Destigmatize is a roundtable mental health podcast where both professionals and friends can talk about topics worth destigmatizing. My goal is to have real conversations most people don’t talk about. Additionally, I want to bring awareness. Join me on my journey by subscribing and following.
Recent Episodes
5
May 18, 2026
Season 5 Episode 5: Foster Care Community Care with Bakersfield Angels Shelby Esquedo, MSW (Ep 68)
For this episode, I’ve invited a fellow MSW graduate from California State University Bakersfield: Shelby Esquedo . Shelby is the Program Development Director with Bakersfield Angels . With seven years of experience working alongside system-impacted youth, she has a deep, firsthand understanding of how the justice and child welfare systems shape lives. She’s spent the last five years at Bakersfield Angels creating programs that focus on supporting and empowering the youth we serve. I’m looking f
5
May 3, 2026
Hope In The Valley Series- Ep 5 Fentanyl epidemic & Carlos Marquez Forever 34 Foundation (EP 67)
In this heavy yet hopeful Hope In The Valley Special Episode , host Ramon Sanchez, LCSW & Dr. Ashleigh Herrera, sit down with Chris and Loretta LaMedica for a raw conversation about the fentanyl epidemic hitting the Central Valley. This episode is a tribute to their son, Carlos Marquez , who we tragically lost on March 3, 2025, at the age of 34. After Carlos’s five-year battle with methamphetamine addiction ended in an accidental fentanyl poisoning, the LaMedicas refused to let his story end in
4
April 12, 2026
Hope In The Valley Series- Ep 4 Addiction, Resilience, and Healing with BAIHP (EP 66)
In this episode of the Hope In The Valley series, host Ramon Sanchez and co-host Dr. Ashleigh Herrera sit down with Johnny Delgado and Cheyenne Bond from the Bakersfield American Indian Health Project (BAIHP) . Together, they pull back the curtain on the unique challenges facing the American Indian and Alaska Native communities in Kern County regarding opioid and stimulant use disorders. From the impact of intergenerational trauma to the power of culturally grounded healing, this conversation ex
March 15, 2026
Season 5 Bonus Episode - Beyond the Stigma: World Bipolar Day 2026 in Wasco, CA
Veronica Jacuinde , an advocate for mental health, discusses the upcoming World Bipolar Day event and the importance of destigmatizing mental health. She shares her personal journey with bipolar disorder and emphasizes the role of transparency and medication in managing the condition. Veronica also highlights the power of art and creativity in bridging the gap in understanding mental health. The conversation concludes with a message of encouragement for seeking help and destigmatizing mental hea
4
March 14, 2026
Season 5 Episode 4: Autoimmune Advocacy & Behavioral Wellness (EP 64)
For this episode, I’ve invited Lisa Gartner . Lisa is a Special Education teacher and an expert in disability support who is currently completing her Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification. She is the founder of Faith Filled Teaching , where she works at the unique intersection of education, behavioral science, and chronic health. Lisa is deeply passionate about supporting individuals impacted by autoimmune diseases and invisible illnesses. She uses her background in behavioral sc
3
March 1, 2026
Season 5 Episode 3: Legacy, Resilience, and the 619 to 661 connection with Mr. Shadow (EP 63)
I’ve invited a true pioneer of Chicano Rap and a West Coast legend representing the 619 - Jose Anguiano also known as Mr. Shadow . Since he first hit the scene in the late 90s, Shadow has been a definitive voice for the streets, known for his raw lyricism and for putting San Diego on the map with classics like Till I Die and What Goes Around Comes Around . He’s an artist who has navigated the heights of the industry and the realities of the hood, all while maintaining a career that has spanned o
2
Feb. 23, 2026
Season 5 Episode 2: Empowering Women Through Movement with Girls Run Bakersfield (EP 62)
For this episode, I’ve invited the leadership and community behind Girls Run Bakersfield , a club that builds sisterhood while creating a safe space for women to exercise together. Luz Almanza, Angelica Sabiano LCSW, & Occupational Therapist Damarice Herrera discuss the creation of a women's running club as a safe space for women to run and exercise without fear of harassment or judgment. The club aims to provide a supportive community for women of all fitness levels and backgrounds, promoting m
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