unmasked

Sam and I talk about a symptom linked with obsessive compulsive disorder. It's called intrusive thoughts. This was super eye opening for me because I thought OCD was just about orderliness and perfectionism. I had no idea that there were other symptoms and signs connected to being OCD. Sam gets personal and shares about two intrusive thoughts in particular, that are actually in the top of the list that many others get bombarded with as well.

Cheryl is one of those people you go to when in need for help, guidance, and an extra dose of love. She’s a wise, patient, and loyal person. And a person with such wonderful qualities, it would be hard to believe that she has experienced being outcasted, and suffers from brokenness with division from a family member. No family is perfect, and more often than we like to admit, tension builds up within close relationships and it can either build you up or completely fall apart. Cheryl shares her story of losing connection with her brother and how it affected her and how she has been moving forward now.

Part 2 of Jordan's story continues, as he shares about what it looked like after his mom passed away. He was faced with some questions of what was next for him, and the direction he wanted take for his future. What we can appreciate about this particular story is it's one thing to be open about insecurities and things that concern the self. But its another to be vulnerable about the seasons of life, the really hard journeys that we had no choice but to walk through, and talking about it.

Jordan shares in depth the journey he was on of taking care of his mom before she passed. Its heavy, and hard to hear, but so worth the listen. I think you’ll really find that Jordan showed so much strength, and courage as he was going through this hard time, and its a beautiful representation of selfless love.

This episode is a different twist from past episodes. Kari shares her excitement and zeal for life by having dreams and passions. Dreams and passions are sometimes forgotten or they are not pursued because of different circumstances in life. After listening to this episode, no doubt will you start to think about your own dreams and passions and begin to pursue them. 

It is super easy to feel like you need to measure up to a certain expectation. And its also really discouraging when you feel like you have nothing to offer because other people are just better at certain things than you. But getting caught up in the trap of comparison will rob you from what you actually do have to offer! Tune in as MJ talks about how he has fought against the lie that he wasn't enough. 

This epsidoe is one of those “if you only knew me..” moments. Julia opens up about how she didnt want to be just another girl with “daddy issues” and in hopes to not be found out, she suppressed her feelings and emotions for years. She shares the hurt shes gone through but also what has been helping, by going to counseling and a very cathartic moment when writing a letter to her father. 

Depression is no joke. It's a real thing that so many people struggle with. My really good friend Scott shares about his diagnoses of S.A.D, a form of depression that comes out the strongest during a distinct part of the year. He explains this particular form of depression and how he has benefited from going on medication. It's very eye opening and gives leeway for starting conversations with people we come across. 

Being vulnerable about a painful time in our pasts is probably one of the hardest things we can do. Going back into memories that are dark, and hurt to reflect on is so difficult and challenging. But Ariana demonstrates what happens when we start to heal from a painful past by sharing and being brave and defeating shame. She shares how she continues to break free past pain from a toxic relationship, and uses her story to love on other people.   

Andrew is one of my favorite people, and in a world where race and ethnicity is a very heavy topic of conversation, he sheds some light on what it is like for him of being both half black and half white. He goes into detail about some of his struggle as a young kid and growing up with his family who is predominantly white, and how he handles things now.