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Mental Health Healing: Surviving Cyberbullying, Childhood Wounds, And Identity Damage
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Today, I sit down with Justine Rodes, the host of the Mentally A Badass Podcast and a mental health advocate whose mission is rooted in surviving years of bullying, emotional instability at home, and the long-term psychological effects of childhood trauma. In this episode, I explore Ms. Rodes’ earliest memories of being bullied — beginning at nine years old — and how words like “stupid,” “ugly,” and “weird” shaped her self-image for decades. We talk about how these labels form core beliefs, how bullying becomes ingrained into a child’s identity, and how those wounds often follow people into adulthood even after the environment changes.
As we continue the conversation, Ms. Rodes walks me through the experiences that pushed her into self-harm, suicidal ideation, and eventually seeking help. She explains the impact of growing up in a household without emotional regulation, with a mentally ill parent and a sibling who often mirrored the same patterns she saw in school. We discuss what it means to re-parent yourself, how neuroplasticity helps you rewire trauma responses, and why healing often starts with understanding your patterns instead of blaming yourself for them. Her journey into therapy, receiving a bipolar II diagnosis, and beginning a long-term recovery process shows just how much hope exists even in the moments that feel the darkest.
We then break down the rise of cyberbullying and how anonymous online hate can be just as damaging as in-person abuse. Ms. Rodes shares stories of receiving anonymous messages telling her to kill herself, being targeted on forums, and having her high school insecurities reinforced by the cruelty of the internet. We talk about how social media gives both bullies and advocates a platform — and why understanding this duality is important for mental health, suicide prevention, and self-worth today. We also discuss her experience with toxic college roommates and how unresolved trauma often reenacts itself in adulthood through passive-aggressive behavior, exclusion, and emotional manipulation.
Finally, we explore the creation of the Mentally A Badass brand — a community and clothing line rooted in dark humor, vulnerability, and emotional honesty. Ms. Rhodes explains how social media became a tool for healing, how her reels began resonating with people, and why she felt called to amplify trauma stories through her podcast.
https://linktr.ee/lifewithjustine
Website: https://coupleonukes.com
Exodus, Honor Your Heart, & Nulu Knives: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/
Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007
Sign Up For A PodMatch Account: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/coupleonukes
*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.
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By Mr. Whiskey
4.8
121121 ratings
Send us a text
Today, I sit down with Justine Rodes, the host of the Mentally A Badass Podcast and a mental health advocate whose mission is rooted in surviving years of bullying, emotional instability at home, and the long-term psychological effects of childhood trauma. In this episode, I explore Ms. Rodes’ earliest memories of being bullied — beginning at nine years old — and how words like “stupid,” “ugly,” and “weird” shaped her self-image for decades. We talk about how these labels form core beliefs, how bullying becomes ingrained into a child’s identity, and how those wounds often follow people into adulthood even after the environment changes.
As we continue the conversation, Ms. Rodes walks me through the experiences that pushed her into self-harm, suicidal ideation, and eventually seeking help. She explains the impact of growing up in a household without emotional regulation, with a mentally ill parent and a sibling who often mirrored the same patterns she saw in school. We discuss what it means to re-parent yourself, how neuroplasticity helps you rewire trauma responses, and why healing often starts with understanding your patterns instead of blaming yourself for them. Her journey into therapy, receiving a bipolar II diagnosis, and beginning a long-term recovery process shows just how much hope exists even in the moments that feel the darkest.
We then break down the rise of cyberbullying and how anonymous online hate can be just as damaging as in-person abuse. Ms. Rodes shares stories of receiving anonymous messages telling her to kill herself, being targeted on forums, and having her high school insecurities reinforced by the cruelty of the internet. We talk about how social media gives both bullies and advocates a platform — and why understanding this duality is important for mental health, suicide prevention, and self-worth today. We also discuss her experience with toxic college roommates and how unresolved trauma often reenacts itself in adulthood through passive-aggressive behavior, exclusion, and emotional manipulation.
Finally, we explore the creation of the Mentally A Badass brand — a community and clothing line rooted in dark humor, vulnerability, and emotional honesty. Ms. Rhodes explains how social media became a tool for healing, how her reels began resonating with people, and why she felt called to amplify trauma stories through her podcast.
https://linktr.ee/lifewithjustine
Website: https://coupleonukes.com
Exodus, Honor Your Heart, & Nulu Knives: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/
Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007
Sign Up For A PodMatch Account: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/coupleonukes
*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.