Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Andi Poland about her resiliency from dealing with the suicides of both of her sons.

In this powerful episode, Gabrielle Crichlow engages in a heartfelt conversation with her guest, Andi Poland. They delve into Andi's personal experiences with severe traumatic events and the unimaginable loss of her two sons, Todd and Kenny, to suicide.

The conversation centers around Andi's journey of transforming her tragedy into a way to help others by creating a web series focused on depression and suicide prevention. They emphasize the importance of sharing personal stories as educational tools and aim to raise awareness about mental health issues.

Throughout the discussion, Andi candidly expresses her shock and guilt over not being aware of her sons' pain and struggles. She discusses the challenges of understanding and addressing mental health issues, as well as the impact of suicide on family members. Andi finds solace in the support of other mothers who have experienced similar losses, highlighting the importance of seeking support and finding ways to cope with grief.

The conversation also touches on Andi's coping mechanisms, such as keeping busy with acting and finding solace in her work. Andi reflects on the unpredictable nature of her emotions, acknowledging feelings of guilt, sadness, and anger. She shares her different beliefs about the causes of her sons' deaths and discusses her relationship with her daughter and the steps they took to improve their strained relationship through therapy.

The episode highlights the need to stay connected and maintain relationships, especially in the face of unexpected events. It emphasizes the importance of cherishing time spent with loved ones and the power of resilience in overcoming severe traumatic experiences.

Overall, this emotional and impactful conversation between Andi Poland and Gabrielle Crichlow aims to educate and raise awareness about mental health issues, while also offering hope and inspiration to those who may be facing their own struggles. It sheds light on the devastating impact of suicide on families and the need for increased support and resources for mental health. The episode also touches on topics such as disabilities, special needs, and the importance of seeking help for suicidal tendencies, further expanding its educational reach.

Who is Andi Poland?
Andi Poland is an actress who is a mom of 3 kids and has had severe traumatic experiences. She's also a fun and silly lady but takes her acting very seriously. As a young girl, her grandmother called her “Sarah Heartburn” because she was always so dramatic. She is the life of the party and has charisma, but she is also a loyal friend who’s so much loved by so many. She is dependable, hard-working, and always an asset to any situation she encounters. Her quick wit and advanced improv skills make her easy to work with. She has worked under some of the best in the field (Richard Kline, James Murray) and is looking forward to continuing her web series while auditioning for TV and films. Andi's web series is dedicated to her two wonderful sons, Todd and Kenny, who left this earth unexpectedly way too early and loved laughing more than anyone she knows.

You can find Andi:
On the web: https://www.allaboutandipoland.com/
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andi.poland
On Instagram # 1: https://www.instagram.com/polandandi1/
On Instagram # 2: https://www.instagram.com/gossipinggrams

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/fDa27ei4LKE
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Original date of episode: April 15, 2023