Break The Psycle

What happens when 30 years of treatment-resistant depression meets a breakthrough in brain stimulation therapy? On this episode, Danny's dad, Francisco Costa, sits down with us to share his deeply personal journey with TMS, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, after struggling with depression and relying on antidepressants since 1995. Francisco opens up about what it felt like to finally step off hi...

What happens when the pressure to be perfect becomes a mental health crisis? On this episode, Jaehyun Cho, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry, and founder of Placid Psychiatry in Fullerton, CA, joins us on the Break the Psycle Podcast to explore the intersection of first-generation American identity and mental health. Jaehyun shares his own journey from arriving in the United States in eighth grade without spea...

What if treating depression required more than just the right medication? On this episode, Dr. Sabrina Sandoval, psychiatrist and founder of Mind Care Services, sits down with us to share her unexpected journey from studying viruses at the CDC to transforming lives through cutting-edge interventional psychiatry. Dr. Sandoval breaks down the key differences between ECT, TMS, and Spravato, explainin...

Ketamine may be the most misunderstood breakthrough in modern psychiatry. On this episode, Meghan McCann, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and owner of Velara Wellness in San Diego, joins us to explore how ketamine has been safely used in medicine since the 1970s and why its ability to target glutamate, rather than serotonin, gives it a reported 70% efficacy rate compar...

Esketamine therapy may be the fastest path out of treatment-resistant depression. On this episode we are joined by Dr. Kevin Simonson, lead psychiatrist and medical director at Cura Behavioral Health in Santa Monica. We discuss Spravato, the first FDA-approved esketamine treatment for depression. Dr. Simonson breaks down how esketamine disrupts negative thought loops faster than any antidepressant...

What if the key to treating your teen's depression isn't another prescription? Dr. Gil Hoftman, MD, child psychiatrist and founder of Helix Psychiatry, joins Break the Psycle to break down TMS therapy, a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment now FDA-cleared for adolescents as young as 15. From holistic mental health approaches and treatment-resistant depression to neurodiversity and the future...

On Episode 39 of Break The Psycle podcast, we dive into the complex relationship between addiction and genetic influence. We unpack how family history and inherited traits can increase vulnerability, while also exploring the role of environment, choice, and resilience. In this episode, we get raw and real about how addiction impacts famiiles, the myths vs. facts of "addictive personalities," and w...

On episode 38 of the Break the Psycle podcast, we spiral into the mind of intrusive thoughts, self-deprecation, and the distorted mindsets that show up when you’re dating someone new. We share personal stories of living with OCD tendencies as a child vs. as an adult, how religious trauma can shape mental health, and what it’s really like navigating dating apps with anxiety and distorted thinking....

Let's dive into the rise of GLP-1 medications and what they mean for both the body and the mind. From Serena Williams stepping in as the face of Ro’s GLP-1 campaign, to Kyla’s personal weight loss journey, we explore the intersections of medicine, celebrity culture, and lived experience. We dig into the societal norms, stigma, and cultural narratives surrounding weight loss and how they shape our...

Artificial Intelligence has taken the world by storm, but what happens when it begins to push us into darker territory? In this episode of Break the Psycle , we explore the unsettling ways AI is shaping mental health; encouraging harmful thoughts, amplifying paranoia, and in some cases even inspiring psychosis. We question when stronger safeguards need to be in place, and imagine what the world mi...

What do demonic children’s toys, blind boxes, and your dating apps all have in common? They’re all teaching us to gamble with our dopamine. From Labubus luring kids into mini slot-machine moments, to the thrill of sports betting, reality TV drama, and that little buzz when your phone lights up—we’re talking about why it feels so good to get hooked, and why it’s so hard to stop. Join us for a break...

In this episode of the Break the Psycle podcast, we talk about the highs and lows of queer dating culture— Grindr vs. Sniffies, body image pressure, unspoken “rules,” and the mental gymnastics of putting yourself out there. If you’ve ever felt judged by how you look, boxed in by labels, or tired of chasing validation, you’ll get it. We’re here to laugh, vent, and figure out how to build self-estee...

In this episode of Break the Psycle, we’re talking all things content, culture, and the creator economy with our content manager, Gabryś Wronka. From posting about pop divas on Tumblr blogs to getting paid to see Lady Gaga in concert, Gabryś shares how a passion for digital storytelling turned into a full-blown career. We unpack his journey through the beauty industry, working for brands from behi...

In this episode of Break the Psycle , we unpack what it really means to "crash out". Those moments when your system shuts down emotionally, mentally, or even physically. We break down the term, what triggers it, and how it plays out in our relationships and mental health. Elijah shares how the way parents respond to stress can shape our emotional wiring, while Danny and Kyla open up about their ow...

From skull drilling to magnetic brain zaps, this episode of the Break the Psycle podcast takes you on a whirlwind tour of how humanity has tried to treat mental illness over the centuries. Some methods were creative. Most were terrifying. A few actually worked. We cover everything from ancient bloodletting and wandering womb theories to insulin comas, lobotomies, and the rise of modern treatments...

Join us for a special episode of the Break the Psycle podcast as we sit down with Psycle Health’s co-founders, Elijah Zoarski and Danny Costa, to hear the story behind how it all began. This episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look into their journey, how two strangers walked into a ketamine clinic on the same day, struck up a conversation, and ended up building a business together that is ch...

In this episode of the Break The Psycle Podcast, we dive deep into what it really means to love someone living with a mental illness, whether it's depression, schizophrenia, or something else that reshapes day-to-day life. We explore the emotional tightrope of supporting a loved one: walking the line between tough love and walking on eggshells, showing up without overstepping, and the quiet toll i...

In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the weird, wonderful, and sometimes unsettling intersection of mental health and artificial intelligence. From the uncanny valley moments that leave Kyla questioning the future of humanity, to Elijah and Danny’s welcoming of ChatGPT as a digital therapist and Portuguese ghost writer, but question why some generations can’t tell a ridiculous AI-generate...

In this episode of Break the Psycle, we explore what it means to move through major life transitions. From starting a new job to moving across the country (or globe *ahem* Elijah in China 2020), navigating unfamiliar cultures, building new relationships, and finding your people all over again. Kyla shares her take on living in “phases,” and how each chapter of our lives can feel like its own mini...

On this episode of the Break the Psycle podcast, we dive into the vital connection between your workplace and your mental health. From unsafe work situations to lack of fulfillment, the environment we work in can have a profound impact on how we feel. But here’s the good news—it’s possible to build and maintain a positive, supportive workspace that benefits everyone. Join us as we explore the dyna...

How many times have you looked in the mirror and thought “ugh” or fixated on something no one else even notices? Yeah, we have too. In this episode, Elijah, Kyla, and Danny dive deep into body dysmorphia and how it messes with our minds in ways that hit differently for men and women. We talk about the mental gymnastics of self-image, the lies our brains tell us, and the exhausting cycle of negativ...

Are you being “supportive”... or just secretly controlling ? 👀 In this episode, we’re joined by Cheryl Fidelman , aka The Conscious Codependence™ Coach , who takes us on a wild ride through the world of codependency — and spoiler: you might be the problem. She gives Kyla a free mini-session (because yes, it gets real), breaks down her process for reaching codependent enlightenment , and helps us...

In this episode of Break the Psycle Podcast , Elijah, Danny, and Kyla sit down with Derek Du Chesne , founder of Better U , to dive into the world of at-home ketamine therapy . They explore how ketamine is being used for mental health, the differences between in-clinic and at-home treatments, and the challenges and benefits of making this therapy more accessible. Derek shares insights into how Bet...

Why do we get in our own way on purpose? In this episode of Break the Psycle Podcast, Elijah, Danny, and Kyla dive into the messy reality of self-sabotage—why we do it, how it shows up in our lives, and what it takes to break the cycle. From procrastinating on things we actually want to avoiding opportunities that could change everything, they unpack the habits and mindsets that keep us stuck. Mor...

Are mental health struggles passed down through DNA, or do we pick them up from the world around us? In this episode of Break the Psycle Podcast, Elijah, Danny, and Kyla dive into the Genetics vs. Environment debate, breaking down which mental health disorders tend to be inherited and which ones are more learned behaviors. They explore the science behind generational mental health patterns, the ro...