The Misophonia Podcast

This week I’m talking to (a different) Emma, a 30-year-old barista living in New Mexico, about growing up with misophonia and OCD and how both have shaped her daily life. We discuss school and workplace challenges, changing trigger patterns, fireworks and environmental noise, the limits of avoidance, finding practical accommodations, and the importance of having supportive people who understand that misophonia is more than just not liking certain sounds. --- Try the new Misophonia Podcast ...

This short bonus episode is a supplement to my last interview, with Emma. Here, Emma wanted to more clearly express what it really feels like to have misophonia. You can find her interview here: https://misophoniapodcast.com/episodes/232-emma And here is a link to her artist website: https://emmafranks.co.uk --- Try the new Misophonia Podcast app: https://app.misophoniapodcast.com Web: https://misophoniapodcast.com Order "Sounds like Misophonia" - by Dr. Jane...

This week I’m talking to Emma, an artist from North London, on a misophonia retreat at the time of this recording. We walk about about her lifelong experience with misophonia and the process of finally confronting it after years of secrecy and shame. We get into her family relationships, autism and ADHD, childhood trauma, anger, self-compassion, reparenting, and how art has helped her make sense of her experiences. Here is a link to her artist website: https://emmafranks.co.uk&nb...

In this episode, I speak with Nimrod, a CBT therapist and social worker based in Tel Aviv, Israel, who has been working with people with misophonia for the past several years. We discuss his clinical approach, the role of CBT, how stress and related conditions can influence misophonia, and the importance of involving families and building awareness as research in the field continues to evolve. --- Try the new Misophonia Podcast app: https://app.misophoniapodcast.com Web: https://misophoni...

This week I’m talking to Pia Watson. Pia is an actor, artist, and body-mind transpersonal therapist currently in Mexico City and about to move to London. We talk about her experience with misophonia, autism, ADHD, and autistic burnout, and how all of those layers can heighten sensory overwhelm. Pia shares early memories of trying to escape teeth grinding on family vacations, hiding in a closet as a safe place, strategically choosing seats in classrooms, and gradually realizing that what she w...

This week I’m talking to Lila, again! This is Lila’s third time on the podcast. And we meet her at yet another transformation. She shares her journey from being a touring musician to becoming a clinical hypnotherapist. She discusses her personal struggles with misophonia and how hypnotherapy has changed her life. Our discussion delves into the healing process, the importance of trust in therapy, and the various areas of life that can be positively impacted by hypnotherapy. Lila also explores ...

This week I'm talking to B about navigating misophonia from childhood through their twenties and into their thirties. We talk about those early memories—kicking the back of their dad's truck seat during long drives, the anxiety of asking for accommodations, and how substance abuse became a way to cope when triggers felt unbearable. B shares how they've learned to be more direct about their needs, the relief of having friends who truly get it, and why Loop ear plugs and white noise have been g...

This week I'm talking to Los Angeles actors and filmmakers Lorin and Eric Davis about Lorin’s experience with misophonia and how it shaped their new short film. Lorin shares how her sound triggers—especially crinkling bags, rummaging noises, and even typing—show up in daily life, and how she’s learned to cope through hot yoga, silence breaks, sleep, and masking sounds. The couple also discusses how clear communication and empathy in a relationship can keep misophonia from turning into resentm...

I'm honored to speak with Steve and Diane Miller, the incredible couple behind the Misophonia Research Fund. When their daughter Rachel started being triggered by their voices and chewing about nine years ago, they didn't just try to cope, they redirected their entire family foundation to fund misophonia research. They've basically built the field from the ground up, now funding dozens of researchers worldwide working on everything from brain imaging to AI sound filtering. We talk about what ...

In this episode, I speak with Fay, a Los Angeles-based multimedia artist, actor, and filmmaker who's working on a comedy-horror short film about misophonia. Diagnosed with severe misophonia along with autism, ADHD, fibromyalgia, and several other conditions, Faye considers misophonia one of the most disabling things she deals with daily. We discuss her creative approach to raising awareness through her film—which features a student literally splitting into two people when classmates start che...

This week I’m talking to Michelle, an animator and 3D artist based in Malta—one of the most population-dense places in Europe. After discovering her misophonia and realizing how Malta's constant noise amplified her struggles, Michelle channeled her experience into an immersive art project. Working with a local focus group of people with misophonia, she created a short animated film designed to let others experience what we go through—complete with trigger sounds and unsettling visuals using a...

This week I’m talking to Michael, a 70-year-old retired software engineer who experienced a remarkable breakthrough with his lifelong misophonia. After hearing episode 218 with Sarah Barrick about memory reconsolidation, and following a painful breakup that motivated him to seek help, Michael worked with a therapist using EMDR and memory reconsolidation. Through this process, he uncovered a traumatic childhood memory involving his father that he had completely blocked out, and realized his tr...

