Mental Mixology

About Mental Mixology

Ever feel like your mental health is a complex mix of emotions? Join Elex Simon for honest, relatable conversations about the ups and downs of mental wellness. We're not afraid to get real, sharing personal stories and expert advice on everything from anxiety and depression to finding your inner peace. Discover hidden resources and alternative solutions alongside traditional therapies; if you're looking for a podcast that understands the messy reality of mental health, tune in every Thursday at 6:00 PM CST.

Publisher

Elex Simon

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

20 Jan 2024

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

103 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Oct 2026

   EP 104: High-Functioning but Exhausted | The Vagus Nerve & Nervous System Regulation with Linda Carr

   In this episode of Mental Mixology, host Elex sits down with Linda Carr, founder of Heal Your Vagus Nerve and creator of The Vegas Genie Formula, to explore why so many high-functioning individuals suffer from chronic exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout despite doing "everything right" for their health. Linda explains that while clean eating, supplements, and exercise are valuable, they cannot resolve deep-seated exhaustion if the autonomic nervous system remains trapped in a chronic stress response. Accounting for roughly 80% of the autonomic nervous system, the vagus nerve acts as the primary switch governing whether the body operates in survival mode—fight-or-flight—or enters a state of growth, repair, rest, and digestion. When dysregulated, red flags often manifest as an inability to stop or receive support, persistent anxiety, and a driving belief that taking a break will lead to disaster. The discussion delves into how early childhood experiences and emotional patterns shape the adult nervous system. Linda outlines how perfectionism, parental fear, false guilt, and unwitnessed grief entrain the body to operate in perpetual defense, making dysregulation the body's baseline normal. Because protection is wired deep within the nervous system, individuals cannot simply think or talk themselves out of physical anxiety. Instead, restoring balance requires teaching the nervous system safety through small, physiological practices performed consistently—often taking just ten minutes a day to recondition the autonomic nervous system, relieve physical pain, improve gut health, restore sleep, and eliminate panic attacks. To help listeners regulate their nervous system in real time, Linda shares two key tools from her practice. The first is the ANS (Autonomic Nervous System) Triad, a quick technique where you unclench your jaw to let your teeth float apart, drop your tongue flat to the floor of your mouth, and gently breathe through your nose. Maintaining this posture sends an immediate message of safety to the brainstem and can be held for a few moments daily or sustained for six or more minutes during acute anxiety attacks. The second tool is Containment, a practice of creating physical boundaries—such as wrapping yourself tightly in a blanket, wearing a beanie, or holding a stuffed animal—to ground your body and communicate safety during overwhelming moments at home. Listeners looking to dive deeper or work directly with Linda Carr can visit healyourvagusnerve.com (http://healyourvagusnerve.com), which offers education, articles, and details on booking a complimentary 45-minute initial consultation. Linda works with clients virtually worldwide and will also be accepting in-person clients starting at the end of October at Chill Cryotherapy in Sedalia, Missouri. As a reminder for anyone experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988. Find a printable PDF of the episode information at: https://www.mentalmixology.org/blog/high-functioning-but-exhausted-how-to-rewire-your-vagus-nerve-with-linda-carr-/

2. 

   1 Oct 2026

   EP 103: Beyond the Spectrum: Navigating Mental Health & Autism | Zoie Rice

   In this episode, host Elex sits down with Zoie Rice, President of the Stepping Stones Foundation for Disability Support, to discuss the intersection of mental health, autism, and disability advocacy in rural communities. Highlighting the CDC statistic that approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the conversation explores how families navigate the complex and often unclear path of disability care. Zoie shares the story behind Stepping Stones—from its origins as a parent-led autism support group in Sedalia, Missouri, to its rebranding as a broader disability support organization—and emphasizes the vital need for free community resources, individualized education plan (IEP) advocacy, and dedicated support for families in smaller towns. The discussion dives deep into the strong link between developmental disabilities and mental health, pointing out that 70 to 80 percent of children on the autism spectrum experience at least one co-occurring mental health condition. Zoie and Elex discuss how environmental stressors, sensory overload, and communication barriers directly impact emotional well-being, often triggering anxiety or depression. Zoie explains that behavior is a primary form of communication, urging parents, teachers, and first responders to recognize precursor signs of distress—such as changes in speech patterns, physical tension, or self-soothing behaviors. The conversation also highlights the role of occupational therapy in evaluating and addressing individual sensory needs, reinforcing that true support requires meeting neurodivergent individuals where they are. Beyond supporting individuals, the episode shines a light on the severe burnout, isolation, and systemic gaps that caregivers experience. Zoie discusses the administrative hurdles families face with state Medicaid waivers and identifies a major gap in community infrastructure: the lack of specialized childcare and support programs for youth with higher needs between the ages of 5 and 18. The episode stresses the importance of caregiver self-care, establishing structured daily routines, and building genuine community support. True accessibility requires looking beyond basic accommodations to implement meaningful changes, such as adult-accessible restrooms with changing tables and Hoyer lifts, sensory-considered environments, and safe community spaces. Looking to the future, Zoie outlines Stepping Stones' vision to establish a physical facility in Central Missouri offering specialized childcare, community events, and eventual long-term residential options for children with behavioral support needs. Listeners are invited to support the foundation by volunteering time, donating resources, engaging in local policy awareness, or attending Stepping Stones' upcoming October "Spooktacular" event at the Smith-Cotton High School football field in Sedalia, featuring games, vendor booths, a trunk-or-treat, and a 5K walk/run. To connect with Stepping Stones or access local resources, families can reach out via email or social media, and as always, anyone experiencing a mental health crisis is encouraged to call or text 988. To connect with Zoie at Stepping Stones Disability Support check out https://www.steppingstonesfoundation.org/

3. 

   11 Sept 2026

   EP 102: Mental Health Hacks for Teens (and the Parents Who Love Them) | Katie K. May Teen Mental Health Expert

   In this Suicide Awareness Month episode, host Elex interviews Katie K. May, a Pennsylvania-based licensed therapist, practice owner, and author specializing in high-risk teens and their families. Drawing from her personal history navigating adolescent self-harm and young adult substance use, Katie explains how discovering Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) inspired her mission to help young people create a life worth living. A foundational step in breaking generational cycles of dysfunction is practicing radical acceptance—understanding that you can only control your own healing journey and must grieve the reality that loved ones may never change. For parents supporting struggling adolescents, Katie emphasizes ditching therapist jargon and relentless questioning in favor of quiet presence, observation, and meeting kids in their unique language of support. Katie differentiates between emotion regulation, which maintains daily baseline emotional balance, and distress tolerance, which helps individuals navigate peak emotional triggers without making the situation worse. To maintain internal baseline stability, teens can practice the PLEASE skill by tending to physical health, moving their bodies, avoiding unhelpful substances, getting enough sleep, and eating regular meals. Habit stacking can make these routines manageable, while prioritizing sleep remains critical for amygdala regulation and mood stability in teens. Externally, teens benefit from accumulating positive experiences to build a bank of joyful moments and building mastery through moderately challenging tasks that encourage a productive flow state. To guard against toxic positivity, Katie advocates for a floor-versus-ceiling mindset, where individuals focus on reaching their bare minimum self-care needs on difficult days rather than expecting every day to be ideal. Regarding neurodivergence, Katie highlights profiles like ADHD, autism, and AuDHD, describing these teens as bottom-up processors who experience environmental input and sensory details through their entire bodies. Parents are encouraged to seek diagnostic clarity and accommodate these unique processing needs rather than forcing teens to fit standard molds. For communication, teens can utilize DBT's DEAR framework to set boundaries by Describing the situation, Expressing their feelings, Asserting their needs, and Reinforcing positive outcomes. Crucially, parents must prioritize regulating their own emotions first, leading with open curiosity rather than rigid control. Listeners can access resources and connect with Katie K. May at https://katiekmay.com/ , or explore the Mental Health Resource Library at mentalmixology.org. If you or someone you know is in crisis, support is available by calling or texting 988.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

4.5 / 5

8 ratings

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.