When Life Gets Tough

Check out our monthly podcast, ‘When Life Gets Tough,’ where we tackle timely and relevant mental health topics in an easy-to-understand way. The podcast features guests from Foundation 2 Crisis Services and the community, bringing together expertise from many different mental health fields.

Suicide content warning: this podcast may contain discussion about thoughts of suicide. Use discretion when listening.

Listen below or on Spotify, Anchor, or YouTube.

Episode 1: The Words We Use Matter

Do you know what phrases to use, or how to start a conversation about mental health? We will walk you through best practices with Foundation 2 CEO Emily Blomme.

Episode 2: Youth Mental Health in the Era of COVID-19

In this episode, we talk about the mental health challenges many youths are struggling with, how to spot warning signs, and what to do if you are concerned about a child or teen in your life. We welcome Sydney Carpintero, youth services coordinator with Foundation 2 Crisis Services.

Episode 3: Life after Loss: Taylor’s Story of Resilience

Suicide content warning: this podcast episode contains a substantial discussion about suicide and thoughts of suicide. Please use discretion when listening.

This month, we welcome Taylor Vanderlind, who tells her story of her dad Brian’s death by suicide in 2018. Taylor reflects on navigating life after loss, and how she has pivoted to become a dedicated advocate for mental health access and suicide prevention and intervention services. Taylor now lives with her husband and their dog in Cedar Rapids.

Episode 4: When You’re in Crisis

Suicide content warning: this podcast episode contains a substantial discussion about suicide and thoughts of suicide. Please use discretion when listening.

This month, we welcome Justin Reeg, our Crisis Center Program Manager. Learn what it’s like to call the Crisis Center and how our crisis counselors can help you or a loved one during a time of crisis.

Episode 5: Iowa Giving Crew: The grassroots movement of ‘Iowa Nice’ and mental health care

Suicide content warning: this podcast episode discussion about suicide and thoughts of suicide. Please use discretion when listening.

This month, we welcome Nick Dusil and Jesse Theoming from the Iowa Giving Crew. Hear how a Thanksgiving prank led to the formation of the Iowa Giving Crew, an expanding grassroots movement that supports individuals in need, including those experiencing mental health struggles. Nick and Jesse talk about what the organization means to them, including their personal stories of friends lost through suicide and how to it motivates them to support mental health and suicide prevention efforts.

Episode 6: PRIDE Month (Part 1) – Building an Inclusive Health Care Environment

This month, we welcome Bryan Mullen, a Foundation 2 Crisis Services board member, health care professional, and member of the LGBTIA+ community. Bryan talks about challenges members of the LGBTQIA+ population can face in accessing equitable, educated health care, as well as ways the community and healthcare providers can be active allies.

Episode 6: PRIDE Month (Part 2) – Building Inclusive Communities

In part 2 of our Pride Month podcasts, we welcome Nina Sheller, a Foundation 2 Crisis Services board member and member of the LGBTIA+ community. Nina talks about her experience coming out as bisexual in her 20s, how she encourages inclusivity for the LGBTQIA+ population, and resources for LGBTQIA+ youth, families, and allies. She also recommends ways to help parents have age-appropriate conversations about gender identity and orientation with their children.

Episode 7: Celebrating 52 Years of Crisis Services

Happy anniversary! We are celebrating 52 years of crisis services this month, and invited CEO Emily Blomme to reflect on the recent agency growth and new, exciting changes in our future! Learn about the rollout of the national 988 mental health crisis number, where we are going in the next year, and more. 

Episode 8: What is 988?

This month, we welcome Foundation 2 Crisis Services COO Erin Langdon to talk about the newly re-branded 988 national suicide crisis line and how we are serving more Iowans than ever with its rollout. Learn how you can better access mental health support and dispel myths about the long-time service, operated through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  To ask questions, contact us at info@foundation2.org.

Episode 9: Your Role in Suicide Prevention

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and guest Drew Martel, Chief Clinical and Training Officer, talks with us about suicide trends, stats and information, and how you can be a valued piece of prevention and intervention. Note: this episode does contain content about death by suicide and thoughts of suicide. Please use caution when listening if these topics may be activating for you.

Episode 10: When you’re in crisis, we come to you

This month, Lejla Ford, Foundation 2 Crisis Services Mobile Crisis Outreach program manager, talks about how we respond to individuals in crisis in the community, including the hospital, at home, at work, or in a public space. Lejla also talks about her life experiences growing up in Bosnia and how she transformed it into a strong sense of resilience and career in crisis services.  

Community-based Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) classes are coming soon. Learn more about training opportunities or contact “When Life Gets Tough” host Katie Curtis at kcurtis@foundation2.org to learn more. 

Episode 11: Becoming an Advocate: ‘You can have that conversation with them to keep them safe.’

This month, our Board of Directors President Samantha McGrane talks about what led her to become an advocate for mental health and gives practical tips for how you be an advocate in your community and with loved ones. 

Community-based Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST) classes are available. Learn more about training opportunities or contact “When Life Gets Tough” Katie Curtis at kcurtis@foundation2.org to learn more.

Episode 12: What does it look like to prioritize self-care?

This month, we talk to Kara Grafft, education liaison at Four Oaks Family & Children’s Services, International Institute of Restorative Practices(IIRP) trainer, and certified Hatha Yoga and Mindfulness/Meditation Teacher. She walks us through what effective self-care can look like and how to implement it in practical ways.

Episode 13: Self-Care Exercise for Wellness: Practicing Mindfulness

This month, we are sharing a mindfulness exercise led by Jana Mahmens, licensed therapist and MCO counselor, to help you practice self-care for mental wellness. Jana takes you through a 15-minute mindfulness exercise to help you clean your mind, create a feeling of calm, and improve your mood.

Episode 14: Law Enforcement Liaisons: Providing skilled mental health care in an emergency

This month, we host Nicole Watters, law enforcement mental health liaison with the Cedar Rapids Police Department. Nicole talks about her role, including what calls she responds to, how she approaches mental health care in an emergency situation, and how she helps individuals and families with a trauma-informed care approach.