Mental Health Episodes

Michael Allison’s life has been anything but easy. From childhood abuse to combat in Iraq, the grief of loss to the silence of survival, Michael carried the weight of a thousand lifetimes before reaching a breaking point. Standing on a Florida bridge, he made a decision that would change everything.

This is a personal invitation to something meaningful. On Thursday, August 7, I’ll be part of a virtual panel hosted by Reimagine called “Giving Grief a Voice.” We’ll be talking about how grief-focused podcasts – including Grief is a Sneaky Bitch (Lisa Keefauver), Grief and Light (Nina Rodriguez), Life with Grief (Tara Accardo), Where I Am (Grant Garry), and The Life Shift – are helping to normalize conversations about grief and offer meaningful connection in the wake of loss. I’ll be joining ...

Jenny always knew she wanted to be a mom. But when her first child, Sarah, was born with special needs, the parenting story she had imagined began to unravel. For years, she carried invisible bricks of guilt, believing she had to fix what wasn’t broken. Everything shifted the day she gave herself permission to just love her daughter exactly as she was.

Doing nothing can feel uncomfortable, especially when you care deeply about your work, your goals, or the people you're showing up for. But sometimes, pushing through becomes too much.

What if we treated everyone like they were stage four of something? We’re all carrying something we can’t always see. In this episode, I talk with author and storyteller Adam Erwin about what happens when we slow down and choose to lean in, to really see people instead of scanning past them. Adam shares the life-altering moment on a post-9/11 flight that changed how he moves through the world and ultimately led him to launch a multi-year project: interviewing strangers on airplanes and capturing their stories in his book Lessons from Coach.

Jealousy can feel uncomfortable – even shameful. But it's also human. You might feel it when someone else gets the opportunity you’ve been dreaming of, or when their joy highlights something you still deeply want. This short reflection offers a compassionate reminder: jealousy doesn’t make you bad or ungrateful. It often points to a dream or desire within you that still matters. Instead of pushing the feeling away or layering it with guilt, this episode invites you to notice it, name it, and ...

Some feelings show up without warning – and without a name. You’re not sad, not exactly anxious, not even sure what’s wrong… but something feels off. And when you can’t explain it, the urge to fix it gets louder. This short reflection is a reminder that not every emotion needs a label. Not every ache needs to be solved right away. Sometimes, the kindest thing you can do is feel it – even if you don’t understand it yet. If you’ve ever woken up heavy for no clear reason, this is your permission ...

There are days when holding it all together just isn’t possible. And despite what we’ve been taught – to push through, to stay strong, to keep showing up – sometimes the bravest thing we can do is let ourselves break. If you're carrying grief, burnout, or just too much of everything, this short reflection is your reminder that falling apart doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. You don’t have to be the strong one all the time. You don’t have to keep it all together today. You’re allowed t...

What if your superpower was secretly destroying your life? Ian Fee spent decades thinking alcohol was his key to connection – his edge in business and relationships. He built a successful career, a massive network, and a party-filled life that looked like everything was working. But beneath the surface, he was numb, disconnected, and silently unraveling.

We live in a world that celebrates hustle – where being busy is often mistaken for being worthy. But what happens when your body, your mind, or your spirit asks you to slow down? If your energy isn’t what it used to be, or if your to-do list feels more like pressure than purpose, that’s not failure. It’s feedback. This short reflection is a gentle reminder that rest counts. Presence counts. You don’t have to produce to prove your value. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is stop and brea...

Healing isn’t linear. Just when you think you’ve moved on – from heartbreak, betrayal, or someone who broke your trust – something small can bring it all back. A song, a post, a memory. And suddenly you're asking yourself, “Why does this still hurt?” That doesn't mean you’re broken. It means you cared. It means you trusted. And it hurt. This short reflection reminds us that healing has no perfect timeline. Even if it’s been months or years, it’s okay if the sting still shows up. It doesn’t ...