This week I talk with Gabriel, a 45-year-old marketing professional from Western Montana. Gabriel shares his lifelong experience with misophonia that started around age five or six, primarily triggered by eating sounds from those closest to him—his parents, wife, and kids. We talk about growing up with a child psychologist father who tried to help through exposure therapy, the decades of shame and secrecy that kept him silent about his condition, and the profound relief of discovering just a ...

This week I talk with Esty, from the UK. Esty reflects on growing up in a large religious community in London, where misophonia first surfaced around age 10. She shares how isolation at family meals, a lack of understanding at home and school, and later an autism diagnosis shaped her experience. We discuss her decision to leave the community, move to a quiet farm, and how solitude has been both protective and necessary. Esty opens up about the emotional toll of being triggered by loved ones, ...

This week I talk with Beverly, a Feldenkrais practitioner from Southern California. Beverly reflects on growing up as the youngest of five in a loud Midwestern household, and how misophonia shaped her early experiences of family dynamics, school, and self-image. We explore her struggles in open workspaces—especially during her years at Facebook—and the breaking point that led her to discover the Feldenkrais method as a powerful tool to regulate her nervous system. Beverly shares how this prac...

This week I talk with Andy, a production supervisor from Lexington, Kentucky. Andy shares how misophonia shows up in both his personal and professional life, and how emotional intelligence has become essential in his role. We talk about growing up in a large, close-knit, homeschooled family, and how misophonia shaped his early experiences. Andy opens up about past struggles with therapy—particularly being pushed into exposure therapy—and the promising new approaches he’s exploring now. We als...

Today we’re reconnecting with a guest who many of you will remember from one of our most popular episodes a couple of years ago. Sara Barrick, formerly Sara Bidler, has returned to share more of her invaluable insights. Since we last spoke, Sara has published her book "Demystifying Misophonia," which I highly recommend to all our listeners. As a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in misophonia and trauma healing, Sara brings a unique perspective on understanding misophonia as...

Jo works in project management for the NHS in the UK. Jo’s greatest miso issue currently is her noisy apartment which has exacerbated her condition, leading to a lot of stress and frustration. Jo reflects on her childhood, particularly her relationship with her father, who has OCD and is a noisy person. She reflects on the challenges of navigating work environments, social connections, and family dynamics while managing her condition. Jo also explores the impact of misophonia on her relations...

In the second episode of the series "Between Two Ears", I share my recent trip to Iowa City to participate in a groundbreaking misophonia research study led by Dr. Sukhbinder Kumar — a continuation of his earlier work on mirror neurons and the motor basis of misophonia. This new study explores the social context of trigger reactions and involved time in an MRI chamber while exposed to common misophonic triggers. I talk about what it was like to undergo the study, the misophonic challenges(!)...

Stacy is an accomplished brand and creative strategist whose journey with misophonia began long before the condition even had a name. Stacy takes us through her early experiences participating in a college study on sound sensitivity back in the 1980s, her lifelong struggle with certain trigger sounds—especially from her mother—and how these experiences shaped her personal and professional life. Stacy reflects on the complex interplay between her upbringing, her father’s bipolar disorder, and ...

Carlie is up in northern Alberta, of the great independent nation of Canada. Carlie shares her personal misophonia journey, her experiences with therapy through the years, and her path to self-discovery and understanding her neurodivergence. She highlights the importance of nervous system regulation, the impact of trauma, and the need for supportive environments in managing misophonia. We talk about autism and ADHD, the recurring topic of family dynamics, emotional availability, and her new f...

I'm excited to have Dr. Lauren Harte-Hargrove, executive director of the Misophonia Research Fund (MRF). We talk about this fund’s origins, and the evolution of research around misophonia. We start by getting a little into her background in neuroscience and her transition to the nonprofit sector. About the MRF and current research talk about some current focus areas of research, including the prevalence of misophonia, potential treatments, and the integration of AI in research. Lauren also ra...

Dr. Jaelline Jaffe is one of the most experienced therapists working with people with misophonia, over on the west coast. Jaelline shares her journey from teaching to becoming a therapist specializing in misophonia. We talk about a ton of things, the importance of family support and school accommodations and we get into her own protocol for approaching misophonia that incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. We spend a lot of time highlighting the role of adv...

Meagan is an actress based in San Diego. Meagan shares her personal journey with misophonia as a wife and mother of 3, including her experiences with therapy and self-regulation techniques. She discusses Image Transformational Therapy (ImTT) that has provided Meagan with significant relief from her symptoms from 10 to about a 2. We get into the neurological aspects of sound sensitivity, childhood experiences, the generational patterns of sound sensitivity, and the potential of neurodivergence...

This week I’m talking to Alex from beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. Alex shares her lifelong journey with misophonia, which began at age 11 amid a turbulent home life. She opens up about how her sensitivity to sounds, especially during family meals, became tied to a need to escape overwhelming emotions. Through therapy, Alex discovered how these triggers were linked to deeper childhood trauma and learned to reframe her reactions with self-compassion. From feeling isolated and misundersto...

