Mental Perk
Real people...Real Issues...Real Talk. Destigmatizing misconceptions about mental health and encourage conversations about tough topics. We understand all of us are impacted by the effects of mental health in different ways. We want to highlight guests who are winning the battle, their very real struggles, and how honest talk can change the way we view mental health. We want everyone to know "You're Worthy...We're in this together".
Episodes
49 episodes
Mental Perk Vol 50 -"Healing Beyond the Storm: Navigating the Emotional Aftermath Together of Surviving a Hurricane "
Mental Perk welcomes Brandi and Karla back to explore the impact of Hurricane Helene on mental health. This devastating storm hit the Southeast hard in September 2024, leaving behind not just physical destruction but deep emotional scars. Join ...
•
35:52
Mental Perk Vol 49-Whether You’re Passionate About a Candidate or Dreading the Results, One Thing is Certain—Election Stress is REAL.
Mental Perk welcomes Brandi and Karla back to explore the emotional rollercoaster of politics and mental health. They’ll share powerful tips on how to manage anxiety, handle heated debates, and, most importantly, prepare for the outcome—no matt...
•
37:19
Mental Perk Vol 48- Real Talk About Thoughts Feelings and Behaviors
Mental Perk welcomes back Jeffrey Armstrong, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Dallas. Jeff always brings incredible insight into the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. As an expert in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Jeff ...
•
46:52
Mental Perk Vol 47- Building Leadership through Vision, Ownership and Courage
Mental Perk welcomes Dr. Cameron Brown. Dr. Brown is a veteran and an educator who has taken his unique experiences in the military and as a high school principal to create a unique business that focuses on teaching fundamental leadership train...
•
43:48
Mental Perk Vol 46 - 911 Operator: Taking Control of a Situation to Promote Calmness and Empathy
Mental Perk welcomes Brenda Castaneda, a 911 Operator and Supervisor who talks about the challenges and rewards of being a dispatcher. Brenda highlights the importance of maintaining control and mental strength as dispatchers perform multiple r...
•
50:18
Mental Perk Vol 45 - Saving a Child from the Hands of Addiction
Mental Perk welcomes Lisa Beaty. Lisa tells her incredible and heartfelt story of her son's journey through addiction. She describes the challenges as a mother to support her child but also the toll addiction takes on individuals, families, and...
•
32:46
Mental Perk Vol 44 - "The Call": Bringing Home the Lost and Taken
Mental Perk welcomes Brianne Kelly to talk about her mission and passion, locating missing persons and supporting their families. Brianne's story started with the tragic loss on her unborn daughter and turned her pain into a remarkable cause. S...
•
45:47
Mental Perk Vol 43: The impact of Human Design
Mental Perk hosts Larry Armsteed as he discussed his own journey with mental health, how he copes, as well as his developed interest in Human Design. He discusses how human design impacts his life and business and helps him better understand pe...
•
57:47
Mental Perk Vol 42: Tourettes: Not a Disability but a Different Ability
Mental Perk welcomes Jeanna DiVietro of TicsTripsTruths to talk about her journey with Tourettes Syndrome. Jeanna approaches life with humor, perspective and inspiration as she raises awareness for Tourettes in a very unconventional way. This e...
•
47:45
Mental Perk Vol 41: It is not your time Patti....and the One True Constant
Patti Foster shares her phenomenal story of faith and hope after a near death experience and recovery from a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Following her accident, Patti is an advocate and a blessing to others who suffer with TBI. She shines her...
•
51:01
Mental Perk Vol 40: Traumatic Brain Injury: A Miraculous Story of Recovery and Hope
Aimee Muir shares her story of triumph in the face of an unthinkable automobile accident and how hope, pure determination and the support of loved ones can change inevitable circumstances. Amy used her own tragedy to change the lives of other...
•
39:28
Mental Perk Vol 39 - Using Comedy Improv to Heal Victims of Sex Trafficking
Dave Ebert is an Improv Comedian and Missionary who uses his gifts and talents to help heal the emotional pain of sex trafficking victims. Dave describes in detail how humor and comedy saved his life in his own battle with depression and suicid...
