Lizard Brain Podcast

Ken spends time with a former co-worker, Julie Coates. They discuss her anxiety with OCD tendencies, and the need for rest (and not feeling guilty about it!). Then they trade panic attack stories and consider the benefits of being out and open about your mental health. 

Ken welcomes Tyler Smilo, singer/songwriter and host of Sink, Swim or Fly to discuss the correlations between substance abuse and mental health. They talk about stigma and relapse, the need for support from peers, and the importance of being proactive in your recovery.     

The group does a weekly check-in before discussing art and art therapy as a way to improve your mental health. Ken, Keri, Jessica (from ep#6), and new friend Dena, talk about what art therapy is (and isn't), the benefits of bringing art into your life, and do an activity where you can join in!  This is an audio-only version of the Lizard Brain Support Group on Facebook Live. You can find the video version along with visuals of all the artwork we show at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/lizardbrainpod

Ken talks with Pamela about post-partum depression, tricking your brain into motivation, and the guilt that comes from getting what you want. 

In this (relatively) Cornavirus-free episode, Ken talks about Coronavirus! Then we revisit a simpler time - a month ago - to join Ken and Patrick talking about dealing finding meaning in our work, the benefits of therapy, and how to find the person you really are.

Ken and special guest co-host Keri Weber talk through the effects of Coronavirus on our mental health. They (and the audience watching on Facebook Live) learn ways to reach out during times of isolation, discuss ways to pivot to a new "work at home" lifestyle, and examine why the virus is a trigger for so many underlying, deeper issues.  The book Keri and Ken mention near the end is called "The Happiness Trap" by Russ Harris. It's a guide to ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.  Watch this episode at http://facebook.com/lizardbrainpod 

Ken talks about the power of writing things down. Then Jennifer joins Ken for a socially-distanced conversation about OCD, an ill-fated high school class trip, and crying over Scandal's "The Warrior". As a career counselor, Jennifer also has some great advice about working from home during COVID-19 and navigating mental health issues in a work setting. 

Ken talks about having COVID-19-related anxiety sprinkled over his regular anxiety. The second half of Tony's interview starts with a question about starting a podcast, and it turns into a discussion about recognizing and celebrating small improvements, finding your motivation, and feeling the fear and doing it anyway. 

Ken spends time talking to his mirror. Then Tony joins Ken for a conversation about self-harm, living with distractions, and guilt from making mistakes. 

Ken gets a tattoo and wonders if it's just seasonal depression or the start of something worse. Then Leslie opens up about her alcoholism, the process of coming out, and feeling like the other in this harsh political climate.  

Ken is back from hiatus to discuss his own struggles with self-harm. Then he's joined by Leslie Ford for the first part of their discussion about Leslie's "swinging pendulum" of depression and anxiety, the struggles of being a single parent, self medication through alcohol and marijuana, and the fear of being labeled as an "other", especially in this political climate.

Big updates from the ranch after a couple weeks away. Then, Ken talks to Jessica about being a busy mom, dealing with an addict father at a young age, and keeping your sanity while coping with major physical trauma.

Ken talks about the need for daily routines when battling depression. Then, with mental health social marketer Annie Rosenthal, they discuss work-life balance and the power of recognizing patterns in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They also discuss Annie's work with the LGBTQ+ community, and Ken spreads his white male privilege all over the place.  

Ken and his guest, best-selling author Maribeth McCarthy (Colby and the First Day Ever), discuss struggles with weight, the Swamps of Sadness, finding the good in people, and our irrational need to fix the world.  

Ken discusses how he's been working to get over a recent disappointment.Then he speaks with John Wooliscroft (Cinema Psychos Podcast) about juggling passion and day jobs, struggles with a severely alcoholic father, and how to get into the "flow" to combat his #lizardbrain. UPDATE from JOHN: "I'm doing pretty well, finding a comfortable balance of the highs and lows. I've decided to start doing my main job part time to focus on art and self expression, something that not only does my amazing wife support, it was her idea!"

Brother and sister and lifelong anxiety sufferers, Karen and Steve Schelinski, join Ken to solve the "nature vs. nurture" debate once and for all. They also talk about how a chronically ill father and a lonely childhood shaped their #lizardbrains.  Steve and Karen are authors of GoofErie, a comedy news website, at http://gooferie.com Karen's blog is Shameless Reclamation at https://shamelessreclamation.com/   

Welcome to Episode One! Ken has a conversation with good friend Keri Weber, a musician turned therapist. Ken also delves into his fear of starting a podcast and why good enough is sometime good enough!