Let’s Talk Mental Health: Real Conversations the System Doesn’t Have

About Let’s Talk Mental Health: Real Conversations the System Doesn’t Have

Let’s Talk Mental Health Real Conversations the System Doesn’t Have Mental health isn’t always inspirational. Healing isn’t always pretty. And some conversations are too uncomfortable for most people to have out loud. Hosted by Army veteran, writer, recovery advocate, and former addiction counselor Jamie Hairston, Let’s Talk Mental Health explores the realities behind trauma, addiction, burnout, emotional abuse, recovery, toxic relationships, nervous system overwhelm, and the mental health systems people often feel failed by. This isn’t surface-level positivity or recycled self-help advice. These are honest conversations about survival, healing, emotional exhaustion, human behavior, and what it actually takes to rebuild yourself after life falls apart. Through raw solo episodes, expert interviews, and real-world discussions, this podcast bridges lived experience with psychological insight — helping listeners feel seen, understood, and less alone in the things most people hide. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, misunderstood, stuck in survival mode, or like nobody talks about the hard parts of healing… this podcast is for you. New episodes weekly. #MentalHealth #Trauma #AddictionRecovery #Burnout #Healing #EmotionalAbuse #PTSD #RecoveryJourney #MentalHealthPodcast #SelfDevelopment

Publisher

Jamie Hairston

Category

health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

13 Aug 2025

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

40 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Rewriting the Story of Trauma: Guided Imagery with Dr. Christopher Cortman

   What if time doesn’t actually heal all wounds? In this episode of Let’s Talk Mental Health, I sit down with Dr. Christopher Cortman, a Florida-licensed psychologist with more than 40 years in the field and over 85,000 hours of psychotherapy experience. Throughout his career, Dr. Cortman has worked with people navigating trauma, anxiety, grief, abuse, addiction, PTSD, relationship struggles, and some of the most painful experiences a person can carry. We talk about what emotional healing actually requires, why painful experiences can continue affecting us decades later, and why simply waiting for something to stop hurting is often not enough. Dr. Cortman also introduces the ideas behind his newest book, The Guided Imagery Cure: The Best Proven Methods for Quickly Resolving and Healing Trauma, and shares powerful stories from his clinical work showing how guided imagery can help people revisit painful memories, change the way those memories are experienced, and finally put unfinished emotional business in a different place. Dr. Cortman’s Latest Book The Guided Imagery Cure: The Best Proven Methods for Quickly Resolving and Healing Trauma Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Imagery-Cure-Chris-Cortman/dp/1684817501/ (https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Imagery-Cure-Chris-Cortman/dp/1684817501/) Learn More About Dr. Christopher Cortman Website: https://srqshrink.com (https://srqshrink.com/) Books: https://srqshrink.com/book-store (https://srqshrink.com/book-store) About Dr. Cortman: https://srqshrink.com/dr-christopher-cortman (https://srqshrink.com/dr-christopher-cortman) This Episode Is Supported By DUBBY I recently tried DUBBY for myself, and if you’ve been around here for a while, you already know I’m not going to recommend something just because somebody gave me a link and a discount code. If you want to try DUBBY, you can save 10% using my code: JAMIEHAIRSTON Shop here: https://www.dubby.gg/discount/JAMIEHAIRSTON?ref=zkpkmmvf (https://www.dubby.gg/discount/JAMIEHAIRSTON?ref=zkpkmmvf) Affiliate disclosure: This is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you. Want Support Growing on TikTok LIVE? I also run Metamorphosis, my TikTok LIVE creator agency. Metamorphosis was built for creators who want support actually learning how to go LIVE, grow authentic communities, become more consistent, and work toward their income goals without feeling like they have to figure everything out alone. We meet creators where they are, whether you are preparing for your first LIVE or already streaming and looking for more support, guidance, and community. If you’re interested in joining Metamorphosis, you can apply here: https://www.tiktok.com/tcn/scout_creators?use_spark=1&agency_scout_source=qr_code_leads&ShareLinkID=7556994612443840525 (https://www.tiktok.com/tcn/scout_creators?use_spark=1&agency_scout_source=qr_code_leads&ShareLinkID=7556994612443840525)

2. 

   10 Sept 2026

   Money & Mental Health: How Financial Stress Is Wrecking Creators (with Constance the Money Girl)

   This episode is sponsored. Money touches everything — safety, identity, relationships, sleep, and our ability to plan a future. In this episode of Let's Talk Mental Health, host Jamie sits down with Constance ("Constance the Money Girl"), a tax and finance professional, to unpack the very real link between financial instability and mental health. A reminder: Jamie is not a licensed therapist and this episode is not a substitute for therapy or professional tax advice — consult your own tax professional for your specific situation. If you are in crisis in the US or Canada, call or text 988. Constance is a tax professional, but listeners should consult their own tax professional. Money affects mental health because it touches safety, freedom, identity, relationships, and the ability to plan. 30.6% of households experienced variable monthly income in 2023 (CFPB, Making Ends Meet in 2023 (https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_making-ends-meet-in-2023_report_2023-12.pdf)). Nearly 40% of households could cover no more than one month of expenses following an income interruption. That uncertainty creates chronic stress even when annual income looks respectable on paper. The American Psychological Association identifies money as a top source of stress and links financial strain to physical health, relationship, and emotional well-being impacts (APA, Money (https://www.apa.org/topics/money)). Meet the Guest Guest: Constance, "Constance the Money Girl" — tax professional, started her tax business in 2010. Her mission: helping people understand and reframe their relationship with money — "make your money work for you, not you work for it." Where to Find Constance ("Constance the Money Girl") TikTok: Constance the Money Girl / That Girl Constance Facebook: Constance Missy Jones / Taxes Done Right Coaching brand: Being You Better Resource mentioned: Creator Finance Headquarters (income/expense tracker for creators) - please reach out to Constance via Social Media at this time for this product. Resources Mentioned CFPB — Making Ends Meet in 2023 (variable income data) (https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_making-ends-meet-in-2023_report_2023-12.pdf) American Psychological Association — Money & Stress (https://www.apa.org/topics/money) IRS — Gig Economy Tax Center (https://www.irs.gov/businesses/gig-economy-tax-center) IRS — Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center (https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employed-individuals-tax-center)

3. 

   1 Sept 2026

   Your Nervous System Is Talking—Are You Listening? with Dr. Julie Merriman

   What happens when stress stops feeling temporary and starts feeling normal? In this episode of Let’s Talk Mental Health: Real Conversations the System Doesn’t Have, Jamie Hairston sits down with Dr. Julie Merriman for a deeper conversation about the nervous system, chronic stress, survival mode, burnout, and the connection between our physical and mental health. Together, they explore how prolonged stress can affect memory, decision-making, relationships, parenting, creativity, work, and even our ability to recognize when something is wrong. They also discuss fight, flight, freeze, nervous system dysregulation, family patterns, social media overload, workplace pressure, and why our bodies may recognize danger or discomfort before our conscious minds do. This conversation also challenges the idea that mental health exists separately from physical health. From infections and neurological conditions to chronic stress and exhaustion, physical changes in the body can sometimes significantly influence mood, behavior, cognition, and emotional regulation. Dr. Merriman also shares practical insight into reconnecting with the body, becoming more aware of our thoughts, and learning to recognize the signals we may have spent years ignoring. If you've ever wondered why you feel on edge when nothing appears to be wrong, why relaxing sometimes feels impossible, or how someone can become so accustomed to survival mode that they no longer recognize it, this conversation is for you. Guest: Dr. Julie Merriman Author of In Pursuit of Soul Joy and Are We Gonna Have Sex or What? Host of Sexy After Fifty This episode is for educational, informational, and experiential purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, medical care, diagnosis, or professional advice. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis in the United States, call or text 988. For crisis resources outside the U.S., visit FindAHelpline.org (http://FindAHelpline.org). Connect with Dr. Julie Merriman 🌐 Official Website: Dr. Julie Merriman — Official Website (https://www.juliemerrimanphd.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 🎙️ Sexy After 50 Podcast: Sexy After 50 (https://www.juliemerrimanphd.com/sexy-after-50?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 📖 In Pursuit of Soul Joy: In Pursuit of Soul Joy on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GVJVZJW7?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — her 12-week guide addressing burnout and compassion fatigue. Dr. Julie Merriman Wellness (https://www.juliemerrimanphd.com/speaking?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 📖 Are We Gonna Have Sex or What?: Are We Gonna Have Sex or What? on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DH3ZYVWJ?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — her newer book focused on midlife desire, embodiment, intimacy, and nervous-system regulation. Listen Notes (https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/resilience/burnout-compassion-fatigue-fPUG-qyp3Hm/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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