- 44 minutes 48 secondsJason Lange on Men’s Mental Health, Vulnerability, and Why Every Man Needs a Men’s Group
Jason Lange joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles for a real, honest conversation about men’s mental health, vulnerability, emotional isolation, and the healing that happens when men finally have a safe place to tell the truth. From growing up disconnected from his body and emotions to becoming a men’s embodiment coach, Jason shares why men’s groups can be life-changing for relationships, parenting, self-worth, and community.
Awards & Downloads Line
Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries.
Feedback Link Line
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here:
https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442aMental Health Quote
“The greatest gift a man can give the world is to take responsibility for his pain instead of passing it on.” — Inspired by Jason Lange
Episode Description
Men are often taught to push through, suck it up, and keep moving as if nothing hurts. The problem is, all that unspoken pain has to go somewhere. In this episode, Jason Lange joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to talk about men’s mental health, vulnerability, emotional embodiment, and why men need spaces where they can stop performing and start telling the truth.
Jason opens up about growing up in a home where physical closeness, emotional language, and open conversations about feelings were missing. As a teenager and young adult, that disconnection showed up as anxiety, shame, numbness, and difficulty building intimacy. His healing began when he found men’s groups and somatic therapy, where he learned how to reconnect with his body, name his emotions, and be witnessed by other men without judgment.
This conversation hits some deeply human stuff: male isolation, sensitivity in boys, healthy masculinity, fatherhood, asking for help, and the pressure men carry to always appear strong. Jason breaks down why emotions often begin in the body, why “I’m fine” is not a full emotional vocabulary, and why vulnerability does not make a man weak. It makes him more honest, more grounded, and more capable of showing up for the people he loves.
Whether you are a man trying to reconnect with yourself, a partner trying to better understand the men in your life, or a parent raising emotionally healthy boys, this episode is a reminder that healing starts when we stop hiding from what hurts.
Keywords: men’s mental health, men’s groups, vulnerability, emotional healing, male isolation, embodiment work, somatic therapy, fatherhood, emotional wellness, healthy masculinity, shadow work, men’s coaching, emotional intelligence, mental health podcast, personal growth
Meet Our Guest — Jason Lange
Jason Lange is a men’s embodiment coach, group facilitator, and certified No More Mr. Nice Guy coach who helps men stop going through the motions and start showing up fully in life and love. As the founder of Evolutionary Men and host of the Evolutionary Men podcast, Jason supports men in clarifying their purpose, deepening intimacy, doing shadow work, and building real accountability through men’s groups and embodied practice.
Website: https://evolutionary.men
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolutionarymen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionarymenswork
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@evolutionarymen
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@evolutionarymenKey Takeaways
- Men’s mental health struggles are often tied to emotional isolation, shame, and not having the language to talk about pain.
- Men’s groups provide a safe space for men to be honest, vulnerable, challenged, and supported.
- Emotions are not just thoughts in your head; they often begin as sensations in your body.
- Sensitivity in boys is not a weakness. With the right support, it can become emotional intelligence, courage, and strength.
- Vulnerability does not mean falling apart. It can look grounded, steady, accountable, and powerful.
- Asking for help is one of the strongest things a man can learn to do.
Actionable Items
- Take one minute each day to check in with your body and ask: “What am I feeling, and where do I feel it?”
- Find one trusted person, therapist, coach, or group where you can practice telling the truth without pretending you are fine.
- When anger, stress, or anxiety shows up, pause before reacting and name the feeling out loud.
- For parents, help kids build emotional language by naming what they might be feeling without shaming them for feeling it.
References Mentioned
Evolutionary Men: https://evolutionary.men
No More Mr. Nice Guy by Dr. Robert Glover: https://www.drglover.com/no-more-mr-nice-guy.html
John Wineland: https://www.johnwineland.com
Tripp Lanier: https://www.thenewmanpodcast.com
Ken Wilber / Integral Theory: https://integrallife.com
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org
Global Crisis Resources: https://findahelpline.comImportant Chapters
- 00:00:56 – Jason joins the show and introduces his mission: every man should be in a men’s group. He explains how emotional pain, isolation, and a lack of language around feelings contribute to the men’s mental health crisis.
- 00:02:29 – Jason shares how he learned to communicate later in life after growing up in a home where touch, emotional closeness, and conversations about feelings were not part of daily life.
- 00:04:45 – Jason talks about what pushed him to seek help in his 20s, including the pain of feeling disconnected, anxious, and ashamed of being a late bloomer.
- 00:08:02 – The conversation turns to family healing as Jason explains how he changed his relationship with his mother and processed unresolved anger toward his father before his passing.
- 00:11:29 – Jason breaks down how somatic work and men’s groups helped him reconnect with his body, understand emotions, and move beyond the limited vocabulary of “good, bad, and fine.”
- 00:15:53 – G-Rex and Jason discuss raising emotionally aware boys and why teaching emotional language early can help young men grow into healthier adults.
- 00:21:09 – Dirty Skittles asks how to help her son see sensitivity as a superpower instead of a weakness. Jason explains healthy masculinity, rites of passage, role modeling, and the importance of emotionally grounded men.
- 00:29:28 – Jason talks about when boys and young men can begin benefiting from male mentorship, nature-based programs, emotional role models, and a healthy community.
- 00:33:02 – Jason shares how men’s groups have shaped him as a father, husband, and community member by giving him a place to restore himself and return home more present.
- 00:36:24 – Jason explains why taking responsibility for pain is one of the most powerful things men can do for themselves, their families, and the world around them.
- 00:37:20 – Jason reflects on what he would tell his younger self: relax, trust the path, and get better at asking for help.
- 00:38:36 – Jason shares one of his hardest lessons: the work never really ends, but healing becomes easier when we stop trying to “fix” ourselves and keep showing up.
- 00:41:09 – Jason discusses his self-care practices, including men’s groups, nature, hiking, saunas, massages, solo movie dates, sleep, movement, and eating well.
- 00:42:41 – Jason shares where listeners can find him and how men can connect with local or virtual men’s groups through Evolutionary Men.
Closing CTA
Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website:
https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #MensMentalHealth #MensMentalHealthAwareness #MensGroups #VulnerabilityIsStrength #HealthyMasculinity #EmotionalWellness #SomaticHealing #EmbodimentWork #MensWork #ShadowWork #FatherhoodJourney #EmotionalIntelligence #HealingJourney #AskForHelp #MentalHealthMatters
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If You Need Support, Reach Out
If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.
- United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
- Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
- Worldwide: Find a Helpline
- Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub
Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Official Website: goesoninourheads.net
- Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads
- Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles
- LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/)
- Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop
Audio Editing by NJz Audio
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
16 June 2026, 7:00 am - 46 minutes 4 secondsDominic Petty on Healing Relationship Trauma, Self-Acceptance, and Finding Inner Peace
What happens when an engineer’s brain meets the messy, beautiful chaos of human relationships? In this episode, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Dominic Petty to talk about trauma-informed coaching, emotional intelligence, self-acceptance, and why sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is absolutely nothing.
Awards & Downloads Line
Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries.Feedback Link Line
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442aMental Health Quote
“Your baseline is peace and calm. Anything else is just where life has taken you.” — Inspired by Dominic PettyEpisode Description
Dominic Petty didn’t start out planning to become a coach. With an engineering degree from Stanford, an MBA from Wharton, and a career built around solving complex problems, he spent years using logic, structure, and strategy to make sense of the world. But life had other plans, boo.In this thoughtful and unexpectedly funny conversation, Dominic joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to talk about how his path shifted from engineering and consulting into trauma-informed mindset, intimacy, and relationship coaching. He shares how learning emotional intelligence changed the way he led people, listened to people, and eventually helped people untangle the relationship patterns keeping them stuck.
Dominic breaks down why so many high achievers are running on insecurity, why self-acceptance is often the missing piece in relationships, and how silence can sometimes be the wisest damn answer in the room. He also explains how emotions are data, not identity — and why returning to a baseline of peace takes awareness, practice, and a willingness to stop making parts of yourself wrong.
