Stick Figures & Soul Work: Dennis 'DJ' Quinn on Mentorship, Mental Illness & the Power of Showing Up | Healthy Mind, Healthy Life

In this moving episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Dennis 'DJ' Quinn, a retired flight attendant, realtor, and three-time Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer. DJ opens up about his profound 13-year mentorship with Mike—a young boy with disabilities who later developed a serious mental illness. Their bond, chronicled in DJ’s memoir Stick Figures: A Big Brother Remembers, goes beyond the surface of volunteerism into the heart of what it means to truly show up for someone in need.

This episode explores grief, growth, mental health, and the emotional rewards of presence over perfection. DJ’s story is a reminder that you don’t need to have all the answers—you just need to be there.

About the Guest:Dennis 'DJ' Quinn is the author of Stick Figures: A Big Brother Remembers, a heartfelt memoir about mentorship, mental illness, and love that endures. A former flight attendant and lifelong volunteer, DJ’s story reflects his dedication to making a difference—one child at a time. He continues to mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters and advocates for more men to step up as role models.

Key Takeaways:

• Mentorship isn’t about fixing—it’s about consistent presence and compassion.

• Children with mental illness need understanding, not just diagnosis or medication.

• Showing up can change both lives—the mentor and the mentee.

• Gratitude and growth often come from the most unexpected places.

• You don’t have to be perfect to be a powerful influence in someone’s life.

Connect with Dennis 'DJ' Quinn: https://www.djquinnauthor.com/ Check out his memoir Stick Figures: A Big Brother Remembers for a raw, touching look at love, loss, and resilience.

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