Hard To Be Human

"You are always posting stuff about being emotionally intelligent and just working on your self and your progress is amazing. I honestly just haven’t been in a good place for a long time now. And I do therapy and take meds and it only gets me so far. So I’m wondering if you have any extra advice or good “self-help” books or blogs or podcast or any source of information you wouldn’t mind sharing with me?" I sent a voice memo response to this question from a friend of a friend a few days ago and I wanted to share with you a bit of what's in my mindfulness toolkit. It's hard to be human, don't do it alone. Here are some ways to keep up with me: Patreon: Hard To Be Human Instagram: @heyjessieraye Twitter: @heyjessieraye TikTok: @heyjessieraye YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify: Hard To Be Human Email: hard2behuman@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hardtobehuman/message

How do we begin to defrost from the cold? When we lose ourselves completely, where do we start looking first? Where do we find warmth when everything feels like ice? How do we begin to heal? From heartbreak...illness...death...trauma from world events? People have told me to 'ride the wave' of life since my older brother passed away, with its ups and downs. No one talks about that climb from the deep bottom and how slippery it is and how many times you might sink back down. The story is a direct follow up to last week's episode and how I began to heal from the coldest night I have ever experienced in my life with music therapy. You are permanently human, but your feelings are fleeting. That is beautiful. Your song is beautiful, don't be afraid to let people hear every single chord struck within you, even the sad ones. It is possible to heal from a heartbreak and move through grief, but it is not easy. Nothing good ever is ever easy, but it's possible. For all of us. If you like the podcast and want to support, please consider joining 'Hard To Be Human' on Patreon. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com [https://www.purple-planet.com/] --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hardtobehuman/message

*****TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide, Self Harm, Suicide Ideation, & Abandonment Trauma***** This is a story about my experiences with suicide, about the night in Chicago my ‘band dude’ ex-boyfriend left (the actual coldest winter night I have ever experienced), and why I advocate so much for mental wellness and suicide prevention now. This is my story. DAMN, it feels good to get this out. This is my truth. I was never alone. You are not alone either. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com [https://www.purple-planet.com/] --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hardtobehuman/message

On this episode of H2BH, Dave shares his personal story of how he uses cannabis as an alternative to opioids, how he became addicted to heroin, speaks on the years and friends he lost to heavy drug use, and how self-care and exercise are the most important tools he uses in his recovery today. Dave’s story is wild and incredible and inspiring, especially because we were close friends and I had NO idea he did any hard drugs until years later, when he was in a rehab center in Prescott, AZ. I am thankful and honored he shared his struggles, stories, and pain with me. You are my hero and my friend, Dave. I am proud to know you. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please know that you are not alone. The Promise Resource Network is an incredible place of community in Charlotte, NC for recovery from mental illness and addiction. [https://www.promiseresourcenetwork.com/] Please reach out if you need to be directed to other resources or something in Dave’s story resonates in your own heart and experience. This was recorded on May 25, 2020. While Dave's story is incredibly important--I felt it necessary, with the death of George Floyd and the current conversations happening in the world, for me to pause and take a step back for a few weeks and really think about what my voice was saying. I have found a lot of strength in the quiet. I am very proud of this podcast and look forward to more storytelling and connection in the future. If you enjoy the podcast and want to support my work, please consider becoming a Patron of Hard To Be Human here. [http://www.patreon.com/hardtobehuman] --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hardtobehuman/message

In this episode of H2BH, I sit down with the lovely Spotify software engineer, Kaity Hallman, as she talks about what it’s like living and working in the heart of New York City. In a pandemic! We talk internet trolls, what the word ‘productivity’ means to us, and she tells me the great things Spotify is doing for both their employees and artists! She also talks openly about body dysmorphia and not feeling comfortable in your own skin. She even overcomes her fear of being on camera with me! An honor. She is a true delight and I can’t wait for her to become a regular on Hard To Be Human. Thank you for giving me your time and energy, Kaity. You are an inspiration to me. Find Kaity at : https://kaityhallman.com/ Instagram - @kaityhall Twitter - @kaityhallman --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hardtobehuman/message