Mental Maintenence

Feral Freakout

In today’s episode, we’re talking about emotional dysregulation — what it is, how it shows up in our lives, and the reality of experiencing what we personally call “meltdowns” while living with mental illness. We open up about our own experiences, from misunderstandings and mistakes to disagreements and overwhelming moments that can quickly spiral emotionally. We also talk about the important difference between a meltdown and a tantrum — meltdowns are not goal-oriented or manipulative, but intense emotional and nervous system responses. Together, we discuss: • What dysregulation and meltdowns look like for each of us • Common triggers and situations that can lead to emotional overload • Physical warning signs, racing thoughts, and emotional buildup • The coping tools and strategies we use to manage difficult moments This episode is honest and meant to help others feel less alone while creating more understanding around mental health and emotional regulation. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/copingchaospodcast/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585771635158], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@CopingChaosPodcast], and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@coping.chaos.podc] at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon [https://patreon.com/CopingChaosPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com [Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com]

Guilt Gremlin Part 2

In part two of our Coping Chaos series on guilt and shame, we continue the conversation by talking about the ways these emotions personally affect our mental health, relationships, and sense of self-worth. Now that we’ve explored the differences between guilt and shame, we open up about the pressure to always be productive, the guilt and shame that can come from feeling like our struggles affect others, and the complicated emotions tied to asking for help. We also talk about how guilt can convince us that independence equals worth — and the damage that belief can cause when we’re already struggling. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/copingchaospodcast/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585771635158], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@CopingChaosPodcast], and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@coping.chaos.podc] at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon [https://patreon.com/CopingChaosPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com [Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com]

Guilt Gremlin - Part 1

Welcome to the first part of our two-part series on guilt and shame. In this episode, we break down the differences between guilt and shame, explore how they show up in everyday life, and share the personal ways they’ve impacted us over the years. From feeling guilty for being happy, to survivor’s guilt, to carrying shame about past versions of ourselves — we open up about the emotional weight these experiences can carry and how they shape the way we see ourselves. Whether you’ve struggled with people-pleasing, overthinking, regret, or feeling “not enough,” this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/copingchaospodcast/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585771635158], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@CopingChaosPodcast], and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@coping.chaos.podc] at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon [https://patreon.com/CopingChaosPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com [Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com]

Moody Mothers

In honor of Mother's Day, this episode explores the complicated reality of parenting while living with severe mental health challenges. We start by sharing some of the positives of parenting — the moments of love, pride, and joy that keep us going even on the hardest days. From there, we open up about the very real physical struggles that can come with parenting while battling mental illness: cooking, cleaning, driving, keeping up with appointments, and simply getting through the day. We also talk about the emotional side of parenting — learning emotional regulation and trying to model healthy coping skills while struggling ourselves. We get honest about parenting while dysregulated and how emotionally and physically exhausting it can be. This conversation also takes a deeper look at how our own childhood experiences and relationships with our parents continue to shape our mental health and parenting today. We share raw, personal stories from our younger years and reflect on the cycles we’re trying to break. This episode is vulnerable, emotional, and deeply real — for anyone navigating parenthood, mental health, or the lasting impact of childhood trauma. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/copingchaospodcast/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585771635158], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@CopingChaosPodcast], and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@coping.chaos.podc] at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon [https://patreon.com/CopingChaosPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com [Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com]

Mental Maintenence

In this episode, we unpack the world of ‘mental maintenance’—the coping mechanisms that help us navigate everyday life while living with mental illness. We break down what coping mechanisms really are, and share what we’ve learned throughout our mental health journeys—everything from the healthy, to the unhealthy, to the ones that might seem a little unconventional. We open up about the tools we currently rely on, the ones we’ve left behind, and even the strategies we’re still trying to build into our routines—and why. Along the way, we talk about how we recognize when we need support, what it actually feels like in the moment, and how we choose the right coping skill for different situations. We also get real about the fine line between coping and avoidance, sharing our personal experiences with both. If you’ve ever wondered whether your habits are helping or holding you back, this episode is an honest, relatable conversation about figuring it out as you go. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/copingchaospodcast/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585771635158], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@CopingChaosPodcast], and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@coping.chaos.podc] at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon [https://patreon.com/CopingChaosPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com [Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com]