Episode #75. Wow! Can't believe we have 75 episodes. This episode was meant to be published sooner but it is here now. Meeting people on Facebook has been so great for this podcast. This was the first time an episode like this has been published. Using creativity as a way to cope with mental illness and grief and loss.

Kristen's BIO( from her website)

My name is Kristen Laursen and I’m so honored to share a little bit of my story and my heart with you here on the podcast!  I am a mother of 2 stinkin’ cute little kiddos (not biased at all haha), a dental hygienist, poet, song writer, violinist, snowboarder, aspiring photographer, and lover of the great outdoors.   I am so passionate about helping those who face mental health battles and people experiencing grief, because I have faced a variety of mental health challenges and lost my little sister Kimmy, my best friend, to suicide in 2015.  I firmly believe that there are tools available for ALL people to utilize to improve their mental state, and no matter how difficult a mental illness might be, there is always hope!    My hope and my vision for this podcast is to lift, inspire, and enlighten as many people as possible by “Lighting the Shadows” of a variety of mental health challenges.  Thank you for stopping by!  I hope that you find the information here useful and uplifting!     For more information on Kristen follow her website and podcast:   https://lightingtheshadows.org/   For more links to Jared's poetry: www.jareddiehl.com   Other information: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/   Please call 1-800-273-8255  if you are feeling overwhelmed and need someone to talk to.   Please email loudernow88@gmail.com if you would like to be a guest on the podcast or have any questions or comments.