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Mental Perk

Mental Perk
Author: Karla Hutcherson; Brandi Mock
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© 2025 Mental Perk
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Real people...Real Issues...Real Talk. Destigmatizing misconceptions about mental health and encourage conversations about tough topics. We understand all of us are impacted by the effects of mental health in different ways. We want to highlight guests who are winning the battle, their very real struggles, and how honest talk can change the way we view mental health. We want everyone to know "You're Worthy...We're in this together".
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Send us a text In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Katie Norris Tipton, who shares her incredible story of dedication, resilience, and purpose. From earning her Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice with a double minor in Sociology and Social Work to building a 28-year career with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Division, Katie opens up about life on the front lines of the justice system. She reflects on: ✅ Starting out at JC Penney Insurance Company ✅ 14 years as...
Send us a text You’re in a bad place." Sometimes, the truth hits hardest when it comes from someone who knows you best. On today’s episode of Mental Perk, we’re joined by Scott Harwerth—a husband, father, and fighter who’s reclaiming his life one day at a time. After a back injury in 2014 led to a prescription for painkillers, Scott’s path spiraled from pills… to Kratom… and then into full-blown alcohol addiction. What began as an attempt to manage pain became a quiet storm—hidden in hotel ro...
Send us a text Leadership Coach | Veteran | Founder of the Total Engagement System Brian Maddocks is no stranger to high-stakes performance and purpose-driven leadership. A military veteran turned leadership expert, Brian created the Total Engagement System—a results-driven training method inspired by the precision and pressure of military jet pilot training. Why? Because you don’t learn to fly a jet by reading a manual… you fly the jet. His powerful framework—PILOT, VAST, and FLITE—equips le...
Send us a text On today’s Mental Perk, we sit down with Peri Rose—a powerhouse in branding and real estate whose real-life story is raw, real, and radically resilient. From childhood bullying and toxic relationships to traumatic workplace assaults, Peri’s path wasn’t paved with ease—but with courage. Just three months into a dream relationship, she found herself pregnant and alone, when her partner was incarcerated the same day they heard their baby’s heartbeat. What followed was a journey th...
Send us a text In this episode, Brandi and Karla dive deep into the struggles of getting back into the office after being forced to work from home. They talk about the challenges of re-adjusting to office life and share exciting details about their upcoming online training course to help you get back into the swing of things full-time! Follow us for more real talk and stress-busting tips: 🌐 www.mentalperk.org 📺 YouTube: Mental Perk 📘 Facebook: Mental Perk 📸 Instagram: @mentalperkpodcast ...
Send us a text Today on Mental Perk, we’re joined by Chris Jones—a Dallas native whose journey from the boxing ring to the boardroom is all about grit, growth, and heart. Once a fighter, now a leader in roofing and life, Chris brings discipline, resilience, and real talk to everything he does. From training others to building his business, to raising a beautiful family—Chris shows us that the fight doesn’t end in the ring. Let’s dive into his powerful story of reinvention. 🔗 Follow Chris Jone...
Send us a text From New York to Nevada, Texas to Tennessee—y’all showed UP with the real questions about anxiety, depression, burnout, boundaries, and everything in between. 🙌 In this powerful Q&A episode, Karla and Brandi dive into raw, relatable mental health questions sent in from listeners all over the United States. 💥 No filter. No fluff. Just real talk that might be exactly what you needed to hear today. 🎧 Whether you're crying in traffic or setting boundaries with Aunt Karen—...
Send us a text 🎙️ Welcome to Mental Perk! 🎙️ Today’s episode is all about healing with paws and purpose. 🐾 We’re joined by Traci Pryor from the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program to talk about how YOU and your pet can become a therapy animal team and bring real comfort to those who need it most. From hospitals to schools, this volunteer opportunity is changing lives one tail wag at a time. 🐶🐱 ✨ Whether it’s a dog, cat, or something a little different—your animal could be someone’s peace. 💥 ...
Send us a text Amber DeWitt’s birth story turned into a fight for her life. What was supposed to be a peaceful water birth in a birthing center quickly turned into an emergency C-section and life-threatening complications. After battling sepsis shock, multiple surgeries, and months of recovery, Amber is sharing her journey of healing, faith, and mental health struggles. In this raw and emotional testimony, Amber opens up about the trauma she faced, the impact on her mental health, and how she...
Send us a text Meet Bridgette King: wife of 30 years to Travis, mom to Lydia, Emily, and Ryan, mother-in-law to Noah, and Honey to Joshua. As an assistant principal in a top-tier school district, Bridgette balances her passion for education with a deep commitment to family and faith. But Bridgette's journey took an unexpected turn in 2004 when she was diagnosed with HHT (Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia), a rare genetic disorder affecting blood vessel development. Then, in 2017, a routin...
Send us a text Join us as we welcome our inspiring guest, Carter Kindla (@carterkindla)! Carter is a college student at the University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in Audio Production and a proud member of the university band. Beyond academics, Carter is passionate about health, wellness, and mental resilience—spending time at the gym with friends, enjoying outdoor walks with music, and living a life committed to growth. Through personal experience, ongoing therapy, and a strong background...
Send us a text Navigating Mental Health as a Single Mom to a Child with Special Needs This week on Mental Perk, we sit down with Faith Longbottom—a resilient single mom and passionate mental health advocate. Faith opens up about her personal journey navigating the highs and lows of mental health while raising a child with special needs. Through raw and honest conversation, Faith shares how her struggles became the foundation for her advocacy work. She sheds light on the real challenges famili...
Send us a text In today’s episode, Brandi and Karla dive into a powerful and essential conversation: How Women Can Protect Themselves—covering everything from self-defense tips and situational awareness to what it really means to feel safe, prepared, and confident in today’s world. We’re also talking about our exciting upcoming event—UNSTOPPABLE: A Day of Empowerment for Women, happening May 17th, 2025! 💥 This one-day experience is packed with beginner and advanced firearms training, physic...
Send us a text Coming Wednesday! Episode 67 Amy Land is a survivor, advocate, and entrepreneur who has spent the last 20 years in Western North Carolina—seven of those in Brevard. Alongside her husband of 32 years, she’s served in full-time ministry and helped launch Grace Brevard Church. As a top-producing fitness trainer and founder of PurplPlace, Amy brings over 16 years of experience in personal training and holistic wellness. Amy’s journey is deeply personal—she is a survivor of groomi...
Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode, Karla and Brandi tackle a question that’s becoming more relevant every day: Can artificial intelligence take the place of a human therapist? 🤖🧠 With the rise of mental health apps and tools like ChatGPT, many people are turning to AI for support, guidance, and even emotional validation. But what are the benefits—and what are the potential risks? Is it just a helpful supplement, or could it actually replace traditional therapy in some situation...
Send us a text Welcome back to Mental Perk! In this episode, we’re thrilled to have Kirstine Openshaw, a real estate powerhouse who has turned adversity into triumph through the power of mindset, manifestation, and determination. Kirstine’s journey is nothing short of inspiring—from immigrating to a new country to facing the challenges of IVF and raising a son with a congenital heart defect. Despite these obstacles, she built a thriving real estate business and has consistently achieved Top P...
Send us a text Welcome back to Mental Perk! In this episode, we sit down with Heather Graham, an elementary school counselor with over 21 years of experience in public education. Driven by her passion for helping others, Heather recently opened her own private practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor after completing her third master’s degree and state licensing requirements. Heather’s journey took a powerful turn about five years ago when, while embracing life with her husband and three...
Send us a text Welcome back to Mental Perk! In this episode, we’re joined by Brian Ulch, a seasoned security professional with over 32 years of experience in close contact knife and firearms training and multiple martial arts styles. As a licensed instructor with the Texas Private Security Bureau, Brian has spent the last 12 years as a Personal Protection Officer and the past 10 years training others in defensive tactics and firearms. Brian’s impressive career also includes serving as the Dir...
Send us a text With over 27 years of experience, Abby Pagud is a trailblazer in the fitness and wellness industry, dedicated to transforming lives through personalized health strategies. As the founder and CEO of Kapitol Health, she empowers individuals to achieve their ideal well-being through innovative, customized approaches. Her expertise is backed by a Bachelor’s in Health and Wellness and over eight certifications spanning multiple specialties, solidifying her reputation as a trusted le...
Send us a text Today on Mental Perk, we're excited to introduce Sarah Strackhouse. From her early days as a journalist reporting for major networks and covering national news, Sarah has evolved into a dynamic multimedia business owner. Now at the helm of Strackhouse Media, she specializes in videography, photography, and live event production, transforming stories into visual masterpieces. She's also the visionary creator behind The Right to Inspire, a show dedicated to sharing uplifting stor...
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