Why Don't We Talk About This?

Send us Fan Mail Paula explores the challenges of summer break for youth, emphasizing that not all have the same opportunities, such as attending summer camps or traveling. She highlights the importance of routines that schools provide for emotional regulation, social interaction, and academic progress. Paula notes that the lack of structure can lead to increased anxiety, boredom, and sleep disrup...

Send us Fan Mail Paula discusses collective healing, highlighting its importance in processing shared traumas and fostering community support. She emphasizes the role of mutual aid networks, healing circles, and community mutual care in breaking isolation and addressing systemic harm. Paula also stresses the significance of cultural reclamation and ancestral wisdom in healing processes. She encour...

Send us Fan Mail Paula explores the concept of collective effervescence and its roots in sociology. She emphasizes the importance of community, using the New York Knicks' championship win as a prime example. Paula highlights how shared joy and community events, like sports victories and concerts, foster a sense of belonging and reduce loneliness. She encourages listeners to reflect and explor...

Send us Fan Mail During this episode, Paula breaks open the concept of sleep inertia, explaining it as a temporary state of grogginess and confusion experienced after waking up. She notes the time that sleep inertia can last, as well as the contributing factors that can extend it if one is sleep-deprived. Paula emphasizes that sleep inertia is a normal biological process and not a condition. She s...

Send us Fan Mail Paula discusses the impact of New York State's changing high school graduation requirements, specifically the phasing out of Regents exams by 2028. She highlights the emotional and academic pressures these exams impose on students, particularly those from underrepresented groups. She emphasizes the importance of respectful discussions and the need for support systems to help...

Send us Fan Mail Rachael and Paula discuss the disruption in developmental milestones, increased anxiety, and OCD rates among youth associated with COVID-19. Rachel emphasized the need for a national conversation on these issues and highlighted her agency's efforts by hosting an upcoming conference: From Disruption to Integration. Rachel also shares personal experiences, strategies for resili...

Send us Fan Mail Paula explores the theme of social media exhaustion, including the emotional, mental, and practical exhaustion that comes from constant engagement with social platforms. Speaking from both her personal and professional experience, she unpacks how social media shifted from a more genuine connection to a performative, noisy, comparison-driven space. She discusses how this fatigue go...

Send us Fan Mail Paula addresses some concerns new MSW graduates are navigating, emphasizing the importance of addressing imposter syndrome and negotiating for better job conditions. She highlights the value of internships and advocates for the "pay for placement" movement to combat unpaid labor. Paula discusses the overwhelm associated with choosing among available career paths/populati...

Send us Fan Mail Lauren, a death and grief doula, discussed her multifaceted role in the funeral and pet loss industries. She emphasized the importance of community in addressing grief and shared her journey from being a young caregiver to a certified death doula. Lauren highlighted her work with pet loss, memorialization, and creative grief workshops, including partnerships with institutions like...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Paula shares her grief over the loss of her dog, Fonzie, who passed away recently. Fonzie, a tripod and cancer survivor, was a significant part of her life, providing comfort and support after her car accident. Paula discusses the concept of the Rainbow Bridge, a metaphor for pets' afterlife, and the stages of grief. She emphasizes the importance of expressin...

Send us Fan Mail Kathy shared her journey of relocating to New York for her passion for cosmetology. She detailed the challenges of transitioning, the reality of the learning process, and the high costs of education. Kathy highlighted honest concerns with her cosmetology school as well as emphasized the importance of researching accredited schools with the realities of starting at the bottom in th...

Send us Fan Mail Paula explores the connection between ADHD and clumsiness, sharing her personal experiences and the broader implications for individuals with ADHD. She explains how ADHD can lead to frequent minor injuries, poor spatial awareness, and difficulties with fine motor skills. Paula emphasizes the importance of understanding proprioception and dopamine levels in ADHD. She also highlight...

