Coffee with CAPS

How do you let someone see the real you without handing them the keys to hurt you? Sam and Aaron talk about vulnerability — why it can feel so scary, how it helps relationships grow deeper, and why being vulnerable doesn’t mean telling everyone everything. They explore trust, boundaries, social media oversharing, and the slow process of learning who is safe enough to let past your armor.

If you've ever wanted deeper relationships but weren't sure how much of yourself was safe to share, this conversation is for you.

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 is it actually like to get counseling at CAPS?

In this week’s episodes, three former clients share their experiences — from overcoming the hesitation to seek counseling, to working through relationships, body image, grief, faith, and difficult emotions. Their stories offer an honest look at what the counseling process can be like and how it helped them gain greater clarity, self-awareness, and confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to sit down with a counselor at CAPS, this episode gives you a chance to hear it from students who have been there themselves.

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 is it actually like to get counseling at CAPS?

In this week’s episodes, three former clients share their experiences — from overcoming the hesitation to seek counseling, to working through relationships, body image, grief, faith, and difficult emotions. Their stories offer an honest look at what the counseling process can be like and how it helped them gain greater clarity, self-awareness, and confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to sit down with a counselor at CAPS, this episode gives you a chance to hear it from students who have been there themselves.

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 is it actually like to get counseling at CAPS?

In this week’s episodes, three former clients share their experiences — from overcoming the hesitation to seek counseling, to working through relationships, body image, grief, faith, and difficult emotions. Their stories offer an honest look at what the counseling process can be like and how it helped them gain greater clarity, self-awareness, and confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to sit down with a counselor at CAPS, this episode gives you a chance to hear it from students who have been there themselves.

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 really mean to “settle” in a relationship — and is that actually a bad thing?

In this episode, Sam and Aaron take on a word most people instinctively resist and use it to explore a bigger tension: choosing someone versus always wondering if there’s someone better out there. They unpack how that mindset can quietly erode even healthy relationships, especially when you’re stuck comparing instead of investing.

They reframe commitment as something more active than just a feeling — it’s a repeated choice, especially when things aren’t easy. From early dating to long-term commitment, they talk about what it looks like to stay present, work through conflict, and build something meaningful instead of chasing the idea of a “better option.”

It’s a thoughtful, slightly uncomfortable close to the season that pushes you to wrestle with what you actually want — and what it takes to choose someone for the long run.

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 makes a relationship toxic — and how can you tell the difference between normal conflict and something more harmful?

In this episode, Sam and Aaron explore the patterns that define toxic relationships, including cycles of dishonesty, disrespect, and dismissiveness. They also examine why these dynamics can feel familiar and why they are often difficult to leave.

They talk about common warning signs such as gaslighting and love bombing and give practical guidance on how to step away from unhealthy relationships and seek meaningful support.

If you have questioned whether something in a relationship feels off, this episode gives a clear framework for understanding what may be happening beneath the surface.

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!

Sam and Aaron take a step back from all the usual relationship advice to talk about something a lot of students quietly wrestle with — loneliness. Not just being alone, but that deeper feeling of not being known or understood, even when you’re surrounded by people.

They get into why a relationship (especially a romantic one) isn’t a guaranteed fix, how social media can make things worse without us realizing it, and what actually helps — real connection, not just proximity. Along the way, they share some honest back-and-forth, practical ways to build deeper friendships, and a reminder that connection is something you learn and practice over time.

If you’ve ever thought, “I have people around me, so why do I still feel this way?” — this one’s for you.

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!

How does your past shape the way you show up in relationships today? Sam and Aaron take an honest look at how experiences of trauma — both big and small — can quietly influence your trust, communication, and even the kinds of people you’re drawn to.

They unpack the impact of neglect, family conflict, and unmet emotional needs, exploring what it looks like to recognize your patterns, challenge them, and begin building healthier ways of relating — without pretending your story didn’t matter. It’s a grounded, hopeful reminder that while your past may affect you, it doesn’t have to define where your relationships are headed.

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!

This episode takes an honest look at hookup culture — what it is, why it’s so appealing in college, and why it often leaves people feeling worse instead of better. Sam and Aaron unpack the tension between what culture normalizes and what we’re actually wired for, touching on the emotional, mental, and spiritual impact that casual sexual encounters can have.

They don’t just critique it from a distance — they talk about the real reasons students get pulled in: the desire to feel wanted, known, and connected. Along the way, they explore how those desires are good but often chased in ways that end up hurting more than helping.

If you’ve ever felt the disconnect between what everyone says is “normal” and what actually leaves you feeling whole, this conversation leans into that honestly — while also offering a path forward marked by grace, healing, and something deeper than temporary connection.

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 Michael Jordan have to do with mental health? In this 50th episode of Coffee with CAPS, Sam and Aaron sit down with Liberty University President Dr. Dondi Costin to explore that question — along with a few others that hit close to home for college students today. They talk about why this generation feels uniquely “anxious” and how social media has reshaped the way we think, compare, and cope.

Moving beyond the old debate of psychology vs. Christianity, Dr. Costin offers a perspective where the two aren’t at odds, showing how research can actually point back to God’s design for human flourishing. It’s especially meaningful for anyone who’s felt the tension between their faith and their mental health.

This episode takes an honest look at why we’re not meant to struggle in isolation and how aligning our mindset with our design can begin to shift things. Whether you’re navigating burnout or just trying to find your place, it’s a reminder that your journey toward wellness is part of a much bigger story — one shaped by believing, belonging, and becoming.

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!