Kathryn runs an ecology non-profit in southern Oregon. She shares her journey with misophonia, particularly how it has impacted her life as a parent. She reflects on her childhood experiences with sound sensitivity, the lack of understanding from those around her, and how her relationship with her husband has provided a supportive environment. We talk about the impact of misophonia on her relationships, particularly with her daughter, and the strategies she employs to manage her sensitivities...

Imbi is an author who came to my attention earlier this year when she published her novel “Kind Of, Sort Of, Maybe, But Probably Not”, which features a lead character who has misophonia. Imbi shares her experiences with misophonia, discussing how it affects her daily life, relationships, and creative pursuits. She emphasizes the importance of communication with loved ones about her sensitivities and how she manages to balance her writing and parenting responsibilities. The discussion also tou...

In this experimental episode, we're talking about a new AI research platform I am developing that blends scientific literature, lived experience on the podcast, and questions and comments from the community. You can learn more about the details and some research proposals it has generated at https://misophoniapodcast.com/research. In this episode, I take it a step further and use AI to generate a conversation about the platform and some of the proposals. Does the world need an AI conversatio...

This week I have two guests, Tressi and Brooklyn Disch. Brooklyn you may know has Brooklyn Disch who is a misophonia coach and has all kinds of resources on her website (link below). Tressi has worked with Brooklyn and has also published a book which is a fictionalization of many of her experiences living with misophonia. Both guests discuss the challenges they faced growing up, the lack of understanding and resources available, and how they eventually connected through a shared Facebook grou...

This week I’m very happy to bring back Lila, a past guest from August 2023. If you recall that interview, Lila had pretty severe misophonia and was even being triggered by a neighbor during our call. A lot has changed for her in the past couple of years - she is now on the other side of the world, back in the US. She tells her story of recently successfully overcoming misophonia. The modality she credits is hypnotherapy, which has come up in some online spaces as having helped people. In this...

In this episode of Between Two Ears, I share highlights from my recent experience at MisoCon 2024 (The Misophonia Association convention in Atlanta). I discuss key presentations, including Dr. Jane Gregory’s insights on reframing sound experiences for managing misophonia and Jaelline Jaffe’s exploration of connections between childhood experiences and misophonia. I also reflect on the importance of informal discussions with other attendees, the thoughtful accommodations that make the event mo...

Paula is a psychology student in France. Paula first noticed misophonia when she was 13 or 14 years old and felt intense emotions when hearing eating sounds. It took several years for her to discover that misophonia was a real condition. Paula's parents were supportive but initially didn't understand what she was going through. She coped by eating at home and avoiding triggering situations. Paula is now starting therapy to help manage her misophonia and hopes to understand the triggers ...

Rodrigo is a sales exec at a flower factory based outside of Mexico City. He shares his earliest memories of misophonia and how it escalated during college. Rodrigo discusses coping methods, a blow-up with a neighbor over a barking dog, and the impact of misophonia on his relationships with family and partners. Rodrigo shares his experience of finding relief and understanding through the misophonia community and this podcast. He talks about navigating work and friendships, as well as the cult...

Deb is a New Yorker who has just recently been starting to put together the story of her misophonia. We discuss many of her childhood experiences including some of the chaos that resulted in a lot of tension in the house growing up. Deb also talks about her marriage and the lack of emotional connection she had with her husband. She reflects on the gifts of high sensitivity and the challenges of misophonia, and how awareness has changed her outlook. She discusses coping mechanisms and th...

Georgie is a recent neuroscience and psychology dual degree grad from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Georgie’s childhood shares many characteristics that I’ve found to be common among us, that is periods of walking on eggshells, turbulence and volatility. She also mentions other sensory sensitivities, such as visual triggers and sensitivity to vibrations. Georgie talks about her coping methods, including using white noise headphones and seeking accommodations in school. We talk ab...

Alana is a security intelligence professional, writer and coach and many other things that are too long to list, plus wife and mom of 3 based in Orange County California. She shares her experiences with misophonia throughout her life, as well other things she has experienced earlier in life including some rather traumatic experiences and an eating order. She discusses how misophonia has affected her relationships, work, and daily life and how she navigates it now either her family and her new...

Klaus is an executive in Germany. He shares his experience with misophonia and how it has affected his career and personal life. We talk about growing up in an early family life that was very old-fashioned and rigid, and where he also had a brother who presented signs of possible OCD, and parents who could not understand and were constantly trying to discipline. He discusses the challenges of working in open offices and how certain triggers can disrupt his focus and cause stress. Klaus also e...

