What It Takes to Be Happy

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

Ever wonder what the “Scott McKinney Solution to Happiness” (Patent Pending) is? Well here it is in all of its glory! But for real, I talk about what combination of things make me happy, how I discovered this magical combo, and how with work and hope, you can find what things you need to feel better too. Plus, my book, Trying Not to Kill Myself, is coming out on Friday, July 17th, so please check it out then!

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Feeling Like a Burden

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

There is no clear-cut definition for depression that encompasses everyone who struggles with it since it affects everyone differently; however, there are similarities that exist within most people that have it. It’s easy to feel like you’re going it alone, especially when swamped by suicidal thoughts, but I learn each day that most people are more like me and you than you’d think, such as feeling like a burden to those around you.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Stop and Smell the Roses

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

There are a ton of things happening in the world right now, and they’re things that many of us likely never expected in our lifetimes, our kid’s lifetimes, or even our grandkid’s lifetimes. There is a lot going on, but that doesn’t mean that we need to be caught in the endless streams of overwhelming news that’s coming at us from all directions. In this episode, I talk about what’s making me happy right now, and what you can do to find some happiness in your own life.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

The Future

On By Acceptable MadnessIn BlogLeave a comment

Hello and welcome to my blog! It’s been a long time since I’ve used this, and even when I used it, I posted about random stuff, shorts from my upcoming book, or really whatever I wanted. I figured that stopping there was kind of a waste of resources, plus I like writing and want to encourage myself to do so at least once a week. So, thanks for reading as I talk about whatever I want to talk about that’s related to mental health.

There’s been a lot of things happening recently in the world, ranging from COVID-19 to the murder of George Floyd, to protests and riots, and to really anything else in between. As I type this, and the song Mad World by Gary Jules and Michael Andrews plays on Spotify, I feel confused and overwhelmed. People are dying, businesses are being looted, and the world seems to be losing control. Now, that’s not to say that losing control is entirely bad, as the catalyst for this change is a travesty and nothing like it should happen again, but it still causes an unbelievable amount of change in everyone’s lives and thoughts.

This change feels like it was an inevitablity and it’s a shame that it had to come to this for so many to act and speak up, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for everyone to understand how to act or react to it. It’s easy to feel like you’re not being a dutiful citizen by staying inside and struggling to find the energy to leave your bed, but if you feel that you need to stay inside and rest up, that’s perfectly fine.

We’ve all been stuck at home for months with nothing but our thoughts for company, and I don’t know if you know this, but depressed thoughts are a sonuvabitch. Everything that’s happening is tragic, but change is coming and we’ll all come out of this on the other side as a better, more understanding species, with equality to carry us to our next chapter.

The World as We Know It

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

It’s a weird time to be alive. There are protests all over, COVID-19 is still being a butthead, and the rate at which unexpecting things happen doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all. This podcast is about mental health, and topics such as the riots are very polarizing, but this is a safe space. I tried my best to give my honest opinions about everything that’s happening and how I feel I should react to it all, along with how I’m trying to find the bright side. It’s a hard time for everyone, and focusing on mental health is more important than ever. Thanks for listening and I hope this can make you feel even the tiniest bit better, or at least show you a new perspective.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Is Acceptable Madness… Unacceptable?

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

In this episode, I (metaphorically) strip down and look at my naked body in the mirror and ask myself about what I’m doing with Acceptable Madness, and what I could be doing better. In the process, I decided to create a secondary brand/channel/thing called Unacceptable Madness where I post non-mental health related content so that I don’t clutter my Acceptable Madness feeds with random stuff that some people don’t like. Thanks for your patience as I work to understand my brand, and I hope you appreciate all of the upcoming changes.

Also, I’m having to experiment with a bunch of different changes, like a different computer, desk setup and all sorts of other things, so if the audio doesn’t sound as good this time around, I apologize, and will work to make it better in the future. Any insight that you give helps, so please let me know what you think.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

I’m not going to plug Unacceptable here, but you’ll be able to find it on Facebook and YouTube if you look for it (maybe Twitter in the future). If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Sooo, I Got Engaged

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

Whoa, I’m engaged! That’s pretty exciting, right? Being in a committed Whoa, I’m engaged! That’s pretty exciting, right? Being in a committed relationship is something that I never thought I’d be able to do, let alone get engaged. In this episode, I talk about the super unromantic way I started the proposal, the proposal itself, and how I overcame countless fears and embraced a long-term relationship (and sexy fiancée.)

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

The Effects of Burn Out

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

We’re all stuck at home. We’re all tired of being stuck at home. We’re all stressed for a multitude of different reasons, whether it’s from being unemployed and searching for a job, missing family, or just exhausted at our jobs. It’s a hard time for everyone, and in this episode, I talk about what’s been a struggle for me and how I’m trying to overcome it.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

The Joy of Progress

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

Hello and thanks for tuning into another episode of Acceptable Madness! In this episode, I talk about progress, and how progressing or improving in something that you care about feels delightful – and maybe even happiness-inducing. Yeah. It’s that good.

