Secondhand Therapy

Secondhand Therapy

Secondhand Therapy is a funny, honest mental health podcast where two unlicensed best friends unpack their weekly therapy sessions.Join Louie Paoletti and Michael Malone as they explore anxiety, ADHD, grief, masculinity, and emotional growth—with humor, heart, and total transparency. Each episode blends raw self-reflection with real time takes on therapy, trauma, relationships, and the messy process of healing.It’s real talk about mental health in the modern world, and why personal growth is so damn hard.

Episodes

July 14, 2025 57 mins

Louie and Michael just had intake sessions with their new therapists—and the experiences couldn’t have been more different. Louie returns to working with a woman therapist and unpacks what it’s like doing virtual therapy from the intimacy of your own space. He opens up about childhood trauma, the emotional impact of therapy on Zoom, and why his new therapist has never used social media—and what that says about mental health today.

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This episode ends up going very deep... Michael’s patience hits a breaking point after being on hold for 4 hours—then his girlfriend tries to help, and it only makes things worse. Lou and Michael unpack why support can sometimes feel like control, and how some conversations trigger defensiveness or feel like interrogation. They dive into the tension between processing emotions vs. taking action, explore their very different approac...
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Michael unpacks a vivid dream that stirred up old wounds, leading to a raw conversation about how he’s really processed his grief. He and Louie dive into what “showing emotion” actually means—especially for men—and why crying in front of people feels impossible. Louie opens up about a therapy exercise that triggered a full-blown panic attack, and the episode takes a deeper turn as they both reflect on their childhoods and how it sh...
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Louie’s off keto and melting down over Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but it quickly becomes clear this episode isn’t really about cereal. What starts as a goofy check-in turns into a full-blown emotional audit — from the weight of unsaid feelings to the desperate scramble to fix something you maybe just made worse. The guys unravel the difference between:
  • "How can I talk to you better?" vs. "What can we do differently?"
  • Selfless care v...
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June 9, 2025 62 mins
This is probably our most uncomfortable conversation so far... This week, we dive into the messy beauty of personal growth, family trauma, and the illusion of progress. Michael spirals into thoughts about mortality and uncovers patterns passed down through his family—aka the “family curse.” He opens up about feeling stuck, avoiding discomfort, and calling it self-improvement. Louie isn’t having it. He calls out the loopholes, the f...
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Louie opens up about how music can unexpectedly trigger waves of grief — and reflects on the strangely beautiful reality that the world keeps moving after someone dies. Michael shares how his own experience of loss has shifted over time, revealing how grief evolves and reshapes our sense of self. Together, they explore the many forms grief can take — from deep sorrow to unexpected moments of connection and hope — and how it interse...
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Social media boundaries in therapy, ADHD shutdowns, and how productivity shame messes with your self-worth. Starting therapy with someone new can feel… awkward. Louie shares about his first session with a new therapist, and the surprising comment he received on Instagram that sparked a deeper conversation. Should therapists follow you on social media? Meanwhile, Michael opens up about his ongoing struggles with ADHD, productivity ...
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    Louie opens up about a vulnerable conversation with his girlfriend that challenged their relationship — all through the lens of parts work therapy. He shares how sitting with discomfort, rather than avoiding it, is transforming the way he shows up in partnership. Michael reflects on his own experience with parts work, revealing emotional memories connected to his mother — and how facing discomfort in therapy is reshaping his sense ...
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    May 5, 2025 46 mins
    Louie has bronchitis and found his therapists Instagram — and why that might be a red flag. Michael dives deep into his fear of commitment, the emotional tension around flirting in monogamous relationships, and why he struggles with being perceived as “in trouble” for noticing other women. Together, they explore the blurry line between attraction and objectification, and how abandonment issues can sabotage intimacy. A raw, honest l...
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    April 21, 2025 79 mins
    This is the recording of our first live show. It was recorded December 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, Ca. Support the pod: http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod http://secondhandtherapypod.com Follow us here:  http://instagram.com/secondhandtherapypod http://tiktok.com/@secondhandtherapypod http://instagram.com/itsloubear http://instagram.com/malonecomedy Contact us: secondhandtherapypod@gmail.com 818-850-2448 Support the pod: http:...
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    *Some names and details have been changed to conceal the identities of those who wish to remain anonymous. When Brittani Ard matches with Kanon on Hingesparks fly. Their first date revealed an instantconnection and chemistry.Kanon is devastatingly handsome with a charm that disarmed even the mostguarded heart—plus he is surprisingly emotionally available for a man in his forties. It’s as if the universe has conspired to bring them...
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    April 7, 2025 47 mins
    Louie grapples with the question: When is the right time to return to therapy? After making progress, Louie wonders whether he should open up about his podcast with his new therapist. Alongside Michael, they explore the balance between what to share and what to keep private in therapy. When does context matter in conversations about mental health? Michael faces the challenge of shedding his "sad guy" identity and navigating how thi...
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    March 31, 2025 52 mins
    Louie and Michael unpack a shocking voice note from a listener who discovered her husband's infidelity while she was 9 months pregnant. The guys dive into the complexities of relationship trust, cheating, and how they might handle betrayal in their own lives. Tune in for a candid conversation on how to cope with infidelity, rebuild trust, and navigate difficult situations in relationships. If you've ever questioned what you'd do wh...
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    Michael returns from his tour and opens up about his struggles with staying grounded in one place. Together with Louie, they unpack the complexities of anxiety, how to recognize it in the moment, and share personal experiences of navigating anxiety triggers. Michael’s hilarious moment of contemplating asking a bus driver for help (LOL) leads to an insightful conversation on how different people cope with similar situations. Louie ...
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    Jenny explores the best dating apps for relationships, including Hinge, Bumble, and Feeld, and gives advice on which platform may be most effective for finding a serious connection. We dive into the psychology of attachment styles as Jenny opens up about her own disorganized attachment style and how it leads to anxious-avoidant behavior in relationships. Jenny also shares her insights on the dating pool dynamics between men and wom...
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    Louie opens up about a recent fight he had with his girlfriend – no therapy, just real talk. It's a classic relationship argument, and we're diving deep into it. We discuss emotional responsibility, codependency, communication breakdowns, and much more that came up during the fight. Michael pushes Louie to reflect on his actions and how he approaches tough conversations. Plus, Michael shares his struggles with overwhelm from everyd...
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    Michael shares his personal experience with starting Adderall for ADHD, offering a deep dive into how medication has shaped his mental health journey. He reflects on his hometown and the complexities of reconnecting with old memories, before diving into an uncomfortable conversation he recently had with an old friend. Lou offers a fresh perspective, challenging Michael to see things differently. The two explore the classic tale of ...
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