Inside the Black Box: What Digital Clues Reveal Before Suicide with Kim Burdett Bartlett

Inside the Black Box: What Digital Clues Reveal Before Suicide with Kim Burdett Bartlett

What if the warning signs of suicide were present but invisible to everyone around us?

In this powerful and deeply human episode of Hope Illuminated, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas sits down with fellow sister-on-a-mission Kim Burditt Bartlett, MSW to explore the groundbreaking findings of the Black Box Project — a first-of-its-kind initiative using donated digital devices to better understand behavioral patterns preceding suicide.

This conversation weaves together lived experience, science, and strategy. Kim brings the voice of a sibling loss survivor, a trauma-informed social worker, and a national leader translating cutting-edge research into actionable suicide prevention.

Drawing from the 2025 Black Box Project White Paper released by Stop Soldier Suicide, this episode explores what phone data revealed that traditional prevention methods often miss and what that means for prevention, intervention, and postvention across veterans, workplaces, and communities.

A Year in Review: Mental Health, Healing, and Hope

A Year in Review: Mental Health, Healing, and Hope

In this special year-in-review episode, I reflect on a year of global travel, impact, and learning across workplace mental health, suicide prevention, clinical training, and lived-experience storytelling. Recorded for both Headspace for the Workplace and Hope Illuminated, this episode weaves together impact metrics, tools developed, global conferences, leadership lessons, partnerships, and deeply personal reflections on burnout, aging, grief, purpose, and hope.

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When the Hits Don’t Heal: Athletes, CTE, & Suicide Risk with Dr. John Gaal

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When the Hits Don’t Heal: Athletes, CTE, & Suicide Risk with Dr. John Gaal

We tell athletes to “shake it off,” “tough it out,” and “get back in the game.”
But what happens when the injury is inside the brain, quiet, cumulative, and deadly?

In this episode of Hope Illuminated, Dr. John Gaal shares the devastating story of losing his 24-year-old son to suicide and the painful discovery afterward that his son’s brain showed hallmark signs of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

That grief became a catalyst for John’s work at the intersection of repetitive head trauma, depression, pain, opioids, identity loss, and suicide risk, especially among athletes.

This conversation brings together heart and science to ask a question our culture often avoids:

How many deaths are we calling “mental health problems” when they may also involve brain injuries we never diagnosed?

Transforming Grief Into Meaning: How Stories and Art Support Children After Suicide with Ryan Abramowitz

Transforming Grief Into Meaning: How Stories and Art Support Children After Suicide with Ryan Abramowitz

What happens when a child loses someone to suicide — and the adults around them are silent because they don’t know what to say? In this episode, we explore that question through art, science, and story.

Australian author and illustrator Ryan Abramowitz joins Hope Illuminated to share how he transformed his own loss — the suicide of his father — into the award-winning picture book Elegy for an Elephant. Through watercolor, poetry, and animal allegory, Ryan helps children step into grief without being swallowed by it.

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Sowing Hope in Rural America: Tackling the Farm Mental Health Crisis with Monica Kramer McConkey

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Sowing Hope in Rural America: Tackling the Farm Mental Health Crisis with Monica Kramer McConkey

In this powerful and deeply compassionate episode, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas talks with Monica Kramer McConkey, one of the nation’s leading voices on rural and agricultural mental health, about the silent crisis facing farm families across America.

Monica brings both clinical expertise and lived experience—she grew up on a farm in northwestern Minnesota and has spent over 30 years supporting agricultural communities through depression, addiction, and suicide loss. Together, Sally and Monica explore the intersection of isolation, economic pressure, and cultural stoicism—and how resilience, connection, and tailored interventions are changing lives across rural America.

Listeners will gain insight into how we can bridge the urban-rural divide in mental health, build suicide-safe communities, and sow hope where it’s needed most.

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Tech for Transformation: Building Mental-Health Skills with AI Tools that Work – with Alex Willis

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Tech for Transformation: Building Mental-Health Skills with AI Tools that Work – with Alex Willis

Ever wondered how to partner with AI tools without losing the human element, or how to integrate mental health skills into daily workflows? This episode delivers.

A former NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneer who once battled the silent pressure of “lonely at the top,” Alex Willis now helps construction leaders build safety cultures where both bodies and minds are protected. Alex shares his personal turning point -- how experiencing depression and isolation during his NFL years shaped his mission to protect what matters most: people.

In this episode of Hope Illuminated, Alex and I explore how AI-powered tools -- used wisely, not as a replacement for human care -- can spark more effective conversations when mental health concerns arise at work.

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Healing the Healers: Moral Injury, Privacy, and Pathways to Hope with Corey Feist

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Healing the Healers: Moral Injury, Privacy, and Pathways to Hope with Corey Feist

Healthcare workers give their all, but too often, the system gives little back when it comes to protecting their mental health. In this Hope Illuminated episode, I sit down with Corey Feist, Co-Founder & CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, to talk about moral injury, systemic solutions, and the strategies that actually work.

