Negative Thots: Recent Episodes
Radio 22
A silly podcast about women and their silly brains. Respectfully dedicating ‘that time of the month’ to men (for once).
Consider this a broad Trigger Warning
*Each week our thotful hosts Carley Eiden and Samara Suomi talk ‘mental illness shop’ with women (identifying and otherwise) of all backgrounds. Once a month we open the space for men’s mental health talk in our justifiably titled ‘That time of the Month’ segment. Negative Thots intent as a podcast is to encourage people to open up about their day-to-day life living with mental illness. With that openness comes
a likelihood of somewhat difficult-to-digest discussions. Our goal is to create a safer, lighter, and sillier space to have conversations we don't normally have with our peers.
With the topic in general comes heavy material. There will be deep discussions, jokes, stories, and theories that may be a little ~triggering~ to others. Some topics
of discussion can be hard to hear, but we believe it's important to listen to the messages each guest brings with them. Listen with an open mind and heart as we explore the range of thots inside us all.
(**use this warning for vanessa’s/all future episodes)
Our host Samara strips down her sanity for another solo episode of Negative Thots!
Our silly host has been open about living with bipolar throughout this podcast, but you can really hear the signs as we dive Deep into her Thots.
Samara (over)shares her gratitude to studio 22, how the podcast is going to change in the near future, how she's going to change in the near future, leaving your job for the mountains, how to change your environment for the better, growth and what that means, and so much more on another solo episode of Negative Thots.
You likely know by now, but you can find our host online through Instagram @thatsamarachick
Follow her there, not in real life!
And as always... To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
We're back in the studio trapped with our Negative Thots! This week Amber Peterson joins us for a family ties episode. Amber is a mom/boss lady/in the midst of mid-life indecision, just like all Americans! She also is related to Samara's partner. Family!
Amber operates her family and job while her brain operates under the stress of social anxiety and general anxiety. She also feels the symptoms of depression at times, and has childhood traumas, (just like all Americans!?)
Amber and Samara sit down over a family dinner with no food, just in-depth conversation about trying to maintain a balanced life while having a chemically imbalanced brain, losing your train of thot, watching your kids and phones age, being a mom living with teens (your own teens btw), finding stability as you go along, seasons of life and how they change, being fair to yourself even if your brain tries not to be, casually dreaming of a library in Ireland to yourself, and much, much more on this week's episode of Negative Thots!
To keep up with this working mom's life, follow along on her Instagram @mrspetie
This episode is not sponsored by Blueland products, but it should be! Because we talked about it nicely, and enough to mention in the description!
And as always... To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
It's 'That Time of the Month' again here on Negative Thots! Everyone's favorite! This week our host is synced up with Shawn Vasquez, a comedian and friend of ours. Who performs all over the country, while his brain puts on its own performance of ADHD.
This week our friends get right into it and spill the tea of how important sleep is, being an active kid who just can't stop, what happens when you take the routine out of your life, then how to get routine back into it in some way, sleep debt and how to pay it back (by sleeping! Go to sleep!), how to grow as a performer and person, accepting when it's time to change things in your life, getting your meds from (hopefully) a doctor, the importance of good people in your life, and oh yeah getting some damn sleep! That and so much more on this dream sequence episode of Negative Thots!
Big thanks to Shawn for being open enough to share his story (on behalf of man), to enter his world follow his Instagram @entertheshawniverse
And as always... To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
We're back, entertaining those silly thots in your brain with our Negative Thots! This week our host hangs out with Olivia Hoffman. Olivia is a Neuroscience Researcher, she learns about the human mind while she works with ADHD, Anxiety and Depression in her own mind. She can also relate (honorable mention) to symptoms of Complex PTSD.
Olivia and Samara get right into it, with a fun little conversation about how having seizures as a kid and researching seizures as an adult have nothing in common, loving to learn because your brain's gotta go fast, desperately wanting to leave your hometown, getting betrayed by your own diary, how cool and chill it is coming out as lesbian in a conservative Christian town, finding family along the way, what you learn about yourself in polyamorous relationships, gay panic, loving yourself and so much more on another silly little episode of Negative Thots!
Big thanks to Olivia for agreeing to tell her story, and for doing it so well! To keep up with Olivia and all her phases of life, follow her Instagram @olivia_hoff96!
And as always... To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
ARJ: "Don't be afraid to ask questions... especially about cow udders!"
We're back on track with our thots in the studio. This week we are joined by a UW Grad student, and funny little guy; ARJ.
ARJ researches hormones while their own body produces anxiety and ADHD. Rock on! Don't worry we get immediately into it, thankfully our host is a (semi) pro!
Samara and ARJ sit down for a silly little discussion about being a cowperson, growing up in different middle-of-nowheres, realizing how learning can help, being big-ol' nerds about stuff, saying silly stuff because you have to, being a part of something, helping while you're here, being friends with your brain and other people, and so much more on this pretty upbeat episode of Negative Thots!
Big thanks to ARJ for wonderfully articulating their side of life with us, and to follow along with them follow their Instagram @arjuufta
And as always... To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
It's 'That Time of the Month!' This time in the cycle we have Aristotle Awes contributing to our thots. A drag performer and comedian with Generalized Anxiety, Major Depression and ADHD.
Samara and Aristotle combine their names and their brains to discuss; doing drag in front of your dad, being subtly Greek, what leads a person with anxiety to the stage, the importance of a stage outfit, grieving for family members, moving onwards and upwards, being proud of who you are, and every little thot in between on this philosophical episode of Negative Thots!
Big thanks to Aristotle (Aris!) for confidently and openly sharing their story. To see what stage Aris will be blessing next, follow his/her/their Instagram @aristotle.awes
And as always... To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
We're back in the studio with all our Negative Thots! This time around we are joined by Ashleigh Gradel, a corporate girlie who tells jokes to feel alive sometimes. Ashleigh recognizes that 'gender dysphoria' is still, sometimes, considered a mental illness, so we open the conversation of what that means to transgender people these days. It's surprisingly optimistic!
Listen up, as Ashleigh and Samara dive head first into deep end of gender identity, the significance of finding right blazer, how cool and chill it is growing up LGBTQ+ in the south, what it means to be pitch perfect, how lame and uncool it is to be misgendered, growing up as young surfer boys, starting comedy as a woman, finding your voice, owning a home to be sad in it, and so much more on this thotfully silly little episode of Negative Thots!
Huge thanks to Ashleigh for such an important (and fun) conversation, and for being so open about her experiences!
To follow along with Ashleigh follow her Instagram @ashleigh_gradel
And as always... To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
On this week's thotfully silly episode Samara sits down with Hanita Haller, a software developer, artist, trapeze performer, comedy club rat and local youth (whatever 'youth' is!).
Hanita lives a full life; and she lives it fully with depression, ADHD and is seeking approval of a spot on the Autism spectrum (board?).
Hanita and Samara talk about how maybe being a little manic can actually be great for travel plans, the pros and cons of sending your kid to the circus, having a brain that wants to do everything all the time (and being good at everything all the time), how the education system purposely teaches math wrong and so, so much more on this surprisingly educated episode of Negative Thots!
Giant thanks to Hanita for hollerin' about her life and having a dang good conversation on a bit of a whim. To follow Hanita straight through the circus follow their Instagram @boburnsteak
And as always... To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
It's 'That Time of the Month again! It just keeps happening!
This time around, we have Glenn Widdicombe in the studio to discuss men's thots. Glenn is a comedian, producer, musician, sound guy, camera guy, and overall entertainment handyman extraordinaire! Glenn wears a lot (too many) hats! While wearing those hats, he also wears (with pride) depression and anxiety (on his brain!).
On this timely episode, Samara and Glenn talk about what it's like having a very cool and chill family history (of alcoholism and schizophrenia), why updating your brain (diagnosis) is important, being raised by your local bluegrass band, being too mature for kindergarten, also being too sad for a kindergartner and oh so much more on your weekly episode of Negative Thots.
Giant thanks to Glenn for sharing his story. For shows, Glenn is running and/or on follow @onlyglenns on Instagram. No, it's not a (thirst) trap!
And as always... To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
Erin Morris: "Stay structured... and sexy!"
After a week away, Negative Thots is back in action with host Samara, who sits down with comedian Erin Morris. Our Thots get sexy this week as we discuss having a hot girl lifestyle while dealing with Bipolar 2, depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD and PTSD.
Erin and Samara get saucy and dish about harassing kids in your darkroom photography class, medical WAP, being the sad sibling, cyber bullying (and how to get away with it), how to be crazy hot and so much more, this wet hot American week on Negative Thots!
Big thanks to Erin Morris for sharing her silly thots with all of us. To see what she's up to, follow her on Instagram @_erinmorris
And as always... To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
On this week's episode, Peggy Hurley joins the studio to discuss her thots and feelings. Peggy is a comedian and government worker, not the CIA(or is it??) Although not diagnosed she relates to Generalized Anxiety symptoms, and we also discuss her previous battle with (her diagnosed) Post-Partum Depression.
On this thot inducing episode Samara and Peggy discuss what it's like to be neutral in politics, as a rule, figuring out why you want to do standup and why you should (if you're a woman at least), how comedy can also hurt your feelings but why you should get over it, how devastating Post-Partum Depression can be and ways to love that baby again, how your age isn't a reason to stop trying new things and so much more in this age-defying episode of Negative Thots.
