Crazy Together

Like a lot of people with ADHD, Marcus and Esme have trouble falling asleep and sometimes even staying asleep. They share some of the challenges they’ve experienced, as well as some of the early challenges they’ve observed with their daughter. They also discuss some of the strategies and resources for falling asleep the O’Kayviuses have tried over the years and how they’re helping their daughter develop good sleep hygiene (even tho...

Marcus and Esme discuss the challenges caused by “unreliable narrators” – i.e., people and organizations who masquerade as reliable sources of information, but whose real purpose is to uncritically amplify content created by third parties with their own agendas. These unreliable narrators play a critical role in spreading misinformation, which has a tremendous impact on our mental health and well-being.

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Marcus and Esme fulfill a long-delayed promise by completing the Love and trilogy, and it only took them 23 episodes! Go back and listen to Love and ADHD (episode 2) and Love and Depression (episode 3) if you want to experience the full scope of their non-neurotypical love story. We promise it’s a better trilogy than the Godfather (but that’s mostly because Godfather part III was terrible).

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No, people with ADHD are not too literal. We’re not “too” anything. We’re glorious unicorns. That said, numerous studies have demonstrated that people with ADHD often have difficulties understanding and interpreting non-literal language. Marcus is skeptical of this claim. After all, he’s fluent in sarcasm and is always down for a little idiomatic wordplay. Fortunately, Esme talks him through the research and helps him recognize whe...

Marcus and Esme pick up where they left off with last week’s discussion about Selective Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). They begin with an overview of some of the more common myths and outright lies about SSRIs. Then, they discuss a study that demonstrates the impact of misinformation and conspiracy theories on peoples’ willingness to get the help they need. Finally, they close with an extended rant about HHS Secretary RFK Jr....

Esme is back! This week, the Okayviuses discuss Selective Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), the very common antidepressant that, for a variety of reasons, is the target of a lot of influencers and media members who make money by lying to their audiences. The Okayviuses are quick to acknowledge that the experience of going on SSRIs leaves a lot to be desired, but ultimately conclude that the experience is a lot better than the wo...

Esme is still under the weather. Marcus is, too, but he’s all hepped up on cough and cold medicines. Let’s hope Esme is restored to good health in short order, or Marcus might continue to go rogue in the editing suite.

Anywho . . . this very special bonus episode contains some additional content from the interview with Will the forester. Will shares a hair-raising tale about accidentally discovering an old mine shaft with his foo...

Marcus and Esme welcome their very first guest to the podcast! Will the forester (not his official title) joins the O’Kayviuses to discuss the impact the natural world has on our mental health and wellness. They also discuss the very nature of what it means to have ADHD, and how sometimes the best “treatment” is not figuring out how to fit into society, but finding a place in this world that is the best fit for you.

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Anyone who has struggled with depression is a tough SOB. Talk about survival skills! Even so, the prospect of undergoing treatment can be a little scary, particularly if it’s someone’s first attempt at getting help. The process is so filled with unknowns – it’s hard to know what to expect. That’s why Marcus and Esme have dedicated an episode to talking about what people can expect as they progress on the road to overcoming depressi...

It feels like overkill, but there are so many ways to feel and fear rejection, particularly if you have ADHD. Marcus and Esme discuss three different ways in which those feelings can manifest: rejection sensitivity, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). Spoiler alert: This topic will definitely be revisited in future episodes, so Marcus and Esme might just ask you to share your sto...

Marcus and Esme explore the concept of happiness as defined by Sociology and Econ majors. They also try to figure out what makes the Finnish people so freaking happy, and come away impressed by their gritty determination to pursue general contentment in a cold, cruel world. Sisu!

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It’s movie night! Marcus and Esme discuss the 2012 film Silver Linings Playbook.

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•  Buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/crazytogetherpod. 

Sources for this episode include:

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Bipolar Disorder. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Revised 2025, https://www...

Let’s talk about stress! Recent events have reminded Marcus and Esme that they need to be mindful of stress to protect their mental health. As such, they’ve decided to devote an episode to the concept of self-care. 

But first, Esme discusses her recent adventures in the field of bathroom design, and Marcus explains what a leprechaun hunt is and how it plays a critical role in his relationship with his daughter. 

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Sickness descends on the O’Kayvius household again, this time in the form of a fever and sore throat that has laid Esme low. It’s up to Marcus to employ some editing wizardry to make sure a new episode goes up on time. Did he succeed? You make the call.

Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com

Support our show:

•  Buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/crazytogetherpod. 

Sources for this episode in...

Marcus briefly confuses the concept of psychological masking with a more risque type of masking. Fortunately, Esme was able to explain the difference before any lasting misunderstandings were forged.

Marcus and Esme then define what Masking is and how it impacts the lives of neurodivergent people – with special emphasis on autistic people and people with ADHD.

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Marcus and Esme tell an honest to God happy story about ADHD. But first, Marcus expounds on the brilliance of a 1980s post disco classic, and Esme reveals yet another talent. Then, the O’Kayviuses set the stakes for their happy story by reviewing a recent study that revealed a link between ADHD and reduced life expectancy for adults. Then we get to the happy story.

Afterwards, Marcus and Esme take a moment to discuss how closing ...

Marcus and Esme attempt to mend fences and sovereign borders with some proud, Canadian listeners. Then they continue their discussion from last week about issues impacting men’s mental health. Marcus describes his own experiences attempting to live up to the high and often unrealistic standards of traditional masculinity. Later, Marcus and Esme submit a few modest suggestions for reframing some of the best aspects of masculinity by...

Marcus and Esme discuss issues impacting men’s mental health. And, while Marcus acknowledges that certain behaviors and traits associated with masculinity do appear to have an impact, he reveals that he doesn’t think the term “toxic masculinity” is very helpful. His rationale and his alternative solution are revealed in the couple’s most glorious rabbit hole to date (discussions about the magic of Tom Jones excepted, of course).

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The O’Kayviuses make their glorious return, and this time Esme is at the wheel. Esme identifies what she believes are the two biggest challenges facing women and girls when it comes to getting diagnosed with (and receiving treatment for) ADHD. Spoiler alert: they both suck. To be clear, it’s the challenges that suck and not Esme’s theories, which are supported by evidence. 

Naturally, Marcus takes the conversation down a few differ...