Before You Kill Yourself: a suicide prevention podcast.

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 ventingWhy carrying emotional weight alone is so exhaustingPractical, grounded ways to unburden yourself without collapsing or oversharingHow to create relationships where unburdening feels safe, not scaryThrive 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 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.

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 thoughtsTransforming personal pain into public healing through books, songs, and an operaPractical ways art can help us move from isolation to connectionWhat many artists who died by suicide were missing—and how to fill in those gapsCreative exercises that turn suffering into meaning

In this episode, we explore:Why your body waits until the end of your shower to signal you need to peeHow this everyday moment reveals deeper truths about tension, distraction, and missed signalsWhat it means to actually feel safe enough to tune inWhy slowing down isn’t indulgent—it’s essentialHow this connects to mental health, nighttime overthinking, 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.

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.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 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 validationHow childhood dynamics and emotional wounds shape this patternThe emotional cost of chasing approval from naysayersWhy breaking the cycle matters for our mental health and self-worthActionable steps to turn toward compassion instead of criticismThis conversation is a reminder that healing doesn’t come from earning acceptance—it comes from reclaiming your own.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, 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.

In today's episode we discuss the following questions: What truth in you cannot be broken?When do you feel most like you?Who are you without your name?What are you growing into?Where does your courage live?What is something small that feels big to you?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 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.