In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In this episode of The Mindful Mic, we sit down with Kelly Eisenbarger, LMSW, Interim Executive Director of Boise Hive — a nonprofit creating a safe, sober, and supportive space for Boise’s music and arts community.

Boise Hive isn’t just a rehearsal or recording space — it’s a lifeline. Through free and low-cost counseling, peer support groups, and creative programming, the Hive helps musicians and artists protect their mental health, prevent suicide, and find connection through creativity.

Kelly shares what it means to lead an organization that bridges art and advocacy, the power of community-led healing, and how Boise Hive continues to foster hope and belonging for those who create, perform, and find solace in music.

🎧 Tune in for a conversation about resilience, creativity, and the ways music can quite literally save lives.

Professional skier, filmmaker, and public speaker Drew Petersen opens up about his journey from suicidal depression to resilience and hope. In this conversation, Drew shares the story behind his new documentary Feel It All, which intertwines skiing Colorado’s highest peaks with running the Leadville Trail 100 ultramarathon. We also explore his mission to shift the culture around mental health in mountain communities, his upcoming TED Talk, and the events he is bringing to Boise.

Disclaimer: This episode includes discussion of suicide and mental health. Please listen with care. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 in the U.S. for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide and mental health struggles.

In this special episode of The Mindful Mic, we sit down with Jake Stockton, founder of Stay; and Play and the Continuation Project, created in honor of his son, Kade Parrish. Jake shares how he transformed unimaginable grief into a movement of hope—raising awareness, and creating safe spaces for honest conversations about mental health.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You are not alone.