PonyBear Studios
Secondhand Therapy
Secondhand Therapy is a funny, honest mental health podcast where two unlicensed best friends unpack their weekly therapy sessions. Join Louie Paoletti and Michael Malone as they explore anxiety, ADHD, grief, masculinity, and emotional growth—with humor, heart, and total transparency. Each episode blends raw self-reflection with real time takes on therapy, trauma, relationships, and the messy process of healing. It’s real talk about mental health in the modern world, and why personal growth is so damn hard.
Author
PonyBear Studios
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 6, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Replay - PTSD and Self-Love with Hanorah 07.07.2025 1:01:10
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions involving sexual assault. Support the pod: http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod http://secondhandtherapypod.com Follow us here: http://instagram.com/ponybearstudios http://instagram.com/secondhandtherapypod http://tiktok.com/@secondhandtherapypod http://instagram.com/itsloubear http://instagram.com/malonecomedy Contact us: secondha...
I Don’t Want Help! What Even is Growth? | #089 30.06.2025 1:01:33
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com This episode ends up going very deep... Michael’s patience hits a breaking point after being on hold for 4 hours—then his girlfriend tries to help, and it only makes things worse. Lou and Michael unpack why support can sometimes feel like control, and how some conversations trigger defensive...
Replay - Little Boy on the Beach Gave Me a Panic Attack 23.06.2025 58:45
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Michael unpacks a vivid dream that stirred up old wounds, leading to a raw conversation about how he’s really processed his grief. He and Louie dive into what “showing emotion” actually means—especially for men—and why crying in front of people feels impossible. Louie opens up about a therap...
Read Receipts & The Panic Spiral of “I Miss You” | #088 16.06.2025 58:28
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Louie’s off keto and melting down over Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but it quickly becomes clear this episode isn’t really about cereal. What starts as a goofy check-in turns into a full-blown emotional audit — from the weight of unsaid feelings to the desperate scramble to fix something you maybe...
Fake Growth. Real Talk. | #087 09.06.2025 1:02:49
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com This is probably our most uncomfortable conversation so far... This week, we dive into the messy beauty of personal growth, family trauma, and the illusion of progress. Michael spirals into thoughts about mortality and uncovers patterns passed down through his family—aka the “family curse.”...
I Don’t Feel Connected to my Mother | #086 02.06.2025 45:56
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Psychic Source: Go to our sponsor https://trypsychicsource.com/sht10 and use our code sht10 to try up to 40 minutes with an advisor for just $19.80. That is up to a $240 value! BetterHelp: If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit https://betterhelp.com/secondhandtherapy...
Grief (Part II) / Music Triggers & Healing Over Time When the World Won’t Stop | #085 26.05.2025 44:23
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Louie opens up about how music can unexpectedly trigger waves of grief — and reflects on the strangely beautiful reality that the world keeps moving after someone dies. Michael shares how his own experience of loss has shifted over time, revealing how grief evolves and reshapes our sense of...
Therapy Intake Questions, ADHD Struggles, and Starting with a New Therapist | #084 19.05.2025 57:29
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Social media boundaries in therapy, ADHD shutdowns, and how productivity shame messes with your self-worth. Starting therapy with someone new can feel… awkward. Louie shares about his first session with a new therapist, and the surprising comment he received on Instagram that sparked a deepe...
Sitting in Discomfort: How Therapy Is Changing Our Relationships | #083 12.05.2025 50:37
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Louie opens up about a vulnerable conversation with his girlfriend that challenged their relationship — all through the lens of parts work therapy. He shares how sitting with discomfort, rather than avoiding it, is transforming the way he shows up in partnership. Michael reflects on his own...
Can’t Commit to Monogamy | #082 05.05.2025 46:52
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Louie has bronchitis and found his therapists Instagram — and why that might be a red flag. Michael dives deep into his fear of commitment, the emotional tension around flirting in monogamous relationships, and why he struggles with being perceived as “in trouble” for noticing other women. T...
Replay - Family Dysfunction and EMDR with Lara Beitz 28.04.2025 59:37
Support the pod: http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod http://secondhandtherapypod.com Follow us here: http://instagram.com/secondhandtherapypod http://tiktok.com/@secondhandtherapypod http://instagram.com/itsloubear http://instagram.com/malonecomedy Contact us: secondhandtherapypod@gmail.com 818-850-2448Support the pod: PATREON - Join Patreon for Exclusives MERCH - Shop Merch Follow us he...
Live Show 001 21.04.2025 1:19:28
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com This is the recording of our first live show. It was recorded December 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. BUSINESS INQUIRIES: business@shtpod.com Follow us here: http://instagram.com/secondhandtherapypod http://tiktok.com/@secondhandtherapypod Contact us: secondhandtherapypod@gmail.com 818-850-244...
