STP Shattered- The Podcast

This week, I want to talk a couple of conversations that have stayed with me in a way I can't shake. In the past couple of weeks, I've spoken with people living with mental illness who have survived significant abuse. And in both conversations, the most disturbing moment wasn't the trauma they described — it was when they told me they believed it was their fault.Hearing that hit me hard. Even though I've never experienced abuse myself, I know how powerful and destructive self‑blame can be. It's something we don't talk about enough, and it's something too many people carry alone.In this episode, I unpack why survivors so often internalise blame, how shame rewrites the story in their heads, and why these conversations matter for all of us — whether we've lived through abuse or not.It's an honest, necessary reflection on the weight people carry and the truth they deserve to hear.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ SO DO I - Bipolar Without Shame - Professor Pakesta Washington | Mark MI Words

This week, I want to talk a couple of conversations that have stayed with me in a way I can't shake. In the past couple of weeks, I've spoken with people living with mental illness who have survived significant abuse. And in both conversations, the most disturbing moment wasn't the trauma they described — it was when they told me they believed it was their fault.Hearing that hit me hard. Even though I've never experienced abuse myself, I know how powerful and destructive self‑blame can be. It's something we don't talk about enough, and it's something too many people carry alone.In this episode, I unpack why survivors so often internalise blame, how shame rewrites the story in their heads, and why these conversations matter for all of us — whether we've lived through abuse or not.It's an honest, necessary reflection on the weight people carry and the truth they deserve to hear.This week, I want to talk a couple of conversations that have stayed with me in a way I can't shake. In the past couple of weeks, I've spoken with people living with mental illness who have survived significant abuse. And in both conversations, the most disturbing moment wasn't the trauma they described — it was when they told me they believed it was their fault.Hearing that hit me hard. Even though I've never experienced abuse myself, I know how powerful and destructive self‑blame can be. It's something we don't talk about enough, and it's something too many people carry alone.In this episode, I unpack why survivors so often internalise blame, how shame rewrites the story in their heads, and why these conversations matter for all of us — whether we've lived through abuse or not.It's an honest, necessary reflection on the weight people carry and the truth they deserve to hear.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ SO DO I - Bipolar Without Shame - Professor Pakesta Washington | Mark MI Words

In this episode, I dive deep into the brutal power of negative self‑talk — the constant voice that tells people with mental illness they're worthless, hopeless, or broken. I share my own battles with self‑criticism, suicidal ideation, and the lies my mind tells me daily, and how mindfulness, awareness, and connection have helped me fight back.This isn't about “thinking positive.” It's about survival — learning to challenge the thoughts that can kill you. I talk about the woman who believed her trauma was her fault, the ways our minds sabotage success, and how I've learned to counter those dark voices with truth, love, and trust.Because self‑criticism doesn't define us — and I'll be here next week. I hope you will be too.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS… ✅ 'Unseen Heroes' The Quiet Wounds - Lan Baker | ANZAC Day | Mark MI Words

In this episode, I dive deep into the brutal power of negative self‑talk — the constant voice that tells people with mental illness they're worthless, hopeless, or broken. I share my own battles with self‑criticism, suicidal ideation, and the lies my mind tells me daily, and how mindfulness, awareness, and connection have helped me fight back.This isn't about “thinking positive.” It's about survival — learning to challenge the thoughts that can kill you. I talk about the woman who believed her trauma was her fault, the ways our minds sabotage success, and how I've learned to counter those dark voices with truth, love, and trust.Because self‑criticism doesn't define us — and I'll be here next week. I hope you will be too.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ 'Unseen Heroes' The Quiet Wounds - Lan Baker | ANZAC Day | Mark MI Words

SO DO I - Bipolar without shame - Professor Pakesta Washington | Mark MI WordsIn this episode, I sit down with Professor Pakesta Washington, a nurse educator and powerful mental‑health advocate who lives with bipolar disorder. Our conversation moves through her childhood, her diagnosis, and the extraordinary determination that carried her into nursing and academia. She speaks openly about medication, stigma, cultural silence, and the reality of living between manic highs and crushing lows. What unfolds is an honest, moving story of resilience, purpose, and the strength that comes from owning your truth.Professor Washington refuses stigma and responds to anyone sharing their bipolar diagnosis with a proud, unwavering “So do I.”You can connect with Professor Washington @

