Guestbook

Feel free to sign my guestbook, and share your experience of my website or my work. Note: your email will not be made public, though if you share a link to your website that will be public.  I also want to add that I cannot reply to people’s messages here.  I’m really sorry about that!!

Write a new entry for the Guestbook

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fields marked with * are required.
Your email address won't be published.
Entries become visible after being reviewed. Thank you!
591 entries.
Ana Ana wrote on January 20, 2025 at 4:20 pm
Hi, Daniel. I just want to say, that you are inspiring to me. Your thoughts about being OK with not having children completely changed my world. Well, at the same time I feel a lot of anger towards my parents… It is me who should take care of myself. I found your videos a year ago, but then stopped watching (don’t know why). Now I enjoy watching your videos, even though sometimes I can’t accept some scary facts about life… Thank you for your videos. I appreciate your openness and truthfulness. Sometimes I think that it would be great to have such a friend as you are! Best regards, Ana
Lori Lori from Denver wrote on January 17, 2025 at 2:45 pm
Hi Daniel. Your videos remind me that I'm not alone. Healing and finding my way back to myself has been one of the most painful things I've ever had to do, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I have made amazing progress over the last year after experiencing a rough phase stemming from unresolved trauma. As soon as I decided to open the door to years of repressed emotions, my anxiety was so high that it caused me to lose sleep for days and go into psychosis. It was like everything was flooding out as soon as I surrendered to all my coping mechanisms/addictions. I was hospitalized, and It was horrifying, but it was also one of the best things that happened to me because it forced me to look within. Now, I choose to approach my pain from a place of compassion. I'd like to share that I'm finally graduating this spring and also continuing my education for the career I always wanted but was too scared/insecure to chase. I was reflecting on my past and where I want to be, and I wanted to share this and say thank you for staying real. P.S. One of my favorite quotes is - "The only way out is in." Cheers.
Jeffrey Jeffrey wrote on January 17, 2025 at 10:15 am
Hello mister Mackler, I want to deeply thank you. One of your YouTube videos has been the reason I have finally been able to move over childhood trauma. Two things you have said in particular has helped me greatly. 1) Acknowledgement of trauma. I've been bullied every day by my eldest brother in a pretty relentless way for the first 10 years of my life. I wanted to kill myself when I was 8 years old. Everyone was always telling me that this is normal. That I should stop acting like a victim. Older brothers bully their younger brothers. I told my mother I probably need to see a psychologist but she told me, nah, you're fine. The first time I felt someone acknowledged my trauma, in my entire life, was when I heard you say in a video that most people are traumatised and don't even know it, because trauma is normalised. When I heard this I cried everyday for a week straight, at the ripe age of 33 years old. Something finally clicked. I'm not crazy, everyone else is. I've become increasingly happier ever since. I've FINALLY been able to move past old trauma thanks to your video. So thank you. 2) The second thing you've said that really helped me during this period, was that dealing with childhood trauma is like a grieving process. This is the first time I've ever heard this and I was amazed at how accurate this statement felt. It did felt like grieving. I was grieving all the years of pain I went through. I was grieving that I lost part of my childhood. And in this process of grieving I've finally been able to reach a point of mental stability I didn't think could be possible for me. So thanks again! Keep up the good work.
lalita lalita wrote on January 9, 2025 at 11:19 pm
Hey, i just came across one of ur video on self pity. the way of looking at life this way is really radical but it seems to make sense. though even thought of criticising ppl who had a tough time in life seems callous but may be this is the only way to break free from this pattern of helplessness. thanks for sharing 🙂
Isaac Isaac wrote on January 9, 2025 at 10:57 am
Hi Daniel. Your talks are greatly appreciated. I discovered your channel about three years ago and began watching you again recently. I think your perspective is refreshing, and you come across as quite authentic. When you talk about your travels it’s really quite inspiring - as someone who struggles with low confidence and a lot of discontent, I too want to take up an adventure. I suppose I want to ask: what instigated your want to travel? Was it difficult to muster the willpower to escape for the first time? Was there a specific moment in which you felt free? I also want to say that I really admire the fact that despite having been through hardships you retain a positive attitude. I find it’s so easy to become bitter and arrogant, so much so that we can lose parts of ourselves. And to who’s benefit? It costs nothing to be kind yet it costs us everything to be hateful. (That’s my spur of the moment sentiment, lol). I will say also that you’ve helped me reconnect with the parts of myself I have lost or had forgotten about. I have been journaling a decent amount - just making accounts of my dreams, my thoughts and feelings towards the people I meet, reflections on my childhood and so on. I doing so I am beginning to see my true self again - hardly without obstacles along the way! Anyhow, thanks for doing what you do - a lot of us really appreciate your videos and I wanted to share that with you. Yours sincerely -a random 22 year old from England
Juli Juli from Denver wrote on December 27, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Hey Daniel (and everyone on this beautiful journey), I hope you see this because you deserve to know the profound impact you've had on my life. From the bottom of my heart and soul, thank you for sharing your authentic self. You've inspired me to share my own truth, and I hope it encourages healing in others as you have done for me. Truly, thank you so much. You are important, and you are needed. I wish you and everyone an adventure-filled day! Sending light and love.
Anon ME Anon ME wrote on November 30, 2024 at 11:01 pm
I have a DEEP hate for myself. It stems from childhood and behaviors in my adult life. As a young boy of 5-6 years old I was molested by an older boy. I could not tell my parents of the actual sexual abuse for my father was very Macho and my more was a alcoholic. I went to school in the 60's. I now know I am dyslexic and have traits of being on the spectrum. Elementary school was very difficult to say the least. While in the 2nd Third grade I was given a large cardboard box and my desk and I were placed in the box in the back of the room. To say it was traumatizing was far beyond that. Having no friends and parents that I could not turn to left me lost in a dark world in my head. I was passed on to grade to grade without help for my development problems. I did not know why I was disliked and hated. I was teased continually. I think that when I was in my mid teens my brain decided to give the world a reason to hate me. I did two things, I abused a distant family member and was exposed and the hatred continued. Then I started abusing animals, part of me was this is payback to the world. The other was giving my brain a reason why I was disliked. This became a pathway in my brain, and I continued this for decades. I have have stopped with the help of a counselor and a 12-step program. My problem is how do I stop hating myself? I cant get past the actions I have done.
Cathy Sarah Cathy Sarah from Gloucester wrote on November 28, 2024 at 11:02 am
As an Adoptive parent of over 12 years to a child who is Neurodiverse I just want to say your recent video on Adoption was sadly very ill-informed and disappointingly superficial. Adoption is a hugely complex subject and all adopted children suffer neuro-developmental trauma and many others have other conditions such as FAS (Foetal Alcohol Syndrome). These days people who take on Adoption I would say have to be the most under stress and under supported parents on the planet (apart from other parents of SEN children). The unsupported bit is because all your support network gradually falls away person by person as people around you realise this is not the same as having a birth child. It is being a therapeutic parent 24/7 and the times we trusted our child to other people who treated them like a birth child were the times they were traumatised (I am mainly talking about mainstream school educators). It would be a much better way to educate your viewers to do some actual research into the reality of adoption these days, rather than some anecdotal evidence and also to do some research into SEN parents too, as there is usually a big overlap given all the co-occurring disabilities many adoptive kids have. On a side note, many Neurodiverse adults are discriminated against by social services and their kids end up in care. I think the crimes being perpetrated against Neurodivergent people in our society are appalling as well. That could be highlighted too. I am not Neurodivergent I am Neurotypical but I have insight into their experiences of life through parenting my child and fighting their corner for 12 years.
anonamon anonamon from Phoenix wrote on October 12, 2024 at 1:49 pm
Good day, Daniel. Just over a few years ago, I escaped a 7 month long kidnapping experience. Your videos on eating disorders and pretty privilege are my favorite videos so far. But, your video on evidence-based psychotherapy caught my mind. More and more, when I see things that are evidence-based treatments, I see Faustian contracts. Currently, my case is being investigated. I so wish you were local to me, not for therapy, but to buy you a coffee, at least, and listen to what you have to say. Keep making videos on lesser discussed mental health topics! Some topics I hope to see therapists speaking on is the trans-to-sex-work pipeline and the targeted kidnappings and exploitation of American upper class children and adults by immigrants and second gen citizens. If you’re not familiar with what I’m talking about, think about OnlyFans models. What they don’t tell you is that they often have pimps and are forced to do sex work as escorts. On every college campus is some student or older friend of a student or even rich father of a student is talking to every pretty girl he can find to convince her to do OnlyFans for his profit. Well, that was my speech. Daniel, if you’re curious, you have my email.
Sam Sam from El Paso wrote on October 9, 2024 at 11:13 am
Hi, Daniel. I have been a follower of yours for some time and am a 25 year old autistic female. Your videos have helped me more than you can imagine! I’m sure you’ve heard that many times—and true as it remains, I still struggle with a lot. I am seeking a little more guidance if that is allowed to ask on here! Please reach out, and if not, have a good day otherwise!
Gonfalier Gonfalier wrote on October 6, 2024 at 4:52 pm
I have just viewed your video on Critique of Borderline Personality Disorder. A really excellent video, and thank you for your work. There is one aspect of this diagnosis that you do not talk about, and that is sexism and the disproportionate use of this diagnosis for women. I think that this comes down to 3 possible reasons, maybe more: 1. Sexist expectations of women that do not allow women to be angry and to not be nurturing. So if they are angry and not nurturing they must be severely pathological = BPD and not some less pejorative diagnosis. (This is true whether they have a trauma background or just are not nurturing by temperament. If the therapist is sexist, this will be regarded as pathological.) 2. If the patient is a good-looking young woman with a male therapist, and the male therapist feels sexually attracted to her, he can shift the blame for his inappropriate feelings to the patient by labelling her BPD, "communicating" her sexual attraction to him through her countertransference--really his projection of his sexual desire onto her--etc. etc. (Notice that whether the female patient actually feels sexually attracted to the therapist or not is not part of the equation. There has been an actual study that shows that the more attractive a man finds a woman, the more likely he thinks that she is sexually attracted to him. "I want sex with her therefore she must want sex with me.") 3. Unstable relationships. You described one way that relationships can be unstable due to the trauma background of the patient. But women grow up in a highly sexist world, and if they react to the sexist expectations placed on them, that can also create "unstable" relationships. (Like being angry when hit by a sexist trope. The sexist person doing this doesn't see themselves as doing anything to provoke that anger.) If they have an abusive boyfriend, that can look like an "unstable" relationship to a therapist looking to make this diagnosis. There are so many ways to create "unstable" relationships in our sexist world without it being a problem residing somehow in the woman. Yes, I was given this diagnosis by a sexist therapist and all three of the above things were present. But the diagnosis was really due to #2, and the rest were just icing on the cake, so to speak. Therapy with him was a constant diminishment of my intelligence, which did not send up red flags because I was getting the same from all sides. For example, my failure to panic over a comprehensive exam (because he'd panicked over his) was a sign of pathology in me, per him. I passed the exam. My failure to panic was really as sign that I was smarter than him, but of course he could never admit that. (This was only one of many indicators, which he never seems to quite grasp. I see it now, looking back.) So my intelligence and accurate assessment of my preparation had to be pathologized. In "therapy" where the patient is constantly being put down by the therapist (who is not aware of what he is doing due to sexism) is not going to produce a good result long term, so that is another impetus for the therapist to label the patient with BPD, which as you say, blames the patient for the therapist's inability to help her. That can be a fourth reason.
sue sue wrote on October 2, 2024 at 9:39 pm
mark passio has a very expansive podcast on mummy and daddy issues for our species. https://www.markpassio.com/podcast/478-woeih-show-168
Brice Little Brice Little from Marietta wrote on August 3, 2024 at 8:10 am
Bro….tight
Cleopatra Cleopatra wrote on July 22, 2024 at 7:32 pm
Hi, I would be grateful for your thoughts on writing one's life story as self therapy. I have seen the video you made about your autobiography. I have learned about writing one's recovery story. I have come across narrative therapy only in terms of the name, have not gone further to read about it. I remember notions of post traumatic growth. What, in your experience, is a fruitful way to proceed? To take wise risks for the opportunity to improve one's health. Thank you.
Kostas Kostas wrote on June 1, 2024 at 6:24 pm
Hello Daniel! I've been watching your videos for a long time and i can say that you have helped me so much discovering myself and doing my self therapy. Its a very painful process, Im discovering feelings that i didnt know they existed! Sometimes i cry a lot, and I feel a lot of pain. But through this, i have started feeling stronger and hopeful. I just wanted to say hello and thanks for all the help and the hope you have given me.
Tania Tania from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic wrote on May 25, 2024 at 10:24 am
I am very grateful to have come across your content.
Sandi Sandi from Pacific NorthWest, USA wrote on May 4, 2024 at 10:58 am
Thank you for being here for everyone Daniel. I just watched your YT video for the first time, and you have made a positive uplift in my well-being that I desperately need. You are appreciated.
May May wrote on April 23, 2024 at 10:54 pm
Can you possibly do a video on being a caretaker to a horrible aging parent? My mom died last year she never got her affairs in order and now I have my father who is falling apart and refuses help. he won't pay his bills and lives in filth. He berates me when I make suggestions, saying HE knows what to do and he never does anything I have paid his bills a couple of times and tried to help a couple of times. Fool me once as they say My family never knew who I was, I didn't either. They didn't know who they were. I hate that I am in this situation. I blame myself I should have walked away a long time ago. I have tried in fits and starts now. this channel and your book are very helpful thank You
Kyle Kyle wrote on April 21, 2024 at 12:21 am
I stumbled upon your videos on Youtube and I loved watching them! Then I saw you made a song, "The Seeker's Ballad" and liked it so much I thought I'd try and re-master it. So If you ever want a copy just let me know. I think it sounds pretty good. Honestly it's not much just added a smidge of effects.
Carla A. Carla A. from Saint Augustine Florida wrote on April 20, 2024 at 12:36 am
My son Erick left this world on July 3 2021. Long story short, he sends me songs and I am certain of it. Last night, he sent me Seekers Ballad, a song he had left for me on a playlist he made he for me. I cannot express the joy and healing that has unfolded for me because of that song. I got to searching and found your documentary on healing homes and I have to find a way to do this. I have another son, lost in addiction and recently "diagnosed" with bipolar or schizophrenia, (they haven't decided). Your song, your angle has given me hope for him and for honoring my son who is no longer here. it has given me a purpose to continue living, and in my truth, I'll find my home. The home I strived for my family and others, but it was not due to an alcoholic and abusive husband and father of my boys. Thank you for the refreshing perspectives, beautiful songs and enlightening insights. Love and being real and honesty. Just know you are greatly appreciated.
Matt Matt from London wrote on April 18, 2024 at 3:22 pm
Hi Daniel, Found your YouTube channel recently.. got blocked from my yt account so couldn’t leave a comment! thanks for sharing so much of yourself with the world, thanks for the support! Anyway, one of your videos talks about the power of “not forgiving”.. my parents hurt me a lot and have broke contact with them now, it’s been years.. wish I could tell them I love them and forgive them (which I do).. I pray for them but can’t face talking to them.. I wondered what your opinion of this short video is.. a father forgiving the serial killer who killed his daughter.. don’t know if he really forgave him, can’t imagine being in that situation but it touched something very deep in my heart and I know in general love is always the answer, but obviously sometimes you have to love people from a distance.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4GCFv57hUk
Peter Q. Peter Q. from Brooklyn New York wrote on April 18, 2024 at 12:41 am
Dear Daniel ,,, I just wanted to say your video's helped me so much ... I didn't find out about this parental covert abuse untill I was 42yrs ,, got into therapy after my substance abuse ,, learned all about this dynamic ,,, 16 yrs sober now ,,, But I sometimes get angry about this ,,, mostly over the death of my oldest brother who was driven to do drugs because of their abuse .. I also almost died also ,,, thank you for putting these video's out ,,, people need to know that they are not alone ,,,
Yana Yana wrote on March 24, 2024 at 2:20 pm
HI! Interesting content. Thanks for being honest, that's really hard to find nowadays. What about the Conscious Community you mentioned in 2015? Does it exist? I've been thinking for a long time on the childhood trauma. Personally, I don't have any big trauma history (violence, rape, abandon, etc). I had a comfortable childhood and nice parents. But I really feel hurt in many simple aspects and situations. My conclusion is it's impossible to raise a human being without trauma. The raising process is traumatic itself, there is no other option. Live is a traumatic experience.
Brian Brian from Vt wrote on March 22, 2024 at 7:20 pm
Daniel, I thoroughly enjoy your videos and life experiences along with a professional narrative; i find an additional awareness with my childhood/adolescent frame of reference(s); and find it’s a great addition with IFS therapy. “No such thing as “bad” parts”! Since living a false (S)elf unbeknown to myself led to this “clinical” term “acute psychosis”. And truly coming to grips I had to look to see what really truly happened to me and the seriousness of the assaults that took place on me in 1988 and throughout my years to hear me on this how a part brings to my attention; WHEN I TURNED 16 WITH MY DRIVERS LICENSE”!!!!!! How SO NOT ironic! I find your videos very valuable. God Bless Brian
T. T. wrote on March 18, 2024 at 8:20 pm
Daniel, I have no words to sum up what your content means to me. The clouds are parting and I'm seeing so much more clearly. Healing is taking over me. Please continue this work. You are healing lives, and helping to heal this broken humanity. You are a treasure. Perhaps in the future I will be more detailed, precise about the revelations you are making, but for now I just want you to know how grateful I am for your decision to be bold and embark on this untraveled path. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made to help all of us.
