A Hero's Welcome Podcast
A Hero’s Welcome Podcast
For the therapists doing the hard work and the hearts behind the healing.
Hosted by Maria Laquerre Diego and Liliana Baylon, both LMFT-S and RPT-S, A Hero’s Welcome is a podcast created by and for mental health professionals. We spotlight the work, wisdom, and lived experiences of therapists who show up for others every day, especially those working with children, families, and communities impacted by trauma, migration, and systemic stress.
Each episode features honest conversations with expert clinicians, supervisors, trainers, and consultants. We talk about clinical insights, cultural humility, and what it means to support healing in today’s world. This is your space if you’re a therapist seeking a more profound connection, real-world tools, and community.
Hosts:
Maria Laquerre-Diego
maria@anewhopetc.org
Liliana Baylon
liliana@lilianabaylon.com
Episodes
34 episodes
🎙️ Bonus Episode: Challenging Hustle Culture with Maria Diego and Liliana Baylon
What if the relentless drive for success is harming you? Join Maria Diego and Liliana Baylon as they critically examine the hustle culture that saturates the mental health field. Inspired by their recent book club reading, "Dynamic Drive," they...
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Season 1
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31:05
Trauma Response: Supporting Mental Health Clinicians in Crisis
When tragedy strikes a community, mental health professionals rush to provide support—but who supports them? This candid conversation explores the often-overlooked challenges faced by therapists in the aftermath of a recent mass shooting in Las...
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Season 2
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26:12
Choosing Your Battles: Mental Health Activism
What happens when the cost of having your voice heard threatens your wellbeing? In this raw, unplanned conversation, we explore the painful reality many professionals face: choosing which battles to fight and which to walk away from.The...
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Season 2
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19:55
The Transformative Power of Play with Jackie Flynn
Explore the transformative world of play therapy with our insightful guest, Jackie Flynn, a passionate mental health counselor and play therapist from Central Florida. In this enlightening episode, we unpack the power of play therapy to heal ps...
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Season 2
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35:51
Transforming Mental Health Experiences for BIPOC Communities with Joy Ewing
What if mental health care could be as inviting as a spa day? We sit down with Joy Ewing, a trailblazer in holistic therapy and owner of Joy Life Counseling, to uncover how she's transforming mental health support for the BIPOC community in Aur...
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Season 2
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32:37
📖 The Latinx Guide to Liberation: Healing from Historical, Generational, and Individual Trauma with Vanessa Pezo
What happens when the pressure to be "twice as perfect" meets the complexities of cultural identity? Join us as trauma therapist and author
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Season 2
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28:36
The Journey to Mindfulness Self Compassion with Rose LaPiere
What if embracing your own imperfections could not only enhance your life but also positively impact those around you? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Rose Lapierre as we unravel the art of mindful self-compassion. Inspired by tho...
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Season 2
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33:58
📖 Book: White Supremacy is All Around... by Dr. Cadet
What if navigating the world felt like a constant battle against invisible forces? Dr. Cadet, a Black, disabled woman, shares her compelling journey through high school discrimination, chronic pain, and the societal tensions that inspired her b...
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Season 2
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51:01
🏰 Inclusive Representation and Gender Diversity in Play Therapy with Jessica Cauthorne
Jessica Cauthorne is back for a special bonus episode of A Hero's Welcome Podcast, and she’s bringing her insights on the power of inclusive representation in play therapy. Discover how her upcoming workshop at the Play Therapy Disney Bound con...
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Season 2
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22:46
Navigating Subpoenas: Legal Insights and Empowerment for Therapists with Julie Jacobs
Julie Jacobs, a psychologist turned attorney, offers a treasure trove of insights for mental health providers seeking to navigate the often intimidating world of subpoenas. Ever wondered how to maintain composure when faced with legal documents...
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Season 2
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35:02
🏰 Disney on the Brain: Embracing Sadness and Embarrassment with Lisa Androvich
What if you could harness the magic of Disney to make complex mental health concepts accessible and relatable? Join us as we chat with Lisa Androvich, a spirited licensed marriage family therapist and registered play therapist who brings a whim...
