About this episode
The episode features a discussion on suicide, mental health struggles, and the importance of open conversations to reduce stigma and build community support.
Send us Fan Mail *This episode includes open and honest discussion about suicide, suicide loss, and mental health struggles. We talk about lived experiences, prevention myths, language that reduces stigma, and ways to seek help when safety is at risk. If these topics are difficult or activating for you, please listen with care. You may want to pause, step away, or skip this episode entirely if it feels overwhelming. Your wellbeing matters, and it’s okay to take the space you need. *Silence can feel polite, but around suicide it can be deadly. I sit down with Kelly Poelker, the heart behind Glow for Hope , to talk about what happens when we stop whispering about mental health and start building real community around it. Kelly shares how personal loss shaped her mission, and why creating spaces where people feel safe enough to speak can be the first step toward saving a life. We dig into what Glow for Hope actually does, from glow-in-the-dark events like Spike Out Suicide to community tables where a single brochure and a simple question can lead to a breakthrough conversation. Kelly explains the organization’s pillars, how fun and connection can coexist with grief, and why lived…
People in this episode
Host: Mike Rathbun
Guest: Kelly Poelker
Topics covered
- suicide
- mental health
- community support
- stigma reduction
- prevention myths
Keywords
- suicide prevention
- mental health
- community
- stigma
- lived experience
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Glow for Hope
More episodes of Pork Pond Gazette
- Kindness Is The Comeback · June 4, 2026 · 33 min
- Why Small Acts Of Kindness Still Matter · May 28, 2026 · 49 min
- When Parents Become Advocates · May 21, 2026 · 43 min
- Kindness On Cloudy Days · May 14, 2026 · 35 min
- Storytelling That Turns Small Talk Into Trust · May 7, 2026 · 35 min
- Kindness As A Lifeline · April 30, 2026 · 38 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Pork Pond Gazette podcast page.