It's hard for many of us to wrap our heads around how we could be so different from our neighbors and so much of our country. Many are asking where the humanity is, but we're challenging ourselves and you to ask whether we're really looking for it and offering it right now.

If you need somewhere to start, we're re-releasing a podcast episode today from 2021 with a man named Graham Finochio. If ever anyone has given us insight and empathy on how one gets into and away from harmful ideologies and behaviors, it’s Graham. His story and work brings understanding, hope, practical tools, and a place to put your money if you want to invest in programs that offer real and profound transformation for men in similar circumstances.

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In today's episode, we continue our series with the men of Success Stories Program and one of their Transformational Coaches, Graham Finochio. Throughout this conversation, we discuss some of his early trauma, how he came to identify as a skinhead, how prison reinforced his beliefs around toxic masculinity and white supremacy, and the moment things started to change for him.

He walks us through his personal transformation and his thoughts on forgiveness, amends, and what healthy love looks like. He shares more about the curriculum Success Stories offers to help guide men toward a similar path, and leaves us with tips on how to approach these types of conversations within our own relationships.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Success Stories Program

The Feminist On Cellblock Y

Thoughtful Human x Success Stories

Donate to Success Stories

If you want to follow along in our journey or check out our products, find us at our website thoughtfulhuman.co, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

P.S. If you or someone you love needs access to a month of free online therapy: betterhelp.com/thoughtfulhuman.

Today’s conversation is all about body image and eating disorders.

This episode touches on both the everyday challenges related to body image, as well as a deeper discussion about clinical eating disorders and how we can create honest, safe spaces to talk about them with our loved ones.

To help us do this, I am joined by Dr. Margo Maine. Dr. Maine is a clinical psychologist who has specialized in eating disorders and related issues for over 35 years. She is one of the founders of the National Eating Disorders Association, as well as an author and speaker, in addition to her private practice.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The differences between different types of EDs
• Language that may be helpful and harmful in approaching conversations about body image
• Common misconceptions about EDs vs how and why eating disorders develop
• Effective ways to open up conversations about an eating disorder
• Relational Cultural Theory (RCT) and Dr. Maine’s psychoeducational approach to treatment
• Prevention and some practical tools for self acceptance

Resources:

• The Body Project: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-involved/the-body-project
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
• You can also call or text the NEDA helpline at (800) 931-2237.

If you want to follow along in our journey or check out our products, find us at our website thoughtfulhuman.co, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

P.S. If you or someone you love needs access to a month of free online therapy: betterhelp.com/thoughtfulhuman.

It's National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and today's episide offers an exploration of suicide and the many ways we can support those who are struggling today.

To help educate us on this subject are two guests, Meredith Sears, Ph.D — a clinical psychologist who specializes in suicide prevention and serves as the President of the Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and Brittney Elko — an AFSP board member who shares her personal story of loss, and her expertise as a 988/TALK crisis line volunteer and organizer of ASFP's Healing Conversations program.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 7:25: Specific vocabulary that may be helpful and harmful in conversations about suicide
• 18:20: Stigma and common misconceptions about suicide and suicide attempts vs. the true nature of depression and suicidal ideation
• 31:30: What you can say or do when someone discloses that they are having suicidal thoughts
• 48:30: Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• 55:20: Firearms, lethal means safety, and other effective prevention strategies
• 1:04:35: Postvention and the unique, complex nature of grieving a suicide loss
• 1:20:40: Three recommendations for anyone feeling suicidal today or supporting someone with suicidal thoughts today

Resources:

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Healing Conversations
• Safe Plan App

Sources & mentions from this episode:

• AFSP statistics 
• NAMI statistics
• Centre for Suicide Prevention: How Many People Are Affected by One Suicide

If you want to follow along in our journey or check out our products, find us at our website thoughtfulhuman.co, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

P.S. If you or someone you love needs access to a month of free online therapy: betterhelp.com/thoughtfulhuman.