In this episode, first Stef shares about staying calm in all the chaos, and how to speak up when things don't feel right. Between TikTok and Instagram, we often find ourselves feeling terrified of the perception of others. Relatable? Tune in!

Episode 32

New here? Welcome! Stef reintroduces herself as the pod keeps growing (hi, hello, stay a while). This week, she talks about getting humbled in a workout class, then dives into the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives—and how obsessing over every tiny detail can actually make your life harder, not better.

A viral TikTok video sparked some panic about therapists “only hearing one side” of a story. But Stef’s here to normalize zooming out. Sometimes you don’t need every perspective. Sometimes the why behind a relationship matters more than the what.

If you need permission to leave the chat, stop spiraling, or stop collecting evidence—this one’s for you.

Episode 31

This week, Stef takes us on a winding journey—from her days working behind the beauty counter to the evolving role of AI in our lives. She opens up about that one customer every makeup artist dreads: the person searching for the “perfect” red lipstick. If you know, you know. They try on 20 shades, ask for everyone’s opinion, and still leave unsure. And yet—those moments taught Stef something profound: decision-making is rarely about the product. It’s about trusting yourself.

Fast forward to now, where clients are showing up in therapy sessions with insights from ChatGPT (hey hi hello, future of therapy). ChatGPT reflects what you already know. Just like choosing a lipstick, the clarity doesn’t come from the outside. It comes from within.

So whether you’re staring down a lipstick or a life decision, remember: you already know. You can trust yourself. You can make the choice. And you absolutely got this.

Stef is back for episode 30! Despite the anxious thoughts, worst-case-scenario thinking, and that little voice that says everything is doomed—she made it. And this week, we’re talking all about spiraling.

Stef unpacks why letting yourself spiral might actually be good for you. When we keep all those “what ifs” and worst-case fears bottled up, they quietly run the show—shrinking our world and making our choices for us. But when you let the spiral spiral, you teach yourself something powerful: even if the worst happens (like the world ending—hey, at least we’d stop paying taxes), you can still handle it.

Stef dives into the power of perspective when it comes to mental health symptoms. She reflects on her time working with incarcerated men and how her favorite part of the job was helping them recognize their transferable skills—because let’s be honest, drug dealing is just entrepreneurial hustle with a whole lot of grit.

Stef unpacks how the traits we often pathologize—hypervigilance, impulsivity, even anxiety—can actually be reframed as strengths when we shift our mindset. Your experience shaped you. Do you see symptoms or a very unique skillset? The choice is yours!

This week, Stef showed up with… zero plan (let’s be real, it was unintentional—because, you know, life). But that didn’t stop her from diving into something big: taking risks.

Stef gets real about what it looked like to start this podcast with nothing but a mic and a little bit of courage. She breaks down how even the tiniest bit of leftover energy in your tank can help you expand your world.

Feeling stuck in a job you hate? Clocking overtime just to vent about it? Let’s talk about where that energy could go instead.

Feeling overwhelmed by mental health content online? SAME.

If you're drowning in a sea of Anxiety TikToks, OCD Instagram reels, and the pressure to read your 100th self-help book, this episode is for you.

Stef is back this week, and we're diving into the idea of hyperfocus in mental health — how it shows up in therapy, in our personal lives, and all over your feed. As a therapist, Stef sees how anxiety, trauma, OCD, and more are often discussed in extremes, sometimes leading us to pathologize totally human experiences.

Let's talk about releasing the constant self-diagnosis and remembering there's life beyond the DSM.

In this episode, Stef dives into the importance of appreciating each other’s differences. If we expect everyone to fully understand our unique experiences, we’ll keep running into feelings of being unheard and invalidated. So how do we navigate that? Spoiler alert: the answers you’re searching for—and the validation you crave from shared experiences—aren’t found in others. They’ve been within you all along.

In this week's episode, Stef dives into the theme of getting uncomfortable. She shares personal experiences of pushing past her comfort zone and the invaluable lessons she’s learned along the way. She also unpacks the unfair expectations around mental health treatment and reminds us that, at the end of the day, we're all just humans having a human experience. I mean… isn’t that the whole point?!

For this week's episode, we have a guest! Justin and and Stef sit down for some real talk about life, mental health, and how to invoke long-term change. They share the powerful impact that comes from owning your story, and share insight about how to use this as a tool in supporting others.