We're closing the book on Season 15, and honestly? We need a moment to just breathe and take it all in. Three years. Fifteen seasons. Countless stories of survival, healing, heartbreak, and the kind of hope that refuses to quit—even when everything says it should.
This episode isn't about a guest. It's about us. It's about you. It's about what we've built together and where we're headed next.
📅 This episode drops Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 3 AM ET Choosing Hope Again: G-Rex & Dirty Skittles Reflect on Season 15 and the Power of Healing
We're pulling back the curtain, sharing what this journey has meant to us, and honoring every single guest who trusted us with their story this season.
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🚗 What's Up with G-Rex & Dirty Skittles
G-Rex here, and I'm gonna get real with you for a minute because that's what we do here.
Dirty Skittles and I spent this past Saturday recording, and let me tell you—it was one of those days that fills your cup in ways you didn't even know it was empty. We interviewed some incredible guests (you'll meet them soon), and every single one of them told us how honored they were to be on our podcast. Every. Single. One.
And that? That got us reflecting.
It's wild to think it was right around this time three years ago that we came up with the absolutely bonkers idea to start a mental health podcast. If you had asked either of us five years ago if this was on our vision board, it would've been a hard no from both of us. But here we are—still doing it, still loving it, still learning something new every time we hit record.
We count ourselves lucky. So damn lucky.
But let's talk about what else has been happening, because life has been both crazy and cool in the best and hardest ways.
A Personal Milestone I'm Still Crying About Last Wednesday, I released my beginner's AI teaching app to the world. And then, later in the week, this incredible press release went out. When I read it, I sat down and cried for a full twenty minutes—not because I was sad, but because I am so damn proud of myself.
Three years ago, I was crawling out of the darkest period of my life. I called 988 on Christmas Day 2022 because I didn't think I'd make it to the next morning. And now? Now I'm launching apps, building a workplace mental wellness platform, writing a book, and pouring my heart into The Joy Shift course.
I'm eternally grateful for Dirty Skittles, my Wife, and the countless others who held me up when things got super heavy. You know who you are. Thank you for not letting me go.
Meanwhile, in Georgia… Dirty Skittles is living her best cozy life down south, and she keeps texting me about how "cold" it is. I told her to check back in with me when it's in the teens or single digits for days on end. Yes, you can absolutely tell I am so done with winter and ready for spring.
But in all seriousness—she's doing great. We're both doing great. And we're so excited for what's coming.
Season 16 Starts Next Week Buckle up, fam. Season 16 kicks off next Tuesday with a story that's going to inspire the hell out of you. We've already recorded some of our favorite episodes to date, and we can't wait to share them with you.
This podcast? It saved us. And we hope it's saving you, too. 💙
🔥 Special Shout-Out to a Previous Guest
🌟 Michael Cortina, LCSW, LCAC
One of our Season 15 guests, Michael Cortina, is doing something incredible, and we want to make sure you know about it.
Michael is giving a live webinar sponsored by PESI—one of the largest and most well-known providers of mental health education. This is a big deal, and the content is 🔥.
In the webinar, Michael will cover:
Practical, brain-based tools you can use immediately—reset phrases, body-based techniques, and neuroscience-informed strategies you can apply the very next day
A fresh, compassionate lens for working with trauma without re-traumatizing—especially helpful if traditional approaches haven't worked for you
Live demonstrations and real examples—you'll see the techniques in action and get guided experiential practice
📅 When: February 16, 2026 Options: Sign up for the live online webinar or grab the recorded replay to watch later
💰 Investment: Normally $169.99, but when you use Michael's exclusive link and coupon code CORTINA at checkout, you can get it for just $49.99.
(You'll need to create a PESI account unless you already have one.)
Contact Michael: Michael Cortina, LCSW, LCAC CEO/President - The Cortina Method, LLC Founder & Creator – The Cortina Method optimize@michaelcortina.com
If you've been looking for a trauma-informed approach that honors your nervous system and doesn't require you to relive your pain—this is it.
💡 Mental Health Quote of the Week
"Healing isn't about going back to who you were. It's about becoming who you were always meant to be—on the other side of survival." — G-Rex & Dirty Skittles
Use this worksheet to reflect on your own journey over the past year, what healing has looked like for you, and where hope is showing up in your life—even in the smallest ways.
🎤 Episode Spotlight: Our Season 15 Journey
This isn't a typical episode. There's no guest sitting across from us. It's just me and Dirty Skittles—two women who never imagined they'd be here, doing this, three years later.
This season has been extraordinary. We've sat with eleven incredible humans who shared their stories of survival, healing, and the messy, beautiful work of rebuilding. We've talked about OCD, PTSD, TBI, cancer, foster care, suicide survival, EMDR, hypnotherapy, emotional resilience, creativity as medicine, and so much more.
And through it all, one thing became crystal clear: Hope is a choice. And sometimes, choosing it is the bravest thing you'll ever do.
In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain. We're talking about what this podcast has meant to us personally, how it's shaped our healing, and why we keep showing up—even on the days when it's hard.
We're also looking ahead. Season 16 is fully booked. We have guests waitlisted for 2027. And every single story we get to share reminds us why this work matters.
If you've ever felt like giving up, this episode is for you. If you've ever wondered if healing is possible, this episode is for you. f you've ever needed a reminder that you're not alone, this episode is for you.
We're not experts. We're not therapists. We're just two women who decided to talk about the sh!t that goes on in our heads—and invite you to do the same.
🧩 Season 15 Guest Recap: The Stories That Shaped Us
This season, we had the privilege of sitting with eleven extraordinary humans. Here's a look back at the conversations that moved us, challenged us, and reminded us what resilience really looks like.
Melissa (12/2/25) — OCD & Anxiety Recovery: Real Tools That Actually Help Melissa opened Season 15 by getting brutally honest about living with OCD and anxiety. She didn't just share her story—she gave us actual tools that work. Her message? Recovery isn't about perfection. It's about progress, compassion, and showing up for yourself even when your brain is lying to you.
Virginia (12/4/25) — Rising Inch by Inch: Hope, Healing, and Reclaiming Your Life Virginia's story is proof that healing doesn't happen overnight—it happens inch by inch, choice by choice, breath by breath. She reminded us that reclaiming your life after trauma isn't about giant leaps. It's about the courage to keep moving forward, even when you can't see the finish line.
Jenn Robb (12/16/25) — Supporting a Child Through Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Thoughts Jenn's story is every parent's worst fear—and every parent's roadmap for survival. She walked us through what it's like to support a child in mental health crisis, how to navigate the system, and how to hold hope when everything feels hopeless. This one will stay with you.
Adriene Caldwell (12/18/25) — Foster Care, Abuse, Suicide Survival, and the Power of Hope Adriene survived the unthinkable—foster care, abuse, and a suicide attempt that nearly ended her life. But she didn't just survive. She rebuilt. She reclaimed her power. She chose hope. And now, she's helping others do the same. Her story is a testament to the human spirit.
Carrie (12/23/25) — Mental Health, Trauma, and Healing Through Creativity Carrie showed us that creativity isn't just an outlet—it's medicine. Whether it's art, music, writing, or movement, creative expression can be one of the most powerful tools for processing trauma and finding yourself again. This episode was pure soul food.
Talaya (12/30/25) — The Fight to Be Heard: Cancer, Medical Gaslighting, and Emotional Healing Talaya's story is a masterclass in advocacy. She fought to be heard by a medical system that dismissed her pain, gaslit her symptoms, and nearly cost her life. Her journey through cancer, medical trauma, and emotional healing is a rallying cry for anyone who's ever been told "it's all in your head."
Alisa (1/13/26) — Trauma Therapy, EMDR, and Healing Without Re-Traumatization Alisa closed out Season 15 by diving deep into EMDR and trauma therapy that honors the nervous system. She reminded us that healing is possible—and it doesn't have to hurt. Her expertise, warmth, and commitment to trauma-informed care left us feeling hopeful and empowered.
Every single one of these humans trusted us with their story. And we are forever grateful.
🌟 Key Takeaways
Healing isn't linear—and that's okay
Hope is a practice, not a destination
Your story matters, even when it feels small
Community and connection are medicine
You don't have to have it all figured out to keep moving forward
Showing up for yourself is an act of courage
💪 Actionable Steps
Reflect on one thing you've survived this year—and honor yourself for it
Reach out to someone who's held you up and let them know what they mean to you
Revisit an episode from this season that resonated with you
Write down one way you've grown, even if it feels tiny
Set one intention for Season 16: What do you want to carry forward?
If you're struggling, reach out—to a friend, therapist, or the 988 Lifeline
💬 Listener Engagement
What was your favorite episode from Season 15? What story stuck with you? What conversation changed something for you?
Reply to this email or tag us on Instagram @grex_and_dirtyskittles with your reflections. We read every single message, and your words fuel us more than you know.
⭐ Subscribe, Rate & Review
If this podcast has meant something to you—if even one episode made you feel less alone—please take two minutes to subscribe, rate, and review us on Apple or Spotify.
Three years ago, we had no idea what we were doing. We still don't, honestly.
But we know this: Every story shared is an act of courage. Every person who listens is choosing connection over isolation. And every time someone reaches out to say "this helped," it reminds us why we keep going.
Season 15 is over, but the conversation is far from finished.
We're walking into Season 16 with full hearts, open minds, and a whole lot of gratitude for you.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for choosing hope—again and again and again.
We'll see you next Tuesday. 💙
With so much love, G-Rex & Dirty Skittles Changing the way we talk about mental health, one real convo at a time.
G-Rex & Dirty Skittles
It's ok to be not ok, just make sure you're talking to someone