Tomasz is a primary care doctor from Poland, We talk about how misophonia is not well-known in Poland and is often misunderstood. Tomas explains that his triggers are mostly connected to people he knows well, such as family and close friends. He also mentions being triggered by eating sounds and labored breathing. Tomas discusses how he explains misophonia to others, often using a neurobiological explanation. He also talks about the living conditions he grew up in and how they may have contri...

Dr. Jennifer Brout, Mary, and Liz discuss their experiences as parents of children with misophonia and how they have preserved family relationships. They share their personal journeys of understanding and accepting misophonia, as well as the stages of grief and growth they went through. They emphasize the importance of accommodation, communication, and empathy within the family. They also discuss the challenges of conflicting accommodations and the need for parents to take care of their own m...

Tracey and Leah are a mother and daughter living near Philadelphia who both have misophonia, and in fact Leah attends the same school Tracey teaches at. We talk about their first triggers and how they were received across the decades. We talk about how Tracey’s misophnonia informs how she helps her daughter. Tracey also shares how Buddhism has helped her and Leah talks about accommodations she gets at school. Finally we spend some time at the end talking a little more philosophically about wh...

Marina is originally from Romania and now lives in the UK. Like many others who have been on the podcast recently, Marina only recently found out about misophonia and has been learning as much as she can and has been diving into the book Sounds Like Misophonia by Dr. Jane Gregory and I. We talk about the challenging environment of her childhood with an alcoholic father, there is mention of abuse in the home so I want to note a content warning. Her family life became quite strained due to thei...

Emily lives in a small town in Georgia. She only recently learned about misophonia and that others share the experience she has felt most of her life. This is the first time she’s spoken with another misophone about it. She recalls the earliest triggers she experienced as a child from her brothers, and how she tried to suppress her reactions. We talk about common triggers like whistling and bouncing basketballs. Emily shares her strategies for dealing with triggers, such as using headphones o...

Ben is from Kentucky and now lives and works in Indiana. This is the first time Ben has talked about misophonia and he shares a lifetime of experiences going back to his toddler years which had some very negative events and I want to just issue a content warning that there is some discussion of abuse at the hands of a babysitter. He discusses his early memories of being triggered by chewing gum and then the challenges growing up with misophonia, especially in quite male and sort of macho envi...

Jennifer is from North Carolina. We talk about her early memories from her toddler years. She talks about her journey of seeking therapy and eventually being diagnosed with ADHD, which provided some understanding and accommodations. We talk about the potential interplay between genetics, early childhood development, and trauma. How stress and cortisol levels may exacerbate symptoms, and even talk about her alopecia, which is related to stress. She shares her experiences with specific triggers...

Rosie is based in Newcastle and heard about the podcast from Newcastle-based misophonia researcher Paris Ash. She first noticed it as a teenager with the sound of her mom’s chewing, later expanded to include other people and sounds. She struggled with guilt and shame and felt misunderstood by her family. Rosie found support from her understanding sister and her partner, who create spaces where she feels safe. We talk about coping methods using headphones, avoiding triggers, and seeking unders...

Bahar is a screenwriter and filmmaker based in Iran who created the short film 'Quarantine Redemption’, a 13-minute musical comedy with no dialogue about misophonia in an apartment during the COVID pandemic. We talk about her interest in exploring sound and psychology in her work. She explains that while she doesn't have misophonia herself, she believes that sound plays a significant role in everyday life and emotions. The film follows a man who suffers from misophonia and finds solace in mus...

Luis is a translator based in Puerto Rico. Luis’ misophonia came up actually since the pandemic and he discusses the triggers he faces, such as construction noises and noises in places he’s lived. We spend a lot of time talking about empathy, or lack thereof from friends, family, and workplaces, and the challenges of finding understanding and validation. We also talk about the potential overlap with hyperacusis. Luis also reflects on his childhood experiences and how misophonia has influenced...

Maja is a college student in Connecticut studying psychology. We spend a lot of time talking about her past, and the strained relationships with her family members that she had growing up and how they were impacted by misophonia. We hear about her father’s volatility and trouble with alcohol, the difficulty in being understood and accommodated at home. We talk about life at school and with friends and how it’s difficult sometimes to know how much to share. And we spend a lot of time discussin...

Rachel is a barista and bartender in Philadelphia. We talk about her early experiences with misophonia, coming at a young age which was a turbulent and volatile at home. We talk about how she has been unpacking a lot of this during her recent findings during her own therapy. She also talks about her college experience and the coping strategies she developed like breathing and meditation practices as well as setting boundaries in relationships with her family. She highlights the importance of ...

This week I’m bringing back a guest who has been one of the most popular guests on the show. Kresta is a trama therapist and founder of Misophonia Freedom Lab. If you recall Kresta had misophonia and says she has been able to overcome it. We talk about that of course, but we also focus on the idea of HSP, highly-sensitive people. There is overlap between the two and I think it’s always illuminating to learn about HSP to inform misophonia, and vice versa.Kresta also talks about some exciting p...

Taylor is a project manager in California. Taylor talks about her home life and how growing up with alcoholic parents may have contributed to her misophonia. She also discuss their hypersensitivity and how it affects her relationships. She shares her experiences in school and the support she received from teachers along the way. She shares how she copes with triggers and the importance of supportive relationships. Taylor also talks about seeking professional help and her experience with hypno...

This week I'm talking to Bob, from Liverpool. He shares his experience with misophonia and how it has impacted his life. He discusses his early triggers and reactions, as well as the lack of understanding and resentment he felt from his family. Bob also talks about the expansion of his triggers and the sensory issues he faces. He explores the role of the amygdala in misophonia and the challenges of coping strategies. Finally, he discusses the connection between misophonia and bipolar disorder...

I’m excited to have back on the show, Dr. Jennifer Brout. We discuss various aspects of misophonia, including family accommodations, coping skills, and the importance of research. Jennifer emphasizes the need for more research on family functioning and children's development in relation to misophonia. We also talk about the role of epigenetics in gene expression and the potential adaptive nature of misophonia. We talk about neuroscience, epigenetic and the possible role of evolution on ...

Esther is a student in the UK. She talks about her journey of healing through prayer and the positive impact it has had on her misophonia. She discusses the challenges she faced in school and how she found relief through noise-canceling headphones. Esther emphasizes the importance of supportive relationships and understanding from family and friends. She encourages others to explore the connection between faith and healing in their own lives. --- Order "Sounds like Misophon...

In this conversation, Sipora and Adeel discuss the topic of misophonia and the use of coherence therapy in its treatment. Sipora shares her personal journey with misophonia and how she became interested in helping others with the condition. They delve into the concept of memory consolidation and how it relates to misophonia. Sipora explains the process of coherence therapy and its focus on emotional learning. They also touch on the role of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) in misophonia trea...

This week I’m talking to Liz who was actually a guest back in season 5. We catch up and she shares how her misophonia is triggered by repetitive sounds and how it has affected her interactions with others. Liz also talks about her son's autism and how his sensory processing disorder differs from her misophonia. The conversation explores the evolutionary aspect of misophonia and the need for a shift in societal understanding and support for neurodivergent individuals. She discusses her use of ...

Seiara is the host of the Behind the Stigma podcast. She shares her academic journey in psychology and her plans for a PhD in the philosophy of psychiatry. She discusses her early experiences with misophonia and the complexity of the condition. Seiara also talks about cultural attitudes towards mental health in Dubai and Azerbaijan. She shares her family dynamics and their reactions to her misophonia. Finally, she explores the effectiveness of exposure therapy and discusses recent neurostimul...

Dan Shay, a visual artist, discusses his experience with misophonia and how it has impacted his daily life and relationships. He shares his journey of discovering misophonia and the challenges he faced in explaining it to others. Dan talks about his coping mechanisms, including the use of earplugs and meditation apps. He also explores the potential of using art to raise awareness about misophonia and the intersection of art and technology in expressing the condition. Overall, Dan emphasizes t...

Shaylynn shares her misophonia origin story and how her triggers developed over time. She discusses the impact of misophonia on her school life and the accommodations she received. Shaylynn emphasizes the importance of supportive friends and family in coping with misophonia. She talks about her journey as a misophonia advocate and her involvement with Misophonia International and the Research Network. Shaylynn also discusses her plans for starting a nonprofit and the projects she has in mind....

Summary In this conversation, Carolyn shares her experiences living with misophonia and offers insights into coping strategies and managing triggers in various environments. She emphasizes the importance of normalizing misophonia and open communication in intimate relationships. Carolyn also highlights the benefits of nature and sensory grounding techniques for finding relief. The conversation touches on the impact of stress on misophonia and the challenges of living in an RV with the c...

In this conversation, Victoria, a lecturer and misophonic individual, shares her experiences with misophonia. She discusses her childhood experiences and the impact of certain triggers, such as chewing, clocks ticking, and water sounds. Victoria also talks about the challenges she faces as a lecturer and how she copes with misophonic triggers in the classroom. She reflects on the cultural differences in accepting eating in classrooms and the potential genetic component of misophonia. Victoria...

Mark is a musician from Manchester, now living in Los Angeles. Mark has opened for Queens of the Stone Age and played the legendary Viper Room in LA. A while back, Mark sent me the video to his song about misophonia, that I’ve linked to below and posted on social media. We finally got a chance to talk and get into his life story with miso. We talk about his brother as his first trigger, being the black sheep of the family, the anticipatory nature of misophonia, humor as a necessary coping mec...

Julia is a grad student on track to be a mental health counselor. She has misophonia and has spent a lot of time thinking about miso from various angles. This is a really wide-ranging discussion. We talk about how the pandemic was really rough with her violinist roomates, occupational therapy, having ADHD and being on the autism spectrum, her experience seeing exposure therapy performed on misos, her experience with medication, crano-sacrial therapy, HSP, EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, IFS... ...

Aaryn is an artist based in North Carolina. We talk about marriage and family, art, yoga, the mind-boy connection, the fascia, supplements and medication and much more. Check the show notes for links to Aaryn’s art projects. https://www.aarynwest.com https://www.instagram.com/aarynwest --- Pre-order Sounds like Misophonia - by Dr. Jane Gregory and I Sponsored by the personal journaling app I developed: Basal - hellobasal.com For iOS and Android Writing prompts and summaries ...

Victoria is from central Oregon in the Pacific Northwest. We talk about life as a fisheries observer working on fishing boats for days at a time, her sometimes challenging childhood with mental illness in the family, coping methods she’s used like medication and alcohol, how she deals with airplanes and more. --- Pre-order Sounds like Misophonia - by Dr. Jane Gregory and I Sponsored by the personal journaling app I developed: Basal - hellobasal.com For iOS and Android Writing p...

Kristina is in Bulgaria. We talk about being a new mom, heading back to a hybrid work environment, being an advocate for misophonia in Bulgaria, being triggered by children and family members and much more. --- Pre-order Sounds like Misophonia - by Dr. Jane Gregory and I Sponsored by the personal journaling app I developed: Basal - hellobasal.com For iOS and Android Writing prompts and summaries for your journal entries by AI from the perspective of a therapist. Web: https://misopho...

Paris is a PhD student researching misophonia at the University of Newcastle. She has been making a name for herself already having published papers alongside Dr. Kumar who is very well-known for his seminal papers on the brain basis of misophonia. Here we talk about her work on mimicry, mirror neurons, how she got into miso research, visual triggers and other senses, autism, trauma, how to break into misophonia research, new ideas for public engagement and a lot more. --- Pre-or...

Risa lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and has been dealing with misophonia for about 60 years. We talk about being neurodivergent, family life both many decades ago, and in the present day and all the challenges along the way, raising her child while having miso, difficult neighbors, her thoughts on meditation and various psychotherapies, and of course much more. --- Pre-order Sounds like Misophonia - by Dr. Jane Gregory and I Sponsored by the personal journaling app I developed: Basa...

Shane is a broadcaster/podcaster and writer based in London, Ontario, Canada. Shane has just published an ebook based on his mental health recovery. He’s also a mental health advocate in Canada, working for the national program Defeat Depression. And also he is a fellow misophonia podcaster because he briefly had a show called Fight or Flight. We talk about all those, plus his relationship with his family especially his mom, ADHD, frontal lobe atrophy, marijuana and its effects on him a...

James is a US military veteran and now a management consultant on a break from his job to deal with misophonia. We talk about how it got really bad during the pandemic, living in a college dorm janitorial closet, coping methods when traveling, life in the military, working with Tom Dozier, and using drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. Really fascinating and wide ranging conversation. --- Pre-order Sounds like Misophonia - by Dr. Jane Gregory and I Sponsored by the personal journaling...

Nina is a massage therapist and herbalist. We talk about growing up in a bit of a chaotic home, damage to her relatioship with her brother who was her main trigger, we talk about Loop earplugs, having OCD and ADHD, and how various herbs and plants have been helping her nervous system. Nina's website: https://lucialunare.com --- Pre-order Sounds like Misophonia - by Dr. Jane Gregory and I Sponsored by the personal journaling app I developed: Basal - hellobasal.com For i...

This week I’m talking to Paige and her family, dad Michael, and mom Kelly. Paige is starting high school and we talk about the family’s experience so far dealing with misophonia. It’s been quite a journey but Paige’s parents have been determined to find solutions and coping methods for Paige. The family has also been part of some major advocacy projects in their hometown, including Halloween and Christmas fundraisers and Misophonia Awareness campaigns in partnership with their mayor. &...

Lila is a musician and educator whose important work is focused on protecting animals and the planet. She’s currently based in Indonesia although she is there by way of Los Angeles. We talked about many things including misophonia while traveling, coping when you don’t have your own space in a new place, we talk about being an empath and HSP, shamanism, and some parallels between the state of the public perception of misophonia and that of climate issues. Lila's links: http...

CJ is a college student and big advocate for misophonia in the community. I was really happy to finally chat with him. We talk about how he explains miso, his work with soQuiet, stress as an exacerbator, and some questions for you listeners. CJ's website: https://cjgibson46.wixsite.com/eportfolio --- Pre-order Sounds like Misophonia - by Dr. Jane Gregory and I Sponsored by the personal journaling app I developed: Basal - hellobasal.com For iOS and Android Writing prompts and s...

Ross is a musician and composer based in Glasgow. Ross reached out earlier this year and we immediately hit it off, since we share a lot of creative interests and I also like to compose when I have time. Here we talk about everything from his quite happy childhood and getting on great with his parents, the scourge of Scottish seagulls, bad techno, terrible bouts with migraines, and a healing moment he recently had with a specific sound that was recently a big problem. Check out Ross's...

Freya and Mabel are two grad students at the University of Bristol, who did their final project on human-centered design practices to help cope with misophonia. There's a link below to the book they are making freely available which is a toolkit for incorporating misophonia-awareness into any design process. We also talk a bit about Freya’s experience having misophonia, and Mabel’s interest in misophonia, as someone who does not actually have it. This is a super interesting approach to studyi...

I really enjoyed this conversation because it hit upon a lot of things I’ve been thinking about related to misophonia and possible roots in childhood experiences. Claire and I talk about her watching fights as a young girl between her dad and older brother, both very temperamental people. We talk about mental health not being taken seriously by her family, even at a very low point (warning to folks that there is some discussion of suicidal ideation). We talk about the effects of those experie...

Elaine is an educator and reading tutor in the NY state area. She just found the podcast recently and was inspired by the Lisa Loeb episode to talk to her daughter about misophonia, because Elaine’s daughter also has it. In fact, it seems to run in her family. We talk about the family connections, we talk about her mother who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, which had a major impact on Elaine growing up and right up to the time she passed. We talk about explaining miso to her husban...

Season Finale of season 6!! I’m talking to Nate Johnson, who happens to be the son of Dr. Marsha Johnson, the godmother of misophonia, the original audiologist who identified misophonia back in the 90s. We talk about being the misophonic son of Marsha Johnson, being a guinea pig for many devices over the years, and I ask him, was his famous mom a trigger for him growing up? We talk about vagal nerve breathing, how his family does NOT eat together during holiday celebrations, his bad experienc...

Part 2 of my interview with Kresta, a therapist in California who was telling us about her journey to what she considers freedom from misophonia and went over topics relating to trauma, the Internal Family Systems modality and brainspotting. Here we dive deeper into her personal journey expanding on what we covered in part 1, plus legacy burdens, seeing an energy healer, getting in her car and going on rage drives, HSPs, more details on brainspotting, and a lot of practical tips on doing part...

This is part 1 of my conversation with Kresta, a licensed therapist based in Southern California. Kresta is also a misophone, or was a misophone, she says she is now free from misophonia and this extensive conversation describes her journey, and many topics like trauma, going internal family systems, a modality she uses called brainspotting which was key to her journey, and many other fascinating topics. In this first part, we’ll get a bit into her background, we’ll talk all about the nervous...

Abby is in college in a music therapy program. We discuss misophonia and comorbid conditions, her mental health journey which really began a few years ago, her experiences growing up in a very stable and happy home and her coping methods for miso along the way. We also talk about her music therapy program and the link to the documentary she mentions at the end is below: Music Got Me Here documentary --- Web: https://misophoniapodcast.com Email: hello@misophoniapodcast.com Send me a...

Wairimu is a college student in Kenya. This was exciting because I think it’s my first interview with someone based in Africa. We talk about how she feels actually like she has enough agency on her life to keep her misophonia generally under wraps, we talk about ADHD, being in a large family where many of her siblings also have various triggers, her coping methods and just what the general take is on misophonia and mental health in her region of Africa. If you're interested in misophonia coa...

Paige is a holistic, integrative healer and founder of the Warrior Sanctuary, while also holding a day job at a tech startup. We talk shamanism, meditation, psychedelics and indigenous plant medicine, neuroplasticity, past life healing, root chakra, sound healing, plus her own life story of adverse childhood experiences, a relatively recent concussion, and the emotional impact that hearing the stories on this podcast had on her. Here are some links from the show! Warrior Sanctuary - Music P...

Nola is a nurse in northern Alberta, Canada. She has had misophonia for over 50 years, but only learned it had a name a few months ago. She’s been on leave from her job due to a major depressive episode, which she attributes to years of misophonia wreaking havoc on her nervous system. We talk about dysregulation, co-regulation and attachment theory, epigenetics, EMDR, Gabor Maté, and even a shoutout to past guest and misophonia legend Dr. Jennifer Brout. Finally she, also reads from her poem ...

Holli came to my attention when Youtube’s algorithm recommended a video she posted about 5 years ago, about misophonia. And I was impressed with how openly she talked about not just the mechanics of what happens, but all the effects on her life and the people around her. We talk about diagnoses for anxiety, ADHD, medication, growing up in small apartments, the impact of miso on her family, other family members that have it, dating, traveling and the quietude of caves, how she enjoys ASMR, var...

Jeff happens to be in a nearby city just to the east of me, in the neighboring state of Wisconsin. We talk about misophonia and OCD, his environment growing up with a tough-love dad and younger brother who bore the brunt of many of Jeff’s reactions. We talk about some of his past relationships as well as how he manages miso these days with a very supportive wife and three young kids at home. We also talk about how he has been able to advocate for himself at his current job, and we even get so...

