Before You Kill Yourself: a suicide prevention podcast.

In this episode, I explore Norman Rush’s Mating, focusing on the chapter “Guilty Repose” and the section “Weep for Me.” Through the narrator’s encounter with the waterfall, I unpack themes of noise, solitude, mediocrity, and companionship — connecting her revelations to my own experiences with silence, striving, and the human need for connection.Discussion Highlights:How “the roar penetrates you” mirrors our craving for sensory overwhelm — music, crowds, even chaos — to quiet the mind’s constant chatter.The painful beauty of solitude eroding, and what it means to reconnect with ourselves after long avoidance.The “Weep for Me” moment as an honest confrontation with buried sadness, surfacing only when the world finally goes quiet.The narrator’s fear of mediocrity and how society equates “average” with “unacceptable,” fueling endless striving.The final revelation — “If you had a companion you would stay where you are” — as a call to seek steadiness, humility, and shared presence over transcendence.

In this episode, we explore why starting your day with effortful tasks can build momentum, meaning, and mental strength.Why your brain is primed for effort in the morningThe science behind doing hard things earlyWhat happens when we only choose easeThe Four Boxes of Action: Easy & Empty, Easy & Essential, Effortful & Enriching, Effortful & DrainingHow to build a daily rhythm that supports growth, not just comfortThrive 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 unpack a powerful distinction that shifts how we view conflict, commitment, and connection:The difference between fighting for your life (survival mode) and fighting for a life (intentional living)Why some relationship arguments aren't about breaking up—they’re about building something meaningfulHow setting boundaries, saving money, and making hard choices are all ways of fighting for a lifePractical ways to recognize when you’re reacting vs. when you’re reaching for moreWhat it looks like to collaborate on a shared vision instead of clashing over unmet expectationsThrive 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.

If you're a parent of pre-teen or teenage boy, today's episode is for you. Today's episode is: Exploring why heartbreak can lead preteen and teenage boys to suicidal thoughtsUnderstanding the difference between what boys think they want versus what they actually need during emotional painSigns parents and caregivers can watch for when boys are struggling silentlyReal stories of hope and healing beyond heartbreakExpert insights on emotional regulation, connection, and suicide preventionThrive 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 quiet power of doing things with both hands:Why bilateral movement calms the nervous systemCultural and spiritual traditions that honor two-handed gesturesEveryday tasks that ground us through full-body presenceReal-world quotes and wisdom about giving, receiving, and connecting more deeplySimple ways to bring more intentionality and wholeness into your daily routineThrive 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.

THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE BOOK "STONER" BY JOHN WILLIAMSSPOILERS...In this heartfelt episode, we explore:How the novel Stoner reveals the hidden emotional lives so many of us carryWhy Stoner’s death from esophageal cancer symbolizes the suffocation of unexpressed emotionsThe myth that stoicism means emotional emptiness — and the truth about deep-feeling peopleHow modern culture still struggles to make space for slow, messy, real emotionsWays we can start building small spaces of emotional honesty, connection, and healingThrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to improve in the areas of health, wealth and/or relationships, 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 why having a personal "Why Not" list can be a powerful tool for mental health and suicide prevention:How “Why not?” can lead to impulsive or harmful decisionsWhy having your own “why nots” can help you say no when it mattersHow a “why not” list can save a life during a suicidal crisisExamples of meaningful “why nots” that resonate deeplyBacked by research: the science behind Reasons for Living (RFL)How to start building your own list todayWhether you're supporting others or holding on yourself, this episode offers a simple, life-anchoring framework.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.

In this episode, we explore:What a manic episode actually looks and feels likeHow mania and depression can reduce grey matter in the brainWhy overstimulation, lack of sleep, and creative pressure can trigger episodesHow Kanye West’s story reveals the tension between brilliance and instabilityThe difference between holding people accountable and holding them with compassionWhat it means to support mental health without romanticizing sufferingThrive 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.

Dive into profound self-reflective questions that challenge negative thought patterns and promote personal growth. Explore what makes you feel authentically you, and discuss the courage required to pursue change. Discover how daily struggles can be influenced by physical and emotional hurdles, and learn the importance of journaling for emotional clarity. The conversation emphasizes recognizing personal patterns, fostering deeper connections, and the vital role of mental health discussions in overcoming life's challenges.

In this deeply personal solo episode, I reflect on a moment at sea that stirred something primal—a desire to leap, not to die, but to feel fully alive. We explore:The difference between wanting escape and needing depthHow “leaping” can be a cry for rest, touch, or meaningWhat it means to unplug, fast, and floatA practice for staying grounded when you feel unspooledWhy intensity sometimes masquerades as danger—but is really a call to be heldIf you want to improve in the areas of health, wealth and/or relationships, 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.