Hear Me See Me

Episode 50: Sean Astin on dichotomy of growing up with mother's mental illness

What is it like to grow up with a famous mother who's also publicly and privately battling mental illness? Actor Sean Astin opens up about his life in the latest Hear me. See me. podcast. The 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Stranger Things' star shares how he reconciled experiencing physical and emotional abuse from his mother, actress Patty Duke, with the love and support he also felt from her. He also reflects on the understanding of her diagnosis with bipolar disorder that makes him passionate about continuing his mother's advocacy, and appreciate the gifts he says she gave him.

Episode 49: Caregivers need care, too

Taking care of an aging parent or loved one can be rewarding, but also can take its toll. Michele Dillon and Rebecca Holmes from Topeka's Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging look at some of the struggles caregivers might fee, .and also why you shouldn't feel you have to go it alone.

Episode 48: Making sense of the silence

How do you react when you're faced with life-altering news? Matt Hay was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF) when he was in college. NF is a genetic condition causing tumors to grow on your nerves. In Matt's case, he was told a tumor on his auditory nerve would take away his hearing. He shares the journey that followed in his book "Soundtrack of Silence,"using music to guide lessons learned. What songs would you want to keep in your head if your world would soon go silent?

Episode 47: Helping your kids cope through school, summer

The school year is winding down. But parents, take note: stress doesn’t end for kids once summer vacation arrives. We’re giving you tools for both experiences in the latest Hear me. See me. podcast. School counselors Mallory Jacobs with Topeka Public Schools and Nick Brummet with Clay Center Community Schools offer insights into what’s taking a toll on mental health of young people, and why summer brings its own set of concerns. They offer signs to watch for that could indicate your child is struggling, and practical advice to connect, communicate and support.

Episode 46: Helping athletes handle the heat - and what you can learn from it!

We've seen athletes at the highest levels struggle under pressure. It's something Dr. Anne Weese works with at the college level as director of mental wellness and sports psychology for Kansas State University Athletics. In this Hear me. See me. podcast, she explains how stress and pressure impact us mentally and physically, and why it's an extra challenge for young people. She also shares strategies for the playing field that we all can use in the workplace, too.