Send us Fan Mail Niteesa discussed her journey from social work to tech, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of social work and its transferable skills. She highlights her work with a digital health research company and her involvement in blockchain and cryptocurrency through Chain Slate, which aims to educate communities in Zambia about financial technology. Niteesa stressed the importance of pat...

Send us Fan Mail Paula discusses the concept of presenteeism, where employees work while unwell due to a variety of different contributing factors. She shares personal experiences and the negative impacts of presenteeism on productivity, recovery and overall health. Paula highlights its prevalence among communities of color due to systemic and economic workplace factors. She emphasizes ways that w...

Send us Fan Mail Albert shares his experiences as a psychology professor, talent agent, and author of "Rising Script: Confronting Self-Doubt and Self-Sabotage". He highlights the challenges actors face, such as self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and emphasizes the importance of mindset and presence. Albert speaks to his experience of working with actors, noting the high turnover rate due...

Send us Fan Mail Paula discusses the benefits of karaoke as a coping skill by highlighting karaoke's accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and therapeutic value, noting its impact on memory, stress reduction, and social connection. She shares personal anecdotes and emphasizes its role in boosting mood, reducing anxiety, and improving respiratory health.  Paula's Upcoming Events Millennial S...

Send us Fan Mail Thomas shares his journey from a recovering addict to advocating for young people. He discussed his military background, including his service as a Navy SEAL, and his transition to working with adolescents at Daytop Village and Boys & Girls Clubs. Thomas emphasized the importance of consistency and trust in his work, noting the significant challenges youth face today, such as...

Send us Fan Mail Paula addresses the concept of moral injury by breaking down its meaning, exploring its history and roots in military psychology, prevalence, and importance of addressing it through ethical support systems.  In this episode, you will hear: + defining moral injury + examples in various professions + impact on mental health and safety + strategies for prevention and management + res...

Send us Fan Mail Jennalyn shines a light on her work in trauma-informed puberty education. She highlights the lack of puberty education and emphasizes the importance of beginning early. Jennalyn not only shares her experiences with students who lack this knowledge but also receives feedback from parents and school staff, as well as focuses on professional development and family consultation to imp...

Send us Fan Mail In the second part of the fourth annual Ask P Anything episode, Paula continues to answer questions submitted by the community, focusing on themes that are impacting our mental health professionals, most likely in varying stages of their careers. She provides some food for thought and encourages folks to access one of their best resources, themselves! In this episode, you will hea...

Send us Fan Mail Paula answers questions submitted by the community about mental health and breaks them down in a way that only she can. Thanks to an overwhelming response of questions, this episode will be the first of a series for the fourth annual Ask P Anything!  In this episode, you will hear: + understanding burnout vs. tiredness of surviving + impact of burnout on physical and mental health...

Send us Fan Mail Hey y’all, hey 🤍 However you move through this season—holiday, cultural, or just surviving it—I hope you’re giving yourself grace, permission to rest, reset, and to opt out/ tap out when needed. I’m endlessly grateful for this listening community and the way you continue to show up for these conversations. Truly, thank you for letting me into your ears and your hearts. ✨ Behind...

Send us Fan Mail Michelle discusses "The Art of Bending Time," which helps individuals optimize their time, leading to increased efficiency and personal growth. She shared her personal journey from burnout to health recovery through functional medicine and health coaching. Michelle emphasized the importance of finding activities that bring joy, maintaining physical and mental health, and...

Send us Fan Mail Ron discusses his approach to helping males with ADHD, depression, and addiction. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and connecting with clients on a deep level, leveraging his own experiences. Ron and Paula explore the overlap between ADHD and addiction, the impact of cultural and societal norms on emotional expression, and the need for self-awareness and self-care. Ro...

Send us Fan Mail Paula discusses the challenges of expressing gratitude during difficult times, emphasizing the importance of gratitude as a grounding practice rather than a performance. She highlights the complexities faced by marginalized communities, including financial stress, racial trauma, and burnout. Paula suggests practical ways to practice gratitude, such as micro-gratitudes, daily refle...