Struggle Care

Lindley Gentile is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and author of How to Have the Best Fight of Your Life. In this engaging conversation, she discusses why couples often struggle with conflict and how to improve their 'fighting skills.' Lindley emphasizes the dangers of seeking who's right or wrong and champions using 'I' statements over 'You' statements. She introduces the WWC framework—witness, witness, collaborate—as a pathway to better communication. The importance of empathy during disagreements and the need for a pause in conflicts are also highlighted, offering listeners valuable insights.

Natasha Daniels, an anxiety and OCD child therapist with over two decades of experience and a mother to three children facing similar challenges, shares invaluable insights on childhood OCD. She highlights the distinct differences between OCD and general anxiety, emphasizing the need for nuanced therapies. Discussing common OCD signs in kids, including repetitive questioning, she also addresses the complexities of identifying OCD versus autism. Natasha offers practical strategies for parents to support their children without amplifying their anxiety, blending professional wisdom with heartfelt anecdotes.

Stacy Rebeck, an adult adoptee and advocate for reform, shares her compelling journey and challenges regarding private infant adoption. She addresses the emotional and systemic issues faced by birth mothers and the ethics of the adoption industry. Stacy highlights the stark realities of the adoption system, discussing the pressures on pregnant women and the need for more open conversations about adoptee experiences. Her insights urge a reevaluation of adoption narratives and advocate for a child-centered approach in this sensitive topic.

Cam, a child of an early family vlogger and an international advocate, returns to discuss California's new Family Vlogging Law. She highlights how the law aims to protect child influencers and the legal implications of the '30% rule.' Cam shares her insights on the lack of boundaries she experienced growing up online and the emotional challenges linked to her past, including a recent health scare. She emphasizes the need for broader protections in the industry, particularly regarding the 'right to forget' and ethical responsibilities of parents.

Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore, a clinical psychologist and author specializing in children’s emotional health, discusses the critical distinctions between bullying and ordinary meanness. She emphasizes how mislabeling conflicts can affect resilience. The conversation explores parenting strategies for teaching self-compassion and the significance of understanding online negativity. Dr. Eileen shares techniques to help kids navigate feelings and establish connections, advocating for empathy and acknowledgment of emotions.

In a lively conversation with Jill Sirianni, co-host of the Frugal Friends Podcast and co-author of 'Buy What You Love Without Going Broke,' the hosts explore the inefficacy of traditional budgeting, especially for neurodivergent minds. Jill shares insights about the concept of being a 'financial goldfish' and discusses the psychological traps of impulse buying. They advocate for values-based spending and offer practical strategies like conducting a 90-day transaction inventory and creating pauses before purchases to foster mindfulness in financial decisions.

Nat Vikitsreth, a licensed clinical social worker and social justice organizer from Thailand, shares powerful insights on balancing self-care and community engagement. She emphasizes the importance of being your own ally and addresses the systemic roots of suffering like white supremacy and capitalism. Nat discusses the need for compassionate accountability and leads a compelling conversation on collective action versus individual burnout. Parents will find her practical advice on navigating personal joy while addressing community needs particularly enlightening.

Dr. Alec Pollard, a seasoned clinical psychologist and co-author of a book on aiding families with resistant loved ones, shares invaluable insights. He discusses the 'Family Well-Being Approach' and how appropriate support can foster recovery. Pollard highlights the dangers of enabling behaviors versus healthy accommodations and emphasizes the importance of creating incentives for treatment engagement. He also touches on self-care for caregivers, illustrating the delicate balance between aiding loved ones and maintaining one's own mental health.

Franchesca Ramsey, an actor, writer, and longtime content creator known for MTV Decoded, shares invaluable insights on managing mental health in the digital landscape. She discusses the importance of authenticity, the need for empathy in online interactions, and the struggle between personal integrity and external validation. Franchesca emphasizes the significance of setting boundaries, handling criticism gracefully, and knowing your 'WHY' for creating content. With her hard-earned wisdom, she explores how to thrive without losing oneself in the chaotic world of social media.

Franchesca Ramsey, an actor, writer, and public speaker, shares her journey as a longtime content creator known for MTV Decoded. She emphasizes the prevalence of burnout in the content creation world and discusses the importance of mental health and setting boundaries. The conversation dives into social media's impulsive nature and the need to prioritize joy in content. Ramsey also reflects on the challenges of cancel culture and managing public perception, offering valuable insights for staying authentic without sacrificing well-being.