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The Least Of the Least The Call Of Gideon Part 1( Chapter 6 The Of Judges)
Support This Podcast and Canadian Men's Health Foundation https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/ There are things many men carry that no one sees. Grief. Trauma. Pressure to hold it together. The belief that if you slow down or speak up, you’ll fall apart or let someone else down. In this episode, hosts Mike Cameron and Trevor Botkin sit down with former NHL player Bob Wilkie and filmmaker Shayne Putzlocher to talk about the documentary Sideways and the story behind it. At 17, Bob survived the 1986 Swift Current Broncos bus crash that killed four of his teammates. What followed wasn’t just resilience. It was silence. Substance use. Suicidal thoughts. Years of trying to function while carrying more than he knew how to process. The conversation moves beyond the crash. They unpack the belief that “caring” means worrying, stressing, and losing sleep. That if you’re not overwhelmed, you must not care enough. But when stress becomes constant, it doesn’t make you stronger, it just gets heavier. Eventually, that weight shows up somewhere. In your health. In your relationships. In the way you move through your own life. Inside this episode: Why silence can feel safer than telling the truth What unprocessed trauma can look like years later The difference between caring and carrying too much Practical language for setting boundaries without blowing up relationships How small moments of honesty reduce shame This isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about taking the pack off your back, even for a minute, so you don’t have to carry it alone. Watch Sideways with CMHF We’re proud to be a partner on this film and help bring this story to more Canadians. Use the promo code CMHFSIDEWAYS to get $5 off the digital download and watch it at home. https://sidewaysdocumentary.ca/ Follow Bob Wilkie Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/igotmind1/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpqCxLbVCoY0ZyCVtgBzd4Q Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/igotmind LinkedIN - https://ca.linkedin.com/company/i-got-mind Website - https://igotmind.ca Podcast - Tear off the Tape - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tear-off-the-tape/id1836507415 Follow Shayne Putzlocher Website - https://trilight.ca/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyyKGy5rwu6fbw7Swh9B6FQ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sputzlocher/ Follow Canadian Men’s Health Foundation Website - https://menshealthfoundation.ca/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/menshealthfdn/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/menshealthfoundation Follow Mike Cameron Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikecameron.ca/ Youtube - https://youtube.com/mikecameronspeaks Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mikedavidcameron/ X - Mike Cameron (@axiommike) / X LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikecameronWebsite - https://mikecameron.ca/TedX Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_cameron_redefining_badass_the_way_we_think_about_strong_is_wrong Follow Trevor Botkin Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gsnscreative Muster Point IG - https://www.instagram.com/the_musterpoint Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gsnscreative LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-botkin-869ab5143/ Support Men & Their Familes: https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Neither Do I ( John Chapter 8 )
I'm Not Worthy The Call Of Isaiah ( Chapter 6 Isaiah )
The Power Of Communion ( Luke Chapter 22)
This file is under revision. Recordings have been submitted by Junior Researcher Lyndhoff for review. Playing File: 6504-DRAFT-2.The following recording takes place in the home of Junior ResearcherLyndoff on an unknown date.Content Warnings: Misphonia, Mental illness, Body horror, Prolonged and persistent descriptions of physical trauma, Suicidal ideation, Suicide attempt, Foul language.Requested by Evil Guy on Discord.TranscriptPatrons Dec 1 - 15Sam Rotman, Sinnamoroll, Calla, Beth P, James, Jose Arias, pdxbird, Neil Durkin, Markus Barbossa, Robert Powell, Kit Barlow, Patrick McMillen, Scruffles the World-Eater, Alan Melchor, Rebekka R, fridablomst, Snow Stickel, Dillon Heidenreich, and Matt MartinCast & Crew SCP Archives was created by Pacific S. Obadiah & Jon GrilzSCP-6504 was written by J. DuneScript by Kevin WhitlockNarrator - Daisy McNamaraComputer - Marquiz MooreDr. Tanaka - Melissa LuskLyndhoff - Harlan GuthrieWith Brad Colbroock as Himself.Dialogue Editor - Daisy McNamaraArt - Eduardo Valdés-HeviaMusic- Dana CreasmanTheme Song- Mattie Roi BergerSound Designer - Brad ColbroockShowrunner - Daisy McNamaraCreative Director - Pacific S. ObadiahExecutive Producer - Tom Owen Presented by Bloody FMwww.Bloody-Disgusting.comwww.SCParchives.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/scp_podStore: https://store.dftba.com/collections/scp-archivesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/scp_pod/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/scparchives.bsky.socialDiscord: https://discord.gg/tJEeNUzeZXTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scppodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/scparchives Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this episode, I sit down with a Korean American psychologist who reflects on vulnerable early-career moments when cultural differences shaped how she understood clients' expressions of suicidal ideation. In her culture of origin, language about death and wanting to die was often woven into everyday speech — a nuance that initially influenced how she assessed risk in the therapy room. Together, we explore how culture shapes meaning, why suicidal language does not translate evenly across contexts, and how cross-cultural humility — not perfection — is essential to ethical and attuned clinical care.Content Note: This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation and may be sensitive for some listeners. Please listen with care.Dr Jeongmi Moonhttps://www.drmoon.liveNew Therapist FAQ on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newtherapistfaq/New Therapist FAQ on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ntfaqpodcast
Thank you for listening! Please support here https://ko-fi.com/forteannewspodcast Get your tees! https://fortean-news-podcast.teemill.com/ This show features the following: Is this me on an episode of Question Buggers? https://open.spotify.com/episode/2tDjYZr42LqgH9T3JXoa9A?si=19e9d9b6fc1a460d A hospital has to bring in an exorcist to get rid of the ghost of a girl in a red dress Is Protocol 19 real? Two cases of poltergeists in Battersea A group of Marine corp flee a 7ft Bigfoot in a tree New study suggests our universe is in a giant sheet of dark matter Are there aliens at Porton Down military base or just potholes and bad traffic Does an abandoned house in Illinois flash for SOS? Will the pope bring us into a new age of science and disclosure on the hidden knowledge they have about UFO's? 30 years on since three girls saw a red eyed alien and medical staff said they treated it, in Varginha in Brazil The church has to train more people to carry out exorcisms due to a rise in demand More investigation into the Keighly Mill Poltergeist https://open.spotify.com/show/5nF7KHre9WjtboZJxCnLVU?si=b50897c7f0f04444 Did having metal band Ghost play curse Orlando Magic? Football teams and their curses Coyote travels to Alcatraz Island The strange and unusual use of human consciousness Are aliens mutilating cattle to biological drones Avi Loeb thinks we can test for the existence of a human soul, Were disabled people revered in ancient times? Archeologist argues the pyramids were built by aliens. New ideas on consciousness The truth about seemingly suicidal penguins Is there more too the JFK assassination? The UK treasury needs to prepare for first contact with aliens The Soviet Union were researching the UFO/UAP phenomena according to George Knapp The USA government is in a cover up about a programme where they shot down UFO's to retrieve their technology and article alleges The magic mushroom that puts your brain in a ‘looper' state The poltergeist at York Dungeon
Today we're talking to Paul Gehring — author of Scars You Can't See — about the kind of pain men carry quietly. Paul is the guy everyone calls “the rock.” Husband. Father of four. Caregiver to a wife who has endured multiple open-heart surgeries and a life-altering stroke.From the outside, he looks steady. Inside? Anxiety. Panic attacks. Depression. Suicidal thoughts. Burnout. Shame. Self-medication. And the constant pressure to hold it all together. In this conversation, we talk about:• Planning your wife's funeral the night before surgery• Sitting in a hospital wondering if she will wake up• Being the “strong one” while quietly cracking• Why men don't ask for help• The lie that vulnerability is weakness• What support actually looks like• Why depression tells you you're alone (and why that's not true)• And how trauma can either fracture a family — or forge itPaul shares the moment he nearly ended his life… and the therapy that saved it.We talk about guilt, resentment, isolation, alcohol, acceptance, and the pressure men feel to be the rock — even when they feel more like a cotton ball underwater.This episode is honest. Raw. Real. If you've ever thought:“I should be able to handle this.”“I don't want to burden anyone.”“Nobody understands what I'm carrying.”“Maybe it would be easier if I just wasn't here.”Listen to this one. You are not alone. And the things we don't talk about own us.Paul's book: Scars You Can't See: Chaos Survived, Fear Faced, and The Will To Fight Found is available on Amazon.Hashtags:#Manalizing#ScarsYouCantSee#PaulGehring#MensMentalHealth#DepressionInMen#CaregiverBurnout#Anxiety#SuicidePrevention#InvisiblePain#IsolationIsTheEnemy#Brotherhood#TherapyIsStrength#AuthenticMasculinity#FindYourPeople#MenTalkingSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/manalyzing/donations
In episode 525 I chat with Charlotte who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss her story, worrying she was pregnant as a kid, realising it's OCD, experiencing theme switches, harm themed OCD, mental health health anxiety, suicidal themed OCD, getting therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance, her joy journal, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/charlotte-525 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter
"It's the Dow!" Hosts: Darren Weeks, Vicky Davis Website for the show: https://governamerica.com Vicky's website: https://thetechnocratictyranny.com COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AND CREDITS AT: https://governamerica.com/radio/radio-archives/22654-govern-america-february-14-2026-it-s-the-dow Listen LIVE every Saturday at 11AM Eastern or 8AM Pacific at http://governamerica.net or on your favorite app. FAA closes air space over border after Mexican mafia fly drones into U.S. Cartels doxx the acting ICE director, Todd Lyons, terrorizing his family. Senate targets sanctuary officials, but why make a new law when there are already unenforced laws on the books criminalizing the harboring of illegal aliens? Border czar Tom Homan draws down Minnesota surge as midterms approach. The SAVE Act sails through the House, but stalls in the Senate along with DHS funding. Bondi does Congress. A Second U.S. carrier heads to the Middle East as tensions with Iran continue to be elevated and talks falter. Suicidal tranny shoots up a school in Canada, as the pattern of trans mental illness continues its deadly rampage. In the second hour, Adam Finnegan joins us to talk about Lyme Disease and a secretive biolab that was discovered in Las Vegas, believed to have been controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. In the final hour, Mary Tocco is back to talk about vaccines, COVID, natural health, and the threat of a new pandemic.
