This episode explores why people self-harm, the emotions behind it, and most importantly, how to find healthier coping strategies and support for breaking the cycle of self-injury.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

Nia: Hey there, welcome to today's episode. I've been thinking about something that affects so many people but is rarely discussed openly – self-harm. It's such a complex topic, and I know many of our listeners might be struggling with this themselves or know someone who is.
Miles: Absolutely, Nia. And what's striking is that self-harm isn't what many people assume it is. It's not usually a suicide attempt, but rather a way people try to cope with overwhelming emotions or situations they feel they can't control.
Nia: That's such an important distinction. I've heard that people self-harm for all kinds of reasons – to express emotions they can't put into words, to feel something when they're feeling numb, or even to punish themselves. It's really a coping mechanism, isn't it?
Miles: Exactly. And what's heartbreaking is that after self-harming, those difficult feelings often return, sometimes with added guilt and shame. It becomes this cycle that's hard to break out of without support.
Nia: You know, I think there's also this misconception that self-harm is just cutting, but it takes many different forms, right?
Miles: That's right. While cutting is common, self-harm can include burning, hitting oneself, hair pulling, or even risky behaviors. What's important to understand is that behind all these behaviors is someone trying to manage painful emotions. Let's explore how people can find healthier ways to cope and where they can turn for support when these feelings become overwhelming.