Explore every episode of the podcast Well, That F*cked Me Up! Surviving Life Changing Events.
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| S5 EP46: Luke'e Story - Your Host Has A Check In! | 28 Nov 2025 | 00:27:01 | |
Hi it's me Luke Colson, your host. We are looking for guests to come on our show. If you have experienced something that changed your life, we want to hear from you. Surviving life changing events is what we are all about and we want to talk about the journey through these events and experiences in the hope that we can help others! wtfmupodcast@gmail.com Meanwhile here is an update from me in this episode as we near the end of Season 5, where we have made it into the top 2% of Podcasts globally! Thanks to all our listeners! | |||
| S5 EP45: Sarah's Story - Rescuing My Daughter From Psychosis In Turkey! | 20 Nov 2025 | 00:50:28 | |
This week we re-visit an amazing episode with Sarah Martin, who received a text in the middle of the night from a stranger, saying that her 21 year old Daughter, Alice, who was traveling on the other side of the world, was in trouble. Alice was last seen in Turkey, while Sarah and the rest of the family, live in Australia. This episode is a rollercoaster, as Sarah begins a race to rescue Alice from what appeared to be a psychotic break, in a city thousands of miles away. Sarah has written a book about the ordeal, and you can listen to it first hand in this raw, emotional and incredible episode! 'Dear Psychosis', is Sarah's debut book and is an account of her family's experience following their daughter's first-ever psychotic episode and the trauma that ensued. It is a story of recovery, hope and the power of family. | |||
| S5 EP36: Jay's Story - I've Been Dead Three Times! | 18 Sep 2025 | 00:36:33 | |
WARNING: VERY GRAPHIC AND GORY DESCRIPTIONS OF HARROWING MOMENTS. Jay Setchell has been dead 3 times. In 1969 in the Marines, in 1973 by a DUI driver, and then a third time in 1981, a swimming pool incident, involving drowning, multiple broken vertebrae in neck, and paralyzed from shoulders down.This really is an insane episode and not for the faint hearted, but Jay is HERE to tell his ongoing story! Beyond this, Jay was close to dying from blood borne MRSA staph infection in 2004, and his wife was told to go home and make funeral arrangements from Covid Delta in 2021. 73 surgeries and counting and after everything, Jay NEVER stopped trying. Whether it’s courage, grit, perseverance, determination, anger, pain, or just being pissed off, Jay’s mantra is “it’s always too soon to quit”! Jay is 75 1/2 as describes life as a gift, even with being largely paralyzed, and in immense amounts of pain on a daily even an hour basis. Jay has been divorced twice, married 3rd times, has adopted kids, natural kids, step kids, and many grandkids!! Join us to hear Jay’s outlook on life today! | |||
| S3 EP49: Kyle M's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 14 Dec 2023 | 00:09:09 | |
Luke and Kyle reflect on Kyle M's story! Wow. We discuss faith, fear of death, and the afterlife. Oh, and not giving a f*ck about your credit score!! | |||
| S3 EP49: Kyle M's Story - Waking Up 17 Days Later | 14 Dec 2023 | 00:35:25 | |
FROM THE ARCHIVE OF SEASON ONE: Kyle knew something was seriously wrong, in a panic, he drove himself to the ER, and woke up 17 days later. A huge medical event had left him in a coma, he had flatlined for 11 minutes, and his family had been called in to say goodbye. We discuss the events leading up to, during, and after this life changing experience. Its utterly unbelievable! | |||
| S3 EP48: Jorge's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 07 Dec 2023 | 00:04:27 | |
Join Luke Colson fo a little After Thought on Jorge's Story (the previous episode) | |||
| S3 EP48: Jorge's Story - Rising From The Depths Of Darkness | 07 Dec 2023 | 00:36:38 | |
Jorge V Gonzalez shares his personal journey of reinvention, after spending two decades perfecting his craft, Jorge was faced with a disability after a bad accident, that left him unable to continue working, and plunged him into the depths of darkness. But rather than succumbing to anger and grief, he drew inspiration from his family's legacy of taking calculated risks and began to pursue a path forward with new found strength. Jorge talks about his family who moved to the USA from Mexico in search for a better life, and drew from the courage of his Grandparents, so he could honor them, and they would be proud of who he was. | |||
| S3 EP47: Avery's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 30 Nov 2023 | 00:09:38 | |
