Giving Voice to Depression: Real Stories & Expert Support for Depression and Mental Health

How do you explain depression to a child?For Todd Rennebohm, that question became deeply personal.After years of living with depression, anxiety, ADHD, alcoholism, suicidal thoughts, and multiple hospitalizations, Todd found himself facing one of the darkest nights of his life. What began as a desperate attempt to leave something behind for his children eventually became Sometimes Daddy Cries, a children's book designed to help families talk openly about mental health.In this Father's Day special episode, Todd shares the powerful story behind the book and the lessons he learned as a father navigating depression and recovery.Together, Todd, Terry, and Dr. Anita Sanz discuss: What depression really feels like beyond "sadness"  Why children need honest, age-appropriate conversations about mental health  How depression can affect parenting and family dynamics  The connection between depression, addiction, ADHD, and anxiety  Why hospitalization can be an important part of recovery  The unique stigma faced by men with depression  How parents can help children understand mental illness without fear  Why hope, treatment, and support matter This conversation is a reminder that depression is an illness, not a character flaw. And just like a physical illness, it deserves understanding, treatment, and compassion.For fathers who struggle. For families who love them. And for children trying to understand what they're seeing, this episode offers honesty, hope, and language that helps.Primary Topics Covered:Depression in fathersMen's mental healthParenting with depressionExplaining depression to childrenChildren's mental health educationAddiction and recoverySuicidal thoughts and hospitalizationADHD and depressionMental health stigma in menHope after depressionTimestamps:00:01:50 – Meet Todd and the story behind Sometimes Daddy Cries 00:02:38 – Writing the book during a suicidal crisis 00:04:03 – Asking for help and choosing treatment 00:04:39 – Reading from the book: "Sometimes Daddy cries" 00:05:11 – What depression really feels like beyond sadness 00:07:10 – Why Todd compares depression to a tummy ache 00:08:24 – Explaining mental illness to children 00:09:39 – Hospitalization and recovery 00:11:22 – Learning from mistakes as a parent 00:12:05 – Why the book helps fathers feel less alone 00:12:31 – The message Todd hopes children take away 00:13:01 – The message Todd hopes men take away 00:14:37 – Why children shouldn't blame themselves for a parent's depression 00:15:38 – Why treatment, support, and love create hope 00:16:08 – The hidden epidemic of depression in men 00:17:02 – The danger of not talking about mental illness in familiesExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

What does it mean to live with suicidal thoughts — and not be actively suicidal?In this powerful episode, Wally shares what it’s like to experience daily suicide ideation while actively managing their mental health.With the increased visibility of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, conversations about suicide are more public than ever. But there’s often confusion:Does having suicidal thoughts automatically mean someone is suicidal?As this episode explains, suicide ideation exists on a spectrum. There’s a critical difference between: Passive thoughts (“I don’t want to wake up.”)  Active ideation  Suicide planning and intent Wally lives with chronic physical pain, traumatic brain injuries, childhood trauma, and long-term mental health challenges. Suicidal thoughts are part of their daily experience — but so is disciplined management.You’ll hear how Wally: Uses CBT, DBT, and mindfulness to regulate daily ideation  Conducts personal “mental health inventory” check-ins  Distinguishes between ideation and danger  Activates a safety plan when needed  Sets boundaries when helping others  Encourages asking better questions instead of panicking Wally’s message is clear: “Unsolicited help is not help. It’s an assumption.”This episode invites listeners to replace knee-jerk reactions with curiosity, calm, and compassion.It’s an honest, nuanced conversation about suicide — without sensationalism, shame, or fear.Primary Topics Covered: Suicidal thoughts vs suicide planning  Suicide ideation spectrum  988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline  Chronic pain and suicide risk  Trauma and suicidal ideation  Mindfulness and breathing techniques  CBT and DBT tools  Mental health safety planning  How to talk to someone about suicidal thoughts  Reducing stigma around suicide conversations Timestamps:00:01:27 – Introduction to 988 and suicide ideation spectrum00:02:21 – Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale explained00:04:35 – Stigma and why suicide conversations get shut down00:06:45 – Childhood trauma and lifelong pain00:08:39 – Brain injuries, chronic pain, and toxic self-talk00:09:38 – Waking up daily into suicidal ideation00:11:17 – Tools: CBT, DBT, mindfulness, breathing00:12:01 – Personal mental health inventory system00:13:05 – Wally’s three-level ideation scale00:14:35 – “Unsolicited help is not help”00:14:54 – What questions to ask someone with suicidal thoughts00:17:35 – Why ideation does not always require hospitalization00:18:07 – Making it safer to talk about suicideExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Can you be depressed and not even realize it?Psychologist, author, and TEDx speaker Dr. Margaret Rutherford joins us to explore a powerful and often overlooked topic: high-functioning and perfectly hidden depression.In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we unpack why so many people deny their depression — even to themselves.Dr. Margaret explains the difference between: Classic depression (observable changes in mood and behavior)  High-functioning depression (still productive but internally struggling)  Perfectly hidden depression (deep emotional pain compartmentalized and denied) She shares how some people: Believe depression is a personal weakness  See it as a failure of faith  Feel ashamed to even consider therapy  Mistake depression for “just who I am”  Experience symptoms that creep in so slowly they barely notice the change One of the most powerful metaphors in this episode describes depression as lights dimming gradually — so slowly you don’t realize you’re squinting.We also explore: Why naming depression can bring relief  The role of shame in denial  The tension between faith and mental health treatment  Why depression is rarely caused by just one thing  How therapy can help clarify what feels confusing and overwhelming If you’ve ever thought, “I just don’t feel like myself anymore,” this episode may give language to something you’ve been quietly carrying.Primary Topics Covered: High-functioning depression  Perfectly hidden depression  Depression denial  Signs and symptoms of depression  Depression and faith  Shame and stigma  Personal weakness vs. mental illness  Bipolar disorder and mood swings  Gradual onset depression  Why naming depression matters Timestamps:00:02:15 – Introducing Dr. Margaret Rutherford and the concept of denial00:02:29 – Classic vs. high-functioning depression00:03:48 – Perfectly hidden depression explained00:05:48 – Not recognizing depression as a medical condition00:06:24 – Relief that comes from naming depression00:07:54 – The “lights dimming” metaphor for gradual depression00:10:08 – Reason #1: Viewing depression as a failure of faith00:11:37 – Reason #2: Believing depression is personal weakness00:13:48 – Identity loss when you “can’t get your stuff done”00:16:09 – Faith communities and seeking mental health supportLinks:Dr. Margaret's TEDx Talk on Perfectly Hidden Depression: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXZ5Bo5lafAExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

Can you be depressed and not even realize it?Psychologist, author, and TEDx speaker Dr. Margaret Rutherford joins us to explore a powerful and often overlooked topic: high-functioning and perfectly hidden depression.In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we unpack why so many people deny their depression — even to themselves.Dr. Margaret explains the difference between: Classic depression (observable changes in mood and behavior)  High-functioning depression (still productive but internally struggling)  Perfectly hidden depression (deep emotional pain compartmentalized and denied) She shares how some people: Believe depression is a personal weakness  See it as a failure of faith  Feel ashamed to even consider therapy  Mistake depression for “just who I am”  Experience symptoms that creep in so slowly they barely notice the change One of the most powerful metaphors in this episode describes depression as lights dimming gradually — so slowly you don’t realize you’re squinting.We also explore: Why naming depression can bring relief  The role of shame in denial  The tension between faith and mental health treatment  Why depression is rarely caused by just one thing  How therapy can help clarify what feels confusing and overwhelming If you’ve ever thought, “I just don’t feel like myself anymore,” this episode may give language to something you’ve been quietly carrying.Link to Dr. Margaret's TEDx Talk on "Perfectly Hidden Depression": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXZ5Bo5lafAPrimary Topics Covered:High-functioning depression  Perfectly hidden depression  Depression denial  Signs and symptoms of depression  Depression and faith  Shame and stigma  Personal weakness vs. mental illness  Bipolar disorder and mood swings  Gradual onset depression  Why naming depression matters Timestamps:00:02:15 – Introducing Dr. Margaret Rutherford and the concept of denial00:02:29 – Classic vs. high-functioning depression00:03:48 – Perfectly hidden depression explained00:05:48 – Not recognizing depression as a medical condition00:06:24 – Relief that comes from naming depression00:07:54 – The “lights dimming” metaphor for gradual depression00:10:08 – Reason #1: Viewing depression as a failure of faith00:11:37 – Reason #2: Believing depression is personal weakness00:13:48 – Identity loss when you “can’t get your stuff done”00:16:09 – Faith communities and seeking mental health supportExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

What happens when people speak openly about depression?In this Ripple Report episode, we hear how honest conversations about mental health create real-world change — from classrooms to hotlines to theater stages.A New York theater director shares how listening to personal stories of depression helped her manage anxiety during a major life transition. She describes how having voices in her ear “held her hand” during a difficult travel day and prevented her from spiraling.Her theater ensemble now listens to the podcast together — then sits in a circle and talks about it.They reflect on: Why hearing one person’s depression story feels more powerful than statistics  How storytelling reduces shame and isolation  Why listening is often more helpful than “fixing”  How sharing lived experience grants others permission to open up  The healing ripple effect of open mental health conversations They also describe how storytelling acts as an “olive branch” — a gentle way to open the door to difficult conversations with friends or family who may be struggling.If you’ve ever wondered whether speaking honestly about depression makes a difference — this episode answers with a resounding yes.Every story told creates ripples.Primary Topics Covered: Depression stigma and how to reduce it  The power of storytelling in mental health  Why listening matters more than fixing  Feeling alone with depression  Opening conversations about mental health  Using art and theater to address depression  Creating safe spaces for vulnerability  Depression support in community settingsTimestamps:00:01:26 – What is a Ripple Report? Real-world impact of sharing stories00:02:28 – Discovering the podcast and breaking misconceptions about depression00:03:36 – Using depression stories as a coping tool during anxiety00:05:19 – The play “Every Brilliant Thing” and its connection to depression00:06:55 – Listening together as a theater group00:07:26 – Why listening is more helpful than fixing00:09:18 – Why one person’s story is more powerful than statistics00:12:03 – The pressure to pretend we’re fine00:12:35 – Using stories as an “olive branch” to start conversations00:15:40 – The ripple effect of open mental health dialogueExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/