Happy In the Mess Podcast

“Connecting with yourself” is at the heart of how to transform the negativity of loneliness into a positive thing. Join Cheri and Matthew as they talk about loneliness from their perspectives and offer practical tips on how to get through those periods when you don’t feel like you have anyone in your corner. Like what you hear and want to learn more? You can find us individually at: Cheri Timko, C...

Loneliness - a quiet and powerful epidemic that we’re experiencing worldwide. Ironically, this episode will have a little different feel as the coaches each give a solo take on loneliness because, as we often discuss, sometimes life gets messy and you can find great opportunities in this. Join Cheri, Marlena, and Matthew as they each talk about loneliness and how it affects couples and individuals...

No, we’re not exploring substance use, we’re looking at substance use disorders. Continuing the discussion on mental health disorders, the three coaches / counselors take some time to wrestle with this difficult set of challenges that come with drug and alcohol use and abuse. They talk about how to recognize when these become a problem and how to address it when they do. They also talk about the u...

Disclaimer: Thank you for tuning into our podcast. We want to emphasize that we are mental health counselors, and the content you've just listened to is for educational purposes only. While we strive to provide valuable insights and information on mental health and related topics, we want to make it clear that the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, legal, o...

Disclaimer: Thank you for tuning into our podcast. We want to emphasize that we are mental health counselors, and the content you've just listened to is for educational purposes only. While we strive to provide valuable insights and information on mental health and related topics, we want to make it clear that the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, legal, o...

Disclaimer: Thank you for tuning into our podcast. We want to emphasize that we are mental health counselors, and the content you've just listened to is for educational purposes only. While we strive to provide valuable insights and information on mental health and related topics, we want to make it clear that the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, legal, o...

Disclaimer: Thank you for tuning into our podcast. We want to emphasize that we are mental health counselors, and the content you've just listened to is for educational purposes only. While we strive to provide valuable insights and information on mental health and related topics, we want to make it clear that the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, legal, o...

Disclaimer: Thank you for tuning into our podcast. We want to emphasize that we are mental health counselors, and the content you've just listened to is for educational purposes only. While we strive to provide valuable insights and information on mental health and related topics, we want to make it clear that the content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, legal, o...

“What was the episode title again?” In this episode the three coaches, still on location in Cincinnati, OH talk about adult ADHD - what it is, what it isn’t, and how to find interventions that might help handle this. Matthew handles it from the neurodivergent individual perspective and Cheri talks about how challenging this can be in relationships. Marlena hosts them and shares her experience from...

If you’re having a Rolling Stones moment and feeling like you “Gotta Get Away” - then this episode is for you. Taking our own advice, three coaches from different parts of the US converged on Cincinnati, OH and recorded our first podcast where we were all in the same location. Fittingly, we talk about the benefits - and the challenges - of travel. If you’re feeling stuck, sometimes the best thing...

Have you ever wondered what it’s like on the other side of the therapy chair? In a candid interview, Cheri, Marlena, and Matthew discuss what brought them to therapy (and coaching), what lights their fire and gets them excited about their jobs, and what some of the most challenging aspects might be. They also walk clients through how to find a therapist that fits their unique needs. Like what you...

Imagine having your worst mistake put on display for all to see. What would it take to forgive yourself for that error? Why should you even do that? In this episode of Happy in the Mess, the three coaches talk about the process of forgiving oneself after making mistakes or experiencing regret - incorporating self-reflection, making amends, and treating oneself with kindness and grace. This can hel...

If you could find one practice that would almost guarantee happiness, longer life, and more satisfying relationships for only minutes a day, would you do it? Join Marlena, Cheri, and Matthew as the coaches discuss the importance of practicing gratitude in our daily lives as individuals and family - and see how this can benefit everyone involved. Like what you hear and want to learn more? You can f...

“Permission to play? Isn’t play for children? What good is it anyway?” Today, Matthew, Cheri, and Marlena discuss play, its purpose, and its importance. Play helps individuals build connections, find joy, and increase well-being. Play is also the next step in repairing relationships (as they discussed in episode 26). Join us as we play with this fun topic. Like what you hear and want to learn more...

“I’m sorry” can be a powerful phrase in a relationship - it can pull people together or just as easily drive them apart (if done poorly). While childhood taught many of us to apologize just to appease our caregivers, often, we were not modeled what a sincere apology should actually be. Join the coaches as we discuss how to make a meaningful apology and what elements are common to this - and what s...

When do you stop trying to fix a relationship and instead run away? While every relationship goes through rough patches, sometimes there are clear signs that we must end things. Join three coaches as we discuss when to be happy in the mess … and when to leave the mess behind. As a bonus, we get to share what doesn’t fix a relationship and why these “fixes” actually make more of a mess. Like what y...

Toxic vs. Healthy? Or is there a gray area? If you find yourself trying to answer The Clash - “Should I stay or should I go?” [headbanging optional here], this is the podcast for you. Today, the three coaches talk about how to stay healthy and take care of yourself when your situation may not be the most pleasant - whether on the job, in the family, or in your social group. We talk about reasons t...

Instead of “Ok, Boomer,” “They’re such a millennial,” or “I drank from the garden hose and loved it,” the coaches collaborate this week on the beauty in the differences between the generations - as well as raising an awareness of some of the systemic issues that happen. We discuss some of the defining moments of the generations. Not wanting to leave a path of destruction behind us, we work on some...

Sometimes grief is more than laying a body to rest. It’s losing a dream, feeling pain of something that never will be, or missing something that never was. Join the three coaches as we delve into what this intangible grief is and what we can do about it. This topic is pertinent with all of the recent talk about the sci-fi multiverse as we have become aware of the idea of multiple realities - there...

“To ghost or not to ghost” - that is the question that we are answering today. Having hard conversations can mean a tug o’ war between blame and responsibility. And ultimately it could mean having to sever a relationship. Before we get to that point, the coaches give their thoughts on how to navigate this tricky precipice - including tips on how to best structure conversations so that the communic...

“I need more from this relationship” “How about that raise?” “You have toilet paper on your shoe” So how DO we have the hard conversations with significant people in our lives? Why is it so difficult for some? And just what can we do to help with the best outcomes. The three coaches dive deep into vulnerability and openness in communication to help break the echo so we can receive what we need fro...

“What’s wrong with me?” How many times have you asked yourself this question? When was the last time? Today the coaches banter around this thought - how shame and guilt can show up in our relationships and in our own heads. This is such a normal thought, but it’s important to recognize when it shows up, how it affects us, and how we can address it so that we can show up in a real, authentic, and F...

“I'm not afraid of failure; I’m afraid of what succeeding might mean!” What do you do when your success comes at the expense of someone else or creates such a dramatic change that you don’t know what to do about it? Today, the coaches talk about how to achieve AND enjoy your success. TRIGGER WARNING : infertility, infant loss is discussed BRIEFLY in this episode (and we give you warning before...

Many of us have been there: having high hopes and expectations for a relationship only to be let down. But what do we do then? End the relationship? Give up our needs? Fight harder to be heard? In this episode, the three coaches discuss what to do about disappointments in a relationship, whether it’s with a spouse, parent, child, coworker, or that sequel movie that just fell short of what you expe...

“Desire Discrepancy” - it’s probably just your relationship in which one person wants intimacy more than the other, right? Wrong! To hear just how common this is, check out this episode where the coaches dive into a topic that affects so many relationships and just what we can start doing to find that pleasurable relationship you’ve been looking for. Like what you hear and want to learn more? You...