Luke and Kyle unpack this brilliant previou episode, with Avery Grace, who is just 16 years old. From age 6, Avery has experienced all kinds of physical and mental health. From the death of her Garndfather that had a profound effect on her, to a house fire she ecaped from, and some pretty horrendous bullying and social media bullying. Congratulations Avery, on being our youngest ever guest! | |||
| S3 EP47: Avery's Story - 16 Years Old With A Lifetime Of Trauma | 30 Nov 2023 | 00:45:39 | |
Avery Grace is just 16 years old, and she hosts her own podcast, IamAvery! She has already experienced a great deal, and is chasing her dreams of helping others and raising awareness of mental health. From age 6, Avery has experienced all kinds of physical and mental health. From the death of her Grandfather that had a profound effect on her, to a house fire she escaped from, and some pretty horrendous bullying and social media bullying. Avery is a very open book and is here to share some of her insight and knowledge. Congratulations Avery, on being our youngest ever guest! | |||
| S3 EP46: John's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 23 Nov 2023 | 00:06:49 | |
This is the After Thoughts episode, for our previous episode featuring John Capello. Luke and Kyle discuss his amazing story. If ever there was a rock bottom, John was deep, deep in there! Listen as we hear how John began to the fight to recovery. From physical pain, but also, total mental turmoil. It’s an astonishing story, and offers hope to those of us who feel like the darkness is too overwhelming. Wow. Thank you John! | |||
| S3 EP46: John's Story - Head On Collision Changed The Course Of My Life | 23 Nov 2023 | 00:50:33 | |
John Capello had a wife and two kids, as well as a new baby on the way! He was getting the promotion he had been working so hard for, that would mean he could finally move into a bigger home to accommodate the growing family! It was on the drive to meet with his boss, to formalize the promotion, that John was hit head-on by an oncoming car that was turning illegally. John’s life, in a split second, was turned upside down. Join us for an unmissable episode about strength and resilience when all hope seems lost. John lost everything over the coming months and years. An injury to John’s spine meant nearly a year of pain that was so intense, John spent most of his time lying down or crawling! Add to this some major financial trouble, John lost his job, his house, and struggles to hang on to family life as he knew it. If ever there was a rock bottom, John was deep, deep in there! Listen as we hear how John began to the fight to recovery. From physical pain, but also, total mental turmoil. It’s an astonishing story, and offers hope to those of us who feel like the darkness is too overwhelming. Wow. Thank you John! | |||
| S3 EP45: Mariya's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 16 Nov 2023 | 00:06:50 | |
Luke and Kyle discuss Mariya's Story, the previous episode, all about self love, healing, believing in yourself and learning to trust our thinking. A really brilliant episode about how we can truly lead our best life! Thank you Mariya! | |||
| S3 EP45: Mariya's Story - From Russia To Finding Myself | 16 Nov 2023 | 00:43:22 | |
In this wonderfully engaging episode, we chat with Mariya Shiyko, who was born and raised in a small town in Russia (300,000 people). Not knowing any other life, she thought her upbringing was normal. Mariya had a strict authoritarian and often abusive father who often used alcohol to cope with stress. Raised during the times of communism, her family had just enough money to get by with the essentials. And it wasn't until Mariya left Russia when she was 21 years old, for the USA, that she realized that the world outside of what she knew was very very different! She got married in the US, but the traumas of her past made her relationship volatile and challenging. She struggled with low self-esteem, and not trusting herself. To cope with the relationship struggles, she started her healing journey. She received lots of healing around her childhood experiences and upbringing, helping her to deal with emotions, self-value, and self-trust. Exactly 10 years later, she divorced. She has even written a memoir "From Russia to Joy: A Journey of Spiritual Awakening". It's a humorous book that talks about serious topics in a light-hearted way. Just like this podcast!! Mariya Shiyko, Ph.D., an academic turned entrepreneur, is an award-winning educator and author. Her books, "From Russia to Joy" and "My Money Book: for Joyful & Creative Living," challenge traditional views on self-sacrifice for success. Mariya blends Western science, art, and alternative healing practices. She lives in Boston with her partner and son.
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| S5 E34: Yousef's Story - Artificial Intelligence Runs My Life! | 12 Sep 2025 | 00:28:00 | |
This is an episode like nothing we have ever experienced before. Here at WTFMU, we like to show the journey through the darkness, and how we have navigated through our traumas and experiences. Yousef's story, was focusing on his burnout from relationships and business, and how he started to turn a corner. It quickly transpired that Yousef is using AI to turn his hopes, dreams, fortunes and entire life around! Yousef hit a brutal wall, a devastating breakup, total burnout, and financial collapse that stripped away everything he thought made him strong. As the episode goes on, we hear that Yousef spends up to 18 hours a day in Chat GPT!!! At times not leaving the house for days on end, and is now at a point where he works with Chat GPT to make every single decision in his life, from whether to take a shower, to who he should be friends with! We would love your thoughts and feedback on this episode. wtfmupodcast@gmail.com | |||
| S3 EP44: Morgan's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 09 Nov 2023 | 00:04:30 | |
Just Luke Colson again for this after thoughts section, as we reflect on Morgan Rockwell's awesome episode! Morgan Rockwell showed how a shift in perspective and belief in herself allowed her to begin to embrace her life in Portugal, where previously she just didn't believe in herself or her ability to find happiness. An amazing episode about resilience and strength in some pretty desperate times! Thank you Morgan! | |||
| S3 EP44: Morgan's Story - Trapped In A Foreign Country After Divorce | 09 Nov 2023 | 00:31:43 | |
Morgan Rockwell shares her story about how her divorce left her as a single mom in a foreign country where she cannot hold a work visa in her previous area of expertise. She felt trapped and alone, however a shift in perspective and belief in herself allowed her to begin to embrace her life in Portugal, and build a thriving online business and create a wonderful life for herself and her two boys. An amazing episode about resilience and strength in some pretty desperate times! | |||
| S3 EP43: Julie's Story - BONUS After thougts | 02 Nov 2023 | 00:02:50 | |
Thank you Julie for a great episode, its just Luke here for a very quick after thoughts episode. Kyle is with his new baby and Luke is in NYC so its a quick check in about how Julie's episode resonated so much. So many of us are in debt, and scared to talk about it. Lets get rid of the stigma! | |||
| S3 EP43: Julie's Story - Surviving 5 Redundancies, And Bouncing Back | 02 Nov 2023 | 00:38:47 | |
Julie started her life in very humble surroundings, one of 6 kids growing up in a single parent family on a council estate in East London, her life has had many ups and downs. | |||
| S3 EP42: Dr Petro's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 26 Oct 2023 | 00:09:30 | |
A very special After Thoughts episode, If you didnt listen to the previous episode please do, it will all make sense! Here, Luke and Kyle speak to David Kagel, about how he is helping the people of Ukraine with a donation drive. Have a listen and feel free to help if you so desire! | |||
| S3 EP42: Dr Petro's Story - Fleeing Ukraine, Then Returning To Help! | 26 Oct 2023 | 00:45:19 | |
This episode is like nothing we have ever had on our Podcast before. Dr Petro, his wife Dr Olga, and their three young children fled Ukraine as Russia invaded. We discuss their journey across boarders, being homeless, and finally finding hope and accommodation in Los Angeles! The lifestyle change from Cherkasky, Ukraine, to Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, is not lost on Petro and Olga, they were living a fairytale that was so very different from the life they knew. However, their Doctor credentials were not suitable for work in the USA, and their friends and family back in Ukraine needed them. And so, after one year in LA, with their kids at school in Santa Monica, they all went back to Ukraine to continue their lives. An utterly amazing story that must be heard. And check out the After Thoughts episode to find out how you can help! | |||
| S3 EP41: Ben's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 19 Oct 2023 | 00:07:43 | |
Luke and Kyle unpack the previous episode, Ben's Story, an amazing episode, that we hope you all enjoyed! The episode not only discusses the physical turmoil that Ben has had to endure for decades, but the emotional struggle Ben has now been facing as he tries to make peace with the fact this information was withheld from him, seemingly to protect him? Join us for this quick after thoughts episode! | |||
| S3 EP41: Ben's Story - ENT Doctor Uncovers A Shocking Childhood Trauma | 19 Oct 2023 | 00:47:06 | |
