S2 E26 "Kat"

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of trauma, antisemitism, abuse (emotional, physical, and sexual), drug use, suicidal ideation, and a suicide attempt. Listener discretion is advised.Who this episode is for:Anyone who’s ever tried to fill the void with drugs, booze, bad relationships—or all of the aboveTrauma survivors who are still standing (barely or proudly)Ravers who thought hiding drugs in the desert was a genius ideaParents wondering if their “tough love” is really just emotional neglectThe curious and the nosy who’ve ever wondered what transcranial magnetic stimulation isAnyone who’s ever made a glorious mess of their 20sEpisode 26 is a ride—raw, relentless, and painfully real. Chris, Jeff, and Jakob sit down with Kat, who walked through fire (sometimes literally at raves) and lived to tell the tale with her husband Thomas in her corner. From growing up Jewish in a Midwest Bible Belt town laced with antisemitism, to navigating parentification, panic attacks, and isolation, Kat’s story smashes the silence around trauma, mental health, and addiction.We go deep: acid trips in fields, insane raves (including Electric Daisy Carnival, complete with cartel encounters and meth bombs), and opioids masquerading as “waves of happiness.” Kat calls this period her "Dark Ages"—eight years of high-end drugs, toxic relationships, and self-destruction dressed up as glamour.But it’s not all doom. Kat talks recovery after a suicide attempt, how Jewish cultural stigma around mental health nearly killed her, and how she found real help—like TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) therapy, rave scenes that doubled as misfit family, and ultimately, love. This one’s got everything: hallucinogens, birthright trips to Israel, a landlord “member of the tribe,” kidney stones, rave drugs imported from China, and dancing until your serotonin collapses.00:00 Introduction and Sponsorships02:19 Personal Retreat and Reflections04:48 Welcoming Kat: A Courageous Story06:15 Trauma and Social Justice Advocacy09:03 Cultural Perspectives on Mental Health12:59 The Impact of Community on Mental Health14:20 Experiences of Antisemitism and Isolation21:50 Parentification and Family Dynamics28:31 Struggles with Mental Health and Coping Mechanisms33:54 The Impact of Neglect vs. Physical Abuse34:55 Coping Mechanisms: Alcohol and Substance Use36:46 Body Image and Eating Disorders in Dance41:04 The Struggles of College Life and Substance Abuse47:42 Exploring Alternative Therapies: TMS and Psychedelics56:17 The Pain of Kidney Stones59:15 Dating and Self-Worth01:01:52 The Dark Ages of Abuse01:03:44 Rave Culture and Escapism01:11:10 The Descent into Addiction01:18:49 A Crisis Point: Suicide Attempt01:21:46 Surviving the Unthinkable: A Personal Journey01:24:25 Understanding PMDD and Its Impact on Mental Health01:25:44 Experiencing the Psych Ward: A Turning Point01:32:04 Life in Residential Treatment: A Mixed Experience01:40:08 Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Finding Balance in Chaos01:44:07 Empathy in Recovery01:47:06 Spirituality and Personal Growth01:50:01 Finding Purpose Through Adventure01:52:12 Activism and Social Justice01:58:21 Navigating Personal Challenges02:01:06 Education and Global Awareness02:05:29 Building Meaningful Relationships