Big big thanks to Peggy for bravely and poignantly sharing her story. To find out where you can see Peggy on a stage follow her Instagram @pjhk57
And as always... To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
We put our painter's hat on this week as we discuss what thots we have behind the brush with Katie Hogan.
Katie is an artist (focused on painting), and a union organizer. Katie organizes unions and canvases all while dealing with Major Anxiety and Depression. Our host finds common ground and the two thotful artists discuss what it means to develop a relationship with art, being a stressed-out kid with decisions to make, the social media sprint and who's winning (not our brains!), learning how to voice our thots and feelings, as well as thots of self-doubt and the international sensation sweeping the land; Imposter Syndrome. All these things and so so much more are on this week's Negative Thots!
Another big thanks to Katie for sharing her story and everything in her brain with us.
To see what Katie's up to follow her Instagram @katie.h.o.g.a.n
And as always... To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
Alyssa Reynolds: "Nothing's permanent... Except maybe your Myspace!"
This week our Negative Thots turn positive for a change by welcoming Alyssa Reynolds to the studio. Alyssa is an artist, musician, life coach, and professional happy person! They're also the voice you hear every episode before it starts. The singer behind the Negative Thots theme song gets ahead of their depression and generalized anxiety day by day. Together Samara and Alyssa discuss the resume required to become a professional happy person, how sadness can be uno reversed into happiness, what it means to be a coach of life, how difficult it can be to call yourself an artist (even though it's what everyone else says behind your back) and much much more on this elevated thot episode.
Big thanks to Alyssa for sharing their perspective of this world and to see all the art they share in it follow them on Instagram @alyrey.arts
And to see what positivity they share follow their life coaching account on Instagram @thechaoticorange
To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
On this week's episode of Negative Thots, Samara sits down with surgery student (take that alliteration!) Kelsey Franklin.
Kelsey is a resident physician and researcher who breaks all the ceilings (especially glass ones) while living with ADHD and anxiety. Samara and Kelsey discuss what a day is like in operation (around the table not on it), growing up with ADHD, going to med school with ADHD, being a refined horse girl, how being different makes a different kind of great doctor, learning all the things possible, how to help humanity from a hospital, and so much more in this well thot out and spoken episode.
A giant thanks to Kelsey for her poignant discussion brought to the table (pun slightly intended).
To keep up with Kelsey follow her Instagram @chafraanko
And a last-minute shout-out from Kelsey and everyone at Negative Thots to UW-Madison Surgery department for having a huge group of women working for an inspiring young female medical professionals to get into medicine. It takes women showing women the way into predominantly male paths to change how we view roles in this world. Your work does not go unnoticed. Thank you!
To keep up with all things Negative Thots, follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
It's "That Time of The Month" again! Aren't you glad? It's not even late this time.
Producer, comedian, and all titles of dad Nathan Clemons drops by for another episode dedicated to all things dude. Samara and Nathan talk about growing up with a traveling dad, the adventures of comedy in small towns, opening a comedy club while a baby is born, being outnumbered by women at home, working hard with a semi sad and anxious brain, and many more things in between.
Big thanks to Nathan for his perspective and all the best to the adventures of his new club. For all the shows Nathan is running and/or on follow @nathanlclemons on Instagram and @indoor_kid_comedy_co on the same app.
Also, keep your eyes and ears open for Screw City Comedy club in the near future.
To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
In this thot provoking episode, Samara sits down with the third piece of the 'Negative Thots' puzzle. Another deep dive into the past of our host reveals a less mindful (but arguably more eventful) beginning to this mental health journey. In other words, our host and her 'guest' (try best friend) share wild stories from their past together. Buckle up and get ready to laugh with or at the rocky beginnings of these two (now) more "stable" thots.
Morgan Folz is more than just a friend (wink?) she is a new college student trying to get into the world of marketing, a working woman, an off-brand Instagram influencer, and (former teen) mom of two cool kids. Morgan and Samara go way back and talk about being former menaces to society, how to (barely) survive growing up in a small town hellscape, being a teen mom, being an adult mom, trying to grow/heal from your past, hitting on hot cops and way more than you asked for!
Big thanks to Morgan for taking the time to sit down with a mic and share her wonderfully silly story. To see all things Morgan follow her Instagram @missjewbooty96
(don't worry she is for sure Jewish).
To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
On this episode host Samara talks to future co-host and long-time friend Carley Eiden. Carley and Samara are two peas in a pod (get it) and it shows in this special episode of Negative Thots. It's a bit of an origin episode and the first of many to explain the idea and position our hosts found themselves in when they first thot of this podcast. The pair talk growing up in a small (minded) town, why podcasts matter, why picking teams is dumb (hint, hint "the government"), the hopes and dreams of our Negative Thots, and (way too) much more on this deep dive episode of (you heard it before) Negative Thots.
Thanks to Carley for proving her existence and for sharing her thots & feelings. To keep up with Carley (KUWC) follow her Instagram @carleyrae289
To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
It's finally here! A little late (not too late that we panicked) but it's "That Time of the Month!" That time of the month when we talk to men about men stuff to be more specific. Just guys being guys here. We gotta take men's mental health seriously too. We all have negative thots we have to check in on, okay? Okay.
The first guy we synced up with is a comedian, rapper, and host of the "Almost Joking" podcast, Craig Smith. Craig claims there's nothing wrong with him but also says he can relate to narcissistic personality disorder and sociopaths... So again, just to reiterate, there's nothing wrong with Craig. In this episode former co-hosts, Samara and Craig get a little more serious than you may have heard them get before. They talk about former podcast projects, going to catholic school in Chicago, dads and why we need them (alive preferably), the highs and lows of comedy and rap, symptoms of a sociopath and what's so silly about it all, all that and so much more.
Big thanks to Craig for being the first guy to sync up with our Thots. Also, for sharing his story and bravely being the first (of hopefully many men) we strongly encourage him to speak up about living with mental illness. People should hear your thots too.
For all things about Craig's comedy follow @craigsmithcomedy on Instagram.
For all things Craig's rap follow @sincerelife on Instagram
And finally to keep up with (one of) Craig's podcast adventures follow @imonlyjoking on Instagram.
To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
In this thot provoking episode, Samara talks to the producer of Madison Indie Comedy, Shauna Jungdahl. Shauna is a comedian (whether she likes it or not!), producer, and professional woman, who works wonders 'behind the scenes' with a working brain full of OCD, PTSD, anxiety, and occasional sad thots. Our brains are so nice and chill to us! Samara and Shauna have a dueled-toned conversation about growing up the odd sheep of the family, the common misconceptions of OCD, decisions we make (and how to keep making them!), how rude dead parents really are, being nice to yourself in a world of crap, and a whole lot more!
Thank you to Shauna for sharing her story & for all things about her(all things!) follow her on IG @chonnnna17
Also, keep up with all the shows produced and sponsored by Madison Indie Comedy on all of the socials. Madison Indie Comedy (MIC)
IG: @madisonindiecomedy
To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22, download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
In this episode, Samara talks to community activist, organizer and general person around town Kessa Albright. Kessa constantly gives back to their community and while giving, their brain gives them anxiety and depression to work with (how nice)! After recently leaving their job for the Democratic party of Wisconsin, Kessa had so much to talk about, #hotgoss alert! Samara and Kessa discuss being misdiagnosed as moody teens, working for the government, how the system is broken and what we can maybe, possibly, at least try to do to fix it, losing a parent(where are they??), and much, so much more. A very thotful and well-spoken episode, and a big thanks to Kessa for their insight.
For all things Kessa follow her/them on IG @molotovcraftcocktail
To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22, download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22
In episode 2 of Negative Thots Samara Suomi and Olivia talk about what it is like to be kind of sad and anxious, while also wanting to be center stage. Olivia
Witt is a stand-up comedian, a woman in tech, and a sketch performer who manages her time while living with (newer) diagnoses of Generalized Anxiety Disorder(GAD) and Depression. They talk about growing up with religion on the east coast, syncing up in comedy careers, how confessing to priests makes it easier to confess jokes on stage, practicing how not to be nervous and so much more!
Huge thank you to Olivia Witt for sharing her story. If you're interested in keeping up with Olivia and where she will be performing next follow her Instagram
@ojwitt
To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram
@myradio22
In the first-ever Negative Thots interview Samara Suomi and Vanessa Tortolano discuss Vanessa's performance drive as a stand-up and improv comedian, singer, dancer, overall entertainer, businesswoman, and also her role as mom. Vanessa does ALL this while recently learning about her place on the Autism Spectrum (ASD), and her long journey dealing with ADHD. Her journey started mostly in Hawaii and life was sure different on the island. They talk island influence, traveling to LA with a woman your mom might know, moms in general, the desire to perform on stage, what it's like to be a performer with a brain that's always going, and being grateful for the little things and much much more.
Huge thank you to Vanessa Tortolano for sharing her story. If you're interested in keeping up with Vanessa and where she will be performing next follow her Instagram @vanessapants
To keep up with all things Negative Thots follow their Instagram @negativeth0tpod
Another huge thanks to Radio22 for their space and support of the podcast. For all other shows produced by Radio22 download the app and follow their Instagram @myradio22