Can tiny shifts in perspective really make a difference in chronic depression?

In this powerful follow-up conversation, Lori shares her ongoing recovery journey after nearly a decade of feeling stuck in depression. For years, she believed she was “broken” and beyond help. But a new treatment program introduced her to the idea that she wasn’t broken—just stuck—and that even the smallest shifts in thinking and behavior could change her trajectory.

Through meeting others living with persistent depression, trying new therapeutic tools, and reframing her self-worth, Lori has begun to experience light and contentment for the first time in years.

Her story is a reminder that depression lies, that progress doesn’t have to come in dramatic leaps, and that small, consistent changes can help us reclaim hope.

Primary Topics Covered:

Lori’s decade of living “halfway out” of depression
Why she believed she was broken—and how treatment reframed that belief
The importance of meeting others with persistent depression
How small shifts in thought and behavior can alter recovery paths
Moving from hopelessness to noticing “pinpricks of light”
Understanding “contingent self-worth” and reframing value
Learning the difference between being “broken” and being “stuck”
The power of metaphors in recovery: pits, pinpricks of light, screen doors, and backpacks
Why staying open to new approaches matters, even after years of trying

Timestamps:

00:11 Introduction and James Baldwin quote on change
01:31 Lori reflects on facing depression in new ways
02:22 Living “halfway out” of depression’s pit
03:16 Feeling like she “couldn’t do life well”
03:52 Trying a new treatment program despite skepticism
04:12 Meeting others living with persistent depression
04:49 Realizing she’s not alone in daily depression
05:21 Learning new tools and regaining unexpected hope
06:14 Moving from hopelessness to “not broken, just stuck”
07:24 Shifting perspective: looking forward, not just back
08:35 The “airplane course correction” metaphor for small shifts
09:43 Experiencing the first sparks of hope
10:26 Shame, self-worth, and living “in a box”
11:32 Sitting with pain to loosen depression’s grasp
12:29 Discovering that worth is a “set point,” not earned
12:50 Why the next step is always the most important
13:29 “Backpack people” vs. “screen door people”
14:28 Shifting from dreading mornings to noticing contentment
15:24 Co-host reflections on Lori’s insights and metaphors
17:00 Why “stuck” feels temporary while “broken” feels permanent
18:03 Staying open to new tools and approaches
19:27 The power of “yet” in reframing recovery
20:31 Final reflections and gratitude for Lori’s story

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010: Create More Confidence in Your Life