Before You Kill Yourself: a suicide prevention podcast.

Have you ever been told to “just relax” when your body felt like it was on high alert? In this episode, we unpack why that advice fails—and how suicide prevention requires understanding stress physiology, not willpower, by meeting the nervous system with safety before insight.What we cover:Why “relax more” is a behavioral demand, not a biological solutionThe difference between calming thoughts and regulating a stressed nervous systemFour sequencing shifts that actually help:Rhythmic movement instead of stillnessConnection before introspectionPredictability before positivityRegulation before reflectionThrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:In the US: Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386Outside the US:International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

We explore why emotional highs are often followed by sudden lows, especially after moments of achievement, transition, or loss. We look at how identity, nervous system biology, and meaning collide — and why the crash doesn’t mean something is wrong. Most importantly, we talk about how to build guardrails for the comedown.Key Points:Highs stress the nervous systemIdentity amplifies the swingEndings create emotional voidsGrief intensifies contrastThe drop is often biologicalGuardrails matter more than mindsetThrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:In the US: Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386Outside the US:International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

Explore the power of purpose through the story of Velasco in The Samurai and research-backed insights:Velasco chose meaning over comfort, even at the cost of his life.Purpose drives resilience, stress tolerance, and mental well-being.Without purpose, life can feel stagnant and numbing.Discover why knowing your “why” is essential to truly being alive.Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:In the US: Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386Outside the US:International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

We often describe our feelings with one word — “fine,” “pissed,” “tired” — and wonder why others don’t get us. In this episode, we explore how to turn vague emotions into vivid, specific experiences. Learn how describing moments, sensations, and nuances can transform your relationships and self-understanding. We also discuss: Why one-word feelings aren’t enoughDescribing moments instead of labelsUsing sensory and metaphorical languageExpanding your emotional vocabularyThrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:In the US: Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386Outside the US:International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

Discover the crucial difference between talking, venting, and unburdening, and why the latter is essential for emotional relief. Learn how carrying invisible weight can drain you and explore practical, healthy methods to unburden yourself. Hear personal stories that highlight the transformative power of unburdening, along with fears that prevent it. Gain insights on creating safe spaces for sharing and the importance of seeking help before reaching a breaking point. Unveil techniques like breathwork and expressive writing to lighten your emotional load.

In this episode, we explore how embarrassment, social pressure, and the need for permission show up in everyday life—and what that reveals about mental health.Key Takeaways:Why people wait for others before taking action (doors, cake, and more)How embarrassment manifests physically and influences behaviorThe power of being the “first slice”—giving permission for others to followMental health isn’t just about resources—it’s about creating safe spaces to actThrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:In the US: Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386Outside the US:International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

In this episode, we explore the quote, “People who live for one thing never seem to age.” What does it mean to have an anchor — a devotion that gives life direction and resilience? We’ll look at how finding your “one thing” can protect your mental health, help you recover from chaos, and remind you why you’re still here.Talking Points:What the quote “People who live for one thing never seem to age” really meansThe difference between youthfulness and timelessnessHow devotion — not distraction — keeps us steadySigns you’re not living for your one thingSimple ways to identify your anchor or purposeWhy having a “one thing” can make life feel worth staying for

We discuss three phases of emotional regulation learned through how we deodorize our car! If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:In the US: Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386Outside the US:International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

Today we discuss how to cope with the grief from the unexpected death of a parent. If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:In the US: Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386Outside the US:International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

In this episode, we explore the metaphor of human energy and emotional regulation through the lens of aviation fuel—what keeps us running clean vs. what makes us crash and burn.Why the wrong inputs (like sugar, doomscrolling, or people-pleasing) feel good briefly but exhaust usHow to identify visual, auditory, and social junk fuel in your daily lifeWhat real, sustainable fuel looks like across body, mind, and relationshipsThe emotional and physiological signs you’re misfueledA better blueprint for lasting vitality, clarity, and connectionPlus: a metaphorical dashboard and why your internal engine deserves premium inputThrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:In the US: Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386Outside the US:International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.