Two Nuts in a Pod

This week we are joined by Kelly Jones, Chairperson for Bellewood and Brooklawn Ambassador Council. Kelly shares how a tumultuous childhood led her to youth advocacy. We talk about anxiety and the effects of overdoing news and social media. Kelly also previews an upcoming Seven Counties annual event called Sem;colon, where people share their real stories about mental illness in honor of World Suicide Prevention Day. Featured: Original theme music by Neil Lucas.

This week we are joined by Luisa Trujillo. We talk about overstimulation, fatigue, and isolation in COVID times. Luisa discusses the differences between a collectivist culture and an individualistic culture, exploring how her immigration from Colombia has impacted her mental health. Other topics include comparing ourselves to others, journaling, and resiliency. Featured: Original theme music by Neil Lucas.

In this solo episode, we talk about unsolicited advice, asking for the support you need, panic attacks, and fears. We also introduce two new segments, "How are you, for real?" and "Gratitudes." Featured: Original theme music by Neil Lucas. Recommendations: Armchair Expert, Monica and Jess Love Boys: armchairexpertpod.com/pods/mjlb-dan-savage

We are joined this week by Aimee Jewell, Engagement Specialist at the Leadership Louisville Center and wise woman. We talk about feeling like a burden, dealing with bad days, and people pleasing. Note: we discuss suicide in this episode. Featured Original Theme Music for Two Nuts in a Pod by Neil Lucas.

This week's guest, Nicole Ward, is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She shares how a difficult childhood drove her to become a therapist. We discuss COVID's influence on mental health and the impacts of the current civil rights movement. Original theme music by Neil Lucas. Recommendations www.cliniciansofcolor.org/ www.facebook.com/Clinicians-of-Co…-100691908379452

This week, Courtney Kolarik, who is three years sober, joins us to tell her recovery story. She was twenty years old, addicted to alcohol and drugs, and was facing jail time when she first decided to become sober. Courtney shares the ups and downs of the recovery process that made her the resilient person she is today. Original Music for Two Nuts in a Pod by Neil Lucas.

Our guest this week is Kasen Meek, Digital Marketing Coordinator for Centerstone and trans rights activist. We discuss the state of trans rights during the Trump era, and how having a marginalized gender identity impacts mental health. Kasen shares some formative experiences with self advocacy and the importance of difficult conversations. Follow Kasen at trans.parent_kasen on Instagram. Featured: Original music for Two Nuts in a Pod by Neil Lucas. References: -Louisville Pride Foundation Social Justice Fund: bit.ly/3ev37el -Blofish (gender neutral clothing store): blofish.com/. Use code kasen10 for 10% donation to Centerstone.

This week we are joined by Nubia Bennett, an activist and a mother who is on the board of Neighborhood House and Hack Excellence. We talk about the current protests, race-based trauma, and joy as an act of both self care and defiance in a racist society. Original theme music composed by Neil Lucas. Recommendations: Pleasure Activism by adrienne maree brown. Hope and Hard Pills podcast: hope-hard-pills.simplecast.com/.

In this week's episode, we recount our experiences from the past two months of quarantine. We delve into coping strategies, new past-times, mindfulness, and gratitude. Featured: Original theme music by Neil Lucas

Emory's sister returns to the show to impart her therapeutic wisdom and tell embarrassing stories about Emory. This episode was recorded days before social distancing officially started, so we talk about the Coronavirus's impact on the world and our overwhelming feelings of uncertainty. Katie tells us about her new therapy practice, Healing Within, which is focused on treating the whole individual. Katie shares her route to becoming a therapist and her philosophy of care. Learn more about Healing Within: healingwithinlouisville.com/practitioners/katie/ Featured: Original music by Neil Lucas.

For this week's episode, our guest is fellow Forward Radio host Dave Campbell from Read & Succeed. Dave tells us about his time in the military and his difficult transition back to civilian life. We talk about PTSD, its symptoms, and Dave's experiences coping with it. Dave also shares how books have helped him grow and get through hard times. If you'd like to hear Dave's show, check out his page at forwardradio.org/read-succeed. Lizzy is the featured guest on Episode 3, which will be aired on Forward Radio. Listen to the episode now using the links below! Read & Succeed Episode 3 Part 1: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UWndNAPvN8 Read & Succeed Episode 3 Part 2: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtdyIxl4zy8 Original Theme Music for Two Nuts in a Pod was composed by Neil Lucas.

Our guest this week, Hannah Morrison, has known Emory since 2nd grade. Hannah is studying to be a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Frontier Nursing University. She shares why she was inspired to get into the mental health field and what she has learned about the truths and myths of addiction from professional and personal experiences. Other topics include Emory's dating life, why we hide good news, and family trauma. Featured: Original music for Two Nuts in a Pod by Neil Lucas.

Ryan Spickard joins us this week and tells us about his former job working in the alcohol industry of Louisville and the detrimental effects it had on his mental health. Ryan shares how his alcohol use coincided with the loss of his sister to suicide, how therapy helped him process that trauma, and how he accomplished a year of sobriety. Featured: Original music for Two Nuts in a Pod by Neil Lucas.

Emory's sister-in-law, Leorimar Pareja Williamson, joins us on this week's episode. We talk about Leo's workshop with Brene Brown (they hugged!!!) and Leo talks about her miscarriage five months ago and advice she would give to those experiencing it themselves or supporting a friend or family member. You can email Leorimar at coaching4humans@gmail.com. Featured: Original theme music for Two Nuts in a Pod by Neil Lucas.

This week's guest is Nancy Brooks, Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Louisville (NAMI). Nancy tells us about NAMI's programs and how people can get involved. Stigma Free Workplace is their newest initiative, which you can learn more about here: namilouisville.org/stigma-free-workplace/. Featured: Original theme music by Neil Lucas. References: "13 Chill Facts About Sloths" www.mentalfloss.com/article/559749/…ts-about-sloths "Iliza: Elder Millennial" www.imdb.com/title/tt8697266/ "Her Money Matters" jenhemphill.com/category/podcast/

This week we talk to Jessica Yu, a new friend of the show and Louisville realtor by trade. Jessica shares how her experiences with mental health were shaped by early adulthood exposure to grief. We discuss how therapy, support groups, and spirituality have helped her cope over the years. Follow Jessica’s travel adventures with stuffed pandas @paulieandpete on Instagram. Featured: Original music for Two Nuts in a Pod by Neil Lucas. Jessica’s book recommendations: You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero, The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown, and Daring Greatly by Brene Brown.

This week, Spalding University creative writing student Brandon Cochran joins us and shares a piece he wrote about depression. We discuss the myths around “getting better,” why perfectionism sucks, the burden of others’ expectations, and writing as a therapeutic practice. Featured: Original music for Two Nuts in a Pod by Neil Lucas.

This week on Two Nuts in a Pod, we chat with our good friend Sarah Maddix, Louisville local and mother of a human girl and two black cats. We talk about dealing with major life transitions, taking out the mental trash, and recognizing white privilege. Sarah also shares how being adopted has impacted the way she thinks about her mental health. We touch on anxiety, dread, and panic attacks. Sarah works for Aetna and is currently spearheading a pilot referral program aimed at addressing the social determinants of health and dismantling the social barriers to healthcare access in Jefferson County. She gets Medicaid members plugged into community resources such as peer support, counseling, emergency financial assistance and food aid, job placement, as well as other community resources. Featured: Original music for Two Nuts in a Pod by Neil Lucas. Resources: @sicksadgirlz and @barbiesavior

Two Nuts in a Pod is thrilled to share the first episode of Season 2 on Forward Radio. In this solo episode, we talk about why we do this show and how we got to a place with our mental health where we can have these open conversations. We also share our formative experiences with mental health, including diagnoses and misdiagnoses. See Emory's Ignite Memphis 2015 talk, "Dear Monster," on the experience he details in this episode: youtu.be/b2OInWsNVyg. Featured: Original music for Two Nuts in a Pod by Neil Lucas. Resources: The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron. www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers

We talk with Dorottya Sallee-Fellegi about how she is coping with newly diagnosed depression, how immigration affected her mental health, and how talking about feelings is the only way out of their grasp.

Josh tells us about his childhood behavioral issues and what it feels like to be labelled a problem at a young age. Find Josh's podcasts: Running the Ropes on Culture Shock Hello Josh Featured on @horrorblecast, horrorblepodcast.com The Snark Tank (coming soon)

A conversation with Katie Hubert, social worker and all around wonderful human. Katie shares the therapies she uses and we learn how they can help us. Recommendations from Listener: This American Life Episode 589, "Tell Me I'm Fat" https://www.thisamericanlife.org/589/tell-me-im-fat Ted Talk: Nora McInerny, "We don't 'move on' from grief, we move forward with it." https://ed.ted.com/featured/Zkzjst9e

Join us for a solo episode about a day in the life of the depresso. We cover how to get out of bed, surviving the work day, and filling those dark moments of free time. Music: "People Are Strange" by Hisa Delirium Recommendations: Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig. The Bridge Counseling and Wellness (Louisville, KY): https://bridgemindbody.com/ Brene Brown Netflix Special: "The Call to Courage."

Lizzy and Emory have a chat with guest Jessica Dinsmore about body image issues, self esteem, abusive relationships, depression, and body positivity. Music by Hisa Delirium. Notes from the episode: Social Anxiety Online Forum https://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/

In this episode, Lizzy and Emory talk to long-time friend Katie Kubitskey, former workaholic and current entrepreneur/owner of My World Travel. Katie shares her strategies for channeling the positive parts of anxiety, as well as keeping tabs on the negative aspects. Music: "People Are Strange" by Hisa Delirium. Recommendations From This Episode: -Genesight: Genetic testing for medication interactions (copay ranges from about $85-$200) -Buddhify and Insight Timer: Phone apps with timed, guided meditations -Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom by Rick Hanson (book)

Another sister episode! Emory was out this week, so Lizzy sat down for a convo with her sister, Jenny Carraway. Topics include OCD, anxiety, ADHD/ADD diagnoses, home owning as an anxious person, and weird fears. Featured Music: "People Are Strange" by Hisa Delirium. Over-the-counter drugs and supplements mentioned in show: For Nausea - Ginger root, Dramamine. For Anxiety - Dramamine, Benedryll, Valerian Root (also for sleep), Lemon Balm, Kava Kava Root (be careful on high doses), Probiotics, Reishi and Cordyceps (mushroom powders). For Depression - St. John's Wort. Adaptagens Promoting Positive Mood - Ashwagandha, Schisandra (also improves endurance), GABA. For Low Energy and PMS - Fish Oil, D3, Multivitamins, Wheatgrass Shots.

Join us as we chat with Emory's sister, Katie Gangler, who IS actually a therapist! We talk about how therapists are (shockingly) people with their own mental health stories as we talk about Katie's journey to self acceptance and meaningful work. Book Recommendations: The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook: Proven Step-by-Step Techniques for Overcoming Your Fear by Martin M. Antony and Richard P. Swinson. The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman.

We chat with our friend John (last name excluded for privacy) about depression, why capitalism sucks for depressed people, and how writing can help. Music: "People Are Strange" by Hisa Delirium. Book Recommendations: How to Weep in Public: Feeble Offerings from One Depressive to Another by Jacqueline Novak. An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison. Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me by Ellen Forney. Delusions of Grandeur: Stories and Poems by J. Beechem. Check out John's website www.americanfantastic.com

Mandy Olivam joins the nuts to talk about anxiety, parenting, and finding supportive communities through advocacy work. Find out more about Mandy and read her writing at www.mandyolivam.com and @mystic.mother.madwoman on Instagram. Music by Hisa Delirium. https://soundcloud.com/hisa-delirium/people-are-strange-acoustic

Lizzy and Emory share their mental health stories, touching on panic attacks, meds, crises, family support, stolen ornaments, and seasonal depression.