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 every Monday. We explore the psychology behind the stories everyone is talking about—from documentaries and reality TV to relationships, current events, and everyday life. With compassion, humor, and practical insights, we help you better understand yourself and others. Every emotion is welcome, every story has something to teach us.

  1. 4d ago

    The Interplay of Nature and Nurture in Our Lives

    Nature vs. Nurture: Free Will, Genetics, and Breaking AutopilotJoy and Rebecca, licensed therapists hosting the Laugh Cry Club podcast, discuss nature versus nurture and how genetics and environment interact rather than compete. They reference a 2015 meta-analysis of over 14 million twin pairs and about 18,000 traits, noting an average heritability around 49% and explaining that heritability reflects variation within a population, not a direct percentage of a person caused by genes. They share personal examples of inherited traits (introversion, skepticism, and family patterns like sexuality) and nurtured values like compassion and open-mindedness, and mention the Mackenzie Shirilla case as a lack-of-nurture example. They explore free will within life’s constraints, encourage curiosity about default behaviors, and address how phrases like “that’s just how I am” or “I’m just being honest” can be defenses that shut down accountability. They caution against toxic positivity and emphasize pausing, repairing harm, and focusing on what you can control.00:00 Podcast Welcome00:46 NPR Car Talk Nostalgia02:06 What We Cover Here02:31 Nature Versus Nurture Intro03:26 Imposter Syndrome Spark05:03 Twin Study Findings06:26 Outliers And Misuse07:18 Inherited Traits Examples09:54 Nurture Values And Family10:38 Case Study Mackenzie12:01 Baseline And Free Will13:22 Grace Versus Shaming15:08 Challenging Our Patterns15:25 Feedback Fight Reflection16:23 Shame And Threat16:39 Thats Just How I Am18:13 Honesty As Defense20:27 Listen For Deflections21:21 Autopilot And Change23:33 Toxic Positivity Pushback25:40 Life Cards And Control31:28 Stretch Into Discomfort32:51 Relationship Repair Example33:48 Closing And Contact

  2. Aug 10

    Navigating Fame: The Mental Health Challenges Celebrities Face

    Celebrity Mental Health, Live-Streamed Crises, and How to Respond CompassionatelyLicensed therapists Joy and Rebecca discuss recent mental health news involving celebrities and what it reveals about fame, projection, parasocial relationships, and social media’s impact. They address reports that blogger Perez Hilton experienced a severe self-harm crisis that was live-streamed and explore why someone might broadcast self-harm as a distant but “safe” cry for help, referencing similar public struggles (Aaron Carter’s addiction-related posts and musician Ryan Adams’ isolating social media behavior). They caution against normalizing public takedowns and body commentary, noting headlines about Ariana Grande’s appearance and how society’s judgment can intensify harm, citing Ingrid Andress’ public intoxication and rehab and the shame faced by Milli Vanilli. They also discuss postpartum psychosis in relation to the Clancy trial, urge direct supportive questioning, explain how therapists assess suicidal ideation and when holds/wellness checks may occur, and share 988 as a U.S. crisis resource.00:00 Welcome to Laugh Cry Club01:07 Why Celebrity Mental Health01:49 Pressure and Projection03:44 Vultures and Yes People05:19 Social Media Witnessing06:21 Perez Hilton Crisis09:38 Why Live Stream Self Harm11:38 Ryan Adams and Isolation16:18 Parasocial Access and Helplessness17:53 Fame Doubt and Support19:50 Next Headlines Ariana and Clancy20:23 Postpartum fears and stigma22:03 Spotting signs and asking directly23:15 Therapy and 72-hour holds24:27 Suicide risk assessment steps26:31 Police wellness checks explained30:26 Ariana Grande and body talk32:14 Celebrity shame and projection34:06 Fame takedowns then and now36:14 Coldplay scandal and accountability37:28 988 resources and goodbye

  3. Aug 3

    The Projection Factor: Understanding Our Emotional Mirrors

    Projection: What It Says About Us (You Spot It, You Got It)Joy and Rebecca catch up about the end of summer and shifting seasons before exploring psychological projection—attributing one’s own positive or negative traits, feelings, or insecurities to others—as a defense mechanism tied to survival and self-protection. They discuss how projection can show up in work dynamics (Joy’s toxic boss triggering her inner critic), diet culture reactions amid GLP-1/peptide trends, road rage, anger at rule-breaking (e-bikes), irritation with bragging, and frustration toward social-media “coaches,” highlighting themes of jealousy, unfairness, and identity. They note projection can also be positive through idolizing traits we desire. The hosts encourage curiosity and self-reflection—asking “Is this about them or me?”—and reference Martha Beck’s “You Spot It, You Got It,” 00:00 Welcome Back Catch Up00:48 Fall Feelings Anxiety02:13 Loving Season Changes03:20 Projection Intro04:23 Boss Trigger Example05:12 What Projection Is07:05 You Spot It You Got It08:11 Diet Culture Projection10:31 Road Rage And Rules13:07 Social Media Jealousy15:46 Now What To Do16:27 Steps To Self Reflect16:49 Lazy People Trigger17:29 Projection Self Protection19:00 Therapy Mirror Moment19:49 Beliefs Turn Ugly24:23 Identity And Survival25:33 Positive Projection26:04 Personal Triggers Share27:38 Micromanage And Misread30:37 Curiosity And Wrap Up

  4. Jul 27

    Navigating the Inner Critic: Turning Self-Doubt into Strength

    Befriending Your Inner Critic: From Harsh Voice to Overprotective BodyguardJoy and Rebecca celebrate two years of the Laugh Cry Club and introduce the episode’s topic: the inner critic. They discuss visualizing or naming the critic to separate it from the self, using a “parts” framework (including internal family systems) to explain how different parts of us show up in different environments. They describe how the inner critic can become louder under stress, especially around unstructured time, productivity pressures, and work performance, often labeling someone as “lazy” and creating physical discomfort. They trace roots to upbringing, generational messages, comparison, and survival needs, emphasizing curiosity over fighting the voice. They offer tools: identify triggers, name feelings, practice self-compassion, differentiate accountability (“I made a mistake”) from shame (“I am a mistake”), consider toxic environments, and be cautious with social media. They reframe the critic as an overprotective bodyguard and share personal examples involving weekends and assembling expensive equipment.00:00 Welcome Back Intro00:43 Two Year Anniversary01:37 What We Do Here02:02 Meet The Inner Critic03:40 Parts Work Explained06:11 Turning Critic Into Ally07:43 When It Gets Loud11:01 Productivity And Laziness14:38 Where It Comes From16:48 Survival Brain Connection17:46 Why The Critic Exists18:36 Curiosity Over Fighting19:43 Work Reviews Trigger It21:03 Toxic Environments Amplify22:38 Tracing Fear To Survival24:16 Self Compassion Pep Talk25:22 Social Media Validation Trap26:25 Accountability Versus Shame27:45 Can People Really Change30:23 Bodyguard Reframe Takeaways32:05 Real Life Inner Critic Examples34:29 Wrap Up And Goodbye

  5. Jul 20

    Embracing Mistakes: The Art of Letting Go and Learning

    The Mental Health Side of Making MistakesJoy and Rebecca, hosts of the Laugh Cry Club and licensed therapists, open by discussing summer heat and wildfires in the Four Corners, expressing concern for those affected and criticizing graphic news coverage. They share a “laugh” about Rebecca mistakenly thinking Costco stopped carrying her favorite Chobani yogurt drinks due to packaging changes, and a “cry” about Joy’s sleep loss from a seven-month-old puppy’s gastrointestinal issues. The main topic explores why minor mistakes can trigger spiraling, rumination, shame, imposter syndrome, and fear of rejection, shaped by upbringing, religion, and social media feedback. They emphasize the role of workplace culture in psychological safety, recommend self-compassion, self-awareness, debriefing, reality-based thinking, and “leaning into” discomfort, and criticize public shaming (e.g., neighborhood posts). They close with ways to follow and support the show.00:00 Summer Heat and Fires01:13 News Overload and Trauma01:37 Therapists Welcome and Topic02:22 Costco Chobani Mixup06:50 Puppy Nighttime Cry07:43 Why Mistakes Spiral08:52 Shame and Social Rejection11:30 Mistakes Shape Behavior13:22 Work Culture and Safety16:50 Rumination and Thinking Traps19:38 Reframing and Imposter Syndrome21:55 Normalize Company Mistakes22:47 Stop Rumination With Self Compassion24:09 Debrief And Know Your Triggers25:55 Life Keeps Body Slamming You28:12 Lean Into The Ick31:40 Build Resilience Through Exposure34:24 Public Shaming And Dog Poop38:56 Embrace Imperfection And Wrap Up

