Before You Kill Yourself: a suicide prevention podcast.
When the pain feels unbearable and we feel alone in our suffering this podcast will sit with you. Let's rediscover our purpose, reduce our pain and regain our sense of belonging. Join comedian Leo Flowers M.A. as he shares his own journey through suicidality, interviews guests with lived experiences and discusses with experts on how to escape the flames and create a life worth living.
Episodes
NIGHTMARES: How to cope with nightmares to reduce suicidality
Nightmares can leave us feeling anxious, exhausted, and alone—but they may also be our mind's attempt to process fear, grief, uncertainty, and unresolved emotions. In this episode, we explore how nightmares affect our mental health, why they matter for suicide prevention, and practical tools for reducing their power.In this episode, you'll learn:Why nightmares are linked to emotional dist
Why mattering matters in suicide prevention
A simple sentence may be one of the most powerful ways to make someone feel seen: "If it weren't for you..." Drawing from Jennifer Wallace's The Science of Mattering, this episode explores our deep need to know that we matter, why gratitude isn't always enough, and how sharing the impact someone has had on your life can transform both of you.Topics include:The difference between gratitude
Why Can’t We Just Enjoy Being Alive?
In this episode, we explore one of the most haunting lines from Kurt Cobain’s suicide note: “Why don’t you just enjoy it?” and the devastating response: “I don’t know.” We unpack why human beings struggle to feel joy through the lenses of neuroscience, psychology, evolution, trauma, addiction, overstimulation, and modern culture. From dopamine and cortisol to loneliness, achievement addic
Therapy, Philosophy, Poetry, and the Search for Meaning
In this episode, we explore the idea that meaning often comes after action. Inspired by a lyric from Robyn’s new album Sexistential, we unpack the difference between therapy, philosophy, poetry, and relationships — and why artists, rappers, writers, and improvisers often don’t fully understand what they’re creating until after it’s made.We discuss why overthinking can block transformation
Mystery: How Not Knowing Keeps Us Going
In this episode, we explore why mystery isn’t something to eliminate from life — it may be the very thing that keeps us moving, connecting, hoping, and growing. Beginning with a two-year mystery involving peanut shells appearing outside a house, the conversation expands into relationships, neuroscience, detective stories, fear, curiosity, and the courage to enter the unknown.Topics includ
Struck by lightning: What we can learn about pain management from lightning strike survivors
How do we cope with the mental, emotional and physical pain? Survivors of lightning strikes and electrical shocks have lessons for us.Key coping mechanisms: salt packetssaunamassagegroup therapymindset shiftThrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or a
The Odyssey: What Odysseus can teach us about suicide prevention
What if feeling trapped isn’t about having a bad life—but about having a life that leaves no room for you? Using Odysseus and The Odyssey, I explore the idea that sometimes we can have love, security, success, and comfort while still feeling profoundly disconnected from ourselves.Why Odysseus rejects Calypso’s version of paradiseHow your greatest strengths can become sources of sufferingT
When Your Job Retriggers Childhood Trauma
When a boss’s email, meeting request, or tone of feedback feels disproportionately intense, it may not be about the present moment alone. For many people, workplace dynamics can quietly reactivate older emotional patterns tied to childhood experiences of criticism, invisibility, powerlessness, or conditional approval. This episode explores how that happens—and how to recognize when the ne
Ceasefire From Intrusive Thoughts
When intrusive thoughts feel like a war zone, the goal isn’t to defeat every thought—it’s to establish a ceasefire. Just as peace agreements are more likely to hold when neutral third parties monitor them, our mental peace is more sustainable when therapists, friends, journals, or mindfulness practices help us observe thoughts without escalating them.Key Takeaways: Intrusive thoughts can
Hope Is Not a Mood, It's a Decision
Hope is often mistaken for a feeling of optimism, but for many people it looks much quieter: the decision to stay alive and keep going even when nothing feels certain. In this episode, we explore how hope is less about feeling inspired and more about choosing, day after day, to remain open to the possibility that life can change. Sometimes the most meaningful act is not thriving—it’s surv
Crying in the Car: Why Men Tear Up After “Good” Conversations
Why do some men spend an afternoon talking about sports, parenting, and work, only to drive home listening to The National or James Blake and cry a little? In this episode, we explore the hidden loneliness of “good” conversations and why being around people isn’t always the same as feeling seen.In this episode, we discuss:Why men can feel lonely even after spending time with friendsThe di
How to Be Unhappy in a Whole New Way
What happens after you finish the thing that gave your life structure and meaning? Whether it's writing a book, raising kids, winning a championship, or completing a major goal, the end of one chapter often leaves us feeling empty. In this episode, I explore why that emptiness isn't a sign that something is wrong, but a signal that you're ready to be challenged by life in a new way.In thi
Do you want to be happier or less miserable?
In this episode, I explore a simple but powerful idea: most of us aren’t actually chasing happiness — we’re trying to feel less miserable. When happiness becomes the goal, we overthink, compare, and pressure ourselves to feel a certain way. But when we shift the focus to reducing unnecessary suffering, life becomes more manageable, grounded, and sustainable.Instead of asking “How do I fee
4 A.M. and the Miracle of Love
In this episode, I reflect on James Baldwin’s powerful insight that “a human being can only be saved by another human being,” and why 4 a.m. can be one of the most dangerous times to be alone with our thoughts. I explore how love, connection, and even the quiet presence of others can help us recognize that our lives are deeply intertwined—and that simply staying alive may be the greatest
Celebrating our flops, failures and f*ck-ups
In this episode, I explore why failure is not something to hide, but something to study, share, and even celebrate. Drawing inspiration from the “Flops” exhibition at the Musée des Arts et Métiers, I look at how psychology, religion, science, and art all reveal the same truth: my mistakes are often the very things that shape my character, deepen my relationships, and point me toward a mor
The Story Is More Valuable Than the Footage
When a hard drive crashes, people will spend thousands—or even hundreds of thousands—of dollars to recover what they thought was lost. In this episode, I explore what data recovery can teach us about resilience, meaning, and suicide prevention.In this episode, I discuss:Why we often don’t realize the value of something until it’s goneHow our bodies, relationships, and memories are more fr
How to vent
Typically, when we vent, it causes more harm than good. How do we vent our emotions in a healthy way?Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to tal
How to have a gardener mindset for suicide prevention
"Eat the apple. Plant the seeds." How does this quote pertain to suicide prevention?Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are peo
The Drake Passage: Staying on the Ship When the Waves Hit
What do you do when your mind feels like the Drake Passage—violent, unpredictable, and overwhelming? In this episode, we break down what it actually takes to survive extreme conditions, both at sea and in your mental health.This isn’t about powering through. It’s about learning how to stay on the ship.What We Cover:Why the Drake Passage is so brutal—and why no one is surprised by itThe my
Burnout: How to stay connected to what you love
What do you do when depression and burnout disconnect you from the very things that once made you feel alive? In this episode, I explore why progress alone isn’t enough—we need rest, play, and purpose to reconnect with ourselves and remember what makes life worth living.Key Takeaways:Depression often shows up as anhedonia—the inability to feel pleasure from things you still care about.Lik
How to pour into self
We give, give, and give some more. How do we give back to ourselves?Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to h
SPOILERS: DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2
In this episode, I use The Devil Wears Prada and its sequel to explore the mental health costs of ambition, the hidden support systems that help us succeed, and how to pursue excellence without sacrificing our relationships, identity, and sense of self.Visionary vs. vendorAmbition and burnoutWants vs. needsThe cost of successHidden mentors (“Nigels”)Mixed motives and self-honestyPrint vs.
How to resist the urge to blow my life up
There's something seductive about starting over. Blowing our lives up seems like a great way to do it. How do we resist that urge?Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, dep
Madeline Vosch - Undead: A Memoir of My Suicide
Today we talk to Madeline Vosch, author of "Undead: A Memoir of My Suicide." We discuss: complicated truths of surviving a suiciderethinking concept of suicide preventionhow access to basic needs keeps people aliveThrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey
How to stay sane when the price of everything is going up
A real-time look at what it feels like when everyday costs jump overnight—and how I keep my footing when the math stops working.Key Points:Prices rising faster than paychecks creates emotional, not just financial, strainThe difference between failing and being squeezed by the systemShifting from convenience to control (small, practical swaps)Stabilizing mindset: survive first, optimize la
Interrupting thoughts vs suppressing emotions
This episode explores the difference between interrupting thoughts and suppressing emotions—and how trying to control what we feel can quietly keep us stuck. I share how I’ve learned to stop feeding the mental loop while still allowing emotions to move, instead of shutting them down.Why interrupting thoughts can accidentally suppress emotionsThe hidden ways we avoid feeling (and why they
Don't compare and despair - study!
