Episodes
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Well, this year has been trying, to say the least. From losing a beloved pet, coping with cancer, and career transitions, we open up about the challenges we've had to overcome throughout season 4. In this episode, we recap the season and reflect on the strategies we used to rebuild our resilience amidst turbulence. We also dive into how our struggles impacted our friendship, forcing us to face deeper questions about unconditional love. We also remember how much family, friends, and other loved ones play such a huge role in our wellbeing, the inspiration for Kibby's new venture KulaMind. We'll return for Season 5 in a few weeks after Jacqueline gets settled in her New York life!
Dr. Kibby McMahon is opening a few spots for supporting loved ones of people with mental illness. Little Helper fans of this podcast will get a 20% discount. Apply here
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
The #MeToo movement raised awareness of just how common sexual assault really is. Unwanted sexual contact can have devastating consequences on the victim's life through trauma symptoms that show up at work, at home, and in love. In this episode, Dr. Erin Berenz (associate professor at University of Illinois Chicago and co-founder of Rebound Health) unpacks the intricate and often misunderstood aspects of sexual trauma. Dr. Berenz sheds light on the challenges many face in practicing consent, especially when grappling with societal pressures and internal conflicts. We delve into the psychological impact of these dynamics and the struggle for survivors to reconcile their experiences with their personal narratives and trauma. We also explore the theme of control in the context of trauma, particularly sexual assault, and the physiological responses that occur during these harrowing experiences. Learn about the long-term effects of trauma, including the heightened risk of PTSD, and various treatment options available.
The Rebound app for Apple devices for self-help for sexual traumaIf you struggle with supporting a loved one with sexual trauma, check out KulaMind or fill out this interest form to learn how we can help.Shekhtman, K. (2024). Getting Unstuck from PTSD: Using Cognitive Processing Therapy to Guide Your Recovery by Patricia A. Resick, Shannon Wiltsey Stirman, and Stefanie T. LoSavio: The Guilford Press, 2023. 305 pp. with Worksheets and Additional Resources (Paperback)
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
Missing episodes?
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These days, the only thing harder than being a teen is parenting one. How do we even raise healthy adolescents and teens when they have the world literally at their fingertips and vapes look like harmless toys?? For this episode, we welcome back Dr. Marcus Rodriguez, a leading specialist in youth and family mental health. Dr. Rodriguez shares practical strategies from his vast clinical experience and personal journey as a parent, offering guidance on how to foster healthier family dynamics and strengthen parent-teen relationships. We cover a range of parenting strategies, from fostering communication with teenagers to understanding when to step back.
If you struggle with parenting a teen with emotional issues, check out KulaMind or fill out this interest form to learn how we can help.Dr. Marcus Rodriguez's Youth and Family Institute in California
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
You deserve to have your dreams come true, to get what you want out of life, to always be treated like a queen!...or do you? In this episode, we talk about entitlement, the tendency to think you will get special treatment or resources no matter what. We discuss the pros and cons of entitlement, why it's more common these days, and tips for navigating its downsides.
If you struggle with an entitled loved one, check out KulaMind or fill out this interest form to learn how we can help.Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2009). The narcissism epidemic: Living in the age of entitlement. Simon and Schuster.
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
Love can feel "dysregulated" even in the best relationships with intense infatuation, disappointments, intimacy, and heartbreak. However, dating someone with borderline personality disorder (BPD) means these ups and downs can get extreme. In this episode, we talk about what it's like to be in a romantic relationship with BPD. We also give tips for people coping with a partner with BPD and other signs of emotion regulation problems.
If you're dating someone with BPD and need support, check out KulaMind or fill out this interest form to learn how Dr. Kibby can help.Manning, S. Y. (2011). Loving someone with borderline personality disorder: How to keep out-of-control emotions from destroying your relationship. Guilford Press.
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
Choosing to become a parent is one of the most important and impactful decisions one could make. But how on earth do we make such an important decision without really knowing how it'll turn out? In this episode, we discuss what the pros and cons of a child-free life. We also talk about the decision-making process around having children and whether there is any real evidence that becoming a parent is "worth it."
https://ifstudies.org/blog/does-having-children-make-people-happier-in-the-long-runGilbert, D. (2009). Stumbling on happiness. Vintage Canada.Fieldsend, M., & Smith, J. A. (2022). Interpersonal dynamics of women in midlife living with involuntary childlessness. Journal of Adult Development, 29(2), 159-170.
