Laugh Cry Club

Joy Parrish, LPC // Rebecca Zeleny, LCSW
  • 5.0 (51)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hosted by licensed mental health therapists who laugh and cry as much as you do. New episodes MONDAY! Licensed mental health therapists explore the complexities of mental health with compassion, humor, and a whole lot of heart. Whether you're seeking support, understanding, or simply a good laugh, Laugh Cry Club is here to remind you that you're not alone on this journey. Tune in every Monday for new episodes and be part of our community where every emotion is welcome, and every story matters. Let's navigate the world of mental health together, one laugh and one tear at a time.

  1. 3D AGO

    Navigating Disappointment and Friendships

    Why Disappointment Hurts So Much: Expectations, Meaning-Making, and Protecting Your Mental HealthLicensed therapists Joy and Rebecca discuss mindfulness, neuroscience, and how resisting emotions can intensify distress, recommending the Dharma Lab podcast, Brown University Mindfulness Program, and the Healthy Minds app. They explore how the brain “makes meaning,” often attaching judgment to neutral events like weighing oneself, and how noticing thoughts without immediately fixing them can help. The episode pivots to why disappointment—especially from friends, coworkers, and family—hurts so much, describing unspoken “contracts,” Brene Brown’s marble jar trust metaphor, and how betrayal and gaslighting can trigger rumination, self-doubt, withdrawal, resentment, and overgeneralizing. They emphasize separating facts from stories, regulating before reacting, adjusting expectations without lowering self-worth, recognizing red flags, and accepting that some relationships end without resolution.03:01 Scale Anxiety Spiral05:31 Meaning Making Machines09:01 Mindfulness Retreat Lessons15:36 Mindfulness Myths and Practice18:18 Why Disappointment Hurts18:55 Expectations in Friendships24:14 Betrayal Stories and Gaslighting29:43 Feeling Gaslit30:15 You Can’t Control Others31:59 Rumination And Resentment32:50 Second Chances And Red Flags37:18 Family Ties And Boundaries41:31 Rethinking Relationship Contracts43:22 Honesty Versus Gaslighting48:39 Protect Your Mental Health51:41 Workplace Betrayal Story54:05 Bamboozled And Closing

    56 min

  2. FEB 23

    Celebrating New Beginnings

    Lunar New Year Traditions, Mindfulness, and Grief: Remembering FritzJoy and Rebecca open the Laugh Cry Club episode by wishing listeners a happy Lunar New Year and sharing that they have had a difficult couple of weeks, including the loss of Rebecca’s 12-year-old rescue dog Fritz after a neurological event left him unable to walk.They then discuss Lunar New Year history and meaning, noting it dates back over 3,000 years and marks the end of winter and the start of an agricultural cycle, with traditions such as family reunification (including China’s large annual migration), cleaning the home, settling debts, honoring ancestors, and symbolic foods like dumplings, longevity noodles, and rice cakes. They talk about the zodiac, identify Rebecca as a snake and Joy as a rabbit, and mention 2026 as the (rare) year of the fire horse, associated with independence, vitality, momentum, passion, volatility, impulsivity, and burnout. Rebecca shares a story about frowning fire horse plushies that were produced after a manufacturing mistake.Connecting Lunar New Year customs to mental health, they outline seven traditions with practical reflections: cleaning house as symbolic closure and mental decluttering; reunion meals as belonging and social support; red envelopes as generosity and service (including picking up trash on walks); wearing red as “dopamine dressing” and a mood boost; fireworks as emotional release and collective joy; setting intentions with realistic expectations and self-talk; and honoring ancestors as celebrating identity and gratitude for previous generations. They discuss mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, the challenge of busy minds, and Rebecca’s upcoming full-day virtual mindfulness practice (body scan, mindful eating, and mindful walking), plus a story about a pressure cooker accident as a metaphor for emotional pressure and releasing the “valve.”They close by sharing where to find the podcast, encouraging kindness and reaching out to someone, mentioning daylight savings time approaching, and noting early voting in Texas, including Joy’s enthusiasm for voting and encouragement for listeners to register and vote.00:19 Saying Goodbye to Fritz: What Happened02:36 Grief, Signs, and Oliver’s Mourning05:07 Lunar New Year 101: History, Meaning, and Traditions07:01 Zodiac Talk: Year of the Horse (and Fire Horse Energy)10:52 Rituals for Renewal: Cleaning House → Clearing the Mind11:45 Mindfulness for Busy Minds: Learning to Meditate (Even If You ‘Can’t’)21:15 Reunion, Connection, and Red Envelopes: Belonging + Generosity24:25 Rage, Anger & Responsibility: Don’t Feed the Fire26:41 Think for Yourself: Healing Hurt Without the Hate Machine27:16 Wear Red, Dopamine Dressing & Wearable Affirmations28:39 Fireworks, Catharsis & the Dream of Collective Joy30:45 Online Hate vs. Up Close Humanity (Brené Brown + ‘Man in the Arena’)33:19 Setting Intentions Without ‘Needing’ to Feel Better36:40 Pressure Cooker Emotions: The Chicken-on-the-Ceiling Story38:59 Honoring Ancestors, Identity & Gratitude Across Generations40:24 Wild Detour: Getting Cast on a Canadian Survival Show43:11 Wrap-Up: Resources, Voting, Kindness & See You Next Week

    39 min

  3. FEB 16

    Love Over Hate: How a Halftime Show Became a Cultural Statement

    Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show: Music, Culture, and Collective HealingJoy and Rebecca, licensed therapists with over 20 years in the field, discuss Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show and how music can be healing. They talk about the show’s message of love over hate and the episode explores backlash to Spanish-language performances as an example of ingroup/outgroup bias, political division, and fear-based reactions, including discussion of public criticism and how people can mistake discomfort for harm. They encourage listeners to pause before reacting, examine personal biases, and ask why something might be healing for others. They also connect music and dance to emotional intelligence and therapy, noting music’s role in regulating the nervous system, increasing dopamine and decreasing cortisol. They close by encouraging listeners to use music for regulation and invite audience questions via email and social media.00:54 First Impressions: Visuals, Puerto Rico Vibes & the Sugar Cane Field Opening02:09 How Halftime Shows Evolved: Stadium Spectacle vs At-Home Music Video Experience04:50 Big Stunts & Showmanship: Falls, Drops, and Gaga-Level Risk05:28 The Message Behind the Moment: Love > Hate in a Divided Political Climate06:57 Authenticity & Language: Why Singing/Speaking Spanish Matters09:08 Critics, In-Group/Out-Group Bias & Feeling ‘Uncomfortable’ vs ‘Harmed’10:35 Music as Collective Healing + Reading Meaning Beyond Lyrics (Like Therapy)16:19 When Everything Becomes Political: Identity, Fear, and Losing Independent Thought22:19 Mental Health Takeaways: Bias, Snap Judgments, and Regulating Discomfort25:55 Modern Life, the Internet, and Consumer Choices: How Our World Changed26:40 Information Overload & the In-Group/Out-Group Problem27:36 Choosing Inclusion Over Anger (and the Halftime Show Example)29:32 The Therapy Skill: Pause Before You React & Check Your Biases32:03 Why the Loudest Voices Win: Media Outrage, Fear, and Tantrums34:55 Fear as a Political Strategy: Hot-Button Issues & Being ‘Used’39:16 Challenge Your Beliefs: Ego, Identity, and the Labeling Reflex41:31 Sexuality, ‘Family Friendly’ Debates, and Letting Others Enjoy Things44:19 Music as Regulation: Healing, Belonging, and Nervous System Reset49:27 Final Takeaways + How to Reach the Show

    40 min

  4. FEB 9

    Purpose Over Passion

    Finding Purpose Amidst Passion and Life's ChallengesIn this episode of the Laugh Cry Club, Joy and Rebecca discuss the nuanced differences between purpose and passion. They reflect on the pressures of societal expectations around following one's passion, emphasizing the importance of finding meaning and stability in everyday life. The conversation touches on the significant impact of meaningful relationships, stability, and autonomy on long-term happiness. As licensed therapists, they provide insights into navigating personal goals while addressing broader societal issues. The hosts also share personal anecdotes and challenge listeners to rethink their definitions of success and happiness, highlighting that a fulfilling life is often found in the simple, daily joys.03:15 Reflecting on Bad Bunny's Grammy Speech07:28 The Pressure of Finding Your Passion15:31 Purpose vs. Passion: A Personal Journey21:15 Daily Life and Finding Fulfillment25:21 Daily Joys and Rescue Dogs26:06 Dreams of an Animal Rescue27:57 Exploring Happiness29:44 The Role of Money in Happiness31:51 Autonomy, Stability, and Contribution36:00 Redefining Success and Passion37:44 Navigating Life's Challenges39:09 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement

    41 min

  5. FEB 2

    Holding Space for Difficult Times

    Navigating Mental Health During Turbulent TimesIn this episode of the Laugh Cry Club, hosts Joy and Rebecca discuss the heavy emotional toll and the challenges of current world events. The duo provides a heartfelt check-in, revealing their own struggles with depression, social media consumption, and the pressure to stay informed. As licensed mental health therapists with over 20 years of experience, they offer strategies for self-care, setting boundaries, and finding small moments of joy. They emphasize the importance of community and remind listeners that it's okay to experience a range of emotions. Joy and Rebecca also share personal anecdotes, including their experiences with mindfulness, music, and ASMR, as methods to bring solace during these trying times.03:15 Navigating Social Media and Mental Health05:52 The Impact of Current Events07:49 Balancing Emotions and Self-Care10:09 Finding Comfort in Music and ASMR16:06 Discovering ASMR Artists17:59 Finding Personal Comforts19:45 Managing Social Media and News Consumption23:09 Understanding Our Brain's Limitations24:44 Mindfulness and Cognitive Therapy29:46 Building Community and Connection30:44 Podcast Reflections and Future Plans

    28 min

  6. JAN 20 · BONUS

    A Short Break + What’s Coming Next

    A quick update from Laugh Cry Club.We’re taking a short break, but it’s not a goodbye it’s a reset! Some exciting changes are coming to the show, and we can’t wait to share what’s next with you. Hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode when we’re back.

    6 min

  7. JAN 19

    Healing Generational Trauma

    Healing Generational Trauma: Vulnerability, Awareness, and GrowthIn this episode of the Laugh Cry Club podcast, hosts Joy, Rebecca, and Chelsea discuss the complexities of generational trauma. Chelsea shares a touching personal laugh and cry story involving her late husband, while Joy talks about her emotional experience at a recent protest. They dive deep into the nature of generational trauma, exploring its transmission through family dynamics and how it can manifest in various forms, including mistrust, lack of safety, and emotional dysregulation. The hosts emphasize the importance of awareness, vulnerability, and sharing experiences to begin the healing process, while also highlighting potential challenges and changes within family systems. They wrap up by providing practical advice and resources for those seeking to understand and heal from generational trauma.07:45 Joy's Protest Experience15:39 Rebecca's Internet Troubles and Conducting Fun21:33 Generational Trauma Discussion22:51 Understanding Generational Trauma23:07 Biological Impact of Trauma23:45 Behavioral Responses to Trauma27:10 Healing Through Sharing33:22 Building Awareness and Coping Skills36:52 Disrupted Areas Due to Trauma39:55 The Importance of Family Dynamics47:04 Conclusion and Next Steps

    42 min

  8. JAN 12

    Embracing Emotional Awareness in 2026

    Embracing Emotions: Understanding and Processing FeelingsIn this episode of the Laugh Cry Club, hosts Joy, Rebecca, and Chelsea celebrate the New Year with fresh energy and motivation. They discuss the importance of feeling and processing emotions, reflecting on personal anecdotes and therapeutic insights. The discussion highlights how societal and generational norms, particularly for Gen X, have influenced the way we handle emotions. The hosts encourage listeners to become aware of their feelings, label them, and understand their origins. Practical tips for reconnecting with the body, such as intentional breathing and physical touch, are shared. The episode also sets the stage for future discussions on generational trauma.01:06 Chelsea's Dentist Visit02:29 Rebecca's Laughs and Cries05:56 Joy's Laughs and Cries15:43 Chelsea's Laughs and Cries22:29 Feeling Our Feelings14:11 Feeling Content and Balanced27:38 Recognizing Body Sensations28:14 Dealing with Anxiety and Disconnection28:28 Generational Disconnect from Emotions29:09 Understanding and Trusting Body Signals30:02 Gen X and Emotional Narratives31:45 Road Rage and Bottled Emotions33:00 Therapy and Going to the Root34:32 Autopilot and Emotional Awareness38:38 Labeling Emotions and Validation44:25 Simple Practices for Emotional Check-In46:22 Breathing and Physical Connection49:44 Slowing Down and Meditation52:20 Concluding Thoughts and Next Week's Topic

    49 min
See All (85)

5
out of 5
51 Ratings

About

Hosted by licensed mental health therapists who laugh and cry as much as you do. New episodes MONDAY! Licensed mental health therapists explore the complexities of mental health with compassion, humor, and a whole lot of heart. Whether you're seeking support, understanding, or simply a good laugh, Laugh Cry Club is here to remind you that you're not alone on this journey. Tune in every Monday for new episodes and be part of our community where every emotion is welcome, and every story matters. Let's navigate the world of mental health together, one laugh and one tear at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Joy Parrish, LPC // Rebecca Zeleny, LCSW
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Joy Parrish, LPC // Rebecca Zeleny, LCSW
  • Show Website
    Laugh Cry Club

You Might Also Like