In this episode, we sit down with Anusha Samani, founder of Mindzen, a dual-purpose mental health app designed to support young people's emotional growth while helping social workers detect mental health risks early. Anusha shares how watching youth labeled as "disruptive" go unseen — and her own experience of emotional struggle as a teen — inspired her to build something different.  We explore the Mindzen app's gamified approach to social-emotional learning, featuring an avatar named Koala, and how evidence-based tools work quietly in the background to flag students who may need support. Anusha also speaks candidly about the mental health stigma in her home country of Pakistan and why she sees global accessibility as central to Mindzen's mission. Plus, Anusha gets real about burnout, boundaries, and why rest isn't something to be ashamed of — a message that resonates far beyond the app itself.

Learn more about Mindzen at www.mymindzen.com

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Michelle Hammer, founder of Schizophrenic.NYC and fearless mental health advocate. Diagnosed with schizophrenia at 22, Michelle transformed her experience into a groundbreaking fashion brand that's sparking crucial conversations about mental health. Michelle shares her journey from navigating a misdiagnosis to building a movement that combines art, activism, and entrepreneurship to challenge the stigma around schizophrenia. Discover how one woman's fearless approach to mental health advocacy is changing minds and lives through the power of design and honest conversation.

In this episode of the No Shame On U podcast, we sit down with Bryna Siegel Finer, Professor of English, as she shares her powerful story of resilience in the face of treatment-resistant depression. Bryna opens up about the challenges she faced, the treatments that fell short, and how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has helped her in her recovery. Join us for an inspiring conversation about finding hope, exploring innovative treatments, and reclaiming mental well-being, even when the journey feels darkest.

The contents of the No Shame On U Podcast are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a mental health professional or other qualified health professional with any questions regarding your condition. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or having suicidal thoughts, text or dial 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Join us as Tim Graves, a Navy Veteran and neurodivergent individual, shares his powerful story of overcoming a traumatic past and 33 years of alcoholism. Tim’s journey to recovery, marked by resilience and a deep commitment to healing, has led him to become a guiding force for others battling addiction. Discover how empowerment, spirituality, and self-love transformed his life and how he now helps others find their path to lasting change.

Talking with your young person about difficult topics can be tough! Join us for a discussion with two experts from JCFS Chicago to navigate these challenging discussions.

Welcome to No Shame On U’s 42nd Podcast! In this episode, we have the incredible opportunity to talk with Aleksandra Muller, as she opens up about her profound journey through grief, having lost her father unexpectedly at the age of 19.

Aleks is now a 22 year old grief educator on grief.com, grief advocate, and podcaster. Aleks is dedicated to helping people find light and hope while battling the journey of grief and guiding friends and family members on how to best support others who are grieving. Aleks is always on the hunt for more opportunities to educate others on grief.

Find her podcast My Second Life on grief and healing on Spotify and Apple.

To see the video version of the podcast, go to My Second Life on Spotify.