Before You Kill Yourself: a suicide prevention podcast.

Leo Flowers
  • 4.8 (198)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

When the pain feels unbearable and we feel alone in our suffering this podcast will sit with you. Let's rediscover our purpose, reduce our pain and regain our sense of belonging. Join comedian Leo Flowers M.A. as he shares his own journey through suicidality, interviews guests with lived experiences and discusses with experts on how to escape the flames and create a life worth living.

  1. 2d ago

    The Odyssey: What Odysseus can teach us about suicide prevention

    What if feeling trapped isn’t about having a bad life—but about having a life that leaves no room for you? Using Odysseus and The Odyssey, I explore the idea that sometimes we can have love, security, success, and comfort while still feeling profoundly disconnected from ourselves. Why Odysseus rejects Calypso’s version of paradiseHow your greatest strengths can become sources of sufferingThe difference between wanting your life to end and wanting your current life to changeWhy boredom, burnout, and entrapment can be signs of lost agencyHow asking “Where do I get to be myself?” can become a first step toward finding a way forward Thrive With Leo Coaching:  If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey. If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help: In the US:  Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988 The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 Outside the US: International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them. Gambling Addiction: 1-800-GAMBLER

  2. Aug 10

    When Your Job Retriggers Childhood Trauma

    When a boss’s email, meeting request, or tone of feedback feels disproportionately intense, it may not be about the present moment alone. For many people, workplace dynamics can quietly reactivate older emotional patterns tied to childhood experiences of criticism, invisibility, powerlessness, or conditional approval. This episode explores how that happens—and how to recognize when the nervous system is responding to the past, not just the job. In this episode: Why authority figures at work can unconsciously resemble early caregiversHow simple workplace feedback can trigger shame, fear, or collapseThe role of childhood experiences in shaping adult stress responsesWhy “professionalism” can sometimes override emotional self-protectionHow to tell the difference between present-day feedback and old emotional memoryWhat it means to stay grounded when the body reacts before the mind can interpret Thrive With Leo Coaching:  If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey. If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help: In the US:  Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988 The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 Outside the US: International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

  3. Aug 3

    Ceasefire From Intrusive Thoughts

    When intrusive thoughts feel like a war zone, the goal isn’t to defeat every thought—it’s to establish a ceasefire. Just as peace agreements are more likely to hold when neutral third parties monitor them, our mental peace is more sustainable when therapists, friends, journals, or mindfulness practices help us observe thoughts without escalating them. Key Takeaways: Intrusive thoughts can feel like repeated violations of an internal ceasefire.A neutral third party helps monitor, interpret, and de-escalate mental conflict.Therapists, trusted friends, journaling, and meditation can serve as peacekeepers.The goal is not to eliminate thoughts, but to prevent them from triggering emotional retaliation.Healing comes from creating distance between the thought and the response. Thrive With Leo Coaching:  If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey. If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help: In the US:  Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988 The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 Outside the US: International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

  4. Jul 27

    Hope Is Not a Mood, It's a Decision

    Hope is often mistaken for a feeling of optimism, but for many people it looks much quieter: the decision to stay alive and keep going even when nothing feels certain. In this episode, we explore how hope is less about feeling inspired and more about choosing, day after day, to remain open to the possibility that life can change. Sometimes the most meaningful act is not thriving—it’s surviving. Key Takeaways Hope is not a mood; it is a decision.You do not need certainty to keep going.Survival is a meaningful achievement.Choosing “one more day” is an act of courage.Staying alive preserves the possibility of connection, healing, and purpose.Quiet hope often sounds like: “I’m not done yet.” Thrive With Leo Coaching:  If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey. If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help: In the US:  Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988 The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 Outside the US: International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

  5. Jul 20

    Crying in the Car: Why Men Tear Up After “Good” Conversations

    Why do some men spend an afternoon talking about sports, parenting, and work, only to drive home listening to The National or James Blake and cry a little? In this episode, we explore the hidden loneliness of “good” conversations and why being around people isn’t always the same as feeling seen. In this episode, we discuss: Why men can feel lonely even after spending time with friendsThe difference between proximity and true emotional intimacyWhy tears often show up in the privacy of the carHow masculine social norms keep conversations safe but shallowThe grief of almost feeling connectedSmall ways to make friendships 10% more honest and meaningfulWhy authentic connection is one of the strongest protective factors against suicide  Thrive With Leo Coaching:  If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey. If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help: In the US:  Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988 The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 Outside the US: International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

  6. Jul 13

    How to Be Unhappy in a Whole New Way

    What happens after you finish the thing that gave your life structure and meaning? Whether it's writing a book, raising kids, winning a championship, or completing a major goal, the end of one chapter often leaves us feeling empty. In this episode, I explore why that emptiness isn't a sign that something is wrong, but a signal that you're ready to be challenged by life in a new way. In this episode, I discuss: Why achievement often leads to a surprising sense of emptinessThe difference between rest, recovery, and restlessnessThe psychology of the “arrival fallacy”Why the brain thrives on pursuit more than possessionHow purpose gives shape to our discomfortWhy misery is trying to recreate the pastHow to become “unhappy in a whole new way” Thrive With Leo Coaching:  If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey. If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help: In the US:  Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988 The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 Outside the US: International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

  7. Jul 6

    Do you want to be happier or less miserable?

    In this episode, I explore a simple but powerful idea: most of us aren’t actually chasing happiness — we’re trying to feel less miserable. When happiness becomes the goal, we overthink, compare, and pressure ourselves to feel a certain way. But when we shift the focus to reducing unnecessary suffering, life becomes more manageable, grounded, and sustainable. Instead of asking “How do I feel amazing?” we ask, “What’s making life heavier than it needs to be?” Key takeaways: Why pursuing happiness can increase rumination and pressureHow high emotional expectations make normal days feel like failuresThe difference between happiness (a spike) and contentment (a baseline)How reducing cognitive load lowers day-to-day miseryTurning rumination into small, actionable movementFocusing on 1–3 priorities instead of overwhelming to-do listsChoosing meaningful connection over constant self-optimizationLowering the goal from “feel great” to “feel manageable”This episode isn’t about forced positivity. It’s about relief, proportion, and creating a life that feels lighter — not perfect. Thrive With Leo Coaching:  If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey. If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help: In the US:  Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988 The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 Outside the US: International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

  8. Jun 29

    4 A.M. and the Miracle of Love

    In this episode, I reflect on James Baldwin’s powerful insight that “a human being can only be saved by another human being,” and why 4 a.m. can be one of the most dangerous times to be alone with our thoughts. I explore how love, connection, and even the quiet presence of others can help us recognize that our lives are deeply intertwined—and that simply staying alive may be the greatest gift we give to the people around us. Why emotional pain often feels most overwhelming in the middle of the nightWhat Baldwin meant by “the miracle of love”Why drugs, alcohol, work, and distraction can soothe us but cannot truly save usHow Martin Short’s grandchildren gave him a reason to keep goingThe ripple effect of our lives on partners, family, friends, and strangersHow we influence one another through our habits, consistency, and simple presencePractical questions to ask yourself when you’re struggling at 4 a.m. Thrive With Leo Coaching:  If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey. If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help: In the US:  Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988 The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 Outside the US: International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

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4.8
out of 5
198 Ratings

About

When the pain feels unbearable and we feel alone in our suffering this podcast will sit with you. Let's rediscover our purpose, reduce our pain and regain our sense of belonging. Join comedian Leo Flowers M.A. as he shares his own journey through suicidality, interviews guests with lived experiences and discusses with experts on how to escape the flames and create a life worth living.

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