Childhood Trauma Caused a 'Software Glitch' in my Brain | Functional Neurological Disorder

Lachi thinks the way we talk about disability is boring, so she’s here to make it glam, loud, and impossible to ignore. This week, the boys are joined by recording artist, Grammy Trustee, and CEO of RAMPD, Lachi. She breaks down why she went from throwing her white cane into traffic as a kid to turning it into a high-fashion statement today. We dive deep into the concept of "Maladaptive Daydreaming" (and Jer’s sudden realization that he definitely has it), the crucial difference between the "Charity Model" and the "Social Model" of disability, and why Lachi’s new book title, I Identify as Blind, is pissing off the internet in the best way possible.Check out RAMPD: rampd.orgFind Lachi: lachimusic.com | @lachimusicFollow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

Dr. Sami Timimi is a psychiatrist with a bone to pick with his own profession: he thinks we’ve fallen down a diagnostic rabbit hole, and he’s here to help us climb back out. This week, the boys sit down with the child psychiatrist who is effectively flipping the table on his own profession. We live in an era where everyone and their dog seems to have a diagnosis. But what if those labels (ADHD, Depression, Autism) aren't actually explaining why we struggle, but are just describing how we struggle? Dr. Timimi argues that modern psychiatry has fallen down a rabbit hole of "upside-down science," turning ordinary human distress into medical disorders without the biological proof to back it up. We get into the weeds on the "myth" of the chemical imbalance, why psychiatric diagnoses are nothing like diagnosing diabetes, and the potential harm of identifying too closely with a label. Dr. Timimi's Work: Visit samitimimi.co.ukFollow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

Welp... Jer bought a gun. And let's just say his progressive friend group had some thoughts. This week, the boys are joined by Noah Schwartz, author of Targeted, to figure out why the topic of firearms immediately feels like a diagnosis. We dive into Jer's journey to getting his PAL (for the love of ethical moose meat, not a zombie apocalypse... probably), the massive cultural gap between Canadian and American gun owners, and the history of framing guns as a "public health crisis."Is owning a firearm a symptom of sickness? Or is the way we talk about it the real problem?About the Guest: Noah S. Schwartz is an assistant professor of political science at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, BC. His research looks at the politics of the gun debate in Canada and the United States.Resources:Read the Book: Targeted: Citizenship, Advocacy, and Gun Control in Canada is available now.Find Noah: Visit noahschwartz.caFollow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok, and Discord!

Imagine your brain’s hardware is perfect, but the software is glitching so badly your body stops working.We sit down with Erum, a biochemist who navigates the world with a rare and often misunderstood condition: Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). We Raw Dog into the fascinating science behind the diagnosis. Basically her brain has a "software glitch" but the hardware is pristine. So how, and why is it causing the left side of her body to physically fail during flare-ups? Erum shares her harrowing and resilient story, from a terrifying ER visit where doctors suspected a brain tumor or MS, to the "magic trick" test that finally led to her FND diagnosis. We discuss the profound connection between her condition and a history of severe childhood trauma, including growing up as a child of deaf adults (CODA) and surviving abuse. Plus, we talk about the healing power of boxing and how FND finally forced her to stop people-pleasing.You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube!Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord.

This week, we're joined by legendary filmmaker and noted curmudgeon Alan Zweig. He’s spent his career being unflinchingly honest about every insecurity in the book; loneliness, obsession, failure, but he’s always avoided the one thing he admits he thinks about most: his weight. Now, he's finally forcing himself to talk about it with his new podcast, "Tubby," which he perfectly describes as "a self-help podcast for those of us that can’t help ourselves." We get into the weeds of that "inner tubby" feeling, why the mirror is the "devil," whether this is all just a "character flaw," and if being uncomfortable in your own skin is the secret source of all our other hang-ups. This is a hilarious, sad, and deeply human chat about what it's like to feel fat, even when you're not.Be sure to listen to "Tubby" wherever you get your podcasts! Follow Sickboy: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sickboypodcastTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sickboypodcastDiscord: https://discord.gg/expeUDN

"My husband had a kidney transplant... I just got breast cancer. Ain't that a kick in the head?" This week, we're joined by Kacy and Thomas, a couple who knows what "in sickness and in health" really means. First, Thomas went through kidney failure, dialysis , and a life-saving transplant from his childhood best friend. Just as life found its new normal, the roles were completely flipped when Kacy was diagnosed with an aggressive, non-hormonal breast cancer. They share their incredible journey of being both patient and caregiver, the "oil spill" feeling of chemo , the power of being "too angry to die" , and the profound lessons they've learned about fighting with each other when you're healthy, not just when you're sick.Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

What's it like getting pepper-sprayed when you have a chronic lung disease? A homicide detective knows what’s up. This week, we sit down with a guest who defies expectations: Jeremy, a homicide detective living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). We dive into the unique challenges and surprising advantages of managing a demanding, high-stress career alongside a chronic illness. He opens up about the progression of his CF, the profound impact of the life-changing drug Trikafta, and his perspective on life expectancy before and after the medication. You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube.Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

"Society says it's better dead than disabled." This week, we sit down with Ryan Yellowlees , a counselor and activist who is living—and thriving—with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, decades past his initial prognosis. Ryan gets real about the progression of his condition , the systemic ableism he fights against , and why he's fiercely campaigning against the expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), calling it modern-day eugenics. He shares his unique perspective on finding strength and purpose in disability and why, given the choice, he'd live this life all over again.Find Ryan: https://www.lifeempoweredcounselling.caFollow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

What if your hand suddenly tried to choke you, or a microscopic parasite in your brain was making you horny for cat piss? From our live show at PodSummit in Calgary, the boys take a wild tour through the glitches in the human brain. We explore Alien Hand Syndrome, the brain-hijacking parasite Toxoplasma Gondii, and the profound ethical dilemma of Body Integrity Identity Disorder. Then, we're joined by our incredible new teammate, Paralympian Brock Richardson! Brock shares the powerful story of confronting his high school bullies head-on, the harrowing experience of being dropped by a support worker who wouldn't listen, and the hilarious story of his first date with his wife... who is not his sister. We think. Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord.

After her father's sudden death, she carried a "calcified" grief for 15 years that traditional therapy couldn't touch—until one psychedelic cannabis journey changed everything. This week, we're joined by psychotherapist Angela, founder of Altered Healing, for a fascinating deep dive into the world of psychedelic therapy. Angela challenges the "Cheetos and cartoons" stereotype, making the case for cannabis as a powerful medicine for healing trauma when used with intention. We discuss her incredible personal story, the crucial difference between recreational and therapeutic use, and how cannabis compares to other medicines like ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA.Find Angela's work and the organizations mentioned:Altered Healing: https://alteredhealing.com/Holos Integrative Health (Ketamine Therapy): https://holosintegrativehealth.com/Bluestem Psilocybin Pilot Program for Vets: Bluestem.co/vetsYou can watch this entire episode over on YouTube!Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord.