The MindSpa Podcast

Batten Media House
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Mental Health

The MindSpa Podcast is your go-to space for meaningful conversations around mental health, healing, and personal growth. Hosted by Michelle Massunken RSW and Tina Wilston RP, co-founders of MindSpa Mental Health Centre, each episode explores key mental health topics through expert interviews and thoughtful roundtable discussions. From managing stress and building stronger relationships to navigating invisible challenges, the MindSpa Podcast offers grounded, professional insights in a warm and accessible way. Tune in weekly for supportive, real-world conversations to help you feel seen, supported, and empowered on your wellness journey.

  1. 4d ago

    S2 · Ep 13: What If Familiar Love Is Not Safe Love? | Nadine Samaroo | The MindSpa Podcast

    Send us Fan Mail What makes someone feel instantly familiar, and why can intense chemistry sometimes feel difficult to walk away from? In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken sit down with Nadine Samaroo, Registered Psychotherapist at MindSpa Mental Health, to explore attachment theory in practical, everyday terms and how our earliest relationships can quietly shape the way we connect as adults. Together, they unpack secure attachment and the three insecure attachment styles: anxious, dismissive avoidant, and disorganized (fearful avoidant). The conversation explores how attachment patterns can show up in romantic relationships, communication, trust, conflict, and emotional closeness, and why fear of abandonment may look very different depending on the person. They also discuss the common misconception that attachment wounds only come from major trauma. Sometimes, patterns develop through repeated experiences such as inconsistency, emotional dismissal, or unresolved conflict without repair. From dating apps and relationship dynamics to workplace interactions, Tina, Michelle, and Nadine explore how attachment can influence everyday behaviour, including people-pleasing, emotional withdrawal, love bombing, ghosting, and anxious-avoidant relationship cycles. Most importantly, this episode focuses on growth and possibility. The conversation explores concepts such as neuroplasticity, self-awareness, emotional regulation, reparenting, inner child work, and rupture-and-repair in both parenting and adult relationships. Healing attachment patterns is not about blame. It is about understanding ourselves more clearly and building healthier, more secure ways of connecting. What You’ll Hear In This Episode • Understanding secure, anxious, dismissive avoidant, and fearful avoidant attachment • Why familiar love can sometimes feel emotionally complicated • Attachment patterns in dating, relationships, parenting, and work • Love bombing, ghosting, emotional withdrawal, and push-pull relationship dynamics • How self-awareness and repair can support more secure connection What attachment patterns are you beginning to notice in yourself and your relationships? Website  | LinkedIn | The MindSpa Podcast Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight. Hosts Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist  Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook MindSpa Mental Health Centre Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester themindspa.ca LinkedIn, instagram Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

    38 min

  2. May 18

    S2 · Ep 12: Military Mental Health — Early Support, Readiness, And Recovery | Michelle Massunken | The MindSpa Podcast

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore how Canadian Armed Forces culture can shape mental health, help-seeking, and recovery. The conversation looks at operational stress injuries, PTSD, depression, anxiety, addiction, and the pressure many serving members feel around readiness and deployability. Michelle shares how stigma can show up through silence, minimizing symptoms, or only naming concerns that feel more acceptable, such as sleep problems. Tina and Michelle also discuss why insomnia and nightmares are often entry points into care, how avoidance can gradually shrink someone’s world, and why early support can be easier than waiting for a crisis. They reflect on the role spouses and family members often play in noticing changes first, as well as the identity shift that can come with transitioning from military to civilian life. This episode offers a grounded conversation about military mental health, compassionate language, and the importance of support before someone reaches a breaking point. The MindSpa Podcast Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight. Hosts Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist  Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook MindSpa Mental Health Centre Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester themindspa.ca LinkedIn, instagram Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

    41 min

  3. May 11

    S2 · Ep 11: Belonging — What If It Is Something You Build? | Yocabed Semere | The MindSpa Podcast

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Michelle Massunken sits down with Yocabed Semere to explore identity, belonging, and the emotional tension many people in immigrant and diaspora communities experience while navigating multiple cultures, expectations, and values. The conversation reflects on how cultural identity, family pressure, and lived experience can shape mental health, relationships, and self-understanding. Yocabed shares her personal journey from Eritrea to Uganda and later to Canada, while also reflecting on what she now sees clinically in her work supporting immigrant youth and young adults. Together, Michelle and Yocabed discuss the “diaspora pull” — the experience of feeling caught between cultures while trying to understand where you belong and how to remain connected to both yourself and your community. The episode explores topics including acculturative stress, code-switching, perfectionism, people-pleasing, anxiety, burnout, and the pressure that can come from balancing personal values with cultural and family expectations. The conversation also looks at mental health stigma within many Black and immigrant communities, and how therapy can create space for reflection, self-compassion, and healthier boundaries without disconnecting from culture or family identity. Rather than framing identity as an all-or-nothing experience, Michelle and Yocabed discuss the possibility of cultural integration — taking meaningful parts of multiple cultures and building a life that aligns more closely with personal values, emotional wellbeing, and connection. Yocabed Semere is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) at MindSpa Mental Health, supporting adults navigating anxiety, burnout, emotional regulation, perfectionism, identity challenges, and life transitions. Her approach is culturally informed and grounded in evidence-based therapies including CBT, ACT, DBT, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Yocabed holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Carleton University and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.  Connect With Yocabed Semere Website | Psychology Today |LinkedIn  The MindSpa Podcast Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight. Hosts Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist  Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook MindSpa Mental Health Centre Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester themindspa.ca LinkedIn, instagram Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

