Mindful Walking, Grief, and Surviving vs. Thriving at WorkJoy and Rebecca, licensed therapists, open with a mindfulness check-in and discuss mindful walking as a way to notice recurring negative thoughts, befriend them, and choose a better thought without falling into toxic positivity, while still honoring real grief such as Joy’s recent loss of JT. They celebrate nearing 100 episodes and introduce the theme of mental health in the workplace, noting how pandemic-era shifts, social media, always-on technology, and AI have increased competing demands and expectations. Rebecca shares a humorous “camp counselor” social media bit and making beaded necklaces, then Joy shares a cry about turning in her puppy Lilas to Canine Companions for advanced training at a nostalgic campus tied to JT, and previewing a new dog, McCoy. They explore differences between hard and toxic jobs, boundary-setting, employee rights, HR options, and making plans when leaving isn’t immediately possible.00:00 Welcome and Check In00:33 Mindful Walking Practice01:03 Befriending Negative Thoughts02:35 Grief vs Toxic Positivity05:33 Podcast Milestones and Mission06:54 Workplace Mental Health Intro07:01 Laugh Camp Counselor Bit10:56 Cry Puppy Turn In15:45 Why We Keep Raising Dogs17:49 New Dog and Puppy Chaos19:25 Surviving and Thriving at Work20:37 Always On Work Life23:15 AI And Rising Expectations24:51 Workplace Culture And Boundaries28:40 When You Cannot Leave32:35 Hard Job Vs Toxic Job34:34 Toxic Boss Storytime37:35 Protect Your Peace Plan39:23 Mental Health Month Wrap

Mental Health Awareness Month: More Good Days TogetherJoy and Rebecca mark Mental Health Awareness Month and discuss the theme “More Good Days Together,” reflecting on lingering pandemic effects and the value of reconnecting in “3D” relationships and community. They share resources from Mental Health America (mhanational.org) and emphasize small, realistic steps—setting intentions, scaling goals, giving yourself credit, and celebrating daily wins. The conversation explores the inner critic and negative self-talk, noting how it can motivate but also harm, and encourages practicing brief self-kindness. They highlight macro and micro views of mental health, helping others to get out of internal spirals, labeling emotions rather than fixing them, and using grounding and mindfulness “reps” like sensory exercises, shifting attention, deep breaths, and small environmental changes. They invite listeners to email for help finding therapy resources.00:00 Welcome to the Club00:31 Mental Health Month Theme01:10 Resources and Meaning02:04 More Good Days Together04:53 Celebrate Small Wins05:31 Taming the Inner Critic08:56 Macro vs Micro Mental Health12:10 Community and Goat Yoga14:47 Label Emotions and Hug It Out17:05 Mindfulness Reps and Grounding25:51 Birthday Reflections and Aging29:21 Resources and Farewell

Therapists Online: Ethics, Boundaries, and the Rush to CancelJoy and Rebecca discuss how mental health professionals’ growing social media presence can blur ethics and boundaries, prompted by backlash toward influencer “Therapy Jeff”. They explore how viral “hot takes,” telehealth’s shift to therapists working from home, monetization pressures in an underpaid field, and influencer branding can erode authenticity and public trust in the profession. They also question whether such behavior constitutes an ethics violation, the implications of reporting to licensing boards, and how therapist “dogpiling” and cancel culture can cause more harm. They encourage listeners to be smart consumers, avoid making gurus, and unfollow content that fuels self-doubt.01:34 Therapists Going Viral03:13 Therapy Jeff Controversy05:12 Ethics and Boundaries Online06:09 Dogpiling and Cancel Culture07:01 Telehealth Changed the Job09:16 Monetizing Therapy Content10:43 Trust and Pedestals Online14:10 Judgment Spills Offline16:30 Influencer Authenticity Concerns20:16 Brand Building Gets Tangly21:28 Therapist Pile On Culture22:33 Boundaries And Dual Roles23:55 Do No Harm Online24:43 Reporting And Ethics Boards26:37 Edgy Therapist Trap28:37 Spotting AI Scripts32:09 Never Make Gurus34:08 Influencer Therapy Warnings35:44 Self Help Course Grift38:32 Verify Credentials Online40:05 Listener Questions And Wrap

Diet, Disordered Eating, and Mental Health with Laura Ligos (the Sassy Dietitian)Joy Rebecca hosts Laugh Cry Club with guest Laura Ligos (the Sassy Dietitian) to discuss the crossover of nutrition, diet culture, and mental health. Laura shares how her upbringing around disordered eating and her background as a Division I athlete led her from performance nutrition to focusing on women’s health, disordered eating patterns, gut/hormone/fertility health, and “food freedom.” They explore how childhood messaging, coping, and neurodivergent sensory needs influence eating, and why many clients benefit from therapy alongside nutrition support. Laura critiques influencers and “gray market” peptide/GLP-1 promotion, arguing these drugs are often over-prescribed and under-supported, with concerns about dosing, gut effects, muscle/bone loss, and thinness being equated with health; she emphasizes non-scale victories. They also cover the gut-brain axis, mindful eating, and practical habits like slowing down, chewing, and not chugging water at meals, plus tips for finding a qualified dietitian.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:46 Meet Sassy Dietician Laura03:42 Food Baggage and Disordered Eating05:34 Food as Coping and Regulation09:13 Diet Culture and Skinny Ideal10:04 GLP-1s Benefits and Risks11:26 Influencers and Gray Market Peptides13:45 Side Effects and Long-Term Concerns15:18 Beyond the Scale Victories22:08 Gut Brain Connection Teaser22:57 Gut Brain Connection23:19 Food Mood Serotonin24:12 Digestion Starts Brain24:35 Mindful Eating Habits26:52 Hunger Fullness Awareness28:29 Meal Time Water Tips29:20 Ditch Food Shame30:54 Skip Meals Fallout32:36 Raising Intuitive Eaters35:00 Finding Right Dietitian37:13 Social Media Food Noise38:57 Wrap Up Next Steps

The Self-Diagnosis Craze: ADHD, Anxiety, and Why Context MattersLicensed therapists Joy and Rebecca discuss the rise of self-diagnosis, especially around ADHD, amplified by the internet and social media. They explain that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with specific DSM criteria and note symptom overlap with anxiety, depression, trauma, and even hormonal changes. They caution against relying on “Dr. Google,” TikTok advice, taking others’ medications, and influencer-driven quick fixes or supplements, emphasizing the need for professional evaluation and differential diagnosis across a person’s lifespan. They encourage shifting from “what’s wrong with me” to “what do I need,” prioritizing basics like sleep, nutrition, movement, and stress management. They also clarify differences between psychiatrists (medication-focused) and therapists/psychologists (therapy and skills-based treatment).01:40 Why Everyone Thinks ADHD02:39 ADHD vs Anxiety Trauma04:03 ADHD Criteria Basics07:43 Distracted World Effects09:23 Treatment and Medication11:40 Mental Health Not Straightforward13:57 Influencers and Quick Fixes15:24 Supplement Hype Reality Check16:51 Risks of Self Experimenting17:39 TikTok Discernment18:30 Peer Advice vs Pros19:13 Bamboozled by AI21:33 ADHD Lifelong Pattern23:45 Quick Fix Culture25:12 Labels vs Needs26:06 Psychiatrist vs Therapist29:29 Basics Before Diagnosis31:23 Wrap Up and Contact

Spring Cleaning Your Mind: Decluttering Stress, Anxiety, and Decision ParalysisJoy and Rebecca, licensed mental health therapists and coaches with over 20 years’ experience, discuss “spring cleaning” as both a physical and mental reset, including the cultural and religious origins of spring cleaning and the role of ritual in feeling connected. They focus on mind decluttering by first identifying warning signs of mental clutter—such as irritability, increased anxiety, holding your breath, heaviness, depression, isolation, avoidance, and decision paralysis—and emphasizing that naming emotions reduces their power. They suggest practical strategies like asking trusted people for feedback, journaling and listing what to release, delegating, deep breathing, and reframing “should” statements with more self-compassion. They note chronic stress can manifest physically and that letting go can be anxiety-provoking, offering experimentation, time-based trials, and taking photos to preserve memories. They end with personal reset challenges around protecting time, releasing perfectionism, and reducing “awfulizing.”03:59 Cleanliness Origins and Upbringing07:08 Spring Cleaning History and Rituals10:00 Mind Clutter Warning Signs13:33 Decision Paralysis and Trauma17:30 Practical Mind Declutter Tips19:32 Blowing Off Steam20:17 Stress Becomes Illness22:54 Name Your Emotions23:34 Reframe The Shoulds25:01 Visualize Letting Go26:32 Anxiety About Decluttering30:33 Sentimental Items And Grief33:20 Spring Reset Challenge34:23 Protect Your Time35:56 Stop Awfulizing Plans38:09 Closing And Where To Find Us

Rebuilding Connection in the Digital Age: Loneliness, Anger, and Community After the PandemicJoy and Rebecca focus on connection versus loneliness in the digital age and lingering impacts of the pandemic. Rebecca prefers working from home and feels she can have more connection digitally, while Joy misses “micro connections” from office life. They reflect on how lockdowns rewired routines, reduced face-to-face social skills, and intensified loneliness, and they link rising collective anger since 2020 to polarization and a loss of collective responsibility. They mention a Meta court case involving alleged misleading statements and unfair practices toward children, comparing it to other industry harms and emphasizing parental and community responsibility. They close with practical reminders to be mindful, kind, and community-oriented through small positive interactions with strangers and everyday consideration for others.00:57 Loneliness in Digital Age02:14 Remote Work Micro Connections05:24 Meeting Online Friends IRL06:09 Pandemic Isolation Rewiring08:05 No Debrief After COVID09:05 Social Skills and Loneliness12:09 Collective Anger and Blame15:25 Anger Drives Bad Decisions17:31 Loneliness as Community Issue20:22 Adults Stop Socializing21:53 Judgment and Isolation22:51 Meta Lawsuit Explained24:10 Who Is Responsible26:35 Family Systems Reality31:40 Collective Responsibility34:09 Anger and Empathy36:37 Kindness in Practice38:50 Mindful Accessibility40:46 Community and Farewell

