Giving Voice to Depression: Real Stories & Expert Support for Depression and Mental Health

Postpartum depression affects 1 in 7 new mothers, but too often it goes unspoken. In this candid episode, Lisa, a first-time mom, shares her raw and vulnerable experience of adjusting to motherhood while facing waves of depression and anxiety. She opens up about the dark fog that followed childbirth, the pressure to appear perfect, and the stigma that kept her from speaking honestly about her stru...

What does depression really feel like? For Sarah, it’s not just sadness—it’s a fast spiral into worthlessness, suicidal thoughts, and the struggle of finding her way back. In this powerful conversation, Sarah shares her “no BS” approach to talking about mental illness, how stigma makes asking for help harder than fixing a leaky faucet, and why naming depression out loud helps take away its power....

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Bridget and Terri explore an important and often confusing question: What’s the difference between feeling sad and living with depression? To answer it, they speak with three psychologists—Dr. Robert Duff, Dr. Margaret Rutherford, and Dr. Madhukar Trivedi—who explain how to distinguish temporary sadness from clinical depression. The conversation high...

What happens when a top corporate leader opens up about depression? For Geoff McDonald, a former global vice president at Unilever, sharing his story became the catalyst for breaking stigma and inspiring change in workplaces around the world. In this powerful episode, Geoff discusses his own experience with anxiety and depression, the tragic loss of a friend to suicide, and why silence around ment...

What makes grief after suicide different from other types of loss? In this powerful episode, suicide prevention advocate Mettie Spiess shares her lived experience of losing not one, but two brothers to suicide. She describes the unique grief that follows — the heavy mix of guilt, shame, and anger — and how she eventually found a path toward understanding and healing. Mettie’s story helps us better...

When 13-year-old Abby died by suicide, her family’s world shattered. Her father, Abe Goldberg, opens up about the painful reality of watching his daughter struggle with depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts—and the heartbreak of losing her far too soon. In this powerful conversation, Abe shares how subtle signs of depression in children can escalate quickly, how difficult it was to navigate...

What does depression—and a suicide attempt— really feel like? Steve Austin knows firsthand. Raised in a conservative church, Steve hid decades of shame, trauma, and depression behind a “life of the party” persona. But on the eve of his son’s first birthday, despair and suicidal thoughts nearly took his life. In this deeply vulnerable conversation, Steve shares his survival story: from childhood ab...

What if kids learned coping skills as early as first grade? Inspired by a Giving Voice to Depression story, Nina, a first-grade teacher, launched a mental health initiative in her school that teaches children how to manage stress, name emotions, and practice mindfulness. From yoga in gym class to meditation, journaling, art, and personalized “coping toolboxes,” Nina’s program helps students discov...

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Terry and Bridget conclude their three-part series on stigma by asking: how would life be different if stigma were reduced? Through heartfelt stories and reflections, guests share how reducing stigma could open doors to help, create more support systems, and inspire hope. The conversation emphasizes the simple yet powerful act of talking openly about...

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Terry and Bridget continue their three-part series on stigma. This second installment explores the consequences of depression stigma, from delayed treatment to dangerous isolation. Through personal stories and expert insights, the conversation highlights why ending stigma is not just about compassion but about saving lives. Listeners will hear firsth...

Stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to people getting the help they need for depression and other mental health conditions. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , we explore how stigma shows up in everyday life, from workplaces to families, and how it prevents people from reaching out for support. Through candid personal stories and reflections, the conversation highlights both soc...

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression , Jose, a 27-year-old Pittsburgh actor and teacher, opens up about his journey through major depression, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm. Raised in a culture of silence, Jose initially feared losing his parents’ respect if he revealed his struggles. But what followed was a surprising discovery—his mother had also been living with depression for much o...

In this episode, we rebroadcast a moving conversation with Adele, who opens up about supporting her husband and daughter—both living with mental health challenges. Adele’s honest account reveals the physical and emotional toll of empathy exhaustion and compassion fatigue. She discusses what it's like to live in a constant state of vigilance, the challenge of “reinventing the wheel” during eac...

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression , co-host Bridget shares her personal and deeply emotional story about the psychological crash she experienced after restarting antidepressants. Despite years of managing depression through alternative methods, Bridget opens up about a dark period that nearly consumed her — and how one crucial oversight almost cost her everything. This episode...