You Probably Think This Story’s About You: It Started as a Love Story 14.04.2025 35:17
*Some names and details have been changed to conceal the identities of those who wish to remain anonymous. When Brittani Ard matches with Kanon on Hingesparks fly. Their first date revealed an instantconnection and chemistry. Kanon is devastatingly handsome with a charm that disarmed even the mostguarded heart—plus he is surprisingly emotionally available for a man in his forties. It’s as if the u...
Why Am I Scared to be Happy? | #081 07.04.2025 47:46
Louie grapples with the question: When is the right time to return to therapy? After making progress, Louie wonders whether he should open up about his podcast with his new therapist. Alongside Michael, they explore the balance between what to share and what to keep private in therapy. When does context matter in conversations about mental health? Michael faces the challenge of shedding his "sad g...
Cheating on Your Pregnant Wife?! | #080 31.03.2025 52:35
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Louie and Michael unpack a shocking voice note from a listener who discovered her husband's infidelity while she was 9 months pregnant. The guys dive into the complexities of relationship trust, cheating, and how they might handle betrayal in their own lives. Tune in for a candid conversatio...
Overcoming Anxiety and Understanding Triggers | #079 24.03.2025 47:04
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Michael returns from his tour and opens up about his struggles with staying grounded in one place. Together with Louie, they unpack the complexities of anxiety, how to recognize it in the moment, and share personal experiences of navigating anxiety triggers. Michael’s hilarious moment of con...
Which Dating App is Best for Relationships? Attachment Styles & Political Climate with Jenny Zigrino | #078 17.03.2025 58:15
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Jenny explores the best dating apps for relationships, including Hinge, Bumble, and Feeld, and gives advice on which platform may be most effective for finding a serious connection. We dive into the psychology of attachment styles as Jenny opens up about her own disorganized attachment style...
Emotional Responsibility, Codependency & Communication Breakdowns | #077 10.03.2025 50:51
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Louie opens up about a recent fight he had with his girlfriend – no therapy, just real talk. It's a classic relationship argument, and we're diving deep into it. We discuss emotional responsibility, codependency, communication breakdowns, and much more that came up during the fight. Michael...
Trauma, Personal Growth & Normalizing Pain | #076 03.03.2025 54:26
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Michael shares his personal experience with starting Adderall for ADHD, offering a deep dive into how medication has shaped his mental health journey. He reflects on his hometown and the complexities of reconnecting with old memories, before diving into an uncomfortable conversation he recen...
Why Are Relationships So Hard? | #075 24.02.2025 55:01
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Lou and Michael reflect on a powerful voicemail they received about the aftermath of breakups and the grief that follows. Lou opens up about a past relationship where an ultimatum changed everything for him. The conversation shifts to a meaningful DM asking how women can better support the m...
There’s a 12-Step Program for That | #074 17.02.2025 1:07:32
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Comedian and all-around good human, Ken Garr, joins the pod today. Ken discusses his history of being a black-out drunk alcoholic, with some stories that will make you think; before sharing his journey to being 8 years sober. He reflects on his addiction to toxic relationships and what he's...
I Don’t Trust Myself and I Have Anxiety (No I Don’t) | #073 10.02.2025 49:29
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Michael dives deep into his denial about anxiety and the fear of missing something, only to realize he’s been missing more than he thought. He opens up about the emotional impact of losing his mother and how it’s left him without a safety net. Michael also reflects on his tendency to quit th...
Asking Permission to go to a Strip Club and Cheating on Vacation | #072 03.02.2025 47:04
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com In an impromptu recording and conversation, Lou and Michael get into relationships. Asking for permission or checking in? Is cheating forgivable? What is cheating? Let's talk hypotheticals. Anxious attachments and building trust... or re-building trust? BUSINESS INQUIRIES: business@sht...
I’m Being Honest With Myself and Honestly I’m NOT Selfish | #071 27.01.2025 1:00:21
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Lou walked out of therapy because he just wasn't feeling it; Michael did EMDR. Lou and Michael recount an uncomfortable conversation they had off-air. Michael has been challenged to take a serious look at himself and his patterns and be honest with himself. Michael reflects on his need to ex...
I Had an Emotionally Immature Parent and Now I Can’t Be Vulnerable | #070 20.01.2025 51:46
Support the boys: PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com Lou still hates a mismatch as he struggles with his desire to be more vulnerable. Lou and Michael discuss what it means to ask for emotional support. Lou's therapist dropped a bombshell on where shame comes from, especially if you had emotionally immature parents or if your parents always fi...
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