The Power of Podcasting for Mental Health

“Welcome back to another episode of ‘With a Grain of Salt.’ I am your host, Isaiah Salter, and I appreciate every one of you for tuning in for yet another week,” Salter said.

Isaiah Salter closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. The room is silent except for the echo of the fan overhead. The lights shine on his face, and he purses his lips before exhaling. He claps his hands together before opening his eyes. His lips form a smile. The podcast begins. 

According to a 2023 report by Statista, there were 3.2 million podcasts hosted that year. 

And you just might be one of Salter’s current or latest viewers.

Path to podcasting 

“I think what makes mine different is two things,” Salter said. “One is authenticity. I think I lead from a place of authenticity and speaking from things that I have been through and speaking from a place of really having love for everybody.”

Every week, Salter sits across from his camera and presses record. He posts content about mental health and self-development, catered to an audience of 84,000 followers and counting across his socials.

But Salter’s path to podcasting didn’t involve a purchase of a name-brand camera or the urge to follow a trend. Instead, he started his podcast after encouragement from friends on the basketball team while finishing his degree at LeMoyne College. 

In June 2023, Salter uploaded his first video to TikTok. His last name was the inspiration for the title of the podcast.

“With my last name being ‘Salter’ and with it being ‘With a Grain of Salt,’ the way that came about, I feel like it was just divine intervention. It was meant to be,” Salter said. 

Purpose of podcasting

Salter is not only a podcast host but a life coach for Good Life Youth Foundation, a nonprofit in Syracuse that supports at-risk youth through mentorship and youth development. He goes to Lincoln Middle School on Mondays-Fridays, where he greets his students to begin his day of mentoring.

“The most rewarding part is being able to use what I’ve been through and certain things that I’ve been gifted in service of these kids,” Salter said.

Conversations about mental health are important to Salter as he faced personal struggles during his time at Adelphi University. Salter was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2023. He uses his platform to continue the conversation about mental health and to share his journey with viewers.

“We might be talking about mental health, but we’re not helping people with their mental health,” Salter said. 

Discussion of topics like self-awareness and vulnerability shines through on his platform and in the classroom. He tells his students that his messages can be applied to everyday life.

“What I am telling you guys isn’t something that only applies when you are in this class,” Salter said.

Robin Cortese, brand champion at Visit Syracuse, first encountered Slater while dining at Cake Bar in Syracuse. A colleague pointed out Salter sitting alone, which led to a two-hour conversation and a connection. Cortese thinks that Salter’s podcast was created to help people. 

Cortese said that people leave comments thanking Salter for his inspiring words.

“The words that he is putting out for people who are paying attention are helpful,” Cortese said. “It just makes you feel good, and how can you go wrong when you are helping people?”

The messages from viewers motivate Salter to continue posting content.

“I am constantly getting DMs all the time from people,” Salter said. “It is one of the biggest things that helps reassure me that I am on the right path.”

Cortese believes that she and Salter have a professional partnership.

“I would say it is a collaboration, and it is a mutual share and mutual mentorship,” Cortese said. “And I bet Tom would say the same thing.”

Tom Andino is the director of two churches in Syracuse and was the former director of youth campus ministry at Lemoyne College for 20 years. After a classmate told Salter about the church director, he walked into Andino’s office to introduce himself.

“I think even through a podcast, you get a sense of that vulnerability and authenticity, and that’s what people respond to these days,” Andino said.

Photo by Naomi Campbell

Filming set at Le Moyne College.

Passion for podcasting 

Andino believes that Salter, as a person, is the W.A.G.O.S brand —he is the content worth watching.

“In this case, you’re the thing,” Andino said. “All you have to do is decide what you want to say and talk about and turn your phone on.”

The outro music plays, and a soft violin comes through. Salter pauses and stares into the camera. His laptop is open with a sticker of his podcast logo placed at the center. He twirls his pen in one hand and concludes the episode. 

“So, I appreciate y’all. I love y’all. And remember, most importantly, to take everything with a grain of salt. I will catch you guys next week. We’re out,” Salter said.