When Sean Goddard swapped his chef's knife for a nurse's cap, little did he know how his love for nurturing through food would translate into a passion for mental wellbeing. On a heartfelt journey through the corridors of Viking Psychiatry, our latest episode uncovers Sean's innovative interventions that challenge the status quo of mental health care. Nestled in the heart of Fort Wayne, Indiana, this visionary has created a space where traditional medication meets creative healing, offering a mental tune-up that seems more necessary now than ever in our post-COVID world.
We explore not only the professional but also the deeply personal as Sean shares his own struggles and the transformative encounter with a counselor that steered him toward his current path. From his favorite comfort foods to the tougher times on the streets and in group homes, his story is a compelling tapestry that illustrates the power of human connection and resilience. Tune in for a conversation that promises to be as rich and satisfying as Sean's most complimented dish, chicken curry, and just as comforting as his beloved chicken and dumplings.
When Sean Goddard swapped his chef's knife for a nurse's cap, little did he know how his love for nurturing through food would translate into a passion for mental wellbeing. On a heartfelt journey through the corridors of Viking Psychiatry, our latest episode uncovers Sean's innovative interventions that challenge the status quo of mental health care. Nestled in the heart of Fort Wayne, Indiana, this visionary has created a space where traditional medication meets creative healing, offering a mental tune-up that seems more necessary now than ever in our post-COVID world.
We explore not only the professional but also the deeply personal as Sean shares his own struggles and the transformative encounter with a counselor that steered him toward his current path. From his favorite comfort foods to the tougher times on the streets and in group homes, his story is a compelling tapestry that illustrates the power of human connection and resilience. Tune in for a conversation that promises to be as rich and satisfying as Sean's most complimented dish, chicken curry, and just as comforting as his beloved chicken and dumplings.
Welcome to the Viking Psychiatry Podcast, where you get the support you need when you need it. At the helm is Sean Goddard, owner of Viking Psychiatry, veteran and dual certified nurse practitioner specializing in mental health.
Speaker 2:
Join us as we dive into the mind behind Viking Psychiatry, Sean Goddard. Discover his unique approach to mental health and wellness. What drives his passion and how is Viking psychiatry changing the landscape of psychiatric care? Don't miss this insightful conversation.
Speaker 3:
So, Sean how are you doing today? I'm doing great thanks. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2:
We're happy to have you. So, sean, you've built an impressive following over the years. It's clear your show has gained significant momentum. However, some of our listeners might not be familiar with you or your business. How about we start there? Could you share with everyone a bit about your company and what is it you do?
Speaker 3:
Absolutely. I own Viking Psychiatry in Fort Wayne, indiana, and we're what's called an individual psychiatric practice, and that's just a fancy way of saying. We like to intervene in mental health, for example, like depression, in ways that might be a little bit outside the box. So it's not just about a pill anymore. It's about interventions that we can do to improve outcomes and improve the way people feel.
Speaker 2:
And that's very much needed in these days. You know, I think post-COVID people are going through a lot of stress and everybody needs a little tune-up right.
Speaker 3:
Absolutely. You know, one of the positive things that did come out of COVID is helping reduce the stigma associated with mental health, and so people are more likely to get out there and try to get some help.
Speaker 2:
So, Sean, when you're not busy running your business, what do you like to have fun?
Speaker 3:
Yeah, I love to cook. Actually, I almost became a chef before I got into this line of work. A funny story behind it. I enrolled in culinary arts school before I did initially in my nursing school and I showed up to culinary arts school and then they said, oh, here's all your classes and they were nothing but business management. And I said what? No knives, no cutting things, no fancy decorations, no cooking, steak filet, mignon, nothing. And so I unenrolled from the program and walked across the street and enrolled in nursing school and said but I've always had a passion of cooking and I think one of the reasons why is because I love cooking for other people, I love taking care of other people, right, and cooking is just another way that you can do that. I'm a huge outdoor person. I love traveling and hiking and going out into the mountains and just really finding what nature has to offer us, because getting away from all the busyness and all the sounds, I think it's really important it's good.
Speaker 2:
So what's your favorite dish?
Speaker 3:
Oh, favorite dish to have cooked for me or to cook for somebody else. That's, that's the real question. You know, I grew up on the West coast but there is something about chicken and dumplings that just drives me crazy. So I love it's a carb load dinner chicken and dumplings with mashed potatoes, macaroni, cheese and biscuits. So you know dinner chicken and dumplings with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and biscuits. So you know, carbs with carbs, with carbs with carbs. But cooking for other people, I kind of toss up between red beans and rice and chicken curry. I love cooking both and they're, I guess, my two most complimented dishes.
Speaker 2:
I'm from Jamaica, we call it rice and peas Rice and peas. I'm from Jamaica, we call it rice and peas Rice and peas. So, sean, you're a pretty busy guy. My gosh, I can hardly catch up with you.
Speaker 3:
In your words, why are you doing this? You know I grew up in the system, so group homes, boys, ranches, that type of stuff. I even spent some time on the street as I was growing up and I was really headed in the wrong direction. And there was a counselor at the last group home I was at, and counselor not in the sense of therapist, but counselor as in kind of like camp counselor.
Speaker 3:
Right, that took me up in the hills Sunny Hills, california, and San Isabel, california, excuse me, sunny Hills group home, and it was called that for a reason took me up in the hills and we spent four hours up there talking and I don't remember the entire conversation, just bits and pieces. But he connected with me and I came down that hill, changed Now by no means perfect, right, but a desire to improve my life and to see better outcomes for myself. And it just that one person to take that time and try to make a difference with me and that stayed with me. And so I truly believe that sometimes it only takes one person to help somebody make a difference and change their outcomes in their life, their mental health, et cetera. And so I have a passion to either myself, to be that one person or be involved with the staff or in the referral et cetera that can make that happen for people.
Speaker 2:
That's so true. That's so true. Happen for people. That's so true, that's so true. Listen, sean. We look forward to some future interviews where we're going to touch on some FEQ question. Love it, you have a wonderful rest of the day. We'll see you in the next episode.
Speaker 3:
All right, I appreciate it. Look forward to talking to you again.
Speaker 1:
Thanks for listening to the Viking Psychiatry Podcast, where you get the support you need when you need it. For a complimentary consultation, visit vikingpsychiatrycom or call 260-459-9225. That's 260-459-9225.