Shrinking Heads

Shrinking Heads
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Mental Health

Welcome to "Shrinking Heads," the podcast where we take our mental health seriously, but not ourselves! Join your hosts—certified therapists by day, self-proclaimed comedians by night—as we dive into the wild jungle of emotions, therapy tales, and the occasional existential crisis. We will be shrinking down big ideas, tackling the tough stuff with a side of humor, and showing you how to turn your mental jungle into a walk in the park! Tune in for expert advice, laugh-out-loud moments, and the secret ingredient for a well-balanced brain: a good dose of ridiculousness.

  1. Sep 27

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 15 - Don't Stroke Out When You're Stressed Out

    Life is stressful. Work is stressful. Relationships are stressful. The group chat is stressful. And somewhere along the way, “I’m fine” became code for “I am one minor inconvenience away from becoming completely feral.” In this episode of Shrinking Heads, we head back into the jungle of mental health to explore stress—what it does to our brains and bodies, why some stress is actually useful, and what happens when our nervous system forgets to clock out. We unpack the difference between acute and chronic stress, how the fight-flight-freeze response works, and why prolonged stress can affect everything from sleep and concentration to mood, relationships, and physical health. Along the trail, we explore: What actually happens in your body when you're stressed Why the fight-flight-freeze response exists and why it sometimes activates when we'd really prefer it didn't The difference between everyday stress, chronic stress, anxiety, and burnout How chronic stress can affect both mental and physical health Why ignoring stress doesn't magically make you less stressed How sleep, movement, connection, boundaries, breathing, and other coping strategies can help regulate the nervous system Why eliminating all stress isn't realistic—or even necessarily desirable How to recognize when your usual coping skills aren't cutting it anymore Because stress management isn't about becoming a permanently calm woodland creature who meditates through every crisis. It's about recognizing what your body is doing, understanding why it's doing it, and developing enough tools that every inconvenience doesn't feel like a tiger emerging from the underbrush. So unclench your jaw, drop your shoulders, and come wander through the jungle with us as we talk about stress management, chronic stress, cortisol, the nervous system, fight or flight, burnout, emotional regulation, coping skills, anxiety, resilience, and mental health. And because the title is catchy but strokes are not: sudden facial drooping, arm weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, severe sudden headache, or other possible stroke symptoms require emergency medical attention—not a podcast. #Stress #StressManagement #ChronicStress #MentalHealth #MentalHealthPodcast #Burnout #Anxiety #NervousSystem #FightOrFlight #EmotionalRegulation #CopingSkills #StressRelief #MentalHealthAwareness #Resilience #SelfCare #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #ShrinkingHeads #Podcast

  2. Aug 30

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 14 - Are We Losing Our Ability to Be Uncomfortable? The Jungle of Distress Tolerance

    This week, Elizabeth is solo in the mental health jungle, asking a bigger question about distress tolerance: When did we get so bad at being uncomfortable? From same-day delivery and instant entertainment to avoiding conflict, curating social media feeds, and expecting immediate solutions to uncomfortable emotions, we live in a world increasingly designed to remove friction. Convenience is great—but what happens when we start treating discomfort itself as something that has gone wrong? In this episode of Shrinking Heads, Elizabeth explores how our collective relationship with distress may have changed and what happens when frustration, boredom, disappointment, uncertainty, disagreement, and difficult emotions become things we expect to immediately escape. We’re hacking through the vines to explore: What distress tolerance actually is and why we need it How instant gratification and convenience may affect our tolerance for frustration How avoidance can reinforce our belief that difficult emotions are intolerable Whether our increasing use of mental health language sometimes unintentionally pathologizes normal human discomfort How social media, algorithms, and curated environments can make it easier to avoid ideas—and people—we disagree with Why boundaries and emotional safety shouldn't mean eliminating every uncomfortable interaction What happens to relationships and communities when conflict becomes something to escape rather than navigate How we can rebuild our capacity to experience discomfort without immediately needing to fix it, flee it, or make it someone else's responsibility Because not every uncomfortable feeling is a crisis, not every disagreement is harmful, and not every difficult experience needs to be avoided. Sometimes discomfort is simply part of being human—and learning that we can survive it may be one of the most important mental health skills we have. Elizabeth Has Ventured Into Another Jungle!Elizabeth recently sat down with Mistress Audry Lu Black, host of the Placemarker 4 Perversion podcast.  The episode drops September 15. If you're interested in conversations where mental health, relationships, sexuality, and the topics people don't always say out loud intersect, make sure to check it out here https://rss.com/podcasts/placemarker4perversion/ or on your favorite podcast streaming source. #DistressTolerance #EmotionalRegulation #MentalHealth #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #EmotionalWellness #Anxiety #Resilience #Impulsivity #SelfAwareness #BehavioralHealth #MentalHealthMatters #ShrinkingHeads #Podcast #Placemarker4perversion

  3. Aug 9

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 13 - The Jungle of Difficult Conversations: Communication, Conflict & Courage

    Every relationship has them—the conversations we'd rather avoid. Whether it's setting boundaries, giving difficult feedback, addressing conflict, or simply saying, "I'm not okay," hard conversations can feel like hacking your way through the jungle of mental health with nothing but a dull machete. In this episode of Shrinking Heads, we explore why difficult conversations feel so...well, difficult. From fear of rejection and people-pleasing to conflict avoidance and emotional reactivity, we unpack the mental roadblocks that keep us silent—and the communication skills that help us move forward. Together, we explore questions like: Why do we avoid difficult conversations? How can you communicate honestly without escalating conflict? How do you prepare for a conversation when the stakes feel high? What if the conversation doesn't go the way you hoped? Whether you're talking to a partner, friend, family member, coworker, or boss, this episode offers practical strategies to help you navigate uncomfortable conversations with greater confidence, empathy, and emotional intelligence. Tune in for a candid discussion about communication skills, conflict resolution, assertiveness, healthy boundaries, emotional regulation, relationship health, difficult conversations, and navigating the mental health jungle one conversation at a time. #MentalHealth #CommunicationSkills #DifficultConversations #ConflictResolution #HealthyBoundaries #EmotionalIntelligence #Relationships #AssertiveCommunication #MentalHealthPodcast #SelfAwareness #Therapy #Counseling #PersonalGrowth #ShrinkingHeads #EmotionalWellness #Psychology #RelationshipAdvice #ConflictManagement #Podcast

  4. Jul 26

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 12 - Summer Slowdown

    In this episode of Shrinking Heads, we take a slower trek through the jungle of mental health to explore the annual summer slowdown—and what it means for both clients and mental health professionals. As the days get longer and routines become more flexible, many people find themselves skipping therapy sessions, putting self-care on the back burner, or wondering if they're "doing better" simply because life feels lighter. But is summer really good for our mental health, or does the change in routine just make it easier to overlook what's happening beneath the surface? Together, we explore questions like: Why do therapy appointments tend to decrease during the summer? Is it okay to take a break from therapy? How do vacations, school breaks, and disrupted routines affect mental health? What are simple ways to maintain emotional wellness without sacrificing summer fun? Whether you're a therapist, client, or simply someone looking to prioritize your mental health this season, this episode offers practical insights on balancing relaxation with resilience. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about summer mental health, therapy, seasonal depression, self-care, burnout prevention, emotional wellness, therapy consistency, routines, stress management, and maintaining healthy habits—even when life slows down. #MentalHealth #MentalHealthPodcast #Therapy #SummerMentalHealth n #TherapistLife #MentalHealthAwareness #StressManagement #WellnessJourney #Counseling #ShrinkingHeads #Podcast #MentalHealthMatters #SeasonalWellness #HealthyHabits #SelfImprovement

  5. May 31

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 11 - Surviving the Relationship Jungle: What Marriage & Family Therapists Actually Do

    In this episode, we swing deeper into the jungle of mental health with special guest Shantanique Moore King, LMFT, to explore the often misunderstood world of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists—because despite the title, LMFTs do a lot more than save date nights and referee arguments about whose turn it is to do the dishes. Together, we unpack what LMFTs actually do, how relationship dynamics shape mental health, and why understanding the systems around us—family, partners, friendships, culture—can completely change the way we approach healing. Along the way, we explore questions like: What does an LMFT really do? How is marriage and family therapy different from other mental health approaches? Why do our relationships impact us so deeply?  Who can benefit from working with an LMFT? This conversation shines a light on the tangled vines of communication, conflict, attachment, and connection that so often influence emotional well-being. From family dynamics to personal growth, we explore how therapy can help people stop surviving relational chaos and start building healthier ways of connecting. Whether you’re curious about therapy, navigating complicated relationships, or just trying not to get emotionally lost in the wilderness, this episode offers insight, humor, and perspective on one of the most relationally focused corners of mental healthcare. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about marriage and family therapy, couples counseling, family systems, communication patterns, relationship health, emotional wellness, and surviving the jungle of human connection. Contact Shay - info@shifthappenswithshay.com IG: @shifthappenswithshay shifthappenswithshay.com #shrinkingheads #prismaticounseling #mentalhealthpodcast #shiftwithshay

