Thoughts from the Couch Podcast

I was so honored to talk with Jaime McLaughlin @themachouseco, lifestyle coach for moms, self-care strategist, and beauty expert.  In this episode, Jaime vulnerably shares her story of being diagnosed with ADHD in her thirties.  She dives into the challenging experiences she faced throughout her life without awareness of this diagnosis, as well as what led her to seek testing and treatment for her challenges. Jamie shares her powerful message throughout this episode of the importance of listening to your intuition and the importance of learning to take care of yourself.  

This episode dives into: 

• What  ADHD is.
• Jaime’s unique experience of being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.
• How trauma and anxiety have impacted Jaime’s life.
• Jaime's symptoms of ADHD and how they impacted her life as a kid and entrepreneur. 
• How medication enhanced her life and treated her symptoms.
• Jaime’s advice to twenty-somethings who struggle with ADHD.
• Justine & Jamie discuss different therapies that have been supportive for Jamie.

Guest Info:

Connect with Jamie on Instagram @themachouseco or her website here. 

Resources Mentioned: 

Purchase my “Own Your Wellness” Workshop tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/163311425871

Path to Peace Live Group Program 

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I sat down with therapist, writer, and podcast host Monica DiCristina, LPC.  Monica and I dive into the topic of unhealthy family patterns.  Monica shares how we sometimes find ourselves needing to set tough boundaries or even separate completely from our family of origin.  This can be an incredibly challenging experience, so Monica and I discuss what this looks like and how to navigate it from a place of strength to honor your needs.  This is an episode you won’t want to miss out on!

This episode dives into:

• How adult relationships and attachment patterns can clue us into uncovering our family’s unhealthy patterns. 
• Tips to begin to tune in and recognize the effects of unhealthy family dynamics. 
• The emotional map and the challenge of grieving people who are alive.
• The complexities and emotional challenges of setting boundaries with family members.
• The differences between boundaries, distance, and cut-offs.
• The troubles of triangulation and requirements of true healing within a family system.
• How to maintain a relationship while holding boundaries.
• Cultural and ethnic considerations within family systems and boundaries.

Guest Info:

You can connect with Monica on Instagram at @monicadicristina or on her website here. 

Purchase my “Own Your Wellness” Workshop tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/163311425871

Connect with me on Instagram  here

Path to Peace Live Group Program 

Check out my website here

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I am so excited to talk with Mireya Lopez of the podcast Mothering Anxiety. Mireya gracefully shares her story of living with anxiety, the symptoms she experiences because of it, and the tools she uses that have helped her cope. She explains her motto of learning to embrace and love her anxiety, which has helped shift her perspective and manage her symptoms in a healthy way. If you are a person who struggles with anxiety or has a loved one who struggles with anxiety, this episode is filled with important insight and inspiration.

This episode dives into:

• Mireya’s journey through her anxiety and how it showed up for her.
• Justine & Mireya reflect on Mireya’s childhood and how her anxiety began.
• Mireya’s family’s response to her anxiety. 
• The effects of people-pleasing on anxiety and learning to be there for yourself.
• Anxiety while pregnant.
• Seeking support and finding your true community while coping with anxiety.
• Mireya’s personal experience in therapy. 
• How Mireya has learned to accept and love her anxiety.
• Mireya shares her mental health routine and tips for others to try!

Guest Info:

You can connect with Mireya on Instagram at @anxiousbutmagicalmama or my website her podcast Instagram at @motheringanxietypodcast.

Resources Mentioned: 

• Mothering Anxiety Podcast

Connect with me on Instagram here

Check out my website here

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In this solo episode, I talk about family systems and how they affect the relationships we choose for ourselves. This isn’t just limited to romantic relationships, but friendships too. Tune in to hear exactly how our family of origin can influence who we choose to surround ourselves with, without even knowing it!

This episode dives into:

• How our families are our templates to connections and emotions throughout our life.
• Familiarity is comfortable and predictable, even if it’s dysfunctional.
• Human’s adoration and desire for predictability.
• How our subconscious is shaped from our life experiences. 
• Understanding that a lot of dysfunction is unintentional. 
• The role of empathy in facing dysfunction.
• Reflecting on our patterns to transform our habits and lead happier lives.

Guest Info:

You can connect with me on Instagram at @_thoughtsfromthecouch_ or my website here. 

Resources Mentioned: 

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I’m so excited to have Caitlin Murray of @bigtimeadulting on today’s episode! Caitlin uses her platform to share what is difficult about motherhood, highlights the challenges that no one wants to talk about, and normalizes it for us with humor. Exuding authenticity in all that she shares, in this episode Caitlin and I discuss her family’s experience of her son’s battle with Leukemia and the many emotional challenges they faced during his journey through treatment. If you need a little inspiration on how to stay resilient when everything feels out of control, tune into this episode. 

