Episode 16

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Published on:

12th Mar 2021

Keith Wakeman – SuperBetter!

Keith Wakeman is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SuperBetter. Keith’s professional background is in brand management. He worked for almost 20 years in the food industry where he led brand portfolios, innovation teams, new venture development, and corporate strategy for big food companies. SuperBetter is an application that is designed to empower individuals and communities to live epic lives that are full of joy, resilience, strong social relationships, positive emotions, and a sense of purpose. SuperBetter is based on the work of Jane McGonigal, the Chief Science Officer of SuperBetter, and author of the New York Times best-seller of the same name.

In this episode, Keith Wakeman talks about the story behind the success of SuperBetter. He discusses their mission to unlock heroic potential in every one of us around the world through the application. Their epic win is to positively impact the co-occurring epidemics of mental illness, addiction, and suicide. And equally important, building connections with mission-aligned organizations to improve resilience, recovery, and mental health in the industries and communities they serve.

What You'll Learn

  • What the SuperBetter method is all about.
  • The positive impact of playing SuperBetter on one's mental health, well-being, and success in life.  
  • The resources available to help you gain a better understanding of the application and how you can get started.
  • And much more!

Favorite Quote 

“You are the hero of your own story. This is all about you and helping you be stronger. You are the hero of your own story and you are stronger than you know.” – Keith Wakeman

For More Information: 

SuperBetter.com

Jane McGonigal’s TED Talk

Jane shares her personal story that led to SuperBetter.

SuperBetter Book Club 

Jane McGonigal shares advice with parents about connecting with their kids over videogames during the pandemic in this new discussion with Donna Volpitta. 

Journal of Pediatric Psychiatry 

Practical and empirically guided framework for selecting appropriate mHealth apps for pediatric populations. 

Book mentioned in the Podcast:

SuperBetter: The Power of Living Gamefully

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About the Podcast

The Optimistic Advocate
Making a difference in advocating for better mental health services for children and families
Hello, and welcome to the Optimistic Advocate! The Podcast that brings you just a bit closer to recognizing your full potential as an advocate for change – yours, mine, and everyone's! I’m your host, Scott, Bryant-Comstock, and I’m CEO and founder of the Children’s Mental Health Network. For the past 40 years, my journey as a mental health advocate has traveled from volunteering at a suicide and crisis center, professional roles as a therapist in an outpatient clinic, in-home family therapist, state mental health official, Board Chair for a county mental health program, and national reviewer of children’s mental health systems reform efforts. As the founder of the Children’s Mental Health Network (2009), I lead the Network’s efforts to grow a national online forum for the exchange of ideas on how to continually improve children’s mental health research, policy, and practice.

This podcast features conversations with inspiring advocates who help individuals and families make positive changes in their lives and communities across the globe. The episodes typically run from 45 – 60 minutes in length, so give yourself some room to breathe and get inspired when you listen to these. Who knows this could be the gamechanger that will unleash the advocate in you. You won’t regret it!

I can’t wait for you to join me here on the Optimistic Advocate. Remember to tell all your podcasting friends that the show is available for free in any application that supports podcasts.

Go to theoptimisticadvocate.com/listen and choose the podcast player of your choice. Remember, as you dive into the episodes, never forget to stay optimistic, listen attentively, have a plan, and follow through.

See you on the Podcast!

About your host

Profile picture for Scott Bryant-Comstock

Scott Bryant-Comstock

For the past 49 years, my journey as a mental health advocate has spanned working at a suicide and crisis center, as a therapist in an outpatient clinic, an in-home family therapist, a state mental health official, Board Chair for a county mental health program, and a national reviewer of children's mental health systems reform efforts. As the founder of the Children's Mental Health Network (2009), I led the Network's efforts to grow a national online forum for the exchange of ideas on how to continually improve children's mental health research, policy, and practice. The Network ceased operation in 2024 and I am now devoting my efforts to assisting those nearing transition as an end of life doula. The advocacy gene remains as strong as ever!

Enjoy this archive of the Optimistic Advocate podcast and be inspired by the amazing group of individuals I had to honor of speaking with.