In this episode, I break down the difference between comparing and studying — and why one leads to despair while the other leads to growth. We’re going to talk about how comparison quietly attacks your identity, and how to shift into a mindset that builds strategy instead of shame.In this episode:Why “comparison leads to despair” is psychologically trueThe difference between ranking yours
Leading through anxiety and depression
In this episode, I reflect on my time leading a cottage at a group home and how stepping into a leadership role challenged my identity, anxiety, and desire to just be the “fun guy.” I unpack the psychological shift from being liked to being responsible, and how consistent structure reduced chaos, stress, and mental overload — ultimately allowing me to lead with both authority and warmth.W
Are you "touch starved?"
In this episode, I talk about what it really means to be touch starved — not in a dramatic way, but in a nervous-system way. I break down why safe, consensual touch matters for our mental health and how we can get more of it in simple, intentional ways.What “touch starved” actually meansWhy lack of touch increases stress and anxietyHow we used to experience touch vs. nowSmall, practical w
BYKY is going on hiatus
I’m taking a short hiatus from the podcast to rest and reset. In the meantime, I encourage you to stay connected to at least one person, keep a small daily routine, and revisit the few episodes that truly helped you instead of consuming everything at once.Build a simple support list, do one meaningful thing each week, and please reach out to professional or crisis support if you’re strugg
Why “They’d Be Better Off Without Me” Is a Distortion, Not a Truth
When someone says, “Everyone would be better off without me,” it sounds selfless — but what if it’s a distortion built on the wrong currency of worth? In this episode, we unpack the hidden assumptions behind that belief, from perceived burdensomeness to shame, control, and the quiet fear of being irredeemable.Why “better” is often measured by productivity, not meaningHow depression turns
Scapegoat: Why Families Need a Fall Guy
What does it mean to feel like the outsider in your own family — the one who gets blamed, ignored, or quietly cast as “the problem”? In this episode, we explore the psychology of scapegoating, why families assign roles, and how to stop seeking validation from a system that may never give it. It’s about moving from exile to self-acceptance — and building belonging on your own terms.In This
The truth about loneliness, depression and despair
Is the real crisis today economic — or architectural? In this episode, we challenge the idea that loneliness and despair come from a broken ladder of upward mobility. What if the problem isn’t that we can’t climb… but that we were taught to measure our worth by climbing in the first place? Drawing from Middlemarch, modern work culture, and personal experience, this conversation explores w
Poverty and suicidality
In this episode, we explore how poverty affects mental health and increases suicide risk, particularly through relative deprivation, structural barriers, and unclaimed government aid. We look at why poverty is more than a lack of money—it’s instability, stress, and social exclusion—and what coping strategies can help.Topics covered include:How relative income deprivation can heighten feel
How to cope with the four types of emotional distress
In this episode, we use the metaphor of turbulence to explore why intense moments in life can feel dangerous without actually being dangerous—and how the nervous system responds when stability feels lost. Through a grounding practice designed for “arrival,” we offer listeners a simple way to reorient their bodies after emotional, relational, or existential turbulence, without needing to f
What to do when meditation feels unbearable
Have you ever been told to “just relax” when your body felt like it was on high alert? In this episode, we unpack why that advice fails—and how suicide prevention requires understanding stress physiology, not willpower, by meeting the nervous system with safety before insight.What we cover:Why “relax more” is a behavioral demand, not a biological solutionThe difference between calming tho
How to cope with a high high and low low
We explore why emotional highs are often followed by sudden lows, especially after moments of achievement, transition, or loss. We look at how identity, nervous system biology, and meaning collide — and why the crash doesn’t mean something is wrong. Most importantly, we talk about how to build guardrails for the comedown.Key Points:Highs stress the nervous systemIdentity amplifies the swi
Power of Purpose
Explore the power of purpose through the story of Velasco in The Samurai and research-backed insights:Velasco chose meaning over comfort, even at the cost of his life.Purpose drives resilience, stress tolerance, and mental well-being.Without purpose, life can feel stagnant and numbing.Discover why knowing your “why” is essential to truly being alive.Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you w
"Red" Isn't Red: Why is it so hard to describe what we're feeling?
We often describe our feelings with one word — “fine,” “pissed,” “tired” — and wonder why others don’t get us. In this episode, we explore how to turn vague emotions into vivid, specific experiences. Learn how describing moments, sensations, and nuances can transform your relationships and self-understanding. We also discuss: Why one-word feelings aren’t enoughDescribing moments instead o
How to Unburden Yourself: The difference between talking, venting and unburdening
In this episode, we explore the real difference between talking, venting, and unburdening—and why unburdening is the emotional release most people never realize they need. We break down what it means to carry invisible weight and how to finally set it down in ways that are healthy, human, and sustainable.You’ll learn:What makes unburdening different from ordinary conversation or ventingWh
PAIN OF EMBARRASSMENT
In this episode, we explore how embarrassment, social pressure, and the need for permission show up in everyday life—and what that reveals about mental health.Key Takeaways:Why people wait for others before taking action (doors, cake, and more)How embarrassment manifests physically and influences behaviorThe power of being the “first slice”—giving permission for others to followMental hea
THE ONE THING THAT KEEPS YOU FROM BREAKING
In this episode, we explore the quote, “People who live for one thing never seem to age.” What does it mean to have an anchor — a devotion that gives life direction and resilience? We’ll look at how finding your “one thing” can protect your mental health, help you recover from chaos, and remind you why you’re still here.Talking Points:What the quote “People who live for one thing never se
3 Phases of Emotional Regulation
We discuss three phases of emotional regulation learned through how we deodorize our car! If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:In th
Suicidality and coping with the grief of losing a parent
Today we discuss how to cope with the grief from the unexpected death of a parent. If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:In the US:&n
Why We Feel Wired, Tired, and Empty—and How to Refuel Right
In this episode, we explore the metaphor of human energy and emotional regulation through the lens of aviation fuel—what keeps us running clean vs. what makes us crash and burn.Why the wrong inputs (like sugar, doomscrolling, or people-pleasing) feel good briefly but exhaust usHow to identify visual, auditory, and social junk fuel in your daily lifeWhat real, sustainable fuel looks like a
Creativity to Connection to reduce suicidality
In this episode, we explore the life-saving potential of creativity in suicide prevention based on a webinar with Dr. Diane Kaufman, MD.Key Highlights:How Dr. Kaufman used poetry to process suicidal thoughtsTransforming personal pain into public healing through books, songs, and an operaPractical ways art can help us move from isolation to connectionWhat many artists who died by suicide w
Why the Mind Races (and the Bladder Waits)
In this episode, we explore:Why your body waits until the end of your shower to signal you need to peeHow this everyday moment reveals deeper truths about tension, distraction, and missed signalsWhat it means to actually feel safe enough to tune inWhy slowing down isn’t indulgent—it’s essentialHow this connects to mental health, nighttime overthinking, and suicide preventionThrive With Le
When Life Hurts: Why Admiration Still Matters
Today we'll discuss: Explore the power of admiration as a tool for connection and healing.Discuss how admiration can counteract shame, loneliness, and psychological pain.Differentiate between genuine admiration and blind flattery.Learn practical ways to admire others and yourself sincerely, even when it feels vulnerable.Reflect on the balance between setting boundaries and giving honest p
Why We Look for Validation in the Hardest Places
In this episode, we explore the deep-rooted tendency to seek approval from the very people who criticize us most. Together, we unpack:Why we confuse critique with wisdom and validationHow childhood dynamics and emotional wounds shape this patternThe emotional cost of chasing approval from naysayersWhy breaking the cycle matters for our mental health and self-worthActionable steps to turn
The Thought That Saved Me
In this episode, I explore Norman Rush’s Mating, focusing on the chapter “Guilty Repose” and the section “Weep for Me.” Through the narrator’s encounter with the waterfall, I unpack themes of noise, solitude, mediocrity, and companionship — connecting her revelations to my own experiences with silence, striving, and the human need for connection.Discussion Highlights:How “the roar penetra
How to start your day: effort vs ease
In this episode, we explore why starting your day with effortful tasks can build momentum, meaning, and mental strength.Why your brain is primed for effort in the morningThe science behind doing hard things earlyWhat happens when we only choose easeThe Four Boxes of Action: Easy & Empty, Easy & Essential, Effortful & Enriching, Effortful & DrainingHow to build a daily rhyt
Fighting for a life (not just for your life)
In this episode, we unpack a powerful distinction that shifts how we view conflict, commitment, and connection:The difference between fighting for your life (survival mode) and fighting for a life (intentional living)Why some relationship arguments aren't about breaking up—they’re about building something meaningfulHow setting boundaries, saving money, and making hard choices are all ways
Testosterone, Tears, and the Truth About Teenage Heartbreak and Suicidality
