🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ Loved the recent episode on the Enneagram. Keep ‘em coming!!

As a non-clinician interested in mental health, I find each of BFTA's episode formats informative and inspiring. The primary episode formats include: 1— Discussions with people brave enough to share their stories in a semi-public setting -- one that Dr. H fashions into a safe container through which they (and we) can often find catharsis and transformation. 2- Discussions with other mental health experts working in various clinical settings. 3- Monologues in which Dr. H offers insights on various topics. 4- Recordings of therapy sessions conducted by other clinicians, such as the captivating episode from Jan 3rd '25 (S6-E8). Within a few weeks of discovering BFTA early this year, I had consumed a few dozen episodes from recent seasons. At that point, I decided to start at the beginning, with S1-E1, and roll forward from there. The content and production value were good from the start, and noticeably improved over the seasons -- to the point where I find BFTA compares favorably to any of the scores of pods and YouTube channels I've explored on mental health, therapy, and psychedelics. BFTA seems unique in many ways -- the most potent, I feel, is Dr. H's generous, empathetic, and authentic nature. The brief music interludes, in both timing and mood, help the listener process material that can be emotionally intense or informationally dense. Thank you, Craig and Chris, for this labor of love ... for keeping it free, ad-free, and very real.

This podcast is so good! As a psychotherapist, I listen to this podcast to learn and I often visit an episode repeatedly. I’ve also recommended episodes to my clients. Dr. Craig is warm and smart and explores relevant and helpful topics. Thank you for this work!

As a psychotherapist I find this podcast endlessly helpful and moving. I’ve learned a ton about medication management and how to conceptualize depression and other ambiguous diagnoses. Also Dr Craig seems to be such a kind soul. What a breath of fresh air.

Dr. Heacock has really created something special with BFTA. It is heart felt, informative, and entertaining. It is an honest, deeply personal look at healing and at psychiatry. I love the way it spans the perspective of both patients and clinicians. To have such a resource freely available worldwide is a great gift. Bravo!

These stories are so real, so raw and so deeply heartbreaking yet beautiful, there is so much pain and hope… I only came across BFTA a few weeks ago and since then listened to all episodes, some of them more than once. I cried on numerous occasions because I felt the pain and also because I could relate due to the pain I experienced in my life. I was able to recognize and process a lot of it, and it was deeper than I could describe. These stories are so relevant as they help me understand myself and my own challenges as well as find answers to a ton questions I’ve wrestled with for years. I started looking at people around me differently realizing the pain, trauma and mental challenges some of them go through. I hold these stories deep in my heart. Thank you for being so gentle and at the same time downloading a whole world of psychiatric knowledge onto the listeners. And thank you for being so vulnerable in your willingness to look at your own experience with humility and a genuine desire to help those who need help. I always had a passion for psychiatry but went into a completely different field so listening these episodes is my time of learning, engaging in some deep thought and profound healing.

I am a counseling associate and when I tell you I have learned more from this podcast than I did in my entire grad school program, I am not exaggerating. Such great info with heartfelt interviews and real-life applications. Can’t recommend enough.

I love this podcast..Dr H clearly loves and pours his heart into his work. And he is very real..I am a psychologist in practice for 40 years., currently working on some psilocybin trials snd running a practice. I find there is a bit of divide between the psilocybin world and the ketamine world. I would like to hear an episodeabout a conscientious therapist who decides to offer KAP and how to slowly build a responsible Kap practice snd lessons learned along the way.,.I am considering offering more of this in my practice but it also seems as though there are a tsunami wave of new ketamine therapy practices being offered by some inexperienced therapists..a podcast episode on the responsible way to do it if you aren’t an MD..

Incredible discussion revolving around the treatment of eating disorders. Once again, Dr. Gaudiani blows me away with her approach, discussion, knowledge, and down to earth approach for clinicians who see patients with eating disorders and disordered eating. As a clinician and an eating disorder recovered patient, I absolutely appreciate her insight and dedication to this field. Thank you for hosting this conversation and points of discussion!

First, this is a show unlike any other on the market. The perspectives are varied and the host is a human being and speaks to their own flaws and biases and shares the human side of being a therapist. I only have one real complaint about the show. Men are serious crisis in the mental health space and there are so few episodes that focus on men and their issues, other than addiction. There are so many great female guests from all backgrounds and variety of trauma and so few male guests with stories outside of addiction and addiction recovery. There isn't a podcast around that shares male perspectives on eating disorders, abuse, and how men are raised in Western Society and unpacking the small box we're all put in. Therapy and mental health is one of the areas where women are much more represented than men and it would be nice to see a bit more focus to help normalize mental health for men. Just my 2c.

My wife and 15y.o. daughter are both Type I Bipolar, and my 20y.o. son is Type II Bipolar. All three are stable thanks to medication, but my son’s TRD has robbed him of any real joy or passion forever several years. This podcast gives me a deeper understanding and empathy for all three of them, as well as an appreciation for my own therapist.

Thanks to Dr Heacock’s episode with Saj Razvi, I found my calling as a therapist! I was in grad school, wondering what I would do with my clinical degree and heard the episode that changed my trajectory. Every episode after that has been an absolute delight. He humanizes psychiatry through honesty, humor, and storytelling. I am forever grateful to this podcast - Dr Heacock and all of his guests. Thank you.

Please listen to BFTA. Every episode is brimming. Dr. Heacock and guests have taught me so much about my own journey.

I love this podcast and am so glad I stumbled upon it. I recently did my first ever MDMA therapy session for PTSD and it was incredibly helpful. Hearing from others who have done that and other alternative therapies has been so helpful. Thank you for this podcast. It’s a gift!

I’m a patient who uses ketamine and I hear myself in so many episodes of this podcast. I love the message of recovery, which I’ve experienced in my own life, definitely with help from psychiatrists and therapy. The conversations are always empathic and respectful of the patient experience and hearing the perspective from the other side of the coffee table is super interesting to me. I really enjoy listening, thank you!

I’m a patient in long-term psychotherapy with a Psychiatrist to heal trauma and Dr. H seems to speak directly to me. I find beauty, hope, and fascinating new info in every episode. His “passion project” is truly a gift to me and I look forward to every new episode.

I have listened to all of Dr Heacock’s podcast stories! And I have often told others about the podcast, shared it on social media and shared it in my psychology classes discussions. I’m listening to him and his colleagues I have always felt the care and concern and the genuineness of him/them- well today this became a reality for me. I reached out to Dr Heacock to ask for some advice as I try and transition my career from nurse to therapist- and he called me personally to touch base! And I’m just amazed and humbled and more inspired then ever to take this journey to becoming a therapist- and hope to be a fraction of what he and his colleagues are. Listen to all 34years - you won’t be disappointed! Especially if you are interested in this work-

Informative, professional, love this show.

I’m really enjoying this podcast. I need to re-listen to some episodes with pen in hand. Thank you so much for explaining mental health issues and treatment options in such an engaging way that is easy to inderstand.

I found this podcast while researching adult ADHD. The stories are fascinating, the questions provocative and the insights remarkable. Unfortunately, mental health continues to hold a stigmas; these stories shed light on the reality, treatments, and most importantly, hope. Thank you, this is a gift.

Dr. Heacock is such a valuable asset to psychiatry. He’s a wonderful mentor, psychiatrist, and overall human being. I listen to this podcast religiously and have gotten so many nuggets of wisdom that I use in my practice daily. I highly recommend this podcast to anybody in the mental health field - psychiatry providers, therapists, clients, etc!

The stories are profound, and the way Dr. Heacock engages with each guest speaker is fascinating by itself. Great podcast!

Dr Craig is incredible! Every episode has been so helpful and filled with hope, insight, and love. I’ve listened to every single episode. Keep up the amazing work

Back From The Abyss is stories of hope, when often there is none given in the world of mental health. Listen as Dr. Heacock invites you into his patients stories and lives and understand the treatment process. this is extremely helpful for providers, family members, and patients alike. I cannot recommend this podcast highly enough.

I stumbled upon this show during its first season and I’ve been hooked ever since. I am a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified alcohol and drug counselor in the Chicagoland area and I have shared this podcast with clients, clinicians, friends and strangers! Before starting my practice, I worked in community mental health for 7 years and I can say through working within that system of mental health that you rarely find someone like Dr Heacock. The level of respect and collaboration he offers to clients/patients is sadly missing elsewhere. I am always so amazed at the level of openness, curiosity, compassion and versatility that he brings to this arena. I have been so inspired and have integrated so many ideas into my own practice and have shared with others. Hearing others’ stories of triumph are essential for folks struggling as a reminder to keep at it and don’t give up! Please keep it up!

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite podcasts; I learn so much from the stories!

BFTA is my go-to podcast for increasing knowledge of and compassion for our human race. As a CO coach, the insights from the podcast help me to grow in understanding and effectiveness. Thanks Dr. H!!

Fantastic podcast!

These fools must have paid to be on top. I never had interest in this garbage podcast yet every time a decent podcast ends, this crap starts playing. Worthless content. End payola for crap like this.

This is the first Podcast that has actually interested me. The stories with patients, individual talks he gives, and discussions with other experts are very inspiring and educational! I’m totally hooked.

I found his episode on KAP very educational, but I had some lingering questions. I wrote him and he actually responded. It was helpful. Listen to his podcast.

I listen to a lot of podcasts but this is the first one that I’ve been moved to write a review for and routinely share with others. If you’re interested in emotional healing then you won’t want to miss these, esp the three with Saj Razvi. For my work as a therapist the content of so many episodes have been invaluable. I have listened to some episodes 3 X. I learned more from the one about Craig’s top psychiatric medicines then I did in a semester of psychopharmacology in my graduate program. So grateful to Craig for sounding the alarm on the risks of THC induced psychosis - something i experienced after taking a tincture for the first time at age 48! A terrifying experience that I’ve been able to make more sense of since listening to the episodes about psychosis.

Dr. Craig Heacock is truly a pioneer of psychiatry and an expert in the benefits of novel treatment options for depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar I and II, and navigating daily challenges professionally and personally for people with these disabilities. This podcast is an excellent resource for professional caregivers and patients alike, as well as the families and friends of those who are blessed by these mental afflictions which can be better seen as gifts through the lens of this podcast. Featuring spectacular guests and keen insight into the human mind, condition, and society at large, this podcast has proved to be an invaluable resource for people with all kinds of neurodivergence. Back from the Abyss is the most valuable podcast I have encountered and I recommend it to everyone regardless of their mental health. The information presented here would, if widely known and recognized, change the world.

Intelligent and thoughtful podcast; sharing a wealth of knowledge and insight through a deeply sensitive and compassionate lens. Honest and open discussions of mental health psychology and psychiatry. Cutting edge topics, treatments and tools intertwined with beautiful, raw, harrowing, and ultimately healing personal stories.

I have learned so much from Dr Heacock-about medication, psychotherapy and use of psychedelics. His interviews with patients have illuminated the path to healing for many psychological states. Listening to these stories has helped me, as a primary care physician, reassure my patients that there is hope, identify appropriate treatments and alert when potentially helpful helpful treatments have not been considered . Dr Heacock offers a balanced tutorial on the evolution of the use of psychedelics which includes potential for danger, misinformation and potential contraindications (and the promise for healing). This podcast is a treasure, I am grateful to the patients, providers, Chris and Dr Heacock for the incredible offering that is BFTA.

Back from the Abyss is a compelling podcast that lifts up the stories of people who have grappled with serious trauma and mental illness, but who, miraculously, find their way back to living healthy and productive lives. Each episode draws the listener in, educates, and inspires. Dr. Heacock’s deeply empathic presence creates a breathtaking intimacy that makes space for his guests to share their deepest struggles and their journeys toward wholeness. Their resilience in the face of it all is, at times, astonishing. A must listen for mental health professionals and lay people alike.

Back from the Abyss is sometimes heart wrenching, often uplifting and always fascinating. As a layperson, I find Dr. Heacock’s explanations of mental illness, various treatments and the journey to healing easy to understand and hopeful. He and his production partner do an amazing job elevating the stories of real people. And I’m so often struck by how brave and eloquent his guests are. This podcast is a beautiful tribute to the human spirit and a life’s work dedicated to saving lives.

This is one of my favorite podcasts for many reasons - the host is thoughtful, informed, and knows what’s he’s talking about. And when he has guests he lets them talk (unlike so many podcast hosts). If you’re interested in psychedelics and all that’s happening in that field, this podcast is also an excellent resource. There are too many podcasts these days whose messages about psychedelics feel risky - so much glorification and glossing over the concerns and complexity. Not this podcast. Really high quality content here. Thank you!

Back from the Abyss (BFTA) is a beautiful podcast that centers on the human experience and the resiliency that we, as humans, can summon in our most difficult moments. Dr. Heacock is a gifted therapist and psychiatrist (a rare combination) and in this podcast a beautiful and empathetic interviewer. He combines deep listening and thoughtful questions to create a space for his guests to lean into and share their lived experience through pain and toward recovery. As a listener you share in what feels like a cathartic journey for each guest who has gone through an incredible process of self discovery and healing. I love how Dr. Heacock looks for poignant moments of growth in each of his guest’s journey. He makes a point to highlight and celebrate the hard work that leads to important milestones on their path toward mental health and wellbeing. BFTA continues to improve each year. Now, in the fourth season, I find myself listening to it every time a new episode drops. It is obvious that the team at BFTA spent a lot of time surveying listeners and taking their requests and suggestions to heart. In addition to human centered stories of individual journeys, Dr. Heacock brings in thoughtful and passionate experts. Together they cover a wide range of topics form ADHD and supporting young people in school, emerging treatments involving psychedelics and trauma, how psychiatric medications work, living with autism, and so much more. As a mother of 3 teenagers ranging from 13-18 I appreciated the recent episode explaining why many psychiatric illnesses’ occur for the first time in young adults and ways to prevent or minimize negative impacts. Thank you for producing such a thoughtful podcast. Keep up the great work!!!!!

This podcast has really expanded my perspective on mental illness. So often many of us working in this field become discouraged and lose hope for patients experiencing mental illness. The current systems in place do not make it easy to provide the most effective treatments. Many patients slip farther into mental illness because there is not enough resources. We begin to shut down toward our patients because it becomes too painful to invest ourselves as we watch severe mental illness cycle further into the abyss. It is powerful to hear people’s stories of how they made it to recovery and what recovery truly means. This podcast has helped me regain hope and the strength to connect again.

This podcast is a conduit of hope. Each episode explores what it means to be imperfectly but exquisitely human and experience this world fully. The courage, wisdom and raw beauty in each episode brings me to tears every time. The vulnerability and grit of the guests feels like an act of love for the listener. Dr. Heacock’s has a warm, accepting, open, and joyful way of cultivating a beautiful space to be human and connect with each other and our experiences. He is a breath of fresh air in psychiatry and in our healing journey collectively. The experience of this podcast challenges one to have radical acceptance for our life, the obstacles we face, gratitude and hope. Chris Johnson you are a musical wizard!! You consistently set the tone and layer in the most perfect soundfood that fills the silence in between all the words. Thank you Back From The Abyss!

I started my intern year this past July and chose this podcast to listen to on my commute, and it has been SO useful clinically. Last week I had to wean an extremely anxious pt completely off of their heavy benzo regimen in time for rehab, and figured I’d give propranolol a try as a replacement. I even quoted the podcast when counseling him lol. WORKED LIKE A CHARM. So proud of him and super thankful for Dr. H and this podcast series. Would love to hear more clinical pearl based podcasts!

This podcast has been so tremendously helpful, for me as a psychologist, to learn more about psychedelic assisted treatment, and also give me new ways of thinking about these topics. It’s also renewed my hope that there are ways of healing complex trauma that talk therapy just struggles to touch. Dr Heacock is such a warm, caring, brilliant psychiatrist and am so thankful he’s sharing his knowledge and compassion with the world. Also, the stories for the patients are beautiful and I’ve appreciated their courage to share.

This podcast makes such a positive difference in my life and has shined a light on areas in myself that previously were unexplained and led to a lot of shame and self hatred. Now I feel more accepted, seen and normal. This podcast can change your fricking life

Loved this episode… what a strong, amazing, genuine person. I got a lot out of this one. related to some parts and learned a lot. Thank you to Anne for sharing her life.

Best podcast ever!

Thoughtful, relevant, no hype, healthy ego.

I absolutely love and appreciate this show so much. I want many others to hear the episodes of your podcast - I think it can help people feel less alone in their struggles, as well as give them hope for a better living experience. Hope even more people discover you! It's heartbreaking listening to other people's stories and trauma, but the healing paths are always so beautiful to hear, whether it's through psychedelic treatment or another form. Thanks for the help you give others in so many ways!

Dr. Heacock’s warm, passionate, personal approach to all aspects of mental health, woven together with stories of patients, provides hope and understanding for all. Each thoughtfully chosen topic brings an awareness, understanding, and connection that I am grateful to integrate into my life.

This is a podcast I wish I had found years ago. The intelligence and wisdom that is found in these episodes is sorely lacking in standard psychiatry, and in general in mental health treatment. Highly recommended for anyone who is personally struggling, has a loved one who is struggling, or simple has an interest in the real causes and treatments for mental illness.