Shows
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#204 Your Excitement Is Embarrassing feat. CYNICISMWhat do religion, politics, and relationships have in common? Could it be that they make us lose our faith in humanity? On today’s episode, we talk about the differences between cynicism and pessimism, debate the merit of doubt, and find shreds of delight from a surprising source. Enjoy!Next poll: How does unhappiness serve you? (DUE 6/20)We’d love to hear from you! Here’s how to join the conversation:* Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcas...2025-06-1949 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#203 When Plans Go Awry...AgainWe had a plan for this episode, but the universe had another idea. Listen to us talk about pride, withdrawals, hospitalizations, gender, and slugs. Content warning for us being idiots. Enjoy!Current poll: How does unhappiness serve you? (DUE 6/20)We’d love to hear from you! Here’s how to join the conversation:* Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Watch on YouTube: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook grou...2025-06-1040 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#202 Riding It Out feat. HAPPINESSAfter a week off, we share the latest chaos in our lives before Lauren takes us on a pursuit of…well, you know. Topics include contentment vs. happiness, feelings we confuse for happiness, why we need to be unhappy sometimes, and what’s bringing us joy these days. We’d love to hear from you! Here’s how to join the conversation:* Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Watch on YouTube: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Follow our Instagra...2025-06-0350 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#201 Well Darlin', I Sure Do Disagree feat. AdelineWe are once again joined by our friend Adeline, who challenges us to a game of increasingly vulnerable questions. Along the way, we discuss life transitions, accountability, and practice how to say no. Enjoy!The game we played was the Friendship Edition of We’re Not Really Strangers. They aren’t a paid sponsor, we just love an excuse to make one another uncomfortable.We’d love to hear from you! Here’s how to join the conversation:* Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack...2025-05-2047 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#200 Pickles, Peaches, and HobgoblinsWe are joined by friends and past guests Adeline (AKA Adie) and j’naii to celebrate Pickles and Vodka’s 200th episode! Topics include airport anxiety, setting unpleasant boundaries, being vulnerable on the internet, and the gift of online friendships. Plus, we share listener voicemails, eat biscuits from across the pond, and receive the best gift we’ve ever gotten on this show. Enjoy!We’d love to hear from you! Here’s how to join the conversation:* Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka...2025-05-1454 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#199 Do You Find Mental Health Diagnoses Helpful or Hurtful?We share listener responses to the question “Do you find mental health diagnoses helpful or hurtful?” Topics include flashbacks, stigma, accountability, and trendy soda. Enjoy!See below for ways you can join the next conversation:* Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Watch on YouTube: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Send us an email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's pers...2025-05-0656 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#198 Getting Discomfortable feat. COMFORTOn this episode, we go outside our comfort zone and discuss the concept of perceived safety and when it gets in the way. Tangents include hiding in the closet, finger painting, sad songs, and Awana trauma. Enjoy!Join the next conversation:* Leave us a voice message on www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/picklesandvodapodcast* Send us an email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper2025-04-2954 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#197 What Does Self-Disgust Look Like for You?We share listener responses to the question “What does self-disgust look like for you?” Topics include hate vs. anger, stupid things we do that cause self-disgust to accumulate, “sinful” emotions, and a new merch idea. Enjoy!Surprise! This episode is available to watch as a video on our Youtube and Substack! See below for ways you can join the next conversation:* Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Watch on YouTube: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesa...2025-04-2254 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#196 Remembering Pico feat. #93 Re-ReleaseWe share some tragic news before re-releasing our pet episode we recorded back in 2022. Hug your animal companions tight today.Trigger warning for pet death.Original episode: #93 A Room of Chihuahuas feat. PETS* Leave us a voice message on www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/picklesandvodapodcast* Send us an email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper* Christina's Substack: crisis corner...2025-04-151h 19
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#195 Panic! at the Psychologist feat. DIAGNOSESWe discuss the role of mental health diagnoses and how they’ve impacted our lived experiences. Tangents include writing our memoirs, MyChart, and breastfeeding. Enjoy!Pickle poll due 4/4: What does self-disgust look like for you? How does it differentiate from anger?Pickle poll due 4/18: Do you find mental health diagnoses helpful or hurtful? How has that showed up in your own life?* Leave us a voice message on www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Jo...2025-04-0153 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#194 How Did Your Family View Mental Health Growing Up?We share listener responses to the question “How did your family view mental health growing up?” Topics include whether or not we talk about mental health with our parents, how our families of origin still affect us decades later, and how to avoid ruining your kid’s psyche. Enjoy!Pickle poll due 4/4: What does self-disgust look like for you? How does it differentiate from anger?Thank you to everyone who answered this poll! See below for ways you can join the next conversation:* Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka...2025-03-2545 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#193 Treatment and Other Entanglements feat. TaylorChristina is joined by a friend from treatment to talk about how we’ve been since getting out. Digressions include losing your identity to your job, our sober bar outing, dating someone who is straight edge, and a rat infestation. Plus, there’s a surprise drop-in from a past guest. Enjoy!Pickle poll due 3/21: How did your family view mental health growing up? How does it affect you today?Pickle poll due 4/4: What does self-disgust look like for you? How does it differentiate from anger?* Leave us a voice message on www.speakpipe.com...2025-03-181h 18