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Season 2
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25:54
The Therapist Caregiver: Managing Professional and Personal Challenges with Jared Andes
What happens when a therapist becomes a full-time caregiver? Meet Jared Andes, a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist supervisor who opens up about his emotional and physical journey while caring for his medically depen...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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43:07
Building Resilience in Young Minds with Kathryn Raley
What if you could unlock the hidden resilience and healing power within children through the magic of play? Join us for an illuminating conversation with Kathryn Raley, an LPC Registered Play Therapist and supervisor, as she reveals her journey...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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34:55
🏰 Embracing Anger with Dr. Dana Wyss
Unlock the secrets of managing anger and aggression in therapeutic settings with Dr. Wyss, our esteemed guest, and expert in play therapy, marriage and family therapy, and art therapy. Discover how her extensive experience in high-stress enviro...
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Season 1
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20:32
🏰 Navigating Caregiver Burnout and Resilience in Therapy with Jared Andes
Ever wondered how therapists juggle their professional responsibilities while maintaining their own mental health? Discover the answer with Jared Andes, a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist supervisor, as he dives int...
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Season 1
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14:55
🏰 Transforming Ethics and Supervision at Disney with Melissa Wintersheid and NanDee Walker
Have you ever wondered how ethics and supervision could be transformed into a magical adventure? Join us as we welcome Melissa Wintersheid and NanDee Walker, two creative powerhouses ready to redefine professional development against the enchan...
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Season 1
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24:03
Exploring Disability-Responsive Play Therapy with Joey Tapia
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Joey Tapia, a distinguished counselor education and therapy expert, as we dissect the nuances of disability-responsive practices in play therapy. Have you ever wondered how to make therapeutic s...
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Season 2
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37:23
🎙️ Bonus Episode: Boundaries, Consent, and Cultural Healing with Norka Ayllón
Unlock the wisdom of Peruvian cosmology with Norka Ayllón, our insightful guest, as she shares her journey from a licensed professional counselor to Peruvian ceremonialist. Learn how the "four pillars" of love, reciprocity, harmony, and respect...
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Season 1
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36:04
Embracing OCD: Unveiling the Hidden Gifts and Transformative Treatments with Bryn Murphy
Is it possible to see obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as more than just a challenge? Bryn Murphy, founder of Blue Raven Family Counseling in Lakewood, Colorado, believes so. In our compelling conversation, Bryn opens up about her journey wi...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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28:17
🎙️ Bonus Episode: Creating Your Professional Will; Ensuring Continuity and Care with Cathy Wilson
Do you have a professional will to safeguard your clients and practice? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Cathy Wilson, a Colorado counselor who guides mental health professionals through preparing these crucial documents. Cathy shar...
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Season 1
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37:31
Menstrual Health & Mental Well-Being in Therapy with Jessica Kruckeberg
Are you curious about how menstrual cycle health can revolutionize therapy? Discover the often-overlooked connection between hormonal shifts, mental health, and physical well-being in our enlightening episode featuring Jessica Krukerberg, a lic...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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39:45
🎙️ Bonus Episode: Understanding Play Therapy Credentials and Their Impact
Think having toys in a therapy room makes you a play therapist? Think again. Join us as we welcome Jen Shivey to clear up common misconceptions about play therapy and to discuss the challenging path to becoming a registered play therapist (RPT)...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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30:43
Empowering Play with Jessica Cauthorne
In this episode of A Hero's Welcome Podcast, Maria Laquerre-Diego and Liliana Baylon explore feminist theory and play therapy with Jessica Cauthorne, LCSW, RPT, to empower individuals and challenge societal norms. Our hosts and guests discuss n...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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34:55
A Journey of Innovation and Resilience with Lisa Dion
In this enthralling episode, Maria Laquerre-Diego and Liliana Baylon delve into a captivating conversation with the esteemed Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S. Join us for a compelling episode with Lisa Dion as she shares her journey of revolutionizing pla...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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34:45
🎙️ Bonus Episode: Your Value as a Presenter
Join hosts Maria and Liliana for an exclusive A Hero's Welcome bonus episode. In this compelling discussion, they delve into the current practices surrounding presenters' compensation at conferences. Discover the realities faced by...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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33:22
