What If Nothing's Wrong With You?

Mental Health In Chaos (Ep. 32)

(Episode recorded September 2025)

Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa K. Kays discuss the core question “What if nothing is wrong with you?” in the context of todays societal chaos and fascism, especially in Washington, DC, where ICE activity and arrests are creating fear, restriction, and powerlessness. They note many clients “relapsing” into coping behaviors like food restriction, increased drinking, bingeing, and shopping, framing these as attempts to regain control or soothe, and warn that shame and self-ranking reinforce the very dynamics of white supremacy and fascism. They argue there are often no good options, encourage choosing with agency rather than conforming or rebelling, and emphasize “permission” over perfection, empathy without suffering Olympics, and supportive relationships.

00:00 Welcome and Big Question
00:58 Thunderbolts Movie Takeaways
04:34 Pop Culture and Fascism Jokes
05:26 Unicorn Girl Scam Podcast
10:28 Societal Chaos and Relapse
12:33 Life in DC Right Now
18:00 Control Soothing and Shame
21:11 Suffering Olympics and Empathy
22:39 Resisting In Groups
23:33 Empathy Without Centering
24:40 No Win Dilemma
27:09 Permission Over Perfection
28:50 Activism Without Burnout
30:03 Middle Path Agency
33:45 No Good Options
36:38 Drop The Virtue Tests
39:38 Shame Helps Fascists
41:24 Closing And Reviews