Veteran2-Playbill23

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023

Compassion
in Action
ASL THERAPIST
AND MENTAL HEALTH
SUPPORT RESOURCE LIST
At Karuna, we’re dedicated to championing the
needs and experiences of people living with
mental illness as we work toward our mission
of developing and delivering transformative
medicines to those in need.
Use your phone to scan the QR code for a list of ASL
Therapists and Mental Health Support organizations.
LEARN MORE AT KARUNATX.COM
2

is made possible in part by a grant from
Special thanks to the following individuals for
their support in making this show a success:
Sarah Alder
US Army, 2000-2008
Tiffany Freeze
US Army, 2010-2015
Rudy Caseres
US Army, 2009-2009
Dr. Jan Laughinghouse, PhD., LCSW-BACS
Cast Mentor
Cast Mentor
Video Production
Mental Health Professional
www.thisismybrave.org
@thisismybrave
3

DEAR FRIENDS,
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY!
What a journey it has been since This Is My Brave produced its very first show in Arlington, Virginia, in 2014 – a show
inspired by our co-founder and former Executive Director, Jennifer Marshall. I know that she and her co-founder, Anne
Marie Ames, never imagined at that time the success that Brave would realize. Since 2014, This Is My Brave has produced
90 more shows in dozens of cities across the U.S. and in Australia. Story by story, This Is My Brave is shining a light on
mental illness and addiction and helping end the stigma that has so long surrounded these issues.
COVID-19 presented us (and the world) with challenges we never could have expected. If there’s any good that came from
the global pandemic, it is that our society is finally understanding the need to prioritize mental health and wellness and
eliminate stigma. We at This Is My Brave are here for it! Storytelling has and will always be a path to authentic connection
and healing. We are especially proud to have a platform in place where all stories can be shared and all storytellers can
be affirmed and celebrated.
We are thrilled to collaborate on this very special edition of This Is My Brave - Stories from the Veteran Community,
Vol. 2! I am incredibly honored that this cast of amazing storytellers has stepped forward to share their powerful
personal testimonies of living well and thriving as individuals who are managing a mental health / substance use
experience. I know that this show will shine a light on such circumstances and let others who are facing something
similar know they are not alone.
Especially now, opening up conversations in this community about mental health through storytelling will have a lasting
impact for so many. We hope that the stories you hear tonight will spark important conversations in your circles!
Every time a story is told — every time we shine a light on mental health or substance use conditions — we let someone
know that they are not alone. We can give someone the gift of hope and provide them with a sense of community based
on shared experiences.
YOU ARE A VITALLY IMPORTANT PART OF THIS STORY, TOO.
Many of us know what it’s like to be stigmatized because of what we’ve been through. It is time
to acknowledge that this experience of shame is not unique. We must stop the secrecy that
stigma has imposed on us and begin to share openly and honestly about our experiences.
Together, we can work to end the stigma. We have come so far in nine years, but we still
have so much more work to do. There are millions more stories to be shared, and we
will start by sharing a few more on this stage here with you tonight.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS JOURNEY.
Erin Gallagher,
Executive Director

OUR MISSION
The mission of This Is My Brave is
to empower individuals to put their
names and faces to their personal
stories of recovery from mental
illness and/or addiction.
“So much power in real stories of struggle & hope.”
DAWN LITTLEFIELD, AUDIENCE MEMBER, DEKALB SHOW
OUR VISION
Someday, we will live in a world where we won’t
have to call it “brave” for talking openly about
mental illness. WE WILL SIMPLY CALL IT “TALKING.”
This Is My Brave, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is the leading platform for individuals to share their stories of
living successful lives despite a diagnosis of a mental illness or addiction. Our main event is This Is My Brave - The Show, a
live stage production featuring a cast of individuals who use the performing arts to share their stories and inspire others.
We’re opening up the conversation about mental health disorders in communities all across the country.
www.thisismybrave.org
@thisismybrave
5

