Today marks a bright new season for Thoughtful Human — I am so proud and excited to be joining forces with Maya Enista Smith and introduce you to her as the new President of Thoughtful Human.

Maya is an absolute force — by this I mean a lifelong change-maker, community builder, kindness champion, political, social, and mental health advocate and — lucky for me — a greeting card fanatic. She offers a robust background in leadership roles across non-profits, technology, and social entrepreneurship, most recently serving as the Executive Director of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation for over a decade, where she led initiatives to support youth mental health and empower young people to create a kinder, braver world.

Join Maya and I as we get to know each other, as we reconnect with you, and as we start to build the future of this company.

In this episode:

[00:21]: (Re) Introducing Thoughtful Human

[6:05 / 19:31]: Maya’s background and personal mission

[27:25]: Mental health and misconceptions about Gen Z

[32:25]: How to create a movement around a social issue

[25:20]: How one comes to work with Lady Gaga

[48:43]: Grief – what people are getting and right and wrong

[1:09:52]: What lead Maya to send 524 greeting cards in 2012

[1:05:10]: Who dumped a jug of orange juice on Maya’s head and why

[1:16:16]: Maya’s beef with Thoughtful Human

[1:22:26]: Where we’re heading and what we need from you!

Resources:

• The JED Foundation
• Bring Change to Mind

If you want to follow along in our journey or check out our products, find us at our website thoughtfulhuman.co, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Today’s conversation is all about body image and eating disorders.

This episode touches on both the everyday challenges related to body image, as well as a deeper discussion about clinical eating disorders and how we can create honest, safe spaces to talk about them with our loved ones.

To help us do this, I am joined by Dr. Margo Maine. Dr. Maine is a clinical psychologist who has specialized in eating disorders and related issues for over 35 years. She is one of the founders of the National Eating Disorders Association, as well as an author and speaker, in addition to her private practice.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The differences between different types of EDs
• Language that may be helpful and harmful in approaching conversations about body image
• Common misconceptions about EDs vs how and why eating disorders develop
• Effective ways to open up conversations about an eating disorder
• Relational Cultural Theory (RCT) and Dr. Maine’s psychoeducational approach to treatment
• Prevention and some practical tools for self acceptance

Resources:

• The Body Project: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-involved/the-body-project
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
• You can also call or text the NEDA helpline at (800) 931-2237.

If you want to follow along in our journey or check out our products, find us at our website thoughtfulhuman.co, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

P.S. If you or someone you love needs access to a month of free online therapy: betterhelp.com/thoughtfulhuman.

It's National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and today's episide offers an exploration of suicide and the many ways we can support those who are struggling today.

To help educate us on this subject are two guests, Meredith Sears, Ph.D — a clinical psychologist who specializes in suicide prevention and serves as the President of the Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and Brittney Elko — an AFSP board member who shares her personal story of loss, and her expertise as a 988/TALK crisis line volunteer and organizer of ASFP's Healing Conversations program.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 7:25: Specific vocabulary that may be helpful and harmful in conversations about suicide
• 18:20: Stigma and common misconceptions about suicide and suicide attempts vs. the true nature of depression and suicidal ideation
• 31:30: What you can say or do when someone discloses that they are having suicidal thoughts
• 48:30: Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• 55:20: Firearms, lethal means safety, and other effective prevention strategies
• 1:04:35: Postvention and the unique, complex nature of grieving a suicide loss
• 1:20:40: Three recommendations for anyone feeling suicidal today or supporting someone with suicidal thoughts today

Resources:

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Healing Conversations
• Safe Plan App

Sources & mentions from this episode:

• AFSP statistics 
• NAMI statistics
• Centre for Suicide Prevention: How Many People Are Affected by One Suicide

If you want to follow along in our journey or check out our products, find us at our website thoughtfulhuman.co, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

P.S. If you or someone you love needs access to a month of free online therapy: betterhelp.com/thoughtfulhuman.

In today’s episode we round out our series with the Success Stories Program team, with a conversation with their Co-Executive Director, Mannie Thomas III. Mannie shares his personal story and how violence became his primary response to conflict and complex emotions. He describes his feelings in the face of a life sentence, and the ways in which this conflicted with his sense of self and role in his community.

