State of Mind with Debra Sloss

Episode 90: Films don’t just entertain—they can shape how we understand ourselves and our lives. In this episode, media expert Yalda T. Uhls joins host and psychotherapist Debra Sloss to explore the psychological impact of cinema, especially during childhood and adolescence. Community members share powerful stories about films like Inside Out 2 and Annie Hall that helped them better understand their emotions and relationships. Join us for a thoughtful and moving conversation about how the stories we watch can help us heal.

Episode 88: Originally recorded in 2023 and re-released for its continued relevance, this episode explores how parents go on after the death of a child. Father and author Colin Campbell shares how he is living with “hope and purpose” after losing his two teenage children in a drunk-driving crash, alongside stories from parents grieving losses to suicide and overdose and insights from psychotherapist and grief specialist Kara Bowman. A tender, honest, and unexpectedly hopeful conversation about life after unimaginable loss.

Episode 86: Writing can be a powerful tool for healing. This episode explores how storytelling, poetry, and journaling help people clarify emotions, process trauma, and make meaning from life experiences — both painful and joyful. It opens with a powerful Holocaust survival story that highlights writing as an act of healing, and continues with reflections on identity, resilience, and self-discovery, including a personal story about turning inward during the pandemic and finding a voice through poetry.

Episode 84: Psychosis is more common than most realize—affecting up to 3 in 100 people in the U.S.—and early treatment not only improves recovery but also reduces negative impacts on the brain and leads to better outcomes. In this remixed episode, host Debra Sloss talks with Dr. Jennifer Davis, psychiatrist, Tim Beveridge and Kenah Roberts about understanding and recovering from psychotic symptoms. This new version also includes a heartfelt “In Your Voice” story contributed by Angela, who shares a powerful personal view of living with psychosis and finding hope in recovery.

Episode 82: Guest host Patrice Vecchione explores the mental health challenges of living with a terminal illness. Featuring the late Megan Myers’s moving story, insights from palliative care physician Dr. John Hausdorff, and reflections from Kevin Christine Kennedy, who is now nearing the end of her life. Together, they share how people face loss while also finding courage, hope, and meaning at life’s end. Find resources from this episode in the show notes.

Episode 80: What happens after a loved one dies by suicide? In this poignant episode, Leslie Nielsen shares the loss of her adult son, while another woman reflects on losing her mother. Former suicide prevention director Carly Memoli offers insight into the unique grief that follows and how healing can begin—a raw and hopeful glimpse into learning to live with unimaginable pain and grief.

Episode 78: More men are embracing therapy and challenging old stigmas. In this remixed episode, Guest Host Lisa Herendeen, LMFT talks with Joey Fino, Mark Vanderhoof, and psychotherapist Tim Hartnett, PhD about how therapy can transform men’s lives. We’ve also added a powerful “In Your Voice” story, reflecting on how therapy supported Daniel’s journey from adolescence to adulthood. Tune in for a compelling conversation on healing, connection, and emotional growth.

Episode 76: Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) allows terminally ill, mentally capable adults to self-ingest prescribed medication to pass peacefully on their own terms. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, end-of-life choices are more relevant than ever. Psychotherapist and host Debra Sloss is joined by Dr. Lisa Segnitz, a palliative care physician, Kim Stokely, who supported her sister through MAID, and Neil Vargas-Gladen, a chaplain offering spiritual insights. Together, they explore MAID’s ethical, medical, mental health and emotional dimensions.

Episode 74: Over 70% of U.S. adults have experienced trauma, which can deeply impact mental and physical health by altering the brain and nervous system. Fortunately, recovery is possible. Yoga teacher Abbey Asher shares how she maintained her mental health while caring for her terminally ill husband, and trauma specialist Karen Ouse, LMFT, provides strategies to heal, calm the nervous system, and build resilience. This episode offers tools and hope for rebuilding after trauma.

Episode 72: This episode tackles the impact of social media on teen mental health, featuring teen voices at the forefront. Guest host Niku Sedarat, an 18-year-old mental health advocate, joins three young adults and Harvard psychologist Dr. Emily Weinstein to share research-based findings, real life experiences, and insights. Together, they discuss the dual role of social media in both supporting and challenging well-being of youth, while offering parents and caregivers a deeper understanding of the digital lives of today’s teens.

Episode 70: In this episode, we discuss bipolar disorder and its challenges for college students. Allyson Makuch shares her inspiring journey of navigating bipolar disorder through college and graduate school, while Dr. David Lo from the University of California, Santa Cruz provides advice on managing bipolar disorder while pursuing academic goals.

Episode 68: We explore the challenges of caregiving for aging parents, a role that one in six Americans, especially women, undertake. Award-winning author Laura Davis discusses her experience of reconciling with her mother while caring for her through dementia and death. Dr. Karl Segnitz provides advice on end-of-life care and support. Tune in to gain insights and support for this vital role.

Episode 66: Join us for an enlightening discussion on adult autism with Lou Ursa and Jasmeen Miah, both psychotherapists and self-advocates on the autistic spectrum. In this conversation, we confront stereotypes, share personal stories, and offer heartwarming examples of thriving with autism. With diagnoses on the rise, we all can engage in meaningful conversations about autism, explore how societal structures shape perceptions of "disability" and offer empathy, understanding and inclusion.