Adrian reports Alex to HR over the “hug quota.” The Epstein rabbit hole deepened and exposes unthinkable evil, but few people noticed because of a very convenient kidnapping and a Bad Bunny. Feds release Israeli national who ran bio labs with unknown dangerous compounds in houses owned by the Chinese. Top AI researchers keep warning “world is in peril,” while SB ad tell you not to worry about it.
COFFEE MOANING the PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coffee-moaning/id1689250679ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/3p6z4A1RbhidO0pnOGGZl2?si=IqwD7REzTwWdwsbn2gzWCg&nd=1HOW TO STAY MARRIED (SO FAR) the PODCASTON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/57MT4cv2c3i06ryQlIpUXc?si=1b5ed24f40c54ebaON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-stay-married-so-far/id1294257563 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
SUPPORT VIVA! GET MERCH! www.vivafrei.com BUY A BOOK! https://amzn.to/4qBXikS SEND ME SOMETHING! David Freiheit 20423 SR 7 Ste F6319 Boca Raton 33498 TIP WITH CRYPTO! bc1qt0umnqna63pyw5j8uesphsfz0dyrtmqcq5ugwm THAT IS ALL!
“Someone presenting as suicidal shouldn't have to go through A&E” That's the call in a petition set to be discussed by an Oireachtas committee later today. The petition comes from John Loughnane, whose brother Adam died by suicide exactly a year ago. Joe spoke to Anton this morning about Adam.
In this episode, we talk about calling, anointing, and the personal mission God places on each of our lives. Living the gospel is not about perfection or performance. It is about learning who you are, why you were sent here, and how to walk forward with faith and clarity in the season you are living right now.We also open up about negative thoughts, self-doubt, and the quiet ways fear can creep in and distort truth. Those voices are not from God. We talk about how opposition works, how to recognize when something is pulling you away from peace, and how learning to hear God's voice more clearly can help you feel grounded, protected, and steady as you move forward.Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enduretotheendpod/Zunex Pest Control: https://www.instagram.com/zunexpestco/00:00 – Opening music and episode introduction00:25 – Asking listeners for Instagram submissions00:47 – Receiving interesting questions01:16 – Main topic: living the gospel differently02:02 – Doctrine versus culture03:17 – Avoiding toxic perfectionism05:09 – What do we get in return from the gospel?08:22 – Not judging or comparing families11:25 – Balancing effort and grace13:00 – Teaching children line upon line15:13 – Developing personal testimony17:03 – Why silence is not abandonment18:41 – God is not a respecter of persons21:13 – The purpose behind endurance22:28 – Becoming more compassionate23:24 – Suicidal ideation warning27:01 – Flipping the script on perfectionism30:03 – Pressure from others versus motive33:09 – Think Celestial segment introduction36:14 – Caitlin's Think Celestial moment38:43 – Josh's personal testimony44:15 – Final encouragement
In this gripping episode of The Recovery Vow Podcast, Eric sits down with Jonathan, a former high-profile business manager who represented stars like Linkin Park, Halsey, and Matthew McConaughey. Jonathan opens up about the "pseudo self" he created to hide a dark secret: a severe gambling addiction that led him to embezzle $7 million from the very clients who trusted him as a friend. Jonathan courageously details his six-year double life, the delusion of "borrowing" money he couldn't pay back, and the rock bottom moment where he used cocaine hoping to induce a heart attack to escape the shame. He shares his journey through federal prison, the humility of being fired from a fast-food job after managing millions, and how he found a new calling as a therapist helping others. This conversation is a raw look at the destructive power of addiction, the weight of accountability, and the incredible truth that no matter how far you fall, you can rebuild a life of service and integrity. On This Episode: • Managing millions for celebrities while living a double life • The psychology of the "Pseudo Self" and hiding trauma • How a gambling addiction spiraled into $7 million in theft • The rock bottom: Suicidal ideation and heart disease • Life in federal prison and the difficulty of re-entering society • Getting fired from Dunkin' Donuts: A lesson in humility • Making amends when you can't speak to the victims • Finding true purpose as a therapist and program director Connect with us: Socials: @RecoveryVow Website: recoveryvow.com Email: recoveryvow@gmail.com New episodes each Monday! Top ways to support this podcast:
God Is Love ( John Chapter 3 )
He Was Tested ( Hebrews Chapter 4 )
Kris Eriksen is a political commentator, host of Nightcall discussions and co-host of the Philosopher, Stoic and the Teddy Bear podcast. We discuss the slow unraveling of Canada's uniparty political establishment, Mark Carney's continued antagonism of the Trump administration, and what the Liberal partnership with China means for Canada's future as a sovereign nation.Watch Philosopher, Stoic and the Teddy Bear and follow Kris on X:https://x.com/KEriksenV2Follow Brave New Normal on X, Substack and audio streamers:https://linktr.ee/bnnpod This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bravenewnormal.substack.com/subscribe
In episode 523 I chat with Angie who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. We discuss health anxiety, contamination themed OCD, and suicidal themed OCD. Doubting whether it's OCD or not, compulsions, uncertainty, getting therapy including exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), relationships, exercise, having a dog in relation to OCD, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/angie-523 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter
X star and author Raw Egg Nationalist joins the ThoughtCrime crew to discuss the week's most indispensible topics, including: -Is masculinity dying, and if so, why? -Why is Barack Obama linking events in Minneapolis to raising pit bulls? -Why is the Trump White House posting memes about penguins with a death wish? Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The ThoughtCrime crew discusses the week's most indispensible topics, including:-Why is Barack Obama linking events in Minneapolis to raising pit bulls?-Was Dilbert creator Scott Adams right about what he got canceled for?-Why is the Trump White House posting memes about penguins with a death wish?Support the show
X star and author Raw Egg Nationalist joins the ThoughtCrime crew to discuss the week's most indispensible topics, including: -Is masculinity dying, and if so, why? -Why is Barack Obama linking events in Minneapolis to raising pit bulls? -Why is the Trump White House posting memes about penguins with a death wish? Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Original link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-en4VilbHL0 _______________________________________ My forthcoming book Suicidal Empathy: Dying to Be Kind is now available for pre-order: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/suicidal-empathy-gad-saad?variant=44726319317026 _______________________________________ If you appreciate my work and would like to support it: https://subscribestar.com/the-saad-truth https://patreon.com/GadSaad https://paypal.me/GadSaad To subscribe to my exclusive content on X, please visit my bio at https://x.com/GadSaad _______________________________________ This clip was posted on January 30, 2026 on my YouTube channel as THE SAAD TRUTH_1984: https://youtu.be/Oe7O8YQwSxI _______________________________________ Please visit my website gadsaad.com, and sign up for alerts. If you appreciate my content, click on the "Support My Work" button. I count on my fans to support my efforts. You can donate via Patreon, PayPal, and/or SubscribeStar. _______________________________________ Dr. Gad Saad is a professor, evolutionary behavioral scientist, and author who pioneered the use of evolutionary psychology in marketing and consumer behavior. In addition to his scientific work, Dr. Saad is a leading public intellectual who often writes and speaks about idea pathogens that are destroying logic, science, reason, and common sense. _______________________________________
Rightwing men have been accusing liberal women of having "suicidal empathy" for the immigrants they claim are trying to murder them. But the only people who truly seem to have suicidal empathy are those who identify and sympathize with the ICE agents and the politicians who are likely to turn on them next. Jessa and Nico discuss the popularity of this idea for figures like Elon Musk. Also, over at the Nation, Anna Krauthamer attempted to reconcile her belief in prison abolition with a horrendous experience of sexual violence, and the whole thing became an illustration of the failures of the sloganeering political left to generate ideas on better ways to do things. Maybe it wasn't a great idea to try to solve complicated social issues with personal essays. Shownotes and references: http://theculturewedeserve.substack.com
I discuss the counter revolution occurring against the communist left's suicidal empathy toward illegality and their tactics; I also discuss their attachment to the false Archetype they've created; A Texas schools corruption and sexual crimes; and the satanic ritual that is the Super Bowl. Book Websites: HERE and HERE. https://www.moneytreepublishing.com/shop PROMO CODE: “AEFM” for 10% OFF, or https://armreg.co.uk PROMO CODE: "americaneducationfm" for 15% off all books and products. (I receive no kickbacks). https://www.thriftbooks.com/ Q posts book: https://drive.proton.me/urls/JJ78RV1QP8#yCO0wENuJQPH
After a white supremecist killed his father at a Sikh temple outside of Milwaukee, Pardeep Singh Kaleka pairs up with a former neo-Nazi to teach students about overcoming hate and finding forgiveness. Today's episode was produced in collaboration with Pauline Bartolone, and was funded in part by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, as part of its "Spreading Love Through the Media" initiative, supported by the John Templeton Foundation. Pauline can be reached at paulinebartolone.org and on Instagram @pmbartolone Today's episode featured Pardeep Singh Kaleka. If you'd like to reach out to Pardeep, you can email him at Pardeep.S.Kaleka@gmail.com. Pardeep is on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn @pardeepsinghkalekaPardeep is the Clinical Director at Mental Health America–Wisconsin, a senior anti-hate advocate, and co-author of The Gift of Our Wounds. After losing his father in the 2012 Oak Creek Sikh Temple attack, he became a leading voice for community healing, resilience, and faith. With over 25 years of experience in law enforcement, education, mental health, and supporting hate-crime survivors, Pardeep has served with the U.S. Department of Justice–CRS and led the Interfaith Conference. He specializes in communal trauma and helps public health professionals, educators, and law enforcement develop community-oriented strategies to address conflict, hate, and rising targeted violence.Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Pauline Bartolone Content/Trigger Warnings: Mass shooting / gun violence, Murder / death, Hate crime / domestic terrorism, White supremacy / neo-Nazi ideology, Racism / religious persecution (anti-Sikh bias; Islamophobia mentioned), PTSD / trauma responses, Suicidal ideation (students mention feeling suicidal), Bullying, Addiction / substance abuse, Graphic violence / execution-style killing details. Police shooting / officer shot, explicit language Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.comWebsite for Pauline Bartolone: pmbartolone.org Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service. To access the full catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at wondery.com/plus Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop. Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com Intro Music: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott VelasquezMusic Bed: KPM Main Series (KPM) - Barely There ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources: National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988 National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Sayan sits down with Gazit Chaya Nkosi to explore what it truly takes to move from surviving to genuinely living. Gazit shares a raw, grounded journey through long-term suicidal thinking, sensory sensitivity, trauma responses, and the slow return to inner trust. This conversation is for anyone who feels stuck in anxiety, shutdown, reactivity, shame, or the pressure to “push through.” You will hear practical insight on why talk therapy alone can miss the body's needs, how nervous system regulation changes everything, and how to find a path beyond rigid cultural rules into real self-worth. About the Guest: Gazit Chaya Nkosi is a coach and mystic seeker who works with Safe and Sound Protocol listening and somatic parts work. They share lived experience with trauma, sensory sensitivity, and reclaiming a life that feels safe and authentic. Key Takeaways: Notice how “push through” often creates more shutdown, not more strength Separate your inner truth from cultural rules about gender, worth, and safety Use bottom-up tools (breath, movement, sound, mindfulness) to support regulation Understand reactivity and dissociation as survival responses, not personal failure Explore somatic parts work to reduce inner conflict and build integration Build safety in the body first, then the mind can follow How to Connect With the Guest: Website: https://www.therootedcoop.com/ YouTube: The Rooted Co-op Free inquiry calls and resources are available through the website. Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer. Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, storyteller, survivor, and wellness advocate. With over 6000+ episodes and 200K+ global listeners, we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters.
You can listen wherever you get your podcasts or check out the fully edited transcript of our interview at the bottom of this post.In this episode of The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, I speak with Katie K. May, a licensed therapist and author of the book You're On Fire. It's Fine: Effective Strategies for Parenting Teens With Self-Destructive Behaviors. We discussed children/teens who are “fire feelers”, why intense emotions can lead to risky behaviours, how to respond to self-harm urges, how to stay connected or rebuild your connection with your teen, and what parents of younger children can do now to prevent challenges in their teen years.**If you'd like an ad-free version of the podcast, consider becoming a supporter on Substack! > > If you already ARE a supporter, the ad-free version is waiting for you in the Substack app or you can enter the private feed URL in the podcast player of your choice.Know someone who might appreciate this episode? Share it with them!We talk about:* 00:05 — What Is a Fire Feeler?* 00:06 — What Emotional Dysregulation Really Means* 00:07 — Fire Feelers Often Have Fire-Feeler Parents- Genetic and Environmental Components* 00:10 — Why Teens Are So Easily Overwhelmed* 00:12 — What Fire Feelers Do When Overwhelmed* 00:20 — How Parents Should Respond to Self-Harm Urges* 00:22 — When to Get Professional Help* 00:24 — Why Depression Looks Different in Teens* 00:25 — Teens Still Need Their Parents* 00:26 — How to Stay Connected to Teens* 00:28 — Judgment vs Validation* 00:31 — How to Rebuild Connection When Things Are Broken- Katie's Hierarchy of Connection* 00:34 — Sensitivity & Impulsivity* 00:35 — What Parents of Younger Kids Can Do Now* 00:37 — Why Control Works When Kids Are Young — and Fails Later* 00:38 — Why “Tough Love” Doesn't WorkResources mentioned in this episode:* Evelyn & Bobbie bras* Yoto Player-Screen Free Audio Book Player* The Peaceful Parenting Membership* Get a free chapter of Katie's book * Katie's website Connect with Sarah Rosensweet:* Instagram* Facebook Group* YouTube* Website* Join us on Substack* Newsletter* Book a short consult or coaching session callxx Sarah and CoreyYour peaceful parenting team- click here for a free short consult or a coaching sessionVisit our website for free resources, podcast, coaching, membership and more!>> Please support us!!! Please consider becoming a supporter to help support our free content, including The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, our free parenting support Facebook group, and our weekly parenting emails, “Weekend Reflections” and “Weekend Support” - plus our Flourish With Your Complex Child Summit (coming back in the summer for the 3rd year!) All of this free support for you takes a lot of time and energy from me and my team. If it has been helpful or meaningful for you, your support would help us to continue to provide support for free, for you and for others.In addition to knowing you are supporting our mission to support parents and children, you get the podcast ad free and access to a monthly ‘ask me anything' session.Our sponsors:YOTO: YOTO is a screen free audio book player that lets your kids listen to audiobooks, music, podcasts and more without screens, and without being connected to the internet. No one listening or watching and they can't go where you don't want them to go and they aren't watching screens. BUT they are being entertained or kept company with audio that you can buy from YOTO or create yourself on one of their blank cards. Check them out HEREEvelyn & Bobbie bras: If underwires make you want to rip your bra off by noon, Evelyn & Bobbie is for you. These bras are wire-free, ultra-soft, and seriously supportive—designed to hold you comfortably all day without pinching, poking, or constant adjusting. Check them out HEREPodcast Transcript:Sarah: Hey everyone. Welcome back to another episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast. Today's guest is Katie May. She's a therapist and the author of You're On Fire. It's Fine: Effective Strategies for Parenting Teens With Self-Destructive Behaviors. We talked about why some teens are what she calls “fire feelers,” and about how best to support them—and ourselves—when emotional dysregulation is common, troubling, and can be destructive.If you don't have a teen yet, but you have a kiddo with big feelings, have a listen, because Katie also talks about what she wishes parents of younger kids knew so they didn't end up with these sorts of challenges down the road. Let's meet Katie.Sarah: Hi, Katie. Welcome to the podcast.Katie: Hey, Sarah. I'm glad to be here. Excited to talk about teens and parenting today—stuff I'm jazzed to share.Sarah: Me too. Yeah. And I loved your book. I'll ask you about that in a second—or maybe you can tell us who you are and what you do.Katie: Yeah. My name is Katie K. May. I'm a licensed therapist in Pennsylvania, and I lead a team of other therapists. We all specialize in working with high-risk teens and their parents. So every day, we're in the trenches working with teenagers who are suicidal, self-harming, have eating disorders, are not going to school, and we're helping them learn skills while also teaching their parents how to respond effectively—so the whole family is working together as a system in harmony.Sarah: And your book's called You're On Fire. It's Fine. I like it. My book—Katie: Go ahead.Sarah: No, it's a great title.Katie: Yeah. So I came to that title from this idea of biologically sensitive teens—or very sensitive teens—often feeling like they're on fire with their own emotions. And I can dig into any part of that. But the idea is that parents who are well-meaning will many times say things like, “You're fine. It's okay. Go take a nap. Go get a snack.” And it feels like a little squirt gun trying to put out this big fire of emotion. So I thought that title captured those two points initially, to bring people into the framework that I teach.Sarah: I love that. And it's funny—I had a different interpretation of the title, and my interpretation, now that you said what you meant it to be, I can totally see that. But my interpretation was more like, “You're on fire. You can handle these big feelings. It's fine.” Like, this is just—let's get used to feeling the feelings. So I guess it could be read either way.Katie: I like both interpretations, and I think your interpretation speaks to probably how you support and parent. It's nurturing and supportive of the process.Sarah: Yeah. So tell us: what is a fire feeler?Katie: A fire feeler is someone who is biologically sensitive. And what I mean by that is this is a kid who feels things very deeply. Their emotions are big and oftentimes overwhelming for them. And not just that—these are your zero-to-sixty-in-ten-seconds-flat kind of kids. They're reactive, they're easy to trigger, and when they're triggered and they're feeling their emotions in these very big ways, it also takes them a very long time to calm down or get back to their baseline.And this is important because if you think about that slow return to feeling settled or centered again, oftentimes they're being triggered again before they get back to that place of calm. And so they have a nervous system that's constantly in a state of dysregulation—constantly triggered and upset. And it is very hard to access safety or calm or feeling okay because of that.Sarah: And you mentioned emotional dysregulation, and in your book you have a very specific definition of emotional dysregulation. I thought it was a little more helpful and also a little bit more unusual. Can you give us your definition of emotional dysregulation?Katie: So when someone is emotionally dysregulated, when they are triggered, it sets off this chain of emotions