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What happens when 30 years of treatment-resistant depression meets a breakthrough in brain stimulation therapy? On this episode, Danny's dad, Francisco Costa, sits down with us to share his deeply personal journey with TMS, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, after struggling with depression and relying on antidepressants since 1995. Francisco opens up about what it felt like to finally step off his medication, reconnect with a version of himself that had been asleep for decades, and adopt a healthier, more active lifestyle, all without the numbing side effects of antidepressants. A raw, honest, and deeply human conversation about TMS therapy, mental health in immigrant families, caretaker burnout, and why Francisco believes TMS should be the first line of treatment, not the last resort. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the pressure to be perfect becomes a mental health crisis? On this episode, Jaehyun Cho, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry, and founder of Placid Psychiatry in Fullerton, CA, joins us on the Break the Psycle Podcast to explore the intersection of first-generation American identity and mental health. Jaehyun shares his own journey from arriving in the United States in eighth grade without speaking English to becoming one of the most thoughtful voices in interventional psychiatry. The conversation dives into why traditional antidepressants are failing so many patients, how Spravato is rewiring the brain in ways pills simply cannot, and why mental health stigma runs especially deep in Korean, Middle Eastern, and other multicultural households. Jaehyun also breaks down the cultural gap between immigrant parents and their first-gen children, and why that disconnect is quietly fueling a depression and anxiety epidemic that the mental health system is not built to address. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if treating depression required more than just the right medication? On this episode, Dr. Sabrina Sandoval, psychiatrist and founder of Mind Care Services, sits down with us to share her unexpected journey from studying viruses at the CDC to transforming lives through cutting-edge interventional psychiatry. Dr. Sandoval breaks down the key differences between ECT, TMS, and Spravato, explaining how esketamine works on the glutamate system to encourage neurogenesis and build new neural connections faster than any traditional antidepressant. She also explores the holistic side of recovery, from social connection and behavioral activation to sleep, diet, and the hidden toll of screen time on mental health, making this a comprehensive conversation on interventional psychiatry and treatment-resistant depression. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ketamine may be the most misunderstood breakthrough in modern psychiatry. On this episode, Meghan McCann, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and owner of Velara Wellness in San Diego, joins us to explore how ketamine has been safely used in medicine since the 1970s and why its ability to target glutamate, rather than serotonin, gives it a reported 70% efficacy rate compared to the 30-40% of traditional antidepressants. Meghan breaks down how ketamine therapy literally rewires the brain, what the therapeutic experience looks and feels like, and how it is being used beyond depression for chronic pain, postpartum depression, and even end-of-life care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Esketamine therapy may be the fastest path out of treatment-resistant depression. On this episode we are joined by Dr. Kevin Simonson, lead psychiatrist and medical director at Cura Behavioral Health in Santa Monica. We discuss Spravato, the first FDA-approved esketamine treatment for depression. Dr. Simonson breaks down how esketamine disrupts negative thought loops faster than any antidepressant, what Spravato sessions actually look like, and how intention-setting shapes the healing experience, making this one of our most honest conversations on ketamine therapy and holistic mental health yet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the key to treating your teen's depression isn't another prescription? Dr. Gil Hoftman, MD, child psychiatrist and founder of Helix Psychiatry, joins Break the Psycle to break down TMS therapy, a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment now FDA-cleared for adolescents as young as 15. From holistic mental health approaches and treatment-resistant depression to neurodiversity and the future of transcranial magnetic stimulation in child and adolescent psychiatry, this conversation challenges everything you thought you knew about teen mental health care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Episode 39 of Break The Psycle podcast, we dive into the complex relationship between addiction and genetic influence. We unpack how family history and inherited traits can increase vulnerability, while also exploring the role of environment, choice, and resilience. In this episode, we get raw and real about how addiction impacts famiiles, the myths vs. facts of "addictive personalities," and what recovery looks like when you're navigating through life. If you've ever wondered whether addiction is "in your blood", or how much genetics really shape mental health, this conversation is for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On episode 38 of the Break the Psycle podcast, we spiral into the mind of intrusive thoughts, self-deprecation, and the distorted mindsets that show up when you’re dating someone new. We share personal stories of living with OCD tendencies as a child vs. as an adult, how religious trauma can shape mental health, and what it’s really like navigating dating apps with anxiety and distorted thinking. We discuss how a single thought can spiral out of control into our brains sabotaging personal connections. In this episode we get raw and relatable. If you’ve ever struggled with overthinking, distorted thoughts in relationships, or the impact of mental health on love and connection, we welcome you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's dive into the rise of GLP-1 medications and what they mean for both the body and the mind. From Serena Williams stepping in as the face of Ro’s GLP-1 campaign, to Kyla’s personal weight loss journey, we explore the intersections of medicine, celebrity culture, and lived experience. We dig into the societal norms, stigma, and cultural narratives surrounding weight loss and how they shape our sense of health, beauty, and self-worth. This conversation goes beyond the prescriptions, unpacking how identity, expectations, and mindset collide when the world is rewriting the rules of wellness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artificial Intelligence has taken the world by storm, but what happens when it begins to push us into darker territory? In this episode of Break the Psycle, we explore the unsettling ways AI is shaping mental health; encouraging harmful thoughts, amplifying paranoia, and in some cases even inspiring psychosis. We question when stronger safeguards need to be in place, and imagine what the world might look like if there were a “dark web” version of AI with no limits at all. Along the way, we reflect on the dangers of volleying with destructive ideas and the very real psychological risks that come with it. Still, the story isn’t completely bleak: AI also holds immense potential to help people heal, offering new pathways of support for those struggling. There’s a lot to unpack in this conversation, and we’re diving into both the shadows and the light. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do demonic children’s toys, blind boxes, and your dating apps all have in common? They’re all teaching us to gamble with our dopamine. From Labubus luring kids into mini slot-machine moments, to the thrill of sports betting, reality TV drama, and that little buzz when your phone lights up—we’re talking about why it feels so good to get hooked, and why it’s so hard to stop. Join us for a breakdown of how we all became dopamine junkies together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Break the Psycle podcast, we talk about the highs and lows of queer dating culture— Grindr vs. Sniffies, body image pressure, unspoken “rules,” and the mental gymnastics of putting yourself out there. If you’ve ever felt judged by how you look, boxed in by labels, or tired of chasing validation, you’ll get it. We’re here to laugh, vent, and figure out how to build self-esteem and connection that lasts—online or off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Break the Psycle, we’re talking all things content, culture, and the creator economy with our content manager, Gabryś Wronka. From posting about pop divas on Tumblr blogs to getting paid to see Lady Gaga in concert, Gabryś shares how a passion for digital storytelling turned into a full-blown career. We unpack his journey through the beauty industry, working for brands from behind (and in front of) the camera, and using short-form content to spark awareness around mental health treatments. We also dig into the psychology of why we buy: the rise of parasocial relationships, the power of putting a face to a brand, and how celebrity culture turns status into a product. Are we buying the thing—or the idea of being seen having the thing? From carbon-copy outfits at The Grove to the unspoken rules of social media engagement, this episode explores how influence drives culture, how engagement has become currency, and what it really means to monetize the scroll. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Break the Psycle, we unpack what it really means to "crash out". Those moments when your system shuts down emotionally, mentally, or even physically. We break down the term, what triggers it, and how it plays out in our relationships and mental health. Elijah shares how the way parents respond to stress can shape our emotional wiring, while Danny and Kyla open up about their own coping styles; shutting down versus staying open. We also talk about emotional accountability, first impressions, and why some people spiral while others seem to hold it together. This one’s raw, real, and maybe a little too relatable—especially if you’ve ever found yourself spiraling, shutting down, or just crashing TF out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From skull drilling to magnetic brain zaps, this episode of the Break the Psycle podcast takes you on a whirlwind tour of how humanity has tried to treat mental illness over the centuries. Some methods were creative. Most were terrifying. A few actually worked. We cover everything from ancient bloodletting and wandering womb theories to insulin comas, lobotomies, and the rise of modern treatments like TMS. You’ll leave with a new appreciation for how far mental health care has come and a healthy dose of side-eye for the past. Tune in for stories that are bizarre, fascinating, and sometimes hard to believe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.