On this archival episode of Going There with Dr. Mike, Dr Mike revisits a conversation with Bartees Strange. The Farm to Table artist joins host Dr. Mike Friedman for a discussion about the concept of validation and why it is so critical for maintaining strong mental health and emotional well-being.

Strange explains how he experienced the damaging effects of invalidation when dealing with racism, often feeling that some people in his life would either directly or inadvertently invalidate that experience. As an example, he describes growing up in Oklahoma and witnessing violence against black people and fearing violence against himself. When others told him he'd be "fine" or "safe," it didn't reassure him -- it only made him feel more frightened.

He also discusses the feelings of invalidation that came when others told him following his love of music was not a valid choice.

Listen to Bartees Strange talk with Dr. Mike about all this and more. Then, make sure to follow Going There with Dr. Mike via your favorite podcast provider to hear all the new episodes from Season 6. You can also follow the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our shows.

Season 6 of Going There with Dr. Mike is brought to you by Johnson & Johnson who believes that health is everything. Their strength in healthcare innovation empowers them to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through their expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, they are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at www.jnj.com, on the JanssenUS and JNJInnovMed on X.

Musician Luke Jenner, founding member of The Rapture, joins host Dr. Mike Friedman on Going There with Dr. Mike to explore the profound experience of hopelessness, particularly in the context of coping with a family member's mental illness. The conversation begins with Luke unpacking the lyric, "I've seen no way out since I was a boy," and his journey of trying to save his mother, who lived with bipolar disorder and eventually died by suicide. The episode explores the intense internal battle of feeling unlovable, the weight of a family member's mental health struggles, and the various outlets—including baseball, music, and substance use—that provided a temporary escape. Please be advised this episode contains discussions of suicide and sexual abuse.

The conversation delves into Luke’s candid experience with finding a path to survival and recovery. He shares how the stage became a safe place to channel anger and how his band’s music was designed to give others permission to experience a transcendent release. Luke openly discusses his journey through 12-step programs and therapy, which led him to reframe his understanding of dependence and ultimately become a life coach. The episode explores how the DIY ethos of punk rock and the communal euphoria of rave culture merged to form The Rapture's mission: to create a space where people could forget themselves, enter their bodies, and experience the healing power of music.

Listen to Luke Jenner talk with Dr. Mike about hopelessness, family mental health, recovery, and more. Then, make sure to follow Going There with Dr. Mike via your favorite podcast provider to hear all the new episodes from Season 6. You can also follow the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our shows.

Season 6 of Going There with Dr. Mike is brought to you by Johnson & Johnson who believes that health is everything. Their strength in healthcare innovation empowers them to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through their expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, they are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at www.jnj.com, on the JanssenUS and JNJInnovMed on X.

On this archival episode of Going There with Dr. Mike, Dr Mike revisits a conversation with Singer-songwriter Alessia Cara to share her struggle with anxiety and insomnia.

The “Scars to Your Beautiful” artist explains how she has struggled with insomnia throughout her life, and the vicious cycle by which her habitual sleeplessness is both fueled by and exacerbates her anxiety. In particular, she discusses how her catastrophic negative thoughts -- about frightening topics such as death -- will cause anxiety and keep her up at night. The resulting fatigue from poor sleep makes her vulnerable to future anxiety and negative thinking. Cara also talks about the various coping strategies she utilizes based on her experience in therapy.

Listen to Alessia Cara talk with Dr. Mike about all this and more. Then, make sure to follow Going There with Dr. Mike via your favorite podcast provider to hear all the new episodes from Season 6. You can also follow the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our shows.

Season 6 of Going There with Dr. Mike is brought to you by Johnson & Johnson who believes that health is everything. Their strength in healthcare innovation empowers them to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through their expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, they are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at www.jnj.com, on the JanssenUS and JNJInnovMed on X.