I'm Listening was a live broadcast on Sunday, September 9, 2018.

I'm Listening was a live broadcast on Sunday, September 9, 2018.

It’s okay to not be OK. We know the power of talk can save lives. Audacy's I’m Listening aims to share valuable resources for those who need to connect, heal and share their own stories. I'm Listeningis a 365-day-a-year initiative that aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there.

It’s okay to not be OK. We know the power of talk can save lives. Audacy's I’m Listening aims to share valuable resources for those who need to connect, heal and share their own stories. I'm Listening is a 365-day-a-year initiative that aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there.

I'm Listening 2018

It’s okay to not be OK. We know the power of talk can save lives. Audacy's I’m Listening aims to share valuable resources for those who need to connect, heal and share their own stories. Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

It’s okay to not be OK. We know the power of talk can save lives. Audacy's I’m Listening aims to share valuable resources for those who need to connect, heal and share their own stories. Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources <a href="https://www.audacy.com/im-listening/im-listening-take-control-of-your-mental-health-today">here</a>.

I'm Listening

2018 I'm Listening Podcast

During a recent chat with Audacy, Dua Lipa opened up about her thoughts on the importance of conversation when it comes to mental health, tips for having a healthy relationship with social media, and the influence her music has.

“I think having open conversations about mental health gets rid of the stigma around it. I think being really open about your experience or allowing space for somebody else to be open about their experience and just being there for support is enough to be able to… I don’t know — help,” Dua shared. Whether its helping “somebody get something off their chest” or to “change somebodies perspective,” or simply just to be able to honest “about your feelings and emotions in a way that feels seen and heard.”

“I think girls sometimes have it easier to talk to each other about things that are happening, boys maybe not so much, men not so much,” Dua went on to say. “Because they have this whole idea of they have to be really strong and really tough, and they can’t show emotion. And the thing that maybe as women, we are vulnerable. I think it’s quite strong to be able to talk about how you feel, I think men need to do it more. So I think these conversations between people just need to keep happening more often to create that safe space around speaking about mental health.”

Discussing ways to have a healthy relationship with social media, Dua admitted “there can be good days and bad days on social media, it really depends on how you want to view it.” She continued, “I think the best way, at least the thing that’s worked for me is taking myself off certain social medias and just kind of popping in a little less regularly.”

“I think its also important to not put too much importance on maybe the opinions of others, or how those things might make you feel… Taking a time out from social media now and then is super healthy.”

Reflecting on how her music affects her fans, Dua expressed, “I think its amazing to get to hear the way that my music has impacted somebody.”

“I guess my biggest goal is to make music that other people can resonate with, or it can provide a space of safety, or feeling of being seen, or heard — that’s like the biggest goal. So to hear that and to feel like I’m doing something good with the thing that I love doing the most, I feel like its just the best place to be in.”

Audacy's I’m Listeninginitiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

Words by Maia Kedem Interview by Bru

During a recent chat with Audacy, Dua Lipa opened up about her thoughts on the importance of conversation when it comes to mental health, tips for having a healthy relationship with social media, and the influence her music has.
“I think having open conversations about mental health gets rid of the stigma around it. I think being really open about your experience or allowing space for somebody else to be open about their experience and just being there for support is enough to be able to… I don’t know — help,” Dua shared. Whether its helping “somebody get something off their chest” or to “change somebodies perspective,” or simply just to be able to honest “about your feelings and emotions in a way that feels seen and heard.”
“I think girls sometimes have it easier to talk to each other about things that are happening, boys maybe not so much, men not so much,” Dua went on to say. “Because they have this whole idea of they have to be really strong and really tough, and they can’t show emotion. And the thing that maybe as women, we are vulnerable. I think it’s quite strong to be able to talk about how you feel, I think men need to do it more. So I think these conversations between people just need to keep happening more often to create that safe space around speaking about mental health.”
Discussing ways to have a healthy relationship with social media, Dua admitted “there can be good days and bad days on social media, it really depends on how you want to view it.” She continued, “I think the best way, at least the thing that’s worked for me is taking myself off certain social medias and just kind of popping in a little less regularly.”
“I think its also important to not put too much importance on maybe the opinions of others, or how those things might make you feel… Taking a time out from social media now and then is super healthy.”
Reflecting on how her music affects her fans, Dua expressed, “I think its amazing to get to hear the way that my music has impacted somebody.”
“I guess my biggest goal is to make music that other people can resonate with, or it can provide a space of safety, or feeling of being seen, or heard — that’s like the biggest goal. So to hear that and to feel like I’m doing something good with the thing that I love doing the most, I feel like its just the best place to be in.”
Audacy's <a href="https://www.audacy.com/im-listening">I’m Listening</a> initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources <a href="https://www.audacy.com/im-listening/im-listening-take-control-of-your-mental-health-today">here</a>.
Words by Maia Kedem Interview by Bru

I'm Listening: Dua Lipa

Singer, songwriter, and RockstarDolly Parton has never been shy about how creating and offering her songs to the world has proven to be truly therapeutic, even at times when being a woman and an open book at the same time was considered taboo.

"Well, I'm in the business; I wanted to be a star," Dolly admits about the unabashed vulnerability that came along with her rise to fame. "I was one of those people, I wanted to leave myself wide open and my heart wide open. I think when you're a writer, you can't really close that off. The kind of writer I am, I live off of emotion; I'm very sensitive and I feel the sensitivity in other people," she clarifies.

"When I don't write about myself or something I've been through, I write about the people that I might love or people that I see that are suffering, and I can write their sorrow, or their joy, in a song because I'm able to rhyme," Parton continues. "It's a skill, to that degree, to be able to just put something down and rhyme it, but I really get involved in it when I get myself in what I call my 'God Zone,' to where I really am getting deep with it."

"That's when I say it's like therapy for me," Dolly says of her creative process. "I write about my own sorrows, I write about my own joys, but I think that we all suffer and feel the same emotions. My emotions are everybody's and everybody's are mine, so I can write about that."

Parton reveals she still gets taken aback when certain reactions to songs she's penned find their way back to her. "A good example of that was even in my earliest days when I put out 'Coat of Many Colors.' I got so much mail, so many people reaching out to say that song had healed them of hurts that they had carried around forever. So many people that had been hurt, or laughed at, or made fun of for one reason or another -- or had been snubbed or bullied -- that little song in itself was really like a prayer cloth, so to speak. It was a rag of many colors but in a way was healing to many people."

For Dolly, who grep up as a preacher's grandkid, relying on her favorite scriptures has always helped guide her through the toughest times in her life. "I still do my meditations every day, my readings and all that," Parton says. "I read the Bible -- I have certain things that I'll go to... I pray a lot and I just throw it out there and expect Him to handle it."

Audacy's I’m Listeninginitiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

Words by Joe Cingrana Interview by Katie Neal

Singer, songwriter, and Rockstar Dolly Parton has never been shy about how creating and offering her songs to the world has proven to be truly therapeutic, even at times when being a woman and an open book at the same time was considered taboo.
"Well, I'm in the business; I wanted to be a star," Dolly admits about the unabashed vulnerability that came along with her rise to fame. "I was one of those people, I wanted to leave myself wide open and my heart wide open. I think when you're a writer, you can't really close that off. The kind of writer I am, I live off of emotion; I'm very sensitive and I feel the sensitivity in other people," she clarifies.
"When I don't write about myself or something I've been through, I write about the people that I might love or people that I see that are suffering, and I can write their sorrow, or their joy, in a song because I'm able to rhyme," Parton continues. "It's a skill, to that degree, to be able to just put something down and rhyme it, but I really get involved in it when I get myself in what I call my 'God Zone,' to where I really am getting deep with it."
"That's when I say it's like therapy for me," Dolly says of her creative process. "I write about my own sorrows, I write about my own joys, but I think that we all suffer and feel the same emotions. My emotions are everybody's and everybody's are mine, so I can write about that."
Parton reveals she still gets taken aback when certain reactions to songs she's penned find their way back to her. "A good example of that was even in my earliest days when I put out 'Coat of Many Colors.' I got so much mail, so many people reaching out to say that song had healed them of hurts that they had carried around forever. So many people that had been hurt, or laughed at, or made fun of for one reason or another -- or had been snubbed or bullied -- that little song in itself was really like a prayer cloth, so to speak. It was a rag of many colors but in a way was healing to many people."
For Dolly, who grep up as a preacher's grandkid, relying on her favorite scriptures has always helped guide her through the toughest times in her life. "I still do my meditations every day, my readings and all that," Parton says. "I read the Bible -- I have certain things that I'll go to... I pray a lot and I just throw it out there and expect Him to handle it."
Audacy's <a href="https://www.audacy.com/im-listening">I’m Listening</a> initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources <a href="https://www.audacy.com/im-listening/im-listening-take-control-of-your-mental-health-today">here</a>.
Words by Joe Cingrana Interview by Katie Neal

Dolly Parton on sharing vulnerability

As part of Audacy’s I’m Listening initiative, representatives from the Home Base Foundation and Wounded Warriors joined us this month to share valuable resources for veterans and validate that struggling does not equal defeat.

To address the heightened rate of veteran suicides, Audacy’s David O’Leary interviewed two major non-profit organizations that aid veterans with all wounds, whether physical, emotional, or mental. Brigadier General (Ret.) Jack Hammond, on behalf of Home Base Veteran and Family Care, began by acknowledging that the hardest step in a veteran’s mental health journey may be knowing when help is truly needed. Referencing his own training, Hammond said, “If you're hurt, you have to suck it up. If you are injured, you require medical attention. And too often people confuse the two when it comes to mental health.” He continued, “Where there's no physical injury that's visible, people assume a mental health issue, you're just a little bit hurt. And you're not injured. So that goes on for a little bit, and when it doesn't get better, it does get worse. And the longer you deal with it without treating it or responding to it, the more problems you have.”

In particular, Hammond believes that a veteran’s over-familiarity with what he calls “no failure situations” makes them more prone to barrel through any mental health struggles without seeking help. “That's kind of our mantra, right? Never accept defeat, failure is not an option” he noted. “So on a personal side, when you're not able to cope with something, you're not able to overcome it, it feels like a failure. And nobody wants to admit defeat on that.”

If you or a veteran you know is struggling, please refer to our list of further mental health resources. You are not alone; Home Base Veteran and Family Care, Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans Crisis Line, Vets4Warriors, Veterans Affairs Get Help, Veterans Affairs Mental Health Toolkit , Veteran Affairs Transition Training, Veteran Affairs on Mental Health.

Audacy's I’m Listeninginitiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

Words by Isabella Eaton Interview by David O’Leary

As part of Audacy’s I’m Listening initiative, representatives from the Home Base Foundation and Wounded Warriors joined us this month to share valuable resources for veterans and validate that struggling does not equal defeat.
To address the heightened rate of veteran suicides, Audacy’s David O’Leary interviewed two major non-profit organizations that aid veterans with all wounds, whether physical, emotional, or mental. Brigadier General (Ret.) Jack Hammond, on behalf of Home Base Veteran and Family Care, began by acknowledging that the hardest step in a veteran’s mental health journey may be knowing when help is truly needed. Referencing his own training, Hammond said, “If you're hurt, you have to suck it up. If you are injured, you require medical attention. And too often people confuse the two when it comes to mental health.” He continued, “Where there's no physical injury that's visible, people assume a mental health issue, you're just a little bit hurt. And you're not injured. So that goes on for a little bit, and when it doesn't get better, it does get worse. And the longer you deal with it without treating it or responding to it, the more problems you have.”
In particular, Hammond believes that a veteran’s over-familiarity with what he calls “no failure situations” makes them more prone to barrel through any mental health struggles without seeking help. “That's kind of our mantra, right? Never accept defeat, failure is not an option” he noted. “So on a personal side, when you're not able to cope with something, you're not able to overcome it, it feels like a failure. And nobody wants to admit defeat on that.”
If you or a veteran you know is struggling, please refer to <a href="https://www.audacy.com/im-listening/im-listening-take-control-of-your-mental-health-today">our list</a> of further mental health resources. You are not alone; <a href="https://homebase.org/">Home Base Veteran and Family Care</a>, <a href="https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/">Wounded Warrior Project</a>, <a href="https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/">Veterans Crisis Line</a>, <a href="https://vets4warriors.com/">Vets4Warriors</a>, <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/get-help/index.asp">Veterans Affairs Get Help</a>, <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/communityproviders/#sthash.nJKjSafq.OiF8WL9S.dpbs">Veterans Affairs Mental Health Toolkit </a>, <a href="https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/">Veteran Affairs Transition Training</a>, <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/">Veteran Affairs on Mental Health</a>.
Audacy's <a href="https://www.audacy.com/im-listening">I’m Listening</a> initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources <a href="https://www.audacy.com/im-listening/im-listening-take-control-of-your-mental-health-today">here</a>.
Words by Isabella Eaton Interview by David O’Leary

2018 I'm Listening Podcast

I'm Listening

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