PODCAST · health
A Survivor's Guide to Hell
by PJ Aubrey
Bad news: world-wide mental illness is on the incline. A world full of poor mental health doesn’t just damage your happiness. It damages your wallet, your neighborhood, and even your freedom and physical safety. At A Survivor’s Guide to Hell, we decided it’s time to take back our brains. Each week, we’ll tackle a difficult topic using incredible true stories and science-backed advice. Together, we can help heal the world, one brain at a time.If you think life is hard, you’ve found the right podcast. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/survivorsguidetohell/support
Episodes
-
Is Washing Your Apples Useless? Let’s Talk Pesticides
Ever wondered if rinsing your apples actually does anything? Or if the "organic" label is just a clever marketing ploy? In this eye-opening episode of A Survivor’s Guide to Health, PJ Aubrey—psychology grad and health & wellness coach—uncovers the disturbing origins of modern pesticides (spoiler:...
-
Overcoming Brain Fog - How to Find Mental Clarity on Foggy Days
Have you ever had one of those days when you felt t-boned with a nasty case of brain fog? You know how it is - you can't seem to think effectively no matter how hard you try. The worst is when a brain-fog day turns into a couple of days…then a week…maybe even more. When our brain feels clouded,...
-
Setting Boundaries the Easy Way: Strategies for Defining your Limits
Does the idea of setting boundaries make you feel a little anxious? If it does, you and I have probably shared the same question: how do we set personal boundaries without ruffling too many feathers? In today's episode, we're using data-backed advice to answer just that. To add some zest, we'll...
-
Top Tips for Tough Talks: How to Avoid Explosive Conversations and Still Get the Point Across
Have you ever gotten stuck in a difficult conversation? If you have, you're probably familiar with the side effects: your eyes widening with anger, your tongue sharpening with frustration, and your counterpart feeding the negativity. Worst of all, you never seem to approach any real solutions. In...
-
Searching for Inner Strength? Top Tips for Building Resilience
Who wouldn't enjoy a bit more personal strength? Join us today as we tell the story of Biosphere 2 to help us understand the pillars of resilience, and enjoy science-backed strategies to help you uncover your own ability to persevere during tough times. If you're looking for a second serving of...
-
Breathwork - How to Breathe Your Way to a Healthier Life
Breathwork is one of the most powerful tools a person has for decreasing stress and increasing wellness. The best part? It’s free, nearly always available, and as quick as you need it to be. How can you use it to improve your own life? Join us today to learn what breathing does to increase…
more -
3 Tips for Ditching a Cynical Attitude (Faith in Humanity Part 3)
Cynicism has some serious health hazards, from depression to increased dementia risk. How can we restore our faith in humanity in such a corrupt and chaotic world? Join us today as we use science-backed data and vivid storytelling to help you reclaim your hope in humankind. As a bonus, you'll get...
-
Is cynicism hurting you? A Personality Quiz (Faith in Humanity Part 2)
Ever turn on the TV and think, "Well, humanity is through"? We've all had those moments. But when that cynical attitude moves in...and doesn't move out...the research says we might be in for some real trouble. So how can we restore our faith in humanity in such a corrupt and chaotic world? Join…
more -
Losing Faith in Humanity? You Gotta Hear This (Part 1)
We all have those days where we feel a bit cynical. But when that cynical attitude moves in...and doesn't move out...the research says we might be in for some real trouble. So how can we restore our faith in humanity in such a chaotic world? Join us today as we use science-backed data and vivid...
-
Life And Loss - How To Cope With Grief
If you have ever grieved, you know how richly painful the experience can be. How does someone heal from grief, and how do you keep functioning when you feel its many painful side effects? Using solid data and incredible stories, today's episode answers these questions and more. For the link to…
more -
The Gift of Mental Health: How to Happy your Holiday
From tough in-laws to a turkey that came out too dry, the holidays have a way of challenging us. In today's episode, we cover three tips for surviving the holiday season with a healthy brain, and share our favorite winter story to help get your heart ready for the holidays. Here's to a happy…
more -
The Surprising Secrets Of Venting & Mental Health
Ah, venting. The art of "getting it off your chest." Venting has developed some big fans and some major haters, so we've turned to Dr. Kate Gapinski to help us understand if venting is helping us...or harming us. -- To read Dr. Gapinksi's blog, click here. For the SGH Book Giveaway, click here.…
more -
Sleep Hacks: How to Get a Better Night's Sleep
You already know why you need quality sleep. The question is: how do you get it? In today's episode, host PJ Aubrey shares her story of finding a better night's sleep and several science-backed tips for achieving your own solid snooze. Stay tuned to learn how to receive your chance at a free copy...
-
The Intense Story of Peter Tripp - How Sleep Affects the Mind
How much is sleep affecting your mental health? Today, we explore what happened to Peter Tripp, the radio personality who went days without sleep as a publicity stunt. We'll also discuss how sleep affects your brain, and some strategies to help you take back bedtime. Follow us on Facebook:...
-
Can Hope Be Toxic? 3 Forms of Hope & Which to Avoid
Not all forms of hope are good for you. Today, we explore the heart-tugging tale of Admiral James B. Stockdale - former POW of the infamous Hanoi Hilton - to examine which kind of hope can break you…and which kind can make you. To follow us on Facebook, tap here. For the podcast website, tap…
more -
Four Quick Tricks for Optimizing Your DNA
You may not be able to change the DNA you were born with - but did you know you have some control over how that DNA expresses itself? Today, we build on last week's interview to give you our four best tips on maximizing your genetics. With these four tools, you're well on you way to creating the...
-
Your Own DNA Getting You Down? Optimizing your Genetics
We all have at least one gene we'd like to change - maybe a family history of mental illness, heart disease, weight gain, or more. In today's episode, we speak with Dr. Yael Joffe about powerful strategies to help you optimize your own genome...and increase your mental health. Part 1: Host PJ...
-
3 Methods to Help Heal Your Trauma
If you've ever experienced trauma, you know how tough healing can be. In today's episode, we use stories, studies, and some mind-blowing perspectives to introduce you to 3 impressive healing techniques. Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/survivorsguidetohell This American Life on...
-
Trauma - How it Affects the Brain, & How to Heal
Have you ever experienced a traumatic event? In today's episode, we explore what trauma is, how it affects the brain, and one of our favorite methods for healing if the effects of trauma are still nipping at your heels. As always, we'll be using compelling stories and science-backed data to help...
-
Season Finale: Season One Hall of Fame
We've compiled our top seven stories in this extended episode to celebrate season one of a Survivor's Guide to Hell, as well as some behind-the-scenes facts to give you a deeper glimpse into our true-to-life survival guide. Join us in May to kick off season 2, and enjoy exhilarating new stories...
-
How to Move Forward when Life Gives you Nothing to Work With
There’s nothing quite as thrilling and stupefying, inspiring and terrifying, as having to make something out of nothing. In honor of starting from scratch, we’ve collected a few real-life stories that may give you some inspiration the next time you need to hit life’s reset button. To top you off,...
-
How to Uncover the Right Words to Say When it Matters Most
Not having the words to say...it gets the best of us. Missing the words you’re looking for can be something as petty as kicking yourself for not thinking of that zingy line until after the conversation has ended. Or, it can be as devastating as missing the chance to say what was in your heart...
-
3 Winter Stories to Keep you Toasty in Frigid Times
This episode was lost once upon a time, but has been brought back from the dead just in time for the Winter season complete with enhanced audio. BONUS: We're introducing a familiar character as our new co-host in today's introduction, as well as some SGH fun-facts you won't find anywhere else....
-
5 Stories of Kids that Brought out the Best in the Adults Around Them
Sometimes children’s best moments are when they’re up to no good, whether they're blithely wandering out their front door and into the elements, calling people they really shouldn’t be calling, scaring their parents with sudden health issues, or ganging up on vulnerable little kids at a skate…
more -
Two Stories, Three Tips: How to Triumph Over Disaster
Today, I’ve got a couple stories that may help you cope with your own disasters. Sandwiched between the them, we’ll offer some legit, science-backed advice on how to build resilience and stand up to whatever disaster may be coming your way. Grab you tinfoil hats, a first aid kit, and a box of...
-
How to Pause a World War, Plus Two More Surprising Stories of the Battlefield
War is a tough topic. This is usually the part where I elaborate on all the things that make my topic an unpleasant one, but today, I think I’ll let you use your own imagination. This week, let’s get straight to the good stuff: we’re going to talk about bullets that grow flowers. We’re going to...
-
Why You Should Look Forward to Getting Old
Sure, there are some elements of getting older that are indisputably unpleasant. However, there are some bright-sides to aging that are not only worth noting, but worth looking forward to. Listen on for the bright sides of getting older.
-
How to Finally Feel Good Enough: Stories on Overcoming Inadequacy
The feeling I fear most--more than anger, sadness, or fear itself--is the feeling of not being good enough. However, something magical happens to those who refuse to believe this “not good enough” thing is a permanent condition. Today, we have two stories where the not-good-enough turned their...
-
Ever Been Burned? Here's Three Stories on How to Beat Life's Wildfires
Whether it's literal or metaphorical, getting burned hurts. In this episode, we’ll discuss three epic silver linings to wildfires, and connect them with three modern-life parallels of folks recovering better-than-ever from their metaphorical burns. (Audio credit: Ketsa, Scott Gratton, Xilo-Ziko,...
-
How to Survive a Broken Heart (or Dive into One Head-First)
In today's episode, enjoy the story of two life-long lover's who's final hours on earth are marked by a romantic event that defied statistics. Then, grab your gut-busters and knee-slappers for nine break-up stories to help you laugh instead of cry. Finally, study up on three tips for surviving a...
-
Beat the Brink: Underdog Stories of Kids that Survived Hell
Today, we’re talking about “being on the brink.” We won’t ignore the pit on the other side--that steep slope that ends in rolling lava, toothy rocks, grappling zombie hands, or whatever your version of doom is. However, we plan to keep our feet firmly on the higher side of things as we share two...
-
Four Unique Animals that Aren't as Extinct as We Thought
There are few phrases as sad as "human-driven species extinction." However, these four animals may show is that the animal kingdom is more durable than we think. Audio Credit to: Felix blume, Zapsplat, Ketsa, Crowander
-
Learn How to Break the Ice From Two Ice-Shattering Stories
How does an Italian Zoologist manage to become friends with one of the world's greatest musicians? And what does a Conjoined twin do when they fall in love? Listen on to find out. Audio Credit: Scott Gratton, Ketsa, Serge Piano, Guifrog, and John Bartman
-
Real-Life Flower-Power: How Weeds can Clean Up a Tragedy, and Inspire Us to be Strong
Weeds are a classic metaphor for the bad things in life. They’re kind of like Darth Vader or Hannibal Lecter: famous for being horrible. However, weeds are astounding things that know how to flourish where they land. In today's article, we're sharing two stories about wonder weeds that have…
more -
Two Remarkable Stories to Listen to in Your Hospital Bed
Bubonic plague and eternal life: these are two things you may expect to find in a medieval fantasy novel. We want to tell you otherwise. Thanks to Ketsa, Zapsplat, and Podington Bear for some of today's audio.
-
Kintsugi and Cancer: Proof that Broken can be Beautiful
You know what it means to break. You’ve had a “worst day ever.” You’ve had a broken heart. There have been times that left you gathering up your own pieces, and life can be very creative when it comes to breaking you apart. Then again, life can be very creative about making things right again.…
more -
3 Stories to Help You Heal Your Broken Parts
Broken is a profound word. “Broken,” “shattered,” “fractured,” and “split apart” are the terms that we reserve for the moments when life itself seems to have turned on us. Then again, being “broken” often doesn’t turn out like we think it will. Sometimes, things aren’t quite as bad as they seem....
-
What You Have In Common With The Homeless (And How To Help Make Up The Difference)
This episode is a tightrope walk for me. I want it to be a little less, “look into their empty, hungry eyes, understand their suffering, and give to the homeless,” and a little more, “remember your neighbors out there. They’re pretty cool people. Don’t forget your brothers and sisters on the...
-
Episode I'm Sick
I'm sick this week! Here's a cheesy joke, and some good news on next week's podcast.
-
Why Boredom can be Good for You (and How to Escape it When it’s Not)
Boredom is powerful. When it comes to boredom, we have some startling research to tell you about, as well as some uplifting facts to keep you in-the-loop, as well as five inexpensive ideas for things you can do the next time you’re too bored to go on.
-
Three Tips When Drawing a Blank: Solid Advice from the Smartest of the Stumped
Ever drawn a blank? You're not alone. Today, we'll discuss three tips to help get you passed that blank, designed by some of the smartest people to ever be stumped.
-
What I Learned by Being Horrible, and Three Mistakes that Changed YOUR Life
It doesn’t matter who you are. It doesn’t matter how much money is in your bank account, what country you live in, or your gender and color: you make mistakes. It’s one of the few things that everyone has in common with every other human being. We all need to eat to live. We will all eventually...
-
Three Ways to Reduce Your Fear of Death
Death. It’s one of the most ambitious topics when it comes to finding silver linings. Today, we’re dipping our own toes into the topic by covering three different ways of thinking about death. I won’t attempt to give you answers about what happens when we close our eyes for good, however, I will...
-
Why Teenagers are More Incredible Than You Think
This is part 2 of our teenager series! Last week, we served you a lifetime sandwich by interviewing some skate-park teenagers, then asking the same questions to established adults. This week, we’ll go even further in depth with our teenage selves. I’ll finally sit down with my own teenage...
-
What You May have Forgotten about Being a Teenager
The teenage years are a tricky topic to handle, considering how much there is to love about being a teen. Teenagers definitely have the lion’s share of some of life’s greatest blessings, but the teenage years don’t come without their balls and chains! Put on your tinfoil time-travel hats, because...
-
Why You Should Wait to Call Pest Control: Bugs are More Important than you Think, Part 2
-Part 2- Spiders. Earwigs. Ants. Bugs, bugs, bugs. Maybe it’s why you haven’t thrown away that pest-control flier yet…it seems that insects and spiders have a special way of creeping us out without even trying. Today, we’re going to find out what makes bugs so important. We’ll learn how insects,...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Bad news: world-wide mental illness is on the incline. A world full of poor mental health doesn’t just damage your happiness. It damages your wallet, your neighborhood, and even your freedom and physical safety. At A Survivor’s Guide to Hell, we decided it’s time to take back our brains. Each week, we’ll tackle a difficult topic using incredible true stories and science-backed advice. Together, we can help heal the world, one brain at a time.If you think life is hard, you’ve found the right podcast. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/survivorsguidetohell/support
HOSTED BY
PJ Aubrey
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does A Survivor's Guide to Hell have?
A Survivor's Guide to Hell currently has 46 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is A Survivor's Guide to Hell about?
Bad news: world-wide mental illness is on the incline. A world full of poor mental health doesn’t just damage your happiness. It damages your wallet, your neighborhood, and even your freedom and physical safety. At A Survivor’s Guide to Hell, we decided it’s time to take back our brains. Each week,...
How often does A Survivor's Guide to Hell release new episodes?
A Survivor's Guide to Hell has 46 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to A Survivor's Guide to Hell?
You can listen to A Survivor's Guide to Hell on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts A Survivor's Guide to Hell?
A Survivor's Guide to Hell is created and hosted by PJ Aubrey.
URL copied to clipboard!