THE
SHOW
We believe in the power of storytelling to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness. This
Is My Brave - The Show is a live theater presentation of touching essays, original music, poetry,
and comedy created and performed by individuals living with – or loving someone with – a mental
illness. Our storytellers are here to inspire you to find hope in your own challenges or give hope to
someone you love who may be facing similar circumstances. This Is My Brave is honored to work
with volunteer production teams around the country to produce these shows in order to normalize
conversations about mental health, break down stigma and offer hope.
ORDER
OF SHOW
Opening Remarks
Erin Gallagher, Executive Director
This Is My Brave
Victor Tafoya Rodriguez
US Marine Corps, 2003-2009
Lynn Geiser
US Army, 1993-2004
Eduardo De La Torre
US Army, 2003-2013
Carmela Hampton
US Air Force, 2012-2022
Enrique (Quique) Luis A. Hartmann
US Army, 2000-2004; US National Guard 2006-2009
My Daily Reality
A Woman’s Voice
Not Enough Training
A Toast To Life
Hallelujah
Closing Remarks
Erin Gallagher, Executive Director
This Is My Brave
Live Panel Discussion with the Cast
featuring Dr. Jan Laughinghouse, Ph.D., MCSW-BACS as the Mental Health Professional
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BRAVE AUDIENCE ETIQUETTE
Please DO take out your cell phones during performances and
SHARE on your social media platforms that you are watching!
SHARE your photos, favorite lines or takeaways using the hashtag
#STORYTELLINGSAVESLIVES
and tagging us @THISISMYBRAVE
Help us tell the world that we’re here, and you’re watching!
Laugh at the funny, be comfortable with the sad,
be inspired by the resilience.
Need a break during the show? We understand. Things can get heavy.
Please exit quietly, and let your friends and family know that you’re okay.
We’ll be here when you’re ready :)
THIS IS MY BRAVE’S 2023 NATIONAL SPONSORS
www.thisismybrave.org
@thisismybrave
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The image depicted contains models and is being used
for illustrative purposes only.
Creating a future where disease is a
thing of the past.
At Janssen Neuroscience, we have a bold and ambitious goal – to create a
future where serious mental illness and debilitating neurological disorders
are a thing of the past. We work hard to help heal minds and bodies, restoring
hope for better lives. Learn more at www.janssen.com.
8
© Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, Inc. 2023 04/23 cp-311245v2

A NOTE
FROM THE PRODUCER
Thank you for joining us for this very special virtual show, This Is My Brave - Stories from the
Veteran Community, Vol. 2. We are so proud of this group of individuals who have stepped
forward to be Brave with us and share their stories of managing their mental health while living
well and thriving as proud veterans.
We hope that you are inspired by what you see tonight and that you will take this show as a call to
action to start conversations within your own circles about veteran mental health. Silence is no
longer an option. Every veteran deserves to know how much we appreciate what they have done
for our country. We value them for their unique qualities and the remarkable impact that they bring
to our communities and the world. Their lives matter, their stories matter, and we need them here.
Finally, we want to extend a special thank you and an enormous amount of gratitude for our Brave
storytellers - Carmela, Victor, Lynn, Eduardo, and Enrique; our cast mentors - Tiffany and Sarah;
our mental health professional - Dr. Jan Laughinghouse; and our video producer - Rudy Caseres,
for all they have done to make this show a success!
Enjoy the show!
This Is My Brave, Inc.
www.thisismybrave.org
@thisismybrave
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THE
CAST
EDUARDO DE LA TORRE (HE/HIM)
US ARMY, 2003-2013
Eduardo De La Torre was born and raised in Houston, Texas and
graduated from Chinquapin in 1999. He was attending Texas A&M
University when the September 11th attacks motivated him to enlist.
After serving ten years (two deployments with the 82nd ABN DIV),
Eduardo returned to college as a Posse Veteran Scholar at Vassar
College. He worked for Value Act Capital and Bloomberg before
returning to Houston to launch his own company, DVG Financial, in
2018. He is currently working towards his MBA at Rice University in
quantitative finance.
LYNN GEISER (SHE/HER)
US ARMY, 1993-2004
Lynn Geiser is a very persistent, passionate, and dedicated military
woman who has seen and been down the path of trauma and tragedy,
but that didn’t stop her. She pursued goals that were beyond selfish
because of her passion for giving back to her sisters in the armed
forces. She separated from the military in 2004 after serving a total
of ten years in the National Guard and active duty in the Army. During
her time exploring who she was and finding her passion, she created
a nonprofit called “Hope4veterans” in 2018. She wanted to do more to
help our sisters in arms; she wanted to be there for her sisters, give
them the tools to succeed and build confidence within themselves.
Lynn Geiser’s journey of trauma and tragedy was changed into
passion and growth for other military women that came across her
path. To learn more, visit www.hope4veterans.org, and follow along
on Instagram at @hope4veterans.
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CARMELA HAMPTON (SHE/HER)
US AIR FORCE, 2012-2022
Carmela Hampton, first and foremost, is capable. She was born and
raised in the concrete jungle of New York City where her childhood
included iced coffee, chopped cheese, bacon, egg, and cheese, and
25 cent juices or Arizonas. Unfortunately, it is also where the basis
of her trauma took place, and she knew she needed to escape family
and the New York streets out of fear she’d end up in jail or worse.
In 2012, she joined the United States Air Force. Carmela Hampton
eventually started her self healing journey after hitting rock bottom
in 2021, learning how capable she truly is. She became an active real
estate agent and investor in 2022, selling over $3 million in real estate
and helped over thirteen families in 2023 alone, with two toddlers
in tow. In addition, she found her passion in purchasing distressed/
abandoned properties to renovate and restore for families to live in
and love again. After ten and a half years of service, in May of 2022,
Carmela Hampton medically retired from the Air Force and now calls
Texas her home. She is a full time mama and real estate entrepreneur
enjoying life with her husband and two boys. She is indeed capable!
ENRIQUE (QUIQUE) LUIS A. HARTMANN (HE/HIM)
US ARMY, 2000-2004; US NATIONAL GUARD 2006-2009
Enrique (Quique) Luis A. Hartmann has lived with post traumatic stress
disorder since returning from Iraq. He also has been living with other
mental health challenges since primary school. Enrique has been
impacted by the stigmas revolving around mental health his whole
life. He feels that by talking and sharing his struggles, he will inspire
other people to be open about their own trials. Enrique believes that
if conversations about mental health become ubiquitous, the stigmas
will eventually fade away.
www.thisismybrave.org
@thisismybrave
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THE
CAST
VICTOR TAFOYA RODRIGUEZ (HE/HIM)
US MARINE CORPS, 2003-2009
Raised in a small, rural town in central Mexico, Victor is a first
generation immigrant and English learner. California has been his
home since 1997. At 17, he joined the military and went to boot camp
in January 2003; by then, he was 18. After graduating high school
and having no guidance on pursuing a college education, he joined
the United States Marine Corps to gain a life experience of service,
confidence, and, eventually, the benefit of an education program that
would help him pursue a college degree. Serving with the US Marine
Corps, he deployed in 2007 with Operation Iraqi Freedom. While serving
as a reservist with the US Military, Victor came across an opportunity
for an internship at a local television station in Sacramento. He
recently graduated from Sacramento State University with a degree
in intercultural communications. As a veteran and a journalist with
over 15 years in the field, he brings an array of experience that he
hopes can motivate others with similar backgrounds, both veterans
and first generation immigrants.
While working at ABC 10 in Sacramento, California, the pandemic
didn’t stop many families from going to work. The idea of “work never
stops” is all but tattooed in the minds of many first generation and
immigrant families. He realized he could help to provide a caution
message due to the pandemic, not only in their native language but
also at a cultural level. California communities not only need support
in translating information into a language they understand, but they
also find themselves in diverse cultural codes that must be adapted
for a community to react. Today, Victor wants to work on supporting
his community of veterans and immigrant families who need someone
to talk to and give a stage to their stories. Follow along with Victor on
Instagram at @victortafoya.
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CAST
MENTORS
SARAH E. ALDER (SHE/HER/THEY/THEM)
US ARMY 2000-2008
Sarah E. Alder, born and raised in Ogden, Utah, comes from a large family
with six other siblings and calls Utah and Colorado home. She served in
the US Army from 2000-2008 and has been serving the LGBTQIA+ and
Veteran community for over 15 years. Sarah is trained in Mental Health
First Aid (MHFA) and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
Many instances have required that she utilize these tools and resources
to provide support for friends, family, and even herself in moments of
severe distress. Sarah is extremely passionate about advocating for
normalization and destigmatization of suicidality and mental health as a
human experience. Sarah lives in Larkspur, CO with her wife and 15-yearold
daughter. When Sarah has time and wealth, she greatly enjoys
traveling anywhere in the world, visiting breweries and coffee shops,
road cycling, hiking and even handywoman projects.
TIFFANY FREEZE (SHE/HER)
US ARMY 2010-2015
Tiffany Freeze is a veteran with a struggle like many others. She spent
six years in the Army as an imagery analyst, traveling to Colorado,
Afghanistan, and Germany. Tiffany experienced military sexual trauma
early in her career in addition to other trauma from deployment. For a
long time it controlled her life, but she found outlets to release that anger.
Fashion Design became her art outlet, while finding the right therapist
and getting the right medications. Sharing her story with others is also
important. She believes in “don’t let the past control your future.”
www.thisismybrave.org
@thisismybrave
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MENTAL HEALTH
PROFESSIONAL
DR. JAN LAUGHINGHOUSE, PH.D., LCSW-BACS
Dr. Jan Laughinghouse, a licensed clinical social worker, board-approved
clinical supervisor, and licensed addictions counselor, serves as the
Executive Director at Capital Area Human Services in Baton Rouge, LA.
She has over 22 years of experience in the treatment of substance use
disorders and has worked extensively with women, veterans, individuals
with co-occurring disorders, those who have experienced trauma and
chronic homelessness, and re-entry populations.
A North Carolina native, Dr. Laughinghouse received her B.A. in
psychology from Bennett College, a Master of Social Work from the
joint degree program at North Carolina A&T State University and the
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Ph.D. in human
development and family studies from the University of North Carolina
at Greensboro.
Dr. Laughinghouse has served on the faculty at Guilford Technical
Community College, Bennett College, and Southern University. She
has successfully married her love of education with her clinical skills
to promote understanding of substance use disorders and to reduce
stigma by presenting to audiences at the LSU School of Social Work,
UNC-Greensboro, the Partners Ending Homelessness Academy,
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, East and West Baton
Rouge Sheriff’s Offices, West Baton Rouge Probation and Parole,
Rubicon/Huntsman, Nova Chemical, OHCC Open Talks Conference, and
faith-based opioid forums.
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FALL 2023 SHOWS / EVENTS
• August 2023 - Inaugural TEEN MENTAL HEALTH MONTH Campaign
• September 2023 - JAY WALKERS CHALLENGE for Suicide Prevention
• LIVE Productions of THIS IS MY BRAVE - THE SHOW:
October 5 - Floris Restoration, Herndon, VA
October 12 - Penn State Abington
October 19 - Eagle Valley, CO
• VIRTUAL Productions of THIS IS MY BRAVE:
November 9 - Stories from the Veteran Community, Vol. 2
INTERESTED IN BRINGING THIS IS MY BRAVE TO YOUR COMMUNITY?
Register for one of our {virtual} New Producer Interest Meetings!
• September 19, 2023 • October 25, 2023 • November 14, 2023
SCAN THE QR CODE AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION
THIS IS MY BRAVE
MERCH SHOP
Are you looking to add some #BraveGear to your wardrobe? Check out our new
merch shop, and wear your Brave for all to see! We update the options frequently,
so be sure to check back often. Visit our website to order yours today!
www.thisismybrave.org
@thisismybrave
15

