Sharing Stories and Breaking Stigmas: An Inspiring Conversation with Michael Wood on Suicide Zen Forgiveness


 


In this episode of Suicide Zen Forgiveness, host Elaine Lindsay welcomes guest Michael Wood to discuss his experiences with suicide and mental health, primarily focusing on his late brother, Jeff. Elaine emphasizes the importance of normalizing conversations around these topics to end the silence, stigma, and shame associated with them. Michael recounts his brother's struggles with addiction, triggered by the pandemic's restrictions. Citing his own experiences in the music industry, he signals the potential harms of excessive money and hedonistic lifestyle. The podcast also addresses the inadequacy of emergency services in transferring distress calls across cities, highlighting Michael's proactive efforts to modernize this system, inspired by his own inability to offer immediate help for his brother. Lastly, both Elaine and Michael urge listeners to reach out for assistance, to be aware of individual struggles, and promote kindness.


 


0:00 Lightening the Load: Finding Strength in Shared Stories Michael Wood  S7 E5


00:57 Introduction and Guest Welcome


01:10 Personal Connection and Conversation Flow


02:02 Michael's Story: His Brother's Life and Challenges


06:08 Michael's Personal Journey and Career


06:39 Remembering Jeff Wood


07:12 Comparing Personalities and Lifestyles


08:58 Michael's Music Career and Encounters


11:31 The Importance of Connection and Support


12:35 The Challenges of Emergency Services


12:47 Michael's Advocacy for 911 Call Transfer


16:17 Personal Experiences with Emergency Services


19:02 Continued Advocacy and Achievements


19:48 The Impact of Personal Loss


22:49 The Importance of Reaching Out and Kindness


30:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts