I'll Go First® with Jessica Minhas

Jessica Minhas, host and founder of I'll Go First®, dives into the topics and conversations that we want to have but are a little afraid to talk about or aren't sure where to start. Celebrate the stories of courageous overcomers, inspiring mental health champions, and those boldly stepping into taboo spaces and inviting us into a full life. Listen, learn, and heal with people just like us who look adversity in the eye and say, “I will not stand down. I'll go first.”

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Episodes

Recovering from Postpartum Depression and Anxiety and Becoming Young Parents to a Child with Special Needs with Jennifer and Kevin Saunders

For many of us, our early 20s are a time to find ourselves and figure out where we fit in this world. But Jennifer and Kevin Saunders didn’t have that chance. At age 23 years old, Jennifer gave birth to her first son, Isaiah, at 23 weeks - four months preterm. This meant she and her husband, Kevin, Founder of KS4Inspiration, spent the first three years of their son’s life living at the hospital. Literally. Nine years later, Jennifer and Kevin share their journey through overwhelm, anxiety, depre...

Mar 16, 2020•43 min•Ep. 10

Surviving Brain Cancer at 21 and Beating the Unbeatable with Matthew Zachary

Matthew Zachary, Founder of Stupid Cancer, and Off Scrip Media, was only 21-years old when he was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer. Matthew walks us through his journey of how his life changed after his diagnosis, how he started the largest young adult cancer organization, Stupid Cancer, and how having no control over our lives gives us the perspective we need to find peace. Goodies from this episode: Listen to Matt's podcast, "Out of Patients": https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id148...

Mar 09, 2020•51 min•Ep. 9

Healing From Childhood Sexual Abuse with Michelle Ross

In this episode, Michelle Ross, Founder of One Worry Less, speaks honestly and candidly about her experience of surviving childhood sexual abuse. She shares how she’s found healing, made meaning of her story and how we can see the signs and keep our children safe. This is a hard conversation so please be advised, while we don’t go into detail, we speak frankly about the impact of childhood sexual abuse in our lives. Check-in with yourself and please be considerate of those who may be listening a...

Mar 02, 2020•53 min•Ep. 8

Climbing Out of Depression with Purpose with J Caleb Perkins

Depression can be overwhelming, and all-consuming. But it’s not the end of our stories. J Caleb Perkins, Founder of the Remedy Network, sits down with us to discuss his journey from college graduation, through depression to ultimately finding his purpose in criminal justice reform. After learning about Kalief Browder’s story Perkins realized how powerful our voices are - both for our own stories - and changing the lives of others. Learn how he overcame depression, boldly stepped into his calling...

Feb 24, 2020•43 min•Ep. 7

Growing Up with Addiction and Abuse and Learning to Love Yourself with Journalist Ruth Reader

How do we care for ourselves while caring for others? Ruth Reader is a journalist for Fast Company and a NY Times published author. She grew up in a household of addiction and alcoholism. As soon as Ruth began her career, the unexpected happened. Her mother was dying from cancer. She takes us on her journey of caring for her abusive mother in her final days and how she learned to love herself in spite of tragedy. Goodies from this episode: Read Ruth's work at www.ruthreader.com Follow Ruth on Tw...

Feb 17, 2020•45 min•Ep. 6

Surviving a Pediatric Stroke and Finding Your Stroke of Genius with Kyle Mengelkamp

Think back to the moment that changed everything for you. What was it like? And what happened after? Kyle Mengelkamp is a brain aneurysm survivor. He’s also the Founder of the Brain Bar and Share Your Stroke of Genius. On this episode, he joins us to talk about how his stroke gave him a new life and how you can find your moment of triumph. Goodies mentioned in this episode: Find Share Your Stroke of Genius online: https://www.shareyourstrokeofgenius.org/ Share Your Stroke of Genius on Instagram:...

Feb 10, 2020•29 min•Ep. 5

Losing Our Parents and Finding Life After Experiencing Loss with Liz Eddy

Who would shut down your online dating profile if you died today? After losing her father to cancer when she was nine, Liz cultivated a unique ability to talk about taboo topics with ease. Founder of Lantern, an end-of-life planning tool, Liz shares with us how to heal from loss and plan for death. Books mentioned in this episode: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell Connect with Liz at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-eddy-6664ba27 Learn more about Lan...

Feb 03, 2020•48 min•Ep. 4

The Science Behind Using Hip Hop to Heal Trauma with Elliot Gann, Psy.D.

Hip Hop Therapy? Yup, it's a real thing! In this episode, clinical psychologist, Elliot Gann, Psy.D joins us. He the Founder of Today's Future Sound which provides beat-making trauma therapy. We talk about how hip hop therapy works, what led him into the field of psychology and what the future holds for alternative modalities for trauma care. Connect with Dr. Gann at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-gann-psy-d-17463030/ You can learn more about Dr. Gann's work at Today's Future Soun: https://...

Jan 27, 2020•46 min•Ep. 3

Surviving Traumatic Brain Injuries and Fighting For Yourself When Doctors Won’t with Veteran Navy Officer Amanda Burrill

Amanda Burrill was told she was suffering from depression and anxiety for over a decade. What she was really suffering from was a misdiagnosis. In this episode, Amanda, a veteran Navy officer, and professional endurance athlete, teaches us the importance of fighting for your right to live a healthy life. We discuss what to do when we are told our symptoms and experiences aren’t real, how to get the help you need and deserve, and how Amanda's perspective on what success looks like has changed fol...

Jan 20, 2020•43 min•Ep. 2

Coming Out as Non-Binary and Finding, Claiming and Owning Your Identity with Derrick Reyes

Welcome to I’ll Go First! We are so excited to have Derrick Reyes joining us for our very first episode! They are the Founder of Queerly Health, a New York City-based digital health startup on a mission to democratize access to LGBTQ health and wellness care. Today’s conversation is vulnerable and inspiring. Derrick shares what finding their identity as a non-gender-confirming person has looked like and how they have learned to carry themselves with confidence. Derrick shares what motivated them...

Jan 13, 2020•43 min•Ep. 1

Coming Soon: I'll Go First with Jessica Minhas

Introducing the I'll Go First Podcast with Jessica Minhas. In this podcast, we talk about all things mental health, hope, healing, and freedom. We introduce you to inspiring guests who teach us how they've gone first in their journeys of healing and finding their purpose. We cannot wait to join you on your path. Say hi at http://www.illgofirst.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★...

Jan 09, 2020•2 min•Ep. 1

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