Ya Never Know w/ Jake Haendel

31: Nurse Erica Tells Us How She’s Seen Munchausen By Proxy Firsthand—And Why My Story Raised Red Flags

In this episode of Ya Never Know, we sit down with Nurse Erica — RN, healthcare leader, nurse advocate, podcast host, and someone who’s seen healthcare from every angle. We dive into the real-world signs of factitious disorder imposed on another (formerly Munchausen by proxy), how it shows up, and why it’s so difficult to recognize in real time. From there, the conversation widens to nurse advocacy, hospital staffing, the so-called “nursing shortage,” leadership corruption, profit-driven healthcare, and what it’s like trying to do the right thing inside a broken system. We also touch on personal moments — how Erica and Jake first connected through podcasting, recovery progress updates, and the reality that meaningful work often comes with chaos. Erica also shares insight into the difficult fallout with her former podcast partner, Nurse Jessica, and how it impacted her work and platform. If you’re a nurse, patient, caregiver, or anyone who wants an honest look at modern healthcare — this episode is for you.

30: Bethany Tells Us How She Literally Needed To Have Her Head Screwed Back On To Stay Alive

Bethany grew up in a small town outside of Winnipeg, Canada, living with chronic illness since birth—without ever knowing why. For years, her symptoms were dismissed, misunderstood, or left unexplained, until she was finally diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a rare connective tissue disorder. As her condition worsened, Bethany learned that her C1 and C2 vertebrae were unstable, causing brainstem compression whenever she was upright—a condition so severe it carried the risk of internal decapitation. With no neurosurgeons in Canada willing or able to take her case, Bethany was forced to look beyond her country for answers. Her search took her to the United States and ultimately Spain, where advanced imaging revealed the full extent of the danger—and led to a life-saving surgery to stabilize her head and cervical spine. This is Bethany’s story of chronic illness, medical disbelief, and what it takes to survive when the system can’t help you—and time is running out.

29: Bernenda Tells Us How War, Loss, Death, And Mental Health Collided — Changing Everything For A Soldier And Police Officer

Bernenda’s life is a story of service, sacrifice, and survival—revealing the hidden cost of being both a Soldier and a police officer, and how war, loss, and untreated mental health trauma can collide. Born into an undocumented Haitian family, Bernenda learned resilience early. A high-achieving student and the first in her family to join JROTC, she enlisted in the military and deployed overseas at a young age. She returned home changed, carrying unprocessed trauma and little support. Determined to keep serving, Bernenda became a police officer. But while on duty, her partner and close friend was struck by a drunk driver. Though initially surviving the impact, they were pronounced dead on scene. In a single moment, Bernenda lost her partner and her friend. Soon after, she also lost both of her parents. As the weight of war, sudden death, and compounded grief mounted, Bernenda pushed forward—staying silent and staying on the job, as many in uniform are taught to do. Eventually, the pressure became unbearable. While still serving as a police officer, she experienced a mental health crisis that ended her career. In this episode, Bernenda speaks openly about trauma, depression, suicidal thoughts, and what it means to reach a breaking point while wearing a uniform. This conversation shines a light on the mental health risks faced by Soldiers, veterans, and first responders—and the urgent need for better support. Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of death, suicide, war trauma, and mental health crises. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek professional help or contact local crisis resources.

28: A Not-So-Special YNK Holiday Special (with Jake & Big A)

Jake and Big A talk holiday plans, how Jake is completely wiped from working on the BLINK Q&A episodes (released the Tuesday before Christmas), and fighting off a cold while trying to wrap everything up. We also talk about the kind of guests we’re looking for. If you’ve got a story you want to tell, feel free to reach out — we’d love to have you on. Happy holidays and happy New Year to everyone.

27: Brooke Tells Us: Part 2 – The Case That Ended in Death and the Corruption Around It

In Part Two, Brooke takes us deeper inside Missouri’s family-court system, sharing the most intense cases she has encountered as an advocate and court watcher — including one case that ended in death and raised serious, unanswered questions. She breaks down recurring patterns she says are impossible to ignore: the same judges, the same GALs, the same families financially and emotionally devastated, and a system that appears to punish those who speak out while protecting itself. Brooke also discusses a leaked GAL Zoom call, now publicly available on YouTube, which she says provides a rare look at just how dysfunctional and alarming the system really is. The footage has circulated widely online and, according to Brooke, confirms concerns many families have raised for years: 👉 https://youtu.be/eaiwCNVZd9s [https://youtu.be/eaiwCNVZd9s] No longer willing to suffer in silence, Brooke details her work with the Family Warrior Project, her decision to name names, and the personal risks that come with exposing powerful institutions. This episode examines what happens when transparency disappears — and why some stories refuse to stay buried.