Ask Kati Anything

Shane Dawson and Ryland Adams join licensed therapist Kati Morton for an unfiltered and heartfelt deep dive into their relationship. From their awkward first date and sleep divorce setup to parenting twins and surviving cancel culture, nothing is off-limits in this revealing episode of Ask Kati Anything.

EPISODE SPONSOR

Why Do I Keep Doing This? https://geni.us/XoyLSQ

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In this powerful episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed therapist and YouTube mental health advocate Kati Morton answers vulnerable audience questions about living without hope, healing from lifelong trauma, and navigating emotional burnout. We explore how to break free from chronic emotional numbness, cope with retraumatization in unsafe environments, and rebuild a sense of purpose when life feels stagnant or meaningless. Kati offers expert insight on topics like maladaptive coping strategies, therapy attachment wounds, and the overwhelming grief that comes from invisible disabilities and complex PTSD.

Episode Sponsor:

Liquid I.V. - Use the promo code KATI For 20% OFF! https://www.liquid-iv.com

Audience questions for Ask Kati Anything ep. 268

1. I'd like to hear what you have to say about living without hope. My therapist and I have been... 00:01:18

2. Hey Kati, I’m a 25F with ASD. I have been abused by over 50 people (after reaching 50 I stopped counting) in almost every way imaginable, even by people who were supposed to love and/or protect me, even by therapists and teachers, from when I was 4 years old until recently. I don’t even really know what the word “safe” means. I have helped or held space for many people dealing with pain and grief, but I never learned how to receive help for myself. I was shamed and physically punished by my parents for even the smallest acts of self-care, self-soothing or my ASD symptoms themselves... 00:09:27

3. How do I get past the fact that therapy itself requires an imbalance of intimacy and sharing and just overall is not an organic give and take relationship? 00:18:07

4. How to stop obsessing over the world we live in….and how scary it’s becoming for our children. 00:25:12

5. I feel like I have nothing exciting to look forward to. This has been ongoing for years. 00:29:38

6. How can you cope with re traumatisation when you can't get out of the situation? 00:33:49

7. Is it possible for untreated mental illness to be traumatizing? I think I had a period of depression for a few months when I was 12-13ish, but I never told anyone and would always say I was fine when asked. I was functional enough to shower, eat, do school... 00:33:49

Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ

If you’ve ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I’d be so grateful for your support.

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Are you struggling with depression, self-sabotage, or anxiety that no one else can see? In this deeply honest episode of Ask Katie Anything, licensed therapist Kati Morton explains what high functioning depression really feels like and why you might feel so empty inside, even when life looks “perfect” on the outside. We’ll explore how childhood trauma, emotional neglect, and attachment wounds shape your mental health today — and how they’re connected to self-sabotage, memory gaps, and anxiety symptoms like itching or shaking. Kati shares practical steps to break free from guilt, reconnect with yourself, and start healing.

EPISODE SPONSORS:

1. Could you talk about high-functioning depression and what it really looks like? For context, I feel like I have a “perfect” life; supportive parents, a stable home, pets, a car, and all the basic things I need to live comfortably. I haven’t experienced any trauma, and from the outside, everything seems fine... 00:00:43

2. I accept my flaws and want to grow, but I zone out or give up easily. I’ve been stagnant in my studies for 3 years. How do I build real, lasting change when it feels so hard to even begin? 00:12:07

3. I’ve recently realized there are a lot of things I do not remember about my childhood. My sibling was sharing stories and kept looking at me asking, “Do you remember that?” and I rarely did. We lived in the same house so how does she remember so much more than me? 00:17:49

4. Could you please explain why people itch when they are anxious? It's something I have recently started doing without even knowing it was related to my mental health. Could you please tell me why we do this? And how we might be able to stop? Thank you love your videos and podcasts! 00:22:29

5. My question is about attachment regarding military life, having a parent unavailable but not by choice. I often hear you mention your dad being gone for work frequently when you were a child and how you believe it has an effect on your upbringing. My dad was in the military for 25 years and was often gone during my childhood—not for super long periods (maybe 4 months max), but he left and returned so often... 00:29:11