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#192 Loving Yourself Is Gross feat. DISGUSTInspired by personal experience, this episode explores different kinds of disgust—including disgust at ourselves—and what it means for our mental health. Tangents include face masks, toilet trauma, the difference between anger and disgust, and a truly appalling quiz. Enjoy!Content warning for sexual assault and gross body stuff.Pickle poll due 4/4: What does self-disgust look like for you? How does it differentiate from anger?* Leave us a voice message on www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Inst...2025-03-1150 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#191 Which Stage of Change Are You In?We share listener responses to the question, “Which stage of change are you in?” Tangents include Lauren’s quest for a therapist, Christina’s shaved head, and what changing your outfit four times says about your mental health. Enjoy!Thank you to everyone who answered this poll! See below for ways you can join the next conversation:* Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental...2025-03-0443 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#190 Not For Polite Discussion feat. FAMILYWe spill our psychological backstories and discuss how our families’ approaches to mental health shaped us. Tangents include spiritual warfare, conspiring cousins, and Lauren’s true calling. Enjoy!Content warning for self harm.Pickle poll due 3/14: How did your family view mental health growing up? How does it affect you today?* Leave us a voice message on www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast2025-02-2540 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#189 How Does Money Affect Your Mental Health?We share and discuss listener responses to the question “How does money affect your mental health?” Tangents include Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Lauren’s confession, Christina’s trauma, and Dave Ramsey. Enjoy!Thank you to everyone who answered this poll! See below for ways you can join the next conversation:* Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Send us an...2025-02-1849 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#188 Constantly Precontemplating feat. CHANGEChange is the one thing we can always count on—so why is it so uncomfortable? This week, we discuss the six stages of change and ask ourselves when a change is truly necessary. Tangents include ADHD, vanity plates, Christina’s new treatment program, and Lauren’s science knowledge. Enjoy!Pickle poll: Which stage of change do you see yourself in today? What would it take to get to the next stage?* Leave us a voice message on www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast...2025-02-1147 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#187 Harm Reduction Heals feat. RuneThe queers take over on this special episode recorded in July with two of Christina’s friends. Topics include our relationships with drugs, gender, body image, and…fire? Enjoy!Content warning for substance use, weight (some numbers), and suicide.We’ll be back next week with our regular program! In the meantime, connect with us in the following ways:* Leave us a voice message on www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group...2025-02-0451 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#186 Do You Make New Year's Resolutions?We share listener responses to the question “Do you make New Year’s resolutions?” Tangents include dads and politics, habit trackers, trusting yourself, and sad salad. Enjoy!Thank you to everyone who answered this poll! See below for ways you can join the next conversation:* Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Send us an email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com2025-01-2846 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#185 When the Bottom Drops Out feat. FINANCESLauren makes us talk about money and the result is rich in discomfort. (See what we did there?) Tangents include moms and body dysmorphia, OCD, horse girls on a budget, and whether money can really buy happiness. Enjoy!Content warning for weight discussion in the intro (no numbers).* Leave us a voice message on www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Send us an...2025-01-2149 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#185 Do You Consider Yourself a People Pleaser?We share listener responses to the question, “Do you consider yourself a people pleaser?” Tangents include relapse denial, revealing eating disorders to significant others, neurodivergence, compulsory heterosexuality, and our roller skate vision. Enjoy!Thank you to everyone who answered this poll! See below for ways you can join the next conversation:* Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Send...2025-01-1454 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#183 New Year Sh*tSomehow we survived 2024! On this special episode, we break down the last year and shake our heads at our past selves. Tangents include Lauren’s relationship development, Christina’s “writing” retreat, fear of dating, and a question for our listeners. Enjoy! Content warning for mentions of suicide.* Leave us a voice message on Speakpipe!* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Send us an email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* C...2025-01-0740 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#182 Moderating Mental Illness feat. VikkiVikki returns to give us a glimpse into her secret life as a moderator for an eating disorder forum in the early 2000s. Tangents include Pro-Ana, the benefits and limitations of internet communities, grieving people you’ve never met, and how to make a personal impact.Content warning for suicide and descriptions of eating disordered behavior (no numbers).* Leave us a voice message on Speakpipe!* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental He...2024-12-2858 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#181 What Are Your Triggers?We share listener responses to the question, “What are your triggers and how do you deal with them?” Tangents include internet bans, the cheapening of trauma, workplace horror stories, and triggering t-shirt ideas. Content warning for discussions of weight (no numbers).* Leave us a voice message on Speakpipe!* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Send us an email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper2024-12-1748 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#180 Am I a B***h? feat. PEOPLE PLEASINGTwo people pleasers talk about people pleasing and try not to step on any toes. Digressions include bicycle accidents, self-sabotage, capitalism, and micro-rebellions. Enjoy!* Leave us a voice message on Speakpipe!* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Send us an email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper* Christina's Substack: crisis corner* Lauren's personal Instagram: @lauren__afh (but mostly @picosauve)Credits:2024-12-1047 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#179 How Has Your Mental Health Affected Your Relationships?We share listener responses to the question “How has your mental health affected your relationships?” Along the way we talk about things you can ask for in a crisis, losing nice moments to mental illness, accidentally hurting loved ones, online dating, and some of our most embarrassing stories yet. Enjoy!* Leave us a voice message on Speakpipe!* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Send us an email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com2024-12-0355 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#178 Hiding In the Bathroom feat. TRIGGERSWe picked this topic just in time for the holidays! On this episode, we share some of our personal triggers and discuss ways we deal with them. Other topics include triggers as excuses, Wasted and the power of evocative content, how we feel about trigger warnings, and how to know when exposure therapy is a good idea. Enjoy!See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Leave us a voice message on Speakpipe!* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @p...2024-11-2652 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#177 Giving It a Try feat. RELATIONSHIPSWe’re back…and one of us has a date! In light of this momentous occasion, we discuss what it’s like to be in relationships while struggling with chronic mental illness. Topics include filling the emptiness in your soul, talking to your partner about substance abuse and eating disorders, ghosting, and the best dating advice we’ve ever gotten. Enjoy!See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Leave us a voice message on Speakpipe!* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow o...2024-11-1948 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#176 We Have Election AnxietyA message from a listener sparks a conversation about ways we’ve been surviving the spectacle that has been the 2024 presidential election. In between screaming into the void and talking ourselves off a ledge, we share anecdotes from past elections and laugh through the pain. Take a deep breath and…enjoy?See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Send u...2024-11-0555 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#175 What Are You In Denial About?We discuss listener responses to the question “What are you in denial about?” Topics include the pitfalls of awareness, chronic mental illness, romanticizing your bad choices, and why harm reduction will fix everything. We also tell stories about shoplifting. Enjoy?If you want to read the full essay that was published in response to this poll, you can find it on Kiki Walter’s Substack!See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @pickles...2024-10-2852 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#174 The Stepford Wives feat. OrionAs promised, we’re changing it up this week with a movie review for spooky season! We watched The Stepford Wives (1975) with our friend Orion and talked about the horrors of patriarchy, mental illness and capitalism, the dark underbelly of psychiatry, 70s fashion, modern parallels, and more. Enjoy!Got thoughts on this film? See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast2024-10-211h 01
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#173 Not Ready To Be Wrong feat. DENIALWe continue our conversation about acceptance, this time exploring the other side of the coin: denial. Topics include blackout stories, health updates for Pico and Christina, why Lauren hates DBT, panic attacks, and some brutal honesty. We also dig through old treatment materials and find a fatalistic (yet hilarious?) quiz. Enjoy!Got thoughts on this topic? See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Me...2024-10-1448 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#172 The Answer Might Not Exist feat. ACCEPTANCEIn which we accept that we don’t always know what we’re talking about…but that’s OK! This week, we touch on control, denial, giving up, pain versus suffering, disappointment, mindfulness in a crisis, and forgiving ourselves. Tangents include rehoming pets, Benadryl, and DND. Enjoy!Sources:* Radical Acceptance in a Time of UncertaintyGot thoughts on this topic? See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our...2024-10-0739 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#171 How Do You Overthink Your Mental Health?We discuss listener responses to the question “How do you overthink your mental health?” Topics include going through the motions, not prioritizing your health, when to push through discomfort, and when to honor your feelings. Plus, Lauren avoids politics with her family and Christina has a disability update. Enjoy!Thank you for all who contributed this week! See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Ment...2024-09-2344 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#170 Lowering the Stakes feat. EffieJoining the podcast this week is Christina’s friend Effie, who talks about gender, polyamory, anti-capitalism, forming a chosen family from scratch, and so much more! Tangents include the Ren faire, graduating therapy, codependency, and a cat update.See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Send us an email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper...2024-09-1654 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#169 Mental All-Nighter feat. RUMINATIONIn which we are incredibly self-aware and ask ourselves whether we do more harm or good by making mental health our every waking thought. Tangents include Lauren’s show, Christina’s depression, the devil, and voicemails. Enjoy!See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Send us an email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper* Chr...2024-09-0956 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#168 What Did You Miss Out On In Childhood?We discuss listener responses to the question “What did you miss out on in childhood?” Tangents include mourning lost opportunities, not being allowed to fail, parentification, curiosity, and realizing you were just a kid all along. Enjoy!See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Send us an email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper* Chr...2024-09-0255 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#167 Did We Grow Up Too Fast? feat. HURRIED CHILD SYNDROMEChristina makes Lauren read a pop psychology article and we discuss whether “Hurried Child Syndrome” is actually a thing. Topics include responsibility, perfectionism, cyclical trauma, therapy approaches, and more. Plus we’ve got voicemails, a disastrous work story from Lauren, and an attempted coup by Christina’s cats. Enjoy!Sources:* 3 Signs You ‘Grew Up Too Fast,’ According To A Psyschologist (Mark Travers, Forbes)* The Hurried Child Syndrome (Pallavi R Mangrule, International Journal of Research in Paediatric Nursing)See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Subscribe to...2024-08-2649 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#166 For the Love of NancyWe discuss a controversial 1994 Lifetime movie about anorexia and find ourselves relating more than we’d like to admit. Tangents include maternity leave, To the Bone, Jennette McCurdy, and a floof war. Enjoy!Trigger warning: This episode goes into our real life experiences with eating disorders as well as the way anorexia is brutally (realistically?) portrayed on the screen. Listen at your own discretion.See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast2024-08-191h 08
