Shrinks on the Brink

Part One sparked big conversations - so we're back for Part Two. While our guest Jason Dougherty wasn't able to join us this time, Kellie and Austin pick up where the conversation left off, diving deeper into men's mental heath, why so many men struggle to ask for help, what helps them open up, and what partners, friends, and families should know. We explore the messages boys often rec...

We sat down to talk about men's mental health... and the conversation took an unexpected turn. In this episode of Shrinks on the Brink , we're joined by Jason Dougherty for a raw, honest conversation about the experiences that shape how men handle emotions, relationships, and struggles. We talk about vulnerability, "man up" culture, emotional expression, conflict, asking for help...

What's it really like to be the only woman in the room? In this episode, we sit down with attorney, Sara MacGregor, to talk about the realities of working in a male-dominated profession. From feeling the pressure to prove yourself, to navigating double standards, imposter syndrome, workplace expectations, and the invisible mental load that often comes with being a woman at work, we explore the cha...

Decision paralysis can leave us feeling stuck, exhausted, and overwhelmed - whether it's changing jobs, ending a relationship, picking a therapist, or deciding what's for dinner. In this episode, we explore the psychology behind indecision, including anxiety, perfectionism, cognitive distortions, and our tendency to wait for a level of certainty that rarely exists. We discuss why avoidance feels g...

This week on Shrinks on the Brink, we're talking about the human side of being therapists - and what therapists wish people knew about the work. We discuss common misconceptions about therapists, the pressure of being held to impossible emotional standards, and the reality that therapists are still human beings with emotions, stress, boundaries, and personal lives. We also explore professional...

This week we're talking about what therapy really is... and what it definitely isn't. We explore some of the biggest misconceptions about therapy, including the idea that therapists simply give advice, endlessly validate people, or magically "fix" problems overnight. We also discuss the uncomfortable parts of therapy - accountability, emotional vulnerability, behavioral change, a...

This week we're talking about anger - what it actually is, why it shows up, and why it's often misunderstood. We explore anger as a signal emotion, what it's protecting underneath (hurt, fear, shame, grief), and how it can become problematic when it's either suppressed or expressed without awareness. We also talk about the differences between healthy expression and dysregulation, a...

This week we're talking about forgiveness - the real version, not the inspirational quote version. We explore what forgiveness actually means, why people struggle with it, and whether healing truly requires letting go. We also discuss boundaries, resentment, self-forgiveness, and the complicated reality of trying to move forward when accountability or apologies never come. As always, we bring...

After a heavy few weeks and a conference hangover, we needed a break from being profound. Turns out, memory is unreliable, confidence is not evidence, and we may have said a few things we'd like to revisit. It's part correction, part reflection, and mostly just us laughing at ourselves while trying to get it a little more right this time.

Grief doesn't move in order, and it definitely doesn't follow a script. In this episode, we're talking about what grief actually looks like in real life - not the textbook version. From numbness and anger to the pressure of "doing it right," we unpack why grief is so disorienting and why there's no correct way to move through it. We also talk more directly about grief aft...

How much of who you are... is actually you? In this episode, we're talking about the quiet, often unnoticed influence of friend groups - and how the people around you shape everything from your habits and humor to your confidence, goals, and relationships. It's not as obvious as peer pressure. It's subtler than that. You don't just choose your friends... you adapt to them. We'r...

When most people think of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, they picture cleaning, organizing, or needing things "just right." But OCD is so much more than that - and often far more distressing. In this episode, we break down what OCD actually is, including intrusive thoughts, compulsions (both visible and mental), and why the cycle can feel impossible to escape. We also explore common misc...

In this episode, we explore the tension between accountability and context in the wake of a highly publicized incident involving Taylor Frankie Paul. Through a domestic violence-informed lens, we unpack how relationship dynamics, escalation patterns, and emotional dysregulation can contribute to moments of harm -without excusing them. We also examine how gender, privilege, and bias shape the way w...

Letting go often requires grieving - old identities, expectations, relationships, and patterns that once served a purpose. In this episode, we explore the emotional and psychological barriers to letting go, and why the process can feel so uncomfortable - even when it's necessary for growth.

If it’s not productive… do we even want it? In this episode, we challenge the idea that everything needs to have a purpose. From turning hobbies into side hustles to feeling guilty for “wasting time,” we unpack why play feels so hard—and what that reveals about how we measure our worth. Shoutout to one of our breakdown besties, Chet, for this episode idea—keep an eye out for your special gift 👀

We have more access to information than any generation before us - but what is it doing to us? In this episode, we explore the emotional impact of constant exposure to news, opinions, and global crises. Are we becoming more aware... or just more overwhelmed? We talk about compassion fatigue, emotional boundaries with information, and why the human brain may not be built to process the entire world...

We have more access to information than any generation before us - but what is it doing to us? In this episode, we explore the emotional impact of constant exposure to news, opinions, and global crises. Are we becoming more aware... or just more overwhelmed? We talk about compassion fatigue, emotional boundaries with information, and why the human brain may not be built to process the entire world...

Ever notice how sometimes when things are going really well... your brain immediately starts waiting for something to go wrong? In this episode, we're talking about that familiar feeling of " waiting for the other shoe to drop. " Why does happiness sometimes feel suspicious? Why do we struggle to trust good moments when they happen? We unpack the psychology behind this mindset, where...

Ever wonder if you can be too self-aware? In this episode, we're talking about what happens when therapy language, constant self-analysis, and endless "healing work" start to go a little... sideways. Somewhere between setting boundaries, processing our childhoods, and naming every emotion we've ever had, many of us ended up accidentally over-therapizing our lives . We're brea...

In this episode, we unpack the difference between boundaries and avoidance - and why the distinction isn't always obvious. On the surface, stepping back, saying no, or creating distance can all look the same. But the function behind the behavior matters. We explore: How avoidance is reinforced by short-term relief Why anxiety and values-driven boundaries can feel similar The role of defenses a...

In this episode, we explore the many layers of community - from deep support to every day belonging - and why humans aren't meant to do life alone. We talk about independence culture, corrective relational experiences, and the ways connection regulates our nervous systems, often without even realizing it. This conversation invites you to rethink what it means to be supported and how intentiona...

Venting can be healing... until it isn't. In this episode, we talk about the difference between processing and getting stuck in an emotional loop. We unpack why venting feels regulating at first, how chronic complaining can quietly keep us activated, and what to notice when talking it out stops brining relief. This is not a "stop complaining" episode. It's an honest, compassionat...

Some days you want to take up space. Some days you want to disappear into someone else's care. In this episode, we talk about the very real (and very human) pull between wanting to feel small - held, protected, and not responsible for everything. We explore how this shows up in ambition, relationships, self-worth, and the quiet ways we try to prove ourselves... even when we're not sure we want the...

AI is everywhere right now - including therapy spaces. So we're talking about it. In this episode, we unpack what AI gets wrong about therapy, what it surprisingly gets right, and why using AI as a replacement for human connection can quietly miss the point. We share real examples, laugh at the absurd parts, and name the risks without shaming anyone who's tried it (yes... even us). This isn't an a...

In part II, we move beyond the medical details and into the part that's harder to name: the mental and emotional impact of living in a body that doesn't feel safe or predictable anymore. We talk about the anxiety of waiting for answers, the hypervigilance that creeps in, and the quiet grief that comes with losing the version of yourself that once felt capable. We unpack how chronic health...