HOPE FOR THE AGORA

Dean Breton from Impactus Men's Ministry joins Allen to discuss the needs of men on their mental health journey. They discuss toxic masculinity and the struggles it brings in following Jesus as well as being honest about and receptive to support for their mental health. Dean Breton is the president of Impactus (formerly Promise Keepers Canada). Links: impacts.org [https://www.impactus.org] instagram: impactusmen Facebook: Impactus

Allen has a conversation with Andrew Blackwood aka Coach Drew, about mental health and especially supporting children's mental health. Coach Drew shares some practical and encouraging tips for parents. Dr. Andrew L. Blackwood -- counsellor, psychotherapist, author. Book: The Art of Genuine Apology on Amazon.ca [https://www.amazon.ca/Art-Genuine-Apology-significant-relationships/dp/1775054802/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2N3875SPBYMEU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.47ZgVAq4xvICmkaamxUXzN4XdRUdM87T-sk1-AG-G00cCRUPX5yRRVXDX80xze_LsHcmgg0VBPQCrXdWNSTWnf1uuWcFN_mu0YSyCzCXRUkqcufUnvSwtrkDKDwV4kcfSPJpreMYXXGwAG-N32YnAb3EZ4FpUIeblry7ZlCGbnYZw_aKtvFqz1lZ3Wc1iQUGajLLYmEEr5ptVHiW-xzEJQ.99ixcbicQ66n_nPhIWTu8CN3ZJDRHWSHfeTJzqiHhCY&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+art+of+genuine+apology&qid=1747517560&sprefix=the+art+of+genuine+apology%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-1] Website: coachdrew.ca [https://coachdrew.ca]

Bonnie Gallant shares the importance women caring for women and the need for the women's conference coming May 2,3. Cultivate Women's Conference Link [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cultivate-womens-conference-may-2-3-2025-tickets-1079531781619] The Puzzler's Podcast [https://thepuzzlers.transistor.fm] Bonnie Gallant is the cofounder of Agora Network Ministries [https://www.agoranetworkministries.com]and co-author of The Beautiful Strokes of God. [https://www.agoranetworkministries.com/product-page/the-beautiful-strokes-of-god]

Welcome to season 6 of Hope for the Agora Podcast. Karen Kleine Deters shares her story of journeying with FND -- Functional Neurologic Disorder. Functional neurologic disorder (FND) refers to a neurological condition caused by changes in how brain networks work, rather than changes in the structure of the brain itself, as seen in many other neurological disorders. Physical symptoms of FND are genuine but cannot be explained by changes in the brain structure. The exact cause of FND is unknown. Resources: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Functional Neurological Disorder Information Page. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/functional-neurological-disorder [https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/functional-neurological-disorder] Stone, J., Carson, A., & Sharpe, M. (2005). Functional symptoms and signs in neurology: assessment and diagnosis. *Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 76*(Suppl I), i2–i12. https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/76/suppl\_1/i2 [https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/76/suppl\_1/i2] Support & Awareness Organizations FND Hope International – https://fndhope.org [https://fndhope.org] The Functional Neurological Disorder Society (FNDS) – https://www.fndsociety.org [https://www.fndsociety.org] Mayo Clinic: Functional Neurological Disorder – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/conversion-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355197 [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/conversion-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355197] Podscasts and stories Neurology Podcast by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) – https://www.aan.com/podcast [https://www.aan.com/podcast] FND Portal Podcast (FND Hope International) – https://fndhope.org/fnd-portal-podcast [https://fndhope.org/fnd-portal-podcast]

Our podcast host, Allen Kleine Deters shares an intimate personal story of his mental health journey as he dealt with a broken marriage, bladder cancer, the challenges of ministry and more…. The quote Allen shares from a course he took, is attributed to Dr. Danjuma Gibson, Professor of Pastoral Theology, Care and Counseling at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI. Allen is the Pastor of Congregational Life at Northend Church in St. Catharines, ON.  He focuses on discipleship in everyday life, Life Groups, Pastoral Counselling and Spiritual Direction. northendchurch.ca