Rebel Therapy: w/ Katie and Michelle

🗣️ Rebel Therapy Podcast: Episode 41🎙️Dating App Red Flags Therapists Actually Notice (Texting, Boundaries & ‘Disney’ Expectations) | This episode we take a break from heavy topics to talk about modern dating red flags—especially on apps—through a therapist lens. We dig into “too much, too fast” texting, how long messages can feel like entitlement or boundary-crossing before any intimacy is earned, and why pace and space matter for compatibility. We argue that most relationship blowups come from unspoken expectations, not malice, and that explicit negotiation around communication, consent, and needs should happen early—like at the start of a job—rather than when things are crumbling. We challenge the belief that the “right” relationship is effortless, discuss overworking in relationships without return, and share personal examples about negotiating texting, performative romantic gestures, and pet names that feel tone-deaf unless they’re truly specific to the relationship. #therapy #rebeltherapypodcast #datingredflags 00:00 Dating Apps Setup00:45 Too Much Too Fast03:18 Pace Boundaries Fit05:37 Texting Agreements08:22 Disney Myths Work10:03 Just Ask Directly12:52 Consent Compatibility16:42 Love Languages Scripts22:16 Silly Red Flags26:08 Pet Names Dealbreakers27:12 Wrap Up Callouts

🗣️ Rebel Therapy Podcast: Episode 40

🎙️Green Flags That Feel Red: The Relationship Signals You’re Missing

In this Rebel Therapy Podcast episode, we unpack relationship dynamics that look like green flags but feel like red flags, focusing on blind spots that can be easy to miss. We discuss flattering projection and fast “intimacy” that lacks substance, comforting platitudes that subtly dismiss your feelings, and the confusion that comes when someone’s words don’t match their actions.

We distinguish lust from love, faith from trust, and emphasize that trust is built through consistent behavior over time. They also explore how childhood conditioning and social pressure can train people to override their body’s signals, creating “trust issues” that are really self-trust wounds.

We highlight physiological cues like nausea, tension, withdrawal, heaviness, and fog, and suggest using boundaries and pacing as a litmus test for relational safety. #rebeltherapypodcast #therapy #podcast #relationshipredflags 00:00 Green Flags Red Flags01:01 Love Bombing Projection02:56 Comforting Gaslighting04:27 Trust Built Over Time06:29 Childhood Trust Wounds09:30 Society Relationship Pressure11:26 Body Cues Dissonance14:18 Confusion Contact Boundary15:47 Negotiate Pace Boundaries18:31 Energy Compass Practice19:17 Wrap Up Subscribe

🗣️ Rebel Therapy Podcast: Episode 39

🎙️Are We Stuck in Our Default Setting? Personality vs. Survival Strategies

In this episode we dig into why we get stuck in a “default setting,” defined as the overlap of our relatively immutable personality traits and the learned survival strategies (creative adaptations) we build to get what we need.

We talk about how a strategy can work incredibly well in one context—like achievement and productivity in professional life or humour in social settings—but can backfire in others, especially when it blocks vulnerability and intimacy.

We move beyond labeling strategies as good or bad and instead ask whether they’re producing the outcome we want, and argue for expanding our toolbox so we can respond with more flexibility. We also explore how praise for accomplishments can fuse identity with performance, creating fear that changing a tool means losing who we are or becoming unlovable, and we highlight how therapy helps us separate who we are from what we do.

We close by framing life as experimentation, encouraging ourselves to try things we’re not instantly good at, build resilience, and notice where we feel stuck so we can investigate what’s really going on. #rebeltherapypodcast #therapy #strategies 00:00 Welcome to Rebel Therapy: Why We Get Stuck in a “Default Setting”00:31 What “Default Setting” Means: Personality Traits + Learned Survival Strategies01:50 When a Strategy Stops Working: Using the Right Tool for the Situation04:05 Build a Bigger Toolbox: Flexibility Over ‘Good vs. Bad’05:06 Case Study: Humor as Connection… or as a Shield08:09 Identity Fear: ‘If I Drop This Tool, Who Am I?’08:27 Praise, Achievement, and the Lovability Trap (Especially for Kids/Teens)11:13 Getting Unstuck by Trying New Things (Even When You’re Bad at Them)12:59 Freedom Mindset: Life as Experiments, Not Success vs. Failure14:04 Resilience & Self-Discipline: Sticking Around for the 5% That Matters15:03 Listener Reflection Prompts + Like & Subscribe (Wrap-Up)

🗣️ Rebel Therapy Podcast: Episode 38🎙️Why IQ & EQ Aren’t Enough | We record this episode from Toronto’s Union Hotel and unpack a Psychology Today article titled “Why IQ and EQ aren’t Enough,” which argues for an additional measure: AQ (agility quotient): the ability to face change, disappointment, and the unknown without losing your footing.

We connect AQ to Gestalt therapy concepts like experiments, contact, support, and field theory, and use our live conversation as a micro-demonstration of flexibility and integrating new information.

We also emphasize that the strongest predictor of positive therapy outcomes is the therapist-client relationship, not the specific modality, and invite listeners to share whether they had a similar skeptical-to-curious reaction. #rebeltherapypodcast #experiment #podcast #therapy 00:00 Welcome & Canadiana Vibes in Toronto00:36 Today’s Topic: Why IQ & EQ Aren’t Enough (Introducing AQ)02:23 Breaking Down AQ: The ABCs—Anchors, Bets, Classroom, Discomfort03:54 Katie’s Hot Take: Intelligence Can Change + Life as Experiments05:04 Gestalt Lens: Beginner’s Mind, Neutral Results & the Scientific Method10:13 Contact, Support & Field Theory: What Makes Change Possible11:49 Practice Builds Agility: Staying Grounded While Taking in New Ideas13:58 Making It Useful for Clients: Skills, Buckets & the Therapy Container16:25 Listener Reflection + Resistance to Authority17:37 Wrap-Up: Real-Time Reaction Format & Final Thanks

🗣️ Rebel Therapy Podcast: Episode 37🎙️Unplug to Recharge: Finding Balance in a Chaotic World |

In this episode of the Rebel Therapy Podcast, we dive into the art of 'unplugging' from our chaotic world. We discuss the importance of taking breaks from technology and external stressors to protect mental and physical health. Exploring various ways to unplug, we emphasize the significance of creating a balance between being an informed citizen and maintaining personal well-being.

We also share personal tips on how to achieve a state of calm and spaciousness, ensuring it’s not just a mental but a holistic experience. Tune in for a provocative and heartfelt discussion on reclaiming your space and sanity in a demanding digital era. #rebeltherapypodcast #therapy #selfsupport #recharge 00:00 Introduction to Rebel Therapy Podcast00:07 Defining Unplugging00:54 Practical Steps to Unplug02:11 The Mental and Physical Toll of Constant Connectivity07:03 Balancing Responsibility and Self-Care11:15 Final Thoughts and Viewer Engagement

🗣️ Rebel Therapy Podcast: Episode 36🎙️Embrace the Challenge: Finding Value in Hardship | In this episode of Rebel Therapy Podcast, we delve into the significance of choosing difficult paths and the profound value that comes from overcoming challenges. Katie reflects on her recent scuba diving certification experience, highlighting the pivotal moment of deciding to push through fear and discomfort. We discuss the crucial role of external support, personal resilience, and the importance of experiment-driven approaches to life. The conversation extends to broader themes such as parenting, societal support systems, and redefining success and failure. Tune in to explore how hard experiences can enhance our sense of aliveness and personal growth. #rebeltherapypodcast #therapy #resilience 00:00 Introduction to Rebel Therapy Podcast00:11 The Value of Choosing Hard: A Scuba Diving Story02:41 Navigating Challenges and Support Systems05:17 The Role of External and Internal Support10:12 Personal Meaning and Experimentation16:25 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

🗣️ Rebel Therapy Podcast: Episode 35

🎙️Understanding Safety: Navigating Anxiety in an Unsafe World

Join us as we discuss the pivotal topic of safety, especially in the wake of recent events. Broadcasting from Toronto, Canada, we explore how our bodies respond to danger and the complexities of feeling safe in today's world.

