Different Spectrums Podcast ™️

• Justice Sensitivity & Survival: Caring Deeply in a Broken World

  Today’s episode is a solo talk as we get ready for vacation. We’ll be gone for a few weeks, then return with the second half of Season 3. This conversation is focused on the panic, fear, and emotional heaviness that so many people are carrying right now—especially those who are neurodivergent, highly empathetic, or deeply tuned into justice and suffering in the world.For a lot of us, the pain feels inescapable. Whether it’s because of our neurodivergence, race, gender, sexuality, religion, or just being human, many people are feeling overwhelmed and helpless. There’s a shared exhaustion—a quiet suffering happening beneath the surface for folks who carry big hearts and feel deeply.When the World Is Too MuchMy clients are feeling it. I’m feeling it. You’re probably feeling it too. The non-stop exposure to global tragedies, violence, war, and oppression through social media is emotionally flooding people. Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube—these platforms keep delivering trauma through our feeds. The more we see, the worse we feel.The Spiral of Anxiety and OCDMany neurodivergent folks already deal with obsessive thinking and high anxiety. Add in the doomscrolling and constant bad news, and it becomes a perfect storm. For some, it leads to panic attacks, hopelessness, and even thoughts of giving up.Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream. Malcolm X spoke of a nightmare. For many, that nightmare feels more real than ever.What Can We Actually Control?I remind my clients often: we cannot fix everything. But we can focus on what we can control. Maybe you can’t save the world—but you can change the world around you. That might mean logging off for a while. Connecting with your people. Donating. Sharing a post. Having hard conversations. Supporting your community in quiet but meaningful ways.One of my favorite quotes from the Netflix show Mo is, “Resistance is existence.” I also want to remind you: it’s okay to feel joy. It’s okay to rest. You’re allowed to be happy.At a recent talk I gave at Purdue, a young girl came up to me crying. She said, “I feel so bad about the world, but hearing you say it’s okay to be happy made me feel so much better.” That stuck with me. A lot of us—especially BIPOC and those from working-class or immigrant backgrounds—carry survivor’s guilt. We wonder why we get to be safe or successful while others suffer. It’s heavy.Let’s Reflect TogetherThis is where I really want to hear from you.How are you managing the trauma you see online?How are you dealing with fear and anxiety about the future?How do you cope with the guilt of feeling like you’re not doing enough?These aren’t rhetorical questions. I don’t have all the answers. I want us to support each other in this space. Let’s talk. Let’s build something. Let’s create community.Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process some key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and maybe even find some validation in them.Episode Breakdown:0:00 Attention0:59 Intro7:39 DiscussionWe’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.

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• Checking In On the Homies: Saving Men’s Lives Together [Men's Mental Health Month 2025]

  Hey everyone! Today’s episode is special. We’re finally sitting down to have an honest conversation for Men’s Mental Health Month (even if it’s a bit late). We know this topic runs deep, for so many men, opening up and staying vulnerable is one of the hardest things to do.Masculinity, Shame & SilenceWe dive into how masculinity often gets tangled up with silence. We talk about how so many men grow up learning that feelings are weakness, that showing sadness or fear means you’re less of a man — and how that belief shows up in relationships, friendships, and even with family.We share stories about how easy it is for vulnerability to be used against us, or how we get teased, bullied, or shut down, sometimes by people we love. All of this makes it harder to build real connections and friendships, leaving so many men feeling isolated and alone.Loneliness & Suicide: Why We Have to Talk About ThisWe talk about the brutal truth: for men ages 25 to mid-40s, suicide remains one of the top causes of death. It’s not always about dating or rejection; sometimes it’s about the invisible walls we build, the emotional isolation, and how we just don’t know how to reach out or ask for help.We ask: Why do so many men stop making friends as adults? Is it because we’re too busy, too tired, too ashamed? Or do we simply not know how to keep those emotional bonds alive?Showing Up for Each OtherWe discuss ideas for how to check in on the men in your life, your homies, brothers, dads, partners, sons. Sometimes it’s just asking, “Hey, how are you really doing?” in a way that makes space for a real answer.We share how trust and safety matter, that men often share their truths in quiet moments, one-on-one, or when the pressure’s off. How can we make that space feel safe all the time, not just when we’re drinking or in crisis?Breaking Cycles for Black & Brown MenWe take time to talk about the extra layers of silence and survival for Black and Brown men, the machismo, the generational trauma, the survival mindset. For many, vulnerability just wasn’t an option. So how do we change that? How do we build new examples of what strength and masculinity can look like — calm, soft, supportive?Your Voice MattersThis episode is really an invitation: Men, tell us what works for you. What’s helped you survive the dark moments? What support do you wish you’d had?Drop your thoughts, advice, or words for other men in the comments. For everyone else, ask yourself how you can show up for the men in your life. Because the truth is, we can’t do it alone.One More ThingIf you’re hurting right now, please reach out to someone, find a safe place, talk to a friend, a brother, a therapist, or a stranger if you need to. You’re worth it.We appreciate you all for listening, sharing, and caring for one another. We’ve got a couple more episodes left this season, then we’re taking a break to rest and recharge for Season 3. Much love and take care, everyone. 💙✨Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process some key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and maybe even find some validation in them.Episode Breakdown:0:00 Attention0:59 Intro4:46 Discussion We’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.

