Depth of Echoes Podcast

Gay and Christian arent two terms that go together often. In many U.S. churches, being gay is still something to keep secret. Conversion therapy is seen as the thing real christians do when they really want to be "good." What does that actually do for your mental health though? Today we welcome to the conversation Seth Showalter, LCSW. Seth gives us the details on his story - being gay in a conservative christian world, life with a TBI, utilizing therapists, the suicide lifeline from the counselor's side, and EAPs.

Seth is the host of the Mental Podcast and a cohost on the Fade to Gray Podcast. He is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, former Suicide Lifeline Counselor, and a lifelong man of faith. Please make sure to check out his social media and podcasts to get in touch with him and hear his new podcast!

Mental Podcast - Facebook

Fade to Gray Podcast - Facebook, Instagram

Check out the Episode Pinterest Board for bonus content and all the links in one spot! (like info on the Lectionary and GoodRx!)

One Time Support Contribution

Patreon

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Text - "Connect" to 741741

Crisis Chat

www.depthofechoes.com

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

SHOP (only the raddest merch for y'all)

FB Group: The Echo Chamber

Anonymous Question Form

Crisis resources are also available to people who are trying to support someone in crisis. If that's you, just text or call and let them know the situation to the best of your knowledge.

When dialing 911 always ask for a crisis intervention team if available. These units have extra training specifically in regards to mental health crisis and can absolutely be the difference between a good outcome and a bad one.

COVID 19 has the entire world scrambling for safety and healing. Social distancing and stay home orders are in place to #FlattenTheCurve and mental illness risks are at an all time high, especially for those of us who already had these issues. As we are all trying to figure out what to do in response to COVID, I wanted to take some time to go over some really important angles and make sure that we heal in the right direction.

This was a world changing, history making virus. People are panicking, businesses are being shut down to #slowthespread, and the President keeps changing his story. COVID has been a catalyst to shine light on the Institutional Betrayal Trauma going on in the United States. In episode 46, we talked in depth about why it can have such devastating consequences.

Coping with COVID (or the Coronavirus) is on the forefront of everyone's mind. Meditation and mindfulness, art, and community are more important than ever. Surviving this pandemic means banding together in ways we may have never thought possible. So let's lead into the future with love.

Amira Stanley - Core Mind Gut Connection - FB + IG

Coronavirus Meditation

Check out the Episode Pinterest Board for more!

One Time Support Contribution

Patreon

Mary Rose Foundation - FB + IG (Julie Allen)

The Queer Counselor - FB + IG (Haley Jones)

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Text - "Connect" to 741741

Crisis Chat

www.depthofechoes.com

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

SHOP (only the raddest merch for y'all)

FB Group: The Echo Chamber

Anonymous Question Form

Crisis resources are also available to people who are trying to support someone in crisis. If that's you, just text or call and let them know the situation to the best of your knowledge.

When dialing 911 always ask for a crisis intervention team if available. These units have extra training specifically in regards to mental health crisis and can absolutely be the difference between a good outcome and a bad one.

Institutional betrayal is one of the most under-addressed forms of trauma. What does it mean? Who does it affect and how? I invited my friend Liz on to talk about her lived experience as someone who came up with numerous ACEs, religious abuse, what a mental illness friendly church looks like, faith rituals, cultural diagnosis biases, and institutional betrayal.

Advocacy is one of the most important roles we can play as allies. Institutional betrayal doesnt get turned around and healed without everyone working together, advocating for real, positive change for folx in the mental health system AND before that.

Its about **1.5** hours and worth every second, even if the audio quality is rough due to skype.

Check out the Episode Pinterest Board for more!

One Time Support Contribution

Patreon

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Text - "Connect" to 741741

Crisis Chat

www.depthofechoes.com

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

SHOP (only the raddest merch for y'all)

FB Group: The Echo Chamber

Anonymous Question Form

Crisis resources are also available to people who are trying to support someone in crisis. If that's you, just text or call and let them know the situation to the best of your knowledge.

When dialing 911 always ask for a crisis intervention team if available. These units have extra training specifically in regards to mental health crisis and can absolutely be the difference between a good outcome and a bad one.

Selena Maestas joins Rayah to talk about her journey with eating disorders. Selena's story includes: Anorexia, Body Dysmorphia, Orthorexia, and Parental Substance Abuse.

Selena Maestas Coaching is how she shares the healing she has worked so hard at. You can also check out her group, Momboss Mindset, where she specializes in helping Mom business owners work through their internal shadows.

Richie and Rayah also experiment with a new segment called “Awkward Conversation Starters.” To encourage us all find ways to get through the awkward and into meaningful conversations.

National Eating Disorder Association Screening tool, Recovery Record (ED Recovery App), NEDA Help Line: (800) 931-2237, NEDA Chat

Selena Maestas Coaching

Selena's Facebook, Instagram, and the Momboss Mindset Facebook Group

One Time Support Contribution

Patreon

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Text – “Connect” to 741741

Crisis Chat

www.depthofechoes.com

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

SHOP (only the raddest merch for y’all)

FB Group: The Echo Chamber

Anonymous Question Form

Crisis resources are also available to people who are trying to support someone in crisis. If that’s you, just text or call and let them know the situation to the best of your knowledge.

When dialing 911 always ask for a crisis intervention team if available. These units have extra training specifically in regards to mental health crisis and can absolutely be the difference between a good outcome and a bad one.

"You are good."

Good? Me?

Many of us struggle to feel like we are worthy or good. Often this conflict is introduced by theological wounds. Prophets and Heretics is the first of an ongoing series on faith within the Depth of Echoes schema.  We will explore religious trauma, answer hard questions about mental illness and faith, and figure out how to restore space in the community for the marginalized. Because we, are GOOD.

Many of us who have asked the hard questions about faith have been labeled or called ‘Heretics.’ Are we? Pastor Adam and Rayah talk in depth about just a few of the ways traditional churches may wound with scripture, why it's wrong, and what you can do to bring back the good.

Kyle's Gallery for those sweet Star Wars prints

Trans Day of Remembrance Sermon By Amira

Adam Ericksen, also has a podcast! One Question with Pastor Adam

Clackamas United Church of Christ

Austen Hartke/AustenLionheart (Youtube)

http://austenhartke.com/book

Previous episodes about Boundaries (latest ep) or here & here

One Time Support Contribution

Patreon

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Text - "Connect" to 741741

Crisis Chat

www.depthofechoes.com

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

SHOP (only the raddest merch for y'all)

FB Group: The Echo Chamber

Anonymous Question Form

Crisis resources are also available to people who are trying to support someone in crisis. If that's you, just text or call and let them know the situation to the best of your knowledge.

When dialing 911 always ask for a crisis intervention team if available. These units have extra training specifically in regards to mental health crisis and can absolutely be the difference between a good outcome and a bad one.

Boundaries of all kinds are the subject of the day therefore, Rayah is joined by guest host, Kara of Artstrom Digital Media, for a deep dive into various boundaries.

Ranging from soft and moveable to rigid and impenetrable, there are all sorts of boundaries needed in our lives and it's certainly vital to talk them out. If you struggle with setting limits in your personal life, this is the episode for you.

Use the printable episode guide below as a handy resource to help you as you listen or sit down with it later. We hope you find it helpful as you explore and build healthy, sustainable boundaries in your life.

FREE PRINTABLE EPISODE GUIDE

ArtstromDigital Web, Facebook, Instagram

Previous episodes about Boundaries here & here

One Time Support Contribution

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Text - "Connect" to 741741

Crisis Chat

www.depthofechoes.com

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

SHOP (only the raddest merch for y'all)

FB Group: The Echo Chamber

Anonymous Question Form

Crisis resources are also available to people who are trying to support someone in crisis. If that's you, just text or call and let them know the situation to the best of your knowledge.

When dialing 911 always ask for a crisis intervention team if available. These units have extra training specifically in regards to mental health crisis and can absolutely be the difference between a good outcome and a bad one.

***ORIGINAL AIR DATE 11/21/18*** Happy Holidays! Rayah finishes up #Movember (Men's Mental Health) with some of the warning signs you need to be looking out for and tackling the elephant in the room - sexual disfunction with medications.

Dr. Alicia Hart comes on to share some solid tips for surviving the holidays with a mental illness. She also gives some reassurance to those struggling with eating disorders this feasting season. Dr. Hart is a Primary Care Naturopath with Vitality NW in Tualatin, Oregon. 

The MOB Nation is an alliance of mom-owned businesses dedicated to empowering women who balance both motherhood and business.

The following resources are for both the person in crisis AND for family and friends of someone in crisis:

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

NAMI Crisis Text Line: text “NAMI” to 741741

Email – [email protected] or [email protected]

SHOP

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Patreon

Facebook Group: The Echo Chamber

Question Voicemail Line: 541-819-0543

Anonymous Question Form

Thank you to Jake Roach for creating our intro music. Interview background music created by SoundStripe. 

Help for the Holidays with Dr. Hart

Healing from trauma? “It gets worse before it gets better” is a common truth. What does that mean when you're healing though? While it’s different for everyone, Rayah shares what ‘worse’ has meant the last few months.

