Mindi sits down with author and global health veteran Ted Neill for a candid conversation on writing, recovery, and doing hard things with heart. Ted shares how a major depressive episode and hospitalization led him to the 12-step world—and how "emotional sobriety" became the backbone of his life and books.

They unpack his provocative series My Name Is Ted and I'm a Racist, applying recovery tools to bias and public discourse, and the real-life investigative journey behind 20 Years of Unraveling, which ultimately drew in the Washington Post and the FBI. They also explore practical mental health tools like sleep, boundaries, gratitude, and HALT, while highlighting why the opposite of addiction is connection.

You'll hear:
• Why vulnerability beats perfection for both healing and writing
• How 12-step principles translate to confronting bias without shame
• What "emotional sobriety" looks like day to day
• The behind-the-scenes of investigating abuse and pursuing justice
• Rapid-fire fun: coffee vs. tea, rainy-day writing, and a very good Bernedoodle

Guest: Ted Neill is an author and former global health professional whose work spans memoir, social commentary, and children's literature. His books are available on Amazon and other major retailers.

Content Note: This episode includes discussion of depression, suicidal ideation, and sexual abuse. Please listen with care.

Two mics, one big conversation. Joy flips the script and interviews Mindi about her new book, Men, Mental Health, and Emotions: From Stigma to Connection. They dig into why Mindi wrote it, what 30 men taught her about feeling and expressing emotion, and how to tell the difference between suppression and repression. You'll hear practical starting points for guys who feel overwhelmed, a balanced take on "strength" versus shutting down, and simple ways partners and friends can support without pushing too hard. From faith and identity to sleep, food, and finding the right words, this is a hopeful, real-talk guide for anyone who wants healthier relationships and a healthier inner life. Rapid-fire fun at the end: D&D alignments, favorite Pokémon, yoga poses, and more.

Listen for
• what emotional strength actually looks like in 2025
• one small step any man can take today to open up safely
• how men processing emotions differently can impact dating, marriage, and family

Grab the book on Amazon (paperback or Kindle): https://a.co/d/1Ut20nW
Keep the conversation going with Mindi on Instagram at Mindi on the Mic or by email at [email protected].

What if the depression you've been fighting for years wasn't the whole story?

In this episode of Mindi on the Mic, Jeff opens up about his raw and unfiltered mental health journey. What started as years of battling depression, self-doubt, and exhaustion took an unexpected turn when he was finally diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.

Jeff shares what it felt like to live in survival mode for so long — the frustration of not being able to focus, the shame of thinking he was "lazy," and the weight of carrying an identity built on struggle. Then, he describes the life-changing moment he started treatment and how, for the first time, his brain felt clear instead of chaotic.

We dive into:
– The blurred lines between depression and ADHD
– Why so many adults go undiagnosed for decades
– How medication and therapy can work together instead of against each other
– The emotional impact of finally feeling like yourself after years of being held back

This is more than Jeff's story — it's a conversation for anyone who has ever questioned their mental health diagnosis, felt misunderstood, or wondered if there was more beneath the surface.

This episode of Mindi the Mic: From Stigma to Connection features a vulnerable conversation between Mindi and Joy as they open up about their personal experiences with sexual abuse, trauma, and healing. Together, they share how these painful realities shaped their mental health, relationships, and faith journeys.

Listener discretion is advised: this episode discusses sensitive topics including sexual abuse, trauma, and pornography. If at any point it feels overwhelming, please take care of yourself and pause or skip the episode.

Through honesty, empathy, and hope, Mindi and Joy remind listeners that healing is a process, community is essential, and no one is ever truly alone.

In this powerful episode of Mindi on the Mic, Joy shares her raw and unfiltered story — from growing up in a Christian family yet feeling like an outsider, to falling into witchcraft, addiction, and toxic friendships, and ultimately finding healing and purpose through faith and community.

We talk about what it's like to battle mental health struggles for over a decade, the dangers of placing your identity in other people, and the hard truths about addiction recovery. Joy opens up about the car accident that became a turning point in her life, how she burned her tarot cards, and why she's now pursuing her dream of becoming a therapist specializing in addiction.

Whether you share her faith or not, this conversation is for anyone searching for hope, community, and a fresh start.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• Find free or low-cost counseling in your area: FindHelp.org

• Open Path Collective (affordable therapy sessions): https://openpathcollective.org

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (U.S.)

• Alcoholics Anonymous: www.aa.org

• Celebrate Recovery (faith-based recovery support): www.celebraterecovery.com

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline: 1‑800‑950‑6264 or www.nami.org/help

• Mindi on the Mic Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MindiontheMicThePodcast/gift

Listen now and be encouraged that no matter your past, redemption is possible.

Is it chemistry… or just your dopamine playing tricks on you?

In this solo episode, licensed mental health counselor Mindi Wikstrom kicks off her Dating Series by diving deep into the emotional rollercoaster of meeting someone new. From that initial spark to the pressure of finding "the one," Mindi breaks down what's actually happening in your brain when attraction strikes — and why it doesn't always mean soulmate status.

She shares personal stories, therapeutic insights, and hard-won lessons on how to approach dating with curiosity, clarity, and calm. Topics include:
• The myth of the spark = soulmate
• Dopamine highs and dating anxiety
• Compatibility vs. familiarity
• Reducing outcome obsession
• Practical ways to meet people IRL and online
• First date tips from a therapist who gets it

Whether you're swiping, mingling, or just getting back out there, this episode will help you slow down, self-reflect, and stay grounded — without losing the fun.

On this episode of Mindi on the Mic, I sit down with the sweetest couple—Teagan and Caelan—for a heartwarming and honest conversation about dating, marriage, conflict, and everything in between. From a chance meeting during a COVID-era pool party to navigating long distance and training their energetic puppy, they share how their relationship grew from flirty Instagram DMs to a Christ-centered marriage.

We talk about what makes communication actually work in marriage, what conflict looks like behind the highlight reels, and how they stay grounded in their faith and love for each other through the messiness of real life. Plus, rapid-fire questions, date night confessions, and a hilarious debate over who's more competitive. This one's real, raw, and super relatable.

🎧 Listen now and don't forget to support the show here:
https://www.patreon.com/MindiontheMicThePodcast/gift

#mindionthemic #relationshiptalk #christiancouple #marriagestory #nebraskacouple #datingadvice #faithandlove #marriedlife #couplespodcast #christianmarriage #podcastlove

In this episode of Mindi on the Mic, I'm joined by Nolan and Conor for a fun and honest conversation all about fitness—what keeps us motivated, what holds people back, and how mental health plays into your workout routine. Whether you're a seasoned gym-goer or just trying to start somewhere, this episode is packed with insight, humor, and real talk.

If you're looking for personalized training advice or have fitness questions, feel free to reach out to Conor at [email protected] — he's a certified personal trainer and always happy to help!

🎧 Tune in and let's get into it.

In this deeply moving episode of Mindi on the Mic, I sit down with Kayla, a domestic violence survivor who bravely opens up about the emotional, physical, and psychological toll of her past relationship. From the early signs of control and manipulation to the trauma of abuse and the journey through PTSD, BPD, and Stockholm Syndrome, Kayla shares it all with raw honesty and strength.

We talk about:

• How abuse can start without you even realizing it

• The mental health aftermath of domestic violence

• What healing actually looks like (spoiler: it's not linear)

• How Kayla rebuilt her confidence and found community online

• The importance of boundaries, therapy, and speaking out

This episode is not just a story—it's a lifeline for anyone feeling stuck, afraid, or unheard.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available:
📞 Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
🌐 www.thehotline.org
🌐 www.rainn.org

💌 Connect with Kayla on TikTok/Instagram/Threads: @wallflower.kitten
💬 Have questions or need support? You're not alone—DM us anytime.

🎙 Support the show and help amplify voices like Kayla's:
👉 Join the Patreon

🎧 Don't forget to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to hear this.

What happens when your entire world shifts in a split second? In this raw and inspiring episode, Mindi sits down with Emily Lynch, a car accident survivor, social worker, and a walking miracle. At just 8 years old, Emily suffered a traumatic brain injury in a devastating rural car crash. Now, decades later, she opens up about the long road to recovery, what people still get wrong about TBIs, and how invisible wounds shaped her identity.Together, Mindi and Emily explore the loneliness of recovery, the power of resilience, and how trauma doesn't end at survival—it evolves with you. If you've ever felt unseen in your healing journey, this episode is a reminder that you're not alone.🎁 Support the show or send a gift here: https://www.patreon.com/MindiontheMicThePodcast/gift🎧 New episodes every Tuesday on all major podcast platforms.📲 Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today.