If you’ve ever felt weighed down by depression, misunderstood because of a learning disability, or shaped by a painful past, this episode is for you.
More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/puck
In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, Puck joins MommaFoxFire for a raw and honest chat about living with depression, surviving abuse, navigating learning disabilities, and what it’s like to come out the other side of some seriously tough times. Puck shares openly about his background - from childhood trauma to adult resilience - with humor, grit and a whole lot of heart.
Puck’s story starts with a rocky childhood marked by physical and sexual abuse, a chaotic home life, and school struggles tied to an undiagnosed learning disability. Things didn’t get easier as a teen - he bounced between California and Minnesota, landing back with his dad after a stretch with his abusive stepfather. At 14, his mom sent him on a Greyhound with a bus ticket and $20. He wasn’t even sure his dad would be there to meet him. (He was.)
He ended up getting kicked out at 16 and spent years homeless. That part of his life was full of uncertainty - where to sleep, whether he’d eat, and if he could stay safe. He talked about meeting others in the same boat, finding community in unexpected places and how gaming became an escape and a safer option than getting into trouble on the streets.
Puck was arrested multiple times, mostly for theft-related offenses tied to survival. One particular charge from decades ago still follows him around, even though he’s completely turned his life around. He’s worked hard to rebuild everything, and despite being blocked from some jobs due to that record, he’s stayed focused on building a better future.
Now in his 40s, Puck is a homeowner, husband, father of three and business owner. He runs Wild Coyote Design, selling custom stickers, mugs and other creations online. He talks about the highs and lows of Etsy, including ridiculous customer complaints and the time demands of handmade work.
Mental health-wise, Puck lives with depression and struggles with focus and memory. He’s tried meds in the past but found they made things worse. Therapy helped some, but it was hard to connect while carrying so much unspoken trauma. He still hasn’t told his wife about everything, especially around the abuse he endured in childhood. Some of that pain still feels too heavy to speak out loud.
Despite everything, Puck’s proud of how far he’s come, and he's brutally honest about the work it takes. He’s committed to parenting his kids with more patience and care than he got growing up. He tries to give them the tools and love he didn’t have.
This conversation isn’t sugar-coated. It’s real, it’s messy, and it’s full of sharp edges - but it’s also a reminder that survival isn’t the end of the story. Puck’s still standing, still creating and still trying. And in a world that often tries to break people down, that’s a story worth hearing.
