Therapists' Take with Carrie and Josh

The holidays are a time of joy and togetherness, but they can also stir up unexpected feelings of grief, resentment, and emotional conflict. Why do gratitude and grief so often coexist during this season? In this powerful episode, we explore the emotional complexities of the holidays and offer insights to help you navigate them with self-awareness and compassion.

We’re thrilled to be joined by Dr. Shannon Dial, LMFT, from Family So...

In this episode of Therapists' Take, we dive into the complex realities of coping with chronic illness as a family. Joined by guest Ceedee Gaddis, LMFT, we’ll explore how a long-term health condition can challenge family bonds, reshape communication, and create new expectations for support and care. Tune in for insights on building a resilient, unified family approach to chronic illness and finding pathways to hope, connection, and...

In this episode of Therapists' Take, we delve into the complex world of lust, exploring how it impacts our journey toward self-control and personal power. Inspired by insights from Mirror of Intimacy by Alexandra Katehakis, we look at why lust often feels so conflicting and discuss its role in psychological growth.

If you’re interested in a fresh perspective on this intense emotion, join us as we discuss ways to harmonize desire w...

In this Halloween-themed episode of the Therapists' Take Podcast, we dive into the concept of metaphorical monsters in our relationships—those individuals who drain us, manipulate us, and leave a trail of negativity in their wake. Join us as we explore four personality types to steer clear of: Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, and Ghosts. Each figure symbolizes a different toxic relationship pattern, and we’ll unpack how to recognize ...

In this episode of the Therapists’ Take Podcast, we dive into the controversial topic of "Fat Culture." Is the word "fat" inherently fat-shaming, or does it reflect a cultural reality? We’ll explore the psychology of disgust, how societal standards perpetuate a thin vs. fat divide, and whether acceptance of different body types means ignoring health concerns altogether. Join us for an honest conversation on the complexities of body...

In this episode of the Therapists' Take Podcast, we explore the complex relationship between sexual addiction and the brain's functioning. Join us as we discuss how compulsive behaviors are driven by the brain's reward system and how the brain gets hi-jacked when addiction forms. We also dive into practical approaches for recovery and how trauma and emotional wounds contribute to the cycle of addiction. Whether you're a mental heal...

In this episode of the Therapists' Take Podcast, we dive deep into the valuable relational purpose of difficult emotions. Anger, resentment, guilt, and feelings of defeat are often seen as negative, but they hold important messages about our relationships. Join us as we explore how these emotions can act as signals for unmet needs, boundary issues, and personal growth. We discuss how to better understand and work through these feel...

In this episode of the Therapists' Take Podcast, we dive into the complex world of love addiction and limerence—two often misunderstood concepts that can deeply affect personal relationships. We’ll explore how childhood trauma plays a pivotal role in forming these patterns and, most importantly, offer hope and practical steps toward recovery. Whether you’re experiencing these struggles or supporting someone who is, this episode is ...

In this special bonus episode of the Therapists' Take Podcast, couples expert Donnie Van Curen delves into the heart-wrenching experience of a broken heart. Together, we'll explore some of the toughest questions that come with this deep emotional pain: Why does it hurt so much? Will the pain ever fade? Does this signal the end of a relationship or marriage? And perhaps most importantly, is it possible to heal a broken heart...

In this episode of the Therapists' Take Podcast, hosts Carrie and Josh dive into the world of critical thinking and logical fallacies, drawing inspiration from Adam Grant's work on the Hierarchy of Critical Thinking.

Critical thinking is the ability to objectively analyze and evaluate an issue in order to form a judgment. It’s a crucial skill in our increasingly complex world, helping us to make informed decisions and avoi...

In this episode, Carrie and Josh take you all the way back to the very first Therapists' Take episode, before it was a podcast. Here they tackle the "Karen" phenomenon—a topic that has sparked countless debates, memes, and YouTube channels.

Join us as we explore:

• The origins of the "Karen" phenomenon and its evolution over time.
• What "Karen" really means and the stereotypes it perpetuates.
...

In this episode of Therapists' Take, we dive into the emotional turmoil faithful partners experience after infidelity, particularly the pervasive feeling of foolishness. We'll explore why so many partners blame themselves and break down the three most common ways this feeling manifests: "I feel foolish for letting it happen," "I feel foolish for letting it happen again," and "I feel foolish for stay...

In this episode of the Therapists' Take Podcast, we are joined by Whitney Alexander, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, EMDR therapist and consultant, and founder of the Warren Alexander Group. Whitney brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in trauma therapy, particularly in addressing the complexities of PTSD. Today, we’ll explore the profound impact of Complex PTSD and delve into the feelings of brokenness that of...

I think it is safe to say that the challenges parents face in the twenty-first century are far more complex than the challenges parents faced even one or two generations ago. What do we tend to blame? Technology!

In reality, technology has always been the bane of parental existence. The world has always been going to hell in a hand basket. How many generations of parents can relate to that feeling when they stumble across their ch...

Everybody has heard of sexual infidelity, but what is financial infidelity? If fidelity is the “quality or state of being faithful,” according to Merriam-Webster.com, then “infidelity” would be the opposite of that, which might be why “unfaithful” has become synonymous with sexual infidelity. So, we can safely assume that financial infidelity is some kind of egregious relational violation involving the family finances. Debra Kaplan...

Have you ever done something truly courageous? If so, what was it? What made it an act of courage for you? If you haven’t, then why not? What has held you back? Is it possible you were brave at times, yet your brain doesn’t conceptualize it as courage?

Courage is a complicated concept and phenomenon. Most human beings over the age of three have displayed acts of courage. So how come we often don’t feel that way? How come we ca...

This bonus episode is technically the ending to Episode 28: On the Complex Role of Anger after Infidelity. This particular portion primarily focuses on the unfaithful partner's anger that often has been long suppressed. That, however, does not mean that it is always appropriate to express to the betrayed partner who is healing from the act(s) of infidelity, but it can no longer be repressed either. It's quite the conundrum....

Most people can intellectually understand that anger is a reasonable emotional response for those who discover the infidelity of their partners. Anger makes sense, but is it helpful? Does it have a purpose or place in one’s recovery? The reality is that many of us have a complicated relationship with anger. Some are more comfortable with it than they should be and others may be so uncomfortable with it that they rarely express it; ...

You may have heard some version for the following phrase in reference to couple communication - “You have a perspective. Your partner has a perspective. Then, there is what really happened.” You also likely are familiar with the research on eye-witness testimony that speaks to just how wildly unreliable eye-witness testimony is in a court of law. So, if our memory is seemingly so unreliable, then what’s the point? What is the purpo...