Bonus #141 - Live Call Show Vol. 30 [PATREON PREVIEW]

Summary

Stavvy's World - Episode Summary: Bonus #141 - Live Call Show Vol. 30 [Patreon Preview]

Release Date: August 14, 2025
Host: Stavros Halkias
Episode Type: Live Call Show (Patreon Preview)

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Overview

In this heartfelt and candid live call episode of "Stavvy's World," host Stavros Halkias welcomes two listeners who openly share their personal struggles and seek advice. The conversation delves deep into themes of physical injury, the tragic loss of friends, relationship challenges, and the ongoing battle with mental health. Through genuine dialogue, the listeners explore coping mechanisms, the importance of self-compassion, and finding motivation amidst adversity.

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Personal Struggles and Physical Injury

The episode kicks off with Listener 1 opening up about a recent physical setback:

Listener 1 (00:30): "Doing all right, man. Just spent a week recovering from an old slip disc. You know what I'm saying?"

Listener 2 empathizes, sharing similar experiences:

Listener 2 (00:39): "Where is the slip disc?"

This segment highlights the commonality of back issues and the challenges they present in daily life.

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Tragic Loss and Emotional Impact

Listener 1 transitions to discussing a profound personal loss:

Listener 1 (01:06): "But then like February rolls around, end of February, two close friends of mine die. Like, damn. Separate events like within 24 hours."

The sudden deaths of two friends deeply affected Listener 1, leading to feelings of punishment and existential questioning. Listener 2 responds with empathy:

Listener 2 (01:39): "Jesus Christ, dude."

This exchange underscores the devastating impact of losing loved ones in a short span.

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Relationship Challenges Amidst Grief

Amidst the grief, Listener 1 reveals the strain it placed on his romantic relationship:

Listener 1 (02:11): "And then it does. And then so like I was dating the girl I was with for like two, three months when this happened."

The grief-nature of his friends' deaths contributed to the end of his relationship, adding another layer of emotional turmoil.

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Mental Health and the Role of Therapy

Struggling with mental health, Listener 1 discusses his journey:

Listener 1 (02:53): "I've been going to a therapist. She's cool, but it's also just, like. I feel like it only does so much for me."

Listener 2 offers insightful advice on self-compassion and recognizing personal victories:

Listener 2 (04:53): "You have to give yourself. You have to be kind to yourself here... life is learning to deal with worse and worse shit."

This segment emphasizes the importance of patience and self-kindness in the healing process.

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Finding Motivation and Counting Wins

Listener 2 provides a powerful metaphor to help Listener 1 reframe his struggles:

Listener 2 (06:15): "It's like in a boxing match where you're just sort of like, you're just kind of covering your head because you're getting pummeled... what you're doing is way more impressive than traditional success without obstacles."

Listener 1 reflects on this advice, recognizing the need to acknowledge his efforts:

Listener 1 (08:43): "I think that's like a problem I've had my whole life is giving myself credit and having that confidence... I guess I do gotta do. Gotta take those mental notes and count those W's."

Listener 2 reinforces the importance of celebrating small victories:

Listener 2 (09:04): "You should be totally proud of yourself because these are... you're putting in the effort of somebody who's living an A plus life right now."

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Balancing Therapy and Personal Action

The conversation shifts to balancing professional help with personal actions:

Listener 2 (11:06): "You should also do that which makes you feel good. That's the sort of takeaway is like, don't feel free to sort of spoil yourself as if you've had a banner year, because in a lot of ways, you have had a banner year just staying on course."

Listener 1 acknowledges the alignment with his therapist's advice and the support from his personal network:

Listener 1 (11:20): "Yeah, man. Yeah. And I have a lot of people in my life I can lean on who kind of say the same thing."

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Looking Forward and Finding Joy

In the closing segments, Listener 1 shares his plans to engage in enjoyable activities:

Listener 1 (12:43): "I got a few fun events planned going forward, some concerts..."

Listener 2 encourages him to indulge in simple pleasures:

Listener 2 (12:59): "Do one extra splurge for us, man. Do one extra thing that you weren't gonna do."

Listener 1 lightens the mood with a humorous response:

Listener 1 (13:01): "I think it's an ice cream kind of sundae."

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Conclusion

This episode of "Stavvy's World" offers a raw and supportive dialogue between listeners navigating through significant personal challenges. The exchange serves as a reminder of the importance of self-compassion, recognizing personal achievements, and seeking joy even in difficult times. Stavros Halkias facilitates a space where listeners can openly discuss their struggles and receive meaningful advice, fostering a sense of community and understanding.

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Notable Quotes:

• Listener 1 (01:06): "But then like February rolls around, end of February, two close friends of mine die."
• Listener 2 (04:53): "You have to give yourself. You have to be kind to yourself here..."
• Listener 2 (06:15): "What you're doing is way more impressive than traditional success without obstacles."
• Listener 2 (09:04): "You should be totally proud of yourself because... you're putting in the effort of somebody who's living an A plus life right now."

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For more insightful discussions and live call episodes, consider supporting "Stavvy's World" on Patreon.

Transcript

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[Listener 1]

Doing all right, man. Just spent a week recovering from an old slip disc. You know what I'm saying?

[Listener 2]

Where. Where is the slip disc?

[Listener 1]

My lower right portion of my back. Classic.

[Listener 2]

Brutal. Yeah, dude, I have, I have, I have some bulging discs, some up discs and yeah, it'll just like, you'll just be fine and then be like, oh, I guess I'm just not getting out of bed today.

[Listener 1]

Yeah, I was like, I went to work Monday, I was like, my shit feels weird. And then all of a sudden I was like, ah, fuck, can't walk.

[Listener 2]

Damn, dude. Sorry about that. Yeah, back stuff is the worst.

[Listener 1]

Yeah, it's kind of just like to kind of to the point. Like it's been one of the things that's been piling up the last couple months. Like 20, 25. Started out pretty sick. Like, had a girlfriend, new job, like going to school. Relevant to my new career. Climbing trees and doing like studying arbor culture.

[Listener 2]

Oh, hell yeah, dude.

[Listener 1]

But then like February rolls around, end of February, two close friends of mine die. Like, damn. Separate events like within 24 hours.

[Listener 2]

Jesus Christ, dude.

[Listener 1]

Yeah, like they were. We were in an abandoned high school and.

[Listener 2]

I'm sorry to hear that, man.

[Listener 1]

Yeah, man, like 24 too. So it's just like, that's the kind of. That you're like, all right, well, guess. Guess we're all just getting punished. You know what I mean?

[Listener 2]

Oh, right. There is no justice or fairness in the world. And even though I knew that if philosophically now I. I'm feeling it personally and it sucks.

[Listener 1]

Yeah, dude, you're like, oh, dude, you see like shit that. You see people die. You're like, oh, that could never happen to the boys.

[Listener 2]

And then of course.

[Listener 1]

And then it does. And then so like I was dating the girl I was with for like two, three months when this happened. And as you can imagine, that's like heavy because I found out at her apartment.

[Listener 2]

Oh.

[Listener 1]

Like she was, she was great through it all and like we. I broke up with her like three, four weeks ago just cuz, you know, that happening. And then just a lot of shit going on. Kind of like. Like, I'm doing well in school. I'm going to work. I'm, like, progressing. And it's just like. It's. And with the death and, like, a breakup and just, like, mental health shit. Like, I've been going to a therapist. She's cool, but it's also just, like. I feel like it only does so much for me. Like, I'm very receptive to therapy. Like, I'm sure open and, you know, it helps, definitely, but it's just like, man. And then, like, with my back, I was, like, just starting to feel like I was hitting my stride. I was like, all right, dude. Like, maybe being single isn't so bad, you know? Like, gotta enjoy this. Enjoy this summer, like, in honor of the boys. And then I'm just like, damn.

[Listener 2]

Now I'm like, babe, I can't. I can't be in a relationship. The ghosts of my best friends want me to get pussy. They come to me in the night and they tell me to suck tits. To suck strange tits.

[Listener 1]

They're telling me, like, dude, we can't be sluts in heaven.

[Listener 2]

Yeah. It turns out it's just like church up here. It fucking sucks. You gotta get as much pussy for us as possible. We struck a deal with God. We feel it a little bit every time you fuck a girl, so you have to do it for us.

[Listener 1]

They were right. All the cool people are in hell, man.

[Listener 2]

Yeah. But.

[Listener 1]

Yeah, it's just, like, thankfully, I'm, like, starting to. I have some mobility back. Like, I spent this last week just, like, stretching, trying to walk. Like, I'm feeling pretty good now. It's just achy. So I'm going back to work tomorrow. Probably just taking it easy, but getting back into it.

[Listener 2]

Yep.

[Listener 1]

But it's still just like. Like last night I had just, like. I'm at the apartment alone, and I was kind of. I was just tweaking, man. I was, like, pacing around, like, the fuck's going on? And it's just hard. It's hard to, like, chalk up the wins, like, with, like. I'm doing good in school. Like, work's going all right. I like everybody I work with, but it's hard to, like, appreciate that when all this shit's happening and I'm trying to, like, enjoy what's left of summer.

[Listener 2]

Sure.

[Listener 1]

Get back onto that groove and, like, do all the things I want to do. But it's, you know, it's hard to fucking get out of bed. And I'm sure that both of you have been in similar scenarios. Like, I guess, you know, what kind of, what kind of things can you. What kind of things give you motivation to get out of a slump like that and continue?

[Listener 2]

Well, dude, look, the thing you have to also remind yourself is you have to give yourself. You have to be like, sort of like kind to yourself here and like, think about it as like, how would you treat somebody else in your exact scenario, right? You would be really understanding if it was like, if somebody you knew lost two of their best friends in like a freak occurrence. Like, first of all, you're not even close to dealing with that, right? Like, that is a really up thing that, you know is tragic and that is going to take a while for you to sort of like, really, really figure out. And that in some ways just change. Like, that's the, that's the whole. The worst part of. I mean, like, all life is, is learning to deal with worse and worse shit. Every year we're alive, worse things keep happening. And yes, good things happen and that's what makes life worth living. But they're like, every year there's a fucking tragedy. And at a certain point you just kind of become number to them and easier to deal with. And you unfortunately had to deal with like, shit that's like, you should have. You should have built up to a lot of smaller tragedies before you had to deal with these. Like, that's kind of how it works, right? Is like little up happens that makes you be like, oh, life sucks. Or like, maybe an older relative dies a little early. And you're like, hey, that's fucked up that somebody died at 60 instead of 80, but ultimately, you know, his health wasn't good, whatever. But like, you're dealing with shit that's like, like that just a person up like for a year plus, you know what I mean? And then even when you're done existential.

[Listener 1]

Like, if they can die, why, like ex happen to me?

[Listener 2]

Exactly. Not only are you mourning the loss of somebody who's so close to you and who was like a big part of your life, but it's like, yes, it shakes you. You're right. It makes these really existential questions, right? Like, and so that's number one, right? That's like understanding that you're still very much in the middle of this. And then also when you throw in, you know, the back, I mean, dude, a bad back is also a thing that's work like that can up an entire. That can up years of a person's life, right? A chronic health condition like this. And so when you have those two together, you have to realize, like, right now it's sort of like it. You know, it's like in a boxing match where you're just sort of like, you're just kind of covering your head because you're getting the pummeled out of you and you're waiting. You're about. You're basically clinching your opponent. You're covering your head and you're trying to clinch your opponent so the ref will stop it and you get a second to breathe. But you're in the middle of getting the shit kicked out of you right now. And like, you don't need to be worried about. Do the fact that you're hanging on, right? Just keeping your job, just going to school is like five victories in a row. Like, you have to realize that. You have to understand that the fact that you haven't crumbled completely is the equivalent to like, if none of this had happened and you had like, you know, become a multi millionaire and found the love of your life and like, and. And bought a house, like, that's the level of success. Like, in many ways, what you're doing is way more impressive than traditional success without obstacles. Getting in the middle of this to keep your life together, dude, you should feel like you, like you just won a champion. Like a. Like you're, you know, you were on an NBA championship roster because what you're dealing with is really hard. And you showing up to work, like, dude, if I was you, I would. I don't think I would. Like, I don't. I think I would have been dropped out of school and quit my job legitimately.

[Listener 1]

I was close.

[Listener 2]

I know, dude. And. And it's.

[Listener 1]

I think that's like a problem I've had my whole life is giving myself credit and having that confidence and like, you know, I'm doing all right. Like, I don't need to impress anybody. I just need to, like, keep it pushing, you know? And yeah, I think, yeah, what you're saying is true. Is like, yeah, I guess that is. Guess I do gotta do. Gotta take those mental. Mental notes and count those W's.

[Listener 2]

No, you should. You should be totally proud of yourself because these are. It feels like you're not making. It feels like. And I get it, right? I get why it feels like you're at zero, right? But. But it's like if you're netting out at zero right now, that's huge. That's like you're scoring 30 points because life is negative 30 at you right now. You know what I mean? Like, like the fact that you're at zero is insane. And you're probably, you're probably doing a little better than that, right? Like you're still going to school, you're still doing well. Like, you're doing like solid. Like you're doing like, you know, you're, you're doing like a fucking A C plus when life is trying to get you an F minus. And that's huge because like, by absolute value, you're, you're putting in the effort of somebody who's living an A plus life right now. And you need to understand that. And so you should feel proud of yourself. Like, you should be proud of yourself. Like, you're crushing it. Even though it feels like you're barely doing shit. That's kind of, that is, that's really my, my overall advice. And that's, that's the hardest part. Like when you feel like, what's the point? I'm not even succeeding, I'm not doing shit. It's easy to feel helpless and give up. And I've done that in the past, right? Like I've done that and it's been a mistake. And then you dig yourself into a deeper hole, something you can, you can still ultimately get out of. But what you're doing is really impressive. You should feel good about yourself. And you should also be like, listen, don't put other pressures on yourself either. Like this weird, like, oh, I gotta enjoy summer. But like, you know, you don't have to have the best summer of your life. Just go have a couple nice afternoons, drink a couple brus on a rooftop, you know, get head, get head from a couple sevens. They don't got to be tens, man. You'll be fine, dude. You know what I mean? Like, yeah, dude, like that, that's, that's really it, dude. Just whatever it takes to make yourself feel good, you've earned it. Because I bet you right now it feels like you're not, you haven't earned and that you, you're actually a up. And you're not, you're. You're crushing it right now, especially given what you're up against.

[Listener 1]

Yeah, man. Yeah. And I guess that is, that is a lot of stuff that my therapist has echoed to me a few times. But yeah, it definitely does help hearing it from other like out outputs. And I have a lot of people in my life I can lean on who kind of say the same thing.

[Listener 2]

But yeah, and listen, and by the way. You're right. You're right in saying that there. There's only so much therapy can do for you. Right? Like, you can hear that, but you have to behave like that. Like, you have to go. You do have to go do some fun. You. Or you've earned some fun, and you do have to be okay. Like, you know, you should treat your day to day like you were absolutely crushing it. So go celebrate. You know what I mean? Like, go take a little vacation, whatever. You've earned it. Go. Like, and by the way, because it's gonna be kind of hard, right? You're gonna be pretty tired from getting this together because not only school and work, but, like, with a chronic back problem. Dude, the way I got my back, I. My back up, you know? Right. Maybe like a year ago at this point, and I had to go to pt, I do all these exercises just to not be in pain, and it was really annoying. And so, like, if you keep. If you're keeping up with all that stuff, you should also do that makes you feel good. That's kind of my. That's my. That's sort of my takeaway is like, don't. Don't feel free to sort of, like, spoil yourself as if you've had a banner year, because in a lot of ways, you have had a banner year just staying on course.

[Listener 1]

Damn, that's true. Yeah, dude. Yeah, I think I definitely have been trying to do that. Like, I got a few fun events planned going forward, some concerts and.

[Listener 2]

Yeah.

[Listener 1]

So, yeah, just. Yeah, just keeping it pushing and having something to look forward to, as my mama always said.

[Listener 2]

That's right, dude. And listen, do one extra splurge for us, man. Do one extra thing that you weren't gonna do.

[Listener 1]

I think it's an ice cream kind of sundae.

[Listener 2]

Go get yourself. Go get yourself two fat Scoops, brother.

[Listener 1]

Dude, it. Why not us? Well, I'll let you guys push out to the next call, and I appreciate it. My sister and I are huge fans. We saw you in Cleveland couple, like, two years ago. Always a pleasure. And we'll look forward to whenever that happens again.

[Listener 2]

We will. Yeah, we will. We haven't announced anything yet, but we're working on. Basically, I'm going to do another bus tour at the beginning of next year. Like, maybe. Maybe, maybe, like, starting in late January. And I'm pretty sure I'm almost positive Cleveland is somewhere in there, so look out for that. We'll be announcing that pretty soon.

[Listener 1]

Nice. I'll be looking out, keep my ear to the streets. And I'll catch you guys later, man. Thank you both.

[Listener 2]

Yeah, dude.

[Listener 1]

Good luck.

[Listener 2]

Good luck.

[Listener 1]

Appreciate it, boys. Later.

[Listener 2]

Later. See you, dude. Sister Hunter.