What began as a response to personal loss has grown into a community-wide effort to bring hope, understanding, and conversation to one of the most difficult topics to address.
Rog’s Corner, a weekly radio program focused on mental health and suicide awareness, was honored Friday night as one of three recipients of a Community Service Award from the City of Sioux Center.
Sioux County Radio General Manager Piet Westerbeek and Dr. Shawn Scholten of Creative Living Center founded the program following the death of Roger “Rog” Broek in July of 2023, a man remembered for helping others through life’s challenges.
Westerbeek said the loss of his close friend opened his eyes to how widespread and often hidden struggles with mental health can be, particularly among those who may be helping others.
That realization led to a simple but urgent idea to start talking about it.
After reaching out to Scholten, the two began shaping what would become Rog’s Corner, a program designed to address mental health openly and honestly.
From Idea to Impact
What started as a short-term project quickly grew into something much larger.
Dr. Shawn Scholten said the program was originally planned as a limited run airing every other week for a year.
Instead, it’s now entering its third year. Scholten said the program’s growth reflects both community interest and need.
Now more than 100 episodes in, the program continues to expand both in reach and in subject matter.
Scholten says the work behind each episode is intentional and extensive.
The first year focused heavily on suicide awareness and prevention, while later episodes have broadened into topics like trauma, parenting, and communication.
The program also features a wide range of guests, from local families sharing deeply personal stories to national voices offering perspectives on mental health. Those guests have included Golden Gate Bridge suicide survivor, Kevin Hines, and Christian rock singer John Schlitt of Petra.
Stories That Resonate
Some of the most powerful moments have come from those willing to share personal loss.
Scholten pointed to one guest in particular, Larry Fluit, a father who came forward to talk about losing his son to suicide.
Other episodes have featured survivors, parents, and individuals working through grief, trauma, and healing — all contributing to a growing archive of conversations aimed at helping others feel less alone.
Westerbeek said that kind of openness is exactly what the program was meant to create.
Changing the Conversation
One of the program’s biggest impacts has been helping people feel more comfortable talking about mental health, something both founders say is critical.
She says she regularly hears from listeners in everyday settings, from the grocery store to church, about how the program has helped them.
Some listeners say the program has helped them start conversations they didn’t know how to begin, while others say it’s changed how they support friends and family.
Among the lessons shared:
•Being willing to ask direct questions when someone may be struggling
•Learning how to listen without trying to fix everything
•Understanding what to say — and what not to say
Scholten says simply being present can make a difference.
A Legacy That Continues
With the blessing of the Broek family, the program was named in Rog’s honor, continuing the work he did during his life.
That mission continues today through each episode with a focus on helping people find hope, healing, and connection.
From the beginning, the goal was simple.
But the response has shown the impact reaches far beyond that.
Looking Ahead
As Rog’s Corner continues into its third year, the focus remains on meeting people where they are and continuing to expand the conversation.
Upcoming topics include trauma-informed care, seasonal mental health challenges, and ongoing efforts to provide practical tools for individuals and families.
The program airs Tuesday mornings on 93.9 KSOU-FM and is also available online, allowing listeners to revisit past episodes and continue learning. Rog’s Corner is a partnership between Sioux County Radio, Creative Living Center, and Connections EAP, made possible through a grant from the Iowa Primary Care Association.
Rog’s Corner was one of three Community Service Awards presented by the City of Sioux Center on Friday night. The other recipients were Sioux Center Dental and Sioux Center Christian School. The Sioux Center Chamber of Commerce also presented its “Spirit of Community” Awards to Karrie Van Ravenswaay of The Ridge Golf Club and Ron and Kathy De Groot of Casey’s Bakery.