•
44:56
Mental Perk Vol 38: SWAT and Mental Health: Pain Shared is Pain Divided
Richard "Trey" Ashcroft is a career police officer, member of the Garland SWAT Team, and President of the Police Association. Trey highlights the challenges police officers face on the job and in their personal lives and the importance of manag...
•
47:43
Mental Perk Vol 37: Comedy and Grief: Living in the Moment
Mental Perk welcomes Brad Newton, a former educator, an official photographer for the Texas Rangers, as well as an Improv Comedian with a mission. Brad talks about his experience as an educator as well as his amazing career with the Texas Range...
•
46:06
Mental Perk Vol 36: Firemen and Mental Health: Don't Let Your Bucket Get Full!
Jacob Talley discusses the impact of experiencing PTSD as a firefighter and first responder. He highlights the stigma of mental health in his industry and the dangers it poses when left untreated. In this episode, Talley opens the discussion of...
•
47:51
Mental Perk Vol 35: Carrying the Log to Honor Fallen Veterans
Anthony "Tony" Monnin visits Mental Perk to talk about his non-profit organization, Carry On, that honors fallen veterans and first responders through the symbolic carrying of the log on special memorial occasions. Tony shares his first hand ex...
•
40:00
Mental Perk Vol 34: Transforming your Self-Sabotage into your Super Power
Mental Perk welcomes Elizabeth de Moraes, a formerly shy introvert turned acclaimed international performer, motivational speaker (including TEDx), master communication coach, and trained transformational coach with a career that spans multiple...
•
48:22
Mental Perk Vol 33: Discussing Modern Dating with Karla and Brandi
Karla and Brandi discuss the trials of modern dating with a nostalgic perspective. Tune in to hear details about social media, dating apps, first dates and so much more. While dating has many new challenges, one thing stands true: "You're Worth...
•
39:15
Mental Perk Vol 32: Trauma Happens...Choosing Not to be a Victim.
Dr. Sarah Wakefield, the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Texas Tech University Health Science Center and the School of Medicine, talks about her career as a Board Certified Psychiatrist, Forensic Psychiatrist as well as the amazing com...
•
51:37
Mental Perk Vol 31: Karla and Brandi Discussing Celebrities and Mental Health
Brandi and Karla highlight the importance of mental health awareness through their discussion of celebrity mental health initiatives. The Mental Perk hosts get real with their audience and really dig into normalizing mental health conversations...
•
Episode 31
•
34:21
Mental Perk: Vol 30: Firefighters and Mental Health- Everything is OK....but not really!
Justin Beamis is a firefighter who truly understands the challenges of first responders and mental health. Based on his own experiences, Justin is empowering first responders through updated and interactive trainings and making sure depar...
•
45:24
Mental Perk Vol 29: The Scourge of Fentanyl: One Pill Can Kill
DEA Special Agent Eduardo Chavez discusses the growing crisis and distribution of illegal drugs across the United States, most importantly Fentanyl. Special Agent Chavez has a career that expands over 22 years with multiple roles in the agency ...
•
50:34
Mental Perk Vol 28: The Key to Depression is Connection-We are Better Together!
Israel Lewis is a Licensed Professional Counselor for the last 25 years and the founder and director of the Sulpher Springs Counseling Center in Sulphur Springs, Texas. In this episode Israel describes his battle after a routine sur...
•
46:08
Mental Perk Vol 27: Part 2: Grief is Your Last Act of Love; Time Just Keeps Going; the Devastating Loss of a Father to a Drunk Driver
Alyssa Guzman talks about witnessing the death of her father. This episode is Part II of the story describing devastating and tragic loss Alyssa, her Mother, and two brothers faced when Sam Guzman was senselessly hit by a drunk driver while ten...
•
43:31
Mental Perk Vol 26: Part 1: Grief is Your Last Act of Love; Devastating Loss of a Spouse to a Drunk Driver
Michelle Guzman tells her heart wrenching story about losing the love of her life to a drunk driver which was also witnessed by her teenage daughter. Michelle shares who her husband, Sam Guzman, was as a person and father, their young love stor...
•
40:47