In this episode of Chaplaincy on the Go, we sit down with Tessa Sterling, LMSW, LCSW, Clinical Director at Sanford Behavioral Health, for a conversation about what it means to care for the whole person in a time of increasing mental health and behavioral health needs.

Tessa brings extensive experience across inpatient psychiatric care, residential treatment, eating disorder treatment, OCD programming, substance use treatment, and adolescent mental health. Her career has taken her from Michigan to Chicago and now back to West Michigan, where she helps lead Sanford Behavioral Health's clinical programming and continued expansion of specialized care.

Together, we'll explore the work Sanford is doing to serve individuals and families throughout West Michigan and beyond, including the continuum of care available for people navigating mental health concerns, eating disorders, substance use, and co-occurring conditions.

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In this episode, we sit down with author Lindsey Vesnic to discuss her book Raising Light—a heartfelt journey through faith, motherhood, suffering, and the everyday moments that shape a family. Lindsey shares how seasons of infertility, loss, unanswered prayers, and ultimately the joy of motherhood transformed her understanding of God's faithfulness.

Together, we explore what it means to intentionally raise children who reflect the light of Christ in a culture often driven by achievement, comparison, and distraction. From building meaningful family rhythms and cultivating resilient faith to embracing the imperfections of parenting, Lindsey offers practical wisdom and honest encouragement for parents at every stage.

Whether you're raising young children, walking through a difficult season, or simply longing to lead your family with greater purpose, this conversation is a reminder that God is often preparing redemption long before we recognize it. Raising Light invites us to see parenting not as the pursuit of perfection, but as the daily opportunity to point our children toward hope, grace, and the enduring light of Christ.

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This episode features Lori Kroll, the founder of Love and Lean, an initiative created to honor her son Zak’s life and legacy. What began as grief has turned into purpose—impacting lives, building awareness, and creating a lasting ripple effect of hope and meaning.

Love and Lean exists to ensure Zak’s story continues to make a difference—transforming loss into legacy and pain into purpose.

This conversation explores the intersection of grief, legacy, faith, and how one life—though gone too soon—can continue shaping others in powerful ways.

LOVE yourself and know that your pain is real, but so is hope.

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LEAN on others (faith, family, friends, teachers, neighbors, co-workers, coaches, counselors, healthcare professionals and community) for help, because the more you lean, the stronger you grow in mental fitness.

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