Julia Hvsolef is the Assistant Director for the Office of Student Leadership & Community Engagement at UMass Boston - we work together! Julia is a badass educator and human being. We actually also went to graduate school together at UMass Amherst, so we’ve been connected for a few years now. In this episode, you get to hear us discuss her work with service learning programs and alternative spring break trips - as well as a hearty critique of that work and what it looks like to do jobs where we’re actively putting ourselves out of work. She’s also running the virtual Boston Maration TOMORROW (9/12), SO she’s been training hard for that - but there was a freak injury that sidelined her so you also get to hear about her rehab and how that impacted her training. All in all, a great conversation - Julia is one of my favorite people. I hope you enjoy this episode!

MUSIC NOTE:
- This week you got to hear tunes from the new Stand Atlantic record, “Pink Elephant,” which was released last month through Hopeless Records.
- On this episode, you got to hear the tracks, “Shh!” and “Wavelength.” You can check out the entire “Pink Elephant” album through all of the streaming platforms NOW! You can even download the album on bandcamp!

This month is suicide prevention/awareness month, as well as recovery awareness month - on this episode i share my experiences with recovery and mental illness, including suicidality. I think it’s imperative that we talk, listen, and support one another through this pandemic and the difficulties of living with mental illnesses during such a stressful time in our history.

If you or anyone you know needs to talk with anyone, or needs support - please refer them to any of the following resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Crisis Text Line
Text 'HELLO' to 741-741

The Trevor Project
1-866-488-7386

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
888-950-6264

Hope for the Day
hftd.org

To Write Love on Her Arms
twloha.com