Behind Beautiful Things

This week we speak with Nikki Nicholas. For years, Nikki was leading a conventional life when she realized she needed a change. She left her corporate work and committed to understanding her own mind, and in so doing, could use that knowledge to help others. She is now a successful life coach who offers incredible insights into what is going on in our minds when we feel the difficult emotions we f...

This week we are changing things up a bit! Our host, Kevin, is being interviewed by his longtime close personal friend, JT Brown. With the tables turned, Kevin talks with JT about how his brain works when he’s anxious, some difficult visits he had to the doctor, and much more. Please join us as Kevin shares some of his story! Sad Times Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com Follow Sad Times on Facebook:...

This week we speak with Dr. Kathryn Smerling, the author of the forthcoming book “Learning to Play Again: Rediscovering Our Early Selves to Become Better Adults”. During our discussion, Dr. Smerling talks about what brought her to family therapy, intergenerational trauma, the effect divorces can have on families, the importance of nature and exercise, and much more. Please join us! Dr. Smerling's...

Please join us this week as we talk with Will about his mental health journey. During the conversation, we discuss Will’s embrace of vulnerability, his struggles with self image, and the difficult topic of suicidal ideation. We also discuss Will’s book “One Step Forward: Ideally in the Right Direction.” Will’s Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/mentalhealthwithwill Please note: Suicidal Ideation is disc...

This week we speak with Kim, the host of the “One of a Kind You” podcast. Kim talks about her early life, a difficult relationship she endured, and her determination to follow her dream to teach. She discusses how her experiences with teaching conflicted with her idealized vision of helping others learn. Finally, she tells us about her work as a Life Coach and how she continues to teach. Kim’s web...

This week we speak with Jess, the host of the “Panic Button Podcast”. Jess talks about when, as a senior in college, she first realized she had mental health struggles. She also relates difficult losses in her family, how she continues to understand and deal with her mental health struggles, and the great work she is doing with her “Panic Button” Podcast. Listen to Jess’s Panic Button Podcast! Spo...

Join us this week as we speak with Justin, the author of the book “The Righteous Rage of a Ten Year Old Boy: A Journey of Self Discovery”. Justin shares the difficulties he had growing up, the long shadow his father cast over his life, his struggles with addiction, and what led him to write this book and want to help others. Personal Website/Blog:   http://JBoydLong.com Link to purchase Justin’s B...

This week we speak with the writer Brandon Stosuy, editor of the new collection “Sad Happens: A Celebration of Tears”. We talk about the very small town where Brandon grew up, his reflections on the home where he grew up, wonderful stories about his family, his writing career, and what inspired him to compile “Sad Happens: A Celebration of Tears”. Brandon’s website:  https://thecreativeindependent...

This week we speak with bestselling author David Essel. During our conversation, we cover a wide range of topics, including addiction, David’s decades long work helping others, and why the news might not always be the calming influence we might think it is. Visit David’s website: www. DavidEssel.com Please note: This episode contains descriptions of Suicidal Ideation — please take care while liste...

Join us today as we speak with Maggie about her years of being a people pleaser, her 7 years of depression as she tried everything she could to feel better, her breakthrough moment when she finally said she wanted to do things her way, and her book that provides tools and inspiration toward a happier life. Substack:  https://substack.com/@maggiesway Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/maggies.wa...

Join us today as we speak with Bre about being raised in a “high control” Christian Group, how it affected her family, and how she has found community and recovered since leaving the church. Bre’s website: https://brehamilton.com/ Social media: TikTok -  https://www.tiktok.com/@soulfullybre Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/soulfullybre Threads -  https://www.threads.net/@soulfullybre Editori...

When a relationship ends and children are involved, the next steps can seem overwhelming. Join us today as we speak with Renee about the template for custody battles she created, what people often don’t know about judicial custody proceedings, and her domestic violence advocacy. Renee’s website: https://bestfootforwardllc.com Please note: Domestic violence is described in this episode. Please take...

Far too often, women endure stalking, terror, and abuse within their own relationships. Join us today as we speak with Mimi about her journey of putting herself through school, the abuse she suffered during a marriage and after, and the amazing work she does to help make sure women are heard and feel empowered. Please note: Domestic violence is described in this episode. Please take care while lis...

We often take for granted the fact that we would not need to leave our home cultures if we did not choose. However, refugees all too often have to leave everything they know and love to start over. It is an unbelievable undertaking that so many take each and every day. Join us today as we speak with Masuda about how her harrowing and heartbreaking journey from Afghanistan to the United States, the...

We often believe growing up in a well-adjusted household is something most of our peers are experiencing. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Please join us today as we speak with Merle about growing up in a bizarre and abusive household, the work he has done to overcome severe trauma, and his current work as a therapist helping people learn about and employ engergetic boundaries. Please n...

As Leo Tolstoy immortally said: “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way”. The truth and poetry of this opening line to Anna Karenina is reflected back to us every day. Join us today as we speak with Brad Wetzler, author of the amazing memoir “Into the Soul of the World”. We talk about his upbringing in an unhappy family, his fraught mental health journey, and h...

One of the greatest joys of life is building a young family. However, it is not often discussed how difficult this can be on the mental health of the parents. Join us today as we speak with Lisa about her mental health struggles while raising a young family, the unimaginable tragedy that befell her family, and what resilience means to Lisa. Please note: This episode has mentions of suicidal ideati...

When we first encounter a mental health event, we are often overwhelmed and want to hide. Join us today as we speak with Brian about his original encounters he had with mental health troubles, how he set out to understand what was happening to him, his “Get Out of Your Head” books, and a truly chilling and terrifying event that occurred while Brian was on vacation with his family. Brian’s website:...

Join us today as we speak with Ashley about her difficult upbringing and the horrifying and traumatic encounter she had with a heinous crime. Ashley takes us through the harrowing encounter that changed her life and shares not only her thoughts on the Canadian justice system, but also how she is fighting everyday as a strong survivor to be an inspiration. Content Warning: Please note this episode...

So often, modern society tells us there is one main way: Grow up, graduate high school, go to college, and then get a job. While this is a completely noble path, it is not often the way life turns out. Join us today as we talk with Dr Melanie McNally about her role in her family unit, the many paths she has taken, and her incredible mental health work with young people. Dr. Melanie McNally’s websi...

When facing mental health challenges as a young person, it is easy to feel isolated and alone. As we grow, we learn that are brains are singular. Join us today as we speak with Samantha about coming to terms with her neurodiversity, her struggles finding the best treatment, and her work as a music therapist. Samantha’s website: http://www.boisemusictherapycompany.com/ Find Samantha on Instagram: @...

Almost everyone of us has traumatic instances in our childhood. As we grow older, these take root in various ways — some obvious, some not. Join us today as we have the host of “My Madness METHod” as we discuss his childhood, his years engaging in and running from his addiction, and what he learned about life and human relationships throughout the journey. Link to Jason’s website: http://www.eight...

As children, we are often born into a religion that provides us with community and a sense of place. Even as we grow older, we may associate that community as a support system for our own mental health struggles. Join us today as we talk with Andy about his experience being raised in the LDS church, how he came to understand his mental health struggles, and what support systems mean to him. Editor...

Throughout our lives, we find ourselves working to adapt to the molds society builds around us based on our choices. Even if we are certain of the paths we have chosen, the challenges of accepting the molds we step into can be daunting. Join us today as we talk with Stephen about his childhood in New York, how he looked up to his father, his struggles with mental health in his young adulthood, and...

It can not be said enough: There remains a stigma around mental health that is unhelpful and unreasonable. Join us today as we talk with David about his struggles with bipolar disorder, how he used alcohol to quell his mental health challenges, and how he has been able to thrive in sobriety. Not only does he have an extremely successful business, he is working on changing the dialogue around Menta...