Stuff That Matters - A New Hope Podcast

Stuff that Matters, Ep. 43 - Ben Ingraham, Therapy, Veterans, Marine Corps, Mental Health, Suicide Prevention

Ben Ingraham is a clinical social worker specializing in trauma-focused care for individuals in high-stress, high-responsibility professions, including military service members, veterans, first responders, and medical professionals. With over 12 years of clinical experience in the medical field both in the civilian realm as well as the military, his work centers on helping clients understand, process, and recover from the lasting effects of trauma in a way that is practical, respectful, and sustainable. Ben's commitment to trauma work is deeply personal. Prior to entering the clinical field, he served as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy, spending the majority of my time embedded with the U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. That experience shaped his understanding of responsibility under pressure, moral injury, and the long-term impact of carrying others through their worst moments. It also instilled a deep respect for the quiet resilience—and often unseen suffering—of those in service-oriented roles. His mission is to provide compassionate, trauma-informed care that meets people where they are, honors their lived experience, and supports real, lasting change. He is especially passionate about improving access to care, reducing stigma around mental health in service professions, and helping individuals move from simply surviving to living with greater resilience, clarity, and purpose. (00:01:58-00:15:17) - His experience working with the armed forces and how it relates to mental health, areas for improvement, potential gaps and lack of resources. (00:15:20-00:21:54) – The culture of mental health amongst veterans and active-duty military over the years. How things have changed and how things haven’t. Ben’s family history and view of what he does currently. (00:23:40-00:39:58) – Why there is a lack of resources for veteran mental health. Dissecting the 22KILL initiative which was implemented to combat roughly 22 veterans who take their own life every day due to mental health and struggles with PTSD. The state of today’s generation of incumbent military personnel. (00:39:59-00:54:04) – Diving into the VA system. (00:54:06-01:04:34) – How his lived experience serving the country has benefited him as a mentor and social worker. (01:04:36) – The stuff that matters. Subscribe and like, rate and review. You can watch full episodes on YOUTUBE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPGZzYssslo]. Check out our  to learn more about New Hope on our WEBSITE [https://www.newhopetreatment.com/].

Stuff that Matters, Ep. 42 - Carlos Grant, Rock Hill Schools, Learning, Students, Programs, Mental Health

Carlos Grant is the Executive Director of Alternative Programs in Rock Hill Schools. He has the responsibility of leading efforts across all five of the district's alternative programs that support mental health services, virtual learners, and students at the elementary, middle, high school. (01:15-17:44) -His background and what the vision was when he became the Executive Director of Alternative Programs. The biggest changes he has seen in the school systems pertaining to mental health awareness and resources for students. (19:31-30:37) – Phones in schools, the downfalls, promoting more socialization. The advantages of technology and progression of AI tools, new programs to have a more efficient learning environment. Parents and the workforce impacting engagement with families/guardians. (30:40–37:01) What has Carlos hopeful looking at the future of our school systems and students in Rock Hill…his Goldfish Analogy. 37:02– the stuff that matters. Subscribe and like, rate and review. You can watch full episodes on YOUTUBE [https://www.youtube.com/@NewHopeTreatmentCenters]. Check out our WEBSITE [https://www.youtube.com/@NewHopeTreatmentCenters] to learn more about New Hope.

Hope Grown - Sharmea Cousar, Humble Beginnings, Connections, Influence, Compassion, Education

Sharmea Cousar, known as Ms. Icey at our PRTF in Rock Hill, SC, joined New Hope originally in 2015. She has served multiple roles, but has been part of our education department as a teacher the last few years. Her story of compassion and her commitment to the mission, serving youth at New Hope is inspiring and amazing. She was recognized by her peers at our End of Year event with our first-ever Wanda V. Burris Compassion award. (00:00) - her intro, background, and a typical day and when she first noticed the impact she was having on the kids. (07:25) – what she wants those outside the organization to know about the work that she does and that work that is done at New Hope. (09:55) – what she does after a long or difficult day in her personal life that helps her reset and recharge and the unique opportunities that New Hope has provided her. (22:09) – how teaching at New Hope helps with teaching as a parent and vice versa. (27:46) – receiving the Wanda V. Burris Compassion Award a tour end of year event. Her connection with Mrs. Burris, who we sadly lost last year as a key member of the New Hope family. How she got into Education and teaching. Subscribe and like, rate and review. You can watch full episodes on YOUTUBE [https://www.youtube.com/@NewHopeTreatmentCenters]. Check out our WEBSITE [https://www.newhopetreatment.com/] to learn more about New Hope.

Stuff that Matters, Ep. 41 - The Lionheart Foundation, Incarcerated Adults, Youth, Staff, Parents

Building Resilience, Reclaiming Hope – No Exceptions. Since 1992, The Lionheart Foundation has been creating high-impact, evidence-informed programs that empower incarcerated adults, systems-involved youth, adolescent parents, and direct care staff serving trauma-impacted youth. At the core of everything they do is the belief that all human life has inherent worth, dignity, and resiliency – no exceptions. By providing high-impact, evidence-informed social and emotional programming, the non-profit organization helps systems-impacted adults and youth to: rediscover their intrinsic worth, build the capacity for self-regulation, develop the tools needed to build peaceful and productive lives. The programs are used by a wide variety of people who work with their target populations: mental health clinicians, program staff, chaplains, community workers, credible messengers, social workers, direct care staff, volunteers, and many others. Subscribe and like, rate and review. You can watch full episodes on YOUTUBE [https://www.youtube.com/@NewHopeTreatmentCenters]. Check out our  WEBSITE [https://www.newhopetreatment.com/] to learn more about New Hope.

New Hope's "Start with Compassion" Meditation

Our Mental Health Ambassador, Kiara Grace Nalle takes you through a peaceful journey.