I also talk about how the Carousel of Progress broke down when I was riding it with my family, creating the most ironic thing that I’ve ever lived through.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Why People Like Things

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

Hello and thanks for checking out another episode of Acceptable Madness! Although the title of this episode seems kind of weird and super not detailed, this episode is about exactly what it says. People like different things for different reasons, and for the first time in my life, I was able to understand that instead of quantifying or questioning it, simply accepting that people like something is enough – and there’s no reason to fight that.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

What If You Don’t Have Hobbies?

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

I know that in the past, I have talked about hobbies as almost entirely creativity-based ventures, and I believe that that is shortsighted. In this episode, I talk about hobbies of all shapes and sizes, ranging from watching the massively overrated Tiger King documentary to baking, and how no matter what you do with your free time, the only thing that ultimately matters is finding things that make you happy.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Do Pets Make Depression Easier?

On By Acceptable MadnessIn Podcast1 Comment

The short to this question is a resounding… maybe? Last month, I adopted both a puppy and kitten, and in all of the running around to potty train, clean up pee and poop, make sure they’re all healthy and fed, I haven’t had much time to think about being depressed. How has that affected me? Is it a good thing because I’ve been able to stay out of my own head, or is it a bad thing since I haven’t been thinking about my mental health as much, so I haven’t been able to understand what’s making me feel way that I do? I honestly have no idea, but what I can promise you is that Halsey and Leia are super cute.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Trying Not to Kill Myself

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

This week, I talk about the new eBook that I’m going to publish in the coming weeks titled Trying Not to Kill Myself. I read a few of the shorts that are in the 100 story compilation and talk about what compelled me to write them, along with how they made me feel. I hope you like what you hear! If you do, keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram to hear updates about the project. I’ll also mention it here so that all of you wonderful podcast listeners are kept in the loop. Thanks for your support over the years and for the coming years as well.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Thinking of Those That You Miss

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

As we enter another week of quarantine, I talk about how I’ve been holding up so far and how I’ve coped with the isolation. Along with that, I look for the positive in the mess that the world seems to be in right now, and then decide to never talk about Coronavirus on my podcast again because information is coming from all directions and I want this to be more of a break from that as opposed to another source of worry. Thanks for listening, and keep an eye on my Facebook page (link below) to see when I release my first self-published book, Trying Not to Kill Myself. Stay safe and healthy out there.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Quarantined and Cooped Up

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

It’s a weird time for everyone right now. Stores, restaurants and businesses are closed, people are stuck at home, and most everyone is scared to leave their house, even if it’s for the most essential of items. Right now is a hard time on everyone, and trying to stay happy through all of it is difficult as heck. So this week, I talk about how I’ve been trying to stay happy and healthy while I’m locked in my apartment with Alex, a cat and a dog with more roundworms than I ever hoped to see in my whole life.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Living Amidst the Coronavirus

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

I know everyone has already been talking about COVID, but I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring too. Stay healthy out there and try not to let this thing scare you too badly. It’s obviously a big deal, but so is acting rationally and doing everything in your power to handle it responsibly and without screwing over your neighbors (stop hoarding toilet paper.) Here are my thoughts on the virus and how it’s affected me mentally.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Old Happiness Vs. New Happiness

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

In a recent episode, I talked about what happiness means to me and how I see it affecting other people. In this episode, I talk about why I was at least partially wrong in that belief, and how I’ve been trying to evalute what happiness really means to me now.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

The Truth About Adulthood

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

When you’re in high school, decisions ranging from asking someone to the dance and where you’ll go out with your friends feel like the end of the world. When you’re in college, the fears change to grades, future career and more serious relationships. Eventually, when you hit adulthood, everything else that the world can throw at you comes barreling down. But, because of your past, you’re much better at dealing with it. In this episode, I talk about being an adult and how it’s not as scary as it’s made out to be.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Simple Things Pt. IV

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

Why part four? Well, because I’ve written about the simple things in the past in a book I’m currently editing with Alex. Hopefully it’ll be edited in the coming months but I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself, plus, I don’t want this to be an advertisement. I just wanted to let you know I wasn’t going crazy. This week, I talk about the simple things that make me happy. I’ve been having a rough few weeks and this podcast isn’t a platform for me to vent, but rather a platform to share tips and tricks on how to be happier. So, I want to talk about what’s been making me happier. I hope it can help you like it helps me.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

The Depressed, Anxiety-Filled Thoughts of Scott

On By Acceptable MadnessIn PodcastLeave a comment

Welcome to another episode of Acceptable Madness! This week, I just talk. I know you’re probably thinking, “but Scott, all you do is talk every week.” Well, that’s obviously true, but instead of following some theme, I go over what’s been going on in my life, how it’s been making me feel and how I’ve been trying to cope with it. Depression isn’t a sexy topic, but I think sharing some of the most unpleasant thoughts straight from the source can beincredibly helpful. I hope this episode can give you insight into my head, and proves to you that, no matter what, you’re never by yourself. I care for you. Lots.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg