Therapy Unzipped

Brett Hall and Tom Metzinger

Therapy Unzipped is where professional therapy meets honest, real-life conversation. Hosted by experienced social workers and longtime friends Brett Hall and Tom Metzinger, Therapy Unzipped explores anxiety, trauma, relationships, emotional health, personal growth, and the often-absurd experience of being human—without burying you in clinical language. Tom is a licensed clinical social worker, certified clinical hypnotherapist, EMDR-certified trauma therapist, and Marine Corps veteran with more than 20 years of mental-health experience. Brett holds both an MSW and an MBA and brings extensive experience in social-work leadership, education, macro practice, and inpatient psychiatric care, including serving as a hospital director and teacher. Together, Brett and Tom combine two distinct perspectives: Tom’s experience treating people and Brett’s experience teaching, leading, and understanding the larger systems that affect them. Each week, they unpack a real mental-health or relationship challenge, explain the psychology behind it, and offer practical ideas you can use in everyday life. You’ll get professional insight, personal stories, candid opinions, and enough humor to make difficult conversations a little easier. It’s the therapy version—and then the unzipped version: more honest, more relatable, occasionally irreverent, but always intended to help. Send your question to [questions@therapyunzipped.com](mailto:questions@therapyunzipped.com) for a chance to have it unzipped on the show. New episodes weekly. Follow Therapy Unzipped and join the conversation.

  1. 7 Aug

    Your Partner Is Not Your Project

    This week: Your Partner Is Not Your Project On this episode, Tom and Brett discuss what happens when your partner starts feeling more like your child. Today we unpack overfunctioning, resentment, boundaries, and how to stop carrying the relationship—first with our therapist hats on, then we unzip it and tell you what we really think. Actionable steps: Be Kind and Be Respectful to one another. Send questions for us to answer at: questions@therapyunzipped.com Links mentioned in this episode: http://suggestiblemind.com http://therapyunzipped.com Check out these resources as well: *Suggestible Mind Podcast Books *The Impact of Social Media and Technology on Mental Health: A Comprehensive Guide https://www.amazon.com/Impact-Social-Technology-Mental-Health/dp/B0C642FV9D/ref=sr_1_3?crid=NL15N5NQ3ORS&keywords=brett+hall+Thomas+metzinger&qid=1694211527&sprefix=brett+hall+thomas+metzinger%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-3 *Full Catastrophe Living https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MQZLFF75PPHE&keywords=full+catastrophe+living&qid=1696026095&sprefix=full+cata%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1 *The Four Agreements https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HXWIYGMB3D5X&keywords=four+agreements&qid=1696026157&sprefix=four+agree%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-1 *The Body Keeps the Score https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EEWE75YZT400&keywords=the+body+keeps+the+score+book&qid=1700171387&sprefix=the+body%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1 Movie Snippet: Blazing Saddles Track Title: Match Point Artist Name(s): Salon Dijon This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

  2. 31 Jul

    But I Did What You Wanted

    This week: But I Did What You Wanted On this episode, Tom and Brett discuss challenges men may face regarding mental health. Actionable steps: Be Kind and Be Respectful to one another. Send questions for us to answer at: questions@therapyunzipped.com Links mentioned in this episode: http://suggestiblemind.com http://therapyunzipped.com Check out these resources as well: *Suggestible Mind Podcast Books *The Impact of Social Media and Technology on Mental Health: A Comprehensive Guide https://www.amazon.com/Impact-Social-Technology-Mental-Health/dp/B0C642FV9D/ref=sr_1_3?crid=NL15N5NQ3ORS&keywords=brett+hall+Thomas+metzinger&qid=1694211527&sprefix=brett+hall+thomas+metzinger%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-3 *Full Catastrophe Living https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MQZLFF75PPHE&keywords=full+catastrophe+living&qid=1696026095&sprefix=full+cata%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1 *The Four Agreements https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HXWIYGMB3D5X&keywords=four+agreements&qid=1696026157&sprefix=four+agree%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-1 *The Body Keeps the Score https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EEWE75YZT400&keywords=the+body+keeps+the+score+book&qid=1700171387&sprefix=the+body%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1 Movie Snippet: Blazing Saddles Track Title: Match Point Artist Name(s): Salon Dijon This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

  3. 17 Jul

    Why Are You Still Carrying It?

    This week: Why Are You Still Carrying It? On this episode, Tom offers a story to spur thoughts and feelings related to the traumas we still decide to carry with us. Actionable steps: Be Kind and Be Respectful to one another. Send questions for us to answer at: questions@therapyunzipped.com Links mentioned in this episode: http://suggestiblemind.com http://therapyunzipped.com Check out these resources as well: *Suggestible Mind Podcast Books *The Impact of Social Media and Technology on Mental Health: A Comprehensive Guide https://www.amazon.com/Impact-Social-Technology-Mental-Health/dp/B0C642FV9D/ref=sr_1_3?crid=NL15N5NQ3ORS&keywords=brett+hall+Thomas+metzinger&qid=1694211527&sprefix=brett+hall+thomas+metzinger%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-3 *Full Catastrophe Living https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MQZLFF75PPHE&keywords=full+catastrophe+living&qid=1696026095&sprefix=full+cata%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1 *The Four Agreements https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HXWIYGMB3D5X&keywords=four+agreements&qid=1696026157&sprefix=four+agree%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-1 *The Body Keeps the Score https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EEWE75YZT400&keywords=the+body+keeps+the+score+book&qid=1700171387&sprefix=the+body%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1 Movie Snippet: Blazing Saddles Track Title: Match Point Artist Name(s): Salon Dijon This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

  4. 10 Jul

    Thank You Sir, May I Have Another

    This week: Thank You Sir, May I Have Another On this episode, Tom and Brett discuss phrases we use to describe the fact that most things are really just a minor inconvenience. Actionable steps: Be Kind and Be Respectful to one another. Send questions for us to answer at: questions@therapyunzipped.com Links mentioned in this episode: http://suggestiblemind.com http://therapyunzipped.com Check out these resources as well: *Suggestible Mind Podcast Books *The Impact of Social Media and Technology on Mental Health: A Comprehensive Guide https://www.amazon.com/Impact-Social-Technology-Mental-Health/dp/B0C642FV9D/ref=sr_1_3?crid=NL15N5NQ3ORS&keywords=brett+hall+Thomas+metzinger&qid=1694211527&sprefix=brett+hall+thomas+metzinger%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-3 *Full Catastrophe Living https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MQZLFF75PPHE&keywords=full+catastrophe+living&qid=1696026095&sprefix=full+cata%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1 *The Four Agreements https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HXWIYGMB3D5X&keywords=four+agreements&qid=1696026157&sprefix=four+agree%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-1 *The Body Keeps the Score https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EEWE75YZT400&keywords=the+body+keeps+the+score+book&qid=1700171387&sprefix=the+body%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1 Movie Snippet: Blazing Saddles Track Title: Match Point Artist Name(s): Salon Dijon This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

  5. 3 Jul

    But What Are You Doing To Change It?

    This week: But What Are You Doing To Change It? On this episode, Tom and Brett discuss small changes you can make to inspire bigger societal change. Actionable steps: Be Kind and Be Respectful to one another. Send questions for us to answer at: questions@therapyunzipped.com Links mentioned in this episode: http://suggestiblemind.com http://therapyunzipped.com Check out these resources as well: *Suggestible Mind Podcast Books *The Impact of Social Media and Technology on Mental Health: A Comprehensive Guide https://www.amazon.com/Impact-Social-Technology-Mental-Health/dp/B0C642FV9D/ref=sr_1_3?crid=NL15N5NQ3ORS&keywords=brett+hall+Thomas+metzinger&qid=1694211527&sprefix=brett+hall+thomas+metzinger%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-3 *Full Catastrophe Living https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MQZLFF75PPHE&keywords=full+catastrophe+living&qid=1696026095&sprefix=full+cata%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1 *The Four Agreements https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HXWIYGMB3D5X&keywords=four+agreements&qid=1696026157&sprefix=four+agree%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-1 *The Body Keeps the Score https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EEWE75YZT400&keywords=the+body+keeps+the+score+book&qid=1700171387&sprefix=the+body%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1 Movie Snippet: Blazing Saddles Track Title: Match Point Artist Name(s): Salon Dijon This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

  6. 26 Jun

    Therapists Behaving Badly

    This week: Therapists Behaving Badly On this episode, Tom and Brett discuss how humor is a universal language, ways in which it can be therapeutic and sometimes harmful. have fun with "Yo Momma" jokes in this episode. Actionable steps: Be Kind and Be Respectful to one another. Send questions for us to answer at: questions@therapyunzipped.com Links mentioned in this episode: http://suggestiblemind.com http://therapyunzipped.com Check out these resources as well: *Suggestible Mind Podcast Books *The Impact of Social Media and Technology on Mental Health: A Comprehensive Guide https://www.amazon.com/Impact-Social-Technology-Mental-Health/dp/B0C642FV9D/ref=sr_1_3?crid=NL15N5NQ3ORS&keywords=brett+hall+Thomas+metzinger&qid=1694211527&sprefix=brett+hall+thomas+metzinger%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-3 *Full Catastrophe Living https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MQZLFF75PPHE&keywords=full+catastrophe+living&qid=1696026095&sprefix=full+cata%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1 *The Four Agreements https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HXWIYGMB3D5X&keywords=four+agreements&qid=1696026157&sprefix=four+agree%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-1 *The Body Keeps the Score https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EEWE75YZT400&keywords=the+body+keeps+the+score+book&qid=1700171387&sprefix=the+body%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1 Movie Snippet: Blazing Saddles Track Title: Match Point Artist Name(s): Salon Dijon This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

About

Therapy Unzipped is where professional therapy meets honest, real-life conversation. Hosted by experienced social workers and longtime friends Brett Hall and Tom Metzinger, Therapy Unzipped explores anxiety, trauma, relationships, emotional health, personal growth, and the often-absurd experience of being human—without burying you in clinical language. Tom is a licensed clinical social worker, certified clinical hypnotherapist, EMDR-certified trauma therapist, and Marine Corps veteran with more than 20 years of mental-health experience. Brett holds both an MSW and an MBA and brings extensive experience in social-work leadership, education, macro practice, and inpatient psychiatric care, including serving as a hospital director and teacher. Together, Brett and Tom combine two distinct perspectives: Tom’s experience treating people and Brett’s experience teaching, leading, and understanding the larger systems that affect them. Each week, they unpack a real mental-health or relationship challenge, explain the psychology behind it, and offer practical ideas you can use in everyday life. You’ll get professional insight, personal stories, candid opinions, and enough humor to make difficult conversations a little easier. It’s the therapy version—and then the unzipped version: more honest, more relatable, occasionally irreverent, but always intended to help. Send your question to [questions@therapyunzipped.com](mailto:questions@therapyunzipped.com) for a chance to have it unzipped on the show. New episodes weekly. Follow Therapy Unzipped and join the conversation.