Rising Phoenix Podcast

Send a textYou are still going to work. You are still paying the bills. You are still showing up for your kids. When people ask how you are handling the divorce, you say, "I'm just tired".But behind closed doors, you are exhausted, numb, and running on fumes.Today, we are talking about the depression that clinicians rarely discuss: High-Functioning Depression. My guest is Dr. Stacy, a clinical psychologist with extensive experience in the VA healthcare system specializing in trauma and PTSD. We discuss the critical difference between "classic" depression—which often looks like a total inability to function—and high-functioning depression, where a man might look successful and put-together on the outside but is falling apart on the inside.We break down how men hide behind the role of "The Provider" or "The Helper" using extreme competence as a shield against feeling their grief. If your depression looks more like irritability, compulsive busyness, and an absolute fear of sitting in silence, this episode is going to change how you view your mental health.In this episode, we cover:The "I'm Fine" Trap: Why high-functioning depression is so easy to miss, and how the people around you might take your "strength" at face value.Symptoms in Disguise: Why depression often manifests as being reactive and snapping at people, or filling your schedule with compulsive busyness so you don't have to face the quiet.The First Step Out: Why you don't need a massive five-step plan to fix yourself; you just need to say one honest sentence to one person.The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique: A practical, immediate tool using your five senses to stop the internal spiral and bring yourself back to the present moment.Functioning vs. Healing: Dr. Stacy's powerful reminder that just because you are handling your responsibilities doesn't mean you are actually processing your grief.Guest Bio:Dr. Stacy recently completed her postdoctoral training in clinical psychology, focusing heavily on PTSD, trauma, and serious mental illness within the VA healthcare system. She is also the author of Hope and Healing for Survivors, available through New Harbinger and Amazon, and a regular contributor to Psychology Today. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send a textIn this episode I talk about IFS.  I define it and provide some insights that Ive gained in IFS therapy. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send a textThe silence of the house on the first night the kids aren't there. The urge to overcompensate by buying them gifts. The crushing feeling of being a "visitor" in your own children's lives.If you are a newly single father, these are the heavy realities you are facing right now. But you do not have to navigate them blindly.Today, I sit down with Ronald Platt, the co-founder and CEO of the National Association for Single and Divorced Families (NASDF). Think of NASDF as the AARP for single-parent households—providing everything from discounted mental health care to a groundbreaking "Support Insured" product that covers child support and alimony payments if you lose your job, become disabled, or face business bankruptcy.But Ron isn't just an executive; he has lived in the trenches. He shares his deeply personal journey of surviving a 14-year relationship with an addict, fostering and adopting a teenager, and rebuilding his life from a 450-square-foot studio apartment after losing his business during the Great Recession.In this episode, we cover:The NASDF Blueprint: How this organization is changing the game for divorced parents and single families.Beating the "Visitor" Mindset: Why overcompensating with toys backfires, and how creating a strict, predictable structure is the real key to helping your kids (and yourself) feel safe.Surviving the Quiet House: Ron's daily protocol of journaling, affirmations, and gratitude that saved his life when he was starting completely over.Unconditional Love: A powerful realization about how we parent our children, the dangers of conditional love, and the life-changing magic of simply apologizing to your kids when you mess up.The Dating Hiatus: Why jumping back into the dating pool too fast usually just means you end up dating your ex in a different body.Guest Bio:Ronald Platt is the CEO of NASDF.org, an organization dedicated to providing resources, products, and support for individuals going through a divorce or running a single-family household.Resources:Website: NASDF.org  Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send a textIn this solo episode I discuss the need for us to repeat patterns and recreate the templates of our childhood. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send a text"I'm 40+, divorced, and starting over. Is this it?"If you have asked yourself that question, this episode is your answer. Society tells us that midlife is a decline—an "inverted V" where our physical and mental abilities peak and then drop off. But Developmental Psychologist Dr. Deborah Heiser says the science proves otherwise.In this episode, Dr. Heiser argues that while our physical graph may flatten, our emotional trajectory actually skyrockets as we age. We discuss why the "Midlife Crisis" is actually a "Midlife Awakening"—a time when we finally have the bandwidth to stop checking society's boxes and start building our own legacy.If you feel like you've lost your identity along with your marriage, this conversation will show you how to find a new one that is stronger, deeper, and more resilient than the one you left behind.In this episode, we