    35 min

  4. May 4

    S2 · Ep 10: AITA Scenarios — Boundaries Without Guilt And Navigating Limits | The MindSpa Podcast

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore a series of “Am I the A**hole?” scenarios focused on boundaries, communication, guilt, and relationship dynamics. Through real-life dilemmas involving friendships, family expectations, forgiveness, and long-term relationships, they reflect on what it means to protect your emotional well-being while navigating the reactions of others. Scenario 1: Friendship And Red Flags A woman avoids spending time around her friend’s partner due to concerning behaviour. Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken discuss boundaries as self-protection rather than judgment. Scenario 2: Family Expectations And Professional Boundaries A therapist refuses to provide free therapy to a family member and faces backlash. The conversation explores emotional labour, ethics, and family pressure. Scenario 3: Boundaries And Relationship Change A woman tells her partner she cannot stay unless he seeks help. Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken reflect on the difference between ultimatums and boundaries. Scenario 4: Family Gatherings And Emotional Exhaustion A woman stops attending family holidays due to passive aggressive dynamics. The discussion explores guilt, burnout, and self-protection. Scenario 5: Forgiveness Without Reconnection A woman accepts an apology but chooses not to rebuild the friendship. Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken discuss why forgiveness does not always mean renewed access to someone’s life. This episode offers a grounded conversation about holding boundaries, managing relationship expectations, and navigating difficult emotions with clarity and self-respect. The MindSpa Podcast Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight. Hosts Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist  Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook MindSpa Mental Health Centre Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester themindspa.ca LinkedIn, instagram Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

    45 min

  5. Apr 27

    S2 · Ep 9: AITA Scenarios — Boundaries, Conflict, And Everyday Relationships | The MindSpa Podcast

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore a series of everyday dilemmas through a grounded, psychological lens, focusing on communication, boundaries, and emotional dynamics in relationships. What You’ll Hear In This Episode Scenario 1: When Therapy Language Becomes A Power Struggle Someone says they are “too dysregulated” to talk, and the conversation shifts from disagreement to disconnection. Tina and Michelle explore how therapy-informed language can either support emotional regulation or escalate conflict, and how small shifts—especially using “I” statements, can help keep conversations within the window of tolerance without turning a partner into a client. Scenario 2: Weddings, Boundaries, And The “No Kids” Dilemma A closer look at the tension that can arise around wedding expectations. The conversation explores how to navigate boundaries like a “no kids” rule while maintaining important relationships, and why flexibility and context—especially with close family—can matter more than rigid rules. Scenario 3: Navigating No Contact With One Parent While Maintaining Another Relationship Tina and Michelle unpack the complexity of setting boundaries with a manipulative parent while still wanting a relationship with the other. They explore how control can show up in family dynamics, and why maintaining connection sometimes requires thoughtful, private boundaries. Scenario 4: Burnout, Mental Health Days, And Workplace Resentment A discussion on workplace culture, burnout, and the tension that can arise when employees take mental health days. This scenario reframes the issue by examining how systemic pressures—not individuals—often contribute to resentment and imbalance within teams. About This Episode This episode reflects on how everyday situations can surface deeper emotional patterns, and how communication, boundaries, and self-awareness can support healthier relationships across personal and professional contexts.  The MindSpa Podcast Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight. Hosts Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist  Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook MindSpa Mental Health Centre Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester themindspa.ca LinkedIn, instagram Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

    29 min

  6. Apr 20

    S2 · Ep 8: Belonging In Hockey — Who Gets To Feel At Home In Canada’s Game | Julian McKenzie | The MindSpa Podcast

