Sharukh Pithawalla on the Dark Side of Viral Fame

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.

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.

On this episode of We're Out Of Time, Richard Taite sits down with psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Guy Winch to explore why emotional pain is one of the most overlooked — and dangerous — forces in human life.Dr. Winch breaks down the science of emotional first aid, explaining why we treat physical injuries with urgency but leave emotional wounds to fester until they quietly destroy our confidence, our relationships, and our health. He reveals why burnout is now killing hundreds of thousands of people a year, why loneliness is far more psychologically damaging than most people realize, and why the brain responds to heartbreak in ways that are strikingly similar to heroin withdrawal.Richard gets personal in this one — sharing his own experience with rejection and love addiction — and Dr. Winch walks him through exactly what's happening psychologically and what to do about it. The two also dig into why so many people unknowingly turn to addictive behaviors to cope with emotional pain they've never properly addressed, and why failure — if left unexamined — can quietly redirect the entire course of someone's life.This episode is packed with practical, immediately usable tools anyone can apply today — from a daily gratitude practice that actually works to understanding the difference between waiting out heartbreak and actively healing from it. Dr. Winch doesn't just explain what's wrong. He tells you what to do about it.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, Richard Taite sits down with legendary comedian, actor, and activist Margaret Cho for a raw and unfiltered conversation about addiction, relapse, and survival.Margaret opens up about her decades-long journey with substance abuse, including relapsing after seven years of sobriety and the dangerous mindset that can come with addiction. She speaks candidly about the realities of drug use, the dark humor that often surrounds it, and why so many comedians struggle with substance abuse behind the scenes.The two also explore the connection between comedy and neurodivergence, the loneliness of life on the road, and how the industry can unintentionally fuel addictive behaviors. Margaret shares her perspective on modern culture, navigating outrage in comedy, and how she continues to push boundaries while staying authentic to herself.They also dive into emerging conversations around GLP-1 medications and their potential role in impulse control, as well as Margaret’s personal experience using them to manage binge eating disorder.In the end, Margaret reflects on what she’s most proud of today—and it’s not the fame or success. It’s the fact that she’s still here. Margaret Cho’s story is a powerful reminder that survival itself can be the greatest accomplishment.