Episode Summary

In this powerful episode, Mike Brose is joined by special guest Emily Hall, the Mayor's Senior Advisor on Homelessness for the City of Tulsa. Emily unpacks the complex realities of homelessness, moving beyond stereotypes to discuss the root causes, from the affordable housing crisis to systemic policy issues. She provides an inside look at Mayor Monroe Nichols' ambitious four-part strategy to achieve "functional zero" homelessness by 2030, demystifies the term, and debunks pervasive myths about why people experience homelessness in Tulsa. This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand the real challenges and the concrete, compassionate solutions being developed in our community.

A huge thank you to our sponsor, Wompa, for their incredible support of the podcast and mental health initiatives in our community. This episode was recorded live from their unique and amazing space at 3306 Charles Page Blvd. in West Tulsa. We are especially grateful to our dear friend, Maggie Fox, for her decades of friendship and her belief in our mission. Learn more about Wompa at wompatulsa.com.

Mike Brose and Joi-Michelle Rhodes continue their discussion about the prevalence of spiritual trauma and its impact on mental health. (Yes, we’re still talking about it!) We also welcome back Valorie Lehman from our previous episode to join the discussion and our hosts make a special announcement! Content Warning: This episode contains discussions about various forms of religious/spiritual abuse, as well as experiences of misogyny and homophobia. Please take care as needed. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis please call or text the mental health helpline at 988.

Sponsor: Special thanks to Fox Cleaners for their continued support of our podcast.

In this episode of All Things Mental Health, Mike Brose sits down with Terry Simonson, a seasoned expert working with the Oklahoma Attorney General's office to manage the distribution of opioid settlement funds. Terry dives into the history of the opioid crisis, how litigation led to settlement funds, and the structured process for allocating these critical resources to cities, counties, and schools across Oklahoma.

Join the conversation as Terry shares practical insights and actionable advice for applying for opioid abatement grants when the portal opens in February 2025.

• Visit the Oklahoma Attorney General's website for applications, FAQs, and opioid abatement information.