Outside Issues

We share our gratitudes and resentments for the 2025 that was, preparing for the devastation of HR-1/Trump’s Fuckity Fuck Fuck (see episode 2) that is sure to come. Audrey and Patrick welcome social worker Seth Boun to talk about some of his political advocacy, shedding light on the space where social justice and clinical work meet.

In the fight for progress, in the fight for each other’s lives, sometimes we lose. Hope is a verb, as is recovery.

Opening quote by Rob Reiner.

Main show theme is “Strangers” by Midnight Prisms Opening quote by Greta Thunberg

Music and lyrics by Alicia Beck

Music and production by Max Foreman

Mastering by Little Castle Sound

Please follow and listen to Midnight Prisms on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o5jiLSZMoSXNWL98UBxYI?si=sK-K7IoUSp-QfFKgUwVY7A

Main logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)

Dr. Jamie Marich - clinical trauma specialist, LGBTQIA+ advocate and author of Trauma and the 12 Steps - joins us as we return again to the intersection between recovery and social justice. Audrey and Jamie talk about spirituality, trauma, and the Steps. Is there such a thing as unconditional love? Is there any daylight between helplessness and powerlessness? We submit that there may be spiritual value in praying for those we resent, even Donald Trump.

More about Jamie Marich: https://jamiemarich.com/meet-jamie/

Jamie’s recent Substack: “A Good Clinician is a Good Clinician: A Response to the Department of Education: https://open.substack.com/pub/jamiemarich/p/a-good-clinician-is-a-good-clinician?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer

Main show theme is “Strangers” by Midnight Prisms Opening quote by Greta Thunberg

Music and lyrics by Alicia Beck

Music and production by Max Foreman

Mastering by Little Castle Sound

Please follow and listen to Midnight Prisms on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o5jiLSZMoSXNWL98UBxYI?si=sK-K7IoUSp-QfFKgUwVY7A

Main logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)

Before getting into news (Israel Eurovision controversy, continued Trump ICE-fronted bigotry, war crimes) Audrey talks about her 20 year high school reunion and Patrick processes the pain of an ex who struggles with homelessness.

Opening quote by Greta Thunberg

Main show theme is “Strangers” by Midnight Prisms Opening quote by Greta Thunberg

Music and lyrics by Alicia Beck

Music and production by Max Foreman

Mastering by Little Castle Sound

Please follow and listen to Midnight Prisms on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o5jiLSZMoSXNWL98UBxYI?si=sK-K7IoUSp-QfFKgUwVY7A

Main logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)

Deep thoughts on favorite serial killers from Wisconsin, ghost roommates, and the blue stuff RFK ingests in an attempt to extend his horrible life.

Congratulations to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the city of New York, and citizens everywhere who refuse to sink into despair.

Main logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)

For domestic violence awareness month, Audrey shares her experience strength and hope, both from a clinical perspective and from once living in the 90th percentile of homicide risk from her abuser. To show up for survivors, the most important thing we can do is listen to them, believe them, validate their experience. The role of anger can be valid and constructive, not just self-immolating.

We also touch on ongoing ICE kidnappings, the radicalization of the liberal Democratic base, controversy surrounding progressive Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, continued rizz of the Mamdani campaign, and the tsunami of the national No Kings protest.

U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline:

800-799-7233

Domestic Violence online resources (Instagram) for those who may need help:

@ndvhofficial

@rainn

@childhelp

@nrcdv

@deafhotline

@niwrc

@strongheartsDV

@futureswithoutviolence

@womenforwomen

@blackandmissingfdn

Opening quote by Evan Rachel Wood

Title references Tina Turner’s escape from her abuser with little more than the clothes on her back.

Main show theme is “Strangers” by Midnight Prisms

Music and lyrics by Alicia Beck

Music and production by Max Foreman

Mastering by Little Castle Sound

Please follow and listen to Midnight Prisms on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o5jiLSZMoSXNWL98UBxYI?si=sK-K7IoUSp-QfFKgUwVY7A

Main logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)

Audrey and Patrick discuss Trump and Secretary of Defense Hegseth’s address to top military brass. The continued deployment of U.S. troops to cities (bolstering ICE brutalities) plays a key role in the continued degradation of American institutions and the rapid drop into authoritarianism we’re all experiencing. Met during treatment in early recovery, Audrey’s friend and former service member Richard Orosco joins us.

Richard is a third-generation Mexican American from Redondo Beach, California, and a proud U.S. Army veteran. A graduate of Mira Costa High School’s class of 1996, Richard enlisted shortly after graduation and served nearly six years as a truck driver, with assignments in Korea and across the United States. After a service-related injury led to a medical discharge, he has spent the years since focusing on recovery and personal growth, overcoming PTSD and anxiety through dedicated therapy and support from the VA in Long Beach. Today, Richard is happily married, a proud father to his daughter attending Cal State Long Beach, and continues to embrace life’s next chapters with optimism, gratitude, and a passion for travel and self-improvement.

Donate to the ACLU to support trans rights and fight the Trump agenda:

https://action.aclu.org/give/pm-donate-fight-trump-agenda

The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF):

https://www.pcrf.net

Further relief options to the victims of genocide and famine through The Sameer Project: 

https://linktr.ee/thesameerproject

Every bit helps.

Opening conversation between Elissa Slotkin and Pete Hegseth was taken from his confirmation hearing.

Title references the fictional (for now) “Bedford Forrest Medal of Honor” bestowed upon Col. Steven J. Lockjaw in One Battle After Another, in theaters now.

Main show theme is “Strangers” by Midnight Prisms

Music and lyrics by Alicia Beck

Music and production by Max Foreman

Mastering by Little Castle Sound

Please follow and listen to Midnight Prisms on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o5jiLSZMoSXNWL98UBxYI?si=sK-K7IoUSp-QfFKgUwVY7A

Main logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)

In light of Charlie Kirk’s murder, this week we talk about political violence and review “Eddington,” Ari Aster’s recent film that explores America's culture war, alienation, and predilection for carnage.

“You will never live in a society when you have an armed citizenry and you won't have a single gun death. That is nonsense. It's drivel. But I think it's worth it. I think it's worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational.

Nobody talks like this. They live in a complete alternate universe.”

• Charlie Kirk at a Turning Point USA Faith event in 2023.

For excellent journalism focusing on trans rights:

https://www.erininthemorning.com/

Donate to the ACLU to support trans rights and fight the Trump agenda:

https://action.aclu.org/give/pm-donate-fight-trump-agenda

Support humanitarian aid for Ukraine:

https://novaukraine.org

The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF):

https://www.pcrf.net

Further relief options to the victims of genocide and famine through The Sameer Project: 

https://linktr.ee/thesameerproject

Every bit helps.

Opening clip from Michael Moore’s “Bowling for Columbine”

Music from Jefferson Ross’ Southern Currency and Herman Kluge’s Society of Little Friends

Episode Art by Perry Kneisel

Main logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)

Our friend Jake shares his experience of being trans, queer and disabled, working overtime to survive a political climate that terrorizes marginalized groups. Central to his survival has been an aggressive pursuit of all the tools available -  mental health support, political action, even home gardening - which can be mobilized to help him live. We need to talk about suicide and how that’s connected to political choices and the material conditions they foster. Trans rights are human rights. The harm visited on any marginalized group is a threat to us all. As the saying goes: if they can do it to “them” - be it immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, Palestinians in Gaza, the unhoused - they can do it to “us.”

For excellent journalism focusing on trans rights:

https://www.erininthemorning.com

Donate to the ACLU to support trans rights and fight the Trump agenda:

https://action.aclu.org/give/pm-donate-fight-trump-agenda

Support humanitarian aid for Ukraine:

https://novaukraine.org

The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF):

https://www.pcrf.net

Further relief options to the victims of genocide and famine through The Sameer Project: 

https://linktr.ee/thesameerproject

Every bit helps.

Introductory quote by Hunter Schafer

Main show theme is “Strangers” by Midnight Prisms

Music and lyrics by Alicia Beck

Music and production by Max Foreman

Mastering by Little Castle Sound

Please follow and listen to Midnight Prisms on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o5jiLSZMoSXNWL98UBxYI?si=sK-K7IoUSp-QfFKgUwVY7A

Logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)

In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, Audrey remembers loved one Adam Popp, who passed away far too young from a drug overdose. We talk about harm reduction, soul mates, and Prince. As much as is possible, we encourage those with loved ones in the throes of addiction to try and hold on, in ways big or small. Human connection and socialization remains one of the most effective ways to combat addiction’s isolating effects. Where there’s life, there’s hope.

International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31st.

https://www.overdoseday.com/

Prevention toolkit:

https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/php/toolkits/ioad.html

Adam’s DJ moniker “Progress Inevitable” lends our closing song, “Fire.” More of his music is available on Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/proginev

Please consider donating to humanitarian aid for Ukraine:

https://novaukraine.org

The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF):

https://www.pcrf.net

Further relief options to the victims of genocide and famine through The Sameer Project: 

https://linktr.ee/thesameerproject

Every bit helps.

Introductory quote by Chris Cornell

Main show theme is “Strangers” by Midnight Prisms

Music and lyrics by Alicia Beck

Music and production by Max Foreman

Mastering by Little Castle Sound

Please follow and listen to Midnight Prisms on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o5jiLSZMoSXNWL98UBxYI?si=sK-K7IoUSp-QfFKgUwVY7A

Logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)

"Quiet isn't always peace, and the norms and notions of what is just isn't always justice"

-Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate

Audrey and Patrick touch on Trump’s misbegotten attempts to resolve the Russia/Ukraine war and make broader assessment of U.S. imperialism. Classrooms away from each other, we experienced 9/11 on TV in the same high school, separately embarking on journeys towards the anti-war, pro-human perspective we share today.

Considering Taylor Swift’s appearance on the New Heights podcast, we ask what powerful individuals should do with their platforms and influence in our time of omnipresent injustice and systemic collapse. How defensible is silence (an “apolitical” stance) when celebrity can move the needle on important issues, saving lives?

Before we wrap up we talk gun control in the context of mental health and deployment of righteous violence against oppressive systems. 

Please consider donating to humanitarian aid for Ukraine:

https://novaukraine.org

The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF):

https://www.pcrf.net

Further relief options to the victims of genocide and famine through The Sameer Project: 

https://linktr.ee/thesameerproject

Every bit helps.

Introductory quote by Muhammad Ali

Main show theme is “Strangers” by Midnight Prisms

Music and lyrics by Alicia Beck

Music and production by Max Foreman

Mastering by Little Castle Sound

Please follow and listen to Midnight Prisms on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o5jiLSZMoSXNWL98UBxYI?si=sK-K7IoUSp-QfFKgUwVY7A

Logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)