Strong Talk Podcast

Strong Talk Podcast

Strong Talk is a new podcast series hosted by AFSP Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement Victor (Vic) Armstrong, MSW. Each episode, Vic will moderate a discussion with his guests about the impact of mental health and substance use on diverse communities, as well as issues of equity and access as they pertain to culturally competent mental health care and suicide prevention resources. Through these important conversations, Vic and his guests will raise awareness about mental health disparities among marginalized communities, while also exploring solutions and available resources.

Episodes

May 5, 2025 32 mins

In the latest episode of Strong Talk podcast, AFSP Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement Victor (Vic) Armstrong, MSW, talks with AFSP Minnesota Chapter volunteer Ray Stenglein about mental health and suicide prevention in the construction industry. In 2016, Ray lost his 16-year-old daughter Annika to suicide. In his conversation with Vic, Ray shares how he has transformed his tragic loss into lifesaving advocacy, especial...

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The podcast is now in session! Join the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement Victor (Vic) Armstrong, MSW, as he speaks with Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren about her role as the pioneer of America’s first Mental Health Court in 1977, creating a human rights model dedicated to the decriminalization of persons living with mental illness. 

Throughout the discussion, Vic and Justice Wren ...

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In this episode of the Strong Talk, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement Victor (Vic) Armstrong, MSW, speaks with Pastor Dr. François Tchidjé about their shared experience in a unique suicide prevention training conducted in Africa by AFSP and Soul Shop for Black Churches.

In March of 2022, AFSP partnered with Soul Shop Movement to convene a group of mental health experts w...

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December 16, 2024 61 mins

As the first Asian American male to anchor a daily, national cable news show (at CNN Worldwide), Richard Lui knows what it’s like to achieve great success while occupying space in a complex cultural environment. In this episode of Strong Talk, Vic talks with MSNBC / NBC News journalist Richard Lui, author of Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness, about topics including:

  • the challenges of growing up Asian in Ameri...
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November 12, 2024 26 mins

We all know him as Leon, the outspoken and hilarious character on Curb Your Enthusiasm, his appearances in the Barbershop and Spiderman film series, Real Husbands of Hollywood, and as a wildly talented comedian. But J.B. Smoove also has a lot to say about mental health. In this two-part episode of the Strong Talk podcast hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement, Vic ...

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October 23, 2024 34 mins

We all know him as Leon, the outspoken and hilarious character on Curb Your Enthusiasm, his appearances in the Barbershop and Spiderman film series, Real Husbands of Hollywood, and as a wildly talented comedian. But J.B. Smoove also has a lot to say about mental health. In this two-part episode of the Strong Talk podcast hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement, Vic ...

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June 27, 2024 36 mins

In this episode, in recognition of Men’s Mental Health Month, Vic and his guest Keon Lewis discuss why men are often unwilling to talk about mental health, the need to create more safe spaces to address men’s mental health concerns, and the unique challenges faced by men of color.

About Our Guest: Keon Lewis first became aware of the need for suicide prevention and support for those affected when, as a student at the Unive...

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In this episode, Vic and his guest, Pata Suyemoto, discuss her lived experience and the unique challenges in seeking mental health care for Asian Americans and how it all motivated her to become a nationally recognized DEI expert.  

Strong Talk is a podcast dedicated to the discussion of equity, diversity, and family as it relates to mental health and addictions. We started this podcast because we believe that we are at a pivotal po...

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April 25, 2024 30 mins

In this episode Vic and his guest, Keris Myrick, discuss her journey as she has utilized her lived mental health experience to propel her to a career as an advocate and change agent in the field of mental health.


Strong Talk is a podcast dedicated to the discussion of equity, diversity, and family as it relates to mental health and addictions. We started this podcast because we believe that we are at a pivotal point, ...

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February 29, 2024 31 mins

In this episode of Strong Talk, Vic and his guest, Tia Dole, discuss her role as Chief 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Officer with Vibrant Emotional Health. You’ll hear about the successes and challenges of 988 and what it could mean in the life of someone you care about.

Strong Talk is a podcast dedicated to the discussion of equity, diversity, and family as it relates to mental health and addictions. We started this podcast becau...

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January 25, 2024 35 mins

In this episode Vic and his guest Akemie Jones discuss the role of working in a crisis receiving center, the importance of creating a trauma informed culture and incorporating the voice of lived experience in day to day operations.

Strong Talk is a podcast dedicated to the discussion of equity, diversity, and family as it relates to mental health and addictions. We started this podcast because we believe that we are at a pivotal poi...

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November 30, 2023 26 mins

In this episode, Vic and his guest, Philip Cooper discuss Philip’s journey through addiction, incarceration, and reinvention and how this influenced him to find his purpose in helping other men re-enter society after incarceration.

Sign up for updates at https://riinternational.com/signup/

Strong Talk is a podcast dedicated to the discussion of equity, diversity, and family as it relates to mental health and addictions. We ...

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October 26, 2023 32 mins

In this episode, Vic and his guest, Dr. Arielle Sheftall, discuss the unique mental health challenges in Black and brown communities and what the data is telling us about research needs that address the nuances of race, culture, and ethnicity, particularly among young people of color. 

Arielle H. Sheftall, PhD is an Associate Professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center in the Department of Psychiatry in Rochest...

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In this episode, Vic and his guests, Kevin and Margaret Hines, discuss the challenges and rewards of being a partner or caretaker of someone living with mental health challenges and the importance of caregivers being attentive to their own mental well-being. Kevin and Margaret will also share how they have maintained a strong and supportive marriage relationship while balancing personal challenges with being advocates for others.

St...

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August 24, 2023 28 mins

In this episode Vic talks with Rawle Andrews, Jr., Esq., Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, about new initiatives in improving access to care and addressing workforce issues in mental health.

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Strong Talk is a podcast dedicated to the discussion of equity, diversity, and family as it relates to mental health and addictions. We star...

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July 27, 2023 27 mins

In recognition of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, in this episode Vic and his guest, Tonja Myles, discuss the unique challenges and opportunities experienced within the Black community in accessing culturally relevant mental health resources.

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Strong Talk is a podcast dedicated to the discussion of equity, diversity, and family as it relates to mental health ...

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June 29, 2023 29 mins

In this episode Vic and his guest, Angela Weeks, discuss the unique challenges for those who identify as LGBTQ+ including accessing culturally appropriate mental health services.

Angela Weeks is the Project Director of the Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity.  Find more about their resources at https://lgbtqequity.org/

Strong Talk is a podcast dedicated to the discussion of equity, diversity, and family ...

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In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, in this episode Vic and his guest, Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, Chief Medical Officer at American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, discuss the state of mental health in America including strategies for creating more equitable access to care.

Sign up for updates at https://riinternational.com/signup/

Strong Talk is a podcast dedicated to the discussion of equity, diversity, and...

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In this episode Vic Armstrong and his guest Douglas M Reed discuss the unique challenges of Black men as it pertains to mental health, and the opportunities for decreasing the stigma associated with mental health among Black men.

Strong Talk is a podcast dedicated to the discussion of equity, diversity, and family as it relates to mental health and addictions. We started this podcast because we believe that we are at a pivotal point...

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In this episode, in recognition of Minority Health month, Vic Armstrong and his guest, Dr. Sosunmolu Shoyinka discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities in providing effective mental health care in Black and Brown communities.

Strong Talk is a podcast dedicated to the discussion of equity, diversity, and family as it relates to mental health and addictions. We started this podcast because we believe that we are at a pivotal po...

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