Life Lived Better

In this episode Joseph and Paula explore what it means to have a healthy relationship with yourself—and why it matters. The co-hosts break down the key elements of self-respect and emotional well-being. Our hosts share personal reflections, expert insights, and practical tips to help build a more supportive and nurturing inner dialogue. Whether you’re working on healing, growing, or simply learning to show up for yourself, this episode is a reminder: the most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one you have with you.

Do you have any questions? If you have a question for Joseph and Paula to answer now or during a future episode of Questions for Counselors, reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]  ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

Please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing our show with others. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Past Episode mentioned Life Lived Better Podcast Episode 96: Inner Dialogue 

Resources used to create this episode:

We are excited to let you know about a new addition to our format. We are calling Mental Health Moment, where we will provide insight into issues that affect most of us…but it will be done quickly…with the intention of dropping a nugget in between our more involved episodes. We hope you enjoy them.

In the inaugural episode, we are talking about something that shows up for everyone — stress.

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Just a reminder - anything shared in this, and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

In this episode Joseph and Paula explore the dynamics of social relationships—the good, the bad, and everything in between. What makes a friendship truly supportive? And how can you tell when a relationship is starting to become emotionally draining or toxic? From red flags like manipulation, competition, and one-sided effort to green flags like mutual respect, trust, and accountability, the co-hosts break down the key differences between healthy and unhealthy social bonds. They also share practical tips on setting boundaries, recognizing when to walk away, and how to prioritize your well-being in your social life.

Whether you're questioning a long-time friendship or learning how to build better connections, this episode offers insight and guidance you won’t want to miss.

Do you have any questions? If you have a question for Joseph and Paula to answer now or during a future episode of Questions for Counselors, reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]  ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

Please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing our show with others. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Resources used to create this episode: 

Friendship: The Evolution, Biology, and Extraordinary Power of Life’s Fundamental Bond by Lydia Denworth

Greater Good Science Center – UC Berkeley https://greatergood.berkeley.edu

Mental Health America (MHA) www.mhanational.org

The Gottman Institute www.gottman.com

Apps You Might Want to Check Out: 

Peanut (for women seeking community and friendship)

Meetup (find local interest groups and events)
Hey! VINA or Friender (apps to make platonic connections)

Circles (group support for people going through similar life experiences)

In this episode, Joseph and Paula continue their series on relationships by taking a look at the essential elements of healthy professional relationships—what they look like, why they matter, and how to build them. From setting boundaries and fostering mutual respect to communicating effectively and navigating workplace dynamics. The co-hosts explore how strong professional connections can lead to personal growth and career success. Whether you're new to the workforce or looking to strengthen your current work relationships, this conversation offers practical insights and information to help you thrive professionally while staying true to yourself.

Do you have any questions? If you have a question for Joseph and Paula to answer during a future episode of Questions for Counselors, reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]  ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Previous Episodes Mentioned: 

Episode 78: Emotional Intelligence 

Resources Used in the Creation of this Episode: 

Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler

Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

Harvard Business Review (HBR) www.hbr.org

MindTools www.mindtools.com
The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL)  www.ccl.org

Welcome to the kickoff of our new series on Relationships. Join Joseph and Paula as they wade into discussions on what it really means to build and maintain meaningful, supportive connections in every area of life. In this series introduction, the co-hosts lay the foundation for upcoming conversations about professional relationships, friendships, family dynamics, parent-child connections, romantic partnerships, and even the relationship we have with ourselves. Join us as the key ingredients of healthy relationships are explored —like trust, boundaries, communication, and accountability—and why they matter now more than ever. Whether you're looking to strengthen a bond or heal from past patterns, this series is for you.

Do you have any questions? If you have a question for Joseph and Paula to answer now or during a future episode of Questions for Counselors, reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]  ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

We would love for you to rate & review our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Previous Episodes Mentioned in this one:

Link to Episode 125: The Power of Boundaries

Resources used to create this episode: 

• 10 Psychological Signs You're in a Healthy and Balanced Relationship
• The Foundation of Healthy Relationships | Psychology Today
• Heller Garland, P. (2024, April). Basic Communication Skills. Addiction Studies Program. Denton; University of North Texas.

#Relationships #Podcast #Wellness #SelfHelp #Improvement #SelfImprovement #Healthy #Communication #Counselors

Join us every other Thursday for a new episode!

In this episode, Joseph and Paula are breaking down the mystery of what actually happens in therapy. Whether you're considering therapy for the first time or just curious about the process, the co-hosts will walk you through what to expect in a typical session—from the initial intake to building trust with your therapist and setting goals. They will also talk about different styles of therapy, theories of practice therapists might use, and why it’s okay if it feels awkward at first. Tune in as they demystify therapy and help you feel more prepared and confident about taking that first step toward mental wellness.

Do you have any questions? If you have a question for Joseph and Paula to answer during a future episode of Questions for Counselors, reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]  ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

The link they promised for finding a therapist on Psychology Today

Find a Therapist, Psychologist, Counselor - Psychology Today

Resources used to develop this episode:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Does CBT Work?

Group Therapy: Definition, Types, Techniques, and Efficacy

What is Family Therapy and Systemic Practice? - Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice

From improving emotional resilience to enhancing relationships and managing everyday stress, therapy offers valuable tools for anyone looking to live a healthier, more balanced life. Join Joseph and Paula as they explore the real benefits of therapy. They will share the different types of therapy, how it can be a powerful tool for personal growth, healing, and mental well-being. They will highlight how therapy offers a safe space to explore your thoughts and emotions and how professional support can help people navigate life's ups and downs. Tune in to learn why prioritizing your mental health is one of the best investments you can make in yourself.

Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession. 

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Resources used to create this episode:

Benefits of Therapy

Red Flags to Look Out for in Therapy | U.S. News

When therapy goes wrong: the problem of underqualified practitioners

Episode 129: Unmasking the Truth: Why We Avoid Therapy and How It’s Holding Us Back

In this episode, Joseph and Paula examine the psychological mechanisms that lead individuals to avoid therapy, such as the brain's desire to maintain safety and avoid discomfort. Joseph and Paula offer strategies to overcome these barriers and embrace personal growth. Join us for this comprehensive discussion on the various factors that deter people from seeking therapy. 

This episode provides diverse insights into the common barriers to seeking therapy, including cultural, societal, and personal factors. Listening can offer an immeasurable understanding of the challenges individuals face and the importance of making mental health support more accessible and stigma-free.​Do you have any questions? If you have a question for Joseph and Paula to answer during a future episode of Questions for Counselors, reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Resources used to develop this episode:

10 Reasons Why People Refuse to Talk to Therapists | Psychology Today

Why Do People Avoid Mental Health Treatment?

Why Do People Avoid Mental Health Treatment? (Second Article)

Why Do People Avoid Therapy: Top 20 Reasons - ClinicTracker

Join Joseph and Paula for another episode of a listener favorite - Questions for Counselors. In this episode they take on a variety of questions that range from personal to professional.

Do you have any questions? If you have a question for Joseph and Paula to answer during a future episode of Questions for Counselors, reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Resources mentioned on the episode:

You can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 (SAFE) or text “Start” to 88788 for help.

Teen Line is available as a safe and secure place for teenagers to ask questions and share their experiences. 

For decades, desperate parents have turned to wilderness camps, therapeutic boarding schools, and residential treatment centers to help their struggling teens. But behind the marketing promises and glossy brochures lies a hidden world of abuse, neglect, and psychological trauma. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the troubled teen industry—a loosely regulated system where vulnerable youth are often subjected to isolation, forced labor, and emotional manipulation in the name of treatment.

Through survivor testimonies, expert insights, and investigative reporting, we trace how this billion-dollar industry has flourished in the shadows, often with little oversight. Why is it still happening? Who's benefiting? And what can be done to protect the next generation of teens? Tune in for a sobering look at an industry that's long overdue for a reckoning.

At the center of this growing movement for reform is pop culture icon Paris Hilton, who has used her platform to shine a light on the abuse she endured at Provo Canyon School in Utah.

We explore the origins and evolution of the troubled teen industry, the systemic issues that allow it to continue unchecked, and how survivors like Paris are driving legislative change.

Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Sources used in the development of this episode include:

12 Ways Teen Treatment Changed Since Paris Hilton Went to CEDU | All Kinds of Therapy | All Kinds of Therapy

OFFICIAL - BREAKING CODE SILENCE

Five Facts About the Troubled Teen Industry

Paris Hilton discusses 'painful and traumatic' time at youth treatment center - ABC News

Paris Hilton Is Fighting The Troubled Teen Industry With A Growing Team

Need Resources?

https://www.breakingcodesilence.org/

https://www.unsilenced.org/