This Isn’t Therapy

This Isn't Therapy...this is a fun, flirty, fab convo about how being comfortable will not make you happy 🤯. In this episode, Jake and Simon chat through two #lovelylistener story submissions - one features a tale about moving on from a beloved job and the other explores the fear of leaving the comfort zone. They discuss how the (necessary) feelings of discomfort lead to personal growth and introduce (please welcome to the stage) the growing edge - no, Wendy, that's not in reference to you growing a fierce bang.

P.S - Got an idea for an episode? A story to submit? Reach out: [email protected]

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This Isn't Therapy... it’s the episode about taking social risks! This week, Jake and Simon talk about how to put yourself out there and embrace the improv side of life. Jumping off from last week’s conversation about play, they discuss another #LovelyListener submission about trusting people’s true intentions and dissect a quote about improvised gatherings. Bring your umbrellas! Because this week, we’re improv-ing up a storm!

Article: What Adults Forget About Friendship by Rhaina Cohen

P.S. Send us your episode idea: [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you :)

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This Isn't Therapy... but we are tackling life's important questions: have we lost our sense of play? In this episode, Jake and Simon dig deep into a #LovelyListener submission and article (Remix!! Twist!!) about adult play, which suggests that playing and wasting time together like kids do are how we can become happier and healthier adults. Also - shout out to Disney World (sponsor us!)

Article: What Adults Forget About Friendship by Rhaina Cohen

P.S. Send us your episode idea: [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you :)

Creators & Guests

This Isn't Therapy... this is the long-awaited follow-up to our episodes about boundaries. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about being a boundary bully and using “boundaries” to control other people. They talk about an advice column question submitted to The Atlantic about family boundaries and and discuss relationship boundaries via ~the Jonah Hill situation~!

Article: Dear Therapist: My Daughter’s Boundaries Are Preventing Us From Having a Relationship by Lori Gottlieb

P.S. Send us your episode idea: [email protected]

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This Isn't Therapy... this is a conversation about becoming the stand-in parent for the people around you. Are you the one always making the plans? Do find yourself saying "don't forget to..." a lot? When did you sign up to coach the people around you into "becoming the better version of themselves"? Oh, mama. Let's talk. Take out your finest quill and parchment because we're chatting through mother hen syndrome and how being the thinking brain/emotional caretaker for others leads to relationship burnout. We'll also talk about the origins of these caring behaviours and discuss the difference between genuine caring and chronic caretaking. Also, we meet Gary and Bella -- did Gary ever find his sunnies?

Article: Why 'Raising' Your Partner Leads to Relationship Burnout. by Yvonne Castañeda

P.S. Send us your episode idea: [email protected]

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This Isn’t Therapy… it’s a discussion about “phubbing”— the act of snubbing someone with your phone. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about phone use and how it impacts our relationships with friends, family members, and partners. They also talk about a recent study, which found that higher phone use was associated with more relationship problems, and an article by a therapist, called “As A Therapist, I Know What’s Breaking Couples Up.” Hint hint, it’s allegedly the smartphone. 📲🤳🏼👀

Article discussed: As A Therapist, I Know What’s Breaking Couples Up by Andrew Sofin

Link to the study: More Scrolling, More Marital Problems conducted by Wendy Wang and Michael Toscano of the Institute for Family Studies (IFS)

P.S. Send us your episode idea: [email protected]

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This Isn't Therapy... it’s the episode about the common fear of missing out, otherwise known as FOMO. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about FOMO through the lens of the group chat: Getting kicked out of them, being left out of the formation of a new one, or not being invited into them at all. They talk about how a certain app popular with teens is making this issue even more complicated and discuss the dangers of needing to be constantly online, tapped in, and worried about missing something. Plus, stay tuned to the end of the episode to find out who spills the coffee all over the couch. 🥴

Article discussed: Navigating childhood friendship in a digital world by Cheryl Murfin

Further reading: Why Teens Say Location Sharing is the Greatest And The Worst by Julie Jargon

P.S. Send us your episode idea: [email protected]

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This Isn't Therapy... it’s the episode about being broken up with by a therapist. In this episode, Jake and Simon read two stories, one submitted to the Reddit r/AskATherapist community and one submitted by a Lovely Listener! Jake and Simon break down some of the reasons why therapists may also break up with a client. It's a juicy one!

P.S. The debate about hand washing has been settled! Go check out our Instagram for the results.

P.S.S. Send us your episode idea: [email protected]

Creators & Guests

This Isn't Therapy... it’s the episode about being in denial. I’m not in denial, you are! In this episode, Jake and Simon unpack this common psychological defence mechanism - why someone might be in denial, where it might stem from, and how this shows up in couples. They also dip their toe in the waters of couple therapy and provide some insight into how couples therapy works by following up with Casey and Sarah (our resident case study couple!), who are going through a rough patch in their relationship.

P.S. Jake and Simon start a delicious debate about hand washing. Get in touch via socials and let us know whose side you’re on! (Simon is in maje denial on this one!…)

P.S.S. Send us your episode idea: [email protected]

Creators & Guests

This Isn't Therapy... it’s a conversation about problem spotting, hot take culture, the loss of expertise, and the pressure to have an opinion about everything. Get ready for some hot takes about hot takes! In this episode, Jake and Simon unpack an article written by Jake called You Don’t Have To Be The Fixer. Let's get into it, Mary!

A quote from the article: “You do not need to fix every problem you notice. You do not need to sign up for more problems to solve. Sometimes it is better to let problems be problems rather than answer our urge to solve them.”

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