This week on ShrinkChicks, Em & Jen break down the pressure, guilt, and expectations that can make the holidays feel so overwhelming. Jen shares what it was like growing up without big holiday pressure, while Em talks about navigating the mental load of parenting and splitting time between families.

They delve into why holidays affect everyone differently, how media influences expectations, and why saying no can feel impossible. Listener questions cover sick kids during big events, first-year-with-a-newborn boundaries, telling people you’re not hosting, coping when someone tells you no, and handling emotionally immature in-laws. They also touch on financial pressure, overstimulation, and telling kids you can’t do it all. Em & Jen explore how to keep the fulfillment without losing the joy…or yourself.

Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 6:45 to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.

⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!

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Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!

Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠

A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners:

Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order

Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows

GreenChef: Head to Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen dig into a topic that’s becoming impossible to ignore: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in therapy, including how it’s showing up in clinical work, where it can help, and where it crosses the line. They discuss AI’s usefulness for administrative tasks or late-night coping support, while exploring the risks of replacing human connection, losing touch with a client’s story, and handing sensitive data to unregulated tech.

They also break down recent research showing why AI tends to validate endlessly and keep you coming back, and why true healing relies on nonverbal attunement and the therapeutic relationship (something technology can’t replicate). Listener questions cover bringing ChatGPT answers into sessions, whether AI makes us more or less lonely, and how therapists can stay curious about clients’ AI use while keeping the work grounded in real connection.

Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 2:30 to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.

⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!

⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠

Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!

Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠

A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners:

Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order

Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows

Uncommon Goods: Shop early, have fun, and cross some names off your list at UncommonGoods.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen plug into the world of social battery: how much emotional energy we have for connection before we start feeling depleted. They talk through why some people can socialize endlessly while others need significant downtime, and how much factors like temperament, stress load, and basic needs (sleep, food, overstimulation) shape our capacity. Em shares how her battery stays strong when her needs are met, while Jen talks about her natural rhythm of engaging deeply and then requiring real time to recharge.

They explore how to recognize when your social battery is running low and why neither introversion nor extroversion protects you from shame, awkwardness, or the realities of social battery. Listener questions cover topics like explaining low social energy to extroverted family members, navigating the guilt of not matching someone else’s pace, and distinguishing between needing rest versus anxiety pulling you away from connection. They also address how chronic pain can shrink social bandwidth and offer ways to bring joy back into social experiences in a sustainable way.

Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 6:30 to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.

⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!

⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠

Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!

Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠

A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners:

Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order

Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows

Uncommon Goods: Shop early, have fun, and cross some names off your list at UncommonGoods.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, we’re rewinding to one of our most beloved episodes: Improving Communication. Em and Jen revisit what it really means to communicate and how to do it better. From meta-communication (talking about how you talk) to learning the difference between honesty and harshness, they unpack the tools that make conversations actually productive.

They answer listener questions about over-communicating, getting stuck in the same argument, and balancing communication styles when one partner processes differently. Em and Jen also share why anger often hides something deeper, how to approach tough talks as a team, and the simple trick that helps you name what you’re feeling before it spirals.

Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 9:45 to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.

⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!

⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠

Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!

Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠

A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners:

Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order

Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows

Seed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/shrinkchicks and use code ShrinkChicks25 to get 25% off your first month

GreenChef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping

Greenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠

Uncommon Goods: Shop early, have fun, and cross some names off your list at UncommonGoods.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, we’re talking all about that very exciting (and stressful) holiday coming up … Thanksgiving! Em and Jen are unpacking the messy mix of gratitude, giving, receiving, and toxic positivity that tends to come with the holidays. From the anxiety of picking the perfect present to the vulnerability of accepting gifts (or help and compliments), they explore why balance and authenticity matter more than forced thankfulness.

They also dig into the psychology behind giving and receiving including why generosity can sometimes mask control, why constant positivity can be draining, and how “you should be grateful” can turn into a weapon. Listener questions cover silver-lining pressure, gratitude fatigue, jealousy during the holidays, and how to stay grounded when life isn’t all pumpkin pie. Because being thankful doesn’t mean pretending everything’s perfect; it just means letting the real stuff coexist with the good.

Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 9 minutes to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.

⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!

⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠

Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!

Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠

A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners:

Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order

Skims: Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows

Seed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/shrinkchicks and use code ShrinkChicks25 to get 25% off your first month

GreenChef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping

Greenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠

Uncommon Goods: Shop early, have fun, and cross some names off your list at UncommonGoods.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen are joined by a very special guest, Carol DeMarco, a longtime friend, mentor, and one of the first people to believe in them when they opened The Therapy Group back in 2014. Carol is a dynamic speaker with more than 30 years of experience in counseling, education, and HR. Through her signature Pearls of Wisdom approach, she helps people strengthen their mindset, relationships, and emotional resilience (the hidden gem of self-care).

Carol shares the powerful life experiences that shaped her upcoming book, POW LISTEN UP!: Pearls of Wisdom to Power Your Life, from personal loss and illness to rediscovering purpose through helping others. She offers a preview of her favorite “POWs,” including how to grow gratitude, manage emotions in the middle of a storm, and reframe resilience as something you can learn, not something you’re born with.

To connect with Carol or book her for keynotes, workshops, or motivational speaking, visit powlistenup.com or follow @powlistenup on Instagram.

⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!

⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠

Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!

Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠

A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners:

Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order

Seed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/shrinkchicks and use code ShrinkChicks25 to get 25% off your first month

GreenChef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping

Greenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠

Uncommon Goods: Shop early, have fun, and cross some names off your list at UncommonGoods.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen dive into the topic of people-pleasing, AKA the quiet, exhausting habit of keeping everyone else comfortable. They talk about what happens when your identity is built around being the “easy one,” how helping can actually double as control, and why peacekeeping could be affecting your own peace. 

They answer listener questions about learning to tolerate other people’s discomfort, surviving a “boundary hangover,” and saying no without spiraling into guilt. Em and Jen also explore why women are so often socialized to please, how to handle the pushback that comes with change, and why discomfort is sometimes actually just a sign you’re doing something new … and that’s OK!

Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 5:45 to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.

⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!

⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠

Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!

Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠

A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners:

Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order

Seed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/shrinkchicks and use code ShrinkChicks25 to get 25% off your first month

GreenChef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping

Greenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠

Uncommon Goods: Shop early, have fun, and cross some names off your list at UncommonGoods.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen dive into self-esteem and self-confidence: where they come from, how they differ, and what gets in the way of both. They explore how early experiences and family dynamics shape our sense of worth, how mastery and self-trust build confidence, and why rewriting old beliefs about ourselves is possible at any age.

Listener questions touch on healing from childhood wounds, rebuilding confidence after bullying, and raising kids with self-esteem rooted in effort, not perfection. Em and Jen also share tangible ways to strengthen self-trust, quiet self-doubt, and stop letting other people’s opinions dictate your worth. Plus, in Dear Em & Jen, they tackle a listener’s question about “boss babe” culture and why it’s completely okay for work to just be work.

Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 4:20 to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.

⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!

⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠

Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!

Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠

A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners:

Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order

Seed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/shrinkchicks and use code ShrinkChicks25 to get 25% off your first month

GreenChef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping

Greenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠

Uncommon Goods: Shop early, have fun, and cross some names off your list at UncommonGoods.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen explore why it’s so hard to let people in. We all crave connection, yet vulnerability can feel terrifying, especially when it wasn’t modeled for us or didn’t feel safe growing up. They unpack why talking isn’t the same as being vulnerable, how to build tolerance for openness, and why it’s okay to keep some relationships more surface-level.

Listener questions cover how to start sharing more, what to do when you pull away from the people who could support you most (and why you do it), and how to understand protective patterns like the silent treatment. They also discuss how strength and vulnerability coexist, how men are socialized to hide emotions, and their Dear Em & Jen dives into how to navigate when a partner doesn’t want marriage.

Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 3:20 to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.

⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!

⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠

Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!

Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠

A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners:

Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order

Seed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/shrinkchicks and use code ShrinkChicks25 to get 25% off your first month

GreenChef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping

Greenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠

Uncommon Goods: Shop early, have fun, and cross some names off your list at UncommonGoods.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen are taking on the topic of friendship, from making new ones to grieving breakups and navigating the complicated in-betweens. They share why effort matters in adult friendships, how to handle loneliness, and why friendship breakups can hurt just as much as romantic ones.

Listener questions cover everything from reconnecting with old friends, financial differences, and friendship triangles to handling drifting connections, performative friends, and rejection. Em and Jen also dig into adolescent friendship wounds that still sting in adulthood, how to politely exit a new friendship, and what to do when your child’s friendships clash with your own. Plus, in Dear Em & Jen, they respond to a listener dating someone new with big-T trauma.

Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 7 minutes to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.

⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!

⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠

Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!

Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠

A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners:

Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order

Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at ⁠⁠SKIMS.com⁠⁠. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey, and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows.

Seed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/shrinkchicks and use code ShrinkChicks25 to get 25% off your first month

GreenChef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping

Greenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠

Uncommon Goods: Shop early, have fun, and cross some names off your list at UncommonGoods.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.