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Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard · June 3, 2026 · 02:07:13

Cohen Miles-Rath (on psychosis and recovery)

Cohen Miles-Rath

Cohen Miles-Rath, a mental health advocate and suicide prevention professional, joins Dax to discuss his tumultuous upbringing between two very different households, his path as a distance runner and first-generation college student, and the mounting pressures that unraveled his identity. He recounts his psychotic break—driven partly by cannabis and sleeplessness—that led to a terrifying attempt on his father's life and subsequent incarceration. Cohen describes the visceral reality of hallucinations and delusions, the unconditional love that became the cornerstone of his recovery, and why staying well demands daily vigilance and a strong support system. He shares his story openly to help dismantle stigma around severe mental illness.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Curious

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Cannabis and sleep deprivation precipitated his psychotic break
Cohen’s psychotic episode was fueled in part by heavy cannabis use and severe sleeplessness, two factors known to precipitate psychosis in vulnerable individuals.
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Sharing personal stories dismantles the stigma of severe mental illness
Cohen shares his journey—including the most painful, taboo details—to publicly challenge stereotypes and show that recovery is possible, thereby lowering the barrier for others to seek help.
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Highlights

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What hallucinations and delusions feel like from the inside
Cohen explains that during psychosis, hallucinations and delusions are indistinguishable from reality; you cannot will them away and you fully believe them.
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Recovery is an ongoing, daily practice requiring vigilance and support
Cohen emphasizes that recovering from a psychotic episode isn’t a one-time event; it demands constant attention to stress, medication, triggers, and a reliable support network.
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Unconditional love as the bedrock for rebuilding after a crisis
After his release from jail, Cohen’s family offered unwavering support and love, which he credits as the single most important factor in his ability to reconstruct a meaningful life.
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References

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Mending Reality: An Advocate’s Existential Journey with Mental Health — Cohen Miles-Rath — Cohen's memoir and guide to mental health recovery

Misc

✧Cohen's psychotic break drove him to try to kill his own father, resulting in jail time.
✧His family responded with unconditional love, which he credits as the foundation for rebuilding his life after release.
✧He vividly describes that during psychosis, hallucinations and delusions feel completely real—there is no internal alarm signaling that they are false.
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