Most people have heard of fight, flight, and freeze - but what about fawn? This week, we're joined by Kayla Martinez, LPC, to unpack the trauma response that often hides behind people pleasing, perfectionism, and codependency. If you've ever struggled to say no, felt responsible for everyone else's emotions, or found yourself constantly putting others first, this conversation might explain why.

Part One sparked big conversations - so we're back for Part Two.

While our guest Jason Dougherty wasn't able to join us this time, Kellie and Austin pick up where the conversation left off, diving deeper into men's mental heath, why so many men struggle to ask for help, what helps them open up, and what partners, friends, and families should know.

We explore the messages boys often receive growing up, why emotional vulnerability can feel risky, and how those early experiences shape the way many men cope with stress, conflict, and relationships as adults.

Whether you joined us for Part One or you're jumping in here, welcome! This episode is an honest, thoughtful conversation about understanding men's mental health and what's often hiding beneath the surface.

Let's talk about it!

Listen in, and let us know what resonated the most with you.

We sat down to talk about men's mental health... and the conversation took an unexpected turn.

In this episode of Shrinks on the Brink, we're joined by Jason Dougherty for a raw, honest conversation about the experiences that shape how men handle emotions, relationships, and struggles.

We talk about vulnerability, "man up" culture, emotional expression, conflict, asking for help, and the ways men and women may experience mental health differently.

Have thoughts? We want to hear them - this conversation isn't over.

What's it really like to be the only woman in the room?

In this episode, we sit down with attorney, Sara MacGregor, to talk about the realities of working in a male-dominated profession. From feeling the pressure to prove yourself, to navigating double standards, imposter syndrome, workplace expectations, and the invisible mental load that often comes with being a woman at work, we explore the challenges that don't always make it into the job description.

Along the way, we break down the psychology behind perfectionism, burnout, confidence, and the struggle to balance professional success with personal expectations.

Whether you're a woman working in a male dominated field, someone who's ever felt underestimated, or simply curious about the experiences women face in the workplace, this conversation offers insight, validation, and a few laughs along the way.

Because sometimes the hardest part isn't doing the job - it's constantly feeling like you have to prove you belong there.

Decision paralysis can leave us feeling stuck, exhausted, and overwhelmed - whether it's changing jobs, ending a relationship, picking a therapist, or deciding what's for dinner.

In this episode, we explore the psychology behind indecision, including anxiety, perfectionism, cognitive distortions, and our tendency to wait for a level of certainty that rarely exists. We discuss why avoidance feels good in the moment, how overthinking keeps us trapped, and what it actually takes to move forward when there are no guarantees.

Because sometimes the problem isn't making the wrong choice - it's staying stuck long after the choice needs to be made.

Join us as we break down decision paralysis, why our brains do it, and how to stop waiting for certainty and start trusting yourself.

This week on Shrinks on the Brink, we're talking about the human side of being therapists - and what therapists wish people knew about the work.

We discuss common misconceptions about therapists, the pressure of being held to impossible emotional standards, and the reality that therapists are still human beings with emotions, stress, boundaries, and personal lives. We also explore professionalism, emotional labor, cancellation policies, burnout, and why therapy works because therapists are human - not because they're above being human.

Along the way, we talk about the phrase "aren't you supposed to be a therapist?", and the complicated balance between empathy, boundaries, accountability, and care.

As always, the conversation includes clinical insight, honest reflection, and enough humor to keep us from emotionally combusting.

This week we're talking about what therapy really is... and what it definitely isn't.

We explore some of the biggest misconceptions about therapy, including the idea that therapists simply give advice, endlessly validate people, or magically "fix" problems overnight. We also discuss the uncomfortable parts of therapy - accountability, emotional vulnerability, behavioral change, and why growth often feels messy before it feels better.

We talk about the therapeutic relationship, the role of emotional safety, why insight alone doesn't automatically create change, and how therapy is often much more nuanced than social media makes it seem.

As always, we combine clinical insight with honest conversation, humor, and a realistic look at what healing actually involves.

This week we're talking about anger - what it actually is, why it shows up, and why it's often misunderstood.

We explore anger as a signal emotion, what it's protecting underneath (hurt, fear, shame, grief), and how it can become problematic when it's either suppressed or expressed without awareness. We also talk about the differences between healthy expression and dysregulation, and why the goal isn't to eliminate anger - but to understand it.

As always, we mix clinical insight with honest, relatable conversation about what it means to feel - and navigate - big emotions.

This week we're talking about forgiveness - the real version, not the inspirational quote version.

We explore what forgiveness actually means, why people struggle with it, and whether healing truly requires letting go. We also discuss boundaries, resentment, self-forgiveness, and the complicated reality of trying to move forward when accountability or apologies never come.

As always, we bring both clinical insight and honest conversation to a topic that's a lot messier than people realize.

After a heavy few weeks and a conference hangover, we needed a break from being profound. Turns out, memory is unreliable, confidence is not evidence, and we may have said a few things we'd like to revisit. It's part correction, part reflection, and mostly just us laughing at ourselves while trying to get it a little more right this time.