Episode 113: Dr. Curt Thompson, Psychiatrist, Author, Speaker, and Founder of The Center for Being Known

Written By Susie Gurley

Dr. Curt Thompson (https://curtthompsonmd.com/) is a widely known expert in interpersonal neurobiology, and I could not be more excited for you to hear this episode. Dr. Thompson’s genuine love and care for people shines brightly in this conversation where he highlights his unique insights about how the brain affects and processes relationships. Dr. Thompson focuses on what we all as humans want— to be known— and how shame and trauma keep us in hiding. He shares about the non-profit he founded, The Center for Being Known (https://www.thecbk.org/), and the “confessional communities” that are part of the Center. These communities, Dr. Thompson shares, foster an environment where people feel seen, soothed, safe, and secure, which leads to a deeper relationship with God and others. Dr. Thompson not only shares his expertise and wisdom but also some of his personal story of parenting an adult child who struggled with a mental health issue. Dr. Thompson is also the host of The Being Know Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/being-known-podcast/id1556261828), which helps people discover and explore what it means to be truly known. 

Susie Gurley

Susie Stapp Gurley was born and raised in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She married her college sweetheart, Dan Gurley, shortly after graduating from TCU with a degree in advertising and public relations. In her first career, Susie worked in college admissions and academic advising. Simultaneously she pursued a master’s degree from The University of Central Missouri in sociology and then worked for the Sedgwick County, KS Department of Aging as a case worker. Susie stepped away from the professional world in 1997 to become a stay-at-home mom. She spent the majority of the last 25 years as a wife, mother, and volunteer, primarily in her church and her three children’s schools and activities.

Susie became a mental health advocate after her youngest son became a teen spokesperson about his battle with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. In 2018, at the age of 15, Will founded the You Matter Festival, a music festival promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Will shared his personal mental health struggles with the 1,000-person crowd, which started his role as a local KC teen advocate for mental health. Because of Will’s involvement, Susie recorded a video #Zeroreasonswhy (https://zeroreasonswhy.org), a Kansas City area organization working to end teen suicide in the Johnson County, Kansas area. This video was viewed over 10,000 times, which was the impetus of the Just A Mom podcast. Susie decided that she needed to follow the brave trail blazed by her son and became an outspoken advocate for parents of children who struggle with mental illness. The Just a Mom podcast launched in September of 2022 and encourages parents to know that they are not alone and there is hope.

Susie served as the Executive Director of the You Matter Festival and is currently on the Friends of Johnson County Mental Health Board. Susie has grown three children, two daughters-in-law, and a son-in-law.

Next

Episode 112: Lynda Gargan, PhD, Executive Director, National Federation of Families