Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast

Settle in for a special episode featuring Kara, creator of the popular meme account @karakcals and my youngest guest to date! She tells me about the dilemmas faced by mentally ill individuals in China, navigating a diverse cultural and technological landscape, how she started using social media to change lives, and the importance of dark humor. Christina learns about TikTok and reveals a surprise...

This week, guest Andrew Jackson of the Container Podcast talks about feeling stuck in life—different ways you might find yourself stuck, how you can become your own solution, and why it's so hard for most people to change. He and Christina also discuss their religious upbringings, being vulnerable to strangers, and a surprise employer in common. Follow Andrew @ayjaxon or at linktr.ee/ayjaxon . Get...

Just in time for Valentine's week is the episode you've all been waiting for: how to survive living alone! My guest Anne talks about her experience with solo living, surviving depressive episodes and isolation, her work in inclusivity training, and why she doesn't have a cat. (We also share some bomb cleaning tips! You're welcome, world.) Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at picklesandvodka.sub...

This episode’s guest is Mara, who dives into a near and dear topic: our old friend, addiction! Listen to hear her stories about smoking heroin in art school, becoming sober, and finding self-acceptance following a relapse. We also discuss the addict’s “journey”, our beef with 12-step programs, and how to talk to people about this stuff. For alcohol harm reduction tips, visit http://www.hams.cc . G...

This episode, Christina is joined by Annie, who talks about living with dependent personality disorder. You’ll learn about the struggles that come with such a rare diagnosis, how pets can provide crucial support, and witness a massive pop culture reference fly over Christina’s head. Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at picklesandvodka.substack.com/subscribe

Coming to you all the way from Virginia is this special episode featuring Christina’s brother, Andrew, who talks about managing his emotions in the face of a recent disappointment, how to increase your emotional intelligence, and why he stopped offering advice. Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at picklesandvodka.substack.com/subscribe

What do you do when you’re sober for the holidays? Record a podcast, obviously! Christina flies solo this week and reads listener emails about surviving this time of year from a mental health standpoint. She also gives out the first annual Hot & Spicy Pickle awards. Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at picklesandvodka.substack.com/subscribe

Joining Christina this week is Elena, a 21 year-old college senior who talks about her longtime struggle with bulimia, getting fired by her therapist, disclosing mental health to a date, and the unique way she deals with it all. Special appearance by Allister. As we approach peak holiday season, don’t forget to submit your mental health holiday survival tips and stories for an upcoming episode! Ju...

No matter how many hours of therapy you put under your belt, sometimes you’re not going to know how to handle the shit that life throws at you…and that’s ok. This week, Christina is joined by Kelly, who talks about surviving 28 years of depression, how she found comfort through unexpected resources, and some surprising Shia LaBeouf facts. (She also divulges her number one tip for getting through a...

Christina reconnects with Nadiya, one of her former customers and a yoga teacher with a penchant for love, sex, and other wholesome drugs. The two chat about why we feel the need to wear different masks for different people, the challenge of embracing the struggle in your 30s, and how to adopt a meditation practice if you hate meditating. Follow Nadiya’s yoga practice on Instagram @nadiyastar or v...

Christina reflects on leaving the job she’s had for 6.5 years before jumping into an interview with Sabrina, a trans skater and artist. Among the many topics discussed are growing up queer in the middle of nowhere, the importance of community, issues faced by intersex individuals, and how to take action for yourself when nobody else will. Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at picklesandvodka.sub...

How do you be there for a friend who's reached their breaking point? This week, guest Connor shares his insights as a gay Seattle artist accustomed to the intense highs and lows that come with relationships. We chat about being friends with your parents, the do's and don'ts of vulnerability in the workplace, and whether "scab" is an appropriate word to use on the internet. Follow Connor's art on I...

Christina’s back from visiting family in Virginia, and she’s bringing a brand new episode in which her sister-in-law, Abby, talks about her Filipino background and how mental health was approached. You’ll hear about the struggles faced by first-generation Americans, parental woes, what to do when you realize your family isn’t normal, and the healing power of…turtles? We also issue a challenge to l...

As the summer draws to a close, the podcast brings you an episode all about the impact of mental health on long-term relationships. Rachel talks about surviving a traumatic past and how it affects her today, how to deal with being the “nutty one” in a relationship, and how she learned to nurture not just her significant other, but herself. Christina shares a gratitude list and a stellar business i...

Gather round and explore the wonderful world of obsessive compulsive disorder! This week, Christina interviews Diana about her diagnosis, including how it has affected different facets of her life and how she’s learned to manage it over the years. (Listen long enough and you might even discover some surprising bird facts.) Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at picklesandvodka.substack.com/subscr...

The podcast takes a deep dive into the world of schizophrenia, polyamory, and…opera? This week’s guest, Winnie, shares how she has learned to live with her diagnosis from an early age, and gives tips for how to care for your mental health without access to external resources. Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at picklesandvodka.substack.com/subscribe

This week, former heroin addict Sophie talks about her messy relationship with drugs, food, and romance, and how diagnosing herself with complex post traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) has opened her eyes to a new way of dealing with life. Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at picklesandvodka.substack.com/subscribe

Christina returns from treatment and introduces a very special guest: her mom, the one and only Ginger Lou! In this episode, Ginger reflects on her tumultuous journey with addiction, how faith saved her, and the importance of forming a healthy identity.   If you are thinking about suicide, the following resources are here to help: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ https://www.crisistextline.o...

Christina chats with Diane, a 25 year-old transgender woman in recovery for her eating disorder and other addictions. Tune in to hear about the events that led her to treatment, what it was like growing up different, and how she’s been able to find peace in life after years of self-medicating while trying to embrace her identify following personal trauma. Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at pi...

After a brief intermission, the podcast is back! This week, Rachael talks about the time her parents sent her away, her many adventures with ADHD, how becoming a mom made her reevaluate everything, and how she makes it work as a small business owner in Brooklyn while juggling her own mental health issues. (Spoiler: it’s really practical advice.) Follow Rachael on Instagram @doomednyc for glimpses...

This week, Syd talks about what it’s like to pursue a creative life while grappling with the feeling of being trapped within a stifling belief system and nearly losing everything in the process of breaking free. Follow Syd on Instagram @videmusart or become involved in their creative community at www.patreon.com/videmusart . Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at picklesandvodka.substack.com/subs...

Join Christina and her British guest, Em, who describes in detail what it's like to live with borderline personality disorder while juggling several comorbidities as well as a series of complicated relationships. Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at picklesandvodka.substack.com/subscribe

Friendships take work under any circumstances, but what happens when mental illness gets thrown into the mix? This week, Katherine talks about losing and gaining relationships, coming out in college, and how to find that sweet balance between isolation and recharging your batteries. Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at picklesandvodka.substack.com/subscribe

Fresh from the hard drive of Christina's ex comes the long-awaited lost episode! Tune in to hear Rachel talk about what it's like working in an adolescent psych ward, her own personal medication rollercoaster, and adventures in Crossfit. (Bonus Netflix movie suggestion included.) Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at picklesandvodka.substack.com/subscribe

How does mental health fit into the world of education? This week, Anastasia gives the inside scoop on her own academic journey, the American special education system, service dogs, and how to live your best life in the face of depression. Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at picklesandvodka.substack.com/subscribe