Podcast Summary: Trash Tuesday Episode Featuring Brooke Schofield

Title: Brooke Schofield Feels Safe on Trash Tuesday
Release Date: December 31, 2024
Hosts: Esther Povitsky & Khalyla Kuhn
Guest: Brooke Schofield

1. Introduction of Brooke Schofield

In this episode of "Trash Tuesday," hosts Esther Povitsky and Khalyla Kuhn welcome their guest, Brooke Schofield. Brooke opens up about her personal experiences, ranging from physical self-image challenges to deep-seated mental health struggles. The conversation delves into her journey of self-acceptance, coping mechanisms, and future aspirations.

2. Physical Self and Body Image

Breast Size and Body Changes: Brooke discusses her recent experience with significant changes in her body, particularly her breast size. She shares her feelings about her new physique and the adjustments she's making to embrace her body better.

Brooke [00:47]: "They're new. And I meant for them to be, well, I guess I did mean for them to be huge, but maybe not this huge."

She also touches upon her experiences with Botox and its unintended consequences, leading to dissatisfaction with her appearance.

Brooke [05:09]: "They did it too much. And I smell like this for, like, six months. Not really. Like, probably three months."

Bell’s Palsy: Brooke reveals her struggle with Bell’s palsy, discussing the impact it has had on her facial expressions and self-esteem.

Brooke [03:35]: "I have HSV1, so maybe that's why I have it."

This section highlights Brooke's vulnerability and her journey towards embracing her unique physical traits despite societal pressures.

3. Mental Health Journey

Anxiety and Medication: Brooke candidly discusses her battle with anxiety and the medications she employs to manage it. She explains her reliance on gabapentin as a substitute for Xanax, highlighting the challenges of dependency and the importance of finding effective treatments.

Brooke [14:11]: "I just get anxious, I think. Like, I used to go on podcast all the time, and then, like, we toured and stuff, so I didn't for a long time, and now for some reason, it's like, I get so anxious."

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Brooke opens up about her diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, exploring how it affects her relationships and daily life.

Brooke [37:02]: "Borderline. I had to be, like, so badly triggered because, like, I had. There had been talks of it obviously, because I've always had, like, psychological problems…"

She discusses the manifestation of BPD in her interactions, particularly her fear of abandonment and emotional instability.

Brooke [39:32]: "I get so far out of my mind and, like, so out of control. And, like, you, like, the way I act is like, I cannot. I literally, like, see red."

Medication and Therapy: Brooke emphasizes the role of medication, specifically Lamictal, in stabilizing her mood and improving her interactions with her co-host.

Brooke [44:47]: "I'm on Lamictal. It has changed my life. I just started, like, a few months ago."

4. Personal Relationships and Trauma

Dating a Scam Artist: Brooke recounts her painful experience of dating a man who faked his family's death and lied about his background, leading to significant emotional trauma.

Brooke [18:24]: "I dated, like, the Tinder swindler. He wasn't even, like, I don't know what was wrong with me. I'd listen back, like, to videos and stuff, and I'm like, wait, it was right in front of you."

Family Dynamics: Brooke delves into her complicated relationship with her parents, highlighting her experiences of instability and the resultant "mommy wounds."

Brooke [37:38]: "I grew up with my grandparents and my grandparents were like, they raised boys and like, by the time they got me, they were literally like, do whatever you want."

Friendships and Boundaries: She discusses the challenges of maintaining healthy friendships, especially when intertwined with professional collaborations.

Brooke [41:09]: "It's. It is very hard. ... Being emotional and reactive has led to a lot of conflicts."

5. Future Parenting and Child-rearing Thoughts

Desire for Children: Brooke expresses a strong desire to have children, contemplating the joys and fears associated with motherhood.

Brooke [25:28]: "Oh, I want kids so bad."

Concerns About Parenting: She shares her anxieties about raising children, particularly regarding the influence of genetics and external factors like sports.

Brooke [30:20]: "Imagine you raise your child all the way into adulthood... And they decide they want to be a UFC fighter and get CTE."

