Survive and Thrive 8791 ☆ Mental Health Help ☆ ANXIETY ☆ DEPRESSION ☆ RECOVERY ☆WELLNESS

Season 2 Ep. 44 - Death of My Younger Brother by Leah Linscheid

On this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Leah Linscheid to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios and the Team 212 Training & The AEA Institute Mental Health Desk. Leah joins us to share a powerful story of grief, resilience, and hope—and how one unimaginable phone call changed her life forever. Raised in the small rural community of Highland, Wisconsin, Leah embraced everything her hometown had to offer. As a three-sport athlete, band member, and choir participant, she thrived in a community that valued hard work, connection, and supporting one another through both triumphs and challenges. Those early experiences helped shape the person she would become. After high school, Leah attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, initially planning to pursue a career in law. Along the way, she discovered a passion for journalism and storytelling. That passion led to an internship at WISC-TV3 in Madison and eventually a reporting position at WKBT-TV in La Crosse, where she covered one of the most exciting moments in Wisconsin sports history—the Wisconsin Badgers’ run to the NCAA Final Four. Soon, WISC-TV3 came calling again, this time with an opportunity to return to Madison as a morning news anchor. Professionally, life was falling into place. Then, on October 11, 2019, everything changed. While working at the station, Leah received a phone call from the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department informing her that her younger brother, Levi, had been killed in a single-vehicle accident the night before. Unable to reach her parents, authorities contacted Leah directly. In that moment, she was faced with the heartbreaking task of sharing the devastating news with her family. In the years that followed, Leah navigated grief, healing, and the difficult journey of moving forward while carrying the memory of someone she loved deeply. Today, she honors Levi’s legacy through a scholarship golf outing and by giving her youngest son Levi’s name as a middle name. This is a moving conversation about loss, love, family, and finding purpose after heartbreak. You won’t want to miss this inspiring episode of Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN’T WAIT!!! To reach Leah, message her on her social media platforms:  Instagram - @leahlinscheid  Facebook - Leah Linscheid LinkedIn - Leah Linscheid

S2 Ep. 43 - Divorce & Running for a Cause by Kelly Griego

On this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Kelly Griego to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios and the Team 212 Training & The AEA Institute Mental Health Desk. Kelly’s story is a powerful example of how life’s most difficult moments can become the foundation for purpose, healing, and service to others. Like hundreds of thousands of men each year, Kelly experienced the emotional challenges of divorce. As his first marriage began to unravel, he sought counseling in hopes of saving the relationship. Despite those efforts, the marriage ultimately ended, leaving him to navigate feelings of loneliness, sadness, and uncertainty about the future. During that difficult season, Kelly discovered an outlet that would change his life—running. What began as a way to clear his mind and process his emotions soon became a source of healing. The miles gave him time to reflect, develop healthier coping strategies, and gain perspective on the challenges he was facing. Through counseling, self-reflection, and a commitment to personal growth, Kelly gradually found acceptance and began moving forward. As he embraced a new chapter in life, Kelly found renewed happiness, eventually remarrying and building a life centered on gratitude and purpose. But his journey didn’t stop there. Inspired by a friend who was raising money to find a cure for a rare disease affecting their child, Kelly combined his passion for running with a desire to help others. What started as a single fundraising effort grew into a mission. Today, he uses endurance events and community engagement to raise awareness and support for numerous causes, including the International Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva Association (IFOPA), which funds research and advocacy for those living with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP), an extremely rare genetic disorder. Kelly’s story reminds us that adversity can become opportunity, and that healing often begins with a single step forward. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your own challenges into meaningful action, this episode is for you. You won’t want to miss this inspiring conversation on Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN’T WAIT!!!

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy & My Daughter by Shannon Kenitz

On this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Shannon Kenitz to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios and the Team 212 Training & The AEA Institute Mental Health Desk. Shannon joins us to share an extraordinary story of hope, perseverance, and a mother’s unwavering determination to save her daughter’s life. Shannon will also share details about her nonprofit organization's signature fundraising event, Harmonies for Hope, an intimate evening with Grammy Award-winning artist LeAnn Rimes on July 11, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin.  A graduate with a degree in psychology, Shannon has spent much of her professional life helping others. Early in her career, she moved to the Pacific Northwest, earned an AODA certification, and worked as a school counselor, encouraging those she served with a simple but powerful message: “You got this.” Little did she know that those same words would one day become a lifeline for her own family. After welcoming her first daughter, Lily Catherine, Shannon celebrated the birth of her second daughter, Gracie Margaret. Shortly after birth, however, Shannon began noticing episodes in which Gracie would stare blankly into space. Those concerning moments launched a medical journey filled with uncertainty, countless appointments, and consultations with some of the nation’s leading healthcare specialists. Eventually, Gracie was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Cytochrome C Reductase Deficiency, an extraordinarily rare disease. At the time, she was believed to be one of only five known children in the world with the condition—and the others had not survived past age two. As treatment options dwindled, Shannon was faced with an unimaginable reality. One recommendation was to simply take Gracie home and make her comfortable. Refusing to give up hope, Shannon discovered Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) through a chance connection with a parent support organization. That discovery changed everything. What began as a desperate search for answers ultimately helped transform Gracie’s future. Today, Gracie is celebrating her 27th year of life—far beyond what anyone thought possible. Inspired by that journey, Shannon founded the International Hyperbaric Association, helping families access HBOT, supporting research, and advocating for expanded treatment options for individuals facing neurological and other medical challenges. Her story is a powerful reminder that when hope remains, possibilities remain. You won't want to miss this incredible episode of Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN'T WAIT!!!

S2 Ep. 41 - A Young Life of OCD & Anxiety by Aidan Konop

On this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Aidan Konop to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios. Aidan is a former University of Wisconsin basketball player and a talented student-athlete whose journey extends far beyond the basketball court. Today, he joins us to share his courageous story of living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety, and the challenges of navigating mental health as a high-achieving athlete. Growing up in Butler, Wisconsin, just outside of Sussex, Aidan was the youngest of three children in a supportive and loving family. Like many young athletes, he spent countless hours playing basketball, inspired by watching his older siblings compete. Basketball quickly became his passion and eventually his identity. However, during sixth grade, Aidan began experiencing overwhelming anxiety and obsessive thoughts about his appearance and how others perceived him. What started as normal adolescent concerns gradually grew into a daily struggle that affected nearly every aspect of his life. Despite seeking answers from doctors and mental health professionals, relief seemed difficult to find. Ironically, the game he loved most became both an escape and a source of stress. Aidan became consumed with perfecting his basketball skills, obsessing over his shooting form and constantly questioning whether he was good enough. The pressure he placed on himself created a difficult love-hate relationship with the sport. Everything began to change near the end of his sophomore year when he connected with a therapist who helped him understand the difference between what his mind was telling him and what was actually true. Through powerful coping strategies, Aidan learned to challenge the “dragon” of OCD and anxiety and replace fear with facts. His return to basketball led to tremendous success, eventually earning him a preferred walk-on opportunity with the Wisconsin Badgers. Although a chronic pain condition later forced him to medically retire, Aidan continues to inspire others through his openness, resilience, and willingness to share his story. This is a conversation about mental health, perseverance, and finding hope when life doesn't go according to plan. You won't want to miss this episode Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN'T WAIT!!!

S2 Ep. 40 - State Championship Coach & Person by Ron Prochnow

On this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Coach Ron Prochnow to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios. Coach Prochnow recently guided the Reedsville Panthers boys basketball team to its first state championship in 80 years—but the journey to that moment was anything but easy. Growing up in Markesan, Wisconsin, Ron developed a passion for athletics early in life. After a standout high school career, he attended the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, where he earned a degree in physical education and health while also excelling as a cross country and track athlete. As a member of the Titans cross country program, Ron helped UW–Oshkosh win three NCAA Division III national championships and earned All-American honors during his senior season. While in college, he discovered a love for coaching basketball, beginning his coaching career at Lomira High School. After graduation, he accepted a teaching position and worked his way through assistant coaching roles before landing his first varsity head coaching job at Brookwood High School. Later, at Augusta High School, Ron made a pivotal decision to coach the varsity girls basketball team—a move that led to his first state championship in 1996. Eventually, a desire to return closer to family brought him to Reedsville High School. Early struggles with team chemistry and program relationships caused him to step away from coaching for a period of time. During those years, he focused on family, completed his master’s degree, and gained a renewed perspective on leadership. When the opportunity to return to coaching came, Ron embraced it. Years later, with his own son entering the varsity program, he was named head boys basketball coach at Reedsville. After several near-misses at the state tournament, the Panthers finally broke through in 2026, capturing the WIAA Division 5 state championship. Coach Prochnow’s story is one of perseverance, humility, growth, and leadership. This episode is packed with valuable lessons for coaches, educators, parents, and anyone striving to build something meaningful through adversity. You’re not going to want to miss this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN’T WAIT!!!