While stigma regarding utilizing therapy has decreased, many myths about it as a treatment and the experience itself remain. Dr. Julio Rojas is a Licensed Health Service Psychologist and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor for Citizen Potawatomi Nation Behavioral Health Services with decades of experience helping clients overcome trauma, addictive disorders, substance abuse and improve their quality of life with psychotherapy. He believes discussing therapy as a tool is one of the best ways to tackle myths and stigma to treatment.

Dispelling therapy myths

On today’s episode, we’re talking with an artist whose work proclaims the history of Potawatomi homeland along the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, Illinois, and visit CPN House of Hope’s first Jump Start Day, designed to bring domestic violence and abuse services and information to the community in a positive and educational way.

Land acknowledgment art and Jump Start Day

Best-selling writer, ecologist and professor Robin Wall Kimmerer, Ph.D., received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2022 and discusses the decade anniversary of the publication of Braiding Sweetgrass, future plans in light of her most recent honor, and the inspirations and aspirations surrounding her work.

Decade of Braiding Sweetgrass

During this episode, we’ll hear tips to increase empathy and de-escalation strategies, and listen back to a Tribal member who was an Olympic synchronized swimmer at the 2012 London games. We’ll also hear a cosmological story from the CPN Language Department.

Empathy training and Olympic swimmer

Mary Belle Zook, communications director for the Indigenous Food and Agricultural Initiative, brings together her skills, passions, agricultural background and Tribal heritage each day to help Native farmers and producers.

Native agriculture across Indian Country

During this episode, we’ll hear tips and tricks for keeping family heirlooms safe, take a ride on an exciting new piece of equipment for Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s industrial park, and visit an exhibit highlighting Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Heirloom care, trains and awareness exhibit

During this episode, listeners meet this year’s candidates for Citizen Potawatomi Nation legislative offices for Districts 10 and 11.

2023 election candidates

During this episode, we’ll spend time on a Tribal member’s family farm, talk with two Tribal elders for Older Americans Month and check in with FireLake Wellness Center on how they improve CPN employees’ health with a holistic approach.

Family farm, elders and holistic wellness

During this episode, we’ll hear from a marathon runner who donated to a Tribal scholarship fund, celebrate 20 years of the Potawatomi Leadership Program, and look at one-way CPN is making an opioid overdose reversal tactic more available.

Scholarship donation, leadership program anniversary and NARCAN training

During this episode, the Potawatomi Fire’s coach discusses the team’s championship winning season. We also hear from some of CPN’s mental health professionals about post-traumatic stress disorder and follow the CPN Department of Environmental Protection as they perform water quality testing.

Basketball championship, PTSD and water quality testing

Hownikan Podcast, highlighting Citizen Potawatomi Nation issues, members and more. Produced and distributed by the CPN Public Information Department. Hosted by Tribal member Paige Willett.

Dispelling therapy myths

Hownikan Podcast

Related tracks