He walks us through his educational journey, and dives deeper into the broader systems of justice — the difference between punitive, restorative, and transformative models and what really drives accountability, safety, and healing. We also talk more explicitly about toxic masculinity’s role in women’s issues and sexual assault — how men participate in and perpetuate rape culture, and what genuine allyship and empowerment look like.

Finally, we talk about the vision and future of Success Stories — early education for kids and parents, and what he’s most hopeful about when it comes to the work they are doing.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Success Stories Program

The Feminist On Cellblock Y

Thoughtful Human x Success Stories

Donate to Success Stories

If you want to follow along in our journey or check out our products, find us at our website thoughtfulhuman.co, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

P.S. If you or someone you love needs access to a month of free online therapy: betterhelp.com/thoughtfulhuman.

In today's episode, we continue our series with the men of Success Stories Program and one of their Transformational Coaches, Graham Finochio. Throughout this conversation, we discuss some of his early trauma, how he came to identify as a skinhead, how prison reinforced his beliefs around toxic masculinity and white supremacy, and the moment things started to change for him.

He walks us through his personal transformation and his thoughts on forgiveness, amends, and what healthy love looks like. He shares more about the curriculum Success Stories offers to help guide men toward a similar path, and leaves us with tips on how to approach these types of conversations within our own relationships.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Success Stories Program

The Feminist On Cellblock Y

Thoughtful Human x Success Stories

Donate to Success Stories

If you want to follow along in our journey or check out our products, find us at our website thoughtfulhuman.co, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

P.S. If you or someone you love needs access to a month of free online therapy: betterhelp.com/thoughtfulhuman.

In today's episode, we'll be kicking off a series of conversations with the men of Success Stories Program, a nonprofit organization led by formerly incarcerated men who lead transformational feminist programs for people who have caused harm.

Chris Johnson is a Transformational Coach and Growth Coordinator on the Success Stories team. In this conversation, we discuss his pursuit of manhood, what it cost him, how he found his way to healing and integrity in the face of a 65-year prison sentence, and how he's helping other men transform harmful ideas and behaviors.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Success Stories Program

The Feminist On Cellblock Y

Thoughtful Human x Success Stories

Donate to Success Stories

If you want to follow along in our journey or check out our products, find us at our website thoughtfulhuman.co, or find us on Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, and Twitter!

P.S. If you or someone you love needs access to a month of free online therapy: betterhelp.com/thoughtfulhuman.

Janine Kwoh is the owner, author, illustrator of stationery company Kwohtations and the forthcoming book Welcome to the Grief Club, which addresses many of the surprising, confusing, brutal, funny, and downright bizarre parts of grief.

Throughout this conversation, we discuss the unexpected loss of Janine’s partner, the distinct challenges of navigating grief in your 20s, the evolution of grief from day 1 to years 5 and 10, some of our most strange and inconsistent grief behaviors, moments of frustration and invincibility and, of course, some tips for those who are currently grieving and those who are supporting a loved one in this process.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Kwohtations

The Dinner Party

Stephen Colbert & Anderson Cooper Clip on Grief and Gratitude

If you want to follow along in our journey or check out our products, find us at our website thoughtfulhuman.co, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

P.S. If you or someone you love needs access to a month of free online therapy: betterhelp.com/thoughtfulhuman.

Ali talks with Jenelle, the founder and Executive Director of the STI Project. Jenelle is a fierce advocate fighting to dismantle the stigma surrounding STIs through awareness and education.

In their conversation, they discuss Jenelle's personal journey with herpes, how to check in with those in your life with an STI diagnosis, trust and disclosure in friendships and romantic relationships, the psychology of disgust and gauging people's capacity for conversations of this nature, and the importance of sharing STI stories.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The STI Project

American Sexual Health Association

PositiveSingles.com

The STI Project Social Medias: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

If you want to follow along in our journey or check out our products, find us at our website thoughtfulhuman.co, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

P.S. If you or someone you love needs access to a month of free online therapy: betterhelp.com/thoughtfulhuman.

Ali talks with Elizabeth Franklin, Ph.D, President of the Cancer Support Community (CSC). CSC is the largest provider of social and emotional support services for cancer patients offering over $50 million in free cancer support services each year across 175 locations worldwide.

In their conversation Ali and Elizabeth discuss the current cancer landscape, innovations in the colorectal cancer space, the stigma around colorectal and lung cancers, words that harm and words that heal, what a "good death" means, long-term needs of patients and caregivers, and how you can advocate for your loved ones.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Cancer Support Community

If you want to follow along in our journey or check out our products, find us at our website thoughtfulhuman.co, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

P.S. If you or someone you love needs access to a month of free online therapy: betterhelp.com/thoughtfulhuman.

Ali talks with Ben, a former naval aviator whose life took an abrupt turn when he was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 26.

In their conversation, they discuss Ben's unexpected diagnosis, overcoming shame and navigating life with a colostomy bag, how he approached the statistics and faced his mortality, the long-term impacts of treatment, the importance of caregivers, how having a life-threatening disease has changed his worldview, and how to show up for someone with a colorectal cancer diagnosis.

Ali also shares more about testing, her first colonoscopy experience, and where to turn for further guidance.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Fight Colorectal Cancer

American Cancer Society - Cancer Action Network (CAN) for Colorectal Cancer

Ben Moon's “Denali”

Ben White’s Instagram

If you want to follow along in our journey or check out our products, find us at our website thoughtfulhuman.co, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

P.S. If you or someone you love need access to a month of free online therapy: betterhelp.com/thoughtfulhuman.

Ali talks with Angelica Catalano, the Director of Social Impact at The Mighty, the world's largest digital health community. Angelica has lived with ulcerative colitis over 25 years. According to the CDC, in 2015 around 3 million U.S. adults reported being diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

In their conversation, they discuss Angelica's personal journey with ulcerative colitis, both physically and mentally, they chat about the differences and parallels between their experiences with ulcerative colitis, and they leave specific tips on how to navigate conversations with your loved ones impacted by ulcerative colitis and any health challenges.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

www.themighty.com

The Mighty's Ulcerative Colitis Condition Guide

Crohn's and Colitis Foundation

Girls With Guts

*CORRECTION NOTICE: IBS stands for "irritable bowel syndrome", not "inflammatory bowel syndrome" as stated in the episode intro.

If you want to follow along in our journey or check out our products, find us at our website thoughtfulhuman.co, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

P.S. If you or someone you love need access to a month of free online therapy: betterhelp.com/thoughtfulhuman.

Hi friends! My name is Ali O’Grady and I’m so excited to introduce you to Thoughtful Human, the podcast.

I lost my favorite human to colorectal cancer in 2011 and have been on a complex journey with grief ever since. I have watched many family members and friends struggle with addiction and other mental health issues, and seen firsthand the devastating effects for everyone involved.

I began to notice the glaring communication issues all around me and started asking others about their experiences. Two things became very clear: 1) people are absolutely desperate to talk about their pain and struggles and 2) people are absolutely terrified to ask or bring it up. I wanted to change that.

Join me, as I talk with individuals and expert to explore uncomfortable subjects and how we can show up for the people we love within challenging circumstances. We’ll explore why certain topics are so hard to discuss, and how we can break down barriers to communication. We will talk about shame and its role in isolating us and exacerbating many of these challenges. We’ll talk about what has and hasn’t helped for certain people, and some specific sensitivities and vocabulary to consider along the way.

Learn more about us at thoughtfulhuman.co. and help make this podcast your own — share your story, share your feedback, share your needs — we're listening: podcast@thoughtfulhuman.co

P.S. If you or someone you love need access to a month of free online therapy: betterhelp.com/thoughtfulhuman

Hey friends – welcome to Thoughtful Human, the podcast. We’ll be talking with individuals and experts about everything from cancer, addiction, grief, and mental health, to some highly stigmatized, often taboo subjects like herpes, domestic violence, suicide, and more.

If the mention of any of these subjects makes you feel a little uneasy, well, that's exactly the point. We’ll use this space to explore why these subjects are so hard to discuss, and how we can break down barriers to communication and get our loved ones the support they need. Each episode, we’ll leave you with tangible tips to help you move through your own roadblocks and approach these conversations in your relationships.