Friends on Air

Walking and Talking 4 Friendship

This month's episode was taped at Friendship Cirlce Pittsburgh's Walk 4 Friendship, where we celebrate the spirit of community and inclusion. In this episode, hosts Alex, Ekow, and Sara bring you a collection of mini interviews with participants from the Walk4Friendship, capturing moments that made the day unforgettable. From personal reflections to experiences of connection and unity, each interview highlights the meaningful impact of the Walk for Friendship. We're incredibly thankful for Alex, Ekow, and Sara's dedication in hosting this episode rain or shine. Special shout out to all of our interviewees for joining us and sharing their stories. Find our Wellness Playlist, put together by our Teen Wellness Committee, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Follow us on Instagram for our latest updates! https://www.instagram.com/friendsonairpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/friendsonairpodcast/] Watch this conversation on Youtube [https://youtu.be/WylXt0K4aE8], for a better and more accessible experience!

#BestieGoals: What Does it Mean to Be a Friend?

In this month's episode, our teen host Georgia interviewed a dynamic duo of #Besties, Jakob and Reid. During the episode, we discuss what it means to be a friend, how Reid and Jakob show up for each other, and the qualities they admire about both them and one another and how friendship impacts their day-to-day lives. In addition, Reid and Jakob give some expert tips on how to relax and cope when they're feeling stressed out. Give this episode a listen! Big thanks to our guests and host, you all are rockstar friends. Find our Wellness Playlist, put together by our Teen Wellness Committee, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Follow us on Instagram for our latest updates! https://www.instagram.com/friendsonairpodcast/ Watch this conversation on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0UzqssTd6M], for a better and more accessible experience!

Growing with Our Stories: Inclusion, Education, Activism and Identity (featuring Gabriel McMorland)

In this month's episode, our special guest shares the not-so-simple story of her life's journey. Gabriel began to acquire a disability in her years of young adulthood, and the experience furthered her involvement in advocacy and activism around a large variety of societal issues including those surrounding inclusion and disability rights. The vulnerable moments that Gabriel tells are filled with the very real struggles of life; one's that many can relate to. Along with the tremendous amount of insight that she provides, Gabriel details the process of coming to terms with, and embracing, her own unique identity. Listeners are bound to be inspired by Gabriel's authenticity and learn about how we, as friends and allies of the disability community, can constantly be better and contribute to a better world. Find our Wellness Playlist, put together by our Teen Wellness Committee, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Follow us on Instagram for our latest updates! https://www.instagram.com/friendsonairpodcast/ Watch this conversation on Youtube, for a better and more accessible experience!

Coping In Times of Conflict (Feat. Mrs. Shoshana Thaler)

In this month's episode, Noa and Naomi lead a conversation that addresses the overwhelming emotions that have come up for many individuals within, and outside of, the Jewish community in the wake of the terror and tragedy in Israel since October 7th. In addition, we have just passed the 5th anniversary of the Tree of Life shooting, which has been the cause of immense trauma and pain in our community over the years. In this month's powerful discussion, we bring a mental health professional, and Pittsburgh Jewish community member, to talk about practical ways to cope with the challenges we're facing at this time. With her therapeutic expertise, Mrs. Shoshana Thaler teaches listeners about various tools and quick methods that can help lighten the heavy burden and deep hurt that many are carrying. She discusses the way that immense emotions, such sadness, grief, anger, frustration, confusion and shock might be impacting people; along with how to properly treat and embrace those feelings, while still enabling us to live our daily lives without falling apart. Shoshana also advises on how to engage (or sometimes disengage) from people in our lives, when there is a conflict or clashing in opinions, world views, and values. Thank you, Mrs. Thaler, for sharing your expertise and powerful advice with us, in a way that is practical, understanding and compassionate. Thank you, Naomi, and Noa, for guiding and contributing to this important, yet hard, conversation. We hope this episode brings more peace, both internally and externally, to the world.

A Deep Dive into Depression (Feat Ally)

With October being Depression Awareness Month, this month's discussion surrounds that exact topic. Ally, our guest speaker, leads an insightful, educational and practical conversation around the reality of living with depression. From the perspective of a clinical mental health professional who also lives with a mental health diagnosis, Ally shares her story that so many will relate to in some way, shape or form. By sharing her experience, Ally destigmatizes mental health challenges (such as depression) and highlights how knowledge, support (friends, family, medicinal, etc.) and experience will affect the intensity and duration of episodes. teen host, with a bit of good humor, leads a conversation that touches on some of the pain that comes with depression, as well as some of the methods that can bring healing; all through Ally's real-life examples. We hope that this episode provides a candid, yet impactful, look at how we should be approaching mental health challenges, specifically within the teen and young adult stages. Thanks, Ally, for sharing so openly with us, and to Alex for hosting and sharing on such an important topic. Find our Wellness Playlist, put together by our Teen Wellness Committee, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Follow us on Instagram for our latest updates! https://www.instagram.com/friendsonairpodcast/ Watch this conversation on Youtube, for a better and more accessible experience!