Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast

On this episode, your infamously imperfect cohosts have a conversation about perfectionism. Subtopics include: How Christina REALLY felt about the 100th episode Where do you draw the line between self-improvement and perfectionism? How we're trying to give ourselves some slack Lauren’s new therapist and how many sessions is too many before calling it quits Putting guards up as a result of asking f...

IT'S OUR CENTENNIAL, BABY! Christina reminisces about starting Pickles and Vodka by herself in 2018 and what it was like to be bulimic and in active addiction while putting out new episodes every week. Lauren reveals what was going on in her head when she took on the role of cohost and why she's decided to reject toxic recovery dialogues and embrace realism. Most importantly, we discuss the concep...

As we prepare for our 100th episode next week, we decided to switch things up with another movie review...and it's f*cked up, Daisy! Listen as we break down the Oscar-nominated film adaptation of Susanna Kaysen's 1992 memoir, Girl Interrupted (1999, dir. James Mangold) and tie it into our own experiences in psychiatric institutions. Side topics include mental health in the 60s, our thoughts on Ang...

This week we're talking about another juicy topic: coping mechanisms! We discuss the different types of coping and how to tell when habits cross the line, where coping mechanisms originate and our earliest memories, laughter as a coping mechanism, harm reduction, trading one coping mechanism for another, and how internal and external forces can shape the way we cope. Content warning for disordered...

Inspired by technical difficulties, we're talking all about how we cope with our emotions when our plans fall apart! Topics range from the lighthearted (which cities we think are the flakiest, eccentric psychiatrists, baking mishaps) to the serious (car accidents we’ve had, financial emergencies, anxiety around unexpected loss and planning for your death), but we make sure to end on a deliciously...

It's a bonus episode! Lauren sits down to tell the story of how she spent the weekend of 9/9 in an ER holding room and then a psych ward. Although we bring our signature humor, this is definitely a more serious episode with mentions of suicide, depression, food/weight, and psychological trauma. Listen with care and stay safe. (Don't worry, there is a hilarious Pickle Palate Cleanser at the end to...

IT'S THE REGRET EPISODE!! Lauren starts us off by revealing something that happened to her last weekend, then Christina shares a journal entry from last year. We discuss the differences between regret, nostalgia, and wistfulness, then we play a voicemail from listener Alyssa and tie it in to our own experiences with regret. Topics include the feeling of wasting youth and alienating others, regret...

Lauren finally surprises Christina with a topic—and it’s all about approaching mental health with your coworkers! We share some of our mental health-related work horror stories, tips for drawing boundaries with fellow employees (and how to know when to trust them), how to advocate for yourself and others at work, what to do if a coworker is struggling, HR fiascos, the challenges of remote teams, a...

In light of the recent changes to Pickles and Vodka, Christina and Lauren finally tackle the topic on everyone's mind these days: burnout! We talk about what burnout ISN'T, preserving energy for the things that energize you, being unable to enjoy free time, tips for coping with and preventing burnout, ways to give your brain a vacation (healthy and not), and why burnout is normal but can lead to m...

Pet lovers rejoice! This week, Christina and Lauren talk about the ways their pets have impacted their mental health—and not just in the ways you’d expect. Topics include how to know you’re ready for a pet when coping with mental health is a challenge, how our struggles can affect our pets and vice versa, our fear of pet trauma, and why our pets are the best pets. We also share our pets’ origin st...

This week, we talk about listeners’ favorite (and least favorite) depictions of mental illness in the media! Tangents include sleep aids, smoking in malls, which music tattoos we have, what to do when a depiction of mental health is so good it triggers you, Lauren's hot take on side characters, and Christina’s brain on COVID. Enjoy! Follow Pickles and Vodka for updates, guest inquiries, or to say...

For the podcast's first EVER movie review, we pick apart To the Bone, the 2017 drama starring Lily Collins and directed by Marti Noxon. Topics include Lifetime stereotypes, the lack of diversity in eating disorder treatment, which scenes triggered us the most, the Keanu Reeves of it all, and what conversations we should be having when it comes to anorexia in the media. Lauren has a hot take about...

Christina brings back a former guest to share some exciting new developments. Follow Pickles and Vodka for updates, guest inquiries, or to say hi: Instagram:  @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook:  Pickles and Vodka Podcast Twitter:  @PicklesVodka Email:  picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Become a monthly supporter Credits: Theme song is Insane OK by The Whines via Free Music Archive Episode is produce...

In this solo episode, Christina talks about being chronically depressed even when life is good, then reads a journal from 2016 that proves it's all about perspective. Listeners share their tips for how to keep going when nothing is going your way. Enjoy! Follow Pickles and Vodka for updates, guest inquiries, or to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast Twitt...

We’ve got a guest in the house this week! Christina brings on her friend Jas to talk about growing up around undetected addiction and anxiety, the series of events leading to her 7-year incarceration, and navigating the difficulties of re-entering society while juggling depression and fragmented familial relationships. This is one episode of Pickles and Vodka you won’t want to miss! Follow Pickles...

Christina tells the tumultuous tale of her recent motorcycle trip, reflects on turning 30 this week, and reads some mental health warning labels submitted by listeners—with a couple surprise guests thrown in for good measure. (Fun fact: this episode was almost titled “Two Gas Cans In”, but then Christina got tired.) Cheers! Follow Pickles and Vodka for updates, guest inquiries, or to say hi: Insta...

Christina is burnt out, but so is everybody. This week's disaster is brought to you by anxiety, weed, fan art, cat dingleberries, self-deprecating jokes that hit a little too close to home, more anxiety, attempts at motivation, and wtf-is-even-going-on-anymore!! This week, Christina appeared on Bongloads and BullS*it to talk about cannabis and mental health. You can watch it on Youtube or follow @...

Today’s episode features more than a couple of shocking confessions, an obnoxious amount of body positivity, and a chat with Kentucky’s next self-love superhero. Kayla Douthitt talks about having at eating disorder in the south, the seemingly innocuous factors that can lead to insecurities, and what steps parents can take to build healthier body image with their kids. Find the answers to these (an...

Christina brings her sister Caroline back on the podcast to answer a question submitted by a relative, which leads to an unhinged (and often hilarious) conversation about growth. The podcast has its first criticism. We learn from listeners which “negative” emotions they were able to reframe and use to the advantage of their mental health. All this (and a lot of weird jokes) can be heard on this ep...

Content warning: this episode contains discussions about suicide/suicidal ideation Alternate title: Christina learns about Judaism and gets real existential! Writer Nikkole Anjuli calls in to talk about chronic pain, the intersection between physical and mental disability, suicide, psychedelics, and becoming a Jew during COVID. Christina brings up the issue of stagnancy in self-improvement and why...

It’s an extra special solo episode! Christina celebrates 3 years without alcohol by sharing the never-before-heard details surrounding her last drink and why she dislikes the term “sober”. The second half of the show focuses on life lessons submitted by listeners and the benefits of starting a conversation about mental health...especially when the world is more f*cked than ever before. This is one...

Another OG P&V guest returns in this roller coaster of an episode! (And yes, it is heavily peppered with innuendos.) Bianca chats with me about her ongoing breakup and how utterly gut-wrenching it feels to end your first relationship when you gave it your best efforts—even at the expense of your mental health. Tangents include sexual bird talk, Christina being Bianca’s supervisor at Starbucks, mak...

Vulnerability takes the spotlight in this emotional solo episode! Christina shares some recent family difficulties and the effects they’ve had on her mental and physical health, then reads a journal entry from 2011 that illustrates how much her concept of self-care has changed. Finally, she reads some hilarious (and often eloquent) listener responses to the age-old question: “how are you?” Follow...

Today we have an OG guest on the show! Rachael Goodrich returns to chat about surviving lockdown with two asshole toddlers and ADHD in a New York apartment, her expensive plant habit that took everyone by surprise, a new business venture based on improving mental health, and LOTS of motorcycles. Christina talks about Roe v Wade and gets upset, then asks for money (naturally). This is one episode o...

Christina returns from a spring break...of sorts. Tune in to hear about the mediocre phenomenon that is faux relapse, feeling high while actually sober, self-censorship, and hiding anxiety. She reads excerpts of a piece written by the podcast's VERY FIRST guest about what he's learned in his 20s, then shares listener answers to last week's poll--including a voice message!! Enjoy this miserable/bea...