This week on A Mental Health Break, we're taking a vital step towards understanding a challenging, yet often overlooked, aspect of mental health. We're honored to welcome Dr. Rakesh Jain, MD, MPH, a distinguished Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Texas Tech University, and Sherland Peterson, who openly shares her personal journey of living with Tardive Dyskinesia (TD).

More than 14 million Americans live with serious mental illness, often treated with antipsychotic medicines. But what happens when treatment leads to another debilitating condition? Dr. Jain will illuminate:

• What Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is, its common signs and symptoms, and its profound connection to mental health.
• The critical findings from the IMPACT-TD study on challenges faced by patients and doctors.
• A revolutionary one-pill, once-daily treatment option that can integrate seamlessly with existing mental health plans.

Sherland will bravely share:

• Her personal story of living with TD, offering invaluable firsthand insight.
• The impact TD has had on her daily activities, mental health, and social life.

This episode is a crucial conversation for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of mental health treatment, the importance of holistic care, and the power of resilience. Join us for a break that truly educates and empowers.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988

Ready for a refreshing pause? This week on A Mental Health Break, we're honored to welcome Janet Kathleen Ettele, a remarkable musician and author who gracefully bridges the wisdom of Buddhist dharma with the rhythm of contemporary life. Janet, a Berklee College of Music graduate and performer with esteemed artists like Tencho Gyatso and Nawang Khechog, shares her unique journey from the entertainment industry to becoming a profound voice in spiritual practice.

In this deeply calming and insightful conversation, Janet will guide us through:

• Practical ways to integrate spiritual teachings into your everyday routine.
• The true meaning of mindfulness and its transformative impact on well-being.
• Understanding universal truths that can positively reshape your life, regardless of your background.
• Cultivating equanimity amidst life's challenges and the power of examining your motivations.

Join us for a session dedicated to finding peace, purpose, and profound joy in the everyday. Janet's gentle wisdom offers a vital antidote to our fast-paced world.

Janet also touches on:

• Navigating disoriented time as a child
• We have the divine within us all
• The value of silence in providing the answers
  
  

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988

Sometimes, all you need is a moment to feel understood. On this episode of A Mental Health Break, we're honored to welcome Cori Stuart, who truly gets what it's like to navigate the complexities of mental health.

Cori opens up and offers a comforting and honest conversation that will make you feel seen. Join us for a candid discussion that reminds you it's okay not to be okay, and that finding support is a sign of strength.

Some areas she dives into are:

• How has your TBI impacted your outlook for yourself and others?
• What does being a plus one mean to you, and why do you want to assist others to alleviate this from their lives?
• What does reiki and energy work truly mean to you? Why do you feel it is so important for others to experience and be attuned to?

Cori Stuart is a TBI survivor who has found happiness in life again. She specializes as a holistic healer in releasing anxiousness, self-doubt and energetic blockages, utilizing the chakras as guides. She believes that life should be lived from the heart and is passionate about connecting individuals to their heart song to experience connection, and calm.

Cori is a master in taking clients from self-doubt to self-trust by providing holistic tools for daily situations. She designs long-term strategies which shift her client’s perspective and life from being reactive to proactive and living a life they love.

She received her Master’s Degree in Public History in 2005 and has been assisting individuals to learn from their past and create better futures ever since. She is a Master Usui Ryoho Reiki, Pet, & Crystal Reiki practitioner. Additionally, Cori is known for her crystalline and essential oil knowledge regarding the physical and emotional healing properties and is frequently asked to present at different events and on podcasts.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988

In this raw and powerful episode of A Mental Health Break, we sit down with author, veteran, and father Jeremy Bracamontes, whose life journey embodies resilience and self-reinvention. From growing up in California group homes to finding discipline and purpose in the military, Jeremy shares how he transformed trauma into strength—and how he now leads with compassion in both family and business.

We dive deep into:

• Jeremy’s powerful message from his book Resilient: A Story of Group Home Survival
• His battles with rage, how meditation and exercise became his lifelines
• The emotional toll of entrepreneurship and parenting—and the self-awareness it demands
• The importance of authentic support systems and how they anchor mental wellness
• His next chapter: blending truth with fiction to tell stories that matter

Whether you’re going through tough days or searching for a reason to keep going, Jeremy’s honesty will remind you that healing is possible—and that your past doesn’t define your future.

🎧 Tune in for an honest conversation about mental health, personal growth, and the strength it takes to rise again.

Happy listening, and thank you for stopping by. Remember to subscribe for the next conversation.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988

Welcome back to A Mental Health Break! This week, we're so honored to chat with Dr. Lindsay Frey, the passionate owner of Finding Hope Wellness Center. With years of experience as a licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Frey shares her inspiring journey to creating a beacon of hope for individuals and families in need.

We'll dive into her encouraging and optimistic approach to therapy, discuss the powerful connection between mental and physical health, and explore how her diverse clinical background informs her work. Plus, Dr. Frey will shed light on some of her specialties, including CBT, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and the importance of psychological testing. Get ready for a conversation that's both insightful and incredibly hopeful!

She also touches on:

• Losing close friends at such a young age
• Her brand new AMAZING podcast, Mental Health Without Borders
• Why Less Screen Time is Important for Kids + Many Tactical Tips
• Advice for opening a mental health practice and so much more.

Happy listening, and thank you for stopping by. Remember to subscribe for the next conversation.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988

In this eye-opening episode of A Mental Health Break, Vincent welcomes licensed mental health counselor and founder of Blue Skies Brain Health, Colton Miller. Dedicated to helping younger adults find true fulfillment and purpose, Colton shares his own mental health journey—from the pressure of high school wrestling to witnessing his father’s cancer diagnosis—and how it inspired him to live life on his own terms.

Together, they unpack the impact of early-life adversity, burnout culture, the myths of the 40-hour workweek, and the emotional traps we often fall into in relationships. Colton also breaks down how small daily habits—like morning walks or spiritual moments—can lead to long-term mental wellness.

Whether you’re navigating a quarter-life crisis, stuck in people-pleasing patterns, or simply seeking more authenticity in your life, this conversation will leave you with tools and insights to start showing up more fully for yourself.

💡 "Our mental health is our happiness. It should be one of the top priorities when we make life decisions." – Colton Miller

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988

From being told she wouldn’t survive past age four to earning multiple degrees and becoming a pioneering emotional well-being researcher, Dr. Tomi White Bryan is the embodiment of resilience. In this powerful episode of A Mental Health Break, host Vincent A. Lanci welcomes back a fan favorite to discuss her journey of overcoming impossible odds, the real meaning of emotional wellness, and how small practices—like six deep breaths—can transform your mental state.

Dr. Bryan also shares insights from her latest research, the difference between emotional intelligence and emotional well-being, and how her podcast The Sacred Gut Punch highlights stories of people rising after life’s hardest hits. Whether you're navigating burnout, seeking clarity, or just looking to breathe a little easier today—this episode is a must-listen.

✅ Key Talking Points:

• The path from emotional intelligence to emotional well-being: What’s the difference?
• Her book Emotional Intelligence 3.0 and how it expands the current model of EQ.
• Why The Sacred Gut Punch podcast was born and who it's for.
• The powerful distinction between being entangled and engaged—and why it matters.
• Easy and effective emotional resets: six deep breaths, silence, and self-awareness.
• Burnout and stress as signs of poor emotional health—and what you can do about it.

You’re not alone. Tune in and take the next step toward emotional clarity, resilience, and inner peace.

Follow her journey with her first show on September 27, 2022

She joined Vincent during Hurricane Milton

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988

This week on A Mental Health Break, we're diving deep with the incredible Joe Sanok, the mind behind the top-rated Practice of the Practice Podcast!

Joe takes us on his journey from the ground up, sharing his experiences opening and successfully selling his thriving practice, Mental Wellness Counseling, which served angry kids, frustrated parents, distant couples, and just about everyone seeking support from 2006 to 2019. He offers invaluable insights into what it truly takes to build a practice that makes a real difference.

Joe also opens up about his personal journey navigating a difficult divorce as he is now a single father of two teens. He shares how he prioritizes healthy habits and focuses on setting a positive example for his children, offering a powerful reminder that personal well-being is paramount, both in life and in business.

Joe's story doesn't end there. He now dedicates his energy to helping fellow therapists and private practice owners build thriving, sustainable businesses without sacrificing their well-being.

Get ready for an inspiring and incredibly practical conversation filled with wisdom, resilience, and actionable steps you can take today to create a more sustainable and fulfilling career. Tune in – you won't want to miss this!

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988