Best Compass Navigating Healthcare Podcasts (2025)

1
Crystal Fox: One Mothers Journey Through Tragedy 31:08

22m ago31:08

31:08

Send us a text Crystal Fox shares her heartbreaking journey as the mother of a son with schizophrenia and co-founder of Arizona Mad Moms, an organization supporting families of loved ones with degenerative brain illnesses causing psychosis. Through her dual perspective as both a parent and a psychiatric nurse with 30 years of experience, Crystal il…

1
The Importance of Primary Care and How It Saved My Life with Kyle Pukylo 30:23

7h ago30:23

30:23

In this deeply personal episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, host Amber Washington sits down with Advisor Kyle Pukylo, a dedicated Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) advisor at Tampa General Hospital, who shares how a routine primary care visit turned into a life-saving encounter. What began as a standard appointment quickly escalat…

1
Empty Cups Don't Pour: Why Self-Compassion Matters 7:06

4h ago7:06

7:06

Send us a text After celebrating Mother's Day, we explore a concept everyone needs regardless of parental status: mothering yourself. Medical training conditions us to abandon our humanity bit by bit, wearing sacrifices like badges of honor while neglecting our own basic needs. • The caregiver trap teaches us to neglect ourselves while caring for o…

1
Cohen Miles-Rath: How One Man Transformed Crisis into a Call for Change 29:53

1h ago29:53

29:53

Send us a text Cohen Miles-Rath shares his powerful journey from psychosis and incarceration to becoming a mental health advocate and author. His story reveals how proper support systems and personal determination transformed a life-altering crisis into a mission of education and advocacy that's changing how we approach mental health treatment. • S…

1
Sherri Witwer: Rethinking How We help People in Mental Health Crisis 28:17

20m ago28:17

28:17

Send us a text Sherry Witwer, board president for CIT Utah, shares her insights on improving crisis response systems for people experiencing mental health emergencies and creating alternatives to incarceration through specialized training and community partnerships. • CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training provides law enforcement with tools to ef…

1
Darrell Herrmann : Straight Talk About Living With A Severe Mental Illness 27:26

19m ago27:26

27:26

Send us a text Darrell Herrmann, a retired US Army captain and former computer programmer, shares his remarkable journey of living with schizophrenia since 1984 and his mission to help others with severe mental illness live better lives. • Former US Army captain specializing in field artillery and nuclear weapons before developing schizophrenia • E…

1
The Brown Kid: A journey with my friend Tony 1:39:12

4h ago1:39:12

1:39:12

In this special episode of The People We Meet, host Ty Bruner interviews his long-time friend Tony Sequina, embarking on a journey through the decades of their shared experiences. An unexpected deep conversation with his daughter sets the stage for this heartfelt narrative, as Ty reflects on how simple format changes can unveil new insights. With h…

1
Pete Earley:From Journalist to Advocate 31:09

39m ago31:09

31:09

Send us a text Pete Early shares his journey from Washington Post journalist to mental health advocate after his son developed bipolar disorder, revealing how a broken system forces families into crisis before providing help. • Diagnosis came during his son Kevin's college years with warning signs like "food doesn't taste good" and confusion about …

1
Colleen Scott: One Mother's Journey Through Schizophrenia 29:35

18h ago29:35

29:35

Send us a text A mother shares her 18-year journey supporting a son with schizophrenia through mental health system failures, incarceration, and experimental brain surgery. • Colleen Scott's son started showing signs of schizophrenia at age 17, withdrawing socially and exhibiting erratic behavior • A prosecutor advised having her son arrested "to g…

1
Stephanie Beilin: Mother's Journey Through Mental Illness and Incarceration 26:56

2d ago26:56

26:56

Send us a text A mother and clinical social worker shares her heartbreaking journey navigating the legal system after her high-achieving son developed serious mental illness, revealing how our justice system criminalizes rather than treats mental health conditions. • Licensed independent clinical social worker with 40+ years experience working with…

1
Justin Volpe : How Peer Support Changes Lives 28:20

3d ago28:20

28:20

Send us a text Justin Volpe shares his journey from being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and incarcerated to becoming a certified recovery peer specialist who has trained over 3,500 police officers in crisis intervention. His story demonstrates how individuals with lived experience can transform systems and save lives by bridging gaps betw…

1
Compassion in Healthcare with Tiffany Brown and Megan Lenahan 34:08

3d ago34:08

34:08

In this powerful episode of Voices of Experience podcast, host Amber Washington sits down with leaders Tiffany Brown and Megan Lenahan from Tampa General Hospital to explore the topic of compassion in healthcare. Inspired by the groundbreaking book Compassionomics by Dr. Stephen Trzeciak and Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli, this conversation explores how co…

1
Jessica Ferguson : Brother in Crisis: A Family's Desperate Fight for Mental Health Support 28:24

4d ago28:24

28:24

Send us a text Jessica Ferguson shares the deeply personal story of her brother's struggle with serious mental illness and how systemic failures led to his incarceration after being accused of a triple homicide when he should have been in psychiatric care. • Her brother had been stable with his mental illness for a decade before showing concerning …

1
Jhilam Biswas Reveals Paths to Mental Health Reform From Forensic Hospitals to Freedom 31:24

5d ago31:24

31:24

Send us a text Dr. Jhilam Biswas, a board-certified adult and forensic psychiatrist, discusses how mental health issues intersect with the criminal justice system and the urgent need for reform. She shares insights from her research and clinical experience working with incarcerated individuals with mental illness, explaining why mental health care …

1
Eric Smith: From Music Prodigy to Mental Health Advocate 30:47

6d ago30:47

30:47

Send us a text Eric Smith shares his remarkable journey from child piano prodigy to mental health advocate after battling psychosis and addiction. His story reveals how finding the right medication after a decade of failed treatments transformed his life from hospitalization and FBI involvement to becoming a Texas Judicial Commissioner on Mental He…

1
From the Mean Streets Of Hillyard: Ricky Welliver's Boxing Journey 55:56

6d ago55:56

55:56

Join Ty Bruner in an inspiring conversation with Ricky "The Pitbull" Welliver, a boxing legend known for his dedication to the sport and his community. Born into a lineage of fighters, Ricky shares his journey from the gritty neighborhoods of Spokane to becoming a revered mentor in the boxing world. Throughout the episode, Ricky recounts the pivota…

1
Tomorrow Is Not Guaranteed: Why Travel Belongs In Your Life Today 30:13

6d ago30:13

30:13

Send us a text What if your passion for travel could transform from a distant dream into a tangible reality? Susan Sherfield's journey proves it's possible—even without extraordinary wealth or privilege. After spending nearly four decades in property management, Susan shares how she carved out a life where global exploration takes center stage whil…

1
Seth Kahan's Journey Transforms Mental Health Advocacy in America 29:37

7d ago29:37

29:37

Send us a text Seth Kahan shares his journey from personal tragedy to leading a national movement against mental health stigma after his mother developed schizophrenia when he was 10 years old. His experience pioneering frameworks for grand challenges led him to launch Stop Stigma Together, a collaborative initiative uniting major mental health org…

1
Sylvia Mignon: When Your Expertise Can't Save Your Child 30:01

12d ago30:01

30:01

Send us a text Sylvia Mignon, licensed clinical social worker and professor of criminal justice, shares her heartbreaking journey navigating the mental health system while trying to secure proper care for her son with schizoaffective disorder. Despite her professional expertise, she's experienced nine years of struggling against bureaucracies that …

1
Jack Wood:: A Father's Fight for Mental Health Reform 27:59

9d ago27:59

27:59

Send us a text Jack Wood shares his son Jonathan's journey through Florida's mental health system, revealing how management failure rather than lack of resources creates catastrophic outcomes for those with severe mental illnesses. • Jonathan's early life included kidney disorder requiring powerful medications including cancer drugs • At 18, Jonath…

