S5E5-Breaking the Silence: Men’s Mental Health, Heartbreak, and Healing with Billy Floyd on SAFE TALK, JR’s Hunt;for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast.

In this episode of Safe Talk, Jenny Hunter and Billy Floyd continue their important conversation on men’s mental health, exploring the emotional impact of relationship loss, depression, and the power of open conversation in suicide prevention.

Billy shares personal reflections on navigating heartbreak, career transitions, and rebuilding strength after painful life changes—offering honest insight into how vulnerability, connection, and healthy coping strategies can help men move forward. Together, Jenny and Billy discuss how depression often presents differently in men, why silence increases risk, and how friends, family, and communities can recognize warning signs and start supportive conversations.

Listeners will learn:

* Why relationship breakups are a significant mental-health risk factor for men

* Common emotional and behavioral signs of depression that may go unnoticed

* How simple, judgment-free conversations can save lives

* The importance of normalizing professional mental-health support

* Practical ways to support the men in your life—and yourself

This episode is a reminder that no one has to face difficult seasons alone. Healing begins with conversation, connection, and the courage to reach out.

Jenny Hunter is the founder of JR’s Hunt for Life, a suicide prevention nonprofit movement offering hope and support globally.
Billy Floyd is a podcast host, media broadcaster, and positive influencer.
Music: “Sounds of Soul” courtesy of Fearless Motivation.

Production: Angel Mountain Media

Learn more at jrshuntforlife.org.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.

🕊️ No judgments. Talk saves lives.

If Someone in Your Life Is Feeling Suicidal: Steps You Can Take

1. Stay calm and listen.
Approach the situation with a steady, compassionate presence. Listen without interrupting. Validate their feelings. No judgments.

2. Take it seriously.
Any mention of suicide or wishing to die should be taken seriously. Don’t dismiss it or promise confidentiality if safety is at risk.

3. Seek professional help.
Encourage connection with a counselor, therapist, or mental health professional. Offer to help schedule an appointment and follow through.

4. Call emergency services if there is immediate danger.
If someone is in imminent danger or has taken action, call 911 or go to the nearest ER. Stay with them if it’s safe.

5. Remove potential means.
If safe to do so, reduce access to firearms, medications, or other lethal items. If it’s not safe, inform emergency responders.

Important Note About 988 (U.S.)

* 988 is the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States

* 988 cannot track exact location like 911 and routes calls based on area code, not physical location

* If someone has already acted or is in immediate danger, call 911

* If someone is thinking about suicide, 988 can help determine next steps

For continued support, education, and a confidential, judgment-free community, join JR’s Hunt for Life on Facebook — where talk saves lives.

S5E4-Men’s Mental Health, Authenticity & Pushing Through Life’s Lowest Moments with Billy Floyd on SAFE TALK, JR’s Hunt;for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast.

In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode of JR’s Hunt; for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast, Safe Talk, host Jenny Hunter reconnects with longtime friend, former co-host, and media professional Billy Floyd for an honest conversation about men’s mental health, vulnerability, and resilience.

Jenny and Billy reflect on their shared history — from co-hosting Safe Talk on Wyoming television to building a podcast that centers compassion, connection, and suicide prevention. The conversation quickly moves into one of the most urgent realities in mental health today: men account for four out of five suicide deaths worldwide, yet are often the least likely to talk openly about emotional pain.

Billy speaks candidly about social pressure on men to “hold it together,” hide pain, and pretend everything is fine. He challenges that idea, offering a reframing that true positivity is not denial, but the willingness to see the good and do the work when life becomes overwhelming.

In this episode, Billy shares a pivotal chapter of his own life — a period marked by major transitions, including leaving Wyoming, ending a significant relationship, moving to a new state without a support system, and realizing a career change was not aligned with who he was. While he was not actively suicidal, Billy describes how these compounded stressors created triggers commonly associated with male suicide risk, including loss of identity, isolation, and emotional exhaustion.

Together, Jenny and Billy explore:

* Why men often struggle to express vulnerability and ask for help

* How social pressure and fear of judgment silence emotional expression

* The difference between pretending everything is fine and doing the internal work to heal

* Why authenticity can attract criticism — and why that’s often a sign of growth, not failure

* How comparison, status, and external validation can distract men from real fulfillment

* The importance of redefining strength as self-awareness, discipline, and connection

Billy also shares the practical coping strategies that helped him move through one of the lowest periods of his life, including:

* Staying connected through meaningful conversations with trusted friends and family

* Prioritizing physical movement — walking, running, lifting, and exercising to regulate mood and build mental resilience

* Embracing stillness and silence to reconnect with his inner self

* Staying creative through podcasting, writing ideas, and content creation

* Trusting that discomfort does not mean failure — it often signals transformation

Jenny reflects on witnessing Billy’s journey in real time and underscores how movement, connection, and honest conversation play a vital role in keeping people safe — especially men who may not outwardly show distress in the same ways women do.

