We Over Me: Creating Community and Building Belonging with Ray Merenstein (Episode #163)

In this inspiring episode of Vision Beyond Sight, Dr. Lynn Hellerstein sits down with Ray Merenstein—storyteller, husband and dad, fundraising consultant, and Executive Director of NAMI Colorado—to talk about creating community and building belonging. Together, they discuss how, when, and where communities can be created to help people feel connected, valued, and supported.

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The Power of Belonging

Who do you trust outside of your family? Where do you belong? For students, the answer might be a sports team, theater group, or band. These communities create circles of trust that can ripple outward. When our circles intersect with others, new communities form—and the more we experience belonging, the more we can help others feel that same sense of connection.

Putting the Phones Down

Ray shares insights from his upcoming documentary We Over Me, which follows a lacrosse team in Utah. The coach required players to put away their phones, giving them an opportunity to discover the depth of their friendships and what they could accomplish together.

Ray and Dr. Lynn explore how schools are creating phone-free environments, including Denver schools that use phone lockers to encourage students to interact face-to-face. Without the constant distraction of a screen, students rediscover being “noisy” with conversation, shared experiences, curiosity, and the simple joy of being together.

Rediscovering Connection

The conversation highlights an “age of discovery,” where children can use their own senses and experiences to build a sense of belonging and worth. Children also naturally want to learn from their peers, making authentic interaction an important part of development.

At the same time, technology isn’t inherently divisive. Phones and games can create meaningful connections when they’re used intentionally to bond with family and friends rather than replace real-world interaction.

Belonging as a Mental Health Practice

Belonging isn’t just about community—it can also be a powerful mental health practice. Ray encourages reconnecting with someone you haven’t spoken to in years, sharing gratitude and miracles, and intentionally setting the tone for your day with statements such as, “I wish, I want, and I wonder.”

Small moments of intentional connection can have a meaningful impact on our emotional well-being.

AI, Mental Health, and Human Connection

Ray discusses his work with Harvard researchers on developing an AI-powered navigational tool designed to help people find resources and connections for mental health challenges. Rather than replacing therapy, the goal is to use AI to guide people toward appropriate people and places that can help.

The conversation also explores how AI can support employees and students while emphasizing an important responsibility: humans must remain involved in identifying and addressing AI’s biases.

Creating More Intentional Communities

Ray shares resources and initiatives from NAMI, including NAMI NextGen and efforts to make workplaces stigma-free. He emphasizes that creating belonging often starts with simple, intentional actions.

If you ask someone, “How are you?”—stop and actually listen to the answer. Give someone a genuine compliment. Pay attention to people’s tendencies and needs. Be intentional about engaging with the people around you.

I Wish, I Want, I Wonder

Dr. Lynn and Ray close with a challenge to create more conversations like this—conversations that inspire people to think differently about belonging and connection.

I wish there were more dialogues like this.
I want to share this podcast with others.
I wonder if we can challenge ourselves to find opportunities to be inspired, share our stories, and become sources  of inspiration for one another.

About Ray Merenstein:

Ray Merenstein
Executive Director, NAMI Colorado
President, RDM Communications

In 2002, Ray returned to his native Denver after a decade of health care advocacy work in Washington, DC.  Over the course of the next four years, he served as Vice President for Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation’s $250 million Imagine the Miracles comprehensive campaign.

In December 2005, Ray launched RDM Communications tying his political, media and fundraising acumen into one package on behalf of government, non-profit and corporate clients.  He has guided capital campaigns from $250,000 to $25,000,000 as well as lead consultant on strategic plans, communication audits, annual funds, endowment campaigns, and board development.  Ray became Executive Director of NAMI Colorado (National Alliance on Mental Illness) in January 2021.

He holds a master’s degree in mass communication from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Tulane University.  He has been quoted or published in the Wall Street Journal, Science, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Business Week, USA Today, and Nature as well as testified before Congress.

Mr. Merenstein presents regularly to health and communication groups locally and nationally.  He served as chair Colorado’s Special Education Advisory Committee, and currently sits on Colorado’s Rare Disease Advisory Council.  Ray and his wife, Ilana Steinberg, live in Denver and have one son and two daughters.  Ray loves Paddington and Key Lime Pie.

Connect with Ray Merenstein:

I’d love to tease out my young adult novel – The Adventures of Alexander Von Vuffen Hoffen – in process with a goal of launching for my 60th birthday in 2027.

Would also love to share NAMI Stigma Free and NAMI Workplace Wellness with folks – speaking engagement or workshop available!

Websites: RDM Action | NAMI Colorado

NAMI Colorado Facebook | Linked In

Check out NAMI Stigma Free and NAMI Workplace Wellness.

Be on the lookout for Ray’s upcoming young adult novel The Adventures of Alexander Von Vuffen Hoffen, in 2027!

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