THIS IS MY BRAVE
LEADERSHIP
MARLON DELEON (HE/THEY)
Program Coordinator
Marlon is a lot of things, and among them he is a husband, father, disabled Navy submarine veteran, retired
grade school violinist, budding guitarist, aspiring writer, recovering alcoholic, and strives to love all neighbors.
In 2016 he took the stage in Valparaiso, Indiana for his first This Is My Brave Show. After that, his life was peaches
and unicorns forever. Actually, in some ways, it was just the beginning. In 2017 he married his best friend, Andrea,
and later that year they welcomed their first child. 2018 brought them their second child, and 2019 brought Marlon the diagnosis of
Bipolar Type II. In 2021 Marlon shared more of his story in the virtual APIDA Community show, and he ecstatically joined the Brave staff
in 2022. Marlon truly believes that #StorytellingSavesLives and he will never underestimate the importance of sharing the message
that it’s ok to ask for help.
Photo credit: EmmiClaire Photography
ERIN GALLAGHER (SHE/HER)
Executive Director
Erin is proud to be a part of the This Is My Brave team as Executive Director. Following the suicide of her son,
Jay, in 2016, Erin and her husband became passionate mental health advocates and have worked tirelessly to
influence policy on appropriate responses, particularly in the public schools, to suicide warning signs. She enjoys
working with This Is My Brave volunteers towards ending the stigma associated with mental health and substance
use disorders in honor of Jay. When Erin is not working, she enjoys spending time at her alma mater, James Madison University, visiting
her oldest daughter, Lindsay. She also loves logging hours with husband Tim while watching fastpitch softball played by her youngest,
Laurenne, who is a student at Mt. St. Mary’s University in Maryland.
KATIE GRANA (SHE/HER)
Director of Programming
Katie Grana, Director of Programming with This Is My Brave, has been with the organization since 2019. With a
history in sales and client management, her transition to the world of mental health advocacy was natural, as
she herself lives with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Katie believes in the mission and vision of This Is My Brave
and is inspired to do this work every day. Katie lives in St. Louis, MO and is a proud St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis
Blues fan. She loves spending time with her dogs, her partner, and her family and friends.
AALIYAH OGLETREE (SHE/HER)
Director of Development
Aaliyah recently joined This Is My Brave in 2023. She has worked in both the nonprofit and business sectors for
over a decade. Aaliyah is a passionate advocate for mental health and human rights. Her own diagnosis of PTSD
and anxiety and the stigmatization she faced inspired her interest in mental health advocacy. Aaliyah graduated
from the University of New Orleans with a B.A. in Drama & Communications with a Minor in History. She is working
on completing her Arts Administration thesis at Drexel University. Aaliyah is a native of New Orleans and has a great love for its culture,
especially eating its cuisine like King Cake, crawfish, and gumbo. When she is and isn’t working, Aaliyah enjoys spending time with her
two favorite people in the world, her daughters Taylor and Jordan.
NATASHA WEST (SHE/HER)
Director of Marketing
Natasha joined This Is My Brave in 2022 as the Director of Marketing, with more than eight years of marketing
experience in mental health and health care. Prior to joining This Is My Brave, Natasha worked for various mental
health nonprofits as a digital marketing consultant where she focused on data-driven strategy development.
Natasha received a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Social Media and Communication Technology and
a M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University. When Natasha is not working, she loves backpacking,
16 hiking, concerts, and planning future travel with Peanut and Khaleesi (dog and cat).

THIS IS MY BRAVE
OUR FOUNDERS
Photo credit: Shoot Photo Inc.
ANNE MARIE AMES
Co-Founder
Board of Directors
Jessica Kennedy, Chairperson
Adam Bromberg
Dr. Kyaien Conner
Kristine Haataja
Anne Marie held a variety of PR and strategic communications positions throughout
her career, but her favorite job was creating and producing This Is My Brave. She
found her passion and her mission – to help others share their stories – and made
tremendous contributions to the organization from launching the initial concept to
strategizing on growth and expansion over the four years of her tenure. Anne Marie’s
sudden passing on August 23, 2017, was a shock to the many who loved her, and she
is deeply missed.
Advisory Board
Doreen Gentzler
Dr. Mark Komrad
Dr. Robert Post
Dr. Hayley Sherwood
Photo credit: Alicia Bruce
JENNIFER MARSHALL
Co-Founder
Jenn (she/her) was diagnosed with Type 1 Bipolar Disorder in 2006 at the age
of 26. She’s had four hospitalizations within five years – two in 2005 before any
diagnosis was reached, and two more because she was trying to protect her
newborn son (postpartum psychosis) in 2008 and her unborn daughter in 2010 –
and all were because she was unmedicated at the time. Writing her way through
life with a mental illness became her way of healing, and her award-winning blog
BipolarMomLife became an inspiration to many. Jenn created This Is My Brave
because she learned first hand how powerful and therapeutic it was to live
openly and not hide her diagnosis. She wanted to give brave individuals from the
community a platform through which to creatively share their stories of living with
mental illness to educate and inspire others. After leading This Is My Brave, Inc. for
seven years, Jenn stepped down from her role as Executive Director in 2022. She
lives outside Washington, DC with her husband and two children.
www.thisismybrave.org @thisismybrave 17

THIS IS MY BRAVE
RESEARCH
DR. KRISTIN KOSYLUK
Lead Researcher
Kristin Kosyluk is an Assistant Professor of Mental Health Law and Policy at the University of South Florida in the College
of Behavioral and Community Sciences. She also directs the STigma Action Research (STAR) Lab at USF. The STAR Lab
conducts community-engaged research aimed at understanding and addressing the stigma surrounding mental illness
in order to promote recovery among people living with mental illness.
Kristin has served as the lead evaluator of This Is My Brave’s programming for the past eight years, and she has produced
two College Edition Shows at USF. Eliminating the stigma around mental illness in order to promote treatment seeking
and recovery and prevent suicide is Kristin’s passion, fueled by her clinical experiences as well as her own experiences
with depression and anxiety and those of friends and loved ones.
When Kristin is not conducting stigma research or teaching the amazing students at USF about recovery and evidencebased
practices, her greatest joy is spending time with her husband, David, and six-year-old daughter, Emma. Kristin is a
lover of crafting, especially crochet and dollhouse miniatures.
18

IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE HELP
PLEASE CALL 911
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known
as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides
free and confidential emotional support to people in
suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day,
7 days a week, across the United States.
CALL OR TEXT THE LIFELINE ANYTIME, 24/7.
Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis: 1-888-628-9454
OPTIONS FOR DEAF + HARD OF HEARING
For TTY Users:
Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
THE CRISIS TEXT LINE CAN BE ACCESSED
BY TEXTING:
STORY TO 741-741
Envía un mensaje de texto con la palabra AYUDA al 741741 para
comunicarte de manera gratuita con un Consejero de Crisis.
TAKE A MENTAL
HEALTH TEST TODAY.
Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to
determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental
health condition.
Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real,
common and treatable. And recovery is possible.
Scan the QR code to access 10+ free mental health tests today.
www.thisismybrave.org
@thisismybrave
19

THIS IS MY BRAVE
HISTORY
FROM A BLOG TO A SHOW
In August of 2011, more than six years after Jennifer
Marshall’s bipolar disorder first surfaced, she decided
to start a blog. It became a place where she turned to
write about her life as a wife and young mom to two
small kids, and writing helped her begin to heal. She
titled it: Bipolar Mom Life. Jennifer wrote anonymously
at first, because she was afraid of being judged. She
also worried that disclosing her mental illness may make
future employment opportunities difficult. For eighteen
months, Jennifer wrote and found community online.
Other writers who were openly sharing their stories of
overcoming mental illness inspired her, and when she
landed her first paid writing job, Jennifer decided to stop
hiding behind a pen name.
When WhatToExpect.com published her first article with
Jennifer’s byline, it was also picked up by AOL.com (the
parent company). The outpouring of support and gratitude
when that piece hit the Internet with her real name was
overwhelming. She knew immediately that disclosing was
the right decision. She could finally talk about all parts of
her life, and not just the shiny, fun moments.
About six months later, Jennifer had the idea to launch
a theater show. A simple storytelling show where
individuals from the community could tell their stories
through creative expression to break down the stigma
associated with mental illness. She wanted to give
individuals from the community the same opportunity
she had – a stage on which to share their story of living
a successful life despite mental illness. Jennifer met her
Co-Founder, Anne Marie Ames, at a mutual friend’s party
and recruited her to help put the project out to the world.
Jennifer and Anne Marie launched This Is My Brave
on Kickstarter in October of 2013 and the excitement
surrounding the project grew and grew. They offered
tickets to the first show and handmade “BRAVE”
bracelets, among other items, as rewards for financial
pledges of support. Within 31 days, the campaign had
surpassed their goal of $6,500 to fund the first show,
ending up with over $10,000 in contributions. It was clear
that the community wanted to help bring this show to life
– they believed in the vision and Jennifer and Anne Marie
were dedicated to delivering an exceptional production.
After the success of the debut show in 2014, Jennifer
and Anne Marie began receiving interest from
individuals in other cities to bring the show to their
community. This Is My Brave, Inc was formed as a
501(c)(3) and the organization began to expand
to new cities through the support of volunteers
willing to donate their time and expertise to
coordinate shows.
Photo credit: Jim Folliard
20

