Bunny Hugs and Mental Health

This episode was originally released on March 3 2024
In March of 2022 Jenn’s son Jordan took his own life after being catfished online and sextorted. Sextortion, or sexual extortion, occurs when an online actor threatens to release a victim's intimate photos or videos for financial gain. These people tend to target youth between the ages of 14 and 24. In Jordan’s case his culprits were caught, but very few are. Almost always, the g...

This episode was originally released on October 14th 2023 - When Giselle met her first husband it was love at first sight. They were a typical young, small town couple who worked hard and played hard. It wasn't long before occasional red flags for Giselle turned into a constant nightmare. One night it all came to a head and things ended in tragedy. Today Giselle tells her harrowing story to inspire others in abusive relations...

This episode was originally released September 4 2021 - I speak to Wanda and Chris Ball, two incredibly strong people, about the heart breaking loss of their son Kye. Kye was days away from turning 17 when he took his own life. The three of us discuss Kye's journey with mental illness, the mental health system, the day of his death and the advocacy they are doing now. -note- This episode gets heavy at times.

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This episode was originally released on June 10 2023- Daniel knows violence. Whether it was street violence, drug violence or his time spent as a medic in the military, he knows violence. Returning home from Iraq, lost and suffering with PTSD, he fell back into his old ways. Lucky for Daniel he met someone with the patience, empathy and love to help him turn his life around. Even while in the midst of severe alcohol addiction...

This episode was originally released April 29th 2023. Agata wants the option to die with dignity. Living with anorexia for most of her life, Agata is tired of suffering. She applied to be MAiD ( medical assistance in dying) for her mental illness. Canada passed Bill C-39 in January allowing people to apply for MAiD for mental health reasons, only to withdrawal the bill a month later. Agata has applied for MAiD but is now in limbo w...

Will Craig is a returning guest, great guy and my friend. Over the years Will has gone from a blogger to an advocate, author, and mental health podcaster. In this episode we discuss the emotional weight of helping others in the mental health space, personal growth, the journey of progress over perfection, and the challenges of navigating ego and humility. We also delve into the complexities of societal expectations surrounding masc...

Brooks parents, uncle and aunt were murdered by a cousin when she was only two. There’s more to this story but I’ll let Brook tell it. Beyond the tragic day we discuss impact of mental health on family dynamics, Brook's journey into social work, and her unique perspective on life shaped by these events. Brook also talks about her career in hairdressing and how she integrates her mental health knowledge into her work, where she ofte...

Part 2 of 2 - Raised in the Mormon faith as a gay male, Sean struggled with acceptance at a young age. From there Sean Hemeon shares his tumultuous journey through addiction and drug dealing, revealing the allure of the underbelly of society and the consequences that followed. He discusses the thrill of engaging in a dangerous lifestyle, the gradual descent into addiction, and the pivotal moments that led to his arrest and the real...

Part 1 of 2 - Raised in the Mormon faith as a gay male, Sean struggled with acceptance at a young age. From there Sean Hemeon shares his tumultuous journey through addiction and drug dealing, revealing the allure of the underbelly of society and the consequences that followed. He discusses the thrill of engaging in a dangerous lifestyle, the gradual descent into addiction, and the pivotal moments that led to his arrest and the real...

AmandaGrace Krier is a mental health advocate, particularly for youth. Amanda shares her personal journey with mental health struggles, including her experiences with disabilities and the impact of her cousin's suicide on her advocacy work. We explore the significance of self-care, support systems, stigma, and the role of organizations like the Sean Flynn Foundation in raising awareness about mental health issues, including CTE. Am...

Renee Swanson is the charming host of The Covert Narcissist Podcast. We discuss the complexities of narcissism, undiagnosed ADHD, addiction, emotional dysregulation and how they may look the same but are very different. Renee explains the differences between overt and covert narcissism, the impact on their relationships and the impact on children raised in such environments. Can narcissistic traits manifest in everyone? Is your par...

Brad is lucky to be alive. At one time Brad was using so often he was having regular seizures. Brad shares his personal journey of recovery and his need for ongoing support and understanding in the community. He discusses the connection between mental health, addiction and trauma. Today he is a professional speaker, counsellor and author. Please check out his book The Long Road of Recovery: One Man's Journey Through the World...

In this conversation, Adam A. Meyers shares his journey from military service to becoming a police officer in his rural, Wisconsin, hometown. He recounts a critical incident where he had to use deadly force during a confrontation with a 25 year old mother. After the incident Adam spiralled into a life of substance abuse, sex and putting a gun to his own head. Today Adam is a police Captain, peer support worker and advocate. W...

Kelly Murphy shares her deeply personal story of gun violence, mental health struggles within her family, and her journey into activism. She discusses her brother's tragic path to murdering his neighbour and the mental scars a school shooting left on her children. How did these events impact her life and her community? What are the challenges of the mental health care system and the urgent need for reform in gun violence prevention...

This episode originally aired on September 23 2023 - Angela is one the stars of the extremely funny and clever HBO show, The Rehearsal. Creator Nathan Fielder takes ordinary people and puts them in extraordinary circumstances in order to 'rehearse' a basic life choice...Trust me, it’s amazing. Angela reflects on her unexpected journey into reality television, discussing the audition process, her experiences on the show, and the imp...

Matt shares his personal experiences with the profound impact of false accusations of sexual child abuse on his life and how the wrongful convictions have been a living hell. He discusses the emotional toll of his tumultuous journey through a relationship marked by mental health challenges, and the long road to reclaiming his life after being wrongfully accused of a serious crime. Matt now lives with the ongoing struggle with menta...

Crystal Raye shares her tumultuous life story, detailing her chaotic childhood in Alaska, experiences of abuse, struggles with homelessness, and descent into addiction. She reflects on the impact of her family dynamics, the challenges of teenage pregnancy, and battling substance abuse. Eventually Crystal’s traumas, addiction, emotional pain and abuser overwhelmed her to the point she lights herself on fire. How did she manage to li...

Amy discusses the pressures of external expectations and the emotional toll of fertility struggles. She delves into the often unspoken struggles surrounding pregnancy, parenthood, and mental health. Is it still taboo to discuss the emotional toll of miscarriages, the weight of societal expectations on women, and the challenges of postpartum experiences, including anxiety and intrusive thoughts? Amy shares her personal journey of n...

In this conversation, Alex Karydi shares her profound journey through loss, trauma, and resilience. After the death of her parents, she navigates the complexities of homelessness and the impact of trauma on relationships. Alex discusses her struggles with hopelessness, the challenges of single parenting a child with disabilities, and her commitment to healing and self-discovery. How did she manage to find the courage and strength t...