Suicide Zen Forgiveness Stories re Suicide Loss | Ideation | Mental Health | Offering Hope |Empathy for All

Breaking the Silence on Suicide and Mental Health with Mike Stenger In this episode of 'Suicide Zen Forgiveness,' host Elaine Lindsay engages in a profound conversation with guest Mike Stenger about his journey from suicidal ideation as a teen in Ohio to becoming a successful marketer in San Diego. The discussion highlights the importance of ending the silence, stigma, and shame surrounding suicide and mental health issues. Mike shares his personal story, emphasizing the critical role of open communication and empathy. The episode also explores the impact of social media, the challenges of depression, and the necessity of kindness and empathy in everyday interactions.   00:00 Mission and Introduction 01:16 Meet Mike Stenger 02:07 Elaine's Google Plus Story 07:34 Mike's Struggles and Turning Point 16:21 Moving to San Diego 18:19 Dealing with Depression 21:16 The Impact of Social Media 28:57 The Dark Side of Social Media 32:08 The Importance of Empathy 35:57 Teaching Empathy in Schools 40:20 The Power of Listening 45:10 Spreading Kindness 49:07 Final Thoughts and Farewell BIO From suicidal teen living in the boonies of Ohio to a successful direct response marketer living in sunny San Diego, when Mike’s not cranking out converting copy for his clients, you can find him out and about walking his husky Zoey or living the dad life. I met Mike in the early days of Google+ and we have remained friends these past thirteen years.   Social and Link LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikestenger [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikestenger?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BEhZ%2BcqAzThu%2FtMl2e4Nbug%3D%3D]   Website:  mikestenger.com  [https://www.mikestenger.com/]

Show Notes Autism Advocacy and Personal Stories: A Conversation with Sam Mitchell   In this episode of 'Suicide Zen Forgiveness,' host Elaine Lindsay interviews Sam Mitchell, an international motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and host of the popular podcast 'Autism Rocks and Rolls.' The episode looks into Sam's experiences as an individual on the autism spectrum, highlighting his achievements and raising awareness about neurodiversity. They discuss breaking societal stigmas and the importance of empathy and understanding, while also exploring Sam's personal journey, accomplishments, and future goals. The podcast aims to inspire and educate listeners on issues related to mental health and autism, offering hope and resilience.   00:00 Introduction and Mission Statement 00:54 Meet Sam Mitchell: A Multifaceted Entrepreneur 02:03 Sam's Podcast Success and Notable Guests 05:46 Understanding Neurodiversity and Empathy 08:27 Sam's Personal Insights and Strengths 17:23 The Importance of Individuality and Fun 18:17 Sam's Personal Life and Relationships 20:58 Future Goals and Aspirations for the Podcast 22:23 Discovering Hidden Talents 23:22 The Art of Broadcasting 24:03 A Journey in Radio 24:54 Favorite Country Singers 25:38 Exploring Music Preferences 27:51 Scottish Traditions and Bagpipes 28:51 Wrestling Legends 30:38 Understanding the Autism Spectrum 32:28 Breaking Stereotypes 38:24 Final Thoughts and Farewell   Bio: Hello! My name is Sam Mitchell and I run a successful podcast called Autism Rocks and Rolls. I have autism myself and my podcast has exploded and become very successful! I would like to be a guest on your podcast to spread the mission of my podcast and nonprofit.   I am at 18.3K downloads. I have had some big names on my show: Armani Williams, first NASCAR driver open about having autism, and American Idol Rocker James Durbin who has autism and Tourette’s. My biggest guest of all was Dr. Temple Grandin, professor in Animal Science at Colorado State University and autism activist. I had WWE legend Mick Foley on my show! Huge guests are upcoming as well!   I also am a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, sell merchandise, have several sponsors, sell ad space, am writer and blogger, and love to promote my podcast and business. I also have a published TED Talk called Souled Structure.    My official Website is autismrocksandrolls.com [http://autismrocksandrolls.com/].   I am a high-functioning human being on the autism spectrum, but have a mission: to show people that I am not broken, do not need to be fixed, there is no normal in this world, and I am successful, with autism. I want to celebrate the successes of all people. I embrace who I am and feel as though everyone should do the same. My mission is powerful and this extraordinary idea is catching on and getting the world’s attention.   I have made it to the top 10 in the People's Choice Podcast Awards, placed second in the state of Indiana for the JAG Entrepreneurship project, was selected as the best business at the CEO trade show in Indiana, have had tremendous guests on my show, and am in the top 200 podcasts in all of Canada while also being a current Davey Award winner. Corporation President of Autism Rocks and Rolls info@autismrocksandrolls.com www.autismrocksandrolls.com [http://www.autismrocksandrolls.com/] 812-699-7811 "Humankind, do both"

