Fatherhood, Recovery, and Identity | How Daniel Overcame Addiction, Embraced Autism and his LGBTQIA+ Identity

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04/23/24 • 60 min

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Welcome to Episode 23 of Touched Out! A Mental Health Podcast for Parents.
In todays Episode, Daniel Van Nice shares his deeply personal story of overcoming mental health challenges, including a recent struggle with sleep issues. Daniel opens up about his discovery of being on the autism spectrum, his experiences with homeschooling, and the difficulties he faced when transitioning to public school. He reflects on how becoming a parent saved his life, sharing the joy and meaning he finds in fatherhood. Daniel also discusses his battle with addiction, the challenges of recovery, and the invaluable support he received along the way. This conversation highlights the complexities of addiction recovery, the impact of addiction, the importance of support systems, and the power of resilience.
Mental Health Struggles and Neurodivergence
Daniel Van Nice opens up about his mental health struggles, including a recent rough patch with sleep issues.
He reflects on his neurodivergent sixth sense and his realization of being on the autism spectrum.

The Impact of Homeschooling and Transitioning to Public School
Daniel shares his experiences of being homeschooled and the challenges he faced when transitioning to public school.
Insights into how these experiences shaped his perspective on education and social interactions.

Addiction and Recovery
Daniel's battle with addiction and his journey to overcome it.
The challenges and triumphs of addiction recovery, including the tragic consequences of addiction.

Support Systems in Recovery
The role of support groups like SMART Recovery in Daniel's recovery process.
Building a network of support and understanding to aid in recovery.

Fighting for Parental Rights
The emotional process of fighting for parental rights and its impact on mental health.
Strategies and tips for navigating the legal system and advocating for one's rights.

Housing and It's Influence on Mental Health
The struggles with housing and its effect on overall well-being and mental health.
The significance of stability in promoting a healthy mental state.

The Power of Asking for Help
Emphasizing that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The benefits of reaching out and seeking assistance during difficult times.

Emotional Openness with Children
The importance of being emo

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Touched Out: A Mental Health and Parenting Support Podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, share, and leave a rating and review. Your support helps others discover their new favorite parenting and mental health podcast.

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Drop a comment on Spotify if you have any questions or thoughts. You can also visit The Touched Out Website to leave a voice message or contact me via email. If you are interested in being a guest on Touched Out you can access the guest form HERE

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All of the friends, None of the fear. A safe space for neurodivergent, chronically ill and disabled people to make friends and find support. Download the Spoony App HERE

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Addiction and Recovery
Daniel's battle with addiction and his journey to overcome it.
The challenges and triumphs of addiction recovery, including the tragic consequences of addiction.

Support Systems in Recovery
The role of support groups like SMART Recovery in Daniel's recovery process.
Building a network of support and understanding to aid in recovery.

Housing and It's Influence on Mental Health
The struggles with housing and its effect on overall well-being and mental health.
The significance of stability in promoting a healthy mental state.

The Power of Asking for Help
Emphasizing that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The benefits of reaching out and seeking assistance during difficult times.

Emotional Openness with Children
The importance of being emo

Support the show

Connect with Us:

Get your official Touched Out! Merch HERE

Donate to Touched Out! HERE

Spoony App:

All of the friends, None of the fear. A safe space for neurodivergent, chronically ill and disabled people to make friends and find support. Download the Spoony App HERE

*This is not a paid promotion

Previous Episode

Embracing Parenthood | Kristie's Guide to Raising Eight Children and Maintaining Mental Health

1 Recommendations

Welcome to Episode 22 of Touched Out! A Mental Health Podcast for Parents.
In this conversation, Kristie shares her experiences as a mother of eight children, including raising a child with Down syndrome. Join us as we explore the challenges, joys, and invaluable lessons learned from Kristie's journey. We also delve into the dynamics of raising triplets, managing a large family, and maintaining mental health and self-care.

Kristie's Journey with Special Needs Parenting

Kristie discusses the unique challenges and rewards of raising a child with Down syndrome. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on the child's abilities and celebrating their milestones.

The Importance of Self-Care and Mental Health

Kristie highlights the necessity of self-care for parents. She shares strategies for setting boundaries and ensuring mental health is a priority, even amidst the chaos of raising a large family.

Community Support and Its Impact

The role of community support from friends, family, and healthcare professionals is crucial in Kristie's parenting journey. She explains how this support system has made a significant difference.

Navigating Friendship Dynamics and Emotional Blackmail

Kristie shares insights into the complex dynamics among her children, including the triplets. She discusses how she manages emotional blackmail and the importance of setting firm boundaries.

Starting Over and Balancing New Ventures

Kristie talks about the experience of starting over with a new baby after achieving independence and the challenges of starting a new business while raising a family. She offers advice on balancing these priorities effectively.

Embracing Challenges and Allowing Identity Formation

Kristie concludes by encouraging parents to embrace the challenges of parenthood and find joy in the present moment. She stresses the importance of allowing children to define their own identity and fostering an environment of emotional intelligence and openness.

Support the show

Connect with Us:

Get your official Touched Out! Merch HERE

Donate to Touched Out! HERE

Spoony App:

All of the friends, None of the fear. A safe space for neurodivergent, chronically ill and disabled people to make friends and find support. Download the Spoony App HERE

*This is not a paid promotion

Next Episode

Balancing Motherhood, Domestic Violence Recovery, and the Realities of OnlyFans | Tarrine's Story

1 Recommendations

Welcome to Episode 24 of Touched Out! A Mental Health Podcast for Parents.

In this episode, we dive into the incredible journey of Tarrine, a single mom, technical recruiter by day, and OnlyFans content creator by night. Tarrine's story is one of resilience, strength, and determination as she balances motherhood, battles domestic violence, and navigates the complex world of sex work while focusing on her son's mental health and emotional intelligence.

Tarrine's Background and Career

Tarrine's journey is marked by her diverse career paths and personal challenges. As a technical recruiter, she navigates the corporate world, while her work as an OnlyFans content creator showcases her entrepreneurial spirit. These dual careers have uniquely shaped Tarrine's approach to parenting and her commitment to providing a stable and nurturing environment for her son.

Overcoming Domestic Violence

Tarrine opens up about her harrowing experiences with domestic violence and how she overcame these challenges. Her story is a powerful testament to the strength and resilience required to break free from abusive relationships and build a better life for herself and her child. Tarrine's journey is an inspiring example of how one can rise above adversity and emerge stronger.

Balancing Parenthood and Dual Careers

In this episode, Tarrine shares the realities of balancing single parenthood with her dual careers. She discusses the impact of her work on family dynamics and how she manages societal judgments and stigmas associated with sex work. Tarrine offers insights into the delicate balance of providing for her family while nurturing her son's emotional and mental well-being.

Focusing on Men's Mental Health and Emotional Intelligence

A key focus of Tarrine's parenting approach is raising her son with an emphasis on men's mental health and emotional intelligence. She believes in the importance of teaching her child to be kind, assertive, and emotionally aware. Tarrine shares her strategies for fostering a healthy and respectful relationship with her son, highlighting the significance of these values in today's world.

Debunking Stigmas Around Sex Work

Join us as Tarrine and I discuss the societal stigmas surrounding sex work and the misconceptions that often accompany this industry. We delve into the complexities of sex work and Tarrine's personal experiences, shedding light on the

Support the show

Connect with Us:

Get your official Touched Out! Merch HERE

Donate to Touched Out! HERE

Spoony App:

All of the friends, None of the fear. A safe space for neurodivergent, chronically ill and disabled people to make friends and find support. Download the Spoony App HERE

*This is not a paid promotion

Touched Out! - Fatherhood, Recovery, and Identity | How Daniel Overcame Addiction, Embraced Autism and his LGBTQIA+ Identity

Transcript

Daniel

Carter: All right, so today we've got Daniel from Colorado. How you going Daniel? Hey, how's it going? Not too bad over here. Good. Thank you. Thank you so much for joining me. Yes. How you going today? You good? I'm doing better. I

Daniel: had a rough go this past week, but I'm at the, I think at the best end of it. I kind of scraped out mental health wise or illness wise.

Yeah, mental health. So it's really random to one of the thin