Baggage Check: Mental Health Talk and Advice

We all get in our own way sometimes-- and there are certain important patterns about how, and why, we tend to do it. Today we're leaving judgment and shame at the door (let's hope we do that every episode!) and having a frank talk about common patterns of self-sabotage, and how we can try to adjust them. Follow Baggage Check on Instagram @baggagecheckpodcast and get sneak peeks of upcoming episode...

Today we're welcoming podcast host Adeel Ahmad to talk about misophonia-- which can be misery for those who suffer from it, and yet they may not even know that it's a "thing." Misophonia involves being hypersensitive to certain types of sounds, commonly noises like slurps, chewing, and crunching-- and it can wreak havoc on families, emotional health, and relationships. But there is hope! Join us f...

Today we're talking not just about difficult people, but the difficulties that they bring out in you . We wanted to talk about how to manage your own anger, anxiety, and frustration when it comes to interactions that you can't quite avoid, but certainly don't relish. Join us for eight tools you can use to make it just a little bit easier to be the type of person you want to be when dealing with pe...

Have you ever had trouble letting go after a breakup, even if you initiated it? Why does society make you feel like you are less-than if you are not in a relationship? Is love addiction a thing? And how can psychological science, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, help shed light on how all of us can be better in regard to relationships? Today we're talking with psychologist Dr. Cortney Warren, aut...

Have world events gotten you down? Or maybe just events in your own life? A sense of helplessness is a common response when problems seem bigger than we can manage. Today we go over eight ways to help feel more in control of your life, get more energy, and have more hope. And while we can't solve all of the world's ills (or even get those car warranty scams to stop spamming your phone), we can cha...

Beloved comedian Angelina Spicer didn't set out to become a spokesperson for the realities of postpartum depression. In fact, she calls herself an "accidental activist" speaking out about it. But having lived through a terrifying case herself which resulted in hospitalization, she decided she needed to help spread the word and help other mothers. In the years since, Angelina has lobbied for legisl...

Today we're talking about frustration. It's ubiquitous in modern life, and it's a natural reaction to so many situations. It doesn't always have to be a bad thing. But sometimes, it's a copout-- because something much deeper is going on. Join us for a deep dive into five emotions that often are at the root of frustration-- and learn how much better off you will be if you address your authentic emo...

Couples therapy: it can be a cliche, it can feel like defeat, and it can even be a cause for conflict in and of itself. But we wanted to get real and talk about some surprising ways it can help your relationship. Have you thought about going for a while? Or does your partner think it's a good idea, but you have major doubts? Today we break down the ten most common reasons people decide to go-- and...

My, we can already smell the angry emails. But this is worth it. We have seen MLMs damage finances, and relationships, and lives-- and we thought it was time to get real about the psychological principles involved in trapping people into them, and shaming them into remaining silent when they're harmed. We went straight to the source, having a no-holds-barred conversation with Roberta Blevins , for...

Today we're taking a listener question from someone who just doesn't like to meditate. They've heard nonstop about its benefits, but when they've tried it, meditation actually makes them feel more stressed. Does everyone have to meditate? Is there a cheat code to avoid the act itself, but still get the benefits? In today's show, we get real about mindfulness, meditation, and how our cultural messa...

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is one of the most misunderstood disorders in modern culture. Whether it's using the word "OCD" as slang, assuming it's about being neat and tidy or trivializing the suffering of those who have it, misconceptions abound. That's why it was an honor to hear directly from someone who has lived it-- journalist and best-selling author David Adam. Join us in understanding t...

What is cognitive defusion? Both simple and profound, its the process of separating from your thoughts, gaining distance from them as a nonjudgmental, gentle and curious observer. It's at the heart of mindfulness-- and relief from many aspects of anxiety and rumination. Want to get started thinking differently about your thoughts? Join us for today's episode. Follow Baggage Check on Instagram @bag...

ALERT! A tech glitch caused an issue in the first minute of the show when it first dropped-- and the issue has now been corrected. Clearly we annoyed the audio gods somehow, but all is well now. So if you were one of the early birds who heard it first, our apologies. We appreciate your patience! Has the pandemic changed your view of other people-- and maybe, you feel, not for the better? In today'...

"Self-care" lives in infamy in mental health terminology, and has a ton of baggage in its own right. Today we get real about it, cutting through the consumerism and cliches-- in a funny, genuine, and insightful conversation with Anna Borges. Anna has long been writing, researching, and exploring self-care, and currently hosts the Mood Ring: A Practical Guide to Self-Care podcast. She is also the a...

Do you visualize things in your head? How good is your "mind's eye?" Today we dive deep into aphantasia-- a condition that many people have without even knowing it's a thing. In this episode, we welcome Serena Puang, a Yale student and journalist with aphantasia-- and talk about the surprising ways it affects her life. If you've ever wondered (even outside of the holiday season!) "Do you see what...

New Year's resolutions are such a powerful cultural construct that even those of use who say we don't make them sometimes secretly find ourselves, come January 1st, vowing to floss more. Today, we're talking about what the science says about how to get resolutions-- or any goals-- to stick. We'll pick apart seven of the most common dud resolutions that are typically abandoned by February, and let...

How do we describe this episode? We don't really know where to begin, to be honest. Does "going deep about the meaning of Christmas with a beloved sci-fi/horror writer whose latest book involves inter-dimensional parasites feeding on human hosts" make any sense to you? We promise it will, after you listen. For years, Dr. Andrea has thought back to a piece that bestselling author Jason Pargin wrote...

Cultivating gratitude is widely known as being great for us. So why does it feel so hard at times, and sometimes that it doesn't seem to help? Might it be because we go about it in dysfunctional ways? On today's show, we get real about gratitude-- what it is, and what it most certainly isn't. We discuss what the research shows is helpful about it, and what we might as well stop doing. The good new...

Listener discretion note: this episode contains a discussion of the issue of suicide, specifically in terms of warning signs and risk factors, and the noting of a high-profile loss. Tragic events this week have put suicide front and center in the headlines once again. We wanted to put together, as immediately as we could, a clear, honest and open discussion about suicide-- its risks, its warning s...

Today's listener question is from someone who lost their beloved Mom two years ago, and their father has gotten more and more isolated-- because Mom was the social heart of the marriage. What can you do when you're worried about an isolated parent, but you live hundreds of miles away? If you've ever had your heart break not only from your own loss, but from watching your loved one go through it in...

The issues that tear long-term couples apart are anything but fun and sexy, and so few people want to talk about them when they're excitedly making plans for how they'll announce their engagement on Instagram (let's get that sunset just right!). But it pays to anticipate challenges before you make a commitment-- whether marriage, living together, having a child, or otherwise getting on the "relati...

The number of people doing DNA tests and charting their family trees online has skyrocketed over recent years. And it can be an incredibly meaningful journey-- and also one that is shocking and upsetting. This week we speak with renowned genealogist and journalist Jennifer Mendelsohn about all kinds of stories, from the heartwarming to the stomach-churning, and explore what to keep in mind if you...

We've talked about signs of toxic workplaces before. But sometimes, it all boils down to one person-- and what happens when that person is your boss? In today's Baggage Check, we take a question from a listener who finally has an opportunity, through an HR complaint, to speak out about their boss's misbehavior. So why are they losing their nerve-- and how can they get it back? If you've ever wonde...

As clocks get turned back and evenings grow cold and dark, many people struggle with a dip in their mood. Even if you don't quite suffer from diagnosable Seasonal Affective Disorder, you may feel your energy, motivation, and mood dip significantly. Today we discuss 11 research-backed actions you can take to make things feel a little better. Follow Baggage Check on Instagram @baggagecheckpodcast an...

They told him that a program encouraging Black men to gather and talk about their mental health would be a total bust. And guess what? Man Up, Man Down was anything but. In today's episode, we welcome Dr. Neighbors, professor emeritus at University of Michigan and professor of Public Health at Tulane University, for an in-depth look at his Man Up, Man Down program, Tough Guy Syndrome, racism versu...