Stuff that Matters is an interview-based show centered around important voices in the broader human services space that have something to say about something...that matters.
Primarily long-form, occasionally short-form, free flowing interviews. The focus is not only on the guests themselves, but also the issues they represent. Ranging from mental health, childcare, substance abuse, healthcare and various hard-hitting topics. This podcast can truly be a game-changer and great outlet for so many. Hosts: New Hope Treatment Center's (Rock Hill, SC) Matt Simon, Mike O'Connor and Patrick Puzzo.
Publisher
New Hope Treatment Centers - Matt Simon, Mike O'Connor, Patrick Puzzo
Stuff that Matters, Ep. 51 - Kate Weaver, NAMI Charlotte, Connection, Mental Health, Community
Today, we’re joined by Kate Weaver, Executive Director of NAMI Charlotte, whose passion for mental health advocacy comes from a deeply personal place.
Kate’s career has included corporate sales and many years running her own photography business. But her family’s experiences with mental illness gave her a powerful sense of purpose: helping other individuals and families find understanding, support, and a place to turn.
She has brought that purpose to her leadership at NAMI Charlotte, helping expand the organization’s reach, strengthen community partnerships, and open more doors to conversations about mental health.
That work includes Connection Starts Here, a collaborative initiative launched in September that brings together Charlotte organizations, healthcare providers, businesses, local government, and nonprofits to make mental health support easier to find and easier to access.
At its heart is a simple message: help is available, and no one should have to navigate mental health alone.
In this conversation, we explore Kate’s journey, the work happening at NAMI Charlotte, and the difference we can make when a community comes together with compassion.
(00:01:18-00:06:31) – A little about her startwith NAMI Charlotte and how she got into the industry, including her connection to mental health and passion for change in the community.
(00:06:33-00:15:05) – Connection in the community and ending the silence. Impact in the school systems.
(00:15:06-00:28:12) – NAMI remaining separatefrom depending on insurance as neutral non-profit. Peer support and meeting the needs of as many demographics as possible.
(00:29:59-00:37:00) – NAMIWalks Charlotte.
(00:37:02-00:43:43) – Connection Starts Here.
(00:43:45-00:48:56) – Looking back on her transition into the mental health space and the impact that she has had as well as NAMI Charlotte in just a few years.
(00:48:57) - The Stuff that Matters.
Subscribe and like, rate and review. You can watch full episodes on YOUTUBE (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEGSntRmXvMS-wn6Pmd3lVMMgEFn0npwd).
Check out our to learn more about New Hope on our WEBSITE (https://www.newhopetreatment.com/).
To learn more about NAMI Charlotte (https://namicharlotte.org/).
27 Oct 2026
Stuff that Matters, Ep. 50 - Dr. Chan Hellman and Dr. Angela Pharris, Hope, Research, Goals, University of Oklahoma
Welcome to a very special milestone—our 50th episode of Stuff That Matters!
For an organization with “Hope” in its name, we couldn’t imagine a more fitting way to celebrate than with two guests who have dedicated their careers to understanding hope—and helping people put it into practice.
Joining us are Dr. Chan Hellman and Dr. Angela Pharris from the University of Oklahoma.
Dr. Hellman is a professor, founding director of the Hope Research Center, and co-author of Hope Rising: How the Science of Hope Can Change Your Life. His research explores how hope can help children and adults overcome trauma and adversity.
Dr. Pharris is an associate professor, director of the Child Welfare Impact Institute, and senior researcher at the Hope Research Center. Her work brings hope-centered, trauma-informed practices into child welfare and human services—supporting young people, families, and the professionals who serve them.
Their research gives us a meaningful way to think about the work we do at New Hope: helping young people envision a future they want and find pathways toward it.
As we celebrate episode 50, thank you to every guest who has shared their story and every listener who has joined us along the way.
(00:01:30-00:13:20) – We learn a little about Dr. Chan and Dr. Pharris as well as their research on what Hope is.
(00:13:21-00:35:33) – The importance of setting goals to provide a pathway for hope. Hope assessment and the variables that allow people to be more hopeful.
(00:35:34-00:39:40) – Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the connection to hope theory.
(00:41:27-00:54:46) – When they started to fully understand the meaning of hope through their studies and lived experiences.
(00:54:48-01:05:24) – The concepts of hope and how it’s related to suicide. Dr. Chan’s personal story.
(01:05:27) – The Stuff that Matters.
Subscribe and like, rate and review. You can watch full episodes on YOUTUBE (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEGSntRmXvMS-wn6Pmd3lVMMgEFn0npwd).
Check out our to learn more about New Hope on our WEBSITE (https://www.newhopetreatment.com/).
22 Oct 2026
Best of the Stuff that Matters - Celebrating 50 Episodes
As we get ready to release our 50th episode, we look back at some of the best 'Stuff that Matters' responses! When we started this podcast in 2023, we weren't quite sure how it would be received.
What we did know is that we would amplify voices and provide our guests a platform to share their stories and passions.
From friends in the industry, to mutual connections, recommendations and new connections, we've amassed nearly 7,000 views and listens across YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
We can't thank every single guest enough for giving us their time and honest perspectives, and we look forward to more conversations about the STUFF THAT MATTERS.
Who has been a guest on Stuff That Matters - A New Hope Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Victor Armstrong
Kim Sanders
Dr Cynthia Persily
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
49
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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Guest appearances
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