Shrinking Heads

This week on Shrinking Heads, we grab our machetes and head straight into the dense emotional jungle created by the government shutdown. With vines of uncertainty, quicksand pits of stress, the distant calls of budgetary chaos echoing through the canopy, and host Shannon still on sabbatical, join Elizabeth as she explores how all this political turbulence takes a real toll on mental health. Luckily, guest host Scott swings in to help us navigate the underbrush—part guide, part fellow explorer, and fully aware that even the steadiest minds can trip over unexpected roots. Join us as we chart a path through shutdown-induced anxiety, highlight the survival tools we all need, and remind you that no one—therapists included—gets through the jungle without a few bumps and bruises. Yes, we know we accidentally uploaded the wrong episode so some of you now know how the season ends. We apologize, even we aren't perfect ALL the time 😂

This week on Shrinking Heads, we grab our machetes and head straight into the dense emotional jungle created by the government shutdown. With vines of uncertainty, quicksand pits of stress, the distant calls of budgetary chaos echoing through the canopy, and host Shannon still on sabbatical, join Elizabeth as she explores how all this political turbulence takes a real toll on mental health. Luckily, guest host Scott swings in to help us navigate the underbrush—part guide, part fellow explorer, and fully aware that even the steadiest minds can trip over unexpected roots. Join us as we chart a path through shutdown-induced anxiety, highlight the survival tools we all need, and remind you that no one—therapists included—gets through the jungle without a few bumps and bruises.

What happens when one of our hosts gets left to fend for themselves in the jungle? Chaos? Adventure? A few too many bug bites? All of the above. In this wild episode of Shrinking Heads, we swing from the trees of survival to the branches of therapy as our stranded host shares her favorite lessons, tips, and insights from the therapy room. Expect laughter, reflection, and practical mental health wisdom—delivered straight from the jungle. It’s therapy, unplugged…and slightly untamed.

Sometimes, what looks like delusion in one culture is divine connection in another — and if we’re not careful, our diagnostic machete can hack away at someone’s sacred roots. In this episode, we venture deep into the undergrowth of spirituality, culture, and clinical judgment.We’ll talk about how to tell when a “calling” isn’t a crisis, why burning sage isn’t always a red flag, and how to avoid confusing ancestral guidance with auditory hallucinations. Grab your compass (and maybe a little cultural humility), because this one’s about learning to listen before labeling.

This week, we’re venturing into the therapy jungle to take a hard look at ourselves—not our clients. Even the most experienced therapists carry assumptions and stereotypes about the people who come throughout doors: the “one with the pumpkin spice latte”, the “resistant” client, the "perfectly self-aware” client. In this episode, we’ll explore where these mental shortcuts come from, how they can shape our work, and why challenging them is essential for authentic, effective therapy. Along the way, we’ll share insights, stories, and maybe even a few laughs at the traps we’ve all fallen into in the therapy jungle.

This week, we’re venturing into the therapy jungle totake a hard look at ourselves—not our clients. Even the most experiencedtherapists carry assumptions and stereotypes about the people who come throughour doors: the “one with the pumpkin spice latte”, the “resistant” client, the“perfectly self-aware” client. In this episode, we’ll explore where thesemental shortcuts come from, how they can shape our work, and why challengingthem is essential for authentic, effective therapy. Along the way, we’ll shareinsights, stories, and maybe even a few laughs at the traps we’ve all falleninto in the therapy jungle.

What’s it really like when your family tree grows therapists? In this episode of Shrinking Heads, we trek deeper into the jungle of mental health by flipping the mic toward home. Elizabeth’s mom and Shannon’s husband join us for an honest (and hilarious) look at what life is like when your dinner table doubles as a therapy couch. From unsolicited “reflective listening” to decoding every sigh, we explore the perks, pitfalls, and punchlines of living with therapists in the family.

In this week's episode, join your Shrinking Heads hosts Shannon and Elizabeth as they take you deep into the tangled jungle of mental health, where every vine looks like a hashtag and every branch carries a label waiting to stick. In this episode, they hack through the overgrowth of social media’s illusions and the traps of being defined by labels. Are these tools helping us navigate the terrain, or are they quicksand in disguise? Grab your machete of curiosity—we’re cutting through the noise to find a clearer path.

Grab your gear—this week on Shrinking Heads, Shannon and Elizabeth hack through the jungle of mental health to uncover the wild world of emotional activation. Ever wonder why your body sounds the alarm at the smallest rustle in the leaves? We’ll map out the hidden trails emotional activation, explore the signs of activation, and pack your survival kit with evidence-based coping tools. By the end, you’ll be swinging through emotional vines with a lot more confidence—and fewer mosquito bites.

