We're All Insane

Maddy was six years old when her father went to prison - but no one told her why. Growing up, everything felt confusing, unstable, and unspoken. The truth was always there… just never explained. In this episode, she shares what it was like growing up in a home where abuse was ignored, secrets were kept, and she was left to figure it out on her own. On This Episode We Cover: → 00:00:00 – What makes someone finally decide to share their story? → 00:00:35 – What happens when a parent goes to prison during childhood? → 00:01:20 – How do parents’ backgrounds shape a child’s life? → 00:03:00 – What does a toxic relationship between parents look like? → 00:04:45 – What does early childhood feel like before everything changes? → 00:06:30 – When do childhood experiences first start to feel wrong? → 00:07:55 – What leads to a parent receiving a long prison sentence? → 00:09:10 – What happens when a parent suddenly disappears from a child’s life? → 00:10:40 – What is it like growing up without stability? → 00:12:45 – Why do some children feel like outsiders in their own family? → 00:15:10 – How can a sibling become controlling or abusive? → 00:19:30 – What happens when abuse becomes normalized at home? → 00:22:50 – When does a difficult situation start to escalate? → 00:25:10 – What does it look like when boundaries are completely crossed? → 00:27:15 – How does abuse begin and go unnoticed? → 00:30:10 – How do children process traumatic experiences at a young age? → 00:31:30 – What happens when no one steps in to help? → 00:33:10 – Why do families suddenly relocate or start over? → 00:35:45 – How do children discover difficult family truths on their own? → 00:38:10 – What changes after moving to a new environment? → 00:40:50 – How do sibling relationships shift over time? → 00:42:30 – What happens when a troubled family member returns home? → 00:44:30 – How can harmful patterns continue in new environments? → 00:46:45 – What does a breaking point within a family look like? → 00:48:20 – Why are some children sent away from home? → 00:50:20 – What does a safe and stable home feel like after chaos? → 00:52:30 – What happens when someone returns to an unstable environment? → 00:54:30 – How can a parent’s new relationship impact the family dynamic? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Groomed from childhood into a hidden fetish world, Jess spent years trapped in trauma, addiction, and a 700+ lb spiral, until losing everything forced a shocking fight to reclaim her life. → We're All Insane Plus for Bonus Episodes, Ad-Free Listening, Access to New Show, Guided Mediations: ⁠https://wereallinsane.com⁠ Sponsored By: → Just Thrive | Get your health in check and save 20% on your first order at ⁠https://justthrivehealth.com/INSANE⁠ → Shopify | It’s time to turn those “What Ifs” into “cha ching” with Shopify today. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at ⁠https://shopify.com/insane⁠ Timestamps: → 00:00:00 – What does it feel like to realize your entire life was shaped before you even understood it? → 00:02:30 – What is feederism and how can it be introduced to a child without them realizing? → 00:03:10 – How can grooming happen even without physical abuse? → 00:05:00 – How can food, dieting, and control be used as psychological manipulation? → 00:06:00 – Why would someone secretly sabotage a child’s health for their own pleasure? → 00:07:00 – How does public humiliation play a role in control and manipulation? → 00:09:10 – How can fear be used to control a child’s behavior? → 00:12:40 – When does manipulation escalate into something more dangerous? → 00:14:50 – How does exposure to adult content at a young age shape identity? → 00:18:50 – How does grooming evolve as a child becomes a teenager? → 00:19:40 – What happens when a minor is brought into adult environments like clubs? → 00:22:30 – Why are teenagers especially vulnerable to harmful relationships? → 00:23:30 – What happens when a toxic relationship takes over your life? → 00:26:00 – What does feeder behavior look like in relationships and how extreme can it get? → 00:29:50 – How does someone transition from grooming into adult industry work? → 00:31:20 – Why can harmful environments feel familiar or even safe? → 00:34:10 – How do people separate their identity from their work to cope? → 00:36:00 – How can your body become tied to validation, income, and relationships? → 00:38:50 – What happens when survival pushes you into increasingly risky situations? → 00:40:20 – How can predators exploit vulnerability and past trauma? → 00:42:50 – What happens when boundaries are completely erased in relationships? → 00:45:00 – How does toxic behavior become normalized within communities? → 00:49:00 – When do you start realizing something is deeply wrong? → 00:52:00 – Why is it so hard to recognize grooming while it’s happening? → 00:59:00 – What happens when you finally start unpacking trauma in therapy? → 01:01:20 – How do you realize what you experienced was actually abuse? → 01:03:00 – How can abusers continue manipulating even after they’re out of your life? → 01:05:40 – How can financial dependence keep someone stuck in harmful work? → 01:07:20 – How quickly can physical health decline when mental health collapses? → 01:10:00 – What does rock bottom actually look like in real life? → 01:13:20 – How can loss and addiction push someone to their breaking point? → 01:16:30 – What happens in the moment you decide whether to live or die? → 01:19:40 – How do you rebuild your life after hitting rock bottom? → 01:22:00 – How do people react when you stop being the version of you they expect? → 01:24:30 – How do you let go of fear and trust that the right path will find you? → 01:28:30 – What does it feel like to finally enjoy your life again? Jess’s Links: → ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@jessteacakes⁠ → ⁠https://linktr.ee/teacakesjess⁠ More We're All Insane: → ⁠OFFICIAL MERCH NOW AVAILABLE - code INSANE10 gets you 10% off for a limited time⁠ → ⁠Join We’re All Insane Mailing List for EXCLUSIVE Content + Discounts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#foryou #podcast -We're All Insane Plus for Bonus Episodes, Ad-Free Listening, Access to New Show, Guided Mediations: https://wereallinsane.com Zacch was raised in an end-times cult where one man controlled everything—families, money, marriages… even the children. Kids were taken from their parents, underage girls were married off, and abuse was part of everyday life. Zacch's Links: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boiled-frogs/id1655270404 https://open.spotify.com/show/3UWrUeu5GHx4XMxfGQeuyj?si=PLHNmxaoRtunXxY6hPAe3Q Time Stamps: 00:00:05 – What is it like growing up in a cult from birth? 00:00:17 – How do cult leaders justify their beliefs after criminal behavior? 00:00:44 – How does a cult actually start and gain followers? 00:02:13 – What are early warning signs that a church is turning into a cult? 00:02:57 – Why do cult leaders often blame women for “sin” or “lust”? 00:03:21 – How do cults normalize inappropriate or abusive behavior in public? 00:05:25 – Why do people with traumatic pasts join cults? 00:06:09 – How does childhood trauma make someone vulnerable to manipulation? 00:07:33 – What was the Black Panther Party and what did they actually do? 00:10:33 – How does witnessing violence as a child affect later decisions? 00:11:40 – How do cults slowly isolate members from family and society? 00:12:26 – Do cult leaders control relationships and marriages? 00:13:07 – Why do people agree to arranged marriages in cults? 00:14:27 – Why do cult leaders make false “end of the world” predictions? 00:15:15 – What happens when cult members give up all their money and assets? 00:16:13 – What is daily life like inside a remote cult commune? 00:17:20 – Do cults deny medical care and what are the consequences? 00:18:14 – What happens when deaths occur inside isolated religious groups? 00:19:52 – How can cult leaders manipulate life-or-death decisions? 00:21:14 – Why would a cult defend or support violent criminals? 00:23:01 – What happens when a community turns against a dangerous cult? 00:24:59 – Is physical abuse normalized inside extreme religious groups? 00:26:16 – How are children punished and controlled in cult environments? 00:27:55 – What does “being cut off” or isolated punishment feel like in a cult? 00:29:44 – Do kids in cults receive a real education? 00:31:28 – How does starvation or food control get used as punishment? 00:32:15 – How are children dehumanized or treated as disposable in cults? 00:34:18 – How does growing up in a cult affect emotional development? 00:37:21 – What happens when someone tries to leave a cult? 00:39:56 – Why do former members struggle to reconnect with family after leaving? 00:41:55 – Why do cult leaders take children away from their parents? 00:45:51 – What is it like experiencing the outside world for the first time? 00:49:13 – When do victims start realizing something is seriously wrong? 00:50:30 – How do children find the courage to leave abusive environments? 01:02:00 – What are the long-term psychological effects of growing up in a cult? 01:14:30 – How do survivors rebuild their identity after leaving a cult? 01:27:00 – Why do some members stay loyal even after abuse is exposed? 01:40:15 – What lessons can people learn to avoid manipulation or control? 01:52:30 – How does someone fully heal after escaping a cult upbringing? If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#foryou #podcast #ad Make the switch to Sundays. Go right now to https://sundaysfordogs.com/INSANE50 and get 50% off your first order. Or, you can use code INSANE50 at checkout. Support your cells and how you age with Mitopure® Gummies from Timeline. Visit https://timeline.com/insane and save up to 39% off your Mitopure® Gummies. -We're All Insane Plus for Bonus Episodes, Ad-Free Listening, Access to New Show, Guided Mediations: https://wereallinsane.com Emily thought she was in a relationship—she wasn’t. She was being controlled, abused, and eventually pimped out by her own boyfriend. He got her hooked on drugs, trafficked her across states, had her beaten and robbed, and even kidnapped her. This is a story about how quickly love can turn into control, how deep manipulation can go, and what it actually takes to get out. Emily made it out—and she’s telling everything. Emily’s Links: instagram: @emm.bodied tiktok: domqveen youtube: talkswithem Time Stamps: 00:00:00 What happens when someone you love traffics and kidnaps you? 00:00:24 How does growing up with an abusive parent shape your life? 00:01:17 What are early signs of anxiety in children? 00:01:42 What does a severe anxiety attack feel like in school? 00:02:15 Can anxiety actually cause you to pass out? 00:03:13 Why are young women drawn to the strip club industry? 00:04:16 What does it feel like to start working in a strip club? 00:05:49 How do you know when something feels wrong but ignore it? 00:06:34 How do traffickers first approach and recruit victims? 00:07:24 How do manipulators use compliments to gain control? 00:08:12 Why do people crave being “rescued” in relationships? 00:09:15 How does financial control begin in abusive relationships? 00:10:02 Why should you trust actions over words in relationships? 00:11:54 How are victims introduced into trafficking environments? 00:13:07 What is “the blade” and how does street-level work operate? 00:14:25 How do traffickers use jealousy and control tactics? 00:15:06 What happens the first time abuse turns physical? 00:17:49 What does it feel like to dissociate during trauma? 00:19:29 How does gaslighting make victims question reality? 00:21:42 How do abusers use love bombing after violence? 00:23:45 How are victims forced into escorting through online ads? 00:25:18 How do traffickers escalate control over time? 00:27:07 Why do victims feel powerless after exploitation? 00:30:48 Why do traffickers say you have to “sneak away” to leave? 00:33:05 What happens when victims are abandoned in unfamiliar cities? 00:37:17 Why do victims return even after escaping? 00:44:06 How do traffickers use extreme manipulation to regain control? 00:57:41 What threats make victims fear they won’t survive? 01:12:01 How do survivors reflect on trauma after escaping? 01:17:04 What does trafficking actually look like in real life? 01:21:41 Why does it take courage to share your story publicly? - Join We’re All Insane Mailing List for EXCLUSIVE Content + Discounts: https://mailchi.mp/6d0e5d7a3998/were-all-insane If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

-We're All Insane Plus for Bonus Episodes, Ad-Free Listening, Access to New Show, Guided Mediations: https://wereallinsane.com Growing up in Brazil, things looked pretty normal on the outside—but there were always weird things happening. Letters showing up in her name, people coming to the house asking for her… and none of it made sense at the time. When she was 12, she found out why. Someone in her own family had stolen her identity and created companies in her name, leaving her with a massive amount of debt before she was even a teenager. We talk about what that actually looked like growing up—dealing with legal issues as a kid, having her assets frozen at 18, and spending years trying to fix something she didn’t do. Renata’s Links: Instagram: @safewithrenata Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU-lC6_801E Resource for victims of child identity theft: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/recover/ - Join We’re All Insane Mailing List for EXCLUSIVE Content + Discounts: https://mailchi.mp/6d0e5d7a3998/were-all-insane If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#foryou #podcast #ad Support your cells and how you age with Mitopure® Gummies from Timeline. Visit https://timeline.com/insane and save up to 39% off your Mitopure® Gummies. Growing up in New York City with a news anchor mom and a lawyer father, his life looked stable from the outside. Behind the scenes, addiction took over. Multiple arrests, a 900mg-a-day Oxy habit, and a gambling addiction that cost him over $10 million pushed him to the edge of losing everything. Louis's Links: https://linktr.ee/nothingsoffthetable www.youtube.com/@nothingsoffthetable https://www.instagram.com/nothingsoffpod -We're All Insane PLUS for Bonus Episodes, Ad-Free Listening, Access to New Show, Guided Mediations: https://wereallinsane.com Merch is live ↓ - OFFICIAL MERCH NOW AVAILABLE - code INSANE10 gets you 10% off for a limited time: https://shop.wereallinsane.com - Join We’re All Insane Mailing List for EXCLUSIVE Content + Discounts: https://mailchi.mp/6d0e5d7a3998/were-all-insane If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Make the switch to Sundays. Go right now to https://sundaysfordogs.com/INSANE50 and get 50% off your first order. Or, you can use code INSANE50 at checkout. -We're All Insane PLUS for Bonus Episodes, Ad-Free Listening, Access to New Show, Guided Mediations: https://wereallinsane.com Merch is live ↓ - OFFICIAL MERCH NOW AVAILABLE - code INSANE10 gets you 10% off for a limited time: https://shop.wereallinsane.com - Join We’re All Insane Mailing List for EXCLUSIVE Content + Discounts: https://mailchi.mp/6d0e5d7a3998/were-all-insane Samantha shares her experience with MDSA (mother daughter sexual assault) and how it impacted her life. This conversation is emotional, and there are moments that are hard to sit with. We talk about what happens when trauma lives inside a family, the silence, the guilt, the things that don’t get said — and what it’s taken for her to start healing. Sam's Links: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xxxxkaisaxxxx?_r=1&_t=ZP-92AyUu6gafG RAINN.org National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 RAINN also has an app you can download to text an advocate. psychologytoday.com is a great resource to find a provider that matches your needs instead of just being assigned a random therapist at an office & hoping for the best. Many offer free consultations to make sure it’s a good fit. Greenbrook TMS TMS Therapy and Esketamine for Depression | Depression Treatment | Greenbrook https://www.greenbrooktms.com If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#foryou #podcast #ad Feel like your best self again. Visit https://forhers.com/insane to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. -We're All Insane Plus for Bonus Episodes, Ad-Free Listening, Access to New Show, Guided Mediations: https://wereallinsane.com - OFFICIAL MERCH NOW AVAILABLE - code INSANE10 gets you 10% off for a limited time - Join We’re All Insane Mailing List for EXCLUSIVE Content + Discounts Karah was raised by strong single women after her father went to prison when she was just three months old, Karah opens up about the beauty and the chaos of her childhood — from family love and resilience to addiction, prison sentences, and unimaginable challenges. She shares what it was like navigating life with an incarcerated parent, becoming a mother at 19, and ultimately choosing to rise above the hand she was dealt. Karah's Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karah.koger?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=pxXWf8WnZTeDmVsC&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1AityJVwwj%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr Instagram: karah-koger TikTok: @motomom263 If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#foryou #podcast #ad Merch is live ↓ - OFFICIAL MERCH NOW AVAILABLE - code INSANE10 gets you 10% off for a limited time: https://shop.wereallinsane.com - Join We’re All Insane Mailing List for EXCLUSIVE Content + Discounts: https://mailchi.mp/6d0e5d7a3998/were-all-insane Support your cells and how you age with Mitopure® Gummies from Timeline. Visit https://timeline.com/insane and save up to 39% off your Mitopure® Gummies. Make the switch to Sundays. Go right now to https://sundaysfordogs.com/INSANE50 and get 50% off your first order. Or, you can use code INSANE50 at checkout. At 21, Tressa was drugged, abducted, r**ed, and nearly strangled to death by a stranger. She was left barely alive. Tressa talks about what survival really looks like after something like that. Not the inspirational version. The real one — the fear, the anger, the way your whole sense of safety disappears. Time Stamps: 00:00:00 – What is it like to survive being abducted, drugged, raped, and strangled twice? 00:03:33 – What happened at a work party that led to a violent assault? 00:06:23 – How can someone be drugged at a bar by a coworker? 00:09:45 – What does it feel like to regain consciousness during a sexual assault? 00:12:09 – What do predators say during an attack to psychologically dominate their victim? 00:14:49 – What kind of long-term physical damage can violent rape cause? 00:16:02 – What does fight, flight, or freeze feel like during a life-threatening assault? 00:17:15 – How can something as small as a worn-out belt save someone’s life? 00:18:37 – Why do some victims pretend to be dead to survive? 00:22:22 – Why would an attacker leave to dispose of a body they believe is dead? 00:25:24 – What happens when a roommate unexpectedly interrupts a violent assault? 00:31:35 – What is it like telling your father you’ve just been raped? 00:35:29 – What happens during a rape kit exam at the hospital? 00:37:23 – Why does a sexual assault exam feel like a second violation? 00:40:56 – Why are sexual assault survivors forced to repeat their story over and over again? 00:42:48 – How do investigators sometimes gaslight sexual assault victims? 01:23:47 – How did trauma impact her romantic relationships years later? 01:25:08 – What happens when DNA evidence confirms your attacker’s identity? 01:35:01 – Why do survivors blame themselves for taking a drink or what they were wearing? 01:39:27 – What was the plea deal offered to the man who drugged and raped her? 01:40:48 – Why did she need multiple surgeries and eventually a colostomy bag? 01:41:00 – How does it feel when the justice system minimizes your trauma? 02:02:41 – What sentence did the attacker receive and how long did he serve? 02:03:02 – Why doesn’t she resonate with the word “survivor”? 02:10:16 – What happens emotionally when your attacker is released from prison? 02:11:22 – How did PTSD resurface years later during the pandemic? 02:11:59 – How do you cope knowing your attacker is living in the same city? If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

OFFICIAL MERCH NOW AVAILABLE - code INSANE10 gets you 10% off for a limited time Join We’re All Insane Mailing List for EXCLUSIVE Content + Discounts Courtney was 18 years old when she had a massive stroke that almost killed her. One minute she was on vacation, the next she was being life-flighted and told something was seriously wrong. Doctors later discovered sepsis and two holes in her heart she never knew existed. Courtney's Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtney_fullmer?igsh=c2w1ZGU2OGRqcWds&utm_source=qr Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneyfullmer?_r=1&_t=ZT-92w7XmzRc33 Youtube: https://youtube.com/@courtney.fullmer?si=3N9SCj82LivAb9og Time Stamps: 00:00:00 – What does it feel like to have a stroke at 18 years old? 00:01:10 – Can you be perfectly healthy and still have a stroke? 00:02:35 – What was life like right before a medical emergency at a young age? 00:04:55 – How grief and emotional stress impact the body physically 00:07:15 – What are the earliest stroke symptoms most people ignore? 00:09:45 – How do you know when something is seriously wrong with your body? 00:12:30 – Why young people dismiss major health warning signs 00:15:45 – Can physical activity or water sports trigger a stroke? 00:17:50 – What does a stroke feel like while it’s happening in real time? 00:19:20 – What happens when one side of your body suddenly stops working? 00:20:40 – What does it feel like when you can’t speak but know what you want to say? 00:22:45 – Can you pass out during a stroke and not realize it? 00:24:30 – How do people recognize stroke symptoms in an emergency? 00:26:45 – Why timing matters so much during a medical emergency 00:28:50 – How lack of cell service almost delayed life-saving care 00:31:30 – What happens when doctors don’t immediately know the cause of a stroke? 00:34:55 – What is LifeFlight and when is it used in emergencies? 00:38:20 – How faith and spirituality can show up during medical trauma 00:41:40 – When do stroke symptoms fully register mentally? 00:44:10 – Why losing the ability to speak is more terrifying than pain 00:46:45 – What it’s like arriving at the ER as an 18-year-old stroke patient 00:51:00 – Can birth control cause blood clots and strokes? 00:53:10 – What is an ischemic stroke vs a hemorrhagic stroke? 00:55:25 – Why stroke medication has a strict time window 00:58:50 – What recovery really looks like after a stroke at a young age 01:02:30 – How long does stroke rehab take for speech and movement? 01:07:45 – What people don’t understand about relearning how to talk and swallow 01:12:40 – How a stroke changes your identity and sense of self 01:18:30 – The mental health aftermath of surviving a stroke young 01:25:10 – What life looks like years after a traumatic medical event 01:31:45 – How long-term rehab reshapes patience, resilience, and hope 01:39:20 – What surviving a stroke teaches you about life and priorities 01:47:30 – What she wants young people to know about listening to their bodies If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#foryou #podcast #ad Merch is live ↓ https://were-all-insane.myshopify.com Feel like your best self again. Visit https://forhers.com/insane to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. Laura shares how she lost her virginity to her much older stepbrother, got pregnant, and had an abortion she instantly regretted. We talk guilt, infertility, believing God was punishing her, and the adoption journey that finally forced her to face it all.Laura's Links:Abortion routing services: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-illinois/patient-resources/whether-youre-in-illinois-or-from-another-stateAngel Adoption (the service we used to adopt and where birthmothers can go to as well): angeladoptioninc.comTiktok: @helloitslbo Time Stamps: 00:00:00 – What happens when you lose your virginity to your stepbrother? 00:01:12 – Why do people stay silent about traumatic family secrets for years? 00:02:48 – Is it normal to carry guilt for something that happened decades ago? 00:04:20 – How does growing up around teen pregnancy shape your fear of becoming one? 00:06:02 – What does it feel like to never feel desired growing up? 00:07:56 – Can attraction happen instantly even when it feels wrong? 00:09:05 – Is it possible to feel chemistry with someone you just met at a family wedding? 00:10:39 – What goes through your mind when your stepbrother kisses you in public? 00:11:52 – Did anyone notice the inappropriate relationship at the wedding? 00:13:58 – Why do taboo relationships sometimes feel more intense? 00:15:18 – How quickly can a secret relationship escalate into sex? 00:16:32 – What is it like losing your virginity later than everyone else? 00:18:28 – What do you do when you find out the man you slept with has a girlfriend? 00:19:59 – Did her parents ever find out about the relationship? 00:21:10 – What happens when someone cuts you off right after intimacy? 00:22:29 – How do you know you’re pregnant before taking a test? 00:23:53 – What happens when you can’t access emergency contraception in time? 00:25:08 – How does shame affect decision-making during an unplanned pregnancy? 00:26:35 – What does it feel like when the father pressures you to get an abortion? 00:29:34 – Why do some men act flirty even when paying for an abortion? 00:31:13 – What actually happens during an abortion procedure? 00:33:34 – Can you regret an abortion immediately after it happens? 00:36:02 – Why do pregnancy jokes trigger panic years later? 00:37:52 – Can religion cause lifelong fear after an abortion? 00:39:15 – Why do some couples struggle with infertility after trauma? 00:41:28 – Is it possible to be pro-choice but regret your own abortion? 00:43:56 – What does repeated adoption failure do to your mental health? 00:52:32 – How can therapy help release guilt tied to reproductive trauma? If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Official Merch - NOW AVAILABLE! #foryou #podcast #ad TIMELINE: Don’t let another year go by feeling less than your best. Grab 30% off your first month of Mitopure Gummies at https://timeline.com/insane30 Ari's adoption was supposed to save her life — but instead exposed her to abuse, neglect, and deep rejection. Taken in by family while her parents were gone, Ari grew up never being accepted for who she truly was, especially as a lesbian. This is a raw conversation about the dark side of adoption, family betrayal, and the lasting damage of being punished for your identity. Time Stamps: 00:00:00 — What happens when a child is adopted while both parents are incarcerated or addicted? 00:02:10 — What is it like growing up bouncing between homes as a young child? 00:04:05 — How does growing up in an image-obsessed household affect a traumatized child? 00:06:00 — Why do some parents prioritize appearance over a child’s emotional needs? 00:08:20 — How do controlling parents react to LGBTQ families and friendships? 00:10:45 — Why do some parents fear their child being gay before the child even knows? 00:13:00 — How do abandonment issues form when a parent frames themselves as a savior? 00:15:05 — What happens when a teen is forced to come out during a moment of fear? 00:17:30 — How is religion weaponized against LGBTQ children? 00:19:00 — What does emotional abandonment look like after coming out? 00:21:10 — How does isolation become a punishment for queer teens? 00:23:15 — Why doesn’t punishment or control change someone’s sexuality? 00:25:30 — What does it mean when a parent becomes violent over “white lies”? 00:27:40 — How does humiliation become a tool of control in abusive households? 00:29:50 — Why do teens run away when emotional abuse escalates? 00:32:10 — What actually happens when CPS gets involved in family conflict? 00:34:20 — Why do abuse survivors minimize their experiences when authorities ask? 00:36:30 — What does it feel like to learn you were never legally adopted? 00:38:45 — Why do children return to abusive homes even after escaping? 00:41:00 — How does financial control replace emotional care in toxic families? 00:43:10 — Why do abusive parents spread lies to isolate one child from the family? 00:45:20 — How does parental manipulation damage sibling relationships? 00:47:30 — Why do abuse patterns repeat in adult romantic relationships? 00:49:45 — How does childhood trauma shape attachment and self-worth in adulthood? 00:52:00 — What happens when adult children go no-contact with a parent? 00:54:20 — Why do adult children still crave validation from abusive parents? 00:56:40 — How do survivors grieve a parent who is still alive? 00:59:00 — What does healing look like after going no-contact? 01:02:30 — How do survivors redefine family after losing their parent relationship? 01:06:00 — How do you accept that a parent may never change? If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Official Merch - NOW AVAILABLE! #foryou #podcast Courtney's life was permanently altered by a single, unthinkable accident — accidentally running over her own father and disabling him. We talk about the crushing guilt, the aftermath of addiction, abandonment, and the impossible position of becoming his caretaker while still raising her own family. Courtney's Links: ~Tiktok: @courtkline https://www.tiktok.com/@courtkline?_r=1&_t=ZT-92zuIdPfH3e ~Instagram: @courtkline https://www.instagram.com/courtkline?igsh=MWxrenlqODcyMWRlbA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr ~$100 off GLP-1 through Shed https://lddy.no/1nwx4 Code: COURTKI100 ~Coming soon! More Than Mother Podcast ~TikTok: @morethanmotherpod https://www.tiktok.com/@morethanmotherpod?_r=1&_t=ZT-92zuXtRZbJH If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Official Merch - NOW AVAILABLE! #foryou #podcast #sponsored #ad Don’t let another year go by feeling less than your best. Grab 30% off your first month of Mitopure Gummies at https://timeline.com/insane30 Feel like your best self again. Visit https://forhers.com/insane to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. Kelly’s life changed when her twin brother was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder. We get into what it’s really like loving someone in psychosis — the delusions, hospitalizations, and the emotional exhaustion of trying to hold onto someone who’s slipping away. She also opens up about losing her father in the process, as he became her brother’s full-time caregiver. Alongside that, she shares her own lifelong battle with anxiety, panic disorder, and OCD, and what it’s like to suffer quietly while your family is in crisis. This is a raw, honest conversation about grief, mental illness, and what it costs to love someone who’s breaking. Kelly's Links: Support Group: NAMI (https://www.nami.org/program/nami-family-support-group/) Instagram: kcamp31996 Time Stamps: 00:00:00 — What is it like growing up as a twin when one sibling later develops severe mental illness? 00:03:15 — How does childhood family structure affect long-term mental health? 00:06:00 — What are early signs of anxiety in children that often get overlooked? 00:08:45 — Why do adults sometimes dismiss anxiety symptoms as “overreacting”? 00:11:05 — Can children experience anxiety and self-hatred without a clear cause? 00:13:00 — What subtle warning signs appear before serious mental illness develops? 00:15:30 — How loss of motivation in school can signal deeper psychological issues 00:18:05 — Can witnessing violence trigger long-term mental health conditions? 00:21:00 — What does a panic attack actually feel like physically and mentally? 00:24:05 — How do OCD behaviors form as a way to cope with anxiety? 00:27:35 — Can fear of death and existential thoughts trigger panic attacks? 00:31:05 — Why do people normalize severe anxiety instead of seeking help? 00:33:20 — How multiple family losses in a short time impact mental stability 00:36:00 — How addiction patterns silently pass through families 00:38:25 — Why grief affects siblings differently after a sudden death 00:41:00 — Can marijuana worsen underlying mental health conditions? 00:44:00 — How did the COVID pandemic intensify anxiety and mental health struggles? 00:48:30 — When do small behavioral changes become warning signs of psychosis? 00:54:00 — Why families often miss the early stages of severe mental illness 01:00:00 — What is it like watching a loved one mentally unravel in real time? 01:08:30 — What are the early signs of psychosis before diagnosis? 01:18:00 — What finally forces families to seek emergency psychiatric care? 01:28:00 — What happens during hospitalization for severe mental illness? 01:38:30 — How does a serious psychiatric diagnosis change a family forever? 01:48:00 — What is the emotional toll of loving someone you can’t protect? 01:58:00 — How siblings process guilt, grief, and responsibility differently 02:05:30 — What do most people misunderstand about severe mental illness? 02:11:00 — How does this experience reshape views on mental health and family? 02:16:30 — What should people know about loving someone with a severe mental disorder? If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Official Merch - NOW AVAILABLE! #foryou #podcast Meagan opens up about severe postpartum depression that turned into terrifying delusions, intrusive thoughts, and suicidal ideation. Even as an RN, she didn’t recognize how bad it had gotten. She shares the shame, fear, and silence so many women carry after childbirth but are too afraid to admit. Maternal Health Helpline: 833-852-6262 Time Stamps: 00:00:00 — What happens when postpartum depression is ignored and left untreated? 00:01:38 — Why do so many mothers hide postpartum mental health struggles? 00:02:31 — How rare is postpartum psychosis and why is it so dangerous? 00:03:55 — How does upbringing and religion shape relationship choices later in life? 00:04:35 — How do purity culture beliefs affect red flag awareness in relationships? 00:05:51 — What does love bombing look like before you recognize it as unhealthy? 00:07:00 — How do toxic relationships quietly escalate while life looks “successful”? 00:08:51 — Can hormonal birth control trigger long-term emotional instability? 00:10:20 — What happens when medical decisions are made without proper care? 00:11:35 — How does betrayal trauma impact mental health before pregnancy? 00:12:45 — Why does emotional devastation lead to risky coping behaviors? 00:13:57 — What goes through your mind when you discover an unplanned pregnancy? 00:15:34 — How can family support instantly change pregnancy fear into acceptance? 00:17:18 — What does a “perfect” pregnancy look like before everything changes? 00:18:59 — Can extreme productivity mask emotional and psychological distress? 00:21:10 — What is a membrane sweep and how does it start labor? 00:22:36 — What does active labor feel like when you try to stay in control? 00:25:19 — What is it like giving birth when everything appears to go right? 00:26:59 — What does postpartum psychosis feel like the moment it begins? 00:27:53 — Why do postpartum psychosis symptoms feel spiritual or demonic? 00:29:24 — How do new mothers hide severe mental distress from loved ones? 00:31:20 — Why do auditory hallucinations happen after childbirth? 00:33:45 — Why are early postpartum psychosis warning signs often dismissed? 00:36:38 — Why can leaving the hospital feel more terrifying than staying? 00:38:25 — How can a familiar home suddenly feel unsafe after giving birth? 00:41:01 — Why do intrusive thoughts about other children emerge postpartum? 00:43:23 — What behaviors signal postpartum psychosis only in hindsight? 00:45:07 — Why do severe mental health symptoms get mistaken for laziness or sadness? 00:48:23 — How can family sense something is wrong without understanding it? 00:51:18 — Why does postpartum depression feel manageable with support but unbearable alone? 00:53:17 — What happens when a stranger notices postpartum mental decline first? 01:06:22 — How does untreated postpartum trauma resurface years later? 01:26:34 — What does long-term healing from postpartum psychosis actually require? 01:36:20 — What does life look like after surviving postpartum psychosis? If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Official Merch - NOW AVAILABLE! #foryou #podcast In todays episode, Summer, a CPTSD survivor and advocate who grew up in extreme neglect inside a stage 4–5 hoarder home walks us through her childhood which was marked by emotional and sexual abuse, food insecurity, and long periods without basic necessities—alongside severe animal hoarding and cruelty. After more than 20 years of silence, Summer spoke up and helped shut down her parents’ backyard breeding operation, giving a voice to animals and children who were never protected. Connect with Summer: • TikTok: @summerjoy4 (https://www.tiktok.com/@summerjoy4) • Instagram: @summerjoy.cptsd_survivor (https://www.instagram.com/summerjoy.cptsd_survivor/profilecard/?igsh=MThma3hwOWpoYXE2NA==) • YouTube: SummerJoy4 (https://youtube.com/@SummerJoy4?si=dHsfCq-b-hfda7zw) • Linktree (all links): linktr.ee/summerjoy4 (https://linktr.ee/summerjoy4?utm_source=linktree_admin_share) • Collaborations/Media: summerjoy.officialmgmt@gmail.com 📚 Hoarding & Trauma Resources • International OCD Foundation (Hoarding): https://iocdf.org/hoarding • Children of Hoarders: https://childrenofhoarders.com • Institute for Challenging Disorganization: https://challengingdisorganization.org • NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): https://nami.org • Hoarding Cleanup Directory: https://hoardingcleanup.com • Crisis Text Line (24/7, free): https://www.crisistextline.org — text HOME to 741741 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Facebook Support Groups • Hoarding & Clutter Support Community (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14R1bxQ8tMQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr) • Adult Children of Hoarders Support (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BF3zVAjjc/?mibextid=wwXIfr) If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Official Merch - NOW AVAILABLE! #foryou #podcast In this episode, a survivor breaks decades of silence to expose what happened inside the Huntington, New York YMCA. Between the ages of 9 and 12, they were repeatedly raped by three male YMCA employees. The abuse wasn’t isolated—there were dozens of child victims. For years, the truth was buried, protected by an institution that failed the children in its care. Nearly 50 years later, everything changed. Time Stamps: 00:00:00 — What does it mean when childhood trauma shapes an entire lifetime? 00:01:07 — What was it like growing up in a large working-class family in the 1960s? 00:03:27 — Why do certain childhood memories feel magical before everything changes? 00:06:49 — How can switching mentors or teams quietly alter a child’s future? 00:07:41 — What are early grooming behaviors adults often mistake for kindness? 00:09:19 — How do predators identify children who crave approval and belonging? 00:11:07 — Why would parents trust authority figures enough to allow overnight stays? 00:13:32 — How does grooming convince a child that abuse equals love? 00:15:52 — How does a child rationalize abuse when they don’t understand what’s happening? 00:18:22 — How can unaffiliated adults gain access to children through trusted institutions? 00:21:16 — Why don’t children tell their parents even when they’re terrified? 00:23:13 — How does repeated trauma begin to erase a child’s sense of identity? 00:25:58 — What does it feel like when your body knows what’s coming but you can’t escape? 00:27:35 — Can PTSD develop from childhood abuse without visible violence? 00:30:56 — What moment finally exposes years of hidden abuse? 00:34:03 — What happens when one child speaks up and the system responds incorrectly? 00:35:01 — Why do institutions relocate abusers instead of reporting them? 00:38:50 — How does untreated childhood trauma show up as rebellion in adolescence? 00:42:01 — How can sports become a lifeline after deep trauma? 00:44:39 — What happens when trauma is locked away instead of processed? 00:48:52 — Why do survivors stay busy to avoid confronting unresolved pain? 00:53:08 — Why do trauma survivors gravitate toward high-pressure careers? 00:56:56 — How does intense training or structure temporarily suppress trauma symptoms? 00:59:39 — How does purpose restore identity after years of emotional shutdown? 01:06:22 — What does it feel like when buried trauma resurfaces later in adulthood? 01:16:33 — Why can healing feel harder than surviving the original trauma? 01:26:34 — What is PTSD really like when triggers appear without warning? 01:36:41 — How can the right therapist completely change the recovery process? 01:52:40 — How does writing about trauma help the brain and nervous system heal? 01:57:43 — What’s the difference between surviving and choosing to truly live again? If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Official Merch - NOW AVAILABLE! #foryou #podcast In 2011, while working on an education mission in Somalia, Jessica was abducted at gunpoint and held hostage by Somali pirates for 93 days. She was forced to live outdoors, starved, and threatened daily as her health rapidly declined. On January 25, 2012, her captivity ended with a dramatic rescue carried out by SEAL Team Six, authorized by President Obama. Jessica's Links: https://www.amazon.com/How-Survive-Survival-Meaningful-Contribution/dp/1958472352/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1KUJNWLMHS1DJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lFeuwg5Po5LcNnhDjwrujwWb_-fnK6FoUXEv11xr14Y.UCcif3-ZISImT-qxh4w6KvXP1EFTrsMHFE44z9vVWPY&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+to+survive+survival+jessica+buchanan&qid=1766336855&sprefix=how+to+survive+survival%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1 https://www.jessbuchanan.com/ Instagram: @jessicacbuchanan If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Official Merch - NOW AVAILABLE! #foryou #podcast When Chell was just 18 months old, her father—a police officer—shot her mother in the face while she slept and walked free. What followed were years of abuse, foster care, loss, and survival. In this episode, Chell shares the trauma that shaped her life, the night her husband died in her arms, and how she found purpose after everything tried to break her. Chell's Links: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondtheMonsters Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondthemonsters ApplePodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-monsters/id1778966880 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gmVkvzX4xNWwsWFamRUai?si=hKz97XK2Rh6eSEU5GL0XCA Linktree: https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Time Stamps: 00:00:00 — What does it mean when a child’s first memories involve extreme violence in the home? 00:03:41 — How does surviving an attempted murder by a parent affect a family long-term? 00:07:58 — Why do children normalize chaos when abuse is part of daily life? 00:11:44 — How does growing up in constant fear rewire a child’s nervous system? 00:14:09 — Why do abusive punishments often feel more humiliating than painful? 00:18:12 — What happens psychologically when a parent chooses an abuser over their child? 00:21:07 — Why do children in foster care experience higher rates of secondary abuse? 00:24:03 — How does institutional neglect allow abuse to continue unnoticed? 00:27:41 — Why do trauma survivors struggle to trust authority figures meant to protect them? 00:31:19 — How does early exposure to violence influence relationship patterns in adulthood? 00:34:48 — Why do abuse survivors often defend or return to harmful partners? 00:37:06 — What happens to the brain during sexual assault when survival instincts take over? 00:39:52 — Why do trauma survivors minimize events that would devastate others? 00:42:21 — How does prolonged trauma distort a person’s sense of safety and faith? 00:45:02 — Why do some people ignore gut instincts right before life-changing events? 00:47:58 — How does alcohol amplify conflict in emotionally volatile situations? 00:49:41 — What happens psychologically when a loved one dies suddenly in front of you? 00:52:06 — How does performing life-saving measures affect long-term trauma processing? 00:55:18 — Why does shock make devastating news feel unreal or delayed? 01:01:27 — How does unresolved trauma resurface during moments of perceived stability? 01:09:42 — Why do survivors expect disaster even during periods of happiness? 01:17:36 — How does repeated loss shape a person’s emotional resilience or numbness? 01:28:54 — Why do trauma survivors struggle with peace more than chaos? 01:45:18 — How does a lifetime of survival mode affect identity and self-worth? 02:06:11 — What does healing look like after decades of compounded trauma? Topics: Attempted Murder, Family Violence, Foster Care, Widow, Loss If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Official Merch - NOW AVAILABLE! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code DEVORAH at https://www.oneskin.co/DEVORAH #oneskinpod Kate opens up about a relationship that began when she was just 16 years old—with her 32-year-old high school softball coach. What started in secrecy eventually grew into years of manipulation, abuse, and silence from the adults who were supposed to protect her. She walks us through how the relationship began, how it continued even after the school was alerted, and how she carried the weight of it into adulthood. Despite everything, she went on to graduate college, finish law school, and become a prosecutor. And after years of therapy and rebuilding her life, she finally reported the truth to police in 2024. Her former coach has since pled guilty and is now awaiting sentencing. Kate's Links: https://www.nsvrc.org/ https://rainn.org/learn-about-rainn/what-we-do/support-and-services/ https://oaesv.org/ https://www.dvpi.org/ Topics: Manipulation, Coercion, Abuse, Legal Justice, Child Exploitation If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices