Speak Your Mind

Approximately 41% of Americans go to church on a weekly basis, and a whopping 60% have stated that they at least attend church periodically and/or believe in God. But what if religious belief in itself is actually a form of delusion? What if believing an afterlife and God’s existence without any quantifiable proof could be considered a mental disorder? Listen in as we explore the psychological side of religion, while answering questions such as, “when did the founders of famous religions go from being considered a little wacky to being idols (I’m talking about Joseph Smith, L. Ron Hubbard, and even Jesus Christ)?”, "is faith in a higher power in itself delusional?,” '' are there any psychological benefits to going to church and being a member of a religious community?, and “when does religious belief go too far?” It’s an episode that you won’t want to miss! 

Slam Poem: “Your God” by Rudy Francisco (11:04-13:30)Commercial Break Media: “Why Religious Beliefs Aren’t Just Silly” by School of Life (27:49-30:50)Also featuring clips from Family Guy (S13E9; S12E18), South Park (S7E12; S16E1), Robot Chicken, ABC News, Sarah Silverman’s “Religion Is Crazy” sketch (2015), Eddie Izzard’s “the Origin of Christianity” sketch from Circle (2000), and Family Feud. If you or a loved one are suffering from feelings of self-harm or suicide, there is a place for you; the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (available 24/7) at 1-800-273-8255 or by texting “HOME” to 741-741 if you live in the United States.

Approximately 9% of all adults in the United States experience personality disorders. But, for some reason, this type of mental health disorder still remains to be highly misunderstood and heavily stigmatized in this day and age. Listen in to today's episode to find out why this may be, the history behind the discovery and diagnosis of personality disorders, and how we can work together to break the stigma.

Back in late February, I released an episode all about mental health during global pandemics. But the problem was that at that point in time, there weren't a lot of resources available addressing this. And why? Well, the world had never experienced a pandemic of this magnitude in our lifetime. Things have changed a lot in the last month and I feel a personal responsibility to provide an update on the situation. This episode will inform you of what you can do to protect your mental health during this unprecedented time in history. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and hopefully you'll feel a little more hopeful about the situation after you listen in today! 

If you need to reach out for help in this time of crisis, you can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - it's not just for suicidal thoughts and they are here for you if you are in any form of emotional crisis! You can call them 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255 or reach them via text by texting "HOME" to 741-741 if you live in the United States. Citizens of Canada can text "TWLOHA" to 686-868. If you're in the United Kingdom, you can reach them by texting "SHOUT" to 852-58. For additional emotional support resources, check out the To Write Love on Her Arms website to find out how to get involved in online support groups, access online therapy, and much, much more! Need financial resources? Check out the UNICEF website to see what type of assistance you may be eligible for. 

Intro/Outro Music: "Hold On" by Joy IkeTransition Music: "Good Day" by Jukebox the GhostFeaturing clips from "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," "Friends,""Rocko's Modern Life," "Seinfeld," "Conan," "The Daily Show," and more!

Anorexia Nervosa, a disorder whose name literally translates to “Too nervous to eat,” is now an epidemic in many first world countries. Of course, it’s easy to blame the rise of social media and the “Fitspiration” movement currently taking Instagram by storm, but did you know that Anorexia Nervosa has existed since the Middle Ages (if not earlier)? It’s true! You might also be surprised to know that Anorexia is the deadliest mental health disorder aside from opioid abuse. Irregardless, treatment can often be very inaccessible to those in need due to location, finances, or a variety of other factors. What else don’t you know? Grab a snack and tune in and test your knowledge as we explore one of the most common - but also most commonly misunderstood - eating disorders. If you have reason to believe that you or someone that you care about may be experiencing Anorexia Nervosa, there is an anonymous screening tool available to you at nationaleatingdisorders.org/screening-tool. If you want to reach out for support, you can contact the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) hotline by phone at 1-800-931-2237 (available 11:00am-9:00pm EST Mondays-Thursdays; 11:00am-5:00pm EST Fridays) or you may contact the Chat Line at https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline (available 9:00am-9:00pm EST Mondays-Thursdays; 9:00am-5:00pm EST Fridays).To get involved in nonprofit volunteer opportunities that support and further the cause, you can check out nonprofit organizations such as Project HEAL (theprojectheal.org) and the National Eating Disorder Association (nationaleatingdisorders.org). Intro Music: “Scars To Your Beautiful” by Alessia CaraTransition Music: “Skinny Love" by Bon IverOutro Music: “Unpretty” by TLCFeaturing audio clips from Buzzfeed Yellow/Buzzfeed News, TEDxYouth@ChristChurch, CBS Eyewitness News, and the documentary “Miss Americana” (courtesy of Netflix).

Pandemic: a word that is practically inescapable lately. Since the start of this year, news outlets have been throwing the word around as casually and frequently as a dog barking at a mailman. But the word can cause a dangerous phenomenon filled to the brim with xenophobia, misplaced fear, and heightened anxiety (we're talking traumatic stress levels!) on both the general public and healthcare workers alike. Listen in as we break down why all of this hype surrounding a pandemic can be harmful to our mental health and, most importantly, what we can do about it. Slam Poem: "In Sickness" by Duck WashingtonIntro Music: "Hospital Beds" by Cold War KidsTransition Music: "Slammin'" by PandemicArtwork: by Dan Bejar via theispot.comAlso featuring clips featuring Dr. Drew Pinsky, ABC News, CBS News, and CNN.

Video games - they're seemingly everywhere these days. Heck, you can't even get through a ride on public transportation without spotting someone playing "Candy Crush" on their phone. But are they harming our mental health? Listen in today while Kristina lays down the numerous benefits of modern video games and how game play (in moderation, of course) can actually improve one's mental health. We'll discuss many of the video games leading the pack when it comes to embracing the emotionally healing benefits of gaming. Oh, and while we're at it, we'll crush some common misconceptions that video games are harmful on the psyche of its players. Grab a controller and tune in - this is an episode that you won't want to miss! Intro Music: "Still Alive (Portal Theme)" from "Portal"Transition Music: Theme from "Ms. Pac Man" and "Super Mario Bros"

Clips featured from CBS News, ABC News, CNN, TedxOldham, etc.

Ayo, we're back and ready to tackle 2020 with aplomb! Come grab a fresh pair of Skull Candy earbuds and listen in for our first episode of the new year- one all about Bipolar Depression. Did you know that more people struggle with Bipolar Disorder in Australia than do cancer? Here in the United States, it is estimated that 1 in 50 individuals suffer with this mood disorder at any given time. And the effects of this disorder can be absolutely devastating to the sufferer's personal life and relationships if not managed. But, thankfully hope is absolutely possible and today, we'll break down what the disorder is, what it isn't, discuss treatment options, and even mention why you should never refer to it as "Manic Depression." Get ready to have your mind blown! 

Slam Poem: "Some Things You Need to Know Before Dating Me" by Jamie MortaraIntro/Outro Music: "New Slang" by the ShinsTransition Music: "I Wanna Get Better" by the BleachersEpisode Artwork by Stephanie Stephens via bphope.com

Hey friends! We're off this week as we try to get back into the swing of things after the extended holiday break. But we left you with a classic episode that you may have missed!

For those of you who may be considering going back to therapy or trying out therapy for the first time, this episode is a must-listen if you're curious about the whole intake process. It's harmless, I promise! 

Also, here are the resources that I mentioned in the episode for helping you to find a therapist in your area:

1. Zocdoc.com: On this website, you can enter your insurance information and your zip code to search for therapists in your area that are covered by your plan. 2. Your insurance company's website (Independence Blue Cross, Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, etc.): You can find this resource by doing a Google search for your insurance company3. APA Psychologist Locator: Run by the American Psychology Association, this website lists esteemed psychologists in your area and lists the insurance plans that they accept. From here you can also read reviews and email the providers directly to setup an appointment. 

Intro Music: "I Wanna Get Better" by the BleachersTransition Music: "Better" by Regina Spektor

Ah yes, climate change! A phrase that has not been absent from the news, the Presidential debate stage, nor our every day vernacular for at least the last decade. Look, we know climate change is happening and harming our dear Mother Earth. But that's it, right? Mmm, not so fast - Did you know that climate change has some strong negative implications on our mental health? As victims of natural disaster or even as weary citizens fearing global warming's wrath, it's easy to get caught up in the trepidation and anxiety that can come with such a massive threat. Today we'll explore how and why climate change can harm our mental well-being and what to do about it. Spoiler: It's all about mindfulness, baby! 

Intro/Outro music: "Carbon Monoxide" by CakeTransition music: "Young Folk" by Peter Bjorn and John; "Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni MitchellSlam Poem: "Dear Future Generations: Sorry" by Prince EA Image: nature.com

Hey babes! We're off this week, but don't worry - we still wanted to leave you with something to grace your earballs - a classic episode! Maybe you missed this episode last season, you're new to the podcast, or you want to have a refresher on this episode - either way, you're in the right place! CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses suicide ideation, which is a topic that may be sensitive for some listeners. If you are not in a place to listen to an in-depth discussion of suicidal thoughts, methods of suicide, or symptoms of severe mental illness, I recommend skipping today's episode and tuning in another time. Intro/Outro Music: "1-800-273-8255" by Logic feat. Alessia Cara