In this episode of Better Mental Health, hosts Blair and Jamie delve into their friend Stefan’s powerful and personal story. Stefan opens up about his mental health journey, focusing on his experiences and challenges with family dynamics, parentification, and therapy. He discusses growing up in a small, isolated community in Northern California, dealing with a hair-picking disorder (trichotillomania), and the difficult process of setting and maintaining boundaries with his parents.
In this episode of Better Mental Health, hosts Jamie, Blake, and Blair dive deep into the often-taboo topic of sex and its impact on relationships and mental health. They discuss personal experiences with sex therapy, the challenges of initiating sex, and the stigma surrounding therapy. Topics include the influence of porn, the importance of foreplay, and strategies for better sexual communication in marriages.
In this episode of Better Mental Health, we dive into the challenges of loneliness and its impact on mental health. We share personal experiences of moving to new cities, feeling isolated, and how we coped with loneliness. We also discuss the value of community, the role of therapy, and how modern societal changes affect our sense of connection. Join us for a heartfelt conversation aimed at destigmatizing loneliness and fostering deeper community ties.
In this episode of Better Mental Health, we sit down with licensed psychotherapist Ilya Parizhsky, the creator of Transformative Listening.
Ilya shares his insights on this powerful process that fosters loving attention and deep connection, allowing for the release of pent-up emotions. We dive into his personal journey, the impact of emotional vulnerability, and the importance of creating reciprocal listening partnerships.
In this episode of Better Mental Health, we dive deep into our experiences growing up in Christian Science—a lesser-known religion that some consider a cult. We discuss its core beliefs, the impact on our mental and physical health, and how questioning our faith shaped our identities.
In this episode, hosts Blair, Jamie, and Blake dive into No More Mr. Nice Guy by Dr. Robert Glover. This groundbreaking book explores the "Nice Guy Syndrome"—a pattern of people-pleasing and conflict avoidance that can hold men back from living authentic, fulfilling lives.
In this episode, Blake, Blair, and Jamie dive into a thought-provoking AskReddit thread that asks: "Men, why do you often say you're fine when you're not?" With over 12,000 comments, this topic struck a chord—and we couldn’t wait to unpack it. We explore: Why men feel pressure to say they're "fine" even when they’re not. Societal expectations around vulnerability, masculinity, and emotional expression. The role of anger, frustration, and the fear of being seen as "useless." How toxic masculinity, cultural norms, and generational trauma impact men’s mental health. Practical tips to break free from these patterns and build deeper, more authentic relationships. 🌟 Key moments: (0:12) Introduction to the Reddit thread. (1:00) Why do men feel like "nobody cares" when they open up? (10:08) Toxic masculinity and its impact on emotional vulnerability. (24:45) How societal expectations keep men from expressing emotions. (41:05) Why "if I'm not useful, I'm useless" is a harmful mindset. Let’s normalize open, honest conversations about mental health. We’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment below! What challenges have you faced as a man expressing your emotions? How can we better support each other? Your input could shape future episodes. 💬👇 📚 Mentioned in this episode: The Mask of Masculinity by Lewis Howes Breaking the stigma around mental health Tools like journaling and meditation to process emotions 🎙 Don’t miss an episode—subscribe to Better Mental Health and join our growing community of men redefining what it means to be strong. 💪 #MensMentalHealth #BetterMentalHealth #MentalHealthPodcast #ToxicMasculinity #Vulnerability #EmotionalWellness #MentalHealthAwareness
In our first episode, we share our personal stories, touching on topics like internalized shame, trauma, religion, family loss, and even the emotional impact of hair loss. These experiences have shaped who we are and inspired us to create this podcast. Topics Covered: Breaking down internalized shame Navigating trauma and grief The intersection of religion and mental health How hair loss can affect self-confidence Building safe spaces for men to open up Our goal is to empower men to take the first steps toward healing, whether through therapy, group sessions, or finding their own unique paths to mental wellness. 📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to help others discover this resource for better mental health. Let’s normalize mental health conversations together! #MentalHealthMatters #MensMentalHealth #BreakingStigma #SelfImprovement #MentalWellness #TraumaHealing #Destigmatize