Episode 33: “A beautiful mind”

Xavier Ortega, 28

Pueblo, CO

(recorded 10/09/2026

In this episode of Hanging with Humans, I sit down with Xavier Ortega.

What started as our first interview eventually brought me back for a smoke session & second attempt at the podcast. We revisited our conversation, dug a little deeper, and explored topics we hadn’t fully covered the first time around.

Rather than choosing just one recording, I decided to bring all three sessions together into one complete episode. Different moments, different conversations, but all part of the same human experience.

We talked exploring schizophrenia, mental health, the process of healing, personal struggles, relationships, and some of life’s bigger questions.

We talk about the importance of healing not just the mind, but the heart. About growing through difficult experiences, accepting ourselves, and recognizing that everyone is fighting battles we may never understand.

I believe that sometimes asking the questions, listening to someone else’s perspective, and being willing to have uncomfortable conversations is where growth begins.

And at the end of the day, all we can do is the best we can do.

At Hanging with Humans, the mission has always been: give people a place to share their stories without judgment, break down the stigma surrounding mental health, and remind one another that we’re never as alone in our experiences as we might think.

🎙️ Hanging with Humans Podcast

▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hangingwithhumans

Disclaimer: Conversations about schizophrenia and mental health in this episode reflect personal experiences, questions, and perspectives. They are intended to encourage understanding and discussion, not provide medical advice or diagnosis.

#HangingWithHumans #HWHP #XavierOrtega #SchizophreniaAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthPodcast #BreakTheStigma #Healing #HumanConnection #RealConversations #LifeQuestions

Music by Quie

Support the show

Contact & Info:

www.hangingwithhumans.com

https://poplme.co/hash/P5oM9JFj/1/dash

Support the Podcast:

https://gofund.me/2a99e9b7

Video Podcast :

https://www.YouTube.com/@hangingwithhumans

https://rumble.com/c/c-2507620

Special Thanks:

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your important life to listen, It means the world to me.

#HangingWithHumans #Podcast #HWHP

In honor of those who served our country. During times of peace and war. Those who gave the supreme sacrifice, Those still missing and those who came home both whole and broken.

In honor of those still fighting everyday to keep their head above water.

Episode 14: "Peace at the Hayloft"
Charmion Harris, 49 (looks like 29)
Chapman, KS


Impulsivity? Or listening to the heart?
Most likely both, how this Podcast came to be.
- As I look back at this moment.

An intense feeling that I cannot explain comes to me.

Overwhelmed? No, that can't be it.

A capturing of a moment of darkness & confusion, that you could only see on the inside. #Dontgiveup

You will appreciate what you fought through

What does it mean to call a place "home" when you've moved 27 times? That's the question we explore with Charmion Harris, whose life story is a testament to resilience and adaptability.

Raised on a horse ranch, Charmion learned the values of overcoming adversity early on, skills that would prove invaluable through her dynamic journey in the military and beyond.

She shares powerful insights into the importance of forging relationships based on shared energies and how these connections have guided her through life's many trials.

Traveling across the globe from Uganda to Europe, She gathered stories and experiences that underscore the transformative power of stepping out of one's comfort zone.

This episode captures the essence of storytelling, not just as a means of preserving memories but as a catalyst for personal growth and inspiration for others. We discuss her ventures with the Peace Corps and the significance of traditions, such as yoga.

In a world brimming with distractions, finding purpose and fostering empathy are more crucial than ever.

We spoke of self-love, the influence of family support, and how the unforeseen connections that often propel us forward. Are crucial for the soul (my words)

Join us as we uncover the wisdom found in unexpected places and the courage required to navigate life's ever-changing landscape.

THANK YOU,

Charmion & Mike
For being so kind to me and my babies.
The biggest hearts <3




** Filmed during a hard chapter

Music by Quie

Support the show

Contact & Info:

www.hangingwithhumans.com

https://poplme.co/hash/P5oM9JFj/1/dash

Support the Podcast:

https://gofund.me/2a99e9b7

Video Podcast :

https://www.YouTube.com/@hangingwithhumans

https://rumble.com/c/c-2507620

Special Thanks:

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your important life to listen, It means the world to me.

#HangingWithHumans #Podcast #HWHP

In honor of those who served our country. During times of peace and war. Those who gave the supreme sacrifice, Those still missing and those who came home both whole and broken.

In honor of those still fighting everyday to keep their head above water.

“1:11” (Part 1) “The Portugal Diaries”

09/04/2026

Video Episode:

https://youtu.be/VzxdL5JVkmo?is=vUpBytjHPZBRtMLZ

Recording from my small town in Portugal on a strange, bright half-moon night, watching The Godfather and letting my thoughts spill out the way they actually arrive.

I’ve been here for months taking care of my dad, and caregiving has a way of stripping life down to what matters: safety, routine, patience, and the truth about how trauma changes a person.

I also share why I’m setting up a future interview with my dad, because his story includes survival, PTSD, and the kind of rebuilding you don’t get to do twice.

My courtyard is the backdrop, but it’s also part of the lesson. I talk about learning Portuguese in real life, noticing cultural habits like greeting strangers, and fixing up my family home that carries my grandparents’ fingerprints.

There’s travel, paperwork, and day-to-day grit, but the bigger theme is legacy: what our families pass down, what we choose to carry forward, and how purpose can keep someone alive inside when everything else feels unstable.

I also get honest about mental health and boundaries. I explain why I quit social media, how constant notifications and access can wreck peace, and why a few minutes of silence can be a form of therapy.

Art shows up as medicine too, whether that’s building, filming, editing, or podcasting, and I connect that to a world where artificial intelligence is changing how we see “real” life.

I weave through wildfires and floods, climate anxiety, forgiveness, and the small decisions that add up to a better direction. If you’re navigating caregiving, PTSD in the family, social media detox, or a full-on personal reset, this one’s for you. Part 1 of “The Portugal Diaries”

What’s one boundary you’re setting to protect your peace?

Music by Quie

Support the show

Contact & Info:

www.hangingwithhumans.com

https://poplme.co/hash/P5oM9JFj/1/dash

Support the Podcast:

https://gofund.me/2a99e9b7

Video Podcast :

https://www.YouTube.com/@hangingwithhumans

https://rumble.com/c/c-2507620

Special Thanks:

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your important life to listen, It means the world to me.

#HangingWithHumans #Podcast #HWHP

In honor of those who served our country. During times of peace and war. Those who gave the supreme sacrifice, Those still missing and those who came home both whole and broken.

In honor of those still fighting everyday to keep their head above water.