How masking, people-pleasing, and shame keep us small—and the tiny reps that build real authenticity without burning your life down overnight.

A candid mental health podcast with vulnerability, boundaries, and self-worth—no platitudes, just lived experience.

Content note: explicit language.

Episode focus: why we hide to stay safe, the true cost of performance mode, and micro-honesty practices that help you show up as yourself.

We cover:

• Why we hide: shame, safety, and old rules
• The cost of performance mode (and how to spot it)
• Micro-honesty: tiny ways to be real today
• Boundaries that don’t boomerang and punish you later

Hosts: The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective (Nick) • IndyPocket (Tony)

Post one “mask” you’re dropping this week on our Discord "The Struggle Bus"—we’ll back you up while you practice. (link below)

NEW EPISODES DROP EVERY MONDAY AT 6AM (EDT)!

Candid mental health podcast with lived experience—schizoaffective disorder, trauma recovery, coping skills, and dark humor that fights stigma!

Discord — “The Struggle Bus”: https://discord.gg/emFXKuWKNA

If you need support (U.S.): Call/Text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7).

Sexual assault support: RAINN 800-656-HOPE or online.rainn.org

HOSTS / SOCIALS

The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective (Nick)

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@defectiveschizoaffective
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@defectiveschizoaffective

IndyPocket (Tony)

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indypocket
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indypocket
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@absolutezen

Cover Art: Ryan Manning