SO DO I - Bipolar without shame - Professor Pakesta Washington | Mark MI WordsIn this episode, I sit down with Professor Pakesta Washington, a nurse educator and powerful mental‑health advocate who lives with bipolar disorder. Our conversation moves through her childhood, her diagnosis, and the extraordinary determination that carried her into nursing and academia. She speaks openly about medication, stigma, cultural silence, and the reality of living between manic highs and crushing lows. What unfolds is an honest, moving story of resilience, purpose, and the strength that comes from owning your truth.Professor Washington refuses stigma and responds to anyone sharing their bipolar diagnosis with a proud, unwavering “So do I.”You can connect with Professor Washington @

Ian Baker is a retired soldier and proud RAEME veteran. As an ASM and WO1, he was a senior leader in his Corps — but leadership came with a cost. Eventually, Ian had to confront the mental toll his years of service had taken.RAEME soldiers are some of the most misunderstood in our Defense Forces. They work in the same danger zones as frontline troops, but with the added pressure of keeping every piece of equipment battle‑ready. They're the warriors behind the warriors.Today, Ian talks about his service, his struggles with mental illness, and the incredible work he's doing through RAEMUS Rover Racing.Originally created in the 1970s as a way to help veterans heal from invisible wounds, RAEMUS Rover Racing has been brought back to life through a series of extraordinary twists. Now, under Ian's leadership, it gives returned service personnel a chance to get their hands dirty, reconnect with purpose, and race off‑road cars at 200 km/h — turning adrenaline and teamwork into a powerful tool for recovery.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Life Beyond Trauma - A Conversation With Devin Fish | Mark MI Words

Ian Baker is a retired soldier and proud RAEME veteran. As an ASM and WO1, he was a senior leader in his Corps — but leadership came with a cost. Eventually, Ian had to confront the mental toll his years of service had taken.RAEME soldiers are some of the most misunderstood in our Defense Forces. They work in the same danger zones as frontline troops, but with the added pressure of keeping every piece of equipment battle‑ready. They're the warriors behind the warriors.Today, Ian talks about his service, his struggles with mental illness, and the incredible work he's doing through RAEMUS Rover Racing.Originally created in the 1970s as a way to help veterans heal from invisible wounds, RAEMUS Rover Racing has been brought back to life through a series of extraordinary twists. Now, under Ian's leadership, it gives returned service personnel a chance to get their hands dirty, reconnect with purpose, and race off‑road cars at 200 km/h — turning adrenaline and teamwork into a powerful tool for recovery.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Life Beyond Trauma - A Conversation With Devin Fish | Mark MI Words

The nightmare of being told to 'get over it' | Mark MI WordsAnyone living with mental illness has heard it at some point: “You need to get over it.”It's a comment people throw out casually, often without realising how painful or dismissive it can feel.Today, we'll explore why that phrase cuts so deep — and what it reveals about how misunderstood mental illness still is. Let's dive in and see where this takes us.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Anger and mental illness | Mark MI Words

Anyone living with mental illness has heard it at some point: “You need to get over it.” It's a comment people throw out casually, often without realising how painful or dismissive it can feel. Today, we'll explore why that phrase cuts so deep — and what it reveals about how misunderstood mental illness still is. Let's dive in and see where this takes us.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Anger and mental illness | Mark MI Words

Growing up in poverty without a stable home environment and parents that struggled with addiction, could have been the end of Devin's story.A tough induction into the army and many setbacks and traumatic events, could also have been the end of his story.However, with courage and tenacity, he made it through. His story tells us that there is life after mental illness.By addressing his trauma, and engaging in mental health recovery, Devin has come out the other side to tell his tale.Not only this but he wants to inspire you to tell your own story.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Cop it Sweet & Hope to Die- Living Deyond Grief- Todd McGuire | Mark MI Words

Anger and mental illness | Mark MI Words Do you feel sometimes that, because you have a mental illness that you are not allowed to be angry- ever?So many times, I have been dismissed for being angry or upset because people know about my issues.If i do get angry, I'm told that I need to be mindful and that it's my issue. Those around me are able to dismiss my emotions as being unreasonable or 'just his PTSD.In doing so they can excuse their own bad behaviors and take no responsibility for what they've said and done.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Cop it Sweet & Hope to Die- Living Deyond Grief- Todd McGuire | Mark MI Words

Do you feel sometimes that, because you have a mental illness that you are not allowed to be angry- ever?So many times, I have been dismissed for being angry or upset because people know about my issues.If i do get angry, I'm told that I need to be mindful and that it's my issue. Those around me are able to dismiss my emotions as being unreasonable or 'just his PTSD'.In doing so they can excuse their own bad behaviors and take no responsibility for what they've said and done.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Cop it Sweet & Hope to Die- Living Deyond Grief- Todd McGuire | Mark MI Words

When you live with a mental illness and you don't sleep, you're not just tired—you're torturing yourself. It's one of the most overlooked forms of self-harm, and it happens quietly, night after night.Today, we're talking about sleep torture: what it is, what it does to your mind, and why sleep should be the first thing you check—whether you're living with mental illness or supporting someone who is. Because without rest, everything else falls apart.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Marines Don't Surrender a Conversation With Keith Cole | Mark MI Words

When you live with a mental illness and you don't sleep, you're not just tired—you're torturing yourself. It's one of the most overlooked forms of self-harm, and it happens quietly, night after night.Today, we're talking about sleep torture: what it is, what it does to your mind, and why sleep should be the first thing you check—whether you're living with mental illness or supporting someone who is. Because without rest, everything else falls apart.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Marines Don't Surrender a Conversation With Keith Cole | Mark MI Words

When his partner Karen died by suicide in 2000, Queensland police officer Todd Maguire's world caved in. Grief hollowed him out. When he was given the chance to step into the undercover world, he didn't hesitate. He was not chasing glory but trying to outrun the trauma and grief inside his own head. Thus begins an incredible story, out of which has come a man with the courage to tell his story of living with and rebuilding his life through Complex PTSD. His story will shock and horrify you in places but ultimately you will see that there is life after mental illness.Buy the book and/or connect with Todd at - Donny - A raw Australian memoir by Todd Maguire▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS… ✅ Marines Don't Surrender a Conversation With Keith Cole | Mark MI Words

When his partner Karen died by suicide in 2000, Queensland police officer Todd Maguire's world caved in. Grief hollowed him out. When he was given the chance to step into the undercover world, he didn't hesitate. He was not chasing glory but trying to outrun the trauma and grief inside his own head. Thus begins an incredible story, out of which has come a man with the courage to tell his story of living with and rebuilding his life through Complex PTSD. His story will shock and horrify you in places but ultimately you will see that there is life after mental illness.Buy the book and/or connect with Todd at - ⁠Donny - A raw Australian memoir by Todd Maguire⁠▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Marines Don't Surrender a Conversation With Keith Cole | Mark MI Words

A wounded combat veteran, Keith A Cole, Marine and Vietnam Veteran, shares his story of surviving trauma and loss, only to finally reach a place where he felt he couldn't go on.His dramatic cry for help was answered in a way he never expected.We discuss his journey and his book 'Burnout: God's Recovery Plan: A Marine's Story of Trauma, Surrender, and Healing through Faith' today on Mark MI Words.You can learn more, buy the book, and/or connect with Keith at ⁠www.recoverybyfaith.com⁠.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ OCD, Neurodiversity & Creativity with Sarah Edwards | Mark MI Words

A wounded combat veteran, Keith A Cole, Marine and Vietnam Veteran, shares his story of surviving trauma and loss, only to finally reach a place where he felt he couldn't go on.His dramatic cry for help was answered in a way he never expected.We discuss his journey and his book 'Burnout: God's Recovery Plan: A Marine's Story of Trauma, Surrender, and Healing through Faith' today on Mark MI Words.You can learn more, buy the book, and/or connect with Keith at www.recoverybyfaith.com.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ OCD, Neurodiversity & Creativity with Sarah Edwards | Mark MI Words

Someone asked me recently what my best advice is for someone living with PTSD or CPTSD. In that moment, I couldn't answer. The question was too big, too heavy, and too close to home.So I sat with it for a week. I thought about what I've learned—not in theory, but in the day‑to‑day reality of living with PTSD and CPTSD. And from that reflection, I've pulled together the advice that has genuinely helped me survive, cope, and keep moving forward.They are Give yourself permission to failBuild the best community around youDon't listen to the negative voices in your headBe PatientWe'll begin with a quick and dirty definition of the difference between PTSD and CPTSD.So lets get started- listen now...▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS… ✅ Shattered The Book- Living With Mental illness | PAPERBACK | For Sale at Amazon | Mark MI Words

Someone asked me recently what my best advice is for someone living with PTSD or CPTSD. In that moment, I couldn't answer. The question was too big, too heavy, and too close to home.So I sat with it for a week. I thought about what I've learned—not in theory, but in the day‑to‑day reality of living with PTSD and CPTSD. And from that reflection, I've pulled together the advice that has genuinely helped me survive, cope, and keep moving forward.They are Give yourself permission to failBuild the best community around youDon't listen to the negative voices in your headBe PatientWe'll begin with a quick and dirty definition of the difference between PTSD and CPTSD.So lets get started- listen now...▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Shattered The Book- Living With Mental illness | PAPERBACK | For Sale at Amazon | Mark MI Words

Sarah is an artist, a coach, a teacher, content creator and so much more!Through a lifetime of struggle with mental illness Srah has learned to embrace light and life through her passion to create. Her mission is to encourage us all to not wait to be perfect before we try to create a positive difference in the world.Sarah is living proof that mental illness was and isn't the end of her journey. It was a bump along the way to living a life that can make a difference.Listen to our unedited conversation today. Why unedited you ask? As a Radio producer my goal is always to present highly polished material. In this case, after I edited it, I realized the chat lost some of its spontaneous magic.So here it is- OCD, Neurodiversity & Creativity a conversation with Sarah Edwards.Check out Sarah's work www.setapartcompany.comor at liinks.co/setapartcompany▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ My Story And Your Story | Mark MI Words

Sarah is an artist, a coach, a teacher, content creator and so much more! Through a lifetime of struggle with mental illness Srah has learned to embrace light and life through her passion to create. Her mission is to encourage us all to not wait to be perfect before we try to create a positive difference in the world.Sarah is living proof that mental illness was and isn't the end of her journey. It was a bump along the way to living a life that can make a difference.Listen to our unedited conversation today. Why unedited you ask? As a Radio producer my goal is always to present highly polished material. In this case, after I edited it, I realized the chat lost some of its spontaneous magic.So here it is- OCD, Neurodiversity & Creativity a conversation with Sarah Edwards.Check out Sarah's work ⁠www.setapartcompany.com⁠ or at ⁠liinks.co/setapartcompany⁠▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Shattered The Book- Living With Mental illness | PAPERBACK | For Sale at Amazon | Mark MI Words

Let's be honest. Living with mental illness can sometimes feel completely overwhelming. So, what can you do about it? I'm going to share a few things that help me when everything feels like it's too much.Lately, I've received heaps of messages on the boards from people struggling with mental health issues. That's why I've picked today's topic: what do you do when it all feels like too much?Let's jump in and see where this takes us.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ The Rules of Encouragement | Mark MI Words

Living with mental illness can sometimes feel completely overwhelming. So, what can you do about it? I'm going to share a few things that help me when everything feels like it's too much.Lately, I've received heaps of messages on the boards from people struggling with mental health issues. That's why I've picked today's topic: what do you do when it all feels like too much?Let's jump in and see where this takes us.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ The Rules of Encouragement | Mark MI Words

Why is it that we often show kindness to everyone else—even complete strangers—yet struggle to treat ourselves the same way? What does being kind to yourself really mean, and why is it important? How do you actually practice self-kindness?These are the questions we'll be exploring today on Mark My Words. Let's jump in and see where this conversation takes us.Often, we are the person that we talk down to the most. And why is that? And what can we do about it? So let's dive in and see what happens.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ The Power of Encouragement | Mark MI Words

Why is it that we often show kindness to everyone else—even complete strangers—yet struggle to treat ourselves the same way? What does being kind to yourself really mean, and why is it important? How do you actually practice self-kindness?These are the questions we'll be exploring today on Mark My Words. Let's jump in and see where this conversation takes us.Often, we are the person that we talk down to the most. And why is that? And what can we do about it? So let's dive in and see what happens.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ The Power of Encouragement | Mark MI Words

Continuing on from last week, we're talking about encouragement.Last week discussed the power of encouragement. Never underestimate it! This week, let's discuss some rules around giving encouragement. Encouragement must beInsightfulSincereimmediateIn contextRelevantHonestSo let's dive in and see what happens.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS… ✅ Shattered The Book- Living With Mental illness | For Sale at Amazon Mark MI Words

Continuing on from last week, we're talking about encouragement.Last week discussed the power of encouragement. Never underestimate it! This week, let's discuss some rules around giving encouragement. Encouragement must beInsightfulSincereimmediateIn contextRelevantHonestSo let's dive in and see what happens.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS… ✅ Shattered The Book- Living With Mental illness | For Sale at Amazon Mark MI Words

The power of encouragement

The power of encouragement

✅ Why can't I fix the one I love | Mark MI Words

✅ Why can't I fix the one I love | Mark MI Words

When everything sux- don't give up | Mark MI Words

Sometimes when you're living with mental illness, the only thing that you can really do is just keep going.I'm in that kind of state at the moment that I'm not seeing a way out of my mental illness. Nothing's lifting me to a point where I'm like, yeah, let's keep going.I've just made the quiet decision to keep going. And it is a quiet decision. And it's a decision that sometimes you have to make every day.Let's dive in and see what happens.

Your diagnosis is a signpost NOT an excuse | Mark MI Words | Mark MI Words

Sometimes you might feel as though something is holding you back in life. Today, I want to ask you a challenging question.Is your diagnosis what's keeping you from moving forward?What does that mean? From my perspective, receiving a diagnosis should act like a signpost—it helps guide you toward what you need to do to reach your goals. Yet, many people treat a diagnosis as if it's a stop sign—a reason to avoid taking action. I want to explore this idea further and see where the conversation leads.❤️ Support & Resources

✅ When You're Going Through Hell... Don't Stop | PROMO | Mark MI Words

✅ When You're Going Through Hell... Don't Stop | PROMO | Mark MI Words

People often ask me why I share my story—what makes it so different, exciting, or unique. truth is, there's really nothing particularly unique about my story.Still, when we discuss mental illness, a common theme is that feeling of isolation, of being misunderstood, and of others not really grasping what we're going through.Today, I want to briefly share my own experience and then talk about why it matters for you to tell your story too—why it's important to take ownership of your narrative and discover its real meaning.Let's get started and see where this takes us.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Proud Dad At Christmas | STIGMA And a Moment For The Fallen | Mark MI Words

People often ask me why I share my story—what makes it so different, exciting, or unique. The truth is, there's really nothing particularly unique about my story.Still, when we discuss mental illness, a common theme is that feeling of isolation, of being misunderstood, and of others not really grasping what we're going through.Today, I want to briefly share my own experience and then talk about why it matters for you to tell your story too—why it's important to take ownership of your narrative and discover its real meaning.Let's get started and see where this takes us.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Proud Dad At Christmas | STIGMA And a Moment For The Fallen | Mark MI Words

✅ The emptiness of Christmas | Mark MI Words

✅ STIGMA And a Moment For The Fallen | Mark MI Words

✅ STIGMA And a Moment For The Fallen | Mark MI Words

✅ STIGMA And a Moment For The Fallen | Mark MI Words

Mark MI Words is a personal podcast sharing my experience with mental illness. Right now, I feel defeated by it, but I know I need to challenge those thoughts and shift my mindset. Today, we'll explore how to do that.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅The pain of suicide lingers after you're gone | Mark MI Words #mentalillness #PTSD

Mark MI Words is a personal podcast sharing my experience with mental illness. Right now, I feel defeated by it, but I know I need to challenge those thoughts and shift my mindset. Today, we'll explore how to do that.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅The pain of suicide lingers after you're gone | Mark MI Words #mentalillness #PTSD

When everything sucks, when it feels like the worst possible thing has happened, when it feels like your mental illness is just crashing over you, terrible circumstances, horrible things have happened, the best thing that you can do is be patient.Now, know how this sounds because the first time that I heard this advice, i didn't get it.But I want to dive into it today.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅The pain of suicide lingers after you're gone | Mark MI Words #mentalillness #PTSD

When everything sucks, when it feels like the worst possible thing has happened, when it feels like your mental illness is just crashing over you, terrible circumstances, horrible things have happened, the best thing that you can do is be patient.Now, know how this sounds because the first time that I heard this advice, i didn't get it.But I want to dive into it today.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅The pain of suicide lingers after you're gone | Mark MI Words #mentalillness #PTSD

Mental illness and identityOne of the hardest things to do when you have a mental illness is to learn that mental illness does not have to become who you are.The trap, when you have a mental illness, is to believe that your personhood is wrapped up in your diagnosis.I am not my mental illness.I live with CPTSD, it is not, however, who I am.Mental illness is not a destination. It is part of my journey, and it is significant, but it doesn't have to define me.Let's discuss this today on Mark MI Words.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅The pain of suicide lingers after you're gone | Mark MI Words #mentalillness #PTSD

Mental illness and identity One of the hardest things to do when you have a mentalillness is to learn that mental illness does not have to become who you are. The trap, when you have a mental illness, is to believe thatyour personhood is wrapped up in your diagnosis.I am not my mental illness.I live with CPTSD, it is not, however, who I am.Mental illness is not a destination. It is part of my journey,and it is significant, but it doesn't have to define me.Let's discuss this today on Mark MI Words.▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅The pain of suicide lingers after you're gone | Mark MI Words #mentalillness #PTSD