Podcast Episodes to Check Out this Month
Written by Helena Lorenz, M.S.W, LMSW
Licensed Master Social Worker
Hey, y’all! This is the second installment of my ongoing series where I get to share my love of podcasts and mental health awareness!
Every month, I’ll share 3 episodes from a variety of my favorite podcasts; sometimes an episode is from a whole series that revolves around psychology or counseling, and sometimes it’s just a one-off mental health-focused episode in a series about something totally different! Either way, my sincere hope is that these stories can provide you some mix of comfort, validation, enlightenment, and enjoyment.
Happy listening!
Feel free to check out these episodes via the links in the titles or through your favorite podcast app.
1. “The Upside of Our Parents’ Divorce” – Modern Love
This New York Times podcast series is based on its famous newspaper column, where regular people from all around the country submit their short stories of love in its many beautifully varied forms. This particular episode captures the unique bond that exists between siblings, and how that connection can be tested and strengthened in times of hardship. The author’s story truly highlights the incredible resiliency of children, and how love can exist and thrive in a family even while it is enduring the grief of divorce. A simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming listen.
2. “Unlocking the Mysteries of Endometriosis” – Fresh Air
While the subject of endometriosis may seem like more of a medical topic than a psychological topic, I can assure you that the condition and many side effects fall firmly under both realms. Up to 1 in 10 people with uteruses are thought to suffer from endometriosis, a disorder in which endometrium (the tissue that lines the uterus) begins to grow outside the uterus, sometimes wreaking havoc on surrounding organs. Its side effects are numerous and can range from mere annoyance to outright agony, and the lack of effective treatment options can leave those with the disorder often feeling depressed and hopeless. In this podcast, Dr. Linda Griffith recounts her personal journey with endometriosis as well as the research she is currently engaged in to try and find a cure. A fascinating and refreshing listen for those struggling to learn about and cope with this mysterious diagnosis.
3. “Carol and Michelle’s Mother-Daughter Conflict” – Dear Therapists
*Trigger warning that this podcast episode does discuss suicide*
Dear Therapists is a fantastic podcast resource for therapists and clients alike, where psychologist Guy Winch and therapist Lori Gottlieb work through single sessions with anonymous clients (whom they refer to as “fellow travelers”, which I love). Guy, Lori, and the caller travel through a short, but powerful journey in each episode, touching on an incredibly wide variety of life experiences and traumatic events. In this episode, they work with two clients, a mother and daughter, who appear to be trapped in a cycle of conflict and misunderstanding. They primarily discuss the profound relational effects of the mother’s long struggle with debilitating depression, and Lori and Guy provide guidance for building empathy and healing long-held resentments. This is a difficult listen, and the road to peace in this particular relationship is clearly rocky and complicated, but as listeners, and fellow travelers, I think we have so much to gain from attempting to hold complex points of view.
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