Episode #8: Unsleeving Self-Inflicted Harm and How to Solve It, with Michelle Mitchell
Explicit content warning
07/29/21 • 63 min
Unsleeving Self-Inflicted Harm and How to Solve It, with Michelle Mitchell
You may be familiar with the term self-harm, but what does it really mean? Is it strictly physical or does it include self destructive thoughts too? Is it something that happens on a regular basis or something spontaneous? In polite company, we shy away from discussing self-harm because we feel like it’s too sensitive, or not politically correct.
If we can’t even talk about self-harm, how could we possibly help a friend or loved one who’s struggling with it?
Today, we’re tackling the taboo topic of self-harm head on. Our guest is the marvelous Michelle Mitchell, founder of the youth harm prevention charity Youth Excel, where she helps young folks go from self-destructive to self-confident. She’s also a bestselling author, speaker and educator, to name a few of her amazing accomplishments studying the subject of self-harm.
In this episode, you’ll gain a better understanding of what self-harm really is, how to spot it, and how to prevent it. Because we could all use a little intervention from time to time. Ready to get schooled on the significant topic of self-harm? You’ve come to the right place.
Self-Harm Explained
Before we could get into remedies for self-harm, I wanted to get to the bottom of its causes. What in the world drives someone to hurt themselves? Michelle clarifies that the self-harm we typically see is different than a suicide attempt.
Instead, it’s a stress response. Like picking up a glass of whisky or reaching for a cigarette after a tough day, it’s a common coping response when emotions are flying high. We all gotta find a way to deal with life’s bullshit, and for some, self-harm is a quick fix.
Though many of us consider self-harm to be physical damage to the body, Michelle clarifies that self-harm can include any kind of self destructive behavior: unsafe sex, binge-drinking, even spreading hate speech on social media. These behaviors offer a rousing jolt of adrenaline followed by numbness or intense shame.
These negative feelings bring the self-harmer lower, leading to a cycle of more self-harm to cope with more discomfort.
Also In this episode, I explain how habitual self-harm is not unlike being addicted to certain drugs. The high is euphoria, and the low is painful beyond belief. Even though you think you’ll only do it once or one more time, you find yourself seeking out the exact thing that made you feel so bad the day before–and the cycle continues.
Michelle reminds us that self-harm is not a diagnosable mental health disorder, but is often tied to disorders like depression or anxiety. Like other mental health issues, childhood trauma can make someone more susceptible to developing a self-harm problem. Self-harm is also more prevalent for those in the LGBTQ+ community.
I get it. I repressed my sexuality after being told by my church that I would burn in Hell for not being straight. It’s not hard to understand why so many gay youths want to cope with rejection and turn to self-harm as a solution
So What Can We Do About it?
If you’re worried that someone in your life is committing self-harm, Michelle says there are some surefire ways to spot it. Unexplained body marks and long sleeves that are rarely removed are serious signs that self-harm could be going on. Michelle says if someone is constantly doing laundry, they might be really focused on having clean clothes....or they may be trying to hide self-harm evidence, like blo
Thanks for listening!!! Please follow us on YouTube + TikTok @SexDrugsAndJesusPodcast
Unsleeving Self-Inflicted Harm and How to Solve It, with Michelle Mitchell
You may be familiar with the term self-harm, but what does it really mean? Is it strictly physical or does it include self destructive thoughts too? Is it something that happens on a regular basis or something spontaneous? In polite company, we shy away from discussing self-harm because we feel like it’s too sensitive, or not politically correct.
If we can’t even talk about self-harm, how could we possibly help a friend or loved one who’s struggling with it?
Today, we’re tackling the taboo topic of self-harm head on. Our guest is the marvelous Michelle Mitchell, founder of the youth harm prevention charity Youth Excel, where she helps young folks go from self-destructive to self-confident. She’s also a bestselling author, speaker and educator, to name a few of her amazing accomplishments studying the subject of self-harm.
In this episode, you’ll gain a better understanding of what self-harm really is, how to spot it, and how to prevent it. Because we could all use a little intervention from time to time. Ready to get schooled on the significant topic of self-harm? You’ve come to the right place.
Self-Harm Explained
Before we could get into remedies for self-harm, I wanted to get to the bottom of its causes. What in the world drives someone to hurt themselves? Michelle clarifies that the self-harm we typically see is different than a suicide attempt.
Instead, it’s a stress response. Like picking up a glass of whisky or reaching for a cigarette after a tough day, it’s a common coping response when emotions are flying high. We all gotta find a way to deal with life’s bullshit, and for some, self-harm is a quick fix.
Though many of us consider self-harm to be physical damage to the body, Michelle clarifies that self-harm can include any kind of self destructive behavior: unsafe sex, binge-drinking, even spreading hate speech on social media. These behaviors offer a rousing jolt of adrenaline followed by numbness or intense shame.
These negative feelings bring the self-harmer lower, leading to a cycle of more self-harm to cope with more discomfort.
Also In this episode, I explain how habitual self-harm is not unlike being addicted to certain drugs. The high is euphoria, and the low is painful beyond belief. Even though you think you’ll only do it once or one more time, you find yourself seeking out the exact thing that made you feel so bad the day before–and the cycle continues.
Michelle reminds us that self-harm is not a diagnosable mental health disorder, but is often tied to disorders like depression or anxiety. Like other mental health issues, childhood trauma can make someone more susceptible to developing a self-harm problem. Self-harm is also more prevalent for those in the LGBTQ+ community.
I get it. I repressed my sexuality after being told by my church that I would burn in Hell for not being straight. It’s not hard to understand why so many gay youths want to cope with rejection and turn to self-harm as a solution
So What Can We Do About it?
If you’re worried that someone in your life is committing self-harm, Michelle says there are some surefire ways to spot it. Unexplained body marks and long sleeves that are rarely removed are serious signs that self-harm could be going on. Michelle says if someone is constantly doing laundry, they might be really focused on having clean clothes....or they may be trying to hide self-harm evidence, like blo
Thanks for listening!!! Please follow us on YouTube + TikTok @SexDrugsAndJesusPodcast
Previous Episode
Episode #7: Safe and Fun Sex, with Jessica Biles
Safe and Fun Sex, with Jessica Biles
This week, we’re talking about sex again. Because why not? It’s one of my favorite topics. And there are so many questions still left to answer. Where is the G-spot? How do pheromones work? What kind of lube is the best for anal play? We’re dedicated to finding the truth behind all your burning inquiries.
If those topics sound interesting to you, well that’s just the tip. We’re getting into all sorts of mischief in this week’s episode. Our guest is Jessica Biles, host of the Freedom Between the Sheets podcast, a sex educator at the leading sex-ed company Pure Romance, and an expert on female health and wellness. She’s on a mission to help women and couples have intimate conversations and improve their sex lives.
In our interview, we’re talking about our shared religious backgrounds, and how the church sends the wrong messages about sex. We also penetrate the topic of female pleasure and slide into a discussion about sex toys, lube, and other products that can take your sex life to the next level. So strap in (or strap on) for this wild ride through the world of foreplay and fantasy.
Abstinence is Not the Answer
Jessica has an awesome and adventurous sex life with her husband, whom she calls “Mr. Sexy.” But it wasn’t always that way. When Jessica was sixteen, her first sexual encounter was confusing and barely consensual. It left her feeling lost and ashamed–and a lot of this shame came from her religious upbringing.
Born and raised in the Christian church, Jessica only recieved one message about sex: don’t have it. When she would try to talk to the pastor about her confusion and shame, he would simply tell her to just stop having sex. So, every time she did have sex, she felt guilty. When she experienced something traumatic in the bedroom, she only blamed herself. As someone who found themselves ousted from my religious community because of my sexuality, I can relate.
In the episode, Jessica and I talk about how the church’s approach to sex is simply not working. The way we see it, people are going to do what they want. Instead of telling them to ignore their impulses, the goal should be safety and consent.Since becoming a sex educator, Jessica makes regular visits to local churches and works to shed stigmas surrounding sexual encounters.
Beyond safe sex, Jessica wants people to have better sex. Along with shedding stigmas around sexual education, Jessica’s work is all about encouraging people to indulge and seek as much pleasure as possible from intercourse–especially women.
Figuring Out Female Pleasure
We so rarely discuss the female sexual experience out in the open...but not on this podcast! Jessica has spent years of her life working to help women have more enjoyable sex. And personally, I don’t see why women shouldn’t be having orgasms left and right. Jessica and I thrust ourselves into a discussion about how women can get into the mood and get down to business.
Wondering about the ever-so-mystical G-spot? Some think it’s a myth...but Jessica clears that right up by telling us it’s not! In the episode, she specifies exactly where it is and how women can reach it themselves or with a partner. We also clarify that there are many different kinds of orgasms, and talk about why no one should pressure themselves to reach one.
Interestingly, Jessica believes massage is the most effective way to get anyone, but especially women, in a sensual state of mind. We talk about how females ar
Thanks for listening!!! Please follow us on YouTube + TikTok @SexDrugsAndJesusPodcast
Next Episode
Episode #9: The Poetry of Heartbreak and Healing with Demi Wylde
The ever fabulous Demi Wylde and I had a deliciously transparent discussion and I know you will find it to be just as tasty as I did! We talk about both of our histories with HIV and addiction. Demi found out he was positive on Valentine’s Day. I found out I was positive on New Year’s Eve. #FuckedUp Demi tells us how he got started doing drag and where his drag name – Venus La Penis – was born. We read through some of his original poetry from his two poetry books and sip on some tasty tea as Demi dishes on some his sultry sex experiences.
BOOK INFO:
Bitter Blue Pill - https://amzn.to/3jtOBao
All Was Nothing In The Time Of Champions - https://amzn.to/3AdK0QC
WEBSITES:
https://demitriwylde.medium.com/
https://demitriwylde.wixsite.com/website
https://www.acosmicjourneypod.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/acosmicjournpod
Twitter - https://twitter.com/demitriwylde
FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/acosmicjourneypod/
FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/demitri.wylde/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSgJDWl95xbDSYsYAReQscg
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/demitriwylde/
Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@demitriwylde?
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/demitriwylde/
Demi Wylde Short Interview
[00:00:00] Demi: [00:00:00] No
[00:00:04] De'Vannon: [00:00:04] to the sex, drugs and Jesus podcast, where we discuss whatever the fuck we want to. And yes, we can put sex and drugs and Jesus all in the same bed and still be all right at the end of the day. My name is Davanon and I'll be interviewing guests from every corner of this world. As we dig into topics that are two risks gay for the morning show, as we strive to help you understand what's really going on in your life, there was nothing off the table.
[00:00:30] And we've got a lot to talk about. So let's dive right into this episode.
[00:00:42] my guest today is the great and fabulous Demi Wilde. He is an author podcaster and entrepreneur from Los Angeles, California. My favorite city. He is the CEO of wild heart media company and the author of [00:01:00] two poetry books, which are bitter blue pill and all was nothing in the time of champion. Demi also writes an essay series called hookup horror stories, which are true tales of sexual encounters that seeks to dispel shame and heal the trauma surrounding sex.
[00:01:20] Jimmy has also written a deviance guide to sex, how to guide on navigating sex love and interpersonal relationships and an in-depth look at the history and culture. That's arounds the topic. Jimmy also hosts the podcast, a cosmic journey with Damien J. A comedy podcast about science and spirituality, where they discuss things like aliens, witchcraft, technology, astrology, space, nature, physics, and the law of attraction.
[00:01:5
Thanks for listening!!! Please follow us on YouTube + TikTok @SexDrugsAndJesusPodcast
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