Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads

Podcast for Mental Health Insights, Compassion, and Friendship

This Episode will drop on Tuesday at 3 am Eastern

👋Hey beautiful humans,

Can you believe it? We’re closing out Season 11 with a bang, a tear, a laugh, and a whole lot of love.

🎙️ This Week’s Episode (Launching Tuesday, July 1 at 3 AM Eastern):“Laughter, Loss & Lessons: Season 11 Mental Health Wrap-Up” 🎧💬

This isn’t just a wrap-up—it’s a vibe. A heartfelt, soul-filling reflection on a season that brought us lessons in grief, boundaries, vulnerability, and joy. From moments of deep reflection to our classic gut-busting laughter, we’re ending this season exactly how we started it: real and raw.

🚨 Big Things Are Coming!

You know we can’t sit still. Here’s a peek at what’s happening behind the scenes:

🎉 We’re about 70,000 downloads away from hitting 2 million—and we’re still in awe. Thank you.
💥 We’ve landed a dream guest. (Okay, they’re ALL dream guests—but this one? OMG. If you know, you know. Keep it secret for now…)
📆 Starting the week of July 14, we’ll be releasing two episodes per week—Tuesdays and Thursdays—to share more powerful voices, faster.
📰 As for newsletters—we’re gonna try one for each episode. If it gets to be too much, we’ll pivot. You know we use these to talk with you, not at you.

🎙️ What This Episode Is About

In this deeply personal and powerful finale, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles reflect on the biggest emotional throughline of Season 11: boundaries.

From learning to say “no” without guilt to reclaiming self-worth and redefining rest as a right—not a reward—this episode is a raw, funny, and healing conversation that brings the whole season full circle.

You’ll hear about:

The quiet ways boundaries saved our peace this season
How our guests transformed pain into purpose by choosing themselves
The growth, laughter, and lessons we didn’t expect—but deeply needed

This isn’t just a wrap-up—it’s a celebration of every hard-earned “no,” every soul-fueled “yes,” and every moment we stopped over-explaining and started healing.

If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing, burnout, or feeling like your needs are too much—this one’s for you.

📓 Podcast Reflection Worksheet — Just for You!

Listening is one thing—applying what you learn is next level. 💪 Use our new worksheet to jot down key takeaways, aha moments, and ways to act on what resonates. Because healing is personal and practical. 📝 Podcast Worksheet _07_01_25_Laughter, Loss & Lessons- Season 11 Mental Health Wrap-Up.pdf

🧠 The Boundaries That Save Us: A Season-Ender on Saying No, Choosing You, and Healing Out Loud

What does it really mean to set a boundary—and mean it? In this boundary-anchored finale of Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles look back on a season that unexpectedly turned into a masterclass on:

Knowing your worth
Holding your line
Protecting your peace—without guilt

Through the voices of guests like Bonnie, Suzanne, Pearl, and Ilise, Season 11 reminded us:

Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out—they’re about letting yourself in.

From the emotional weight of people-pleasing to the power of a firm “no,” this episode blends personal reflection, guest highlights, and real talk on how hard (and freeing) it is to unlearn the belief that self-care is selfish.

✨ This season is for anyone who’s ever said “yes” while screaming “no” inside. For the caretakers. The over-functioners. The quiet fighters. The late bloomers finally realizing: You don’t have to earn rest, space, or respect. You already deserve it.

💬 Boundaries Aren’t Just a Buzzword—They’re Survival

Whether it was:

Pearl, writing a goodbye to someone who no longer served her
Suzanne, reclaiming her time as a coach and woman
Yalda, creating emotional safety as a new mom

Every guest brought boundaries to the table in a way that felt urgent, raw, and true.

🎙️ Real Talk from the Hosts

“Setting boundaries at 60-plus? I’m living proof it’s never too late.” – G-Rex

“This season showed me that boundaries aren’t walls—they’re windows into what we need.” – Dirty Skittles

✍️ Journal Prompts to Sit With

Where have you mistaken silence for peace?
What boundary are you afraid to set because of who might leave?
What would your life look like if you believed ‘no’ didn’t need an explanation?

🌱 Gentle Reminder

Saying no isn’t rejection—it’s redirection. You don’t owe anyone access to the parts of you that are still healing. Your boundary is valid. Your voice matters. And your peace is non-negotiable.

🎧 What Season 11 Guests Taught Us

🧠 Bonnie

Summary: Dr. Bonnie Wims demystifies therapy, challenging mental health myths and encouraging vulnerability.

Lessons Learned:

• Therapy isn’t about being broken—it’s about growing self-awareness.

• Changing how we talk about mental health reduces stigma.

• Finding the right therapist is like finding the right pair of shoes—fit matters.

Defining Moment: Dr. Wims shares that even therapists seek therapy, breaking down the misconception of perfection in mental health professionals.

Guest Quote:“We all need help at some point—therapy is just a place to be heard and understood.”

💔 Pearl

Summary: Pearl shares her journey through grief after losing her son and how she found the strength to live again.

Lessons Learned:

• Grief is not linear—it comes in waves.

• Telling your story can be a healing act.

• You can live with grief and still find joy again.

Defining Moment: Pearl recounts the moment she chose to keep living and found purpose in sharing her story.

Guest Quote:“Grief doesn’t end—it becomes a part of your strength.”

🌀 Val

Summary: Valerie opens up about life with OCD and the power of finally being seen and understood.

Lessons Learned:

• OCD is more than cleanliness—it’s about intrusive, paralyzing thoughts.

• Naming your struggle can break the shame cycle.

• Peer support can transform isolation into community.

Defining Moment: Valerie describes a panic attack at a gas station and the relief of finally getting an accurate diagnosis.

Guest Quote:“I thought I was just broken—but really, I had OCD.”

📊 Suzanne

Summary: Suzanne shares practical boundary-setting techniques for the workplace without losing compassion.

Lessons Learned:

• Boundaries protect your energy—they’re not walls, they’re filters.

• Saying no is an act of respect—for yourself and others.

• Boundaries at work can improve performance and reduce burnout.

Defining Moment: Suzanne recalls a turning point when she realized burnout was a sign of a boundary violation.

Guest Quote:“You teach people how to treat you by what you allow.”

🐾 Stefani

Summary: Stefani shares her journey navigating dog phobias, parenting, and reclaiming her mental health.

Lessons Learned:

• Childhood trauma can manifest in surprising fears.

• Healing is messy and nonlinear—but possible.

• Parenting with vulnerability helps break cycles.

Defining Moment: Stefani breaks down describing how a support dog helped her work through her phobia.

Guest Quote:“It wasn’t just the dog I was afraid of—it was what it reminded me of.”

🌟 Lynda

Summary: Lynda shares her journey of overcoming devastating loss, addiction, and illness to rediscover purpose and joy by helping others reclaim their inner glow.

Lessons Learned:

• Healing is not linear – it’s okay to take time and find your own path to recovery.

• Sobriety and self-reflection can open doors to personal transformation and deeper empathy.

• Sharing your story not only helps others but also deepens your own resilience and purpose.

Defining Moment: The turning point when Lynda found her lost crystals while renovating her office symbolized the beginning of her inner transformation and reclaiming her space—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Guest Quote:“I’m not a therapist, but I’m a human being with a heart that just wants to help other people know that they’re loved.”

👶 Yalda

Summary: Yalda opens up about her struggle with postpartum depression and how she found purpose through advocacy.

Lessons Learned:

• Postpartum depression can affect anyone—it’s not a sign of failure.

• Finding purpose can anchor your healing.

• Telling the truth about your pain empowers others to do the same.

Defining Moment: Yalda describes the moment she realized she needed help and chose to speak up.

Guest Quote:“I was afraid to say I wasn’t okay—but saying it saved me.”

🌿 Amy

Summary: Amy gets candid about anxiety, self-worth, and the daily work of choosing healing.

Lessons Learned:

• Self-worth isn’t a destination—it’s a daily practice.

• You can hold joy and struggle at the same time.

• Vulnerability fosters connection and healing.

Defining Moment: Amy shares how naming her anxiety out loud for the first time shifted her entire healing journey.

Guest Quote:“I thought I had to be strong until I realized strength is sharing your truth.”

🧔 Austin

Summary: Austin Davis unpacks childhood pain, faith, and how he shows up differently for his kids.

Lessons Learned:

• Your past doesn’t have to dictate your future.

• Forgiveness can be both freeing and complicated.

• Gentle fatherhood is a radical, healing act.

Defining Moment: Austin shares how being called ‘the man of the house’ at ten shaped—and challenged—his path forward.

Guest Quote:“I try to be the most gentle version of myself I can be for my kids.”

🎙️ Ilise

Summary: Ilise talks mental health, therapy myths, and social media’s impact—with honesty and heart.

Lessons Learned:

• You don’t have to have it all together to help others.

• Anxiety isn’t always caused by you—sometimes it’s the world around you.

• Being relatable is more powerful than being perfect.

Defining Moment: Ilise shares her turning point from therapist to podcast host—finding her voice in a new way.

Guest Quote:“I don’t have it all together—but I do have something to say.”

💖 Special Shout-Out: Women Supporting Women

A huge thank you to Melissa Crook of The F.E.E.L Podcast, who’s helping women redefine wellness through her new course.

🔗 Find out more about Melissa here:https://www.embracinglayers.com/

✨ Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life: Empowerment & Wellness Course for Women A self-paced, whole-self journey designed to help women 20+ prioritize themselves, embrace their layers, and reconnect with emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

🛍️ Enroll in the course:https://www.patreon.com/EmbracingLayersNetwork/shop/embracing-f-e-e-l-fueled-life-wellness-1708477?source=storefront

📘 Workbook available here:https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-L-Fueled-Life-Empowerment/dp/B0FCDML1FB

🔑 Key Takeaways

Boundaries are an act of self-love.
Grief, trauma, and joy can all live in the same breath.
Sharing your truth helps others share theirs.

✅ Actionable Takeaways

Practice saying “no” this week—start with one small thing.
Use the reflection worksheet after this episode.
Send this newsletter to someone who needs to hear they are not alone.

💬 Listener Engagement

What did Season 11 mean to you? Got a guest idea? Want to ask us a question? 🎙️ Leave us a voice message at [our website] or just hit reply—we love hearing from you.