Behind Beautiful Things

Addiction and a racing mind tend to go hand in hand. As addiction strengthens, it is often far more pernicious than once believed. Join us as we talk with film actor Scott Schiaffo (Clerks, Vulgar) about his harrowing tales of substance abuse, his continued film career, and the health travails he has faced along the way toward his final destination of sobriety.  Scott’s Website :  www.scottschiaff...

We all experience trauma as children. Whether we know it or not, we also bring that trauma into our adult relationships and interactions. Join us today as we speak with renowned mental health professional Nicole about her career in mental health, her experiences in various relationships in her life, and her message of “Authentic Empowerment”. Nicole’s Link Tree:  https://linktr.ee/NicoleSartini Ed...

For most of us, responding to an inquiry of where we are from is an easy answer. Even if we have to move around within that country, we always are able to point to where our roots are laid down. This has not always been the case for Bonnie, this week’s guest. Please join us as we learn about her childhood as the daughter of a proud Air Force man, the many different countries she lived in, the two...

Art is legitimate work. That being said, the conversations we often have around art and careers seek to exclude the artist from the society that they help enrich. Join us today as we speak with Melissa about her theatrical career, her times spent in the depth of “Head Trash” (More in the episode on that!), and her inspiring and amazing plan to continue to make sure Art is seen as legitimate and ne...

Postpartum depression and anxiety is something that afflicts millions of women each year, yet it still seems to be too often experienced alone. Please join us as we speak with Marina about her own struggles with Postpartum depression and anxiety, her decision, along with her husband, to only have one child, and the societal norms that press against all facets of starting and raising a family.  Edi...

No matter where we find ourselves in life, it is a good bet we have at least a handful of artists to which we turn for support, comfort, and guidance. Join us today as we speak with Bill about his experiencing coming out as a gay man to family and friends, his discovery and lifelong love of the impeccable Tina Turner, and how he has dealt with and learned from severe heartbreak in his past. Editor...

Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, people were encouraged to keep their familial trauma within the walls of their homes. Even with severe trauma, people far too often felt alone in their suffering. Please join us today as Bobette tells her extremely powerful and resilient story of childhood trauma, medical struggles, and her longstanding and lasting bond with her children.    Editorial note: Sad T...

Anxiety and depression and their effects show up in many different forms. Millions of Americans have struggled at some point with an eating disorder as well as unhealthy coping mechanisms like cutting. Join us today as we talk with Kaet about her struggles with cutting, her long battle with an eating disorder, and how she has used her difficult experiences working with youth as a school counselor....

Losing a parent as a child is an extremely traumatic event. Families work to cobble together each day and lean on each other in ways unexpected. Years later, after Sarah became a parent herself, she dealt with an extremely terrifying medical situation. Join us today as we talk with Sarah about the loss of her mother at a young age, a quickly escalating medical situation in December of 2020, and th...

As we move through phases in our life, we often do the work to understand the root of our struggles and our ways of thinking. Join us as Lori describes her lifelong struggle with codependency before facing a harrowing diagnosis. After the diagnosis, we will hear about Lori’s “Dark Night of the Soul”, her determined recovery process, and the self care and ways of thinking she utilizes every day.  L...

Growing up as an active teenager playing multiple sports, we rarely realize how much these extra curricular activities give us meaning until they are taken away from us. Join us today as we talk with Jay about the long lasting effects of a serious medical condition when he was a teenager and how it may have prepared him for a medical emergency his daughter went through,  Jay’s podcast, Project Ske...

The financial crisis of 2008 had disastrous effects all over the world. Not only did it put millions of people out of a job, it also led to multiple struggles outside of the economic forum. Join us today as we hop across the pond and speak with Kevin about his battles with alcohol addiction, his struggles in relationships, and his optimism as he continues to move forward. Please check out the link...

As we go through life, we have the opportunity to populate the narratives with stories that strengthen us. Today’s guest, Siri Lindley, is a world champion tri-athlete and coach, co-founder with her wife of the Believe Ranch and Rescue, and one of Tony Robbins’s 10 favorite motivational speakers. Join us today as we talk about Siri’s journey through amazing accomplishments and a harrowing medical...

While the pandemic was traumatizing for all of us, it might have hit health care workers the most acutely. Every day, they came in and did their jobs heroically, even when we were not sure how we would move forward. Also, during the pandemic, a number of people reevaluated their work situation and decided to move forward in a different, more autonomous direction. Join us today as we speak with aut...

January 6th was one of the darkest days in the history of the United States. While it was traumatic for the country as a whole, residents of Washington, DC and those who work in the political arena likely have more levels of acute trauma related to that day's events. Join as we talk with Jenn today about her experience on January 6th and its fallout, democracy, and how she has tried to move forwar...

Growing up in a home with an alcoholic parent has reverberations that last through the rest of one’s life. Compound that trauma with PTSD from years of special forces combat and you will find the story of our guest Jeff. Please join us as we talk with Jeff about his upbringing, his service to our country, and the traumas that he continues to battle to this day.  If you or anyone you know is suicid...

Growing up in an environment with constant arguing and conflict can have lifelong effects on a person. Not only that, but it can forge deep bonds between family members. It can also lead to instances when we as people are bestowed a love we did not expect. Join us today as we talk with Michael about his fractious upbringing, the severe loss he dealt with in 2018, and his continued journey to bette...

Since the pandemic first fully descended on the shores of America over three years ago, we as a society have been faced with constant new strains of Covid and are still just now learning about some of its more damaging effects. One of the least understood parts of the pandemic has been “Long Haul Covid” and its effects. Join us today as we talk with Krista about her experience with Long Haul Covid...

More often than not, as a sensitive person, the world seems overwhelming. Sometimes there are healthy outlets for this — art, friendship, exercise (perhaps). However, even with healthy outlets, sensitivity can bring with it a sort of isolation that is hard to describe. As the last three years will attest, isolation can be overwhelming. Join us today as we dive into the daily joys and griefs of lif...

As we come of age, there are many things we can bond with our parents over. However, those too can present instances for frustrations. As we grow into young adults trying to make it on our own, we also run into various different forms of leadership and find some might suit our needs more than others. Join us today as we speak with Josh about his upbringing, his parenting philosophy, and his many s...

Being a parent is likely the most difficult job on the planet. It can also be one of the most rewarding. Families not only impact us in our day to day life, but across generations. Join us today as we talk with Shawn about his upbringing, his hopes and expectations for fatherhood, and the difficult challenges along the way.  If you are interested in being a guest on Sad Times email us: SadTimesKC@...

Often, medication is a positive part of the mental health process. However, sometimes it can be a negative experience before the right balance is made. The original Sad Times Guest returns! Join us today as we talk to the great Chris Marcum once again where he came from, his journey of stops and starts, and struggles as he worked to find the best medication for him.  If you are interested in being...

One of the great elixirs for sadness, anxiety, and depression is creation. More often than is likely discussed, the creation of something large or small also acts as a sort of therapy. Join us today as we talk with Libby about her creative dreams, the struggles that she has faced, what it’s like to create as therapy, and the solace she finds in nature.  If you or someone you know is in an abusive...

When people struggle with addiction, they often will hit a rock bottom and begin to recover. While the struggle to remain sober is very real in the beginning, it does not get much easier as the days move along. Returning from his first appearance in the 7th episode of Sad Times, join us as we talk with John about his recovery journey and celebrate a very special anniversary! See Privacy Policy at...

Parenting is likely the most challenging job there is in the world. Add to the top of that grief, work stress, and continued struggles with addiction, and it becomes almost impossible. Join us as the guest on the 4th Sad Times episode returns to continue telling his amazing story.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sel...