This Seats Taken
This podcast is all about movies! Here my reviews, with some input from other movie enthusiasts , on all new movies. Weekly episodes that review the newest movies in theaters. I also review a throwback movie along with each episode that is picked by my guest. And every once in a while there will be bonus episodes of just older classic movies and just movie, tv, and pop culture updates. Let me be your movie guy.
This Seats Taken
Mental Health with Justine Rodes (Bonus Episode)
Justine Rodes shares her journey as a mental health advocate and the host of the "Mentally A Badass" podcast, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and community in healing. The conversation navigates through personal experiences, the impact of PodFest, and practical advice for anyone struggling with mental health issues or seeking deeper connections.
• Justine's background and struggles with mental health
• The importance of community and connection in healing
• Launching the "Mentally A Badass" brand with meaningful merchandise
• Impactful guest stories that resonate with listeners
• Addressing imposter syndrome among creative professionals
• Signs of depression and the need for professional help
• Recommendations for movies that explore mental health themes
• Final thoughts on the power of authenticity and vulnerability
excuse me, is anybody sitting here?
Speaker 2:sorry, this is taken sorry, welcome to a special edition of this seat's taken where I'm. Your host, rob miranda got a very bonus episode for you guys to join me first time on the podcast. I made a connection with this person down in florida. You might have heard me talking about the story, how we met on the episode of Fernando, but I got today, ms Business Owner, host of Mentally a Badass podcast, ms Justine Rhodes. Thank you, ms Justine, for coming on. I'm excited to have you on. Like we met. You were one of the first peoples I met at PodFest and we it was like not an instant connection but like it. It was connection because like one we both can agree on, that was a little bit older crowd, right, and what all those younger people kind of like stuck together yeah, I'm so glad that you uh noticed me being lonely.
Speaker 1:You came up to me and you're like, hey, let's be friends. So I believe that the universe connects people for a reason. I'm so happy that you reached back out to me, um, and asked me to be on your podcast.
Speaker 2:I'm so excited for our conversation today and it's gonna be a good conversation, like well, one like you it's not like I did it that smoothly came up to you like hey, let's be friends now I talked about the story, about on the episode. Like I immediately went up to you talking shit about the teacher. That's my opening line to you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I like to make jokes you gave in.
Speaker 2:Yeah, gave in right away Like this guy's up my alley. But I'm so glad to have you on the podcast because I am a big advent for mental health. I love talking about it openly. This podcast was born out of mental health, too. Like I, really this was born in 2022.
Speaker 2:That was around the time like I did did I was personally going through like a depression a little bit. Something I didn't even realize was happening kind of crept up on me and once I realized it, I was like, oh man, I gotta change something. So what I did? I bought a couple books and then I bought a listen a bunch of podcasts about mental health too. Like I really wanted something to throw myself into, like to take my mind off of other things, and I found this podcast and I never looked back since. My mental health since then has grown a lot more recently within this past like a year, I would say I've been killing it, um, but you're a big health advocate for mental health too. You met a couple podcasters that I saw down. There were also in the same thing too, right?
Speaker 1:I met a couple you mean at podfest at podfest. Yeah, people who were kind of in the mental health area too oh right, yes, I mean, I did interview um this one person about pdsd we talked about that and there were there was a couple of other people that I'm actually meeting to reach back out to so we can collaborate. Can't remember the name off the top of my head, but yes, there was a couple that were in that space as well how did you feel about the pod fest experience?
Speaker 2:I was unexpected to go and we made connections. Like I said, I've kept in touch with a handful of people from out there and I I it was awesome experience. How did you? How was your experience out there?
Speaker 1:yeah. So I would say my experience is, I think I expected a little bit more um. Unfortunately, I've been to multiple different conventions, such as like big con and playlist live when I used to do YouTube, and it was a lot different One. The crowd was definitely very different. That's one thing I mean. When I was at PodFest, I didn't expect a younger crowd because just just for like podcasts I listen to and people that I interviewed is definitely an older crowd. But and I was excited, you know, for the panels and there were some panels that I did learn a lot, that I wrote, that, I wrote in my notes and they're actionable and I'm going to work on that but then there were some that I was sitting in and I was like I knew all this and it kind of made me like want to, you know, intervene and be like wait. I have this little tip too, but that's not my place.
Speaker 2:Well, I mean this. Well, I mean this podcast convention was kind of meant for beginners, I would say a little bit because, like you said, it was kind of stuff. We've been in the game for a little bit long and you know anybody can be a speaker. You met my friend Fernando there. Like he he would like to be a speaker the next year. I could at least see you up there speaking like even it's about like mental health in general too.
Speaker 1:Like they have panels about everything. Yeah, I'm looking into doing it. I gotta, I guess, check back on the website, but I feel like if I do go back, it probably would be for that instead of like education wise, at least you know, really to get that. I paid like almost 300 to go to podfest but um, I mean, like, like you were saying, it definitely is great for beginners. I guess for me, I kind of guess I thought I was in that world of beginners because I didn't. When I became a podcaster I kind of just jumped into it. I didn't really go for like any education or anything like that. I kind of learn as I go. So but you know, that makes sense. I just didn't know that before. But it's actually good that we talked about this here, just in case there's podcasters looking to go to podfest I definitely recommend it and, like you said, I wouldn't say exactly, I just dove right into it.
Speaker 2:No one really. I had someone like my friend fernando, like teach me a little bit. But I learned a lot of my own by youtube and what that podcast really did for me the most I would say is ensure me that I'm I. I always felt like I had a leg behind everybody doing podcasting, but this really just ensured me that I'm on the right track. You know like I'm doing everything right.
Speaker 2:Um, I went through the London cut corners and you know it's kind of hard to cut corners, but it it. It just reassured me that, okay, this podcast is what I want it to be and I'm happy with it. So it was great, you know, for my mind, for the mental health, for learning a lot. We learned more Well, I learned more well, I learned more mostly just connecting with you, like you gave me great advice about how to find better guests, what kind of software to use. Um, it was definitely beneficial. Now, before we get into the actual your podcast, I do want to talk to you about your other business, because you do have like a clothing brand, sticker brand going on too. Can you tell me how that started for you?
Speaker 1:yeah. So the clothing brand is an extension of the full mentally a badass brand overall. So I've always wanted to do something in relation to like a clothing line and fashion. I've always been like low-key into that, but I didn't really know how to do that or if it made any sense. So with mentally a badass I have a partner. Her name is Ariel and she's an artist and on our mentally a badass account she would draw like certain what's not anime, like God. I can't even think she would do a lot of like certain graphics and pictures and cartoons that people would really like.
Speaker 1:Why don't we put that in like shirts and stickers? Because with the clothing line, it's just another. It's another vehicle for mentally about us, to for our to deliver our mission. So our mission is to encourage vulnerability and the. The content that is on the shirts are some things that people may not go around telling people.
Speaker 1:So like okay, one that's actually very popular that everybody thinks is it says I'm not lazy, I'm just surviving.
Speaker 1:So there's always this misconception that people who are depressed are lazy, which is like that word lazy is super toxic and for anyone who's dealing with depression, like getting out of bed is like one of the hardest things, like brushing teeth, and when, if you have moments where you feel like, oh wait, I didn't, like I normally brush my teeth morning or night and I'm only doing in the morning, and then if you realize, oh wait, I haven't showered in like two or more days, you think to your head like, ok, if I'm stopped doing those basic things, then my depression is kicking in, because some people may not even realize they have depression and some people like depression shows differently in, like everybody, so so, yeah, so that's one of the things that's actually really popular and I feel like a lot of people can relate to.
Speaker 1:We also have one that says I'm a big ball of anxiety. I mean, I, everybody, I feel like struggles with anxiety. It's just, you know, so yeah, so just a couple of things like that. And also one says like I may be smiling but I'm dead inside, so these are just words, where it's like that's a good one.
Speaker 1:Kind of funny, but like it has, it has meaning behind it.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, exactly so yeah. And then when it says one of it says like nothing scares me more than my brain. That was kind of more for like our Halloween edition. And so we're thinking of like, okay, halloween is spooky, how can we put mental health into this? And I'm just like thinking I'm like the monsters are inside us, mental health wise. So that's like a thought that we had, and then we had that said, this plan is not good for my mental health and it was like an alien. So so yeah, and we put them on stickers and the stickers are actually we sell them in Claremont, new Jersey, in a in a soda shop. So we have them there and also a lot on our website. But but yeah, I mean now we're working on to get the stickers in more places in the Orlando area to spread our our message.
Speaker 2:That is amazing. I like that and I'm definitely. I checked out a couple of your stickers they are pretty cool, and your t-shirts really. I mean I'll post a link in the description of this video, uh, where you can find that. And that's crazy, that cause you're based in Orlando right now but you know like you have stuff in out of States. You know stickers and stuff like that. That's amazing. I'm proud of that. Um, I want to go into your history a little bit about the subject of mental health. I mean, obviously you're very knowledgeable and you give great advice on your podcast. You talk to people, learn their stories. But what is this your passion? Did you always want to be like uh, some like oh, it's like a therapist almost or are you just like no, learning about the human mind?
Speaker 1:Yes, a good question. So the interest started when I was 17 years old. I took a psychology class and I found it very intriguing and fascinating about learning about human behavior.
Speaker 1:Growing up, I've struggled a lot with mental health ever since I was a child due to like bullying and family history and just childhood trauma overall, and it was. I was pretty bad in high school, like I used to do things that like okay, trigger warning, like self-harming and such, and I was diagnosed with bipolar two. So when I was diagnosed I felt a sense of relief just because my whole time I was growing up I thought something was like wrong with my brain and so when I had that diagnosis I was like, okay, I can work with this and so. So basically, background wise, I have my own issues like personal background, and so after a senior year I was like, okay, I need to, I'm going to college, like when I'm going to study, and I was like, oh, let me go into psychology, I could become a therapist. But then at that time I was still like struggling and I was like, okay, I don't think I'll be that good of a therapist just because I feel like I'll end up crying with people.
Speaker 1:So obviously, you can't do that, yeah, exactly Like obviously you can't like cry with your patient and such. So I was like, okay, I'm still thinking about it. And then, junior year of college, I actually was accepted into the Disney college program. Let's complete like did not expect that. I literally just applied for like whatever. You know what.
Speaker 2:I mean.
