"Jaxon and the Pharmacist"

We miss this as much as you do. It was so much fun getting the band back together. But sometimes, real life gets in the way. Never say never. When our initial run ended in August of 2001, we thought that was it, forever. But then? This happened. Stay tuned! As for this episode? Brian's Van Halen party trick. Streaming service frustration. Why is radio dying and how do we all still not understand COVID?

The guys are still working out the kinks a few weeks into the show. This one kicked off late thanks to a phone call Jaxon received from his son Kai's school regarding an "incident." That morphed into Kai attempting to explain what happened, along with a conversation about how much that world has changed since back when Jax & Pharmy were kids. How radio has similarly "devolved" is what followed. Concerts, venues, their FNX days. Competitors. A viral/Portnoy "One Bite Pizza" review was discussed. Philly cheesesteak protocol. Cholesterol med "superpowers." Reports of another COVID surge and how everything these days has become a political football. Their own experiences with COVID. "Radio listener expectations." The diarrhea plane. Nightmare flight experiences. How much fun the new show has been and the amount of insane time spent listening by their audience.

Unfortunately, this edition represents the end of our run here for "Coping on the Couch with Courtney and Brian." Our hearts are both heavy, and grateful. To anyone who took the time to give us a listen, our appreciation and gratitude literally know no bounds. As to the "whys" behind this difficult decision, the details are contained within the episode itself. We wish you, and your mental health, nothing but the best, as we deliver our heartfelt farewell, and a most sincere thank you.

"Don't sweat the small stuff." It's an excellent piece of advice which has been kicking around now for decades. But what is "the small stuff" exactly? How much can it vary from person to person, and what are some of the best ways to identify, and treat it, in therapy and/or elsewhere?

In what is for the most part a post-pandemic, and very politically-charged/polarized world, many people are continually struggling to find their mental health footing. Over the last couple of weeks especially, Brian has been one of them. How is he attempting to adjust on the fly, and if you just so happen to feel precisely the same way, what should you be doing?

Ben DeCastro is in this week for the vacationing Brian. In general, our brains are hard-wired for protection, self-doubt, and insecurity. At our core, we tend to be risk-averse, and more often than not, that can stunt and prevent us from growing personally, professionally, and emotionally. What are some of the best ways to work around this, and overcome whatever may be keeping us from potentially becoming the best possible version of ourselves?

What with inflation taking a toll on all of us, and coming off of an insanely volatile week on Wall Street, many are being forced to cut financial corners in areas which can be of a major concern...therapy, being one of them. A recent article revealed that the average out of pocket cost for that is $178 per month. If you've had to make that painful move yourself, what are some potential/alternative options?

How often in life do you put yourself "first"? So much else typically requires our attention -- family, career, "adulting." That having been said, does "taking care of you" tend to go by the wayside? And how much more difficult do all of those other obligations become when not making yourself a priority inevitably begins to take its toll?

Ben DeCastro is in this week for the vacationing Courtney Kelley. For those who may not know, career-wise, Ben is a jack of many trades. His jobs are varied, and his hours are all over the map. And while that can at times be overwhelming and stressful for him, it can also be complicated for both his wife and daughter. For others who may hate their jobs, many spend an awful lot of time doing them to be that unhappy. What are some ways to navigate around it all, in the hopes of bringing your life balance?

In a social media world where society at large constantly seems to be all up in everyone else's business, what about focusing more on yourself? How much drama is created through the practice of judging others? And given those tendencies, is it any wonder that intolerance is on the rise, while compassion and understanding are both clearly on the decline?