Through a therapeutic lens, we delve into the importance of acknowledging feelings, managing anxiety, and establishing relational safety. Tune in to learn how to support your nervous system and find balance in overwhelming times. #safety #podcast #therapy #rebeltherapypodcast 00:00 Introduction and Change of Plans00:24 Discussing Safety and Collective Anxiety02:50 Therapeutic Approaches to Anxiety03:20 Body Awareness and Safety08:14 Parental Influence and Generational Trauma12:16 Intellectualism vs. Body Awareness16:00 Practical Tips for Managing Anxiety17:16 Relational Safety and Conclusion

🗣️ Rebel Therapy Podcast: Episode 34🎙️

Rethinking Accountability: Willpower, Discipline, and Real Change |

Happy New Year! In this episode of the Rebel Therapy Podcast, we dive into the complex world of accountability. We discuss traditional views of willpower and discipline, and how they often lead to shame and self-doubt. We challenge these views by incorporating a Gestalt perspective, emphasizing the importance of autonomy and integration of external and internal motivations.

Join us as we explore how to set and achieve meaningful goals, and learn how to be kind to yourself in the process. Whether you're setting new year resolutions or aiming for long-term changes, this episode provides valuable insights for a successful journey. #rebeltherapypodcast #resilience #accountability #podcast #therapy 00:00 Introduction and New Year Greetings 00:28 Podcast Identity and Episode Information 00:49 Exploring Accountability: Traditional Views 01:30 Accountability as Willpower and Discipline 03:09 External Enforcement of Accountability 04:51 Personal Experiences with Accountability 06:13 Learning Accountability: A Skill to Develop 07:30 Balancing External and Internal Motivations 10:08 Flexibility and Personalization in Accountability 19:21 The Role of External Support 23:53 Concluding Thoughts on Accountability 25:42 Final Remarks and Listener Engagement

🗣️ Rebel Therapy Podcast: Episode 33🎙️

Embracing Grief and Fighting for Hope: A Gestalt Approach to the New Year |

In the final episode of 2025, we reflect on a challenging year and discuss the principles of Gestalt therapy to process grief, resilience, and hope. We share personal insights on balancing aspirations with the reality of family dynamics during the holiday season and explore how to cultivate intentional kindness, connection, and personal growth.

Join us as we dive deep into the importance of sitting with emotions, the practice of wanting, and setting an intention for a more connected and intentional 2026. #resolution #resilience #rebeltherapypodcast #therapy #gestalttherapy 00:00 Introduction and Reflections on the Year00:25 Gestalt Experiment: Top Three Words for 202501:50 Collective Grief and Resilience05:34 The Importance of Community and Connection12:24 Navigating Family Dynamics During the Holidays18:32 Looking Forward: Intentions for the New Year31:23 Conclusion and Holiday Wishes

🗣️ Rebel Therapy Podcast: Episode 32🎙️

Stranger Things & ADHD: The Upside Down Explained |

In Episode 32 we delve into an intriguing discussion on the parallels between the 'Upside Down' world of Stranger Things and the experience of living with ADHD. Michelle draws from an article she read in an ADHD magazine to illustrate how the shadowy, parallel dimension in the show mirrors the often isolating and misunderstood reality of ADHD.

We also touch on the broader implications of this metaphor for understanding depression, anxiety, and the importance of relational connection in therapy. We share personal insights and professional experiences, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in mental health, popular culture, and the human experience.

Tune in for an enlightening conversation that explores how metaphor and pop culture can provide unique perspectives on mental health issues. #MeaningfulLiving #EmotionalResilience #TherapyTalk #podcast #therapy #strangerthings #RebelTherapyPodcast 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:26 Stranger Things and ADHD Metaphor 01:21 Exploring the Upside Down 02:39 Connecting Metaphors to Mental Health 05:48 The Role of Therapy in Communication 07:26 Understanding Somatic Experiences 11:03 Behavior as a Window to Inner Experience 13:49 Resilience and Relational Support 18:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts