Checkered Jaguar

Brescia Dover
  • 5.0 (23)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Monthly

The Checkered Jaguar is a podcast that normalizes difficult + vulnerable conversations. Host Brescia Dover engages in important discussions surrounding mental health, culture, life, and other meaningful topics. You can expect Brescia to be joined by occasional guests who will aid in bringing more important and real conversations to the table. Brescia is a Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer survivor, mental health advocate, and owner of The Checkered Jaguar boutique marketing agency.

  1. 2d ago

    My Mental Health Survival Kit: Anxiety, Coping Tools & What Actually Helps

    Mental health looks different for everyone, but over the years I’ve built my own little “mental health survival kit” of tools that help me when I’m anxious, overwhelmed, overthinking, or simply having a hard day. In this episode of The Checkered Jaguar, I’m sharing the things I actually use in my everyday life, from morning rituals, movement and breathwork to gratitude, letting myself cry, changing my environment, asking for help, and learning how to stop being afraid of anxiety itself. These aren’t magic fixes, and I definitely don’t have everything figured out. They’re simply tools I’ve collected through my own experiences with mental health, physical health challenges, and some really difficult seasons of life. My hope is that you leave this episode with even one new tool to add to your own mental health survival kit, and a reminder that having hard days doesn’t mean you’re going backwards. Connect with me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brescia.dover/?hl=en

  2. Sep 13

    Depersonalization and Anxiety: Finding Yourself Again with Niall Sankey

    What does depersonalization actually feel like, and why can anxiety make it so frightening? Niall Sankey joins Brescia Dover on The Checkered Jaguar to share how a THC experience triggered depersonalization, leaving him feeling disconnected from his body and surroundings. They discuss the anxiety cycle, talk therapy, grounding techniques, relationships, productivity, vulnerability, and learning to move forward without allowing a mental health struggle to become your entire identity. If you’ve ever wondered, “Will I ever feel like myself again?” this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone. #mentalhealth

  3. Aug 13

    What It's Really Like Living with OCPD (Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder)

    In this episode of The Checkered Jaguar, I'm opening up about something I've only recently come to fully accept: my diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD). For years, I believed my perfectionism, need for control, and constant overthinking were simply part of who I was. It wasn't until navigating my autoimmune disease and facing some of life's biggest challenges that I realized there was something deeper going on. In this conversation, I'm sharing what OCPD actually is, how it's different from OCD, the ways it has shaped my relationships, work, and daily life, and why I've made the personal decision to begin medication alongside caring for my physical health. As someone also living with an autoimmune disease, I've come to understand that healing isn't just about treating one part of ourselves. It's about caring for both our mental and physical health with honesty, compassion, and the willingness to accept help. If you've ever felt like your mind never slows down, struggled with perfectionism, found it difficult to rest, or felt an overwhelming need to stay in control, I hope this episode helps you feel seen and reminds you that you're not alone. Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brescia.dover/ Connect with me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@checkeredjaguar Connect with me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BresciaDover

  4. Jul 13

    If You Have Ankylosing Spondylitis, This Episode Is for You

    In this episode, I’m sharing my personal story with ankylosing spondylitis. AS is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune condition that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. I open up about what my symptoms have looked like, the journey to getting answers, what it feels like to live with chronic pain and inflammation, and the emotional side of being diagnosed with an invisible illness. I also talk about autoimmune disease, lifestyle changes, flares, fear, hope, and what I’m learning as I navigate both natural healing tools and modern medicine. My hope with this episode is to help anyone living with ankylosing spondylitis, autoimmune disease, chronic illness, or unexplained pain feel less alone. This is not medical advice, just my story, my experience, and a reminder that even when your body feels like it’s fighting you, you are still so much stronger than you know. Connect with me on Instagram: @brescia.dover

  5. Jun 13

    Healing in a World That Keeps You Sick | Featuring Jensen Dover

    In this episode of The Checkered Jaguar, Brescia sits down with her brother, Jensen Dover, for an honest conversation about health, healing, inflammation, and the lifestyle changes that can truly transform the way we feel. After recently being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation and pain, Brescia opens up about the emotional and physical challenges that came with the diagnosis, and the changes she’s been making to support her body naturally alongside medical care. Together, they dive into the modern wellness world through a grounded and realistic lens, discussing nutrition, nervous system regulation, stress, gut health, inflammation, biohacking, and the daily habits that may either help or hurt our overall well-being. Brescia’s brother shares evidence-backed wellness insights, personal experiences from his own healing journey, and practical ways people can begin supporting their health without becoming overwhelmed. From anti-inflammatory living and chronic stress to cold plunges, infrared saunas, movement, and the importance of slowing down, this episode is a reminder that healing is deeply personal, and often starts with the small choices we make every day. Whether you’re navigating chronic illness, burnout, inflammation, or simply trying to feel better in your body, this conversation is filled with honest perspective, actionable wellness wisdom, and hope. Use this link for discounted Nuvio products: https://nuviorecovery.com/jensendover50 or code JENSEN50 Reach out to Jensen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jensen_dover_ #ankylosingspondylitis #chronicillness #wellness

  6. May 13

    Trichotillomania, Anxiety & Control | Erin Hatch’s Story

    In this episode of The Checkered Jaguar, Erin Hatch shares her experience living with trichotillomania, anxiety, and control-related coping behaviors, and how these patterns began in childhood and have continued into adulthood. Erin opens up about growing up in an environment marked by instability and unpredictability, and how those early experiences shaped the way she processes stress, anxiety, and the need for control. She shares how trichotillomania, often misunderstood as “just a habit,” is actually a deeply rooted coping behavior tied to the nervous system and emotional regulation. We talk about the reality of living with something that many people silently struggle with, the shame and misunderstanding that can come with it, and what it looks like to build awareness, self-compassion, and healthier ways of coping. This is an honest and vulnerable conversation for anyone who has struggled with anxiety, control, or behaviors they don’t fully understand.

  7. Apr 13

    OCD, Panic Attacks & Anxiety | Jacob Hatch’s Story

    In this episode of The Checkered Jaguar, Jacob Hatch shares his personal experience living with OCD, panic attacks, and anxiety, and what it was like to go years without fully realizing what he was experiencing was actually Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Jacob opens up about how his symptoms first began, how OCD showed up in different ways throughout his life, and the emotional toll of living in a constant state of fear, uncertainty, and overwhelm. We also talk about how trauma can shape the way anxiety and control show up in adulthood, and what it looks like to finally gain language for something that once felt impossible to explain. This is an honest, vulnerable, and eye-opening conversation for anyone who has ever struggled with anxiety, panic attacks, or mental health challenges that felt bigger than they could fully understand. #ocd #mentalhealth #anxiety

  8. Mar 13

    Loving a Child Through Mental Illness | A Parent’s Perspective with Susie Dover

    In this deeply honest episode of The Checkered Jaguar, Brescia Dover sits down with her mom, Susie Dover, to explore mental health through a perspective that is rarely talked about—the parent’s. As both Brescia and one of her brothers navigated serious mental health challenges growing up, Susie had to learn how to support her children while also protecting her own well-being. Together, they share the emotional realities of parenting through mental illness, the lessons their family learned along the way, and how these experiences ultimately turned them into mental health advocates. This conversation offers hope, understanding, and practical insights for parents who may feel lost, overwhelmed, or unsure how to support a struggling child. Topics include:• Recognizing mental health struggles in children• How parents can offer support without losing themselves• The emotional toll on families navigating mental illness• Communication, compassion, and resilience• Finding hope even in the hardest seasons If you are a parent walking alongside a child who is struggling, this episode will remind you that you are not alone. Reach out to Susie on Instagram: @suzy_dover Reach out to Susie via email: Susan.dover@cox.net

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5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

The Checkered Jaguar is a podcast that normalizes difficult + vulnerable conversations. Host Brescia Dover engages in important discussions surrounding mental health, culture, life, and other meaningful topics. You can expect Brescia to be joined by occasional guests who will aid in bringing more important and real conversations to the table. Brescia is a Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer survivor, mental health advocate, and owner of The Checkered Jaguar boutique marketing agency.

Information

  • Creator
    Brescia Dover
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Brescia Dover
  • Show Website
    Checkered Jaguar

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