"Harm reduction is a really useful term, but it's a bit of a misnomer. Some people are moving toward the phrase Risk Reduction. Risk is always present, but if you play a good game you can eliminate your risks entirely." This special episode of Coping 101 is hosted by Madlon, c89.5's host of Color Theory , DJ, mental health advocate, and longtime raver. DanceSafe's Richard Hartnell joined Madlon to explore the current state of affairs in the nightlife and festival scene, when it comes to responsi...
Jun 24, 2025•54 min
Coping with life's stresses and trauma manifests in the decisions we make. Contrary to some widely held assumptions, 90% of young adults in Washington State aren't driving under the influence, and most aren't using Marijuana on a regular basis. We need to emphasize the positive decisions these young people are making, and this episode dives into practical ways more of us can follow their lead. If everybody takes care of their friends and family, traffic deaths will decrease and we can make a rea...
Jun 10, 2025•31 min
"Just talk about it, normally. Having more open conversations about mental health, bringing it up more, allows people to be more comfortable and open to talking about that topic. Since it can be really hard, the more regular that it is, the easier that it is to talk about." Teens have a lot to teach us, when we're ready to listen. Every year, Forefront in the Schools welcomes nearly 150 students and staff from schools across the Puget Sound region for the Day of Hope summit at University of Wash...
Apr 14, 2025•32 min
Teen Dating Violence isn't talked about enough, and yet it's all too common. Toxic relationships can happen to any of us at any age, and some cross the line into abuse, manipulation, and violence. Dylan and Estelle, students at The Bush School in Seattle, sat with Audrey Comber to dismantle stigmas around violence in teen relationships, and discuss ways to recognize warning signs before problems take hold. Audrey is a licensed social worker and Trauma Therapist at LightHeart Associates with a ba...
Apr 07, 2025•36 min
Before there were influencers, Donald Byrd was busy influencing art and culture through his countless contributions in Dance. As an established force on both coasts with Seattle now his home, the iconic choreographer shares stories, insights and deep feelings that are the culmination of an artist's life well lived. In this honest conversation with high school senior Gavin M., the legend articulates the significance of an Artist in 2025 . He also debunks Drug use and addiction from a years-long s...
Mar 16, 2025•40 min
After a “voice of God” moment in 2012, Vee Hua set about making their first film—a process that has taken years. Vee Hua 華婷婷 (they/them) is a writer, filmmaker, and organizer. They're currently the Editor-in-Chief of REDEFINE , a Co-Chair of the Seattle Arts Commission, and until recently, the Interim Managing Editor of the South Seattle Emerald . Prior to that, they were the Executive Director of the interdisciplinary community hub, Northwest Film Forum , where they played a role in making the ...
Jan 06, 2025•39 min
Loving kindness can be one of the most transformational practices for individuals, and for societies at large. As a practice, it sounds like this: May I be loved. May I be cared for. May I be healthy. May my heart know peace. And then for someone you love: May they be loved. May they be cared for. May they be healthy. May their heart know peace. Damithia Nieves lives a life informed by intentional practices. As Co-Director of Space Between, she helps facilitate human and school transformation th...
Dec 27, 2024•41 min
What does a crisis look like? It's up to youth and their families to define that answer. One thing, however, is for sure: Crisis is never convenient. Crises don't pick the most opportune time and place to strike, and so for any help to be effective, it needs to be flexible - and in many cases, mobile. When your brain goes off the tracks, getting help is much more feasible if someone can come to you... someone like Compass Health Program Manager Rick Deluga. Rick Deluga manages the new Child, You...
Dec 20, 2024•26 min
Plant Medicine ceremonies... Vision Quests... sensory deprivation float tanks ... sound pretty far out?? For Andrew Ginn - Freelance Producer, Author and co-owner of Float Seattle - these are very real practices that inform a holistic lifestyle centered in healing. The life of a Freelance concert and events Producer is a physically rigorous one. The life of a business owner can be mentally stressful in many various ways. Andrew has developed a holistic approach to living that not only helps him ...
Nov 07, 2024•47 min
The term Hardcore means different things to different people. For Jimni Cricket, Hardcore means obnoxiously happy . For over a decade, Jimni Cricket has been an EDM DJ with a focus on the Happy Hardcore genre, releasing content online, streaming elaborate fan-fueled sets on Twitch, spinning at raves, and is more recently a weekly Radio host on c89.5 fm in Seattle. Recent High School grad J Cool joined Jimni to discuss how she represents herSELF with intention particularly in an industry dominate...
Sep 18, 2024•47 min
Meeting people where they are, you learn more about what they really need. Stephanie Sarantos and Karina Gasperin have applied this philosophy for the past few years in building Well Being , a Youth and Family Resource Center based in Bothell, Washington. Stephanie comes to us from The Clearwater School, an alternative school with an exciting model. Karina is the CEO of Mujeres con Actitud Latina, providing resources and information for immigrants and latinas. Student host J Cool discusses what ...
Sep 16, 2024•47 min
Dustin Curtis talks with socks on his hands for a living. He's at once an artist, administrator, performer and Puppeteer. As Executive Director of Socks On My Hands Productions , Dustin leads the nonprofit Puppet Arts organization which focuses on Creative Skill Fluency. He's studied the artform internationally, been President of the Puppeteers of America and founded Trivia Puppet Company out of Seattle. As Dustin puts it, "Puppetry is a universal language, one that teaches relation and empathy ...
Sep 16, 2024•43 min
"Very often our youth have experienced some sort of very large schism, either in the family or in the family's stability. There are often expectations that kids cannot meet, or kids who are basically left behind by their families. The best thing a therapist can do is provide validation, and delight in a human's presence. Find something that they just love about that person. Being able to find that and really mirror that to somebody can be super-duper healing. I think we've been able to accomplis...
Sep 10, 2024•26 min
In the United States, until you become a citizen you're not guaranteed many of the equal and basic rights afforded to the majority of the population. And to become "undocumented" can be a nightmare, affecting and interfering with your physical health, mental health, family, occupation... virtually everything. Navigating these obstacles can seem impossible, unless you can find help. "In a nutshell, we are the 211 and the 911 for the West African Community... where if they need anything they come ...
Jul 15, 2024•52 min
They say 'You can't be all things to all people' , but what if there was a place that gave all the people all the things they needed? Student host Gavin recently connected with a few impressive teens who've found this place in their community, and they discuss how getting their needs met has helped them thrive. The Community Resource Center of Stanwood Camano provides resources for basic necessities for families and individuals in the island community about an hour north of Seattle. The kind of ...
Jun 20, 2024•25 min
"If we don't talk about it, and the systems stay in place, we won't get too many changes. We have to change not just the mind of the folx, but we have to change their hearts and their vision. What do you see? How do you feel about what you see? Mental Health is not one thing, it's connected to all of those. Your mental, your spiritual, your physical, your emotional... when those are all in line then you feel stronger for whatever scenario comes up." - Jace ECAj Jace recently sat down with Gavin,...
Jun 14, 2024•49 min
Taanvi Arekapudi wants you to know that you're not alone , and there is hope and help out there. At only 15 years of age, Taanvi Arekapudi is an accomlished Teen Mental Health Advocate, Speaker & Bestselling Author. At age 13 she wrote the international best-seller, "Uplift Teens Today: Coping Strategies for Mental Health;" and a year later created the “Emotion Cards: Unveiling the Power of Emotions, One Card at a Time,” Card Deck. She's already been seen on CBS, ABC, Fox, and KING5, and was...
Jun 11, 2024•24 min
"Everyone is our neighbor. Even if they are someone who we may not align ourselves with, who we may not agree with, they are still our neighbors. And we still believe that housing is a human right." Miriam Clithero is a former journalist with a background in psychology and trauma informed care, who currently serves as the Director of Prevention and Stability at Mary’s Place. She sat down with a member of Nathan Hale High School's Podcast Club to explore the impact that stable housing can have on...
Jun 06, 2024•45 min
"Music helped me overcome my mental hurdles by teaching me to be a problem solver... and solve problems. Solve equations. Think of things in layers, instead of all at once." Brittany Davis drops the gems as effortlessly as they drop the jams . Originally from Kansas City, Brittany is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, rapper, and sound engineer - now calling Seattle home. Or from their own perspective, Brittany is a "translator of sonic divinity... here to bring souls to life" . As a Blind, Black,...
May 20, 2024•58 min
"Every one of us has a story about a number of things. And our grief is a huge story, because it's our story of love. We grieve because we love." Charlene Ray is a Grief Guide, Therapist, Writer and Educator who regularly consults with Forefront Suicide Prevention as a trainer and speaker. She runs her own practice on Whidbey Island, WA focusing on a variety of techniques and therapies around grief, loss, life transitions, and related areas. While it looks different for every one of us, the jour...
