Surviving-ISH Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Surviving Ish Podcast, David is joined by Alisha Marie, who shares her compelling journey from being in a high-control religious cult to finding her own path. The conversation delves into the complexities of faith, the psychological effects of religious teachings, and the struggle to balance friendship and personal growth. Alicia opens up about her experienc...

Send us Fan Mail Surviving Ish: Trauma Triggers, Toxic Positivity, and the Relief of Losing an Abusive Mother (with Jesse, author of Girl Hidden) Host David welcomes Jesse Gibbs (author of the memoir Girl Hidden) to Surviving Ish for a wide-ranging conversation on how scent and the body can trigger trauma responses, referencing The Body Keeps the Score and the difficulty of trusting intuition. The...

Send us Fan Mail How do you reclaim your life when it was never truly yours to begin with? In this episode of Surviving-ISH, David sits down with the incredible Kristin Watson to peel back the layers of a much deeper, darker reality: surviving and escaping a restrictive religious cult. Kristin opens up about her time at Crown College, exposing the toxic "purity culture" that systematical...

Send us Fan Mail The episode the host sits down with social Medias DeeDaw and discusses how a political figure is using the same tactic as Hitler by exploiting prejudice and xenophobia—shifting targets from Jews to immigrants—and escalating attacks on trans people, drag queens, gay people, people of color, and others to unite hateful supporters. It claims this scapegoating kept people from noticin...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the world isn’t safe? You build your own. In this powerful episode of Surviving-ISH , we sit down with Alex—a TikTok creator who has turned a childhood of bullying, social exclusion, and a complex adoption story into a vibrant "Another World" of fashion and art. From crafting Lady Gaga-inspired props out of recycled materials as a teen to designing &quo...

Send us Fan Mail 🚀 THE TRUTH IS COMING OUT—AND IT’S MESSY. 🛑 Dr. Sandy Cox on Surviving Ish: Politics, Trauma, Patriarchy, Community & the Emoji Problem Host David welcomes psychiatrist Dr. Sandy Cox (who he jokes about calling “Dr. Sandstorm”) to the Surviving Ish podcast for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from mental health to politics, trauma, and community. Dr. Cox shares her bac...

Send us Fan Mail "If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry." We’ve all said it, but Cathy Brusk lives it. From the terrifying moment a "stomach bug" turned into life-saving heart surgery, to navigating a world that wasn't built for her son, Cathy joins Surviving Ish to pull back the curtain on the reality of special-needs parenting. We’re diving deep into the stuff people usually whispe...

Send us Fan Mail The System Broke Him. He Broke Back. Ever feel like you’re living in two different worlds? In this episode of Surviving-ISH , we sit down with Daniel Alzate, a man who survived a high-control childhood only to realize that the "real world" comes with its own set of chaotic rules. We’re diving deep into the psychology of deconstruction —not just of beliefs, but of an enti...

Send us Fan Mail "They told us it was God's will... but it was actually a nightmare." In this episode of Surviving Ish , David sits down with Heather Ford for a conversation that is as raw as it is heartbreaking. Heather finally shares the full, unfiltered truth about her childhood spent inside a restrictive religious cult—from the "prayer closet" punishments to the dramat...

Send us Fan Mail This is heavy, high-stakes material. To get the reach this deserves while staying within social media guidelines (which can be finicky about certain keywords), you need a balance of authority.  In this episode of the Surviving Ish Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Cox to dissect the recently leaked Sasha Riley audios. We’re moving past the tabloid headlines to look at the cold, hard p...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Surviving-ISH , we pull back the veil on the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI)—a multi-billion dollar machine built on the broken spirits of children. We are joined by Tabitha , a survivor of the notorious Tranquility Bay in Jamaica and a relentless force for change. Tabitha isn’t just sharing her story; she is leading a revolution. From the harrowing memories of ove...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Surviving Ish, the show where we dive into daily face palms and epic meltdowns! I'm joined by my good friend Ashley from 'Ghost Gossip'. We discuss everything from blending families with teenagers, spooky encounters in haunted houses, setting boundaries with ghosts, to the pettiest things we've ever gotten mad about! Don't miss out on this candi...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt episode, we delve into the emotional journey of a guest, Ashely, who has been coping with the loss of a friend whose murderer wanted her to be the next victim. The discussion touches upon the importance of being a voice for those who can no longer speak for themselves and the enduring memory of a special person named Nathan. The guest also shares personal rituals...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the very first episode of 'Surviving Ish,' the podcast where we discuss the little nuances and sometimes the big stuff that we're attempting to survive. Hosted by David, this episode features Jenny from the 'Unholier' podcast and Johnna, a reoccurring guest with a powerful story. Together, they dive into various topics such as the importance of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Surviving-Ish Podcast, we dive deep into life's daily struggles and more significant mental health challenges with a twist of humor.. David and special guest Johnna discuss their own experiences, the importance of creating a safe space, and the profound impact of Charlie Kirk's recent tragic demise. They explore the societal and emotional ramificat...

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply personal and uncomfortable episode, hosts David and Jenny address a serious issue affecting the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI) community. They reveal that a former podcast guest has been embellishing their survival story to gain attention and scam community members, particularly vulnerable women, out of money. Despite the sensitive nature of the topic, David and Jenny...

Send us Fan Mail Join David, Jamie, and Kristy on this hilarious episode of Surviving-ISH as they dive into the true crime world, life’s unexpected bloopers, and the real-life struggles of menopause and finding time for yourself . Find out the shocking backstory of the popular True Crime podcast , Speculating Wildly About Crime (SWAC Pod)! #swacpod #truecrime #survivingish #menopause https://www.y...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Surviving Ish Podcast! In this incredible episode, host David sits down with Charles, a new friend and inspiring guest, to discuss life, struggles, and the art of surviving. Together, they dive into Charles' past experiences with homelessness during his junior year of high school, overcoming adversity, and his journey to success in real estate. Listen as they s...

Send us Fan Mail A Deep Dive into Epstein Emails, Victim Blaming, and Political Cults ✊ Welcome to a special and emotional episode of 'Surviving Ish.' In this candid and unfiltered discussion, we dive into the release of the Epstein emails, victim blaming, and the disturbing trends in current political and social dynamics. Joined by a trusted friend, the host details heated arguments, d...

Send us Fan Mail What do a bad nail salon experience and the current political climate have in common? They both require you to find your voice. In this episode of Surviving-ish , host David and his good friend Kris dive into the messy reality of modern life. Join us as we explore how a small, funny inconvenience can lead to a deeper conversation about the importance of speaking up for yourself. T...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'The Process of Healing,' David converses with Ann Russo about the complex journey of trauma and recovery. David and Ann discuss various elements of trauma, including personal experiences, the influence of societal norms on emotional expression, particularly in men, and the critical importance of advocacy and authenticity in healing. Ann shares her own...

Send us Fan Mail In this emotional and inspiring episode of the Process Appealing Survivor Edition, join the host as they sit down with Ms. Hope Rose. Hope shares her harrowing story of domestic abuse, her tumultuous battle in the family court system, and the profound losses she endured to protect her son. Despite overwhelming challenges, Hope's resilience shines through as she speaks on her...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of 'The Process of Healing', Siamon Emery sits down with David to share his journey through trauma and healing. Siamon, currently residing in Costa Rica, opens up about his tumultuous childhood, being raised by drug-dependent parents, and the path that led him to become a mentor. The conversation delves into understanding trauma as a universal hu...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, mental health expert Judith Belmont, with over 40 years of experience, joins the hosts to discuss her new book '110 CBT Tips and Tools.' The conversation delves into her professional relationship with trauma, the misconceptions surrounding mental health, and the power of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Together, they explore the importance of not com...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt podcast episode, we welcome Nancy Vega, a brave mother sharing her deeply personal story of loss. Nancy's son, Martin, tragically took his own life, leaving an immense void in her world. Despite her unimaginable grief, Nancy has chosen a path of courage and compassion, dedicating herself to keeping her son's memory alive and raising awareness about the...