Hey Man; It's Ok

by Skyler Bridges

Season 3

Jackson Erdos - Climbing the Mountain Takes Years: American Ninja Warrior on Depression, Identity, and Resilience

In this powerful episode of Hey Man; It’s Ok, we sit down with American Ninja Warrior champion Jackson Erdos for one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had. Jackson shares his journey from elite youth athlete to world-class competitor—while quietly battling depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidal ideation as a teenager. He opens up about checking himself into residential treatment, losing close friends to suicide, and learning that success without identity and support can still feel empty. At just 18 years old, Jackson speaks with rare wisdom about: Why your identity is not your performance How mental toughness isn’t about being emotionless The danger of tying self-worth to success What rehab, therapy, and community truly changed for him Why “climbing the mountain” takes years—not 30 seconds How coaching kids and serving others saved his life Navigating fame, pressure, and expectations as a young man Bridging mental health conversations in sports and youth culture Jackson also talks about his “You Matter / 988” initiative, donating proceeds to suicide prevention, and why showing vulnerability—especially as an athlete—is not weakness, but leadership. This episode is for: Athletes and coaches Parents of teens Young men struggling silently Anyone who feels like they should be “doing better” but isn’t If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to ask for help—this conversation is proof that healing is possible and that you don’t have to climb alone. 📍 If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

S3 · E26

Feb 27, 2026

41:07

Minh Nguyen - "I was ready to crash the car”: Losing Everything, Shame, and Choosing to Stay - HMIO 325

In this deeply honest episode of Hey Man; It’s Ok, hosts Sky Bridges and Ryan Heapy sit down with Minh Nguyen, a longtime friend, father, and entrepreneur, to share a raw conversation about shame, success, financial collapse, and choosing to stay alive. Minh opens up about his childhood growing up in a cult-like church, the pressure to perform and succeed, and how those early experiences shaped his identity as a man. He shares the staggering rise and fall of his career in the mortgage industry—including losing over $1.1 million—and the emotional toll that followed. At his lowest point, Minh found himself battling suicidal thoughts, overwhelmed by shame and the belief that he had failed his family. What followed was a turning point that changed how he defines success, fatherhood, and self-worth. In this episode, we talk about: How shame quietly fuels depression in men What happens when external success collapses Navigating suicidal thoughts and asking for help Escaping high-control belief systems The pressure of social media and comparison Breaking generational cycles as a parent Redefining success, masculinity, and legacy Learning self-compassion after failure This conversation is for men who feel like they’re carrying everything alone, who’ve tied their worth to performance, or who are silently struggling behind the appearance of “having it together.” If you’re in a hard season, you’re not broken—and you’re not alone. Because here, it’s ok to not be ok. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:02 Growing Up in a High-Control Church 02:06 Rise and Pressure in the Mortgage Industry 04:05 Success, Shame, and Identity 05:05 Financial Collapse and Emotional Fallout 06:43 Suicidal Thoughts and the Turning Point 08:34 Rebuilding Life and Finding Purpose 16:18 Stability, Healing, and Future Goals 18:39 Breaking Cycles Through Fatherhood 19:25 Parenting in a Social Media World 20:05 Social Media, Comparison, and Pressure 21:32 Leadership, Resilience, and Teams 23:29 Perfectionism and Authenticity 5:16 Life Reflections and Growth 26:41 Self-Love and Men’s Mental Health 31:01 Legacy, Healing, and What’s Next 34:04 Final Thoughts

S3 · E25

Feb 20, 2026

34:55

Zander Keig - Bridge Building in a Divided World: Men, Mental Health, and Being Pro-Human - HMIO 324

In this thought-provoking episode of Hey Man; It’s Ok, Sky Bridges and licensed marriage and family therapist Ryan Heapy sit down with Zander Keig—a veteran, licensed social worker, author, and bridge-builder—to explore how men can protect their mental health in an increasingly polarized and divided world. Zander shares insights from his life growing up in a Mexican Catholic family in Los Angeles, his time working with veterans at the VA, and his work with organizations like Braver Angels and the Prohuman Foundation (http://www.prohumanfoundation.org/) . Together, the conversation digs into depolarization, empathy, identity, and why learning to see the human behind opposing beliefs is essential for personal wellbeing and societal healing. In this episode, we explore: Why polarization is destroying families, relationships, and mental health How men can engage in difficult conversations without losing themselves The difference between activism and bridge building Why social media amplifies division—and what happens when you step away How identity, belief systems, and lived experience shape conflict What it really means to be “pro-human” Why time, place, and language matter in hard conversations How prioritizing your own wellbeing makes you a better ally and leader Zander also talks about his book The Third Space: A Non-Conformist Guide to the Universe, his podcasts The Third Space and The Umbrella Hour, and leaves listeners with a powerful call to action: invest in your own mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing—because change starts with you. This episode is for men who: Feel exhausted by political and cultural conflict Want to stay connected without losing their values Are navigating family tension, identity, or burnout Believe empathy is strength—not weakness Because it’s ok to not be ok —and it’s okay to choose humanity over division.

S3 · E24

Feb 13, 2026

24:58

Corey Corpodian - Emotional Fitness: Building Resilience and Overcoming Depression - HMIO 323

In this powerful episode of Hey Man; It’s Ok, hosts Sky Bridges and Ryan Heapy, LMFT sit down with Corey Corpodian—a board-certified orthodontist, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate—to explore the hidden cost of high achievement and the life-changing power of emotional fitness. Corey shares his deeply personal story of success on paper and depression behind the scenes. After graduating early, building a prestigious career, and checking every box of the traditional “American Dream,” Corey found himself burned out, unfulfilled, and struggling with severe depression. A turning point came through physical fitness, a melanoma diagnosis, and a radical shift in mindset that led him to redefine mental health as something that must be trained daily—just like the body. In this conversation, Corey breaks down: What emotional fitness really means and how to build it Why information alone doesn’t change mental health—action does How daily habits, discipline, and mindset rewiring create lasting change The role of pain, discomfort, and responsibility in personal growth Why leadership starts with leading yourself—especially as men, fathers, and entrepreneurs How screen time, comfort, and avoidance quietly sabotage fulfillment This episode is packed with actionable mental health tools, honest reflections on depression and burnout, and a refreshing take on leadership, purpose, and fulfillment. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or successful but empty, this conversation will challenge you to take ownership of your life and build resilience from the inside out. 🎙️ Because success without fulfillment isn’t success at all. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Hosts 00:20 Meet Corey Corpodian: From Orthodontist to Mental Health Advocate 01:01 Early Success, Burnout, and Depression 03:28 Physical Fitness as a Turning Point 04:59 Melanoma Diagnosis and Mortality Wake-Up Call 06:22 Discovering Emotional Fitness 07:54 Tony Robbins and Mindset Shifts 12:39 Rewiring the Mind and Overcoming Depression 1 7:24 Why Action Creates Change 20:40 Reinvention After Life’s Roadblocks 23:42 Breathwork, the Nervous System, and Resilience 25:23 Pain vs. Pleasure as Motivation 26:16 Escaping Comfort Zones and Mediocrity 26:55 Screen Time, Dopamine, and Mental Health 28:12 Using Future Pain to Drive Growth 31:06 Discipline, Identity, and Daily Habits 32:43 Cold Showers and Mental Toughness 36:05 Balancing Ambition, Family, and Purpose 38:01 Rethinking Mental Health and Leadership 46:36 Final Reflections and Emotional Fitness Resources

S3 · E23

Jan 30, 2026

48:09

Esther Perry - Rewriting Survival: Men's Path to Mental Wellbeing HMIO 322

In this powerful episode of Hey Man; It’s Ok, hosts Sky Bridges and licensed therapist Ryan Heapy sit down with Esther Perry, EMDR consultant and author of When Survival Is Killing You, to unpack what men are rarely taught about mental health, trauma, and emotional expression. Esther helps explain the why behind common mental health tools — from EMDR and mindfulness to nervous system regulation — and why many men struggle to connect with approaches that don’t feel safe or practical. Together, they explore how trauma lives in the body, the overlooked “fight” response in fight-or-flight, and how cultural expectations around masculinity make vulnerability feel uncomfortable — or even threatening. The conversation also dives into Esther’s unconventional path to becoming a therapist, her work in juvenile detention facilities, and her unique experience providing therapy while living and traveling in an RV. Throughout the episode, the focus stays grounded in compassion, science, and the reality of what men face when they’re told to “open up” without ever being shown how. This episode is an honest, accessible conversation for men navigating emotional growth, healing from trauma, and learning how to feel without shame. Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 00:47 – Esther Perry’s background and book inspiration 02:58 – Trauma, survival, and coping mechanisms 05:34 – Men’s mental health and the fight-or-flight response 09:57 – EMDR and creating emotional safety 12:29 – From juvenile detention to therapy work 15:49 – Challenges in correctional mental health 18:00 – Gender differences in emotional processing 23:57 – Why expressing emotions is so difficult for men 26:13 – Science, emotions, and nervous system regulation 29:50 – Life as a traveling “nomad therapist” 34:47 – Writing and publishing When Survival Is Killing You 37:12 – Practical therapeutic advice for men 41:57 – Final reflections If you want, I can also: Write a short YouTube description version Create a Spotify-optimized summary (slightly different SEO rules) Pull quote-based timestamps for Shorts & Reels Just tell me where this is going live first.

S3 · E22

Jan 23, 2026

43:44

Dr. Eric Arzubi - When Anxiety Hits Hard: A Doctor’s Journey from Wall Street to Frontier Psychiatry - HMIO 321

In this episode of Hey Man; It’s Ok, Ryan and I sit down with Dr. Eric Arzubi, CEO and co-founder of Frontier Psychiatry, for a conversation that goes far beyond credentials and titles. Before he was leading a telehealth psychiatric practice serving rural communities across Montana, Alaska, Wyoming, and Idaho, Eric lived an entirely different life — as a Wall Street bond trader. What followed was a radical pivot, shaped by his own lived experience with anxiety, burnout, and the realization that success on paper doesn’t guarantee peace of mind. Eric opens up about what it’s really like to struggle with anxiety as a doctor, why the fear of anxiety itself can be the hardest part, and how learning to recognize early warning signs changed everything. We talk honestly about medication, therapy, self-care, and why waiting to “feel motivated” is often the wrong move. We also dig into the bigger picture: Why access to mental health care is still broken, especially in rural America. Why telehealth isn’t a downgrade — it’s often the only option. And why this isn’t just a mental health crisis, but a systemic failure we’ve learned to live with. This episode is about reaching out when it feels impossible, about connection across distance, and about reminding men that asking for help doesn’t make you weak — it makes you human. If anxiety has ever made you feel alone, this conversation is for you. ⏱️ Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Guest Welcome 00:53 Eric’s Background & Frontier Psychiatry 02:10 Telehealth Before and After COVID 03:59 From Wall Street to Psychiatry 06:27 Personal Anxiety & Hitting a Wall 10:28 Choosing Psychiatry & Helping Others 14:57 Managing Anxiety & Self-Care Tools 19:37 Understanding Patients Through Lived Experience 20:49 Sharing Mental Health Skills on LinkedIn 22:46 Mental Health & Social Media 25:58 Men’s Mental Health & Cultural Pressure 32:08 Parenting, Perspective, and What Really Matters 36:55 Final Thoughts & Call to Action 25:58 Men's Mental Health Issues 32:08 Personal Reflections and Parenting 36:55 Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action

S3 · E21

Jan 16, 2026

42:08

Dr. Ryan Dix - No One Cares Alone: The Journey of Mental Health in Healthcare - HMIO 320

In this powerful episode of Hey Man; It’s Ok, hosts Sky Bridges and licensed therapist Ryan Heapy sit down with Dr. Ryan Dix, a clinical psychologist with 16+ years of experience and the leader of Providence’s groundbreaking “No One Cares Alone” program. Together, they unpack the mental health crisis facing healthcare workers, intensified by COVID-19—and still affecting caregivers today. From burnout and compassion fatigue to psychological safety at work, this conversation goes deep into what it actually takes to support the people who support everyone else. In this episode, we cover: Why burnout in healthcare is at an all-time high The hidden cost of compassion fatigue How to recognize burnout before it breaks you Creating psychologically safe workplaces The power of peer support & human connection Simple, accessible coping tools that actually help Why talking about emotions at work isn’t weakness—it’s survival If you’re a healthcare worker, caregiver, therapist, leader, or someone feeling stretched too thin, this episode is for you. Mental health doesn’t get better in silence—and no one should care alone. 👇 Drop a comment if this resonates, and share with someone who needs to hear this. 🕒 Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Welcome 00:20 Meet Dr. Ryan Dix — Helping the Helpers 01:41 Burnout & Mental Health in Healthcare 03:35 Coping During COVID 07:00 How to Identify Burnout 11:44 Creating Safe Spaces for Real Conversations 15:59 Organizational Responsibility & Mental Health 31:23 Integrated Primary Care Explained 35:33 Personal Motivation & Coping Tools 42:52 Final Thoughts & Takeaways

S3 · E20

Jan 9, 2026

43:17

Deborah Weed - When the Mask Falls Off: Radical Acceptance, Creativity, and Finding Your Way Back to Yourself - Episode 319

What happens when the identity you’ve worn for decades disappears? When the job, the role, the mask — all of it — gets stripped away by pain, loss, or life itself? In this deeply human episode of Hey Man; It’s Ok, Sky Bridges and Ryan Heapy sit down with artist, musician, and creative visionary Deborah Weed, founder of Paisley’s Fashion Forest, for a conversation about radical acceptance, healing through creativity, and rediscovering joy when everything familiar feels gone. Deborah shares how creativity — the thing you were meant to do — can become a bridge back to life, even in moments of isolation, doubt, and worthlessness. Together, we explore what it means to live with chronic pain, release rigid professional identities, and ask the vulnerable question so many of us avoid: Who am I when the mask comes off? This episode dives into: Radical acceptance as a pathway through trauma and self-doubt Why creativity isn’t optional — it’s often essential to healing The danger of tying our worth to productivity and professional identity Reclaiming fun, joy, and authenticity as adults Overcoming fear of judgment and leaning into your passions Deborah’s journey as a musician and the birth of Paisley’s Fashion Forest, a global creative collaboration This is a conversation about compassion, purpose, and remembering that you are more than what you produce — and that your creative spark might be the very thing that brings you home to yourself. If you’ve ever felt lost, burned out, or unsure of who you are anymore — this episode is for you. Episode Timeline 00:00 Understanding Emotions and Healing 16:12 Radical Acceptance and Self-Worth 18:48 The Power of Compassion 22:35 Embracing Authenticity and Fun 25:03 Love and Healing 27:03 Dealing with Disappointment 31:48 Rediscovering Fun in Relationships 33:08 Incorporating Creativity to Overcome Disappointment 34:22 Embracing Your Creative Gifts 35:01 The Healing Power of Creativity 37:27 Overcoming Fear of Judgment 39:42 Leaning into Your Passions 40:54 Deborah’s Musical Journey 44:24 Final Thoughts and Farewell

S3 · E19

Dec 19, 2025

48:20

BJ Shea: Uncovering Men's Mental Health- Hey Man; it's Ok Episode 318

In this powerful episode of Hey Man; It’s Okay, hosts Sky Bridges and Ryan Heapy, LMFT, sit down with Seattle radio legend BJ Shea for a candid, vulnerable, and surprisingly uplifting conversation about men’s mental health. Sky shares how BJ’s voice helped carry him through some of his darkest moments, setting the tone for an open and deeply human discussion about identity, art, grief, therapy, and the emotional lives men are often discouraged from showing. BJ reflects on his own mental health journey—from personal struggles to becoming a vocal advocate for suicide awareness and co-creating the nationwide I’m Listening campaign. He talks about the emotional landscape of radio and the Seattle music scene, how therapy transformed his life and career, and why authentic expression is essential for men of all ages. Ryan offers a therapist’s perspective, exploring emotional language, behavioral science, and why learning to name your feelings—even when you don’t know the “why”—is a crucial step toward healing. Together, the three dive deep into: BJ Shea’s personal mental health journey The influence of radio, community, and Seattle’s music culture How therapy supports creativity, accountability, and emotional growth Breaking gender norms and expanding emotional vocabulary for men The role of behavioral science in healing Why artists and everyday guys alike benefit from vulnerability Rewriting the outdated narrative of what it means to “be a man” This episode is brimming with profound insights, personal stories, and actionable takeaways—perfect for anyone navigating their own mental health journey or supporting someone who is. Hey man… it’s okay to feel it. It’s okay to name it. And it’s okay to talk about it. Episode Chapters 00:00 — Introduction 00:25 — Meet Our Guest: BJ Shea 00:59 — BJ’s Mental Health Journey 03:46 — Seattle Radio & Music Culture 10:10 — Therapy & Personal Growth 20:06 — Behavioral Science in Practice 27:26 — How Therapy Shapes Work & Life 27:43 — “I Use My Job as Therapy” 28:04 — Challenging Gender Norms in Seattle 31:50 — Participation Trophies & Modern Masculinity 35:02 — Encouraging Men to Speak Up 46:20 — Why Behavioral Science Matters 48:21 — Final Takeaways

S3 · E18

Dec 12, 2025

49:40

Mark Wigginton - The Complexities of Men's Mental Health - Hey Man; It's Ok Episode 317

Explicit

In this impactful episode of Hey Man; It's Ok, hosts Sky Bridges and Ryan Heapy dive deep into the critical issues surrounding men's mental health with special guest Mark Wigginton, an author and seasoned career coach. Mark offers a candid look into his personal and professional journey, including his experiences working in mental health within the criminal justice system and his later career as a licensed professional counselor. From discussing the staggering statistical realities of men's mental health issues to exploring the significance of radical acceptance and effective coping strategies, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom and practical advice. Whether you're grappling with personal challenges or looking to support loved ones better, Mark's insights on navigating midlife transitions and fostering resilience will resonate profoundly. Tune in to understand the value of empathy, the power of acceptance, and the importance of continuous growth in mental health. 00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Welcome 00:55 Introducing Today's Guest: Mark Wigginton 0 5:50 Mark's Journey: From Military to Mental Health 07:43 The Impact of Working in Prisons 09:54 Reconnecting with Family 14:27 Lessons on Fatherhood and Mentorship 21:51 Coping Skills and Personal Struggles 23:46 Embracing Change and Harm Reduction 24:47 Mark's Fitness Journey: From Overweight to Ironman 25:43 Endurance Training and Life Changes 26:06 Coping Skills and Stability 28:16 Career Transitions and Coaching 29:54 Dealing with Depression and Introspection 30:38 Midlife Transition and Career Coaching 34:59 Radical Acceptance and Overcoming Challenges 43:59 Parting Words and Final Thoughts

S3 · E17

Nov 14, 2025

47:36

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