This Isn't Therapy... it's an *encore* episode about the pursuit of endless bliss. Many people arrive to therapy with a "fantasy goal" thinking they want to be calm, happy, and relaxed all the time. Through two #lovelylistener stories, Jake and Simon talk about how to find a realistic sense of joy, happiness, purpose, and pleasure and what we can (or should) expect from life. This episode is for those wondering why the pursuit of endless bliss doesn’t produce the feelings (and lasting results) they promise.

Read more: The Pursuit of Endless Bliss by Jake Ernst.

Don't forget, Mary: Submit a quandary, query, or question with our newest segment Asking For A Friend...

Contact: thisisnttherapypodcast@gmail.com

Creators & Guests

• Simon Paluck - Host
• Jake Ernst - Host

This Isn't Therapy... this is an *encore* 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: thisisnttherapypodcast@gmail.com

Creators & Guests

• Simon Paluck - Host
• Jake Ernst - Host

This Isn't Therapy...this is an *encore* episode about some hard truths learned in therapy. Ever wonder how to give your therapist some feedback?! Or even how would my therapist react if I gave them some feedback?! Through a story posted by an anonymous reddit user, Jake and Simon examine a therapists' struggle after they received some challenging feedback from a client. Then, through some lovely listener submissions, we flip the script and explore some hard truths some folks have taken away from their therapists. Grab a bib coz baby this episode is juicy!!!!!

P.S. Don't forget: Submit a quandary, query, or question with our newest segment Asking For A Friend...

Contact: thisisnttherapypodcast@gmail.com

Creators & Guests

• Simon Paluck - Host
• Jake Ernst - Host

This Isn't Therapy... it’s an *encore* discussion about the importance of mattering. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about mattering, a feeling of meaningful significance to others, and what that looks like, sounds like, and feels like in relationships. Jake walks us through the questions he asks his clients when they report that, or he gets the sense that, they feel like they don't matter to those who matter to them. Yeehaw! Mattering matters!

Bonus: This episode was featured on CBC's Podcast Playlist!! That's right, our This Isn't Therapy hit the national broadcast airwaves, baby, and landed a spot on CBC's Best Indie Podcasts list! ✨💖

>> CBC's Podcast Playlist: Full episode (or wherever you play your podcasts!)

>> *NEW* Submit a quandary, query, or question with our newest segment Asking For A Friend...

Contact: thisisnttherapypodcast@gmail.com

Creators & Guests

• Simon Paluck - Host
• Jake Ernst - Host

This Isn't Therapy... it's the *encore* episode about AI therapists and if they can ever replace the real thing. In this episode, Jake and Simon discuss a recent BBC article about why teens are seeking out AI therapist bots and what that means for the future of mental health. Conversational AI or, in other words, "chatbots with a personality" are gaining more attention and users are finding new therapy-ish use-cases on platforms like Character.ai and Replika. The pros, the cons, the risks, and the benefits. All that and more!

BBC Article discussed: Young people turning to AI therapist bots

Don't forget, Mary: Submit a quandary, query, or question with our newest segment Asking For A Friend...

Contact: thisisnttherapypodcast@gmail.com

Creators & Guests

• Simon Paluck - Host
• Jake Ernst - Host

This Isn't Therapy...this is a fun, flirty, fab, encore conversation about loneliness versus being alone. Through two #lovelylistener stories, Jake and Simon explore feelings around how we can feel lonely even though we're surrounded by people we love. Also, how being alone does not always mean you are lonely.

P.S. Don't forget: Submit a quandary, query, or question with our newest segment Asking For A Friend...

Contact: thisisnttherapypodcast@gmail.com

Creators & Guests

• Simon Paluck - Host
• Jake Ernst - Host

This Isn't Therapy... it's the encore episode about the overuse of therapy language and the impact its having on our relationships. Gaslighting? Triggered? Trauma-bonding? What do these words actually mean!? And are we using them correctly? Listen to find out. Also, Jake and Simon welcome special guests: Dr. Miriam-Webster, Tammy Toxic, and Gary Gaslight. This is an episode you absolutely don't want to miss, mmmmmkay?

Articles:

• TIME: Gaslighting, Narcissist, and More Psychology Terms You're Misusing by Angela Haupt
• The New York Times: How the Language of Therapy Took Over Dating by Dani Blum

Creators & Guests

• Simon Paluck - Host
• Jake Ernst - Host

Episode Mixed by Jordan Paluck

This Isn't Therapy...this is our *final* episode until the summer break!! On this weeks eppy, Jake and Simon asked "how do you navigate change?" Through two #lovelylisteners stories, they explore the honest struggle that comes with sudden change and how defaulting to "old habits" isn't necessarily a bad thing. Juicy! Sidebar: if you're a first time caller or a long time listener, thank you for being here! See you in the fall xo

P.S. Don't forget: Submit a quandary, query, or question for our end segment Asking For A Friend...

Contact: thisisnttherapypodcast@gmail.com

Creators & Guests

• Simon Paluck - Host
• Jake Ernst - Host