Surviving Cancer & Addiction After Suicide Attempt at 22 Years Old

In episode 23 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Monica, who bravely shares her journey of surviving 24 years of active addiction. Monica opens up about the trauma that sparked it all—being forced to have an abortion—and how that pain led her down a dark path of substance use and self-destruction. She recounts multiple suicide attempts that she believes she miraculously survived through divine intervention. From her experiences as a drug dealer on the streets of Baltimore to the emotional and spiritual battles she faced daily, Monica holds nothing back. Now sober, she reflects on how she coped during her addiction versus the tools she uses today in recovery, offering hope, honesty, and inspiration to anyone who has ever felt lost. This is a raw conversation about pain, survival, redemption, and the power of transformation.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.FTS Medication Assistance Program | Apply today : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/rx-assistanceDonate to support! : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donatePod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, los angeles, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies

In episode 22 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Will, who shares his powerful story of addiction, recovery, and what it means to keep pushing forward through some of life’s darkest moments. His battle with substance use began in his early teens, leading to two felonies by the age of 16 and a suicide attempt that nearly cost him his life. At 19, he got sober and has stayed committed to his recovery ever since. But just as he hit two years sober, he was faced with another challenge—a cancer diagnosis. Will opens up about what it’s like to carry all of this at such a young age and how he continues to show up, stay sober, and speak out. This episode also highlights the importance of men’s mental health, breaking the silence around the emotional weight so many young men are carrying alone.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.FTS Medication Assistance Program | Apply today : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/rx-assistanceDonate to support! : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donatePod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigma#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness

In episode 21 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Dr. Rae, a forensic psychologist who works inside a secure psychiatric facility dedicated to treating individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity. These are people who have committed unimaginable crimes—often including murder—while in the grip of severe, untreated mental illness. Together, we explore the complex question: What drives someone to commit such acts? Dr. Rae shares her firsthand insight into the minds of her patients, the traumatic histories that often shape them, and the intensive, long-term process of rehabilitation. This conversation challenges common misconceptions about mental illness, justice, and redemption—and forces us to reckon with the uncomfortable truth about how society treats its most vulnerable and dangerous individuals.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.FTS Medication Assistance Program | Apply today : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/rx-assistanceDonate to support! : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donatePod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, los angeles, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, murder, criminal, criminally insane, forensic, psychology, doctor#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness

In episode 20 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Ian Bick—entrepreneur, speaker, and host of the viral podcast Locked In with Ian Bick—to unpack his extraordinary journey from teenage nightclub owner to federal prison inmate, and ultimately, to one of the most impactful voices in the reentry and criminal justice reform space. At just 30 years old, Ian opens up about the ambition that fueled his early success, the gambling addiction and financial pressure that led to his downfall, and the federal charges that changed the course of his life. He shares how prison became a turning point, inspiring him to use his story to break stigmas and uplift others affected by incarceration. Now with millions of views across platforms, a growing media company, and a leadership role in national reentry efforts, Ian’s resilience is both raw and inspiring. This is a conversation about accountability, transformation, and how our darkest chapters can spark the brightest change.Ian Bick Links | Website | https://www.ianbick.com/Youtube |  @ianbickCT  Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.FTS Medication Assistance Program | Apply today : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/rx-assistanceDonate to support! : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donatePod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigma

In episode 19 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with actress and director Mädchen Amick—best known for her iconic roles in Twin Peaks and Riverdale—and her daughter Mina Tobias, a musician and mental health advocate. What began as a tragic turning point for their family—when Mädchen’s son, Sylvester, witnessed a death on campus—unfolded into years of mental health struggles, addiction, and a heartbreaking journey through a broken system. Mädchen and Mina open up about the pain their family endured while trying to find proper care and diagnosis, how stigma and misinformation worsened the situation, and what ultimately inspired them to take action. Their firsthand experience led to the creation of the nonprofit Don’t Mind Me, which aims to break down barriers to mental health care, correct widespread misinformation, and advocate for a more compassionate, accessible system. This episode is a raw, honest conversation about love, resilience, and using personal pain to ignite real change.Don't Mind Me Links |Website | https://www.dontmindme.org/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dontmindme/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/dontMINDme/Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.FTS Medication Assistance Program | Apply today : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/rx-assistanceDonate to support! : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donatePod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigma

In episode 18 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez reconnects with Patrick years after their first interview, this time for Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Patrick opens up about a major shift in his sobriety journey—recently starting medication for his mental health after years of hesitation. He shares how his addiction began with a prescription following a serious surgery, eventually leading him down a dark path that included robbing the same bank twice and serving years in prison. During his time behind bars, after getting caught up in prison politics, he ultimately found sobriety and started to rebuild. This raw conversation sheds light on the complicated layers of addiction, recovery, and the importance of mental health support for men.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.FTS Medication Assistance Program | Apply today : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/rx-assistanceDonate to support! : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donatePod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigma

In episode 17 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with guest Santana Ryan, who shares her raw and unfiltered experience growing up in Baltimore while battling mental health struggles, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. Santana opens up about the pain of growing up with an absent father due to his struggle with addiction, and how that shaped her sense of self and relationships. She bravely recounts a manic episode that led to faking a pregnancy, as well as her experience with love addiction and the chaos that often comes with untreated mental health issues. Now in a place of growth and healing, Santana is prioritizing her mental well-being and speaking openly about her journey in hopes of helping others feel less alone. This conversation sheds light on the realities so many face in silence and serves as a reminder that recovery is possible, and that talking about it is the first step in breaking the stigma.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Santana's Socials |Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thesantanaryan/Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@UCDNunZUjMq39BenizGKCPrQ FTS Medication Assistance Program | Apply today : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/rx-assistanceDonate to support! : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donatePod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, los angeles, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, robbery, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, baltimore, jail, psych ward, prescription#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness

In episode 16 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with guest Walt, who shares his raw and unfiltered experience growing up in Baltimore surrounded by addiction. From a young age, Walt witnessed the devastating impact of drugs in his community, which ultimately led him down a path of selling drugs and frequent encounters with law enforcement. With honesty and reflection, Walt opens up about the lack of fear he had when it came to jail and prison, the regrets that came with his choices, and what it was really like serving 10 years behind bars. Now removed from that lifestyle, Walt speaks on the realities of the drug crisis in Baltimore and the turning point that led him to change his life. This episode sheds light on a story far too common, yet rarely told this openly.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.FTS Medication Assistance Program | Apply today : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/rx-assistanceDonate to support! : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donatePod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, los angeles, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, robbery, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, baltimore, prison, jail, insititutions, prescription#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness

In this episode of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with guest Laura Cathcart Robbins, who is also the author of the book Stash, to talk about her personal journey through addiction and recovery. Laura opens up about how a prescription for Ambien to treat postpartum insomnia quietly spiraled into a full-blown dependency—one she kept hidden behind the appearance of a picture-perfect, high-end Los Angeles lifestyle. From navigating divorce and separation to the lasting impact of an abusive stepfather, she shares the emotional toll, the stigma, and the deep isolation that came with addiction. Laura speaks honestly about the resistance, hesitation, and discrimination she faced while seeking help—and how, despite it all, she found the strength to go to rehab and transform her life. This episode is a raw, inspiring look at the power of truth, healing, and breaking the stigma.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.FTS Medication Assistance Program | Apply today : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/rx-assistanceDonate to support! : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donatePod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, los angeles, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, robbery, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, author

In this episode of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with guest Dr. Kenny Clark, a physician who opens up about his personal journey through addiction, recovery, relapse, and healing. Kenny shares how he battled over a decade of substance use while navigating the intense demands of medical school, and how the loss of his father led him to cope through substances. After achieving more than 10 years of sobriety, a prescription for Xanax—meant to help with his sleep—triggered a relapse, sending him back into the chaos of addiction. In this raw conversation, Kenny reveals parts of his story he's never shared before, reflecting on the pain, lessons, and hope he's found in his continued path to recovery. His story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and serves as a beacon of inspiration for anyone facing the challenges of mental health or addiction.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.FTS Medication Assistance Program | Apply today : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/rx-assistanceDonate to support! : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donatePod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, los angeles, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, robbery, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, doctor, physician #fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness