By Sarah Swirsky, MSW, LISW-S    

As a working talk therapist, I believe deeply in the power of a good conversation. Being heard, gaining insight, and feeling connected can be life-changing. But I can also tell you this: when I’m in a funk, one of the most reliable ways I shift my mood is by moving my body to music—whether that’s on my yoga mat, taking a walk with headphones on, or dancing in my kitchen. And when I had hip surgery, you better believe I was still dancing in my chair.

Because mental health doesn’t just live in the mind—it lives in the body, too. Stress, anxiety, grief, and burnout often show up physically, and movement can help us process, release, and regulate what words sometimes cannot. That’s also why we created our Music + Movement program: to help people experience wellness in ways that feel joyful, accessible, and real.

This May, for Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re celebrating Movement for Mental Health—and our Movement for Mental Health Challenge is already underway.

This challenge is rooted in a simple belief: movement is for every body.

For me, movement used to look like hiking a 14,000-foot mountain. I used to push my body hard and rarely questioned what it could do. But injuries, Fibromyalgia, and hip surgery changed my relationship with movement entirely. These days, movement often looks like gentle yoga, short walks, drumming, or simply listening more carefully to what my body needs instead of fighting against it.

And honestly, that shift has taught me something important: movement still matters, even when your body changes. Maybe especially then.

That’s the heart of EveryBody, EveryWay. Wellness isn’t reserved for people with perfect bodies, unlimited energy, or intense fitness routines. It belongs to all of us.                                                                                                                                          

Whether you’re already a committed mover or also finding new ways to move in a changing body, you’re invited to join us. We’re encouraging our community to aim for 150 minutes of movement each week (in whatever way works for you), with simple check-ins, music, and shared encouragement along the way.

Because sometimes, the first step toward feeling better is quite literally a step.

"Icon in the Sky" Goodyear Blimp Documentary Screening & Q+A

Discover the century-long history of an aerial legend. ICON IN THE SKY: 100 YEARS OF THE GOODYEAR BLIMP tells the story of the famous airship through the eyes of its dedicated crew and devoted fans. This heartfelt documentary captures the profound nostalgia and wonder the beloved airship inspires across the globe.

Following the screening, Brad Savage will host a panel featuring Goodyear Blimp Chief Pilot Michael Dougherty, Goodyear Blimp historian Eddie Ogden, and Icon in the Sky director Katy Robinson.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re inviting you to join something simple and energizing, our Movement for Mental Health Challenge.

As a station rooted in music and community, we care about your wellbeing and believe that all movement - especially when paired with music - can be a powerful tool for feeling better. Whether it’s walking with your favorite playlist or dancing in your kitchen, it all counts!

Why movement matters for Mental Health:

 Regular movement can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while improving mood, sleep, and energy. Some research suggests prolonged inactivity may be as harmful as smoking, but even small amounts of movement can make a real difference.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:
150 minutes of moderate movement per week
(about 30 minutes 5 days a week OR 21 minutes 7 days per week)

How the Summit FM Movement for Mental Health Challenge Works:

• Goal: 150 minutes of movement per week during the month of May
  • Easy tracking:
    • Track your daily movement using whatever free, phone app works for you (examples: Applehealth, Googlefit, Strava, Garmin)
  • Fill out our quick weekly check-in form sent every Sunday to be entered into a raffle, sign up to receive these emails here
  • Optional: Join our club on Strava to share inspiration, playlists, and healthy recipes:
    • On the Strava App- follow Sarah Swirsky or Andrew James for extra challenges and motivation, but this isn’t necessary
  • What counts? Walking, yoga, dancing, gardening, biking, stretching, chair movement, and more—choose what works for you!

Incentives: 

• Weekly prize drawings for those who fill out the weekly form and meet the goal
• Bonus shout-outs for creativity, consistency, and community spirit
• Curated movement playlists and wellness inspiration from The Summit all month long

No pressure, no perfection, just a gentle invitation to move in a way that feels good to you, supported by your Summit FM community!

Sign up for the challenge emails here!

Any questions can be directed to Sarah@thesummit.fm

Opportunities to Move With Us This Month:

Kick off the challenge: Tuesday, May 5 | 5:30–6:30 PM, 309 Woolf Avenue, Akron, OH, with a casual gathering walk at The Summit FM, on the Ellet CLC track, then join in on a chair yoga session with Sarah set to a curated Summit FM playlist. Whether you’d want to walk or need a chair-based movement, there is a movement activity for you! Note: this can also be a time to ask questions about the challenge.

Friday, May 8 | 6-7:30, 762 Elma St, Akron, OH
 Join us for a Rhythm Circle at the Expressive Arts Jamboree.

Saturday, May 16 | 10–11 AM, 1795 Steese Rd, Green, OH
 Music + Movement Drum Circle at the annual Change of Art.

We’ll wrap up the month with a group hike & optional yoga session. A chance to connect, move, and celebrate together. Date TBD (weather dependent), so stay tuned!

I honestly didn't think I'd make it to graduation. And yet, this milestone isn't as scary as people make it out to be. In many ways, it's the beginning of something new. Education is more than just classes and assignments; it's the evolution of self-improvement and the courage to start fresh.

For me, it all began the moment I learned to express myself freely through my voice, interests, and passions.
It starts with something simple: picking up a pencil for the very first time. You learn to write letters, numbers, and eventually your own name. But that pencil becomes more than just a tool for schoolwork—it becomes the beginning of writing your own story.

Music became a huge part of my story. It has always been more than just sound to me. Music became an escape, a comfort, and, honestly, something that helped save my life. Being exposed to many different genres from a young age helped shape who I am today and sparked a deep love for discovering new artists and sounds. That passion eventually led me to The Summit FM shortly after I finished high school.

What started as simply listening quickly turned into something more meaningful. The Summit FM became a place where I discovered new skills, met incredible people, and found ways to serve my community. From recording voice tracks to spotlighting Akron Public Schools student voices and helping film Studio C performances, I've learned so much about myself and the impact music can have on others. What started as picking up a pencil to write my story has turned into discovering my voice—and using it to uplift others.

What's next for me is to continue writing my story: slowly, intentionally, and with the understanding that every chapter carries meaning. I see now that I can do this because every challenge I faced taught me resilience, every late night taught me patience, and every person who believed in me reminded me that my voice matters.

Because of that, I walk into the future with faith in myself, with gratitude in my heart, and with the courage to keep growing. The same pencil that once helped me learn my name now reminds me that I have the power to keep writing, to keep dreaming, and to keep becoming the person I was always meant to be.

This moment isn't the end of the story—it's simply the turning of a page, a quiet pause before the next chapter begins. And, for the first time in a long time, I'm not afraid of the unknown, because I know the story is still being written—and I finally believe in the person holding the pencil. - Taylor

Event Schedule

3:30 PM – Summit Wellness “Music & Movement” Showcase
The celebration begins at the Wean Foundation (147 W. Market St., Warren, OH) with the Summit Wellness Music & Movement Showcase, led by Summit Wellness Coordinator Sarah Swirsky, Trust Drum Circles, and featuring live music from Marc Lee Shannon. This interactive experience explores music-making and sound for wellness, including chair yoga, gentle movement, mindfulness, and more — along with information about The Summit FM’s Wellness initiative.

4:30 PM – 330 Day Concert Pre-Party
At Modern Methods Brewing (125 Dave Grohl Alley, Warren, OH), music fans are invited to gather for the official 330 Day Pre-Party, featuring a Summit FM DJ set from Summit Music Director Chad Miller, a food truck, and a relaxed community hang before the evening concert.

7:00 PM – The 9th Annual 330 Day Concert (Doors open at 6:00 PM)
The day culminates at the historic Robins Theatre (160 E. Market St., Warren, OH 44481) with the 9th Annual 330 Day Concert, a free, all-ages event, celebrating the vibrant music scene in Northeast Ohio, hosted by Summit Program Director Brad Savage, focusing on a diverse lineup of regional and local artists:

* The Labra Brothers (headlining, previewing new music from their upcoming album)
* Demos Papadimas
* Black Wolf & the Thief
* Adam Remnant
* Barry Carroll
* Ceci Taylor
Special performance by select members of the Fitch Rock Band, a standout student rock ensemble from Austintown Fitch High School, led by John Anthony of the Vindys.

All three events are located within a short walk of each other in downtown Warren — park once and enjoy the entire day.

Tickets and Access

Tickets to the 330 Day Concert are FREE, with a $20 suggested donation, and can be reserved at TheSummit.FM. Preferred seating is available to Summit FM members and Guitar Club members, who can RSVP via an exclusive event link sent via email. In addition, everyone who donates $20 or more will be entered to win a custom-made Telecaster-style electric guitar from Gray Wolf Guitars.

---

---

---

Through The Summit FM’s Marilyn Stroud Music Alive Program, generous donors give gently used instruments a second life. Those instruments are carefully repaired and placed directly into the hands of students at area schools—helping young musicians discover the power of music.

Thanks to this community, more than 700 instruments have already been donated to local students. 🎸🎺🎻

We’re excited to welcome a new partner to the program: Austin Milvet of Milvet Guitar Repair, a locally owned Akron business. Austin will now handle all of our guitar and stringed instrument repairs—and is already working on over 30 instruments that will be distributed this spring.

Want to help keep the music going?
Click here to learn how you can donate an instrument to the Marilyn Stroud Music Alive Program.

Curious about our new partner?
Learn more about Milvet Guitar Repair here: www.milvetguitarrepairs.com