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🚀 THE TRUTH IS COMING OUT—AND IT’S MESSY. 🛑

Dr. Sandy Cox on Surviving Ish: Politics, Trauma, Patriarchy, Community & the Emoji Problem

Host David welcomes psychiatrist Dr. Sandy Cox (who he jokes about calling “Dr. Sandstorm”) to the Surviving Ish podcast for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from mental health to politics, trauma, and community. Dr. Cox shares her background treating conditions across the psychiatric spectrum and reflects on how psychiatry has evolved since she finished residency in 1996, including increased access to non-pharmaceutical modalities beyond medication and ECT. They discuss the current climate of fear around speaking openly, referencing public figures losing jobs over jokes, and Dr. Cox describes feeling isolated as a single woman trying to find like-minded community while worrying about safety—down to whether a trans pride sticker on her Tesla could put her at risk.

The episode critiques political hypocrisy and escalating extremism, touching on healthcare cuts (including Medicaid impacts, nursing homes and hospitals closing), and the stress and retraumatization many felt from Donald Trump’s public rhetoric, including the Access Hollywood tape involving a Days of Our Lives actress David admires. Dr. Cox speaks as a “Mama Bear” with a trans daughter and describes ongoing cognitive dissonance and constant background anxiety. They connect these issues to patriarchy and religious upbringing, contrasting nature-based spirituality and feminine archetypes with Abrahamic religious dominance, and discuss how churches and government can demand morality while violating it.

Both share personal experiences with religion and abuse, including Dr. Cox’s abusive childhood and later sexual assault by a cisgender heterosexual married man, and David’s experience as a survivor of a brutal rape and hate crime and the rise in public slurs since Trump returned to power. They argue marginalized groups are scapegoated while powerful men evade accountability, and Dr. Cox calls on white women to resist church-driven patriarchy, raise boys with boundaries and equality, and stand up publicly for marginalized communities. The conversation also covers misconceptions about “trans gangs,” ICE interventions where women often step in, and the need to rebuild real-world community through conversation, mutual support, barter, and local resilience (community gardens), with Dr. Cox also referencing astrology and predicting difficult years ahead. David’s “surviving ish” for the week is confusion and conflict over emojis and misread social media reactions, which leads into how he and Dr. Cox first connected on TikTok. The episode ends with a rapid-fire question about self-care, with Dr. Cox describing her routine of gratitude lists, meditation, herbs, walking, the gym, beach sunsets, and a recommendation to follow Native American two-spirit creator Auntie Jace for morning smudging and meditation content. #SurvivingIsh #DrSandyCox #MentalHealth #Psychiatry #TraumaRecovery #PTSD #Patriarchy #ReligionDeconstruction #CommunityCare #LGBTQ #TransRights #Healthcare #Medicaid #Politics #TikTok #Podcast

00:00 Welcome to Surviving Ish + Meet Dr. Sandy Cox
01:33 Sandy’s Psychiatry Journey: From Residency to New Therapy Modalities
04:30 Rebels, “Kissing the Ring,” and Finding Community in a Polarized World
08:46 Safety, Speech, and the Tesla Sticker: Navigating Public Backlash
11:48 Politics, Medicaid Cuts, and the Cost of Cruelty
13:27 From Baptist Church to Pagan Roots: A Patriarchy Rant
17:23 Church Hypocrisy, Questioning Faith, and Being Shamed for Who You Love
21:59 Abuse, Sexual Violence, and Who Society Really Blames
32:05 Days of Our Lives, the Access

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"If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry." We’ve all said it, but Cathy Brusk lives it.

From the terrifying moment a "stomach bug" turned into life-saving heart surgery, to navigating a world that wasn't built for her son, Cathy joins Surviving Ish to pull back the curtain on the reality of special-needs parenting.

We’re diving deep into the stuff people usually whisper about:

• The "R-Word" in Politics: Why language actually matters.
• Medical Mysteries: How a vascular ring and Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI) changed everything.
• The Financial Breaking Point: How medical bills and "traditional" gender roles almost crushed their marriage.
• The "Ish" of Life: Why laundry drawstrings and Christmas tinsel are the ultimate villains.