Therapists may help you hack through the tangled vines of your own mind, but don’t be fooled—they’ve got their own wild undergrowth to navigate too. In this episode of Shrinking Heads, tag along as Elizabeth and Shannon trek into the jungle of mental health to explore the fact that therapists are people just like us: sometimes lost without a map, sometimes swatting at emotional mosquitoes, and occasionally stopping to admire the rare bloom of self-awareness. Strap on your boots—it’s not just your head that needs shrinking.

Welcome back to "Shrinking Heads," the mental health podcast where this week your hosts machete through the thick jungle of dual relationships—those tricky situations where therapists wear more than one hat (and none of them come with a map). Join Elizabeth and Shannon as they untangle ethical vines, dodge boundary blunders, and shine a flashlight on the gray areas therapists don’t talk about at brunch. It’s part exploration, part therapy—and just the right amount of wild.

Join your hosts Elizabeth and the freshly retuned Shannon as they explore the jungle of what it means to be a social worker AND a human. Being a social worker means you are part advocate, part therapist, part paperwork warrior. But guess what? Social workers are also human. In this episode, we unpack the beautiful chaos of caring for others while remembering to care for yourself. Expect honesty, humor, and maybe a few therapeutic deep sighs.

Konnichiwa! In this episode, Elizabeth joins forces with Israel Lopez Sensei of the Martial Maze podcast to explore how organized violence may be detrimental on a martial arts overall mental health. This episode is a definite must listen. We hope you enjoy exploring this jungle with us!And, as a bonus, you can watch Elizabeth and Israel's episode on The Martial Maze YouTube channel here !

When the jungle is on fire (metaphorically… mostly), should therapists bring politics into the room—or keep the focus strictly clinical? Join your host Elizabeth and special guest MK as they slash through a jungle of opinions. Should providers discuss politics with therapy clients?We unpack the ethical tightrope, explore the role of therapist self-disclosure, and ask the big question: is neutrality healing—or harmful? 🛋️🗳️Perfect for anyone who’s ever paused before answering, “And how does that make you feel… about the midterms?”

Ever found yourself lost in the alphabet soup of initials after your provider's name? Join us as we decode the jungle of letters—MSW, LMSW, LCSW, P-LPC, LPC, and every other credential that’s more confusing than a game of Scrabble. In each episode, we’ll break down the meanings, the significance, and the occasional mystery behind those letters, all while laughing at the absurdity of it all. Grab your compass and join us on this hilarious quest to make sense of the professional title wilderness!"

In this episode, we trek deep into the untamed wilderness of social work—where the paperwork vines are endless, the emotional terrain is unpredictable, and burnout predators lurk in the shadows. Shannon, our fearless social worker, shares her origin story: what led her to brave this wild profession, the skills she's picked up along the way, and the rewarding moments that make it all worthwhile. So grab your metaphorical machete (or just some headphones) and join us as we explore the raw, real, and sometimes downright wild journey of helping others.

Join your hosts as Shannon puts Elizabeth in the hot seat, exploring the "how's" and "whys" of Elizabeth's social work journey and her motivations for becoming a therapist.

Ever wondered why therapists love their questionnaires? Join Elizabeth, Shannon and special guest Scott, as the trio dive into the world of mental health assessments—what they are, why they matter, and whether they’re just fancy buzzwords for “answer these 50 questions.” From uncovering hidden stressors to guiding effective treatment, we break down how these tools help paint a clearer picture of your mental well-being. Tune in for a mix of insight, humor, and tools to help you navigate the mental health jungle!

In this episode your hosts dig into the labels, layers, and lunacy of mental health diagnoses. Are they a lifeline, a label, or just a little too much? Join us for deep dives, sharp wit, and honest conversations about what we use diagnoses for, and WHY we have to.

Did you know there is more than one type of therapy? Have you ever wondered about the different flavors of therapy? In this episode, your hosts explore some of the more common types of therapy. Individual, play, group etc., are all covered, in attempt to help you navigate the jungle of mental health. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Drop us a line at [email protected]

In this episode, we dive into the not-so-simple art of finding a therapist—it's like dating, but instead of swiping right for romance, you're swiping right for emotional healing! Join us as we share the ins and outs of finding your perfect mental health match, and offer tips on what to look for (and what to avoid) when scrolling through that seemingly endless list of options. Hang with us as we navigate this essential (yet often amusing) journey toward mental wellness. Your therapist is out there—let’s make sure you don’t end up with a quack!