**Still Fighting It: Parenting, Mental Health & Holding On When Life Gets Hard | Mixtape Therapy**What does **Ben Folds’ “Still Fighting It”** have to say about parenting, mental health, growing up, and surviving the hardest moments of life?#59 of **Mixtape Therapy**, Scottie and Hannah unpack the emotional impact of “Still Fighting It” and the complicated feelings that can come with the idea of becoming a parent. Hannah opens up about her concerns surrounding having children when there is a possibility of passing on a **heritable mental health condition**, and how the song’s message about preparing a child for life’s struggles hits differently when viewed through that lens.The conversation moves from **parenting and childhood struggles** to school, discipline, communication, and the ways our own childhood experiences can shape how we parent. Scottie shares stories about his daughter and the challenges of watching your kids navigate the same frustrations, emotions, and growing pains that you experienced yourself.But the conversation gets deeper.Hannah shares her experience with **severe depression** and what it meant to get through a period when hope didn't feel possible. Instead of trying to tackle an entire day—or an entire life—she learned to focus on the next **hour, the next small goal, and the next reason to keep going**.Sometimes surviving isn't about feeling hopeful. Sometimes it's simply about **holding on**.They talk about:* Ben Folds and the emotional impact of **“Still Fighting It”*** Parenting and the fears that come with raising children* Mental health and the complicated decision of having children* Depression and what it means to survive a dark period* Taking life **one hour at a time*** Small goals during overwhelming moments* Self-judgment and negative thinking* How therapists can help during a mental health crisis* Supporting someone experiencing depression* Why simply showing up for someone can matter* Childhood experiences and how they influence parenting* Growing up, authority, communication, and getting in trouble* Ben Folds’ **“Rockin’ the Suburbs”** and the universal experience of growing upThis isn't a conversation about having all the answers. It's about **staying connected, finding small reasons to keep moving, and being there for the people we love when life gets overwhelming.**If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that you don't have to solve everything at once. Sometimes the goal is simply to make it through the next hour.🎧 **Mixtape Therapy** explores the songs, stories, memories, and emotions that shape who we are.**Listen. Feel. Talk about it.**Co-Hosts:Hannah Shaperhttps://youtube.com/@hannahshaper6831https://www.intotheabliss.com/contactScottie Gassnerhttps://youtube.com/@heyjustbehttps://open.spotify.com/show/1THqG0Pch3Gj0kEAAhwmnA?si=VSWIflkQRgOsxUjMEK-o-wwww.heyjustbe.com

Why do people get angry at God? In this FREESTYLE, Hannah and Scottie explore the emotions of faith, grief, disappointment, and healing. They discuss why life's unexpected hardships can lead to anger toward God, how directing blame at an abstract source can sometimes hinder personal growth, and how finding meaning through adversity can transform pain into healing. Scottie shares how reflecting on his divorce ultimately deepened his personal growth and changed his perspective on faith. This honest conversation is for anyone wrestling with grief, loss, unanswered prayers, or the difficult question: Why did this happen?Sometimes you just have to press record and see where the conversation takes you. In this special freestyle episode of Mixtape Therapy, Hannah and Scottie put aside the playlist and flow unscripted—no set track, no theme, just authentic conversation. Think of it as the hidden track on your favorite album: spontaneous, raw, and full of surprises.Co-Hosts:Hannah Shaperhttps://youtube.com/@hannahshaper6831https://www.intotheabliss.com/contactScottie Gassnerhttps://youtube.com/@heyjustbehttps://open.spotify.com/show/1THqG0Pch3Gj0kEAAhwmnA?si=VSWIflkQRgOsxUjMEK-o-wwww.heyjustbe.com

How Music Helps You Heal Grief | Phoebe Bridgers, Funeral & Emotional Recovery | Mixtape Therapy Ep. 58Can a song help you process grief?#58 of Mixtape Therapy, Hannah and Scottie dive into "I Know The End" by Phoebe Bridgers, a hauntingly beautiful song that explores loss, sadness, and the complicated journey of healing. What begins as a conversation about one of indie music's most powerful songs evolves into an honest discussion about grief, emotional resilience, therapy, divorce, faith, and why sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is simply allow yourself to feel.Scottie shares how hearing the song brought him back to memories of his divorce—not as someone trapped in the pain, but as someone able to observe it from a distance with compassion. Hannah explains why therapists often encourage people to intentionally make space for grief instead of suppressing it, introducing concepts like "the second arrow" and how self-judgment can make suffering even heavier.Together, they explore why sad music can become one of our greatest healing tools, how grief changes over time without ever fully disappearing, and why giving yourself permission to cry may be one of the strongest things you can do.In this episode, we discuss:The meaning behind Phoebe Bridgers' I Know The EndHow music helps us process grief and lossDivorce, heartbreak, and emotional healingWhy grief is nonlinearThe therapist's perspective on mourningThe "second arrow" and self-compassionHealthy vs. unhealthy ways to grieveWhy certain songs stay with us foreverFaith, anger, and finding meaning after lossWhether you're grieving the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or simply trying to make sense of life's hardest moments, this conversation reminds us that healing doesn't mean forgetting—it means learning how to carry our memories differently.🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations where music becomes the doorway to deeper discussions about mental health, relationships, personal growth, and the human experience.