Forging Forward — Episode: Losing Hope

What happens when the future feels closed, motivation disappears, and everything starts to feel pointless? In this episode of Forging Forward, therapists Adam Thorne and Andy Kemp go straight into one of the quietest and most dangerous emotional states there is: losing hope.

They break down how hopelessness actually forms in the nervous system, why people often feel "stuck" even when nothing obvious is wrong, and how long-term stress, depression, trauma, addiction, and burnout slowly train the brain to stop expecting things to get better. This isn't a motivational talk or a "just think positive" episode. It's a grounded look at what happens when the mind gives up and how people can begin to feel forward movement again.

You'll hear how hopelessness shows up in real therapy rooms, why it often looks like laziness or apathy from the outside, and what actually helps someone start to rebuild belief in themselves, their relationships, and their future.

If you've been waking up tired of trying, feeling disconnected from your goals, or quietly wondering if anything is ever going to change, this episode is for you.

About the Hosts:

Adam Thorne

Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1441965

Andy Kemp

Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-andy-kemp-bozeman-mt/879276

About the Hosts: Adam Thorne Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1441965

Andy Kemp Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-andy-kemp-bozeman-mt/879276

If you're feeling shut out, dismissed, or unsure whether your experiences "qualify," reach out to Adam or Andy for personalized support. Both offer free consultations—book yours today and take the first step toward being heard without having to justify yourself.

In this episode of Forging Forward, Adam Thorne and Andy Kemp take on gatekeeping—the often subtle but powerful behavior where someone decides who is allowed to speak, belong, struggle, or be taken seriously. Gatekeeping can show up in relationships, families, workplaces, therapy spaces, and even personal growth communities, quietly reinforcing the message that you don't meet the standard.

From being told your pain "isn't bad enough," to having your opinions minimized because of your background, identity, or experience level, gatekeeping undermines confidence and creates unnecessary hierarchy. Adam and Andy break down what gatekeeping actually looks like in real life, why people do it, and how it impacts self-worth, authenticity, and emotional safety.

The conversation focuses on how to recognize gatekeeping when it's happening, how to respond without getting pulled into power struggles, and how to reclaim your right to your own voice and experience. Drawing on their work as therapists here in Bozeman, Adam and Andy offer practical insights for setting boundaries, trusting your internal compass, and staying grounded when someone else tries to control the narrative.

If you've ever felt like you had to earn the right to speak, belong, or be taken seriously, this episode is for you. Tune in and keep forging forward—without asking permission.

Gaslighting

About the Hosts:

Adam Thorne

Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1441965

Andy Kemp

Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-andy-kemp-bozeman-mt/879276

If you're struggling with manipulation, emotional abuse, or any mental health concerns, reach out to Adam or Andy for personalized support. Both offer free consultations—book yours today and take the first step toward trusting yourself again.

As relationships deepen and challenges arise here in Bozeman, many of us experience that unsettling doubt—questioning our own memories, feelings dismissed as "overreactions," or wondering if we're truly "too sensitive." If this sounds familiar, you're not alone: it's gaslighting, a form of emotional manipulation that erodes your trust in your own perception of reality.

In this enlightening episode of Forging Forward, host Adam Thorne and co-host Andy Kemp—two experienced therapists based right here in Bozeman—dive deep into gaslighting. They break down what it really is (beyond just "playing mind games"), explore common signs like denial of events, trivializing your feelings, outright lying, or shifting blame, and share evidence-based strategies to fight back. From setting firm boundaries and journaling incidents to rebuilding self-trust through therapy techniques, lifestyle adjustments, and knowing when professional help or distance is needed, Adam and Andy offer practical, hopeful insights drawn from their years helping clients navigate manipulative dynamics in relationships, work, or family.

Whether you're noticing these patterns in yourself or someone you care about, tune in and start forging forward toward brighter, more authentic days!

As the days grow shorter and the Montana winters settle in here in Bozeman, many of us feel that familiar drag—low energy, persistent sadness, cravings for comfort foods, or just a sense that motivation has packed up and left for sunnier skies. If this sounds like you, you're not alone: it's Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a real form of depression that hits reliably with the changing seasons.

In this enlightening episode of Forging Forward, host Adam Thorne and co-host Andy Kemp—two experienced therapists based right here in Bozeman—dive deep into SAD. They break down what it really is (beyond just the "winter blues"), explore common symptoms like oversleeping, social withdrawal, irritability, and carb cravings, and share evidence-based strategies to fight back. From the power of light therapy and circadian rhythm hacks to cognitive behavioral techniques, lifestyle tweaks, and when medication or professional support might make a difference, Adam and Andy offer practical, hopeful insights drawn from their years helping clients thrive through Montana's long winters.

Whether you're noticing these patterns in yourself or someone you care about, this conversation will empower you with tools to reclaim your energy and mood—no matter how gray the sky gets. Tune in and start forging forward toward brighter days!

About the Hosts:

Adam Thorne

Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1441965

Andy Kemp

Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-andy-kemp-bozeman-mt/879276

If you're struggling with seasonal changes or any mental health concerns, reach out to Adam or Andy for personalized support. Both offer free consultations—book yours today and take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.

Welcome to the ManMade Podcast

This Podcast is with Shawn Helvey and Adam Thorne. Shawn is a licensed behavioral health counselor and Adam is a graduate student in behavioral health counseling. They've known each other for over 25 years and talk every week about the trials and tribulations of life.

In this episode, we're thrilled to have Shawn in town, so we're recording in person together—though, fair warning, he's once again pitching to rename the show, and we'll see if he wins this round. We're diving deep into mental health and what it means to be a man today, sidestepping the tired patriarchy debate to focus on why supporting men—whose suicide rates are nearly four times higher than women's, per CDC data—lifts up families, friends, and entire communities. Expect a sharp look at the stigma keeping guys quiet, practical steps to redefine strength, and real stories that hit home.

Some resources that may be useful:

Jordan Peterson: Humanism & Carl Rogers

Contact us at: [email protected]

Welcome to the ManMade Podcast

This Podcast is with Shawn Helvey and Adam Thorne. Shawn is a licensed behavioral health counselor and Adam is a graduate student in behavioral health counseling. They've known each other for over 25 years and talk every week about the trials and tribulations of life.

This weeks guest is Mike Beckingham https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5672421/

On this episode of Manmade Podcast, I sit down with my lifelong friend, Mike Beckingham, to explore the profound impact of grief. Mike recently lost his father and is nearing the 10-year anniversary of his mother's passing. Together, we examine the emotional and psychological dimensions of these losses, unpacking the strategies he's found effective in navigating this dual bereavement. From resilience-building techniques to the role of memory in healing, this conversation offers an intimate, evidence-informed look at coping with grief over time. Join us for a poignant and practical discussion. Contact us at [email protected]

Welcome to Mind Matters

This Podcast is with Shawn Helvey and Adam Thorne. Shawn is a licensed behavioral health counselor and Adam is a graduate student in behavioral health counseling. They've known each other for over 25 years and talk every week about the trials and tribulations of life.

Contact us at: [email protected]