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• Stories from George Floyd Square: Hope, Hustle & Healing [Ft. Marquise Bowie]

  Today’s episode is a powerful, raw conversation with Marquise Bowie — a remarkable community leader, author, mentor, and father. You may know him from his deep work at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, or as part of the Agape Movement, encouraging, mentoring, and supporting youth and Black-owned businesses downtown.Spencer first met Marquise downtown and knew right away that his story had to be shared — a story of survival, truth, and hope.⚖️ Systemic Oppression & Surviving the StreetsMarquise opens up about growing up in an environment shaped by systemic racism, chronic poverty, and the unspoken rules that so many young Black boys are forced to follow just to survive. He shares vivid memories of fear, masculinity, shame, and the constant pull to hustle, drink, and act hard to protect himself — all while knowing deep down that he had love in his heart.📚 Prison, Books, and Becoming Something MoreMarquise explains that while he was locked up, reading and writing saved him. Books cracked his world open; writing gave him an escape and a purpose. Instead of letting the system rot him, he used his time for introspection, self-work, and healing.This led to his new book, The Last Drop of a Mad Dog 30-30 — a play on the cheap drink Mad Dog 20/20, which he used to numb his pain for years. His book tells the story of how drinking and surviving in the streets nearly stole everything, but how transformation is possible.✊🏾 From Pain to Purpose: Serving His CommunityToday, Marquise lives with real joy and pride — as a father, husband, mentor, and organizer. He spends his days out in George Floyd Square, building real connections with tourists, neighbors, and especially young people. He shows up — with consistency, donuts, riddles to solve, and his full heart — to keep boys off the street and in school.He’s working alongside groups like Agape Movement and other local foundations to keep the Square Black-owned and to fight the creeping threat of gentrification. His goal? To make sure the businesses there are for the community, by the community.🧡 Masculinity, Healing & What a Real Man Looks LikeMarquise shares his insights about what it means to grow, to be a man, and to truly love yourself. He wants to show young Black men that you can be strong, smart, calm, and kind — that real masculinity can hold emotion, vulnerability, and compassion.He talks about grief — wishing his mother were alive to see who he’s become — and how that pain fuels him to keep helping others heal too.🙌🏾 Support Marquise & the MovementPlease go buy his book The Last Drop of a Mad Dog 30-30 — it’s a testament to survival, transformation, and hope. If you’re ever visiting George Floyd Square, don’t just snap a photo and leave: buy something from a Black-owned business, talk to the people, and support the community that built this space.We hope this special episode reminds you that real people change the world — one conversation, one donut, one riddle at a time.Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process some key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and maybe even find some validation in them.New Guest: Marquise Bowiehttps://www.theagapemovement.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/marquise-bowie-219943227/https://a.co/d/aGZBtziEpisode Breakdown:0:00 Attention0:59 Intro4:23 DiscussionWe’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.

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• From Misfit to Music Legend: Pharrell’s Synesthesia & the Power of Being Different | Piece by Piece

  Today’s episode is a vibrant journey through the mind of musical legend Pharrell Williams and his animated documentary Piece by Piece, available on Netflix. Narrated entirely with Legos, this documentary captures the beauty of neurodivergence, the power of friendship, the art of self-expression, and how music can be both a lifeline and a revolution.🎨 SYNESTHESIA & EARLY NEURODIVERGENCEWe dive into Pharrell’s childhood experience with synesthesia—a condition where senses blend, allowing him to see music in color. As a child who struggled in school and felt misunderstood, Pharrell found healing and identity through records at his grandmother’s house, especially Stevie Wonder. His mind lit up in soundscapes of color, shape, and energy. That’s when he began to see the world differently—literally and figuratively.🎺 CREATIVE COMMUNITY: THE POWER OF FINDING YOUR PEOPLEWe look at Pharrell’s friendships with Chad Hugo (whom he calls a savant), Missy Elliott, Timbaland, and Pusha T—all from the same region of Virginia Beach. These connections weren’t just coincidence—they were lifelines. Together, they built something out of nothing, dreaming up beats, skipping school, and vibing on a frequency few others could hear.This speaks to the importance of neurodivergent friendship and finding people who affirm you, even when the world doesn't understand you yet.📉 FAILURE, DOUBT & THE SLOW GRINDBefore becoming a global icon, Pharrell and Chad were broke, lost, and still living with their parents. They felt like failures—but they never gave up. This is a call to all of us—especially neurodivergent folks—who’ve felt like outsiders, like we’re “too much” or “not enough.” Progress isn’t linear. Success isn’t instant. But the magic lives in staying true to your weird, wonderful self.😌 EMOTIONAL RELEASE: THE HEALING POWER OF “HAPPY”Pharrell breaks down in the film during his Oprah interview, overwhelmed by fan videos from across the globe dancing to his hit “Happy.” He cries, realizing how much his music helped people survive. Viewers wrote that his songs carried them through cancer, heartbreak, depression—even suicide. We talk about the healing power of art and how one voice, one beat, one song can save lives.✊🏽 MUSIC & MOVEMENTS: BLACK LIVES MATTERWe end on Pharrell’s contributions to social justice through music, especially Alright by Kendrick Lamar. He speaks on police brutality and the pain of seeing Black lives lost. The song became an anthem in the 2015 Black Lives Matter protests following the deaths of:Michael BrownEric GarnerTamir RiceWalter ScottPharrell turned grief into sound, and sound into strength. His music became a voice for the voiceless—and a mirror reflecting our nation’s deepest wounds.🧩 CLOSING REFLECTIONSPiece by Piece isn’t just a documentary—it’s a blueprint for believing in yourself, honoring your difference, and knowing that joy is a radical act. For all our neurodivergent listeners: your voice, your quirks, your colors—they matter. Whether you’re the loud dreamer like Pharrell or the quiet genius like Chad, you are needed in this world.Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process some key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and maybe even find some validation in them.Episode Breakdown:0:00 Attention0:59 Intro4:33 Scenes27:24 DiscussionWe’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.

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• The Sweat Monster & The Shield: Anxiety in “Win or Lose”

  Today we’re diving into Win or Lose, the new Disney+ animated series that hits deep with themes of anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional avoidance. We focus on the first two episodes, following Laurie and Frank, two characters who embody the struggles so many of us face — whether it’s childhood pressure, fear of failure, or the armor we wear in relationships. Brought to the show by Spencer, this one hits home personally and clinically for both of us.Laurie & The Sweat Monster 🧠💦Laurie’s anxiety comes to life through a character called the “Sweat Monster” — a brilliant and emotional metaphor for obsessive spiraling and self-doubt. She’s the coach’s daughter, but that only adds more pressure. As teammates tease her and expectations grow, the Sweat Monster begins whispering intrusive thoughts that push her toward perfectionism and shame.Scenes we break down:Her over-practicing and eventual mistake hitting her friend with a ballHer father’s brief but impactful reaction (“What did you just do?”)The way she spirals before bed, replaying every “cringe” moment of the dayHow her dad helps her regulate with simple co-regulation: “Just breathe, kiddo”We talk about what it’s like for neurodivergent folks — especially kids — who feel “never enough,” internalize feedback, and let anxiety consume their identity. It’s not just stress — it’s an emotional takeover. But it’s also about how a moment of warmth and affirmation can shift everything.Frank, Avoidance, and Emotional Armor 💔⚾Then we shift to Frank — who shows us what avoidant attachment can look like in real time. After breaking up with a loving partner, Frank isolates. He holds onto his baseball glove like a shield, protecting himself from love and intimacy.We discuss:How low self-esteem leads to pushing good people awayDating apps and the anxiety of pretending to be someone you’re notThe awkwardness of misreading kindness as romantic interestThe excitement of finding someone new — and the tragedy of realizing too late that you let the right one goAs Spencer notes, Frank finally becomes himself — vulnerable, honest, open — but by then, his ex is already engaged. The heartbreak is real, and his tears during the championship game say it all.We explore how many neurodivergent and anxious folks avoid love not because they don’t want it… but because they’re terrified of losing it, or being seen and rejected for who they really are.Why This MattersThis episode of Win or Lose does a beautiful job of translating what it feels like to spiral, avoid, and self-sabotage. Whether you relate to Laurie’s anxious loops or Frank’s emotional walls, you’re not alone. These stories speak to the parts of us that are still healing — and remind us that with the right support, we can face the monsters and open our hearts again.🗣️ Audience Questions:What does your anxiety monster look like? What would you name it?How have dating apps affected your mental health — for better or worse?Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process some key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and maybe even find some validation in them.Episode Breakdown:0:00 Attention0:59 Intro7:12 Scenes27:47 DiscussionWe’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.

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