In this episode of Watching Mental Health, host Katie Waechter interviews Nick Emeigh, the executive director of NAMI Bucks County. They discuss Nick’s personal journey through mental health struggles, his advocacy work with NAMI, and the importance of community support in mental health recovery. The conversation highlights the significance of youth mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and the role of lived experience in helping others. In this conversation, Nick Emeigh from NAMI shares his journey through mental health challenges and the importance of community support.

He emphasizes the need for open discussions about mental health, the significance of peer support, and the vision for a future where mental health care is accessible and treated with the same urgency as physical health. The dialogue highlights the role of NAMI in providing resources and support for individuals struggling with mental health issues, as well as the ongoing efforts to reduce stigma and improve mental health advocacy.

What does it take to reshape how our justice system handles mental health?

In this week’s episode of Watching Mental Health, Angel Lash joins Katie Waechter to share her journey into mental health advocacy and the incredible community impact of the Lima Diversion Program. We take an honest look at the urgent need to break stigma, strengthen housing and treatment infrastructure, and leverage community support to make a true difference.

How do you keep going when your mind and body tell you to quit? In this episode of Watching Mental Health, we sit down with JD Tremblay—military veteran, author of Hunger for More in Life, and ultra-endurance triathlete who recently conquered the Epic Decca by completing 10 Ironman distances across 6 Hawaiian islands in 10 consecutive days.

JD breaks down why mental fortitude isn’t just for elite athletes, but an essential tool for anyone navigating life’s toughest hurdles, high-pressure careers, or personal burnout.

Throughout our conversation, he explains why depression doesn’t magically disappear when you reach the summit, shares lessons on goal-setting and self-awareness, and offers practical strategies for overcoming mental blockages while protecting your well-being.

Check out JD’s memoir, Hunger for More in Life, and subscribe to Watching Mental Health for more inspiring conversations on resilience and mental strength.

In this episode of Watching Mental Health, Katie speaks with Ranae Van Roekel, a trauma survivor and founder of Connecting to Cope. They discuss the importance of trauma-informed justice, the impact of unresolved trauma on individuals, and the need for mental health awareness in the prison system. Ranae shares her personal journey of healing, coping strategies, and the significance of building trust in therapeutic relationships. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-care and the ongoing process of healing from trauma.

What if you could reset your nervous system using your own DNA? In this episode, neuroscience and nutrition expert Lane Kennedy breaks down how to overcome chronic stress using a highly personalized approach.
Lane shares how your unique genetic blueprint influences your stress response, explaining why one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work for everyone. You’ll learn how DNA testing, mineral management, and simple micro-habits for sleep and nutrition can help you unlock inner resilience and reduce anxiety for good.

In this episode, Dr. Whitney Owens, a licensed psychologist and yoga instructor, discusses the mental health landscape in Nevada, the importance of self-care for healthcare professionals, and systemic challenges in mental health care. She shares insights on burnout, the role of movement in mental health, and resources available for those seeking help.

Diet culture has a massive grip on how we view food, but what is it actually doing to our minds? In this episode, we sit down with Leslie Schilling, a renowned sports dietitian and expert in eating disorders, to untangle the complicated relationship between what we eat and how we feel.

Leslie breaks down the profound impact of diet and nutrition on mental health, sheds light on the hidden harms of disordered eating, and exposes the toxic influence of diet culture. More importantly, she shares practical, real-world tips on how to nourish your body to genuinely support your mental well-being—minus the rigid rules.

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Nicole brings a unique blend of knowledge and experience to her work, with over a decade as a social worker and more than 20 years as a human resource professional. She is a certified astrologer and holds advanced degrees in psychology, counseling and education, and legal studies.Nicole Calix Coy is a certified astrologer with extensive experience in human resources and social work, with advanced degrees in psychology and counseling. As a lifelong student of astrology, Nicole began her journey at the age of eleven, and has since deepened her knowledge of astrology and metaphysical studies, including tarot, pendulum work, chakra healing and crystal healing. Her debut book, Astrology at Work: Navigate Workplace Dynamics with Astrological Insight, offers practical advice for understanding workplace dynamics through astrology. On today’s episode of Watching Mental Health, we are diving into the power of astrology in mental health, personal relationships, and healing.