Why Do People Do That?

This is the anxiety episode you’ve all been waiting for.

What is anxiety, really? And why does it seem to get worse the harder we try to make it go away?

As clinicians, we see far too many people who arrive exhausted—having tried every technique, strategy, and mindset shift yet still feeling trapped in fear. In this episode, we start where real healing begins: understanding anxiety at its root.

Are we destined to live with anxiety ...

In this episode, I sit down with Elaine Belson, LCSW, a seasoned therapist, mindset mentor, and emotional wellness coach who specializes in helping women shift out of automatic negative thinking and into calmer, more empowering internal dialogue. With decades of experience in understanding human behavior, emotional patterns, and communication, Elaine blends clinical depth with the practical, future-focused tools of coaching.

Togeth...

What is love really? In this episode, Stacy and Heather sit down with relationship scientist and licensed marriage and family therapist Marisa Cohen, PhD, LMFT, to explore the science behind how humans form emotional bonds. They break down love into its emotional and biological components, unpack common relationship patterns, and examine what people are truly seeking in meaningful connection. Together, they dive into why human conn...

The holidays are often painted as joyful, bright, and magical, but for anyone grieving, they can feel heavy, complicated, and painfully lonely. In this episode, we open up about what it’s really like to face the holiday season without our mothers, sharing both our professional insights as mental health providers and our personal stories of loss. We talk openly about the emotional realities of grief during a time that pressures us t...

Together, we break down the patterns that shape how we think, feel, and interact with the world, unpacking everything from emotiona...

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, we sit down with Jason Mayo, founder of Sober Not Subtle and author of In Case of Emergency, Break Childhood. Together, to explore the psychological and emotional landscape of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) through Jason’s personal journey of recovery and transformation.

This episode goes beyond addiction—it’s an exploration of trauma, self-awareness, and emotional resilience. Jason sha...

Why do we do that on Halloween? From the sexy costumes to the spooky décor, from group costumes to ghost stories, this week, we dig into the fascinating why behind our Halloween habits. In this episode of Why Do People Do That?, we unpack: Why we love to dress up and what that says about identity and belonging.  Why women often feel pressure to go “sexy” on Halloween (and where that comes from) How culture, groupthink, and traditio...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Christy Whitman, the bestselling author of The Flow Factor, to explore how anyone can tap into their inner power to create a life of purpose, abundance, and ease. Christy unpacks the core principles of her book — blending spiritual wisdom with practical tools to align your energy, thoughts, and emotions with what you truly desire.

We dive deep into the Law of Attraction and the art of man...

In this inspiring conversation, Jeffrey Reynolds, author of Every Mile Matters, shares his deeply personal journey through cancer and the lessons he’s learned about resilience along the way. Together, we explore what it truly means to be resilient—embracing acceptance, cultivating a positive mindset, practicing gratitude, learning to accept help, leaning on spirituality, and finding the inner strength to keep moving forward even wh...

In this episode, we dive into the cultural conversation around gender identity and the growing use of they/them pronouns. Why are kids pushing back against traditional gender roles? Why does it spark so much fear and resistance from parents? And what does it actually mean when a young person is exploring their identity outside of old binaries? We unpack the anxieties, the myths, and the realities behind this shift, while asking: ho...

In this episode, we explore why artificial intelligence, no matter how advanced, can never replicate the transformative power of human therapy. While AI offers quick validation and instant responses, therapy is far more than problem-solving — it’s a nuanced process rooted in trust, transference, and the healing relationship between client and clinician.

We discuss how true therapeutic growth comes from the corrective emotional expe...

 Social media isn’t just a distraction; it’s shaping how our kids see themselves, handle conflict, and form relationships. As they head back to school, it’s not enough to pack their backpacks. We need to equip them emotionally and mentally to navigate the digital world. In this essential episode, I break down how to help your kids build real resilience, set healthy boundaries, and handle the pressures of online life before they wal...

In this episode, we journey to a galaxy far, far away to explore the very real psychology behind fandom. Using Star Wars as our launchpad, we dive into the emotional draw of expansive fictional universes and why they resonate so deeply with us. From analyzing iconic characters to unpacking the societal nuances reflected in their stories, we ask the timeless question: why do people do that? Our guest, Kristine McPartlin — host of  @...

What happens to faith when the unimaginable happens? In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we sit down with Minister Elder Empress, who opens up about her faith journey after the devastating loss of her son. Together, we explore the sacred and often silent struggles of motherhood—mom guilt, generational trauma, identity, and the unbearable weight of grief. She shares how leaning into faith and cultivating a healthy belief system ...

Rebecca brings thoughtful insights into what’s fueling thi...

In this deeply insightful and honest conversation, I sat down with licensed sex therapist Heather Simonson, LCSW, CST, CSE, ERYT, RPYT (Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Sexuality Educator, Reiki Master, and Registered Yoga Teacher (specializing in kids and pre/postnatal) to explore some of the most vulnerable and often unspoken challenges couples face around intimacy. We dive into what happens when partners have mismatche...

Do you sometimes feel your child's successes—or failures—reflect directly on you? You're not alone. In this episode, we explore the powerful, often unconscious ways parents project their unresolved issues onto their children. When we see our kids as extensions of ourselves, we may inadvertently make them responsible for our self-worth, tying their achievements to our value and fearing judgment through their choices.

This dynamic ca...