for them. Again, we go back to this idea that they feel on fire with their emotions. They're often at this skills-breakdown point where it's difficult to access skills or to calm down. And when you're feeling on fire with your emotions, it makes sense that your brain comes up with escape strategies—things like self-harm, suicidal ideation, substance use—because it's so big and hard to hold that the brain would do anything to make those emotions go away.Sarah: I love that. And you also mentioned that people are biologically predisposed to be fire feelers, so I'm guessing that usually a teen's one or both parents are also fire feelers, which would add a complication to the mix.Katie: I would say so. I often find myself telling parents: some kids are born naturally good at sports. Some kids are born naturally good at music or art. And some kids are born naturally good at emotions—which means they're very attuned to emotional states or nuances in the emotions of others.And when we think about that as a genetic trait or a biological trait, it also makes sense that at least one of their parents carries this trait and is passing it down. And I think when I start to describe fire feelers—who they are and what it looks like—I regularly have at least one parent saying, “Oh, that's me,” or “That's you, honey.” They recognize it.Sarah: Totally. Yeah. So I guess that makes home more complicated too when you've got a fire feeler and a fire feeler trying to find their way together.Katie: It's almost like if you yawn and it's contagious—and the other person catches it. So if you have two people that are both biologically sensitive and they're in the same room, one of them is triggered, one of them has a high state of emotional activation, it's hard in general for another person in the room not to respond to that.So there's something that I teach. It's called the transactional model. So let's say a teenager is boiling over with frustration, and they're exhibiting it. They're bawling their fists. They're snapping back at their parent. The parent then absorbs that emotion and they're snapping back: “Don't talk to me like that,” or, “It's not okay for you to say that,” or “Don't walk away from me.” Which then influences how the teen responds. And then the teen will continue to push or yell back, which then influences how the parent responds.So we're always looking at: How is it that I am influencing how you respond? How is it that you are influencing how I respond? And if everybody feels their emotions in these very big ways, it's going to make that escalation that much bigger or faster because everyone's overwhelmed in their emotions.Sarah: So hard. I'm sure a lot of people listening can relate even when their kids aren't teenagers yet—because that happens with little kids too.Katie: Absolutely. It applies to all ages. I just happen to work with teenagers and parents.Sarah: Speaking of teens, you mentioned in your book that teenagers are more prone to overwhelm. Can you briefly explain why that is? Because I talk about that too. I always say, “The drama is real.”Katie: The drama is real. Thank you for saying that. So the way I look at it: teens are in this developmental state when so much is happening for them. They have unfully formed frontal lobes, which helps to regulate their emotions. They're also dealing with hormonal changes, developmental changes, social stressors, peer stressors. They're in school six hours a day, five days a week. There's so much stress that's placed on our teens.And so if we think about a stress cup holding stress, it's oftentimes just this one little extra drop that makes them lose control or makes them feel overwhelmed in their emotions. And I would say that's probably true for everyone—that we're all holding a lot, and it only takes a little to push us over the edge—but I think it's the brain development that makes it even more challenging.And then I'll add to that the lack of control or agency over their own lives. They don't have a lot of choice about what they do each day or what they have to do or who's telling them what to do. So there's a lot that's outside of their control, and that makes it even harder to control or manage their emotions.Sarah: I'm so glad you work with teenagers. You have such an empathetic view of what it's like to be a teenager, and I think a lot of people—just a little sidebar—teens get such a bad rap in our culture and they're so wonderful. I love teenagers. And also, I would never in a million years choose to go back to those years.Katie: I wouldn't either, but I do feel like I have a strong connection with the teen population. It's interesting—we run parent groups at my center, and that's a question that we'll ask: Do you remember being a teenager?And I think it's hard for a lot of adults to empathize with the teen experience. But being able to do so—being able to put yourself in a teenager's shoes—is going to help you support them so much more. Which is one of the things that I talk about in my book and in my work often: acceptance or validation before change. We always want to be understanding of the experience before we're trying to problem-solve or change that experience.Sarah: I want to ask you about validation a little bit later in our conversation, but before we get to that: what are some common reactions of fire feelers to overwhelm?Katie: Yeah. Some of those common reactions tend to be self-destructive because, again, if we think about this idea that fire feelers are overwhelmed with their emotions—the big, fiery, painful experience for them—it's not a conscious decision, but they would do anything to make that fire go out.So this could be self-harm. This could be thinking about suicide. This could also be lashing out at parents. It could be numbing out in front of the TV or scrolling on social media for hours because it hurts too much to feel and I need to numb myself from that. It could be cutting themselves off from friends because the experience of relationships is so painful.So a fire feeler will have a strong attunement to nuance and facial expressions and tones of voice. And so what might feel okay for one person, for a fire feeler might be interpreted as rejection or might be interpreted as “I did something wrong,” or “There's something wrong with me.” And so the natural response of a fire feeler is to do whatever it takes to protect themselves from being on fire.Sarah: I don't even know if I totally understand it—but how do, and I know a lot of people don't, how does self-harm bring relief to those feelings of overwhelm?Katie: So there's a biological response to it: when you self-harm—when one engages in a self-harm or self-destructive behavior—there is short-term relief. So if you think about emotions rising, rising, rising, what happens is it either blocks the escalation of those emotions, or it makes the emotional state come down quickly. It's body physiology.In addition to that, there are two parts to it. The first part is that it's called negative reinforcement, and that doesn't mean that something negative happens; it means it's the removal of something that's difficult. So that's what I just described. You self-harm, you start thinking about suicide—it becomes an escape. It helps you to feel a sense of relief.The second part of that is positive reinforcement, and that's the social piece. A parent finds out that I self-harmed, and all of a sudden I am given warmth. You're sitting on my bed. We're having a heart-to-heart. You're emailing the teacher to say that I don't have to go to school tomorrow.So there's this one-two stack of: I feel better in the moment because it brings my body physiology back into a state of balance or regulation. And then on top of that, I'm getting my social needs met. And therefore it makes it really hard to break that cycle because there are all of these—this chain reaction of things that happen—that make me go from feeling awful to okay, and sometimes even more supported than before.Sarah: That was such an interesting thing to read about in your book because I thought, “Oh man.” If I were a parent and had a teen that was self-harming, it would be so hard not to do that second part—the positive, what you call the positive reinforcement. So how do you support a teen without making it, “I self-harm and then I get a lot of really lovely warmth and attention”?Katie: Yeah. So it's not about removing the warmth and attention. It's about changing where you put that warmth and attention. Instead of it being directly after self-harm, maybe it's in structured and measured doses throughout the day.So maybe we're having a heart-to-heart in the morning. Maybe we're going out and spending time together or watching TV together just because—and not because I self-harmed.The other thing that I like to make sure that parents are familiar with and practiced with is how they respond when a teen shares an urge to self-harm or an urge for suicide. Because the way that it typically plays out—at least the first time a parent finds out about urges or that a behavior has happened—they're crushed. Of course. Their face falls. They're hurt. It hurts them to see that their child is hurting. They might cry. They might feel really anxious or helpless.But a teen that's witnessing that is interpreting that as, “My parent can't handle this information, and therefore I can't go to them with this information again.”And so the practice for parents is minding your tone—being calm—minding your face, being more like, “Thank you for trusting me,” than, “I'm going to fall apart right now,” and minding your pace—staying calm and regulated and not rushing forward or feeling frantic.And when we do this, what we communicate to our teens is: “I can handle this information. Therefore, in the future, you can come to me when you're having an urge and we can handle it together, rather than you taking care of it by acting on it—and then me finding out afterwards.”So that's how we change the cycle: structured and measured warmth, consistent support, ongoing—not just after an event—and also being able to handle the information, even if you're falling apart inside, because that is completely valid. But showing to your teen: “You're not going to freak me out. I'm not going to fall apart if you tell me the hard stuff. I'm here for you. Come to me and we'll handle it together.”Sarah: And find your own support elsewhere.Katie: One hundred percent. Yeah. Parents—I think any parent is going to need support, whether that's their village, their people, their partner, their friend, a therapist. Parenting alone is tough stuff, and I wouldn't recommend it.Sarah: And I should have asked you this earlier in the interview, but when—are there any signs? A parent finds out your kid is self-harming or telling you they have the urges—is it straightaway “get help,” or are there early stages you can handle it yourself as a parent? When is this 911 getting help, and when is it, “Okay, we're going to figure this out”?Katie: It's somewhere in the middle of “911” and “we're going to figure this out.” The stance would be: if your teen has already self-harmed, they need to be in therapy. It's beyond the point of handling it on your own.When you're noticing—it's such a tough line because on one hand there are these typical teen behaviors: “I'm going to spend more time in my room.” Teens are moodier. They're more irritable. They want less to do with parents. They're more private. They don't want to talk to parents. And so I don't want there to be an overreaction to typical teen behavior.But if we're starting to see a duration, intensity, and frequency of that behavior that's beyond typical—which, again, is going to look different depending on the child—my measure is usually: if my teen for two weeks is more tearful, more self-critical, more hopeless, not enjoying or engaging in activities that they used to—these are signs of depression. And that would be the point when I would want to engage more professional help to support in the process, because that's where we're going to start being proactive and head off escalation of crisis.What happens is—and especially for teenagers—the symptoms of depression can lead to self-harm because there's an overwhelm of that emotion. There's a sense of hopelessness. Suicidal thoughts are one of the descriptors of the diagnosis of depression. We don't want it to get to that point. We want to put help in place sooner.Sarah: That makes sense. I read something the other day that in teenagers depression can look different than adults and sometimes it looks like irritability.Katie: It really depends on the person. So I always go back to—we've all heard “nature and nurture,” but I think of it as biology and environment. Same idea, different words. But for some people, their environment can feel really safe to be vulnerable. It can feel really natural to express emotions, to cry, to be in that more vulnerable state. And for others, it doesn't.Or for others, they've learned that being vulnerable isn't safe for them. It isn't manly enough for them. It really depends on the culture and environment. And so it can come across as irritability. It can come across as anger—different dispositions as to whether someone internalizes their emotions or externalizes them or sends them outward to others.Sarah: That makes sense. I think it's good for parents to have an eye on things that maybe look different than they expect, just to keep track.Katie: Yeah. And parents and teens don't always express emotions the same way. I'm a very expressive and emotional person. I'm a therapist. I've also spent my whole life figuring out how to express my emotions. And I would say that my child is probably the opposite of that and doesn't like being vulnerable in front of other people. So what you think makes sense may not make sense to the brain of another person.Sarah: You were talking before about warm connection with parents, and you mentioned that it is normal for teens to want to spend more time by themselves or with peers. But one thing I wonder—and I wonder if you come across this too—parents often think that means, “My kid doesn't want to spend time with me anymore,” or, “My kid doesn't need me.” And my experience with my kids as teenagers was that wasn't true at all—that even as they were moving away and differentiating, they still did like to spend time with their parents, and they still did like to do stuff with us and be close to us. What are some ways that you find are helpful ways for parents to connect? And how do you assure them that, “Yeah, you still are important”?Katie: Yeah. As a child is growing and gaining more independence, it is such a natural experience for parents to feel grief and loss in that process because the relationship is changing. Teens do need parents less. Teens are more independent. They don't want as much time spent with parents.And so it's important, one, to recognize that as a developmental milestone, and two, to recognize that means the way that you interact and respond to your teen changes as well. And so you're not expecting the same attention or response from them as you did before.But this is a grief process because you're grieving the relationship as it used to be. You're grieving your teen as they used to be. But you're also—and this is the part we don't think about—grieving yourself as you used to be because you have to become a new version of yourself to show up for your teen in a new way.And so all of that is to say that it requires a lot of flexibility, openness to evolving, willingness to change how you see, interact, and speak with your teen. And so in thinking about that, it's helpful to think about: What is it that my teen needs from me now?They might not need me to cut up their food or call their teacher for them or set up their playdate for them. They might need me to drive them somewhere and listen to the music that they like and not be the one leading the conversation. They might need me to sit on the couch with them while they watch The Office and notice the parts they laugh at and just be there with them.And both of those examples really nicely illustrate that your teens need less from you, but they don't not need you. They need you to be more of a partner and less of a doing-for.Sarah: When my husband and I both had pretty stable teenage years, we also had parents who were working a lot and not home when we were home. And I'm not saying this to make anyone feel guilty who isn't home after school, but we really tried to structure our lives so that somebody would be home after school even when the kids were teenagers. Because our joke was: even if it's just somebody who's there that they can ignore.Katie: It's so true. But they know that you're there.Sarah: Yeah. Yeah. So you talked a little bit about validation before. Can you talk a little bit about validation and its opposite—judgment—maybe starting with judgment: what to avoid when our teens are having big feelings? I mentioned before that I often say the drama is real. I think that's where some of the judgment comes in with parents sometimes. Like, “Oh, come on, you can't be that upset that the jeans you were hoping to wear are still wet in the washing machine.” Where do parents make mistakes in terms of that judgment?Katie: For me, I see judgments as the fuel to the emotional fire. So when we are seeing our teen act in certain ways, judgments are our interpretation of their experience. One of those examples might be: a teen is having a hard time getting up and going to school because they're really depressed, and they've been white-knuckling every single day, and today is just the day that they can't. They can't do it.And so judgments from a parent might look like, “Why can't you just go? Everyone else is going. Just get up. Here's the list of coping skills that your therapist gave us. Use your coping skills.”So it's this judgment that they can, and they're choosing not to.Other judgments that I hear regularly are: “They're manipulative. They're doing this on purpose to upset me. They're attention-seeking.”Oftentimes our judgments are because if we weren't judging and casting blame, we would be having to hold a really frustrating or painful reality. So if I'm not judging my teen and saying, “Why can't you just get up and go to school? Just use your coping skills. It's not this bad,” then what I'd be having to hold is: my teen is really struggling right now. My teen—the person that I love the most in the world—is thinking about wanting to die right now. And that's awful for me.And so judgments are a way of pulling ourselves out of this emotional pain, but also shifting that blame to the other person. And instead of being able to hold their experience.And if we're not judging, we're able to first just notice and name and sit with the experience, which is kind of what I described: “My teen is in a lot of pain right now. They're struggling to get out of bed and even function in their day, and that's really hard.” And when I can name that, I can feel that for myself, and it feels really hard and painful and difficult.And then the outward version of that is validating them: being able to say, “I see how hard you're struggling right now. I see the pain on your face. I hear the lack of energy. This is really hard for you right now.”So we can name the experience for ourselves with our notice-and-name, and then we can validate the experience for our teen by noticing and naming their experience.And when we do this, it does often make the emotion feel more painful because we're naming it. I think a common experience of that is: if you've ever been struggling and then someone in your life, in passing, says, “What's wrong? You look like you're going to cry right now,” and then all of a sudden the tears come because someone has named the experience. The experience was there all along, but having someone see it—having someone tell you, “This is real, this makes sense,” or “I notice what you're going through”—it makes it come to the surface.It's actually a helpful experience, because if we don't name what's happening, we're judging it, we're stifling it, we're ignoring it. And that's like holding a beach ball under water. Eventually it's going to pop out, but we can't control what happens when it does. Someone's going to get hit in the face.So we want to take ownership, we want to validate, we want to notice and name what we're experiencing, and these are the ways that we move toward acceptance of what is, so we have an ability to move toward problem-solving.Sarah: Where would somebody start who's listening to this and hearing all of the examples that you're giving of communication—if they're not even at a point where their teen is communicating with them? Like, things have gotten so fraught and feel so broken. Where would somebody start with that?Katie: It's what I call my hierarchy of connection. Oftentimes there is this big rift in the relationship because it's not just one time that something has happened—it's years or multiple experiences that have gotten them to this point, of this rift in the relationship.So the hierarchy of connection is our blueprint and our path back to connection. It starts with parent and teen being in the same room together—not interacting, but also not criticizing, not having this tension or conflict happening.The example I give often is: I'm in the kitchen putting groceries away. Teen is sitting on the couch scrolling social media or watching YouTube. But I'm not saying, “Hey, did you do your homework? Did you take your medicine? Did you do this?” I'm just existing and they're just existing. And we need to practice being in the same space together without that criticism or nagging happening.When that can happen, we can move into shared activities. This would be watching a movie together, watching TV together, driving somewhere, listening to music. Again: no tension, no conflict, no criticizing. Doing the same thing together without any of those things happening.And this could take a very long time. It's not one, two, three. It could be six months of doing the same thing at the same time before you're moving on.The final step is moving back to interactive activities. This could be something like playing a board game and talking to each other, having an actual conversation at the dinner table, or a deeper conversation about something that's a bigger experience. It could be the ability to do this within the context of therapy, so you're able to have some of those scarier conversations.But there needs to be a level of trust, and an ability not to act on urges to criticize or lead the conversation to nag or check off the to-dos. You have to be able to hold the space—to be in the space with your teen—before that can happen.Sarah: One thing that you mentioned in the book is that there's a link between sensitivity and impulsivity. Can you talk about that? I found that really interesting. Why is that?Katie: When someone is more biologically sensitive—again, there's this urge to make those emotions go away. And so when you are more overwhelmed with emotions, the idea of impulsivity makes more sense, because the desire and need for short-term relief is higher than it may be in others.And so when my emotions are really big, I also have really big urges to make those emotions go away, and it's harder for me to hold these big emotions.Sarah: That was really helpful. If you could have the parents and teens that you work with currently—if you could have had them ten years ago, because a lot of people who listen to the podcast have younger kids and they don't have teenagers—what would you like them to be practicing or working on? Is there anything preventive that you've noticed, that if people had an awareness earlier on, when their kids were younger, they might not get to this point with teenagers?Katie: Absolutely. What I find myself saying often is: parents go first. And what I mean by that is that it is a parent's job to learn emotion regulation skills, to learn how to notice and name emotions, to learn how to validate—essentially to model all of the ways that we handle really big emotions.So that when our teen is having this experience—or our child growing into our teen is having this experience—we have the skills to manage our own emotions and we know how to respond to their emotions, because that validation helps the emotion go down more quickly.When I'm working with younger children—and I don't anymore—but that is part of the process: we're working with parents first for many weeks to give them the skills before we even start working with the child.So that would be my biggest piece of advice for parents of younger children: practice the skills, know how to manage your own emotions, have your own support.And I will add to that: if you had the experience of being parented in a way that was painful for you as a child, address those issues, because they're going to show up in the teen years. In the opposite way, you're going to feel like it's karma, but it's really just generational patterns continuing—and you want to be able to change those patterns and rewrite stories that were painful for you so they don't repeat with your own teen.Sarah: I love that. It's interesting because I think when kids are little, fire feelers don't develop as teenagers, right? Like a fire feeler is a fire feeler whether they're five or whether they're fifteen. But a five-year-old—you can put them in their room and hold the door shut. Not that I'm advocating that. You can pick them up and move them places. I think parents probably—unless they're more aware of emotions and being, in my brand, a peaceful parent—they probably rely on things that then, as their kids get older, just don't work. But they maybe have missed opportunities to practice all the things that are effective as teenagers because they were relying more on external control when their kids were younger.Katie: I one hundred percent agree. I think coercive control is easier to implement when your child is younger. But practicing validation, direct communication, emotion regulation is going to pave the way for more success as a teen.And what I would say is: I think most parents recognize, when I talk about this idea of fire feelers, when they have a three-year-old. I have a sister who has two toddler girls, and she'll say, “I think they're fire feelers,” and they are.And so you know your kid. You know their disposition. You know when they're more sensitive or they're a deep feeler. And so knowing that now can help you pave the way for what's to come.Sarah: Can you speak briefly on—when I was a teenager in the eighties, there was a “tough love” approach for teens who were having a hard time: drugs and alcohol, not going to school. And the approach was like: crack down. Kick them out if they don't follow your rules. I'm pretty sure that's not what you would advocate for.And I do think there has been a shift because people recognize that doesn't work. So maybe if you could speak to that for a few minutes—why getting more strict and more controlling with a teenager who's having a hard time isn't going to be an effective strategy.Katie: I have two thoughts on that: one is about the teen, and one is about the relationship.So when we think about a teenager who's struggling, who has these big emotions, if the message in the family is, “You're too sensitive. Just suck it up. Just get it together. Why can't you do this like your siblings can?”—what happens over time is they internalize that message as, “There must be something wrong with me, that everyone else around me can do this and I can't.”And so they begin to lose trust in their own emotional experience, in their own emotion meter. And that is one of the contributors to self-harm behaviors, because then when an emotion shows up for them, their brain thinks, “Well, this must be wrong.” Everyone keeps telling me that my emotional state is the wrong thing or it's too intense, so let's make that go away quickly so that I can continue to function in my life.What I'll say is: at my center, we see hundreds of kids every week—teens and families. A lot of them are these high-achieving, perfectionistic, private-school kids, and they're self-harming and they're suicidal. And one of the reasons is that that's a strategy that keeps them going in this life that is expected of them.So I want to be really intentional about broadening the picture that we may have of the type of teen who engages in self-harm.The other side of that—the relational piece—is that when the parent is consistently giving this message of, “Just get it together. Suck it up and keep going,” it creates a rift in the relationship. The parent is no longer a safe person to come to when a teen is struggling, because they're not going to get what they need.And so if it's important for a parent to have a strong relationship with a teen—and I think that is for most parents—we need to learn the strategies that welcome open communication, that are able to hold that struggle, so that teens come to us with the little stuff and the big stuff.And I'll add to that: so that teens want to stay connected to us after they leave home.Sarah: Yeah, that makes so much sense. Before I let you go, there's a question I ask all my guests, which is: if you could go back in time to your younger parent self, what advice would you give yourself?Katie: To my younger parent self? I think what I would say is that it doesn't have to be perfect. And that's something that I learned through my own education and the theory of good-enough parenting: that you only really need to get it right twenty percent of the time, and the rest of the time it's how you repair, how you respond, and how you keep moving forward in the most loving and compassionate way for both you and your child. So that would help take the pressure off—both for younger me and also for probably a lot of other parents out there—that you don't have to get it right all the time. You just have to want to keep going and want to keep trying to get it right.Sarah: Nice. Where's the best place for folks to go and find out more about you and what you do?Katie: Yeah. To grab a free chapter of my book, You're On Fire. It's Fine, you can go to youreonfireitsfine.com. And for a therapist or media listening, katiekmay.com has all of my other projects and my counseling center and endeavors there.Sarah: Wonderful. Thank you so much, Katie.Katie: Thank you This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahrosensweet.substack.com/subscribe
Lead Us Not Into Temptation (Matthew 4 & 6)
After killing a cyclist while driving drunk, a woman confronts the consequences of her actions and begins the long, painful work of rebuilding a life shaped by guilt and accountability. Today's storyteller wishes to remain Anonymous. Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Sara Marinelli Content/Trigger Warnings: Drunk driving, Fatal accident, Death, Manslaughter, Substance abuse / alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Psychological trauma, Moral injury, Guilt and shame, Suicidal ideation, Incarceration / jail, Grief, Anxiety, Depression, Public shaming / social stigma, explicit language Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.comWebsite for Sara Marinelli: saramarinelli.com Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service. To access the full catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at wondery.com/plus Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop. Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com Intro Music: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott VelasquezMusic Bed: Discovery Studios Tracks (DST) - Dark Oasis ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources: National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988 National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Doing Divorce Different A Podcast Guide to Doing Divorce Differently
Healing from trauma, childhood grief, miscarriage, and generational pain starts with one step: choosing yourself. In this powerful episode of Doing Life Different, Lesa Koski talks with life coach Vivian Moyo about healing trauma, the impact of losing a parent young, how silence in families creates emotional wounds, and how choosing yourself becomes an act of self-love. Vivian shares her story of childhood loss, two devastating miscarriages, and the moment she began her healing journey. If you're navigating midlife trauma, divorce recovery, grief, anxiety, or a major life change, this conversation will help you feel seen, supported, and hopeful.In this episode, we talk about trauma healing, generational trauma, grief recovery, and how to choose yourself when life feels heavy. Vivian's message is a reminder that healing is possible—and midlife is not your crisis, it's your comeback.
