“Why Do We Need To EMBRACE Our Shadow Selves?” Artwork

Beat The Mental Health Out Of It!

“Don’t look to the bottle, the knife, or the gun… Look for the soul you’ll become!

Welcome to “Beat The Mental Health Out Of It!”, where humor meets heart—and things get uncomfortably real!

Join our fearless host, “The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective,” a lovable goofball navigating life with Schizoaffective Disorder who boldly asked, “What the hell… why not turn my traumatic experiences into a podcast for the enjoyment of others?”

He is often joined by his wise, “elderly” co-host, “IndyPocket,” an unapologetically candid mental health professional and lifelong mentor who adds his invaluable insight to the show!

In this unscripted “bro hang,” I plunge into the labyrinth of mental illness with all the candor and chaos of an unfiltered improv troupe at a hole-in-the-wall comedy club. Expect gut-busting anecdotes and uncomfortably dark humor—so dark it might just need a spotlight—as well as frank conversations that perfectly bridge the chasm between struggle and support.

I’m here to unpack the complexities of mental health, debunk the stigma, and share our own experiences—where every topic is fair game in our whimsical yet serious banter.

You’ll never know where our conversations will go… because frankly, I DON’T EVEN KNOW… And that’s the beauty of it!

From enlightening interviews with brave souls battling their own demons to laid-back discussions about coping mechanisms and the stark realities of life in a world that often misunderstands, this is your go-to podcast for catharsis, featuring plenty of laughs, hard truths, and a tear or two along the way.

This podcast serves as the spearhead for this transformative movement, and I’ve already taken the first step by establishing my Discord community, “The STRUGGLE Bus.” This space is intended for open dialogue, support, and connection as we all work together to navigate our mental health journeys.

We ALL have struggles and something valuable to share in the conversation!

I’m just a lovable dumbass creating a safe space where it’s perfectly acceptable to laugh morbidly at the absurdities of living with mental illness while embracing vulnerability and authenticity.

So, leave your sensitivity at the door and prepare to open your minds to a truly unique experience that just might teach you how to laugh at ANYTHING—even the darkest corners of life!

”Laughter is the best medicine… SO LET’S TAKE OUR DAMN PILLS!”

Stop crying, lighten up and join me as we BEAT THE MENTAL HEALTH OUT OF IT!

All Episodes

Beat The Mental Health Out Of It!

“Why Do We Need To EMBRACE Our Shadow Selves?”

May 26, 2025 • Nicholas Wichman • Season 1 • Episode 15

Join us on THE DARK SIDE…

…And welcome to “Beat The Mental Health Out Of It!” with your hosts, The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective and IndyPocket!

The show where we have candid, unscripted discussions about everything related to mental health with a twist of humor and no-holds-barred!

In what might just be the most eyebrow-raising episode yet, we're diving deep into “THE SHADOW SELF” and why running from it is like trying to escape your own shadow… good luck with that!

Let’s face it! No one’s “safe” from their shadows!

They're always lurking just behind you… like that weird Uncle at family gatherings who keeps wanting to show you his “family jewels!”

(Good Lord, that was bad… I’M AM UNCLE!)

In this episode, get ready to be called out, and not just you… we’re taking aim at EVERYONE!

- Why does embracing your “SHADOW SELF” turn you from basic to badass

- How do we wrap our arms around the entirety of our gloriously flawed selves (the glitter and the grime) as a fast track to personal growth

- Why does denying our darker sides do way more damage than an alcoholic stepfather

- What are some safe and not-so-sanitary ways to express and explore the dark recesses of our souls

We’re going to unleash why shoving our dark side back into the closet is a crime against our humanity!

It might just be the most relatable thing about us… and, let’s be real, a little shady!

“Will the real Slim Shady, please stand up?”

But fear not!

We’ll arm you with the tools to cultivate those corrupted craniums without becoming Hannibal Lecter or ending up the topic of some “Lifetime” movie…

No thank you…

I’m sorry guys, but Carl Jung had it right with his theory, and while it might be the most difficult pill to swallow, it also happens to be one of the most profoundly human truths… so get over it!

We’re all BAD… which is what “can” make us GOOD human beings!

Stop judging others for their shadowy sides!

YOU’RE JUST AS BAD AS THEY ARE… and that’s AWESOME! EMBRACE IT!

So, let’s beat our meat… I mean… “BEAT THE MENTAL HEALTH OUT OF IT!” without beating ourselves up!

REMEMBER: “Laughter is the best medicine… so take your f**kin’ pills, y’all!”

New Episodes Posted On 1st & 3rd Monday Of Each Month!

JOIN “The STRUGGLE Bus” Discord - https://discord.gg/emFXKuWKNA

“The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective”