Zane Thomas, Zoë Schwartz, & Jasmine Nothing

The Smoke Break

Comedy EN ↓ 121 episodes

The Smoke Break, hosted by Zane Thomas, Zoe Schwartz, and Jasmine Nothing, is a mental health and comedy podcast recorded in Portland, Oregon. Since 2020, they’ve been having candid conversations with comedians, musicians, performers, and other community members that help to make things like medication, psychosis, trauma, diagnoses, recovery, and loss feel normal. With their personal lived experience, working in the mental health field, and being comedians/creatives themselves, they balance the vulnerability of personal stories with some ridiculous jokes and wild laughter.

Author

Zane Thomas, Zoë Schwartz, & Jasmine Nothing

Category

Comedy

Podcast website

rss.com

Latest episode

Jun 27, 2026

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Episodes

Episode 119: "Hobbies & Work Life Balance" (feat. JawBreaker) 10.12.2024

On this weeks episode of The Smoke Break, we talk to drag queen and social work badass JawBreaker (aka Fabi) about the importance of hobbies and how they can relate to self care. After that we discuss, the difficulty in managing a work life balance and how taking your work home with you can contribute to a faster rate of burnout. Episodes drop every Monday at 6pm on ALL platforms...

Episode 118: "Abstinence & Med Management" (ft. Brendo) 26.11.2024

On this weeks episode we talk with comedian Brendan Creecy (aka Brendo) about his journey with mental health and substances use and how the choice to abstain was ultimately life changing. After that, we discuss the complicated road to finding a medication that works and how the wrong medication can sometimes make things far worse. Episodes drop every Monday at 6pm on ALL platforms!

Episode 117: "Jealousy & Resilience" 19.11.2024

On this weeks episode of The Smoke Break, we’re joined by all three hosts Zane Thomas, Zoe Schwartz, and Taylor Barrett to talk about jealousy and our tendency to compare ourselves unfairly to others, as well as the emotions that might arise from that. After that, we discuss resiliency and the importance of being able to continue to show up after difficult situations with hope and enthusiasm. Epis...

Episode 116: “Loss & Isolation” (ft. Dani) 13.08.2024

On this week’s episode of The Smoke Break, we chat with Dani, a DJ from Shady Pines Radio, about the impact of isolation on mental health, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. We delve into the importance of differentiating between essential alone time and detrimental isolation to support overall well-being. Next we talk about the complex nature of loss. Dani recounts her experience with...

Episode 115: “Masking & Identity” (ft. Daisy Claire) 06.08.2024

On this weeks episode of The Smoke Break, we talk with comedian Daisy Claire and discuss the impacts of autistic masking, the challenges of navigating societal expectations, and the importance of accommodating neurodivergent experiences. Next we discuss the concept of shame, particularly how it affects people with marginalized identities and those who experience neurodivergence. Lastly we delve in...

Episode 114: “Seasonal Affective Disorder & Hallucinogens” (ft. Ikes) 30.07.2024

On this weeks episode of The Smoke Break, we talk with Portland comedian Ikes about the effect weather can have on our moods and how to best navigate the change in seasons. After that, we talk about hallucinogens and the impact they have on our perceptions and how that can affect our overall outlook on life. Episodes drop every Monday at 6pm on ALL platforms!

Episode 113: “Survivors Guilt & Religious Trauma” (ft. Joey Wander) 23.07.2024

On this week’s episode of The Smoke Break, we talk with social worker and comedian, Joey Wander as we discuss harm reduction and what it means in our professional and personal lives. After that, we unpack some of the challenges associated with survivors guilt and how to move on if all we have is memories. Lastly, we discuss religious upbringings and the impact tjey can have on our mental well-bein...

Episode 112: “Starting Therapy & Eating Disorders” (ft. Jane Malone) 02.07.2024

On this week’s episode of The Smoke Break, we talk with comedian Jane Malone about her process of starting therapy and early childhood experiences with it. We also discuss suicidal ideation and how our desire to live is fundamental to seeking purpose. Lastly, we share our thoughts and experiences on disordered eating and the impacts of diet culture on body image. Episodes drop everything Monday at...

Episode 111: “Kindness & Self Talk” (ft. Emma Copper) 25.06.2024

On this week’s episode of The Smoke Break, we talk with student and social worker Emma Cooper, about kindness and the impact it makes on people who aren’t often acknowledged. After that, we discuss learning and some of the barriers and challenges that come with being neurodivergent in system that expects one size to fit all. Lastly, we consider the impact of self talk and how our inner monologue c...

Episode 110: “Delayed Gratification & Decisions” 04.06.2024

On this week’s episode of The Smoke Break, we talk with hosts Zane, Zoe, and Taylor about the different outcomes instant and delayed gratification can bring and how we can enrich our lives by seeking both. We also discuss the difficulties with achieving and maintaining focus over different periods of time. Lastly, we wrap things up on the topic of decision making and the different factors we consi...

Episode 109: “Trust & Safety” (ft. G Wade) 21.05.2024

Tw: Death & Violence On this week’s episode of The Smoke Break, we talk with comedian G Wade about what trust can look like and the important role trust plays in building community We also discuss the topics of safety, self-preservation, and the impact of perception in those situations. Lastly, we discuss the importance of role modeling and how we can use our negative experiences to guide peop...

Episode 108: “Our Apologies” (ft. Zane & Zoe) 14.05.2024

This weeks episode of The Smoke Break, is a short one. About 5 minutes. But we thought it was important to get this information out there and address an episode we made a couple months back. We’ve been at the studio every week since, recording and probably overthinking it while trying to say things in a perfect way. But often times, “perfection” can get in the way of “doing the best we can in the...

Episode 107: “Sex Ed & Intersectional Feminism” (ft. Olivia Zivot) 19.03.2024

On this week’s episode of “The Smoke Break” we talk with comedian and sociologist, Olivia Zivot, about their study and findings on the impact of pornography and how it can be used as a tool for teaching and self discovery. We also discuss the concept of intersectional feminism and how it is important for creating inclusivity. Lastly, we talk about dehumanization and how it is used as a tool to jus...

Episode 106: “Stepping Away & Substance Use” (ft. Timo Frantziss) 05.03.2024

On this weeks episode of, “The Smoke Break” we talk with ex-comedian and current social worker Timo Frantziss, about taking a step back from the things that are important to us and some of the reasons why. We also discuss substance use and the experiences and circumstances that may lead an individual to use as well as some of the benefits and draw backs as well. Finally we wrap things up with a co...

Episode 105: “Transformation of Identity & Imposter Syndrome” (ft. Jamal Coleman) 27.02.2024

On this weeks episode of The Smoke Break, we sit down with comedian Jamal Coleman and discuss how identities, can and DO, evolve over time. We also talk about self belief and the importance of being our own biggest cheerleaders in order to combat some of those negative voices in our heads. Lastly, we chat about imposter syndrome and the tendency to not be able to see ourselves realistically for ho...

Episode 104: “Comparison & Values” (ft. Ac Oneal) 14.02.2024

On this weeks episode of The Smoke Break, we talk with comedian Ac Oneal about negative self talk and the ways we can combat those inner voices. We also discuss, comparison stealing any value we may find in ourselves by measuring it against someone’s else’s success. Lastly, we wrap things up by sharing our values and describe the ways that they motivate us to keep moving forward. Episodes drop eve...

Episode 103: “Moving & Insecurity” (ft. Bryan Bixby) 06.02.2024

On this week’s episode of “The Smoke Break”, we talk with comedian Bryan Bixby before he leaves to make his next big move and discuss some of the anxiety that can come with that. We also discuss insecurity and how self perception can contribute to our ability to perform. Lastly, we wrap things up by talking about how identity can be tied to what we do and how knowing who you are fundamentally can...

Episode 102: “Polyamory & Body Image“ (ft. Mack Magee) 23.01.2024

On this weeks episode of “The Smoke Break”, we talk with comedian Mack Magee about the benefits and challenges of being in a polyamorous relationship. We also talk about how body image issue can affect our relationship with food as well as ourselves. We round out the episode discussing the importance of consistency and how this goal can seem even more daunting as time goes on and expectations chan...

Episode 101: “Self Love & Contentment” (ft. Matt Franco) 16.01.2024

On this weeks episode of “The Smoke Break” we talk with comedian Matt Franco about self love and our sometimes inability to feel the love of others. We also discuss the points of rupture and repair that happen in all of our relationships and what it looks like to make good again. Last we talk about chasing contentment as opposed to happiness and all the hurdles involved with trying to endlessly be...

Episode 100: “Living In The Past & Future Thinking” (ft. Swiggle Mandela) 02.01.2024

In this weeks episode of The Smoke Break, we talk with rapper Swiggle Mandela about depression, processing trauma, and contextualizing it in art. We also discuss the anxiety that can come with looking to the future for a sense of relief and how further suffering can occur by not being present. Episodes in the new year will drop every Monday on ALL platforms at 6pm. Link in comments/ bio…

Episode 99: “Problem Solving & Toxic Relationships” (ft. Erica Figueroa) 14.11.2023

On this weeks episode of The Smoke Break, we talk with comedian Erica Figueroa about problem solving and why it’s difficult do when you’re activated. We also discuss toxic relationships, what we can learn from them, and the toll they can take on our mental health. Lastly, we discuss how making gratitude a practice can help us keep a positive attitude & perspective in life. Episode drop (hopefu...

Episode 98: “Logic vs Emotion & Guilt” (ft. Jamal Coleman) 04.11.2023

This week on The Smoke Break we welcome back comedian Jamal Coleman! We dive into a conversation weighing logic versus emotion and how to balance the two. Later, we talk about how to deal with guilt, how it presents itself, and some ways we’ve grown and learned from it. Episodes drop on ALL platforms every Friday…

Episode 97: “Single Parents & Anxiety” (ft. Jaren George) 24.10.2023

On this week’s episode of “The Smoke Break” we welcome guest host and comedian Jaren George into the studio. We talk about being raised by single parents and the stigma surrounding it. We also revisit anxiety and how it shows up for each of us. Episodes (typically) drop every Friday at 6pm on ALL platforms!

Episode 96: “Grief & Sobriety” (ft. Logan Loughmiller) 14.10.2023

On this weeks episode we come back from a long hiatus to talk with Logan Loughmiller about the stages of grief. We also discuss sobriety and the importance of understanding that substance use is often the only coping mechanism some people have access to. Episodes drop on ALL platforms every Friday at 6pm. We’re back y’all!

Episode 95: “The Session Vol. 2” (ft. Jasmine Nothing, Stephanie Strange, Ben Harkins, & Tory Ward) 08.08.2023

The Smoke Break’s second live show featured dynamic and cathartic conversations from Stephanie Strange, Ben Harkins, Tory Ward, and returning guest host Jasmine Nothing. We discuss everything from forgiving your parents, to how our art reflects our trauma, and even struggling to have conversations about mental health. With an enthusiastic audience and wonderful guests; we’re thrilled to present yo...

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