HOLD THE PHONE! If you're feeling tempted to reconnect with estranged family members because it's the hollliiiiddddaaaayyyysss, you are not alone!

Maybe it's the twinkle lights. The traditions. The third glass of your mother's favorite wine. Or... worst of all... the hope that the season brings. But for some reason, the relationship boundaries that seem so clear during the rest of the year can get cloudy during the holidays.

But before you send the familial equivalent of "U up?" to your estranged family members...

Listen in as I tackle a question from a listener, Sarah, who wants to know if she should encourage her husband to reach out to his parents, who cut off contact from the family earlier this year. She asks:

• Should we be in contact with our parents, on behalf of our children, so that they have a grandparent relationship?
• Can disappointing parents be good grandparents?
• If the estrangement continues, what should we say to our children when they ask why they never see their grandparents?

In this episode, I cover:

• How family cutoffs can be particularly painful during the holidays
• How to recognize emotional immaturity in your parents (or anyone else!)
• That emotional immaturity in parents can lead to harmful dynamics for their children and grandchildren
• That setting boundaries is crucial when dealing with emotionally immature family members
• That it's natural to yearn for family connections, but not all relationships are healthy
• That coping with family estrangement requires grounding oneself in reality
• That finding comfort in oneself and one's immediate family is essential when dealing with emotionally immature family members, or dealing with a family estrangement

💌 Have a relationship question you’d like featured on the show? Fill out the Sounds Like Therapy Listener Survey and share your story.

📣 Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review and mention how Sarah's call resonated with you - you might just help someone else feel less alone.

🎙 Tune in next week for real-life relationship questions, insight that builds empathy, and practical steps to create happier, healthier relationships.

Disclaimer: while this podcast sounds like therapy, it is not actually therapy nor is it a substitute for therapy, and while I am a therapist, I am not YOUR therapist. Please be entertained and encouraged, and seek appropriate mental health support from a licensed therapist in your community, if necessary.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What can you do when your old coping mechanisms, like people-pleasing, no longer serve you?

This week, I’m tackling a listener question from a mom of two young kids who’s juggling work, caregiving, and household responsibilities. As a recovering people-pleaser, she finds herself falling into a pattern: doing too much, silently resenting her husband for not doing more, blowing up, and then feeling guilty about it. Sound familiar?

Here’s the thing: this isn’t about who’s good or bad at “helping.” It’s about navigating an inherently imbalanced season of life and learning to partner better - together.

In this episode, I talk to this listener about:

• Why the old coping strategies of independence and people-pleasing aren’t working anymore (and why that’s totally normal).
• How to start the hard conversations about sharing the load, even if it feels awkward or scary.
• Practical steps for turning resentment into teamwork, including breaking the habit of “doing it all.”
• Why this kind of honest, ongoing communication is the key to long-term balance and connection.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the mental and physical load of your household while your partner coasts, this episode is for you.

💌 Have a relationship question you’d like featured on the show? Fill out the Sounds Like Therapy Listener Survey and share your story.

📣 Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review and mention how Julie's call resonated with you - you might just help someone else feel less alone.

🎙 Tune in next week for real-life relationship questions, insight that builds empathy, and practical steps to create happier, healthier relationships.

Disclaimer: while this podcast sounds like therapy, it is not actually therapy nor is it a substitute for therapy, and while I am a therapist, I am not YOUR therapist. Please be entertained and encouraged, and seek appropriate mental health support from a licensed therapist in your community, if necessary.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When a romantic relationship ends, everyone understands the grief. You're “allowed” to cry, binge ice cream, and lean on your girlfriends for support. But when you lose a friendship—even a best friendship—that grief can be ignored because the person is "just a friend."

And yet, friendship breakups can be every bit as difficult as any other breakup, and can leave us grappling with sadness, self-doubt, and lingering pain that feels impossible to shake - something that today's featured listener, Megan, knows well.

Megan opens up about the end of a best friendship that fell apart during a difficult season in her life. Together, we’ll explore:

• Why society often devalues friendship loss, leaving us unsupported in our grief
• How the meaning we attach to the end of a relationship impacts our ability to heal
• How the end of a friendship can impact your sense of self-worth
• Why you can't stop thinking (and re-thinking) about the painful end of a relationship
• Why you might be ambivalent about healing from a painful breakup (and why that is ok)
• How to shape your mindset to facilitate healing from a breakup
• How to set boundaries that support your recovery after a friendship breakup
• The exact steps you can take to let go of the pain of a(ny) breakup and reclaim your emotional energy

Whether you’re navigating the loss of a close friend now or still haunted by a friendship that ended years ago, this episode will offer the empathy, insight, and actionable tools you need to move forward.

Want to shape your mindset around suffering when recovering from a breakup? Check out Andrea's favorite book, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron (this is an Amazon Affiliate link, and if you make a purchase through this link, I will earn a small commission. Thank you for supporting the show!)

💌 Have a relationship question you’d like featured on the show? Fill out the Sounds Like Therapy Listener Survey and share your story.

📣 Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review and mention how Megan’s story resonated with you—you might just help someone else feel less alone.

🎙 Tune in next week for more real-life relationship struggles, fresh perspectives, and practical advice to create happier, healthier connections.

Disclaimer: while this podcast sounds like therapy, it is not actually therapy nor is it a substitute for therapy, and while I am a therapist, I am not YOUR therapist. Please be entertained and encouraged, and seek appropriate mental health support from a licensed therapist in your community, if necessary.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ah, the holidays. Children laughing, people passing, and the smell of resentment thick in the air.

What? I’m not supposed to say that part out loud?

Here’s the thing: the holidays ARE magical… for the people not in charge of them. But for women - who often do the vast majority of the planning and purchasing and hostessing and cooking and cleaning and decorating, not just during the holidays, but the rest of the year - it can feel like same $#!*, different day… but on steroids.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. 

In today’s episode, I’m breaking away from listener-submitted questions to tackle something every single one of my therapy clients talks about this time of year: holiday overwhelm. If you’re tired of the endless “shoulds” and mounting pressure, let’s take some power back and change things up.

I’m sharing a simple, two-step strategy to help you get clear on what you really want this holiday season—and make decisions that actually get you there. Whether it’s setting boundaries, cutting back, or finding peace in the chaos, this episode will show you how to bring joy back to the holidays (without sacrificing your sanity).

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why the holidays feel so overwhelming (it’s not just you!).
• The sneaky ways external and internal pressures steal your joy.
• How to define your “holiday true north” and use it to guide your choices.
• Small but powerful tweaks to make the season feel lighter, happier, and more you.

Ready to make this your best holiday season yet? Let’s dive in.

LAST CHANCE! COMPLETE THE SURVEY BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER 28, 2024, AND YOU WILL BE ENTERED TO WIN A $50 GIFT CARD. As if you needed any additional incentive to submit your own question, which may be answered on a future episode of Sounds Like Therapy.

UPDATE: The 2024 Gift Card Thank You Drawing is over - congrats to listener Rachel on her big win! - but the survey is still live! I want Sounds Like Therapy to be your favorite podcast, and your feedback directly helps me shape the show! Plus, you can submit your question for consideration for a future episode. Thanks for taking the survey! You're the best!!

Disclaimer: while this podcast sounds like therapy, it is not actually therapy nor is it a substitute for therapy, and while I am a therapist, I am not YOUR therapist. Please be entertained and encouraged, and seek appropriate mental health support from a licensed therapist in your community, if necessary.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parenthood can be magical, but let’s face it: it's not great for your sex life. When you’re sleep-deprived, breastfeeding, and feeling self-conscious about your postpartum body, the idea of intimacy with your partner might feel impossible—maybe even repellent.

This week’s listener question comes from a mom of two struggling with the “ick” when her husband initiates physical touch. She loves him deeply but feels overwhelmed and unsure how to reconnect. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. In this episode, I break down why this happens (hint: it’s not just hormones) and share practical steps to navigate this tricky season.

We’ll cover:

• The science behind postpartum hormones and their impact on desire.
• Why the “ick” is more about exhaustion and emotional overwhelm than love.
• How to shift from avoidance to connection, even when sex feels off the table.

This isn’t about quick fixes or guilt-tripping—it’s about creating a partnership where both of you feel seen, valued, and wanted.

Take a deep breath, mama. There’s hope, and it starts with small, intentional steps.

Want the FREE GUIDE to rekindling desire? Click here

BIG (BUT EASY) ASK: Would you please take three minutes to fill out the super-short, super-easy Sounds Like Therapy Listener Survey? Not only do you get a chance to submit your own question, which may be answered on a future episode of Sounds Like Therapy, but if you fill out the survey between now and Thanksgiving 2024, you'll be entered for a chance to win a $50 GIFT CARD as a token of my thanks for your time.

UPDATE: The 2024 Gift Card Thank You Drawing is over - congrats to listener Rachel on her big win! - but the survey is still live! I want Sounds Like Therapy to be your favorite podcast, and your feedback directly helps me shape the show! Plus, you can submit your question for consideration for a future episode. Thanks for taking the survey! You're the best!!

Disclaimer: while this podcast sounds like therapy, it is not actually therapy nor is it a substitute for therapy, and while I am a therapist, I am not YOUR therapist. Please be entertained and encouraged, and seek appropriate mental health support from a licensed therapist in your community, if necessary.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In case you missed it… here in America we just had a presidential election which, because we’re so divided in this country, means that just about half of the country is celebrating while the other half is devastated.

And also now? We are just weeks away from the start of the holiday season, where we’re supposed to sit down with the political foes we call family and pass the peas without throwing punches! Is it any wonder that so many of us are full of dread? 

If you’re anxious about politics ruining your Thanksgiving dinner, I think you’ll SO relate to the listener we hear from today, who shared her own worries about seeing her sister at Thanksgiving, after an intense political disagreement last month. 

And even if you don’t, personally, have political discord in your family, stay with me - the insights I share about why humans fight, and the plan that I lay out to keep the peace at Thanksgiving, will be a guide that you can apply anywhere that humans congregate - from the boardroom to the PTA meeting, and everywhere in between.

How do we keep the peace without feeling forced to agree or, worse, getting drawn into a fight? This episode dives into real, practical strategies to manage family dynamics this holiday season. We'll explore why we’re wired to seek conformity, how today’s digital “tribes” fuel polarization, and how you can set healthy boundaries to enjoy a conflict-free Thanksgiving.

Takeaways

• Understanding "tribalism" and why we're wired to seek conformity
• Why humans fight - or avoid - when our sense of security and belonging is threatened
• Practical tips to navigate politically charged family gatherings
• How to stay grounded when relatives bring up controversial topics
• The power of setting boundaries to prevent heated holiday discussions

BIG (BUT EASY) ASK: Would you please take three minutes to fill out the super-short, super-easy Sounds Like Therapy Listener Survey? Not only do you get a chance to submit your own question, which may be answered on a future episode of Sounds Like Therapy, but if you fill out the survey between now and Thanksgiving 2024, you'll be entered for a chance to win a $50 GIFT CARD as a token of my thanks for your time.

UPDATE: The 2024 Gift Card Thank You Drawing is over - congrats to listener Rachel on her big win! - but the survey is still live! I want Sounds Like Therapy to be your favorite podcast, and your feedback directly helps me shape the show! Plus, you can submit your question for consideration for a future episode. Thanks for taking the survey! You're the best!!

Disclaimer: while this podcast sounds like therapy, it is not actually therapy nor is it a substitute for therapy, and while I am a therapist, I am not YOUR therapist. Please be entertained and encouraged, and seek appropriate mental health support from a licensed therapist in your community, if necessary.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vulnerability alert! While it's tempting to present the first episode of my new podcast, Sounds Like Therapy, as if it were a nearly effortless (but highly impressive) pivot I made after my last podcast went up in smoke about a month ago... that wouldn't be very on-brand for someone who used to co-host a podcast called Honest Women.

Instead, I'm bringing you behind the scenes of the last month, as I've navigated the vulnerable journey from co-hosting Honest Women to launching Sounds Like Therapy on my own. I’ll let you in on the real ups and downs I’ve experienced trying to bring this show to life—from self-doubt and meltdowns to the lightbulb moment where Sounds Like Therapy really started to take shape.

And, most importantly, I finally get to tell you about the new show!

In Sounds Like Therapy, we’re diving into the real relationship questions you’re grappling with—whether it’s tension with your partner, parenting struggles, or navigating complicated dynamics with friends, family, or coworkers. Each week, I’ll work through a listener-submitted question, making sense of what’s really going on and offering practical, therapist-approved next steps you can actually use. And don’t worry; no vague therapy-speak or abstract concepts here. I'm keeping it short, real, and action-packed!

So, if you’re ready to work through some real-life relationship challenges together, hit play!

BIG (BUT EASY) ASK: Would you please take three minutes to fill out the super-short, super-easy Sounds Like Therapy Listener Survey? Not only do you get a chance to submit your own question, which may be answered on a future episode of Sounds Like Therapy, but if you fill out the survey between now and Thanksgiving 2024, you'll be entered for a chance to win a $50 GIFT CARD as a token of my thanks for your time.

UPDATE: The 2024 Gift Card Thank You Drawing is over - congrats to listener Rachel on her big win! - but the survey is still live! I want Sounds Like Therapy to be your favorite podcast, and your feedback directly helps me shape the show! Plus, you can submit your question for consideration for a future episode. Thanks for taking the survey! You're the best!!

Disclaimer: while this podcast sounds like therapy, it is not actually therapy nor is it a substitute for therapy, and while I am a therapist, I am not YOUR therapist. Please be entertained and encouraged, and seek appropriate mental health support from a licensed therapist in your community, if necessary.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Sounds Like Therapy! I’m Andrea Burkly - a real-life therapist and mom of four - here to help you tackle the relationship challenges that keep you up at night.

Maybe it's the stress you feel watching your daughter try to navigate the middle school mean girls...or the tension you can't seem to escape each time you see your competitive sister. Maybe it's the lack of connection you feel with your husband... or the way you act like a teenager every time you're around your own mother. Or maybe it's... basically everything... about your in-laws. It's all fair play on Sounds Like Therapy.

Each week, I'll dig into a real-life relationship struggle. And just like I do in my therapy office, I’ll help you make sense of the situation with empathy and insight, and give you practical guidance so you know what to do next.

Press play on this trailer to learn what you can expect, how to submit your own questions, and why Sounds Like Therapy might just be your new weekly ritual. Because a little perspective can make all the difference.

Want your question answered on an upcoming episode of Sounds Like Therapy? Fill out the super-short, super-easy Sounds Like Therapy Listener Survey

Disclaimer: while this podcast sounds like therapy, it is not actually therapy nor is it a substitute for therapy, and while I am a therapist, I am not YOUR therapist. Please be entertained and encouraged, and seek appropriate mental health support from a licensed therapist in your community, if necessary.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Be on the lookout! Andrea's new podcast, Sounds Like Therapy, will be popping up in your podcast player of choice... SO SOON!

If you're "following" the Honest Women Podcast, the new show will automatically pop up in your podcast feed. Boom! Like magic!

But I wanted to give you a heads up, because the cover art will be different, and I didn't want you to think "what the heck is this??" and scroll past it.

(the new cover art is a super cool blue thumbnail with a silhouette of a woman, with the words "Sounds Like Therapy with Andrea Burkly" at the bottom)

That's it! That's the new show! And I can't wait for you to hear it!!

In the meantime, here's a little message from me (Andrea), just for you!

Want to learn more about the end of the Honest Women Podcast? You can find all of the deets here, in our final episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Honest Women, it's with a heavy heart that we are announcing today the end of this chapter. We are so grateful to each and every one of you who listened. Tune in to hear where we're going next <3

CONNECT WITH JESSICA: https://www.jlhutchison.com/

CONNECT WITH ANDREA: https://www.andreaburkly.com/

And make sure you are following the show so you get episodes of Andrea's new podcast, Sounds Like Therapy, delivered right to you!

Follow Jessica on IG: @jlhutchisonlcpc

Follow Andrea on IG: @andreaburkly

Learn more about the Honest Women Podcast: www.honestwomenpodcast.com

Honest Women is the podcast for every woman juggling the demands of modern life (while trying to keep her shit together) and finding that it’s all just a little more difficult than she thought it would be. Your hosts, Andrea Burkly and Jessica Hutchison, are two very real mental health professionals who are taking honest conversations from inside their offices to the outside world.

Disclaimer: Please note while this podcast features two therapists, and may feel very therapeutic, this is not therapy! Please be entertained, and know that through our creative content, we are not providing mental health care. No diagnosis. No treatment. No medical advice. Just creative content. Please seek appropriate mental health support in the real world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.