Welcome to Hot Topics in Mental Health, the podcast from the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ). Hosted by Merrill Altberg, MHANJ’s Director of Communications, the show highlights innovative people and programs leading the way in behavioral health with fresh perspectives and groundbreaking approaches.

Please scroll and click the links below to listen or watch.

Episode: Creating a Culture Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace
Guest: Terriann Procida is Chief Executive Officer of Innovative Benefit Planning, LLC
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

 

 

 

 

 

Episode: Beyond Crisis: Renewed Hope in Substance Use Recovery
Guest: Christopher F. Freer, DO, FACEP, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, Acute Care Providers,
RWJBarnabas Health
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

 

 

 

 

 

Archived Episodes

Episode: Getting Ahead of Burnout at Work — Available in both video and audio!
Guest Host: Isabelle Nicholas, Miss New Jersey 2025, Clinical Psychology Graduate Student at Widener University, and Founder of Shout Our Struggle
Guest: Whitney Hendrickson, LSW, Trainer Coordinator, Career Connection Employment Resource Institute, Mental Health Association in New Jersey
Click here to watch the video episode on YouTube.
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

Episode: Navigating Love, Dating and Mental Health Challenges — A Personal Journey — Available in both video and audio!
Guest Host: Isabelle Nicholas, Miss New Jersey 2025, Clinical Psychology Graduate Student at Widener University, and Founder of Shout Our Struggle
Guest: Emily Grossman, MA, CPRP, Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions at Rutgers University, Speaker, Advocate, Peer Life Coach, and Author of Unlocked: From Psych Hospital to Higher Self
Click here to watch the video episode on YouTube.
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

Episode: Postpartum Mental Health: Support Strategies and Resources
Guest: Katie McGowan, EdM, CRSP, PMH-C, Trainer and Coordinator, Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s (MHANJ) Career Connection Employment Resource Institute, and Founder, Beyond the Baby Blues Peer Support Group
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

Episode: The Work of Healing: A Pastor and Clinician’s Perspective
Guest: Reverend Rose Hardy, MA, CSW, Senior Pastor for the Restoration Temple Ministries in New York City and Mental Health Supervisor at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, Paterson
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

Episode: What Mental Health First Aid Really Means
Guest: Ruth Kaluski, MS, CRC, LMHC, Statewide Director of Strategic Programs and Mental Health First Aid
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

Episode: Transforming Lives with a Personalized Cognitive Approach to Behavioral Health Challenges
Guest: Bob Gold, Chief behavioral technologist and Founder of GoMo Health,
Honoree for MHANJ’s Upcoming Evening of Excellence
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

Episode: Pioneering Progress for Behavioral Health
Guest: Suzanne M. Kunis, President and CEO of NovaWell,
Vice President of Behavioral Health Solutions for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey,
Honoree for MHANJ’s Upcoming Evening of Excellence
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

Episode: Insights For Families Who have a Loved One with Substance Use Disorder
Guest: Donald Bornheimer, Outreach Coordinator, NJ Connect for Recovery
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

Episode: How a Service Club Fosters Community Mental Health
Guest: Ray Freaney, President, Rotary Club of Mental Health Advocates
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

Episode: Black History Month: Exploring Spiritality, Mental Health and PEWS 
Guest: Deacon Laverne S. Williams, CSW, Director and
Founder of the PEWS (Promoting Emotional Wellness & Spirituality) PROGRAM
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

Episode: Navigating the Fear — Expert and personal Insights on
Supporting a Loved One who has a Substance Use Disorder
Guest: Jill Schlossberg LPC, LCADC, ACS, CCTP-II, DRCC
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

Episode: Transformation and Inspiration, Valuable Insights from Emily Grossman
Guest: Emily Grossman, MA, CPRP, Peer Life Coach/Keynote Speaker/Author
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

Episode: Perspectives on Youth Suicide Prevention
Guest: Susan Tellone, MSN, BSN, CSN, RN, Clinical Director of the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

Episode: Connie Greene’s Reflections and Insights on Prevention and Recovery
Guest: Connie Greene, MA, CAS, CSW, Senior Vice President of the RWJBarnabas Institute for Prevention and Recovery
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.

Episode: Suicide Prevention
Guest: Jaime Angelini, MA, DRCC, AMTP
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Click here to listen on Buzzsprout.