Self-care is a broad and well-meaning term, but what does it mean to different populations? For folks that have gone through the criminal justice system, who have substance use problems, for people of color, for people who suffer domestic abuse – how can we approach self-care in a way that makes a real impact? Kevin P. Henry is joined by Samira Sumbundu, a mental health case manager in Snohomish County. She shares about her day job at a mental health court, how you can practice proactive self-care, and advocating for your boundaries when you need a break. Samira and Kevin also discuss relationship-building as self-care, recovery from crises, and balancing distraction and dependence.

Resources:

• Connect with Samira on LinkedIn.
• Learn about mental health, therapeutic, or family treatment courts in the North Sound:
  • Whatcom
  • Skagit
  • Island
  • Snohomish
  • San Juan
• Box Breathing video

Learn more about North Sound ACH: https://northsoundach.org/

Resource Library: https://northsoundach.communitycommons.org/

Questions? Team@NorthSoundACH.org

Find us on socials @northsoundach

Today, host Kevin P. Henry is joined by Jarelle Marshall and Felicia Dixon of RECLAIM, and Reid Johnson of Volunteers of America Western Washington.

RECLAIM is a Seattle-based nonprofit which provides reintegration support that centers the mental, emotional, and relational health of individuals and families impacted by the criminal legal system to better prepare them for the return home. With their lived experience guiding their mission, Jarelle and Felicia share about the importance of mental health support for a strong community in the transition out of jails and prisons.

Learn more about RECLAIM at their website www.reclaimwa.org, on Facebook @reclaimwashington, and on Instagram @reclaim_wa

Learn more about North Sound ACH: https://northsoundach.org/

Resource Library: https://northsoundach.communitycommons.org/

Questions? Team@NorthSoundACH.org

Find us on socials @northsoundach

Host Kevin P. Henry sits down with Michelle Harmeier, founder of the Bellingham Queer Collective (BQC) and former educator, to discuss the impacts of hate speech, and how we can all address hate speech when we hear it, even if it's not directed at ourselves.

Content Warning: You will hear some derogatory words as part of this conversation

• Learn more about the Bellingham Queer Collective by visiting www.bellinghamqueercollective.org and their socials @bellinghamqueercollective

Learn more about North Sound ACH: https://northsoundach.org/

Resource Library: https://northsoundach.communitycommons.org/

Questions? Team@NorthSoundACH.org

Find us on socials @northsoundach

With host Kevin P. Henry of KPH Media, Equity in Action is a special series from North Sound Voices bringing you real stories, community voices, and action to the words diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).

Search and subricbe to Equity in Action on your favorite podcast platform, first episode drops beginning of December!

Have a story or resources you'd like to share? Connect with us at Communications@NorthSoundACH.org

Learn more about North Sound ACH: https://northsoundach.org/

Resource Library: https://northsoundach.communitycommons.org/

Questions? Team@NorthSoundACH.org

Find us on socials @northsoundach

We have another bonus episode while we work on our fall episodes! Today, you'll hear about Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Advocacy for Immigrant & Refugee Communities from the May 2025 Network Learning Session, with panelists: Van Kuno of Refugee & Immigrant Services NW, Brian Niiya of Densho, and Stan Shikuma of Tsuru for Solidarity.

View the slide deck and additional resources on our Resource Library: northsoundach.communitycommons.org/cc_collection/network-learning-2025/#may2025

Learn more about North Sound ACH: https://northsoundach.org/

Resource Library: https://northsoundach.communitycommons.org/

Questions? Team@NorthSoundACH.org

Learn more about North Sound ACH: https://northsoundach.org/

Resource Library: https://northsoundach.communitycommons.org/

Questions? Team@NorthSoundACH.org

Find us on socials @northsoundach

In this bonus episode, we bring you one of our Network Learning Sessions on Trans, Intersex, and Gender-Nonconforming health with a dynamic panel of local experts: ChrisTiana Obey-Sumner of Epiphanies of Equity, Serin Bond Yancey of Trans-WA, and Linden Jordan of PFLAG Skagit.

"We meet at a time when our trans, nonbinary, intersex, and gender-nonconforming community is under unimaginable pressure and attack, threatening access to healthcare, education, travel, documentation, and even identity and existence itself. Today’s learning session is designed to equip those of us in public service—social workers, public health professionals, organizers, educators—with some knowledge, and courage to respond with care and commitment to ensure that we are unstinting in our commitment to full and complete health equity and dignity for every person."

View the slide deck and additional resources on our Resource Library: https://northsoundach.communitycommons.org/cc_collection/network-learning-2025/#july2025

Learn more about North Sound ACH: https://northsoundach.org/

Resource Library: https://northsoundach.communitycommons.org/

Questions? Team@NorthSoundACH.org

Find us on socials @northsoundach

What is dental therapy? Hear from Drs. Rachael Hogan and Cheyanne Warren of the dəxʷx̌ayəbus-Dental Therapy Program at Skagit Valley College, with recent graduate Keana Cruse, and Dr. Alex Narvaez of Sea Mar Community Health Clinic, about the newest addition to dental care teams in Washington State.

Dental therapy is a patient-centered model – expanding preventative and restorative oral health services to rural and mobile clinics. Washington State is currently experiencing a dental professional workforce shortage, and dental therapists are becoming a critical piece of the access-to-care puzzle. With the early adoption from U.S. tribal clinics, there is also a cultural impact from expanding dental therapy in communities with healthcare trauma.

Additional resources and show notes:

• Support from the WA Dental Hygienists' Association
• Articles
  • https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/wa-expands-role-of-dental-therapists-hoping-to-improve-oral-health/
  • https://www.laconnerweeklynews.com/story/2020/11/11/community/swinomish-dental-therapists-keep-people-safe-with-outdoor-clinics/5902.html
• Dental Therapy program at SVC
• Dental therapy programs in the U.S.
• Collaborative Action Network Oral Health Community of Practice

Learn more about North Sound ACH: https://northsoundach.org/

Resource Library: https://northsoundach.communitycommons.org/

Questions? Team@NorthSoundACH.org

Find us on socials @northsoundach

In this episode of North Sound Voices, three artists come together to explore the deep, often unspoken connection between art and health: Coast Salish artist Jason LaClair, filmmaker and musician Remy Styrk, and creative coach Spring Cheng. Through conversation, reflection, and lived experience, they share how creative practices don’t just decorate our lives — they heal them. Art, they remind us, is not separate from care; it is care. It is protest, presence, and possibility.

As you listen, ask yourself:
Where does creativity live in your body?
How might you use your hands, your voice, your story — to tend to your own wellbeing, or someone else’s?

Episode links:

University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine - Creating Healthy Communities Through Cross-Sector Collaboration

Arts and Health - Tasha Golden

Spring Cheng - Resonance Path Institute

Remy Styrk - Halogen

Jason LaClair

North Sound Voices Film Festival

Learn more about North Sound ACH: https://northsoundach.org/

Resource Library: https://northsoundach.communitycommons.org/

Questions? Team@NorthSoundACH.org

Find us on socials @northsoundach