Grief doesn’t follow neat timelines – and it doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you if it still shows up years later. Whether it’s been a decade or just a season, grief can return in a song, a memory, a smell, or even a YouTube clip that catches you off guard. That ache isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of what mattered. In this short reflection, we explore why grief that lingers is part of love that lasts. You’ll hear a gentle reminder that: “Grief isn’t a problem to solve. It’s part of...

What happens when your body tells you the truth before your mind is ready to hear it? Andrew Lang had built a life around doing the most. He was a teacher, a union rep, and a quiet emotional anchor for everyone around him. But underneath it all, exhaustion was building until one night, his body gave out, and that unexpected breaking point became the beginning of something new.

I’m excited to share something new. It’s Okay If… is a short-form podcast I created as part of my own healing journey — a space for bite-sized permission slips to feel what you feel and be exactly where you are. Each episode is under 3 minutes, and a new one drops every Wednesday at noon. In this short intro, I’ll share why I made this show, what you can expect, and how you can listen. 🎧 First 3 episodes release on Wednesday, May 21 Follow It’s Okay If… on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or whe...

Have you ever felt trapped by the need for certainty in your life? Allison Carmen, a spiritual teacher, author, and podcaster, shares her journey from being addicted to certainty to embracing the power of "maybe." Allison takes us through her early years, where anxiety and worry dominated her life. She recounts the pivotal moment when a simple Daoist story about a farmer and his horse opened her eyes to a new way of thinking that would change her life forever. From Certainty Addiction t...

Jenn Todling, a former corporate executive turned author and coach, shares her courageous journey of escaping a toxic marriage and rediscovering herself.

Carol Look takes us through her early years, where she excelled academically and athletically while constantly living on edge, waiting for the next relapse of her parents' addiction. She recounts the pivotal moment during a family rehab visit when a recovering addict's words shattered her perception of what was possible.

In this recap episode, we explore the powerful responses from guests reflecting on their pivotal life shift moments and what they would tell their past selves. Throughout the discussions, themes of patience, self-belief, and shedding shame resonate deeply, highlighting the emotional journeys we all face. My guests, including Jasmin Faulk-Dickerson and Lewis Crompton, share their insights on being true to oneself and maintaining faith during challenging times. Their heartfelt messages serve as a ...

Heidi Kirby is back on The Life Shift, diving deep into her journey of sobriety and the major life changes she's faced since we last chatted.

Lydia Knight’s powerful journey from cult survivor to a beacon of authenticity and empowerment takes center stage as she shares her deeply personal story. At a pivotal moment, Lydia chose to reveal her struggles with food and mental health during a national health coaching call.

Trudie Marie takes us on an inspiring journey of healing and self-discovery after facing the challenges of complex PTS(D). Amid the pressures of a demanding law enforcement career and personal struggles, she courageously decided to embark on a transformative 64-day solo hike along the stunning Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia. This life-changing adventure allowed her to confront her past traumas, discover inner peace, and rebuild self-trust.

On this episode of The Life Shift Podcast, Stephen Wilson shares his powerful journey of overcoming the trauma of sexual assault and the subsequent battles with mental illness, including bipolar disorder and depression. He reflects on how the shame of his experience led him to keep his story hidden for over 30 years, affecting his life in profound ways.

Bullying can leave lasting scars, and in today’s episode, I reflect on my own experiences with it throughout my childhood and adolescence. I share personal anecdotes, from being pushed into the mud by a bully in third grade to facing threats from a baseball team in high school. These moments shaped my reactions to conflict and how I navigated friendships, often leading me to prioritize others' approval over my own feelings. Takeaways: Bullying can leave lasting emotional scars that affect us t...

Therapy is a powerful tool that can help us navigate our emotional struggles, yet many people feel intimidated by the idea of seeking help. In today's episode, I share my personal journey with therapy, highlighting the fears and misconceptions that often hold people back from reaching out. I discuss my own experiences, including the challenges I faced in finding the right therapist and the breakthroughs that eventually led to healing. It's essential to acknowledge the feelings of apprehension th...