Army Veteran Toni Lavery: Resilience, Vision Loss & Service

On this episode of We’re Out of Time, US Army veteran Toni Lavery joins host Richard Taite to discuss her journey through military service, motherhood, and a life-changing health challenge. After serving for over two decades, Tony shares how she is navigating her identity transition and leading the first all-women commemorative jump into Normandy for the 82nd anniversary of D-Day. In this episode, Tony highlights the importance of advocating for one’s own health while managing vision loss and explains how the Fox Force Foundation is building a vital community for women veterans to find mentorship through shared resilience. The conversation also covers strategies for managing stress, prioritizing family wellness, and maintaining a strong partnership while both spouses serve.

In this episode of We’re Out Of Time, we sit down with Dr. Drew Ramsey — psychiatrist, mental health advocate, and leading voice in nutritional psychiatry — to unpack what’s really happening to our brains in the modern world.From the connection between food and mental health to the growing mental health crisis impacting millions, Dr. Ramsey explains why brain health is the foundation of emotional wellness. Together, we explore how nutrition, environment, relationships, biology, and lifestyle all shape the way we think, feel, and heal.This conversation goes beyond traditional discussions about mental illness and recovery, offering practical insight into building “mental fitness” before things fall apart. Dr. Ramsey shares why the modern brain faces challenges unlike ever before — and what science says we can do to protect it.If you’ve ever wondered how stress, diet, isolation, and everyday habits impact your mental well-being, this episode is packed with eye-opening perspective and actionable takeaways.

In this episode of We’re Out Of Time, Richard Taite sits down with world-renowned psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Bruce Perry for a powerful conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, healing, and the lifelong impact of early experiences. Dr. Perry, co-author of “What Happened to You?” with Oprah Winfrey and “The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog,” shares how the brain develops in childhood and why our earliest relationships shape the way we think, react, connect, and cope as adults.Together, Richard and Dr. Perry explore how trauma alters the developing brain, why addiction is often rooted in unresolved pain, and how healing begins with safety, regulation, and human connection. They discuss the growing “relational poverty” in today’s world, the effects of social media and disconnection, and why routines, movement, community, and meaningful relationships are essential for emotional well-being.Throughout the episode, Richard opens up about his own experiences working in addiction treatment and reflects on the emotional toll of helping people heal. The conversation is raw, insightful, and deeply human, offering a new perspective on trauma, recovery, parenting, mental health, and resilience.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, Richard Taite sits down with sports and performance psychologist Dr. Mark Aoyagi to explore what truly separates elite performers from everyone else. From Olympic athletes to professional sports teams, Dr. Aoyagi has spent years helping high performers build confidence, resilience, and mental strength under pressure.Together, they break down the psychology behind flow state, choking under pressure, fear of failure, confidence vs arrogance, and the mindset shifts that help people perform at their highest level. They also dive into the surprising overlap between elite athletes and addiction, explaining why perfectionism, anxiety, and obsession can drive both peak performance and self-destruction.This conversation goes beyond sports — it’s about identity, purpose, pressure, and what happens when your self-worth becomes tied to performance.

On this episode of We’re Out of Time, Sonia Kahlon — co-host of Sisters in Sobriety — shares her journey from high-achieving orthodontist to living alcohol-free.What started as “normal” drinking in a high-pressure, hustle-driven lifestyle slowly turned into nightly dependence. Sonia opens up about the moment everything shifted — including her first day without alcohol in over a decade — and what it actually takes to stay sober.The conversation dives into the stigma professionals face around addiction, why AA isn’t the only path to recovery, and how drinking culture is deeply normalized — especially for women. Sonia also shares the shocking story of discovering her husband’s affair and how sobriety forced her to face it without numbing out.This episode explores the rise of “sober curious” culture, the hidden cost of coping through alcohol, and what it really takes to become the person you were meant to be.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, Richard Taite sits down with Katrina Simmons and Kristi Kastler, two mothers who lost their sons, Dylan and Devin, to fentanyl poisoning after years of battling addiction.In this deeply emotional conversation, Katrina and Kristi open up about the reality of trying to save a child struggling with substance abuse, the guilt and stigma parents silently carry, and the devastating moment they received the phone call no parent should ever have to hear. They reflect on the early warning signs, their sons’ experiences with marijuana, prescription pain medication, rehab, relapse, and how today’s drug supply has become more dangerous than ever before.The episode also explores the emotional toll addiction takes on entire families — from isolation and shame to the difficult decisions parents are forced to make in order to protect both their children and themselves. Richard shares his perspective from years working in recovery and speaks candidly about grief, therapy, and the importance of support systems for families affected by addiction.Now, through their podcast DK805, Katrina and Kristi are using their sons’ stories to raise awareness about the fentanyl epidemic, break the stigma surrounding addiction, and help other families feel less alone in their grief. Together, they discuss faith, healing, recovery, and why conversations like this are urgently needed as fentanyl-related deaths continue to rise.

