No Street Lights Podcast - Real Stories on Mental Health, Resilience, and Growth

Aaron Ash and Tim Brunicardi
  • 5.0 (18)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
No Street Lights Podcast - Real Stories on Mental Health, Resilience, and Growth

Hosted by veterans Tim Brunicardi & Aaron Ash, No Street Lights Podcast is for those battling anxiety, overthinking, and depression who need real conversations, not clichés. Each week, we explore mental health, personal growth, and resilience, blending raw experiences, expert insights, and real strategies to help you take control of your life. No fluff. No shortcuts. Just honest talk about what truly matters. New episodes drop weekly. Be Your Own Light. 🎙 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

  1. JUL 3

    After the Storm: Caralyn Dreyer on Real Healing, Trauma & Moving Forward | #103

    Can you heal after everything breaks? In this powerful follow-up, trauma survivor and mental health advocate Caralyn Dreyer returns to the No Street Lights Podcast to go even deeper. From adoption trauma and abuse to depression and suicide, Caralyn opens up about the real work of reclaiming her life. She doesn’t just talk healing. She lives it. Caralyn breaks down: The emotional toll of adoption and identity confusion Facing abuse and surviving assault Breaking the cycle of abusive relationships The tools she used to survive Journaling, mindfulness, and finding “glimmers” of hope Why she started her blog Darkness to Dialogue How vulnerability saved her life,and can save yours too Whether you’re surviving, healing, or somewhere in between, this conversation proves you’re not alone, and you never were. ➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast ➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR ➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast-real-stories-on-mental-health/id1696321025 🌐 Website: https://nostreetlights.org Check Out Caralyn on her sites!: ➡️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caralyn_dreyer/ ➡️Caralyn’s Blog: https://caralyndreyer.blogspot.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadsAeDuIhaViRXBzBNNkcxqApkGj5Q-KkXGoJq3-EfHJYJz_oIBXIHo7_vo6Q_aem_vr30_3VHLqWSjsFgUJdeFg ➡️Caralyn’s Website: https://msha.ke/thecaralyndreyer?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacG1soOwo7I4CFrF-YnE95vY9M-xwbiKK7S_eEhJ0w0NXg8lpw47lwqEEsjug_aem_zJkcXrSxvH5A75whuoi4fg  ✨ Join the NSLP Community: ➡️ Patreon (Free & Paid Tiers): https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLights ➡️ Discord: https://discord.gg/PdYNqXgn ➡️ Need help now? Try therapy and get 10% off: https://betterhelp.com/nslp ‼️ Want to support No Street Lights Inc. and amplify voices like Caralyn’s? 🔗 Donate here: https://fundly.com/light-the-way-support-mental-health-community-growth 📩 Share your story or collaborate with us: nostreetlightspodcast@gmail.com 🎵 Music by Hyland Markle – Follow on IG: @hylandmarkle #MentalHealthPodcast #AdoptionTrauma #SurvivorStories #NoStreetLightsPodcast #HealingJourney #CaralynDreyer #PTSDRecovery #PostpartumDepression #MentalHealthMatters #TherapyWorks #TraumaHealing #DarknessToDialogue #NSLP103 #PodcastClips #RealStories 🎧 Watch or Listen Now:

    1h 20m

  2. JUN 27

    Love Your Marriage, Heal Together: Nicole Ash’s Story #102

    “I used to think healing couldn’t happen inside a relationship. Then I found someone who was healing, too.” — Nicole Ash Nicole Ash spent years angry at the world, and at herself. As a child, she was often misunderstood. As a teen, jaded. And as a young woman, she learned how to use others before they could use her. But in this raw and revealing conversation, Nicole peels back the layers of a deeply personal journey, one where healing didn’t start in solitude, but in connection. In this episode, Nicole shares how meeting Aaron, someone equally familiar with trauma, rewired her beliefs about love, growth, and what it means to heal together. She talks about confronting the emotional ghosts that shaped her early years, redefining what love looks like, and recognizing the spectrum of healing instead of chasing a perfect “before and after.” Nicole also unpacks her version of the “four horsemen” of relationship destruction, and how gaslighting nearly derailed her ability to trust. But in finding Aaron, she didn’t just find a partner—she found a mirror. One that reflected both the work she still had to do and the woman she was becoming. This episode is about more than surviving your past. It’s about learning that healing isn’t about waiting until you’re “ready.” It’s about starting, even when you’re still in pieces. 🧠 Things You’ll Find in This Episode: How anger shaped Nicole’s early identity Breaking the cycle of “use or be used” Healing in a relationship vs. healing alone The emotional evolution of trust, vulnerability, and cohabitation Gaslighting and the hidden dynamics that kill relationships The spectrum of healing and why “progress” looks different for everyone ✨ Guest Links: 🐾 Follow Nicole Ash on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ash1022nickel/ 💬 Learn more about Aaron Ash’s journey (Nicole’s partner): NSLP Archive 👻 Are you into spooky stories? Well! Check out Nicole and Brittany's podcast: https://www.instagram.com/terror.shewrote/ ⻤ Terror, She Wrote; Now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! https://open.spotify.com/show/3NzICW8Bf8CPC7Y8ptMov1 🎧 Watch or Listen Now ➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast ➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR ➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast-real-stories-on-mental-health/id1696321025 🌐 Website: https://nostreetlights.org ⛓️ Connect with Us: ➡️ Patreon (Free & Paid Tiers): https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLights ➡️ Discord: https://discord.gg/PdYNqXgn ➡️ Need help now? Get 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/nslp ➡️ Donate to Support Mental Health Advocacy: https://fundly.com/light-the-way-support-mental-health-community-growth 📩 Contact us: nostreetlightspodcast@gmail.com 🎵 Music by Hyland Markle – @hylandmarkle #MentalHealthHealing #RelationshipGrowth #NoStreetLightsPodcast #NicoleAsh #HealingTogether #TraumaRecovery #EmotionalGrowth #GaslightingAwareness #PodcastForHealing #LoveAfterTrauma #NSLP #WomenHealing #HealingIsNotLinear #AngerToAwareness #HealingSpectrum #SelfWorthJourney

    54 min

  3. JUN 20

    Atticus Thatcher Live React: Breaking Down His Most Personal Songs #101

    “You are not defined by your darkest moment, you're defined by how you rise from it.” Atticus Thatcher is back on No Street Lights Podcast for a powerful follow up conversation that dives even deeper into his journey of healing, music, and mental health. In this raw and vulnerable episode, Atticus opens up about his ongoing sobriety, the struggles behind his latest music, and how creativity remains one of his most powerful tools for processing anxiety, depression, and emotional growth. If you connected with his first appearance, this episode will take you further into the heart of what makes Atticus’s story so relatable. From candid discussions about mental health stigmas to the redemptive nature of honest songwriting, Aaron, Tim, and Atticus explore the real work of healing, and how small steps can create big change.You are not defined by your darkest moment, you’re defined by how you rise from it.” Atticus Thatcher returns to No Street Lights Podcast for a powerful LIVE REACT episode where we break down the raw stories behind his most personal songs: “Mint,” “Motivated,” and “ijustgotmylicenseback.” In this vulnerable conversation, Atticus opens up about: ✅ His journey through sobriety and addiction recovery ✅ How music became his therapy for anxiety and depression ✅ The meaning behind his tracks “Motivated” and “ijustgotmylicenseback” ✅ Toxic habits, accountability, and breaking generational trauma ✅ Why honest songwriting is one of the most powerful tools for healing Whether you're an artist, a mental health advocate, or someone seeking real stories of recovery and growth, this conversation will leave you inspired and grounded. 🔗 Watch or Listen Now: ➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast  ➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR  ➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast-real-stories-on-mental-health/id1696321025  🌐 Website: https://nostreetlights.org ✨ Join the NSLP Community: ➡️ Patreon (Early Access + Bonus Content): https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLights  ➡️ Discord: https://discord.gg/PdYNqXgn  ➡️ Need help now? 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/nslp ‼️ Help us keep telling these stories.  🔗 Donate: https://fundly.com/light-the-way-support-mental-health-community-growth 📩 Contact: nostreetlightspodcast@gmail.com 🎵 Music by Hyland Markle IG: @hylandmarkle #MentalHealth #AtticusThatcher #Sobriety #AnxietyRecovery #DepressionAwareness #MusicTherapy #MentalHealthPodcast #HealingJourney #NoStreetLightsPodcast #Vulnerability #CreativityAndHealing #BreakingTheStigma #NSLCore #NSLPodcast #BeYourOwnLight

    1h 1m
  4. Generational Trauma Explained (And Why Social Media Gets It Wrong) | C.O.R.E. #4

    JUN 16

    Generational Trauma Explained (And Why Social Media Gets It Wrong) | C.O.R.E. #4

    Is your anxiety really yours, or inherited? In this episode of No Street Lights Core, Aaron and Tim dig deep into what generational trauma actually is… and what it definitely is not. You’ve seen the Instagram quotes. The TikToks. The therapy-speak used like zodiac signs. But real intergenerational trauma has roots in history, psychology, and even epigenetics. In this episode, we explore: What science actually says about trauma passed through generations Why terms like “generational trauma” are being misused on social media The red flags that indicate inherited trauma vs. personal patterns Tools for identifying and healing trauma that isn’t entirely yours How to replace toxic cycles with healthy boundaries, rituals, and community 🔎 Featuring real psychological research from the children of Holocaust survivors to modern trauma theory, plus practical advice for breaking the cycle. This is mental health education, not pop psych bait. Let’s separate the truth from the trends, and help you reclaim your story. 🧠 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: What intergenerational trauma really means (scientifically) Why some emotions feel bigger than the situation How your great-grandparents’ trauma could still influence your nervous system The difference between discomfort and actual trauma 5 steps toward healing: awareness, boundaries, support, new traditions, and self-compassion 🎧 Watch or Listen Now: ➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast ➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR ➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast-real-stories-on-mental-health/id1696321025 🌐 Website: https://nostreetlights.org ✨ Join the NSLP Community: ➡️ Patreon (Free & Paid Tiers): https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLights ➡️ Discord: https://discord.gg/PdYNqXgn ➡️ Need help now? Get 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/nslp ‼️ Support our mission to educate, advocate, and heal through storytelling: 🔗 Donate or buy merch: https://nostreetlights.org/shop 📩 Contact: nostreetlightspodcast@gmail.com 🎵 Music by Hyland Markle – Follow him on Instagram: @hylandmarkle #GenerationalTrauma #MentalHealthPodcast #BreakTheCycle #NSLCore #TraumaHealing #RealPsychology #IntergenerationalTrauma #NoStreetLightsPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #TherapyEducation

    18 min

  5. JUN 13

    The 100th Step | How Telling Stories Changed Our Lives Forever #100

    This is more than a milestone, this is the 100th step. In this landmark episode of the No Street Lights Podcast, veterans Aaron and Tim sit down to reflect on 100 weeks of real, raw conversations about mental health, resilience, purpose, and the human experience. But instead of looking back with nostalgia, they use this episode to map the journey ahead, for themselves, for their guests, and for you. From episodes that changed lives to lessons learned in the darkest moments, The 100th Step is both a celebration and a rededication to the mission: to foster kindness through understanding. 🧠 Topics covered: How storytelling became our lifeline Why vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s the starting point The difference between performance and presence in podcasting What we’ve learned from our guests, and from each other Why your story, even unfinished, still matters 🎧 Whether you’ve been with us since Episode 1 or this is your first listen, this episode captures the soul of No Street Lights. This isn’t just our milestone, it’s yours too. ➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast ➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR ➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast-real-stories-on-mental-health/id1696321025 🌐 Website: https://nostreetlights.org ➡️ Patreon (Early Access + Bonus Content): https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLights ➡️ Discord: https://discord.gg/PdYNqXgn ➡️ Need help now? 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/nslp ‼️ Help us keep telling these stories. 🔗 Donate: https://fundly.com/light-the-way-support-mental-health-community-growth 📩 Contact: nostreetlightspodcast@gmail.com 🎵 Music by Hyland Markle — IG: @hylandmarkle #NSLP100thStep #NoStreetLightsPodcast #MentalHealthMatters #VeteranVoices #HealingThroughStories #PodcastMilestone #100Episodes #StorytellingForChange #ResilienceJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #BeYourOwnLight 🔗 Watch or Listen Now:✨ Join the NSLP Community:

    1h 2m

  6. JUN 6

    Wisdom from a Kung Fu Master: Jason Knapp on Mastery Mindset & Mental Health #99

    What can we learn about life, peace, and perseverance from a Kung Fu master? In this empowering episode of the No Street Lights Podcast, 6th Degree Shaolin Kung Fu Master, Jason Knapp, returns to share powerful lessons on discipline, leadership, mental health, and what it truly means to pursue mastery as a mindset. Drawing from decades of experience in martial arts , Jason explores how repetition creates peace, how we can pass wisdom to the next generation, and why legacy matters more than recognition. Whether you’re a martial artist, veteran, parent, or someone seeking purpose in a chaotic world, this conversation will ground you, challenge you, and inspire you to redefine success through humility, consistency, and intention. 🎯 In This Episode: Why mastery is a mindset, not a destination The balance between ego, humility, and confidence How martial arts shaped Jason’s leadership and legacy Mental clarity through repetition and movement How to raise the next generation with integrity and strength This episode isn’t just for martial artists, it’s for anyone chasing excellence without losing themselves in the process. 🎗️ Support the Mission – Join Our Fundraiser! This is our first major nonprofit initiative in the Mid-Ohio Valley! We’re raising funds to: Replace the 30-year-old training mats at Jason’s Kung Fu Quan Offer scholarships for students Provide teaching incentives for instructors 🔗 Donate or share at: https://nostreetlights.org 🙌 We’ll be shouting out donors and tracking impact in real time. 🎧 Watch or Listen Now: ➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast ➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR ➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast-real-stories-on-mental-health/id1696321025 🌐 Website: https://nostreetlights.org 📢 Connect with Us: ✨ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLights 🗣️ Discord: https://discord.gg/PdYNqXgn 🧠 Get therapy: https://betterhelp.com/nslp (10% off first month) 📩 Contact: nostreetlightspodcast@gmail.com 🎵 Music by Hyland Markle – Follow him: @hylandmarkle #JasonKnapp #KungFuMaster #MasteryMindset #MartialArtsWisdom #MentalHealthAwareness #VeteranVoices #DisciplineEqualsFreedom #MindfulnessInMotion #MartialArtsPhilosophy #PersonalGrowthPodcast #SelfMastery #NoStreetLightsPodcast #NSLP #LifeLessons #EmotionalResilience #LegacyAndLeadership #MartialArtistInterview

    54 min
  7. Depression: 5 Real Things That Actually Help | C.O.R.E. #3

    JUN 3 · BONUS

    Depression: 5 Real Things That Actually Help | C.O.R.E. #3

    Feeling stuck in the fog of depression? You’re not alone. In this raw, honest episode of No Street Lights Core, Tim and Aaron dive into what it really feels like to live with depression, and what can actually help. From tiny steps like brushing your teeth to using movement and creativity to shift your energy, this is a no-fluff, real-talk conversation designed for people who feel broken, numb, or just exhausted. Whether you’re in the thick of it or trying to support someone who is, this episode is a guide, not a gimmick. No toxic positivity. No empty quotes. Just actionable tools, veteran honesty, and maybe a well-timed South Park or Office reference to help the medicine go down. 💡 In this episode: • 5 proven strategies for managing depression today • Why you’re not lazy, weak, or broken • How movement, connection, and expression change brain chemistry • Real talk on military trauma, shame, and emotional exhaustion • Dark humor meets practical help (and yes, there’s a South Park clip) 📲 Support Mental Health & Our Mission This Core episode is part of our June/July fundraiser to replace the 30-year-old training mats at Aaron’s local kung fu school and fund student scholarships. Help us take action, donate and follow our progress at: 🌐 https://nostreetlights.org 🔔 If this hit home… 1. Like, comment, and share, especially with someone silently struggling. 2. Subscribe for more real conversations on anxiety, trauma, growth, and purpose. 3. Leave a review, it helps others find hope in the algorithmic fog. 📢 Join the No Street Lights Community: ➡️ Discord: https://discord.gg/PdYNqXgn ➡️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLights ➡️ Contact: nostreetlightspodcast@gmail.com ➡️ BetterHelp Therapy Discount: https://betterhelp.com/nslp 🎧 Watch or Listen Now: ➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast ➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR ➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast-real-stories-on-mental-health/id1696321025 #Depression #MentalHealth #CopingSkills #NSLCore #VeteranVoices #MentalHealthPodcast #YoureNotAlone #NoStreetLightsPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #HowToHandleDepression #SmallStepsBigChange

