1018: Phil Elwood | Manipulating Media for All the Worst Humans

Topics covered
Popular Clips
Episode Highlights
Substance Abuse
Phil Elwood's career in PR for notorious figures took a heavy toll on his mental health, leading to severe substance abuse. He describes how he relied on alcohol and Xanax to cope with the stress and depression that came with his job 1. The turning point came when he was diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression and introduced to ketamine therapy, which significantly improved his condition 2.
I was taking one to two 1 mg Xanax pills a day just to live.
---
Phil's story highlights the dangerous intersection of high-stress careers and substance abuse, emphasizing the importance of seeking proper mental health care.
Therapeutic Interventions
Phil's journey to recovery involved various therapeutic interventions, with ketamine therapy playing a crucial role. He explains that the therapy helped alleviate his depression and panic attacks, allowing him to regain his confidence and functionality 1. This treatment marked a significant improvement in his mental health, enabling him to pursue more positive endeavors.
For me, it truly is a performance-enhancing drug because if your baseline depression level is low, you can't really do anything.
---
Phil's experience underscores the potential of innovative therapies in treating severe mental health issues and the importance of finding effective treatment options.
Related Episodes


1054: Renee DiResta | The Puppet Masters of Public Opinion
Answers 383 questions

1043: Andrew Gold | Unveiling the Psychology of Secrets
Answers 383 questions

549: Mickey Royal | A Pimp's Secrets of Mind Manipulation Part Two
Answers 383 questions

908: Tobias Rose-Stockwell | Dismantling the Outrage Machine
Answers 383 questions

892: Tim Urban | What's Our Problem (And How Do We Solve It)?
Answers 383 questions

1065: Andrew Bustamante | The Psychology of Espionage Part Two
Answers 383 questions

1044: Dan Harris | From Breaking News to Breaking Habits
Answers 383 questions

1024: Blake Eastman | Can Machines Read People Better Than Humans?
Answers 383 questions

1045: Helping Pal Who Paid Cost for Offing His Boss | Feedback Friday
Answers 383 questions

1156: Andrew Callaghan | Documenting America's Shadow Self
Answers 383 questions

172: Clint Watts | Surviving in a World of Fake News
Answers 383 questions

811: Jan Broberg | The True Crime Story of a Young Girl Abducted
Answers 383 questions

697: Peter Santenello | Inspecting Perspectives the Media Neglects
Answers 383 questions

57: Phil Hellmuth | The Winning Strategies of a Certified Poker Brat
Answers 383 questions

1042: Sex Trafficking | Skeptical Sunday
Answers 383 questions
