Living With Depression: Lessons From 5 Years of Hosting a Mental Health Podcast

What actually helps when you’re deep in depression? After five years and over 300 episodes of Giving Voice to Depression, Terry and Bridget reflect on the most powerful coping tools they’ve learned from guests who’ve lived it.

From journaling and safety plans to laughter, music, and sleep, they revisit the strategies that consistently come up as life-saving—and why no single tool works for everyone, every time. They also reflect on the heartbreaking reality that even with resources and support, families sometimes still lose loved ones to suicide—and how that truth drives their mission.

This heartfelt conversation honors the courage of every guest who shared vulnerably, and the power of story to remind us that while we may sometimes feel alone, we are never truly alone in our struggles with depression.

Primary Topics Covered

• The most powerful depression coping tools learned over 5 years
• Why journaling and expressive writing can be transformative
• Sleep as a critical foundation for mental health
• Distraction strategies: comedy, YouTube, games, and music
• Creating a “toolbox” or “comfort box” to use during tough times
• Building safety plans for moments of crisis
• The painful reality of suicide loss despite resources and effort
• The difference between being physically alone vs. not alone in experience
• The power of shared stories to reduce isolation
• Gratitude for the community built through the podcast

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Part 2 of reflections
 00:12 - Exploring coping tools learned from guests
 00:30 - Journaling and expressive writing as therapy
 01:18 - Morning routines and accountability practices
 01:54 - Sleep as a key to managing depression
 02:20 - Distraction tools: comedy, puzzles, music, and more
 03:08 - Creating a comfort box of reminders and supports
 03:43 - Safety plans: preparing for moments of crisis
 04:46 - Writing affirmations in your own handwriting
 05:22 - Why it’s hard to accept compliments when depressed
 06:01 - The most impactful guest stories and metaphors
 07:34 - The reality of suicide loss despite support
 09:01 - Suicidal thoughts and depression: overlapping circles
 09:45 - The authenticity of real-time lived experiences
 10:19 - Understanding “you’re not alone” differently
 11:08 - Choosing solitude vs. the power of shared story
 12:16 - Creating distance to process painful experiences
 13:22 - A poet’s metaphor: visualizing thousands of listeners
 13:56 - Building a global community of connection and hope
 15:24 - Reflections on the personal and shared journey
 16:33 - Celebrating growth, advocacy, and future contributions

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