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/

We have two incredible guests from Monument Impact, an organization dedicated to empowering and advocating for low-income immigrant communities in the East Bay.

First, we’re joined by the Executive Assistant. She is a first generation American and has a background working in behavioral health for John Muir. Regina, has played a key role in the operations of monument impact, ensuring everything runs efficiently behind the scenes.

And alongside, we have Amie, the Communications Liaison at Monument Impact. She is responsible for crafting the message and telling the stories that highlight the impact and needs of the community.

Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience on the work being done at Monument Impact and the ongoing fight for social justice in the East Bay. Stick around as we dive into their roles, the mission of Monument Impact, and the power of community advocacy. Welcome Regina and Amie

Visit Monument Impact:
https://monumentimpact.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. Before we dive in, this show is sponsored by Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services, Kaiser, & John Muir.

Our guest is the Operations Manager at Loaves and Fishes, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity in the community by providing over 3,400 meals a day to those in need.

Before stepping into his current role, he volunteered at Loaves and Fishes, and his journey to the heart of this organization is both inspiring and full of resilience. Not only is he dedicated to serving others, but he’s also in recovery, using his own experiences to fuel his passion for giving back.

From the front lines of hunger relief to the heart of recovery, he embodies the power of second chances and the importance of community support. We’re thrilled to welcome Kai Barnes.

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

Visit Loaves and Fishes:
https://loavesfishescc.org/

Today, we are honored to have a special guest, someone with decades of experience in the mental health field and a deep commitment to supporting individuals living with mental illness. Our guest is the Chief Operating Officer of Clubhouse International. With a career spanning over 30 years, he has dedicated his life to improving the lives of those living with mental health challenges.
Before joining Clubhouse International in 2002, he spent 13 years at Friendship House on the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii, where he developed a passion for helping people find meaningful work and support through community-based services. His journey into this field began even earlier, with a background in social work and communications. In fact, his career started in a very different place—at a radio station in 1984. But he quickly realized that his true calling was not behind the mic, but in helping people directly.
After making the transition to the Gateway Clubhouse Training Center, he quickly found his stride in guiding individuals toward employment and eventually serving as the center’s Director for 13 years. Today, as the COO of Clubhouse International, he continues to lead the charge in expanding the Clubhouse model—a groundbreaking approach to supporting individuals with mental health conditions through work, education, and community integration.
We’re excited to explore the transformative work of Clubhouses today, and discuss why every community deserves one. Welcome, Jack Yatsko!

Check us out on our website:
https://mentalhealthconnectionsca.org/

Clubhouse International Website:
https://clubhouse-intl.org/

Hello to all of our phenomenal viewers, listeners, and supporters. Welcome to another episode of “CONNECTED,” where we discuss all things mental health, recovery, employment, and stories.

Meet Terrance Williams, the visionary behind Meta Wellness, a groundbreaking platform that creates virtual reality experiences specifically designed for therapists and everyday people. With a staggering 90% success rate, his work is transforming the way mental health care is delivered.
Inspired by the profound impact of Alzheimer's on his beloved grandmother, Terrance dedicated three years to mastering coding and developing immersive environments that foster healing and connection. Today, he also shares his expertise as an educator, teaching a self-paced, seven-week course at New Mexico State University, empowering the next generation of innovators.

Join us as we dive into his journey, the technology behind Meta Wellness, and the incredible potential of virtual reality in mental health care.

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.

Meet our guest, a passionate first-year nursing student at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, California. With a decade of experience at Children's Hospital, she’s no stranger to the operating room, having spent years in the surgery department. Inspired by her family's legacy in healthcare and driven by her desire to help others, she stepped into nursing school ready to make a difference.
Join us as we explore her unique path, the challenges she faced, and her unwavering commitment to patient care. Welcome Rheanne Oxley

Connections House | https://connectionshouseca.org/

Host Brianna "Podcast Bri" Harris