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By Melissa Russiano, LCSW, LISW, CDWF
4.7
77 ratings
The podcast currently has 33 episodes available.
Beyond the Smile: Real Talk with Real People / Season Two, Episode Twelve: It’s A Wrap! Lessons Learned this Season
What a second season! We laughed, I cried, my life turned upside down with a move and I added an AMAZING co-host. We covered the topics of burnout, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, self-care, social media and so many other topics that we hope you enjoyed. Tune into our LAST episode to hear our summary of the season, what we have going on now, and maybe a preview of another season. Maybe a discussion of a retreat to meet other like-minded people that can become your tribe? Perhaps. Check it out!
Want to learn more? or contact us? Click the links below for more info:
Melissa Russiano
Melissa Jean-Charles
As always, thank you for tuning in each week to laugh with us, discuss difficult topics with us, and grow with us. We all walk out the door most days with a picture-perfect smile and the appearance of life all pulled together. Our goal remains to have discussions of what happens Beyond the Smile when we have Real Talk with Real People. That is the world we want to live in. A world where we can be authentic, completely imperfect, and totally ourselves.
Until that world exists, we are in this with you - every step of the way - and will be back soon!
Take care everyone -
Melissa & Melissa
Beyond the Smile: Real Talk with Real People / Season Two, Episode Eleven: Tribe Time! Wait, What Does That Even Mean??? Finding Your People
Brené Brown states in Daring Greatly, “Connection is why we're here. We are hardwired to connect with others, it's what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering.” In our post-pandemic culture, individuals are feeling increasingly more isolated despite their ability to leave quarantine and mingle. It is an internal longing to be understood and known by someone on a core level (that isn’t your therapist!). Today we discuss what this concept of ‘finding your tribe’ really means and ways to connect in your own community. In addition, we review coach vs therapist if you feel you need some additional support in finding your people. They are out there - we promise.
Check out Episode Eleven as we dive into this important topic and as always, we are curious to know what you think!
Have a great Monday everyone -
Melissa & Melissa
Resources Referred to in Episode:
Deeper Connections
Why Human Connection Will Bring Us Closer Together
Benefits of a Bucket List
What is the Real Difference Between a Therapist and a Coach?
Life Coach vs Therapist: 8 Myths Debunked
Five Differences Between Coaching and Psychotherapy
Beyond the Smile: Real Talk with Real People / Season Two, Episode Ten: A Dolphin, A Lion, A Bear, and A Wolf Walk Into A Bar …
Confused? No worries at all! I will admit to being very confused when my amazing co-host broached the subject of sleep chronotypes. I am someone who always is looking for that “great night of sleep” and never quite seeming to find it. In addition, I have always been jealous of those who can go to the gym at 5a, or work late without caffeine and even those who can wake up without an alarm clock. Our discussion today centers around being able to identify your sleep chronotype, why sleep patterns are so important, and what you can learn about yourself based on when your body works best. Are we experts? Nope. Not yet! But we will talk through the impact of sleep on all aspects of your life, including your mental health.
Check out Episode Ten as we dive into this very interesting topic and as always, we are curious to know what you think!
Have a great Monday everyone -
Melissa & Melissa
Resources Referred to in Episode:
The Power of When
Psychological Benefits of Routines
Why Routines are Important for Your Mental Health
Dr Oz & Sleep
Chronotype Overview
Genetic Basis of Chronotypes in Humans
Chronotype Quiz
Beyond the Smile: Real Talk with Real People / Season Two, Episode Nine: Passions At A Circus Are Always In Tents
Self-care is not selfish. Self-care is taking care of yourself so you can take care of others. Self-care is respecting yourself the way you respect others. Heard any of those statements in your life? Yep, so have I. And I roll my eyes. As a result, we are diving in to determine what SELF CARE really means what it does not mean. You may think you know all about self-care, but after our discussion, we hope you change that opinion. Sound familiar? Yep - this is round two for those overachievers in our world that need a second discussion to REALLY hear the importance of this issue. We - ok, MJC - uses my own struggles as a working example!
Check out Episode Nine as we dive into this important topic and as always, we are curious to know what you think!
Have a great Monday everyone -
Melissa & Melissa
Resources Referred to in Episode:
Best Motivation Apps of 2020
Poverty and Self Care
Caring for Your Mental Health
Time Blocking Info/Templates
Self-care is not selfish. Self-care is taking care of you so you can take care of others. Self-care is respecting yourself the way you respect others. Heard any of those statements in your life? Yep, so have I. And I roll my eyes. As a result, we are diving in to determine what SELF CARE really means what it does not mean. You may think you know all about self-care, but after our discussion, we hope you change that opinion.
Check out Episode Eight as we dive into this controversial (ok, annoying to some…) topic and as always, we are curious to know what you think!
Have a great Monday everyone -
Melissa & Melissa
Resources Referred to in Episode:
Radical Self Care
The Global Community Connection with Radical Self Care
Your Healthiest Self
Self Care
Why Self Care Isn’t Selfish
How to Start a Self Care Routine
15 Self Care Ideas for Morning Routines
Practicing Self Care is Important
Doing What Matters in Times of Stress
Does Self Care Impact Mental Health?
What is Self Care and Why is it Critical for your Health?
Caring for your Mental Health
Self Care is a Must
Social Media is something that one either loves (or loves to hate…) or avoid at all costs. But is there a benefit to social media? Many individuals look to social media for their mental health information, general health advice, and overall tips and tricks for life. Oh, and to keep in touch with people of course! So can it be a positive avenue for information if taken from another point of view? It may surprise you to hear that we both have different views on this subject!
Check out Episode Seven as we dive into this interesting topic and as always, we are curious to know what you think!
Have a great Monday everyone -
Melissa & Melissa
Resources Referred to in Episode:
6 Ways Social Media Impacts Our Mental Health
Social Media and Self Esteem
Positive Impact of Social Media
Diversity & Inclusion on Social Media
Why Inclusivity Matters in Social Media
How Social Media Impacts Culture & Language
6 Ways Social Media Impacts Your Mood
How Social Media Can Affect Your Mood
What? I cannot be perfect? Who says? Perfection is an ideal that many seek and often fall short of their goal. Tune in to hear stories of imperfect perfection in our lives, the negative impact that seeking perfection has on individuals, and, as always, ways to change your view to be realistic. We are all Perfectly Imperfect and we hope that you will take some insight from our discussion to change what your ‘ideal’ for you is. If you are still struggling after you listen - send us an email! We would love to help you change those perfectionistic tendencies so you can live your amazing life.
Check out Episode Six as we dive into this super important topic and as always, we are curious to know what you think!
Have a great Monday everyone -
Melissa & Melissa
Resources Referred to in Episode:
Perfectionism Self-Rating Scale
Imposter Phenomenon
Multidimensional Perfectionism and the DSM-5
Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome
Relationship Between Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome: Do You Feel Like A Fraud?
Perfectionism and Your Health
Perfectionism
Root Cause of Perfectionism
What Causes Perfectionism?
How to be Perfectly Imperfect
It’s Not Just You - It’s Science. How Perfectionism Holds Women Back
This - by far - is our heaviest episode to date. We included it in this season because of the increase of successful suicides that have been in the media, as well as in our lives since the pandemic began. Is there a connection? Or is it our culture increasing the pressure? We may not have the answers, but we will discuss some of the issues impacting this discussion and offer some hope. Please note that the show resources offer so many options for connection for anyone who needs extra support at this time.
Check out Episode Five as we dive into this heavy, but a very important topic, and as always, we are curious to know what you think!
Have a great Monday everyone -
Melissa & Melissa
Resources Referred to in Episode:
Logic (Ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid) – 1-800-273-8255
MIT Cuts Back on Course Loads After Two Student Suicides
Suicide Rates at MIT Higher
MIT Works to Reduce Student Pressure
MIT Suicide Lawsuits
Suicide Hotlines & Resources:
988
Crisis Text Line
Love is Respect
The Trevor Project
National Sexual Assault Hotline
LGBT National Hotline
TXT 4 HELP
International Hotline
Overachiever? Yep - we got you. Feel like that is the only way to ‘do life’? Yep - we get that too. But there is another way. Tune in as we talk about the issue of unrealistic expectations starting in youth and transitioning into adulthood. We will review ways to manage your expectations and live the life in which you can thrive with REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS.
Check out Episode Four as we dive into this creative topic and as always, we are curious to know what you think!
Have a great Monday everyone -
Melissa & Melissa
Resources Referred to in Episode:
The Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids
How to Work Past Perfectionism
Realistic Workforce Expectations
Teen Overachievers and Perfectionism
How to Manage Your Perfectionism
Signs You May Be a Perfectionist
Differences in Learning Strategies
Different Types of Perfectionism
Perfectionism and Impostorism in Becoming a Psychiatrist
Brene Brown: The Stress Cycle
Leadership runs amok. The destructive potential of overachievers
Episode 3: Tag-Team Match of the Week: Stress and Burnout vs Balance and Happiness. Place your bets!
What a tag-team match this episode will be for everyone! I heard a quote from a student:
"The brain relies more on experience than it does knowledge" seems to really apply to this discussion. If your experience is to run the stress and burnout cycle day after day, sometimes KNOWING what to do isn’t as important as experiencing a new normal. This episode runs through leading causes for burnout, how we live in a stress-based culture, and ways to find your true balanced, and happy self.
Curious to see everyone’s thoughts! Have a great week - Melissa & Melissa
Resources Referred to in Episode:
Burnout and COVID-19
What Black Burnout Feels Like
Millennials and Burnout
Women and Burnout
Women and the "Exhaustion Gap"
Burnout in Healthcare Professionals
Burnout vs. Job Satisfaction in Mental Health Workers
Burnout & the Stress Cycle
The podcast currently has 33 episodes available.