cover:The "Right Side of 40": Why we actually get happier and more confident as we age.Success vs. Significance: Moving from "Extrinsic" validation (titles, money) to "Intrinsic" purpose (impact, connection).Mentorship as Medicine: How giving back—even in small ways—cures the feeling of irrelevance and loneliness.The "Legacy Tree": A new way to visualize your impact on the world, separate from your job or marital status.The Gender Trap: A candid look at how rigid roles for "Mom" and "Dad" set marriages up for friction, and how to break that cycle in your next chapter.Guest Bio: Dr. Deborah Heiser is an Applied Developmental Psychologist, a TEDx speaker, and the author of The Mentorship Edge. She is the founder of The Mentor Project and currently leads "My Legacy Tree," helping individuals track the impact they make on the world.Resources:Website: DeborahHeiser.com Book: The Mentorship Edge (Available on Amazon)  Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send a textIn this episode I discuss the concept and advice to, Just Love Yourself. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episdoe, the conclusion of the dating chronicles, I discuss how dating has gone in the last few month, which is the 6th year since my ex-wife left. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textThis is a continuation of the previous episode.  I discuss what dating was like in the 5th year since my ex-wife left. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textThis is a continuation of the previous episode.  I discuss what dating was like 3 adn 4 years after my ex-wife left. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode, the first in a 3 part series, I discuss my dating journey since my ex-wife left.   Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode, we sit down with Dr. Greg Matos, a board-certified couple and family psychologist and author of the viral Psychology Today article on the "Rise of Lonely, Single Men." We dive deep into the current state of modern dating and why it feels so "damn hard" for men right now.  Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a text We've all heard the phrase: "What other people think of you is none of your business." But when that "person" is your ex or soon-to-be ex-wife, does that rule still apply? In this episode I discuss that very question. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Greg Vorst and Michael Nolan, the Co-Founders of Embodied Recovery. They are pioneering a holistic approach to mental health and addiction that bridges the gap between modern science and ancient wisdom. We dig into why traditional talk therapy sometimes hits a wall and how trauma—including the trauma of divorce—gets trapped in the nervous system.We discuss the physiology of heartbreak, the power of breathwork to regulate your state, and how to move from simply "surviving" the split to actually embodying a new, healed version of yourself. If you are tired of spinning your wheels, this conversation offers a different roadmap out of the mud. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textJoin us for a powerful and vulnerable 5th Anniversary Special as we bring our Discord community members to the microphone!This exclusive roundtable discussion takes a deep dive into the most crucial and difficult phase of the process: The Beginning of Divorce. Our panel shares candid, unfiltered accounts of the emotional earthquake and logistical chaos that defined their "Day One."  This episode is a must-listen for any man navigating the start of the divorce process, featuring powerful reflections from men who have successfully made the journey from the beginning to the present day.Thank you for five incredible years of rising from divorce! Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I speak with Professor Neil Shyminski about the Manosphere, Masculinity, and what it takes to be a man. https://www.neilshyminsky.com/ Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I discuss how I handle when good memories about my marriage/old life surface. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I discuss how to handle a high conflict co-parent and how to deal with Parental Alienation with Author Lisa Johnson.https://beentheregotout.com/ Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a text When the dust settles after divorce, the urge to find comfort in someone new can feel irresistible. But often, that new relationship is a false positive — it feels like healing when it's really just distraction. In this episode, I explorewhy we rush into love too soon, the hidden costs of bypassing our own healing, and how to rebuild yourself before you rebuild with someone else.  Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I speak with Noah May, host of the podcast, Lethal Venom.  Noah has a jarring story.  His ability to overcome and manage his mental health is inspiring.  Check out his show, https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lethal-venom/id1783024671 Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I talk about the importance of building a tribe/community to help you get through your Divorce. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I speak with Attorney Kirk Stange about all things, custody.  We also touch on false allegations and he gives his perspective on the importance of mindset. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this solo episode I talk about a how remaining a victim keeps you safe and stuck. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this solo episode I talk about how I handle when feelings resurface for my ex-wife. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I speak with Steph McFarland.  Steph is masculinity researcher and an advocate of healthy masculinity.  We talk about some of her reserach, why she does what she does, and what she thinks healthy masculinity looks like.Her threads page can be found here, https://www.threads.com/@mcstephiebee Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I speak about healing and forgiveness.  Specifically I focus on the lack of an arrival point for both of those.   Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I speak to Combat Veteran Cole Grace about his journey of healing from trauma.  From the trauma of childhood to being in combat and his 2 divorces.  Cole took his experiences and wrote a book about it.  His book can be found via this link - https://www.amazon.com/Internal-External-Calming-Chaos-Within-ebook/dp/B0DY2P1QQ5?ref_=ast_author_dp Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textAfter a Summer Break, I'm back! Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I talk about the break I am going to take this summer. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I talk with Men's Sexual Health Coach Matt Cook.  We talk about performance anxiety, erectial dysfunction, how porn is hurting Men, and how to have a good relationship with sex. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I build on the last solo episdoe and talk about boundaries.  What they are, why the are important, and how to set them. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I discuss why people blame at the end or relationships, why we sometimes hide from responsibility, how we use anger as a shield, and why eating the blame can help you move forward.https://arammu.com/ Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I cover some updates to the Discord Server and talk about how saying No, lays the foundation for building up your self worth. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this epsiode I speak with Grief Coach Ashley Milus about how somatics can help people heal.Book a FREE consultation with Ashley here: https://www.ashleymilus.com/book-a-sessionWebsite: https://www.ashleymilus.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleymilus Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I talk about a recent trip I made.   Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I speak with Therapist Edy Nathan.  We cover many topics in this episdoe.  From your story, worth, identity, and dating.  https://edynathan.com/ Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I tell a strory about a recent event. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I discuss trauma and how to release from the body with Ann Hince.  Ann is an expert on the practice of EFT or Emotional Freedom Techique. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I touch on the updates in the Discord Server, talk about a recent life event, and ask talk about Indifference.Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I disuss lonliness across cultures with Dr. Heu.  We touch on the differences of lonliness; how it is felt, expressed, and combated across different cultures throught out the world.Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this solo episode I discuss the future of the Discord Server.Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I interview Marriage expert Larry Bilotta.  We focus on all things, Midlife Crisis.  For me personally, this was a very eye opening episode.https://larrybilotta.com/Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I talk about the process I use for managing the dark emotions that we face during this journey.Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I discuss research on the happiness of people in relationships vs those that are single with Professor Sebastian Ocklenburg.  We also discuss the role that touch plays in determining happiness.Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I discuss forgiveness and whether or not it is necessary with Trauma Therapist, Amanda Ann Gregory.  We also discuss healing from trauma and steps you can take to make that happen.https://www.amandaanngregory.com/Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I cover a few topics; where I am with dating and what I am trying to accomplish with this podcast.Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I talk to Bev Mitleman about attachment styles.  What they are, how the develop and if they can be changed.https://securelyloved.com/Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I interview Brain Coach Dominika Staniewicz about Depression.  We discuss how it shows up in the brain and things to do to alleviate it.  https://linktr.ee/yourbraincoachdhttps://yourbraincoachd.com/Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I discuss recent events that show my growth and how owning my f*cking feelings was part of that growth.Join the mailing list - https://sendfox.com/risingphoenixpodcastSupport the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I focus on the opportunity and the shit sandwhich that Divorce is with Divorce Coach Andra Davidson.  https://betterthanbeforedivorce.com/Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I reinforce something I talk about in Episode 165Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode I speak with Dr. Dean Sunseri about healing emotional wounds, spirituality, manhood, and forgiveness.  Check out his website; https://www.ihaveavoice.com/Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com