Welcome to the first part of our two-part series on guilt and shame. In this episode, we break down the differences between guilt and shame, explore how they show up in everyday life, and share the personal ways they’ve impacted us over the years.

From feeling guilty for being happy, to survivor’s guilt, to carrying shame about past versions of ourselves — we open up about the emotional weight these experiences can carry and how they shape the way we see ourselves.

Whether you’ve struggled with people-pleasing, overthinking, regret, or feeling “not enough,” this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone.

Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi.

You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast.

We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content.

Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com

In honor of Mother's Day, this episode explores the complicated reality of parenting while living with severe mental health challenges. We start by sharing some of the positives of parenting — the moments of love, pride, and joy that keep us going even on the hardest days.

From there, we open up about the very real physical struggles that can come with parenting while battling mental illness: cooking, cleaning, driving, keeping up with appointments, and simply getting through the day. We also talk about the emotional side of parenting — learning emotional regulation and trying to model healthy coping skills while struggling ourselves. We get honest about parenting while dysregulated and how emotionally and physically exhausting it can be.

This conversation also takes a deeper look at how our own childhood experiences and relationships with our parents continue to shape our mental health and parenting today. We share raw, personal stories from our younger years and reflect on the cycles we’re trying to break.

This episode is vulnerable, emotional, and deeply real — for anyone navigating parenthood, mental health, or the lasting impact of childhood trauma.

Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi.

You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast.

We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content.

Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, we unpack the world of ‘mental maintenance’—the coping mechanisms that help us navigate everyday life while living with mental illness. We break down what coping mechanisms really are, and share what we’ve learned throughout our mental health journeys—everything from the healthy, to the unhealthy, to the ones that might seem a little unconventional.

We open up about the tools we currently rely on, the ones we’ve left behind, and even the strategies we’re still trying to build into our routines—and why. Along the way, we talk about how we recognize when we need support, what it actually feels like in the moment, and how we choose the right coping skill for different situations.

We also get real about the fine line between coping and avoidance, sharing our personal experiences with both. If you’ve ever wondered whether your habits are helping or holding you back, this episode is an honest, relatable conversation about figuring it out as you go.

Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi.

You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast.

We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content.

Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com

What if your energy worked like a video game health bar—or even a pizza you only get a few slices of each day? In this episode, we dive into what it really means to live with limited energy while navigating severe mental illness.

We share how our conditions shape not just how much energy we have, but how quickly it disappears—and how much more it takes just to get through everyday tasks. From the invisible tug-of-war between mental and physical energy to the constant challenge of deciding where those precious reserves go, we open up about the reality of trying to function in chaotic, demanding lives.

Along the way, we tell personal stories about burning out too fast, getting it right (sometimes), and the strategies we’ve experimented with—what’s helped, what hasn’t, and what we’re still figuring out.

Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi.

You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast.

We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content.

Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com

In today’s episode, we explore the often invisible challenges of navigating social situations while living with mental illness. From interactions with friends and family to encounters with coworkers and strangers, we share personal stories that highlight just how complex and exhausting socializing can become.

Even though it can feel overwhelming to put ourselves out there, getting into a comfortable social situation can bring a sense of relief. In those moments, we’re often glad we pushed through and didn’t miss out.

Behind the scenes, though, the experience is rarely simple. There’s a constant inner dialogue replaying every word, questioning every reaction, while intrusive thoughts whisper that we don’t belong or aren’t worth listening to. This episode opens up an honest conversation about that tension—the desire to connect, and the mental barriers that make it so difficult.

Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi.

You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast.

We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content.

Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com

In today’s episode, we dive into what’s going on inside our minds—exploring intrusive thoughts, inner monologue, and imposter syndrome.

Content note: This episode includes discussions of suicide, self-harm, grief, and pet loss. Please listen only if you feel safe engaging with these topics.

From overthinking and rehearsing conversations for every possible scenario to second-guessing our ideas and holding ourselves back, we unpack how our minds can work against us. We talk about reading too much into what others say and the mental spiral that can follow.

We also explore the persistent feeling of not belonging or not being “good enough”—even when others reassure us that we are. Whether it’s in our jobs, hobbies, or even as parents, it can feel impossible to believe we’re doing well. Accepting compliments and feeling worthy can be deeply uncomfortable.

Intrusive thoughts can feel overwhelming, bringing unwanted ideas and vivid images that don’t align with our values or who we are. We share the reality of living with these thoughts—from fears around safety and self-harm to the constant need for reassurance in relationships.

Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi.

You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast.

We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content.

Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com

We all deal with some level of workplace drama, but when mental health joins the party, it really knows how to make things extra. From awkward interviews to decoding coworker small talk, we’re diving headfirst into the chaos of trying to function while our brains attempt a full-on sanity heist.

As we share stories from our own jobs, we hope it helps others feel a little more seen, a little more understood, and slightly less alone in the work stress they’ve been quietly surviving.

Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi.

You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast.

We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content.

Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, we share the real challenges of self-care—from something as simple as washing your hair to the often difficult act of asking for help.

Self-care is essential for both emotional and physical well-being, but when mental health struggles are part of the picture, even small tasks can require a larger amount of energy.

We also share strategies, tools, and habits we’ve tried—or are curious about—that can help build motivation and support the journey toward better self-care.

Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi.

You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast.

We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content.

Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com