Season 1
Routine Roundabout
Ambient Anxiety
Feral Freakout
Guilt Gremlin Part 2
Guilt Gremlin - Part 1
Moody Mothers
Mental Maintenence
Stamina Struggle
Socially Sick
Messy Minds
1 of 2
In our final episode of Season One, we explore the complicated relationship between routines and mental health. As two siblings living with mental illness, we share how our daily, weekly, and/or monthly routines can help us navigate life, manage symptoms, and create a sense of stability. We spend time unpacking our own routines and the role they play in our lives. From the habits that help us feel grounded, as well as times when we've noticed ourselves becoming overly attached to plans, schedules, and predictability. Join us for an honest conversation about the often blurry line between routines that support us and routines that start running the show. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com
In this episode, we talk about the ever-present background noise of anxiety—the constant static that can find its way into nearly every part of daily life. We share our experiences with the physical and emotional signs of anxiety and the ways it can quietly shape our behavior, from doom scrolling and procrastination to avoidance, people-pleasing, and the need for control. We also discuss the invisible side of anxiety: appearing calm on the outside while your mind is running laps on the inside. From overthinking decisions and chasing certainty to masking internal panic behind a smile, we talk about the loneliness that can come with carrying anxiety that others don't see. Most of all, we talk about a simple truth: anxiety is exhausting. Join us for an honest conversation about what it's like to live with anxiety every day. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com
In today’s episode, we’re talking about emotional dysregulation — what it is, how it shows up in our lives, and the reality of experiencing what we personally call “meltdowns” while living with mental illness. We open up about our own experiences, from misunderstandings and mistakes to disagreements and overwhelming moments that can quickly spiral emotionally. We also talk about the important difference between a meltdown and a tantrum — meltdowns are not goal-oriented or manipulative, but intense emotional and nervous system responses. Together, we discuss: • What dysregulation and meltdowns look like for each of us • Common triggers and situations that can lead to emotional overload • Physical warning signs, racing thoughts, and emotional buildup • The coping tools and strategies we use to manage difficult moments This episode is honest and meant to help others feel less alone while creating more understanding around mental health and emotional regulation. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com
In part two of our Coping Chaos series on guilt and shame, we continue the conversation by talking about the ways these emotions personally affect our mental health, relationships, and sense of self-worth. Now that we’ve explored the differences between guilt and shame, we open up about the pressure to always be productive, the guilt and shame that can come from feeling like our struggles affect others, and the complicated emotions tied to asking for help. We also talk about how guilt can convince us that independence equals worth — and the damage that belief can cause when we’re already struggling. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the first part of our two-part series on guilt and shame. In this episode, we break down the differences between guilt and shame, explore how they show up in everyday life, and share the personal ways they’ve impacted us over the years. From feeling guilty for being happy, to survivor’s guilt, to carrying shame about past versions of ourselves — we open up about the emotional weight these experiences can carry and how they shape the way we see ourselves. Whether you’ve struggled with people-pleasing, overthinking, regret, or feeling “not enough,” this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com
In honor of Mother's Day, this episode explores the complicated reality of parenting while living with severe mental health challenges. We start by sharing some of the positives of parenting — the moments of love, pride, and joy that keep us going even on the hardest days. From there, we open up about the very real physical struggles that can come with parenting while battling mental illness: cooking, cleaning, driving, keeping up with appointments, and simply getting through the day. We also talk about the emotional side of parenting — learning emotional regulation and trying to model healthy coping skills while struggling ourselves. We get honest about parenting while dysregulated and how emotionally and physically exhausting it can be. This conversation also takes a deeper look at how our own childhood experiences and relationships with our parents continue to shape our mental health and parenting today. We share raw, personal stories from our younger years and reflect on the cycles we’re trying to break. This episode is vulnerable, emotional, and deeply real — for anyone navigating parenthood, mental health, or the lasting impact of childhood trauma. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com
In this episode, we unpack the world of ‘mental maintenance’—the coping mechanisms that help us navigate everyday life while living with mental illness. We break down what coping mechanisms really are, and share what we’ve learned throughout our mental health journeys—everything from the healthy, to the unhealthy, to the ones that might seem a little unconventional. We open up about the tools we currently rely on, the ones we’ve left behind, and even the strategies we’re still trying to build into our routines—and why. Along the way, we talk about how we recognize when we need support, what it actually feels like in the moment, and how we choose the right coping skill for different situations. We also get real about the fine line between coping and avoidance, sharing our personal experiences with both. If you’ve ever wondered whether your habits are helping or holding you back, this episode is an honest, relatable conversation about figuring it out as you go. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com
What if your energy worked like a video game health bar—or even a pizza you only get a few slices of each day? In this episode, we dive into what it really means to live with limited energy while navigating severe mental illness. We share how our conditions shape not just how much energy we have, but how quickly it disappears—and how much more it takes just to get through everyday tasks. From the invisible tug-of-war between mental and physical energy to the constant challenge of deciding where those precious reserves go, we open up about the reality of trying to function in chaotic, demanding lives. Along the way, we tell personal stories about burning out too fast, getting it right (sometimes), and the strategies we’ve experimented with—what’s helped, what hasn’t, and what we’re still figuring out. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com
In today’s episode, we explore the often invisible challenges of navigating social situations while living with mental illness. From interactions with friends and family to encounters with coworkers and strangers, we share personal stories that highlight just how complex and exhausting socializing can become. Even though it can feel overwhelming to put ourselves out there, getting into a comfortable social situation can bring a sense of relief. In those moments, we’re often glad we pushed through and didn’t miss out. Behind the scenes, though, the experience is rarely simple. There’s a constant inner dialogue replaying every word, questioning every reaction, while intrusive thoughts whisper that we don’t belong or aren’t worth listening to. This episode opens up an honest conversation about that tension—the desire to connect, and the mental barriers that make it so difficult. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com
In today’s episode, we dive into what’s going on inside our minds—exploring intrusive thoughts, inner monologue, and imposter syndrome. Content note: This episode includes discussions of suicide, self-harm, grief, and pet loss. Please listen only if you feel safe engaging with these topics. From overthinking and rehearsing conversations for every possible scenario to second-guessing our ideas and holding ourselves back, we unpack how our minds can work against us. We talk about reading too much into what others say and the mental spiral that can follow. We also explore the persistent feeling of not belonging or not being “good enough”—even when others reassure us that we are. Whether it’s in our jobs, hobbies, or even as parents, it can feel impossible to believe we’re doing well. Accepting compliments and feeling worthy can be deeply uncomfortable. Intrusive thoughts can feel overwhelming, bringing unwanted ideas and vivid images that don’t align with our values or who we are. We share the reality of living with these thoughts—from fears around safety and self-harm to the constant need for reassurance in relationships. Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi. You can follow Coping Chaos on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at Coping Chaos Podcast. We have also started a Patreon where you can help support us and have access to exclusive content. Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com