Healing Through Forgiveness: Brenda Adelman's Journey   In this episode of Suicide Zen Forgiveness, Elaine, your host shares the mission to break the silence, stigma, and shame surrounding suicide loss, ideation, and mental health. Her guest, Brenda Adelman, an award-winning actress and playwright, discusses her life story, including the tragic murder of her mother by her father and the complex path to self-forgiveness. Brenda emphasizes the importance of releasing anger and resentment, setting healthy boundaries, and embracing self-love. Listeners are encouraged to prioritize their mental health and seek support when needed. Practical exercises and stories are shared to help those struggling with forgiveness, making this episode a powerful tool for healing and resilience.   00:00 Introduction and Mission 01:16 Meet Brenda Adelman 01:48 Brenda's Story of Tragedy and Forgiveness 04:34 The Power of Storytelling and Healing 08:59 Understanding and Releasing Shame 12:22 Forgiveness and Setting Boundaries 19:40 Personal Stories of Forgiveness 34:33 Daily Practices for Healing 37:03 Conclusion and Resources Bio Brenda Adelman, the daughter of a Jewish father and an artist mother, grew up in the Mill Basin section of Brooklyn, New York. A fan of Broadway shows since childhood, she studied acting at several prestigious schools in London, New York, and Los Angeles.   Brenda Adelman’s mother, an award-winning artist and photographer, was shot and killed in her home in Brooklyn, New York, in 1995. Brenda’s father pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and served two and half years in prison.   In Brenda's own words... "Within days my father had contacted my mother’s older sister who ended up being there for him in a very peculiar way.  He moved in with her and sometime later they got married. In the meantime my father was charged with second degree murder but because the weapon, his gun, was never recovered, his sentence was reduced to five years in prison for Involuntary Manslaughter. He got out in two and a half years for good behaviour. At first, unable to bear the thought of losing both my parents, I wouldn’t accept my father had meant to kill my mother. My brother disagreed and because he felt the system hadn’t held my father/ his step father accountable (2 ½ years for what he believed was cold-blooded murder) he decided to pursue the only other avenue he had which was a civil lawsuit.  I disagreed and as a result my brother and I stopped speaking to each other for six years. After my mum’s death I felt a deep sense of shame and despair. What did it say about me if this is what had happened to my parents? The only thing that helped transform these negative emotions was writing my story. I was doing an acting course in LA at the time so I wrote and performed a 15-minute personal piece and at the end of which I noticed people crying. I was amazed because instead of being judged for what I’d revealed I received a standing ovation and so much empathy and compassion. While my Dad was in prison I wrote to him several times asking “tell me what happened”, but he ignored my questions and in the end we stopped communicating. Later when he was out of prison he contacted me again. I was pleased to hear from him until I realised he was only interested in getting his hands on my inheritance money. I realised then that he was toxic and decided to pursue the civil court case with my brother, I was still desperate for my father to tell the truth and assumed he would have to take the stand. I really thought he would show up at court, but he never did.  He skipped town to Florida and transferred his money into off-shore accounts. My aunt also disappeared. Although we won the case – winning a judgment of 2.2 million dollars for the Wrongful Death of our mom – my brother and I never collected a cent and I ended up paying tens of thousands of dollars in fees to my lawyer. To help me deal with the pain during all this time I was trying to forgive.  