Sussie is a 28 year-old British-Ghanaian novelist based in London. She came on my radar after a beautiful essay she wrote for Lithub about her experience with misophonia. Also, we both appeared earlier this week in an article about misophonia in the UK newspaper, the Evening Standard. We talk about the stresses and internal feelings growing up as an ethnic minority in a new land, how past memories affect the body in the present, we talk about her writing, journaling, meditation, as well as li...

Alicia is a teenager in school and singer-songwriter living in Manchester. We talk about misophonia alongside anxiety, autism, cerebral palsy, as well as dealing with bullying in school, being mocked in relationships and how medication for anxiety has affected her misophonia. Alicia's links --- Support the podcast on Patreon! Download the official Misophonia Podcast app! For iOS and Android Podcast episodes, background sounds, a trigger journal, a panic button, and tons of res...

Dr. Cowan is pretty well-known in the Misophonia community as a researcher and therapist focusing on misophonia, as well as OCD and other conditions. We talked about how he got interested in misophonia, especially since he doesn’t have it himself. He explains extensively his model for what misophonia is and then he describes how he developed his therapy, known as Experiential Acceptance and Stimulus Engagement (EASE). You can learn more at his website: https://ocdmiso.com &nb...

Molly was recently treasurer at a cannabis company in Las Vegas. We talk about the effects of cannabis products, edibles, gummies, on her misophonia. We talk about tips from therapists, her co-morbid OCD, a traumatic childhood, having a hard time in school, and how she opened up just recently to her parents about misophonia and how that went. --- Support the podcast on Patreon! Download the official Misophonia Podcast app! For iOS and Android Podcast episodes, background sounds, a tr...

Linda is a professional puppeteer and a multidisciplinary visual and performing artist. She created the 9-minute short film called Misophonia which has been going around independent film festivals. I had a chance to see it and was struck by how it captured a lot of aspects of miso without actually saying any words. We get into a lot of different things in our conversation other than this film, such as using art to describe living with misophonia. We talk about her childhood with an abusive st...

Jay’s mom is a therapist, yet she used Jay’s misophonia as a weapon against her growing up, tormenting her during their arguments. We also talk about what it was like to get her first office job, why she hasn’t told anyone about her misophonia, except her now fiancé and we talk about how she approached that conversation. We talk about gaslighting a lot: how we misophones are gaslit for how we feel and our feelings are minimized, dismissed, and misunderstood without being given any...

Lisa is a GRAMMY™ Award-winning American singer-songwriter & touring musician, SiriusXM radio host, actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who started her career with the platinum-selling hit song “Stay (I Missed You)” from the classic 1994 film Reality Bites. She is also well-known to parents and kids for her five children’s albums, and two illustrated children’s books with music. And on this episode we will talk a lot about how misophonia has affected her family life. We also tal...

Brian is a licensed, private practice therapist in New Jersey. We talk about the catastrophic effect miso can have on families, alexithymia, which is the difficulty of describing and expressing our emotions, tactile triggers, unwanted arousal, how the stress of miso might affect our bowel movements. It's a wide-ranging and eye-opening conversation. We even talk about one incident where he physically attacked a friend at school growing up. Brian's practice --- Support the...

Lauren is a freelance graphic designer in Florida. This is Lauren’s first conversation with someone who understands misophonia, which is always a special occasion, we talk about the wedge this caused growing up between herself and her parents, relationships, having friends and partners trigger her on purpose, the effects of anxiety medication on misophonia, and looking back at how miso put her in some really dark places growing up. --- Support the podcast on Patreon! Download th...

Ben is a high school sophomore in Utah. Ben’s miso got significantly worse this past year and so he’s been grappling with that at school. We talk about his efforts to voluntarily try exposure therapy as a way to habituate to triggers, self-triggers, improv theatre and some lessons it brings for dealing with miso, plus we talk about miso and the holidays as well as talking with his grandfather about PTSD from war experiences, and what he thinks of Ben’s miso. --- Support the podcast on ...

Olivia, an art student in Australia. Olivia is relatively new to learning about misophonia but of course, she has had it for years. We talk about possible relations to OCD and autism, using ASMR for positive sounds, misophonia grief, having an alpha-male dad and a lot more. There is a content warning, near the beginning of the episode there is talk of child on child molestation. --- Support the podcast on Patreon! Download the official Misophonia Podcast app! For iOS and Android Podca...

Eric had a pretty unique and difficult childhood growing up. As you’ll hear, he was always taken care of by his parents, but as the day progressed, there was often alcohol abuse and then some quite disturbing mental illness in his parents would reveal themselves. This was naturally very confusing for a child and led to many of the issues Eric has experienced since then. He’s actually only relatively recently seeked out therapy. We get into all that, we talk about chronic vs. singular trauma, ...