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken are joined by Julian McKenzie, sports journalist, podcast host, and author, for a grounded conversation about the realities behind hockey culture in Canada. While hockey is often framed as a unifying part of Canadian identity, this discussion explores the more complex lived experiences within the sport. Julian shares what it takes to build a career in hockey media, including the early stages of internships, long hours, and the ongoing mental load of working in a high-pressure industry where stability can feel uncertain. The conversation then turns to his book Black Aces and the real-world experiences that shaped it. Together, they reflect on racial blind spots in hockey, how narratives around “rehabilitation” can sometimes prioritize image over accountability, and the importance of holding space for both difficult realities and the joy, pride, and talent within the game. They also explore youth hockey and parenting, including the financial barriers to participation, the impact of representation, and how families can approach inclusion while supporting their children’s wellbeing and development. To close, Tina, Michelle, and Julian broaden the lens to consider how players are discussed in media and by fans—not only as statistics or contracts, but as individuals navigating pressure, fatigue, family responsibilities, and mental health. Julian McKenzie is a Canadian sports journalist, podcast host, and author known for his coverage of the NHL and hockey culture. He has reported for national media outlets including The Athletic and hosts hockey-focused podcasts that explore both the game and its broader social context. Julian is the author of Black Aces: The Expanded Story of Black Hockey Players in the NHL, where he documents the history, challenges, and contributions of Black athletes in professional hockey. Connect With Julian McKenzie Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn The MindSpa Podcast Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight. Hosts Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist  Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook MindSpa Mental Health Centre Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester themindspa.ca LinkedIn, instagram Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

    33 min

  7. Apr 13

    S2 · Ep 7: Sleep And Mental Health — Why Rest Changes Everything | The MindSpa Podcast

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore the close relationship between sleep and mental health, and why sleep problems can make stress, anxiety, mood, and daily functioning feel much harder to manage. They break down insomnia in plain language, including difficulty falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, and waking too early. Tina and Michelle also explain how sleep cycles work, why REM sleep matters, and why spending enough time in bed does not always mean you are getting restorative rest. The conversation also covers practical, grounded strategies that can support better sleep, including consistent wake times, CBT-I approaches, wind-down routines, reducing stimulation before bed, journalling before sleep, and paying attention to caffeine timing. They also discuss recurring nightmares, how emotion shows up in dreams, and how Imaginal Rehearsal Therapy can help reduce nightmare distress. Tina and Michelle also reflect on melatonin, the limits of sleep medication, and why teens often face unique sleep challenges because of circadian rhythm shifts and school schedules. This episode offers a thoughtful look at sleep as one of the most important foundations of emotional wellbeing. What You’ll Hear In This Episode • The three main types of insomnia • How sleep stages and 90-minute cycles affect restoration • Why CBT-I is often more effective than people expect • How caffeine, blue light, and stress interfere with sleep quality • How nightmare rescripting can help with recurring distressing dreams • Why teen sleep patterns often differ from adult sleep patterns The MindSpa Podcast Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight. Hosts Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist  Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook MindSpa Mental Health Centre Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester themindspa.ca LinkedIn, instagram Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

    33 min

  8. Apr 6

    S2 · Ep 6: Anxiety — When It’s A Signal, Not A Flaw | Tina Wilston | The MindSpa Podcast

    Send us Fan Mail Anxiety is often experienced as something personal or disruptive, but it can also be understood as the brain doing what it is designed to do: protect. In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston explores anxiety through a grounded, educational lens, helping listeners better understand what is happening beneath the surface. While this is a solo episode, it reflects the shared clinical perspective of both Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken at MindSpa Mental Health. This conversation explores the role of the nervous system and why the brain’s survival responses can move faster than our thinking processes. Tina explains how fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses can show up in everyday situations, and how physical sensations such as a racing heart, tight chest, or unsettled stomach are connected to natural biological processes like adrenaline and breathing patterns. A central focus of the episode is avoidance, and how it can gradually narrow a person’s world over time. Tina reflects on how anxiety can expand when discomfort is consistently avoided, and introduces a more supportive framework: understanding anxiety as an alarm rather than a conclusion. Learning to pause, name the experience, and gently assess what is happening can shift how we relate to anxious moments. You will also hear practical, accessible strategies for navigating high-stress situations, including flying and other sensory-heavy environments. The episode explores how simple adjustments, such as focusing on a longer exhale, can support nervous system regulation and create a sense of steadiness. Finally, Tina discusses therapeutic approaches such as exposure work and the concept of the window of tolerance, offering insight into how change can happen gradually without becoming overwhelming. This episode offers a thoughtful invitation to better understand anxiety, not as something to eliminate, but as something to relate to with greater awareness and care. Read the full blog and explore anxiety therapy insights in Ottawa: 👉 https://themindspa.ca/anxiety-therapy-ottawa-podcast/ The MindSpa Podcast Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight. Hosts Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist  Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook MindSpa Mental Health Centre Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester themindspa.ca LinkedIn, instagram Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

    27 min
See All (43)

About

The MindSpa Podcast is your go-to space for meaningful conversations around mental health, healing, and personal growth. Hosted by Michelle Massunken RSW and Tina Wilston RP, co-founders of MindSpa Mental Health Centre, each episode explores key mental health topics through expert interviews and thoughtful roundtable discussions. From managing stress and building stronger relationships to navigating invisible challenges, the MindSpa Podcast offers grounded, professional insights in a warm and accessible way. Tune in weekly for supportive, real-world conversations to help you feel seen, supported, and empowered on your wellness journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Batten Media House
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The MindSpa Podcast
  • Show Website
    The MindSpa Podcast

You Might Also Like