A PsychoDelicious Conversation

On this episode, hosts Michael Stratton, Morgan Bowen, and Melissa Black explore the personal experiences that led them to careers in mental health. They reflect on how childhood memories, family relationships, books, and early experiences with helping others shaped their empathy and interest in understanding people. The conversation also examines how being a natural listener or taking responsibility for others can develop into unhealthy patterns, especially when personal needs are overlooked.

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If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. 988 Website

Mike and Morgan welcome questions and comments Email: A PsychoDelicous Conversation

Related Podcast: Mike & Morgan on Behind the Connection

Mike Stratton's A Groove Supreme

Spotify: Mike's Podcast, The Little Green Book

On this episode, guest Jen Gallagher returns to explore women's anger and its connection to mental health, particularly during menopause and midlife. Gallagher shares how her own health struggles led her to recognize the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and accepting anger as a valid human emotion. The conversation looks at how cultural expectations can cause women to suppress their feelings and why both men and women should challenge their assumptions about anger.

Resources & Links:

Website: Jen Gallagher Counseling

Website: Dr. Gabor Mate

Search: All We Want Is Everything - How We Dismantle Male Supremacy by Soraya Chemaly

Search: Rage Becomes Her - The Power of Women's Anger by Soraya Chemaly

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If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. 988 Website

Mike and Morgan welcome questions and comments Email: A PsychoDelicous Conversation

Related Podcast: Mike & Morgan on Behind the Connection

Mike Stratton's A Groove Supreme

Spotify: Mike's Podcast, The Little Green Book

On this episode, special guest Jen Gallagher is in studio to discuss perimenopause, menopause, and the experience of rage among women in midlife. Guest Jen Gallagher explains that rage can be a normal emotional response shaped by hormonal changes, accumulated stress, relationships, caregiving responsibilities, and cultural expectations placed on women. The conversation explores how women can move away from shame and see anger as a source of information, empowerment, and personal agency.

Resources & Links:

Website: Jen Gallagher Counseling

______________________

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. 988 Website

Mike and Morgan welcome questions and comments Email: A PsychoDelicous Conversation

Related Podcast: Mike & Morgan on Behind the Connection

Mike Stratton's A Groove Supreme

Spotify: Mike's Podcast, The Little Green Book

On this episode, Melissa and Mike are back for part two of their discussion on body image, and explore how anxiety, obsessive thinking, trauma, and shame can shape the way people see and relate to their bodies. They discuss body neutrality as a way to move away from harsh self-judgment, along with therapeutic approaches such as CBT, ACT, DBT, exposure therapy, and medication. The conversation also highlights the value of personal experience, self-compassion, and learning to recognize that thoughts are not always accurate reflections of reality.

Resources & Links:

Worksheet: The Effects of Anxiety and Depression on the Body

Search: Serotonin vs. Dopamine

Search: The Bod is Not Apologies by Sonya Renee Taylor

Mental Health and Well-Being in the Modern Era: A Comprehensive Review of Challenges and Interventions

How does my mental health affect my physical health?

Symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)

Forget Photoshop: Learn to embrace the unique and real you

Building a Relationship With Your Body: Body Acceptance & Body Neutrality

Reducing social media use significantly improves body image in teens, young adults

Body Image and the Media

______________________

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. 988 Website

Mike and Morgan welcome questions and comments Email: A PsychoDelicous Conversation

Related Podcast: Mike & Morgan on Behind the Connection

Mike Stratton's A Groove Supreme

Spotify: Mike's Podcast, The Little Green Book

This episode examines how media-driven body ideals shape mental health, body image, and perceptions of physical change. Melissa and Mike combine personal experiences with clinical perspectives to explore eating disorders, body dysmorphia, the limitations of BMI, and the growing role of GLP-1 medications. The discussion places these issues within a biopsychosocial framework, while distinguishing the neurological and psychological factors that influence body perception and behavior.

YouTube: Seen and Not Seen – Talking Heads

YouTube: Body Language – Queen

Resources & Links:

Worksheet: The Effects of Anxiety and Depression on the Body

Search: Serotonin vs. Dopamine

Search: The Bod is Not Apologies by Sonya Renee Taylor

Mental Health and Well-Being in the Modern Era: A Comprehensive Review of Challenges and Interventions

How does my mental health affect my physical health?

Symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)

Forget Photoshop: Learn to embrace the unique and real you

Building a Relationship With Your Body: Body Acceptance & Body Neutrality

Reducing social media use significantly improves body image in teens, young adults

Body Image and the Media

______________________

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. 988 Website

Mike and Morgan welcome questions and comments Email: A PsychoDelicous Conversation

Related Podcast: Mike & Morgan on Behind the Connection

Mike Stratton's A Groove Supreme

Spotify: Mike's Podcast, The Little Green Book

In Part 2 of their discussion on polyamory, Mike, Melissa, and Morgan explore different forms of non-monogamous relationships. With an emphasis on the importance of communication, trust, and personal choice, they discuss jealousy, family dynamics, and how relationships can change over time. Ultimately, healthy relationships begin with understanding and caring for yourself.

Resources & Links:

Search: Esther Perel - State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity

______________________

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. 988 Website

Mike and Morgan welcome questions and comments Email: A PsychoDelicous Conversation

Related Podcast: Mike & Morgan on Behind the Connection

Mike Stratton's A Groove Supreme

Spotify: Mike's Podcast, The Little Green Book

On this episode, hosts Mike, Melissa, and Morgan explore polyamory, including how it differs from open relationships and infidelity. They discuss the importance of honesty, communication, boundaries and attachment, while also examining how culture and changing views on relationships may shape the way people approach love and partnership.

______________________

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. 988 Website

Mike and Morgan welcome questions and comments Email: A PsychoDelicous Conversation

Related Podcast: Mike & Morgan on Behind the Connection

Mike Stratton's A Groove Supreme

Spotify: Mike's Podcast, The Little Green Book

On this episode, Mike, Melissa, and Morgan explore how psychedelics are being studied as a treatment for conditions like depression, PTSD, and addiction. They discuss the promise of psychedelic therapy, the importance of medical supervision, and why these treatments should be part of a broader mental health plan. The conversation also highlights the risks of using psychedelics without professional guidance.

Resources & Links:

Website: JAMA Psychiatry (Article: Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder)

Website: Nature Medicine (Article: MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study)

Website: eClinical Medicine (Article: Ketamine for the treatment of major depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis)

Website: Psymposia (Article: How Silicon Valley Used Veterans to Hijack the Psychedelic Industry)

Website: Chacruna (Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines)

Search: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

______________________

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. 988 Website

Mike and Morgan welcome questions and comments Email: A PsychoDelicous Conversation

Related Podcast: Mike & Morgan on Behind the Connection

Mike Stratton's A Groove Supreme

Spotify: Mike's Podcast, The Little Green Book

On this episode Mike, Morgan, and Melissa explore how psychedelics like psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA are being studied for mental health treatment. With the recent rise of accessabilty and micro-dosing, the discussion highlights the need for more research to better understand these therapies. They discuss the possible benefits, as well as risks, and why professional guidance and harm reduction are important.

Resources & Links:

Website: JAMA Psychiatry (Article: Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder)

Website: Nature Medicine (Article: MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study)

Website: eClinical Medicine (Article: Ketamine for the treatment of major depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis)

Website: Psymposia (Article: How Silicon Valley Used Veterans to Hijack the Psychedelic Industry)

Website: Chacruna (Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines)

Search: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

______________________

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. 988 Website

Mike and Morgan welcome questions and comments Email: A PsychoDelicous Conversation

Related Podcast: Mike & Morgan on Behind the Connection

Mike Stratton's A Groove Supreme

Spotify: Mike's Podcast, The Little Green Book

On this episode, Melissa and Morgan return to discuss the connection between mental health and disability, including the challenges of applying for disability benefits. They discuss the FMLA (Family anf Medical Leave Act) and explain the differences between disability claims, as well as share their experience with the process.

Mentioned This Episode:

Website: Family and Medical Leave Act

______________________

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. 988 Website

Mike and Morgan welcome questions and comments Email: A PsychoDelicous Conversation

Related Podcast: Mike & Morgan on Behind the Connection

Mike Stratton's A Groove Supreme

Spotify: Mike's Podcast, The Little Green Book