Cathy shares how her family navigated mitochondrial disease, legal blindness, and years of financial stresses to find their "dream job" ending. It’s raw, it’s funny, and it’s the reality check you didn’t know you needed. #SpecialNeedsParenting #ParentingHumor #RealTalk #Resilience #MarriageAndMoney 

https://www.catherinebrusk.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Forgiving-Nick-Romance-Collection-Book-ebook/dp/B0CL2VCLSY

https://youtu.be/5bAFOuAeN2k?si=4XOYvwRiTXF1rqnH

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The System Broke Him. He Broke Back. Ever feel like you’re living in two different worlds? In this episode of Surviving-ISH, we sit down with Daniel Alzate, a man who survived a high-control childhood only to realize that the "real world" comes with its own set of chaotic rules.

We’re diving deep into the psychology of deconstruction—not just of beliefs, but of an entire identity. Daniel opens up about the silent battle men face with trauma, the raw reality of rebuilding your brain from scratch, and why acknowledging your past is the only way to survive your future.

From the heavy weight of systemic survival to the universal rage of unskippable YouTube ads, this conversation is a masterclass in navigating the "ish" of life. #chaos #deconstruction #petty #blimp

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"They told us it was God's will... but it was actually a nightmare."

In this episode of Surviving Ish, David sits down with Heather Ford for a conversation that is as raw as it is heartbreaking. Heather finally shares the full, unfiltered truth about her childhood spent inside a restrictive religious cult—from the "prayer closet" punishments to the dramatic escape that changed everything.

But the nightmare didn't end when the cult did. Heather opens up about the trauma of the foster care system, her sister Nicole’s tragic legacy, and her daily battle with OCD and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This isn't just a story about trauma; it’s a testament to the human spirit's ability to reclaim its voice. #CultSurvivor #TrueStory #ReligiousAbuse #SurvivingIsh #HeatherFord #FosterCareTrauma #OCDRecovery #EscapingACult #Documentary #InspirationalStories #FetalAlcoholSyndrome 

https://us.amazon.com/Barbie-Pink-Wall-Secrets-Abuse-ebook/dp/B0GHBX3DKB/ref=sr_1_6?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.B40aV9BxTb7HoES7zJtPedc4u26gb3CG9yEcO2sct43PS2swVqMDg08_d6Pi6j0qETTgYULzgdgPnDCfo0EcqjXVDxRS7CmkKQsBPxLCRs4PHV72TINB1s8R2N_3OW3vHOboSCGQ4WaL1Z26swR4-hXEef1NCusVrh35y0jVZSz4Lh-JGRuvDrJ1bYMQLS3JJ4E8UvRpqi2HHiLQRwYrQDslBVbPY6fPZIy3jiB8Uwg.x8aYmNj01XZ5JyRfzDCbC9jRirEb_HWAAeWT2pun3Sg&dib_tag=se&qid=1770077913&refinements=p_27%3AHeather+Ford&s=digital-text&sr=1-6

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This is heavy, high-stakes material. To get the reach this deserves while staying within social media guidelines (which can be finicky about certain keywords), you need a balance of authority. 
In this episode of the Surviving Ish Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Cox to dissect the recently leaked Sasha Riley audios. We’re moving past the tabloid headlines to look at the cold, hard psychological realities of the Epstein network, the high-profile names involved (including Donald Trump), and the devastating impact on the survivors.
Dr. Cox provides an expert deep dive into the "nature vs. nurture" of these horrific behaviors and explains how wealth and power can warp the human psyche.
⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This conversation discusses sensitive topics including child abuse, exploitation, and trauma. Viewer discretion is heavily advised.
In this episode, we cover:
 • The truth behind the Sasha Riley audio leaks.
 • The psychological profile of high-profile offenders.
 • How the "fear response" in the brain dictates political loyalty.
 • The impact of wealth and authority on moral development.

https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.sandstorm?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

#epsteinfiles  #trump  #ice  #alexpereira  #maga

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In this episode of Surviving-ISH, we pull back the veil on the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI)—a multi-billion dollar machine built on the broken spirits of children. We are joined by Tabitha, a survivor of the notorious Tranquility Bay in Jamaica and a relentless force for change.

Tabitha isn’t just sharing her story; she is leading a revolution. From the harrowing memories of overseas "treatment" to the systemic failures that leave survivors homeless and unheard, we explore the dark reality of an industry that operates in the shadows.

