Choosing Help: The Mental Health Podcast with Tracy Stecker, PhD

When does helping become enabling? In this episode of Choosing Help , Dr. Tracy Stecker speaks with psychiatrist and Mindful Care CEO Dr. Tamir Aldad about the themes explored in his book Too Close for Comfort . Together they discuss emotional dependency, codependency, guilt, boundary-setting, caregiving, parenting, and the difficult decisions people face when relationships become unhealthy. Dr. A...

Divorce can leave fathers feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and disconnected from their children. In this episode, psychologist Dr. Eran Magen joins Dr. Tracy Stecker to discuss the unique mental health challenges facing dads during and after divorce, including identity loss, loneliness, depression, and suicide risk. They also explore practical strategies for recovery, maintaining strong relationship...

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Dr. Tracy Stecker speaks with retired New Jersey State Trooper, first responder, therapist, and poet John Muccino. John reflects on responding to the World Trade Center attacks, serving during Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy, supporting fellow officers through trauma, and his own journey with PTSD, burnout, and recovery. Together they discuss resilience, com...

Why do so many people struggle to seek help for alcohol use disorder, even when effective treatment is available? In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker is joined by two leading experts in addiction research and treatment: Dr. Stephen Maisto, Professor at Syracuse University and expert in the assessment and treatment of substance use disorders. Dr. Ken Conner, Professor at the Univers...

In this episode of the Choosing Help Podcast , Dr. Tracy Stecker welcomes clinical social worker and author Amber Jewell to discuss her book Finding Hope . Amber shares insights from her own journey through childhood trauma, foster care, epilepsy, and healing while exploring practical principles that help people navigate adversity. Together, they discuss accepting life's challenges, building r...

Fear of the dentist is more common than most people realize. In this episode, Dr. Tracy Stecker sits down with dental professionals Angie Thomas, Lisa Bishimi, and Amanda Pendley to explore the causes of dental anxiety and what patients can do to overcome it. The conversation covers fear of pain, embarrassment, financial concerns, traumatic experiences, sensory sensitivities, and the important con...

What if grief isn't something we "get over," but something we learn to carry? In this episode of Choosing Help , Dr. Tracy Stecker speaks with internationally recognized grief expert Dr. Robert Neimeyer about the realities of loss, resilience, and healing. Together they explore how grief extends far beyond death, why loss changes our identity, how attachment influences mourning, and...

What does it mean to truly grieve? In this episode, Dr. Tracy Stecker welcomes community doula, death literacy advocate, and author Francesca Arnoldy for a powerful discussion about grief, loss, mourning, and healing. Francesca shares why grief is "boundless and wild," how everyday losses can prepare us for life's most profound heartbreaks, and what it really means to support someone...

Retired Navy SEAL, endurance athlete, and author Don Mann returns to the Choosing Help Podcast for a powerful conversation about pain, resilience, and personal growth. Together, Dr. Tracy Stecker and Don explore why discomfort is often a prerequisite for growth, how purpose can sustain us through hardship, and the mental strategies that help people overcome adversity. Drawing from Navy SEAL traini...

Many people experience suicidal thoughts, but only a small percentage act on them. Why? In this episode of the Choosing Hope Podcast , Dr. Tracy Stecker interviews clinical psychologist and researcher Dr. Keyne Law about the science of suicide, why asking directly about suicidal thoughts is essential, and how decision-making processes influence suicidal crises. Dr. Law shares her innovative resear...

In this heartfelt episode of Choosing Help , Dr. Tracy Stecker welcomes author Nigel Roberts to discuss his memoir, The Leopard in the Moon . After losing both his wife and daughter to the devastating effects of bipolar disorder and substance use, Nigel embarked on a 450-mile trek through Nepal—an experience that became the foundation for a profound exploration of grief, caregiving, guilt, resilie...

What if anxiety isn’t just emotional—but biological? In this episode of the Choosing Help Podcast , Dr. Tracy Stecker talks with neuroscientist and author Dr. Troy Rohn about the science of anxiety and what’s really happening in the brain. They explore how anxiety functions as a fear-based neural circuit, why current treatments like SSRIs have limitations, and how emerging gene therapy approaches...

What does it take to develop the mindset of a Navy SEAL—and how can those lessons help us in everyday life? In this episode of Choosing Help , Dr. Tracy Stecker speaks with retired Navy SEAL Don Mann about the principles behind elite performance, resilience, and mental strength. They explore topics like commitment, accountability, growth through discomfort, and the importance of connection in over...

Take a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect. In this bonus episode of Choosing Help , Dr. Autumn Gallegos leads a short, guided mindfulness exercise designed to help you settle your nervous system and return to the present moment. This simple practice invites you to notice your breath, become aware of your body, and gently observe your thoughts without judgment. Whether you’re feeling stressed,...

What happens to us after trauma—and how do we begin to feel safe again? In this episode, Dr. Tracy Stecker speaks with Dr. Autumn Gallegos, a psychologist specializing in trauma and mind-body interventions. Together, they unpack how trauma reshapes our nervous system, why self-blame is so common, and how mindfulness can help restore a sense of safety. You’ll learn: How trauma affects both body and...

Loneliness isn’t just a feeling—it’s a biological condition that can impact everything from your immune system to your ability to heal. In this episode of Choosing Help , Dr. Tracy Stecker and Dr. Teresa Kelechi explore groundbreaking findings linking loneliness to gene expression, inflammation, and chronic illness. You’ll learn why some people don’t heal despite receiving the best medical care—an...

Laughter isn’t just a reaction—it’s a powerful tool for healing. In this episode of Choosing Help , Dr. Tracy Stecker explores the science and soul of laughter with storyteller and former comedian Dee Kennedy. Together, they dive into how humor lowers stress, strengthens connection, and helps us navigate even the most difficult experiences. Through candid stories about family dynamics, recovery, c...

Trauma and addiction often go hand in hand—but recovery is possible. In this episode of Choosing Help , Dr. Tracy Stecker speaks with Dr. Sudie Back, a leading expert in PTSD and substance use disorders, about how trauma affects the brain, why people turn to substances, and what real, effective treatment looks like. They explore: The difference between trauma and PTSD Why avoidance keeps people st...

Stigma keeps too many people from getting the mental health support they need. In this episode of Choosing Help , Dr. Tracy Stacker breaks down why stigma is one of the most powerful barriers to treatment—especially for veterans, families, and those living with PTSD or substance use challenges. Through real stories, cultural examples, and practical guidance, this episode offers hope and tools for...

In this episode of Choosing Help , Dr. Tracy Stecker is joined by psychologist and researcher Dr. Jennifer M. Gómez for a profound conversation about Cultural Betrayal Trauma —a form of trauma that occurs when harm is committed within one’s own marginalized community under conditions of systemic inequality. Dr. Gómez shares how cultural betrayal adds layers of silence, identity conflict, and fear...

What do you do when someone you love needs help — but doesn’t want it? In this episode of Choosing Help , Dr. Tracy Stecker leads a heartfelt roundtable discussion with a group of women about how they talk to a loved one who may be struggling and resisting support. Together, they explore empathy, timing, boundaries, enabling, stigma, faith, and the fear of “saying the wrong thing.” Dr. Stecker sha...

In this episode of Choosing Help , Dr. Tracy Stecker is joined by Angela Geraci of the Geraci Zoo , a wildlife rehabilitator who spends her days—and nights—caring for injured, orphaned, and non‑releasable wildlife. Angela shares what it’s really like to be a helper who rarely gets a break, including compassion fatigue, grief, public criticism, and the challenge of knowing when to hold on and when...

In this insightful episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker is joined by Drs. Ashrafiune and Allan to explore the rising political anxiety many of us face today. They unpack the polarized “team A vs. team B” mentality fueling fear and division, and introduce practical strategies to manage anxiety and engage in healthier, more productive political conversations. Key Topics Covered: Understanding...

In this heartfelt episode of Choosing Help , Dr. Tracy Stecker sits down with caregivers Ann Greenwald, Rebecca Horvath, and Kelly Winter for an honest, intimate conversation about the emotional reality of caregiving. Together, they explore the overwhelm that comes with constant responsibility, the guilt that lingers even when you’re doing everything you can, the fear that accompanies serious illn...

This episode of the Choosing Help Podcast offers a comprehensive exploration of Stoicism as both an ancient philosophy and a practical psychological tool. Hosted by Tracy Stecker, PhD and featuring guest Kortney Yasenka, LCMHC the discussion highlights Stoicism’s relevance to mental health, trauma recovery, and everyday challenges, emphasizing personal empowerment through focusing on controllable...