My guest today is Natalie Pennington. Natalie Pennington is an Assistant Professor in the Relating and Organizing Area with specific interests in interpersonal communication and the use of communication technology. Dr. Pennington’s research focuses primarily on meeting social connection needs and friendship. Currently she is part of an international team of experts who are helping to develop public health guidelines for social connection.

Friends play a vital role in preventing loneliness and boosting happiness and life satisfaction. Yet, people do not seem to prioritize their friendships and are spending less time in face-to-face communication. The American Friendship Project is the first nationally-representative, multi-year, longitudinal study on friendship. This project is in association with Dr. Natalie Pennington (Colorado State University) and Dr. Amanda Holmstrom (Michigan State University).

Learn more about the American Friendship Project at: https://nataliepennington.com

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My guest today is Kathleen Yopp. Kathleen is a pediatric occupational therapist with over 28 years of experience and the founder of Helping Hands Therapy in Virginia Beach, VA. Kathleen’s passion is helping parents and children achieve positive growth and development.

Helping Hands Therapy Services, PLLC, (HHTS) is a privately owned pediatric therapy practice providing physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy , as well as early intervention and developmental educational services to children of all ages. Their goal is to facilitate positive growth and development by maximizing the child’s functional abilities. They do this by establishing a collaborative environment between provider and caregiver through practice of the coaching model, demonstration of therapeutic techniques and methods, and providing education and resources for families.

Learn more at https://www.helpinghandstherapyservices.com

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My guest today is Karen Malka. Karen is a parent advocate coordinator at Pacer Center, which has the mission to improve educational opportunities and enhance the quality of life for children and young adults with disabilities and their families.

PACER Center is a nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children and young adults with disabilities and their families through advocacy, education, and support. Founded in 1977, it helps parents navigate special education systems, understand their legal rights, and access services that allow students to succeed in school and beyond. PACER is also widely known for creating National Bullying Prevention Month and leading anti-bullying initiatives that promote inclusion, kindness, and student safety. Through workshops, resources, peer support, and community outreach, the organization empowers families and schools to build more equitable and supportive environments.

Learn more at https://www.pacer.org

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My guest today is Maryann Hesse, an Embodied Authority Architect and the creator of the Authority Recalibration Method. She has worked with high-achieving women for 30 years, diagnosing and helping them recalibrate the invisible internal dynamics that determine how power reponds to them, at the identity, nervous system, and energetic signal level.

Subconscious release in psychology refers to techniques that bypass the logical mind to heal emotional, behavioral, and somatic (body-based) patterns stored in the subconscious, which governs >90% of our feelings and habits. It uses tools like visualization, breathwork, and somatic movement to process trapped emotions, "reprogram" outdated beliefs, and reduce anxiety, often without needing to verbally articulate the original, sometimes traumatic, experience.

Learn more at https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryannhesse/

For additional resources visit us at: https://robbies-hope.com

In a world often clouded by mental health challenges, the power of creativity can serve as a beacon of hope. In this episode of Hopeful Conversations, host Kari Eckert speaks with Oliver Stephen, a multi-disciplinary artist from Wrexham, whose work not only captures the essence of his community but also reflects his personal journey with mental health.

Olly’s story is the story of someone who spent years feeling like he did not belong anywhere—too different, too quiet, too misunderstood, and carrying pain he did not yet have the words to explain. As an autistic, queer young person growing up between identities and expectations, he learned to survive by turning inward, hiding his hurt behind unhealthy coping mechanisms, self-destruction, and silence. What makes his story so moving is not just the depth of that loneliness, but the honesty with which he names it now: the slow weight of depression, the isolation of feeling like everyone else was given an instruction manual for life except you, and the long, hard truth that survival sometimes begins with simply realizing you are not okay.

What changed Olly’s life was not a single miracle, but a series of brave acts—art school at age 29, counseling, sobriety, reflection, and the decision to face what had been buried inside him for years. Through photography and art, he found more than a creative outlet; he found a way to make pain visible, hold it in his hands, and begin transforming it. The camera became both shield and bridge, helping him move from being a distant observer of life to an active participant in his community. Over time, the man who once felt broken became someone students lean on, someone others trust, someone “frustratingly optimistic” enough to prove that healing is possible without pretending the wounds never existed.

At the center of Olly’s life now is connection—his hometown of Wrexham, the people around him, the rituals that ground him, and most powerfully, his nephew and niece, who gave him a living reason to keep becoming better. Their presence turned abstract hope into something deeply personal: a promise to live in a way that would show them joy is possible. And that is the heartbeat of everything he shared: it is okay to be scared, okay to feel deeply, okay to need other people. On the other side of fear, difference, and pain, there can still be belonging. There can still be purpose. There can still be love..

Visit Oliver’s website at https://www.oliverstephenphotography.com

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My guest today is Amanda Hardin is a Registered Nurse and nationally certified firearms instructor with over a decade of experience in firearm safety, emergency response, and personal defense education. Her work sits at the intersection of healthcare, public safety, and prevention, with a focus on practical education, ethical decision-making, and real-world application.

As the Executive Director of the Mind & Safety Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education organization, Amanda leads the development of evidence-based education and training programs designed for professionals, institutions and community organizations operating in complex safety environments. Under her leadership, the Institute delivers education across multiple disciplines, including healthcare, public safety, education, and community systems, supporting informed, responsible engagement around safety, risk, and prevention.

Amanda’s professional background bridges clinical healthcare training with extensive experience in firearms education and safety instruction. Her work emphasizes cultural competence, legal awareness, and non-stigmatizing approaches to firearm-related topics, helping organizations strengthen trust, reduce barriers to engagement, and navigate sensitive issues without political framing.

Through her leadership at the Mind & Safety Institute, Amanda is committed to advancing education that supports both public safety and individual responsibility, while creating space for informed, respectful conversations in the communities professionals serve.

Learn more at https://www.mindandsafetyinstitute.org

My guest today is Devin Daniels, the Director of Adolescent Services at Cenikor Foundation in Houston, Texas. More than 2 million teens in the US abuse drugs once every month.

Teen substance use can quickly disrupt dreams before they even begin. The earlier we intervene, the better the outcome. Early intervention services are designed to catch the warning signs of substance use and behavioral concerns before they become lifelong struggles. Through brief interventions, screenings, and family education, it is critical empower teens and their families to take proactive steps toward healing. Whether your teen is starting to experiment with substances or showing changes in behavior, early action can help restore balance at home and at school.

For nearly six decades, Cenikor has been an advocate and ally for a stigmatized class of people and continues to serve those from diverse walks of life. Everyone deserves a chance at recovery. When we remove the barriers and meet people where they are, incredible things can happen. Being able to afford our programs makes getting into treatment easier. So does the ability to see and speak to someone relatable and familiar. Many of our team are in recovery, allowing for deep connection and empathy.

Learn more at https://www.cenikor.org

For additional resources visit us at: https://robbies-hope.com

My guest today is Sarah Frank, an author and founder of the non-profit Simple Studies. Simple Studies was founded in order to combat education inequity, especially in light of virtual learning in the midst of a global pandemic. The idea was, and still is, to provide students with free resources created for and by students.

Lack of resources is one of the main pillars, but education inequity exists everywhere and in so many forms. Beyond lack of resources, problems such as lack of funding, lack of transportation, or an inability to pay for college stop students from being able to succeed in academics. This limits college choices and career opportunities. Education inequity is thus perpetuating cycles of poverty and oppression.

Resources are available for high school and college age students inclusive of writing tips for essays, study tips, and AP class support. “We believe that every individual deserves to have the resources and support they need to succeed in school. An education shouldn't have a price tag and success should not be for sale.”

Learn more at https://simplestudies.org

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