She Persisted: Navigating Depression, Anxiety, and Teenage Life!

Sadie Sutton

After receiving a year and a half of intensive treatment for severe depression and anxiety, 17-year-old Sadie recounts her journey by interviewing family members, doctors, therapists, and friends to offer self-improvement tips, DBT education, and personal experiences. Created for anyone struggling or interested in mental health, She Persisted is the reminder that someone else has been there too and your inspiration to live your life worth living. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/neverthelessshepersisted/support

  • 19 minutes 37 seconds
    254. how to help someone who doesn’t want help (without making it worse)

    #254

    šŸæ watch on ⁠spotify⁠ & ⁠youtube⁠

    šŸ’Œ ⁠ask me a question⁠ or leave feedback on the podcast!

    how do you help someone who’s struggling with depression??

    in this solo episode, i answer a mom's question on how she can best support her son with his depression. i explain how my mental health journey taught me what the best– and worst!– ways are to be there for someone who’s depressed– and three conversation ideas you can try out.Ā Ā 

    whether you’re a parent, sibling, or friend, this advice can apply to anyone who wants to be a support system for their loved one.


    i talk about:

    • what to do if someone you care about is feeling hopeless

    • why encouragement can be invalidating when you’re depressed

    • do’s + don’ts for supporting someone who’s depressed

    • using dbt diary cards to validateĀ 

    • the best ways to offer advice to someone with depressionĀ 

    • how depression + anger are linked

    • three ways to make someone feel less alone


    mentioned:

    • ep.209 maddy ellberger

    • ep.156 diary cards

    • ep.248 diary cards

    • ep.215 caroline fleck

    • validation by caroline fleck

    • mclean 3east


    ā˜•giveaway! want coffee on me? every month, i gift one listener a starbucks gift card to enter:

    1. leave a review on apple or spotify

    2. dm me a screenshot on instagram

    šŸ“² bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!


    ⁠@shepersistedpodcast⁠

    ⁠shepersistedpodcast.com⁠

    ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

    Ā© 2025 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.

    4 April 2026, 6:04 pm
  • 24 minutes 4 seconds
    253. why therapy didn’t work… until this

    šŸæ watch on ⁠spotify⁠ & ⁠youtube⁠

    šŸ’Œ ⁠ask me a question⁠ or leave feedback on the podcast!

    when i think about a major turning point in my mental health journey, this one conversation is truly what kickstarted my recovery.Ā 

    in this solo episode, i break down the moment in intensive mental health treatment that changed my outlook on mental health recovery, what led me to being hospitalized for my mental health in the first place, & how i began to recover from severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.Ā 

    if you are on the fence about whether to ask for help with your mental health (or have a loved one in that exact spot), this episode details when i was in the exact same spot: i explain how i went from not believing i could get better to feeling hopeful that i could recover & build a life worth living.Ā 


    i talk about:

    • why i needed intensive mental health treatmentĀ 

    • the question my doctor asked me that changed my life

    • how i almost got turned away from my mental health treatmentĀ 

    • dbt wise mind & how that impacted my journey

    • my biggest fears going into a residential mental health facilityĀ 

    • being vulnerable when you’re getting mental health care

    • the mindset i had going into getting residential mental health care


    mentioned:

    • dr. blaise aguirre ep.

    • mclean 3east


    ā˜•giveaway! want coffee on me? every month, i gift one listener a starbucks gift card to enter:

    1. leave a review on apple or spotify

    2. dm me a screenshot on instagram

    šŸ“² bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!


    ⁠@shepersistedpodcast⁠

    ⁠shepersistedpodcast.com⁠

    ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

    Ā© 2025 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.

    19 March 2026, 10:51 pm
  • 13 minutes 33 seconds
    252. stop overthinking—ask yourself this!

    #252

    šŸæ watch on ⁠spotify⁠ & ⁠youtube⁠

    šŸ’Œ ⁠ask me a question⁠ or leave feedback on the podcast!

    are you a chronic emotional over-invester?! in this solo episode, i explain how a simple mental health mantra transformed my mentality around emotional boundaries and even lowered my anxiety!

    by the end of this episode, you’ll know how to stop the emotional over-involvement and start prioritizing your mental health.Ā 


    i talk about:

    • the mental health mantra that’s changed my lifeĀ 

    • why stress can actually be good for you?!

