Episode 7: Mental Health during the Holidays

Episode 13: Anxiety/Panic Attacks

Tell us your story! We'd love to hear from you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506509/fan_mail/new] In the final episode of Season 1, Emma and Anna discuss the specifics and realities of anxiety and panic attacks, including their own personal experiences and how they have learned to navigate them. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 in the U.S. to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQIA+ young people, operating 24/7 all year round - www.thetrevorproject.org [http://www.thetrevorproject.org] If you are or if you know someone between 18 and 25 who would like to be on the NAMI Oklahoma NextGen Advisory Council, please use this link: https://namioklahoma.org/get-involved/next-gen/ [https://namioklahoma.org/get-involved/next-gen/] Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and check out the NAMI Oklahoma website for more information on services and upcoming events. The experiences and opinions shared on this podcast are those of the individuals and are not meant to directly reflect the beliefs of NAMI or NAMI Oklahoma. Hosts: Emma Valgora and Anna Bennett Producer: Halee Harder Questions: Kalyn Delaney Research/Editing: Sydney Yaffe Recorded at the Village Library NAMI Oklahoma Staff Mentors: Jason Musgrove and Lorna Palmer

Episode 12: Seasons of Life

Tell us your story! We'd love to hear from you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506509/fan_mail/new] Emma and Anna discuss the seasons of life through the lens of mental health. Just as nature moves through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, our lives are filled with periods of growth, achievement, transition, lost, rest, and renewal. Some seasons bring excitement and possibility, while others challenge us with uncertainty, grief, or change. Each season serves a purpose and offers opportunities for learning about ourselves and strengthening our emotional well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 in the U.S. to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are or if you know someone between 18 and 25 who would like to be on the NAMI Oklahoma NextGen Advisory Council, please use this link:  https://namioklahoma.org/get-involved/next-gen/ If you are interested in attending the Echoes in the Mind show on June 6th at Northwest Classen High School, you can find information or donate using this link: https://secure.givelively.org/event/mysterious-minds-dance-company/echoes-in-the-mind-mysterious-minds-dance-show Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and check out the NAMI Oklahoma website for more information on services and upcoming events. The experiences and opinions shared on this podcast are those of the individuals and are not meant to directly reflect the beliefs of NAMI or NAMI Oklahoma. Hosts: Emma Valgora and Anna Bennett Producer: Halee Harder Questions: Kalyn Delaney Research: Sydney Yaffe Editor: Zack Lewis Recorded at the Village Library NAMI Oklahoma Staff Mentors: Jason Musgrove and Lorna Palmer

Episode 11: Weather Anxiety

Tell us your story! We'd love to hear from you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506509/fan_mail/new] Oklahoma is part of what is known as "Tornado Alley." Prior to the release of this episode, an outbreak of tornadoes hit communities in Kay and Garfield Counties. In this episode, Sydney talks to meteorologist Jack Gerfen about weather anxiety, how best to keep ourselves safe and informed during a severe weather event. Zack and Anna discuss the realities of living through a major weather event, and how they have used their experience to guide their ability to respond to one. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 in the U.S. to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are or if you know someone between 18 and 25 who would like to be on the NAMI Oklahoma NextGen Advisory Council, please use this link: https://namioklahoma.org/get-involved/next-gen/ [https://namioklahoma.org/get-involved/next-gen/] If you are interested in registering for NAMIWalks Oklahoma on May 16, 2026, in Lower Scissortail Park, please use the following link: https://www.namiwalks.org/oklahoma [https://www.namiwalks.org/oklahoma] Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and check out the NAMI Oklahoma website for more information on services and upcoming events. The experiences and opinions shared on this podcast are those of the individuals and are not meant to directly reflect the beliefs of NAMI or NAMI Oklahoma. Hosts: Zack Lewis and Anna Bennett, special interview by Sydney Yaffe Guest: Jack Gerfen, Meteoroglogist Research/Producer: Sydney Yaffe Editor: Halee Harder Recorded at the Village Library NAMI Oklahoma Staff Mentors: Jason Musgrove and Lorna Palmer

Episode 10: Mental Health Policy

Tell us your story! We'd love to hear from you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506509/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Mindful Moments with the NAMI Oklahoma NextGen Council, we sit down with Daniel Pae to explore what mental health policy really looks like from inside the Oklahoma State Capitol and what it could become. From his early entry into public service to his leadership on the legislative mental health caucus, Rep. Pae shares the personal experiences and policy priorities that have shaped his commitment to mental health advocacy. Together, we dig into the realities of Oklahoma’s behavioral health system, what stability actually means for providers and patients, and how lawmakers can balance accountability with consistency in a system that people’s lives depend on. We also take a closer look at the shift away from criminalizing mental illness, including the growing role of 988 and mobile crisis response. What would it take to build a true continuum of care in Oklahoma, and where do we want to go next? Finally, Rep. Pae offers insight into the realities of bipartisan work at the Capitol and speaks directly to young adults who feel disconnected from the political process, sharing why their voices still matter, even in a system that can feel out of reach. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 in the U.S. to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are or if you know someone between 18 and 25 who would like to be on the NAMI Oklahoma NextGen Advisory Council, please use this link:  https://namioklahoma.org/get-involved/next-gen/ If you are interested in registering for NAMIWalks Oklahoma on May 16, 2026, in Lower Scissortail Park, please use the following link: https://www.namiwalks.org/oklahoma Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and check out the NAMI Oklahoma website for more information on services and upcoming events. The experiences and opinions shared on this podcast are those of the individuals and are not meant to directly reflect the beliefs of NAMI or NAMI Oklahoma. Hosts: Emma Valgora and Anna Bennett Research/Producer: Sydney Yaffe Editor: Halee Harder Recorded at the Oklahoma State Capitol NAMI Oklahoma Staff Mentors: Jason Musgrove and Lorna Palmer

Mindful Moments Episode 9: Loneliness vs. Being Alone

Tell us your story! We'd love to hear from you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506509/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Mindful Moments, Emma Valgora hosts Jason Musgrove, Public Policy Coordinator for NAMI Oklahoma and Staff Advisor to the NextGen Council, for an open conversation about the differences between loneliness and being alone. They discuss the benefits of alone time, types of loneliness, how to recognize loneliness in others, and how to find relationships, both romantic and platonic, that don't erode our sense of self. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 in the U.S. to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are or if you know someone between 18 and 25 who would like to be on the NAMI Oklahoma NextGen Advisory Council, please use this link: https://namioklahoma.org/get-involved/next-gen/ [https://namioklahoma.org/get-involved/next-gen/] If you are interested in registering for NAMIWalks Oklahoma on May 16, 2026, in Lower Scissortail Park, please use the following link: https://www.namiwalks.org/oklahoma [https://www.namiwalks.org/oklahoma] Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and check out the NAMI Oklahoma website for more information on services and upcoming events. The experiences and opinions shared on this podcast are those of the individuals and are not meant to directly reflect the beliefs of NAMI or NAMI Oklahoma. Hosts: Emma Valgora and Jason Musgrove Questions: Kalyn Delaney Editor: Halee Harder Recorded at the The Village Library NAMI Oklahoma Staff Mentors: Jason Musgrove and Lorna Palmer