This episode dives into:

• Caitlin’s vulnerable story of witnessing her son being diagnosed with cancer.

• The power of a mother’s intuition.

• How her anxiety manifested throughout his journey.

• Coping with mindfulness tools and enhancing self-awareness to manage anxiety.

• Learning that your fears are not facts.

• Caitlin shares her wisdom with others who may be going through similar challenges.

Connect with me on instagram here!

Check out my website here!

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Today I’m joined by April Norris, creator of the podcast “Of Course...They Make Me Crazy.”  April created her podcast to connect with those who live with or love someone with a mental illness. April vulnerably sits down with me to discuss what it was like to be raised by a mother who struggled with bipolar disorder and addiction.  Through my conversation with April, she was able to shed light on the struggles her mother faced within her own upbringing that led to mental illness and many challenges. April remains honest and real throughout this episode. You won’t want to miss out if you have ever had mental illness in your own family.

This episode dives into:

• April bravely reflects on witnessing domestic abuse and trauma in her childhood.
• April talks about what it was like to be raised by a mother with Bipolar Disorder and addiction to pills.
• Long-term effects of trauma and the impact our family of origin has on our wellbeing.
• April shares what has helped her cope.
• How to move through shame.

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Check out my website here!

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In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Cassidy Freitas to discuss how difficult it can be to make decisions in life. Sometimes we become so overwhelmed with trying to make the right decision, we get stuck and avoid making the decision at all. Whether you struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, or just find decisions to be challenging in general, tune in to find out how more on how getting clear on your values can help! 

This episode dives into:

• How to identify your values.
• How to use your values to identify your goals.
• Using emotions as an ally in identifying your values.
• Using our feelings as a guide to understanding our values.
• Avoiding rigidity and finding flexibility.
• Remembering compassion during daily life as well as during life’s transitions.
• Reflecting on your family of origin, community, and other contexts help you understand where values may stem from.
• Noticing societal messages and their impact on your values.

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Check out my website here!

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I sat down with psychologist, author, and professor Dr. Michelle Maidenberg. We discussed how mindfulness can become more than just a concept, but a way of living.  Whether we struggle from anxiety or are looking to manage unique emotional moments, Michelle shares her wisdom in how to cultivate mindfulness in our daily life to react from our values instead of our emotions.

This episode dives into: 

• What mindfulness is?
• Being in the present moment.
• Understanding the difference between mindfulness, meditation, and other practices.
• Mindfulness is a state of being and the science behind it. 
• The concept of “being” versus “doing.”
• Thoughts versus behavior.
• “Observing” mind versus “thinking” mind.
• Loving-kindness for yourself and others.
• How to get started practicing mindfulness.

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Check out my website here!

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In this unique episode, Janelle Brooke of Dear Bride Podcast interviews me on important topics to discuss with your fiance before tying the knot. We break down the 5 most important questions to ask your partner before saying, “I do!”  It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of forever, but these questions can prevent you from hitting speed bumps in the future. Tune in with your partner to find out how to become the best teammates for each other. 

This episode dives into: 

• The importance of talking about whether or not you want to have kids with your partner. 
• Identifying what your family’s narratives are surrounding expectations regarding housework.
• Awareness that there is no “fairness” in a relationship.
• The hard discussion of finances and planning to budget. 
• Importance of identifying where to spend the holidays as a married couple.
• Talking about your life dreams with each other and avoiding resentment by going after your goals and having the support of your partner.

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On today’s episode, I get to share with you the insights from a dear friend and licensed psychotherapist Maayan Tregerman, LCSW-R.  Maayan’s clinical work focuses on treating depression, anxiety, and adjustment issues with a specialization in “adulting”, relationships and parenthood.  She also serves as the Assistant Clinical Director at the 5th Avenue Counseling Center in New York City.  With Maayan’s plethora of wisdom and experience, she shares insights into dating during the pandemic.  We discuss how different and difficult dating has been for singles throughout the past year.  Maayan shares her perspective on how to address the need for both connection and intimacy while maintaining safety. Tune in to learn more!

This episode dives into: 

• Weighing the value of social distancing and that of connection and intimacy.
• Reflecting on your capacity to be alone.
• “Cuffing season” during the pandemic.
• Rediscovering and redefining what intimacy means.
• Mindfully dating vs. impulsive dating.
• Navigating trust in relationships.
• Recognizing your own boundaries surrounding dating in the pandemic.
• The future of dating in the  “post-pandemic” era.

Connect with me on instagram here!

Check out my website here!

Podcast Disclaimer