Podcast
The Mindful Mic
Hosted by Children's Home Counseling Services · EN
The Mindful Mic is a podcast from the Children's Home that explores the many factors that shape our mental health and connects listeners to the community resources working to make a difference.
Each month, The Mindful Mic dives into real conversations about mental health — in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. Because mental health touches every part of life, and every one of us is connected through our shared experiences of struggle, growth, and healing.
Our goal is to spark understanding, reduce stigma, and remind our community that none of us are alone. Whether we’re talking about resilience, relationships, loss, creativity, or hope, every conversation helps build a stronger, more compassionate community.
Hosted by Children's Home, Grace Shimatsu (Fundraising & Development Manager) and Colbi Twiss (Marketing & Communications Director)
To learn more about the Children's Home go to: childrenshomeidaho.org
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Kids & Concussions: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Apr 100:42:08Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Mindful Mic, hosts Colbi Twiss and Grace Shimatsu sit down with the Children's Home psychologist Leah Gallant to talk about something every parent should understand — concussions.While often associated with sports, concussions can happen in everyday situations like bike rides, playground accidents, or even a simple fall at home. Leah shares her expertise on how to recognize the signs, what to do if your child experiences a head injury, and how to support proper recovery.We also discuss common misconceptions, when to seek professional help, and why early awareness can make a lasting difference in a child’s health and development.Whether your child is an athlete or just being a kid, this is an important conversation for every parent and caregiver.Children’s Home Counseling Services provides accessible, affordable mental health care for children and families across Idaho, regardless of ability to pay. www. childrenshomeidaho.org
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Redemption, Resilience & Reinvention
Mar 400:54:44Tap to summarizeJoin Chad Dunn as he shares his transformative journey from BMX athlete to a life of drugs and crime, through prison, and ultimately to redemption as an entrepreneur and mentor. Discover how personal accountability, resilience, and the power of choices led him to build a new life, founding Move Human Performance Center and inspiring others. This episode delves into themes of self-identity, discipline, and community support, offering insights into overcoming adversity and embracing continuous self-reinvention.
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Showing Up for Foster Youth
Feb 400:46:39Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Mindful Mic, we’re joined by Mary Irby, Director of Operations at Freedom Youth Foundation, for a powerful conversation about the realities foster youth face and the impact that consistency, community, and caring adults can have in their lives.Mary shares what it’s like working alongside foster kids, the challenges they navigate, and the moments that remind her why this work matters so deeply. We explore how Freedom Youth Foundation creates opportunities through programs that build confidence, belonging, and hope—and why relationships and support systems are just as critical as services.This episode is for anyone who cares about kids, community, and creating meaningful change. Whether you’re a parent, clinician, nonprofit professional, or simply someone who wants to understand foster care more deeply, this conversation offers insight, compassion, and a call to action.
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Where Healing Happens Together: Supporting Families Through Pediatric Cancer at Camp Rainbow Gold
Jan 700:49:20Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Mindful Mic, we sit down with Elizabeth Lizberg, CEO of Camp Rainbow Gold, to explore the emotional and mental-health journey families face when a child is diagnosed with cancer.Elizabeth shares how Camp Rainbow Gold goes beyond medical care—creating safe, joyful spaces where children, siblings, and parents can reconnect, heal, and feel less alone. We discuss the power of community, the importance of sibling support, and the vision behind Hidden Paradise, a permanent medical-camp facility designed to foster resilience and hope for families across Idaho.
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Where Healing Happens Together: Supporting Families Through Pediatric Cancer at Camp Rainbow Gold - Trailer
Dec 1800:00:52Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Mindful Mic, we sit down with Elizabeth Lizberg, CEO of Camp Rainbow Gold, to explore the emotional and mental-health journey families face when a child is diagnosed with cancer.Elizabeth shares how Camp Rainbow Gold goes beyond medical care—creating safe, joyful spaces where children, siblings, and parents can reconnect, heal, and feel less alone. We discuss the power of community, the importance of sibling support, and the vision behind Hidden Paradise, a permanent medical-camp facility designed to foster resilience and hope for families across Idaho.
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Leading With Hope: Inside the Hope Squad Movement
Dec 300:32:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Mindful Mic, we sit down with Jason Shanks, district leader overseeing Hope Squads, and Michelle Weickum, LMSW, School Social Worker at Riverglen Jr. High. Together, they share how Hope Squad empowers students to notice warning signs, reach out to peers, and build a culture of connection and compassion in their schools.We explore what it looks like when youth are trusted to lead, the impact peer support has on mental-health awareness, and the inspiring ways Hope Squad members are changing conversations around safety, belonging, and hope.This is a conversation about community, courage, and the power of showing up for one another.
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Leading With Hope: Inside the Hope Squad Movement-Trailer
Nov 1900:00:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Mindful Mic, out December 3rd, we sit down with Jason Shanks, district leader overseeing Hope Squads, and Michelle Weickum, LMSW, School Social Worker at Riverglen Jr. High. Together, they share how Hope Squad empowers students to notice warning signs, reach out to peers, and build a culture of connection and compassion in their schools.We explore what it looks like when youth are trusted to lead, the impact peer support has on mental-health awareness, and the inspiring ways Hope Squad members are changing conversations around safety, belonging, and hope.This is a conversation about community, courage, and the power of showing up for one another.
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Flock Together: Finding Healing, Hope, and Community - Trailer
Nov 600:01:12Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with Leslie Scantling, breast cancer survivor and founder of Flock Cancer Idaho, and Carrie Panzer Epley, LCSW, a therapist who specializes in cancer grief, and embodiment therapy. Together, they share a heartfelt conversation about navigating life after diagnosis, the emotional side of survivorship, and how healing grows stronger when we come together as a community.
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Flock Together: Finding Healing, Hope, and Community
Nov 601:01:15Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with Leslie Scantling, breast cancer survivor and founder of Flock Cancer Idaho, and Carrie Panzer Epley, LCSW, a therapist who specializes in cancer grief, and embodiment therapy. Together, they share a heartfelt conversation about navigating life after diagnosis, the emotional side of survivorship, and how healing grows stronger when we come together as a community.
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Youth Leadership and Creating Community Through Compassion
Oct 2300:32:36Tap to summarizeIn this inspiring episode of The Mindful Mic, we meet Abi Franklin, a Boise high-school student who turned compassion into community impact. As the director of Idaho Homelessness Impact, Abi is proving that leadership has no age limit.Together, we explore how youth leadership, empathy, and purpose come together to make meaningful change—especially in the fight against homelessness and the challenges tied to mental health. Abi shares her journey of spearheading a nonprofit as a teen, what she’s learned about resilience and connection, and how young people everywhere can use their passions to give back.Join us for a heartfelt conversation about kindness in action, the power of listening, and the hope that grows when we lead with empathy.
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