Along the Gravel Road Podcast

06/12/2023

Khoi Nguyen (he/him) is a serial hobbyist and a creator led by purpose and his desire to inspire. With his foot on the gas, he continues to break past the shackles of his self-limiting beliefs to usher in a new age of creative pursuits. It is through this effort he has found purpose in using his gifts as a creative to inspire, heal, and change the world and lives around him.

GROW. I DARE YOU. is one of his latest efforts led by his internal mission to inspire others along their journey of self-discovery and transformation through creative content.

Beyond his personal and creative pursuits, Khoi works as a storyteller, content creator, and producer at ThreeSixtyEight.

In this episode, Khoi sheds light on the creative journey and how it can be crucial in your internal growth and self-discovery.

Determined to dispel and break past negative thought loops and self-limiting beliefs, Khoi will share life experiences and perspectives as a source of inspiration and call to introspection.

"To better express ourselves outward, we must cultivate ourselves inward."

Join Khoi and Chelsea on the "Along the Gravel Road Podcast" to understand how to unleash the creative confidence within.

(Spoiler alert: it all starts with yourself)

https://alongthegravelroadpodcast.com/episodes/creativity-self-discovery-khoi

15/11/2023

You may not think that taxes, motherhood, and postpartum issues intersect, but you'd be wrong! Neva Butkus is a tax policy analyst with the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy where she studies and advocates on progressive tax issues that lift up workers and families. She is also a new mom being confronted with how societal expectations and public policy choices make the lives of parents (and especially mothers) more isolating and difficult than necessary.

In this episode, we explore maternal mental health, gender disparities postpartum in cishet relationships, and the structural/societal choices in America that contribute to this all being harder than necessary. Join us to hear from this mom and advocate just trying to make the world a better place for her child.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or watch via YouTube.

You may not think that taxes, motherhood, and postpartum issues intersect, but you'd be wrong! Neva Butkus is a tax policy analyst with the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy where she studies and advocates on progressive tax issues that lift up workers and families. She is also a new mom b

18/10/2023

Welcome back to another season of the Along the Gravel Road Podcast! This episode is part of a special series on perinatal (the period of time when you become pregnant and up to a year after giving birth) mental health. In this episode, Dr. Enrique Flechas shares important information on the mental health of mothers and birthing people such as postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety along with how to access treatment and support.

Dr. Flechas received his medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed a Psychiatry Residency at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans. He was in private psychiatric practice here in Baton Rouge until joining Woman's Hospital last year to focus on women's mental health care. He specializes in perinatal mental health and aims to help people understand anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues related to pregnancy and when they should seek mental health care.

🎙️Listen wherever you get your podcast or watch via YouTube.

https://alongthegravelroadpodcast.com/episodes/my-journey-as-a-perinatal-mental-health-pro

27/04/2023

In this episode, we get to hear a little about Tara Dixon’s personal mental health journey and a lot about the work she’s doing in our community to remove barriers to quality mental health care for ALL. Tune in to learn more about her counseling practice, new nonprofit, and the incredible services, programs and events they offer.

Tara Dixon is the founder of Heal Your Life Counseling and co-founder of Redstick C.A.R.E.S. nonprofit organization where mental health access and equality of mental health services is their number one priority. Through both organizations, Tara and the team strive to provide care in a way that no one else does.

Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or watch on YouTube at alongthegravelroadpodcast.com 🎙️

Learn more:

13/04/2023

In this episode, Juniper Cassaway shares their journey with depression, strained family relationships, religious trauma, therapy & stigma in the Black community, and working toward overcoming and healing from other people’s perception of them vs who they know themselves to be. While it isn’t an easy journey moving through a world that’s determined to misunderstand, Juniper wants anyone coming out as q***r/trans to know that the freedom that comes on the other side of continuing through, despite those who say otherwise, is unmatched.

Juniper Cassaway (they/them) is a Black, fat, Autistic, non-binary trans individual from Houston, TX currently residing in Baton Rouge, LA. Juniper is a poet, playwright, small business owner, and American Sign Language interpreter. As someone who is neurodivergent, genderq***r, & living with multiple mental illnesses, there are many aspects of life that are challenging. But having found their own path amongst all of these struggles, Juniper is determined to continue to advocate for marginalized communities.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or watch via YouTube. 🎙️

22/03/2023

In this episode, J Rees takes us with them on a thoughtful and insightful journey as they explore the real-life implications of mental illness, anxiety, isolation, and addiction that coincide with a gift of tortured brilliance, higher creativity, empathy, and a longing for connection in an unfeeling world. Listen as they share how they've broken cycles, healed their inner child, and continue to create intentional spaces that nurture--and the "healing hacks" that they've taken with them along the way. This episode aims to leave you with hope (for the future), ease (for the now), and inspiration (for the unknown in between).

Make sure to stick with us to the end for an original performance of "Something to Hold You" by J Rees. (listen on Spotify or Youtube)

J Rees is the q***r swamp bard, here to sing the stories. The non-binary mage hails from the crossroads of Hammond, Louisiana, and is a proud vocal advocate for those living with mental illness. Diagnosed at an early age, the bard is no stranger to the intense reality of an unwell mind. This imaginative force of nature is a professional musician, writer, and artist with over a decade of performance experience under their belt, Utilizing the power of the creative process to alchemize their lived reality of mental illness, they hope to inspire others to embrace the unbound potential of creativity as a tool for the healing journey.

Learn more at swampbard.com

youtube
IG .bard

https://alongthegravelroadpodcast.com/episodes/my-journey-through-healing-inner-child-j

08/03/2023

In this episode, Justin Hutchinson shares his journey of childhood trauma, grief, loss, and struggles with identity and imposter syndrome. He describes the long road to growth and healing that came from looking inward and finding his purpose.

Justin is a 26-year-old who got his start playing football and blending counter-service smoothies. Now, he’s a living testament that empathy and compassion can take you any/everywhere. Justin leads new business at ThreeSixtyEight, an agency in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he’s built partnerships with brands such as Rakuten, Tony Robbins and more.

Justin strives to be uncommon in creating a new mold for what an African American male or any BIPOC can achieve. He’s creating a new example of what can be accomplished when you prioritize people over prizes, awareness over accolades, and love over hate.

Listen now to hear more about how his life experiences shaped him into the man he is today - from trauma to triumphs and the continual lessons he's had to learn and relearn to defy the odds.

https://alongthegravelroadpodcast.com/episodes/my-journey-from-trauma-to-triumphs

23/02/2023

In our next episode, Sara Landreneau Kleinpeter opens up about hitting her emotional rock bottom more than two years after her divorce even though she'd spent hours and hours in grief and trauma therapy. Through that process, Sara explores how she’s been able to move forward, grow, and continue to heal by learning to let go of perfectionism.

Sara works as the Coordinator of Board Services for Louisiana's Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) and proudly serves the Baton Rouge and her church community. She is passionate about learning and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy with a research focus on generational differences in the workforce and how that impacts the leadership of an organization. Although life will inevitably come with pain, loss, and anxiety, Sara is embracing her most imperfect life and it’s turning out to be really great.

Listen to the Along the Gravel Road Podcast now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or watch via Youtube.

https://alongthegravelroadpodcast.com/episodes/my-journey-to-embracing-imperfection-sara

08/02/2023

In this episode, Ashli Ognelodh shares her difficult journey through mental health issues and treatment and how art and her strong faith have served as powerful tools for healing along the way. Listen now to hear about Ashli’s journey, work, and mission of using her platform to help others feel inspired, seen, and understood.

Ashli is an artist/entrepreneur and the founder of Presence Fest. She moved to Baton Rouge two years ago and has been intentional about creating spaces for bringing hope and healing through action. She founded Presence Fest in 2022 with the mission of using curated Christian events to support social and economic endeavors that impact the community in a POSITIVE way. As a project manager, she is able to create spaces for other artistic believers to share their platforms. As a full-time artist, she assists in the revitalization of communities with her mural work. In everything she does, Ashli strives to fulfill her purpose of providing safe spaces for individuals to be vulnerable and creative.

You can learn more about Ashli’s work and vision at aoartwork.com and presencefest.com

https://alongthegravelroadpodcast.com/episodes/my-journey-at-intersection-of-art-and-mental-health-ashli

25/01/2023

In this episode, Elizabeth Rhea opens up about her struggle with anxiety and how it has shown up in different areas of her life. She shares her experience with getting support for her own mental health and eventually finding her calling as an addiction counselor. We explore what that has looked like for her and what surrounds addiction treatment.

Elizabeth serves as an addiction counselor with Journey to Insight where she facilitates Intensive Outpatient group and individual sessions and supports the administrative operations of the organization. She holds a Master of Divinity (MDiv) and is very involved with her church community. She and her husband also own Rhea Media Group which produces this podcast (and offer many other amazing video and production services).

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or watch via YouTube now.

https://alongthegravelroadpodcast.com/episodes/my-journey-to-serve-as-an-addiction-counselor-elizabeth-rhea

11/01/2023

In our next episode, Zach Labbé talks about the long and challenging road to finally being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and how getting the help he needed has impacted his life.

He shares his journey of overcoming the nerves and anxiety to become a morning news reporter and how he never thought he'd go for a job on TV, but in doing so, was forced out of his comfort zone and learned a lot about himself. It was during that process that he began to notice some of the same issues he faced in school resurfacing. He continued to advocate for himself and eventually found the right treatment for his ADHD. Zach is now a successful morning news reporter, often interviewing people who are just as nervous as he would have been 3 years ago.

Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or watch via YouTube



https://alongthegravelroadpodcast.com/episodes/my-journey-with-adult-adhd-with-zach-labbe

20/12/2022

In this episode, Coach K of Lotus Effect Coaching shares her personal journey with grief and loss and how that led her to find her true calling to walk others through loss and self-improvement as a mental health coach. Grief is hard but it doesn’t have to be something that you take on by yourself. Coach K works with people to help navigate and hold hope together. She provides a safe space for someone to start to feel alive again while honoring their loss. Join us to hear about her work, some tools for navigating loss especially during this holiday season, and much more.

Listen now via Spotify or Apple Podcasts or at alongthegravelroadpodcast.com or watch on YouTube. 🎙️

Learn more about Coach K
Website https://www.lotuseffectcoaching.com
IG: lotus_effect_coaching
Email: [email protected]

05/12/2022

Thank you Rhea Media Group, LLC! The feeling is mutual 💛

Stay tuned for new episodes dropping soon🎙️

01/12/2022

In our next episode, Meredith LaBorde shares her journey with disordered eating and her path to help and hope in recovery. Meredith opens up about the difficult and lonely experience of suffering from an eating disorder and how she eventually worked with a therapist and other support systems to get to the root of her disorder and put the best tools in place to manage it daily. We explore the many factors that can lead to disordered eating and the stigma, misconceptions, pain, and isolation that often come with it. Meredith hopes that by opening up about her experience others will know that they are not alone, that eating disorders can be managed, and that there's a light in this chaotic journey.

Meredith is a young professional in the Baton Rouge community with a passion for service, education, and creativity.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch via our youtube channel.



https://alongthegravelroadpodcast.com/episodes/my-journey-through-disordered-eating-to-daily-healing-with-meredith-laborde

09/11/2022

In this episode, Gus Murillo shares some of the highs and lows that he felt as an entrepreneur, and how the way he handled it affected his mental health leading him down a path of alcohol abuse and, eventually, to sobriety & recovery. Gus is 1.5 years sober and while still early on in his journey of sobriety, it is his hope that others dealing with substance abuse are encouraged by this to reach out for support through systems and people who are dedicated to helping them with their challenges. Tune in to hear about the methods of treatment that worked for Gus such as therapy, a 12-step program, and other daily wellness practices, and how he continues to strive for a balanced life for himself and his family.

Gus Murillo serves as Director of Brand Marketing at Gannett + the USA TODAY Network and co-leads Gannett's Vamos Forward ERG for the Latinx community. Prior to working for Gannett, he spent 10 years building a local agency, ThreeSixtyEight alongside a group of amazing people. He is a partner/co-founder of Soji: Modern Asian here in Baton Rouge. Gus is also a proud father and hopes to share what he's learned in his journey of sobriety and dealing with his own mental health with his children.

Listen & watch now at alongthegravelroadpodcast.com.

27/10/2022

On this episode, Ebony Smith joins us to share how getting help for her mental health has brought her on a journey of letting go of a false sense of control, accepting her full self, and acknowledging the impact her past trauma has had in order to heal and move forward. Ebony is also in the process of starting a nonprofit for supporting those struggling with addiction. Follow on Instagram for more.

Ebony Smith is the founder of Gracefull Grind Strategies in Baton Rouge. Gracefull Grind is a paid digital campaign agency that uplifts mission-driven organizations and leaders by amplifying their impact. Ebony loves to teach, run behind her two boys, Jason and Ezra, and go fishing with her family on the weekends. Ebony feels her mission in life is to truly "see people" that feel that no one cares about them or their unique story.

https://alongthegravelroadpodcast.com/episodes/my-journey-through-anxiety-ebony-smith

10/10/2022

Thank you Rhea Media Group, LLC, we are grateful to have you on this journey with us. Stay tuned for new episodes with powerful & inspiring stories streaming this month!

11/05/2021

I'm excited to be back with our 10th episode to wrap up season one of the podcast just in time for Mental Health Month! In this episode I talk with Ryan Schwartz, founder of Mental Health Match, a free & confidential service that can match you to the therapists and counselors who best meet your needs. Ryan knows the power of therapy and is passionate about helping people find the support they need. We talk about his personal journey with therapy, how impactful it was in a time of crisis, and maybe even more so as he navigated everyday life.

He’s also no stranger to the barriers of finding the right therapist. That experience lit a fire under him to change that process and remove those barriers. Ryan shares with us the steps and research that went into starting Mental Health Match by identifying the most important aspects people look for in a therapist, which, at the end of the day, will and should be one of the most impactful relationships in your life.

As a note, we recorded this episode back in January and are excited to announce that Mental Health Match is now available here in Louisiana! Learn more at mentalhealthmatch.com