Before You Kill Yourself

Leo Flowers

A suicide prevention podcast. The host, Leo Flowers M.A., is a comedian who struggles with suicidal ideation. What keeps him alive is his increasingly long list of things he wants to do before he kills himself. Follow his journey of how he strives to thrive instead of just survive.

  • 13 minutes 1 second
    How to cope with the four types of emotional distress

    In this episode, we use the metaphor of turbulence to explore why intense moments in life can feel dangerous without actually being dangerous—and how the nervous system responds when stability feels lost. Through a grounding practice designed for “arrival,” we offer listeners a simple way to reorient their bodies after emotional, relational, or existential turbulence, without needing to fix or explain anything.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • The four types of turbulence as metaphors for everyday life stress and emotional instability
    • Why the nervous system confuses intensity with danger—and how that fuels distress
    • How grounding is about orientation and arrival, not forced calm
    • A single, practical grounding exercise listeners can use at the end of a long day or difficult period


    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 988

    The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

    Outside the US:

    International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

    19 January 2026, 8:00 am
  • 20 minutes 51 seconds
    What to do when meditation feels unbearable

    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 nervous system
    • Four sequencing shifts that actually help:
    • Rhythmic movement instead of stillness
    • Connection before introspection
    • Predictability before positivity
    • Regulation before reflection


    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 988

    The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

    Outside the US:

    International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

    12 January 2026, 8:00 am
  • 23 minutes 39 seconds
    How to cope with a high high and low low

    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 voids
    • Grief intensifies contrast
    • The drop is often biological
    • Guardrails matter more than mindset


    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 988

    The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

    Outside the US:

    International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

    5 January 2026, 8:00 am
  • 15 minutes 2 seconds
    Power of Purpose

    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 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 988

    The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

    Outside the US:

    International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

    29 December 2025, 8:00 am
  • 19 minutes 51 seconds
    "Red" Isn't Red: Why is it so hard to describe what we're feeling?

    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 metaphorical language
    • Expanding your emotional vocabulary


    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 988

    The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

    Outside the US:

    International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

    18 December 2025, 8:00 am
  • 23 minutes 58 seconds
    How to Unburden Yourself: The difference between talking, venting and unburdening

    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 alone is so exhausting
    • Practical, grounded ways to unburden yourself without collapsing or oversharing
    • How to create relationships where unburdening feels safe, not scary


    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 988

    The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

    Outside the US:

    International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

    11 December 2025, 8:00 am
  • 21 minutes 43 seconds
    THE ONE THING THAT KEEPS YOU FROM BREAKING

    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 difference between youthfulness and timelessness
    • How devotion — not distraction — keeps us steady
    • Signs you’re not living for your one thing
    • Simple ways to identify your anchor or purpose
    • Why having a “one thing” can make life feel worth staying for


    1 December 2025, 8:00 am
  • 19 minutes 34 seconds
    PAIN OF EMBARRASSMENT

    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—it’s about creating safe spaces to act


    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 988

    The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

    Outside the US:

    International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

    1 December 2025, 8:00 am
  • 10 minutes 39 seconds
    3 Phases of Emotional Regulation

    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 988

    The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

    Outside the US:

    International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

    24 November 2025, 8:00 am
  • 25 minutes 47 seconds
    Suicidality and coping with the grief of losing a parent

    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: 988

    The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

    Outside the US:

    International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

    17 November 2025, 8:00 am
  • 24 minutes 23 seconds
    Why We Feel Wired, Tired, and Empty—and How to Refuel Right

    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 relationships
    • The emotional and physiological signs you’re misfueled
    • A better blueprint for lasting vitality, clarity, and connection
    • Plus: a metaphorical dashboard and why your internal engine deserves premium input


    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 988

    The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

    Outside the US:

    International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

    10 November 2025, 8:00 am
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