This episode is a powerful reminder that mental health struggles do not discriminate by age, success, or personality — and that sharing real stories creates space for others to feel less alone and more willing to reach out.

Jenny Hunter is the founder of JR’s Hunt for Life, a suicide prevention nonprofit movement offering hope and support globally.Billy Floyd is a podcast host, media broadcaster, and positive influencer.Music: “Sounds of Soul” courtesy of Fearless Motivation.

Production: Angel Mountain Media

Learn more at jrshuntforlife.org.

S5E3-Surviving Suicide Loss: Healing Survivor’s Guilt with Verline Davis, LPC on JR’s Hunt for Life – Safe Talk Podcast

In this deeply honest and compassionate episode of JR’s Hunt for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast, Safe Talk, host Jenny Hunter is joined once again by Verline Davis, a licensed professional counselor with advanced training in trauma and child therapy, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Together, they tackle one of the heaviest and least-talked-about experiences after suicide loss: survivor’s guilt.

Drawing from both personal and professional experience, Verlene shares her story of losing her first husband to suicide after years of attempts, safety planning, and trying everything she could think of to help him stay. She also talks about family members and clients who have been impacted by suicide, reminding listeners that “survivors” are not just spouses and parents, but also children, classmates, coworkers, church communities, and even people who have attempted suicide themselves and lived.

Jenny and Verline explore how guilt, “what ifs,” and self-blame can consume a survivor’s life, block healing, and even lead to their own suicidal thoughts. They discuss the reality that, no matter how much we love someone, we cannot control another person’s final decision, and that it is possible — and necessary — to move toward self-forgiveness, compassion, and post-traumatic growth.

In this episode, they explore:

​ What suicide survivor’s guilt looks and feels like in everyday life

​ Why our brains latch on to “What if I’d done more?” and “Why didn’t I…?”

​ The hard truth that someone who is fully determined may still find a way — and why that doesn’t mean you failed

​ How guilt can spiral into addictions, legal trouble, relationship struggles, and self-destructive choices

​ The importance of postvention (getting help after a suicide loss) through counseling, EMDR, and supportive community

​ Practical tools for healing:

​ Writing letters to the person who died and letting anger, pain, and love all come out on the page

​ Drawing or coloring to move feelings from the inside to the outside

​ Learning to reframe the story over time by looking at what you did do, rather than what you think you missed

​ Allowing tears, anger, and questions without judgment

​ How nutrition, protein, and B vitamins can support a grieving brain and body that often forgets to eat, or turns only to comfort foods

​ Ways friends and family can support a survivor with healthy food, presence, and patience

​ Why counselors are often a safe place to talk: confidential, nonjudgmental, and focused on helping you find your own path forward

Jenny also shares pieces of her own journey after losing her son JR, including exhaustion, moments of conflicted relief, and watching her daughter struggle under the weight of guilt — and how therapy, EMDR, and time helped open space for healing and self-compassion.

This episode is for anyone living with that quiet thought: “It’s my fault” — and for those who love someone carrying that burden.

Visit jrshuntforlife.org or join the private Facebook community “JR’s Hunt for Life” for confidential connection, education, and hope.

🎙️ Credits“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide-prevention movement J.R.'s Hunt; For Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer. Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul,” courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.

🕊️ No judgments. Talk saves lives.

#ChooseHope #SupportAfterSuicide #TraumaTherapy #EMDRTherapy #CommunityHealing #BeTheLight

🎧 CALM Training & Lethal Means Safety with Sheena Hicks, PPC on “Safe Talk” JR’s Hunt;for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast

In this episode of JR’s Hunt for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast, Safe Talk, host Jenny Hunter welcomes returning guest Sheena Hicks, newly graduated Provisional Professional Counselor (PPC). Sheena shares her journey through seven years of education and supervised clinical training, and she explains what it takes to become a licensed counselor in Wyoming.