We talk more about the struggles of the holidays, especially when you have had to put boundaries up. When people you love are missing from your life for your own healing.

As we close out the year, Rayah goes over the future of the podcast and what that means for everyone listening. Dont worry - it's good! The "better" parts are coming. Listen in for the ways that you can be involved and help make a difference in the lives of those in our community!

Become a Patreon!

One Time Support Contribution

The Comfort Squared Project

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Text - "Connect" to 741741

Crisis Chat

www.depthofechoes.com

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

SHOP (only the raddest merch for y'all)

FB Group: The Echo Chamber

Anonymous Question Form

Crisis resources are also available to people who are trying to support someone in crisis. If that's you, just text or call and let them know the situation to the best of your knowledge.

When dialing 911 always ask for a crisis intervention team if available. These units have extra training specifically in regards to mental health crisis and can absolutely be the difference between a good outcome and a bad one.

It Gets Worse Before it Gets Better - Episode 043

Coping with the holidays seems to be the thing most of us are doing, no matter how many times we are told it's "the most wonderful time of the year." The older I get, the more the responsibilities mount, the time seems to shorten, and the suffering around me becomes more apparent. This time of the year is actually quite hard for me. On one hand, I have quite magical hopes for the season. The reality of coping is another story. 

Navigating this season with mental illness in yourself or a dependent family member can make for some absurdly stressful situations. How do we get through this season with our mental health intact? 

Here are seven coping skills to help you "Rule the Yule" this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keSLVQZ4A34#action=share

Check out the video or audio version of this post for additional content!

Set Expectations

We have to set reasonable expectations for ourselves and those around us. The holidays can be absolutely magical for many people. There is so much to do and see. We have nostalgic memories of activities with loved ones, multiple holidays, and the media constantly reminding us of how important this time of year is. The problem is that there aren't any more hours in the day or days in the week. The amount of tasks increases exponentially, while the days stay the same, or feel even shorter due to the decreased sunlight hours.

Bottom line - we cannot expect to bake 300 cookies, host multiple parties, hand-make all the gifts, work a job, see all the people we want, account for weather and sickness and everything else and still maintain good self care.

Honor Boundaries

In line with setting expectations, is honoring boundaries. When we interact with so many people we may not normally interact with, we are going to end up with some uncomfortable situations. Without trying to amp ourselves up by obsessing, we can plan ahead and think about what boundaries might be pushed.

Does that one Aunt always want a hug and you really don’t? It’s okay to have a physical boundary with relatives. Need to avoid certain topics or behaviors that may come up? What are you comfortable with? Where do you draw the line? If you can, talk about these with a trusted friend or a therapist if you have one. Literally practice if you can. It may feel ridiculous but it can actually really help.

Receive graciously

Being on the receiving end of gifts can be hard. During this time of year, often people want to give, give, give. Gifts. Food. Even time. Often, what they are really trying to do is express love. We live in a society where expressing emotions outside of designated times, places, dates, volumes, etc is really shamed and looked at as odd. We often end up bottling or saving these emotions for later - I will show them how much I love them with this gift. We reserve our deep emotions for the “right” time. The holidays feels “right” for many people because we have societal permission. It may help if we can sift through the noise and see that generally, people give gifts as ways of connecting to loved ones.

If you’re in a position of need, it may be even harder. If you cant reciprocate in kind, it can bring up feelings of shame. That is not an easy position to be in. I want to remind you that you have far more to offer this world than material goods or services. You are valuable and worthy as the receiver.

Give generously

Now is the time of year that everyone seems to have a donation basket.

Rule the Yule this year with seven tools and coping mechanisms. Rayah gives an impactful 17 minute episode packed with tools you can actually use. We talk about expectations, boundaries, giving and receiving, traditions, and why you'll need to say no A LOT.

If you struggle with the holiday season, you are not alone. Many of us find it difficult for one reason or another. Let's learn together how to make the most of this time of year. When January comes, we dont want to be checking ourselves into the psych unit because we have run ourselves ragged.

Stay tuned for the accompanying blog post and video version of this episode coming out 11/20/19.

Become a Patreon!

One Time Support Contribution

The Comfort Squared Project

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Text - "Connect" to 741741

Crisis Chat

www.depthofechoes.com

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

SHOP (only the raddest merch for y'all)

FB Group: The Echo Chamber

Anonymous Question Form

Crisis resources are also available to people who are trying to support someone in crisis. If that's you, just text or call and let them know the situation to the best of your knowledge.

When dialing 911 always ask for a crisis intervention team if available. These units have extra training specifically in regards to mental health crisis and can absolutely be the difference between a good outcome and a bad one.