At age 39 this year, Ben K visited an ENT specialist due to lifelong sinus and hearing issues. During the examination, the doctor was puzzled by the presence of bone spurs in his nose. The Doctor asked Ben, 'has there ever been any facial trauma in your past'? The answer came during a Mother's Day lunch with his mom a few days later. What Ben found out from his Mother that day changed everything, and is truly jaw-dropping. Details emerged about his life or death, traumatic birth, that had never been relayed to him! A lifetime nose and ear problems, hearing and breathing issues, but the truth had been hidden at Ben's birth! We discuss more of the details in the episode, but Ben has now embarked on surgery to address his sinus and septum problems, followed by a procedure to reconstruct his jaw, which was also impacted by his birth trauma. The mental and emotional toll of my traumatic birth has also been significant. This episode not only discusses the physical turmoil that Ben has had to endure for decades, but the emotional struggle Ben has now been facing as he tries to make peace with the fact this information was withheld from him, seemingly to protect him? Its a very complex and heartfelt episode, and thoroughly engaging from start to finish! | |||
| S3 EP40: Lauren's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 12 Oct 2023 | 00:08:07 | |
Luke and Kyle chat about the previous episode, Lauren's Story, and the amazing fighting human spirit! We discuss the crossroads, when Lauren looked at her 5 year old daughter, and decided to live! Thank you Lauren for a wonderful episode! | |||
| S3 EP40: Lauren's Story - Surviving Through Chronic Pain and Depression | 12 Oct 2023 | 00:32:35 | |
Lauren is a disabled wife & mom living with chronic pain, depression, and paralyzing anxiety and PTSD due to multiple forms of assault and abuse. In 2017 Lauren had to stop working due to debilitating spinal pain. For the next two years, She was in a deep depression. But one day, after looking at her then 5 year old daughter, she started to come out of the darkness. Using a mix of intentional daily gratitude, and realizing God could take my broken life and make something beautiful out of it, she started to heal the mental scars, although the physical pain remains, for now. Last year, Lauren started a podcast & blog as ways for her to put good into the world & encourage others with chronic pain, mental health issues, or previous trauma. Thank you Lauren for a wonderful episode! | |||
| S5 EP34: Jenny's Story - I Lost My Husband In A Plane Crash | 04 Sep 2025 | 00:32:10 | |
Join us this week for the amazing and extraordinary episode with Jenny Brandemuehl, who lost her husband in a plane crash just a few years ago. Jenny takes us back to the fateful day, the phone call, the initial hope that her husband, Mark, had survived although badly burned, and the ultimate and tragic ending a few weeks after the crash. The worst day of Jenny's life, as it transpired, became the beginning of the rest of her life. As she grieved and found support, she built strength hope for the future. Thank you Jenny! Website: www.foreverflyfree.com Charity: Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Before Oct 14th, listeners can pre-order on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles: Amazon Preorder Forever Fly Free Substack: Jenny Brandemuehl's Substack | |||
| S3 EP39: Dawn's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 05 Oct 2023 | 00:07:48 | |
This is the after thoughts section for Dawn's Story, where Luke and Kyle discuss the previous episode. Dawn left her existing career after burnout and a medical hiccup (her words), and is now trying things that are way out of her comfort zone, working on getting rid of her head trash, taking risks and trying new things out that she has always wanted to do. We loved her episode!! | |||
| S3 EP39: Dawn's Story - Stress, Burnout, Hospital, Fresh Start | 05 Oct 2023 | 00:35:20 | |
Dawn was working too much, for over a decade she built a career that kept on applying new pressure and more hours, until, the stress and burnout would take its toll. After the pandemic hit, and a medical hiccup in the shape on an ectopic pregnancy, followed by what doctors thought was a stroke, Dawn was forced to stop, and rest. These events really opened her eyes and over the next few weeks, Dawn began a new journey to work on her mindset, growth and overall wellness. She left her existing career, and is trying things that are way out of her comfort zone, working on getting rid of her head trash, taking risks and trying new things out that she has always wanted to do. | |||
| S3 EP38: Evan's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 28 Sep 2023 | 00:05:42 | |
Your host Luke Colson recaps the previous episode, Evan’s story, and how happiness in sobriety is really possible! Thank you Evan for your honesty, humor and life changing experiences! | |||
| S3 EP38: Evan's Story - From Party Animal To Party Coach | 28 Sep 2023 | 00:50:22 | |