In this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with creator and DJ Shahrukh Pithawalla to pull back the curtain on the modern creator economy. They dive deep into why chasing viral fame is often a trap and how building a slow, authentic community is the only way to survive online.

On this episode of We’re Out of Time, host Richard Taite is joined by ADHD coach and advocate Jheri South to break down how ADHD shows up far beyond attention and focus. Jheri explains how emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), and impulsivity shape everyday life, relationships, parenting, and even addiction risk.The conversation begins with RSD, or rejection sensitive dysphoria, which affects an estimated 99% of people with ADHD. Jheri explains how perceived rejection can trigger intense emotional spirals that feel physically and emotionally overwhelming, often leading to conflict in romantic relationships, work environments, and family dynamics.Richard and Jheri explore how ADHDers can misinterpret neutral situations as personal rejection, leading to impulsive reactions, shame, and difficulty regulating emotions. Jheri emphasizes that ADHD is less about attention and more about emotional regulation, identity, and belief systems.They discuss practical tools, including identifying triggers, learning to pause before reacting, and recognizing “episodes” of emotional dysregulation. Jheri also shares five key drivers that engage the ADHD brain: interest, urgency, challenge/competition, novelty, and rivalry.The conversation expands into relationships, where communication differences, especially between ADHD and autism, can lead to misunderstandings and shutdown cycles. Jheri explains how shifting from blame to understanding communication styles can transform relationships.They also address ADHD and addiction risk, noting that individuals with ADHD are 3–4x more likely to struggle with substance use due to dopamine-seeking behavior when untreated.In parenting, Jheri shares how separating connection time from correction, avoiding escalation during emotional episodes, and building emotional safety can dramatically improve outcomes for children with ADHD and RSD.Ultimately, Jheri reframes ADHD not as a deficit, but as a neurodivergent wiring that, when understood and regulated, can become a powerful strength in life, relationships, and success.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, Richard Taite sits down with world-renowned happiness expert Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky to break down the biggest myths about happiness—and why so many people feel unloved, even when they are.Dr. Lyubomirsky reveals the science behind what actually creates lasting happiness, why money can make you happy (but only to a point), and the surprising reason connection—not success—is what truly fulfills us.They dive deep into the psychology of love: why most people struggle to feel it, how your conversations shape your relationships, and the simple mindset shifts that can create immediate change. From radical curiosity to vulnerability, this episode is a masterclass in how to build deeper, more meaningful connections.If you’ve ever felt unseen, disconnected, or like something is missing—this conversation will change the way you think about love, happiness, and the people in your life.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with actor and decorated Marine veteran Maurice P. Kerry for a raw and deeply personal conversation about survival, identity, and transformation after war.Maurice opens up about the harsh realities of combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom and the mindset that kept him alive—“complacency kills.” But the battle didn’t end overseas. From being cheated on while serving his country to returning home and facing homelessness, Maurice shares the unseen struggles many veterans endure when transitioning back to civilian life.He speaks candidly about PTSD, not as a weakness, but as something he’s learned to harness, and reflects on how the Marine Corps ultimately saved him from a very different path. Now, as an actor on CBS’ Beyond The Gates, Maurice is using his platform to tell stories that matter and bring respect back to those who serve.This episode also dives into his personal life—being born from an affair, feeling unwanted, and raising his child as a single father for 16 years—all while navigating purpose, discipline, and growth. Maurice’s story is one of resilience, accountability, and redefining what it means to survive—and truly live.