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#165 Lauren's BirthdayWe temporarily set aside our professionalism and spend Lauren’s birthday episode shooting the sh*t. Tangents include moving disasters, disclosing our weight at the DMV, poems inspired by pets who have passed, Hallmark movies about eating disorders, and—you guessed it—vaping. We’ll be back next week with our regular content, but in the meantime…enjoy?See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Email: picklesandvod...2024-08-1256 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#164 No Expectations feat. Christopher RobinOur friend Chris joins the podcast to talk about sobriety, writing, art, and lowering expectations when it comes to mental health and recovery. Tangents include toxic positivity, lists, and NaNoWriMo. Enjoy!This episode features Christopher Robin. Here are some ways to follow him:* Substack: Christopher Robin’s Nebulous* Instagram: @christopher_robin79 * Etsy: ChristopherRobinArt* Medium: Christopher Robin* Podcast: The Unfocused Writer (on hiatus)See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast...2024-08-0557 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#163 Do You Feel Like You Have An Identity?We discuss listener responses to the question “Do you feel like you have an identity?” Tangents include Christina’s birthday, fear of happiness, disability, queerness, and books. A visitor makes a surprise appearance. Enjoy!Thanks to everyone who answered our pickle poll! See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper* Christina's other podcast: field notes from cris...2024-07-2250 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#162 Branding Ourselves to Death feat. IDENTITYThis week, we talk about past and present ways we’ve defined ourselves and the impact our identities have on our life experiences. Topics include body dysmorphia, making your mental illness your identity, personal style, and a special roleplaying segment where we respond to the question “What do you do?” Enjoy!Next week, we’ll be sharing your thoughts on this topic! See below for ways to follow us and join in the conversation:* Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast2024-07-1550 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#161 How Can You Tell When You've Grown?We share results from the latest pickle poll and discuss your answers! Tangents include Lauren’s new apartment, Christina’s latest hobby, podcasting naked, and finding joy in recovery. How to follow us and join in the conversation:* Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper* Christina's other podcast: field notes from crisis corner* Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve)* Send us spoons...2024-07-0847 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#160 Tanking Hard and Freaking Out feat. GROWTHThis one goes out to anyone feeling stuck in the cycle of self-sabotage. Topics include lapses vs relapses, what maintenance means to us, Benadryl, going through the motions, and vaping. Content warning for suicidal ideation and discussions of weight loss (no numbers).How to follow us and join in the conversation:* Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper* Christina's other podcast: field notes from crisis corner2024-07-0147 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#159 What Are Your Friendship Green Flags?We share results from the latest pickle poll and discuss your answers! Tangents include Lauren’s good news, Christina’s safety plan, and whether money can actually buy happiness. Apologies for Meatball.Content warning for suicide talk.How to follow us and join in the conversation:* Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper* Christina's Substack: crisis corner* Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly...2024-06-2449 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#157 Convincingly Faking It feat. FUTILITYThis time last year, Lauren was in treatment and Christina was on the verge of a breakdown. Were we just going through the motions? Is there even a point? We’ll let you decide.Tangents include cocaine, asking for help, malicious burritos, letting people surprise you, and the meaning behind Lauren’s Instagram handle. Content warning for eating disorders, addiction, and suicidal ideation.How to follow us and join the conversation:* Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagr...2024-06-1058 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#156 The Point Is F*ckin feat. j'naiiWe face our fears and talk about sex on the podcast with our friend j’naii. Nobody had any fun and we totally didn’t laugh at inappropriate moments. Topics include purity culture, masturbation, sex and eating disorders, shame, projection, and more that Christina can’t remember. CONTENT WARNING: This episode mentions sexual assault, including assault on a child. We don’t dwell on it long and avoid details.How to follow us and join in the conversation:* Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Facebook: Pickles an...2024-06-0344 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#155 Showing Up with ShameWe talk about shame and try not to spiral on air. Topics include our shame origins, redeeming qualities of guilt, sexual shame, getting easily embarrassed in public, and how one comment can change everything. Enjoy!How to follow us and join in the conversation:* Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper* Christina's Substack: crisis corner* Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve)* Send us spoons AKA buy us a coffee!Cre...2024-05-2746 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health PodcastIntroducing Field Notes from Crisis CornerLauren’s out of town this week, so what better time to introduce Christina’s new side project? We love you all and will be back soon for our regular program.follow field notes from crisis cornerHow to follow us and join in the conversation:* Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper* Christina's Substack: crisis corner* Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve)* Send us spoons AKA buy us a coffe...2024-05-1326 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#154 This Is Where I Leave YouWe watched a movie about family dysfunction and it was very uncomfortable. Side topics include Rush Limbaugh, body modification, getting cheated on, and what to buy your mother as a wedding present. Enjoy! We'll be back next week with our usual traumatic content.How to follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Christina's Substack: 2024-05-0655 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#153 After You, Hell Should Be EasyLauren shares a vulnerable piece of writing from her past, which opens the door to a conversation neither of us really want to have. Major content warning for eating disorders, specifically laxative abuse, binging, and overexercise. Take care of yourselves, friends.How to follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Christina's Substack: crisis corner Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve) Send us spoons AKA buy us...2024-04-2953 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#152 We Recorded on 420Life is exhausting and Christina can't think of clever titles anymore. On this episode, we talk grief, Substack, capitalism, rushing treatment, relapse, and the boredom of it all. Content warning for extensive eating disorder talk, though we try to avoid triggering details. Enjoy!How to follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve) Send us spoons AKA buy us a coffee!2024-04-2248 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#151 Remembering DawnEarlier this year, we lost a dear friend and former podcast guest. Today, we remember her by rereleasing her original 2020 interview with a foreword from us and several of her friends. We love you, Dawn.How to follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh Send us spoons AKA buy us a coffee!Credits: Original 9/14/2020 epi...2024-04-151h 15
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#150 The Freedom to DabbleYour cohosts are FINALLY back together again with more hot recovery takes! Tangents include our moms, spirituality, and social media censorship. Enjoy!How to follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve) Send us spoons AKA buy us a coffee!Credits: Edited by Christina Jumper Theme song is Insane OK by The Whines from Free Music Archive Out...2024-04-0857 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#149 Unpopular Recovery Opinions feat. OrionChristina is joined by Orion to share a new project and talk about why we struggle with the word "recovery". Tangents include religion, relapse, and screaming into the void.Sources: Self-Medication and Degrees of Harm (Tori Williams Douglass, White Homework) How to Do Nothing by Jenny OdellHow to follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @picosauve Send us spoons AKA buy...2024-04-011h 01
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#148 Gently Falling ApartWe haven't been doing well. On this episode, we talk about it. Content warning for death, suicide, drugs, and eating disorders.How to follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @picosauve (it's her dog) Send us spoons AKA buy us a coffee!Credits: Edited by Christina Jumper Theme song is Insane OK by The Whines from Free Music Archive 2024-01-171h 14
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#147 A Year of VulnerabilityAs we prepare to leave 2023 in the past, we revisit questions we posed last year and determine whether our answers have changed. Watch the conversation on video for the full experience! (Pico lovers will not be disappointed.)Before enjoying this episode, make sure you catch #110 We Met In Person!How to follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve) Send us spoons AKA...2023-12-2644 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#146 Still Showing Up feat. #110 Re-ReleaseWe look back on meeting in person almost a year ago, which is about how long it took Christina to edit the footage. Watch #110 on Youtube now!How to follow us and join the conversation: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve) Send us spoons AKA buy us a coffee!Credits: Edited by Christina Jumper Theme song is Insane OK by The Whines fro...2023-12-181h 28
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#145 In-Between Support SystemWe respond to a voicemail from a listener going through rock bottom. Tangents include emotionally immature awakenings, our thoughts on interventions, compartmentalization as survival, and how to recreate dead online spaces. Enjoy?Follow Pickles and Vodka to join the conversation: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @picosauve Send us spoons AKA buy us a coffee!Credits: Edited by Christina Jumper Theme song is...2023-12-1147 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#144 We Never Had a 5-Year PlanWe're not sure how, but the podcast is 5! Join us for recovery updates, what we've learned while making this show, which episodes we still think about, and how we plan to challenge ourselves in the future.Thank you to all our listeners who contributed to this episode! Want to get involved? Here are some places to reach out: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve) Send us spoons AKA buy us...2023-12-0550 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#143 Really Very Heathers feat. OrionGrab your monocle and join us as we digest Heathers (1988) with our friend Orion! TRIGGER WARNING: This film deals heavily in themes of suicide, sexual assault, emotional abuse, and other sensitive topics. While we attempt to broach these in a respectful way, they are unavoidable in this episode. As always, trust your gut and stay safe.Did you know the podcast turns 5 years old soon? If we've meant anything to you, let us know by December 1st to be featured in a special anniversary episode. See below for ways to contact...2023-11-271h 18
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#142 This Whole Episode Is an Existential CrisisOne of us has a breakdown on air and the other is forced into the role of both interviewer and therapist. Somehow, we push through. Did you know the podcast turns 5 years old in a few weeks? If we've meant anything to you in whatever capacity, let us know by December 1st to be featured in a special anniversary episode. See below for ways to contact us: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's per...2023-11-2047 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#141 Chasing Rock BottomLauren brings the topic this week and we soon find ourselves up to our elbows in discomfort. Along the way, we ask ourselves...why DO we chase rock bottom? And what happens when we find out it doesn't exist?TRIGGER WARNING: while we avoid numbers and most details, we tell some personal stories involving weight, substance abuse, and self-harm on this episode. As always, stay safe. (And don't drink so much caffeine that you end up like us.)If you have thoughts about this episode, see below for ways to share with us...2023-11-1356 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#140 Caring About the Next Awful ThingHow do you responsibly find the balance between caring too much and too little about a cause? Is it possible (or healthy?) to pick and choose what to care about? How do you take care of yourself now so you can show up to care about other things later? We answer these questions and more on another vulnerable episode. Enjoy!Thanks Orion for today's listener voicemail! See below for ways to contact us with your own thoughts: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Em...2023-11-0644 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#139 Outlining Our FeelingsThis week we talk about showing up when the world is on fire and nothing we do feels like it makes a difference. Plus, Christina spirals on two hours of sleep and Lauren reveals a hidden talent. Follow Pickles and Vodka for announcements, behind the scenes content, or just to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve) Send us spoons AKA buy us a coffee!Cre...2023-11-0535 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#138 The Heaviness of Being HumanOur attempt at a loosey-goosey episode gets heavy faster than you can say "fear of death". We talk about struggling to love yourself when you hate humanity, speculate about our breakup patterns, and call each other out on our respective growth. Pico disagrees with us on multiple occasions. Follow Pickles and Vodka for announcements, behind the scenes content, or just to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve) Sen...2023-10-1644 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#137 Assigned Fearless at Birth feat. OrionThis week our friend and longtime listener Orion joins us to talk about growing up in a cult, coming to terms with his trans identity, why he developed an eating disorder, and how to be in recovery when everything is chaos and you want to die. Plus, Lauren makes an accusation and Christina loses the script entirely. Enjoy!This episode contains content that may be sensitive for those dealing with eating disorders, food, weight, and suicidal ideation. As always, please take care of yourself when listening.Our guest this week was Orion! You...2023-10-091h 07
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#136 One Crisis After AnotherThis week we pop off about the unfortunate state of—well, everything. Topics include struggling in eating disorder recovery, getting blindsided at work, censoring yourself in therapy, and what we wish we could tell people about our toxic coping mechanisms. Enjoy?Christina's essay: I Went on a Trip Last Week. So Did My Eating Disorder.Follow Pickles and Vodka for announcements, behind the scenes content, or just to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtina...2023-10-0240 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#135 The Real Work (Happens on LiveJournal) feat. VikkiIt's a big day because we're interviewing our first guest as cohosts! Vikki is here to talk about the events preceding—and following—meeting Lauren on the internet 20 years ago. From religious baggage and bulimia buddies to landing in eating disorder treatment after undergoing gastric bypass surgery, Vikki shares what has helped her arrive on the other side of "normal". (Spoiler alert: it doesn't exist.)For this episode, we have left a few numbers uncensored since all parties involved felt it would bring representation to an underrepresented minority. Content may be sensitive to t...2023-09-181h 09
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#132 Not a Neat Little Positive BowThis week we practice getting uncomfortable and share what's been happening since our unplanned hiatus. Topics include being honest with yourself, fresh starts, not wanting help, waiting for change, and how much sharing is too much sharing. Plus, Christina forgets Lauren’s birthday on air and we prove once and for all that we’ve lost control of this podcast. Enjoy!Follow Pickles and Vodka for announcements, behind the scenes content, or just to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast Twitter: @PicklesVodka Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christin...2023-08-2138 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#131 Low Functioning SolutionsWe share listener responses to the question "What keeps you functioning?" and the conversation goes off the proverbial rails. Lauren makes multiple confessions, Christina gets a diagnosis, and we revel in our professionalism. Enjoy!Content warning for eating disorders, addiction, and suicide.Follow Pickles and Vodka for announcements, behind the scenes content, or just to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast Twitter: @PicklesVodka Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve)Credits:2023-07-3149 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#129 This Is Not a Drill!Lauren returns from residential treatment and all hell breaks loose. Just kidding...or are we?Thanks Vikki for this week's listener voicemail! And thanks to everyone who reached out to Lauren in her absence. We love you all and can't wait to get back to our regular program–whatever that looks like.Follow Pickles and Vodka for announcements, behind the scenes content, or just to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast Twitter: @PicklesVodka Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's person...2023-07-1042 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#128.5 Past Lives and Present VibesThis minisode brought to you by technical difficulties and listener Vikki. The sound is funky because Christina made an oopsie, but nothing matters and we're existentially exhausted. Enjoy!Mild content warning for substance abuse, weight, and suicide.Follow Pickles and Vodka for announcements, behind the scenes content, Follow Pickles and Vodka for announcements, behind the scenes content, or just to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast Twitter: @PicklesVodka Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but...2023-07-0422 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#128 Weirdly Authentic feat. TeddyHappy Pride! Join Christina and her friend Teddy for a vulnerable conversation about gender identity, sobriety, eating disorder recovery, art, and advocating for yourself in a world determined to silence you.This week's guest was Teddy (xe/xem/they/them). Follow @teddy.hikes on Instagram or visit www.teddyhikes.com for thoughts on travel, recovery, and self discovery.Lauren will be back next week! Follow Pickles and Vodka for announcements, behind the scenes content, or just to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast2023-06-261h 05
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#127 Field Notes from RealityChristina talks kittens, social media, community, and finding your voice in a cacophony of doubt and depression. Lauren calls in from treatment and fights off avian intruders. Enjoy!Follow Pickles and Vodka for biweekly polls, behind-the-scenes updates, or to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast Twitter: @PicklesVodka Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve)Credits: Theme song is Insane OK by The Whines via Free Music Archive Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at pick...2023-06-1444 min
Lit Chicks Read31. Lit Chicks Chat with Christina Lauren, Authors of "The True Love Experiment"Lit Chicks are SO excited to chat with Christina Lauren, authors of "The True Love Experiment". Yes, you read that right. Christina Lauren is a plural: Christina AND Lauren! Listen to find out more!
Books recommended in our chat: "First Comes Like" by Alisha Rai, "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus, "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin, "Horse" by Geraldine Brooks, "Hidden Valley Road" by Robert Kolker, "I Know This Much Is True" by Wally Lamb, "Love Theoretically" by Ali Hazelwood, "Pack Up the Moon" by Kristin Hannah, "My Lovely Wife" and "A Twisted Love...2023-05-2054 minLit Chicks Read30. Lit Chicks Read "The True Love Experiment" by Christina Lauren"The True Love Experiment" by Christina Lauren is a followup to "The Soulmate Equation", and is also known as "Fizzy's book" because the female main character is so compelling. It's a love letter to the romance genre from these authors and we LOVED it.
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Join Instagram book creators Lauren and Sheryl from @litchicksread as they chat about their favorite books, interview guest authors, and more. This unscripted, uncensored, conversational podcast will give you the book club experience you've been waiting for.
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for book recs and fun...2023-05-1742 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#126 Your Sadness MattersWe kick off this episode with a voicemail from Lauren in treatment, then Christina shares why therapy has been a struggle. A listener message sparks a discussion on sadness, injustice, helplessness, and connection. A past guest makes a surprise appearance and offers an unexpected reminder. Enjoy!Thanks to Orion for today's listener voicemail! Message us on Instagram or use one of the methods below to share your own thoughts.Follow Pickles and Vodka for polls, behind-the-scenes updates, or to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast Tw...2023-05-1534 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#125 And Then I Quit My Meds feat. Andrew DunnJoining Christina this week is another Andrew to talk about the events that transpired since they met in a Seattle treatment center in 2021. Topics include chronic addiction rooted in childhood, asking for help and facing your privilege, the importance of maintenance, rock bottoms at Trader Joe's, and sparkly retainers. Content warning for eating disorders, substance abuse, and suicide.This week's guest was Andrew Dunn. You can find him on Instagram @thedunn_.Follow Pickles and Vodka for biweekly polls, behind-the-scenes updates, or to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vo...2023-05-081h 05
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#124.5 An Unmitigated DisasterChristina explains the recent lack of episodes and gets real casual real fast. Topics include the heaviness of depression, surrendering to the chaos, shame, smoothies, and what's to come. Special guest appearance by ???Follow Pickles and Vodka for biweekly polls, behind-the-scenes updates, or to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast Twitter: @PicklesVodka Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve)Credits: Theme song is Insane OK by The Whines via Free Music Arch...2023-05-0218 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#124 No Choice AnymoreIt’s Lauren’s last episode before treatment, so naturally Christina put her in the hot seat! Listen to hear her share what she’s afraid of, what she’s looking forward to most, what she hopes will be different this time, and why YOU should have some f*cking self compassion. We also talk about what to expect from the pod in the weeks ahead. Enjoy!Follow Pickles and Vodka for biweekly polls, behind-the-scenes updates, or to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcastYoutube: Pickles and Vodka Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast Twitt...2023-04-1053 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#123 A Recipe for Disaster feat. TREATMENT STORIESWith the days counting down until Lauren returns to treatment, we spend this episode revisiting past stays. Some highlights include contraband caffeine, a possessed Bop-It, what happens when you let people with eating disorders plan a wedding feast, smoke break revelations, and some unexpected breaking of barriers. Enjoy!Content warning for eating disorders, suicide, and substance abuse.Follow Pickles and Vodka for biweekly polls, behind-the-scenes updates, or to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast Twitter: @PicklesVodka Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtin...2023-04-031h 09
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#122 The Good, The Bad, and the...Hopeful?We play a listener voicemail sent in response to the question “What’s going on with you?” This unlocks a conversation about fitting in and doing the work in the face of constant existential dread that wants you as miserable as possible. Lauren gives a treatment update, Christina talks about beer, and we disagree about gratitude journals. Enjoy!Special thanks to Orion (@robotakiss) for this week’s voicemail! Follow Pickles and Vodka for biweekly polls, behind-the-scenes updates, or to start your own conversation: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast2023-03-2852 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#121 Life Is Random and Then You Die feat. UNCERTAINTYHow do you curate a sense of security in the face of uncertainty? We don't really have the answer, but we DO have lots of anxiety-fueled stories. Tangents this week include introducing parents to friends (and why Christina loves it), which country Lauren is considering escaping to with her dog, and Jodi Picoult. Enjoy!Follow Pickles and Vodka for biweekly polls, behind-the-scenes updates, or to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast Twitter: @PicklesVodka Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laur...2023-03-2053 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#119 Are We the Problem? feat. BARRIERSLauren makes an announcement, then we talk about types of barriers that keep us from accessing the help we need. This one is extra vulnerable, y'all. Content warning for eating disorders (including some sensitive language around weight) and substance abuse.Follow Pickles and Vodka for updates, guest inquiries, or to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast Twitter: @PicklesVodka Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve)Credits: Theme song is Insane OK by The Whines via Free Music Arch...2023-03-0758 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#117 How to Help When Everything Sucks: Part 1Sometimes life is hard and solutions seem impossible. In your bleakest moments, can anything make it better? Christina and Lauren share what has helped them at their lowest, how to determine what you really need and ways to ask for it, what REALLY doesn't help, and what's been distracting them from their pain. Tangents include bodychecking, DND, harm reduction, and memes.Stay tuned for Part 2 in which we share YOUR experiences! Check out the links below for ways to answer the question "What helps when nothing really helps?" and send your response by Friday 2/24 at midnight EST to be...2023-02-2049 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#115 I Don't Want to Go Back In! feat. THE CULT OF EATING DISORDERSWhat are some ways eating disorders can feel like cults? And how did we even end up here?? Today, we try to answer these questions with a combo of lived experiences, online research, a dash of inappropriate humor, and a whole lot of vulnerability. Christina tells the story of a night out ruined by anxiety, then Lauren shares why she's been feeling overlooked and underappreciated. Enjoy!
Follow Pickles and Vodka for updates, guest inquiries, or to say hi:
Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast
Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast
Twitter: @PicklesVodka
Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com
Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper
Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but most...2023-02-061h 01
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#111 Feel Your Feelings feat. FAMILY SECRETSYour imperfect yet oh-so-professional cohosts return in the new year to dish about the past and take a messy look into family dynamics. (Dish about family? Look messily into the past? Take your pick.)Topics (and tangents) include: The incident that blew up Lauren’s life right after we recorded our in-person episode two weeks ago More insurance nightmares The LIVE ON-AIR death of Gary the microphone A milestone for Christina and why she doesn’t want to talk about it How our respective families deal with secrets and what...2023-01-091h 09
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#110 We Met In Person!!Happy New Year, hot and spicy pickles! Today we are FINALLY releasing the episode we made in Lauren's living room after meeting in person for the first time. We answer listener questions, give out tragic awards, and attempt to hold it together in the only ways we know how. Enjoy! Follow Pickles and Vodka for updates, guest inquiries, or to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast Twitter: @PicklesVodka Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper Lauren's personal Instagram: @laurenafh (but mostly @picosauve)Cre...2023-01-021h 13
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#108 Fail As Hard As You Want To feat. RECOVERYIt's messy, it's nonlinear AF, and it's definitely not for everyone. We are, of course, talking about recovery. Today's Pickle Poll episode draws from listener comments and voicemails to discuss the following: How we define recovery (or lack thereof) for ourselves Chronic mental illness, losing hope, and seeing recovery as an unaffordable luxury The “anecdote equals fact” approach and why it pisses Lauren off How to get to a place where you actually want to recover How to replace self-destruction as an outlet The temptation to make recovery your entire identity...2022-12-1258 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#103 Spilling the (Little) T feat. TRAUMAToday we talk about different types of trauma and whether we agree that distinctions matter. Subtopics include: The difference between “big T” Trauma and “little T” trauma and why the terms even exist How even "little t" trauma can lead to serious repercussions if overlooked Comparing your experiences to others and minimizing what happened to you Reconciling trauma with its well-meaning inflictors Sex, religion, and divorce...oh f*ck! The pervasiveness of intergenerational trauma Self-inflicted trauma and ways you might be gaslighting yourself Cultural trauma and how the same events can aff...2022-11-071h 08
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#102 The Meaning of Life is That It Stops feat. DEATHHappy Halloween, hot and spicy pickles! Today we discuss the following topics: Minimizing death while being afraid to talk about it Losing people young and being forced to deal with it before you’re ready What it’s like to be in your 30s without ever having experienced an interpersonal death Nonlinear grieving and why every reaction to death is appropriate The number one disrupter of funerals Possibility of afterlife, nihilism, and dying without religion Christina coming out as an atheist to her parents after a motorcycle crash Why a go...2022-10-311h 14
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#100 One Hundred ConversationsIT'S OUR CENTENNIAL, BABY! Christina reminisces about starting Pickles and Vodka by herself in 2018 and what it was like to be bulimic and in active addiction while putting out new episodes every week. Lauren reveals what was going on in her head when she took on the role of cohost and why she's decided to reject toxic recovery dialogues and embrace realism. Most importantly, we discuss the concept of vulnerability and why uncomfortable conversations can be the difference between isolation and healing. We play a bunch of listener voicemails, go on some noteworthy tangents, and feel a lot of...2022-10-171h 05
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#96.5 Lauren Spent the Weekend in a Psych WardIt's a bonus episode! Lauren sits down to tell the story of how she spent the weekend of 9/9 in an ER holding room and then a psych ward. Although we bring our signature humor, this is definitely a more serious episode with mentions of suicide, depression, food/weight, and psychological trauma. Listen with care and stay safe. (Don't worry, there is a hilarious Pickle Palate Cleanser at the end to balance everything out.)Follow Pickles and Vodka for updates, guest inquiries, or to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Po...2022-09-221h 00
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#96 Life Is a Bad Sandwich feat. REGRETIT'S THE REGRET EPISODE!! Lauren starts us off by revealing something that happened to her last weekend, then Christina shares a journal entry from last year. We discuss the differences between regret, nostalgia, and wistfulness, then we play a voicemail from listener Alyssa and tie it in to our own experiences with regret. Topics include the feeling of wasting youth and alienating others, regret about our love lives (or lack thereof), hasty decisions we made when we were young, decisions made by and for other people, wasting time changing ourselves for the wrong reasons, unfortunate career moves, and how our...2022-09-191h 09
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#95 A Cool Supervisor Never Leaves a Scale at the Snack Table feat. EMPLOYEE RELATIONSLauren finally surprises Christina with a topic—and it’s all about approaching mental health with your coworkers! We share some of our mental health-related work horror stories, tips for drawing boundaries with fellow employees (and how to know when to trust them), how to advocate for yourself and others at work, what to do if a coworker is struggling, HR fiascos, the challenges of remote teams, and more. We have a lively discussion about pizza, then Christina introduces a new segment where Lauren takes a quiz. Enjoy the chaos and happy Monday!Follow Pickles and Vodka for updates, gues...2022-09-121h 03
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#93 A Room of Chihuahuas feat. PETSPet lovers rejoice! This week, Christina and Lauren talk about the ways their pets have impacted their mental health—and not just in the ways you’d expect. Topics include how to know you’re ready for a pet when coping with mental health is a challenge, how our struggles can affect our pets and vice versa, our fear of pet trauma, and why our pets are the best pets. We also share our pets’ origin stories and recount some of our pet parent lows. Enjoy!This episode touches on some difficult themes such as pet death, suicide, and eating d...2022-08-2956 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#92 More Mental Illness in the MediaThis week, we talk about listeners’ favorite (and least favorite) depictions of mental illness in the media! Tangents include sleep aids, smoking in malls, which music tattoos we have, what to do when a depiction of mental health is so good it triggers you, Lauren's hot take on side characters, and Christina’s brain on COVID. Enjoy!Follow Pickles and Vodka for updates, guest inquiries, or to say hi: Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast Facebook: Pickles and Vodka Podcast Twitter: @PicklesVodka Email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com Become a monthly supporterCredits: Theme song is Insan...2022-08-2249 min
Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast#44 The Most Popular Girl in the Psych Ward feat. LaurenJoining the podcast is Lauren, a 41 year-old eating disorder sufferer and treatment veteran. She and Christina talk about the struggles of paying for treatment, what happens when your insurance f***s you over, the stimulating world of laxative abuse, and The Best Little Girl in the World. Christina admits to messing up and describes how to avoid a full relapse. Enjoy!Follow Pickles and Vodka for more updates:Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcastFacebook: Pickles and Vodka PodcastTwitter: @PicklesVodkaEmail picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com for inquiries about...2021-04-191h 07