Livestream! Ask Molly Anything with Special Guest Jason Reid

In this episode, I’m joined by Jason Reid, an entrepreneur, father, and founder of Tell My Story, an organization dedicated to transforming how families, schools, and communities talk about mental health.

A Father’s Loss That Became a National Mission

Today I’m talking with Jason Reid about one of the hardest parts of parenting: having real, honest conversations with our kids about the things nobody wants to bring up. The messy things. The scary things. The things we hope aren’t happening—but often are.

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My guest today is Dana Christian Lee. Dana Christian Lee is a devoted mom to two incredible humans, William and Grace Christian. Originally from Michigan, they made the move to Northern California in 2019—and quickly discovered that Petaluma felt like home for the soul. Dana holds two degrees in education along with certifications in yoga and mindfulness. With over 25 years of teaching experience, she’s worked across elementary and middle schools, religious education programs, and wellness spaces—blending heart, purpose, and presence into every setting. Her lifelong passion lies in supporting physical and mental well-being within community—creating access to resources, connection, and meaningful conversations. In January 2023, Dana joined Tell My Story, a nonprofit that helps parents prioritize their children's mental health with the same commitment they give to physical health—using the power of film, music, and open communication to spark change, healing, and vibrant living. She is the executive director as well as producer of their upcoming youth documentary film, "Let's Go..." which premieres Fall 2025. In this episode we discuss mental health, Tell My Story, advocacy, parenting and suicide prevention.

Steve Ramona welcomes guests Dana and Jason to explore their new documentary Let’s Go, a heartfelt, hope-filled film built to empower young people—and the adults in their lives. They’ll dive into how storytelling on screen can shift kids from anxiety and isolation to confidence and purpose. You’ll walk away with practical tools for parents, educators, and leaders to spark meaningful conversations—and take action that truly supports the next generation. If you care about mental health, resilience, and the power of creativity, this episode equips you to turn story into impact—both on and off screen. Dana Bio Co-producer and co-founder of Tell My Story, Dana created the breakthrough film What I Wish My Parents Knew—amplifying teen voices around mental health. Her new film, Let’s Go, is a toolkit in motion: emotional stories, classroom discussion guides, and actionable strategies that help youth step into their own lives with purpose and passion. Jason Bio Co-founder and interviewer behind Let’s Go, Jason brings energy, authenticity, and lived experience as a parent and advocate. He elevates teen storytellers—from championship athletes to aspiring artists—highlighting both struggle and grit. Jason leads conversations on the importance of resilience, creativity, and helping kids become the main characters in their own lives.

Our host Nathan Mersereau sits down with Jason Reid , Co-Founder of National Services Group, Inc. , to discuss his journey into mental health advocacy following the loss of his son. Jason shares how this tragedy led him to create tools and programs to support families, schools, and companies in opening meaningful conversations around mental health. Jason explains how parents can take more ownership of their children’s mental wellness and how listening, without trying to fix anything, is the first step toward helping those in crisis. Key Takeaways: (02:18) Jason shares the story behind the creation of Tell My Story after losing his son Ryan. (06:44) Mental illness is often invisible — comparable to any other disease. (09:34) We can’t fix mental health struggles; we can only be present and listen. (13:37) People in crisis seek a lifeline, not solutions. (15:23) The weight of the world — news, climate, conflict — affects children more than we realize. (16:32) A simple card deck sparks meaningful parent-child conversations. (17:26) Music becomes a non-threatening way to open emotional dialogue. (20:12) Stronger family connections are a surprising outcome of shared grief. Resources Mentioned: Jason Reid https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrreid/ National Services Group, Inc. https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-services-group-inc./ Tell My Story https://www.tellmystory.org "What I Wish My Parents Knew" https://tellmystory.org/our-programs/what-i-wish-my-parents-knew/ "The Hot Lava Game" TEDx Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p24x5mIIMeQ Uplift at Work https://www.upliftatwork.com Thanks for joining us for the latest episode of “Day in a Canoe.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any of our insightful conversations. If you’d like us to help you define what true wealth means to you, go to www.planningalt.com and take our assessment. Planning Alternatives is an investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Episode notes In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts converses with Jason Reid, a CEO coach and co-founder of National Services Group, who experienced profound personal tragedy when his 14-year-old son, Ryan, completed suicide in 2018. Jason discusses his transformative journey post-tragedy, focusing on his initiative tellmystory.org , a nonprofit aimed at empowering parents with mental health resources for their children. The conversation covers Jason's personal changes, family dynamics, his work in mental health advocacy, and future projects, including concerns about the mental health impact of AI on youth. Jason emphasizes the importance of open communication, understanding mental health as seriously as physical health, and creating meaningful human connections. Jason Reid Bio and Contact Information Jason Reid is a partner at CEO Coaching International, where he coaches CEOs to achieve sustainable success. As the co-founder of National Services Group, he leads a team of over 2,500 employees across three nationwide brands. A visionary entrepreneur and devoted family man, Jason’s life took a transformative turn after the heartbreaking loss of his 14-year-old son to suicide in 2018. In response, he founded TellMyStory.org , a nonprofit dedicated to educating and empowering parents with the resources they need to support their children’s mental health. Through its sister organization, Mental Wellness Media, Jason works to raise awareness and spark meaningful conversations through impactful media projects. These initiatives, including the TEDx talks and documentary films Tell My Story and What I Wish My Parents Knew, are part of his mission to help parents and children communicate more openly and understand each other’s mental health struggles. https://tellmystory.org/  To find out more about Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com and his author page psychologyprofessorandminister.com

Jason Reid, a serial entrepreneur and mental health advocate, shares his incredible journey from starting as a house painter to running multiple successful companies. In this episode of the Future-Proofed Podcast, he reveals the power of relationships, the importance of investing in people, and his mission to improve mental health through his foundation, TellMyStory.org. Learn why he believes AI could "steal the soul" of the next generation and how he balances business, creativity, and personal well-being.