Why Do People Do That?

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...

In this episode, we sit down with toy expert Jonathan Alexandratos to explore the profound role that toys play in our lives, far beyond childhood. From self-expression to identity formation, toys are vessels that help us explore parts of ourselves not yet fully realized.

We unpack how the evolution of toy design and accessibility has deepened our connection to play and how these small objects carry big meaning. Whether nostalgic or...

Social workers are the backbone of countless communities, showing up in hospitals, schools, courtrooms, shelters, and beyond—wherever there is need, there we are. In this special episode, we celebrate the vast and vital profession of social work by speaking with dedicated professionals from across the country. From child welfare to hospice care, from policy advocacy to crisis intervention, we explore the many ways social workers cr...

School refusal has become an epidemic, skyrocketing since COVID and the rise of social media’s influence on children. As licensed clinical social workers working with families facing this challenge, we sit down with special education attorney Susan Deedy, Esq., (https://www.susandeedylaw.com/), to unpack the many reasons kids are avoiding school—and, more importantly, what can be done about it.

In this episode, we provide a roadmap...

Wouldn't it be great if we could actually harness happiness just from changing the way we think? Well... we actually can. There is science-based research that explains how shifting our mindset into a place of gratitude manipulates the neurotransmitters in our brains, creates new neural pathways, reduces stress hormones and creates a cognitive restructuring of how our mind works. That's right! Simply ( we know this may not feel simp...

Calling all the Mommas! (Don't worry dads.. we get around to you also) Mom guilt?! What are we doing ladies? We at the "Why Do People Do That" podcast insist that we all come together to bring about change. Starting today! Join us in our heartfelt and passionate conversation about the root causes of mom guilt. We go on a journey through time and explore a deeper understanding of the definition of guilt, the societal journey of gend...

People often use the phrase, "time heals all wounds." In reality, time can certainly heal many wounds, but sometimes time alone is not enough. A more accurate truth is that in time, all wounds can heal. When trauma hits, we can sometimes process through and heal naturally. The mind is resilient and miraculous and new neural pathways are forming everyday paving the way for healthy movement forward. Sometimes, however, we are stuck. ...

Join us in this discussion with divorce mediator, Gina Pellettieri, Esq. https://ginapellettieri.com/ as she helps us unravel what trends are showing up in the world of divorce. We come together to share stories and insights around issues underlying break ups in society today. (As well as the surprising realization that Valentine's Day seems to bring on a break up surge!) Is V Day now break up with your partner day? Join us on this...

Sometimes we get stuck in the grieving process and develop maladaptive patterns that do not serve us. Join us in our stories where we share the symptoms, blocking beliefs and unhealthy patterns that can emerge from complicated grief. From war to suicide to ealry childhood loss, we uncover several examples of what causes complicated grief, how to identify it and what to do. "Why Do People Do That" host", Stacy Pellettieri, shares he...

In this episode, we tackle the challenging topic of repeating cyclic negative patterns. Our guest, Tania, a trauma nurse and mother, bravely shares her story of personal growth and the lingering effects of past traumas. Despite her successes, Tania finds herself stuck in a recurring cycle—choosing relationships that fail to meet her desires, reflecting a younger version of herself repeating old habits. Together, we uncover the root...

Have you ever wondered why the actions, words, or even the mere presence of others—whether it's your partner, a coworker, or a stranger at the store—can spark such strong emotional reactions in you? In this episode, we explore the deeply human tendency to create stories, make assumptions, assign meanings, and project our inner fears or desires onto those around us. These automatic patterns often fuel misunderstandings, disrupt our ...

Hoarding is a common challenge that impacts countless individuals and their families daily. While it can deeply affect lives, it’s not a lifelong burden—help is available, and the issue can be managed.

In this episode, we delve into the roots of hoarding behaviors, exploring the psychological causes and offering practical tips for improvement. Our guest, Natalie Lowe, a Neurobalance Coach, shares a deeply personal and inspiring sto...

We are pleased to introduce our guest, long time teacher, and childhood friend, Liz Moliterno. Liz is a passionate educator and advocate for her students. As a special education teacher for high school students, Liz is in the trenches everyday witnessing the very real daily struggles of her students and the mental health crisis we are all hearing about all of the time. She has amazing insight and ideas on how we can do better as a ...

For thousands of years, humans have created New Year's resolutions for a fresh start in the new year. Year after year, as January 1st approaches, we pick a goal to work on that we are rarely able to follow through with. Why don't resolutions work? What goes wrong? Why do we still do this year after year if statistics show that they fail 86% of the time? What is the psychological benefit to having these goals and what tweaks can we ...

ADHD comes in all shapes, ages and sizes. Whether you are an individual with ADHD or someone who is looking to help and support someone who does, this podcast offers priceless information that will offer you the knowlege you need to give the right kind of support to guide your self or your loved one toward happiness and success. What is the science of the ADHD brain? What are executive functions? What strategies and techniques are ...

Participation trophies aren't a new thing as this custom goes back over 100 years. What is new, however, is the debate. Are they really harmful to motivation and the ability to accept dissapointment? Are they helpful? Join Heather and Stacy, licensed clinical social workers, in this psychologically riveting discussion about whether the trophies help or harm our children and why this has become a trending debate.

#participationtroph...