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.

Louie’s new therapist introduced him to Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) — and it’s already getting personal.

In what early listeners have called our "most beautiful episode yet"... Louie brings EFT-style attachment questions to the pod, exploring what he and Michael learned from their families about vulnerability, emotional safety, and connection. They reflect on how their mothers shaped their ability (or inability) to express feelings, the emotional roles they were expected to play, and what it means to unlearn emotional avoidance as adults.

If you’ve ever asked yourself “Why is vulnerability so hard for me?” — this one’s for you.

topics: emotionally focused therapy, EFT, therapy podcast, attachment styles, emotional vulnerability, childhood trauma, family dynamics, inner child healing, men’s mental health, emotional avoidance, healing relationships, therapy questions, how to be vulnerable, funny therapy podcast

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 - Join Patreon for Exclusives

MERCH - Shop Merch

Follow us here:

http://instagram.com/secondhandtherapypod

http://tiktok.com/@secondhandtherapypod

http://instagram.com/itsloubear

http://instagram.com/malonecomedy

Contact us:

secondhandtherapypod@gmail.com

818-850-2448

PO BOX 230595, Las Vegas, NV 89105

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

Michael has a new therapist — again — and session one gets heavy fast.

In this episode, Michael opens up about his childhood introduction to pornography, the grief of losing his mom, and how he's been (literally) conjuring her in his mind. He shares his fears around trying new things, the weight of codependency, and the haunting voice of his inner critic… which sounds a lot like his mother. Louie joins in to reflect on shame, identity, and the early experiences that shaped them both.

It’s an honest, funny, and deeply emotional conversation about therapy, loss, childhood trauma, and learning how to grow without the people who shaped us — for better or worse.

Topics: mental health podcast, grief and loss, inner critic, codependency, childhood trauma, therapy session, pornography addiction, men’s mental health, self-discovery, healing journey, comedy and grief, emotional resilience, parent wound, unlicensed therapy podcast

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 - Join Patreon for Exclusives

MERCH - Shop Merch

Follow us here:

http://instagram.com/secondhandtherapypod

http://tiktok.com/@secondhandtherapypod

http://instagram.com/itsloubear

http://instagram.com/malonecomedy

Contact us:

secondhandtherapypod@gmail.com

818-850-2448

PO BOX 230595, Las Vegas, NV 89105

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

Louie can’t stop wondering if his therapist is a Trump supporter. Louie talks about the early sessions of starting therapy, including opening up about his depression, anxiety, and trauma through intake surveys. He also shares why he’s on a mission to find a hobby — and how it could transform every relationship in his life. Michael has a theory about why Louie hates schedules, and opens up about his own identity struggles. Together, they ask a big, uncomfortable question: Who gets to decide what makes someone a good person?

It’s a vulnerable, funny, and deeply honest conversation about starting therapy, navigating mental health, identity, and the awkwardness that comes with trying to grow.

Topics: mental health podcast, starting therapy, depression and anxiety, trauma recovery, identity and self-worth, therapy for men, funny therapy podcast, personal growth, male friendship, comedy meets vulnerability

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

Louie and Michael just had intake sessions with their new therapists—and the experiences couldn’t have been more different. Louie returns to working with a woman therapist and unpacks what it’s like doing virtual therapy from the intimacy of your own space. He opens up about childhood trauma, the emotional impact of therapy on Zoom, and why his new therapist has never used social media—and what that says about mental health today.

Meanwhile, Michael is adjusting to a new relationship dynamic and facing fear in unexpected places—including a moment when his partner fell asleep and he felt too anxious to go for a walk. The two discuss how fear of abandonment, relational anxiety, and early trauma still show up—then dive into a classic role play that spirals in the most chaotic (and healing?) way.

If you're into therapy, emotional processing, relationship dynamics, or navigating modern mental health—this episode is for you.

Who doesn't love muffins, ya know.

Topics:

• Virtual therapy vs in-person sessions

• Fear of abandonment & relationship anxiety

• Social media and mental health

• First therapy sessions and trauma discovery

• Role play therapy (with laughs and breakthroughs)

Support the pod:
http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod
http://secondhandtherapypod.com

Follow us here:
http://instagram.com/secondhandtherapypod
http://tiktok.com/@secondhandtherapypod
http://instagram.com/itsloubear
http://instagram.com/malonecomedy

Contact us:
secondhandtherapypod@gmail.com
818-850-2448
PO BOX 230595, Las Vegas, NV 89105

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

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions involving sexual assault.

Support the pod:
http://patreon.com/secondhandtherapypod
http://secondhandtherapypod.com

Follow us here:

http://instagram.com/ponybearstudios

http://instagram.com/secondhandtherapypod
http://tiktok.com/@secondhandtherapypod
http://instagram.com/itsloubear
http://instagram.com/malonecomedy

Contact us:
secondhandtherapypod@gmail.com
818-850-2448
PO BOX 230595, Las Vegas, NV 89105

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