When you picture an at-risk kid, you do not imagine a kid whose parents were married for 25 years, a kid who grew up in a stable, safe, and emotionally safe home. John entered into the world of at-risk teens through the death of his father at age 14 and witnessed the death of his best friend at age 17. He found himself firmly planted in the world of depression and suicide. Through John’s battle with his shortcomings, he realized the beauty, tenacity, and wealth of greatness this population possesses. John takes the label at-risk and turns it around to show no matter our background we offer the world around us value. He creates an environment with this talk allowing for laughter, introspection, and compassion around the problematic topics of mental health, grieving, suicide, and trauma.