6. I’ve been on a healing journey in the last 2 years in trauma therapy. I’ve worked a lot on myself with the big challenge of feeling my own feelings. I’ve learned to sit with my feelings and finally felt safe with my therapist. I’ve set boundaries with family, lost relationships, and even lost a pet during therapy... 00:38:59

7. My old therapist is having a baby and I will no longer be able to see her. She has been so helpful and I have been able to move on from her in the past (when I “graduated” DBT). All of the therapists I have had since seeing her don’t quit live up. It’s possible that she’s my favorite person. How do I move forward with my life? 00:42:31

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The Mental Cost of Fighting Misinformation: Professor Dave opens up in this honest conversation, Dave Farina from the YouTube channel Professor Dave Explains shares the personal toll of dedicating his life to fighting misinformation and educating millions online. As one of YouTube's most prominent science educators, Dave reveals the mental health challenges that come with constant content creation and defending scientific truth in today's polarized world. Dave discusses how his work ethic has evolved from healthy productivity to potential burnout, the emotional strategies he's developed to handle daily harassment, and why he feels compelled to continue despite the personal cost. This conversation offers valuable insights for content creators, educators, and anyone interested in the psychology of online advocacy.

EPISODE SPONSOR:

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My new book is available for pre-order:

Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ

If you’ve ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I’d be so grateful for your support.

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Key Topics Discussed:

This episode provides a rare look into the personal sacrifices and psychological resilience required to be an effective science communicator in the digital age.

Resources: If you're interested in creator psychology, science education, or the fight against misinformation, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on the human cost of online advocacy. Check out Dave Farina's channel

Ask Kati Anything ep. 271 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT

Why Do I Keep Doing This? (pre-order) https://geni.us/XoyLSQ

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In today's episode I explain why you struggle to trust yourself and share the simple strategy to rebuild self-trust. I'll help you identify healthy vs unhealthy attachment to your therapist, recognize when you're protecting yourself in therapy, and understand the root causes of intimacy fears. I also cover different therapeutic styles, OCD vs OCD-like tendencies, and practical tips for developing secure attachment patterns.

SPONSOR:

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Kandee Johnson was sleeping just 2 hours a night at the height of her YouTube fame - juggling content creation, brand deals, and raising 4 kids as a single mom. In this honest conversation, she shares what that lifestyle really cost her and that health issues eventually forced her to step away.From having 13 cents in her bank account to becoming YouTube's biggest beauty creator, Kandee opens up about the reality behind the success. She talks about the exhaustion, the constant travel, editing videos until 4 AM, and how her body eventually said "enough."

SPONSORS:

My new book is available for pre-order:

Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ

If you’ve ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I’d be so grateful for your support.

What you'll hear in this episode

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 - From 13 cents to YouTube success

12:45 - The exhaustion of constant content creation

28:30 - Behind the scenes of a YouTube career

35:20 - Health issues and stepping away

42:15 - Life during her YouTube break

48:50 - Thoughts on social media addiction

55:30 - What she'd do differently

Ask Kati Anything ep. 273 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT

Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j

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Struggling with trauma, trust issues, food and body image struggles, or feeling like no one ever showed up for you? In this episode, Kati responds to six powerful community questions about healing after emotional neglect, craving validation, navigating boundary violations, and figuring out how to keep going when life feels overwhelming.Whether you’re starting therapy, dealing with past experiences that left you feeling confused or stuck, or just trying to feel seen, this episode offers real insight and encouragement.

Thanks to this week’s sponsors for helping bring mental health content to life!

GREEN CHEF - healthy eating made easy (discount link) http://GREENCHEF.com/50askkati

BETTERHELP - online therapy (discount link): http://BETTERHELP.com/katipod

🔖 Timestamps & Topics

00:00 – Intro & Book Pre-order Reminder

Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ

If you’ve ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I’d be so grateful for your support.

07:05 – Q2: "My therapist ignored what happened. Why does school still trigger me?"When trusted places become reminders of past pain and how to bring it up again in therapy.

13:10 – Q3: "My mom read my journal. How can I trust her again?"Privacy breaches, parent dynamics, and learning to rebuild safety after feeling exposed.

22:01 – Q4: "Am I being dramatic for needing therapy now?"Letting go of self-comparison and learning how to validate your current emotional experience.

30:40 – Q5: "How do I build hope when I never expected to live this long?"Finding motivation, building resilience, and coping with thoughts of giving up.