Speaker 1:So, you know, I was like, okay, well, I'm not going to turn down an opportunity to work at Disney world and move to Florida, because I'm originally from New Jersey and I've always wanted to live in Florida. I wasn't the biggest fan of New Jersey and so I was like this is my opportunity to like leave and to start, pretty much start a new life, reinvent myself. So I took it and I fell in love working for the company. I liked their culture, like they were really good for my mental health, just because, you know, constantly surrounded by like kindness and people who are just I don't know like sweet. So, overall, like the college program pretty much brought me into that. And then so, um, okay, yeah. So then I was like, okay, how can I like use my degree Right? And at first I was like, oh, maybe I can do like HR Right. And so I did a couple of internships my senior year and realized it wasn't for me. I hated it, I was miserable. So I literally came moving to Florida in 2017, still not knowing what I want to do with my life. I was working for Disney, but I was working like in the parks, like those aren't positions where it's like your career like long term. I was literally just like working there just for paying bills and just like being a cast member.
Speaker 1:And then I was doing I had a YouTube channel. I started that in 2016. And I was doing like comedy, had a YouTube channel. I started that in 2016 and I was doing like comedy, sketches and lifestyle. And the reason I started that is because I was watching other YouTubers do that and I'm like they were so funny and they always made me laugh and I was like I'm funny, I can do that. I was like, well, why not? So it gave me the confidence to start a YouTube channel. And then so that's where I kind of I get some background and ready like content creation there, right, and then, um, over time, you know it's fun doing the comedy and the lifestyle, but I wanted to be more niched down and and use my platform for something that's really important and I'm like, okay, mental health is very important to me.
Speaker 1:So then I was, you know, creating mental health content. It didn't do as well, like when it came to views, like my views kind of like went down a lot since I switched. But I was like, okay, maybe my audience isn't here, but then podcasting started to get more popular and I was like, oh, maybe I can switch to podcasting, so maybe people would like listen to me in the car, listen to me, I don't know cooking. And I'm like, okay, like that makes sense. So I started the podcast mentally a badass, in 2021.
Speaker 1:And I was thinking in my head I'm like, okay, like I didn't go the traditional route of you know mental health, career and stuff, but at the end of the day, I'm in the mental health world helping people. I would course, I would never call myself like uh, um, I would never accept those credentials and I would never tell I would always tell people to always go to see a professional for like, like I would never claim that I'm in the position to be like treating people or anything like that. So I'm just gonna put that on there and I always say that. But, based off of like conversations and me learning from experts, it's, it's super powerful, um for people to listen to podcasts.
Speaker 2:So well, on top of that, I would say like, yeah, you're not a professional, but you're getting the conversation started and that's what you know, what some people just need. Like yeah, you mentioned like listening to cars, like I listen a couple mental health in the car, like because I cannot sit in silence, you know, like my mind just all too much, but, um, just getting the conversation started, this half the battle right there. Then, once you give advice, and then this is the biggest thing for me that I realized, like, like almost a moment of realization, like, once you start talking about that or learning the conversation, it's almost a sense of relief, like I, I, you know, other people feel like this too. You know like it's not just me, like I, I'm not alone in the world and because of that, you know people, other people feel like this too. You know like it's not just me, like I'm not alone in the world, and because of that, you know, people can get together and share advice.
Speaker 2:You know like, oh, I go walks on this. You know it's just conversation. That's exactly what your podcast is about. You know you're getting people's stories and how they get through it. Granted, it's not all about and I'm, you know I'm glad you do. You know people like you who do this podcast. It's, it's amazing work. Like I said, no one's claiming to be professionals. All we're doing is have an open conversation and that's what people, all people, need really to get it going yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1:I just say that for legal purposes yeah, yeah, um.
Speaker 2:Now, obviously depression is a big part of my background. A little bit um. But what other topics have you touched on your podcast so people can get keep an eye out for?
Speaker 1:Oh, so many. I feel like I've talked about PTSD. I've seen PTSD. I actually interviewed a therapist for that one. Childhood trauma is a big one Rape, drugs, addiction, like I can, like grief. I've honestly have hit so many different topics. Super grateful for that. I'm trying to, I'm trying to get more topics with a nervous system regulation, cause that's really like on the rise right now. Um, cause we're all putting everyone's like in fight or flight with just the world. But honestly, like I feel like there's an episode for for everybody. I'm going to see if I can start like categorizing everything, but but yeah, I mean the main, the main thing that for mentally bad is every person that does come on, they're required to have a story. So whatever you're listening to, they've experienced it themselves, so it makes them you know they're more relatable and more credible. So any advice that they give you, it comes from one, their expertise and also just their personal experience.
Speaker 2:That is incredible. I mean, it is a lot for you to hear all those stories and, like, like you said, like I, the reason we're not therapists. I get too emotionally attached. I'll be bawling my eyes out, but what is something that inspires you to keep going, to keep the conversations going? You know what is something that drives you to do this?
Speaker 1:You know, that's a really good question, because I actually did interview somebody that it was really hard because her story was so, so tragic and I literally almost cried and I almost like I felt like really uncomfortable because of how dark the story was and I had a moment where I'm just like we're like nine minutes in and I'm just like, oh my god, I still have another 50 minutes and I'm already about to cry. But you know, I have to like keep it together. You know, as a podcast host, I mean this person took their time to come on and get tell her story. She had a lot, she was an amazing guest and and so, besides that time, I feel like I do pretty well, especially lately since I've been doing it a lot more often. Um, just like I I think, if I think, if anything, it depends what the topic is like, because some of them are more like light heart and some are just like so dark where, like this one lady I was speaking to, I had to to put like a million.
Speaker 1:I obviously made sure I had trigger warning on it but then I also put trigger warnings on social media, just in case. So, like I, I put like could I share a piece from the episode to Instagram? But I make sure there's certain words that weren't in there because, just in case I had to put a lot of lighthearted teasers in there, I couldn't put like the part, like the biggest part in it, because people who are scrolling they can get triggered, you know. But but yeah, so that was hard for me and I was like man, how is this so hard? Like I am a pro at having these conversations, like I thought that nothing can make me uncomfortable, that we can talk about the darkest thing.
Speaker 1:But this one was super, super difficult. But what I did is you've got to push through. You know, at the end of the day, this is for people who are listening and I kind of have to just put my emotions to the side for that time frame that I'm talking for 60 minutes and just think about my audience and how important this topic is. So, yeah, that's great.
Speaker 2:That's some powerful stuff. That's that's amazing. Um, I don't know what. I don't know. I'm not really about one for plugging other people's podcasts that aren't guests, but um, there's this one that's very popular called um, something was wrong. I don't know if you ever heard of that one. It's a. It's a pretty popular one. It's what I like most about it.
Speaker 2:You know, you hear these stories a lot of people like like crime stuff. People are reading stories, stuff like that. It's more like the victim themselves telling the story. They're coming back and you can see they get emotional, like some of those are domestic abuse. Oh, actually, most of them are domestic abuse and stuff like that how they got away, or some kind of trauma. I mean it is triggering, like you said. But just because it's tricky doesn't mean it's worth having a conversation about it and it's like, yeah, if you don't want it, don't listen to it. But there's something who might be going through the same thing that can make it relatable. And just hearing somebody's story, you might reach out to one of your guests like, hey, I'm actually going through something similar. What advice would you have for that coming up?
Speaker 2:I'm going to tell you one of my personal heroes. Part of the reason I'm still here is my sister. She has every reason to be depressed all the time. She works as a suicide hotline operator, so she's hearing stories all the time. People want it ended. So she's incredible for doing. She's been doing it for like half a year or so. She does tell us some stories about some of the cause, but I know there's a lot of stories. She doesn't tell us some stories about the. You know the some of the calls, but I know there's a lot of stories she doesn't tell us. And I for her to not carry that weight on her shoulders the entire time. She is a two year old to distract her, I should say. But it's, it's incredible to something who is at mental stability that they can keep on going, not letting that affect them.
Speaker 2:People like you know you you didn't mention, like you have one that, but like out of like 500 conversations you might've had, but, um, she is incredible, she is my hero and I'm so proud of her for doing it. She's still going to school, she's still learning about psychology, she's keep going, keeping that going for people just to have someone to listen to, you know, and then, um, you know, we can talk about the subject. It might be. This might be a little bit triggering about. It's a tough conversation because you know, like you want to say, like that's a selfish thing to do, um, but people don't realize.
Speaker 2:Like, to get to that point you, you really got to think low of yourself. You got to think like this world will be better off without me. That's never true, you know, but that's what these people are mindset and it's hard for like people to like shame it almost like why would you do that to somebody? You know it's, and I think that's where she comes in and she does a great job about helping them make them feel a little bit better. She's had people who called back just to like leave a review. You know like she saved my life. She's incredible she's.
Speaker 2:She accidentally met one of her victims not victims her callers she did a um, um, I think it was like a suicide awareness walk or something like that, and people who called in went there to like support the cause. And she was. She overheard somebody. She overheard somebody. Somebody talked to her about like this is this woman who really helped me. So she got to get that feedback firsthand. Like did she save someone life? You know, and with that job it sucks because you know, not all of them are going to be saved, but she does incredible. I'm so proud of her. She's great. She would be a good guest on your podcast to listen to about that, yeah, and I'm sure you hear about that too. Like people's depression, how close they get to that point in their lives and there are some great motivational speakers about that too. Like they flip it around, they have a new look on life. They're, they're engaging. We met I don't know if you remember right Well, while I green there, like we met at the pod fest the guy we played ping pong with.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:He had a great story that he turned around in that, but he'd become a pro athlete um so what do you think people will get out of your podcast listening to it?
Speaker 1:yeah, so it really depends, of course, what they're going through and like what they're choosing to listen to. So let's go back to the episode that I. That was like really difficult for me to record. Um, before I talk about it, I just make sure it's okay with you okay, um so basically this woman. She was raped by her uncle multiple times. The first time she was raped she was four years old, so she talked in detail about that. So that's really hard just thinking about a grown man raping a four-year-old right like it's tragedy, right?
Speaker 1:so she actually this uncle, never got like locked up and she talks about how people, like her family didn't basically was telling her to like hush, hush or like didn't believe it and such. So I feel like that story is so important because there's a, there's a lot of, I'm sure a lot of women or or even guys I'm not gonna like obviously guys can get you know assaulted too so I like to bring them up too that are staying silent.
Speaker 1:So I feel bad, just like learn. I mean I'm trying to go back with the episode. I mean, obviously it can sound a little discouraging if she did try to get him locked up and he didn't, but he almost did and then he died. But I think the-.
Speaker 2:What a twist of events.
Speaker 1:Yeah, in my head I was like, man, you're really brave and coming on here If he's like out on, like out and about, you know.
