Stuff That Matters - A New Hope Podcast

On this episode of stuff that matters, we’re joined by Keith Cartwright. He’s the Adverse Childhood Experiences Coordinator with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. He also works part-time as the Alcohol and Drug Education Coordinator at Randolph-Macon College. He has his own blog, rkcwrites.com, where you can follow his experiences and his story. It’s a story that Keith wasn’t always comfortable with and one in which he didn’t always know how to tell. But through his life, the challenges he faced and different paths he followed shaped who he is today.

We talk about his background, from his time at Ohio State, coming to the realization about his past, experiencing an alcohol issue when he was younger, taking a sip of alcohol for the first time at age 12, understanding himself on a more intense level (00:01:55-00:24:51).

We dive into his introduction into Adverse Childhood Experiences Services, commonly known as ACES (00:26:17-00:40:53).

Keith discusses how much of an impact his two sons had on his journey and both his personal and professional life (00:40:55-00:53:08).

He talks about his blog, what led to writing and the peace he finds in writing, sharing his thoughts and stories (1:11:31-1:21:27).

We finish with the stuff that matters (1:21:29).

Subscribe and like, you can also watch full episodes on YouTube.

VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/@NewHopeTreatmentCenter

WEBSITE: https://www.newhopetreatment.com/

Ricky Johnson is a five-year Marine veteran and a public speaker. Just last year alone he presented close to 100 sessions. speaking in jails, prisons, schools, churches, with law enforcement, active-duty military and veterans, conferences and treatment facilities. He spoke to our staff and residents at New Hope about a year ago. But his story goes much deeper than that. We talk about his upbringing and childhood, joining the marine core and having a son while he was a senior in his high school, some of the challenges he faced which included addiction and substance abuse, his son taking his own life, the felonies he was convicted for, but also how he was able to turn those low points in his life into turning points for him to make a change. He explains how he was able to mend relationships with loved ones, friends, and even start new relationships like the powerful one he has today with his wife. It’s those relationships and those past experiences that impact, not only where he is, but who he is today.

His story, public speaking, social media presence (00:01:43–00:12:32).

His upbringing and childhood, joining the marine core and having his son while he was just a senior in high school, and the early challenges he faced (00:12:33–00:24:19).

He talks about his addiction and his recovery, dealing with his issues and being honest about his past, openly sharing his story (00:25:44-00:38:54).

Why fitness and the gym is so important to his daily routine and incorporating pushup challenges into his speaking sessions (00:38:56-00:42:00).

Mending past relationships and the journey with his stepfather, what he put him through and where they are today (00:42:02–00:46:30).

His first speaking engagement and some of the more interested people he has spoken to and experiences during his career (00:48:26).

The stuff that matters (1:00:52).

Subscribe and like, you can also watch full episodes on YouTube.

VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/@NewHopeTreatmentCenter

WEBSITE: https://www.newhopetreatment.com/

On today’s episode of stuff that matters, we kick off September with Kevin Poirier, the assistant principal at Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Now that we’re post Labor Day, kids are back in school across the nation, so class was in session, as Kevin taught us some valuable lessons sharing his experiences. He discusses how he got his start as a teacher, coming to the East Coast after graduating from UCLA in 2012, and his first role at West Charlotte High School. It wasn’t all A+’s however, Kevin nearly resigned in his first year, but decided to stick it out and his passion has grown over the last decade (00:01:28 - 00:28:21). We talk about mental health amongst students, school shootings and what the school systems are doing to enhance the overall safety, social medias impact on today’s generation of students, the parent’s perspective, and more (00:29:46 - 00:44:21). As always, we finish with the stuff that really matters for Kevin (00:53:32).

Katie Church, Director of Shared Housing at Roof Above joins us. (00:01:29 - 00:21:26) Katie walks us through her story and professional journey, Roof Above and Urban Ministries and what they’re doing for the Charlotte community. She discusses the state of the homelessness and housing crisis in America on a broader scale as well as in the local communities (00:22:51 - 00:48:19). (00:51:15 - 1:00:01) Katie gives us some insight into a common scenario that many people face daily, as she explains, rather uniquely, how to treat a basic human situation, what to do in the event you pass by someone at a traffic light or on the side of the road holding a sign. (1:00:03 - 1:06:27) We discuss where her passion for homelessness came from and where this country is going with homelessness intervention in the next 5-10 years. As always on the show, we finish with the Stuff that Matters (1:06:29). Subscribe and like, you can also watch full episodes on YouTube.

VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/@NewHopeTreatmentCenter

WEBSITE: https://www.newhopetreatment.com/

On this episode of Stuff that Matters, we’re joined by former New Hope resident, Kiara Grace Nalle. Kiara is the epitome of a success story, having entered New Hope as a last resort during her mental health journey and battles she faced (00:01:25-00:16:48). She not only won those battles but has become an inspiration for many that were in her shoes. Kiara has been gracious enough to return to New Hope twice to speak with the youth, and like she has done to a live audience, she did on this podcast, sharing her story of hope, resilience, struggle, and constant determination (00:18:13-00:25:15). We cover what led to her entering New Hope, the challenges she faced, the relationship with her mother (00:25:16-00:39:01), and what life is like for her now (00:49:37-00:54:26) , as she’s getting ready to celebrate 12 years removed from mental health treatment facilities, and, as she puts it, 15 years of being alive. As always, we finish with Kiara’s stuff that really matters (00:54:28).

Sandra Rettis is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Victory Family Counseling. She has 15 years of experience in the human services field and four years of clinical experience in the mental health field. She has worked with Latin families and children in healthcare, education, domestic violence cases, and foster care. Her story of coming to America at the age of 17, being afforded tremendous opportunities and making the most of it is truly inspiring. It’s a story of family, strength, love, hard work, and motivation. And it’s a story that is full circle. Her experiences shaped who she became, and as she was once given a chance being new to this country, she started Victory to do the same for so many and is a pioneer providing services for the LGBTQ community.

Jenni Lord is the Chief Executive Officer at Chosen, a public speaker, advocate and venturer, healing children and restoring families with a transformational approach. We talk to Jenni about her story, her family adopting a son when she was 19 and how that changed the course of her life (1:24-12:31). We dive into what Chosen is all about (12:31-40:43). We discuss the state of Child Welfare, what has her encouraged and discouraged (42:40-58:38). She share what the Foster Care “Heat Map” (58:38 – 1:04:40). Jenni forecasts where she sees Chosen going in five years (1:04:40-1:09:39) and provides the stuff that really matters (1:11:05). Subscribe and like, you can also watch full episodes on YouTube.

VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/@NewHopeTreatmentCenter

WEBSITE: https://www.newhopetreatment.com/

A preview of our interview with founder of Chosen, childcare and adoption trauma expert and activist, Jenni Lord.

We're very excited to welcome on public speaker, childhood trauma expert and best-selling author Beth Tyson. Beth talks about her background and how she got started, dealing with her own personal traumas, engaging with parents and families in their homes (00:01:20-00:28:30). She discusses a video series and organization she’s part of called Connect our Kids (00:28:31-00:35:33). Beth dives into becoming a mom herself and how that impacted her personal life and her life as a professional (00:35:34 - 00:50:17). She discusses her children's book (00:50:18-01:06:51) and what she would tell a parent whose child discloses to them they are experiencing trauma (01:06:52 - 01:10:59). We finish with Beth sharing the Stuff that Matters (01:11:00). Subscribe and like, you can also watch full episodes on YouTube.

VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/@NewHopeTreatmentCenter

WEBSITE: https://www.newhopetreatment.com/

A sneak peak of our interview with Beth Tyson.

Matt Simon and Mike O'Connor explain what the podcast is all about, and what stuff is going to matter to us, and hopefully all of you.