Evan Chudworth was addicted to partying, and with that, plenty of drink and drugs. He just didn't see a way where he could give up the hedonistic lifestyle without becoming boring!! Evan grew up in Chicago, and came out at a young age, in a religious family, and then lost his mother to cancer. Evan just didn't put any of his behaviour down to trauma, but he started to become overwhelmed with anxiety and sort help multiple times, but the drink, and then the drugs began to win. The thing is, Evan loved his people, he loved his tribe, and he needed to find a way to maintain the parties, the music, and the fun, which was his escape, but without the addictive behaviours! Listen as we journey with Evan through an extraordinary story, and his new found vocation as a sober party coach! Its a wonderful episode! | |||
| S3 EP37: Amanda’s Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 21 Sep 2023 | 00:04:29 | |
Just Luke on this one, as Kyle has welcomed his new daughter into the world! Luke chats about Amanda's story, who we met in the previous episode, and the incredible power of the human brain. | |||
| S3 EP37: Amanda’s Story - My Brain Is A Computer Super-Power | 21 Sep 2023 | 00:48:56 | |
Amanda Murphy joins us for an utterly brilliant episode all about life’s rollercoaster (or river as she call it!). At age 7 Amanda had already recognized her brain was different, but it wasn't until a few years later when she was fully aware of her Neurodiversity, and that her brain wanted to collect data. Data, data, data.. 24/7. She was constantly computing everything around her, she was reading 8-10 books per week, and she had a boundless appetite for information, seemingly hellbent on understanding the human behavior and why people are who they are, and why she is who she is! A serious accident when she was 30 years old meant she had to stop, for four months, she began to think about her future, and how she wanted to live. Cut to early retirement and a move to St Lucia, and best of all finding Pottery. The one thing that calms her brain, and gives her peace. What a truly amazing, funny, Inspirational episode. Enjoy! | |||
| S3 EP36: Madison's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 14 Sep 2023 | 00:06:07 | |
This is the After Thoughts section for the previous episode, in which Madison McGhee discussed her Father's murder! Listen as we unpack the amazing episode! Please listen, right now, its amazing!! | |||
| S3 EP36: Madison's Story - The Journey To Find My Father's Killer | 14 Sep 2023 | 00:39:51 | |
In this must listen episode, we speak to Madison McGhee, who lost her father when she was just 6 years old. At the time she wasn't told the truth about how he had died, but at age 16, her mother finally told her that her father had been murdered, in a home invasion. Something just didn't add up, and over the years that followed, Madison made a decision that she was going to look into the unsolved case, and try to put the pieces together to find out, who killed her father. Her father's background, his dealings, and the details of the crime, just didn't make sense. One thing is clear, this was no home invasion. Please listen, right now, its amazing!! | |||
| S3 EP35: Richard's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 07 Sep 2023 | 00:04:49 | |
Welcome to the After Thoughts section for the previous episode, in which our guest Richard Wilmore came on to discuss his amazing non profit that he works for, and the good he does and the connection he brings to hospital patience and care givers. Most importantly however, is the joy and fulfillment it brings to his life! Thank you for really cheering us up today Richard. Bravo! | |||
| S3 EP35: Richard's Story - Bringing Joy And Connection To Hospital Patients | 07 Sep 2023 | 00:35:00 | |
This week's guest, Richard Wilmore, came from trauma with a Father that started battling cancer when Richard was in 2nd Grade. He remembers exactly what he was eating when he heard the news. Many years on, after a traumatic divorce, Richard finds himself helping to run Hearts Need Art, a nonprofit based in San Antonio, TX that hires local, professional creatives to provide arts engagement in hospitals to adult patients and their care teams. Richard was lost at the time he met the founder by chance, and he now lives a wonderfully full life, which really comes across in this heartfelt and tear-jerking episode. Hearts Need Art's mission is to provide moments of joy, self-expression, and connection to people facing life-altering health challenges through arts engagement, advocacy, and innovation. Their vision is the universal accessibility of arts engagement to help everyone feel seen, heard, and loved while facing life-altering health challenges. Thank you for really cheering us up today Richard. Bravo! | |||
| S5 EP33: Calix's Story - A Survivor's Guide To Depression | 29 Aug 2025 | 00:39:57 | |
