Episode 35: The Mask We Wear — High Functioning Depression and the People Nobody Worries About

June 1st. 2026

Welcome back to the Support and Kindness Podcast, I'm your host, Greg Shaw, and I just wanted to let you know that we're not going to actually air a podcast this week. We've got some people who are sick this week, some people who are on vacation, and some people are just playing hooky. Rich and I did record an episode for you, but unfortunately, yours truly had the audio settings wrong, and the audio just did not turn out, and I didn't want to bring it to you with all distortion and everything else like that. You deserve better than that. So, take a break this week. Put your feet up and rest. But I did want to let you know about some really exciting things which are coming your way. The next podcast that we're doing is episode 38, and it's what you can actually control. We're going to talk about things that are within your control and things that are not within your control, what you can control, what you can't. So that's something to look forward to. We're looking forward to that. And then after that, the next week is going to be adult ADHD, what you need to know. And followed by that, we're going to talk about kindness at work or kindness with a theme of work, and how much is kindness actually worth, and we'll spell out the cost of being kind at work and not being kind at work. How much does it cost businesses in turnover, retention, and all of that good stuff. So we've got some really cool stuff coming your way. So, take it easy this week and be kind to somebody, and we'll see you soon on the Support and Kindness podcast. Have a great week.

Episode 37: Your Emotional First Aid Kit

Content note: This episode discusses mental health crisis, panic attacks, and suicidal thinking. If you're struggling, call or text 988 (US Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). International listeners: please use your local crisis line.When you cut your finger, you reach for the first aid kit. But what do you reach for when your heart is breaking, when anxiety floods you at 3 a.m., or when grief makes it impossible to get out of bed? Most of us were never taught.In Episode 37, Greg, Rich, Derek, Liam, and Sarah unpack what actually goes in an emotional first aid kit — and why you have to build it before the crisis, not during it. Liam reframes the whole thing as an emotional utility belt. Sarah shares how counting pulled her out of panic attacks. Rich realizes he's been using tools he never named. Derek leans on music as a full emotional journey. And Greg gets honest about the fact that he doesn't have a kit yet either.What you'll take away:The difference between an emotional first aid kit and therapyReal, specific tools — grounding, frozen water bottles, stuffed animals, music, counting, naps, beading * Why your kit needs to be quick to reach for, not just well-stocked * How to adapt your kit for pain, brain injury, or any chronic condition * The one thing Greg challenges you to build this weekChapters00:00 Introduction03:11 Surprising tools that helped07:31 Kit vs. therapy09:13 Where to start12:23 What actually goes in the kit18:42 Can the kit replace professional care?23:02 Using the kit when you can't think straight25:59 Adapting for pain and brain injury29:34 Freeform sharing34:27 What's on your heart43:29 Listener challenge & closingThis episode featured: Greg, Rich, Derek, Liam, Sarah 💜 Free weekly peer support groups: * Brain Injury (Mon 1PM ET) * Chronic Pain (Tue 12PM ET) * Mental Health (Wed 7:30PM ET). Details: https://kindnessrx.org [https://kindnessrx.org] Help keep the support groups free: https://buymeacoffee.com/kindnessrx [https://buymeacoffee.com/kindnessrx] Monthly newsletter: https://substack.com/@supportandkindness [https://substack.com/@supportandkindness] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kindnessRX [https://www.youtube.com/@kindnessRX]

Episode 36 Cruelty of The Inner Voice

Episode 36: Cruelty of The Inner Voice What would you do if a stranger spoke to you the way your inner critic does? Most of us would walk away. Some of us would speak up. Some of us would call someone for help. But when that same cruelty comes from inside our own heads, many of us accept it as truth. In this episode of The Support and Kindness Podcast, Greg, Rich, Derek, Liam, and Sarah talk honestly about the cruel inner voice: where it comes from, why it can feel so convincing, how it connects with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, brain injury, shame, and self-doubt, and how we can begin answering it with something kinder. This is not an episode about fake positivity. It is about real kindness: the kind that tells the truth without attacking you. In this episode, we talk about: * Why the inner critic can feel like “the truth” instead of just a thought * The difference between healthy self-reflection and cruelty * Why shame is not the same thing as discipline * How anxiety and depression can make negative self-talk louder * How chronic pain, brain injury, ADHD, PTSD, grief, and life changes can give the inner critic “new material” * Practical ways to quiet the voice in a hard moment * Why self-compassion is not weakness, but part of healing A few moments from the conversation: “Cruelty is not the same thing as motivation. Shame is not the same thing as discipline. And beating yourself up is not the same as holding yourself accountable.” * “That voice may be loud, but loud does not mean truth.” * “The same brain that learned to attack itself can learn to support itself.” This week’s challenge: One time today, catch the cruel voice in the act. Don’t fight it. Don’t argue with it. Just notice it. Then ask yourself: Would I say this to my best friend? If the answer is no, try saying to yourself what you would say to them instead. Resources mentioned in this episode: * The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, read by John Cleese [https://youtu.be/_4tpazCxTXw?si=_9gVnNWWU8mLHL4j] * Beethoven Blues by Jon Batiste [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mL0qq64NUbgIgo17VHqoJrqbvjkgHUyIE] Learn more: * Nature Communications: Brain meta-state transitions and thought dynamics [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17255-9] * CDC National Health Interview Survey [https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/index.htm] * Brain Injury Association of America [https://biausa.org/] * Cleveland Clinic: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22838-dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt] * 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline [https://988lifeline.org/] Note: This podcast is peer support and personal conversation, not medical advice. If you are in crisis, thinking about harming yourself, or need immediate emotional support in the U.S., call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. [https://988lifeline.org/] Join our free support groups: At KindnessRX [https://kindnessrx.org], we host free peer-led online support groups every week. These are safe, confidential video spaces for real people showing up for one another. * Brain Injury Support Group: Mondays at 1:00 PM Eastern * Chronic Pain Support Group: Tuesdays at 12:00 PM Eastern * Mental Health Support Group: Wednesdays at 7:30 PM Eastern Sign up here: KindnessRX Support Groups on Luma [https://chatgpt.com/c/6a08ad09-cd6c-83ea-82de-d213d12c5dae]Learn more about the community at:kindnessrx.org [https://kindnessrx.org/] You do not have to hate yourself through hard things. You are allowed to meet yourself with kindness.

Episode 35: The Mask We Wear — High Functioning Depression and the People Nobody Worries About

Some people look fine on the outside. * They show up. * They answer the messages. * They get the work done. * They check on everyone else. * They smile, laugh, and keep life moving. But inside, they may feel exhausted, numb, disconnected, or quietly overwhelmed. In this episode of The Support and Kindness Podcast, Greg, Rich, Derek, Liam, and Sarah talk honestly about what many people call high-functioning depression, functional depression, or smiling depression. This is not a formal diagnosis, but it is a real experience many people recognize: struggling internally while still appearing capable, responsible, or “fine” on the outside. Together, we talk about: * Why “functioning” does not always mean someone is okay * Why people often say “I’m fine” when they are not * How depression can show up as numbness, irritability, isolation, over-performing, or humor * What the mask can cost in relationships * How chronic pain, brain injury, grief, trauma, caregiving, and long-term stress can add emotional weight * Why music, therapy, honest connection, and peer support can matter * The small challenge of telling one safe person one true thing This episode is a gentle reminder that you do not have to fall apart publicly to deserve support. The mask does not have to come off all at once. Sometimes it begins with one honest sentence. This week’s challenge: Pick one safe person and tell them one true thing about how you are really doing. Examples: * “Honestly, I’m running on empty.”“ * This week has been heavier than it looks.” * “I’m holding it together, but barely.” * “I could use someone checking in on me.” Support Groups at KindnessRX.org KindnessRX.org offers free, peer-led online support groups: Brain Injury Support Group — Mondays at 1:00 PM Eastern Pain Support Group — Tuesdays at 12:00 PM Eastern Mental Health Group — Wednesdays at 7:30 PM Eastern * These groups are peer-led and supportive. They are not a replacement for therapy, medical care, or crisis services. If you are having thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or feel you may not be safe, call or text 988 in the United States or contact emergency services right away. Learn more at KindnessRX.org [https://kindnessrx.org].

Episode 34: Why Embarrassing Memories Show Up at 3 AM

The neuroscience of intrusive memory, shame, and why old cringe moments can feel so alive at night Why does your brain wait until the quietest part of the night to replay something awkward from years ago? In this episode of the Support and Kindness Podcast, Greg, Rich, Liam, Tony, and Sarah explore intrusive memories, shame, guilt, embarrassment, and the strange power of those 3 AM mental replays. Greg explains that these memories are not proof that something is wrong with us. They are often part of the brain’s protective system: the amygdala flags emotionally charged moments, the hippocampus stores them, and the prefrontal cortex helps us regulate them. But stress, trauma, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, brain injury, and poor sleep can make that regulation harder. The group also explores the difference between guilt and shame: guilt says, “I did something bad,” while shame says, “I am bad.” Guilt can guide growth; shame can make us feel stuck. Main Takeaways * Intrusive memories are common and do not mean you are broken. * Shame sticks because the brain treats social rejection as a threat to belonging. * 3 AM can be a vulnerable time because stress rises, distractions disappear, and the mind starts scanning for unresolved concerns. * Memory is not a fixed recording. With compassion, humor, and distance, the emotional charge around a memory can soften. * Naming the memory, stepping back from it, using the “friend test,” and gently changing the channel can help interrupt the loop. Voices from the Conversation Rich shared how brain injury changed the way memories and emotions show up for him. A memory can suddenly bring tears “completely unrelated” to the moment he is in. His key response is honesty: letting trusted people know what is happening instead of hiding it. Liam reflected on the difference between shame and guilt, saying it helped him stop seeing himself as “a bad person” and instead recognize that he made mistakes he can learn from. He also shared a personal cringe memory he carried for nearly 30 years and how self-work has helped soften it. Tony connected with the spotlight effect and said he has often discovered that something he worried about “never even registered” with other people. One reminder that helped him was: “What people think of me is none of my business.” Tony also referenced a James Hillman talk connected to The Force of Character and the Lasting Life, where Hillman explores aging, night waking, character, and becoming an elder or ancestor. Tony’s YouTube link: [https://youtu.be/1zkvvSG866A?si=9-UDeN5LE5dEen1E] Sarah brought humor and grace to the conversation, joking, “I just thought it was menopause,” while reminding listeners that mistakes can carry lessons without becoming lifelong shame. Her message was simple: learn from the “hot stove,” but do not keep beating yourself up for touching it. Greg reminded listeners that everyone has their own private 3 AM movie. The goal is not to erase the memory, but to stop adding shame to it. This Week’s Challenge The next time an old embarrassing memory shows up, do not fight it and do not feed it. Say: “This is my brain doing its job. I’m safe now. That moment does not define me.” You do not owe your past self-shame. You owe them grace. Free Weekly Peer-Led Support Groups We host free online live weekly peer-led support groups: Mondays at 1:00 PM Eastern Brain Injury Support Group Tuesdays at 12:00 PM Eastern Chronic Pain Support Group Wednesdays at 7:30 PM Eastern Mental Health Support Group You are cordially invited! 👉 Sign‑up Click Here [https://luma.com/calendar/cal-oyT0VPlVTKCPxBw] Subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that they are not alone. Find us at: KindnessRX.org [https://kindnessrx.org]