Bunny Hugs and Mental Health

I first heard Andrea’s Schwam’s story on the podcast This Is Actually Happening. Andrea’s story delves into the complexities of family dynamics, mental health, and the impact of illness and loss. Our discussion touches on themes of neurodivergence, grief, and the shocking events that unfolded when her father took his own life and that of his partner. How does Andrea cope with trauma, and the impac...

Michael Caven is a sweet, semi retired, gay man with a simple life in Vietnam. That wasn’t always the case however. Seemingly overnight Michael went from a troubled suburban life in high school to being the arm candy to a much older, wealthy, gay bar tycoon, Frank Caven. Eventually Michael became an addict, took on a former abuser and became a gay icon in his local city. Be sure to check out Micha...

Kyla Thomson is the incredible mother of the beautiful soul Bella Brave. Kyla and Bella started posting on TikTok and today the account has over 7.5 million followers. Bella’s charm is undeniable! Bella was born with rare versions of rare diseases along with a rare form of dwarfism. She captured the hearts of the world as we watched her through hospital stays, surgeries, family outings and heart w...

Happy Halloween! This episode is a bit of a departure from other episodes…or is it? In this conversation, Jim Harold (host of The Paranormal Podcast and Jim Harold’s Campfire) and I explore the intricate relationship between mental health and paranormal experiences. They discuss the challenges individuals face when seeking validation for their experiences, the nature of perception in paranormal ev...

Amber is a survivor of America’s most deadliest mass shooting, the Route 91 Music Festival, that took place in  Las Vegas in 2017. Amber and Amy Over, who was featured on the podcast back in January 2023 for surviving the Columbine High School shooting, created the organization Survivors Path. Providing support, connection, and facilitation around trauma recovery and mental health, Survivors Path...

Kim Prosser’s son Ashtyn took his own life in March of 2023 after purchasing a deadly substance off of the internet. The man that sold that substance is Kenneth Law and he is currently awaiting trial for a litany of charges including first degree murder. Police allege Kenneth Law operated websites selling sodium nitrite and other suicide paraphernalia from late 2020 to 2023, mailing 1,200 packages...

This is part two of Michelle’s story Michelle Tennant Nicholson, M.A. is an award-winning author and international publicist. During the pandemic, Michelle authored her memoir using the working title, The Dairy Princess Chronicles: Shining Diamonds in a Rhinestone World. It describes how she put a pedophile in jail when she was 17 years old. After Michelle incarcerated her childhood predator, she...

Michelle Tennant Nicholson, M.A. is   an award-winning author and international publicist. During the pandemic, Michelle authored her memoir using the working title,  The Dairy Princess Chronicles: Shining Diamonds in a Rhinestone World.  It describes how she put a pedophile in jail when she was 17 years old. After Michelle incarcerated her childhood predator, she healed her own mental injury, ach...

Candace Fox is a Psychosensory/somatic Practitioner. What is that you ask?  I’ll let her explain. Candace works with all type of neurodivergents, substance abuse and eating disorders and now she teaches holistic, self regulating techniques in her new course being offered to men in recovery. It is obvious that Candace truly wants to help people live to their fullest potential. Please have a look at...

How would you handle waking up in a hospital bed only to be told you were going to be losing your hands just past the elbows and your feet just past the knees? That’s exactly what happened to Amalie just over 10 months ago when she was 18. She explains how it happened, how she is coping with the reality that her life plan has to change, boys, and her sudden TikTok fame. I also speak with her siste...

What goes on in the mind of a hoarder? Is it an actual disorder? Why can’t they just not keep things? Alexandra is a hoarder in recovery. Her disorder was getting to the point that it was putting stress on her marriage. She explains what hoarding looks like to her, treatment modalities she used for her recovery and some of the stigmas surrounding hoarding. It turns out it is so much more than just...

Francesca is the founder of the non profit organization, Inspiring My Generation and the host of the podcast Normalize the Conversation. She knows first hand what its like to have depression and to survive suicide attempts. For only being 26 years old she truly is inspiring! Francesca and I discuss her past struggles, present struggles and how she manages. Please follow her podcast and non profit...

This episode originally aired September 3 2022 People hire Bill while on their death beds to say or do something at their funerals or to do some tasks before they pass. Bill provides the service of 'peace of mind' to his clients before their expiration. Bill has written a book about, not only his fascinating job, but also about his life of severe sexual and physical abuse, crime, retribution and c...

This episode originally aired April 16th, 2022 Robbie Seale is a mother to multiple children with FASD. Over the last 20 years of parenting, she has gained priceless knowledge on the subject. Not only does the stigma and misdiagnosis affect children with FASD, but after speaking with Robbie, it clearly affects the mental health of parents and care givers. Robbie has a podcast dedicated to supporti...

This episode originally aired February 11, 2023 Jessica was an aid worker in Somalia when her and a coworker were carjacked and kidnapped. They spent the next three months outside, in the desert, with volatile, armed men. How did she keep her self sane in such a high stress, unpredictable situation? How did she escape and how did she treat and manage her post traumatic stress? Follow Jessica on In...

In this thought-provoking conversation on the Rising Strong podcast, Tara Duckworth, a registered therapeutic counselor, discusses the delicate balance between grief and celebration. Drawing from her personal experiences and professional expertise, Tara explores the feelings of loss that accompany the transition into empty nest syndrome. She highlights the importance of acknowledging and embracing...

This episode originally aired December 11, 2021 Zak is the oldest child of the beloved actor and comedian Robin Williams. We discuss his past struggles with addiction, traumas, his product Pym Mood Chews, and the charity Bring Change To Mind, co-founded by actor Glenn Close. It was a real pleasure talking with such is a down to earth, caring and passionate man. Purchase you Pym Mood Chews here htt...

Coercive Control in Cults, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Reality TV with Ashley Love Richards Eyes Wide Open with Nick Thompson Ashley Love Richards, host of the cult-obsessed podcast "That's So F**ked Up," dives deep into the darkness with Nick Thompson in this unfiltered conversation about coercive control in cults, alcoholic anonymous, and reality TV. Buckle up as they dissect Ashley's passion for...

This episode originally aired March 5, 2022 Starting with alcohol and weed use, Dan eventually started using cocaine and smoking meth. We talk about using with his mate, being on Methadone, losing his child and hitting rock bottom. Today Dan is in recovery and a successful live streamer and podcaster. Find Daniel here and buy a shirt or hoodie while you're at it! https://www.hardknoxtalks.com http...

Angela was on the podcast in October 2022 to discuss body focused repetitive behaviour, in her case skin picking. She’s returned to discuss her chronic pain. Angela is in pain all of the time. Living in a province with limited health care resources, misdiagnoses, a botched surgery, waiting lists and doctors not taking her serious because of how she looks, her quality of life and mental health are...

EP 27: HOT TAKES on A Study Revealing Six Subtypes of Depression and Cities with Stressful Commutes Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking.  Nick shares the details of a new study that identifies six different subtypes of depression and treatment. The study published in the journal Nature Medicine tested how new research...

Izzy was a guest on the podcast in October 2022 in the episode An American Addict in London. In that episode we learned she was 3 months sober and she talked about her journey twice a day on TikTok live. Today we get an update on how the last year and a half has gone and what she is doing now. I’ll give you a hint…it’s complicated. Izzy and I discuss relapses, harm reduction, trauma and healing. S...

EP 26 HOT TAKES on Involuntary Drug Treatment Policy & The Role of Vitamin D in Your Mental Health Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking.  Nick brings research reporting linking depression and anxiety to a vitamin D deficiency. Ongoing research continues to examine the link between vitamin D and mental health due to the...

What are some of your most memorable guests from Bunny Hugs and Mental Health? In this episode I catch up with former guests!  Megan Burstyk was my guest on the fifth ever episode way back on April 24, 2021. Her episode was titled ‘I Lost Multiple Family Members To Suicide’. Megan’s father, brother and two sisters all took their own lives and her mother passed only a few months before we recorded....

EP 25: HOT TAKES on Why Young People Don’t Want to Talk to Therapists and Reimagining Masculinity for Men’s Mental Health Month  Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking.  Nick shares a 2023 focus group outcome exploring why young people don’t want to talk to therapists. A 2023 report by Mental Health in America found that...