Together, we unpack how confidential peer support, equal privacy protections in mental health care, and humane re-entry pathways can restore dignity and safety to those who care for us. Corey’s work has helped drive landmark federal legislation, shift national culture, and spark movements that reach over 1.5 million healthcare workers.

The Youth Suicide Prevention Breakthrough We’ve Been Waiting For: The Sources of Strength Story | Ep 152

The Youth Suicide Prevention Breakthrough We’ve Been Waiting For: The Sources of Strength Story | Ep 152

Crisis response saves lives, but if we want to change the tide of suicide, we need to go upstream.

Science That Changes the Game

In this powerful episode, Scott LoMurray, TIME100 Health honoree and CEO of Sources of Strength, shares how his organization has transformed youth suicide prevention through peer leadership, strength-based storytelling, and community-driven culture change. We unpack the evidence, the vision, and the movement that’s shifting suicide prevention from reaction to resilience.

Let’s talk about what makes this moment so extraordinary – not just for Sources of Strength but for all of us who care deeply about suicide prevention.

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The Power of Time -- Slowing Down to Save Lives in Suicide Prevention with Gergö Hadlaczky | Ep. 151

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The Power of Time -- Slowing Down to Save Lives in Suicide Prevention with Gergö Hadlaczky | Ep. 151

What if the most powerful suicide prevention tool we have… is time?

In this groundbreaking episode, suicide prevention expert Dr. Gergö Hadlaczky shares insights from science, strategy, and lived experience about how creating time—even just a few minutes—can change the trajectory of a suicidal crisis.

We explore the rapidity of suicidal crises, how emotional intensity and suicidal thoughts often pass with time, and why time-buying can often help people win the internal debate around living or dying.

Time gives people a second chance at life and a fighting chance to survive.

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Technology of Survival -- How Emotions Like Fear, Grief, Anger, and Guilt Keep Us Alive with Russell Peterson | Ep 150

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Technology of Survival -- How Emotions Like Fear, Grief, Anger, and Guilt Keep Us Alive with Russell Peterson | Ep 150

Why do we fear emotions, particularly in cultures where strength is defined by stoicism? What if we reframed emotions not as liabilities, but as essential survival systems?

When are get stuck in our emotions like fear, grief, anger, and guilt, we’re not failing. Our emotions are over-functioning. Emotional systems have evolved "fail-safe" systems; they won’t stop to help us survive. And while that keeps us alive, it can also overwhelm us.

In this powerful episode of Hope Illuminated, I sit down with Russell Peterson, a counselor, military mental health specialist, and wilderness survivalist. Russell introduces his compelling “Technology of Survival” framework, illustrating how emotions such as fear, grief, anger, and guilt have evolved to keep us alive.

When emotions are seen through a survival lens, we begin to understand their purpose, reduce shame, and reclaim our humanity.

Time to Get Noisy -- What Construction Can Teach Us About Suicide Prevention in Every Industry with Sebastian Ison-Jacques: Ep. 149

Time to Get Noisy -- What Construction Can Teach Us About Suicide Prevention in Every Industry with Sebastian Ison-Jacques: Ep. 149

In this episode, we explore one of the most urgent yet often overlooked crises facing high-risk industries: suicide in construction. Our guest, Sebastian Ison-Jacques, brings a powerful blend of personal experience, academic research, and sector insight to this critical conversation. From digital construction to workplace mental health, Seb’s mission is to expose what’s broken and help build something better.

This episode takes us from the UK to Australia, drawing lessons from frontline workers, data gaps, and innovative programs like MATES in Construction. We also focus on how middle managers in construction often face immense pressure, caught between demands from the top and struggles on the ground, they’re expected to champion mental health initiatives while receiving little support themselves, leaving them squeezed, overstretched, and too often overlooked.

Uncovering Hidden Stories: Psychological Autopsies and Suicide Prevention in Middle Aged Adults with Dr. Eva De Jaegere | Ep. 148

Uncovering Hidden Stories: Psychological Autopsies and Suicide Prevention in Middle Aged Adults with Dr. Eva De Jaegere | Ep. 148

In this episode of Hope Illuminated, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas sits down with Dr. Eva De Jaegere from Belgium to explore the stories behind suicide through the lens of psychological autopsy. Together, they discuss Dr. Eva’s research on suicide risk in middle-aged adults, revealing surprising findings about the role of work stress, financial worries, and the importance of open conversations about suicide and mental health. Discover how listening to the stories of both survivors and those left behind can bring healing, challenge stigma, and shape more effective prevention strategies. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in suicide prevention, lived experience research, and the power of storytelling to spark change.

Meeting People Where They Are: A Global Vision for Suicide Prevention with Dr. Sandersan Onie | Ep. 147

Meeting People Where They Are: A Global Vision for Suicide Prevention with Dr. Sandersan Onie | Ep. 147

In this inspiring episode of Hope Illuminated, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas sits down with Sandersan Onie, a global leader in mental health promotion and suicide prevention, for a powerful conversation about the importance of intellectual humility and meeting people where they are. Listen as Dr. Onie shares personal stories of overcoming trauma, highlights the critical role of religion and culture in suicide prevention, and reveals how he helped spark transformative policy change in Indonesia. The episode also explores using technology and empathic messaging to reach those in crisis, emphasizing community-based strategies that honor local beliefs and language. Tune in for practical insights, heartfelt storytelling, and actionable lessons for anyone passionate about mental health and saving lives.

