Therapy, Tech and Takeout

This week, we’re trying something a little different with a Summer Tech News Roundup —three fascinating stories that explore how technology is changing the way we think, connect, and navigate everyday life. First, we discuss a study of 7,002 Shark Tank pitches that found matching another person’s vocal style can make you more persuasive. Where’s the line between building rapport and manipulating p...

Technology has changed the way we work, communicate, and stay connected—but what if it’s also changing our relationships in ways we don’t even realize? In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout , Jackie Toale and Toni Teixeira welcome Dr. Julie Merriman , licensed professional counselor, educator, author, and host of the Sexy After 50 podcast, for a conversation about the surprising connectio...

Remote work changed everything. It gave us flexibility, eliminated commutes, and let millions of people rethink what work could look like. But did we lose something along the way? This week on Therapy, Tech & Takeout , Jackie and Toni discuss new research looking at the connection between working from home, loneliness, and mental health. They explore why the small moments we often overlook — h...

What happens when accessing therapy requires handing over more than your insurance card? This week on Therapy, Tech & Takeout , Jackie and Toni dive into the growing debate around Headway’s new biometric verification requirements - including government IDs and facial scans for some patients and providers. On the surface, identity verification sounds simple: protect patients, prevent fraud, and...

Can AI Cure Loneliness… or Is It Making Us More Alone? AI companions are being marketed as the answer to one of the biggest problems facing society: loneliness. But can a chatbot, robot, or AI friend actually replace human connection? In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout , Jackie and Toni explore the complicated relationship between artificial intelligence, loneliness, mental health, and...

What happens when insurance companies, venture capital, and AI start reshaping therapy? This week on Therapy, Tech & Takeout , Jackie and Toni sit down with licensed mental health counselor Sarah LaFontaine for a powerful conversation about the collision between technology, business incentives, and mental health care. From insurance companies pressuring therapists into shorter sessions… to AI...

In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout , Jackie and Toni unpack the disturbing revelations from the Proof News investigation into  Talkspace and the privacy risks surrounding online therapy platforms. Inspired by the article “Woman’s Talkspace Therapy App Sessions Exposed in Court,” they explore how deeply personal therapy conversations (including text messages, audio recordings, and video...

Online gambling and sports betting have become deeply embedded in modern culture - and teens are increasingly being exposed earlier than ever before. This week, Jaclyn and Toni sit down with Dr. Juleen Buser, behavioral addiction specialist and licensed professional counselor, to explore the psychology behind gambling addiction, why online betting can become so compulsive, and how technology has d...

An AI agent was reportedly given explicit instructions not to make unauthorized changes… and then deleted a company’s production databases and backups anyway. This week on Therapy, Tech & Takeout , Jackie and Toni explore the ethical, psychological, and societal implications of AI systems behaving in unexpected and potentially devastating ways. Using the recent Claude AI database deletion stor...

In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout , Jackie and Toni are joined by licensed mental health therapist Sheena Beach for a serious and important conversation about teen sextortion, cyberbullying, self-harm, and digital shame. Inspired by a New York Post article reporting on teen suicides connected to sextortion scams, the conversation explores how online coercion can quickly become a menta...

Can technology actually improve your relationship? Or is it just another tool that falls short when things get real? In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout , Jackie and Toni break down a fascinating meta-analysis on digital relationship interventions and what the research actually says about apps, coaching platforms, and tech-driven tools designed to improve connection. 👉 Study referenced...

This week, we’re diving into a heavy but important topic inspired by a Wired article on how people are using hacking tools, surveillance, and AI to exploit partners and friends. We unpack how this actually happens in real life - and why it’s less about “hacking” and more about access, trust, and control. From shared passwords and location tracking to deepfakes and digital coercion, this episode ex...

What happens when creativity meets technology in the therapy room? In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout , Jackie and Toni are joined by art therapist Lindsey Jonin to explore how art therapy is evolving in a digital world. From iPads and Canva to virtual sessions and screen sharing, Lindsey shares how technology is expanding access to healing while still keeping human connection at the c...

What happens when AI removes friction from desire… and gives you exactly what you want, instantly and without judgment? In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout , Jackie and Toni explore the rise of AI intimacy tools and what a new study suggests about how AI sex bots may accelerate fantasies, reshape expectations, and impact real human relationships.  From the psychology of instant gratific...

Internet slang is evolving faster than ever, and algorithms may be the reason why. In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout , Jackie and Toni explore how social media feeds accelerate the spread of language, reshape meaning, and create generational misunderstandings. Drawing on insights from linguist Adam Aleksic , the conversation breaks down the rise of “algo-speak” , why people modify lan...

How much of what we believe about science actually holds up? In this solo episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout , Jackie explores the growing conversation around the replication crisis - the discovery that many published scientific studies fail to produce the same results when researchers try to repeat them. With co-host Toni away for a couple of weeks, Jackie takes a closer look at how trust in...

The hype around AI at CES is everywhere, but what is the real story? Are we genuinely solving human problems, or are we just chasing shiny new gadgets that distract us from the bigger crisis? This episode pulls back the curtain on the dazzling AI hype and asks the tough questions we all need to hear. You will discover how AI’s marketing buzz is masking a deeper truth: most innovations are not trul...

summaryIn this episode of Therapy Tech and Takeout, hosts Toni Teixeira and Jaclyn Toale explore the intersection of therapy and technology, discussing current events, personal experiences, and the implications of AI in social media. They delve into the concept of Malt Bots, ethical considerations surrounding AI, and the importance of media literacy in navigating the digital landscape. The convers...

SummaryAre social media platforms secretly designing your brain for addiction? The groundbreaking lawsuit making headlines could change everything we know about how tech manipulates our minds — especially kids’. If you’ve ever wondered how endless scrolls, dopamine loops, and sticky algorithms are reshaping our mental health, you can't miss this episode. Join Toni and Jackie as they unpack the...

Summary In this episode of Therapy Tech and Takeout, hosts Toni Teixeira and Jackie Toale discuss the concept of Analog January, emphasizing the importance of intentionality in our relationship with technology. They explore the impact of technology on mental health, the significance of understanding our nervous system, and the necessity of self-care practices. The conversation also covers setting...

Summary In this episode of "Therapy Tech and Takeout," hosts Toni Teixeira and Jackie Toale dive into the complex relationship between social media, gaming, and mental health, particularly among adolescents. They discuss a recent meta-analysis from the University of Manchester that challenges the common assumption that social media and gaming are direct causes of mental health issues in...

In this episode of Therapy Tech and Takeout, Jackie & Toni explore the intersection of technology, mental health, and workplace culture. They discuss the importance of recovery in productivity, the ethical costs of technology, and the cultural issues surrounding burnout in the workplace. Through personal anecdotes and insights, they emphasize the need for self-care, boundaries, and supportive...

In this episode of Therapy Tech and Takeout, hosts Toni and Jackie dive into the intersection of technology and mental health, discussing the rise and fall of Yara AI, an innovative therapeutic tool that was ultimately deemed unsafe. They explore the ethical implications of AI in therapy, the importance of recognizing the difference between wellness and clinical care, and the significance of stopp...

In this episode of Therapy Tech and Takeout, hosts Toni Teixeira and Jackie Toale discuss the profound impact of shocking events on mental health, explore the concept of Robotheism and its implications for spirituality and AI, and examine the insidious nature of technology in shaping our lives. They also delve into the vulnerability that can lead to cult-like behaviors and emphasize the importance...

Summary In this episode of Therapy Tech and Takeout, hosts Toni Teixeira and Jackie Toale welcome Mary Cohen, a community builder and AI enthusiast. The conversation explores Mary's journey with AI, her creation of Dot Mom, and how she integrates AI into her personal and professional life. They discuss the impact of AI on mental health, creativity, and community engagement, as well as the conn...