  6. May 17

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 10 - License to Heal, Not to Feel

    In this episode, Shannon joins us once again as we navigate a difficult and often unspoken part of the jungle of mental health: the double standards faced by mental health professionals when it comes to seeking care for themselves. As therapists, social workers, counselors, and other providers spend their careers supporting others through trauma, burnout, and emotional struggle, many quietly face a painful reality of their own—the fear that seeking help could impact how they are perceived professionally, or even threaten their license and career. Together, we explore questions like: Why is there still stigma around mental health treatment for mental health providers?How does fear of professional consequences become a barrier to care?What messages do clinicians internalize about vulnerability and competence?How can the field move toward a healthier, more sustainable culture for providers themselves?This conversation examines the emotional toll of carrying others while feeling pressure to appear endlessly stable, capable, and unaffected. We also discuss the importance of creating systems where clinicians can access support without shame, fear, or professional risk. Whether you’re a mental health professional, student, or someone curious about the realities behind the therapy room, this episode offers an honest look at the humanity of the people tasked with caring for others. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion about therapist mental health, burnout in helping professions, stigma in mental healthcare, clinician self-care, licensing fears, professional identity, and navigating the mental health jungle from both sides of the couch. #shrinkingheads #prismaticcounseling #mentalhealthpodcast #mentalhealthstigma #burnout

  7. May 3

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 9 - Forgiveness for Me, Reconciliation For You.

    In this episode, we continue navigating the jungle of mental health with Shannon as we explore a common—but often misunderstood—distinction: forgiveness vs. reconciliation. These terms are frequently used interchangeably, but they represent very different parts of the mental health jungle. One is internal, personal, and doesn’t require the other person. The other involves rebuilding trust, safety, and connection. So how do you know where in the jungle you need to head? Together, we explore questions like: What is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation? Do you need to forgive someone to heal? When is reconciliation healthy—and when is it not? How do boundaries fit into both processes? This conversation sheds light on different crevices of the jungle - emotional, relational, and psychological layers of letting go, holding boundaries, and making intentional choices about connection after harm. Whether you’re working through a difficult relationship or trying to better understand your own healing process, this episode offers clarity and nuance in a space that’s rarely black and white. Tune in for an honest discussion about forgiveness, reconciliation, boundaries, trust, relationship healing, emotional processing, and navigating the mental health jungle of connection and repair. #shrinkingheads #prismaticcounseling #mentalheathpodcast #forgiveness #reconciliation

  8. Apr 19

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 8 - Relationship Repair & Apologies: Finding Your Way Through the Jungle of Conflict

    In this episode, we step further into the jungle of mental health to explore one of the most difficult—and most necessary—paths in relationships: repairing harm through meaningful apologies. Apologies are often seen as simple words, but real repair requires much more than “I’m sorry.” We unpack what makes an apology effective, why some attempts at repair fall short, and how accountability, empathy, and timing all play a role in rebuilding trust. Together, we explore questions like: What separates a genuine apology from an empty one? Why is it so hard to take full accountability? How do you repair trust once it’s been broken? What does healing actually look like for both sides of the relationship? Whether you’re working to repair a relationship, processing an apology you’ve received, or trying to better understand your own patterns, this conversation offers a thoughtful guide through the complexity of connection and repair. Tune in for an honest discussion about apologies, relationship repair, accountability, emotional intelligence, communication in relationships, trust-building, and navigating the mental health jungle of human connection. #shrinkingheads #mentalhealthpodcast #apologies #prismaticcounseling

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Shrinking Heads," the podcast where we take our mental health seriously, but not ourselves! Join your hosts—certified therapists by day, self-proclaimed comedians by night—as we dive into the wild jungle of emotions, therapy tales, and the occasional existential crisis. We will be shrinking down big ideas, tackling the tough stuff with a side of humor, and showing you how to turn your mental jungle into a walk in the park! Tune in for expert advice, laugh-out-loud moments, and the secret ingredient for a well-balanced brain: a good dose of ridiculousness.

Information

  • Creator
    Shrinking Heads
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Shrinking Heads
  • Show Website
    Shrinking Heads