From Grief to Advocacy: Young Voices Changing Mental Health Conversations with Alex Bush | Ep. 146

From Grief to Advocacy: Young Voices Changing Mental Health Conversations with Alex Bush | Ep. 146

In this powerful episode of Hope Illuminated, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas sits down with Alex Bush, a resilient young advocate who began sharing her story after losing her father to suicide at 16. Together, they discuss the vital role of personal storytelling in suicide prevention, the impact of youth voices on mental health advocacy, and actionable strategies for engaging with both traditional and social media. Alex shares her journey from grief to national speaker, offering insights on making a real difference in communities and supporting others who have experienced loss. Tune in to hear inspiring advice for storytellers, mental health leaders, and anyone seeking hope and connection in challenging times.

Surviving and Thriving: Intersection of Identity, Mental Health, and Trans Resilience with Lyseria Kursave | Ep. 145

Surviving and Thriving: Intersection of Identity, Mental Health, and Trans Resilience with Lyseria Kursave | Ep. 145

Join Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas as she sits down with Lyseria Kursave, a resilient trans woman and union electrician, for an honest conversation about living authentically, navigating personal and professional challenges, and the intersection of gender identity and mental health. From overcoming isolation and workplace discrimination to the importance of community and allyship, this powerful episode of Hope Illuminated sheds light on the lived experiences and hope-filled advocacy of the trans community. Perfect for anyone seeking inspiration, education, or a deeper understanding of how solidarity and compassion make a difference in the fight for mental well-being and equality.

Unlocking Agency in Suicide Prevention with Dr. Selma Gaily-Luoma | Episode 144

Unlocking Agency in Suicide Prevention with Dr. Selma Gaily-Luoma | Episode 144

In this thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Dr. Selma Gaily-Luoma to explore the transformative role of agency in suicide prevention. Agency, defined as the sense of control and capacity to influence your thoughts, behaviors, and circumstances, is a cornerstone of psychological resilience. We delve into how fostering a sense of agency can be a powerful antidote to feelings of entrapment and despair that often accompany suicidal crises.

The Power of Testament: Addressing Social Justice in Mental Health Research among Our Most Vulnerable Populations with Dr. Simon Hatcher | Ep. 143

The Power of Testament: Addressing Social Justice in Mental Health Research among Our Most Vulnerable Populations with Dr. Simon Hatcher | Ep. 143

Join host Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas in a compelling conversation with Dr. Simon Hatcher from the University of Ottawa. The discuss the intricacies of police suicide, mental health challenges, and how these insights can aid high-risk industries. Discover the importance of involving lived experience in mental health research and the challenges faced by underserved populations. With personal stories, expert insights, and a focus on social justice, this episode sheds light on creating more inclusive and effective mental health support systems. Tune in to explore how we can better empower and uplift those facing mental health struggles.

Upstream Suicide Prevention: Changing Lives Using the Good Behavior Game with Dr. Holly Wilcox | Ep. 142

Upstream Suicide Prevention: Changing Lives Using the Good Behavior Game with Dr. Holly Wilcox | Ep. 142

In this episode of Hope Illuminated, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas talks with Dr. Holly Wilcox from Johns Hopkins University to explore the transformative impact of the Good Behavior Game. They cover upstream approaches to suicide prevention, emphasizing skill-building in early childhood to improve mental health outcomes. Discover how focusing on education and emotional regulation can mitigate risks and build resilience in communities, potentially changing life trajectories. Join us in learning how a public health approach could be key to saving lives and augmenting quality of life.

How Scotland's Panel Is Shaping Suicide Prevention with Personal Insights from Keir McKechnie & Seonaid Stallan | Ep. 141

How Scotland's Panel Is Shaping Suicide Prevention with Personal Insights from Keir McKechnie & Seonaid Stallan | Ep. 141

I had the privilege of sitting down with two remarkable individuals, Keir McKechnie and Seonaid Stallan, hailing all the way from Glasgow, Scotland. Their passion and dedication to integrating lived experience into suicide prevention efforts are truly inspiring. Keir’s journey into this field is deeply personal, rooted in a series of tragic suicides during his teenage years, which spurred him to become a psychiatric nurse and later a coordinator for Scotland's National Lived Experience Panel. Meanwhile, Seonaid, a primary teacher, turned her personal grief from losing her son and sister-in-law to suicide into a force for change, using her voice and experiences to advocate for better mental health education and support systems.

Addressing Generational Trauma in Indigenous Communities with John Cornelius| Ep. 140

Addressing Generational Trauma in Indigenous Communities with John Cornelius| Ep. 140

I had the privilege of speaking with John Cornelius about generational trauma and healing in tribal communities. John shared his deeply personal story of growing up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where he experienced firsthand the complex challenges facing Native communities. From his early memories with his grandfather to navigating life in a community struggling with high suicide rates, overcrowding, and limited resources, John painted a vivid picture of reservation life.