After the Session: Two Therapists Telling It Like It Is

In this episode of After the Session, we explore the difference between resolution and resolve. Resolution seeks relief and quick change, while resolve is formed through commitment, capacity, and staying present when motivation fades. We examine why insight alone fails and how lasting change emerges through endurance, support, and the slow work of formation.

Emotions carry information, but they are not meant to run the show. In this episode, we explore what emotional intelligence actually is, how unhealthy emotional patterns form, and how leaders, parents, and partners can learn to regulate, interpret, and respond with clarity rather than reactivity. Along the way, John and Dwain spar a bit about hockey good-naturedly, with mutual respect offering a live example of how disagreement can coexist with regulation, trust, and friendship.

We talk about mental health as if it starts and ends in the mind, but what if the body has been part of the story all along? In this episode, we explore how sleep, hormones, nutrition, and movement shape mood, memory, and healing—and why lasting change must be embodied, not just understood.

In this episode of After the Session, we explore narcissism both in the therapy room and in the culture around us. From the clinical traits that fracture relationships to the cultural trends that magnify the self, we reflect on what happens when everyone becomes the main character—and what healing really requires.

Biology matters, but does it tell the whole story? What if depression isn’t just a biological struggle, but also a signal breaking into our lives? In this episode of After the Session, we explore depression as disruption—an invitation to confront deeper questions of meaning, limits, and the possibility of growth.

Think therapy is a magical cure or mystical experience? Spoiler: it’s not. No magic wand here—just real, sometimes messy work. We’ll unpack the myth, laugh a little, and get honest about what therapy really takes: patience, courage, and showing up for yourself every day.

In this episode of After the Session, we explore the tangled roles of sympathy, empathy, and compassion. While empathy can be a gift, we uncover how it can also hinder growth when it turns toxic—blurring boundaries, enabling dysfunction, or keeping people stuck. Together, we ask: What’s the difference between feeling with and walking wisely beside? And how do we cultivate compassion that empowers rather than entangles? It’s a deeper dive into discernment, emotion, and true care.

In this episode of After the Session, John and Dwain dig into why therapy is more than just a place to vent. It’s where real growth begins. Like tending a garden, therapy cultivates change—through discomfort, new behaviors, and a fresh way of relating to yourself and the world around you. They unpack how embracing the mess can lead to meaningful transformation, and how stepping into a new role with yourself is where the real work—and reward—happens.

In this episode of After the Session, John and Dwain dive into what really happens in couples counseling—where the fights aren't always about what they seem. We explore the difference between fact-based arguments and emotional truths, and why being "right" rarely leads to real change. Often, communication isn’t the problem—it’s a symptom of something deeper. When couples learn to name what’s real, they open the door to healing—because finding the truth really can set us free.

In this episode, we explore why so many men find it easier to chase pleasure than pursue deeper meaning—especially in relationships. From the fear of vulnerability to the cultural pressures of masculinity, we break down the barriers that keep men disconnected from their partners and even from themselves. Why do men often avoid the hard conversations? How does the pursuit of comfort and escape sabotage real intimacy? And what does it take to shift from surface-level connection to something truly fulfilling?

Join us as we unpack these questions and offer insights on how men can step into relationships with more courage, honesty, and depth.