In a world where seconds can mean the difference between life and death, there exists an unsung hero behind every emergency call—the dispatcher. Yet, despite their critical role in public safety, 911 emergency call responders often work tirelessly in the shadows, facing immense pressure without the recognition they deserve. As we delve into the challenges faced by 911 call responders and explore how we can rally to support them, it becomes clear that acknowledging their contributions is not just important—it's vital. Join us as we shine a light on these essential lifelines of our communities and discover ways to advocate for their well-being!

Our Guest: Dr. Richard Janka is a licensed clinical psychologist in Michigan. He is the President of 911 Training Institute where he leads the operations and partnerships with public safety agencies and corporate partners. He is a Resilience and Call Mastery Instructor, specializing in the design and delivery of resilience, peer support, and emergency mental health dispatching training for 9-1-1 professionals and other emergency responders. Dr. Richard Janka has received specialized training in the areas of hostage and crisis negotiation, law enforcement stress, line of duty death, and critical incident stress management (CISM). He is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Michigan Psychological Association, as well as a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Fire Service Psychology Association. Dr. Richard Janka conducts first-responder training, including wellness, peer support, and critical incident stress management (CISM). He also serves as a mental health consultant for 15 agencies in the greater Detroit metropolitan area, including Michigan State Police.

Website: https://www.911training.net/

Support 9-1-1 Reclassification Link: https://nena.quorum.us/campaign/74762/

In the land of opportunity, where dreams are meant to thrive, an alarming reality lurks beneath the surface—a growing homelessness crisis that challenges our values and our humanity. Each night, over half a million Americans find themselves without a place to call home, confronting not only physical hardships but also social stigma and systemic barriers that keep them trapped in cycles of despair. Join us as we explore this issue with an individual who is working tirelessly with her team and her community. Let's open our hearts.

Our Guest: Michele Conderino, MSW, is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Open Doors, a housing and homeless service organization in Norwalk, Connecticut, that provides resources for individuals and families on the path to housing stability. During her time at Open Doors, she has helped lead the organization to the greater adoption of innovative and evidence-based practices to end homelessness. Michele Conderino provides regional leadership on the Fairfield County Coordinated Access Network, Opening Doors Fairfield County (the HUD Continuum of Care planning body), and the Board of Supportive Housing Works. She has partnered with the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness on a statewide campaign to enlist realtors and to engage landlords.

Website: https://opendoorsct.org/

As we gather around festive tables, filled with steaming plates of turkey and all the trimmings, it's easy to overlook the complex relationship many have with food—especially during this season of celebration. For some, mealtimes can evoke feelings far more profound than mere culinary enjoyment; they may surface hidden battles with eating disorders that intertwine deeply with our psyche. In this episode, we delve into the intricate world of eating disorders through a psychoanalytic lens.

Our Guest: Dr. Susan Kavaler-Adler (Ph.D., ABPP, Dr. Litt.,NCPsyA) is a Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Object Relations Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, where she also serves as Senior Supervisor, Training Analyst, and active Faculty member. Dr. Kavaler-Adler is a Fellow of the American Board and Academy of Psychoanalysis (ABPP) and is a psychoanalyst certified by the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis (NAAP). She also has an honorary doctorate in Literature. Dr. Kavaler-Adler is an author, with 7 books and over 70 articles published. She has received multiple awards for her writing contributions, including a Gradiva Award from NAAP, which she won in 2004 for her 2003 Routledge book “Mourning, Spirituality and Psychic Change: A New Object Relations View of Psychoanalysis.” Two of Dr. Kavaler-Adler’s seven books are on well-known women writers and artists, and the creative process. She is on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Controversial Discussion (IJCD). Dr. Kavaler-Adler runs online groups for therapy, clinical supervision, and creative writing.

Contact: (917)371-5655 and drkavaleradler@gmail.com

https://kavaleradler.com/

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Susan-Kavaler-Adler/author/B001H9R88K?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Resource Links:

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/striped/report-economic-costs-of-eating-disorders/

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/eating-disorders

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db508.htm

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight