A Little Help For Our Friends

Dr. Kibby McMahon
  • 4.9 (139)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

A LITTLE HELP FOR OUR FRIENDS is a mental health podcast hosted by Dr. Kibby McMahon, licensed clinical psychologist and CEO of KulaMind. The podcast sheds light on the psychological issues your loved ones could be struggling with and provides scientifically-informed perspectives on various mental health topics like dealing with toxic relationships, narcissism, trauma, and therapy. As a clinical psychologist from Duke University, Dr. Kibby shares her expertise on the relational nature of mental health. She mixes evidence-based learning with her own personal examples and stories from their listeners. Episodes are a range of solo episodes with Dr. Kibby, as well as with featured guests including Bachelor Nation members such as Zac Clark speaking on addiction recovery, Ben Higgins on loneliness, and Jenna Cooper on cyberbullying, as well as therapists & doctors such as sleep specialist Dr. Jade Wu, world experts on personality disorders like Dr. Zach Rosenthal, amongst many others. Additional topics covered on the podcast have included fertility, gaslighting, depression, mental health & veterans, mindfulness, and much more. Episodes are released every other week. For more information, check out www.ALittleHelpForOurFriends.com Do you need help coping with a loved one's mental or emotional problems?  Check out www.KulaMind.com, an exclusive community where you can connect other fans of "A Little Help" and get support from Dr. Kibby directly.

  1. 11h ago

    How to Support Someone in Addiction Recovery: 6 Things That Actually Help

    When someone you love gets sober, it can feel like everything should finally be okay. But addiction recovery isn’t an on/off switch, and for loved ones, this stage can bring its own fear, uncertainty, and challenges. In this episode, Dr. Kibby McMahon shares six research-backed ways you can support someone in addiction recovery while also protecting your own well-being. We cover: • How to make treatment and recovery easier to access• Why reinforcing healthy recovery behaviors matters• How to communicate without escalating shame or conflict• How to prepare for the possibility of an overdose• Why your own mental health and safety matter too• How to recognize underlying mental health and relationship issues during recovery Dr. Kibby also shares her own experience supporting her mother through alcoholism, relapse, and long-term sobriety, and why recovery required healing not only for her mother, but for their relationship too. We’re also excited to share that KulaMind, in partnership with researchers at Brown University, is studying KulaMind Recovery, a program specifically designed to support loved ones of people recovering from substance use disorders. If you or someone you love is in addiction recovery and you’re interested in participating, check the link in the show notes to learn more. Learn more about KulaMind and get support for yourself and your loved one. Link for study: https://studies.buildclinical.com/bcfs002065-rih-ramsey-131/ #AddictionRecovery #SubstanceUseRecovery #FamilySupport #MentalHealth #AddictionSupport #Recovery

  2. Aug 12

    3 Lessons I Learned From a Year of Change, Growth & Letting Go

    In the season 6 finale of A Little Help for Our Friends, Dr. Kibby McMahon looks back on a year of major change, both personally and professionally, and shares the three biggest lessons she’s taking with her into the next chapter. Kibby talks about what it means to let go of roles and relationship patterns that no longer fit, why real growth often comes from consistency and the right support, and what she’s learned from working with families affected by mental illness and addiction. She also reflects on stepping into a new role after a major change to the podcast, building KulaMind, growing an online community from scratch, and learning to become more comfortable being seen and leading. Most importantly, this episode explores something that has become increasingly clear through this work: mental illness is rarely a one-person problem. It affects partners, parents, children, caregivers, and entire family systems. If you’ve ever felt stuck in an old version of yourself, struggled to support someone you love, or wondered how to keep going when change feels uncomfortable, this episode is for you. A Little Help for Our Friends will be back for Season 7 after a short break.

  3. Aug 6

    Does Therapy Really Have to Take Years?

    Most people think therapy means talking about your past for years. But what if that's not always true? In this episode, Dr. Kibby is joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Chandler Chang, founder of Therapy Lab, to explore how mental health treatment is changing. They discuss why many people expect therapy to last indefinitely, how targeted, evidence-based treatments can often help much more quickly, and why matching the right treatment to the right problem matters. Dr. Chandler explains Therapy Lab's unique approach of creating focused treatment plans for specific challenges like panic attacks, insomnia, breakups, self-esteem, and anxiety. Together, they discuss the difference between long-term supportive therapy and goal-oriented treatment, why exposure therapy is so effective for anxiety disorders, and how setting clear expectations can improve outcomes. They also dive into the future of mental health, including AI, personalized treatment, and whether technology will replace therapists or simply make therapy more effective. Along the way, they explore what makes human connection so valuable, where AI can genuinely help, and where it may unintentionally make things worse. Whether you've been curious about therapy, wondered if it has to take years, or are interested in where mental health care is headed, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at what the future could look like. Resources: Check out Therapy LabFollow Dr. Chandler Chang on IGIf you need help dealing with a loved one with mental illness or addiction, apply to work with Dr. Kibby in KulaMind

  4. Jul 30

    5 Things That Make Therapy Not Work

    This episode breaks down practical strategies for getting more out of therapy and the common mistakes that can quietly get in the way of real progress. Have you ever left a therapy session feeling better for an hour, only to find yourself stuck in the exact same patterns a week later? Or wondered why someone can spend years in therapy without seeming to change? In this episode, Dr. Kibby explores the habits that often prevent therapy from being effective. She talks about emotional avoidance, people pleasing, staying in "problem talk" instead of focusing on change, and why honesty with your therapist matters more than trying to be the "perfect" client. She also explains how to choose the right therapist, what questions to ask before starting treatment, and why the work that happens between sessions is just as important as what happens during them. Whether you're in therapy yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers practical ways to make treatment more meaningful and increase the chances that it leads to lasting change. Resources: - Chapman, A. L., & Rosenthal, M. Z. (2016). Managing therapy-interfering behavior: Strategies from dialectical behavior therapy. American Psychological Association.

  5. Jul 22

    How to Talk to Someone About Getting Help When They Don’t Think They Need It

    This episode shares practical strategies for how to talk to a loved one who is struggling with mental health about getting therapy. Have you ever said to someone "You need therapy" or "why don't you get help?" when they seem like they're struggling? Then what do you do if your loved one clearly needs help but feels defensive, misunderstood, or convinced that therapy isn’t the answer? And what happens when your urgency to help only makes them push back harder? In this episode, Dr. Kibby breaks down why people resist treatment, how shame, fear, and loss of autonomy can get in the way, and why trying to convince someone usually backfires. She explains how to shift from pressure to partnership by listening first, validating their experience, finding common ground, and focusing on the outcome you both want. Along the way, she shares real-life examples from family, relationships, and clinical work, including how to support someone who is in crisis while still preserving dignity whenever possible. Dr. Kibby also breaks down science-backed, methods that clinicians use to talk to someone about engaging in treatment. She goes through the LEAP method and motivational interviewing techniques that work with people who need help but don't think they have a problem. Whether you’re dealing with a partner, parent, adult child, or friend, this episode offers a clear framework for having harder conversations with more empathy, less conflict, and a better chance of real change. Resources: Need help dealing with a difficult family member who's struggling with mental health? Dr. Kibby can help through her program⁠⁠ KulaMind⁠⁠⁠⁠Books on the LEAP method

  6. Jul 15

    How I Married My Wedding Officiant: My Story of Building my Dream Family

    In this episode, Dr. Kibby shares her deeply personal story of infertility, attachment trauma, and the unexpected path that led her to motherhood. How do you build a family when the journey doesn’t go the way you planned? And what happens when control, willpower, and even the best-laid plans aren’t enough? In this honest and vulnerable episode, Dr. Kibby opens up about the heartbreak, uncertainty, and inner work that shaped her path to becoming a mother. She explains why trusting her gut became the turning point in her journey, and how letting go of rigid expectations made space for something greater than she imagined. Along the way, she reveals how attachment trauma influenced her relationships, how emotional safety and vulnerability became essential, and why infertility is so much more complex than most people realize. She talks about the limits of pure logic when it comes to family, the role of intuition in life-changing decisions, and how faith, surrender, and resilience can help us move through the unknown. Whether you’re navigating fertility challenges, relationship pain, or simply trying to trust yourself more deeply, this episode offers compassion, insight, and hope.If you’ve ever wondered whether you should keep pushing, let go, or trust your inner voice, this conversation will meet you where you are. You’ll leave with a new perspective on motherhood, healing, and the surprising ways a family can come together. Resources: Need help dealing with a difficult family member who's struggling with mental health? Dr. Kibby can help through her program⁠ KulaMind⁠ ⁠Follow Dr. Kibby on Instagram⁠ Dr. Kibby telling the story of ⁠The Story Collider⁠

  7. Jul 8

    The Generational Divide In Families: Bridging the Gap Between Boomer Parents and Millennial/ Gen-Z Children

    In this episode, Dr. Amy Todey joins Dr. Kibby to talk about the generational divide in modern families and how families can navigate difficult relationships. Are Boomer parents all narcissists? Or are the younger generations just fragile snowflakes? In this episode, Dr. Amy Todey joins Dr. Kibby to discuss how the generational divide in family relationships is deeper (and more fragile) than most of us realize. Dr. Amy Todey is a clinical psychologist who specializes in coparenting and family relationships. In this conversation, she reveals why conflicts between parents, adult children, and grandparents often stem from misaligned values and unspoken wounds, and how understanding these differences can lead to repair, not rupture. She shares surprising insights on why modern families fracture, how labels like "narcissist" obscure the real issues, and the quiet power of boundaries rooted in love and accountability. They also discuss the risk of the rise in "cut-off" or estrangement culture. In this eye-opening conversation, you'll discover practical frameworks for navigating emotional safety and reconciliation across generations. Dr. Todey discusses the importance of honoring your own story while holding space for others’, offering concrete strategies to set boundaries without severing connections. She explores how societal shifts are fueling family conflicts, and what you can do to foster belonging despite these tensions. Dr. Kibby and Dr. Todey explore how to recognize when to cut off or lean in, the role of forgiveness in healing familial wounds, and the common pitfalls that keep families stuck in cycles of estrangement. Whether you're navigating the challenges of aging parents, estranged siblings, or strained grandparent relationships, you'll leave with tangible tools to foster understanding, love, and resilience in your family, no matter how complex or imperfect. Resources: Need help dealing with a difficult family member? Dr. Kibby can help through her program KulaMindDr. Amy Todey's WebsiteDr. Amy Todey's Instagram

  8. Jul 1

    BPD Rage: Why Anger in Borderline Personality Disorder Feels Uncontrollable and How Loved Ones Can Calm It

    This episode explores the biology and nature of anger in borderline personality disorder ("BPD Rage") and practical strategies family members, friends and partners can use to respond to BPD rage. Some people get angry, while some people just see red. In this episode, Dr. Kibby lifts the veil on what’s happening in the brain during these emotional storms and shares proven strategies to manage, soothe, and respond effectively. You might feel helpless as your loved one spirals into a rage that lasts for hours, fueled by triggers deep in their brain’s emotional wiring. Dr. Kibby unpacks why BPD rage is so overwhelming, rooted in hyper-reactive amygdalas, weak prefrontal regulation, and a cascade of shame and rejection fears. It's not about bad character or being "evil," but a biological response, amplified by social triggers like betrayal, abandonment, or misunderstood intentions. These emotional storms often appear suddenly, with the flip of a switch, and how they can mimic psychosis or demon-like behavior, leaving loved ones terrified and powerless. Dr. Kibby breaks down the neuroscience behind BPD rage, including the brain’s regulatory pathways. Then, the conversation offers practical, research-backed communication techniques that help de-escalate these heightened states. Dr. Kibby shares specific scripts and real-life stories that reveal how these tools can prevent escalation, reduce personal attacks, and promote healing instead of blame. Learn why acknowledging the emotional experience, rather than dismissing it, is crucial for injury prevention and long-term connection. Most importantly, she emphasizes that setting boundaries around dangerous behavior isn’t about blame- it’s about safety and self-care. Whether you’re a parent, partner, or therapist, this episode offers a compassionate, no-nonsense blueprint to handle BPD rage. Resources: Talk to Dr. Kibby about KulaMind⁠, where she supports people dealing with their loved ones' emotional issuesMitolo, M., D’Adda, F., Evangelisti, S., Pellegrini, L., Gramegna, L. L., Bianchini, C., ... & Tonon, C. (2024). Emotion dysregulation, impulsivity and anger rumination in borderline personality disorder: the role of amygdala and insula. European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience, 274(1), 109-116.

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4.9
out of 5
139 Ratings

About

A LITTLE HELP FOR OUR FRIENDS is a mental health podcast hosted by Dr. Kibby McMahon, licensed clinical psychologist and CEO of KulaMind. The podcast sheds light on the psychological issues your loved ones could be struggling with and provides scientifically-informed perspectives on various mental health topics like dealing with toxic relationships, narcissism, trauma, and therapy. As a clinical psychologist from Duke University, Dr. Kibby shares her expertise on the relational nature of mental health. She mixes evidence-based learning with her own personal examples and stories from their listeners. Episodes are a range of solo episodes with Dr. Kibby, as well as with featured guests including Bachelor Nation members such as Zac Clark speaking on addiction recovery, Ben Higgins on loneliness, and Jenna Cooper on cyberbullying, as well as therapists & doctors such as sleep specialist Dr. Jade Wu, world experts on personality disorders like Dr. Zach Rosenthal, amongst many others. Additional topics covered on the podcast have included fertility, gaslighting, depression, mental health & veterans, mindfulness, and much more. Episodes are released every other week. For more information, check out www.ALittleHelpForOurFriends.com Do you need help coping with a loved one's mental or emotional problems?  Check out www.KulaMind.com, an exclusive community where you can connect other fans of "A Little Help" and get support from Dr. Kibby directly.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Kibby McMahon
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Kibby McMahon
  • Show Website
    A Little Help For Our Friends

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