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Turning Points: Navigating Mental Health

Turning Points: Navigating Mental Health

Tufts Health Plan | Boston Globe Media 30 Episodes Oct 14, 2026

Turning Points: Navigating Mental Health is a podcast that explores the many ways people can prioritize their mental and emotional well-being. From developing a mindfulness practice to redefining ambition and success, each episode offers insights into effective methods for putting mental health first. The show features a variety of perspectives and approaches, highlighting how different strategies can serve as turning points in life.

Episodes

Starting Therapy Later in Life, with Tina Walsh and Dr. Helen Kyomen | S6E2
Starting Therapy Later in Life, with Tina Walsh and Dr. Helen Kyomen | S6E2 Oct 14, 2026 00:31:39 Tina Walsh spent decades being the person everyone else counted on. But in her forties, she found herself in a therapist’s office for the first time. With a marriage under strain and a family history of "keeping it private,” those early conversations with a therapist kicked off decades of re-building the foundation of her mental health. This week, Frantzces talks with Tina about what
The Health Toll of Widowhood - How You Can Continue Living After Loss | S6E1
The Health Toll of Widowhood - How You Can Continue Living After Loss | S6E1 Oct 7, 2026 00:26:22 After the loss of her husband, Cynthia Blanc Preiss MacLean (@therealmentorcynthia) spent years hiding the truth. She joins the show to talk about continuing to live after loss, the judgment widows face when they start dating again, and how she learned to frolic, even while grieving. Geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Nancy Donovan explains the science behind that story: why losing a spouse doesn
Turning Points: Navigating Mental Health Returns for Season Six  | S6E0
Turning Points: Navigating Mental Health Returns for Season Six | S6E0 Sep 30, 2026 00:01:22 There's often a specific moment that pushes someone to finally ask for help. This season, host Frantzces Lys explores the turning points, the ones that lead people to make that first call, walk into a therapist's office, or admit they can't do it alone.From Tufts Health Plan, Turning Points: Navigating Mental Health dives into what keeps people going when life gets hard, what they learn a
Combating the Loneliness Epidemic: How Social Connection Can Save Lives | S5E5
Combating the Loneliness Epidemic: How Social Connection Can Save Lives | S5E5 Nov 5, 2025 00:27:31 Loneliness has been called more dangerous than smoking 15 cigarettes daily—a stark warning from the former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. Social isolation is a hidden health crisis affecting millions, especially older adults.In this episode of Turning Points, Frantzces talks with Roxy Rocker, a Disability rights advocate, founder of Embracing Disability, who reveals how chronic il
Fighting the Loneliness Epidemic and the Power of Intergenerational Friendship | S5E4
Fighting the Loneliness Epidemic and the Power of Intergenerational Friendship | S5E4 Oct 29, 2025 00:31:56 Can a meaningful friendship bridge a 51-year age gap and help combat social isolation? Meet Peter and Pooja; two unlikely companions whose intergenerational bond proves that friendships can flourish when we break down barriers and embrace human connection.In this episode of Turning Points, explore how Peter and Pooja’s weekly conversations through Boston's FriendshipWorks program evolved
The Hidden Mental Health Journey of Menopause and Perimenopause  | S5E3
The Hidden Mental Health Journey of Menopause and Perimenopause | S5E3 Oct 22, 2025 00:33:38 For years, Annalisa thought the anxiety, sleepless nights, and brain fog were just stress from COVID. But when she could barely function at work and felt like a stranger in her own body, she discovered the real culprit: perimenopause and menopause. We explore the profound mental health effects of this natural transition that affects nearly every woman, yet remains largely misunderstood.An
Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia | S5E2
Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia | S5E2 Oct 15, 2025 00:35:35 Caring for aging parents or loved ones — especially those with dementia — can take a deep emotional toll. In this episode, we’ll speak with a therapist or mental health professional about the mental and emotional effects of caregiving, including burnout, guilt, grief, and stress. Then we’ll hear from a caregiver who shares their honest experience: the exhaustion, the emotional complexity,
Finding Purpose: Aging & Identity | S5E1
Finding Purpose: Aging & Identity | S5E1 Oct 8, 2025 00:24:00 How do we redefine who we are as we grow older? This episode explores how aging — including retirement, physical changes, and shifts in cognition — can shape our sense of self. We’ll look at the emotional and psychological impact of big life transitions, like stepping away from a job after 40+ years, and how ageism can influence the way we see ourselves and others.But it’s not all loss —
Turning Points is BACK for another season! | S5E0
Turning Points is BACK for another season! | S5E0 Oct 1, 2025 00:01:54  This season on Turning Points, we're diving deep into the mental health journeys that come with growing older. These are stories of resilience, reinvention, and the turning points that reveal who we really are. Join host Frantzces Lys for intimate conversations about loneliness, isolation, friendship, and the commitment to putting mental and emotional well-being first - no matter wh
Embracing the End: The Role of End-of-Life Doulas | S4E5
Embracing the End: The Role of End-of-Life Doulas | S4E5 Oct 16, 2024 00:27:28 Host Frantzces Lys explores the profound impact of end-of-life doulas with two deeply personal stories involving the death of a family member.First, David Duffin, a high school teacher, reflects on his experience working with a doula during his sister’s final days and how this support helped his family navigate the emotional complexities of end-of-life care. Next, Frantzces speaks wi
Unmasking Diagnoses Later in Life: Autism and ADHD in Adults | S4E4
Unmasking Diagnoses Later in Life: Autism and ADHD in Adults | S4E4 Oct 9, 2024 00:28:51 Host Frantzces Lys explores the stories of adults who discovered their autism or ADHD and their overlap (sometimes called “AuDHD”) later in life. With a compelling lineup of guests, she discusses the challenges and unique perspectives of living with these conditions, shining a light on how they shape everyday experiences. Frantzces first speaks with Grace Oribhabor, a high school tea
Understanding and Overcoming PTSD in Women | S4E3
Understanding and Overcoming PTSD in Women | S4E3 Oct 2, 2024 00:31:24 Host Frantzces Lys explores the multifaceted nature of trauma, the barriers to recovery, and the critical role of community support in fostering healing and resilience. We unpack the nuances of PTSD,, particularly in the context of sexual trauma, with experts Dr. Tara Galovski and Sharon Imperato, as well as survivor and advocate Kate Speer.Kate Speer, a survivor and advocate, shares her

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