Calix Lewis Reneau is the author of Dancing with the Black Dog: A Survivor’s Guide to Depression, a book that’s equal parts survival manual and storytelling companion for anyone navigating depression. As a long term sufferer of depression, Calix has been through the darkest of times on many occasions, and joins us this week to talk about his depression in a way that’s real, not clinical. Storytelling is Calix’s background, he works in Hollywood as a writer/producer, which has helped him on his journey to unpack his mental health journey. For those who struggle with any kind of mental health, from simply having a bad day, through to suicidal ideation and major depression, anxiety, ptsd, and beyond, Calix has a likable and open way of discussion these dark moments. This a very candid, real, and raw episode, but not without its funny and uplifting moments as we discuss life, and battling every day with the human brain that leads us astray on too many occasions! Calix Lewis Reneau - Book: https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Black-Calix-Lewis-Reneau/dp/1481243101/ | |||
| S3 EP34: Elvis' Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 31 Aug 2023 | 00:08:23 | |
Elvis Leon has PTSD from both his time in Iraq, and the kidnap of his father. Luke and Kyle discuss his episode (the previous episode) and just what the effects of PTSD have on a human. Elvis also lost friends this past month to suicide. He was clearly struggling and we commend his strength and story and are here for him! Thank you Elvis! | |||
| S3 EP34: Elvis' Story - The Trauma Of War and My Father's Kidnap | 31 Aug 2023 | 00:42:27 | |
Elvis Leon served in Iraq, and has recently seen a number if his veteran friends and colleagues succumb to suicide. He joins us after what he describes as one of the worst months he has had. As we talk, its clear to hear the pain and anguish in his voice, as he openly discusses the trauma of war, the ptsd he experiences daily, and the desire to feel alive and find his tribe after leaving the 'adrenalin' of life on the front lines. Elvis has been keeping busy due to another shocking component in his life, that of his Father's kidnap a few years ago. His father was returned after a ransom was paid, but no one was ever punished for the crime. Elvis and his father continue to petition for justice and have a film project which has been many years in the making. This is a heartfelt and really moving episode, and one of the most raw we have ever done. Thank you Elvis, we are here for you! | |||
| S3 EP33: Christine's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 24 Aug 2023 | 00:10:18 | |
Your hosts Luke and Kyle discuss the amazing previous episode, Christine Rose's Story, who joined us this week, to discuss her childhood, which included verbal and physical abuse, and her subsequent years growing up with multiple instances of sexual assault and even rape. Her recovery was long and traumatic, but she made it here to tell the tale. Thank you Christine! (If you missed the actual episode go back one!) | |||
| S3 EP33: Christine's Story - One Reason To Live: Surviving PTSD | 24 Aug 2023 | 01:02:20 | |
Christine Rose joins us this week, to discuss her childhood, which included verbal and physical abuse, and her subsequent years growing up with multiple instances of sexual assault and even rape. Christine didn't report any of these instances because she simply thought this was 'normal behavior' or that it was somehow 'her fault'! It took nine specialists, and her then Husband to finally convince her that she had been the victim of rape, and it was then that she slipped into a deep mental health crisis. This was just the beginning of Christine's journey, as she discovered what PTSD meant, and was able to start processing her feelings and experiences. The next part of her story takes on more tough topics as her husband had a major accident, and they eventually split, just as Christine was beginning to start her healing process. Join us to hear how Christine survived, and better still started enjoying her life as an award-winning author, technical writer, digital nomad, and international pet sitter! | |||
| S3 EP32: Sarah's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 17 Aug 2023 | 00:10:14 | |
Luke and Kyle discuss the amazing previous Episode, Sarah's story, and the importance of understanding Mental Health and the strength of family! | |||
| S3 EP32: Sarah's Story - Rescuing My Daughter From Psychosis | 17 Aug 2023 | 00:50:28 | |
Sarah Martin received a text in the middle of the night from a stranger, saying that her 21 year old Daughter, Alice, who was traveling on the other side of the world, was in trouble. Alice was last seen in Turkey, while Sarah and the rest of the family, live in Australia. This episode is a rollercoaster, as Sarah begins a race to rescue Alice from what appeared to be a psychotic break, in a city thousands of miles away. Sarah has written a book about the ordeal, and you can listen to it first hand in this raw, emotional and incredible episode! 'Dear Psychosis', is Sarah's debut book and is an account of her family's experience following their daughter's first-ever psychotic episode and the trauma that ensued. It is a story of recovery, hope and the power of family. | |||
