A lot of us don’t struggle because we’re “fake.” We struggle because we learned that being fully seen wasn’t safe — so we masked, people-pleased, performed, and called it “normal.”
In this episode of Beat The Mental Health Out Of It! (AKA “BTMHOOI!”), host Nicholas Wichman (“The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective”) and co-host Tony Medeiros (“IndyPocket”) get honest about authenticity, insecurity, self-worth, shame, and the exhausting cost of living in performance mode.
We break down why masking becomes a survival skill, how it quietly erodes self-respect, and what it actually takes to unlearn the old “rules of safety” that keep you small. We also introduce two practical tools we use in real life: micro-honesty (small truth-telling that rebuilds self-trust) and “tiny reps” (tiny, doable actions that build authenticity over time without overwhelming your life).
This isn’t a motivational poster episode. It’s a real conversation about learning to be seen, setting boundaries that don’t blow up later, and rebuilding confidence from the ground up.
In this episode, we talk about:
Post one “mask” you’re dropping this week in our Discord, “The Struggle Bus” — we’ll back you up while you practice. (link below)
Beat The Mental Health Out Of It! (AKA “BTMHOOI!”) is a candid mental health podcast rooted in lived experience: schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia spectrum psychosis, BPD, PTSD, trauma recovery, coping skills, and dark humor that helps make serious mental illness more understandable and human.
Hosted by Nicholas Wichman (“The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective”) with frequent co-host Tony Medeiros (“IndyPocket”), we cover psych wards, psychiatric medication, disability, religious trauma, good therapy, bad therapy, and practical real-world coping — plus the societal and relationship issues that shape mental health every day. The goal isn’t just “fighting stigma.” It’s education, clarity, and honest conversation.
We interview everyone from everyday people to public figures, clinicians, and professionals, because mental health struggles don’t care who you are. If you’re willing to share your story or expertise, we aim to offer a safe, judgment-free space where you can speak openly — and still have some fun while doing it.
New episodes drop every other Monday at 6am EDT.
Want community and support? Join our Discord, “The Struggle Bus”: https://discord.gg/emFXKuWKNA
All links (TikTok, YouTube, Streaming, etc.): https://linktr.ee/BTMHOOI
Podcast cover art by Ryan Manning
