I don’t want to talk to your personality; I want to talk to your soul. Imagine if your most painful and debilitating mental health symptoms and self-sabotaging ...
the systemic grooming of a generation (part 1): the unseen puppeteers of the media and pharmaceutical conspiracy [preview]
Have you ever questioned why "chemical imbalance" and "mental illness" are the go-to explanations for our emotional struggles? What if these ideas have been deliberately planted in our minds by powerful forces? In this episode, we confront the unsettling reality that millennials and Gen-Z might be the victims of a covert grooming process designed to profit from their pain.We'll start by exposing the media's role in shaping our perceptions. The 1980s and 1990s saw a surge in pharmaceutical advertising directly targeting consumers, a move that changed the landscape of mental health forever. These ads, laden with emotional hooks and authoritative voices, didn't just promote pills—they promoted a narrative. We'll dissect how these messages have ingrained the idea that our distress is a medical problem, necessitating pharmaceutical intervention. Next, we delve into the deeper philosophical and systemic issues. Psychological suffering is often a natural reaction to a world that feels increasingly dysfunctional. By pathologizing these responses, systems of power divert our attention from the real issues, maintaining control and stifling change. Through philosophical lenses like existentialism and humanism, and backed by compelling case studies, we reveal how our environment profoundly shapes our emotional health.Finally, we'll challenge the foundation of modern psychiatric diagnosis: the DSM. How did this manual become the cornerstone of mental health, and what are its scientific and ethical shortcomings? We’ll uncover the economic motives driving its use and show how diagnoses can act as a form of psychosocial programming, altering our self-identity and reinforcing the biomedical model. By the end of this episode, you might find yourself questioning the very fabric of how we understand and treat emotional suffering. Prepare to uncover the unseen forces that have shaped your perceptions, perhaps for your entire life, likely without your conscious awareness. TIME STAMPS: 00:00 – 38:22.18: PART 1 (Introduction and disclaimer; defining grooming in a socio-psychological context; historical context and evolution of pharmaceutical advertising; psychological impact of media messaging; philosophical critique of marketing strategies; philosophical perspectives on psychological suffering) 38:27.47 – 01:25:16.78: PART 2 (Psychological suffering as a response to existential challenges and societal dysfunction; systemic benefits and power structures; evidence from sociological and psychological studies; case studies illustrating environmental and systemic factors; historical and scientific critique of the DSM; pharmaceutical and insurance influence on medicalization; psychosocial programming through diagnosing and labeling) Enjoyed this episode? Explore more as a Premium Submarine. Dive deep into hundreds of hours of ad-free exclusive content and full-length episodes on Patreon, including my original BPD recovery series, guided meditations, and much more. Click here to preview the premium collections you’ll unlock access to for as little as a couple of cups of coffee a month. Learn more and join at backfromtheborderline.com.The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional. acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.
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42:31
self-mastery part 1: becoming a free agent and understanding the cycles of life
Do you ever feel like you’re just reacting to life's script rather than writing your own? Are you tired of the same old self-help advice that doesn't quite resonate with your deeper instincts about the universe? This episode delves into the concept of self-mastery, a potent blend of ancient wisdom and personal empowerment that mainstream mental health discussions often overlook. In our journey today, we'll explore the intricate balance between creating your reality and understanding the seemingly predestined forces of fate. We're going deep into how syncing with the universe’s natural cycles can profoundly influence personal growth and well-being. You'll gain insights into how aligning with these rhythms can help you navigate life's challenges with greater ease and insight. Tune in to discover practical strategies for harnessing these timeless principles to not just cope, but thrive. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer understanding of how embracing both the cosmic forces and your personal choices can lead you towards true self-mastery. Join me as we unlock the deeper rhythms of life and learn how to dance to them effectively.Enjoyed this episode? Explore more as a Premium Submarine. Dive deep into hundreds of hours of ad-free exclusive content and full-length episodes on Patreon, including my original BPD recovery series, guided meditations, and much more. Click here to preview the premium collections you’ll unlock access to for as little as a couple of cups of coffee a month. Learn more and join at backfromtheborderline.com.The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional. acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.
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49:30
sleeping with 100 men in a day: a psychological deep dive into sex, self-harm, and lily phillips
You’ve seen the headlines, maybe even watched the documentary—but what’s missing from the noise surrounding Lily Phillips’ viral stunt is a truly nuanced conversation. In this nearly four-hour deep dive, we strip away the sensationalism to uncover the layers of complexity behind one of the most polarizing stories of the year. This isn’t about villainizing or victimizing. It’s about holding the tension of opposites, the messy intersection of choice, consequence, and survival. From the logistical chaos of Lily’s 100-men challenge to the emotional toll she could no longer hide, we leave no moment unexamined. What you’ll hear in this episode: • A close look at sex as self-harm: How societal narratives and personal trauma intersect in ways that shape our most intimate choices. • The myth of empowerment: Is the modern feminist ethos failing us? And what does empowerment look like when it’s wrapped in performance and commodification? • Dissociation and identity: Through Lily’s own words, we unpack the ways detachment becomes a coping mechanism—and a tool for survival. This isn’t just about Lily. It’s a reflection on the systems we’ve built, the narratives we perpetuate, and the ways we consume each other in a hyper-connected world. If you’re looking for an unflinching, human-centered take that challenges the way we think about agency, exploitation, and empowerment, this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.Click here to watch Josh Pieters’ original YouTube documentary.Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of hours of members-only content: full-length episodes, deep-dive series, guided meditations, and more—all for the cost of a couple of coffees a month. Start exploring at backfromtheborderline.com. acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.