1
Navigating Life as NICU and Twin Parents with Justin and Kim Park 36:02

10d ago36:02

36:02

In this heartfelt episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, host Amber Washington sits down with Justin and Kim Park, who share their powerful journey of navigating life as parents of a son who spent time in the Jennifer Leigh Muma Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Tampa General Hospital (TGH), followed by the joy of welcoming twin daughter…

1
Justyna Rzewinski : A Whistleblower's Fight for Mental Health in Prisons 28:07

10d ago28:07

28:07

Send us a text Justyna Rzewinski shares her experience as a whistleblower after working at Rikers Island and her ongoing advocacy for criminal justice reform focusing on mental health treatment. • Working with different organizations to close Rikers Island and advocating for better treatment of mentally ill inmates • Fighting for smaller borough-ba…

1
Leslie Carpenter: Breaking the Mental Health Crisis Cycle 29:25

11d ago29:25

29:25

Send us a text Leslie Carpenter, co-founder of Iowa Mental Health Advocacy and Legislative Advocacy Manager at the Treatment Advocacy Center, shares her journey from concerned mother to dedicated mental health advocate after her son was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder 19 years ago. She discusses the barriers families face when seeking help …

1
Joel Corcoran: Welcome, Needed, and Valued: The Clubhouse Approach 29:09

12d ago29:09

29:09

Send us a text Clubhouse International is transforming lives through intentional communities where people with mental illness rebuild their lives after disruption and isolation. Joel Corcoran joins us to tell the Clubhouse story. • Clubhouse International operates 377 clubhouses across 32 countries using a specific 37-standard model • Members volun…

1
Denise Paley: From Crisis to Advocacy 30:09

13d ago30:09

30:09

Send us a text Denise Paley shares the harrowing story of her son's sudden onset schizophrenia at age 18 and his subsequent five-year imprisonment without sentencing, revealing critical failures in how our justice system handles mental illness. • Son Ellis was an honor roll student with a bright future before experiencing first-episode psychosis • …

1
Voices Of the Kids: A 10-Year-Old Bowling Prodigy's Journey 30:00

13d ago30:00

30:00

In this captivating episode of "The People We Meet," host Ty Bruner introduces us to Gleason Garske, a remarkable 10-year-old bowling prodigy with an extraordinary story to tell. As the first episode of "The Voices of the Kids" series, this narrative delves into the life of Gleason, a fourth-grader with a zest for life, who effortlessly balances sc…

1
Finding Your Center in Chaos 32:10

18d ago32:10

32:10

Send us a text Searching for calm in a world that feels like it's spinning out of control? Author Ellen Seigel offers a refreshing antidote to our collective anxiety with her five-step approach to finding peace amid chaos. Ellen joins the SheSweet Society to share the deeply personal journey that led to her book "Be Happy No Matter What." From a ch…

1
Judge Milton Mack's Mission to Reform Mental Healthcare 27:14

14d ago27:14

27:14

Send us a text Judge Milton Mack shares his mission to reform the mental health system by moving from crisis intervention to early treatment and prevention. His groundbreaking work in Michigan demonstrates how changing laws and procedures can dramatically improve outcomes while reducing costs. • Moving from an inpatient model to an outpatient world…

1
From Diagnosis to Detention: How Schizophrenia Changed Two Lives Forever 24:04

15d ago24:04

24:04

Send us a text Carly, a licensed clinical social worker and mother, shares her 30-year journey navigating her son's schizophrenia diagnosis and the healthcare system's failures that led to his year-long incarceration. • Son diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 17, now 47 years old • Early signs included not wanting to get out of bed, not going to sc…

1
Ashley Smith: from crisis to advocacy 28:57

16d ago28:57

28:57

Send us a text Ashley Smith, an advocate, author, and speaker, shares her powerful journey of recovery from schizophrenia and how she transformed a legal crisis into a platform for mental health advocacy. Through her blog "Overcoming Schizophrenia," seven self-published books, and work with organizations like NAMI and the Curious Foundation, Ashley…

1
Katie R. Dale's Mental Health Story: Living Beyond Crazy 27:29

17d ago27:29

27:29

Send us a text Katie R. Dale shares her journey from hospital patient to mental health author and advocate, offering insights into living with bipolar disorder type 1 with psychotic features and how writing became her path to healing and helping others. • Started blogging in 2014 after hospitalization as self-therapy before expanding into professio…

1
The Impact of Quality and High Reliability in Healthcare with Dr. Peggy Duggan and Dr. Laura Haubner 28:54

17d ago28:54

28:54

In this episode of Voices of Experience podcast, host Amber Washington sits down with Tampa General Hospital leaders Dr. Peggy Duggan, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Physician Executive, and Dr. Laura Haubner, Chief Quality Officer, to explore what it truly means to deliver quality and high reliability in healthcare. They discuss how these princip…

1
Tim Murphy's Fight for Mental Health Reform 30:22

18d ago30:22

30:22

Send us a text Tim Murphy, former congressman and psychologist, shares his journey advocating for mental health reform through the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act and highlights the systemic failures in America's approach to serious mental illness. • Serious mental illness requires different treatment approaches than general mental hea…

1
Journey into Crime Scenes: Gabrielle Wimer Uncovers Real-Life CSI Adventures 56:22

19d ago56:22

56:22

In this episode of Quirky Podcast, Logan Quirk chats with Gabrielle Wimer, a seasoned crime scene investigator with over 15 years of experience. Gabrielle shares her journey from growing up in Northern California to pursuing her passion for crime scene investigation, highlighting the importance of education and internships in her field. The convers…

1
Haley Graham : A Conversation on Mental Health, Autism, and Finding Your Way 26:04

19d ago26:04

26:04

Send us a text Psychotherapist Haley Graham shares her journey from pharmacist to mental health advocate after her son's struggle with school led her to found the Bounce Brighter Futures Foundation. Her personal experience with neurodivergence drives her passion for supporting children, parents, and teachers through therapeutic storytelling and com…

1
The Art of Healing: How Creativity Shapes Medicine with Dr. Baumgaertel, MD 27:18

20d ago27:18

27:18

Send us a text What happens when a high-producing physician decides to walk away from a successful 25-year medical career? Dr. Susan Baumgaertel shares her transformative journey from traditional internal medicine to patient advocacy and authorship in this candid conversation. Dr. Baumgaertel's story begins with a familiar scenario—working nonstop,…

1
Patrick Kennedy on Autism,Mental Health, Addiction, and Political Change 33:14

20d ago33:14

33:14

Send us a text Patrick Kennedy shares his journey from Congressman to mental health advocate, revealing how his family history and personal struggles with addiction shaped his mission to transform America's approach to mental health care. • Passed the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act by attaching it to the 2008 bank bailout bill • Advo…

1
Breaking the Healthcare Mold: A New Era of Patient-Centered Care 1:30:56

21d ago1:30:56

1:30:56

In this captivating episode of "The People We Meet," host Ty Bruner sits down with Dr. Jake Deakins, a physician who dared to step away from corporate medicine to pursue a more patient-focused approach. From the EMT trenches to establishing a thriving wellness clinic, Dr. Deakins shares his journey through the complex landscape of healthcare, highl…

1
From Social Work to Property Management: Building Communities with Compassion 30:12

25d ago30:12

30:12

Send us a text Have you ever discovered that someone you've known for years has been walking a parallel professional path without either of you realizing it? That's exactly what happened when I sat down with my longtime friend Katie Elsass for this eye-opening conversation about affordable housing, compassionate property management, and finding pur…

1
Judge Liefman: Breaking the Cycle of Autism and Mental Illness in Criminal Justice 31:40

21d ago31:40

31:40

Send us a text Judge Steven Leifman shares his remarkable journey from witnessing horrific conditions in a state psychiatric hospital as a teenager to becoming a leading judicial advocate for mental health reform. His work in Miami-Dade County has transformed how the criminal justice system handles people with mental illness, saving millions of dol…

1
Christine Vester: Humanity Over Handcuffs: Protecting Autistic Lives in Legal Battles 16:59

22d ago16:59

16:59

Send us a text Christine Vester shares her mission with Humanity Over Handcuffs, a national advocacy movement protecting autistic individuals from being criminalized by the justice system. Her organization supports families, educates legal professionals, and works toward reforming a system that often treats neurological differences as criminal beha…

1
Carol Nesteikis: Autism and the Justice System 25:06

23d ago25:06

25:06

Send us a text Carol Nistakis shares her family's painful journey through the justice system after her autistic son was manipulated into illegal activity by a neighbor. Her decade-long fight for justice led her to cofound D3, an organization helping families navigate the unique challenges autistic individuals face in legal proceedings. • Began advo…

1
Areva Martin: How One Mother Became an Everyday Autism Advocate 27:19

24d ago27:19

27:19

Send us a text CNN contributor and civil rights attorney Areva Martin shares her personal journey of raising an autistic son while becoming a powerful advocate for disability rights and creating systemic change. • Son Marty's autism diagnosis at age two prompted an intensive learning journey • Navigated overwhelming and often inaccurate information…

1
Life as Kidney Transplant Donors with Michael and Debbie Lundberg 40:53

25d ago40:53

40:53

In honor of National Donate Life Month, this powerful episode of Voices of Experience highlights the inspiring journey of Advisors Michael and Debbie Lundberg, living kidney donors who turned personal compassion into a life-saving gift. Join host Amber Washington as she sits down with Advisors Michael and Debbie Lundberg to discuss what motivated t…

1
Ruth Johnston: Autism and Schizophrenia: A Mother's Fight for Change 30:54

25d ago30:54

30:54

Send us a text Ruth Johnston shares her harrowing journey as the mother of an autistic son who developed schizophrenia, and how this experience drove her to advocate for Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania following a family tragedy. • Ruth's son was diagnosed with autism as a teenager, after she had already been h…

1
Angela Calzone's Vision:Integrating disabilities into the workforce 24:53

26d ago24:53

24:53

Send us a text Angela Calzone shares how Inroads to Opportunities supports individuals with disabilities through comprehensive programs designed to facilitate meaningful employment. The organization's business-oriented approach focuses on integration, skills development, and changing employer perceptions about hiring people with both visible and in…

1
Brian Shrader: How Autism is Misunderstood in the Legal System 28:24

27d ago28:24

28:24

Send us a text Brian Shrader, a criminal defense attorney with experience as both prosecutor and defender, exposes how the justice system profoundly fails people with autism and mental health conditions. • Autism often leads to escalation during police encounters rather than directly causing criminal behavior • Mental health training is virtually n…

1
From Brooklyn to the PBA Tour: Eddie Williams' Journey 1:03:54

28d ago1:03:54

1:03:54

Join host Ty Bruner as he sits down with Eddie Williams, a professional bowler from Spokane, Washington. In this episode of "The People We Meet," Eddie shares his fascinating journey from a young boy in Brooklyn to becoming a bowling pro in Southern California. Discover how his family's love for the sport shaped his passion and led to a lifetime de…

1
Judge Kim Taylor:A Judge's Journey with Autism 26:30

28d ago26:30

26:30

Send us a text Judge Kim Taylor shares her journey as a pioneering female judge and mother of a son with autism, revealing how personal experience fueled her advocacy for autism awareness in the criminal justice system. Her work began after learning about Sidney Templeton, a young man with autism who died in police custody due to officers' lack of …

1
Understanding Autism Through Music: An Acoustic Evening for a Cause 15:47

29d ago15:47

15:47

Send us a text We broadcast live from the Nashville Palace for a special remote podcast supporting "An Acoustic Evening for Autism," bringing together musicians who share their personal connections to autism awareness. • Jamie O'Neill describes how having a cousin with autism inspired her participation in the benefit concert • Jamie emphasizes the …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Compass Navigating Healthcare Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen