Tuesday Feb 25, 2025

Episode 130: When the Cheerleader Needs a Pep Talk: Navigating Depression & Identity with podcast host Ashlie Daigle

Hello, hi! This week’s episode is an authentic and open episode with my guest Ashlie Daigle, otherwise known as the Cheerbrarian. Ashlie and I have been “kindred spirits” both in the kind of content we like to share with the world, as well as our outlook on life and our enthusiasm for giving advice. Despite that identity and persona, Ashlie gets real with her current mental health struggles and how hard it is to reconcile the part of her identity she’s known for, when she doesnt’ really feel like that person.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Ashlie and I chat about:

Why Ashlie chose podcasting over other forms of content creation
Ashlie and I talk shop about podcasting and how an asynchronous relationship with our listeners can sometimes be amazing and sometimes be a bit jarring - plus we debate whether you should start at episode 1 or start with a podcast’s most recent episode! Where do you fall in the debate?
Ashlie’s advice to name the negative voice in your head, so when the negativity gets really loud you can tell that persona to “zip it”
Content creators will often say that they are their first audience member, and they often catch themselves making the content that they need to consume out in the world - Ashlie shares that with her recent diagnosis of clinical depression that her past few episodes were a way of trying to ask for help. We talk about the vulnerability of admitting to your audience that you don’t have it all figured out.
We want everyone listening to know: it is ok to need help, it’s ok to ask for that help, and to lean on your support system and open the doors to let others show up for you so you can get what you need from your community.
The paradox of being someone who is good at helping others is the validation you feel from playing that role; we talk about how hard it is to learn how to find validation from within and how vital that can be to wellness and balance during times when anxiety or depression are heightened.
If you identify as a perfectionist, the slow process of growth can be very unappealing and demotivating
The internal stigma with mental health medications can be really challenging to face and overcome
Taking care of yourself while battling depression takes many many small steps and all of those small steps need to be celebrated - join me celebrating Ashlie for the work she’s putting in to take care of herself.