It's a Tough Subject

About It's a Tough Subject

Suicide claims far too many lives, ranking as the 11th leading cause of death in America. This heartbreaking epidemic highlights the profound need for awareness and support for those who are suffering in silence with mental health issues that can lead to suicide. Why are they suffering in silence? Because, it's a tough subject. Welcome to the It's a Tough Subject Podcast brought to you by The Half a Sorrow Foundation. Your host Dennis Gillan is the founder and executive director of the Half a Sorrow Foundation. Dennis is joined by his co-host Jessica Seel and both share the sorrow of losing loved ones to suicide. Join Dennis and Jessica as they tackle the taboo of mental health and address this "tough subject" head on.

Publisher

InBound Podcasting Network

Category

business · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Sept 2024

Latest episode

10 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

48 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Oct 2026

   Navigating Tough Conversations: Insights on Grief and Mental Health

   Links & Resources Half a Sorrow Foundation: www.halfasorrow.org Book a Talk with Dennis Gillan: https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/ Make a Donation: https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/ Camo Hat Club: https://halfasorrow.org/the-camo-hat-club-half-a-sorrow/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HASF2020 Loss Team South Carolina: https://sclossteams.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9EqeTzcKYls In this episode, we delve into a candid conversation about grief, the challenges of mental health, and the importance of self-care. Dennis Gillan and Jess open up about their experiences and the realities of discussing tough subjects like suicide prevention. The Weight of Tough Conversations Dennis and Jess remind us that discussing mental health and grief can be daunting. "It's a tough subject," Dennis notes, echoing the sentiments of many who grapple with these topics. Jess adds, "When I tell the title of our podcast, everybody's like, 'Hmm, that's very fitting.'" Their shared experiences highlight how these discussions are not just necessary but often unavoidable. Personal Journeys and Self-Care Both hosts reflect on their recent challenges with mental health and self-care. Jess shares how she recognized she was in a funk and decided to prioritize her fitness, stating, "I got on my Peloton, I lifted weights, and I felt so much better." Dennis emphasizes the importance of exercise for mental health, saying, "There is a pharmacy within our bodies that we have to release. And you release it through exercise." Dealing with Loss As October approaches, both Dennis and Jess reflect on their personal losses. They share that anniversaries can be tough, with Jess noting, "I don't get sad anymore in October. I actually love October now." This transformation showcases how healing is possible, even amidst pain. The Reality of Life's Stressors Dennis shares his recent experiences speaking about suicide prevention at the United States Space Force. He humorously recounts the challenge of delivering multiple presentations in one day, stating, "To tell my story once is brutal. And then they say, 'Rewind, we're going to do it again.'" His commitment to spreading awareness through these talks is evident, and it resonates with Jess as they both navigate their entrepreneurial journeys while managing personal grief. Final Thoughts As they conclude their discussion, Dennis and Jess remind us that life is a mix of challenges and celebrations. "You talk about your two darkest days and then you go and party with old friends," Dennis reflects. Their candid dialogue encourages listeners to embrace their experiences, seek help when needed, and prioritize their mental health. For a deeper dive into their conversation, listen to the full episode. It's a reminder that while the subjects may be tough, the connection and understanding we share can be a source of strength.

2. 

   14 Aug 2026

   Healing On | Grief, Love, Loss and Learning to Carry Someone Forward

   Links & Resources Half a Sorrow Foundation: www.halfasorrow.org Book a Talk with Dennis Gillan: https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/ (https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/) Make a Donation: https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/ Camo Hat Club: https://halfasorrow.org/the-camo-hat-club-half-a-sorrow/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HASF2020 Loss Team South Carolina: https://sclossteams.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6bWvqG-dwis Healing On | Grief, Love, Loss and Learning to Carry Someone Forward There is a phrase people often use after loss: "moving on." But what if you have no desire to move on from someone you loved? What if healing is not about leaving that person behind, but learning how to carry their memory forward while continuing to live? In this deeply personal episode of It's a Tough Subject, producer Tim Cicciarelli steps out from behind the scenes and joins host Dennis Gillan to talk about the grief he continues to experience following the death of his wife, Amy, from breast cancer in May 2025. Fourteen months into that journey, Tim reflects on the subtle shift he has begun to recognize. The sadness is still there. The longing remains. Certain songs, photographs, anniversaries, places, and memories can still stop him in his tracks. But alongside the tears, something else has begun appearing: smiles, gratitude, and an increasing ability to remember what happened without being consumed only by the fact that it ended. That is what Tim calls "healing on." The conversation explores the rituals Tim has created to keep Amy present in his life, from playing George Strait's "Run" during his show at My Country 99.3 WCON every Monday at 4:58 p.m., the time Amy died, to revisiting photos and videos each night, planting memorial trees with portions of her ashes, returning to meaningful places in Colorado, reconnecting with her children, and allowing music to become part of his grieving process. Dennis and Tim also discuss why grief is never linear, why there is no hierarchy of loss, the importance of simply being present with someone who is hurting, and how gratitude and grief can exist side by side. In this episode: Why "moving on" can feel wrong after losing someone you love What it means to heal on Tim and Amy's remarkable love story How music has helped Tim process grief Remembering Amy through photos, videos, trees, ashes, and meaningful places The unexpected comfort of signs, memories, and "God winks" Walking hand in hand with grief and gratitude Why grief does not shrink, but life can grow around it Dennis' perspective after decades of living with suicide loss The power of presence when someone is grieving Why there is no "grief Olympics" Learning to walk with loss instead of trying to get over it If this conversation speaks to you, please follow It's a Tough Subject, share the episode with someone experiencing loss, and help us continue creating conversations around grief, mental health, suicide prevention, and healing. Learn more about the Half a Sorrow Foundation at: https://halfasorrow.org/

3. 

   1 Aug 2026

   When Grief Returns: Helping Men Through Depression and Loss

   Links & Resources Half a Sorrow Foundation: www.halfasorrow.org Book a Talk with Dennis Gillan: https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/ (https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/) Make a Donation: https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/ Camo Hat Club: https://halfasorrow.org/the-camo-hat-club-half-a-sorrow/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HASF2020 Loss Team South Carolina: https://sclossteams.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IJ2mIZG1gSo Grief doesn't follow a calendar, but somehow our hearts often do. In this deeply personal episode of It's a Tough Subject, Dennis Gillan and Jessica Seal discuss how the anniversaries of losing loved ones to suicide can quietly resurface emotions decades later. Dennis reflects on the loss of his brother and his own sobriety anniversary, while Jessica shares memories surrounding her father's birthday and the lingering effects of traumatic loss. The conversation also explores one of today's most important mental health topics: men and depression. Why do so many men struggle in silence? How can friends and family offer meaningful support? And why is simple human connection often one of the most powerful tools for healing? Dennis also shares an update on the new LOSS Team (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) initiative in South Carolina, describing the emotional experience of making the team's first visits to families following suicide losses and why these early connections can change lives. Throughout the episode, Dennis and Jessica discuss practical ways to help someone experiencing depression, the value of peer support groups like the Camo Hat Club, and the importance of extending grace to ourselves and others during difficult seasons. In This Episode Why grief anniversaries often affect us before we even realize it Remembering loved ones lost to suicide Dennis shares the first experiences with South Carolina's LOSS Team Why men often struggle to ask for help The growing need for peer support groups The story behind the Camo Hat Club Practical ways to support someone living with depression Why healing rarely happens all at once Managing expectations during difficult seasons The importance of compassion, connection, and community If this conversation resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear that they are not alone.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 42 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

70

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

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