But there is hope on the horizon. We break down the Protect the Kids Act—a landmark bill designed to dismantle the TTI by banning out-of-country placements and enforcing strict mental health oversight.  PLEASE SIGN & SHARE OUR PETITION:

https://c.org/8BXpyZKnrz

#SurvivorsUnrestrained #ProtectTheKids #TTI #ChildAdvocacy WE NEED YOUR HELP — RIGHT NOW. For decades, children in “youth residential programs,” wilderness camps, and the so-called Troubled Teen Industry have been abused, silenced, and taken far from home with no federal protections.

It’s time to change that.

Survivors Unrestrained just launched a national petition demanding Congress pass the Protect Kids Act — a federal bill that would finally protect ALL children in every youth residential program in America.

This bill will:

Require a licensed clinician to determine if residential treatment is medically necessary

Ban forced transport (“gooning”)

STOP sending children across state lines without medical justification

Completely ban sending children out of the country

Require a 24/7 licensed clinician on site

Ban seclusion, punishment-based restraint, and deprivation

Guarantee communication rights so kids can call home and report abuse

Protect foster youth from being institutionalized due to lack of beds

Protect court-ordered youth with strict medical, legal, and safety standards

Require accredited education and real medical/mental health care

Mandate federal transparency and data reporting

Create a Survivor-Led Federal Inspection Task Force to expose abuse

Hold owners and staff accountable through background checks and oversight

…and so much more.

For the first time in U.S. history, this bill would create REAL federal protections for kids — because NO child should ever become a survivor of institutional abuse.

This bill was created with survivor leadership, but it protects EVERY child.

And now we need YOUR voice.

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Welcome to Surviving Ish, the show where we dive into daily face palms and epic meltdowns! I'm joined by my good friend Ashley from 'Ghost Gossip'. We discuss everything from blending families with teenagers, spooky encounters in haunted houses, setting boundaries with ghosts, to the pettiest things we've ever gotten mad about! Don't miss out on this candid and entertaining conversation. #SurvivingIsh #GhostGossip #BlendedFamilies #HauntedHouse #PettyRevenge

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ghost-gossip/id1730843318

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In this heartfelt episode, we delve into the emotional journey of a guest, Ashely, who has been coping with the loss of a friend whose murderer wanted her to be the next victim. The discussion touches upon the importance of being a voice for those who can no longer speak for themselves and the enduring memory of a special person named Nathan. The guest also shares personal rituals for maintaining a connection with Nathan, including visits to his grave and journaling. The episode lightens up with a fun segment known as the 'ish bowl,' where a rapid-fire, light-hearted question about irrational competitiveness is addressed, providing a refreshing change of pace.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-ish-podcast/id1572182113?i=1000558222283

https://www.facebook.com/ashley.strength2727/

http://ashleyinspires.ca

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Welcome to the very first episode of 'Surviving Ish,' the podcast where we discuss the little nuances and sometimes the big stuff that we're attempting to survive. Hosted by David, this episode features Jenny from the 'Unholier' podcast and Johnna, a reoccurring guest with a powerful story. Together, they dive into various topics such as the importance of laughter in healing, naming challenges for pets, surviving weddings with family dynamics, and the struggles of naming the new podcast. Tune in to witness authentic conversations, mental health reflections, and how music can become a surprising change agent. Don't miss out—subscribe, like, and join the 'Surviving Ish' community today! #SurvivingIsh #PodcastLaunch #HealingThroughLaughter #MentalHealthAwareness #LifeStruggles

https://youtu.be/hoeIP-xQw7w?si=ZdbcaJi7A5moPrO7

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In this episode of the Surviving-Ish Podcast, we dive deep into life's daily struggles and more significant mental health challenges with a twist of humor.. David and special guest Johnna discuss their own experiences, the importance of creating a safe space, and the profound impact of Charlie Kirk's recent tragic demise. They explore the societal and emotional ramifications of such events, emphasizing the need for authentic conversations and understanding across political divides. Tune in for an emotional and thought-provoking discussion that highlights resilience, empathy, and the importance of listening. #charliekirk #erikakirk #maga #donaldtrump

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