In April of 2025, we launched the Speak Out Loud YouTube Channel, and as part of introducing ourself to a new audience on this platform, we've gone back to share our story and the story of Speak Out Loud.

We are not therapists of doctors, but we do feel like we are experts in authentically sharing our story and the hard-learned lessons of living many years in the ups and downs of our mental illness recovery journey.

This episode is part 2 of our story, picking up with the mental health crisis that changed the trajectory of our lives and has shaped much of our years since then.

In this episode, we share about our first experience with a mental hospital, the early seasons of outpatient treatment and seasons of what felt at best like "treading water." Stacee shares the transformational conversation and story which led to her 4 month inpatient treatment program for anorexia at the Laureate Eating Disorder program. This conversation also became the title of her first book, You Are Worth Saving.

We share lessons learned such as recovery is not linear, denial is the opposite of hope, and resilience is the master skill.

We also share about the founding of Speak Out Loud and how Speak Out Loud has continued to expand its platform to share hope with wider audiences around the world.

As you listen to our story, we think you may find pieces of your own, and our purpose is for you to know you are not alone in your or your loved one's mental illness struggle.

Psalm 118:17 says, "I will not die but live and will proclaim what the Lord has done." This is Stacee's life verse and the heart of Speak Out Loud. Let's experience hope together!

To find out more about Stacee and Doug and Speak Out Loud, please visit www.speakoutloud.me.

We invite you to visit and subscribe to our new YouTube Channel which can be found @speakoutloudme.

Follow Stacee and Speak Out Loud on both Instagram and Facebook @speakoutloud.me

Other resources offered by Speak Out Loud:

Find both of Stacee's books, You Are Worth Saving and The Boat that Wouldn't Sink on Amazon.

You can access our free 5-day devotional series in the YouVersion Bible app by searching in the app for the Bible Plan titled "Hope for those Struggling with Mental Health."

Thanks everyone for listening today!

In April of 2025, we launched the Speak Out Loud YouTube Channel, and as part of introducing ourself to a new audience on this platform, we've gone back to share our story and the story of Speak Out Loud.

We are not therapists of doctors, but we do feel like we are experts in authentically sharing our story and the hard-learned lessons of living many years in the ups and downs of our mental illness recovery journey.

In this episode, we go back and share again about the beginnings of Stacee's mental illness journey, how we came together as a couple in college, the many mistakes we've made along the way, and what led to a mental health crisis through which God thankfully rescued Stacee's life.

As you listen to our story, we think you may find pieces of your own, and our purpose is for you to know you are not alone in your or your loved one's mental illness struggle.

Psalm 118:17 says, "I will not die but live and will proclaim what the Lord has done." This is Stacee's life verse and the heart of Speak Out Loud. Let's experience hope together!

We wrap up today's episode by sharing the crisis events which we look back and realize were the beginning of our recovery journey. Next week's episode will share part 2 of our story and how that recovery journey has played out and led to the creation of Speak Out Loud.

To find out more about Stacee and Doug and Speak Out Loud, please visit www.speakoutloud.me.

We invite you to visit and subscribe to our new YouTube Channel which can be found @speakoutloudme.

Follow Stacee and Speak Out Loud on both Instagram and Facebook @speakoutloud.me

Other resources offered by Speak Out Loud:

Find both of Stacee's books, You Are Worth Saving and The Boat that Wouldn't Sink on Amazon.

You can access our free 5-day devotional series in the YouVersion Bible app by searching in the app for the Bible Plan titled "Hope for those Struggling with Mental Health."

Thanks everyone for listening today!

As part of the National Eating Disorders Awareness week (February 24-March 2), Stacee and Doug interview Rebel Buersmeyer, LMFT, therapist and current President of the Oklahoma Eating Disorders Association.

Eating Disorders are complex illnesses impacting over 28 million Americans and their families during the course of their lifetime. Eating disorders have the 2nd highest mortality rate of mental health conditions and affect people regardless of gender, race, body-style, age, or socio-economic background.

In this personal and vulnerable conversation, Rebel shares information, insights and guidance for those struggling or wondering if they are struggling with an eating disorder. For those battling eating disorders and/or disordered eating, Rebel's knowledge and insights provide both help and hope that recovery is possible!

Stacee transparently shares from her personal and ongoing anorexia recovery journey, connecting with listeners in the struggle and sharing about the hard and authentic work that can strengthen recovery.

Doug is also able to share some hard-learned lessons as the spouse of someone diagnosed with an eating disorder - if you love someone struggling with an eating disorder, this episode is an opportunity to grow your understanding, empathy and support for your loved one's battle.

Speak Out Loud exists to share hope and encouragement for those struggling with mental illness and for those who love and support them. There is hope for the eating disorder journey - we invite you to listen and join us in experiencing hope together!

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• To access the Eating Disorder screening tool which Rebel mentions in this episode, please visit: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/screening-tool/

• To learn more about Eating Disorders and resources for finding help in Oklahoma, please visit the Oklahoma Eating Disorders Association website at https://www.okeatingdisorders.org/

• To learn more about or to contact Rebel and her practice, Family Solutions Counseling, located in Central Oklahoma please visit https://familysolutionsok.com/about/rebel-buersmeyer/

Resources from Speak Out Loud:

• You can learn more about Stacee and Doug and Speak Out Loud at www.speakoutloud.me

• Follow Stacee and Speak Out Loud on Instagram and Facebook @speakoutloud.me

• Order Stacee's latest book, The Boat That Wouldn't Sink on Amazon: https://a.co/d/cdhvMb6

• You can access Stacee and Doug's free 5-day devotional resource, "Hope for those Struggling with Mental Health," on the YouVersion Bible App at http://bible.com/r/AC8