Giving Voice to Depression: Real Stories & Expert Support for Depression and Mental Health

Nearly a decade ago, Davey shared one of the darkest depression stories we've ever featured on Giving Voice to Depression. He was living with relentless depression, frequent suicidal thoughts, and believed he simply couldn't do life anymore.

Today, he comes back with a very different story.

After years of searching for answers, one conversation with a physician led to a diagnosis of Complex PTSD (CPTSD)—a discovery that complet...

Instagram creator ShannyPants has built a community of hundreds of thousands of followers by making people laugh.

But while millions of people saw the funny videos, very few knew she was quietly living with depression.

In this episode, Shannon shares what depression really looked like behind the scenes, why she finally sought treatment, how antidepressants and therapy changed her life, and why humor became one of the tools that helpe...

For years, Davey believed he had depression.

What he didn't know was why.

After nearly a decade of living with severe depression—including years of suicidal thoughts—a conversation with a physician changed everything. Within minutes of hearing Davey's childhood story, the doctor wrote two words on a piece of paper:

Complex PTSD (CPTSD).

That diagnosis became the beginning of a completely different healing journey.

In this fo...

What do you do when depression makes even getting out of bed feel impossible?

Davey knows that battle firsthand.

After years of pushing through exhaustion and believing something was physically wrong, he was eventually diagnosed with major depressive disorder. What followed wasn't a quick recovery—it was a daily commitment to learning everything he could about depression and building a toolbox of coping strategies.

In this deepl...

Why do so many people wait years before asking for help with depression?

For award-winning television journalist Ted Perry, the answer was simple: stigma.

In this candid conversation, Ted shares why he kept his depression hidden for years, how grief after his father's death intensified his symptoms, and why finally accepting therapy and antidepressant medication changed his life.

He also reflects on the relationships depression affect...

How do you help someone with depression when they believe they're a burden?

Pam knows that feeling all too well.

After years of suppressing depression, childhood trauma, and overwhelming life stress, she experienced a severe depressive episode that lasted more than three years. During that time, she was hospitalized four times, survived a suicide attempt, and struggled to believe she would ever experience joy again.

Today, Pam shares ...

What if there were a free, portable tool you could use almost anywhere to help reduce stress and emotional overwhelm?

In this episode, Terry and Bridget explore Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) — commonly known as tapping — with EFT expert Brad Yates.

Tapping combines gentle stimulation of acupressure points with focused attention on thoughts and emotions. Supporters of the technique describe it as a way to calm the body...

How do you explain depression to a child?

For Todd Rennebohm, that question became deeply personal.

After years of living with depression, anxiety, ADHD, alcoholism, suicidal thoughts, and multiple hospitalizations, Todd found himself facing one of the darkest nights of his life. What began as a desperate attempt to leave something behind for his children eventually became Sometimes Daddy Cries, a children's book designed to help fam...

What does it mean to live with suicidal thoughts — and not be actively suicidal?

In this powerful episode, Wally shares what it’s like to experience daily suicide ideation while actively managing their mental health.

With the increased visibility of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, conversations about suicide are more public than ever. But there’s often confusion:

Does having suicidal thoughts automatically mea...

Can you be depressed and not even realize it?

Psychologist, author, and TEDx speaker Dr. Margaret Rutherford joins us to explore a powerful and often overlooked topic: high-functioning and perfectly hidden depression.

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we unpack why so many people deny their depression — even to themselves.

Dr. Margaret explains the difference between:

•  Classic depression (observable changes in moo...

Can you be depressed and not even realize it?

Psychologist, author, and TEDx speaker Dr. Margaret Rutherford joins us to explore a powerful and often overlooked topic: high-functioning and perfectly hidden depression.

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we unpack why so many people deny their depression — even to themselves.

Dr. Margaret explains the difference between:

•  Classic depression (observable changes in moo...

What happens when people speak openly about depression?

In this Ripple Report episode, we hear how honest conversations about mental health create real-world change — from classrooms to hotlines to theater stages.

A New York theater director shares how listening to personal stories of depression helped her manage anxiety during a major life transition. She describes how having voices in her ear “held her hand” durin...

What does a bipolar depressive episode actually feel like?

In this early archive episode, 28-year-old Brooklyn artist Ben shares candidly about living with bipolar disorder and depression — including what happens when medication changes trigger a rough patch.

Ben describes:

•  What a “code level orange or red” depressive episode looks like 
•  The emotional contradictions of depression (lonely but avoid...

Depression isn’t laziness. It isn’t weakness. And it’s not just sadness.

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, licensed therapist and suicide attempt survivor Aja Chavez joins Terry McGuire to unpack what depression really looks like — including the intrusive, convincing lies it tells us.

They explore:

•  How to recognize depression in yourself or someone you love 
•  Why suicidal thoug...

What does depression actually feel like?

In this special crossover episode with Recoverable, Terry interviews licensed therapist and suicide attempt survivor Aja Chavez about what depression really looks like — beyond the stereotypes.

They discuss:

•  Why depression doesn’t always look like sadness 
•  The difference between laziness and clinical depression 
•  What high-functioning depression is (and ...

What do you do when someone you love has depression — and you don’t?

In this episode, Chris shares her experience living with depression since middle school, while her boyfriend Chris offers an honest look at what it’s like to support someone through depressive episodes without having depression himself.

They discuss:

•  The impact of stigma on seeking help 
•  Why many people hide depression from emplo...

What is hidden or "smiling" depression?

It’s showing up to work, cracking jokes, caring for your family — while a loop in your mind repeats, “I want to die.”

In this episode, Andrew shares his experience with high-functioning depression and the exhausting mask he wore for decades before receiving a formal diagnosis. For twenty years, he knew something was wrong — but didn’t seek professional help u...

In Part 2 of our 500th episode special, Terry McGuire, Carly McCollow, and Dr. Anita Sanz reflect on the most powerful lessons learned from five hundred consecutive weeks of conversations about depression.

This episode moves beyond statistics and milestones and into something far more meaningful: what actually helps people survive, manage, and live with depression.

You’ll hear reflections on:

•  Managing depression versus...

What does it mean to reach 500 episodes of a podcast about depression?

In this milestone episode, Terry and Carly are joined by psychologist & former co-host Dr. Anita Sanz to reflect on the journey from 106 downloads in the first month to over 3 million plays across 171 countries.

But this episode isn’t about numbers. It’s about people.

It’s about the listener lying in bed wondering how they’ll get through...