Perceptions of Parenthood: Brooke envisions parenting as a way to share her passions and experiences with her children, emphasizing the emotional bond it would foster.

Brooke [26:05]: "Like, oh, now I get to show you. Oh, my God. Show you all these things."

6. Animal Companionship

Cats and Bengal Cat: Brooke discusses her relationship with her cats, particularly focusing on the introduction of a Bengal cat into her life and the challenges that come with it.

Brooke [23:43]: "So I got him. And I didn't really put a lot of thought into it. And I honestly got a lot of hate for this because it's like, bangles."

She shares her initial struggles with the high-energy behavior of Bengal cats compared to her more laid-back first cat, highlighting her adaptability and love for animals despite the challenges.

Brooke [24:03]: "I almost have to... he's so mean and violent."

7. Balancing Friendships and Professional Relationships

Working with Friends: Brooke elaborates on the difficulties of collaborating with friends on her podcast, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries to maintain both personal and professional relationships.

Brooke [43:45]: "Because we're working with each other, which kind of makes it harder."

She reflects on the trial-and-error process of establishing a harmonious working dynamic, ultimately finding a rhythm that allows their friendship to thrive alongside their professional endeavors.

Brooke [43:45]: "We had to have a lot of, like, crazy arguments to finally, like, get into like, a rhythm."

8. Interpretations of Societal Issues

Flight Incident and Vaping: Brooke narrates an incident on a flight where someone was caught vaping in the bathroom, leading to federal intervention. This anecdote serves as a segue into broader discussions about societal behaviors and responsibilities.

Esther [11:11]: "I thought the plane was going down. Even the flight attendants were like, what is going on?"

UFC and Violence in Sports: The conversation shifts to the brutality of UFC and boxing, with Brooke expressing her horror at the physical toll these sports take on fighters.

Brooke [31:44]: "It's so inhumane. I cannot believe that it's a legal sport that people pay..."

She contemplates the implications of children aspiring to such careers and the ethical considerations involved.

Brooke [32:08]: "It just, like, it's really scary."

9. Coping Mechanisms and Healing

Humor and Trauma: Brooke, along with her hosts, discusses the use of humor as a coping mechanism to process and share traumatic experiences. They explore the balance between lightheartedness and genuine emotional healing.

Esther [63:14]: "Saying it out loud to people in a jovial way, in like a comedic way is a way for us not to feel it."

Support Systems: Acknowledging the importance of having supportive family and friends, Brooke emphasizes how these relationships aid her in navigating mental health challenges.

Brooke [45:25]: "It helped that I had my mom and I had my sister and, like, people who, like, I. I had seen it in them, so I knew..."

10. Closing Reflections

As the episode concludes, the hosts and Brooke reflect on the depth and intensity of their conversations, reinforcing the show's theme of unloading personal traumas and fostering a sense of community among listeners.

Esther [64:56]: "I love you guys."

Brooke [65:10]: "Thank you for having me."

The episode wraps up with expressions of mutual support and understanding, highlighting the therapeutic nature of their candid discussions.

Notable Quotes

• Brooke on Body Image:
  "I'm built like an airpod. No, like, not kidding at all." [00:38]

• Brooke on Medication:
  "I just got the exact progression of events." [63:21]

• Esther on Coping with Trauma:
  "That's literally me. So I say the most atrocious things, like, about my family doctor..." [62:16]

• Brooke on Friendship Dynamics:
  "It's like working with your partner or, like." [41:41]

Conclusion

This episode of "Trash Tuesday" offers an unfiltered glimpse into Brooke Schofield's multifaceted life, exploring themes of self-identity, mental health, and resilience. Through honest and often harrowing discussions, Brooke and the hosts create a safe space for sharing and healing, resonating deeply with their audience of "SLUGS" (Sexy Little Ugly Girls).

For more engaging and raw conversations, tune into future episodes of "Trash Tuesday" and join the community in embracing the messy, beautiful aspects of life.

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Host Profiles:

• Khalyla Kuhn: @khalamityk
• Esther Povitsky: @esthermonster