Mayor Jay Kahn’s journey—from the son of German Jewish refugees to a lifelong advocate for higher education, mental health, and community belonging—is a masterclass in civic empathy and transformational leadership.In this deeply personal conversation, Dr. Gina Pasquale sits down with Mayor Kahn to explore identity, prejudice, and the power of listening. Together, they trace his family’s escape from Nazi Germany, his formative years in Chicago, his rise through higher education, and his tireless efforts to build a more inclusive Keene, New Hampshire—including for the LGBTQIA2+ community and local youth. Through it all, Kahn shares the mindset that guides him: seek discomfort, listen deeply, and “find the leverage point.”Whether you’re interested in community leadership, mental health policy, or creating spaces of true belonging, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and a profound sense of hope.

The Path Forward: Mental Health with Maps🎙️ Hosted by Dr. Gina PasqualeIn this episode, Gina sits down with Elijah de Castro, Health Solutions Reporter for the Keene Sentinel, for a wide-ranging conversation on connection, resilience, and the injustice embedded in our health care system.At just 23, Elijah shares the deeply personal story of his father’s stroke—and the financial and emotional weight it placed on his family. That moment, and the system that failed them, would ultimately shape his mission as a journalist. Together, he and Dr. Gina explore the crisis of disconnection facing young people, the pressures placed on young men, and the healing power of human connection—at home, at work, and in our communities.From surviving challenging life events to finding purpose in uncertain times, this episode reminds us why storytelling matters—and why our mental health depends on being seen, heard, and believed.⸻👍 Like & Subscribe for more stories of healing, purpose, and resilience.https://youtu.be/kHCCffFlT4k⸻Resources & Credits🌐 Maps Counseling Services: https://mapsnh.org📧 Contact: [email protected]🎙️ Hosted by: Dr. Gina PasqualeProduced by: Maps Counseling Services & Ava DrenkhahnFilmed | Directed | Edited by: Christopher David#MentalHealthMatters #YoungMenMentalHealth #HealthcareJustice #Resilience #ThePathForward #MapsCounselingServices #KeeneSentinel #ElijahDeCastro

The Path Forward: Mental Health with MapsIn this moving episode, Dr. Gina Pasquale speaks with Julie Schoelzel, President and CEO of the Greater Monadnock Collaborative, about how we survive—and grow—through trauma, grief, and the challenges of postpartum mental health.Julie shares her firsthand account of being in New York City during 9/11, the profound experience of losing both of her parents, and the moment she reached out for help after battling postpartum depression. This episode explores trauma-informed care, the power of family connection, and what it means to ask for help in a culture that too often expects perfection.If you’ve ever struggled with grief or the quiet weight of holding it all together—this conversation is for you.🛑 Trigger Warning: Includes discussion of 9/11 and medical procedures.Resources & Credits🌐 Maps Counseling Services: https://mapsnh.org📧 Contact: [email protected]🎙️ Hosted by: Dr. Gina PasqualeProduced by: Maps Counseling Services & Ava Drenkhahn Filmed | Directed | Edited by: Christopher David 

In this episode of The Path Forward, Gina Pasquale, Executive Director of Maps Counseling Services, talks with Ava — our associate producer — about one of life’s most daunting challenges: the transition from college to what comes next.With honesty and vulnerability, Ava shares what it feels like to be standing at the edge of graduation — caught between excitement and fear, hope and uncertainty. She reflects on the pressures of finding a career, the challenges of moving back home, and the deep friendships and family support that have carried her through.Whether you’re graduating soon, supporting someone who is, or simply remembering your own transition into adulthood, this conversation offers connection, compassion, and perspective.🎧 Subscribe and walk with us.Maps Counseling Services: https://mapsnh.org🎙️ Hosted by: Dr. Gina PasqualeProduced by: Maps Counseling Services & AvaFilmed|Directed|Edited by: Christopher David #TransitionAfterCollege #Graduation2025 #MentalHealthPodcast #ThePathForward #MapsCounseling

In this premiere episode of The Path Forward: Mental Health with Maps, hosts Ava (Associate Producer) and Gina Pasquale (Executive Director of Maps Counseling Services) introduce the mission behind the podcast. Discover how our three guiding segments—Compass Check, True North, and Trail Mix—create space for grounding, storytelling, and small moments of hope.Whether you’re navigating stress, uncertainty, or seeking meaningful connection, this is your invitation to slow down and take the first step forward.🎧 Subscribe and walk with us.—🌐 Learn more: https://www.mapsnh.org🎙️ Hosted by: Ava & Dr. Gina PasqualeProduced by: Maps Counseling Services Filmed|Directed|Edited by: Christopher David #MentalHealth #Mindfulness #WellBeing #PodcastLaunch #MapsCounseling #mentalhealthmatters This is Episode 0 of The Path Forward podcast.