    • 3 questions to ask yourself if you’re emotionally over-investing

    • if you’re problem-solving or just being anxious?

    • influencing vs. controlling as anxiety responsesĀ Ā 

    • times you might be over-involving yourself emotionally

    • how to lower your anxiety + set emotional boundaries in your relationshipsĀ 


    ā˜•giveaway! want coffee on me? every month, i gift one listener a starbucks gift card to enter:

    1. leave a review on apple or spotify

    2. dm me a screenshot on instagram

    šŸ“² bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!


    ⁠@shepersistedpodcast⁠

    ⁠shepersistedpodcast.com⁠

    ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

    Ā© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.

    2 March 2026, 7:34 pm
  • 14 minutes 32 seconds
    251. why college feels different for gen z (feat. dr. scott barry kaufman)

    #251

    šŸæ watch on spotify & youtube

    šŸ’Œ ask me a question or leave feedback on the podcast!

    why is the college experience SO different for our generation??! today’s guest is dr. scott barry kaufman— a psychologist, coach, professor, keynote speaker, and best-selling author who is passionate about helping all kinds of minds live a creative, fulfilling, and self-actualized life. he is a professor of psychology at columbia university and host of the psychology podcast, which has received over 30 million downloads worldwide.Ā 

    in this episode, we break down why gen z students are having such a unique college experience– and what that means for our mental health.


    we talk about:

    • if college students are struggling more with their mental health than ever

    • college students ten years ago versus today

    • pros + cons of ai use in collegeĀ 

    • what good leadership looks like to our generationĀ 

    • whether standardized tests really matter

    • paths outside of a traditional four-year college


    mentioned:

    • dr. kaufman’s instagram

    • dr. kaufman’s website

    • dr. kaufman’s newest book

    • the psychology podcast

    • center for human potential

    ā˜•giveaway! want coffee on me? every month, i gift one listener a starbucks gift card to enter:

    1. leave a review on apple or spotify

    2. dm me a screenshot on instagram

    šŸ“² bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!

    @shepersistedpodcast

    shepersistedpodcast.com

    [email protected]Ā 

    Ā© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.

    25 February 2026, 10:17 pm
  • 17 minutes 49 seconds
    250. why high achievers still struggle with mental health

    #250

    šŸæ watch on ⁠spotify⁠ & ⁠youtube⁠

    šŸ’Œ ⁠ask me a question⁠ or leave feedback on the podcast!


    are you tired of constantly choosing between your mental health versus everything else on your plate?! in this solo episode, i answer a listener’s question that a LOT of college students and postgrads struggle with: how do you prioritize success while still taking care of your mental health?Ā 

    by sharing some of my favorite mental health tips and routines, this episode can serve as your template for how to optimize your mental health without sacrificing your goals.Ā 

    i talk about:

    • the mental health misconception so many of us haveĀ Ā 

    • one of the biggest lessons i’ve learned in my mental health journey

    • why so many people struggle with mental health in college + as a postgrad

    • a mental health mantra that i live byĀ 

    • daily routines that i swear by to maintain my mental health

    • how to take a mental health audit of your life

    • figuring out if you’re about to have a mental health crisisĀ 

    • ways to keep your mental health consistent (even if your life isn’t!)


    mentioned:Ā 

    • prioritizing your relationships

    • finding your dream career


    ā˜• giveaway! want coffee on me? every month, i gift one listener a starbucks gift card to enter:

    1. leave a review on apple or spotify

    2. dm me a screenshot on instagram

    šŸ“² bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!


    ⁠@shepersistedpodcast⁠

    ⁠shepersistedpodcast.com⁠

    ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

    Ā© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.

    16 February 2026, 3:48 pm
  • 12 minutes 17 seconds
    249. what to do during a panic attack (when nothing else works!!)

    #249

    šŸæ watch on ⁠spotify⁠ & ⁠youtube⁠

    šŸ’Œ ⁠ask me a question⁠ or leave feedback on the podcast!

    if you struggle with panic attacks and haven’t found a way to stop them, this episode will change that completely! in this solo episode, i share my psychology-backed hack to end 100% of your panic attacks.

    by the end of this episode, you’ll have a mental health skill in your toolbox designed for curbing every panic attack– no matter how much anxiety you’re facing.


    i talk about:

    • a dbt skill that stops all panic attacks

    • why this skill works better than other panic attack hacksĀ 

    • what’s really happening in our bodies during a panic attackĀ 

    • the science behind stopping a panic attackĀ 

    • how to use this panic attack skill wherever you goĀ 

    • other scenarios you can try out this skill in (including helping a loved one!)


    mentioned:Ā 

    • dbt tipp skillĀ 


    ā˜•giveaway! want coffee on me? every month, i gift one listener a starbucks gift card to enter:

    1. leave a review on apple or spotify

    2. dm me a screenshot on instagram

    šŸ“² bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!


    ⁠@shepersistedpodcast⁠

    ⁠shepersistedpodcast.com⁠

    ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

    Ā© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.

    11 February 2026, 4:41 pm
  • 15 minutes 34 seconds
    248. why ā€œlook on the bright sideā€ doesn’t work (do THIS instead!)

    #248

    šŸæ watch on ⁠spotify⁠ & ⁠youtube⁠

    šŸ’Œ ⁠ask me a question⁠ or leave feedback on the podcast!

    if you struggle with depression, you might be facing a brain bias that’s stopping you from healing. this solo episode explains how your brain is holding you back and why daily diaries can move your mental health forward.Ā 

    by the end of this episode, you’ll know the three easy aspects of your mental health you can keep track of to change your life!Ā 


    i talk about:

    • why i started tracking my mental health when i was depressed

    • how mental health tracking can lower your shame

    • the power of tracking your most positive moments

    • a psychology study that changed how i viewed my mental health

    • what’s stopping your therapy from translating your into life

    • the three things you should be tracking every dayĀ 


    ā˜•giveaway! want coffee on me? every month, i gift one listener a starbucks gift card to enter:

    1. leave a review on apple or spotify

    2. dm me a screenshot on instagram

    šŸ“² bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!


    ⁠@shepersistedpodcast⁠

    ⁠shepersistedpodcast.com⁠

    ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

    Ā© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.

    3 February 2026, 6:38 pm
  • 16 minutes 37 seconds
    247. do i need therapy, or is this just life?

    #247

    šŸæ watch on ⁠spotify⁠ & ⁠youtube⁠

    šŸ’Œ ⁠ask me a question⁠ or leave feedback on the podcast!

    if you’ve ever wondered if you need therapy, or are just ā€œbeing dramaticā€, this episode is for YOU! in this solo episode, i’m unpacking the two key signs that you should get help for your mental health.Ā 

    by the end of this episode, you’ll know how to spot the red flags that your mental health could use some professional care, and why acting sooner rather than later can change your life.Ā 


    i talk about:

    • what i’ve learned from researching people with depression

    • two ways to figure out if you need help for your mental healthĀ 

    • if your emotions are ā€œnormalā€ or leading you to burnout

    • deciding what you can handle on your own with your mental health

    • the most obvious sign your mental health is strugglingĀ 

    • how my journey with suicidal depression changed my opinion on asking for help

    • my advice for if you’re currently struggling in silenceĀ Ā 

    • three questions to ask yourself if you’re wondering whether to get help


    free mental health resources:

    • crisis text line

    • 988 lifeline


    ā˜•giveaway! want coffee on me? every month, i gift one listener a starbucks gift card to enter:

    1. leave a review on apple or spotify

    2. dm me a screenshot on instagram

    šŸ“² bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!


    ⁠@shepersistedpodcast⁠

    ⁠shepersistedpodcast.com⁠

    ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

    Ā© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.

    20 January 2026, 8:24 pm
  • 16 minutes 13 seconds
    246. why external validation keeps you stuck! (feat. dr. scott barry kaufman)

    #246

    šŸæ watch on spotify & youtube

    šŸ’Œ ask me a question or leave feedback on the podcast!

