Mind Your Mind Speaks

In this episode, Irene Barton sits down with Becky Sayler, Post 2 Board Member for Cobb County School District, for a thoughtful conversation on education, community, and what it takes to support every child’s success.   Find the full show notes at cobbcollaborative.org/podcast

In this episode, you will hear a conversation between Cobb Collaborative's Executive Director, Irene Barton, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Kaitlyn Ball, and Mental Health Coordinator, Lesleigh Sanders. This podcast centers around Cobb Collaborative's upcoming 2nd annual Resiliency Week, dedicated to mental well-being and exploring ways to build a stronger, more resilient community.  We hope to see you there! Find out more about Resiliency Week at cobbcollaborative.org/resiliencyweek2025 As always, please visit our website for show notes and links: cobbcollaborative.org/podcast THANK YOU, for your support of our Mind Your Mind Speaks podcast. Please like and share our content on social media to help us grow our listening audience. 

Cobb Collaborative Executive Director, Irene Barton interviews Yang Vang, Miss Global Hmong 2026 and a chiropractic student in Cobb County, about her mental health advocacy, balancing school and pageantry, and the cultural stigma she aims to dismantle. Find the full show notes at cobbcollaborative.org/podcast

In this episode, Irene Barton sits down with Jacob Rogers of Cobb Collaborative's Vote Your Voice initiative to break down everything you need to know about the upcoming 2026 elections — including the District 14 Special Election runoff and key May election dates. Whether you're a first-time voter or a seasoned one, this episode has the information you need to make your voice heard. Find the full show notes at cobbcollaborative.org/podcast

In this episode, Irene Barton sits down with Mark Riggans, Chairperson of Cobb Christmas, to talk about the heart behind one of Cobb County’s most impactful holiday initiatives.   Find our full show notes at www.cobbcollaborative.org/category/news/podcast  

In this special episode of Mind Your Mind Speaks, we hear from members of the Cobb Collaborative team as they share their reflections, favorite moments, and how we plan to keep this momentum going beyond Resiliency Week 2026!

In this episode, Irene Barton sits down with Michael McNeely, Mableton City Councilmember for District 2, to discuss his journey from military service and community leadership to local government.   Meet the Guest: Michael McNeely Michael McNeely is Georgia Native, raised in Wrens Georgia, and has lived in Mableton since 2019.  Michael is a Veteran, Cobb Collaborative Board Member, and Deputy Director at the Department of Juvenile justice and has been recently elected to the Mableton City Council, representing District 2.    As always, find the full show notes on our website at cobbcollaborative.org/podcast

In this episode, Irene Barton sits down with Rae-Anne Pinckney, Director of Community Health Programs and Partnerships at Wellstar Health System, to discuss Wellstar’s mission-driven approach to community health, its innovative programs, and the impact of Resiliency Week. Wellstar’s community health programs are designed to expand access to care and strengthen social support across the communities they serve. Using data from Community Health Needs Assessments, Wellstar identifies and prioritizes local needs—then goes beyond data collection to develop and enhance service-led initiatives. These efforts directly support an equitable, people-centered care model that addresses barriers to health and well-being. Meet the Guest: Rae-Anne Pinckney Rae-Anne Pinckney brings a background in Social Work and Public Health, with a career rooted in building practical, community-based partnerships and community benefit programs that help remove barriers to care for families. Beginning her career as a social worker, Rae-Anne’s passion for service is deeply personal. As the oldest of three daughters, she proudly embraces her role as a “mama bear,” advocating for the communities and partners she supports every day.

In this episode, Irene Barton sits down with Lindsey Taulbee, Chapter Lead for the West Cobb Wait Until 8th program, to discuss the Wait Until 8th movement in West Cobb and its connection to youth mental health. Lindsey and Irene explore what drew Lindsey to the program, what the initiative involves, and how she works to grow awareness and participation in West Cobb. After learning about the East Cobb chapter, Lindsey felt inspired to launch the West Cobb chapter in January 2025. She now hosts monthly meetings, facilitates honest conversations about healthier technology habits, addresses parent concerns, and continues to grow pledge participation within her community.    Find the full show notes at cobbcollaborative.org/podcast

In this special episode, Irene Barton, Executive Director, and Kaitlyn Ball, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, discuss the 2025 Elections in Georgia and Cobb County. Over the past few weeks, about 25% of active voters in Cobb County headed to the polls — and the results are in. Irene and Kaitlyn break down what these results mean, why they matter, and what’s coming up next for local and statewide races.   Find the full show notes on our website at cobbcollaborative.org/podcast!

Welcome to the Mind Your Mind Speaks Podcast! In this episode, Executive Director Irene Barton sits down with Dr. Monica Brown, a community leader and passionate advocate for civic engagement. As the former head of the Democracy Center of Cobb County and now Executive Director of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Dr. Brown has dedicated her career to ensuring people have access to accurate information and opportunities to participate in democracy.   Find the full show notes at cobbcollaborative.org/podcast!

Welcome to the Mind Your Mind Speaks Podcast! In this episode, Executive Director Irene Barton sits down with Julia Davis, owner of The Bookworm Bookstore in Powder Springs and creator of Bookworm Fest, a week-long celebration for book lovers of all ages. Julia has called Cobb County home for more than 20 years, but was born and raised in a small town in New York. Inspired by her parents’ deep community involvement, Julia has built a vibrant hub of connection, creativity, and literacy through her work.   Find the full show notes on our website!

In this episode, Irene Barton, Executive Director of Cobb Collaborative, is joined by Kimberly Henghold, Director of Community Relations with the Office of External Affairs at Kennesaw State University. Kim also serves on several local boards, including the Cobb Homeless Alliance and the Cobb Collaborative Board.   Find show notes & more on our website.

Welcome to the Mind Your Mind Speaks Podcast! In this episode, Executive Director Irene Barton sits down with Stacy S. Jensen, one of our very first Literacy Ambassadors at Marietta City Schools, and the author of Before I Lived Here. Their conversation explores Stacy’s journey to publishing a children’s book, the important role of Literacy Ambassadors, local book distributions, and more.   Find the show notes on our website!

Welcome to the Mind Your Mind Speaks Podcast! In this episode, Executive Director Irene Barton is joined by Kaitlyn and Lesleigh from the Cobb Collaborative team. Together, they recognize September as Suicide Prevention Month and share about suicide warning signs, prevention strategies, and ways our community can support those impacted. They also highlight upcoming events like the You Are Loved Walk and QPR trainings, along with resources that can help save lives.   Please find the full show notes on our website.

In this episode, Irene Barton, Executive Director of Cobb Collaborative, is joined by colleague Lesleigh Sanders, Mental Health Program Coordinator, along with Barbara Garner, Executive Director at Circles Cobb, and Keylan Mitchell, Circles Cobb coach, co-owner of MOOYAH Burgers, Fries, & Shakes; and Nikky and Jas, two inspiring Circles Cobb cohort members.   Find the full show notes on our website: cobbcollaborative.org/category/news/podcast

Welcome to the Mind Your Mind Speaks Podcast!  In this episode, Executive Director Irene Barton sits down with Ali Nyarko, Cobb Collaborative’s Director of Early Childhood Programs.  Their conversation reflects our growing commitment to supporting early childhood development across our community.   Find the show notes on our website! 

Welcome to the Mind Your Mind Speaks Podcast.  In this special re-release episode, Cobb Collaborative Executive Director Irene Barton sits down with Dr. Jyll Walsh, Deputy Director of Positive Childhood Alliance Georgia, formerly known as Prevent Child Abuse Georgia.   As always, you can find our show notes at cobbcollaborative.org/podcast   Thank you listeners for tuning in!    

In this special Pride Month episode, Irene Barton, Executive Director of Cobb Collaborative, is joined by Kelly Mellen—former Cobb Collaborative Communications Director, advocate, mother of two, long-time Cobb County resident, and current team member at Making Things Right (MTR).   Founded in 2021 by Brian Nietzel, Making Things Right is a nonprofit working to rethink and transform the Christian response to LGBTQ+ people. Their mission is to create space for honest conversation, patient understanding, and meaningful support for LGBTQ+ individuals—especially within faith communities.   Kelly shares more about MTR's outreach efforts, including the MTR Connect Web Series (August–December), featuring conversations with special guests. Learn more at: makingthingsright.org/connect She also discusses MTR’s “I’m Sorry” Pride Tour, where the team attends one Pride event per month from May through October (culminating at Atlanta Pride). Other organizations mentioned in this episode that support LGBTQ+ individuals in Christian spaces: Q Christian Fellowship (QCF) Embracing the Journey CenterPeace The Reformation Project The Christian Closet Affirming Therapy Christians for Social Action Oriented to Love Stay connected with Making Things Right: Website: makingthingsright.org Newsletter Instagram YouTube Podcast See where the MTR team will be this year at local and national events

Welcome to the Mind Your Mind Speaks Podcast. In this special episode, you will hear a conversation between Cobb Collaborative's Executive Director, Irene Barton, and Regina White and Brandie Dudley, the leadership team at Mpowerd.   As always, you can find the show notes at cobbcollaborative.org/podcast.   Thank you for tuning in!