Jill sits with Mary Eckstein, a Holocaust survivor who has lived through war, displacement, the loss of nearly her entire family, the death of her husband after 63 years of marriage, and the loss of her son. Mary speaks plainly about fear, hunger, survival, grief, and what it has meant to keep going without turning away from life.

This is not a conversation about inspiration or silver linings. It is a quiet, honest reflection on resilience as something practical and lived. Mary shares what it was like to be eight years old during the Holocaust, how she rebuilt a life from nothing, why she chose to keep working after loss, and how focusing on the good moments helped her move forward without denying the pain.

They talk about memory, responsibility, grief, aging, and the choice to stay present even when days are hard. A steady, thoughtful conversation about what it means to live fully, one day at a time, after experiencing unimaginable loss.

Contact Jill K. Bershad, LMHC, CAP

• Email: jill@jillbershad.com
• Website: jillbershad.com
• Instagram: @jillkbershad.lmhc
• Facebook: jillkbershad

Jill sits down with longtime friend Laura Reiss to talk about what it looks like to stay human in a world that feels intense and noisy. They share the real story of Kindness Matters Foundation, from an after-school club to something that’s growing into a wider movement, and why people are reaching for kindness and community right now.

They keep coming back to the present moment and the nervous system: noticing when you’re not regulated, having tools that actually work, and practicing them before life gets messy. Laura opens up about grief, purpose, and her upcoming TEDx talk, including how dyslexia became a superpower instead of a secret. The conversation lands on service, responsibility, and that simple truth about being shown the light if you look at it right.

Contact Jill K. Bershad, LMHC, CAP

• Email: jill@jillbershad.com
• Website: jillbershad.com
• Instagram: @jillkbershad.lmhc
• Facebook: jillkbershad

Jill Bershad sits down with John Puls, a longtime clinician in the mental health and substance use field who also carries his own lived experience of addiction and long-term sobriety. John shares what it looked like when things were spiraling early on, what finally helped him stay sober, and why he believes community and purpose matter as much as any program.

They also get real about the tricky line between staying busy and avoiding feelings. Jill reflects on grief, work, and what it means to listen to your body when you need rest, while still honoring your need for connection and forward momentum. John talks about how he’s built a life that fits his wiring through private practice, crisis work, teaching social work students, and forensic cases, all while staying grounded in what keeps him well.

Contact Jill K. Bershad, LMHC, CAP

• Email: jill@jillbershad.com
• Website: jillbershad.com
• Instagram: @jillkbershad.lmhc
• Facebook: jillkbershad