#13 - Rick Cagan: Breaking the Stigma, Insights from a Mental Health Advocate

Is there anything that beats a good talk with a friend or a loved one? Being able to laugh, share stories, and smile on how the universe has brought you two together. 

Now try doing that but with people who you don't like, or people you've never met before, or people who you've sworn as an enemy. 

Jared Seide is the Executive Director of Beyond Us and Them. He has designed, piloted and coordinated council-based programs in prisons, assisted living facilities, youth groups and a variety of non-profit, faith-based organizations, social service and law enforcement agencies. 

I have people who are very near to me that have been in prison or who are law enforcement officers so this conversation hit home for me. I think we need to explore this more, especially now that Jared's work has biometric proof that it's helpful.

Here are some helpful links: 
Center for Council’s website, with general information on council-based programs: centerforcouncil.org
• New website for Beyond Us & Them: beyondusandthem.org
• Information on Jared’s books "Where Compassion Begins" and "Leaving Prison Behind": c4c.link/compassion-book
• In-person council training workshops and online Social Connection Councils: c4c.link/trainings
• Info on the reentry program and work in prisons: c4c.link/prison-programs
• Continuing Education Credits for mental health professionals interested in council: c4c.link/mentalhealth
• Video of LAPD officers talking about working with "council huddles": c4c.link/POWER-LAPD
• Presentation on compassion training for police officers for IACP officer safety conference: c4c.link/iacp-osw-session
• Initial research on council in LE programs, NOT including new biometric data: c4c.link/initial-research


Also -  I used my macbook pro mic and I feel like it's not the usual quality that we typically have. Thanks for standing by my side as I figure out the virtual workflow!

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Produced by Capture Connection Studios: captureconnectionstudios.com

He's been on over 500 different stages and he has talked to several cities worth of listeners. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Jason Raitz. 

Jason and I first came in contact because he runs the "Speak With People Podcast" and I run the "Talk to People Podcast." When I saw this, I need I had to reach out to him. I am so glad I did because he has become an example for me to learn from and grow alongside.

In this conversation, expect to hear: 

• one mental move you can make to improve any public speaking moment you have
• the biblical explanation for why communication is important
• how to read an audience when you're on a stage
• one thing successful leaders all talk about with their organizations
• what to do when you are completely failing on stage
• why so many people are not paying attention to you when you talk
• and much more

This was an awesome conversation. Virtual podcasts can be hit or miss because the energy may not be the same - but this one was different. Jason has great energy and I sincerely enjoyed our time together. 

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Here's some great resources:
Jason's Podcast (Speak With People): https://www.speakwithpeople.com/speakwithpeople

https://twitter.com/jasonraitz
https://www.instagram.com/jasonraitz/
https://www.facebook.com/jraitz
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkWUQPEpY-WNvwqwXoC8-xA

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Produced by Capture Connection Studios: captureconnectionstudios.com

You know that feeling when you get to hang out with a friend that fills your cup? And y'all could be just chillin' yet you're still having a major blast? Well today we get to hear from one of those people.

Trent Howard is a friend, a business owner, and he stood next to me in my wedding. Just like the X-Men, Trent has a super power of his own - community. With a background in petroleum engineering, he decided to take his talents away from the sure-fire financial security of sitting on some oil rig in Oklahoma and move with six friends to the busy metropolis of DFW.

Together, he, Carson Kidd, and Joel Agimudie began building a business, now known as Moravian Coffee. Moravian is a coffee roastery that connects people around the world with specialty coffee. If you're familiar with the podcast, you know that I love CONNECTION.

Connection is the beginning of opportunity, and opportunity creates connection. 

In this episode, expect to hear: 

• why young adults often move away from friends
• how a lucrative job can sometimes derail our life goals
• about a helpful framework to navigate conflict
• when Trent decided to drop the cheddar and build a business
• what it's like to be an entrepreneur with your best friends
• the main reasons why people choose to live away from community
• whether being a good friend helps you with being a husband/wife
• the story of how we first met and the oddball nature of it
• when prioritizing community can elevate your entrepreneurial pursuit

This is the first IN-PERSON conversation of 2024! It was an orchestra of fun. I'm counting each minute as a blessing and I'm excited to see what other conversations are in store for this year. Thanks for following along!

MORAVIAN COFFEE - this is some of the best coffee in the world!
https://www.moraviancoffee.com/

Connect with Trent: https://www.instagram.com/trenthoward15

Have you enjoyed the podcast? If so, follow it, rate it, and share it with three people:

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Produced by Capture Connection Studios: captureconnectionstudios.com

More and more people are moving cities. This hasn't always been the case. 

Historically, we were born in an area, raised in an area, raised a family in that area, and then retired in that area. But this has gotten much different in the modern travel era. Spirit Airlines will give you a ticket for less than what a date night at a steakhouse will cost. Corporations are moving employees from one big city to the other. Tiktok and Instagram solo travelers are inspiring others to pull the plug and grab their carry-on. 

This conversation is about building community after a move - because more than likely, you'll make a move. I speak with Haley Ingersoll, the founder of Pittsburgh Social Health and a community manager by trade. Haley and I have similar stories, moving from one city to the next and then being tasked with finding friends, missing our old ones, and then figuring out to meet people. 

She built Pittsburgh Social Health which allows transplants who are either returning to Pittsburgh or fresh to Pittsburgh to find community and build much needed social support. 

Things you can expect to hear are: 

• innovative strategies and heartfelt efforts to knit the fabric of a supportive community
• the power of local events
• the role of digital platforms in fostering connections
• the importance of embracing cultural diversity
• how to leverage personal experiences to drive community initiatives
• the significance of understanding local culture
• and how small actions like neighborhood walks can lead to profound social engagement.

Connect with Haley: 

• https://twitter.com/Hingersoll5
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-ingersoll7/

Learn about Pittsburgh Social Health:

• https://www.instagram.com/pghsocialhealth/

Listen to her podcast:

• https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/heirlooms

A quick note - moving is hard. And we often underestimate how much value the people have in our life that we're moving away from. Make sure to put in as much work as you can before you move, researching the area, finding things you could go to, and then making a plan. Also - ask your current network if they know anyone where you're moving and then see if you can get a warm hand-off. Doing these things will help set you up much better than going blind. And I strongly encourage you do these things!

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Produced by Capture Connection Studios: captureconnectionstudios.com

I've always wondered how learning about people online affects our in-person relationship with them. It's a fascinating question that humans have recently had to answer. This episode will raise an eyebrow and leave you thinking about how you navigate your online social life. 

And it turns out that there is actually some big impacts with how we navigate getting to know people in-person and online. 

This was a fun episode. I used visual aids (that sorta failed while simultaneously panning out), I used the whiteboard, and I referenced anecdotes. 

Support me on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/talktopeoplepodcast

Sign up to the Social Fitness Lab newsletter here: https://socialfitnesslab.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Here's the book Together by Dr. Vivek Murthy: https://www.amazon.com/Together-Healing-Connection-Sometimes-Lonely/dp/0062913301/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1D34WN34ZT4YS&keywords=together&qid=1705295295&sprefix=together%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1

Look at the GQ article I mentioned here: https://www.gq.com/story/sharing-is-not-caring

Happy January!

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Produced by Capture Connection Studios: captureconnectionstudios.com

In 2024 we'll be the premiere podcast on social connection!

WHITEBOARD + 2024 adjustments 📝

2023 featured 52 episodes, over 15,000 downloads, and more than 1,600 listeners.

In 2024 we’ll be operating as the premiere podcast about social connection for young adults!
- now including virtual conversations
- 2 episodes per month, instead of weekly
- biweekly YouTube specials
- consistent solo episodes exploring new topics!

Upcoming topics: how to have a good double date, why getting to know people online makes us trust them less, and how to host an event at your house for the first time.

Love you all ❤️ 2024 will be a blast.

For inquiries: message talktopeoplepodcast@gmail.com

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Produced by Capture Connection Studios: captureconnectionstudios.com

For a second I thought about trying to be like Theo Von and riffing with the voicemails and then I realized how hard that would be!

Thank you to everyone who sent in a voicemail or wrote a letter! You have made this process a BLAST!

Feel free to keep writing in or sending emails! You can reach us at talktopeoplepodcast@gmail.com and you can leave a voice mail at talktopeoplepodcast.com if you click the bottom right microphone icon!

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If you want to share feedback, have a great idea, or have a question then email me: talktopeoplepodcast@gmail.com

Produced by Capture Connection Studios: captureconnectionstudios.com

Well folks, we made it to the HALF CENTURY MARK! If you've been around for a bit or you're just starting the Talk to People Podcast, join us for a fun-filled episode. 

As Buddy the Elf says, "YOU DID IT! CONGRATULATIONS! WORLD'S BEST CUP OF COFFEE! GREAT JOB EVERYBODY!"

But for us its, "we did it! 50 episodes! great job everybody!"

Thank you to the listeners, guests, and the Talk to People Podcast team. 

Here's to 50 more 🍻

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If you want to share feedback, have a great idea, or have a question then email me: talktopeoplepodcast@gmail.com

Produced by Capture Connection Studios: captureconnectionstudios.com

The withering away of a cultural cornerstone - third places. This episode is designed for the connector who wants to upgrade their community. I share research why it matters, a story of something that I would have never expected, and a way for you to be a third place creator. 

Want to see the visuals? Watch the YouTube 4K version.

Your first place is where you live, your second place is where you work, your third place is where you become a part of society, build community, and get nourished.

Unfortunately, these places are going by the wayside due to digital influences, parks being turned into parking garages, and public places charging just to be there. But, it doesn't have to be this way. 

SOURCES:
On Edge: Understanding and Preventing Young Adults’ Mental Health Challenges: https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/reports/on-edge

Social Connection Across Difference in the US: https://www.moreincommon.com/media/1u3ndxq4/two-pager-overview.pdf

Podcast with Dr. Jeffrey Hall on Hunt for Relationship Science: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HVS9CVreUc

Article by Jeff Hall, Natalie Pennington, and Andy J Merolla: https://academic.oup.com/jcmc/article/28/1/zmac026/6825471

The Surprise of Reaching Out: Appreciated More Than We Think: https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-pspi0000402.pdf

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If you want to share feedback, have a great idea, or have a question then email me: talktopeoplepodcast@gmail.com

Produced by Capture Connection Studios: captureconnectionstudios.com

No matter who you are, you're going to have a moment where you're presenting your ideas. 

This could be at a business meeting, at a funeral, at a coach huddle, a small group, and the list goes on. Most people are afraid of public speaking, but there are things you can do to become better at it. When you're better, then you'll also become more confident. Confidence is the result of performing well in the past. 

At any given time, you can expect 20% of your audience to be checked out. This doesn't matter whether you're super funny, cute, or loud. There is psychological noise that prevents our attention - so we have to figure out how to be better. Not only for us, but also for our audience. 

If you learn anything from this, learn how to be gracious to your audience. There's a lot going on in our little heads, let's speak accordingly. 

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If you want to share feedback, have a great idea, or have a question then email me: talktopeoplepodcast@gmail.com

Produced by Capture Connection Studios: captureconnectionstudios.com