In this episode of the "Modern Day Overthinker" podcast, host Collin Strajack talks with guest Bailee Huethert about personal struggles and recovery, particularly in the context of addiction.

Bailee shares her journey into recovery, which began unexpectedly during a work trip away from familiar support structures, leading her to her first recovery meeting. She delves into the challenges of recovery, emphasizing the difference between mere abstinence and true recovery, a distinction highlighted by her father's insights.

A significant part of the conversation focuses on Bailee's battles with mental health issues, including severe depression diagnosed from a young age, and her complex relationship with her mother, which feeds into her complex PTSD. She discusses the importance of support systems and being truthful in therapeutic settings to truly benefit from them.

Bailee and Collin also touch upon lighter topics, such as gaming and living arrangements, providing a break from the more intense themes of addiction and recovery. They discuss the impact of COVID-19 on personal relationships and the commonality of coping mechanisms that people often adopt in stressful times.

Towards the end of the podcast, there's a shift towards a discussion of faith and spirituality. Bailee expresses a nuanced view on organized religion, suggesting that while it does not currently meet her needs, she recognizes its value for others and does not completely close off the possibility of it playing a role in her future.

Overall, this episode of the podcast offers a deep dive into the challenges and nuances of personal recovery and mental health, balanced with everyday realities and a touch of humor, providing a comprehensive and relatable discussion for listeners.

For all the links:
www.moderndayoverthinker.com

In a candid and heartfelt episode of the Modern Day Overthinker podcast, host Collin Strajack opens up about his recent struggles with OCD, anxiety, and depression, shedding light on the inner turmoil that led to a hiatus from the podcast. Collin delves into the challenging OCD loops that trapped him, detailing the compulsive behaviors that disrupted his ability to post episodes and the mental battles that ensued. Despite significant personal achievements, such as receiving a promotion at work and deepening his faith, Collin faced overwhelming anxiety that led him to consider serious measures for his mental health.

Collin's story is one of resilience in the face of mental health challenges. He discusses his journey with therapy, the importance of not avoiding problems, and how his OCD, termed the "doubt disorder," impacts his life by attacking his values and causing him to question his actions and thoughts. This episode is a frank discussion about the reality of living with OCD, including the intrusive thoughts and compulsions that characterize the disorder, and the constant battle with self-doubt and the fear of not being good enough.

Throughout the episode, Collin emphasizes the importance of seeking help, the power of small victories, and the role of faith and community in his recovery process. He shares his experiences with substance abuse recovery, the significance of fellowship, and how being open and vulnerable has helped him connect with others. Collin also explores his passion for comedy as a form of expression and healing, the impact of his mental health on his relationships and self-image, and his decision to try ketamine-assisted psychotherapy as a new avenue for treatment.

The podcast episode is not just a personal narrative but a message of hope and encouragement for others facing similar struggles. Collin encourages listeners to reach out for help, to set small, achievable goals, and to remember that dark periods do not last forever. He highlights the importance of community, checking in with oneself and others, and continuing to pursue one's passions and goals despite the challenges posed by mental health issues.

This podcast description was written by AI, not me. -Collin

I hope you enjoyed this episode and if just one person got some hope from it, that's a win for me.

www.moderndayoverthinker.com for all the links

In this episode of the "Modern Day Overthinker" podcast, Collin welcomes Zane Landin, a fellow mental health advocate, to discuss a range of topics including mental health, the power of storytelling, and the importance of vulnerability, particularly among men.

Zane shares his journey from graduating with a bachelor's degree in communication to becoming a passionate storyteller and mental health advocate. He recounts his experience meeting President Biden, his work with various mental health organizations, and his diagnosis with major depressive disorder, emphasizing the significance of having a diagnosis for understanding and treating mental health conditions.

The conversation also delves into the nuances of men's mental health, challenging stereotypes and calling for a more nuanced understanding of masculinity and vulnerability. Zane and Collin discuss the challenges and rewards of advocating for mental health, sharing personal stories and insights on navigating life as individuals deeply involved in mental health advocacy.

Keep up with Zane Landin here:

https://www.instagram.com/zanelandin/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zane-landin-b2417a187/

Celtic Honey is a traveling independent performer specializing in burlesque, draglesque, Kung Fu. She also guests at anime and comic cons and holds panels on props, Avatar, body painting and makeup, and the most important topic, consent.

On this episode of the Modern Day Overthinker podcast, Collin sits down with the multifaceted performer and artist, Celtic Honey Celtic, known for her captivating presence in the realms of burlesque, cosplay, and beyond. Celtic Honey opens up about her journey into the world of performance art, highlighting her passion for cosplay, her experiences as a burlesque performer, and her dedication to advocating for mental health and consent culture within the creative community. Through her story, we explore the therapeutic power of art, the challenges of maintaining balance amidst burnout, and the importance of embracing one's authentic self. Join us as Celtic Honey shares insights into her creative process, the significance of therapy in her life, and her mission to empower others through her work and advocacy. 

Celtic's many links: https://linktr.ee/celtichoney

On this episode of the Modern Day Overthinker podcast, we delve deep into the intricate world of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with special guest Cody Fournier, a licensed independent clinical social worker LICSW who currently works with NOCD (www.treatmyocd.com), a platform dedicated to helping people treat their OCD. Our conversation traverses a range of poignant and educational topics, offering invaluable insights for anyone touched by OCD.

We start by exploring the roots of Cody's interest in OCD, tracing back to his personal journey of losing his mother to substance abuse and how this traumatic experience ignited his own OCD. Cody candidly shares his experiences with changing subtypes of OCD and the common misconceptions that surround this often-misunderstood disorder.

A significant portion of our talk is dedicated to discussing Harm OCD, a lesser-known subtype, and how OCD tends to attack what we value most. Cody's passion shines through as he explains why he loves working as an OCD therapist, especially in the current landscape of OCD awareness in 2024. We also delve into the challenges of being incorrectly diagnosed, the phenomenon of high-functioning individuals who hide their OCD and anxiety, and the intricacies of explaining one's OCD to others. Cody shares his journey of specializing in OCD therapy and the profound satisfaction he feels witnessing the progress of his patients through Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy.

As we navigate the conversation, Cody offers practical advice on managing and treating OCD, emphasizing the importance of confronting short-term discomfort in therapy for long-term gain. We also touch upon the critical topics of addiction, avoidance, and how external stressors can heighten OCD symptoms. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand more about OCD, from those living with the disorder to loved ones seeking to support them, and even mental health professionals looking to deepen their knowledge. Join us as we unpack the complexities of OCD with Cody Fournier. 

Learn more about Cody here: 
https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/my-path-to-treating-ocd-began-as-a-teenager

Follow him here:
https://www.instagram.com/codyfournier.ocd/

Find treatment and resources for OCD here: https://www.treatmyocd.com/

Ben Hagarty is a video director, cinematographer, and podcaster from Cedar Falls, Iowa.

On this episode (recorded 1/8/24), Ben and I discuss his journey to success as a creator who has worked with some of the biggest artists, celebrities, and brands in the world. His journey is inspiring to say the least. When it comes to his work ethic, networking skills, and talents behind the scenes, Ben is a creator like no other. His value in his industry is an another level. That is not him saying this either because he is too humble to say all of that... which is another reason I enjoyed speaking with Ben. We even talked about how much he could flex with his accomplishments, but doesn't feel the need to do so. The dude has a Grammy award for his work on Homecoming: A Film By Beyonce and casually brought it up like it wasn't a big deal. That's the kind of Ben is. A successful guy with humility who keeps himself grounded. We talk about how and what attributes to those qualities as well.

We talked about a lot on this episode because Ben loves to talk about what he does considering he 100% loves what he does. I was also ready to listen and ask all the questions I could think of to learn more about a dude I have watched explode into a creative machine online for over a decade after connecting in Cedar Falls around 2010. 

Here are the 5 key topics of discussion I had with Ben Hagarty:

- Creative journey
- Personal growth & challenges
- The inspiration from artists he loves and has worked with he is obtained
- Building a creative community (Black With No Cream)
- His family upbringing and Iowa roots

It was awesome having Ben Hagarty on the podcast as a fellow Iowan, dreamer, and creator. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did making it.

Keep up with Ben here:

https://www.benrealvsworld.com/
 
https://www.instagram.com/benrealvsworld/

https://www.instagram.com/blackwithnocream/

Keep up with Modern Day Overthinker and Collin the host here: 

https://moderndayoverthinker.com/

On the latest episode of the Modern Day Overthinker podcast, we dive into the world of fitness and personal training with Chase Hollmer, a Sports Performance Coach, Hybrid Athlete, and Online Personal Trainer. Chase and I discussed exploring the mental benefits of fitness. Chase stresses the importance of consistency in any fitness regime, discussing how regularity is more crucial than anything when it comes to working out. We also agreed that the that embracing discomfort and doing things that are challenging can lead to remarkable growth, both physically and mentally.

Supplements are a hot topic in fitness, and Chase does not shy away from sharing his personal regimen and recommendations. We also talked about some of the trends and crazes in fitness, including Chase's opinions on cold plunges and the '75 Hard' challenge. Chase offers a balanced view, considering both the benefits and potential drawbacks.

One of his key messages is about finding joy in exercise. He encourages listeners to engage in workouts they genuinely enjoy, as passion is a significant driver of persistence in fitness. We also delve into the challenges of coaching young athletes. 

Chase also shares his experiences and the unique approaches required to train the youth. This episode is not just for fitness enthusiasts but for anyone looking to gain practical insights into health, wellness, and personal growth.

Keep up with Chase here:

https://www.instagram.com/hollmertime
https://www.tiktok.com/@hollmertime
https://www.youtube.com/@Hollmertime

On episode 79 of the Modern Day Overthinker podcast, I dive deep into a variety of topics with another great guest: Adam Peters.

Adam Peters is the Director of Operations at Clock, Inc. LGBT+ Community Center in the Quad Cities, a Show Choir Coach, Runner, and Political Campaign Organizer. Join us as we explore his journey through sobriety, working on political campaigns, coming out, his experience of being adopted, his self-care practices, therapy, managing anxiety, and practicing gratitude.

Don't forget to subscribe to the Modern Day Overthinker podcast for more thought-provoking discussions. Leave your thoughts and questions in the comments below, and be sure to share this episode with your friends!

Instead of social links, Adam has asked I provide the following link for you to support Clock, Inc.
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/YeIG6g?vid=12ymso

Keep up with Modern Day Overthinker here:

https://www.facebook.com/mdoverthinker
https://www.instagram.com/mdoverthinker/
https://www.tiktok.com/@mdoverthinker
https://twitter.com/mdoverthinker
https://moderndayoverthinker.com/