Rach Rach from Toronto wrote on March 7, 2024 at 11:42 pm
Daniel, I recently found your videos on YouTube and am so glad I did. The way you speak is the most authentic I have heard and I resonate with many of your experiences. While my parents always appeared great to everyone on the outside, I was struggling and I was so confused as to why. However, I felt deeply unvalued and as a result have an extremely hard time opening up to others, social anxiety and anxious attachment. I was often told I was a terrible and ungrateful child, as I always had food and shelter and a great life. It was not until my 20s I realized my family was maybe slightly abnormal and many parents and children actually hug and say they love each other. On some level I assumed most others were as disconnected from their parents as I was. I love what you say about having a spirit to rebel, as I feel that was me. I was always angry at my mother especially, and I believe it was unconscious - I was angry she didn't tell me she loved me or accept me. But of course, I wasn't able to connect the dots at such a young age. Just want to say thank you so much for your videos, they are seriously the best and I'm having a great time going through them. I'm so glad you still post new videos as well! Much love
Josiah Josiah from Roseau wrote on March 1, 2024 at 5:47 am
Hi Daniel, thank you for sharing all the wonderful videos. I've really gotten help from each and everyone I've watched so far. I'm all the way in the Caribbean, I mean that's not too far from the States but I'm just so happy some how your page landed on my YouTube recommendations. Your work will definitely pay off in many ways. So much has gone on in my life leaving me confused and making me feel worthless, and I've struggled to find who I really am, life has taught so many lessons the hard way. I can definitely relate to the feeling of putting down yourself to be what others want, however your guidance will definitely help light my way. Thanks again Daniel and keep up the good work.
Presiyan Presiyan from Sofia, Bulgaria wrote on February 21, 2024 at 1:04 pm
Hello, I hope this message finds you well. I'm currently going through the first fighting steps in a dark chapter of my life. The youtube algorithm suggested one of your videos to me today and it's been almost addicting to listen to them. I find it funny how life throws things at us when we're ready for them, because if I found out about you a couple weeks earlier, not gonna lie, probably would've missed you. Thank you. Thank you for saying all those things that I've been craving to hear from my parents, family and partners. Thank you for doing it, not in a way that blinds me to my faults, but helps me look at them with an intent to fix. With hope. I hope you reach what makes you happy in music, movies, travelling and so on. Sincerely, Pres
Diane Diane from France wrote on February 18, 2024 at 8:06 am
Hello Daniel and All, Daniel, in one of your videos you defined drinking alcohol as dissociation, and it lead to a breakthrough here. My drinking was an utter mystery to me: in the morning I'd swear off, but by evening, I was off to the corner store again. Mystery. If I reframe this mystery, and see it as my psyche's instinct to protect my abused self, I get it. It is a pause in my thinking, a time out, an ace up my sleeve, an advantage over others (for a short while). I had the 'switch' to my feelings. Alcohol gave me the super-power to access the appearance of happiness. But the intoxication of spontaneity soon would morph into drunk behavior and future embarrassment - Another mystery? My psyche does not think very far ahead or have a good memory.
Anniek Anniek from Netherlands wrote on February 10, 2024 at 6:54 pm
Dear Daniel, Three and a half years ago I became indescribably ill due to a too rapid withdrawal of two psychopharmaceuticals I had been taking for ten years. There has been no recovery in recent years. This Friday (16th) I will die by euthanasia, due to persistent unbearable suffering. My loved ones have not doubted for a moment that I was harmed by medication, because despite absurd neurological symptoms, I have remained just the same person; there were no psychological issues. But from doctors and psychiatrists, I received hardly any recognition. As a result, I was denied care early in my illness that might have turned the tide. It hurts me and my loved ones very much that I broke down from something that should have helped me. I wanted to let you know that your song "The psych med song" gave me comfort, made me feel that I am not the one who is crazy. Thank you for that! With heartfelt greetings, Anniek (40)