This podcast saved my life and helped me feel whole again.

I first found this podcast over a year ago after I first discovered what BPD was. It helped me feel less alone. I was on a 6-9 month waitlist for DBT therapy, and couldn't find an individual therapist that fit my needs AND budget. I just needed SOMETHING to help; I had no hope otherwise. It was a silver lining for me. I went a few months without listening to it (not for any particular reason), but one day, when I was spiraling into a deep hole of constant suicidal ideation, I decided to listen to it again. I'm able to listen to music and podcasts while at work, so it was a great opportunity to dive back into it. It became my lifeline; whenever I'd feel those overwhelming feelings, I'd just put on an episode of the podcast and it helped ground me. The episode that truly helped save me was the one called "Are you 'mentally ill' or spiritually starved?" I remember I almost started crying at work because it had touched me so deeply, like Mollie had reached out to hug my inner child and say, "It's okay. You are loved." I listened to it twice that day, and changed my phone lock screen to one of my favorite pictures of me as a kid, like Mollie suggested in that episode. That episode, in addition to my partner, pushed me to start my own spiritual journey, something I had never felt compelled to do before. Before that, I was strictly atheist/agnostic, and was so empty and traumatized inside that I found it hard to believe in anything at all. I didn't pursue any specific religion, or even read any specific books; I just opened up my heart and wrote down my thoughts. I began to see the world differently, finding meaning in even the littlest things. I feel like I reached a checkpoint in a video game (Mollie, I know you'll appreciate this metaphor lol), a checkpoint where I will never fall back to what I used to be, even if I slip up. I think this is what so many other BPD treatments and resources lack. I learned DBT, and it's helpful, but it's a survival tool, not the answer. Because of this podcast, I don't feel empty anymore. It's crazy because I feel whole for the first time since I was a child. Of course I still get triggered and split, but at baseline, I feel whole. I feel hopeful. All my friends and my partner can see the change that this has had on me, and I love sharing parts of the podcast with them; I've recommended it to all my friends who struggle with BPD symptoms as well. This podcast is also just so well-rounded; Mollie covers a WIDE range of topics, and her guests always add so much to the conversation as well! I love hearing the perspectives of everyone from professionals in the field of psychiatry, to those of her partner Zaz. It feels warm, like sitting in a room with friends, but Mollie also doesn't coddle you. I appreciate her helping us hold ourselves accountable for actions so we can grow from them, instead of just wallowing in self-pity like some BPD communities tend to do. Her perspective is very refreshing, especially when it comes the idea of eliminating the idea of a "personality disorder" in the first place. If I could suggest one thing to improve, it would be gender inclusivity. Mollie definitely tries to be inclusive of trans/non-binary/gender-non-conforming folks, but I think she could improve some of her language used. For example, "people with vaginas" instead of "females," "people" instead of "man or woman," "people perceived/socialized as men" instead of just "men," etc. However, this is just a note for Mollie and doesn't detract from how I feel about the podcast as a whole. Anyway Mollie, I just want to thank you with my whole heart. You are such a treasure in this world and I hope you know that everyday, you help people and give them hope to keep going. Even though it would be helpful, I no longer think I NEED therapy to survive. Your podcast has shown me that there are other things that can help me, and I will be okay. We will all be okay. Thank you, thank you, thank you.