- 25 minutes 34 seconds263. what i wish i knew when i didn’t want to be alive
are you currently at a low point with your mental health? do you hate it when people tell you “it will get better”— mostly because you don’t believe it ever will? in today’s solo episode, i’m answering the questions i had when i was struggling with severe depression and suicidality as a teenager.
eight years after being hospitalized for my mental health, i’m looking back on the doubts and fears i had throughout my recovery and sharing what actually helped me get better.
if you’re currently asking yourself questions like will i always feel this way? what if it’s not bad enough to deserve help? what if asking for help makes everything worse? then this episode is for you.
i talk about:
00:53 when i was hospitalized for depression at age 13
03:00 what to do if you’re feeling hopeless about your future
07:30 how i started to shut down my suicidal thoughts
11:31 the mindset shift i made in residential treatment that changed my life
15:56 ways to make asking for help feel a little easier
22:31 my final advice for anyone who thinks it won’t get bettermentioned in ep #263:
IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS (via Nock Lab)...
If you are thinking about harming yourself or attempting suicide, please tell someone who can help:
• Call 911 for emergency services (in the United States).
• Call 988 (the toll-free 24-hour hotline) to reach a trained counselor.
• Go to a hospital emergency room.
Ask a friend or family member to be with you or help you make these calls or take you to the hospital. If you have a family member or friend who is suicidal, do not leave him or her alone. Try to get the person to seek help immediately from an emergency room, physician, or mental health professional. Take seriously any comment about suicide or wishing to die. Even if you do not believe your family member or friend will actually attempt suicide, the person is in distress and can benefit from your help in receiving mental health treatment.
🍿 subscribe on youtube
💌 ask me a question or leave feedback on the podcast!
© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.
27 September 2026, 1:00 am - 24 minutes 58 seconds262. your life isn’t going to feel like this forever (feat. dr. blaise aguirre)
want to hear an expert’s opinion on the teen mental health crisis?! today’s guest is dr. blaise aguirre—an assistant professor in psychiatry at harvard medical school in the department of psychiatry. he is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and the founding medical director of the 3east dialectical behavior therapy continuum of care at harvard affiliated mclean hospital.
in part two of last week’s conversation, dr. aguirre reflects on his 25 years of experience in the treatment of mood and personality disorders in adolescents to share what teens in 2026 are struggling with most. he also shares actionable steps that gen z can take to improve their mental health– ranging from residential treatment to social media and ai use!
if you want to make changes with your mental health, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone– while also providing you with actionable steps you can take to build your life worth living.
we talk about:01:40 whether residential mental health treatment is the right choice for young adults
04:35 red flags to avoid when choosing a mental health treatment option
07:20 how teen mental health has changed (and stayed the same!) over time
09:55 pros + cons of using ai as a mental health resource
14:50 the role of social media in today's teen mental health crisis
19:05 mental health advice that every young person needs to hear
mentioned:
☕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
📲 bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!
© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.
7 September 2026, 8:06 pm - 28 minutes 1 second261. what if part of you doesn’t want to get better? (feat. dr. blaise aguirre)
why are some people afraid to ask for help, even when their mental health is getting WORSE?! today’s guest is dr. blaise aguirre—an assistant professor in psychiatry at harvard medical school in the department of psychiatry. he is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and the founding medical director of the 3east dialectical behavior therapy continuum of care at harvard affiliated mclean hospital.
in this episode, i’m reuniting with dr. aguirre to discuss how my treatment at 3east saved my life– and why this program worked for me when nothing else did. dr. aguirre also draws his clinical expertise to unpack all things teen mental health, breaking down topics including self-hatred, agency, family dynamics, & more!
whether you’re struggling with your mental health or love someone who is, this episode is your guide to what makes treatment actually work.
we talk about:
03:27 what makes teenagers more likely to accept help for their depression
08:57 finding agency as a teen in inpatient treatment
12:52 why mental health challenges aren’t an intelligence issue
17:13 the role of self-hatred in depression
20:38 how depression can impact our relationships
23:40 what really motivates us to change our worst habits
mentioned:
• dr. aguirre’s previous episode
☕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
📲 bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!
© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.
22 August 2026, 5:15 pm - 31 minutes 14 seconds260. you don’t have to be in crisis to need help (feat. hailey hardcastle)
if you want to learn more about how our generation can create lasting change in mental health, this episode is for you!
today’s guest is hailey hardcastle—a gen z mental health advocate who helped pass landmark legislation in oregon allowing students to take mental health days off from school. she was honored by teen vogue as one of the "21 under 21: young women changing the world," and her ted talk on student mental health has been viewed more than 4 million times.
fun fact: this episode was recorded live at the active minds 2026 mental health conference—the nation’s leading mental health conference for young adults!
during this conversation, we discuss our personal mental health journeys, how hailey’s advocacy helped turn an idea into a state law, the most effective ways to advocate for gen z mental health, and so much more– including answering audience questions!
we talk about:
1:52 why hailey became a mental health advocate at a young age
4:50 how she helped passed a bill allowing student mental health days
7:34 effective ways to open up to your parents about your mental health
12:44 what stops people from asking for help with their mental health
19:04 maintaining our mental health as adults vs. as teens
21:50 the future of mental health policy + advocacy
23:54 advice for people wanting to become mental health advocates
25:22 finding local mental health advocacy opportunities
27:10 what motivates us to speak up about mental health
29:06 tips on pushing forward mental health legislation
mentioned:
• house bill 2191 (student mental health days)
☕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
📲 bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!
© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.
7 August 2026, 4:10 pm - 36 minutes 29 seconds259. why you feel LOST after graduation (what actually helps!)
i’ve recently made a big career change and learned a LOT about my mental health along the way… so let’s talk about it!
in this solo episode, i’m explaining what sparked this transition in my life & how i’m planning on optimizing this period of change to improve my routines, habits, and overall mental health.
so, if you’re also going through a major life shift in your 20s– or are wanting to figure out whether you should take the plunge into a new chapter of life– here’s how to do so while optimizing your mental health!
i talk about:
1:52 the career shift i’m making & why!
12:56 my advice for college students & post-grads facing career uncertainty
14:47 why new beginnings are the perfect time to work on your mental health
15:57 mental health areas i’m prioritizing in this new season of life
22:42 staying motivated as a post-grad (vs. as a college student)
26:04 a mindset shift for improving your mental health habits
29:25 defining what makes my life worth living
31:22 journal prompts for goal-setting, career planning, & more!
mentioned:
• succeeding as a psych major (pt. 1)
• succeeding as a psych major (pt. 2)
• dr. angela duckworth’s episode
• mental health book club episode
☕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
📲 bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!
© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.
23 July 2026, 1:00 pm - 22 minutes 13 seconds258. why you never feel good enough (even when you're doing everything right) dr. marisa g franco
how can someone have high self-esteem but low self-worth??! today’s guest is dr. marisa g. franco— a psychologist, author, professor, and friendship expert. she writes about how to build relationships with yourself and others for psychology today and has been a featured connection expert for major publications like the new york times, the telegraph, and vice.
in this episode, we continue last week’s conversation on self-worth and relationships. this time, we’re focused on the internal factors behind self-worth, such as your emotions, identity, and more!
we talk about:
2:11 why it can be easier to validate someone else's feelings instead of our own
3:28 the two different types of self-esteem (& which one leads to better relationships)
5:04 how to process your emotions to improve your self-worth
7:10 why gaining self-worth can change your life for the better
8:26 ways we reinforce our insecurities without even realizing
12:58 pushing back against our own (& other people's!) insecurities
16:08 misconceptions about self-worth
17:06 if gen z struggles with self-worth more than other generations
mentioned:
• dr. franco’s previous episode
• dr. franco’s instagram
• dr. franco’s website
• pre-order worth☕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
📲 bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!
@shepersistedpodcast
shepersistedpodcast.com
[email protected]
© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.16 July 2026, 6:02 pm - 26 minutes 52 seconds257. why you can be loved and still feel unlovable (feat. dr. marisa franco)
why do some people struggle to accept love?? today’s guest is dr. marisa g. franco— a psychologist, author, professor, and friendship expert. she writes about how to build relationships with yourself and others for psychology today and has been a featured connection expert for major publications like the new york times, the telegraph, and vice.
in this episode, we talk about how our self-worth impacts our ability to love ourselves– and receive love from others.
we talk about:
01:38 how self-worth and relationships are tied together
05:16 how you can be loved but not feel loved
06:16 how memories become the database of your self-worth
08:50 external vs. internal validation
10:10 how to rewrite the memories that shaped you
14:20 supporting someone who can't accept your love
15:38 low self-worth and feeling misunderstood
18:46 how i found 1% of hope in recovery
20:50 what we get wrong about attachment styles
26:02 the one thing to take away from this episode
mentioned:
• dr. franco’s previous episode
☕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
📲 bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!
© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.
4 July 2026, 3:41 pm - 20 minutes 48 seconds256. 10 years of therapy in 20 minutes (what i wish i learned sooner!)
wanna know what over a decade of therapy, a psychology degree, and my own podcast have taught me about mental health?! in this solo episode, i’m breaking down the key takeaways that i’ve learned throughout my mental health journey.
in honor of it being mental health awareness month, i’m condensing everything i’ve learned from receiving intensive mental health care and years of dbt therapy as a suicidally depressed teenager– combined with my psychology education at upenn and my experience creating this very podcast– to make your 12-step guide to maintaining your mental health.
by the end of this episode, you’ll know all the mental health tips + tricks i wish i’d known when i was struggling!
i talk about:
• why avoidance is impacting your mental health
• how to start getting better at recognizing your emotions
• my mantra for dealing with conflict more effectively
• relationship changes + how to navigate them
• the power of secondary emotions
• effective ways to reach your goals + stabilize your mental health
• a mental health quote that changed my life
• an underrated aspect of managing your mental health
• whether we can use our mental health to predict our futures
• the mindset that was stopping me from building a life worth living
• how distraction can actually save lives
• what i learned in therapy that changed my self-esteem forever
mentioned:
☕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
📲 bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!
© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.
4 May 2026, 10:15 pm - 23 minutes 31 seconds255. why it’s so hard to ask for help (and how to start!)
if your mental health is getting worse, but asking for help feels like too much, this episode is for YOU.
in this solo episode, i explain why so many of us can be reluctant to open up about our mental health before breaking down the techniques you can try to be more vulnerable.
by the end of this episode, you’ll learn how to lower your anxiety around asking for help– because vulnerability is the key to recovery!
i talk about:
• why i didn’t ask for help when my mental health started struggling
• how our environment + upbringing shape our mental health
• the impact of depression on our self worth + anxiety
• using exposure therapy to try actually being vulnerable
• a communication technique that helped me open up to my parents
• easier ways you can practice being vulnerable on a regular basis
• choosing the right people to share with + setting clear expectations
mentioned:
• ep.254 (why they’re not getting help)
☕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
📲 bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!
🍿 watch on spotify & youtube
💌 ask me a question or leave feedback on the podcast!
© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.
17 April 2026, 7:58 pm - 19 minutes 37 seconds254. how to help someone who doesn’t want help (without making it worse)
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.
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 validate
• the best ways to offer advice to someone with depression
• how depression + anger are linked
• three ways to make someone feel less alone
mentioned:
• validation by caroline fleck
☕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
📲 bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!
© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.
4 April 2026, 6:04 pm - 24 minutes 4 seconds253. why therapy didn’t work… until this
i spent 2.5 years in therapy, 4 hospitalizations, and multiple rounds of DBT — and nothing was working. then a psychiatrist at mclean hospital asked me one question that completely changed how i approached my mental health recovery.
in this episode, i break down the exact conversation during my residential treatment intake that shifted everything: why i'd been going through the motions, what it actually means to "see the wisdom" in treatment, and the mindset that built the foundation my mental health still sits on today.
if you've ever wondered why therapy isn't working, or you're on the fence about asking for help — this one's for you.
i talk about:
• why i needed intensive mental health treatment
• the question my doctor asked me that changed my life
• how i almost got turned away from my mental health treatment
• dbt wise mind & how that impacted my journey
• my biggest fears going into a residential mental health facility
• being vulnerable when you’re getting mental health care
• the mindset i had going into getting residential mental health care
mentioned:
☕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
📲 bonus entries for story or tiktok tags!
© 2026 SHE PERSISTED LLC. all rights reserved.
19 March 2026, 10:51 pm - More Episodes? Get the App