What If Nothing’s Wrong With You?

Binary (Black-and-White) Thinking: Why We Do It, How It Controls Us, and How to Get Free Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa K. Kays, discuss binary (black-and-white) thinking and how it shows up in culture, education, media, and clients’ decision-making. Lisa shares reflections from Jane Goodall’s “famous last words” interview, emphasizing that there is no single “right” way to live and that the task is t...

What If Nothing's Wrong With You? Mental Health In Chaos (Ep. 32) (Episode recorded September 2025) Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa K. Kays discuss the core question “What if nothing is wrong with you?” in the context of todays societal chaos and fascism, especially in Washington, DC, where ICE activity and arrests are creating fear, restriction, and powerlessness. They note many clients “relapsing...

Exploring Relationship Dynamics and the Allure of Heated Rivalry | What If Nothing's Wrong With You Podcast In this episode of 'What If Nothing's Wrong With You?' hosts Paula D Atkinson and Lisa K Kays, along with their friend Nnaemeka, dive into the societal conditioning around romantic relationships, discussing the concept of relationship propaganda. They focus on the importance...

Exploring Loneliness: Understanding Its Roots and Finding Connection In this episode of 'What, if Nothing is Wrong with You,' hosts Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa K Kays, delve into the topic of loneliness. They address the male loneliness epidemic, discuss individual experiences with loneliness, and explore the societal and personal factors that contribute to this issue. The conversation touc...

In this episode of 'What if Nothing's Wrong with You?', hosts Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa K. Kays dive into the importance of apologies in our lives and therapy. Paula shares vivid details about her recent trip to Iceland, highlighting its outstanding natural beauty, culture, and how it's managed by women. The hosts also discuss why therapists and people in general should apologize...

Fascism and Mental Health: In this episode of 'What if Nothing's Wrong with You?' hosts Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa K Kays explore the relationship between fascism and mental illness. They delve deep into how fascism is a form of collective delusion, the inherent issues within imperialistic ideologies, and how therapy often supports these systems. The dialogue extends to encompass how i...

Hosts Paula D Atkinson and Lisa K Kays do a deep dive into the modern obsession with attention. In this episode, we explore the mental health implications of constant screen engagement and discuss the reality of monogamy in today's world. Topics include the impact of AI on human cognition, changes in the perception of relationships, and the importance of awe in everyday life.

Therapist Horror Stories: When Counseling Goes WrongJoin hosts Paula Atkinson and Lisa K as they dive into an engaging and hilarious episode of 'What, If Nothing Is Wrong With You?' where audience members share their most shocking and hysterical therapist horror stories. From therapists falling asleep mid-session to wildly inappropriate disclosures, this episode sheds light on the importan...

Friendship and Ketamine: Deconstructing Cultural MythsIn this episode of 'What If Nothing's Wrong With You,' Paula and Lisa dive into the overlooked importance of friendships and the therapeutic potential of ketamine. They begin by discussing their reactions to the Netflix remake of 'The Four Seasons,' and how it reflects outdated notions of relationships. The hosts then explor...

In this episode of 'What If Nothing Is Wrong With You?', Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa K. Kays, dive deep into the complexities of the Boomer generation. They explore long-standing requests and discuss the historical, social, and psychological factors that have shaped Boomers into who they are today. Topics include the consequences of post-war trauma, lack of curiosity, over-identification wi...

SHOW NOTES In this episode of 'What if Nothing's Wrong with You?', Paula D. Atkinson, Lisa K. Kays, tackle the misuse and overuse of popular therapy terms like 'narcissist,' 'triggered,' and 'boundaries.' They dive into the potential pitfalls of mislabeling behaviors and emotions, emphasizing the importance of context and cultural factors. The discussion also co...

In this episode of 'What If Nothing's Wrong With You?', hosts Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa K. Kays, dive into the complexities and chaos of online dating. They discuss their clients' experiences, Paula's memories of online dating, and how it can be approached in a relatively sane manner. They explore the impact of societal norms on relationships and the importance of individual p...

Welcome to another episode of 'What If Nothing's Wrong with You?' Join Paula D Atkinson and Lisa K Kays as they dive deep into the topics of heteronormativity, monogamy, and allonormativity. In this enlightening and thought-provoking episode, they explore various cultural norms and societal pressures that shape our relationships and identities. They discuss ethical non-monogamy, relati...

In this episode of 'What if Nothing's Wrong with You?' Paula Atkinson and Lisa Kays dive deep into the concept of autonomy and the importance of setting boundaries even if it means disappointing others. They address a listener's question about overcoming anxiety and discuss the pitfalls of bad therapy practices. The hosts also reflect on their personal experiences of stepping away...

Join us as we delve into discussions about intuition, community service, and the importance of staying connected in an increasingly fragmented world. From touching on the magic of Trader Joe's to the role of libraries and touching trees, we explore ways to stay sane and connected in tumultuous times. Plus, hear our thoughts on the powerful shifts with Pluto entering Aquarius and find out our u...

In this episode of 'What If Nothing's Wrong with You?', hosts Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa K. Kays discuss the pervasive issue of over-functioning, particularly among women. They explore the cultural grooming that perpetuates this behavior, the resentment it breeds in relationships, and the importance of being honest with oneself and others. From pop culture influences to personal anecdo...

Navigating Tough Times: Laughter, Grief, and Community Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa K. Kays discuss coping mechanisms for challenging times in the latest episode of 'What If Nothing's Wrong With You.' Recorded on February 12th, they touch on the importance of humor and playfulness in resistance, the necessity of allowing oneself to grieve, and the benefits of crying. Highlights include a...

Hosts Paula D Atkinson and Lisa K Kays dive into the topic of self-diagnosis, particularly with mental health conditions. Responding to a listener's request, they explore why many young people are turning to TikTok for information on mental health, and the mixed reactions from clinicians. The hosts share personal stories and insights, emphasizing the importance of allowing self-diagnosis as a...

Paula D Atkinson and Lisa K Kays discuss various easy-to-implement activities to improve mental health without the need for extensive therapy. They address topics like blocking negative people, planning trips, spending time outdoors, trusting intuition, the importance of sleep, and finding joy in frivolous activities. The episode also touches on serious issues, such as the recent allegations again...

Therapists Paula D Atkinson and Lisa discuss the dark roots and current issues within modern psychotherapy, focusing on its links to white supremacy, colonialism, and patriarchal systems. They explore the historical context of psychotherapy, its evolution, and how these deep-seated prejudices continue to affect the profession today. The episode also covers the significance of critical self-awarene...

In this episode of 'What If Nothing Is Wrong with You,' Paula D Atkinson and Lisa K Kays tackle the topic of intuition. They share anecdotal experiences, discuss the difference between intuition and anxiety, and offer practical tips on how to trust your inner voice. They also touch on popular culture references like the TV show 'Shrinking,' the movie 'The Substance,' and a concert experience with...

Navigating Post-Election Anxiety: A Psychotherapy Perspective On November 6th, 2024, seasoned psychotherapists Lisa and Paula offer a candid and heartfelt discussion following the recent election. They share personal and professional reflections on living through multiple Trump elections and the profound impact on mental health. They stress the importance of staying in the present, processing emot...

In this episode, hosts Lisa Kays and Paula D. Atkinson discuss their personal journeys to sobriety, their complex relationships with the 12-step programs, and the cultural issues surrounding addiction recovery. They highlight how sobriety and recovery can be nuanced, personal experiences rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The episode also examines the impact of toxic relationships on mental...

In this episode, hosts Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa Kays delve into the intricacies of female friendships, the physical and mental challenges of menopause, and the importance of companionship in combating loneliness. They share personal stories and trips, emphasize the need for maintaining a sense of self beyond societal and familial roles, and provide humorous anecdotes about introducing classic TV...

In this episode, hosts Lisa Kays and Paula D. Atkinson discuss the influence of Oprah Winfrey on mental health and culture. They highlight Oprah's positive contributions by promoting therapy, mental health awareness, and trauma-informed care through her show and books. They also critique the negative impact of her endorsement of dietary practices and figures like Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz. Additionally,...