Hope is the best thing, maybe the only thing

Tim Robbins (l) discusses hope with Morgan Freeman in The Shawshank Redemption.

David Mahoney, my mentor for many years, was a top businessman and philanthropist.

And probably the greatest lay expert on the brain.

It was an honor to work for this man, who truly supported his employees and motivated them. He exhorted us at the Dana Foundation to realize that we were doing fantastic work and that we will tell our grandchildren, "I was there at the beginning."



Mahoney believed that we all must know about the brain and how it works, because while one-in-five of us will have a brain-related disease or disorder, all of us will know someone with one.

To understand how the brain works is to understand how people work. That information is essential to professionals--from social workers, teachers, lawyers to nurses and primary care docters.

What causes addiction? What are effective treatments? What signs indicate drug abuse?

How can stress damage our health? What steps can we take to prevent its effects?

My organization, A Thousand Moms, has wrapped up our first two podcasts covering these issues. Download them and listen on any device, anywhere, anyplace.

David Mahoney said that knowledge doesn't count for anything unless it gives people hope. And hope is sometimes the best thing, the only thing, paraphrasing the Tim Robbins character in the movie, The Shawshank Redemption.

Upcoming podcasts will offer hope on depression, Alzheimer's disease, pain, memory loss, autism, and more.

Click here to listen.