Episode Details

A gentle note before you listen:

This episode touches on trauma, family violence, and moments of mental health crisis. Lee shares her story with honesty and care, but if any of it lands close to home for you, please pause whenever you need to. There is no rush.

If you are struggling right now, you are not alone, and reaching out is not weakness. It is one of the most human things you can do.

India

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United States

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United Kingdom

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Global

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If you are in immediate danger, please contact your local emergency number.

Whoever you are, wherever you are listening from, please know this: the world is better with you in it. Take your time. Reach out. Stay.

Some kinds of healing don't show up in books or productivity apps. They show up in a pair of eyes at the foot of your bed in the middle of the night, in a paw on your leg when your chest gets tight, in the quiet act of being known by something that doesn't need you to explain yourself.

Avik sits down with Lee Atherton, founder of Phoenix Rising SDSL, to talk about her psychiatric service dog Shadow, the hidden disabilities so many people carry behind a calm exterior, and the slow, honest work of rebuilding a life after trauma. A grounded, deeply human conversation about asking for help when help does