"Don't talk about it unless you have a solution." That advice? It's garbage. And it's why people suffer in silence. This episode breaks down why waiting for perfect answers keeps you stuck—and what actually helps when you're struggling.

Someone told a struggling friend: "I wouldn't talk about that until you have a solution."

Let that sink in for a second.

You're already drowning. Already stuck. Already scared. And someone just told you to figure it all out alone before you're allowed to ask for help.

In this episode, Jonathan Collier and Dr. Mark Mayfield unpack the toxic advice that keeps people isolated when they need support most. Sparked by a vulnerability post from content creator "Nobody Cares Anthony," this conversation explores why the "don't share without a solution" mindset is dangerous—and what actually helps when you're navigating depression, anxiety, or any mental health challenge. And why more people should do what Cheam Creams guy did and just talk. Don't wait until you have a plan in place before you talk..... that's B.S.

This one's for anyone who's ever felt like they needed to have it all figured out before they could be honest about what they're going through.

You're not unmotivated. You're depleted. This episode explains why your physical, mental, emotional, and relational capacity matters more than willpower—and what happens when you ignore it.

January doesn't give you a new nervous system. The stress, guilt, and overwhelm from December? It all walks into January with you. This episode breaks down why resolutions fail—and what actually works when you're already running on empty.

The calendar flips, but your life doesn't reset.

That stress you carried in December? The habits you tried to change? The grief, the guilt, the pressure, the debt, the health stuff, the family stuff? It all walks right into January with you. And when you stack ambitious goals on top of an already maxed-out life, you don't get transformation. You get burnout, shame, and another "I guess I just can't stick with anything" story.

In this episode, Jonathan Collier and Dr. Mark Mayfield break down why traditional New Year's resolutions set people up for failure—and what actually helps if you want real, sustainable change.

This one is for the person who's tired of starting over every January.

In This Episode:

• Why your body and nervous system don't reset on January 1
• The goal-setting "industrial complex" and how marketing exploits your desire to change
• Capacity: why you can't add to your plate without subtracting something first
• The "should" voice, shame, and why motivation is rarely the real problem
• Dopamine, shiny object syndrome, and what happens when the initial excitement fades
• "Procrastination by education"—why more tools and courses don't equal more change
• A practical method: work backward from the goal, define YOUR version of success, and take one realistic step this week
• Neuroplasticity and how habits actually form through small, repeated action

Key Moments:

[03:15] Why Hallmark movies ruined our expectations (and a perfect plot breakdown)

[06:30] "It's like saying I'm $150,000 in debt, but I'm going to invest in Bitcoin this year"

[11:00] The lie we believe about motivation and discipline

[17:08] What happens to your nervous system when you expect a "reset"

[24:28] Dopamine, shiny object syndrome, and why the excitement fades

[30:22] "Procrastination by education" explained

[33:23] We approach goal setting like building a house—but we haven't cleared the lot

[36:00] Mark's practical method: work backward from 360 days

[42:03] Neuroplasticity: the trail-blazing analogy for building new habits

[48:25] Permission to make healing your only goal this year

Resources Mentioned:

• Capacity audit worksheet (download at mentalhealthmadesimple.life)
• Next week's episode: "Motivation Isn't the Problem. Capacity Is."

Important Note

This podcast is educational content and is not a replacement for professional counseling, therapy, or medical care. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis or have immediate safety concerns, please reach out to a licensed professional or crisis service.