Paul Lawson Chats: A Podcast For Helpers

Ep. 18: Statewide Suicide Prevention - Tony Coder / Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation

For 21 years, the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation has worked to provide resources across Ohio with one mission in mind: saving lives through suicide prevention. In recent years, they’ve expanded that outreach to include blue-collar industries, construction included. Tony Coder is a friend, mentor, and a statewide leader helping guide that mission forward as CEO of OSPF. He has a big heart for people who are struggling — supporting families who have experienced loss while also working directly with legislators to help shape suicide prevention policy across Ohio. Tony and I instantly connected a few years ago over coffee, and if you listen to our episode, you’ll quickly understand why we did.

Ep. 17: Large Scale Programs - Bryan Shields & Israel Avila / North Coast States Carpenters Union

On this episode, I sit down with Bryan Shields and Israel Avila, two of the driving forces behind the mental health program for the North Coast Carpenters Union—a program that supports more than 50,000 workers and their families.We dig into their personal journeys into mental health advocacy, what pushed them to step into this work, and how they’ve built something that operates at a truly massive scale. From boots-on-the-ground conversations to system-wide impact, Bryan and Israel share what it takes to reach thousands of workers in an industry that hasn’t always made space for these conversations—and how they’re changing that, one job site at a time.

Ep. 16: Men's Mental Health & The Clinical Space - Jake Ross / The Ross Wellness Group LLC

I believe advocacy is the bridge between at-risk workforces and the clinical services that can provide deeper care. I also believe authenticity and vulnerability are essential elements to helping men, in particular, connect with clinicians. In this episode, I sit down with Jake Ross, who is on a mission to revolutionize men’s mental health by helping the clinical world connect with at-risk populations in new ways by incorporating those elements. We talk about his story, the gaps he sees between clinicians and the people who need them most, and his vision for developing a new language the clinical world can use to reach more men.

Ep. 15: The Next Generation of Construction - Matt Demosky / Ohio Construction Academy

Gen Z often gets a bad rap, but my past experience in youth ministry told a different story. I saw creative, outside-the-box thinkers who were willing to work hard, awkwardness and all. Matt Demosky is helping build a real bridge for the next generation to enter the trades. Through Ohio Construction Academy, he and his team are meeting a critical need—helping students complete their high school education while connecting them directly to career paths in the trades.

Ep. 14 - Language Access in Construction - Loretta Mulberry / LM Consulting Services LLC

After visiting several bilingual construction job sites this year, I’ve become a firm believer that language access can no longer be an afterthought in our industry. It doesn’t just make job sites safer—it strengthens connection, builds trust across cultures, and reduces the isolation so many workers quietly face. In this episode, I’m joined by Loretta Mulberry, an independent consultant who specializes in helping construction companies bridge cultural and linguistic gaps. She works directly with companies to improve communication, enhance safety, and create workplaces where every worker feels seen and supported. We talk about what true language access looks like, why it matters now more than ever, and how companies can take meaningful steps toward a more inclusive, connected, and safe workforce.