Praise Ye The Lord (Psalm 150)
Head to https://huel.yt.link/lEnX8Jo and & use SCOTT20 to get 20% off your first order of the High Protein Starter Kit!If you struggle with suicidal thoughts, you've probably asked the scariest question: “Which version of me is real?” In this video, I explain why suicidal ideation is not a character reveal—and how to tell the difference between intrusive thoughts, impulsive thoughts, and the deeper desire underneath both.We'll talk about why suicidal thoughts often mean “I want the pain to stop” (not “I want to be dead”), how over-identifying with these thoughts makes them stronger, and the practical biological levers (sleep + nutrition) that can reduce intensity and frequency.If my podcast has helped, my new book, The Light Between the Leaves, goes even deeperNext Steps:
In Part 2, we continue the conversation about mental health, suffering, and enduring when hope feels dim, but shift our focus to the nature of God and His relationship with us as our Heavenly Father.Using the parable of the prodigal son, we explore why God doesn't always intervene immediately, why He allows us to struggle, and how His love is constant even when life feels unbearably heavy.We talk about parenting, agency, and how suffering—while painful—is often the place where compassion, humility, and Christlike attributes are formed. We also discuss grief, suicidal ideation, anxiety, and the importance of honest conversations around mental health.This episode is about meaning in the silence, trusting God's heart when His plan doesn't match ours, and believing that suffering is not wasted.Podcast Instagram: @enduretotheendpodZunex Pest Control: @zunexpestco00:00 – Introduction to Part 200:30 – Why this conversation continues01:10 – Mental health and meaning in suffering02:20 – Scripture: The prodigal son03:15 – Seeing God differently as a parent04:20 – Why rescuing isn't always loving06:00 – God's respect for agency07:30 – Sitting with pain and learning from it09:30 – Life as a painting we can't yet see10:40 – Endurance, discomfort, and growth13:30 – Mental health, depression, and anxiety15:10 – Suicidal ideation and honesty17:00 – Knowing who you are and whose you are18:40 – Suffering as a path to compassion20:50 – Becoming more gentle through hardship22:05 – Purpose in suffering24:30 – Becoming more Christlike25:35 – Final encouragement and closing thoughts
He Can Make Away Out Of No Where ( 2Kings 6 & 7 )
He Is A Restorer ( 1 Samuel 30 )
Live Work with Madeleine I'm Helpless! Part 3 of 3 Today, we are pleased to present the live and unedited follow-up session with Madeleine, a loving mother who became terrified when she realized that her oldest beloved daughter might be in mortal danger during her hear abroad while in college. Part 3 of 3 We were a bit rushed near the end of M = Methods in Part 2 because of a mistake that I (David) made. I forgot that we had extended this webinar by 30 minutes, so we wouldn't be rushed at the end, so I wrongly concluded we were running out of time when we weren't! In order to complete our work, we scheduled Part 3 several weeks later to do the following critical pieces of the work with Madeleine. Additional work with the Externalization of Voices to make sure she could knock all of her self-critical thoughts out of the park. Cognitive Flooding, using the magazine article she was triggered by to prompt the anxiety. The idea is to make yourself as anxious as possible for as long as possible, until the anxiety and panic eventually loses its punch and becomes boring. This will be one of the first times we have illustrated this technique live in a video-recorded session. Any other loose ends that may have emerged since our first session with the wonderful Madeleine! We did some cognitive flooding, urging Madeleine to close her eyes and describe her most terrifying fantasy involving her daughter's abduction by a sociopathy. We encourage her to make herself as anxious as possible, and within minutes she was at 100% and sobbing. Then we did some "memory" rescripting as we had promised her at the start, and part way through there was an unexpected surge of anger, that seemed to come from out of the blue, although the circumstances of the fantasy were clearly more than enough to trigger rage. Using the technique called "Affect Bridging," I asker her whether the anger she was now feeling might trace back to some earlier traumatic event in her life, perhaps when she was young, and this was confirmed. She described a profoundly troubling indecent involve her mother and dad shortly before they got divorced. There was a tremendous amount of emotion packed into today's follow-up session, almost non-stop, in fact. We look forward to seeing Madeleine's end-of-session Brief Mood Survey and Evaluation of Therapy Session. Jill and David assigned follow-up homework for her, including 15 minutes per day reading the terrifying article from People Magazine that had initially triggered her in the beauty salon. We want to thank you, Madeleine for your courage in being so open and real, and for giving us all a unique opportunity for some incredible learning, and also the chance to get to know you at a deep a genuine level! Thanks for listening to these three podcasts. We hope you enjoyed them and learned something useful and helpful, especially if you've also been struggling with feelings of depression and anxiety, or if you're a mental health professional wanting to take a deeper dive in to how TEAM CBT can sometimes produce extremely rapid healing, even from severe feelings of depression, anxiety, and despair. Madeleine, Jill, Rhonda, and David Following the session, Madeleine sent us the following feedback on the session via email: Hi Jill and David, Completed after session yesterday, but in my state of emotional fatigue, forgot to hit send! Brief Mood Survey after session: Depression: 3 / 20 (minimal) Suicidal urges: 0 / 12 (none) Anxiety: 8 / 20 (mildly elevated) Anger: 9 / 20 (mild/moderately elevated) Happiness: 12 / 20 (low) Relationship Satisfaction: 29 / 30 (nearly perfect) Evaluation of Therapy Session Empathy: 20 / 20 (perfect score) Helpfulness: 20 / 20 (perfect score) Satisfaction: 8 / 8 (perfect score) Commitment: 8 /8 (perfect score) Neg feelings: 4 (high, range = 0- 4) Difficulties with Q: 2 (medium, range = 0- 4) What did you like the Least: exposure was pain. It feels very heavy and exhausting. And i understand, necessary to healing. What did you like the Most: David's "bridging" my affect states to discover my rage source. Jill's keeping us on track and making connection from my present worry about daughter's safety to past feelings of betrayal, losing trust, and resulting anger in my dad, a trusted figure. You both hit the nail on the head so many times in the session to uncover the deeper, ugly, messy, dark pools that lie within me i choose to keep safely sealed tight and out of the light. Postscript: I just completed day 1 of exposure in re reading the awful article. All the anxiety and fear resurfaced along with new feelings of revenge, determination, appreciation for the authors who are perhaps trying to help the family by publishing this. Ick. Best Regards, Madeleine Again, a big thanks to you Madeleine, and we will watch closely as you continue your courageous daily exposure work, and look forward to the day when you have won this battle! Warmly, david
In this episode of The Observatory Podcast, hosts Scott and LaRae Wright sit down with Bobby Ahlander for an expansive and deeply human conversation about suffering, healing, and what it means to truly come home to yourself. Bobby shares his journey growing up in a rigid religious environment marked by instability and fear, living much of his adult life on “autopilot,” and eventually reaching a breaking point that included leaving the Church, divorce, job loss, and a prolonged season of depression with suicidal ideation.Through therapy, psychiatry, EMDR, Buddhist study, and eventually plant medicine, Bobby describes the slow and nonlinear rebuilding of his inner world. He introduces a personal “numbers” framework that helped him track emotional states — from survival, to “fine,” to happiness, joy, bliss, and ultimately a state he later names cosmic union. At the heart of this conversation is the embodied realization that arrived not through force or fixing, but through surrender: peace feels good.Timestamps [01:10] Introducing Bobby Ahlander and the theme “peace feels good”[04:05] Childhood in a conservative religious home marked by instability[08:45] Learning invisibility, safety, and survival as a child[14:55] Living adulthood on “autopilot” and inherited identity scripts[20:15] Becoming a bishop and the weight of enforcing institutional rules[25:35] LGBTQ+ policy conflict and values colliding with authority[31:50] Leaving the Church, divorce, and relocation all at once[36:40] Wiping the slate clean and questioning every belief[41:05] First acts of autonomy and reclaiming personal choice[46:00] Discovering Buddhism and non-dual thinking[51:40] First psilocybin experience and expanded awareness[58:45] COVID, job loss, unhealthy relationship, and emotional collapse[01:05:40] Suicidal ideation and surviving for his children[01:12:30] Therapy, medication, and the “numbers” emotional scale[01:20:10] Ayahuasca: opening a door that never closes[01:27:30] Integration, healing, and learning to live at “fine”[01:33:40] Oregon coast turning point and happiness returning[01:38:10] Discovering joy, bliss, and something beyond the scale[01:41:00] Embodied peace, “peace feels good,” and what comes next[01:41:58] Closing message and listener invitationNotable Quotes“You have just opened a door that can never close again.” — Scott Webb (quoted by Bobby Ahlander) [00:36:08]“I don't want to die, but I don't want to be alive.” — Bobby Ahlander [00:31:58]“The whole choice to awake puts you on a path.” — Scott Wright [01:13:33]“So we honor you for being there and being able to express that.” — LaRae Wright [01:29:42]“The cost of the new is the old.” — Scott Wright [01:32:36]“Turbulence is just a reminder you're flying.” — Bobby Ahlander [01:34:42]“You will continue to suffer until you've learned the lesson that the suffering is trying to teach you.” — Bobby Ahlander [01:38:18]“This is peace.” — Bobby Ahlander [01:23:57]“Peace feels good.” — Bobby Ahlander [01:25:01]Relevant LinksBobby's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyahlander/Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts
Heartbreak nearly killed him.Kevin Crenshaw shares his raw and deeply honest journey through heartbreak, suicidal thoughts, addiction, chronic illness, and losing everything — long before his life ever “looked” like it was falling apart.In this episode of I Am Redemption, Kevin opens up about how heartbreak shattered his identity, how chasing love and relief slowly turned into deeper pain, and how avoidance led him down a path of addiction, mental health collapse, overdoses, homelessness, and a complete loss of self.What started as emotional pain and identity confusion escalated into a full unraveling. Kevin talks candidly about surviving his own mind, losing trust in himself, and hitting moments where he didn't know if he would make it out alive.Despite near-death experiences, illness, and repeated attempts to escape his pain, Kevin continued to spiral, a reality many people struggling in silence know all too well. This conversation dives into the truth about heartbreak, addiction, and healing, why “high functioning” doesn't mean healthy, and why awareness alone isn't enough to change.A significant part of Kevin's story also centers on his relationship with God, not in a polished or performative way, but in the moments where he had nothing left. He shares how faith entered the picture at his lowest points, how surrender replaced control, and how trusting God became part of rebuilding his life from the ground up.Kevin also talks candidly about:• Heartbreak and identity loss• Suicidal ideation and mental health collapse• Addiction, overdoses, and avoidance• Chronic illness and nervous system burnout• Homelessness and losing everything• Wrestling with God during suffering• Surrender, faith, and letting go of control• Responsibility vs. awareness• Rebuilding from nothing without romanticizing painThis episode is for anyone who:• Appears put together while quietly struggling• Has tied their identity to love, success, or validation• Is surviving instead of truly living• Is sober-curious, in recovery, or facing emotional pain alone• Is questioning faith, meaning, or purpose in the middle of sufferingIf this conversation resonates, you're not alone, and there is a way forward.Kevin Crenshaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.heart.guyI Am Redemption Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam.redemptionYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAmRedemption
If you appreciate my work and would like to support it: https://subscribestar.com/the-saad-truth https://patreon.com/GadSaad https://paypal.me/GadSaad To subscribe to my exclusive content on X, please visit my bio at https://x.com/GadSaad _______________________________________ This clip was posted on January 5, 2025 on my YouTube channel as THE SAAD TRUTH_1977: https://youtu.be/9RJZD060-Vc _______________________________________ Please visit my website gadsaad.com, and sign up for alerts. If you appreciate my content, click on the "Support My Work" button. I count on my fans to support my efforts. You can donate via Patreon, PayPal, and/or SubscribeStar. _______________________________________ Dr. Gad Saad is a professor, evolutionary behavioral scientist, and author who pioneered the use of evolutionary psychology in marketing and consumer behavior. In addition to his scientific work, Dr. Saad is a leading public intellectual who often writes and speaks about idea pathogens that are destroying logic, science, reason, and common sense. _______________________________________ The clip of "A Few Good Men" (1992) was used in accordance with the Fair Use doctrine.
