In this episode, we unpack the unspoken rules many of us grew up with : don’t wear red lipstick, don’t talk back, don’t take up space, don’t embarrass the family. We dive into something many of us were taught but rarely question: that family comes first, no matter the cost. Through honest conversation and personal stories, we explore how cultural expectations, generational messages, and family roles shape the way we experience guilt, responsibility, and boundaries.

From body image and birth order pressure to absent and overbearing fathers, firstborn expectations, financial responsibility, and the fear that shaped our parents’ parenting, we talk about how guilt gets passed down through generations. We explore how love and control can become tangled, how anxiety becomes tradition, and how enmeshment can blur the line between care and obligation, making boundaries feel like betrayal even when they’re necessary for healing.

We hold space for anger, humor, grief, and growth. This conversation isn’t about blaming our families, but about understanding where these patterns come from, honoring the impact they’ve had on us, and learning how to show up for ourselves without losing connection to where we come from. We also talk about the reality that boundaries often come with guilt and how learning to sit with that discomfort can be part of breaking cycles without breaking connection.

If you’ve ever struggled with saying no, felt responsible for everyone else’s feelings, or wondered how to love your family while protecting your peace, this episode is for you.

In Episode 2 of Stupid Sh*t My Brain Tells Me, we talk about what it’s like to live inside a mind that won’t stop replaying, questioning, and taking responsibility for everything.

The guilt for resting. The urge to over-explain. The mental spiral that starts with “Did I say the wrong thing?”, turns into “Do people even like me?”, and somehow ends with “This is my fault.”

We get into:

• Why overthinking isn’t a flaw — it’s something your brain learned to do

• Feeling responsible for other people’s feelings (even when no one asked you to)

• The pressure to care, fix, and hold it all together

• How to start putting things down instead of carrying them forever

This episode isn’t about shutting your brain off. It’s about learning when you don’t have to work so hard inside your own head.

If overthinking feels like a second job you never applied for — you’re not alone.

This is a heavier episode.

In this impromptu live recording, the hosts of Stupid Sh*t My Brain Tells Me come together to process their reactions to ongoing ICE raids, violence against immigrant communities, and the emotional toll of witnessing these events in real time.

This episode reflects our personal experiences and emotions. We know not everyone will share these perspectives. This was a difficult conversation — one we struggled with and needed to process after — and it’s not one we’re done having.

This conversation is raw, emotional, and deeply human. There are fewer laughs and more pauses — because sometimes what’s happening in the world needs to be named out loud.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The fear and grief many immigrant communities are carrying right now

• What it’s like to live with a constant sense of being targeted or watched

• The impact of seeing violence over and over through social media and news

• How racism, dehumanization, and power show up in modern systems

• The emotional weight of holding empathy while trying to stay safe

• The cognitive dissonance of going on with daily life while others can’t

• Why this isn’t about “legality,” but about humanity

We also discuss:

• Doom-scrolling and the toll it takes on our minds and bodies

• The fear parents carry for their children — and children carry for their families

• The pressure to stay informed while also protecting your mental health

• What it means to care, witness, and still survive day-to-day

Toward the end of the episode, we share grounding reminders and practical resources, including:

• Knowing your rights

• The importance of memorizing phone numbers and emergency contacts

• Planning for children’s safety and guardianship

• Seeking legal and community support

• Reaching out for mental health support when the weight feels too heavy

This episode is not meant to have answers. It’s meant to say: we see you, we’re hurting too, and you’re not alone.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of violence, death, racism, and immigration enforcement that may be distressing for some listeners.