Épisodes

  • Dr. Judith Orloff — The Highly Sensitive Rabbit: Supporting Empathic Children in a Loud World

    Dr. Judith Orloff — The Highly Sensitive Rabbit: Supporting Empathic Children in a Loud World
    Dec 2 2025
    In this episode of Mental Health News Radio, I sit down with Dr. Judith Orloff — psychiatrist, bestselling author, and lifelong advocate for empaths — to talk about her beautiful new children’s book, The Highly Sensitive Rabbit. This story is written for every child who has ever felt “too sensitive,” “too much,” or like they didn’t quite fit the mold.

    Judith and I explore why sensitive kids struggle in today’s world, how parents can support them, and why empathic children are poised to become some of our most grounded future leaders. We talk boundaries, overstimulation, emotional safety, and the quiet magic of helping kids stay connected to their innate gifts without pathologizing who they are.

    Learn more about Dr. Orloff’s work:
    https://drjudithorloff.com

    Get the book on Amazon:
    The Highly Sensitive Rabbit — https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683649536

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    34 min
  • This Is How We Talk: Two Neurodivergent Women, Unfiltered and Free

    This Is How We Talk: Two Neurodivergent Women, Unfiltered and Free
    Nov 4 2025
    In this unfiltered, soul-resonant episode of Mental Health News Radio, Kristin Sunanta Walker, sits down with her dear friend Chaya Mallavaram—artist, technologist, and founder of Spark Launch, the company behind the neurodivergent-centered platform Sparkade. What begins as a casual reconnection blooms into a radiant, multidimensional conversation about art, grief, ADHD, cultural legacy, and the spiritual technology of the body.

    Early in the episode, Chaya shares that her late mother’s name was Sunanda—a revelation that strikes Kristin deeply, as her own Thai name is Sunanta. This name resonance becomes a symbolic thread, weaving their shared lineage, creativity, and healing paths together across continents and generations.

    These are two neurodivergent women who both run their own companies and genuinely dig each other's company.

    This episode is a reminder of how people like us actually speak—luminous, layered, nonlinear, and fully alive.

    Chaya Mallavaram is a technologist, professional artist, and advocate who brings her own life experience to the heart of neurodivergent empowerment. For more than two decades, Chaya thrived in the software world — not despite her ADHD, but because of it. Her creative problem-solving, pattern recognition, hyperfocus, and nonlinear thinking weren’t obstacles. They were assets.​Everything shifted in 2020, when her son was diagnosed with ADHD. That moment brought not only clarity, but a calling: to build the kind of support system she wished she and her son had growing up. Today, Chaya leads Spark Launch with a rare blend of technical expertise, artistic vision, and deep personal insight. Whether she’s developing tools, leading strategy, or co-hosting the Spark Launch podcast, she’s creating spaces where neurodivergent minds are seen, heard, and celebrated. Her work is rooted in one belief: When we stop trying to fix neurodivergent people — and start designing systems that work for them — everyone benefits.

    www.sparklaunch.com

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    59 min
  • Rising Together: Mental Health, Identity, and Radical Healing with José Rosario

    Rising Together: Mental Health, Identity, and Radical Healing with José Rosario
    Oct 31 2025
    In this powerful episode of Mental Health News Radio, host Kristin Walker reconnects with José Rosario — founder of The Phoenix Empowered — for a deeply human conversation on healing, identity, and the evolving language of mental health. They unpack what it really means to be minoritized instead of marginalized, explore the trauma of criminalizing homelessness, and discuss how neurodivergence sharpens empathy and awareness in a world still learning to see clearly.

    José opens up about his own lived experience as a queer, disabled person of color, and how it shapes his work creating inclusive spaces for authentic dialogue, joy, and liberation. Together, they reflect on burnout, the myth of “normal,” and the quiet revolution happening inside the mental health field — one grounded in rest, radical healing, and shared humanity.

    Learn more about José’s work and upcoming podcast The Phoenix Unbound at thephoenixempowered.org.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.
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    47 min
  • Jonathan Kemp: A Journey of Bipolar, Resilience, and Walking for Mental Health

    Jonathan Kemp: A Journey of Bipolar, Resilience, and Walking for Mental Health
    Oct 13 2025
    In this special episode of Mental Health News Radio, host Kristin speaks with author and advocate Jonathan Kemp about his powerful new memoir and his upcoming seven-month Mental Health Walk across the UK and Ireland. Jonathan shares how five decades of lived experience with depression, bipolar disorder, addiction recovery, and dyslexia shaped his story — and why he redefined “wealth” as knowledge and connection. His new book, releasing October 10, 2025, offers both his personal journey and practical wisdom for anyone navigating mental health and neurodiversity. We also explore his bold plan to walk from the Shetland Islands down through Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland, retracing his great-grandmother’s suffragist march of 1913. With all proceeds going to mental health charities, Jonathan’s mission is simple yet profound: to spark honest conversations and remind us that hope and help are always possible.

    Learn more at www.jonathankemp.com

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.
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    52 min
  • Women, Autism, and the Power of Late Diagnosis with Dr. Stephanie Holmes

    Women, Autism, and the Power of Late Diagnosis with Dr. Stephanie Holmes
    Sep 25 2025
    In this powerful episode of Mental Health News Radio, host Kristin Sunanta Walker sits down with Dr. Stephanie Holmes—counselor, author, and advocate—for an intimate look at the overlooked experiences of women on the autism spectrum. Stephanie shares her family’s multi-layered journey with neurodivergence, from her daughter’s diagnosis more than 20 years ago to her husband’s and her own later discoveries. She and Kristin dive into:
    • Why so many women go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for decades.
    • The unique pressures of masking, fawning, and being “too much” in a world that wasn’t built for autistic women.
    • How late diagnosis transforms identity, relationships, and self-acceptance.
    • Stephanie’s books, including Embracing the Autism Spectrum: Finding Hope and Joy Navigating the Neurodiverse Family Journey and Uniquely Us: Navigating the Maze of Neurodiverse Marriage.
    • Her current work amplifying autistic voices in education and research.
    Connect with Dr. Stephanie Holmes:
    • Website: https://www.holmesasr.com
    • Neurodiverse Christian Marriage: https://www.christianneurodiversemarriage.com


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.
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    48 min
  • Grief in Peace: Healing, Sibling Loss, and The GRIP Spot

    Grief in Peace: Healing, Sibling Loss, and The GRIP Spot
    Sep 25 2025
    In this moving episode, Christal Pennic, LPC-MHSP—licensed therapist, grief advocate, and host of The GRIP Spot—shares her journey of surviving sibling loss and transforming pain into purpose. Christal founded The GRIP Spot (Grieve In Peace) to give voice to the often unspoken stories of grief and to remind us that healing is possible, even when life feels broken into pieces. Through her counseling work at The Grief Center in Nashville and her podcast, Christal creates a space where authenticity, vulnerability, and compassion lead the way. Listeners will be inspired by her honesty, her mission, and her dedication to helping others navigate the universal experience of loss.

    Learn more about Christal and her work:
    • Website: thegripspot.com
    • YouTube: The GRIP Spot
    About Christal:
    With a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Christal’s approach to mental health combines academic rigor with the personal insight gained from her own experience of sibling loss. As the owner of The Grief Center and a former Mental Health Practitioner with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services and Metro Nashville Police Department, she has extensive experience in community counseling, crisis debriefings, employee trauma/grief education, and youth development. Christal is trained in Brainspotting, facilitating deeper healing for individuals coping with trauma, and she extends this transformative work into workshops for organizations. Her passion for mental wellness is also expressed through The GRIP Spot podcast, which offers a safe space for surviving siblings and grievers to find solace and community. Credentials:
    • LPC-MHSP – Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health Service Provider
    • Education – M.A. in Mental Health Counseling, B.A. in Psychology
    • Specialization – Grief counseling, trauma therapy, and post-traumatic growth
    • Experience – Owner of The Grief Center; former practitioner at TN Dept. of Children’s Services and Metro Nashville Police Department
    We are honored to welcome Christal Pennic and The GRIP Spot to the Mental Health News Radio Network.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.
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    37 min
  • From Silence to Strength: Dr. Pamela J. Pine on Healing After Child Sexual Abuse

    From Silence to Strength: Dr. Pamela J. Pine on Healing After Child Sexual Abuse
    Sep 22 2025
    In this powerful episode of Mental Health News Radio, Dr. Pamela J. Pine joins Kristin Sunanta Walker for a courageous conversation about child sexual abuse and the lifelong impact it has on survivors, families, and communities. Dr. Pine, founder of Stop the Silence and a leading voice in global prevention and healing efforts, shares insights from her book Stop the Silence: Thriving After Child Sexual Abuse and her decades of work in public health. Together, they discuss the heavy toll of shame, the resilience of survivors, the systemic failures in courts and healthcare, and the growing movement to bring these conversations into the light. Listeners will also learn about practical resources, educational programs, and new children’s literature designed to empower families to talk openly and prevent abuse.

    Learn more about Dr. Pamela J. Pine: drpamelajpine.com
    Stop the Silence – A Program of IVAT: ivatcenters.org/stop-the-silence
    Stop the Silence: Thriving After Child Sexual Abuse – available on Amazon

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.
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    48 min
  • The NeuroDuo: Love, Self-Acceptance, and the Neurodivergent Couple

    The NeuroDuo: Love, Self-Acceptance, and the Neurodivergent Couple
    Sep 22 2025
    In this heart-opening conversation, NeuroDuo’s Lauren and Tom share how their late diagnoses of autism and ADHD transformed not only their individual lives but their relationship, creativity, and self-acceptance. They talk about battling stigma, navigating sensory overload, and learning to create content that mirrors their real experience—not performative or polished, but real, resonant, and healing. From clock ticks in an assessment room to the quiet validation of knowing you're not alone, this episode explores how authenticity becomes therapy—and how being understood can change everything.

    linktr.ee/neuroduo

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.
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    20 min