This episode is for anyone who has ever felt broken, too much, not enough, or trapped in the same unhealthy cycles. Dominic reminds us that healing is not about forcing someone else to change. It is about waking up to yourself, learning what your emotions are trying to teach you, and choosing a relationship with yourself that does not run on shame.
Keywords: Dominic Petty, relationship trauma, self-acceptance, inner peace, emotional intelligence, trauma-informed coaching, relationship healing, mindset coaching, intimacy coaching, anxiety, emotional awareness, healthy relationships, shadow work, self-compassion, mental health podcast
Meet Our Guest — Dominic Petty
Dominic Petty is a trauma-informed Mindset, Intimacy, and Relationship Coach known as the Inner Peace Advisor. Through his Relationship Enlightenment Method, Dominic helps clients heal emotional wounds, break unhealthy relationship cycles, and move from feeling unworthy or stuck into deeper self-acceptance and connection.He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. His work blends relationship coaching, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Theta Healing, Erotic Blueprints, Enneagram, Shadow Work, and lived experience.
Website: https://explorewithdominic.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innerpeaceadvisor
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominicpetty
Email: [email protected]Key Takeaways
- Self-acceptance is often the missing bridge between high achievement and real emotional peace.
- Emotions are information, not identity — you can feel them without becoming them.
- Healing relationship trauma starts with noticing your patterns instead of blaming the other person for all of them.
- Sometimes silence is not avoidance; sometimes it is wisdom wearing sweatpants.
- High achievers often use insecurity as fuel, but that kind of fuel burns dirty and eventually wears people down.
- Inner peace is not passive. It takes active presence, emotional awareness, and consistency.
Actionable Items
- Before reacting in a tense conversation, ask yourself: “Will what I’m about to say improve on silence?”
- When a strong emotion shows up, name it, feel it, and ask what story is sitting underneath it.
- Practice five minutes of quiet presence each day. No pressure to be perfect — just show up consistently.
Important Chapters
- 00:00:37 – Welcome to the episode G-Rex and Dirty Skittles welcome listeners back and introduce Dominic Petty, setting the stage for a conversation about mindset, relationships, and emotional healing.
- 00:01:08 – Dominic’s geographic independence and coaching path Dominic shares how he built a work-and-travel lifestyle and how an unexpected conversation with a friend nudged him toward coaching.
- 00:03:27 – From engineering to emotional intelligence Dominic talks about his engineering and consulting background, and how managing people taught him that leadership requires genuine curiosity and connection.
- 00:05:52 – Relationship coaching and seeing unhealthy patterns Dominic explains how he has always noticed relationship dynamics and why he now uses a deeper framework to help clients understand what is really going on.
- 00:08:30 – The power of silence in relationships Dominic shares the advice that he should wear a shirt saying “I don’t know anything” when talking to his partner — and why silence can be your friend.
- 00:11:38 – Why people are the most fascinating puzzle He describes coaching as joining clients inside a maze they built, then helping them find their own way out without forcing them.
- 00:14:29 – Relationships as containers for awakening Dominic reframes relationships as places where people learn what they need to release, heal, and integrate within themselves.
- 00:21:58 – Insecurity, high achievement, and self-acceptance Dominic explains how many high performers run on insecurity and why that fuel can create anxiety, depression, frustration, and strained relationships.
- 00:28:55 – Moving from the head to the heart The conversation shifts into emotional awareness, presence, and how emotions can be treated as valuable data instead of personal failure.
- 00:31:15 – Returning to peace and calm Dominic breaks down the idea that peace is our baseline and that emotional regulation is about learning how to return to it.
- 00:34:17 – Meditation, consistency, and meeting people where they are He shares why meditation can help, why consistency matters more than intensity, and how coaching has to fit the person in front of him.
- 00:37:11 – Advice to his younger self Dominic gives a funny and honest answer about fitness, confidence, and the power of “pretty privilege.”
- 00:38:45 – The hardest lesson: shut up Dominic shares that one of his biggest life lessons was learning he does not have to say everything he sees or knows.
- 00:41:11 – Anxiety’s theme song and favorite words Dominic answers G-Rex’s signature questions, including his made-up anxiety theme song and his love for the words “boo” and “love.”
- 00:43:56 – Where to find Dominic Dominic shares how listeners can connect with him through email and Instagram.
Closing CTA
Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #DominicPetty #InnerPeaceAdvisor #RelationshipHealing #RelationshipTrauma #SelfAcceptance #EmotionalIntelligence #TraumaInformedCoaching #MindsetCoach #HealthyRelationships #InnerPeace #EmotionalHealing #SelfCompassion #ShadowWork #AnxietyAwareness #HealingJourney
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If You Need Support, Reach Out
If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.
- United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
- Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
- Worldwide: Find a Helpline
- Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub
Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Official Website: goesoninourheads.net
- Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads
- Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles
- LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/)
- Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop
Audio Editing by NJz Audio
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
11 June 2026, 7:00 am - 53 minutes 42 secondsDr. Mark Sherwood: Becoming a Hope Dealer Through Functional Medicine
What happens when a former pro baseball player, SWAT team officer, and naturopathic doctor turns personal pain into a mission to help others heal? In this powerful conversation, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Dr. Mark Sherwood to talk about hope, resilience, functional medicine, grief, mindset, and why healing has to include the whole damn person — body, mind, and spirit.
Trigger Notice + 988 Crisis Reminder
This episode includes discussion of suicide loss, grief, depression, crisis support, and emotional trauma. Please listen with care. If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988 in the United States to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You are not alone, and help is available right now.
Awards & Downloads Line
Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries.
Feedback Link Line
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here:
https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442aMental Health Quote
“Just a little glimmer of hope is like light — it can cancel out all levels of darkness.” — Inspired by Dr. Mark Sherwood
Episode Description
In this episode, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Dr. Mark Sherwood, a naturopathic doctor, author, speaker, filmmaker, former professional baseball player, and retired Tulsa police officer. And let’s just say, Mark has lived a few lives in one lifetime.
Mark opens up about being adopted, chasing a childhood dream all the way to professional baseball, serving on the SWAT team, and eventually finding his way into functional medicine. But this conversation goes way deeper than career pivots. Mark shares how the suicide loss of his mother became a defining moment in his life, pushing him to become what he calls a “hope dealer” — someone committed to bringing light into the darkest places.
Together, they talk about how physical health and mental health are deeply connected, why our words and thoughts matter, and how people can accidentally start identifying with their diagnosis instead of their humanity. Mark also shares honest wisdom about forgiveness, boundaries, faith, resilience, self-worth, and learning to love yourself in a healthy way.
This episode is raw, hopeful, and packed with reminders that healing is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about getting back up, choosing hope when life gets ugly, and remembering that you are more than your pain, your diagnosis, or the hardest chapter of your story.
Keywords: Dr. Mark Sherwood, functional medicine, mental health podcast, emotional wellness, resilience, hope dealer, suicide loss support, whole-person healing, naturopathic doctor, trauma recovery, mindset healing, faith and mental health, self-worth, forgiveness, body mind spirit healing.
Meet Our Guest — Dr. Mark Sherwood
Dr. Mark Sherwood, ND is a naturopathic doctor, best-selling author, national TV personality, filmmaker, and co-founder of the Functional Medical Institute in Tulsa, Oklahoma, alongside his wife, Dr. Michele Neil-Sherwood, DO. His work focuses on root-cause healing and helping people understand the connection between physical health, mental wellness, mindset, and purpose.
Before medicine, Dr. Sherwood was a professional baseball player, Oklahoma state and regional physique champion, and a 24-year veteran of the Tulsa Police Department, including 10 years on the SWAT team. His story matters because he has lived through pressure, grief, identity shifts, and trauma — and turned it all into a mission of hope and healing.
Website: https://sherwood.tv
Clinic: https://fmidr.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmarksherwood
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marksherwood4E
Additional Website Mentioned: https://drmarksherwood.comKey Takeaways
- Healing is not just physical. Your emotional, spiritual, and mental health all matter.
- Hope can be small and still be powerful enough to shift the darkness.
- You are not your diagnosis, your trauma, your depression, or your disease.
- Forgiveness is not about excusing someone else. It is about freeing yourself from bitterness.
- Resilience is built through hard things, not by avoiding them.
- Learning to love yourself in a healthy way may be one of the hardest and most important lessons.
Actionable Items
- Watch your words. Notice when you say “my depression,” “my disease,” or “I can’t,” and try shifting that language toward healing and possibility.
- Build one small daily gratitude practice. Start with something simple: sunshine, movement, a good conversation, your breath, or one more chance to try again.
- Check your circle. Surround yourself with people who bring peace, honesty, accountability, and hope — not people who constantly drain your spirit.
References Mentioned
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org
Functional Medical Institute: https://fmidr.com
Dr. Mark Sherwood: https://drmarksherwood.com
Sherwood TV: https://sherwood.tvImportant Chapters
- 00:00:37 – G-Rex and Dirty Skittles welcome listeners into another stigma-breaking conversation about mental health, healing, and real-life resilience.
- 00:01:00 – Dr. Mark Sherwood introduces himself as a naturopathic doctor and shares how his work focuses on root-cause healing for the whole person.
- 00:03:06 – Mark talks about being adopted, childhood determination, and the English teacher who helped him believe he could become a professional baseball player.
- 00:05:54 – Mark reflects on his years as a police officer and SWAT team member, including how first responder wellness became part of his mission.
- 00:07:55 – Mark shares the heartbreaking loss of his mother to suicide and how that tragedy deepened his commitment to bringing hope to others.
- 00:10:00 – The conversation turns toward faith, purpose, community, and the importance of having something bigger than yourself to lean on.
- 00:13:00 – G-Rex opens up about her own crisis moment and reminds listeners that 988 is not just for suicide, but for anyone in emotional crisis.
- 00:14:27 – Mark explains why spiritual, emotional, and physical health are interconnected and why he calls himself a “hope dealer.”
- 00:19:05 – Mark talks about boundaries, emotional pain, forgiveness, and why letting go of bitterness is part of healing.
- 00:23:09 – Mark shares how he moved from SWAT into wellness, police officer health, and eventually naturopathic medicine.
- 00:27:15 – Mark explains the difference between the brain and the mind, and how thoughts, words, and environment can impact the body.
- 00:31:35 – Dirty Skittles and G-Rex reflect on how sleep, self-care, mindset, laughter, and small daily choices affect emotional health.
- 00:36:40 – Mark discusses medication, resilience, and why the body has to be supported instead of only silenced.
- 00:47:01 – Mark answers what he would tell his younger self: be a giver, be a servant, and do not believe the lie that you cannot achieve something.
- 00:47:56 – Mark shares one of his hardest life lessons: learning to love himself in a healthy way and build true self-worth.
- 00:49:51 – Mark reveals that if his anxiety had a theme song, it would be “It Is Well,” because peace within yourself changes everything.
- 00:52:08 – Mark shares where listeners can find him and his work.
Closing CTA
Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website:
https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #DrMarkSherwood #FunctionalMedicine #HopeDealer #Resilience #WholePersonHealing #EmotionalWellness #TraumaRecovery #SuicideLossSupport #988Lifeline #NaturopathicMedicine #MindsetHealing #HealingJourney #SelfWorth #Forgiveness #FaithAndMentalHealth #BodyMindSpirit
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If You Need Support, Reach Out
If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.
- United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
- Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
- Worldwide: Find a Helpline
- Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub
Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Official Website: goesoninourheads.net
- Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads
- Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles
- LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/)
- Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop
Audio Editing by NJz Audio
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
9 June 2026, 7:00 am - 59 minutes 13 secondsNancy Gilette Pt. 2: Co-Regulation, Declarative Language, and Parenting Autistic Kids
In part two, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles continue their conversation with Nancy Gilette and discuss practical tools parents can use to support autistic and neurodivergent children. Nancy breaks down co-regulation, declarative language, visual referencing, and why parents sometimes need a damn timeout too.
Awards & Downloads Line
Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries.
Feedback Link Line
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here:
https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442aMental Health Quote
“Nothing good happens in dysregulation. Calm comes first, connection comes next, and problem-solving comes after that.” — Inspired by Nancy Gilette
Episode Description
Part two with Nancy Gilette gets into the tools parents can actually use when the house is loud, your child is overwhelmed, and everyone’s nervous system is one tiny inconvenience away from losing it.
Nancy talks with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles about parent resistance, old-school parenting beliefs, and why the “just get it done” mindset can disconnect kids and adults from what really matters. Her message is clear: parenting autistic and neurodivergent kids is not about forcing compliance. It is about creating safety, building trust, and helping kids develop the skills they need for a life that feels good — not just one that looks good on paper.
Nancy explains three core strategies she teaches families: visual referencing, declarative language, and co-regulation. She breaks down how declarative language shifts parents away from constant commands and gives children space to think, process, and participate. She also explains why co-regulation is not about controlling emotions; it is about creating shared safety when things feel too big.
Dirty Skittles shares more about parenting Nugget, finding moments of real attunement, and learning how to honor both her child’s needs and her own nervous system. Nancy also opens up about Crohn’s, boundaries, art, rest, and learning to trust her body.
This episode is a big, compassionate exhale for parents who are tired of being told to do more. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is slow down, connect, and stop parenting from panic.
Keywords: co-regulation, declarative language, autism parenting, parenting autistic kids, neurodivergent children, RDI strategies, visual referencing, emotional regulation, parent regulation, autism support, ADHD parenting, nervous system support, parent-child connection, quality of life, compassionate parenting
Meet Our Guest — Nancy Gilette
Nancy Gilette is a certified RDI Consultant, mentor, and autism advocate who helps parents of autistic and neurodivergent children shift from crisis-driven parenting into connection-based support. Her work focuses on practical strategies, relationship development, parent education, emotional regulation, and helping families create a better quality of life together.
Website: www.nancygilette.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/nancygilettecoaching
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancy.gilette
RDI Connect: https://www.rdiconnect.comKey Takeaways
- Parents need regulation tools too, because dysregulated adults cannot guide dysregulated kids.
- Declarative language helps children think, process, and participate instead of simply following commands.
- Co-regulation is not about controlling emotions; it is about creating shared safety.
- Visual referencing can help shift everyday moments from “me” to “we.”
- A child’s confidence grows through safe experiences, not pressure or forced performance.
- Quality of life matters more than checking every box society hands you.
Actionable Items
- Try replacing one command with declarative language. Instead of saying, “Turn on the light,” try, “It’s dark in here, and I can’t see where I’m going.”
- When you feel yourself about to snap, take a parent timeout and name it calmly: “I need a break so I can come back better.”
- During a shared task, pause long enough for your child to refer to you visually before moving forward.
References Mentioned
Relationship Development Intervention: https://www.rdiconnect.com
Nancy Gilette: www.nancygilette.com
Dr. Ross Greene
Dr. Daniel Siegel
Dr. Gabor Maté
Autism: A Different Perspective — Nancy’s Facebook communityImportant Chapters
- 00:00:00 – Welcome to Part Two
G-Rex opens part two by continuing the conversation around stress, the mind-body connection, and supporting families with more compassion. - 00:01:29 – When Parents Resist a New Approach
Nancy explains how resistance often comes from old parenting stories, authoritative beliefs, and the pressure to “just get things done.” - 00:04:15 – Do Parents Need Their Own Timeout?
G-Rex asks whether parents sometimes need to step away, and Nancy explains why parent regulation is essential. - 00:06:11 – Regulation in Action
Nancy talks about what it means to catch yourself before losing control and how parents can model emotional regulation in real time. - 00:09:13 – Why Nancy Works With Parents, Not Just Children
Nancy explains her parent-focused approach and why supporting the adults often helps the child thrive. - 00:10:28 – Visual Referencing, Declarative Language, and Co-Regulation
Nancy introduces the three core strategies she teaches families to support authentic engagement and connection. - 00:16:35 – Dirty Skittles Shares a Connection Moment With Nugget
Dirty Skittles describes a powerful moment of pausing, listening, and feeling the reward of true attunement with her child. - 00:22:45 – What Is RDI?
Nancy explains Relationship Development Intervention and how it helps parents build practical skills to support their child’s development. - 00:30:39 – Nancy’s Daily Practices for Showing Up
Nancy shares how rest, art, nervous system care, boundaries, and reducing social media help her stay grounded. - 00:42:45 – Advice to Younger Nancy
Nancy reflects on what she would tell her younger self and the power of feeling supported instead of shut down. - 00:46:38 – The Hardest Lesson: Believing in Herself
Nancy opens up about self-worth, professional identity, and learning to trust her own experience and body. - 00:53:27 – Where to Find Nancy
Nancy shares how listeners can learn more about RDI, her work, and her autism support community.
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https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #CoRegulation #DeclarativeLanguage #AutismParenting #ParentingAutisticKids #RDIStrategies #NeurodivergentKids #VisualReferencing #ParentRegulation #EmotionalRegulation #ADHDParenting #CompassionateParenting #AutismSupport #ConnectionBeforeCorrection #NervousSystemSupport #QualityOfLife
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If You Need Support, Reach Out
If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.
- United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
- Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
- Worldwide: Find a Helpline
- Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub
Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Official Website: goesoninourheads.net
- Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads
- Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles
- LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/)
- Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop
Audio Editing by NJz Audio
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
4 June 2026, 7:00 am - 48 minutes 44 secondsNancy Gilette Pt. 1: Autism Support, Parent Burnout, and Building Real Connection
Kicking off Season 18, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Nancy Gilette for part one of this powerful two-part conversation about autism support, parent burnout, neurodivergent parenting, and why connection has to come before correction. Nancy brings the kind of grounded wisdom parents need when they’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering if they’re doing enough.
Awards & Downloads Line
Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries.
Feedback Link Line
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here:
https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442aMental Health Quote
“Behavior is communication. When we slow down enough to understand it, connection becomes possible.” — Inspired by Nancy Gilette
Episode Description
Parenting can feel like a full-contact sport, especially when your child is autistic, neurodivergent, overwhelmed, or struggling to communicate what’s really going on. In part one of this conversation, Nancy Gillette joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to talk about autism support, parent burnout, and the power of building real connection inside the chaos.
Nancy is a certified RDI Consultant with more than 20 years of experience helping families shift from survival mode into a calmer, more connected way of parenting. Her work centers on one powerful truth: behavior is communication. Instead of seeing challenging behavior as defiance or failure, Nancy encourages parents to get curious about what their child’s nervous system is trying to say.
Nancy also shares the moment that shaped her life’s work — a powerful connection with a young autistic child that showed her how meaningful engagement can change everything. From there, the conversation opens up into regulation, visual referencing, parent-child relationships, and why parents need support just as much as their kids do.
Dirty Skittles gets real about parenting Nugget, navigating possible neurodivergence, and trying to create more happy memories than painful ones. And G-Rex reminds listeners that parents are not broken; many were simply never given the tools they needed.
This episode is a compassionate reminder that you do not have to parent from panic. You can pause, reconnect, and try again.
Keywords: autism support, autism parenting, parent burnout, neurodivergent parenting, autistic children, behavior is communication, emotional regulation, RDI consultant, sensory overwhelm, parent-child connection, mental health podcast, parenting support, family wellness, compassionate parenting, connection before correction
Meet Our Guest — Nancy Gilette
Nancy Gilette is a certified RDI Consultant, mentor, and advocate with over 20 years of experience supporting autistic children and their families. She helps parents understand behavior as communication and teaches practical, relationship-based strategies that move families from crisis mode into connection, clarity, and calm.
Website: www.nancygilette.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/nancygilettecoaching
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancy.giletteKey Takeaways
- Behavior is communication, not proof that a child is “bad” or that a parent is failing.
- Parents often need support, tools, and compassion just as much as their children do.
- Connection comes before correction, especially when a child is dysregulated.
- Neurodivergent kids need adults who are willing to slow down, observe, and respond with intention.
- Confidence grows through safe, manageable experiences — not pressure, shame, or forced performance.
- Parent burnout is real, and taking a pause is a healthy part of regulation.
Actionable Items
- Before reacting to challenging behavior, pause and ask: “What is this behavior trying to communicate?”
- Create one small calm moment in your day, especially during high-stress transitions like mornings or bedtime.
- When your child is dysregulated, focus first on helping them return to calm before trying to teach, explain, or problem-solve.
References Mentioned
Dr. Ross Greene — “Children do well if they can”
Relationship Development Intervention: https://www.rdiconnect.com
Nancy Gillette: www.nancygilette.comImportant Chapters
- 00:00:00 – Welcome to Part One
G-Rex and Dirty Skittles introduce the episode and welcome Nancy Gilette to the show. - 00:01:19 – Nancy’s Work With Autistic Children and Families
Nancy explains her role as an RDI Consultant and how she helps parents move from survival mode into more calm, clarity, and understanding. - 00:03:49 – The Moment That Sparked Nancy’s Mission
Nancy shares the powerful experience she had at 17 while working with an autistic child, and how one moment of authentic connection changed the direction of her life. - 00:07:20 – Moving From Reaction to Connection
Nancy explains why so many parents feel stuck in crisis mode and how regulation, intention, and connection can shift the whole family dynamic. - 00:14:21 – Dirty Skittles Opens Up About Parenting Nugget
Dirty Skittles shares a real-life morning moment with Nugget and how she works to pause, communicate honestly, and show up with love. - 00:17:53 – Neurodivergence, Diagnosis, and the Bigger Question
Nancy discusses how diagnosis can offer information and access, but the deeper question is how families use that information to support quality of life. - 00:28:28 – Dysregulation and Helping Kids Return to Calm
Nancy explains why the goal is not to shut down dysregulation, but to guide a child back toward calm so problem-solving can happen. - 00:37:36 – Building Confidence Through Small, Safe Challenges
Nancy introduces the idea of gently increasing a child’s challenge level so they can experience success without becoming overwhelmed. - 00:45:42 – Nancy’s Crohn’s Diagnosis and Listening to the Body
Nancy shares how her own health journey helped her better understand stress, the nervous system, healing, and quality of life.
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Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website:
https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #AutismSupport #AutismParenting #ParentBurnout #NeurodivergentParenting #BehaviorIsCommunication #AutisticChildren #EmotionalRegulation #CompassionateParenting #RDIConsultant #ParentingSupport #SensoryOverload #FamilyWellness #ConnectionBeforeCorrection #NeurodiversityAffirming #PodcastCommunity
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If You Need Support, Reach Out
If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.
- United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
- Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
- Worldwide: Find a Helpline
- Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub
Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Official Website: goesoninourheads.net
- Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads
- Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles
- LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/)
- Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop
Audio Editing by NJz Audio
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2 June 2026, 7:00 am - 38 minutes 56 secondsSeason 17 Recap: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles Talk Toxic Relationships, Joy, and Mental Health Recovery
Season 17 went out the way this show does best: honest, messy, funny, and full of heart. In this recap episode, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles look back at a powerful season of conversations about toxic relationships, shame, burnout, suicide prevention, chronic pain, grief, parenting, joy, and the wild little thing we call healing.
Awards & Downloads Line
Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries.
Feedback Link Line
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here:
https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442aTrigger Notice + 988 Crisis Reminder
This episode includes discussion of suicidal thoughts, suicide prevention, emotional pain, trauma, and mental health struggles. If you or someone you love is in crisis, please call or text 988 in the United States or visit https://988lifeline.org for immediate support. You are not alone, and your story is not over.
Mental Health Quote
“Every time we share our story, we unlock somebody else’s prison so they don’t feel so alone.” — Inspired by G-Rex
Episode Description
Season 17 was one hell of a ride, and G-Rex and Dirty Skittles are closing it out with the kind of conversation that feels like sitting with your favorite people after a long, emotional day. In this Season 17 recap, they revisit the guests who brought wisdom, vulnerability, humor, and real-life tools to the mic: Kate King, Nicole Penrod, Justin Goodman, Shannon Salge, Louis Kim, Shari B Kaplan, Deane Benninghoven, Joe Smarro, Kathryn M Henry, and Jacintha Field.
This episode pulls together the big emotional thread running through the season: learning how to stop abandoning yourself. From toxic relationships and workplace burnout to shame spirals, chronic pain, grief, parenting, suicide prevention, and finding joy again, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles remind us that healing does not always look polished. Sometimes it looks like laughing through the hard stuff, crying when the dime moments hit, saying “another fucking growth opportunity,” or finally admitting that you need help.
They also reflect on how each guest brought something practical and deeply human to the table: self-compassion, advocacy, emotional safety, suicide-prevention resources, joy, plant-based healing, hypnosis, first-responder mental health, grief rituals, and helping kids feel their feelings.
At its core, this episode is a love letter to Season 17 and to every listener still doing the hard work. Healing is not linear, but damn, it is possible.
Keywords: Mental health podcast, emotional wellness, toxic relationships, suicide prevention, burnout recovery, self-worth, shame healing, grief support, chronic pain, parenting emotions, first responder mental health, trauma recovery, joy, self-compassion, mental health recovery.
Meet Our Guests — Season 17 Recap
This Season 17 ender celebrates the powerful guests who helped shape the season’s conversations around healing, hope, and mental health recovery. G-Rex and Dirty Skittles reflected on each guest in order, pulling out the moments that stuck with them most.
- Kate King — Kate’s third visit brought a much-needed conversation about toxic relationships, toxic workplaces, and knowing when it is time to mend or move on. Her reminder that you do not have to abandon yourself to keep a relationship alive hit hard in the best way.
- Nicole Penrod — Nicole’s episode opened up a real conversation about toxic shame, perfectionism, negative self-talk, and the pressure to get everything right the first time. G-Rex and Dirty Skittles reflected on the importance of giving yourself patience and grace instead of beating yourself up over every mistake.
- Justin Goodman — Justin’s story with Project 55 centered on suicide prevention, connection, and the creation of tools that help people feel less alone. His journey reminded the hosts that sharing our darkest moments can become a lifeline for someone else.
- Shannon Salge — Shannon’s story highlighted medical gaslighting, self-advocacy, and the connection between emotional stress and physical symptoms. Her work reminded the hosts how important it is to keep peeling the onion when something in your body or mind does not feel right.
- Louis Kim — Louis brought humor, honesty, and a powerful reminder that outward success does not always mean inner peace. His message was clear: do not chase the money or the dream so hard that you forget to chase joy.
- Shari B Kaplan — Shari’s two-part conversation explored plant-based healing, self-compassion, and what it means to be brave even when all you can do is make it happen from bed. Her story reminded everyone to be gentler with themselves and stop using a bat when a feather duster will do.
- Deane Benninghoven — Deane’s episode focused on trauma, chronic pain, hypnosis, and the many different paths healing can take. His story was a reminder that talk therapy is not the only option, and sometimes we have to try something new to find what actually helps.
- Joe Smarro — Joe’s conversation was a powerful look at masculinity, military service, police work, trauma, vulnerability, and first responder mental health. His willingness to take off the mask gave others permission to do the same.
- Kathryn M Henry — Kathryn’s episode brought grief, humor, love, and “another fucking growth opportunity” into the conversation. Her dime moments reminded G-Rex and Dirty Skittles that the people we lose can still show up in ways that feel deeply personal and healing.
- Jacintha Field — Jacintha’s work with Happy Souls Kids sparked a beautiful conversation about children, emotions, parenting, and helping kids navigate their storms. Her episode reminded the hosts that kids need language for their feelings, and parents need compassion while figuring it out too.
Key Takeaways
- You do not have to keep abandoning yourself to keep a relationship, workplace, or version of your life alive.
- Shame gets louder when we stay silent, but self-compassion gives us a way back to ourselves.
- Suicide prevention starts with connection, resources, and reminders that people are valued.
- Burnout can hide behind success, productivity, and a really convincing “I’m fine.”
- Healing can come through therapy, humor, advocacy, hypnosis, grief rituals, parenting tools, or simply trying something different.
- Kids need room to feel their feelings, and honestly, so do we grown-ass adults.
Actionable Items
- Put your hand over your heart and remind yourself: “This belongs. I belong. I am allowed to want better.”
- Create a “happy album” of things, people, songs, places, or moments that remind you joy still exists.
- When life punches you in the face, try naming it what it is: another fucking growth opportunity. Then breathe, regroup, and take the next right step.
References Mentioned
- Project 55: https://project55.org
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org
- Find a Helpline: https://findahelpline.com
- Happy Souls Kids: https://happysoulskids.com
Important Chapters
- 00:00:37 — Welcome to the Season 17 ender
G-Rex and Dirty Skittles kick off the finale with laughs, gratitude, and disbelief that Season 17 is already wrapping. - 00:05:51 — Kate King and toxic relationships
The hosts reflect on choosing yourself, toxic workplaces, and knowing when to mend or move on. - 00:09:09 — Nicole Penrod and toxic shame
Dirty Skittles opens up about perfectionism, self-doubt, and the pressure to get life right the first time. - 00:13:09 — Justin Goodman and suicide prevention
G-Rex and Dirty Skittles revisit Justin’s story, Project 55, and the power of helping people feel less alone. - 00:16:16 — Shannon Salge and medical gaslighting
The conversation turns to self-advocacy, physical symptoms, and being heard when something feels wrong. - 00:19:30 — Louis Kim and chasing joy
Louis’s episode reminds the hosts that success is not the same as happiness, and joy matters. - 00:21:55 — Shari B Kaplan and self-compassion
The hosts reflect on plant-based healing, bravery from bed, and being kinder to yourself. - 00:24:04 — Deane Benninghoven and chronic pain
Deane’s story brings up trauma, hypnosis, chronic pain, and finding the healing path that works for you. - 00:26:34 — Joe Smarro and first responder mental health
Joe’s episode sparks a conversation about vulnerability, masculinity, service, and taking off the mask. - 00:28:47 — Kathryn M Henry and grief
The hosts talk about humor, loss, dime moments, and finding signs of love after grief. - 00:32:19 — Jacintha Field and helping kids feel
Jacintha’s work with children leads to a conversation about parenting, emotions, and giving kids space to feel. - 00:34:13 — Gratitude, growth, and what comes next
G-Rex and Dirty Skittles close the season with gratitude for the guests, listeners, awards, and the community.
Closing CTA
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Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website:
https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #MentalHealthRecovery #ToxicRelationships #SuicidePrevention #BurnoutRecovery #ShameHealing #SelfWorthJourney #TraumaRecovery #GriefSupport #FirstResponderMentalHealth #ChronicPainAwareness #ParentingAndMentalHealth #EmotionalWellness #HealingJourney #SelfCompassion #JoyfulLiving
***************************************************************************
If You Need Support, Reach Out
If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.
- United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
- Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
- Worldwide: Find a Helpline
- Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub
Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Official Website: goesoninourheads.net
- Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads
- Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles
- LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/)
- Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop
Audio Editing by NJz Audio
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
26 May 2026, 7:00 am - 38 minutes 57 secondsJacintha Field on Helping Kids Regulate Big Feelings After Trauma
When life cracked wide open during COVID, separation, solo parenting, and her son’s emotional dysregulation, Jacintha Field didn’t just survive it — she turned it into a mission. In this powerful conversation, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles talk with Jacintha about trauma, parenting, emotional literacy, and how helping kids feel safe starts with learning to be kinder to ourselves.
Awards & Downloads Line
Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries.Feedback Link Line
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442aMental Health Quote
“Every part of you is welcome. Every big feeling has a place.” — Inspired by Jacintha FieldEpisode Description
When Jacintha Field’s son started school during COVID, her world was already upside down. She was navigating a brutal separation, solo parenting, and the emotional fallout of a child who didn’t yet have the words or tools to explain what was happening inside. His outbursts were intense. Her heart was breaking. And with child mental health waitlists stretching six to twelve months, Jacintha did what so many parents do when there are no easy answers — she went looking for them herself.In this deeply honest episode, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Jacintha, a Family and Child Counselor, Art Therapist, and founder of Happy Souls Kids, to talk about trauma, parenting, sobriety, self-compassion, and the messy beauty of learning as you go. Jacintha shares how surviving domestic violence, getting sober, and rebuilding her life helped her understand that healing is not about being perfect. It is about repairing the rupture, naming the feeling, and choosing connection over shame.
This conversation is for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone who has ever wondered, “Am I messing this up?” Jacintha reminds us that kids do not need perfect adults. They need safe ones. And sometimes, the most powerful thing we can say is, “I’m here. We’re a team. We’ll figure this out together.”
Keywords: child mental health, emotional regulation, trauma healing, parenting support, self-regulation for kids, emotional literacy, solo parenting, domestic violence recovery, sober healing, mindful parenting, play therapy, child anxiety, family counseling, resilience, Happy Souls Kids.
Meet Our Guest — Jacintha Field
Jacintha Field is a Family and Child Counselor, Art Therapist, and founder of Happy Souls Kids, a global mental health platform helping children ages 5–12 regulate big feelings through storytelling, gamified tools, and the voices of athletes and role models they admire. After surviving domestic violence, emotional burnout, and solo parenting through her son’s anxiety and dysregulation, Jacintha turned her lived experience into a mission to help 100,000 children by 2027.Website: https://www.happysoulskids.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16633spBm7
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacinthafield
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacinthafield
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jacinthafieldKey Takeaways
- Kids are not “bad” when they have big emotions — they are often overwhelmed and asking for safety in the only way they know how.
- Self-compassion is not optional in parenting. The kinder we are to ourselves, the safer we can become for our children.
- Emotional literacy starts small: naming feelings, drawing them, talking about them, and giving kids space to understand what is happening inside.
- Connection comes before correction. Sometimes a game of Uno does more healing than a lecture ever could.
- Parents do not have to be perfect. Repair, accountability, and honesty matter more than pretending everything is fine.
- Healing after trauma can become service, purpose, and something beautiful — but only after we let ourselves move through the mud.
Actionable Items
- When your child has a big feeling, pause and ask: “What emotion might be underneath this behavior?” before reacting.
- Try Jacintha’s circle exercise: draw a circle on paper and ask your child to draw how they feel inside it.
- Practice repair after rupture. Try saying, “That was my big feeling coming out. I’m sorry. Can we try that again?”
References Mentioned
The Red Beast: Controlling Anger in Children with Asperger’s Syndrome — a children’s book that Jacintha referenced as a helpful tool for talking about anger and emotional regulation.Happy Souls Kids: https://www.happysoulskids.com
Raw with Jay Podcast — Jacintha’s podcast focused on real, honest conversations for parents and emotional healing.
Important Chapters
- 00:00:37 – Welcome to the Episode G-Rex and Dirty Skittles introduce the show and welcome Jacintha Field, also known as Jay, from Australia.
- 00:02:04 – COVID, Separation, and Her Son’s Big Feelings Jacintha shares how her son’s intense outbursts during COVID and separation became the catalyst for her work in child counseling and emotional regulation.
- 00:04:51 – Self-Compassion and Parenting Through Tantrums Jacintha explains how learning to be patient with herself helped her respond more compassionately to her son’s big emotions.
- 00:06:47 – Therapy, Separation, and Rebuilding Jacintha opens up about attending 26 psychology sessions in one year and how support helped her move through the mud of separation.
- 00:14:26 – Naming Emotions and Being Real With Kids Jacintha talks about showing up authentically with her child, naming emotions, and letting kids know every feeling has a place.
- 00:18:04 – Tools for Helping Kids Express Feelings Jacintha shares practical tools like drawing emotions, breaking down the story behind the feeling, and helping children problem-solve without jumping in to fix everything.
- 00:19:29 – Connection Before Correction Jacintha explains why children need connection, play, and emotional safety before they can respond well to guidance.
- 00:24:44 – Winning, Learning, and Repairing Ruptures Jacintha talks about reframing failure, emotional dysregulation, and why repairing after a hard moment matters so much.
- 00:30:58 – Advice to Her Younger Self Jacintha shares what she would tell her younger self: that she is worthy, valid, and never too much.
- 00:35:43 – Happy Souls Kids and How to Connect Jacintha shares how listeners can find Happy Souls Kids, join beta testing, and connect with her work.
- 00:37:42 – Final Message for Parents Jacintha leaves listeners with a reminder to be kind to themselves because every parent is doing the best they can.
Closing CTA
Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #ChildMentalHealth #EmotionalRegulation #BigFeelings #TraumaHealing #ParentingSupport #MindfulParenting #SoloParenting #DomesticViolenceRecovery #SoberHealing #SelfRegulation #EmotionalLiteracy #PlayTherapy #ChildAnxiety #ResilientKids #HappySoulsKids
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If You Need Support, Reach Out
If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.
- United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
- Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
- Worldwide: Find a Helpline
- Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub
Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Official Website: goesoninourheads.net
- Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads
- Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles
- LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/)
- Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop
Audio Editing by NJz Audio
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
19 May 2026, 7:00 am - 52 minutes 34 secondsKathryn Henry Turns Grief Into Another F*cking Growth Opportunity
Kathryn M. Henry joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles for a raw, beautiful, and deeply human conversation about grief, love, resilience, spirituality, and learning how to keep living after losing the person you thought you’d grow old with. Through her memoir A Dime to Say I Love You, Kathryn reminds us that even the heaviest moments can become another f*cking growth opportunity when we meet them with honesty, humor, and self-compassion.
Awards & Downloads Line
Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries.
Feedback Link Line
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here:
https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442aTrigger Notice + 988 Crisis Reminder
This episode includes conversations about grief, childhood abuse, suicide attempts, suicidal ideation, cancer, and loss. Please take care of yourself while listening. If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 988 in the United States to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You are loved, wanted, and needed here.
Mental Health Quote
“You’re good enough, and you don’t have to prove anything to anybody.” — Kathryn M. Henry
Episode Description
Grief can knock the air right out of you, but Kathryn M. Henry shows us that even the most painful chapters can hold love, wisdom, and one hell of a growth opportunity. In this episode, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Kathryn, author of A Dime to Say I Love You, to talk about losing her wife Lisa, finding spiritual meaning after death, and learning how to keep showing up when life feels impossible.
Kathryn shares the story behind the dimes she and Lisa left for each other as tiny reminders of love. After Lisa’s transition following a decade-long cancer journey, those “dime moments” became something even deeper: signs of connection, comfort, and the belief that love does not simply disappear.
Together, they talk about resilience, childhood trauma, suicide survival, spirituality, vulnerability, self-love, and the kind of healing that does not come wrapped in perfection. Kathryn also opens up about writing her memoir, living in integrity, and bringing her whole self into every room, from personal relationships to corporate leadership.
This episode is for anyone walking through grief, questioning their purpose, rebuilding after trauma, or trying to find joy again without pretending everything is fine. Keywords: mental health podcast, grief healing, emotional wellness, suicide prevention, spiritual healing, resilience, self-love, LGBTQ mental health, trauma recovery, conscious leadership, grief support, vulnerability, personal growth, healing after loss, finding joy
Meet Our Guest — Kathryn M. Henry
Kathryn M. Henry is a writer, spiritual seeker, business leader, and author of A Dime to Say I Love You, a bold memoir that blends intimate storytelling with meditation, reflection, and personal growth practices. After a global career leading technology, operations, and people development at brands including Gap, Levi’s, and Lululemon, Kathryn now works at the intersection of leadership, inner life, social impact, and healing. Her story matters because she reminds us that grief does not have to harden us; it can open us.
Website: https://kathrynmhenry.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathryn.m.henry
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.henry.94
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrykathryn
Media and speaking inquiries: [email protected]Key Takeaways
- Grief is not something we “get over.” It becomes part of how we learn to live, love, and grow.
- Kathryn’s “dime moments” show how signs of love can appear in small, powerful, and deeply personal ways.
- Resilience is built by surviving what we thought would break us and realizing we are still here.
- Vulnerability helps us connect in ways that polished perfection never could.
- Self-love means choosing practices, people, and boundaries that help us stay grounded.
- Living in integrity means showing up as the same whole person in every room.
Actionable Items
- Look for your own “dime moments” — the small signs, memories, symbols, or reminders that help you feel connected to love.
- When life hands you another f*cking growth opportunity, pause before beating yourself up and ask, “What can I learn here?”
- Choose one grounding practice this week, like music, nature, meditation, journaling, movement, or calling someone who helps you feel safe.
References Mentioned
- A Dime to Say I Love You by Kathryn M. Henry
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org
- Global crisis resources: https://findahelpline.com
- Gayatri Mantra by Deva Premal
- Michael Bublé
- Stoic philosophy
- Buddhism
- Hinduism
- Meditation and contemplative practices
Important Chapters
- 00:00:37 – Welcome and episode introduction
- 00:01:38 – Kathryn introduces A Dime to Say I Love You
- 00:03:18 – The meaning behind Kathryn and Lisa’s “dime moments.”
- 00:05:11 – Why Kathryn uses the word “transition.”
- 00:06:20 – Signs from loved ones after loss
- 00:07:33 – Writing the book to honor Lisa and help others
- 00:10:06 – Another F*cking Growth Opportunity
- 00:12:49 – How resilience is built through hard moments
- 00:16:57 – Choosing joy and holding onto hope
- 00:19:26 – Vulnerability, self-love, and real connection
- 00:21:02 – The practices that keep Kathryn grounded
- 00:26:38 – Sharing trauma, grief, and suicide survival
- 00:30:10 – Kathryn’s spiritual path and healing practices
- 00:33:17 – Turning brokenness into hope
- 00:40:06 – Living in integrity in every room
- 00:46:03 – Kathryn’s advice to her younger self
- 00:46:36 – Learning that life gives no guarantees
- 00:47:51 – Music as a grounding tool
- 00:49:03 – Kathryn’s spirit animal
- 00:49:44 – How to connect with Kathryn
Closing CTA
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Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website:
https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #GriefHealing #GriefSupport #EmotionalWellness #Resilience #SelfLoveJourney #TraumaRecovery #SuicidePrevention #SpiritualHealing #HealingAfterLoss #LGBTQMentalHealth #VulnerabilityIsStrength #PersonalGrowth #ChooseJoy #ConsciousLeadership #ADimeToSayILoveYou
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If You Need Support, Reach Out
If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.
- United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
- Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
- Worldwide: Find a Helpline
- Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub
Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Official Website: goesoninourheads.net
- Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads
- Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles
- LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/)
- Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop
Audio Editing by NJz Audio
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14 May 2026, 1:16 pm - 45 minutesUnarmed: Joe Smarro on First Responder Mental Health
Joe Smarro walked away from a Marine uniform, a badge, and a gun belt that almost ended his life, and walked straight into the work of healing himself and the first responders nobody else was checking on. This conversation is about what it really takes to take off the mask, do the work, and become the kind of human who gives other people permission to do the same.
Awards & Downloads
Brought to you by the 2024 and 2026 award-winning podcast Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads, a 2026 Women Podcasters Awards nominee in the Mindset and Mental Health category and honored among the Influential Women 2026 Women of the Year, with 4.5 million plus downloads across 160 plus countries and counting in Season 17.Feedback Link
We'd love to hear what landed for you in this episode. Leave us a voice or text note here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442aMental Health Quote
"There's so much freedom on the other side of your suffering. There's so much freedom on the other side of your fear." Joe SmarroEpisode Description
Joe Smarro is a Marine Corps combat veteran, former San Antonio Police Officer, co-founder of one of the country's first Mental Health Units, and the kind of man who'll tell you exactly how close he came to not being here. In this episode, Joe sits down with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to share the story behind his Emmy-winning HBO documentary Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops, his book Unarmed, and the moment he chose therapy over the gun belt sitting next to him.This is a raw, hopeful, and surprisingly funny conversation about childhood trauma, an ACES score of nine, PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and the addiction patterns that ran his life until he stopped running from himself. Joe shares why he believes therapy is a relationship, and most people just haven't found the right partner yet, why he started attending SLAA meetings at 44, and why he gets up every day, names his alarm clock with affirmations, and practices three points of reflection before his feet hit the floor.
If you've ever worn a mask so tight you forgot what your real face felt like, this one's for you. Joe gives men, first responders, veterans, and anyone with a hard story permission to stop pretending and start healing. We talk masculine vulnerability, suicide prevention, scars versus scabs, the "selfish AF" approach to wellness, radical self-responsibility, and what it actually looks like to live on the other side of trauma.
Keywords: first responder mental health, PTSD recovery, veteran mental health, suicide prevention, childhood trauma, ACES score, Joe Smarro, Unarmed book, Ernie and Joe Crisis Cops, masculine vulnerability, de-escalation, police mental health, trauma healing, therapy for men, addiction recovery
Meet Our Guest
Joe Smarro is a decorated Marine Corps combat veteran, former San Antonio Police Officer, co-founder of the SAPD Mental Health Unit, TEDx speaker, and bestselling Author of Unarmed: De-escalation Techniques to Cultivate Courage, Compassion, and Connection and 12 Laws of Maximizing the Human Experience. He's the founder and CEO of SolutionPoint+, a national consulting firm focused on mental wellness, resiliency, and crisis response training for first responders, public safety, public transit, and corporate clients. When he's not on stage or in a hotel somewhere in North America, you'll find him on the golf course.Connect with Joe:
- Website: https://www.joesmarro.com
- Company: https://www.solutionpointplus.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joesmarro
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/josephsmarro
- Documentary: Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops on HBO Max
Key Takeaways
- Share from a scar, not a scab. Healing first, then teaching. Joe waited until his wounds had closed before he started talking about them publicly, and that's why his story actually helps people.
- Therapy is a relationship, not a one-time experiment. If the first therapist didn't fit, that doesn't mean therapy doesn't work. It means you haven't found your person yet.
- "Selfish AF" is not a personality flaw. It's self-awareness, self-love, and self-care so you can actually show up for the people you love.
- Take radical responsibility for the life you're living now. Bad things happened to you, and they weren't your fault. What you do with them today is.
- Hope and curiosity keep you moving. Not motivation. Not hustle. Curiosity about what life looks like on the other side of the work.
Actionable Items
- Build your own three points of reflection. Each morning, ask yourself where you are, why you're there, and who contributed to you being there.
- Find three new things you're grateful for every day, and they cannot repeat. This forces you to hunt for the good rather than run on autopilot.
- Identify the biggest fear holding you back right now and take one small step toward it this week.
References Mentioned
- Book: Unarmed by Joe Smarro, available at https://www.joesmarro.com
- Documentary: Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops on HBO Max
- TEDx Talk: "I See You" by Joe Smarro on YouTube
- SLAA (Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous): https://slaafws.org
Important Chapters
- 00:00 Welcome
- 02:15 Childhood trauma and the mask
- 05:04 Behind the book Unarmed
- 09:05 The gun belt moment
- 13:22 First SLAA meeting at 44
- 16:20 Speed dating your therapist
- 24:21 Joe's morning ritual
- 29:42 Selfish AF
- 35:10 Nobody is coming to save you
- 42:56 Where to find Joe
Closing CTA
If this episode moved you, sat heavy on you, or made you finally pick up the phone, we want to know. Leave us a review or share your story at https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews. Listen on your favorite platform or on our website at https://www.goesoninourheads.net. Your story might be the one that unlocks somebody else's prison. #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #JoeSmarro #Unarmed #FirstResponderMentalHealth #PTSDRecovery #SuicidePrevention #VeteranMentalHealth #TraumaHealing #PoliceWellness #MasculineVulnerability #ACES #CrisisCops #BreakTheStigma #TherapyWorks #SelfishAF #HealingTrauma #STGOIOH***************************************************************************
If You Need Support, Reach Out
If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.
- United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
- Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
- Worldwide: Find a Helpline
- Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub
Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Official Website: goesoninourheads.net
- Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads
- Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles
- LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/)
- Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop
Audio Editing by NJz Audio
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
12 May 2026, 7:00 am - 40 minutes 18 secondsPart 2: Deane’s Healing: Hypnosis, the Subconscious Mind, and Taking It Back
What if healing is not about going back and reliving everything that hurt you? In Part 2, Deane shares how hypnosis helped him change the way his mind responds and how that changed everything.
Awards & Downloads Line
Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries.
Feedback Link Line
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here:
https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442aMental Health Quote
“You don’t have to relive your trauma to heal it. You just need a new way to respond.” — Deane Benninghoven
A Word From Our Sponsor — Cozy Earth
Burnout is real. So is the moment when you finally slow down.
Cozy Earth is built for that moment. Their robes and slippers are designed to help you actually rest, not just crash.
If you spend most of your time taking care of everyone else, this is your reminder that you deserve care too.
Head to https://www.cozyearth.com and use code OURHEADS for 20% off.
Episode Description
This is where things start to make sense.
In Part 2, Deane explains how hypnosis works in a way that feels practical and grounded. No gimmicks. No loss of control. Just a better understanding of how your mind actually operates.
Anxiety is not random. It is learned. It is your brain trying to protect you based on past experiences. The problem is that those responses do not always match your life today. That is where people get stuck.
Deane walks through how hypnosis helps you access the subconscious mind, where those patterns live. He also shares simple tools, like creating an anchor, that can help you interrupt anxiety in the moment and start building a different response.
This part of the conversation is about taking your power back. Not in a loud or dramatic way. In a steady, repeatable way that actually works over time.
G-Rex and Dirty Skittles ask the questions people are already thinking. What if it does not work? What if you have tried before? What if you feel stuck?
The answer is not perfection. It is practice.
Part 2 shows that healing is not about becoming someone new. It is about finally working with the mind you already have.
Keywords: Deane Benninghoven, hypnosis, hypnotherapy, subconscious mind, anxiety relief, trauma healing, emotional regulation, self-hypnosis, behavior change, nervous system, mental health tools, healing journey
Meet Our Guest — Deane Benninghoven
Deane Benninghoven is a hypnotherapist and the founder of Summit Hypnosis NW. He specializes in helping people work through anxiety, chronic pain, and trauma by addressing subconscious patterns. His approach is practical, collaborative, and grounded in real-life experience.
Website: https://www.summithnosisnw.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summithnosisnw/Key Takeaways
- Hypnosis works by accessing the part of the mind where patterns are stored
- Anxiety is often a learned response, not a permanent condition
- You do not need to relive trauma to heal from it
- Simple tools can help regulate emotions in real time
- Repetition is what creates lasting change
- Healing is about building new responses, not just understanding old ones
Actionable Items
- Create a simple grounding action you can use during stress
- Practice reconnecting with a positive memory and how it feels
- Think about the version of yourself you want to become and take one step toward it
References Mentioned
Summit Hypnosis NW
https://www.summithnosisnw.com/Important Chapters
- 00:00 Welcome to Part 2
- 00:01:00 Anxiety explained
- 00:03:00 Anchors and emotional regulation
- 00:06:00 Healing without reliving trauma
- 00:10:00 Subconscious patterns
- 00:15:00 Everyday use of hypnosis
- 00:20:00 Working with kids
- 00:25:00 Advice to younger self
- 00:35:00 Closing
Closing CTA
Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website:
https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #Hypnotherapy #SubconsciousMind #AnxietyRelief #TraumaHealing #EmotionalRegulation #SelfHypnosis #MindBodyConnection #HealingTools #PersonalGrowth #MentalWellness
***************************************************************************
If You Need Support, Reach Out
If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.
- United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
- Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
- Worldwide: Find a Helpline
- Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub
Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Official Website: goesoninourheads.net
- Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads
- Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles
- LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/)
- Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop
Audio Editing by NJz Audio
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
7 May 2026, 7:00 am - 35 minutes 57 secondsPart 1: Deane’s Story: Trauma, Chronic Pain, and Losing Control
What happens when your body stops cooperating, and your life starts slipping through your hands? G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Deane to talk about chronic pain, trauma, and what it feels like when everything you built no longer works.
Awards & Downloads Line
Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries.
Feedback Link Line
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here:
https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442aMental Health Quote
“I didn’t see a way forward… until I found even the smallest glimmer of hope.” — Deane Benninghoven
A Word From Our Sponsor — Cozy Earth
Burnout is real. So is the moment when you finally slow down.
Cozy Earth is built for that moment. Their robes and slippers are designed to help you actually rest, not just collapse at the end of a long day.
If you spend most of your time taking care of everyone else, this is your reminder that you deserve care too.
Head to https://www.cozyearth.com and use code OURHEADS for 20% off.
Episode Description
Before anything started to get better, things got really dark.
In Part 1, Deane shares what it was like to go from building a life as an artist to losing control of his body after a serious car accident. The pain was constant. It was intense. And like many people, he was pushed toward opioids as the answer. That path only made things worse.
This conversation goes beyond physical pain. Deane talks about growing up with abuse, carrying anger for years, and dealing with the kind of internal voice that tells you there is no way forward. When you lose your identity, your purpose, and your ability to function the way you used to, it messes with everything.
G-Rex and Dirty Skittles don’t rush past that. They sit in it with him. Because this is the part most people skip. The part where you feel stuck, exhausted, and unsure if anything will actually help.
But a shift is starting here. Not a big breakthrough yet. Just a moment of curiosity. A small opening.
Part 1 is about telling the truth about what it feels like to be at your lowest. Because you cannot heal what you refuse to look at.
Keywords: Deane Benninghoven, trauma, chronic pain, depression, opioid recovery, anxiety, childhood trauma, mental health podcast, emotional healing, identity loss, mental health awareness, healing journey
Meet Our Guest — Deane Benninghoven
Deane Benninghoven is a hypnotherapist and the founder of Summit Hypnosis NW. He helps people work through chronic pain, anxiety, and trauma by focusing on the subconscious patterns that drive those experiences. His work is rooted in his own journey through pain, addiction, and recovery.
Website: https://www.summithypnosisnw.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summithnosisnw/Key Takeaways
- Chronic pain is not just physical. It is connected to emotional and mental patterns
- Trauma can shape how you see yourself long before you realize it
- Quick fixes like medication do not always solve deeper issues
- The way you talk to yourself matters more than you think
- Change can start with something small, even just curiosity
Actionable Items
- Pay attention to your internal dialogue during hard moments
- Be honest about what you are feeling instead of pushing it down
- Stay open to different approaches to healing
References Mentioned
Therapeutic hypnosis for pain management
Important Chapters
- 00:00 Welcome and introduction
- 00:02:00 The accident and what changed
- 00:04:00 Living with chronic pain
- 00:06:30 Depression and identity loss
- 00:08:30 Childhood trauma and belief systems
- 00:12:00 Discovering hypnosis
- 00:18:00 Pain and the subconscious
Closing CTA
Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website:
https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #ChronicPain #TraumaHealing #DepressionSupport #OpioidRecovery #AnxietyAwareness #HealingJourney #EmotionalWellness #MentalHealthMatters #SubconsciousMind #PainManagement
***************************************************************************
If You Need Support, Reach Out
If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.
- United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
- Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
- Worldwide: Find a Helpline
- Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub
Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Official Website: goesoninourheads.net
- Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads
- Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles
- LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
- Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/)
- Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop
Audio Editing by NJz Audio
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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