Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads

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/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a

Mental Health Quote

“Every part of you is welcome. Every big feeling has a place.” — Inspired by Jacintha Field

Episode 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/@jacinthafield

Key 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.

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/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a

Trigger 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

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 #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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a

Mental 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 Smarro

Episode 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.

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/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a

Mental 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.

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/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a

Mental 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

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#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #ChronicPain #TraumaHealing #DepressionSupport #OpioidRecovery #AnxietyAwareness #HealingJourney #EmotionalWellness #MentalHealthMatters #SubconsciousMind #PainManagement

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