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 solution
• The difference between calming thoughts and regulating a stressed...

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 system
• Identity amplifies the swing
• Endings create emotional void...

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 psy...

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 enough
• Describing moments instead of labels
• Using sensory and metap...

In this episode, we explore the real difference between talking, venting, and unburdening—and why unburdening is the emotional release most people never realize they need. We break down what it means to carry invisible weight and how to finally set it down in ways that are healthy, human, and sustainable.

You’ll learn:

• What makes unburdening different from ordinary conversation or venting
• Why carrying emotional weight alo...

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 behavior
• The power of being the “first slice”—giving permission for others to follow
• Mental health isn’t just about resources—...

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 means
• The diff...

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 C...

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 t...

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 us
• How to identify visual, auditory, and social junk fuel in your daily life
• What real, sustainable fuel looks like across body, mind, and relations...

In this episode, we explore the life-saving potential of creativity in suicide prevention based on a webinar with Dr. Diane Kaufman, MD.

Key Highlights:

• How Dr. Kaufman used poetry to process suicidal thoughts
• Transforming personal pain into public healing through books, songs, and an opera
• Practical ways art can help us move from isolation to connection
• What many artists who died by suicide were missing—and how to fill in ...

In this episode, we explore:

• Why your body waits until the end of your shower to signal you need to pee
• How this everyday moment reveals deeper truths about tension, distraction, and missed signals
• What it means to actually feel safe enough to tune in
• Why slowing down isn’t indulgent—it’s essential
• How this connects to mental health, nighttime overthinking, and suicide prevention

Thrive With Leo Coaching: 

If yo...

Today we'll discuss:

• Explore the power of admiration as a tool for connection and healing.
• Discuss how admiration can counteract shame, loneliness, and psychological pain.
• Differentiate between genuine admiration and blind flattery.
• Learn practical ways to admire others and yourself sincerely, even when it feels vulnerable.
• Reflect on the balance between setting boundaries and giving honest praise.

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In this episode, we explore the deep-rooted tendency to seek approval from the very people who criticize us most. Together, we unpack:

• Why we confuse critique with wisdom and validation
• How childhood dynamics and emotional wounds shape this pattern
• The emotional cost of chasing approval from naysayers
• Why breaking the cycle matters for our mental health and self-worth
• Actionable steps to turn toward compassion instead of cr...

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 fo...

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 morning
• The science behind doing hard things early
• What happens when we only choose ease
• The Four Boxes of Action: Easy & Empty, Easy & Essential, Effortful & Enriching, Effortful & Draining
• How to build a daily rhythm that supports growth, not ju...

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 meaningful
• How setting boundaries, saving money, and making hard choices are all ways of fighting for a life
• Practica...

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 thoughts
• Understanding the difference between what boys think they want versus what they actually need during emotional pain
• Signs parents and caregivers can watch for when boys are struggling silently
• Real stories of hope and healing beyond heartbreak
• Expert...

In this episode, we explore the quiet power of doing things with both hands:

• Why bilateral movement calms the nervous system
• Cultural and spiritual traditions that honor two-handed gestures
• Everyday tasks that ground us through full-body presence
• Real-world quotes and wisdom about giving, receiving, and connecting more deeply
• Simple ways to bring more intentionality and wholeness into your daily routine

Thrive With ...