Alan’s Truth-Telling Journey from Childhood Trauma to Emotional Freedom

Alan’s Truth-Telling Journey from Childhood Trauma to Emotional Freedom

Alan Katz spent decades telling other people’s stories while hiding the most painful chapter of his own. In this raw conversation, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with the former Tales From the Crypt writer and producer to talk about childhood sexual trauma, self-blame, suicidal despair, creativity, and the brutal honesty that finally helped him reconnect with himself. AWARDS & DOWNLOADS LINE Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. FEEDBACK LINK LINE We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a [https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a] MENTAL HEALTH QUOTE “You’ve got to be brutally honest with yourself about yourself. Then you can maybe find happiness.” — Alan Katz TRIGGER NOTICE + 988 CRISIS REMINDER This episode includes candid conversations about childhood sexual abuse, suicidal thoughts, self-blame, depression, and emotional trauma. Please take care of yourself while listening. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 in the United States or visit: https://988lifeline.org/ [https://988lifeline.org/] For crisis resources outside the United States, visit: https://findahelpline.com/ [https://findahelpline.com/] EPISODE DESCRIPTION For most of his life, Alan Katz was a professional storyteller who could build characters, write dark comedy, and help shape iconic projects like HBO’s Tales From the Crypt. But beneath the success was a story he could not fully tell himself. At 14, Alan was sexually abused by a religious authority figure. After the abuse happened a second time, he began carrying a devastating belief: when something bad happens, it must be his fault. That belief became a lifelong pattern of self-blame, disconnection, rage, and emotional pain. In this honest conversation with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles, Alan shares how he reached the lowest point of his life just before Christmas in 2016, when he came within inches of ending it. Choosing to seek immediate help became the first step toward stabilizing his mental health, confronting the truth of his trauma, and reconnecting with the 14-year-old version of himself who had carried the blame for far too long. Alan also takes us behind the scenes of his Hollywood career, from his arrival in Los Angeles to his role in developing the Crypt Keeper’s unforgettable personality. He explains how creative success can become its own mountain—and how painful it can be when identity, purpose, and career begin to fall apart. This episode is about more than survival. It is about speaking up, releasing shame, reclaiming creativity, and discovering that the truth really can set you free. Keywords: Alan Katz, childhood trauma, childhood sexual abuse, emotional freedom, trauma recovery, suicidal thoughts, depression recovery, self-blame, mental health healing, emotional honesty, inner child healing, storytelling, Tales From the Crypt, creative identity, suicide prevention MEET OUR GUEST — ALAN KATZ Alan Katz is a writer, producer, storyteller, and podcaster whose entertainment career includes work on HBO’s iconic Tales From the Crypt. After decades of professional storytelling, Alan confronted the childhood trauma and self-blame that had disconnected him from himself, transforming his personal healing into a deeper purpose: making the world better through honest storytelling. He is also the co-founder of Costard and Touchstone, a podcast production company named after two Shakespearean “wise fools” known for speaking truth to power. Website: https://costardandtouchstone.com [https://costardandtouchstone.com] KEY TAKEAWAYS * Childhood trauma can quietly create patterns of shame and self-blame that last for decades. * What happened to you is not automatically your fault, even when trauma convinces you otherwise. * Speaking the truth about your own story can rebuild your connection to yourself. * Medication can be a valuable part of mental health treatment when used with informed medical support. * Career success cannot heal emotional wounds that have never been acknowledged. * Creativity can return with greater depth when it is grounded in honesty and purpose. ACTIONABLE ITEMS * Write a compassionate note to the younger version of yourself who carried blame that never belonged to them. * Identify one painful belief you have treated as fact, then ask: “Is this actually true, or is this something trauma taught me?” * Tell one safe, trusted person what you are going through instead of trying to carry it alone. IMPORTANT CHAPTERS * 00:00:57 – Meeting Alan Katz Alan describes himself as the final product of a remarkable story—one that proved the truth could set him free. * 00:01:42 – Success, identity, and falling off “Showbiz Mountain” Alan explains why staying successful in Hollywood can be more emotionally damaging than reaching the top. * 00:05:00 – Finding purpose through truthful storytelling He shares how reconnecting with himself helped him discover a deeper mission behind the work he had already been doing. * 00:06:40 – The childhood trauma Alan kept from himself Alan reveals that he was sexually abused at 14 and explains how the second incident created a lifelong pattern of self-blame. * 00:08:12 – Coming within inches of suicide Alan recounts the crisis he experienced three days before