“I finally feel comfortable with my mental
health story in a way I never have before.
Like the power it used to hold over me is gone.”
ERIN TROIA, 2018 ARLINGTON STORYTELLER
FROM ONE SHOW TO NATIONWIDE + AUSTRALIA
Since 2014, This Is My Brave has produced more than 90
unique shows in cities across the United States featuring
over 1000 storytellers sharing true, personal stories on
overcoming depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD,
psychosis, OCD, postpartum depression, borderline
personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder,
trichotillomania, anorexia, bulimia, sexual assault,
alcoholism, substance use disorder and more.
In 2017, This Is My Brave expanded internationally with the
help of mental health advocate Tim Daly, who leads our
NPO in Canberra, Australia – This Is My Brave Australia,
or TIMBA for short.
Jennifer and Anne Marie may have created the space
for these brave stories to exist, but This Is My Brave
wouldn’t be the incredible community it is if it weren’t
for all the amazing people who have bravely come
forward to share their stories. “It’s my opinion that we
won’t be able to end the stigma surrounding mental
illness and addiction until we put our names and faces
on our stories,” says Jennifer.
THIS IS MY BRAVE
IS DOING THIS
ONE PERSON
& ONE STORY
AT A TIME
www.thisismybrave.org @thisismybrave 21

THIS IS MY BRAVE’S
PROGRAMS
THIS IS MY BRAVE IS MORE THAN JUST A SHOW...
• Opportunities for transformation and community building
• Youth and young adult initiatives
• Virtual programming
• Inspirational speakers bureau
• Integral research on the power of storytelling
VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE
DESTIGMATIZING
MENTAL ILLNESS
ONE PERSON AND
ONE STORY AT A TIME
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THIS IS MY BRAVE’S IMPACT
Since 2014, This Is My Brave has...
produced
90
shows
with over
1000
storytellers
18,500+
audience
members
2022
College Edition - USF
New Hampshire
Broward County, FL
in 53 cities and 300k
Los Angeles, CA
2019
in the U.S. YouTube
Philadelphia, PA
High School Edition Pilot
and Australia video views
Stories from the College College Edition Pilot
Athlete Community* Baltimore, MD
New York City, NY
2016
DeKalb, IL
Concord, NH
Orlando, FL
Arlington, VA
Eagle Valley, CO
DeKalb, IL
Philadelphia, PA
Baltimore, MD
Stories from the
Houston, TX
Veteran Community*
Sterling, VA
Denver, CO - Spring
Orlando, FL
•
•
Denver, CO - Fall
Columbus, OH
2021
2017
Greenville, SC
Carroll County, MD
Stories from the
Bentonville, AR
Iowa City, IA
Black Community - vol 1*
Northwest AR
Boise, ID
Oklahoma City, OK
Stories from the
Boise, ID
Boston, MA
Valparaiso, IN
Black Community - vol 2* •
Canberra, Australia
Washington, DC
College Edition - season 2* 2018
Cedar Rapids, IA
•
New Hampshire*
Arlington, VA - Spring D.C. Women’s Summit, 2015
National Teen Show*
Arlington, VA - Fall
Washington, DC
Arlington, VA
Stories from the
Baltimore, MD
Des Moines, IA
Boston, MA
APIDA Community*
Bentonville, AR
Germantown, MD
Harrisburg, PA
BraveTV*
Bethesda, MD
Jacksonville, FL
Iowa City, IA
Brave Beyond the Stage* Boise, ID
Kansas City, MO
Los Angeles, CA
#BraveDays*
Boston, MA - Spring
Lewiston, ME
New York City, NY
•
Boston, MA - Fall
Los Angeles, CA - Spring
2020
Charlotte, NC - Spring Los Angeles, CA - Fall 2014
BraveTV pilot*
Charlotte, NC - Fall
Napa, CA
Arlington, VA
Napa Valley
Elkins Park, PA
Perth, Australia
& St Helena, CA
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Sedona, AZ
Houston, TX*
Iowa City, IA
Valparaiso, IN
St Louis, MO*
Lansing, MI
Washington, DC
Washington, DC-area* Los Angeles, CA
Wheeling, WV
Hampton Roads, VA*
Mullumbimby, Australia
* indicates virtual programming
New Hampshire*
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