Additional Resources
Ka Vang on War in Southeast Asia, ICE in Minnesota, and Mental Health Echoes
Newspaper columnist and community leader Ka Vang reflects on surviving war and displacement as a Hmong refugee and the lasting mental health impacts on her family. She shares how generational trauma continues to echo today, as immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota trigger fear and flashbacks within the Hmong community.
When a Friendship Ends: Understanding, Grieving, and Moving Forward
Friendship breakups can be just as painful as romantic ones, yet they’re often overlooked. When a close friendship ends, whether it fades or breaks abruptly, it can bring deep grief, including sadness, anger, and loneliness. If a relationship feels one-sided, draining, or no longer aligned with your values, it may be time to let go. Give yourself permission to grieve, seek support, and focus on healing.
Tracey Yokas on Helping Your Child While Making Sense of Your Own Childhood
After the loss of both her parents, author and artist Tracey Yokas found herself supporting her daughter through grief that developed into an eating disorder and self-harm, all while navigating her own mental health challenges. In this episode, Tracey reflects on parenting through crisis, examining how her own childhood experiences shaped her family dynamics, and the long, complex path toward healing and understanding across generations.
Generational Trauma, Hypervigilance, and Moving Forward with Ophira Eisenberg
Comedian, writer, and podcast host Ophira Eisenberg joins us to explore generational trauma, hypervigilance, and resilience. Reflecting on her upbringing in a family shaped by unaddressed war-related trauma, she shares how anxiety and anger carried into her own life and parenting — and how she’s learning to face difficult emotions with honesty, humor, and a commitment to keep moving forward.
How To Help My Child’s Anxiety
Children today face many kinds of worries, from everyday stressors to larger uncertainties in the world around them. These stressors can feel overwhelming, especially for kids who are still learning how to understand their emotions and make sense of new experiences. As caregivers, we play an essential role in helping children feel grounded, supported, and safe. With all these stressors, how can we help keep kids feeling safe and secure in today’s world?
Jason Tougaw on Finding Your Own Mental Stability When Your Family Didn’t Provide it
Acclaimed writer and university professor Jason Tougaw finds time to reflect on a chaotic childhood marked by instability, inherited family myths, and the search for identity in a time when being gay felt unsafe. In conversation, he shares how paying close attention to the patterns he didn’t want to repeat—and finding unexpected sources of healing—helped him build a calmer, more intentional life as an adult.
NPR’s Peter Sagal On Breaking Cycles and Learning From His Past
NPR’s Peter Sagal joins Dr. Michelle K. Murray for a candid conversation about mental health, family history, and personal growth. Known for his humor on Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me, Peter shares his experience with undiagnosed ADHD, anxiety, and depression, and how reflection and therapy helped him break unhealthy patterns and build stronger family connections.
A Guide to Self-Soothing
When constant breaking news feels overwhelming, your body may need a pause. This blog offers simple, grounding techniques to help regulate your nervous system and reduce stress. These tools can help you reconnect with your body, take your next breath, and remember that you are not alone.