If you're a parent of pre-teen or teenage boy, today's episode is for you. Today's episode is: Exploring why heartbreak can lead preteen and teenage boys to suicidal thoughtsUnderstanding the difference between what boys think they want versus what they actually need during emotional painSigns parents and caregivers can watch for when boys are struggling silentlyReal stories of hope and
With Both Hands: The Forgotten Power of Full-Body Living
In this episode, we explore the quiet power of doing things with both hands:Why bilateral movement calms the nervous systemCultural and spiritual traditions that honor two-handed gesturesEveryday tasks that ground us through full-body presenceReal-world quotes and wisdom about giving, receiving, and connecting more deeplySimple ways to bring more intentionality and wholeness into your dai
The misunderstanding of STONER and maybe people like us (contains spoilers)
THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE BOOK "STONER" BY JOHN WILLIAMSSPOILERS...In this heartfelt episode, we explore:How the novel Stoner reveals the hidden emotional lives so many of us carryWhy Stoner’s death from esophageal cancer symbolizes the suffocation of unexpressed emotionsThe myth that stoicism means emotional emptiness — and the truth about deep-feeling peopleHow modern cultu
Your "Why Not" List: A Life-Saving Tool for Mental Health and Suicide
In this episode, we explore why having a personal "Why Not" list can be a powerful tool for mental health and suicide prevention:How “Why not?” can lead to impulsive or harmful decisionsWhy having your own “why nots” can help you say no when it mattersHow a “why not” list can save a life during a suicidal crisisExamples of meaningful “why nots” that resonate deeplyBacked by research: the
Brilliance and Breakdown: Mania, Music, and Mental Health
In this episode, we explore:What a manic episode actually looks and feels likeHow mania and depression can reduce grey matter in the brainWhy overstimulation, lack of sleep, and creative pressure can trigger episodesHow Kanye West’s story reveals the tension between brilliance and instabilityThe difference between holding people accountable and holding them with compassionWhat it means to
6 Beautiful Questions to disrupt negative feedback loops
In today's episode we discuss the following questions: What truth in you cannot be broken?When do you feel most like you?Who are you without your name?What are you growing into?Where does your courage live?What is something small that feels big to you?Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.t
Floating, Not Fleeing: When the Ocean Calls You to Stay
In this deeply personal solo episode, I reflect on a moment at sea that stirred something primal—a desire to leap, not to die, but to feel fully alive. We explore:The difference between wanting escape and needing depthHow “leaping” can be a cry for rest, touch, or meaningWhat it means to unplug, fast, and floatA practice for staying grounded when you feel unspooledWhy intensity sometimes
THE COST OF WHAT YOU DIDN'T SAY
In this episode, we explore what happens when we withhold what’s true, raw, or real inside us:Why unexpressed thoughts and emotions don’t just disappear—they festerThe difference between release and recklessness in emotional expressionHow to safely express anger, resentment, longing, and fear without hurting yourself or othersWhat 365 Tao teaches us about drawing from our inner well befor
Seven Life Saving Strategies for Suicidal Urges
In this episode, we explore seven powerful strategies that can help someone survive intense emotional distress and suicidal thoughts (from the book, THE SUICIDAL PERSON by Konrad Michel): Call a trusted doctor or therapist for personalized careReach out to a 24/7 crisis line for nonjudgmental supportAvoid alcohol to protect your judgment and emotional balanceResist writing a goodbye lette
THE POWER OF ZERO: REDEFINING WORTH AND CONNECTION
In this episode, we explore the powerful symbolism of the zero — often misunderstood as "nothing" — and reveal how it actually represents connection, wholeness, and infinite potential. If you’ve ever felt invisible, isolated, or not enough, this conversation is for you.Key Takeaways:How feeling like a "zero" can actually signal readiness for connection, not emptinessThe role of circles in
8 Strategies to Reduce Our Suicidal Urges
In today's episode we discuss:What we often do when suicidal urges riseWhy small, immediate actions can be life-savingThe psychology behind choosing connection over isolationHow resistance, not resolution, can carry us through a crisisSimple decisions that protect life in the most fragile momentsIf you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go
Truth about touch, sex and connection
In today's episode we explore the quiet but powerful human need for touch—and how its absence can deepen despair and loneliness, especially for those struggling with suicidal thoughts.Why asking “Who thinks about sex more?” misses the deeper question of touchHow men and women often experience and imagine touch differentlyThe evolutionary and emotional roots of skin hungerWhy physical cont
Lauren Henry Brehm: Suicide attempt, OCD and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Lauren Henry Brehm joined the podcast to discuss her book The French Court: Essays from One Family's Legacy of Mental Illness and her journey through mental health, family trauma, and personal transformation.Opened up about her grandmother’s undiagnosed OCD and its generational impactShared her own suicide attempt and living with Autism Spectrum DisorderReflected on her divorce after 29 y
I See You: A Story About the Mailman and Me
In this episode, we explore the subtle, often missed moments of human connection—and what they reveal about our deeper needs.A brief exchange with a mailman sparks reflection on communication and misunderstandingThe physical sensation of a missed connection—what it tells usWhy we often choose efficiency or comfort over connectionHow being unseen can create deep emotional painThe power of
Storm and Story: The Difference Between Emotions and Feelings
Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to improve in the areas of health, wealth and/or relationships, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:In the US: Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential cr
Talking to Feel: Pillow Talk, Couch Talk, and Kitchen Talk Reimagined
In this episode, we explore how meaningful conversation can be divided into three emotional spaces — even if you live alone:🛏️ Pillow Talk: A space for vulnerability, emotional honesty, and self-compassion🛋️ Couch Talk: Reflecting on purpose, identity, and how we relate to the world🍳 Kitchen Talk: Dynamic, messy conversations powered by movement, action, and emotionHistorical, literary, a
Dissecting a Suicide Note - John Barnett
In today's episode we discuss: Explore the life and legacy of Boeing whistleblower John BarnettHear key excerpts from his powerful final noteAnalyze the emotions, thoughts, needs, and wants expressed in his writingDiscuss the impact of workplace retaliation on mental healthReflect on how systems meant to protect whistleblowers may fail themOffer resources for those struggling with suicida
Jess Feliciano: From suicide attempts to loving myself
In this episode Jess Feliciano shares:What led to her first suicide attemptWhy breakups and heartache are so painfulWhy therapy is not enough to heal usHow to trust yourself to love againHow to set boundaries and communicate needsEfficacy of Dialectical Behavioral TherapyHow getting ice cream led to communityIf you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your
Suicidality and why we isolate
We discuss ways we isolate and how to slowly emerge to re-engage with the world around us.
Tony Stark: 3 suicide attempts
We discuss Tony Stark's (yes, that's his real name) three suicide attempts and his road to creating a life worth living.Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to improve in the areas of health, wealth and/or relationships, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to t
Hope begins in the morning
In this episode, I explore suicide prevention not from the edge of crisis, but from the quiet places where meaning begins to erode—often, first thing in the morning. I share a personal reflection on how dopamine, novelty, and connection shape our sense of aliveness, and how a simple morning practice I call CALM—Check in, Activate, Learn, Make connection—can be a lifeline. This isn’t a con
Effects of menopause and andropause on suicidal ideation
We discuss how menopause and andropause can impact our mental health. Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to improve in the areas of health, wealth and/or relationships, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:In the US: Crisi
WARBODY: A MARINE SNIPER AND THE HIDDEN VIOLENCE OF WARFARE
Authors Joshua Howe and Alexander Lemons join me to discuss:slow violence vs acute violencecoping with suicidalityThree Eights for scheduling your dayWhy healing is not recoveryHow to find meaning in the meaninglessToxic exposure, trauma and head injuriesWhat's your dream languageBUY WARBODY: https://a.co/d/cL9OeKYThrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to improve in the areas of health, we
Three "F's" of mental health: Fantasize, Frame, Follow Through
Hope can lead to painful disappointment. Fantasizing can prevent us from taking action. How do we bridge the two?Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to improve in the areas of health, wealth and/or relationships, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there
Four types of mental health responders
We discuss why we need first, second, third and fourth responders as part of our mental health team. Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to improve in the areas of health, wealth and/or relationships, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people w
Misunderstandings, Mistakes & the Lone Wolf Myth
The idea of the “lone wolf” and the “alpha” is often misunderstood—both in nature and in life. In this episode, we explore how isolation, perception, and disconnection shape our struggles, why most suicides come down to mistakes or misunderstandings, and how we can shift our perspective to stay connected, even in the darkest moments.Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to improve in the
Suicide prevention and the risks of being in love
Mark Schorr LPC, joins us to discusswhy relationship crisis is strongest motivator for suicidalitydifferences between feeling helpless, worthless and hopelessmyth about suicides in winterwhat's most important part of treating someone with suicidalitywhat is "tragic optimism" how TIPP pulls us out of despairvalue of "planned pleasurable events" Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to impr
The joy of feeling anger
Our anger isn't something to be feared, it's to be alchemized and utilized for a bigger purpose. It's a signal of hurt and unmet needs. Let's explore. Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to improve in the areas of health, wealth and/or relationships, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, de