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3:55:34
new age or new cage? (walking the tightrope of digital spirituality) [preview]
In this episode, we’re exploring why more of us are forging our own spiritual paths, stepping away from organized religion and venturing into uncharted territories. We'll examine how this shift empowers us, yet also opens the door to self-deception and the allure of superficial, commercialized experiences disguised as spiritual enlightenment. With the rise of digital platforms, spirituality has never been more accessible or more customizable. From WitchTok rituals at midnight to quick-fix meditation apps, and Instagram influencers who mix timeless wisdom with modern hustle—it’s all just a click away. But in this vast digital landscape, how do we discern what’s genuinely transformative from what’s merely trendy? It's crucial to navigate this space with a critical eye. The freedom to choose our spiritual beliefs also exposes us to the risk of self-deception. How do we keep our spiritual compass steady, avoiding the pitfalls of commercialized enlightenment and superficial experiences? We're cutting through the noise to see what spirituality really looks like in the internet age. We’ll explore how this shift toward personal spiritual journeys can empower us, yet also leave us vulnerable to the shallow allure of the spiritual marketplace. If you've ever questioned the authenticity of your spiritual journey or wondered if you're evolving or just ensnared in attractive narratives, this episode is for you. Let’s dig deep and get real about what it means to seek enlightenment in our digital world. TIME STAMPS: 00:00 – 29:05.45: PART 1 (Exploration of modern spirituality's resurgence, balancing individual spirituality with discernment, understanding disenchantment and re-enchantment, rise of personalized spiritual practices via platforms like WitchTok, and historical shifts away from institutional religion towards more personal spiritual experiences.)29:05.45 – 01:01:42.02: PART 2 (Discussion on digital spirituality's risks including echo chambers, misinformation, and commercialization; exploring self-deception and the dangers of trivial spiritual practices in online spaces; strategies for balancing digital exploration with credible guidance; tips for discernment and critical thinking in spiritual content; envisioning a balanced digital spiritual framework that supports genuine growth.) Enjoyed this episode? Explore more as a Premium Submarine. Dive deep into hundreds of hours of ad-free exclusive content and full-length episodes on Patreon, including my original BPD recovery series, guided meditations, and much more. Click here to preview the premium collections you’ll unlock access to for as little as a couple of cups of coffee a month. Learn more and join at backfromtheborderline.com.The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional. acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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33:35
the millennials who were groomed by the internet: my story, jay-z and diddy
The early internet was chaos—a digital Wild West with no rules, no boundaries, and no protection. It was a breeding ground for predators, a place where manipulation could flourish unseen. Millennials were the first generation to grow up online, left to navigate this unregulated landscape with no roadmap. We were told to look out for the creepy man in the van, but no one warned us about what happens when the man doesn’t need a van—when he’s behind a screen, building trust in ways no one knew to look for. In this episode of Back From the Borderline, I share my personal story of walking the edge of the music industry’s darkest realities—an experience that mirrors the cultural reckoning sparked by recent allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z. These stories aren’t isolated. They reflect how systemic power, celebrity worship, and the internet combined to create a perfect storm, leaving young people vulnerable in ways we’re only now beginning to understand. We’ll unravel how a culture that glamorized power and silence enabled these dynamics to thrive. It wasn’t just the internet or the industry—wider society had no problem with the way young women were sexualized and exploited, shrugging it off as the price of ambition or desire. Our parents may not have seen the full scope of what was happening, but the culture around them did—and stayed quiet. Now, decades later, the same generation that told us to stay silent is feigning outrage over the very scripts they helped normalize. This is a story about more than individual predators. It’s about systems designed to protect the powerful and the cultural blind spots that let exploitation flourish in plain sight. It’s also about how those systems are starting to crack. The same internet that once made us easy prey is now a tool for exposing the rot, amplifying survivors’ voices, and shining light on the shadows that have lingered too long. There’s no neat resolution here. But if anything, this conversation is a reminder: We were set up to believe nothing was wrong, and waking up to that is the first step toward reclaiming what was taken from us.Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of hours of members-only content: full-length episodes, deep-dive series, guided meditations, and more—all for the cost of a couple of coffees a month. Start exploring at backfromtheborderline.com. acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.
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I don’t want to talk to your personality; I want to talk to your soul. Imagine if your most painful and debilitating mental health symptoms and self-sabotaging behaviors aren’t evidence of disorder or dysfunction, but adaptive strategies that once kept you safe. My goal is to help you shift from asking ‘What’s wrong with me?’ to ‘What happened to me?’Many highly sensitive people who identify with the seemingly never-ending list of diagnostic mental health labels contained within the DSM share the same underlying sense of being irreparably broken, disconnected from their intuition, and overwhelmed by life’s existential questions. I believe the resulting—and perfectly understandable—chronic feelings of emptiness and spiritual starvation are the TRUE causes of our current collective ‘mental health crisis.’ Together, we’ll dive into depth psychology, mythology, human consciousness, critical psychiatry, and the impact of trauma to help you begin the process of emotional alchemy. This exploration will help you get to the root cause of your suffering and free yourself from the toxic shame, limiting beliefs, and mental programming that have kept you locked in the chains of your past.In an era where mental health and spirituality are too often commercialized, I’m not here as a guru with a quick fix to sell you. I don’t believe anyone is ever truly ‘healed’ or ‘cured.’ There is no return to some mythical state of pre-trauma purity, but rather a continuous spiral of unbecoming, unlearning, and transformation. As a fellow seeker, I will be there in your ear, walking alongside you on your path toward wholeness as a sort of parasocial big sister. That, I CAN promise. By integrating the concepts we explore together, you’ll begin to see that anyone—even you—can come back from the borderline.Overwhelmed about where to start? Visit backfromtheborderline.com today to access my introductory episode and dive straight into my most transformational series.
acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.
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Portugal