36:04 – Q6: "Can I have trauma even if nothing 'serious' happened?"Understanding freeze responses, dissociation, and why certain experiences still leave emotional scars.

Ask Kati Anything podcast episode 274, hosted by licensed therapist Kati Morton.

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In this revealing conversation, Grace Helbig opens up about her early days of YouTube stardom, to the burnout that followed, and facing breast cancer head-on. She shares behind-the-scenes stories of navigating the chaos of internet fame, the toll it took on her mental health, and how stepping away gave her the clarity to return on her own terms. Grace dives deep into the emotional and psychological impact of living life online, the loss of community in the creator space, and how her diagnosis reshaped her priorities. Now, with a renewed sense of purpose, she’s transforming pain into art through her new live comedy show, bringing humor and honesty to life’s hardest moments. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Grace for the first time, this episode is an inspiring, unfiltered reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.

Episode Sponsor:

I’ve teamed up with Babbel to give you 55% off your subscription—but only for listeners—at ⁠Babbel.com/KATI⁠

My new book is available for pre-order!

Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ

If you’ve ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I’d be so grateful for your support.

More Grace:

https://www.youtube.com/@itsgrace/videos

This Might Get Weird (podcast)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6qM1-K69UGys_BnilnWZ7w

More Kati:

https://www.youtube.com/@Katimorton

Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j

Ask Kati Anything ep. 275 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT

I’ve teamed up with Babbel to give you 55% off your subscription—but only for listeners—at Babbel.com/KATI

ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month)

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How do you actually feel your emotions without being consumed by them? In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed therapist Kati Morton shares practical strategies for processing feelings in a healthy way — and how to compartmentalize without suppressing what you’re going through.

💧 Today’s episode is sponsored by Liquid I.V.

ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s the real difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist — and how do you know which one you need?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Eric Bender, a psychiatrist, therapist, and media consultant who has worked everywhere from private practice to video game studios. Together we dive into the messy realities of mental health treatment: the truth about psychiatric medication, therapy vs. “med management,” why stigma keeps so many people stuck, and how to know when it’s time to seek help.

Dr. Bender shares his journey from teaching and social work into psychiatry, what it’s really like to balance prescribing with therapy, and how he helps patients navigate shame, fear, and medication side effects. We also explore borderline personality disorder, antidepressant withdrawal, genetic testing, and the art of tailoring treatment to the individual. Plus — his fascinating work consulting on Batman and other characters for media projects.

This conversation is honest, practical, and full of insights to help you better understand yourself and your mental health journey.

Sponsors (Support the Show!)

Mint Mobile — Get 3 months of unlimited premium wireless for just $15/month → https://www.mintmobile.com/kati

OneSkin — Target aging on 3 fronts with the OS-01 peptide, antioxidants, and non-nano zinc oxide. Get 15% off with code KATI → https://www.oneskin.co/

Timestamps (Ask Kati Anything ep. 277)

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Dr. Eric Bender

00:17 – Psychiatry vs. Psychology: What’s the Difference?

02:09 – Dr. Bender’s Unconventional Path to Becoming a Psychiatrist

07:10 – Working with Children & Parents in Therapy

09:01 – Why He Still Does Therapy (Not Just Medication)

13:16 – Conversations Around Medication & Stigma

17:18 – Antidepressant Withdrawal & Side Effects Explained

23:36 – Treating Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

29:48 – Therapy, Medication & Insurance Challenges

35:13 – Should You See a Psychiatrist or a Therapist?

43:47 – Offering Hope & Knowing When to Seek Help

47:31 – Psychiatry Meets Pop Culture: Consulting on Batman & Media

52:14 – How Media Shapes Mental Health Stigma

53:04 – Closing Thoughts

My New Book (Pre-Order)

Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ

If you’ve ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I’d be so grateful for your support.

Other Books

Traumatized → https://geni.us/Bfak0j

Are u ok? → https://geni.us/sva4iUY

Connect with Dr. Eric Bender

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.ericbender

Website: http://www.doctorericbender.com/

Kati’s Main YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/katimorton

Online Therapy (10% off your first month)

While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist → https://betterhelp.com/kati

Partnerships

Nick Freeman | [email protected]

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