In this episode of The Hope Matrix Podcast, host Kathryn Goetzke talks with Robin Cogan, a Nationally Certified School Nurse entering her 24th year in the Camden City School District of New Jersey. Robin also serves as the New Jersey Director of the National Association of School Nurses.

Robin shares her experiences working during the Covid-19 pandemic and discusses the crucial role of school nurses in promoting resilience, self-care, and hope. Kathryn and Robin talk about the need for mental health support, education, and resources to prevent gun violence and manage feelings of hopelessness. They also explore the challenges school nurses face and the need for solutions and a supportive community.

Robin highlights her efforts during the pandemic, including her blog "The Relentless School Nurse," and her upcoming visit to the White House as part of a group focused on preventing gun violence.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, hope, and the vital role of school nurses in keeping our schools safe, healthy, and hopeful.

About Robin Cogan:

Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN is a Nationally Certified School Nurse, entering her 24th year as a New Jersey school nurse in the Camden City School District. Robin is the New Jersey Director of the National Association of School Nurses. She is proud to be a Johnson & Johnson School Health Leadership Fellow and past program mentor. Robin has been honored by multiple awards for her work in school nursing and population health. She serves as faculty in the School Nurse Certificate Program at Rutgers University-Camden School of Nursing. Robin writes The Relentless School Nurse, a popular blog. Her extensive work in school nursing was included as a case study in the National Academies of Medicine Future of Nursing 2030 report. You can follow Robin on Twitter at @RobinCogan.

Check out Robin Cogan’s Hope Story, and be inspired to write your own!

In this episode host Kathryn Goetzke, sits down with Kamala Poudel, as she shares her journey from being trafficked by her father at the age of five to becoming a global advocate.Kamala talks about how she managed to escape and survive on her own, overcoming immense challenges, including her struggles with mental health and her time in prison. Kamala discovered the Hope Story template through the Hopebeat Weekly newsletter and it inspired her to share her own Shine Hope story, which she shares along with how she used the Shine Hope skills to navigate her challenges.

Find out more about Kamala’s Work:

https://koshish.org.np/

In this episode of The Hope Matrix Podcast, we sit down with Leslie Weirich, a suicide prevention advocate and the author of "The Gifts of Grief," to explore the journey of grief and hope. Leslie shares her deeply personal experiences with loss, including the tragic loss of her son, and how these experiences have shaped her perspective on life and hope.

We delve into the importance of building resilience in young people, addressing topics such as social media's impact on self-worth and the necessity of allowing children to experience failure.

Leslie's insights offer a profound understanding of grief's intricacies and the transformative power of hope. Join us as we uncover valuable lessons for navigating grief and fostering hope in the face of challenges.

Find out more about Leslie Wierich and her work: https://leslieshope.org

Get a copy of Leslie’s book: https://amzn.to/3xGIWsn