What happens when life forces you to confront your struggles and rediscover your purpose?

In this episode of Breaking Mental Health with Darrell, Rhett Mikols joins the show to discuss depression, personal challenges, resilience, and the journey toward finding direction in life. We explore how adversity can shape identity, why purpose matters for mental health, and the lessons learned through personal growth and self-reflection.

Rhett shares insights on overcoming obstacles, leadership, service, community impact, and how difficult seasons can become the foundation for a more meaningful future.

This conversation is about hope, healing, purpose, and learning how to move forward when life doesn’t go according to plan.

mental health

depression

purpose

personal growth

resilience

self improvement

leadership

mindset

healing

motivation

If you want to share your story, email me at [email protected]

Breaking Mental Health is currently accepting aligned sponsors and brand partnerships focused on mental health, wellness, leadership, and personal growth.

For sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

If you or someone you know who is being abused, there is help. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788

If you or someone you know who is suicidal or attempted suicide, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also text 988

If you or someone you know who is struggling with mental illness, there is help. As Please contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hotline at 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 741-741

There is also a Crisis Support Services National helpline, call 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)

If you know a teen that is suffering also, call 800-852-8336

Other than that, if there is a serious crisis, contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

National Mental Health Hotline- 866-903-3787.

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

Accountability often gets a bad reputation, but what if it’s actually one of the keys to stronger leadership, healthier teams, and better mental well-being?

In this episode of Breaking Mental Health with Darrell, I sit down with Chris Hallberg, known as “The Business Sergeant,” to discuss leadership, accountability, workplace culture, burnout, and the challenges leaders face when trying to build high-performing teams. Chris is a military veteran, entrepreneur, and leadership expert who has coached more than 100 leadership teams and was ranked among Inc. Magazine’s Top 50 Leadership & Management Experts.

We explore the connection between leadership and mental health, why strong cultures matter, and how accountability can create trust rather than fear.

mental health

leadership

accountability

burnout

workplace culture

resilience

team building

personal growth

veterans

communication

If you want to share your story, email me at [email protected]

Breaking Mental Health is currently accepting aligned sponsors and brand partnerships focused on mental health, wellness, leadership, and personal growth.

For sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

If you or someone you know who is being abused, there is help. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788

If you or someone you know who is suicidal or attempted suicide, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also text 988

If you or someone you know who is struggling with mental illness, there is help. As Please contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hotline at 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 741-741

There is also a Crisis Support Services National helpline, call 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)

If you know a teen that is suffering also, call 800-852-8336

Other than that, if there is a serious crisis, contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

National Mental Health Hotline- 866-903-3787.

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

Financial stress affects more than bank accounts—it affects mental health, relationships, sleep, confidence, and peace of mind.

In this episode of Breaking Mental Health with Darrell, attorney and debt relief expert William Mitchell joins the show to discuss the emotional burden of debt, financial anxiety, and how people can regain control when money problems begin affecting their well-being.

With more than two decades of experience helping individuals overcome financial hardship, Bill shares practical insights into debt, financial freedom, stress management, and why financial peace is often an overlooked part of mental health.

This conversation explores financial pressure, emotional resilience, relationships, shame, anxiety, and taking the first steps toward regaining control.

mental health

financial stress

debt

anxiety

stress

personal growth

financial wellness

emotional health

relationships

self awareness

If you want to share your story, email me at [email protected]

Breaking Mental Health is currently accepting aligned sponsors and brand partnerships focused on mental health, wellness, leadership, and personal growth.

For sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

If you or someone you know who is being abused, there is help. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788

If you or someone you know who is suicidal or attempted suicide, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also text 988

If you or someone you know who is struggling with mental illness, there is help. As Please contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hotline at 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 741-741

There is also a Crisis Support Services National helpline, call 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)

If you know a teen that is suffering also, call 800-852-8336

Other than that, if there is a serious crisis, contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

National Mental Health Hotline- 866-903-3787.

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

Leadership often looks rewarding from the outside, but many people never see the pressure that comes with carrying responsibility for a team, a business, a family, or a community.

In this episode of Breaking Mental Health with Darrell, Jared Harman joins the show to discuss leadership, communication, resilience, team culture, and the mental health challenges that often come with being the person others depend on.

Drawing from his experiences in sports, family business, entrepreneurship, and volunteer leadership, Jared shares lessons on handling pressure, building strong teams, avoiding burnout, and leading with purpose in a fast-paced world.

This conversation explores responsibility, personal growth, communication, leadership, and the human side of success.

mental health

leadership

burnout

communication

personal growth

resilience

team culture

entrepreneurship

mindset

self awareness

If you want to share your story, email me at [email protected]

Breaking Mental Health is currently accepting aligned sponsors and brand partnerships focused on mental health, wellness, leadership, and personal growth.

For sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

If you or someone you know who is being abused, there is help. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788

If you or someone you know who is suicidal or attempted suicide, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also text 988

If you or someone you know who is struggling with mental illness, there is help. As Please contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hotline at 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 741-741

There is also a Crisis Support Services National helpline, call 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)

If you know a teen that is suffering also, call 800-852-8336

Other than that, if there is a serious crisis, contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

National Mental Health Hotline- 866-903-3787.

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

Many men spend years building careers, raising families, and fulfilling responsibilities, yet still feel disconnected from their purpose.

In this episode of Breaking Mental Health with Darrell, Dr. Kyle Hulsebus joins the show to discuss the hidden crisis facing many men over 40: loss of direction. We explore purpose, burnout, identity, leadership, health, relationships, and why disengagement may be one of the biggest threats to men’s well-being today.

This conversation challenges traditional ideas about health and offers practical insights for men seeking greater fulfillment, meaning, and longevity.

mental health

mens mental health

purpose

identity

burnout

leadership

personal growth

resilience

health

If you want to share your story, email me at [email protected]

Breaking Mental Health is currently accepting aligned sponsors and brand partnerships focused on mental health, wellness, leadership, and personal growth.

For sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

If you or someone you know who is being abused, there is help. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788

If you or someone you know who is suicidal or attempted suicide, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also text 988

If you or someone you know who is struggling with mental illness, there is help. As Please contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hotline at 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 741-741

There is also a Crisis Support Services National helpline, call 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)

If you know a teen that is suffering also, call 800-852-8336

Other than that, if there is a serious crisis, contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

National Mental Health Hotline- 866-903-3787.

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

Change is difficult, even when we know it's necessary.

In this episode of Breaking Mental Health with Darrell, I sit down with leadership expert, speaker, and HEARTnomics Founder Hanna Bauer to discuss why people resist change, the mental health impact of burnout, and how purpose-driven leadership creates healthier individuals and organizations.

Hanna shares lessons from overcoming personal adversity, leading through uncertainty, and helping leaders navigate the human side of transformation. Together, we explore emotional resilience, workplace culture, burnout prevention, personal growth, and why real change starts from within.

If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed by change, or struggled to balance performance with well-being, this conversation is for you.

mental health

leadership

burnout

personal growth

change

resilience

workplace culture

emotional health

purpose

self awareness

If you want to share your story, email me at [email protected]

Breaking Mental Health is currently accepting aligned sponsors and brand partnerships focused on mental health, wellness, leadership, and personal growth.

For sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

If you or someone you know who is being abused, there is help. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788

If you or someone you know who is suicidal or attempted suicide, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also text 988

If you or someone you know who is struggling with mental illness, there is help. As Please contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hotline at 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 741-741

There is also a Crisis Support Services National helpline, call 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)

If you know a teen that is suffering also, call 800-852-8336

Other than that, if there is a serious crisis, contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

National Mental Health Hotline- 866-903-3787.

Breaking Mental Health with Darrell is an internationally charting mental health podcast focused on real conversations around resilience, growth, trauma, leadership, and healing.

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

In the final episode of Year 4 of Breaking Mental Health with Darrell, we explore burnout, identity, productivity culture, emotional exhaustion, and what happens when achievement slowly becomes tied to self-worth.

This episode breaks down hustle culture, pressure, overworking, emotional disconnection, and why so many people struggle to separate who they are from what they produce.

Because success means very little if you lose yourself while building it.

Thank you for being part of Year 4.

Disclaimer: 00:00

The Message: 00:38

Introduction/The Rant: 02:26

Burnout & Identity: 14:28

What’s Next: 42:47

mental health

burnout

identity

self worth

stress

productivity

mindset

emotional health

personal growth

mental wellness

If you want to share your story, email me at [email protected]

Breaking Mental Health is currently accepting aligned sponsors and brand partnerships focused on mental health, wellness, leadership, and personal growth.

For sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

If you or someone you know who is being abused, there is help. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788

If you or someone you know who is suicidal or attempted suicide, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also text 988

If you or someone you know who is struggling with mental illness, there is help. As Please contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hotline at 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 741-741

There is also a Crisis Support Services National helpline, call 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)

If you know a teen that is suffering also, call 800-852-8336

Other than that, if there is a serious crisis, contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

National Mental Health Hotline- 866-903-3787.

Breaking Mental Health with Darrell is an internationally charting mental health podcast focused on real conversations around resilience, growth, trauma, leadership, and healing.

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

Why do so many people depend on external approval to feel valuable?

In Episode 87 of Breaking Mental Health with Darrell, we break down validation, self-worth, insecurity, social media pressure, and the emotional impact of constantly seeking approval from others.

This episode explores attention, confidence, emotional dependency, comparison culture, identity, and why learning to validate yourself internally is one of the most difficult — and important — parts of emotional growth.

Because external approval can never fully replace internal peace.

Disclaimer: 00:00

The Message: 00:38

Introduction/The Rant: 02:24

Validation: 07:40

What’s Next: 41:19

mental health

validation

self worth

confidence

social media

self awareness

mindset

emotional health

personal growth

mental wellness

If you want to share your story, email me at [email protected]

Breaking Mental Health is currently accepting aligned sponsors and brand partnerships focused on mental health, wellness, leadership, and personal growth.

For sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

If you or someone you know who is being abused, there is help. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788

If you or someone you know who is suicidal or attempted suicide, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also text 988

If you or someone you know who is struggling with mental illness, there is help. As Please contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hotline at 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 741-741

There is also a Crisis Support Services National helpline, call 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)

If you know a teen that is suffering also, call 800-852-8336

Other than that, if there is a serious crisis, contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

National Mental Health Hotline- 866-903-3787.

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

Starting over sounds powerful — until you actually have to do it.

In Episode 86 of Breaking Mental Health with Darrell, we break down fear, change, emotional uncertainty, and why so many people stay stuck in situations that no longer serve them.

This episode explores emotional exhaustion, identity shifts, comfort zones, burnout, rebuilding life, and why courage often has to come before confidence.

Because growth sometimes requires letting go of what feels familiar.

Disclaimer: 00:00

The Message: 00:38

Introduction/The Rant: 02:27

The Fear of Starting Over: 16:09

What’s Next: 42:52

mental health

change

growth

self awareness

mindset

burnout

personal growth

healing

emotional health

mental wellness

If you want to share your story, email me at [email protected]

Breaking Mental Health is currently accepting aligned sponsors and brand partnerships focused on mental health, wellness, leadership, and personal growth.

For sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

If you or someone you know who is being abused, there is help. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788

If you or someone you know who is suicidal or attempted suicide, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also text 988

If you or someone you know who is struggling with mental illness, there is help. As Please contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hotline at 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 741-741

There is also a Crisis Support Services National helpline, call 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)

If you know a teen that is suffering also, call 800-852-8336

Other than that, if there is a serious crisis, contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

National Mental Health Hotline- 866-903-3787.

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

How do people lose themselves emotionally while trying to maintain relationships, careers, responsibilities, and success?

In Episode 85 of Breaking Mental Health with Darrell, we sit down with author, speaker, and human dynamics specialist Maryna Bilousova to discuss burnout, subconscious behavioral patterns, emotional conditioning, leadership pressure, and the importance of maintaining emotional identity in high-pressure environments.

From corporate burnout to rebuilding emotional stability, Maryna shares how hidden internal patterns shape stress, relationships, self-worth, and emotional resilience. Together, we explore people-pleasing, emotional disconnection, self-sabotage, leadership stress, and why so many people struggle to love others without losing themselves in the process.

This conversation dives into emotional awareness, subconscious habits, burnout recovery, emotional stability, and personal growth.

Disclaimer: 00:00

The Message: 00:38

Introduction/The Rant: 02:26

Loving Without Losing Yourself: 08:52

What’s Next: 01:08:09

mental health

burnout

relationships

self awareness

emotional health

personal growth

leadership

healing

mindset

emotional resilience

If you want to share your story, email me at [email protected]

Breaking Mental Health is currently accepting aligned sponsors and brand partnerships focused on mental health, wellness, leadership, and personal growth.

For sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

If you or someone you know who is being abused, there is help. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788

If you or someone you know who is suicidal or attempted suicide, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also text 988

If you or someone you know who is struggling with mental illness, there is help. As Please contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hotline at 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 741-741

There is also a Crisis Support Services National helpline, call 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)

If you know a teen that is suffering also, call 800-852-8336

Other than that, if there is a serious crisis, contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

National Mental Health Hotline- 866-903-3787.

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