• Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder...Or so We Hope!
    Feb 20 2025

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    Welcome to Therapists IRL...Season 2 Episode 9? It's been so long, we hardly remember! Yup. We went on a little unplanned hiatus. Please forgive us! We've missed you and we hope you've missed us and come listen to the new episodes we'll be dropping. This episode is a bit of a "catching you up" on where we've been and what we've been up to since November!

    No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode, but vulnerability hangovers are real.

    Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

    If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

    If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

    Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

    With care,

    Jen and Steph

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    52 mins
  • A Non-Partisan Conversation About the Impact of Politics on Mental Health
    Nov 14 2024

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    Have you ever been tempted to let your dog pee on your neighbor's political yard sign? If so, this episode is for you. Welcome to Therapists IRL, Episode 8 of Season 2. In the wake of this 2024 Presidential Election, Steph & Jen explore the emotional impact of politics in today's America (without claiming red or blue). This episode takes a compassionate look at the pain, fear, and division rampant in our country today, on both sides of the aisle. Without getting issue-specific, they candidly discuss the reality of life in a country divided. Regardless of how you voted, today's episode sheds some light on why you might have, for a split second, allowed Fido to lift his leg all over that yard sign.

    Resources:

    The Center for Nonviolent Communication
    www.cnvc.org

    Books:
    Nonviolent Communication, A Language of Life
    Author: Marshall B Rosenberg, PhD

    Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook
    Author: Lucy Leu

    No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode, but vulnerability hangovers are real.

    Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

    If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

    If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

    Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

    With care,

    Jen and Steph

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Wounded Healers Series: A Candid Conversation with Kirk M. Samuels (The Intimacy Incubator) on Widespread Threats to Men's Mental Health, and Ideas on What to Do About It
    Nov 6 2024

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    We want to introduce you to a man who not only invites other men into healing and wholeness, but also believes women will be safer as a result. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 8, where Jen & Steph talk with Kirk about his passion for seeing men recover from woundedness and emotional stuntedness to achieve the fullness of their potential as men of integrity who enrich and make safer the lives of those around them. Spanning topics from pornography addiction to childhood abuse and more, please join us as we talk with Kirk about his very unique niche within the mental health world. And please share with any men in your life who may benefit!

    Kirk M. Samuels Resources:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirkmsamuels?mibextid=LQQJ4d

    Men's Group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1549dNCEkX/?mibextid=K35XfP

    http://www.freeindeed36.com/?

    Radio Show:

    Mad Men Radio https://www.1220kldc.com/show/madmen-of-masculinity-w-jason-b-kendrick-and-kirk-m-samuels/

    http://madmenradio.com/

    Books by Kirk M. Samuels

    For Your Eyes Only: The Inside Scoop About Men, Porn, and Marriage

    ( Amazon link : https://a.co/d/64uoR2g )

    Seven Secrets of Modern Dating: The He Said, She Said Guide for Getting from Single to Spouse

    ( Amazon link: https://a.co/d/1oY0V3T )

    No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode, but vulnerability hangovers are real.

    Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

    If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

    If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

    Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

    With care,

    Jen and Steph

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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Season 2, Episode 7: Big Heart, Weary Soul, Tear-Filled Eyes
    Oct 30 2024

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    When love alone can't heal, comforting words fall short, and hope doesn’t alter reality….Welcome to Therapists IRL, Episode 7 of Season 2. In this episode, Jen and Steph explore the challenges of caregiver compassion fatigue and anticipatory grief. Jen shares her personal experience of supporting her significant other through illness, offering an honest glimpse into the complexities of loving through hardship.

    No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode, but vulnerability hangovers are real.

    Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

    If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

    If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

    Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

    With care,

    Jen and Steph

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Wounded Healer Series: A Conversation with Taylor About Her Journey to Peace & Self-Acceptance regarding her Spirituality, Racial identity, and Sexual Evolution
    Oct 23 2024

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    Imagine your rock bottom being the moment a neighbor throws a chair through your window and saves your life. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 6, where Jen & Steph chat with Taylor Newell-Smith about her healing and personal growth within the intersections of her identities - a biracial, pansexual, and spiritual woman growing up in a millenial world. If you could use some inspiration, Taylor's story is for you.

    Taylor would like to share reoairces for anyone in need in the Madison, Wisconsin area, USA.

    Salvation Army Dane County - Women & Family Shelter
    630 E Washington Avenue
    Madison, Wisconsin 53703
    608-250-2200

    Porchlight - Men’s Emergency Shelter
    2002 Zeier Road
    Madison, Wisconsin 53704
    608-416-1446

    The Beacon - Day Shelter
    615 E Washington Ave
    Madison, Wisconsin 53703
    608-826-8040

    OUTREACH LGBTQ+ Community Center
    2701 International Lane
    Madison, Wisconsin 53704
    608-255-8582

    River Food Pantry
    2201 Darwin Road
    Madison, Wisconsin 53704
    608-442-8815

    No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode, but vulnerability hangovers are real.

    Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

    If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

    If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

    Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

    With care,

    Jen and Steph

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Season 2, Episode 5: Wounded Healer Series - A Soulful Talk with Abby Ward, on Navigating the Loss of a Therapy Client to Suicide (Trigger Warning!)
    Oct 16 2024

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    Most people probably don't think about the loss a therapist experiences when one of their clients passes away. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 5 of Therapists IRL, where Jen & Steph sit down with our dear friend Abby Ward to discuss just that. On the heels of Suicide Prevention Month last month, Abby tenderly shares her story of living through and recovering from a therapist's worst nightmare - the loss of a beloved client to suicide. A unique perspective that is not talked about enough, we are so thankful for the sacred space carved out in this episode.

    Facebook Group for Mental Health Professionals who have lost a client: Confidential Grief.

    No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode, but vulnerability hangovers are real.

    Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

    If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

    If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

    Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

    With care,

    Jen and Steph

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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Season 2, Episode 4: When the Therapists Need Therapy (Vulnerable Episode Alert!)
    Oct 8 2024

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    When you realize you're still enraged about something that happened a long time ago... or you just can't get it together and clean up those doom piles or pick up the dog toys. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 4 of Therapists IRL!! Steph & Jen get real about their therapy status - why they're going (Steph) and why they need to (Jen). And we're here to tell you, vulnerability hangovers really are real.

    No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode, but vulnerability hangovers are real.

    Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

    If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

    If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

    Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

    With care,

    Jen and Steph

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    59 mins
  • Wounded Healer Series: A Conversation with Charlotte Bertrand, on Doing the Work and Finding Hope When Life Doesn't Cooperate
    Oct 2 2024

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    Imagine always being told that being a wife and mother were the ultimate goals in life, then finding yourself single, childless not by choice, and working in the Adoption field... Welcome to Therapists IRL! In this week's episode, Jen & Steph talk candidly with Steph's long-time friend Charlotte, who openly shares her story of disappointment and pain in some of her adult years through a lens of faith in a loving God. If you have ever experienced the pain of life not turning out the way you hoped, there is a nugget here for you. Please join us.

    No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode, but vulnerability hangovers are real.

    Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

    If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

    If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

    Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

    With care,

    Jen and Steph

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 2 mins