Season 4

Episode 50 – Eric’s Finale with Brandon Andress

On Eric’s final episode as co-host of Revealing Voices, we invited Brandon Andress back for his second interview. In 2021, Brandon published his fourth book, “What Can’t Be Hidden.” At the beginning of the show, we discuss the writing process as he switched to fiction for the first time. Brandon shares his new sense of freedom in an allegorical writing style and unique ability to present spiritual themes through the relationships of the characters.

In the second half of the show, Eric thanks Brandon and Tony for the role they have played in his life as spiritual mentors. Brandon led a weekly Men’s Confession group for 4 years. Tony and Eric co-led a weekly Faithful Friends mental health ministry. Both of these groups were the source of many strong, enduring relationships that developed through transparent communication. Many topics are explored by the author threesome.

From Eric: “Thank you listeners for the last 4 years of listening to this podcast. This show has always been about exploring the meaning of healing and I’m grateful to have learned many perspectives, stories, and experiences. I’m thankful for Tony’s commitment to the show and I’ll continue to encourage him as a true leader of mental health ministry in our country.”

As promised in episode, here it the link to the native plant ecology work that Eric has been devoting himself to in Columbus. As spring approaches, he will be putting down the mic and picking up a shovel!

Episode 49 – Dr. Bruce and Sally Riddle in Studio E

Eric’s parents, Dr. Bruce and Sally Riddle, join us in Studio E in this penultimate episode of Eric hosting the podcast. Bruce shares his story living with bipolar disorder, discussing the struggle getting through his med school internship and residency. Sally talks through the decision not to share the diagnosis with friends and work contacts for over 40 years. After Bruce’s hospitalization in 2020, they made the decision to share the diagnosis publicly. In this episode, they talk through the experience of 5 decades of marriage and the benefits of finally being able to share with friends and their church.

Some questions explored on this episode:

When did Bruce first start experiencing bipolar symptoms?

How did he navigate the journey to becoming a doctor while struggling through depressive and manic episodes?

How have their relationships with friends changed since deciding to share his diagnosis?

How did their experience prepare them for supporting Eric when he first experienced depression in high school?

What does healing mean to them?

Episode 48 – Origin Story & 2022 Transition

In this episode, Tony and Eric are in studio to discuss the roots of the podcast and future for the show. Revealing Voices will become a part of Tony’s Delight in Disorder Ministries – a new nonprofit dedicated to publishing content to educate and encourage those impacted by brain illnesses and other mental health conditions. A successful Indiegogo campaign will provide seed money to get the ministry underway. More details will follow about how you can invest in this vital effort.

After episode 50, Eric will be stepping back from co-hosting to devote more of his time and energy to environmental stewardship. In his place, we will have a series of co-hosts representing leaders and experts in the field of faith and mental health. Plans are underway to conduct a series on Advocacy, Trauma, and Mental Health & the Church.

Episode 47 – Art of Invitation with Debbie Teike

Debbie Teike, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is the author of The Art of Invitation: Building enduring relationships · Connecting community.  Debbie has extensive experience working in long-term care, elder abuse and neglect, hospice care and congregational social work.  She grew up in Decatur, IL and graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (B.S. in Social Work) and Washington University’s Brown School of Social Work (M.S.W.)-St. Louis, MO.

The Art of Invitation is faith-based and scientifically grounded.  It embraces an understanding of human behavior, need, and connection centered in God’s grace, mercy, peace, and love for all people.  It provides remedies for the common human experiences of division, isolation, and lack of genuine connection.Debbie is married to her husband, Mark, and has three children, Erin (Jamie), David and Shanthi and two grandchildren, Eloise and Francis.

Some topic include:

How is Art of Invitation different from traditional understanding of hospitality?

How can you have an invitational communication style with someone you’ve known for a long time?

How can the Art of Invitation be taught in churches, businesses, and other settings?

What is a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)?

How can law enforcement be better equipped in deescalation techniques?

What does healing mean to you?  

Shownotes:

Art of Invitation website

Relational Values website

Episode 46 – Hope with Kirsten Panachyda

Kirsten Panachyda writes and speaks to infuse courage into the soul-weary. Her book Among Lions: Fighting for Faith and Finding Your Rest while Parenting a Child with Mental Illness is available now. Kirsten blogs at kirstenp.com. She and her husband Dan have two sons, and they are a roller-coaster-riding, travel-loving, blue-hair-dying family.

Some topics include:

How did she transition from being afraid of sharing family’s story to having confidence to write the book?

What are some practical tips to prepare a loved one going to inpatient mental health facility?

How did Kirsten cope with son being hospitalied 2.5 hours from her home?

What is the Hope for Hurting Parents blog and support group?

What Does Healing Mean to You?

Shownotes:

Hope for Hurting Parents – Provides resources for parents hurting over destructive behaviors or choices of their teen to adult children

Among Lions: Fighting for Faith and Finding your Rest while Parenting a Child with Mental Illness

Kneeling Among Lions: Praying When Your Child has a Mental Illness

Episode 45 – Saints who Struggled with Diana Gruver

Diana Gruver (MA, Gordon-Conwell) writes about discipleship and spiritual formation in the every day. She is the author of Companions in the Darkness: Seven Saints Who Struggled with Depression and Doubt, and serves as a writer and communications director for Vere Institute. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and daughter.

The book highlights:

  1. Martin Luther
  2. Hannah Allen
  3. David Brainerd
  4. William Cowper
  5. Charles Spurgeon
  6. Mother Teresa
  7. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Contact Diana Gruver at www.dianagruver.com or through Twitter @dianagruver and Facebook @dianagruverwriter.

Listen for a special offer in the interview for Diana to do a Zoom call with a small group who is studying Companions in the Darkness.

Some topics include:

What does healing mean to you?

Which saint did you most identify with?

In her research, did you discover many individuals who struggled with mental health?

What lessons did you learn from the people highlighted in the book?

Shownotes:

Redbud Writer’s Guild – Vibrant and diverse movement of Christian women who create in community and who influence culture and faith

Vere Institute – Empowers church leaders to cultivate whole life disciples of Christ for everyday Kingdom impact.

I am Greta – Documentary (2020) – The story of teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg is told through compelling, never-before-seen footage in this intimate documentary from Swedish director Nathan Grossman

Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary

Episode 44 – At the Nexus with Eli Perez

Eli Perez serves as the convener of NEXUS – a collaborative group that is working to bridge gaps in mental health to support women, youth, and individuals coming into contact with the justice system. NEXUS, which stands for Neuroscience Experts and Cross-Sector Unconventional Stakeholders, aims to bring together diverse groups of people to share ideas and create new solutions in mental health. NEXUS is powered by Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.

Eli serves as the Director of Patient Advocacy and Stakeholder Management at Otsuka, focusing on mental health and other CNS conditions. Eli began working in patient advocacy in order to bring his professional work closer to the communities he serves. Eli’s vision for his work is to make new connections, drive collaboration, and create solutions that address unmet needs in “patient” advocacy and professional communities.

When he’s not at work, Eli enjoys playing golf badly and watching sci-fi movies with his family. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and three kids.

Some Topics Include:

Who are some of the “unconventional” stakeholders in Nexus?

Why are Women, Youth, and Justice System the three focus areas of Nexus?

How is Nexus involved in promoting prevention?

How did Nexus pivot change its communication strategy during the pandemic?

What does healing mean to you?

Learn more at the Nexus Website