Ever felt like an outsider because you don't have a 'girl squad'? Do societal pressures about 'having a tribe' make you feel isolated? We're here to tell you that it's not just okay to be a solo act; it's normal! We delve into the unrealistic expectations set by society for women and question the damaging language of mainstream media when it comes to friendships. We also expose how societal norms blame women for not having a close-knit group, overlooking the many benign reasons for this. 

Our conversation doesn't stop there. We discuss the gendered differences in socialization and the pressure of 'fitting in.' Furthermore, we talk about our personal experiences of how life changes, for instance, moving or losing a loved one, impact friendships. We provide insights into navigating these challenges and share how not being in sync with friends led us to build our community framework. 

As women, we're constantly navigating complex situations. The world expects us to have a group of friends, but what about those of us who are introverts? We explore the intricacies of introversion and how it affects the ability to build and maintain relationships. We touch on the benefits of understanding your personality type through tools like the Myers-Briggs test. Listen in as we suggest how introverted women can avoid feeling isolated or insecure in their relationship choices. This candid conversation concerns the complexities of female friendships, parenting, social expectations, and life changes. So come, be part of our dialogue, and let's redefine societal norms together.

Connect with Us:

Follow Honest Women Podcast @honestwomenpodcast

Follow Jessica: @jlhutchisonlcpc

Follow Andrea: @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.

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

Everybody's talking about America Ferrera's monologue at the end of the Barbie movie... and if everybody's talking about something, you can count on the Honest Women to join the discussion!

Today we consider the double binds that keep American women feeling like we're stuck - and failing - in these key areas:

• motherhood and our careers
• in our physical appearance; and
• in our struggle to care for others and ourselves.

And we find the power in calling b.s. on these conflicting cultural messages, even when we can't change the binds themselves.

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

We've all been there, that gut-wrenching moment when we see our child go through pain or rejection. It's an ache that creeps in, magnified by our own memories of past struggles. We aim to unpack this universal experience, as we candidly share our own moments of helplessness as parents. From witnessing our kid face hurtful remarks, to the emotional rollercoaster that ensues, we let you in on how we navigate these challenging times. Rest assured, this is a raw, unfiltered conversation that'll strike a chord with every parent out there.

As we continue on this journey, we challenge ourselves (and you) to find a delicate balance - to comfort our children without overdoing it, or offering empty assurances. But that's easier said than done, isn't it? We explore the nuances, drawing from our own encounters with social pain, and admit how tough it is to keep our emotions at bay while contending with our kids' struggles. But here's the thing - pain is a part of life, and sometimes, there's no easy solution, no silver lining. So, we delve into the power of simply embracing the discomfort, and the surprising strength it can instill in our kids. Trust us, this is one heartfelt conversation you don't want to miss.

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.

As summer winds down and teachers prepare to receive our feral children, Andrea & Jess face the temptation to say yes...

Yes to "volunteer opportunities" at the kids' school.

Yes to Q3 work initiatives.

Yes to all of the things we couldn't do when said feral children were home.

I mean, why not? We've got Big Summer Energy, nice tans, and thousands of hours of free time about to open up on our schedules... right?

No, ladies. No we don't. And you don't either! 

This year, instead of riding the end-of-summer high into a another year of overcommitment and burnout, Andrea and Jess are attempting something new. Join us as we:

• set an intention for the year ahead; 
• examine the reasons why women overcommit, especially during the back-to-school season; 
• identify practical ways to stop the madness before it starts.
• and attempt to repurpose the 90s drug awareness slogans for our own purposes.

DARE to keep Moms off sign up sheets. Just Say No to Overcommitment. 

Ladies, this message is as important as any after school special we saw while growing up, so please SHARE it with a friend!

We want to hear from you! Please email us at [email protected] with your episode ideas, questions for Andrea & Jess to answer on the pod, or t-shirt orders for our new sweet throwback swag. (OK, there are no t-shirts. YET)

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.

We hear you, ladies! One listener wrote in to tell us, "I have a village, but it is not a source of support, but rather a huge drain. They suck the life out of me!" The age-old saying "it takes a village" might not be a one-size-fits-all solution. Join us as we pull back the curtain on the romanticized notion of a "village" and unravel the intricate web of familial dynamics. We share our journey of navigating the disappointment of unmet expectations in close relationships within the family and the challenges of understanding unique individual stories that shape our 'village.'

Striving to outshine the previous generations can feel like walking a tightrope, especially when dealing with the complexities of in-laws and their expectations. Let's talk about how we grappled with these challenges and discovered the need for establishing clear boundaries. We step into the battlefield of family norms, the pressure to adhere to them, and how it can rock the very foundation of our philosophies. Listen in as we share our trials and victories in overcoming these hurdles.

Lastly, we wade into the complex maze of expectations in family relationships. We candidly discuss setting explicit boundaries and explore the intriguing prospect of creating separate villages for our children and ourselves. We tackle the challenging task of handling criticism and share our thoughts on a healthy relationship. As we prepare for a short season break, we leave you with ideas to redefine your own 'village.'

Don't forget to follow us to be notified about our return on Wednesday, August 16th. Continue sending us your queries and topics of interest. Until then, stay tuned and keep redefining your village.

Connect with Us:

Follow Honest Women Podcast @honestwomenpodcast

Follow Jessica: @jlhutchisonlcpc

Follow Andrea: @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.

Gentle Parenting is taking the Internet by storm... but is it the end-all-be-all of parenting strategies, or just the latest way for moms to feel bad about themselves? 

If you've ever found yourself drawn to a parenting strategy that just seems so dang hard to execute, or struggled to bridge the gap between the ideals presented in Instagram parenting reels and your actual life, this episode is for you!

If you love Honest Women, please:

* Follow the show

* Leave us a rating and a review

* Share with a friend

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR QUESTION TO BE PART OF AN UPCOMING HONEST WOMEN EPISODE? Send us an email at [email protected]

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.

Summer is here, which means family vacations and, often, an increase in the time we spend with our extended family. Have you ever found yourself reverting to a younger version of yourself when you're around your family? I know we have! It's a complex dynamic that many of us grapple with. In today's episode, Andrea and Jessica get honest about how these dynamics can often overwhelm us, leading to behaviors that seem out of sync with our adult selves. We introduce you to Internal Family Systems, as people, NOT as therapists, to better explain our different parts and their protective roles.

Throughout the episode, Jessica dives deeper into the psyche of her 14-year-old self. A protective part that often shows up when visiting family. We all have that adolescent within us, scared and vulnerable, stepping up to shield us from perceived threats. But do they still need to shoulder that burden? We discuss how to speak to these parts and reassure them they're safe now.

Lastly, we explore the paradox of our need for connection and the tendency to withdraw when navigating family dynamics. We emphasize how understanding our needs, communicating them effectively, and extending compassion towards ourselves can make a difference. We also highlight the power that lies within us in influencing how others perceive us.

Join us on this journey of self-discovery, and vulnerability, as we learn to embrace our younger selves with compassion and understanding.

Connect with Us:

Follow Honest Women Podcast @honestwomenpodcast

Follow Jessica: @jlhutchisonlcpc

Follow Andrea: @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.

The sun is hot, the sky is blue, and domestic labor should be split 50-50 between husbands and wives. OBVIOUSLY.

Yet, for something that virtually every woman we know believes to be true (and holds very dear), that dang 50-50 split is REALLY hard to achieve!

So why does the work of running a household and raising children seem to fall more heavily on women's shoulders? Why does the mental load of managing allthethings also fall on women? Why does it seem like it's our responsibility to fix the imbalance, when it's identified? 

And given all of these things, how are we supposed to discuss domestic responsibilities without devolving into attacking, defending, blaming, and resentment? 

Inspired by a high intensity text exchange (some would say "debate") (and by "some" we mean Jessica), Andrea and Jess find ourselves in rare form as we discuss this tricky topic live. Andrea has heart palpitations. Jess plays devils advocate. Andrea enters the confessional. Jess references The Breakup (please call us, Jennifer Aniston!). And at the end of the episode, Jessica heartily laughs while Andrea declares "I hate this episode! I hate this conversation! I'm backing away from everything I said!" (see the clip on Instagram @honestwomenpodcast).

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR QUESTION TO BE PART OF AN UPCOMING HONEST WOMEN EPISODE? Or want to send Jess some love for challenging your closely-held beliefs? Or send Andrea your best anxiety-management tips for the next time Jess feels like debating? Send us an email at [email protected]

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.

Hands up if you have ever heard the term INDEPENDENCE used as a marker of success and strength. Time and time again, we have women coming into our offices, prideful about being an “independent woman.” Is the quest for independence holding us back? Join us as we redefine what it means to be a strong, successful woman in today's world by debunking the myth of independence.

Throughout this episode, we discuss how the pursuit of independence can lead to feelings of shame and guilt when we can't do everything on our own. We shed light on the importance of dependence and connection, and how they can actually lay the foundation for true independence. We also share personal stories about how relying on others has empowered us to take risks and make significant changes in our own lives.

Finally, we dive into the concept of interdependence as an alternative to our current idea of independence. We explore how our personal histories may have instilled a fear of dependence, and how we can challenge this fear to embrace a more balanced, interdependent way of living. So, take a moment to explore your own definition of independence and consider if interdependence might be a better fit for you. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation that could change the way you view your relationships and personal growth.

Connect with Us on Social Media:

Follow Honest Women Podcast @honestwomenpodcast

Follow Jessica: @jlhutchisonlcpc

Follow Andrea: @andreaburkly

Do you have a topic you want to hear us get honest about?

Email us at [email protected].

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.

On today's MUST SHARE episode...

If you've been married for any significant period of time, you know that marriage is hard. So why is it that every person who comes into our offices seems to feel like they are the only one who is struggling?

Join us as we highlight three key reasons that virtually every modern marriage is hard: 

• From ever-increasing amounts of responsibility that leave us exhausted, burnt-out, and without time to tend to ourselves or our relationships; 
• to the ways that our pasts influence our present behavior (and often in ways that vex our partners!); 
• and the differing ways that partners try to seek closeness when feeling disconnected ("some of us seek connection emotionally... and some of us want to have sex!"), it' a set-up, folks!

But maybe if we can be honest about the fact that marriage is hard, not because we're failing but because it just is, we can take a deep breath, show ourselves (and our partners) some grace, and give ourselves a high five for trying to make life work with another human. 

Also this week: find out why Jess can't stop laughing when Andrea talks about date nights; revel in Jessica and Andrea's vast nautical knowledge as they describe rowing a sail boat in a truly excellent but maybe not accurate analogy for marriage; and learn why saying "it's not a big deal" is ACTUALLY A VERY BIG DEAL. 

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! And... you'll never believe this... we stepped into the 21st century and got ourselves an email address: 

[email protected]

Let us know what you think of the episode, tell us what you want to hear about next, or submit a question for us to address in a future podcast episode. We can't wait to connect!

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.