how listening to the stories of both survivors and those left behind can bring healing, challenge stigma, and shape more effective prevention strategies. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in suicide prevention, lived experience research, and the power of storytelling to spark change.Follow Dr. Sally at www.sallyspencerthomas.com | 44m 41s | ||||||
| 5/20/25 | Meeting People Where They Are: A Global Vision for Suicide Prevention with Dr. Sandersan Onie | In this inspiring episode of Hope Illuminated, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas sits down with Sandersan Onie, a global leader in mental health promotion and suicide prevention, for a powerful conversation about the importance of intellectual humility and meeting people where they are. Listen as Dr. Onie shares personal stories of overcoming trauma, highlights the critical role of religion and culture in suicide prevention, and reveals how he helped spark transformative policy change in Indonesia. The episode also explores using technology and empathic messaging to reach those in crisis, emphasizing community-based strategies that honor local beliefs and language. Tune in for practical insights, heartfelt storytelling, and actionable lessons for anyone passionate about mental health and saving lives.Follow Dr. Sally at www.sallyspencerthomas.com | 48m 13s | ||||||
| 5/13/25 | From Grief to Advocacy: Young Voices Changing Mental Health Conversations with Alex Bush | In this powerful episode of Hope Illuminated, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas sits down with Alex Bush, a resilient young advocate who began sharing her story after losing her father to suicide at 16. Together, they discuss the vital role of personal storytelling in suicide prevention, the impact of youth voices on mental health advocacy, and actionable strategies for engaging with both traditional and social media. Alex shares her journey from grief to national speaker, offering insights on making a real difference in communities and supporting others who have experienced loss. Tune in to hear inspiring advice for storytellers, mental health leaders, and anyone seeking hope and connection in challenging times.Follow Dr. Sally at www.sallyspencerthomas.com | 45m 15s | ||||||
| 4/29/25 | Surviving and Thriving: Intersection of Identity, Mental Health, and Trans Resilience with Lyseria Kursave | Join Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas as she sits down with Lyseria Kursave, a resilient trans woman and union electrician, for an honest conversation about living authentically, navigating personal and professional challenges, and the intersection of gender identity and mental health. From overcoming isolation and workplace discrimination to the importance of community and allyship, this powerful episode of Hope Illuminated sheds light on the lived experiences and hope-filled advocacy of the trans community. Perfect for anyone seeking inspiration, education, or a deeper understanding of how solidarity and compassion make a difference in the fight for mental well-being and equality. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/surviving-and-thriving-intersection-of-identity-mental-health-and-trans-resilience-with-lyseria-kursave-ep-145 | 1h 02m 31s | ||||||
| 4/22/25 | Unlocking Agency in Suicide Prevention with Dr. Selma Gaily-Luoma | In this thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Dr. Selma Gaily-Luoma to explore the transformative role of agency in suicide prevention. Agency, defined as the sense of control and capacity to influence your thoughts, behaviors, and circumstances, is a cornerstone of psychological resilience. We delve into how fostering a sense of agency can be a powerful antidote to feelings of entrapment and despair that often accompany suicidal crises.For mor information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/unlocking-agency-in-suicide-prevention-with-dr-selma-gaily-luoma-episode-144 | 58m 03s | ||||||
| 4/8/25 | The Power of Testament: Addressing Social Justice in Mental Health Research with Dr. Simon Hatcher | Join host Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas in a compelling conversation with Dr. Simon Hatcher from the University of Ottawa. The discuss the intricacies of police suicide, mental health challenges, and how these insights can aid high-risk industries. Discover the importance of involving lived experience in mental health research and the challenges faced by underserved populations. With personal stories, expert insights, and a focus on social justice, this episode sheds light on creating more inclusive and effective mental health support systems. Tune in to explore how we can better empower and uplift those facing mental health struggles. for more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/the-power-of-testament-addressing-social-justice-in-mental-health-research-among-our-most-vulnerable-populations-with-dr-simon-hatcher-ep-143 | 33m 48s | ||||||
| 4/1/25 | Upstream Suicide Prevention: Changing Lives Using the Good Behavior Game with Dr. Holly Wilcox | In this episode of Hope Illuminated, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas talks with Dr. Holly Wilcox from Johns Hopkins University to explore the transformative impact of the Good Behavior Game. They cover upstream approaches to suicide prevention, emphasizing skill-building in early childhood to improve mental health outcomes. Discover how focusing on education and emotional regulation can mitigate risks and build resilience in communities, potentially changing life trajectories. Join us in learning how a public health approach could be key to saving lives and augmenting quality of life. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/upstream-suicide-prevention-changing-lives-using-the-good-behavior-game-with-dr-holly-wilcox-ep-142 | 47m 31s | ||||||
| 3/25/25 | How Scotland's Panel Is Shaping Suicide Prevention with Personal Insights from Keir McKechnie & Seonaid Stallan | Join Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas as she discusses into the powerful role of lived experience in transforming suicide prevention strategies. In this episode of "Hope Illuminated," featuring guests Kier McKechnie and Seonaid Stallan from Glasgow, Scotland, discover how integrating real-life experiences into policy and program development can inspire meaningful change. Learn about the innovative approaches taken by Scotland's National Suicide Prevention Action Plan and the significance of honoring those who've navigated the profound challenges of suicide loss or survival. Together, they're making a difference—one story at a time. for more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/how-scotlands-panel-is-shaping-suicide-prevention-with-personal-insights-from-keir-mckechnie-seonaid-stallan-ep-141 | 54m 15s | ||||||
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