Hello to all of our phenomenal viewers, listeners, and supporters. If you are a new audience member, we are so grateful to have you. Welcome to another episode of “CONNECTED,” where we discuss all things mental health, recovery, employment, and stories.

In this episode, we’re joined by an incredible guest, the co-founder of The Black Neighborhood, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering communities through access, resources, and connection. After holding a degree from The Howard University, almost a decade ago, our guest took a bold step in founding this organization, starting with a free farmer's market in East Oakland. This gradually expanded their impact with initiatives like Mental Health hikes, turkey drives, scholarships, domestic violence prevention, and an ever-growing list of life-changing programs in the Bay Area, New York, and LA.
One of the standout initiatives? A series of group hikes that have evolved from a modest gathering of 30-50 people to now hosting nearly 150 participants after 39 hikes! These events aren’t just about physical activity; they’re also intentional spaces for networking, personal growth, and mindfulness. Before each hike, the group takes part in a mental and mindfulness exercise, setting the tone for a journey not only of the body, but of the mind and soul as well. And the best part? These hikes are free and open to everyone, promoting the idea that everyone deserves access to the healing power of nature.
We’ll be discussing the importance of mental health days in nature, how the power of community is harnessed on these hikes, and why our guest believes it’s essential to take time for yourself in the great outdoors. Please welcome Cory Elliot.

Visit The Black Neighborhood:
https://www.theblackneighborhood.org/

Visit our website:
https://mentalhealthconnectionsca.org/

Hello to all of our phenomenal viewers, listeners, and supporters. If you are a new audience member, we are so grateful to have you. Welcome to another episode of “CONNECTED,” where we discuss all things mental health, recovery, employment, and stories. Thank you to our sponsors, Contra Costa Health, and John Muir!

Today, we have a special guest all the way from New York. Joining us is the Interim Managing Director of Strategic Growth at Fountain House New York. Fountain House is a pioneering organization dedicated to supporting people living with mental illness, and through his work there, he has helped shape a community-centered approach to workplace well-being.

Before stepping into the world of strategic growth, he spent a few years as a poetry and English professor. However, after becoming discouraged by the limitations of the tenure system, he decided to chart a new path—one that combined his passion for community and education. That journey led him to Fountain House, where he’s spent the last seven years fostering collaborations through Fountain House United, which brings together different clubhouses to amplify their collective impact.

Throughout his career, he has embraced the philosophy that ‘the community will tell you what it needs.’ This belief has deeply shaped his approach to emotional wellness in the workplace, especially as it relates to building supportive, connected environments where people can truly thrive. Outside of his work, he’s a self-proclaimed homebody who enjoys the simple joys of food, poetry, and writing.

Today, we’re talking about why emotional intelligence and emotional wellness are so crucial in our work environments, and how organizations—whether big or small—can cultivate spaces that nurture both individual and collective well-being. Welcome, Alex Baldassare

Follow us on Social Media @_Connectionshouse_

Visit Fountain House Website: https://www.fountainhouse.org/

Hello to all of our phenomenal viewers, listeners, and supporters. If you are a new audience member, we are so grateful to have you. Welcome to another episode of “CONNECTED,” where we discuss all things mental health, recovery, employment, and stories. This show is sponsored by Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services, Kaiser, & John Muir.

Our guest today is Karen Beckles, a Reiki Master who has experienced a life-changing journey from a career at Rikers Island to finding healing through the power of Reiki.
Karen spent years as a Correction Officer, dedicating herself to a demanding and high-stress career. But after retiring, she faced a major wake-up call—a heart attack that led her to a Reiki session, where the practitioner told her she had a “broken heart.” It was a turning point. Karen realized that her career, which had once seemed like a great success, didn’t align with her values and had left her disconnected from herself.
In 2019, she turned to Reiki not just for healing, but to save herself. As she explains, in her time as a CO, she had learned to forget how to feel. Now, as a Level 3/4 Reiki Master, Karen helps others reconnect with their emotions and find peace.
Join us as we hear Karen’s powerful story of healing, personal growth, and how Reiki transformed her life. Let’s dive in!

Follow Karen on Instagram: @the_funky_truth

Follow us on Instagram: @_connectionshouse_

Visit us on our website!
https://mentalhealthconnectionsca.org/