Rooted in Purpose: Nicole Ford’s Journey as an HCAI Scholar and Future Wellness Coach

Welcome to Helping Hands, Healing Minds

In this kickoff episode, we’re pulling back the curtain and inviting you into the heart of Helping Hands, Healing Minds — a student- and faculty-led podcast that explores the real stories, challenges, and triumphs behind the helping professions. From mental health and human services to lived experience and social change, this is where healing meets humanity. Tune in, get inspired, and join the conversation.

Rooted in Purpose: Nicole Ford’s Journey as an HCAI Scholar and Future Wellness Coach

In this inspiring episode of Helping Hands, Healing Minds, we sit down with HCAI scholarship recipient Nicole Ford to hear how her passion for helping others led her to pursue a career in wellness coaching. Nicole opens up about the impact of receiving the HCAI scholarship, and how she plans to use her education and lived experiences to empower her community. Tune in for a conversation filled with purpose, resilience, and a glimpse into the future of mental wellness leadership.

Rooted & Resilient: A Conversation on Women’s Mental Health

In this episode of Helping Hands, Healing Minds, Dr. Robinson and Ana Alcauter are joined by special guests Marissa Manai and Nicole Ford for a heartfelt conversation on women’s mental health. Together, we explore the emotional load many women carry, the impact of societal pressure, and how to create space for rest, healing, and self-advocacy.

Living in Fear: The Human Side of Immigration Crackdowns

In this episode of Helping Hands, Healing Minds, Dr. Robinson and Ana Alcauter talk about the emotional toll immigration crackdowns are having on families in LA County. From increased fear and anxiety to clients too afraid to leave their homes, this conversation highlights the human side of policy.

Path to Purpose: Becoming a Certified Wellness Coach

Are you ready to make a lasting impact in the lives of young people? In this episode of Empowering Futures, we spotlight the Wellness Coaches for Adolescent Resiliency and Empowerment (WeCARE) program at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). Learn how this innovative certification prepares compassionate individuals to become certified wellness coaches equipped to support adolescent mental health, foster resiliency, and promote empowerment in underserved communities.