In the Open

Theresa and America try to figure out together whether they are going through a midlife crisis. They discuss what the term means to each of them and how expectations play a big part in a person’s identity and self-confidence in any stage of life. They navigate through the existential questions that come with a midlife crisis, the role of culture on this topic and explore the series of events that got them to this place.

To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org

America and Theresa have a conversation about what happens physically and emotionally before, during and after they have their period. They discuss mood swings, feeling irritable, the warning signs of when their period is coming and how they both can differentiate their emotions because of their period vs. their normal everyday emotions. They also talk about hormonal shifts, the pros and cons of birth control, when they had their first conversation about periods and the importance of having that ongoing dialogue.  

To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org

Theresa and America explore what it looks like when therapy isn’t working and they recall situations when they knew that therapy wasn’t helping. They give examples of what kinds of characteristics they look for in a therapist and how it’s different for everyone. They discuss the idea of breaking up with your therapist, how timing is important and also some different therapy options.

To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org

America is back for an emotional discussion with Theresa as they both unload their feelings about how their past trauma is still coming up and affecting their current relationships. America shares how a recent argument escalated because of her past experiences plus Theresa divulges her past trauma and how it has caused her to put up walls in her relationships. They’ve both found that when they lash out it is out of fear to protect themselves, but they are trying to navigate through the painful process of working through their past trauma to improve themselves and their relationships.

To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org

Theresa chats with Kevin Rushton about his personal experiences with anxiety and where he thinks his anxiety stems from. Kevin describes his upbringing in a strict religious household in Seattle and how it made it hard on him to show his emotions in school. They discuss the stereotypes of men and emotions, Kevin shares his firsthand experiences as a man with anxiety and while the feelings of anxiety may never pass Kevin has found a way to change his relationship with it.

To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org

Theresa talks to Caren about her journey of grieving. Caren lost her mother when she was 9 years old but she's realizing now that she never grieved her loss when she was younger and those feelings are finally coming out. Caren shares how her family deals with their emotions, how she cried over her mom’s death but never grieved the loss and how we must show ourselves compassion with grief.

To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org

Theresa teams up with Erin Wallace to discuss the feelings of frustration when you can’t control things. They talk about the impact of the pandemic, processing through anxiety and anger and how the feelings of anger turn into projection. They have a dialog about how they process their anger, the risks of trying to change people and how it’s important to identify, recognize and acknowledge your feelings. 

To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org

Caren returns to the podcast to talk with America and Theresa about the feelings of being disconnected from your community. They all share ways in which they are trying to navigate their friendships through the pandemic. They have a discussion about when they feel they need to disconnect, how technology has changed how we communicate and the energy it takes to reach out to friends and family.

To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org

Theresa and America touch on some undiscovered feelings while discussing “Imposter Syndrome.” They talk about what Imposter Syndrome means to them and whether men or women suffer more from this psychological pattern. America recalls her experiences in school and also being followed out in public plus Theresa shares how growing up in an Asian household influenced her school experience as well as her everyday life.

To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org

Whitney is back again to join Theresa and America on a discussion of how we can be better allies not only to others during their mental health journey but also to members of the BIPOC community.  They explore what an ally means to each of them and a respose to those who don't know where their place is in this discussion. It is important to do the work and it starts by looking inward on how you might have contributed to the problem.

To take a mental health screen, or to find mental health information and resources, visit mhascreening.org.