| S3 EP31: Richard's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 10 Aug 2023 | 00:09:11 | |
This is the After Thoughts section to go with the previous episode. If you didn't catch it, go back and have a listen! We would have to say that this is possible one of the most moving and inspirational episodes in recent times. When Richard Brockman found his mother’s body, the simple narrative of his childhood ended. He was just 7 years old. Luke and Kyle discuss this utterly amazing episode and what childhood trauma does, and how it is different for each person. We can all recover, and we are here to support one another. | |||
| S3 EP31: Richard's Story - I Found My Mother Dead, When I Was 7 Years Old | 10 Aug 2023 | 00:57:23 | |
We would have to say that this is possible one of the most moving and inspirational episodes in recent times. When Richard Brockman found his mother’s body, the simple narrative of his childhood ended. He was just 7 years old. He tells a very personal—yet tragically common—story of irredeemable loss. He discusses how a life's story forms. How it grows. How it changes. How it can be broken. And finally, how sometimes it can be repaired. It's utterly mesmerizing and at times, extremely lonely and sad. brace yourselves. As with all our episodes we are here for the journey, and the light at the end of the tunnel. | |||
| S3 EP34: Elvis' Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 03 Aug 2023 | 00:09:54 | |
This is the after thoughts section for the previous episode, in which Elvis Leon talked about his PTSD from combat, and the kidnap of his father. Talk about the harsh realities of life. Thank you Elvis for sharing your amazing, ongoing story! | |||
| S3 EP30: James' Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 03 Aug 2023 | 00:08:00 | |
This is the After Thoughts section previous episode, where Luke and Kyle unpack what happened to our guest, James Verschoyle, when he nearly died of an allergic reaction. Join us as we discuss the lasting trauma, the panic attacks, and how this event has unlocked childhood traumas and mental health conversations, that James didn't even know he needed to address! Fascinating! | |||
| S5 EP32: Victoria's Story - Fighting Against A Broken System | 21 Aug 2025 | 00:45:40 | |
Victoria Lenormand has a personal story that fits the heart of our show. She spent nearly 30 years as a police detective and public servant—work that left her carrying years of unprocessed trauma. Things really hit a breaking point when the very systems she’d worked to uphold began failing her own family, especially as she tried to support her neurodivergent child. That was the moment everything shifted. She walked away from the career that had shaped her identity and started a painful but powerful journey of healing, unlearning, and rebuilding. What followed was deep inner work, nervous system repair, and a total realignment of her life’s mission. Today, she helps families like hers navigate education, health, and parenting outside the traditional mold—because she’s lived the fallout when those systems don’t work. Her story is raw, emotional, and ultimately hopeful. A story about burnout, identity loss, and what it takes to rise again with a new sense of purpose. | |||
| S3 EP30: James' Story - A Healthy Breakfast Nearly Killed Me | 03 Aug 2023 | 00:37:13 | |
James Verschoyle was about to head to Thailand on a fasting retreat, and had just been to the gym when he sat down to have a healthy breakfast as suggested by the trip organizers. James didn't usually order 'plant based' options from the menu, so opted for something simple, yoghurt, fruit, and a smoothie.. but little did James know that this was very close to being his last meal, ever! Join us for this amazing, nail biter of an episode, as we hear how one meal nearly ended James' life. Find out what happened, and listen as James discusses the lasting trauma, the panic attacks, and how this event has unlocked childhood traumas and mental health conversations he didn't even know he needed to address! Fascinating and honest, thank you Jimmy! | |||
| S3 EP29: Dane's Story - BONUS After Thoughts | 27 Jul 2023 | 00:10:44 | |
Luke and Kyle reflect on an amazing never before heard episode with Dane Colson all about his spiral into depression, and the moment he faked his own death! Life is hard, there are people who can help, and in Dane's case, he just didn't know who he could speak to, and was too afraid. Our email here at the podcast is wtfmupodcast@gmail.com if you want to get in touch we are here! | |||
| S3 EP29: Dane's Story - I Faked My Own Death | 27 Jul 2023 | 00:53:39 | |
In this can't miss episode, Dane Colson publicly speaks, for the first time, about his actions 21 years ago, that brought him and his family to the brink! Unable to cope with the pressures of life, money, and an unplanned baby on the way, Dane was contemplating suicide, but then for a reason he still to this day cannot explain, he hatched a plan to fake his own death, and start a new life, as a different person! | |||