If you’re having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 (U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). Veterans press 1.

This episode is a direct, stigma-free conversation about suicide. We talk about what suicidal thoughts feel like, how ideation differs from plans and intent, and why human connection can pull people back from the brink. Guest Mike Dolloff shares his experience of an attempted suicide at 18 and what helped him recover. We talk about anhedonia, loneliness, masculinity, safety planning, and how to actually show up for someone in pain.

Content note: frank discussion of suicide, a suicide attempt, and dark humor used as coping.

00:00 – Crisis resources (988) & content note
01:17 – Introducing Mike Dolloff
04:59 – Lithuania story & dark humor
06:19 – Mike’s background (sales leader)
08:46 – Ideation vs plan vs intent
12:01 – Mike’s suicide attempt
15:37 – Shame, secrecy, and survival
18:09 – “Permanent solution to a temporary problem”
19:38 – Bravery, empathy, and connection
23:33 – Why attempts stop: fixation & exhaustion
25:10 – Readjusting to life after an attempt
28:17 – Why saying suicide out loud matters
31:13 – Vulnerability → real connection
34:28 – How to show up for someone suicidal
37:33 – “The opposite of suicide is living”
41:52 – Talking to kids about suicide
49:36 – Clinical breakdown: thoughts, plan, intent
52:39 – Means safety (locks, meds, distance)
56:53 – Research: asking doesn’t cause suicidality
58:13 – Language, censorship, and stigma
01:00:36 – Humanity vs anonymity
01:03:19 – Contact info & listener support
01:04:38 – Integration & reflection
01:06:18 – Close and sign-off

Key takeaways
• Suicide is often about escaping unbearable pain; ideation ≠ intent.
• Naming suicide reduces stigma and can lower ideation when paired with support.
• Connection beats lectures: sit with, listen, remove access to means, build a safety plan.
• Anhedonia (loss of pleasure) is a red flag; small “living” behaviors matter.
• Masculinity scripts (“be stoic”) isolate men; vulnerability protects.

Resources
• U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988 (24/7). Veterans press 1.
• Means safety: trigger locks/gun safes; secure meds; add time/distance between impulse and access.
• Tell one trusted person today. Human contact changes outcomes.

Guest
Mike Dolloff — business/sales leader and attempt survivor speaking candidly about loneliness, stigma, and recovery.

Hosts & contact
Taylor McCarrey & Peter Kingsley — therapists discussing suicidality, safety planning, and recovery.
Contact: [email protected]. Licensing varies by state; not a substitute for therapy.

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Search tags
suicide, suicidality, suicidal thoughts, suicide prevention, suicide attempt survivor, mental health, depression, loneliness, anhedonia, safety planning, crisis hotline, 988, masculinity, vulnerability, stigma, therapy, lived experience, recovery, resilience