Speaker 1:but yeah, he died, but the point actually the point of her story was more focused on healing her childhood trauma so I was talking about the effect it had on her and how she was always in fight or flight and how, like she told me, because what she actually did to heal from her trauma was psychedelics, which is another topic that can be controversial or people don't have much understanding of it, which is fine, because when people hear psychedelics they think it's like lsd and they're partying, whatever, but there are like medical treatments for psychedelics. So she did that and she basically she talked about the experience from start to finish and it was just so mind-blowing to me and in my head I'm just like, should I do this? Like so, basically, after uh, she did that, she said that she was able to go out when it was like dark, out and get gas and get pizza and not feel panicky.
Speaker 1:Okay, that's great for the first time in her life and then she was actually like when her and her, uh husband would make love, actually feel like it, like she felt close because, with all that trauma like that disrupts your, your sex life, that disrupts your like feeling of being safe, and so all of all of those parts like was a huge like change.
Speaker 1:And and when she talks about her trauma, too, it's she doesn't cry during it, which is also means that you've done the work there. Um, the only time that she did cry a little bit was when after her psychedelic experience, because she felt so relieved and how much it changed her life. So, if anything, I feel like she's a great example because someone can be going through that or just any very severe childhood trauma, and it's like she talked so much detail about psychedelics and it can help break that like stigma of like what it is and, who knows, maybe someone can listen to it and be like maybe this is an alternative for me and can save a life. So, uh, I I bring people from all different backgrounds and I actually will like to bring up something later that I discovered that helps with my mental health a lot, and you know what it is if you're watching my instagram story is it making tiktoks?
Speaker 2:no, oh okay wow, you watch my stories, but you don't watch my stories yeah, yeah, yeah, uh, but I like it like you're, you're very engaging with you, like like asking questions and stuff like that too. That um make it fun. Um, let's talk about like something else more specific to podcasters. Like it was, this is a big topic I heard down there in podfest but, um, it's something called imposter syndrome that some podcasters feel it. Um, I'm not 100 sure on the subject, so I'm gonna let you explain what that could mean to some people yeah, so imposter syndrome just pretty much thinks that you're a fraud.
Speaker 1:So growing up we didn't have, I mean there's, there was podcasting, but it was like radio, like tapes and stuff, like it wasn't like how we have platforms today and we didn't really know about it.
Speaker 1:So we knew the radio. We knew the radio. We knew that people on like Jimmy Fallon, like all these big celebrities, and it's like and you think of Spotify and Apple as like these big giants and we're so used to thinking like, okay, if you're on Spotify and Apple, like you're legit, right. And so when I at least for me, when I figured out that I'm like, oh wait, I can make a podcast as a nobody and I can be on these platforms, I was like that's really cool. So I think, with us growing up like just anybody, with this whole idea that you have to be a somebody to put media on, the internet for people to see, or even like getting paid by huge corporations.
Speaker 1:It's like it's. It's different in like our human experience. It's not like how it was when we grew up. Um, so it's so much easier to become somebody because of the internet. So because of that experience and because we're doing what we're doing, we may feel like a fraud, like wait, I'm a nobody, like if, and it's like I'm just gonna do this wrong or I'm just a fraud and I, I can't do this.
Speaker 1:And it's like it's also with being a business owner, like I can go into that. Like for me, I became a business owner and I had like a bit the biggest imp syndrome, like I can go all like all day, like even being a social media manager. I'm like, oh wow, I'm actually managing company social media. Like am I? I feel like an imposter if I can like do this. And it's pretty much, at the end of the day, it's about believing in yourself and I feel like we lack that a lot in society and it's sometimes like we have a hard time believing in ourselves and it's like having limited beliefs. But you know, the more that you do things like for me, with this podcast, I'm way past imposter syndrome. It's OK, I you know, like I think, but I guess, like the best thing I can say is just that you kind of have to keep doing it and then, just like the more repetitive that you are with it, eventually you break free of that.
Speaker 1:But I'll say that it's completely normal, based off everything I just told you about, like the radio and such like, feeling like you're an imposter, it's like you're not alone, like you know it's. It's a different world, it's a different world and the human brain is like what's going on, you know. So we of course like put negativity on us and and let me go to step back a little bit, cause I can talk about like negativity, like default to negative, and how our brain actually operates. Our brain is supposed to protect us. You know what I mean.
Speaker 1:Like if a bear is coming out, it's like our brain is literally wired for that. So if it does anything that's like like, like different, or like you're stepping out of your comfort zone, it does. It says like oh, you're not good enough, you're imposter syndrome, because it takes you away from that ain't pretty much you're like bullying you, but it's also protecting you. So that's like the hardest thing is like, at the end of the day, imposterism is connected to comfort leaving your comfort zone so it's all interconnected. I hope everything I just said made sense no, no, no, it's great.
Speaker 2:It's great, yeah, I mean, when you describe it like that, you know I do like you know, everyone wants to know why I do this podcast. I've been doing this for like over three years now, like, um, you know, you do feel like the podcast is like why am I doing this? Like if you met me in high school, justine, like we would have never met because, like, I did not talk at all, I was the shyest guy you ever met in my life really you didn't get that like at podfest right, like this podcast has really.
Speaker 2:I mean, this podcast has really opened me up a lot and um, and sometimes, like, I think about my high school self and I'm like, where am I now? It's like, who is this person? You know, like I don't think I should be where I'm at right now. So I definitely understand what you're talking about that. But part of the reason what helped me, like you know, last year I started going to therapy. That really started changing my life. You know, I have a great therapist. She's very cool To the point now where I go there and I'm telling like, like, for example, when I went back, I I from pod fest you know I was talking about my great trip and stuff like that she looks at me like, are you even having any more of these dark thoughts?
Speaker 2:I was like, oh, like I guess I'm not. You know she's like, why are you here? But uh, I, I like going more as an outlet. Like you know, like if people think you have to go to therapy because of trauma or because of depression, something like that, that you know, like it is good to go for those things, but you don't have to just go for that. I like to go to have somebody talk to you and she definitely makes me feel heard because she'll remember details like about my friend's name that I told her about like three weeks ago or something like that. Like, I praise her for that and I do suggest, like everyone, just give it a try A to try.
Speaker 2:A lot of people don't even want to give that try one because, like they feel like they can manage their own emotions. They can feel like they could beat it on their own, which some people can. You know. I'm happy for those who they can. You know they throw themselves into the gym or something like that. They find it outlet. Or two, like it's hard for them to financially afford it.
Speaker 2:Um, especially here in the us, you know we I'm blessed where my insurance covers the whole thing, you know, but there are people who are out there who have to pay it up high and there are systems out there too that would help pay something like that, and people are understanding too. But I wouldn't suggest that and this is like not mean, it's not mean at all but like I wouldn't tell my best friends like my emotions, like stuff like that, not because I don't want them to know how I'm feeling is because, like they're, it's it's hard for them your close friends to tell you the truth and, like you know, give you good advice because they're not professionals, if you know what I mean. If that makes any sense. Yeah, I'm not saying like bottle up all your emotions, don't tell them anything. But you know, like, don't expect, like for relying on your friends to solve all your problems for you oh yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1:I mean your friends aren't therapists and it also really depends like your relationship. Like I have. I have like a lot of friends and I wouldn't go to all of them for advice. I have like only a select amount of people that I feel comfortable with, like going with like my actual like deep, dark secrets and struggles, and literally I think that's probably maybe like three or four people in my life, in my inner circle. So it's just about like feeling comfortable, but like I know you think too is, um, when you're saying like your friends are therapists, I mean it is definitely something good to think of, because just being mindful of the other person and also, I think, just having an open conversation, and I feel like if they're like your friends, they are more likely to feel comfortable of being transparent. Yeah, so I know it's, I know it's very complex, I know.
Speaker 1:I can't speak for everyone, um, but I mean everyone's life's different, like that's you just shared your experience and like mine's different. I'm sure whoever's listening probably has like different, like groups of people and friends. But I'll just say, just like the principle of it is, just whoever you feel comfortable, you will learn that as you go, like when you build that friendship.
Speaker 2:Now for advice. What are some signs? Because not even like myself, like I had a moment of realization I was hitting through depression. What would you say are?
Speaker 1:some signs that you are hitting depression that people might look forward and if they do see it, they could try to reach out for help. No-transcript. The biggest thing and this is like more like it's clinical depression is like feeling a heavy weight on your, in your brain, like that heavy weight. But, um, another thing too is like depression. There's all like different types of depression as well. Right, yes, there's like depression, like clinical depression, which is more science, like medical, scientific, and then there's like, uh, situational depression. So, um, I would say like, if you feel those signs and you stop taking care of yourself and you're more angry, like that's concerning and that's where you have to think like, okay, maybe I need to talk to somebody. But another thing too is and I actually put in a real one time for mentally a badass. It's like if you have thoughts of wanting to drive your car off a bridge, you're depressed.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's, that was okay. I was. I don't. I don't think I've shared this on the podcast before, but that was one of my waking up signs, like you know. Like you, that was one of my waking up signs, like you know, like you mentioned, oh yeah, that's when it gets really bad.
Speaker 2:It's heavier, like you know. I felt like I was walking around with like a wet blanket on me the entire time and then I remember driving home one day like I just felt numb, like so completely numb. Like I didn't feel any emotions, like I just almost like I wish I got punched in the face. So I felt something. Oh shit, I don't think I should be thinking that.
Speaker 1:It happened to me too, actually, yeah.
Speaker 2:And then also, if you're friends with somebody, like you notice their hygiene, they're sleeping more like don't be afraid, Like hey, you stink. Like you need to know.
Speaker 1:Well, another thing, too, is that this friend, is their behavior changing, as in like responding to text messages, for example, like if you're so used to this person being so like on top of things and responding, and all of a sudden they're like being like not responding as much, you should be like, hey, like are you doing? Okay, you know? So I think that's very important.
Speaker 2:Okay, the last piece of advice you can give somebody. What advice would you have somebody who is looking for, like for professional help, like would you recommend, like, doing a little bit of research on your own first, or you make him going straight into therapy or, you know, maybe exercising a little bit?
Speaker 1:yeah, I mean, the first thing ever in like your journey of like healing and such is to first realize you have a problem, like you need to work on yourself. Um, second, you know there's so many different things you can do. There's therapy, there's meds, there's lifestyle choices, there's like holistic things as well. So it's really up to the person. I feel like people are more likely go to lifestyles, so like doing like the gym or, like you know, eating healthy, and even though that is really good for your mental health, for people who struggle with clinical depression, it's not good enough it's it's, it's not, and you know people there's.