Live Work with Madeleine I'm Helpless! Part 2 of 3 Today, we are pleased to present the exciting conclusion of our work with Madeleine, a loving mother who fears that her eldest daughter might be in mortal danger during her year abroad. Last week, you heard about the T = Testing and E = Empathy phase of the live work with Madeleine, a mother feeling intense panic and helplessness and inadequacy because she fears that her daughter could be in grave danger of abduction and worse. This week, we will focus on A = Paradoxical Agenda Setting, using the Miracle Cure Question, Magic Button, Positive Reframing, and Magic Dial to see if we can melt away her resistance to change. You can see the Emotions table of the Daily Mood Log Madeleine during the Magic Dial portion of the session if you Click Here As you can see, she wanted to reduce her negative feelings somewhat, but thought she still wanted to keep them fairly elevated, since she still sensed that her daughter might be in real danger, and clearly did not want to abandon her. This is one of the significant refinements in TEAM CBT. First, we want to bring the patient's resistance to full conscious awareness. Second, we want patients to full grasp that their negative thoughts and feelings do NOT result from some "defect" or "mental disorder," but rather from what is most beautiful and awesome about them as human beings. After the Magic Button, David and Jill went on to the final, M = Methods portion of the TEAM session, using tools such as Identify and Explain the Distortions, the Double Standard Technique, and the Externalization of Voices, with the Acceptance Paradox, the Self-Defense Paradigm, and the CAT (Counter-Attack Technique). We will, of course, do numerous role reversals to see if we can get Madeleine to a "huge" victory over her many distorted thoughts. You can see the Daily Mood Log Madeleine prepared at the end of the session if you Click Here As you can see, the reductions in negative feelings were dramatic, but in several areas (anxiety, inadequacy, frustration and anger), Madeleine's negative feelings were still minimally elevated. That is one of the reasons we decided to schedule an additional session together several weeks later to see if we could intensify Madeleine's responses to her negative thoughts, and hopefully due some Cognitive Flooding to complete her "treatment." At the end of these show notes, you will find an email from Madeleine after the session that includes her end-of-session scores on the BMS and EOTS. You will also see comments submitted by many participants who attended the webinar live. This email below from Madeleine following the session shows her end of session scores on the Brief Mood Survey as well as the Evaluation of Therapy Session at the end of her session with Jill and David. Hi David, Yes, here are my BMS & ETS score totals after the extended session. Please let me know if you have any questions. A relapse prevention session would be nice; however, I hesitate to accept your offer as you all are so busy. Please know that I am practicing the PTs and keeping the NTs in check for now. Thank you again a million times over
Send us a textHappy New Year! We're starting with the 22nd Weird Fun Bag and covering the stories of the Egg War, William Peddicord, and Sonny Graham.Like the show on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OurWeirdWorldPod/Follow John on Twitter and Instagram @TheJohnHinsonFollow the show on Instagram @OurWeirdWorldPodWant more John? Everyone wants more John. Visit www.johnhinsonwrites.com for all the books, podcasts, waterfalls, and more!
Unleashed! The Political News Hour with Mayor Deb – Mass infiltration dictated by feelings, ignorant of the harms, and void of common sense can destroy a society. Case in point, the United Kingdom has seen unfettered migration from the Middle East. London is more Islamic now than it is Christian. Suicidal empathy is a state where a desire to help others begins to harm oneself...
In this powerful episode, Silas St. John shares how over a decade of pornography addiction and hidden shame led him to deep despair and suicidal thoughts. Despite years of trying to quit on his own, the isolation only made things worse. Everything began to change when Silas finally reached out for help and entered a process that addressed his emotions, identity, and connection—not just his behavior. Today, Silas is living in freedom, clarity, and hope. This conversation is a reminder that no one is too far gone, and that real freedom begins when we stop fighting alone. Know more about Sathiya's work: Join DEEP CLEAN SIGNATURE PROGRAM Join Deep Clean Inner Circle - The Brotherhood You Neeed (+ get coached by Sathiya) For Less Than $2/day Submit Your Questions (Anonymously) To Be Answered On The Podcast Get A Free Copy of The Last Relapse, Your Blueprint For Recovery Watch Sathiya on Youtube For More Content Like This Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Silas' story (01:40) How porn addiction began and escalated (04:10) Years of hiding, shame, and isolation (06:30) Feeling trapped and losing hope (08:45) The moment everything broke (11:10) Suicidal thoughts and rock bottom (13:55) Reaching out for help (16:20) Why willpower and behavior change failed (18:45) What actually started healing (21:30) Identity, emotions, and connection
www.patreon.com/dopeypodcast listen without ads!This week on Dopey! A heavy, emotional holiday episode of Dopey that moves between chaos, grief, recovery, dark humor, and connection. Dave opens with a raw, chaotic song about cocaine, crack, and wanting relief, then sets the tone for a brutal week shaped by multiple tragedies — including the shocking deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner and the arrest of their son Nick Reiner, a former Dopey guest.The episode includes sponsor reads, listener Christmas messages, and reflections on sticking together in recovery when the world feels overwhelming. Dave reads Spotify comments, emails, and shares messages from the Dopey Nation, emphasizing connection, gratitude, and community during the holidays.The centerpiece is a long, candid interview with Alec Baldwin, recorded just before Thanksgiving. Alec discusses growing up on Long Island, early drinking and cocaine use, working in New York television, moving to Los Angeles, fame, excess, driving intoxicated, overdosing in a hotel room in Oregon, and ultimately getting sober in 1985. He describes how AA became his entire social world, how spirituality helped keep him sober, and how his faith and family carried him through later life crises — including public scrutiny, divorce, legal battles, and depression. Alec speaks openly about wanting to “just not kill myself tomorrow” during his darkest moments and how sobriety principles guided him through.After the interview, Dave plays more holiday messages from the Dopey Nation and then has a long, emotional phone call with his father, Alan Manheim. They process the Nick Reiner tragedy, public backlash, antisemitic comments, criticism of old Dopey clips resurfacing online, and the strange irony of Dopey being thrust into the media spotlight through tragedy. They discuss parenting addicts, mental illness, fame, synchronicity, and how Dopey interviews became central to news coverage. The episode closes with reflections on resilience, staying connected, asking for help, and honoring Chris, followed by Dave playing his song “Good So Bad.”SEO / SEARCHABLE KEYWORDS (CUT & PASTE) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.