Surviving-ISH Podcast

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Surviving Ish: Trauma Triggers, Toxic Positivity, and the Relief of Losing an Abusive Mother (with Jesse, author of Girl Hidden)

Host David welcomes Jesse Gibbs (author of the memoir Girl Hidden) to Surviving Ish for a wide-ranging conversation on how scent and the body can trigger trauma responses, referencing The Body Keeps the Score and the difficulty of trusting intuition. They discuss “solving” feelings instead of feeling them, gentle self-parenting, and rejecting labels like “survivor,” “resilient,” or “hero” when they’re used to shut down vulnerability. Jesse shares her current “ish” about shoppers abandoning meat in non-refrigerated aisles and how small kindnesses matter. The conversation turns to Jessie learning her abusive mother has died, prompting reflections on relief, grief, and closure, plus a brief overview of her childhood abuse, kidnapping, and estrangement. They critique forgiveness as “clean slate,” talk about autonomy, appearance, purity culture, and end with support, validation, and Jesse’s thoughts on possibly writing another book. #books #author #podcast 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59856769-girl-hidden

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-ish-podcast/id1572182113?i=1000626284084

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How do you reclaim your life when it was never truly yours to begin with?

In this episode of Surviving-ISH, David sits down with the incredible Kristin Watson to peel back the layers of a much deeper, darker reality: surviving and escaping a restrictive religious cult.

Kristin opens up about her time at Crown College, exposing the toxic "purity culture" that systematically blamed women for men’s actions and stripped individuals of their basic autonomy. From the physical "armor" women were forced to wear to the psychological weight of constant monitoring, Kristin shares the raw truth about what it takes to break free.

We’re diving deep into:

• The Rules of Control: The disturbing reality of privacy bans and "purity" policing at Crown College.
• The Road to Recovery: How to navigate marriage growth and self-rediscovery after trauma.
• Breaking the Stigma: Deconstructing the shame around mental health and medication in religious circles.
• Personal Sovereignty: Why reclaiming your voice—and your vote—is a vital step in taking your power back.

This isn’t just a conversation; it’s a masterclass in empathy, human connection, and the resilience required to build a life on your own terms. #purityculture #deconstructing #religioustrauma #crowncollege #cultsurvivor #survivingish #spiritualabuse #religiousfreedom

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The episode the host sits down with social Medias DeeDaw and discusses how a political figure is using the same tactic as Hitler by exploiting prejudice and xenophobia—shifting targets from Jews to immigrants—and escalating attacks on trans people, drag queens, gay people, people of color, and others to unite hateful supporters. It claims this scapegoating kept people from noticing what was being done to them. The script also says he spent years building expectations around the Epstein files since the 2016 election, referencing Hillary Clinton, Pizzagate, and promises to expose Democrats, but once in power hesitated because he knew he was implicated in the files, then dismissed supporters as “stupid.” #politics #epsteinfiles #pizzagate #2016election #xenophobia #scapegoating #immigration #lgbtq #transrights #dragqueens #civilrights #conspiracytheories

https://www.tiktok.com/@deedaw19601?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

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What happens when the world isn’t safe? You build your own.

In this powerful episode of Surviving-ISH, we sit down with Alex—a TikTok creator who has turned a childhood of bullying, social exclusion, and a complex adoption story into a vibrant "Another World" of fashion and art.

From crafting Lady Gaga-inspired props out of recycled materials as a teen to designing "fashion armor" for Melanie Martinez fans, Alex’s journey is a masterclass in using creativity as a survival mechanism. We dive deep into how he reclaimed his identity after years of body dysmorphia and surviving toxic environments.

We also get real about the "Survival-ISH" moments of everyday life, including:

• The "Apple Tax": Why the host is currently at war with MacBook upgrades and dongles.
• Adult Collecting: How transforming your bedroom into a sanctuary can heal your inner child.
• Safety vs. Style: The reality of wearing bold fashion in "safe spaces" like concerts vs. the vulnerability of a local gas station.
• The Art of Moving On: What happens when a past abuser tries to crawl back into your life through social media?
• Adoption & Identity: Alex’s story of being adopted from Russia at 16 months and finding his "chosen family."

Whether you’re a fellow "black sheep" looking for your community or someone trying to turn your own trauma into a masterpiece, this episode is a reminder that you don't just have to survive—you can create something beautiful along the way. #SurvivingIsh #MentalHealth #TikTokFashion #InnerChildHealing #AdoptionStories #LGBTQPodcast #TraumaRecovery #MelanieMartinez #LadyGagaFashion #AlternativeStyle

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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 Hollywood Tape, and Collective PTSD
40:03 My “Ish” This Week: Emoji Miscommunication Online
41:08 Emoji Anxiety & “Are You Mad at Me?” Misreads Online
42:16 How TikTok Connected Them: The Eyebrow Stitchin

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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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