In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Marcus and Esme tell the story of Milli Vanilli, a R&B/Eurodance duo who took the world by storm in the late 80s/early 90s, only to lose it all when it was revealed they couldn’t actually sing. Is it a tale of avarice and deception, or a parable about the importance of proportionate accountability? Oh, wait. I’m just now reading the title. Got it – it’s the second one. You should still listen to it, though.

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• Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun... Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this episode, Marcus and Esme scratch the surface of AI’s impact on mental health: the wedge of isolation it’s driving between individuals (particularly children) and their families/friends in the name of engagement; the impact of its parroted empathy; its unregulated pervasiveness in our culture; and the risks it poses as a possible “tool” in the mental health space. They reflect on their own past mental health crises, and posit how this technology (had it existed or been engaged with) could have easily fed their worst thoughts. Finally, thoughts on protections and regulations, and how to monitor and discuss use of these “tools” with our kids. Buckle up – deep breaths needed for this one, folks.

Trigger warning: This episode contains references to suicide and suicidal ideation—listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you love is dealing with these issues, please know that hope and help is available.

Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

- Call or text 988

- Chat at 988lifeline.org

Connect with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.

Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org

Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com

Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact

Sources for this episode include:

• Orgvue. “55% of Businesses Admit Wrong Decisions in Making Employees Redundant When Bringing AI into the Workforce.” Orgvue, 29 Apr. 2025, https://www.orgvue.com/news/55-of-businesses-admit-wrong-decisions-in-making-employees-redundant-when-bringing-ai-into-the-workforce.
• “Is A.I. a Bubble?” The New York Times, 27 Oct. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/briefing/is-ai-a-bubble.html.
• Chatterjee, Rhitu. “Their Teenage Sons Died by Suicide. Now, They Are Sounding an Alarm about AI Chatbots.” NPR, 19 Sept. 2025, https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/09/19/nx-s1-5545749/ai-chatbots-safety-openai-meta-characterai-teens-suicide.
• “Exploring the Dangers of AI in Mental Health Care.” Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI), https://hai.stanford.edu/news/exploring-the-dangers-of-ai-in-mental-health-care.
• Trachman, Susan B. “The Hidden Dangers of AI-Driven Mental Health Care.” Psychology Today, 2 Jan. 2026, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/its-not-just-in-your-head/202601/the-hidden-dangers-of-ai-driven-mental-health-care.

Our theme music

• Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun... Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

In this week’s much delayed Hyperfocus Bonus, Esme is out with a stomach bug, and Marcus details his heroic efforts tending to his sickly wife and daughter. He also proposes a simple solution for freeing up some of the federal funding needed to create a better health care system.

Visit our website: crazytogetherpod.com

Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/C0C216B887

Contact us: https://www.crazytogetherpod.com/contact

Our theme music

• Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun... Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp