Recovery Discovery | Scaling Empathy: Tamar Blue on the Tech That’s Expanding Group Healing

In this episode of Show Up and Stay, host DeAnn Knighton and co-host Craig Knighton speak with Tamar Blue, founder and CEO of MentalHappy, about how technology is reshaping access to mental-health and recovery-focused support groups.

Tamar shares her personal journey and the inspiration behind building a platform designed to connect individuals with the right group and facilitator—removing barriers of geography, stigma, and safety concerns. Listeners will learn how MentalHappy creates a secure, stigma-free environment for healing through features such as facilitator vetting, trigger warnings, guided anonymity, and innovative tools like the new “Coming Soon” waitlist for groups in development.

The conversation highlights:

• The power of peer connection in recovery and survivorship beyond traditional clinical care.
• The technology gap leaves many people unsupported and strains the healthcare system.
• Practical advice for facilitators to launch and grow successful groups—including clear guidelines, transparent group descriptions, and accessible pricing models.
• The importance of designing inclusive spaces that respect safety, privacy, and cultural context while fostering trust and belonging.

Whether you’re a mental-health professional, a survivor seeking connection, or a healthcare innovator, this episode sheds light on the evolving landscape of digital group support and how technology, when thoughtfully built, can strengthen—not replace—human connection.

If you have questions or comments or would like to  be a guest on the Recovery Discovery Podcast,  send an email to:   
info@showupandstay.org

More information about our project is available at:
https://www.showupandstay.org/
https://www.soberpositiveworkplace.org/

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Music and Audio Production by Katie Hare.   
https://www.hare.works

Transcript

In this powerful episode of the Show Up and Stay podcast, host DeAnn Knighton and co-host Craig Knighton talk with Tamar Blue, Founder and CEO of MentalHappy, about how her platform is transforming access to online support groups and digital mental health care.

Tamar shares her personal journey—from discovering the gaps between healthcare and emotional support to creating a platform that makes peer-to-peer support accessible, stigma-free, and safe.

You’ll learn:

• 💬 The power of group healing: Why peer support and group therapy online remain essential for recovery and survivorship.
• 🔑 Key platform features: Vetting facilitators, guided anonymity, trigger-warning tools, and the new “Coming Soon” waitlist that connects participants to new groups as they form.
• 🚀 Scaling facilitators and reach: How MentalHappy helps therapists, survivors, and coaches launch successful support groups online with clear guidelines and pricing models.
• 🌎 Bridging critical gaps: The role of technology in reducing stigma, increasing access to mental health resources, and easing pressure on healthcare systems.
• 💡 Practical insights: Advice for facilitators on building trust, creating safe spaces, and turning small groups into thriving, sustainable communities.

Whether you’re a mental health professional, a survivor seeking connection, or a healthcare innovator, this conversation reveals how thoughtful digital solutions can strengthen—not replace—the human connection at the heart of healing.