MENTALk
Welcome to MENTALk Podcast! I’m Dakota, and this podcast is my way of sharing my journey through life's challenges and encouraging others to do the same. As a man who's faced his fair share of struggles, I’ve realized how rarely we hear about the experiences and emotional battles that men go through. MENTALk is here to change that. Think of MENTALk like hanging out with your buddies on the back porch — some laughs, some deep stuff, and a lot of honesty. We dive into men’s mental health, everyday wins and fails, and those random conversations that just keep rolling. Join me as we tackle tough topics, break down barriers, and get real about mental health and much more. Whether you’re looking to vent, seek support, or better understand a loved one, MENTALk is here to help you get stuff off your chest and find the connection we all need.
Episodes
Hey everyone – this is just a quick update episode.
We missed our usual release schedule due to a family vacation, but the next episode will be out later this week. That said, we’ll likely be taking a short break afterward, as my wife is facing an unexpected medical emergency and will be undergoing brain surgery soon.
Thank you so much for your patience, support, and understanding during this time. We’ll be back as soon...
In this episode of Mentalk, we sit down to share open and honest conversations about the challenges life throws our way and how men can support each other through them. From personal stories to raw reflections, we dig into resilience, healing, and the importance of speaking up instead of staying silent. Expect real talk, a few laughs, and plenty of moments that remind us we’re all in this together.
After a much-needed break, Mentalk is officially back — and we’re coming stronger than ever. In this episode, we open up about where we’ve been, what we’ve learned, and why this season of Mentalk is going to be our best yet. Expect raw conversations, fresh energy, and a renewed focus on men’s mental health, real-life struggles, and the laughs that get us through it all.
This is more than just a return — it’s the start ...
Welcome back to the podcast, folks! This episode is one for the books—we’re diving deep into men’s mental health with Bethany, a therapist who’s not just in it for the paycheck but genuinely wants to make a difference. Bethany’s the founder of The Calming Center in Mount Airy, where she’s been doing amazing work for almost two decades, helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s rough patches.
We covered...
Welcome back to Men Talk! The past few weeks have been tough—my wife’s brain surgery, family responsibilities, the holidays, and even my own health scare. In this raw and honest episode, I’m just rambling, sharing what’s on my mind, and talking through the emotional and mental challenges of this season, especially for men.
I touch on the stigma around vulnerability, surviving the holidays under pressure, and finding jo...
Hey everyone, welcome back to the show! This week, we’re diving into a really raw and real conversation with my good friend Ben Nichols. Now, if you’ve been wondering where this episode is, trust me, it’s been worth the wait. We actually recorded this once before, but I wasn’t happy with it—I wasn’t in the right headspace, and Ben deserves so much better. So, here we are, round two, and we’re going deep.
In this episod...
In this one, it’s a bit different — less about mental health and more about relationships. We dive deep into what keeps us going, the little things we do as a couple and family that maybe don’t get as much attention these days. From eating dinner together every night, sharing all the household tasks, and praying as a family, to having each other’s backs on everything, even parenting, it’s all about staying connected. ...
In this episode, we get incredibly personal, talking about grief, resilience, and the very different ways people handle loss. Joined by my wife, we share our experiences with losing our son, Emmitt, and how it impacted our relationship and individual healing journeys. We dive into the contrast in how we coped: one of us found comfort in keeping reminders close, while the other felt the need to put things away and crea...
Welcome back, everyone! In this episode, I dive into where I’m at right now, the highs, the struggles, and the gratitude I feel for being able to share my journey with all of you. This isn’t just about telling my story, but about connecting, helping, and, hopefully, inspiring anyone out there facing tough times.
So, what does being "rich" mean? I get real about how I define wealth—not in the dollars, but in h...
All right, everyone, welcome back to the podcast! We’ve got a special one today—it’s real, it’s raw, and it’s definitely not an easy conversation, but sometimes those are the most important. This episode is about grief, loss, and love. It’s a deep dive into my personal journey, starting with how my wife and I navigated the tragedy of losing our firstborn, Emmitt.
I open up about the emotions that come with not just the...
Welcome to Episode 5 of MENTALk! This one is deep. I open up about a wreck that changed my life forever, losing two incredible people—Taylor and Megan—and how it’s impacted everyone around me, including their family and mine. I dive into the guilt I carry as the driver, the emotional struggle, and the ongoing process of healing. You'll hear about my relationship with Taylor’s family, especially her father, Tim, w...
In this episode of MENTALk, I start from the beginning, sharing my story. I talk about growing up, constantly moving from place to place, and living through some really tough times. We moved a lot when I was young, going from state to state, and I remember how hard it was to make friends and feel settled. My mom was diagnosed with CIDP, a condition that made it hard for her to walk and work, and my dad struggled with ...
In this episode, I dive deep into my personal story—growing up with my family’s struggles, the challenges we faced with my dad’s absence, and my mom doing her best to hold things together. I share some tough memories, like walking in to find both of my parents passed out from substance abuse, and how we were able to move back with family and start fresh.
Through all the chaos, sports—especially football—became my...
In this episode, I’m diving into something I’ve been dreading since the start of this podcast—one of the hardest stories of my life. This episode gets personal as I talk about someone who had a huge impact on me—my first love, Taylor. We met back in middle school, and although we didn’t start dating right away, she became my best friend and eventually my girlfriend. We had our ups and downs, but she helped shape who I...
In this first episode of MENTALk, I introduce myself and share a bit about my story and why I started this podcast. I talk about growing up with a disabled mom and an alcoholic dad, spending time in foster care, and dealing with the loss of people I loved—especially my two kids. I've never been diagnosed with depression or PTSD, but I've definitely struggled with both, and this podcast is my way of opening u...
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