Coffee with CAPS

Ever feel like struggling with anxiety, depression, or doubt means you're somehow falling short in your faith?

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you just need to pray more, read your Bible more, or try harder. But what if there's more to the story? Sam and Aaron talk about the ways faith, mental health, and shame can overlap, and how our experiences growing up can shape the way we see God. They also get into self-compassion, finding people you can actually trust, and why you don't have to work through everything on your own.

It's an honest conversation about giving yourself some grace, building healthier relationships, and learning to see your struggles through a lens of both faith and hope.

Join us every Tuesday for fresh discussions on mental health, relationships, academic life, and more. Grab your coffee, tune in, and let us know which topics you'd like us to cover next!

Ever find yourself overthinking whether you've done something wrong, questioning your faith, or worrying that God is upset with you? For some people, those thoughts can go beyond normal doubts and become a cycle that's hard to break.

Sam and Aaron sit down with CAPS counselor Stephen Ciucci to discuss spiritual OCD, also known as scrupulosity, what it looks like, and how it can show up in everyday college life. They explore intrusive thoughts, reassurance-seeking, and why simply trying harder to make the doubts go away doesn't always help.

Whether you're navigating these struggles yourself or supporting a friend, this episode offers perspective, practical tools, and an important reminder: you're not alone.

Join us every Tuesday for fresh discussions on mental health, relationships, academic life, and more. Grab your coffee, tune in, and let us know which topics you'd like us to cover next!

Ever finish scrolling through social media and somehow feel worse about yourself than when you started?

Sam and Aaron talk about how comparison, body image, and the pressure to keep up with everyone else can shape the way we see ourselves. They also get into doomscrolling, the difference between online connection and real relationships, and how to be more intentional about what we consume.

The goal isn’t necessarily to ditch social media altogether, but to make more room for real-life connection. Because sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is put your phone down and be present.

Join us every Tuesday for fresh discussions on mental health, relationships, academic life, and more. Grab your coffee, tune in, and let us know which topics you'd like us to cover next!

What does it actually mean to be resilient? In this episode, Sam and Aaron talk about why pushing through and pretending everything’s fine isn’t always the healthiest way to cope. They explore how learning to recognize your emotions, letting people in, and leaning on your faith can help you navigate difficult seasons without burning yourself out. Because resilience isn’t about never struggling — it’s about learning how to find your way through it.

Join us every Tuesday for fresh discussions on mental health, relationships, academic life, and more. Grab your coffee, tune in, and let us know which topics you'd like us to cover next!

Ever feel like you’re running on empty but still telling yourself you can push through? Sam and Aaron talk about burnout, what sets it apart from ordinary tiredness, and how constantly saying yes can leave us stretched too thin — even when we’re doing things we enjoy. They unpack the pressure to stay busy, the importance of knowing your limits, and why rest isn’t something you have to earn. Most importantly, they talk about recognizing the warning signs before exhaustion turns into full-on burnout, and finding healthier ways to make space for rest, relationships, and the things that actually matter.

Join us every Tuesday for fresh discussions on mental health, relationships, academic life, and more. Grab your coffee, tune in, and let us know which topics you'd like us to cover next!

Why do we put things off — even when we actually care about getting them done?

Sam and Aaron talk about the connection between procrastination, perfectionism, fear, and shame, and why procrastination isn’t always about being lazy. They share some very real college examples, talk about getting past the “I don’t know what I’m doing” feeling, and offer some practical ways to break big tasks down, get started, and give yourself a little more grace along the way.

Join us every Tuesday for fresh discussions on mental health, relationships, academic life, and more. Grab your coffee, tune in, and let us know which topics you'd like us to cover next!

What happens when a sexual struggle starts to feel like it’s become part of who you are?

Sam, Aaron, and CAPS counselor Dustin Beaty talk openly about compulsive sexual behaviors, shame, and the ways these struggles can affect how we see ourselves, our relationships, and our faith. They unpack what makes a behavior compulsive, why shame can keep the cycle going, and how real healing involves more than simply trying harder or avoiding triggers. Most importantly, they talk about what it can look like to move toward connection, support, and hope when you feel stuck.

Join us every Tuesday for fresh discussions on mental health, relationships, academic life, and more. Grab your coffee, tune in, and let us know which topics you'd like us to cover next!

Ever feel lonely even when you’re surrounded by people?

Sam and Aaron unpack why loneliness can be such a common part of college life, from leaving old friendships behind to feeling like you don’t quite fit into a new group. They talk about the stories we tell ourselves when we feel unwanted, the fear of rejection, and why sometimes getting out of your own head is the first step toward connection.

Grab your coffee and listen in for some honest conversationand practical ways to start finding your people.

Join us every Tuesday for fresh discussions on mental health, relationships, academic life, and more. Grab your coffee, tune in, and let us know which topics you'd like us to cover next!

What does recovery actually look like when you’re a college student?

In this episode, Sam sits down with Louis Alvey and Jonathan Ignacio from Care & Support to talk about addiction, recovery, and why having a supportive community can make such a difference. They talk about the stigma that can make it hard to ask for help, what recovery can look like beyond substance use, and how students can find support without feeling like they have to hit “rock bottom” first.

They also talk about Celebrate Recovery, peer support, counseling, and the different ways students can take that first step. Most importantly, the conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to struggle alone — and there’s no wrong door when it comes to getting support.

Join us every Tuesday for fresh discussions on mental health, relationships, academic life, and more. Grab your coffee, tune in, and let us know which topics you'd like us to cover next!

What actually happens when you go to counseling?

Sam and Aaron talk through the process from the first session to the last — what counselors are really there to do, what you can expect to be asked, and why you don’t need to have everything figured out before you walk through the door. They also unpack some common misconceptions about counseling, including the idea that your problems aren’t “big enough” to deserve help, and talk about what it means to actually do the work between sessions.

If you’ve ever been curious about counseling but weren’t sure what to expect, this episode is a place to start.

Join us every Tuesday for fresh discussions on mental health, relationships, academic life, and more. Grab your coffee, tune in, and let us know which topics you'd like us to cover next!