Pet Loss, Grief, and the Compassionate Decision to Say GoodbyeTwo licensed clinical therapists discuss pet loss and grief after one host says goodbye to her therapy dog JT, a Lab/Golden mix who worked with her for years and lived to 14 years. She shares JT’s background with Canine Companions, their work as a therapy team, and how his decline led to the difficult decision for in-home humane euthanasia. They explore guilt, the challenge of being objective, and using quality-of-life tools (scales, Gray Muzzle app, calendars), noting vets often provide options and reassurance. They emphasize pet grief can feel as profound as human loss, can resurface past losses, and is helped by peer support groups, specialized resources, and personal rituals, including signs and continued connection after death.

Rebecca's pet loss course

Animal Communicator Marianne00:54 JT Therapy Dog Story02:36 Puppy Raising Life03:48 Saying Goodbye05:56 Validating Grief08:06 Euthanasia Guilt09:14 Signs It Was Time12:13 Making The Call13:41 Letting Go Compassion17:30 Seeking Certainty19:50 Vets And Options24:40 Quality Of Life Tools27:51 Anxiety And Premonition29:26 Peanut Butter Goodbye30:19 How Euthanasia Works31:50 Vet Reassurance Matters34:08 Grief Hits Hard37:36 Why Pet Loss Hurts42:30 Support From Community45:31 Signs After Passing49:44 New Dogs Bring Light54:04 Closing And Resources

Sleep, Mental Health, and Revenge Bedtime ProcrastinationJoy and Rebecca open with a March check-in about shifting weather, time change, and travel, then focus the episode on sleep and its impact on mental health. Both are trained in CBT-I and discuss common barriers like phone use at night, blue light, and Rebecca’s “revenge bedtime procrastination” as a way to reclaim personal time. Joy shares strategies she uses to protect sleep—limiting caffeine to mornings, reducing alcohol, preparing all day for sleep with relaxation and mindfulness, using tools like the Endel app, and addressing sleep apnea with a device—especially as the body becomes more sensitive with age and hormonal changes. They outline practical sleep-hygiene tips (light exposure in the morning, dimming lights at night, using the bed only for sleep, getting out of bed if unable to sleep) and emphasize mindfulness as an ongoing practice.02:56 Time Change Sleep Talk05:02 Rebecca Night Routine07:39 Revenge Bedtime Procrastination10:40 Joy Sleep Training14:26 Hormones Caffeine Alcohol18:12 Sleep Tools And Normalization20:20 Sleep Study And Decision Making24:40 Racing Thoughts And Hygiene25:56 Mental Pushups Daily26:58 Reset Your Circadian Rhythm28:39 Morning Light and Cortisol29:39 CBTI Sleep Hygiene Basics31:31 Get Out of Bed Rule35:15 Mindfulness as Training39:20 Start With 30 Seconds41:00 Mindfulness in Real Life45:27 Soothe Your Nervous System48:15 Treat Yourself Like a Baby50:00 Small Changes That Stick50:54 Final Thanks and Wrap Up

Covert Control: Spotting Manipulation, AI Misinformation, and Fear-Based PersuasionLicensed therapists Joy and Rebecca (each with over 20 years’ experience) discuss “covert control,” contrasting healthy persuasion—transparent, respectful of autonomy, and inviting disagreement—with manipulation driven by hidden agendas, emotional leverage, and boundary-pushing. They connect the topic to today’s media environment, including AI-generated photos and platform designs that keep users engaged, and to politics and social media where fear, anger, and misinformation spread quickly, citing examples such as anti-transgender rhetoric around sports and bathrooms and the use of single anecdotes as political pawns. They emphasize critical thinking, checking sources, considering multiple angles and motives (including influencer incentives), slowing down when dysregulated, practicing mindfulness, setting boundaries with social media (especially at bedtime), and bringing caring action into local communities instead of keyboard conflict.00:00 Welcome to Laugh Cry Club01:16 Why Covert Control Matters01:50 AI and Reality Confusion04:46 AI Keeps You Hooked06:45 Manipulation Everywhere07:36 Healthy Persuasion Defined09:42 Courtroom Persuasion Lessons12:12 Manipulation and Hidden Agendas12:55 Trans Fear Tactics16:41 In Group Out Group Pressure19:02 Media Literacy and Headlines21:36 Covert Tactics Love Bombing22:19 Work Family Boundaries22:30 Bias And Snap Judgments23:59 Keyboard Hate Culture25:49 Fear Anger Manipulation29:20 Break The Cycle Locally31:55 Regulate Before Reacting33:49 Mindfulness And Distraction34:43 FOMO And Scrolling Loop37:02 Bedtime Phone Boundaries40:01 Critical Thinking Toolkit42:55 Final Takeaways And Farewell