Episode #32 – Strong on the Outside, Dying on the Inside: High-Functioning Depression in Infosec

We all know someone who seems to have it together. They’re high-performing, always reliable, maybe even admired. But beneath the surface, they’re barely holding it together.In this episode of InfoSec to Insanity, Evan Francen and co-host Matt Goodacre dive into the brutal reality of high-functioning depression and anxiety, especially in high-stress careers like cybersecurity. Based on Evan’s deeply personal blog post (https://evanfrancen.com/2025/05/06/strong-on-the-outside/), this conversation exposes what most people never see—the silent battles behind the smiles, the crushing weight behind the competence. We’ll talk about:Why “functioning” doesn’t mean healthyThe danger of internalizing pain to keep up appearancesHow to recognize the signs (in yourself or others)Why the strongest people often hide the deepest painWhat we can do to break the cycle and actually healIf you’ve ever felt like you’re surviving instead of living—this one’s for you.📅 Recorded live on YouTube – May 15, 2025 @ 9pm CT