In this deeply personal solo episode, Dr. Duff returns to the mic after a hiatus to share what's been going on behind the scenes with The Hardcore Self Help Podcast. He opens up about an almost-acquisition of the show by a larger mental health organization—a deal that initially looked promising but ultimately fell through. With transparency and vulnerability, Dr. Duff reflects on the emotional and professional impact of that experience, explains why the podcast paused, and announces the exciting new direction it's headed in.
Why the podcast went quiet for a while
A behind-the-scenes look at the attempted acquisition of the show
The emotional and logistical toll of being let down by a potential deal
Reflections on past professional disappointments outside of clinical work
What's next: rebranding, new episode formats, and a stronger emphasis on interviews
Why connection and personal stories will be the heart of the podcast moving forward
Dr. Duff's renewed commitment to amplifying diverse voices and lived experiences
Updates on the "Bipolar Answers" audiobook and Substack content
Thoughts on staying consistent while prioritizing quality over quantity
00:00 – 00:52 — Welcome back! What this episode is about
00:52 – 02:00 — The podcast was almost sold—here's how it started
02:00 – 03:26 — Meeting the company, expectations, and initial excitement
03:26 – 06:04 — Multiple meetings and flying out to pitch in person
06:04 – 08:00 — In-person meetings and positive vibes, but no details yet
08:00 – 10:24 — Delays, excuses, and finally: the deal falls through
10:24 – 12:25 — Processing the disappointment and reflecting on past letdowns
12:25 – 13:21 — Token compensation offered, but trust was broken
13:21 – 14:00 — What's next: staying open to future partnerships
14:00 – 15:22 — New focus: interviews over general Q&A
15:22 – 16:48 — The unique value of human connection in storytelling
16:48 – 17:15 — Rebranding plans and more diverse guest features
17:15 – 18:17 — Finishing the audiobook, editing, and prepping new interviews
18:17 – 19:05 — Where to find Dr. Duff in the meantime and the new YouTube direction
Website: https://duffthepsych.com
Email: duffthepsych@gmail.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/duffthepsych
Substack: https://robertduff.substack.com
If you're excited about the return of the podcast, be sure to subscribe, share the new episodes with your community, and leave a review wherever you listen. Every bit of support helps relaunch this phoenix from the ashes.