Speaker 1:there's a lot of conversation between like oh, is depression really genetic? And blah, blah, blah, and it's like it definitely influences, like it's you're definitely more likely to but cause like okay, I'm talking from experience here. My like, my whole, like mom's side has like depression, like that whole line, and so naturally I have it and I do a lot of like working out and yes, I feel great at the time. It's a great like natural antidepressant. But when I'm like laying at like in bed and all of a sudden I'm getting stuff like should I die today, like you know what I mean.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:You know. So I just feel like I it's very complex and to mix and I'm going to tell you exactly like what I do treatment wise. So I mentioned before that I have bipolar two, and bipolar two is, um, can be very dangerous. Like my depression gets to the point where I will like commit suicide and mania can pretty much self-sabotage my life and destroy relationships, and and that's because I have like an imbalance of like my mood regulation and such. So I'm on medication. I have, I'm on two pills I'm on one for antidepressants and then I want for my mania, and they work great together and so I do that just to that's.
Speaker 1:The main thing for medication is that it keeps me from dropping off a bridge. I know how crazy that sounds and bear with me with my personality. I use humor as a coping mechanism when I talk about these things. But that's what I, that's how I think about it. Like my psychiatrist be like oh, so, how are you doing? Like what's your mess? I'm like great, I don't want to die. She's like okay, good, that means they're working. So. So I would say medication can be a lifesaver If you are in danger. You know what I mean Like your brain is telling you to die, your brain is telling you to jump off the balcony, like the it's because, like the whole neurotransmitters, like it's so, so low where these dots are like coming to your head and you just feel like you're dead. So I use medication as like a way to keep me afloat while I work on myself, right? So then after that keeps me afloat, then you know a childhood trauma. I mean, honestly, what helps me a lot is the guests that I speak to.
Speaker 1:I feel like I learned so much, you know, with them, I think, go to therapy. I was in and out of therapy a lot since I was 15, but, like, my most recent therapist was like she was okay, but she was very surface level, and so another thing with therapy is that you have to find, like, the right one. You know, one thing I want to mention is that when you start seeing a therapist and they're not really understanding, you move on to the next one Because and they say, like therapy is like dating you have to find the right one, and I've had this at multiple therapists and majority of them weren't like my vibe, like I like to get really deep into you know, like why I behave the way I behave, like why does this keep, you know, coming from my subconscious and ruining my life. Like I'm very big on that and a lot of these therapists they are like no, we've got to focus on. Like just focus right now and just meditate on this.
Speaker 1:I'm like, okay, it's important to focus on your present, but when I'm in these sessions with you, I want to focus on the past, to work on my, on my, on my present, right. But so, anyways, I I stopped with that recent therapist. But I think, just for advice on the on the therapy part is like, don't get discouraged if the first, one, second, one, third one or whatever is not working with you.
Speaker 1:Like it's just, every therapist has their own way of helping their you know their patients, so don't let that discourage you. Their own way of helping their. You know their patients, so don't let that discourage you. Next thing is just also just like lifestyle. You know, like I mean it can be hard for some people, especially if they work like a like a job where it makes it hard if they're like a parent, they have to take care of kids, like it's definitely can be challenging. It's just trying like little things you know, here and there for like self care and to help yourself and then just being more mindful of like food.
Speaker 1:I mean it's been proven that if you eat like fast food, like McDonald's, like you're more likely to be depressed and that's 100% time. That's proof. So I would say like first thing when it comes to like health is staying away from fast food. Of course, it's okay here and there, like I mean I've had moments where I didn't want to cook and I go to Taco Bell. Like I mean I've had moments where I didn't want to cook and I go to Taco Bell. We've all been there, but yeah, so that was that. And then reading I like reading.
Speaker 2:I just started that again, yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Reading. I actually just finished a book. It's called Remembering and it talks about like memory and the like scientific, like scientific neurology. It was so interesting. But reading has been so powerful and I think it's because it opens, it gives me knowledge, opens up my brain versus like like reading social media about like negative things. I try my best to stay away from that as much as possible. You liked one of my reels when I was talking about cats, Like I was like you kind of have to. And one more thing I know I'm like my whole treatment is kind of like this is a recent one, actually, and it's, um, certain frequency beats like listening to.
Speaker 1:So my favorite artist, her name's nissa bear. She came out with a song called this god cry and she kept saying that it's going to be healing. And in my head I'm just like okay, like how is this song gonna be healing? Because, you know, sometimes you listen to music and you're like, okay, I relate, you know, but I'm like how is this like gonna be healing me? And she was talking about how it's like a 555 frequency, like. So I was like okay, so I listened to it yeah, I was listening to it.
Speaker 1:Oh my god, I literally felt a rush to my head, my body was doing.
Speaker 1:Yes, my body was doing things like by itself. It was so crazy I was, I know, I'm like I'm literally laying there. I'm like I feel so much going on in my body right now and I'm like first, at first I thought I was having a seizure. I was, it blew my mind so I was like okay, like I. First thing, I felt like my brain kind of like scrunching a little bit, but then I Googled it it's just blood flow.
Speaker 1:My brain wasn't actually who knows, but yeah, no, it helps me, it regulates your nervous system and it takes you out of fight or flight and I feel like doing it in the morning, doing it at night, like listening to that song. It's just, it puts me in a state of mind where I can think clearly, where I just feel better, like I was. Even like the first time I heard it I felt like I had a cry, which is a good thing too, because there could be some stuff that is like in your subconscious that's trying to get out. That's the healing part. And today I went to the gym and I looked at myself and usually women we have like a celiac, like in the in the back of your legs, for like aging, and such it was gone like I don't have it.
Speaker 1:I mean, I don't have any like scientific, like proven, that it was the song. But I was trying to think like what changed in my lifestyle? And I was thinking I was like, okay, well, my food it's still kind of in the same level, like I could be better. And then like exercise, like I was slacking with exercising and then stress, like I'm always stressed.
Speaker 1:But then I was like, oh wait, these last like three days I've been listening to that song so often that's really cool and I was like online like googling stuff and it's like, yeah, I can, like it can increase like blood flow and like stress levels go down, and I'm just like, oh my god, like she is not lying, she said healing. That is incredible.
Speaker 2:I'm so curious now I would love I'm gonna like. Oh my god, like she is not lying. She said healing. That is incredible. I'm so curious. Now I would love I'm gonna try. Let me look at something like that.
Speaker 1:That sounds curious go listen to the song.
Speaker 2:It's a good song yeah, do you remember what it's called?
Speaker 1:does god cry?
Speaker 2:does this god?
Speaker 1:does god cry?
Speaker 2:oh, does god cry yeah, her voice is so beautiful, I'm telling you you just feel like so beautiful, just a great experience yeah um, mr steve, I don't want to give too much more into this conversation because I want people to go over to your podcast to listen to it. Your podcast, everyone can see you and learn more about it. On your podcast called mentally a badass, you have a ton of guests on there, so there's always something to learn, even if, like I said, it's not depression. There's so much going on out there. Um, before we, you know, wrap this up, there are a couple.
Speaker 2:Because this is a movie review podcast, I have to bring movies in at some point. Um, I do have a list of like four recommendations of movies that have to do with mental health. You might have heard this. You might have not heard of these movies. Um, and this audience too, who I found relief in these movies and has found it very interesting, and, um, hopefully someone is too. The first one I got on the list is silver linings playbook with bradley cooper and jennifer lawrence I've heard of it, about I've seen it probably my top 10 movies of all time.
Speaker 2:You have to check it out. It's about bradley cooper, who walks in on his wife cheating on him and he kind of like he breaks, that's his mental break and then he meets this other person going through mental illness I believe her husband passed away, jennifer lawrence and then they kind of meet each other and they're kind of like leaning on each other for support. They're also learning to deal with their own coping mechanism. It's so interesting. Robert denier's in there too um the rain.
Speaker 2:It's called rain over me, but rain r-e-i-g-n rain over me, starring adam sandler and don cheeto.
Speaker 2:A lot of people praise adam sandler's acting, for like um yeah uncut gems, but this one had me bawling janiece, bawling my eyes out. Adam sandler plays this guy who was a father who lost his family I believe it was in the 9-11 terrorist attack and because that you know like a lot of people set up walls to prevent like memories coming in. He definitely does that. And don cheeto plays his high school friend who not high school, a college friend who runs into him on the street and he notices, like this guy's, he needs help, he needs help someone. And it's about dealing, confronting your emotions like it's such a powerful movie. I cry every time I see that movie. This one's a little bit newer movie King of Staten Island with Pete Davidson. It's about his real life.
Speaker 1:I heard of it and I've been wanting to see it. Actually, I haven't yet.
Speaker 2:It's so funny that you talk about coping with humor. He definitely does that in this movie.
Speaker 1:I know he does.
Speaker 2:He also in this movie. I know he does, he also has bpd like me, it's a great movie I love pete davidson.
Speaker 2:He thinks he's the coolest guy ever. Yeah, uh, the little last one I got for you. I hope a lot of people like this one little miss sunshine. Uh, steve carell's in that one. That's the only one I can remember all the time ahead. But that was like a road trip movie but like there's a lot of mental health problems within the family traveling in this van, one of them is mute because he just refuses to talk because it was like I don't know if it's depression or anxiety or a mixture of both, but uh, it's definitely worth a watch. It's a funny movie, that's, that has a happy ending you should send me a list.
Speaker 1:Can you like text me the list after, because?
Speaker 2:I'm definitely going to yeah, please yeah, I need to watch more movies and I don't think this is going to be the last time you'll be on the podcast. We talked about having you back on for about like, not so much of the same conversation we have, but like more of you helping me review some mental health, but it might be those movies, honestly, but that would be so much fun yeah, yeah, where can people find your podcast?
Speaker 1:mentally badass yeah, so it's on apple, spotify and pretty much everywhere that you can listen to your podcast. It's also on YouTube as well, you post twice a week correct. I do, yes, yes. But also, if you just type in Google Mentally, a Badass, it's going to come right up.
Speaker 2:Yeah, definitely follow your what's your Instagram page so people can follow you there too.
Speaker 1:So Mentally a Badass is at Mentally a Badass badass, if they want to follow, like my personal one, it's at mentally justine yeah, like I said, you're always interactive on social media.
Speaker 2:You know people can look forward to like. You know you like try to make things light and funny, so definitely keep an eye out for that. Miss justine, thank you so much for coming on this podcast. It was great meeting you at podfest. I like to keep the connection going with you. Like I said, we're going to be having you back on pretty soon. I love your podcast, what it stands for and what you're doing out there. You and your business partner are doing a great job out there and you know, just one last time. Thank you so much for coming on.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much for inviting me. I had a good time.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah. Thank you for listening to this bonus episode. I should be back on Monday with a regular scheduled program with the next movie review and thank you for listening. Stay tuned next week, ready 70 seat.