    ā€˜self-actualization’ isn’t just a tiktok buzzword– it’s how you can unlock your true potential using psychology. today’s guest is dr. scott barry kaufman— a psychologist, coach, professor, keynote speaker, and best-selling author who is passionate about helping all kinds of minds live a creative, fulfilling, and self-actualized life. he is a professor of psychology at columbia university and host of the psychology podcast, which has received over 30 million downloads worldwide.Ā 

    in this episode, we translate terms like self-actualization, agency, and mastery into actionable tools you can actually use. whether you’re a college student trying to raise your gpa or a postgrad working your way out of an existential crisis (real), this episode is your instruction manual for living your best life starting NOW!


    we talk about:

    • the self-growth metaphor you need to hearĀ 

    • why we delay our happiness + how to break this habit

    • self-actualization + what everyone gets wrong about it

    • if gen z has a victim mentalityĀ 

    • the importance of gaining masteryĀ 

    • setting achievable goals that don’t cause burnout

    • comparison culture + how to step out of it

    • unlocking your potential as a student + learning to enjoy schoolĀ 

    • + so much more!!


    mentioned:

    • dr. kaufman’s instagram

    • dr. kaufman’s website

    • dr. kaufman’s newest book

    • the psychology podcast

    • center for human potential

    ā˜•giveaway! want coffee on me? every month, i gift one listener a starbucks gift card to enter:

    1. leave a review on apple or spotify

    2. dm me a screenshot on instagram

    šŸ“² bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!

    @shepersistedpodcast

    shepersistedpodcast.com

    [email protected]Ā 

    Ā© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.

    15 January 2026, 5:11 pm
  • 15 minutes 44 seconds
    245. you’re not bad at friendships! (here’s what’s happening)

    #245

    šŸæ watch on ⁠spotify⁠ & ⁠youtube⁠

    šŸ’Œ ⁠ask me a question⁠ or leave feedback on the podcast!

    if you’re struggling with finding new friends as a postgrad, this episode is for YOU. in this solo episode, i’m sharing my favorite ways to make friends, stay connected, and avoid feeling lonely after graduating college! from making time to be social despite your new 9-to-5 to keeping in touch with long-distance friends, this episode covers every friendship topic for your post-college era.Ā 


    i talk about:

    • the mindset shift i made to avoid feeling lonely as a postgradĀ 

    • how college social dynamics are so different from postgrad onesĀ 

    • catering your professional life to your social needsĀ 

    • finding motivation to be social even when you’re super busyĀ 

    • what everyone needs to know about lonelinessĀ 

    • common habits we often overlook that are making you lonelyĀ Ā 

    • why so many postgrads are more likely to feel lonely

    • my life hacks for preventing loneliness in the first place as a postgrad

    • creative ways to keep in touch with long distance friends + family

    • and so much more!


    mentioned:

    • last week's ep

    • grit lab recap

    • angela duckworth ep

    • marisa franco ep


    ā˜•giveaway! want coffee on me? every month, i gift one listener a starbucks gift card to enter:

    1. leave a review on apple or spotify

    2. dm me a screenshot on instagram

    šŸ“² bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!


    ⁠@shepersistedpodcast⁠

    ⁠shepersistedpodcast.com⁠

    ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

    Ā© 2025 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.

    8 January 2026, 8:38 pm
  • 15 minutes 43 seconds
    244. why forcing habits never works (and what actually helps)

    #244

    šŸæ watch on ⁠spotify⁠ & ⁠youtube⁠

    šŸ’Œ ⁠ask me a question⁠ or leave feedback on the podcast!

    this year, we’re NOT setting any more new year’s resolutions we can’t follow through on. in this solo episode, i’m breaking down how you can achieve all your personal, career, and wellness goals in 2026– and no, we’re not just manifesting, we’re using science.Ā 

    tune into this episode to find out the consistent, invisible habits you can use for reaching all your goals this year (without sacrificing on any much-needed self-care).


    i talk about:

    • the best way to set yourself up for success when setting new goals/habits

    • game-changing habits i tried out in college + my post-grad job this year

    • a mentality shift you can try to improve your quality of sleepĀ 

    • examples of how you can follow through with healthy habits in the new year

    • why you should be making your relationships a priority in 2026Ā 

    • life hacks for finding time for friendships even when you’re busiest

    • how my habits helped me pick my post-grad job?!Ā 

    • and SO much more!


    mentioned:

    • grit lab recap

    • angela duckworth ep

    • psych major ep pt. 1

    • psych major ep pt. 2

    • previous new year’s ep


    ā˜•giveaway! want coffee on me? every month, i gift one listener a starbucks gift card to enter:

    1. leave a review on apple or spotify

    2. dm me a screenshot on instagram

    šŸ“² bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!


    ⁠@shepersistedpodcast⁠

    ⁠shepersistedpodcast.com⁠

    ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

    Ā© 2025 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.

    6 January 2026, 9:37 pm
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