Why You Feel Anxious (And How to Fix It) Ft randileebowslaugh Aanya Wellness

Turns out, “I’m fine” might be the least revealing sentence in the English language.

What happens when the person everyone calls “strong” is quietly struggling?

On We Are Listening, Pulkit Garg welcomes author and podcaster Randi-Lee Bowslaugh for a candid conversation about depression, anxiety, mental health stigma, and the courage it takes to ask for help.

Randi-Lee opens up about experiencing depression as a teenager, long before she had the words to describe it. She shares how writing poetry helped her process overwhelming emotions, why she feared being judged, and how one observant coworker helped her take the first step toward therapy.

But this conversation doesn't stop at personal recovery.

Pulkit and Randi-Lee question how casually we use terms like anxiety and OCD, whether modern friendships offer the connection we need, and how teenagers can navigate comparison, pressure, and the feeling of never being enough.

They also explore one of the hardest parts of loving someone: accepting that you can't make their choices for them.

Randi-Lee discusses Goodbye Too Soon, her deeply personal book about losing her brother to a drug overdose, and reflects on grief, guilt, addiction, and emotional boundaries.

Along the way, they talk about finding the right therapist, writing as an emotional outlet, and the underrated power of simply listening instead of rushing to fix things.

At the heart of it all is Randi-Lee's powerful reminder:

“I have depression, but depression doesn't have me.”

Honest, thoughtful, and occasionally unexpectedly funny, this conversation offers something more useful than perfect answers: the courage to speak up, seek support, and make space for other people's stories.

Press play. Someone around you might need a listener more than they need advice.

Content note: This conversation includes discussions of depression, suicidal thoughts, addiction, overdose, and grief.

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