94. The Silent Mental Health Battle of First Responders

This final episode of the All The Wiser Podcast is filled with laughter, tears, and deep appreciation for what the podcast has brought into our lives. You will hear voicemails from our listeners and past guests, discussing the impact and changes this show has brought about in their lives. We're still getting goosebumps!

In this profound and touching hundredth episode of "All The Wiser," we sit down with Lyena Strelkoff, a storyteller, artist, and spiritual counselor. Lyena shares her story of healing, acceptance, and discovering unexpected magic after she was paralyzed from the waist down after falling from a tree while climbing for fun. Through her one-woman show that extended from three weekends to a six-month run, Lyena has touched the lives of many, empowering them to see their own strength mirrored in her narrative. She offers listeners a window into the authentic and complex experiences of living with paralysis, the power of storytelling, and the universal truths about our shared humanity. Join us for a conversation that celebrates resilience, courage, and the beauty nestled within life's harshest trials.

In this week's episode of "A Little Wiser," Kimi and associate producer, Tara Daigle, reflect on the impact of the 100 charities All The Wiser has supported in the podcast's five years. The people, causes, and organizations we've encountered leave us hopeful and inspired. After getting to know 100 charities and the people behind them, we can report that despite all the suffering, there's so much good happening in the world. Tara, the point person for all things Charity at All The Wiser, talks about how the work deepened her empathy and inspired her to volunteer. This was so profound that she combined her passion for interior design with her charitable heart to join Savvy Giving By Design, a non-profit whose mission is to provide comfort, support, and healing to families with a child facing a medical crisis by transforming the interior spaces of their homes at no cost to them. Tara’s first design project was a room for 11-year-old Meg, who lives with brittle bone disease. Meg says “it's basically when your bones are really fragile and you can't do things that you would typically think of someone doing.” Meg and her mom, Leslie, join us to talk about the transformation of Meg's bedroom that she wanted to be “somewhere she could come after a long day to calm down and just take a break.” Meg surprises us all by singing her little heart out to "Fight Song." Unsurprisingly, Kimi and Tara are moved to tears!

Many of us walk different paths before finding our true calling. But what catalyzes such a life-altering pivot? At just 25, Sonia Vallabh, while attending law school, faced a life-altering moment when her mother began to exhibit worrying health symptoms – symptoms that rapidly progressed into a devastating illness. Sonia will share the heartbreaking journey of her mother's battle with prion disease, a fight that not only challenged the family's emotional resilience but also transformed Sonia and her husband Eric's careers and lives.

In this episode of "A Little Wiser," Kimi and producer Erica reflect on the previous interview with Mark Lukach, author of "My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward." They explore the emotional depth of Mark's story, his commitment to his wife through her mental health struggles, and the broader themes of love and dedication in relationships. The conversation touches on the challenges of caring for a partner with mental illness, the nuances of staying in a relationship during tough times, and the personal nature of difficult decisions. They also consider the impact of sharing personal stories publicly and the complexities of change within long-term relationships.