Welcome to the first episode of the Hope Pieced Together Podcast! This is the show that gets real about mental health struggles and how to overcome them. The episodes will typically feature personal stories, practical tools and professional insight that can aid you in your journey with mental wellbeing. Today's show serves as an introduction and we kick things off by getting to know Sherry, the non-profit organization Mosaics of Mercy and what they do. Sherry gives some background to her own story, struggles and the journey she has been on. She discusses insecurities, anorexia, alcoholism and more. This podcast is all about authenticity and openness and by being completely upfront about her own struggles, Sherry hopes she can better serve the needs of the audience. Please join us for this first episode and don't forget to subscribe and come back for the next one!

Key Points From This Episode:

• A quick glimpse into the life of the voice behind the podcast, Sherry Burkhard.  
• Some of Sherry's personal story, interior world, and struggles with insecurity. 
• Sherry's attraction to lists and unrealistic goals to battle depression.
• Praying and counseling; the little effect this had in helping Sherry. 
• Meeting a shining light and agreeing to be admitted to the hospital.
• The decision to surrender, acknowledge the disease and give up drinking. 
• The environment at the psychiatric hospital and overcoming fear and regret.
• Sherry's ongoing journey after her time in the hospital.
• Nursing school, psychiatric studies and the goal of giving back the gift.
• Sharing the story with a large number of people and passing on hope.
• Where Sherry finds herself now and the evolving struggles of life.
• Authenticity and hope; the foundations for this podcast series.
• Mosaics of Mercy and the services that the non-profit provides.  
• Vulnerable stories and the vision for how these might help listeners.

Tweetables:

“During this podcast, you are free to laugh, free to cry or you are free to turn me off if it hits too close to home.” — Sherry Burkhard [0:01:51]

“I am a registered nurse and I have primarily focused my career on psychiatric nursing.” — Sherry Burkhard  [0:02:29]

“When I look back on my life, I always struggled with insecurity.” — Sherry Burkhard  [0:04:27]

“By age 15 I was heading downhill fast.” — Sherry Burkhard  [0:07:50]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sherry Burkhard — https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherry-burkhard-9a128b16a

Mosaics of Mercy — https://mosaicsofmercy.com/

TCU — https://www.tcu.edu/

Beauty in Brokenness — https://mosaicsofmercy.com/events/beauty-in-brokeness-2019-10-03/