But I didn’t know how as I assumed forgiveness was about reconciliation and I didn’t want my dad back in my life.  However, during the process I realised forgiveness also meant resolving inner conflict and clearing my heart of hate; it meant that if I thought about my father my day wasn’t wrecked anymore. The missing step was embracing my anger in a healthy way. I still felt a deep level of anger at myself for ever trusting my father, which was demonstrated by my over-eating. I had so much self-judgement and you can’t really forgive someone else unless you’ve forgiven yourself.  It was while taking a course in spiritual psychology that I recognised how with each negative thought directed at my father I was re-wounding myself.  Suddenly I had an insight into the oneness of ‘us’ and  I was inwardly guided to go to the top of a mountain in Los Angeles and carry out a ceremony of release using one of my father’s hats which I threw over the mountain side. With this simple ritualistic gesture something was released inside of me. From that moment I wasn’t burdened anymore. As for forgiving my aunt, that has been much more difficult, but I strive to be able to let go of any righteousness I may feel about her because I know that this little bit of righteousness will only hurt me more. In 2004 I received a letter in the mail from my aunt’s attorney with a copy of my father’s death certificate saying he’d died of a heart attack. It was a relief in a way, because I realised there had been a part of me trying to get my dad back but now reconciliation was no longer possible.  At that point something settled in me and for the first time since my mother’s death I was able properly to grieve." ~ Brenda Adelman  Since then, with a degree in Spiritual Psychology, Brenda has written a one-woman show, “My Brooklyn Hamlet”, based on her life story which she has performed all around the world. Her work today focuses on helping people transform pain into healing narratives: forgivenessandfreedom.com [https://forgivenessandfreedom.com/]   Socials and Links https://www.facebook.com/brenda.adelman/ [https://www.facebook.com/brenda.adelman/] https://www.instagram.com/brendaadelman/ [https://www.instagram.com/brendaadelman/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendaadelman-storyteller [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendaadelman-storyteller]   Forgiveness and Freedom [http://www.forgivenessandfreedom.com/] Official Site [http://brendaadelman.com/]   One Woman Show "My Brooklyn Hamlet" [https://brendaadelman.samcart.com/products/my-brooklyn-hamlet/] https://brendaadelman.samcart.com/products/my-brooklyn-hamlet/

Unmasking the Pain: A Journey of Trauma and Healing with Barbara Hayward   In this powerful episode of Suicide Zen Forgiveness, host Elaine Lindsay welcomes Barbara Hayward, a medium clairvoyant and spiritual advisor, to share her deeply personal journey of trauma, loss, and healing. From enduring childhood molestation and a traumatic teen pregnancy involving forced adoption, to battling addiction and mental health issues, Barbara recounts how she navigated profound pain and emerged as a remarkable figure in spiritual coaching. Despite facing immense hardships, including severe psychiatric struggles and suicide attempts, Barbara has transformed her experiences into a source of empathy and compassion in her work. The conversation highlights the generational impact of trauma and the healing process, her rediscovery and reunion with her biological son after decades, and the enduring strength that comes from sharing one's story. This episode serves as an inspiring testament to resilience and the human spirit's capacity for forgiveness and connection.   00:00 Mission to End the Silence 00:50 Meet the Guest: Barbara Hayward 01:51 Barbara's Journey Begins 04:18 A Troubled Childhood 07:44 Teenage Struggles and Early Pregnancy 10:52 Facing Family and Societal Pressures 13:44 The Aftermath and Moving Forward 22:54 A Mother's Struggle and Words of Advice 23:34 The Breakdown of a Marriage 23:51 Turning to Alcohol and Meeting Dennis 24:07 Revealing the Truth to the Children 26:07 The Psychiatric Journey 27:32 A New Life in New Zealand 27:54 The Search for Brett Charles 33:47 Reconnecting with a Lost Son 36:20 The Impact of Forced Adoptions 37:50 Reflections and Closing Thoughts 43:59 Outro and Acknowledgements   BIO At around the age of 30 years old, Barbara found herself a single mother with 2 young boys after  her marriage had disintegrated. A marriage that right from the beginning was never destined to  succeed.  