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
When did saying "I'm so stressed" become the norm? Stress seems to be a given for anyone out there adulting so it's hard to know when it becomes a problem and what to do about it. In this episode, we talk about stress with Dr. Matt Scult, VP of Clinical Science at Scenario, licensed psychologist, and Duke alum! We discuss what stress is, when is it helpful vs. harmful, and evidence-based tips to managing stress in healthy ways. He introduces Scenario, an app that helps people prepare for the stresses of everyday life.
Check out Dr. Scult's psychotherapy private practice and consulting (https://www.matthewscult.com/)Check out Scenario that has a free basic version and a paid premium version coming soon!
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
When our levels of Netflix binges get so intense, we end up spending more time with our favorite characters or celebrities than anyone else in our lives. The connections we have to these stars is called parasocial relationships. In this episode, we delve into parasocial relationships, why we need them and what they do for us. We also discuss how in the digital age, we have a window into the personal lives of our favorite celebrities, blurring the lines between our parasocial relationships and "real" relationships. Jacqueline also discusses the other side of parasocial relationships as a celebrity herself.
In Defense of Parasocial RelationshipsGleason, T. R., Theran, S. A., & Newberg, E. M. (2017). Parasocial interactions and relationships in early adolescence. Frontiers in psychology, 8, 246529.
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
Relationships with narcissists can be thrilling, consuming, and completely devastating. Narcissists try to fill the void of their own insecurities by controlling or exploiting their loved ones, creating patterns of narcissistic abuse. In this episode, we talk about how people can tell if they're a victim of narcissistic abuse and what this unhealthy relationship looks like according to Monique Dauphin. We also share tips about how to support a loved one who is being abused by a narcissist.
If you or your loved one is a victim narcissistic abuse, submit this form to learn how Kibby can help.Marlow-MaCoy, A. (2020). The Gaslighting Recovery Workbook: Healing From Emotional Abuse. Rockridge Press.
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
For this second episode on dissociative identity disorder (DID; commonly known as "multiple personality disorder"), we welcome back patient Molly to meet some of her other personalities! In our last episode, Molly and her therapist Dr. Caitlin Fang described what it's like to live with 13 other separate personalities or "parts," who all have their own perspectives, opinions, secrets, skills, interests, ages, and even accents! While Molly got to talk about her experiences, some of her parts were eager to share their side of the story. In this incredible episode, Alex, Ruby and Slayer join us to talk about what it's like to be the other personalities of someone with DID.
https://www.sidran.org/resources/for-survivors-and-loved-ones/ http://www.trauma-pages.com/ http://www.jimhopper.com/ https://istss.org/home https://www.isst-d.org
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
Ever wonder what it's like to live with multiple personalities? Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a rare condition that involves having at least two separate identities (also called "alters" or "parts") that can think and feel independently. In this very special episode, Dr. Caitlin Fang and her patient with DID tell us what it's like to live with multiple personalities. They also talk about her journey finding the right diagnosis and treatment. This episode one of two episodes on this topic- in the next episode, we invite her other parts/personalities to share their side of the story!
Helpful YouTube video on DIDGuidelines for treating DID
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
"I have everything but the guy" is a common struggle for successful women these days. As we've discussed in previous episodes, dating is already difficult and can be even more so for strong, independent women. In this episode, the expert dating coach Evan Katz shares his insights on the challenges women face in dating, what they often do "wrong," and effective strategies for finding a good partner.
www.evanmarckatz.com/Apply for Evan Katz's Love U dating program
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
Kibby has some unfortunate news to share: She has just been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. As much of a shock as it is, cancer rates are on the rise in younger adults and no one knows why. Such a devastating illness can turn someone's life upside down in an instant- for the people diagnosed and also their loved ones. In this episode, Kibby and Jacqueline try to process this emotional rollercoaster and how can we support our loved ones living with cancer.
Getting Things Off My Chest: A Survivor's Guide to Staying Fearless and Fabulous in the Face of Breast Cancer by Melanie Youngvan Eijk, M., de Vries, D. H., Sonke, G. S., & Buiting, H. M. (2022). Friendship during patients’ stable and unstable phases of incurable cancer: a qualitative interview study. BMJ open, 12(11).
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
A new year, new you. For the start of 2024, many people want to leave behind unwanted parts of ourselves. Some beliefs can haunt us and hold us back, like "I'm not good enough", "I don't deserve love," or "there is no way I can quit eating these chocolates" (or so we've heard). However, anyone who's tried to just let go of negative beliefs always find that they come back to bite us. In this episode, we discuss evidence-based methods of not letting these beliefs hold you back. We also discuss an innovative new intervention in the form of a reality TV show that probably will make people worse but definitely would be entertaining!
Embracing Your Demons: an Overview of Acceptance and Commitment TherapyGeraerts, E., & McNally, R. J. (2008). Forgetting unwanted memories: Directed forgetting and thought suppression methods. Acta psychologica, 127(3), 614-622.
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
Famously considered "man's best friend," our pets can be one of our most important sources of emotional support and companionship. From cats and dogs to hamsters and goldfish, pets become part of our family and losing them can come with a deep grieving process that isn't well acknowledged in our society. In this episode, we discuss the mental health implications of having a pet as well as losing one.
Park, R. M., Royal, K. D., & Gruen, M. E. (2023). A literature review: Pet bereavement and coping mechanisms. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 26(3), 285-299.Brooks, H. L., Rushton, K., Lovell, K., Bee, P., Walker, L., Grant, L., & Rogers, A. (2018). The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: A systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence. BMC psychiatry, 18(1), 1-12.
Resources:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
One of the biggest puzzles is why some people carry so much anger, pain, depression, or anxiety even though they haven't experienced a "real trauma." This might be a sign of chronic invalidation, when someone received consistent messages that their emotions aren't valid when they're growing up. Chronic invalidation can infect early caregiving environments and can have devastating impacts on mental health in adulthood. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Marcus Rodriguez, associate professor of Pitzer College, Director of the Global Mental Health Lab and founder of the Youth and Family Institute (not to mention, our "lab brother" from Duke). Dr. Rodriguez describes what chronic invalidation looks like and how it can be treated with evidence-based therapies.
To learn more about Dr. Rodriguez's clinical services for family and adolescents, check out his Youth & Family InstituteTo learn more about clinical trainings with Dr. Rodriguez, check out his training servicesSupport the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
It's an exciting time when entrepreneurs find the perfect business partner to co-found a new company. However, many don't realize that a staggering 65% of startups fail because of cofounder conflicts. Entrepreneurs who overlook the importance of their business partner relationships are at high risk of misunderstandings, strategy disagreements, or role confusion that can tear a venture apart. In this episode, Kibby talks about how her company Seon Health aims to address this crucial dynamic with evidence-based couples therapy and interpersonal interventions.
For entrepreneurs who need help with their toxic relationship with co-founders or business partners, apply for Co-Leader Coaching with Kibby. Anyone else interested in relationship coaching with Kibby, email her directly at [email protected].
Special Offer:Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
This is our 100th episode of "A Little Help For Our Friends"! Of course, we celebrate this exciting milestone by reflecting on our successful failures. In this era, people are too afraid to put themselves out there and risk failure. However, we have always encouraged taking risks, trying new skills, saying "yes" to challenges that are scary but meaningful. In this episode, we recount some of our biggest "whoopsies" that ended up being important learning experiences or valuable opportunities. We also share personal tips for how to fail successfully.
Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
We wrap up season 3 reflecting on this doozy of a year. Around a year ago, Jacqueline and Kibby were coming back from Portugal where Jacqueline was breaking off an engagement and Kibby was gestating a huge baby. We talk about the lessons learned during these major life changes, which inspired our episodes on healing from difficult relationships, postpartum depression, and men.
Support the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends -
In our last episode, we talked about how men are struggling these days with shifting gender roles, identity, and mental health. Now what? How can we help these men and, of course, the women who love them? Jared Glenn is our first returning guest to our podcast and has some answers. In this episode, Jared (writer, historian, father, and advocate), shares some tips for how young men can build their identity and agency as men without the toxicity.
Check out The All Stars Project, that supports underserved youth and families. Find Jared Glenn on InstagramSupport the show
If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, co-host Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Kibby's coaching program KulaMind offers individual support on demand, skills and resources to help people care for loved ones with mental illness. She only takes a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount! Contact her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends - Show more
