Louie reflects on radical acceptance, family wounds, and whether he truly desires a connection with his father.

This week, Louie and Michael unpack the idea of fatherhood — from the hypothetical qualities they wish they’d had in a dad, to what it means to grow up without a father figure. Louie challenges Michael’s story of not having one, and shares his perspective on who carries the responsibility for repairing parent–child relationships.

Michael opens up about how codependency and avoidance have shaped his romantic life, especially in a long-distance relationship. He shares the painful reality of emotional whiplash — the push–pull, yo-yo effect — and how it impacts intimacy, trust, and connection.

It’s a vulnerable and raw conversation about fathers, family dynamics, codependency, and the difficult process of learning to accept people as they are while still protecting your own emotional health.

BetterHelp:

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit https://betterhelp.com/secondhandtherapy for a discount on your first month of therapy.

If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/

Support the pod:

PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod

MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com

Follow us here:

http://instagram.com/secondhandtherapypod

http://tiktok.com/@secondhandtherapypod

Contact us:

secondhandtherapypod@gmail.com

818-850-2448

PO BOX 230595, Las Vegas, NV 89105

Topics: therapy podcast, mental health podcast, radical acceptance, father wounds, fatherhood, absent father, family dynamics, repairing parent–child relationships, codependency recovery, long distance relationships, emotional whiplash, yo-yo relationships, self-growth, unlicensed therapy, breakups, heartbreak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Louie has a bone to pick with the audience over last week’s episode — and his therapist has thoughts.

This week, Louie unpacks why being “hard to argue with” might be hurting his relationships, and what it really means to meet people where they are without losing yourself. Michael shares a fresh example of Louie’s dismissive side and opens up about the possibility of having Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD).

Louie reflects on a recent conversation with his mom that stirred unexpected discomfort, while Michael shares lessons from his CODA (Codependents Anonymous) meetings about boundaries, connection, and self-awareness.

It’s an honest, funny, and vulnerable conversation about communication, self-growth, family dynamics, and the messy process of trying to show up authentically in relationships.

BetterHelp:

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit https://betterhelp.com/secondhandtherapy for a discount on your first month of therapy.

If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/

Support the pod:

PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod

MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com

Follow us here:

http://instagram.com/secondhandtherapypod

http://tiktok.com/@secondhandtherapypod

Contact us:

secondhandtherapypod@gmail.com

818-850-2448

PO BOX 230595, Las Vegas, NV 89105

Topics discussed: therapy podcast, mental health podcast, rejection sensitive dysphoria, RSD, codependency recovery, CODA meetings, family dynamics, emotional boundaries, self-awareness, meeting people where they are, communication in relationships, personal growth, unlicensed therapy podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael and Louie get real about boundaries, control, and what it takes to accept people — especially family — as they are.

This week, Louie opens up about deciding to accept his mom for who she is, letting go of the hope for a deeper emotional connection, and navigating the grief that comes with a more shallow relationship. Michael shares how childhood neglect, acts of service, and the loss of key family support have shaped the way he gives and receives love. Together, they unpack emotional walls (“the bricks”), codependency, the need for validation, and how old wounds show up in adult relationships. And then we get into a fight over communication. Autism vs ADHD: the Showdown.

It’s raw, unfiltered, and sometimes hilarious — a deep dive into family dynamics, attachment, emotional boundaries, and why some conversations feel like battles.

BetterHelp:

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit https://betterhelp.com/secondhandtherapy for a discount on your first month of therapy..

If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/

Support the pod:

PATREON - http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod

MERCH - http://secondhandtherapypod.com

Follow us here:

http://instagram.com/secondhandtherapypod

http://tiktok.com/@secondhandtherapypod

Contact us:

secondhandtherapypod@gmail.com

818-850-2448

PO BOX 230595, Las Vegas, NV 89105

Topics discussed: therapy podcast, mental health podcast, family boundaries, mother-son relationship, emotional boundaries, letting go of control, accepting family, childhood neglect, acts of service love language, codependency recovery, inner critic, family dynamics, grief and loss, personal growth, unlicensed therapy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.