    22 min
  8. Can the Book of Disquiet Really Change Your Perspective on Life? | NSL Plus

    JUN 1 · BONUS

    Can the Book of Disquiet Really Change Your Perspective on Life? | NSL Plus

    Discover how Fernando Pessoa's "Book of Disquiet" can challenge your perspective on life. Dive into themes of existential crisis, nihilism, and cynicism in this thought-provoking exploration of Pessoa's work. Explore the impact of the Book of Disquiet on your perspective on life. “Literature is the most agreeable way of ignoring life.” In this video, Tim dives into one of the most hauntingly introspective books ever written: Fernando Pessoa’s The Book of Disquiet. This enigmatic masterpiece is attributed to Pessoa’s semi-heteronym, Bernardo Soares, “a man who didn’t exist.” Together, Pessoa and Soares craft a fragmented exploration of solitude, alienation, and the quiet, aching beauty of existence.With Brittany, Tim’s on-site producer, ensuring everything runs smoothly, this video unpacks Pessoa’s unique literary style and the complex layers of The Book of Disquiet. But the discussion doesn’t stop there. Tim also delves into details about Pessoa’s life and works that go beyond the primary video, offering new insights into the mind of one of modernist literature’s most fascinating figures. Who Was Fernando Pessoa? • Pessoa was a Portuguese poet and writer renowned for his groundbreaking use of heteronyms, fictional personas with distinct identities and voices. • While The Book of Disquiet is among his most celebrated works, Pessoa is also known for his poetry collection, Mensagem (Message), which reflects on Portuguese history and destiny. • His writing explores themes of existentialism, identity, and the human condition with a lyrical, melancholic beauty. Key Topics Covered: • Who was Bernardo Soares, and what makes him a “man who didn’t exist”? • The structure and themes of The Book of Disquiet and why it’s considered one of the saddest books ever written. • How Pessoa’s life influenced his work, including his exploration of solitude, alienation, and identity. • The lasting impact of Pessoa’s literature on modern existential and introspective writing. Why You Should Watch: If you’ve ever been intrigued by literature that embraces solitude and introspection or are curious about one of the most mysterious authors in literary history, this video is for you. Tim’s thoughtful exploration of The Book of Disquiet and Fernando Pessoa will provide a fresh perspective on what makes this fragmented masterpiece so timeless and powerful. Links: 🎧 Listen to No Street Lights Podcast on your favorite platform: ➡️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4XYqnfFeQgMdBd1mR2TY3M ➡️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast/id1546921879 ➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast🌐 Visit us at: https://nostreetlightspodcast.com ✨ Join the NSLP fam! ➡️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLights ➡️ Discord: https://discord.gg/PdYNqXgn #TheBookOfDisquiet #FernandoPessoa #BernardoSoares #ModernistLiterature #Existentialism #NoStreetLightsPlus #BookReview #Solitude #LiteratureQuotes #HumanCondition

    30 min
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5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Hosted by veterans Tim Brunicardi & Aaron Ash, No Street Lights Podcast is for those battling anxiety, overthinking, and depression who need real conversations, not clichés. Each week, we explore mental health, personal growth, and resilience, blending raw experiences, expert insights, and real strategies to help you take control of your life. No fluff. No shortcuts. Just honest talk about what truly matters. New episodes drop weekly. Be Your Own Light. 🎙 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

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