Torri is a busy guy. He works with many mental health advocacy groups and for the LGBTQ2+ community. He is also the founder of Tangible Movement, speaker and transgender. Before all this though Torri was a woman who grew up with a homophobic father, was suicidal and an addict. Torri tells his harrowing story in hopes to inspire others. How did Torri overcome his challenges? What lessons can we all learn from Torri's story? And how can we be there for others? Topics in this episode include...

EP 13: HOT TAKES on NHL Denying CTE Influence on Player Suicides and Study Links Brain Changes to Mental Illness Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking. Todd wants answers as to why the NHL claims CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy) is not part of hockey: Former NHL players Chris Simon and Konstantin Koltsov's deaths were announced on the same day. Simon’s family strongly believes CTE played a role in his...

In March of 2022 Jenn’s son Jordan took his own life after being catfished online and sextorted. Sextortion, or sexual extortion, occurs when an online actor threatens to release a victim's intimate photos or videos for financial gain. These people tend to target youth between the ages of 14 and 24. In Jordan’s case his culprits were caught, but very few are. Almost always, the guilty party is overseas. There have been multiple teens taking their lives in very similar situations as Jordan’s...

HOT TAKES on New Psychological Study in Nature vs. Nurture Debate and Why One in Four Canadians are Distressed Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking. Nick brings an article to discuss a new psychology study pitting nature versus nurture for mental health. The latest study pulls apart the genetic and environmental effects of mental illness. Todd and Nick speculate on whether mental health challenges are due to...

In September 2022 Vanessa Burns’ partner Myles Sanderson became one of Canada’s most infamous mass killers. He took 11 lives and injured 18 others on the James Smith Cree Nation and nearby town of Weldon Saskatchewan on the morning of September 4. Two of those lives he took were Vanessa’s father Earl Burns Sr. and his own brother Damien Sanderson. Myles even tried to kill his own son and niece. After the killings he went on the run before being ran off the road by police 3 days later. Shortly...

EP 11: HOT TAKES on Survivor Enables Belittling of Neurodivergent Cast and How Daylight Savings Time Impacts Mental Health Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking. Todd is outraged about the negative neurodivergent speech on Survivor. A recent Survivor episode included some negative language in labeling a neurodivergent cast member, which was then perpetuated by the online bully mob community. Nick and Todd discuss...

I discovered Lindsay and her family on TikTok as she shares her journey. Not long ago Lindsay had a happy marriage with her loving husband. Together they were raising 6 kids. Overtime she began noticing behaviour changes in her husband, Reid. It wasn't long before he needed full time care for his dementia like symptoms. As a woman in her late 30's it was hard to accept her reality. How does she manage to be a mother and wife under these circumstances? Can you be in love with someone whose...

HOT TAKES on Voluntary No-Sell Firearm List Legislation and Drop of Men in Mental Health Profession Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking. Nick shares new Georgia legislation for “Donna’s Law:” Georgia legislation moves to implement a voluntary no-sell firearm list for those suffering from mental illness. Todd and Nick dissect the politics and mental health implications of passing “Donna’s Law.” Todd sounds the...

David is a counsellor and stand up comedian. One day David combined the his two passions and created Stand Up For Mental Health; an organization that takes folks with mental health issues and allows them to write and perform a stand up comedy set. Listen to why so many people find relief in their struggles in this process, why so many comedians talk about mental health, and how you could be a part of Stand Up For Mental Health! Check out the work David is doing at...

EP 9: HOT TAKES on Psychologists Plea to Love is Blind S6 Viewers and Mental Health Emergency Rooms Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking. Nick wants to discuss Dr. Isabelle Morley’s new plea to Love is Blind Fans: The sixth season of Love is Blind is underway. Psychologist and Psychology Today writer Dr. Isabelle Morley published a column pleading with viewers to treat cast members kindly. Nick and Todd discuss...

A death doula is a person that helps families and individuals with the process of dying, funerals, grief and more. Erin Merelli, a death doula and Lauren Carroll, a funeral director, are the co-creators of Deathwives, a training program for potential death doulas. It may not be a mental health service per se, however it is a service that can provide the prevention of certain mental anguish. How many times have you seen families struggle during a long drawn out or death or a sudden tragic...

Join Nick Thompson (Reality TV Personality, Eyes Wide Open Podcast host, Mental Health Advocate) and Todd Rennebohm (Author, Bunny Hugs Podcast host, Mental Health Advocate) as they delve into the latest mental health news with sharp insights and heated debate. Buckle up as they tackle two new headline topics: Todd takes on the controversial injection site topic: Philadelphia lawmakers have voted to ban supervised injection sites in most of the city. Is this a step forward in the fight...

HOT TAKES on the Pros and Cons of Telemedicine Therapy and Zuckerberg’s New Social Media Claims Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking. Nick brings up the pros and cons of telemedicine therapy: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine therapy has become the new normal for many seeking mental health support, but what are the pros and cons? Nick and Todd discuss how video therapy expands access to more...

If you are a fan of the competition show Survivor then you'll know Carolyn! She was a wildly popular cast member for being a genuine and authentic person. Her story didn't start there though. In her life before Survivor she battled addiction and ADHD, eventually becoming an addictions counsellor. What did her addiction look like? How did ADHD affect her? How did she overcome her struggles? And did her experiences prepare her for Survivor? Topics in this episode include addiction, ADHD,...

EP 7: HOT TAKES on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Therapists and Why So Many People Experience the “Sunday Scaries” Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking. Nick examines the benefits and risks of using artificial intelligence (AI) therapists: AI has come for therapists' jobs with the new eXtended-Reality Artificially Intelligent Ally (XAIA) avatar for conversational therapy. Nick and Todd discuss the possibilities and...

Carrie is a two time suicide attempt survivor, lived with OCD, postpartum, an eating disorder, addiction and abuse. Today she is a loving mother, podcaster and advocate. How did she overcome so much adversity? What can you learn from her experiences? And how can you best support someone you love who maybe struggling? Listen to Carrie's podcast Carry On With Carrie at https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/carry-on-with-carrie/id1721271274 and follow her on Instagram...

EP 6: HOT TAKES on Complex Grief from Reproductive Loss and Elmo‘s Mental Health Advocacy Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking. Todd shines a light on the complex grief experienced after pregnancy loss: New researchers from the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts are bringing attention to the complexities of patient grief after a reproductive loss. Todd and Nick discuss the findings and the complexities of...

Kelly South was diagnosed in her 30's with Borderline Personality Disorder. After each therapy session Kelly would journal about that it. Those journal entries became her book Pay Attention to Me. How did Kelly accept her diagnosis, make her marriage work, and come to terms with her trauma? Follow Kelly on Instagram @authorkellysouth Find her book at - https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=pay+attention+to+me+kelly+south&ref=nb_sb_noss Topics in this episode include trauma, sexual assault,...

Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking. Todd questions the intentions of Bell Canada's donation: Bell Canada pledges a $10M dollar domination to mental health charities with its “Bell Let’s Talk” initiative. Todd and Nick debate the authenticity and intentions when Bell and other companies pledge to support mental health. Nick explores Florida’s new “Sunshine Bill” to legally guarantee college students a mental...

Kitty experienced sibling abuse from an older brother for years. That trauma spawned her CPTSD (complex post traumatic stress disorder). Learn the answers to questions like what are some traits of this disorder, how can they affect you and how can they affect your relationships? You can follow Kitty on Instagram and find other links to her blog @kitkatherine2001 Topics in this episode include trauma, CPTSD, depression, anxiety, NPD, narcissistic abuse FOLLOW BUNNY HUGS AND MENTAL...

HOT TAKES on Chicago’s “Treatment Not Trauma” Policy and Impacts of Caregiving on Mental Health Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking. Todd shares his thoughts on  becoming a caregiver: Caregiving can be stressful, but new evidence shows that caregiving can lead to better mental health. Todd and Nick weigh in on the stress and potential mental health benefits of being a caregiver. Nick examines Chicago’s “Treatment...

This past September Stacy and Amy lost their sister Shannon in a car crash. As a family, they want to tell her story in hopes that other families don't have go through the same pain, to bring awareness to flaws in the system and make people think before casting judgements on others. Shannon struggled with mental health issues and they only got worse after experiencing a traumatic event. As a result she also began drinking more. Stacy and Amy fight through the grief to bravely tell Shannon's...

HOT TAKES on Medical Assisted Dying and Medicare Mental Health Coverage Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking. Todd explores the renewed debate in Canada about medical-assisted dying: A looming March deadline forces debate on medical-assisted dying policy. Todd and Nick weigh in on the renewed debate in Canada as to whether or not medical-assisted dying should be expanded.  Nick examines the challenges of expanding...

Katrina's mother Donna was very mentally ill. Yet she was able to walk into a gun store and walk out moments later with a hand gun. Donna was dead shortly thereafter. Today Katrina is an advocate for a law called "Donna's Law" which helps curb the sales of guns to folks with known mental illnesses. Katrina is also an artist and fun person to talk to! You can follow Katrina on Instagram @katrinabrees as well as find her other links. Topics in this episode include suicide, bipolar disorder,...

Nick and Todd are back with more mental health news, ready to dissect the headlines and spark your critical thinking. Todd sounds the alarm on the lasting impact of COVID: New research reveals that young people continue to struggle with mental health issues due to the pandemic. Todd and Nick dissect the impact and explore potential solutions to help young people with their mental health struggles. Nick honors a champion for change: Rosalynn Carter's unwavering advocacy for mental health...