Jenny and Sheena dive deeply into CALM Training — Counseling or Conversations on Access to Lethal Means. This practical, life-saving approach teaches everyday people, first responders, mental-health professionals, and community members how to:

* Recognize signs of distress or suicidal ideation

* Ask direct, clear questions about suicide

* Safely and compassionately discuss firearms, medications, and other lethal means

* Create time, distance, and safety during moments of crisis

* Understand impulsivity and the crucial 8-minute window between trigger and attempt

* Support individuals in building safety plans, storing firearms responsibly, and reducing access to high-risk items

* Maintain hope, build connection, and understand the limits — and possibilities — of intervention

Sheena emphasizes that CALM is not anti-gun; it is a training centered on responsible storage, safe households, and preventing impulsive tragedies, especially in states like Wyoming where firearm ownership is common. Jenny and Sheena talk about youth suicide, aging populations, medication safety, and the importance of 988, supportive networks, and proactive conversations long before a crisis peaks.

If you or your organization are interested in CALM training, Sheena continues to offer sessions and can be contacted through Jenny.

If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone — help is available.

📞 Need Support?
In the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If danger feels immediate, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Visit jrshuntforlife.org or join the private Facebook community “JR’s Hunt for Life” for confidential connection, education, and hope.

🎙️ Credits
“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide-prevention movement JR’s Hunt for Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer. Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul,” courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

📲 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.

🕊️ No judgments. Talk saves lives.

#JRsHuntForLife #SafeTalkPodcast #TalkSavesLives #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAwareness #PassiveSuicidalIdeation #YouAreNotAlone #EndTheStigma #CheckInOnYourFriends #AngelMountainMedia #JennyHunter #WyomingCounselor #TherapyWorks #HopeAndHealing #988Lifeline #NoJudgmentZone #MentalHealthMatters #CommunityCare #calm

Season 5 Premiere — Understanding Passive Suicidal Ideation with Cassidy Lach, MA, LPC on “Safe Talk” JR’s Hunt;for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast

Season 5 opens with an eye-opening conversation about a topic that’s rarely named but widely felt: passive suicidal ideation. Jenny sits down with Cassidy Lach, a licensed professional counselor with nearly two decades of experience in Wyoming’s mental-health community, to unpack what it means to feel “okay if something happened” — without an active plan to end one’s life.

Cassidy explains the critical differences between passive and active suicidality, emphasizing the importance of intent and imminence. She helps listeners recognize common warning signs — such as thoughts like “I don’t care if I wake up tomorrow” — and explores how these thoughts can stem from deeply rooted beliefs of being “not good enough” or “broken.” Drawing on her background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and the Gottman Method for marriage and relationship counseling, Cassidy offers grounded, compassionate tools for reframing these beliefs before they escalate.

Together, Jenny and Cassidy remind listeners that talk saves lives — and that asking directly, without judgment, can be the most powerful act of care. They discuss how to identify imminent risk, when confidentiality limits apply, and why simply checking in — even with a “Good morning, how are you doing?” — can truly make a difference.

Key Takeaways

• “Passive” thoughts don’t always mean immediate danger — but they always deserve compassion.

• Validation, not minimization, builds safety for honest conversation.

• We can only act on what we know in the moment, but consistent connection can change outcomes.

• If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone — help is available.

Need Support?

In the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If danger feels immediate, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Visit jrshuntforlife.org or join the private Facebook community “JR’s Hunt for Life” for confidential connection, education, and hope.

Credits

“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide-prevention movement JR’s Hunt for Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer. Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul,” courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.

No judgments. Talk saves lives.

#JRsHuntForLife #SafeTalkPodcast #TalkSavesLives #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAwareness #PassiveSuicidalIdeation #YouAreNotAlone #EndTheStigma #CheckInOnYourFriends #AngelMountainMedia #JennyHunter #BillyFloyd #CassidyLachLPC #WyomingCounselor #TherapyWorks #HopeAndHealing #988Lifeline #NoJudgmentZone #MentalHealthMatters #CommunityCare

🎙️ Season 4 Finale: Sibling Survivors — The Invisible Mourners on “Safe Talk” JR’s Hunt;for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast.

In this powerful final episode of Season 4 of JR’s Hunt for Life, host Jenny Hunter sits down with long-time friend and fellow Casper resident, Dawn, to explore the unique and often overlooked grief of sibling suicide loss. Dawn shares the story of her brother Michael — his warmth, his struggles with mental illness, and the heartbreak of his passing — offering listeners an unfiltered and compassionate look at what it means to lose a sibling to suicide.

Jenny and Dawn open up about the emotional complexity of being a "forgotten mourner," the guilt and anger that often surface, and the loneliness of navigating loss without the support of remaining family. They also discuss the crucial role that community, support groups, and honest conversations play in the healing process.

This candid conversation is a heartfelt reminder that sibling survivors matter — and they are not alone.

🕊️ "You feel invisible. You feel like you're 'just a sister'... But you're not. You're someone who loved them, too."

💬 Listen in, reflect, and help us continue the conversation that saves lives.

“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide prevention movement J.R.’s Hunt For Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer.

Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul”, courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Music, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.

#SuicidePrevention #SafeTalkPodcast #MentalHealthMatters #SafeTalkPodcast #SuicidePrevention #GriefSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #YouAreNotAlone #BreakTheSilence #TalkSavesLives #JRSHuntForLife #EndTheStigma #HopeAndHealing #SiblingLoss #SiblingSuicide #MentalHealthAwareness #SafeTalk #JRsHuntForLife #TalkSavesLives #SeasonFinale #SiblingLoss

🎙 Safe Talk Podcast: Autism, Suicide Prevention & The Power of Checking In with Karol Santistevan, MS, OTR/L, ASDCS🎙

In this insightful episode of Safe Talk, host Jenny Hunter speaks with Karol Santistevan, founder of Ropes and Roses Therapy Services, to explore a critical but often overlooked topic—the heightened suicide risk among autistic individuals.

Jenny and Karol discuss why autism is rarely included in mainstream suicide statistics and how cognitive inflexibility, social isolation, and mental health challenges can increase risk. Karol shares insights from her exclusive interview with Dr. Temple Grandin, offering a deeper understanding of sensory processing, neurodiversity, and how mental health professionals can be more inclusive.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✔️ Autistic individuals are at a significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population.

✔️ Cognitive inflexibility can make it difficult for someone to see alternatives to their struggles.

✔️ Bullying, masking, and societal stigma contribute to higher distress levels.

✔️ The power of curiosity over judgment—learning to ask why someone experiences the world differently instead of making assumptions.

✔️ The importance of checking in—with others and with yourself—before things reach a crisis point.

✔️ How animal-assisted therapy and nature-based approaches provide meaningful support.

Karol also previews her upcoming presentation at the Wyoming Counseling Association’s Spring Webinar (April 5, 2025), featuring her recorded conversation with Temple Grandin.

🔗 Tune in to learn how we can replace judgment with curiosity, check in before it’s too late, and create a world that truly values neurodiversity.

Karol Santistevan, MS, OTR/L, ASDCS

Karol is an occupational therapist specializing in mental health utilizing equine and animal-assisted therapy. She is the founder of Ropes and Roses Therapy Services in Casper, WY, where she integrates nature-based therapy approaches to support individuals with autism, PTSD, and other neurodevelopmental challenges. In addition to her clinical work, Karol teaches at Casper College and continuously researches best practices in the field of occupational therapy. She is a Clinical specialist for Autism Spectrum Disorder. (ASDCS) and an accredited ICDL - Home of DIRFloortime® Practitioner.

“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide prevention movement J.R.’s Hunt For Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer.

Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul”, courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Music, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.

S4E17-Glenn Woods Interview-The Power of Simplicity: Alleviating Anxiety One Step at a Time on “Safe Talk” JR’s Hunt;for Life Suicide Prevention Podcast

In this insightful episode of Safe Talk, Jenny Hunter welcomes author and radio talk show host Glenn Woods to explore the profound impact of simplifying life’s challenges. Glenn, author of The Uncomplicated Life, shares how overthinking and clutter—both mental and physical—contribute to anxiety, and how stripping away the unnecessary can bring clarity and peace.

Glenn delivers a powerful reminder: tackling life one step at a time, every single day, is the key to overcoming stress and uncertainty. Jenny expands on this, emphasizing how his approach to simplifying life can ease anxiety, making the overwhelming feel manageable. Together, they discuss practical strategies to shift from chaos to calm, with Glenn’s signature wit and wisdom offering a refreshing take on life’s everyday struggles.

Tune in for an uplifting conversation that challenges the way we approach problems—and offers a path toward a more peaceful, uncomplicated life.

🎧 Listen now and discover how small, intentional steps can lead to big transformations!

“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide prevention movement J.R.’s Hunt For Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer.

Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul”, courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Music, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.

#SafeTalkPodcast #PodcastEpisode #NewPodcast #Podcasting #ListenNow #PodcastLife #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthMatters #YouAreNotAlone #EndTheStigma #BreakTheSilence #988Lifeline #TalkSavesLives #HopeAndHealing #ItsOkayToNotBeOkay #AnxietyRelief #StressFreeLiving #MindsetMatters #MentalWellness #CalmYourMind #EmotionalHealth #TheUncomplicatedLife #SimpleLiving #MindfulLiving #OneStepAtATime #SmallStepsBigChanges #ClarityAndPeace #GlennWoods #WakeUpWyoming #SelfHelp #DailyInspiration #LifeHacks #SelfImprovement