May 06, 2024•36 min
"We want to be driven, but it's about recognizing when you've hit harmonious passion versus obsessive passion. And when it's harmonious, you're still doing things that make you feel joyful. You're still spending time with friends. You're still eating healthy, hanging out with your family. You're balanced. When it's obsessive, you stop doing all of those extra things... you've lost sight of what really matters." Burnout is something that can happen to anyone, of any age from any background. To he...
May 06, 2024•50 min
"I feel like this kind of work makes me a lot more passionate about health overall. And it helps me be an advocate for things that I care about... STAND gave me those skills to be an advocate." As a first generation American from a family of Zanzibar immigrants, Aidah Hawkins knows a lot about Community. Currently in college pursuing a degree in nursing, she's already quite accomplished at a young age. Aidah helped start the need-based collective Sister Circles , which brings together Zanzibar Y...
May 03, 2024•18 min
"Everything that I've been affected by, I adamantly take a 100% role in changing it and making it better." Impact-based artist Myron Curry is many things, but above all he's a community activist. His murals decorate walls and spaces across Seattle and beyond, and his work in curation, art management and installations comes to life through the gallery he owns in downtown Seattle. As a community counselor, Myron's actively engaged in a range of organizations working with at-risk youth, guiding re-...
Apr 29, 2024•43 min
What does an active retirement look like to you? At 80 years young, Wally Webster II sees his retirement as merely an excuse to dive deeper into his community and take on social issues for the group who needs it most: youth. “We’re finding that a number of youth are committing crimes with weapons, hate crimes, as well as self-harm, like suicide, because they’re having some mental health challenges,” said Wally, Founder of The ACCESS Project who has lived in the community of Lynnwood, WA for 46 y...
Apr 12, 2024•38 min
“Historically and systemically women of color aren’t represented,” says Olympia Edwards, Founder and CEO of Project Girl mentoring program, which . “Here we’re providing a space where their life story and their life journey doesn’t have to be what society thinks of them. It doesn’t have to be a struggle. They’re entitled to a comfortable life; they’re entitled to a fruitful life. We’re trying to change that narrative and that’s why it’s important for Project Girl to be here.” While working with ...
Apr 12, 2024•33 min
"Many of the beliefs we form as children [about the world and ourSELVEs] we carry on into our adulthood, and they manifest in different ways, and they can really influence where we're gonna end up... The earlier we can help our kids gain an emotional IQ, the better off we will ALL be." In this episode we're joined by Sondra Vasquez, the Program Manager for Compass Health's Child and Family Clinic in Smokey Point, Washington. With over more than a decade as a therapist and clinical social worker,...
Apr 03, 2024•28 min
Have you ever stopped to consider all the ways you’re connected with your neighbors and your community? Many of us are affected in ways we aren’t even aware of because of the dynamic and complex nature of how our lives are interconnected with one another. Whether we realize it or not, when our neighbors receive care, when a family member starts therapy, when someone living on our streets has a safe place to go – our lives are improved, even if we aren’t a direct recipient of care. In this episod...
Mar 05, 2024•36 min
“As artist Yasiin Bey said, ‘the arts are something we forget we need, until we need them.’ In this episode of Artist Mental Health Stories we're joined by one of Seattle's cultural thought leaders James Miles, fondly known as the Fresh Professor. Miles is an Assistant Professor at Seattle University and former Executive Director of Third Stone, the nonprofit known for reviving the Bumbershoot Arts and Music Festival in 2023 to widespread acclaim. James has worked internationally as an artist an...
Jan 12, 2024•42 min
How do you identify? Identity can be informed by many factors, including cultural background, abilities, religion, gender, geography and more. Growing up with deafness in a strict religious family on the island of Samoa, Loki Tiatia experienced many layered challenges that have informed his identity and influence his work today as an ASL instructor and Deaf Advocate. As a husband to a deaf spouse and father to a deaf child, and as Highline School District's only ASL instructor, Loki shares some ...
Jan 08, 2024•40 min
"We try to minimize and overlook grief in our culture. Yet most if not all of us will have an experience of grief - or many - in our life." Celebrated Seattle Actor Amy Thone joins Artist Mental Health Stories to discuss life lessons she's learned throughout her career in the theater, the recent loss of her teenage daughter Stella to cancer, and how she lives through her grief. Stella may have 'transformed', but she lives on in many ways, including through Amy's work in support of the Stella Blu...
Dec 12, 2023•41 min