Barbara’s early life was one of polar opposites. There was laughter, fun and a great love of  school, years of enjoying been a Marching girl winning lots of medals. Sexual molestation at a  very early age, rape at 12 and having a baby taken away from her at birth due to forced adoption  at 16. This event broke Barbara from which she has never fully recovered.  Eventually marrying the father of her baby at 20 years old, they had 2 more sons. When her  marriage failed when she as 30, she was left to raise 2 quite young sons on her own.  Around this time she met a lady Crystal, who was instrumental in helping Barbara enter a world  that she did not even know existed,… The Spiritual world. After 8 years of training with Crystal,  her Spiritual journey began. Barbara had by now met a man who was to be her life partner.  Barbara, Denis and her 2 sons found themselves living in New Zealand, far away from  Melbourne, Australia.  Barbara’s Spiritual journey embraces her own radio program for 3 years as a clairvoyant,  workshops, Seminars, Psychic Fairs, quest speaking at Churches and much, much more.  Barbara and Denis have moved between Australia and New Zealand many times until one day  while celebrating her 60th birthday, she received news that her son who was taken was trying to  locate her after 43 years  Barbara, now at 71 years old, has begun a new career. Having a very successful Facebook page  as well as an up and coming YouTube channel. The Old Girls Spiritual Stuff. Socials FB facebook.com/theoldgirlsspiritualstuff [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_header&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEF0eHJxdHhQazYxX0NhWjFtRWtuQldaYXFBUXxBQ3Jtc0tucFdPX2xZOS0yYjdUVllfYnBRekoyTGJIYUc4Z0docTBRN0U3OWJkY1pMM3BncHBHUF9aM2lkUXJoZFBid1VLVTJtbUFBQjNvNHhPdzlXVk5DWGt5a3AtNHRlUXBUVHFiX04xQ0JVazdfLTRMUEZvTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftheoldgirlsspiritualstuff%2F] YT https://www.youtube.com/@BarbaraHayward-1953

Healing Through Pain: Tony Lynch's Journey from Tragedy to Triumph   In this episode of Suicide Zen Forgiveness, host Elaine Lindsay chats with Tony Lynch, a men's grief coach, author, and podcaster. Tony shares his powerful life story of overcoming immense pain, including childhood trauma, gang involvement, incarceration, and heartbreaking family losses. Despite experiencing homelessness and planning his own suicide, Tony found his purpose in helping others through their grief and loss. They discuss the importance of empathy, the challenges men face in grieving openly, and the creation of Tony's nonprofit 'Memories of Us'. This episode is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the human spirit's capacity for healing.   00:00 Introduction and Mission Statement 01:17 Meet Tony Lynch: A Journey of Resilience 02:48 The Taboo of Grief in Society 05:08 Personal Stories of Loss and Empathy 13:44 Tony's Early Life and Struggles 16:54 Turning Points and Life Lessons 25:41 Confronting Loss and Grief 26:53 A Journey of Healing Begins 28:11 Finding Support and Realizations 29:07 Creating a Safe Space for Men 29:40 Building a Nonprofit Amid Challenges 31:39 Embracing Social Media and Podcasting 33:07 Personal Healing and Transformation 38:51 Reflecting on the Journey 44:35 Connecting with the Audience 47:19 Closing Remarks and Gratitude   BIO I’m Tony Lynch, host of the Grief…Let’s Talk About It [https://www.youtube.com/@griefletstalkaboutit] podcast and founder of Memories of Us Ltd., which is a global grief network that offers grief support for men. My journey started on Halloween of 2015 when my son overdosed due to some miscalculations by his pharmacist when she mixed his medication wrong. What should’ve been a normal Saturday turned out to be a nightmare.  small #personaltraining #buisinessowner recently  started a #nonprofit... #MEMORIES OF US we offer resources and support to #men who have lost loved ones we support each other as we navigate the world of #grief and the many stages... #MEMORIES OF US have partnered with other great #nonprofitorganizatons that specialize in #mens/womensmentalhealth/#veteranspeersupport/ #recovery as well as #supportgroups for those that have been affected by #suicide Socials Website: Memories2.org [http://memories2.org/] Instagram: Memories4.us Linkedin: Tony lynch Facebook: Memories of us…grief support for men Youtube: Memories of us podcast Other: Memoriesofuspodcast.transistor.fm Which is our podcast where you can hear stories of men that have gone through their own trauma and found their strength