Christmas in 2016 and the decision to seek immediate medical help. * 00:10:39 – Finding a medication that helped stabilize him He describes how a mood stabilizer interrupted overwhelming rage and gave him space between emotion and reaction. * 00:14:38 – Reconnecting with his 14-year-old self Alan talks about embracing the younger version of himself who had carried guilt and shame for decades. * 00:16:02 – How emotional healing changed his creativity Truth gave Alan access to a wider emotional range and helped him evolve from a strong writer into a purposeful storyteller. * 00:17:15 – Leaving acting behind and becoming a writer Alan shares how a rough audition helped redirect him toward screenwriting and, eventually, Hollywood. * 00:20:42 – Meeting creative partner Gil Adler He explains how their shared belief in solving production problems through creativity shaped their partnership. * 00:22:38 – Joining HBO’s Tales From the Crypt Alan reveals how he became the show’s story editor when the series was originally expected to end. * 00:27:21 – Saving the show from cancellation Alan and Gil helped revive the series by protecting the rebellious spirit of the original comic books. * 00:28:53 – Creating the Crypt Keeper’s personality Alan explains how he gave the Crypt Keeper a character, a voice, and a twisted sense of humor, based in part on his own personality. * 00:32:31 – Moving Tales From the Crypt into feature films The conversation turns to Demon Knight, Hollywood expectations, and the fear of being pigeonholed creatively. * 00:34:20 – When a dream project was suddenly killed Alan recounts how Universal shut down a deeply personal film project and replaced it with Bordello of Blood. * 00:37:23 – The mental health cost of creative loss He reflects on how one devastating professional decision became a turning point in his emotional decline. * 00:38:11 – The advice Alan would give his younger self His message to his 14-year-old self is simple and powerful: “Speak up.” * 00:38:32 – The hardest lesson he has learned Alan explains why brutal honesty with yourself is essential to healing and happiness. * 00:39:24 – Alan’s work today He introduces Costard and Touchstone and shares how the company uses podcasting and storytelling to speak truth to power. CLOSING CTA Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews [https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews] #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #AlanKatz #ChildhoodTrauma #TraumaRecovery #EmotionalFreedom #InnerChildHealing #SuicidePrevention #DepressionRecovery #TruthTelling #EmotionalHealing #MentalHealthMatters #SelfBlame #CreativeHealing #TalesFromTheCrypt #StorytellingHeals #HealingJourney #Bleav *************************************************************************** If You Need Support, Reach Out If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference. * United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] * Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca [https://988.ca/] * Worldwide: Find a Helpline [https://findahelpline.com/] * Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub [https://www.thehelphub.co/] Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles * Official Website: goesoninourheads.net [https://goesoninourheads.net/] * Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads [https://www.facebook.com/shltthatgoesoninourheads] * Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles [https://www.instagram.com/grex_and_dirtyskittles/] * LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles [https://www.linkedin.com/in/g-rex-and-dirty-skittles-1367a8299/] * Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/ [https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/]) * Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop [https://www.goesoninourheads.shop/] Audio Editing by NJz Audio Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Part 2: Michael’s Road to Gratitude: Mental Health, Rare Disease Advocacy, and Life Beyond Survival

In Part 2, Michael Caprio’s story moves beyond survival and into the messy, beautiful work of rebuilding a life with purpose. G-Rex and Dirty Skittles talk with Michael about mental health after surgery, living with FAP long-term, family genetics, advocacy, gratitude, and why helping even one person makes the whole damn story worth telling. AWARDS & DOWNLOADS LINE Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. FEEDBACK LINK LINE We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a [https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a] MENTAL HEALTH QUOTE “If my story helps one person feel less alone, then it was worth telling.” — Michael Caprio EPISODE DESCRIPTION In Part 2 of Michael Caprio’s conversation with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles, the story shifts from diagnosis and surgery to what happens after survival. Because surviving the scary thing is one chapter. Learning how to live again is a whole different road. Michael opens up about life after FAP surgery, including diet changes, bathroom anxiety, ongoing medical monitoring, and the everyday realities of living without a large intestine. He talks honestly about how a rare disease affects planning for the future, relationships, travel, family conversations, and the possibility of having children when a hereditary condition is involved. This episode also explores the emotional power of legacy. Michael shares how his grandmother’s courage shaped his understanding of perseverance, how his family’s “club” fostered connection rather than shame, and how writing A Bump in the Road helped him turn pain into purpose. One of the most moving parts of the conversation is Michael’s story about connecting with a woman in Australia who also lives with FAP and finally felt seen through his book. Through humor, honesty, and a whole lot of heart, Michael reminds us that rare disease advocacy is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about telling the truth, building community, and showing someone else that life can still be beautiful after the thing that almost broke you. Keywords: Michael Caprio, rare disease advocacy, FAP, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, mental health, colorectal cancer awareness, gratitude, survivorship, chronic illness, hereditary cancer, patient advocacy, medical trauma recovery, emotional wellness, family genetics, life after surgery MEET OUR GUEST — MICHAEL CAPRIO Michael Caprio is an Author, rare disease advocate, and speaker who draws on his personal experience with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis to help others feel less isolated in their medical journeys. He is the author of A Bump in the Road: My Medical Journey over Potholes, Detours, and the Bridge to Gratitude, a memoir that blends vulnerability, humor, and gratitude while shining a light on the emotional side of rare disease, surgery, and survivorship. Website: https://www.mikecaprioauthor.com/ [https://www.mikecaprioauthor.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikecaprio_author/ [https://www.instagram.com/mikecaprio_author/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/A-Bump-in-the-Road/100076302759044/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/A-Bump-in-the-Road/100076302759044/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-caprio/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-caprio/] KEY TAKEAWAYS * Life after survival still comes with anxiety, adjustments, and big emotional questions. * A rare disease can affect everything from travel plans to relationships to future family planning. * Advocacy does not require perfection; it starts with telling the truth. * Family history can carry pain, but it can also carry strength, wisdom, and a blueprint for survival. * Gratitude can grow beside grief, fear, and uncertainty. * Helping one person feel less alone can turn a painful story into a powerful mission. ACTIONABLE ITEMS * If you live with a chronic or rare condition, make a “real life” plan for travel, food, bathrooms, appointments, and support instead of pretending your needs do not exist. * Share your story with one safe person or support group. Connection can break the shame spiral. * Replace “I can’t” with “What support or information would make this possible?” IMPORTANT CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 – Welcome to Part 2 G-Rex opens the second half of Michael’s story, bringing the conversation back to mental health, recovery, and life after diagnosis. * 00:00:39 – Was therapy offered? G-Rex asks whether anyone offered Michael therapy during diagnosis or treatment, and Michael reflects on not being ready for help at the time. * 00:01:30 – Life with FAP now Michael explains what day-to-day life looks like in his 30s, including diet adjustments, stomach sensitivity, and future medical monitoring. * 00:04:24 – Planning life around the body you have Dirty Skittles asks how FAP affects life experiences, and Michael talks about travel, bathrooms, crowded places, and learning not to feel ashamed. * 00:07:01 – Family planning and hereditary risk Michael discusses the emotional complexity of having children when FAP can be passed down genetically. * 00:08:50 – Nothing in life is guaranteed Michael shares his family’s perspective: every family has something, and FAP is theirs. * 00:10:47 – His grandmother’s courage and the butterfly effect Michael tells the powerful story of his grandmother, early medical procedures, and how her decision to keep going helped make his whole family possible. * 00:15:13 – Advocacy and helping others feel less alone G-Rex reflects on Michael’s courage in putting his story out there and helping others understand that FAP is not a death sentence. * 00:16:35 – Reaching someone across the world Michael shares the story of connecting with a woman in Australia who found comfort and validation through his book. * 00:20:57 – The family “club” and deeper connection Michael talks about how FAP brought his family closer and created a stronger bond through shared understanding. * 00:23:31 – Advice to his younger self Michael says he would go back to his 18-year-old self and tell him that life after surgery would be okay, and that there would be a future worth living. * 00:25:43 – The hardest lesson Michael shares that one of the hardest lessons has been accepting that some people cannot handle illness or hardship and may walk away. * 00:28:30 – Anxiety’s theme song Michael answers G-Rex’s question with humor and heart, landing on “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. * 00:29:37 – Favorite word: Attitude Michael explains why “attitude” matters so much to him and his family, sharing a quote that shaped his recovery mindset. * 00:31:34 – Least favorite word: Can’t Michael talks about why he dislikes the word “can’t” and how he pushes back against limitations. * 00:32:28 – Where to find Michael Michael shares where listeners can learn more about his book, his story, and his advocacy work. * 00:34:12 – Final reflections G-Rex and Dirty Skittles thank Michael for sharing his story and helping listeners understand rare disease, resilience, and hope. CLOSING CTA Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews [https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews] #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #MichaelCaprio #RareDiseaseAdvocacy #FAPAwareness #FamilialAdenomatousPolyposis #ColorectalCancerAwareness #PatientAdvocacy #ChronicIllnessLife #Survivorship #MedicalTraumaRecovery #GratitudePractice #MentalHealthRecovery #HereditaryCancerAwareness #LifeAfterSurgery #BumpInTheRoad #HealingOutLoud *************************************************************************** If You Need Support, Reach Out If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference. * United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] * Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca [https://988.ca/] * Worldwide: Find a Helpline [https://findahelpline.com/] * Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub [https://www.thehelphub.co/] Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles * Official Website: goesoninourheads.net [https://goesoninourheads.net/] * Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads [https://www.facebook.com/shltthatgoesoninourheads] * Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles [https://www.instagram.com/grex_and_dirtyskittles/] * LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles [https://www.linkedin.com/in/g-rex-and-dirty-skittles-1367a8299/] * Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/ [https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/]) * Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop [https://www.goesoninourheads.shop/] Audio Editing by NJz Audio Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Part 1: Michael’s Bump in the Road: FAP, Surgery, Anxiety, and the Fight to Keep Going

At 18 years old, Michael Caprio was handed a diagnosis that changed everything: Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, a rare genetic condition tied to colorectal cancer risk. In this powerful Part 1 conversation, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles talk with Michael about fear, surgery, anxiety, family history, and what it really takes to keep going when life smacks you sideways. AWARDS & DOWNLOADS LINE Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. FEEDBACK LINK LINE We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a [https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a] MENTAL HEALTH QUOTE “Sometimes the bump in the road becomes the bridge that gets you back to yourself.” — Inspired by Michael Caprio TRIGGER NOTICE + 988 CRISIS REMINDER This episode includes discussion of serious illness, surgery, medical trauma, anxiety, depression, and moments of feeling like life was no longer worth living. Please listen with care. If you or someone you love is in crisis or thinking about self-harm, call or text 988 in the United States to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You are not a burden. You are not alone. Help is available right now. EPISODE DESCRIPTION At 18, Michael Caprio should have been worrying about senior year, friends, and what came next after high school. Instead, he was facing a rare genetic diagnosis called Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, or FAP, a condition that causes precancerous polyps to grow in the large intestine and dramatically raises colorectal cancer risk. What followed was fear, bloodwork, colonoscopies, life-changing surgery, an ostomy, and the emotional punch of realizing his body would never be the same. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Michael joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to talk honestly about what it felt like to be diagnosed so young, how his family history shaped his understanding of FAP, and why Googling symptoms can send your brain straight into a horror movie. He opens up about having his large intestine removed, living with an ostomy during recovery, and struggling with the mental health side of healing. This episode gets real about medical trauma, anxiety, identity, and the moments when Michael felt like a burden to the people who loved him most. But it also shows the power of support, honesty, perspective, and choosing to stay in the fight one painful day at a time. Keywords: Michael Caprio, FAP, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, colorectal cancer awareness, rare disease, medical trauma, anxiety, ostomy recovery, colectomy, J pouch surgery, mental health, chronic illness, hereditary cancer, surgery recovery, emotional wellness MEET OUR GUEST — MICHAEL CAPRIO Michael Caprio is an Author, advocate, and rare disease warrior who was diagnosed with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis at just 18 years old. He is the Author of A Bump in the Road: My Medical Journey over Potholes, Detours and the Bridge to Gratitude, a memoir about surviving serious illness, navigating medical trauma, and finding gratitude after life-changing surgery. Website: https://www.mikecaprioauthor.com/ [https://www.mikecaprioauthor.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikecaprio_author/ [https://www.instagram.com/mikecaprio_author/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/A-Bump-in-the-Road/100076302759044/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/A-Bump-in-the-Road/100076302759044/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-caprio/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-caprio/] KEY TAKEAWAYS * A rare diagnosis can change your body, your future, and your mental health all at once. * Medical trauma is not just physical; it can shake your identity, independence, and sense of safety. * Support systems matter, especially when your brain tells you that you are a burden. * Friends may show you who they really are during hard seasons, and that truth can hurt. * Gratitude does not erase pain, but it can help you rebuild after it. * Healing takes honesty, patience, and the courage to keep showing up. ACTIONABLE ITEMS * If you are facing a scary diagnosis, write down your questions before appointments so fear does not steal your voice in the room. * Build a support circle that includes medical professionals, loved ones, and people who understand your condition. * When your thoughts get dark, tell someone. You do not have to carry the heavy stuff alone. IMPORTANT CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 – Welcome to Part 1 G-Rex opens the episode and lets listeners know this is the first half of Michael’s two-part story. * 00:01:33 – Michael introduces his book Michael shares the title of his memoir, A Bump in the Road, and explains how his medical journey became the foundation of his writing. * 00:01:48 – Understanding FAP Michael explains Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, a rare genetic condition that causes precancerous polyps to grow in the large intestine. * 00:03:00 – Family history and “the club” Michael talks about his mom, aunt, and grandmother living with FAP, and how he slowly began to understand the family connection. * 00:05:19 – The diagnosis conversation Michael remembers being told he had FAP and how the seriousness of the diagnosis slowly started to sink in. * 00:06:39 – The danger of Googling symptoms After searching online, Michael found terrifying stories that made his fear and anger spike. * 00:08:30 – Being 18 and trying to process everything G-Rex and Michael talk about the emotional weight of facing a life-changing diagnosis while still figuring out who you are. * 00:10:05 – Surgery, colectomy, ostomy, and J pouch recovery Michael explains the surgery to remove his large intestine, the temporary ostomy, and the J pouch procedure that helped him regain quality of life. * 00:13:43 – The emotional toll of recovery Michael shares how difficult recovery became, including bathroom challenges, pain, frustration, and regret over how he treated people trying to help him. * 00:14:56 – Friends, support, and painful distance Michael reflects on friends who disappeared and others who showed up in ways he never expected. * 00:18:11 – A perspective shift after illness Michael describes how losing everyday freedoms made him more grateful for small things like coffee, exercise, and time with friends. * 00:22:29 – Rock bottom and the fight to keep going Michael opens up about feeling like a burden and the painful family conversation that helped snap him out of a dangerous mental spiral. * 00:26:10 – Closing reminder G-Rex and Dirty Skittles close with a reminder that it is okay to be not okay, as long as you are talking to someone. CLOSING CTA Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews [https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews] #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #MichaelCaprio #FAPAwareness #FamilialAdenomatousPolyposis #ColorectalCancerAwareness #RareDiseaseAwareness #MedicalTrauma #AnxietyRecovery #OstomyAwareness #ChronicIllnessSupport #SurgeryRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #HereditaryCancer #HealingJourney #Jpouch #BumpInTheRoad *************************************************************************** If You Need Support, Reach Out If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference. * United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] * Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca [https://988.ca/] * Worldwide: Find a Helpline [https://findahelpline.com/] * Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub [https://www.thehelphub.co/] Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles * Official Website: goesoninourheads.net [https://goesoninourheads.net/] * Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads [https://www.facebook.com/shltthatgoesoninourheads] * Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles [https://www.instagram.com/grex_and_dirtyskittles/] * LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles [https://www.linkedin.com/in/g-rex-and-dirty-skittles-1367a8299/] * Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/ [https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/]) * Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop [https://www.goesoninourheads.shop/] Audio Editing by NJz Audio Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Part 2: Michelle Petties on Body Trust, Emotional Healing, and Life After Diet Culture

In Part 2, Michelle Petties returns with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to talk about body trust, self-care, fear-based eating, and what it really means to live after diet culture. This conversation is honest, practical, and full of reminders that healing does not require perfection — it requires support, awareness, and the courage to keep getting back up. AWARDS & DOWNLOADS LINE Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. FEEDBACK LINK LINE We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a [https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a] MENTAL HEALTH QUOTE “Once you learn how to trust your body, your voice, and your choices, you do not have to crawl back into the old story.” — Inspired by Michelle Petties EPISODE DESCRIPTION In Part 2 of this two-part episode, Michelle Petties takes the conversation deeper into body trust, emotional healing, self-care, and life after diet culture. G-Rex opens up about her type 2 diabetes diagnosis, the fear that came with it, and the changes she made to support her health. Dirty Skittles shares something many people silently carry: the fear of gaining weight back and losing the version of yourself you worked so hard to become. Michelle meets that fear with compassion, lived experience, and no-nonsense wisdom. She explains why transformation is not about white-knuckling your way through cravings. It is about belief, writing, visualization, affirmations, community, and learning to listen when your body says, “This does not work for me anymore.” The conversation also delves into grocery-store triggers, food packaging, advertising, social pressure, and why self-care is not selfish. Michelle reminds us that people are not failing because they are weak. They are often trying to heal in a world that keeps pushing them back toward old habits. She also shares powerful lessons about falling down, getting back up, and learning to trust yourself the way a child trusts that walking is possible. It is not about never messing up again. It is about knowing you can recover, reset, and keep choosing the life and body you want to live in. Keywords: Michelle Petties, body trust, emotional healing, diet culture recovery, food addiction recovery, emotional eating, self-care, food freedom, weight regain anxiety, body image healing, mindful eating, self-compassion, mental health recovery, trauma healing, personal transformation MEET OUR GUEST — MICHELLE PETTIES Michelle Petties is a TEDx speaker, author, Food Story coach, and experiential eating expert whose work helps people answer the question, “What are you really hungry for?” Through speaking, coaching, writing, and her online community, Michelle supports people in moving away from shame-based dieting and toward sustainable, compassionate transformation. Website: https://LeavingLarge.com [https://LeavingLarge.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Website: https://MichellePetties.com [https://MichellePetties.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambrandnewnow/ [https://www.instagram.com/iambrandnewnow/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Iambrandnewnow [https://www.facebook.com/Iambrandnewnow] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iambrandnewnow [https://www.youtube.com/@iambrandnewnow] X: https://x.com/iambrandnewnow [https://x.com/iambrandnewnow] Email: michelle@michellepetties.com Media/Booking Email: iambrandnewnow@gmail.com KEY TAKEAWAYS * Self-care is not selfish. Ignoring your own health can cost you and the people who love you. * Fear of gaining weight back is real, but it does not have to control your choices. * Writing, affirmations, visualization, and community can help reinforce a new identity. * Grocery stores, packaging, and advertising are designed to trigger impulse decisions. * Falling down does not make you a failure. It means you are learning a new way to live. * Body trust grows when we stop confusing emotion, desire, and actual hunger. ACTIONABLE ITEMS * When fear shows up, write this down: “What am I afraid will happen, and what support do I need right now?” * Practice Michelle’s pause before eating: “Is this hunger, or is this the desire to eat?” * Pick one self-care habit this week — water, sleep, writing, or rest — and treat it like a non-negotiable appointment. REFERENCES MENTIONED Leaving Large – The Stories of a Food Addict by Michelle Petties https://LeavingLarge.com [https://LeavingLarge.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Michelle Petties’ Food Story work https://MichellePetties.com [https://MichellePetties.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Michelle Petties YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@iambrandnewnow [https://www.youtube.com/@iambrandnewnow] IMPORTANT CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 — Welcome to Part 2 G-Rex introduces Part 2 of Michelle Petties’ conversation and brings listeners back to the show's mental health mission. * 00:00:40 — G-Rex Shares Her Type 2 Diabetes Wake-Up Call G-Rex talks about being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, taking Metformin, working with a nutritionist, and changing her relationship with food. * 00:04:09 — Michelle Explains Why We Are Pushed Into the Trap Michelle talks about food marketing, diet advice, and why people are not given enough tools to fight daily messaging around food. * 00:06:36 — Grocery Stores, Packaging, and Food Triggers The group discusses how even “healthy” areas in stores are surrounded by temptation, labels, and emotional triggers. * 00:10:16 — Self-Care Is Not Selfish Michelle reframes self-care as necessary and explains why neglecting ourselves affects the people who depend on us. * 00:12:02 — Dirty Skittles Shares Her Fear of Gaining Weight Back Dirty Skittles opens up about holding on tightly to her new version of herself and worrying that old patterns could return. * 00:12:16 — Visualization, Affirmations, and Writing Michelle explains how invisible work can rewire the brain and help create long-term transformation. * 00:14:23 — The Caterpillar and the Child Learning to Walk Michelle shares powerful metaphors for transformation, belief, and getting back up after setbacks. * 00:21:27 — Hunger vs. Desire to Eat Michelle explains the difference between real hunger and eating out of emotion, pleasure, or conditioning. * 00:28:50 — Advice to Her Younger Self Michelle says she would tell her younger self to listen to her grandmother, especially around rest, water, food, and wisdom. * 00:30:22 — The Hardest Lesson Michelle shares that staying focused, choosing one thing, and remaining present are ongoing lessons in her life. * 00:31:53 — Anxiety Theme Song and Favorite Words Michelle talks about control, overwhelm, her favorite word “perfect,” and why she cannot stand the phrase “it is what it is.” * 00:34:16 — How to Find Michelle Michelle shares where listeners can connect with her, buy her book, and join her community. CLOSING CTA Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews [https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews] #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #MichellePetties #BodyTrust #DietCultureRecovery #FoodFreedom #EmotionalHealing #FoodAddictionRecovery #MindfulEating #SelfCareMatters #EmotionalEatingRecovery #BodyImageHealing #WeightLossMindset #MentalHealthRecovery #SelfCompassion #LeavingLarge #WomenAndWellness *************************************************************************** If You Need Support, Reach Out If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference. * United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] * Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca [https://988.ca/] * Worldwide: Find a Helpline [https://findahelpline.com/] * Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub [https://www.thehelphub.co/] Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles * Official Website: goesoninourheads.net [https://goesoninourheads.net/] * Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads [https://www.facebook.com/shltthatgoesoninourheads] * Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles [https://www.instagram.com/grex_and_dirtyskittles/] * LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles [https://www.linkedin.com/in/g-rex-and-dirty-skittles-1367a8299/] * Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/ [https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/]) * Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop [https://www.goesoninourheads.shop/] Audio Editing by NJz Audio Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Part 1: Michelle Petties on Rewiring Your Brain for Food Freedom and Emotional Healing

Michelle Petties joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles for Part 1 of a powerful two-part conversation about food addiction, emotional eating, and the stories we carry around hunger. Michelle gets real about why “food noise” may actually be emotion noise — and why healing starts when we stop blaming ourselves and start getting curious. AWARDS & DOWNLOADS LINE Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. FEEDBACK LINK LINE We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a [https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a] MENTAL HEALTH QUOTE “It’s not food noise. It’s emotion noise — and once you understand the story behind it, you can start taking your power back.” — Inspired by Michelle Petties EPISODE DESCRIPTION In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Michelle Petties brings truth, compassion, and a whole lot of “damn, I needed to hear that” energy to the conversation. Michelle is a TEDx speaker, Food Story coach, and author of Leaving Large – The Stories of a Food Addict. After gaining and losing more than 700 pounds over four decades, she learned that food addiction was never just about food. G-Rex and Dirty Skittles talk with Michelle about emotional eating, shame, diet culture, and the sneaky ways food becomes tied to sadness, boredom, stress, celebration, and comfort. Michelle explains why what many people call “food noise” may actually be emotion noise — thoughts, feelings, and old beliefs begging for attention. She also breaks down her “Brand New” framework and how belief, writing, rest, nourishment, alignment, and community can help people rewire their brains and change their relationship with food. This is not another conversation about willpower, restriction, or beating yourself up for eating the thing. This is about pausing, listening, and learning what you are really hungry for. Michelle’s message is hopeful as hell: you are not broken, and you are not weak. You may just be carrying stories that need to be unpacked, rewritten, and released with compassion. Keywords: Michelle Petties, food addiction, emotional eating, food freedom, diet culture recovery, body image healing, food story, emotional wellness, mindful eating, trauma healing, self-compassion, obesity recovery, mental health healing, brain rewiring, shame recovery MEET OUR GUEST — MICHELLE PETTIES Michelle Petties is a TEDx speaker, author, Food Story coach, and the award-winning, Amazon best-selling author of Leaving Large – The Stories of a Food Addict. After gaining and losing more than 700 pounds over four decades, Michelle created her Food Story method to help people uncover the beliefs, memories, and emotional patterns driving their relationship with food. Website: https://LeavingLarge.com [https://LeavingLarge.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Website: https://MichellePetties.com [https://MichellePetties.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambrandnewnow/ [https://www.instagram.com/iambrandnewnow/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Iambrandnewnow [https://www.facebook.com/Iambrandnewnow] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iambrandnewnow [https://www.youtube.com/@iambrandnewnow] X: https://x.com/iambrandnewnow [https://x.com/iambrandnewnow] Email: michelle@michellepetties.com Media/Booking Email: iambrandnewnow@gmail.com KEY TAKEAWAYS * Food noise may actually be emotion noise, asking for your attention. * Emotional eating is not a personal failure. It is often tied to old stories, old wounds, and learned survival tools. * Shame keeps people stuck, but awareness creates space for change. * Food companies and diet culture can keep us blaming ourselves instead of understanding the system around us. * Michelle’s “Brand New” framework helps people rethink food, hunger, belief, and healing. * Writing, rest, hydration, and community can become powerful tools for food freedom. ACTIONABLE ITEMS * Before eating, pause and ask yourself: “Am I hungry, or am I feeling something else?” * Start an emotion log. Write down what you feel before and after eating without judging yourself. * Pick one old food story you have carried for years and rewrite it with compassion instead of shame. REFERENCES MENTIONED Leaving Large – The Stories of a Food Addict by Michelle Petties https://LeavingLarge.com [https://LeavingLarge.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Michelle Petties’ Food Story work https://MichellePetties.com [https://MichellePetties.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Brand New Now 52-Week Program https://go.michellepetties.com/brand-new-now-program [https://go.michellepetties.com/brand-new-now-program] IMPORTANT CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 — Welcome to Part 1 G-Rex and Dirty Skittles introduce Michelle Petties and open the door to a two-part conversation about food, mental health, shame, and healing. * 00:03:25 — Dirty Skittles Opens Up About Food Noise Dirty Skittles shares her experience with weight loss, GLP-1 medication, and the frustration of food noise returning. * 00:04:22 — Michelle Reframes Food Noise as Emotion Noise Michelle explains why cravings and overeating often come from emotion, memory, and belief rather than physical hunger. * 00:08:38 — How Culture Teaches Emotional Eating The group talks about how movies, shows, and social conditioning normalize turning to food when life gets heavy. * 00:13:13 — Michelle’s Story and Leaving Large Michelle shares how writing her book helped her understand that food addiction was never just about the food. * 00:17:29 — Gaining and Losing Over 700 Pounds Michelle talks about four decades of yo-yo dieting and what finally helped her stop fearing weight regain. * 00:18:53 — The “Brand New” Framework Michelle introduces the principles behind becoming brand new, including belief, reinvention, alignment, nourishment, writing, and celebration. * 00:22:31 — Drink, Sleep, and Write Michelle explains why water, sleep, and prescriptive writing can support emotional regulation and lasting change. * 00:26:05 — Question Everything You Eat Michelle shares the questions she asks before eating and how that pause helps her stay connected to her body and her choices. CLOSING CTA Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews [https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews] #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #MichellePetties #FoodAddictionRecovery #EmotionalEating #FoodFreedom #DietCultureRecovery #BodyImageHealing #FoodStory #EmotionalWellness #MindfulEating #TraumaHealing #SelfCompassion #ObesityRecovery #MentalHealthHealing #LeavingLarge #BrainRewiring *************************************************************************** If You Need Support, Reach Out If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference. * United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] * Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca [https://988.ca/] * Worldwide: Find a Helpline [https://findahelpline.com/] * Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub [https://www.thehelphub.co/] Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles * Official Website: goesoninourheads.net [https://goesoninourheads.net/] * Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads [https://www.facebook.com/shltthatgoesoninourheads] * Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles [https://www.instagram.com/grex_and_dirtyskittles/] * LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles [https://www.linkedin.com/in/g-rex-and-dirty-skittles-1367a8299/] * Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/ [https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/]) * Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop [https://www.goesoninourheads.shop/] Audio Editing by NJz Audio Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.