Mad Mel’s Mic

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Episode 29! The song of the week is Taylor Swift’s “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” —a fitting soundtrack for this season of life for me. I then open up about the emotional aftermath of coming off strong anti-depressants, with the standout achievement being: I haven’t neck-throated a single soul. Progress! Then I dive into the mosaic of life lately: • Rory's Year...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it's really like to stand by someone battling PTSD? This raw, laughter-filled conversation between best friends Melissa and Mel pulls back the curtain on one of the most meaningful relationships in mental health recovery. From their first meeting at a running group to an adventurous three-day hike where they "could have died" (Melissa's words...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Episode 27! Just recapping on last week's episode and wanted to let ya all know that I was not providing commentey about any relationship that I'm in (they are all amazing) when taking about using our precious time carefully. Just wanted to clear that up!! I love you all xox  The song of the week is Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. Although this is a love song, it...

Send us Fan Mail Hey hey, welcome to Episode 26! I know I kinda ghosted last week—life happened. So today I’m back to catch you up on everything: my health stuff, some deep thoughts on friendships, and yep… 20 years of marriage while juggling PTSD. Wild ride. Here’s what’s on my mind: - First off, those weird tingles I’ve been getting? Turns out it’s anxiety, not anything neurological. Saw the neu...

Send us Fan Mail Back home after hospital, I'm navigating my emotional landscape while balancing adventures with the need for self-care. My journey includes attending a friend's funeral and weekend trips that have taught me about finding joy amid healing. • Attended a beautiful beachside funeral for a hospital friend, complete with meaningful music (Broken Halos and Luke Combs) • Still w...

Send us Fan Mail Melissa sits down with her 15-year-old son to discuss how her PTSD diagnosis has impacted him over the past four years, revealing surprising insights about family resilience and emotional growth. • Son shares his experience growing up with a mother diagnosed with PTSD when he was 11 • The practical impacts of PTSD on family life, including hospital stays and household management •...

Send us Fan Mail Season 1, Episode 23 Trigger warning - discussion of suicide. Please seek help if you need assistance. Returning home after eight weeks in hospital has been a whirlwind of emotions, especially while processing the loss of two friends from the hospital community and adjusting to life without antidepressants. Despite physical challenges like paresthesia and severe nausea, I'm f...

Send us Fan Mail Season 1, Episode 22 I am super excited to be heading home after seven and a half weeks in hospital. I give a shout out to my sister who does the show notes (including this one). This week I also discuss how the week has been without anti depressants.  Song of the Week: Alanis Morissette - You learn https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=...

Send us Fan Mail Season 1, Episode 21 Welcome to episode 21. This week I discuss ongoing meds changes and still currently an inpatient. Hoping to be home in a week or so but the past week has been a scary, sleepless rollercoaster ride with me starting new meds.  I shout out to the amazing nurses in hospital and one in particular who lent me "The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins. It is an...

Send us Fan Mail Season 1, Episode 20 This episode I discuss the side effects I have experienced while weaning off my anti depressants.  Song of the week: Im so proud of you - Julie Anne Vargas https://youtu.be/hmalRaJ26E8?si=qRPuvgwm2lonMpPQ Thought of the week: " "What's the bravest thing you've said?" asked the boy. "Help" said the horse " Tactical Yoga A...

Send us Fan Mail Season 1, Episode 20 Welcome to episode 20 after a six week break from recording. I am still in hospital and I am podcasting from here. Join me while I discuss my current TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) treatment and under go a med change. I share an amazing poem from an equally amazing human.  This episode also has our song of the week and finishes with a thought of the w...

Send us Fan Mail Season 1 Episode 18 Welcome to episode 18 where I discuss what pillars and anchors keep me motivated. Song of the week Liar - Jelly Roll https://youtu.be/HcNILY4gtNI?si=nr_ahNd2sn_SlGcq

Send us Fan Mail Season 1, Episode 17 ****disclaimer content as this episode I discuss suicide and self harm**** Welcome to episode 17. It’s a tear jerker. Please look after yourself and call Lifeline on 131114 if you need assistance. Please also know that whilst I am not ok, and I am struggling, I am not suicidal. I start the episode with a song of the week which discusses our very human question...

Send us Fan Mail Season 1, episode 16 Welcome to episode 16. I start the episode with the week that was recounting an adventure I had with my car Stella Blue. I discuss how the weather affects your mood. There is a song and thought of the week. Song of the week Carry it well Sam Fisher https://youtu.be/nHLkmf_wOac?si=-HcdkgisL66glBHS Thought of the week: “Life has taught me I am not always in cont...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 15 **trigger warning ** discussion of suicide Welcome to episode 15 where I introduce you to my 17 year old daughter Rory. There is a lot of banter and love in this week’s episode. Rory shares her pearls of wisdom such as this one: "Living with someone with PTSD is like secondhand smoke. The feelings that your loved ones are feeling around you can definitely rub off o...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Episode 14 I start this episode with a poem written by a hospital buddy. Then of course the song of the week which talks about how we are tiny boats on a sea of emotion and why it’s important to keep on fighting. I recap on the link between physical and psychological injuries. I end with the thought of the week. Song of the week: https://youtu.be/xo1VInw-SKc?si=J74Uz5uS...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to episode 13 I describe my experience with the Never Late Fe-Mail Postie Ride for the amazing charity; Wings 4 Kids. I chat about my ride and dramas including my hospital visit post riding accident. Song of the week: Kids - Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue https://youtu.be/cvn6eYJh-0c?si=_GlKTHGgmQtnKG99

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to episode 12! Thank you to everyone across the world that are listening to my podcast. First up is a story about a very clean cat!!!! Song of the week by Rwn about anxiety and why this song resonates with me and my anxiety. In particular how my irrational brain speaks so loudly when I’m in a state of anxiety and can override my rational brain even though the thoughts are...

Send us Fan Mail Season 1, episode 11 Welcome to episode 11 where I make another song recommendation, share a funny work story about me being petrified about a barking woman, divulge my plans for my upcoming Spotify playlist, a thought of the week before jumping into the topic of the day which is the benefits of massages in releasing stored trauma and tension. I go on to talk about the subjective...

Send us Fan Mail Season 1, Episode 10; Welcome to episode ten where I make another song suggestion, a funny work story about “spiders” and the thought of the week. In today’s episode I will talk about returning home after a hospital stay, representative basketball, watching the news, doom scrolling, being “part of the change”, learning from each other plus more. I discuss how the family of first r...

Send us Fan Mail Season 1, Episode 9: Welcome to episode 9 where I make another song recommendation and a thought of the week. I dive into the world of mental health hospitals and in particular, the experience of the one that I am currently in, St John of God Hospital in North Richmond. I share some benefits of treatment, massages, "me time", food, snacks, early dinner, safety, staff, gr...

Send us Fan Mail Season 1, Episode 8: Let's start this week with a Police story. This episode we talk about the window of tolerance, responding to every day life when hyper and hypo aroused, SUDS (subjective units of distress scale) snakes and ladders, the four horseman of PTSD (depression, substance abuse, insomnia and chronic pain), my ongoing journey towards port traumatic growth and, of c...

Send us Fan Mail Season 1, Episode 7: A jam packed episode including song of the week, a funny Police story of me during my Policing days, my love of swear words. Plus an explanation of PTSD and how it affects me. Specifically, I also define what depression and anxiety look like. I explain my symptoms, nightmares, insomnia, flashbacks, hyperactivity arousal, avoidance, disassociation, anger, rage,...

Send us Fan Mail Season 1, Episode 6: Meet Mackenzie, my 18 year old daughter. She describes her memories of my life when I was in the Police Force, my diagnosis of PTSD, the pros and cons of PTSD as well as a raw look at what if has been like for her and the broader family living with PTSD. Plus a thought from Winnie the Pooh. Song of the Week: https://youtu.be/wIft-t-MQuE?si=1JFKZDShJtyi0ESg

Send us Fan Mail Season 1, Episode 5: ***CONTENT WARNING** Welcome to episode five! This episode I am discussing the humanity and challenges of first responders. Identifying and tackling the stigma associated with mental health. Links talked about in this weeks episode: When the Sirens are Gone; Kevin Davison: https://youtu.be/4q7uQxxxd18?si=DAllbJ6PspB8ApvU Finch App: https://finchcare.com/