  6. Jul 13

    Trust and Trauma: Unpacking 'The Maternal Instinct' Documentary

    Maternal Instinct: Warning Signs, Deception, and Healthy BoundariesLicensed therapists Joy and Rebecca discuss Netflix’s documentary Maternal Instinct, focusing on the murder of 21-year-old Reagan Simmons-Hancock and her unborn baby, Braxlyn Sage Hancock, and emphasizing sensitivity to victims and families. They explain they are not a true-crime podcast but aim to educate listeners about dangerous interpersonal dynamics, warning signs, and how deception escalates, noting fetal abduction is extremely rare and typically involves a woman fabricating pregnancy for weeks or months. They describe perpetrator Taylor Parker’s long history of lying, manipulation, and secondary gain, and discuss how trust, confirmation bias, and “nice” presentations can obscure risk, especially in close relationships. They highlight red flags like rapid reactivity, flipping blame, and long barrage text messages, and contrast these with healthy relationship markers: honesty, accountability, and safe hard conversations, encouraging boundaries and seeking therapy.00:00 Welcome and Purpose01:19 Maternal Instinct Warning01:52 Honoring the Victims02:56 Why True Crime Hooks Us03:49 Deception and Red Flags06:03 Fetal Abduction Facts09:16 Trust and Warning Signs10:23 Family Dynamics and Boundaries15:53 Trauma and Personality Traits19:10 Manipulation and Gut Instinct21:17 Text Novels and Boundaries25:13 Shame Empathy and Facades29:05 Healthy Relationship Markers31:13 Closing Support and Resources

  7. Jul 6

    The Crash: A Case Study in Accountability

    True Crime, Accountability, and Enmeshment: A Psychological Look at The CrashJoy and Rebecca celebrate episode 101 of The Laugh Cry Club and discuss their backgrounds in criminal justice and psychology, emphasizing true crime as educational rather than entertainment and honoring victims Dom Russo and Davion Flanagan. They recap a documentary about Mackenzie, a 17-year-old TikTok-influencer-type who, after a volatile relationship with boyfriend Dom, drove with Dom and Davion from a party and crashed into a building at about 100 mph with no braking, killing Dom and Davion while she survived and was later found guilty and sentenced to two consecutive life terms (parole possible in about 15 years). They analyze her parents’ ongoing claims of innocence as enabling, describing themes of pathological entitlement, enmeshed parenting, externalized blame, and “narcissistic” family systems, and argue that love without accountability harms kids and others; they also reference Brian Laundrie’s family and Sue Klebold’s accountability.00:00 Welcome Back 10100:29 True Crime Disclaimer01:37 FBI Dreams Origins03:35 Ride Along Turning Point04:31 Rebecca CJ Background05:55 Why We Watch Crime06:46 Biographies We Love08:33 Documentary Spoiler Setup10:30 Crash And Aftermath12:26 Parents Enabling Debate15:03 Entitlement And Enmeshment18:23 Red Flags Before Tragedy21:34 Enabling and Enmeshment22:40 Family Systems and Blame24:10 Gabby Petito Parallels25:13 Trauma and Untangling Enmeshment26:34 Narcissistic Family Survival29:26 Hardest Moments to Watch33:44 Parents and Accountability36:33 Love With Accountability38:29 Closing Takeaways and Apology

  8. Jun 29

    100 Laughs, 100 Cries: Celebrating Our Centennial Episode

    Laugh Cry Club Episode 100: Reflections, Recording Mishaps, and a Possible True Crime PivotJoy and Rebecca celebrate the 100th episode of the Laugh Cry Club, welcoming new listeners and reflecting as two licensed therapists with over 20 years’ experience. They discuss why they started a less “expert-y” mental health podcast despite a saturated market, imposter syndrome, and the value of sharing a unique voice, while also noting the risks of online visibility and avoiding harsh social media comments, including Joy’s experience filming “Therapist Reacts” TikToks for Headspace. They revisit favorite moments like Rebecca’s Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders therapist dream and Joy’s “citizen’s arrest” of an alleged arsonist, and share a major recording mishap where they forgot to hit record. Key takeaways include “don’t abandon yourself,” recognizing patterns, and accepting there are no right choices, only choices, plus reflections on aging, dreaming, mindfulness, and therapy. They tease pivoting into true-crime discussions with a trauma-informed lens.00:00 Welcome to Episode 10001:21 Why We Started This02:35 Imposter Syndrome Talk04:20 Saturated Market Myth05:05 Creating Community Vibes06:04 Handling Online Hate08:56 Dallas Cheerleaders Tangent15:14 Joy’s Arsonist Story16:32 Mouse Farts and Fire Danger17:45 True Crime Podcast Tease18:00 True Crime Pivot18:21 Podcast Takeaways19:26 Breaking Self Sabotage21:28 Therapy Never Ends23:02 Losing The Dream24:10 Adult Reality Check30:34 Mindfulness And Meaning33:45 Recording Mishap Story35:42 True Crime Ethics36:48 Why We Watch Crime38:26 Stay Tuned Goodbye

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5
out of 5
51 Ratings

About

Hosted by licensed mental health therapists who laugh and cry as much as you do. New episodes every Monday. We explore the psychology behind the stories everyone is talking about—from documentaries and reality TV to relationships, current events, and everyday life. With compassion, humor, and practical insights, we help you better understand yourself and others. Every emotion is welcome, every story has something to teach us.

Information

  • Creator
    Joy Parrish, LPC // Rebecca Zeleny, LCSW
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    107
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Joy Parrish, LPC // Rebecca Zeleny, LCSW
  • Show Website
    Laugh Cry Club

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