Therapy, Tech and Takeout

Jackie Toale and Toni Teixeira
  • 5.0 (5)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Therapy, Tech & Takeout is a refreshing, boundary-blurring podcast that brings together the fast-paced, innovation-driven world of technology with the grounded, human-centric approach of mental health. Co-hosted by a tech entrepreneur with a sharp wit, honed on the stand-up stage, and a seasoned therapist, who mixes compassion with bold truths-and knows how to cut through the noise, this podcast offers a unique blend of humor, insight, and practical advice.

  1. 5H AGO

    S2E16| The New Teen Addiction Nobody Prepared For

    Online gambling and sports betting have become deeply embedded in modern culture - and teens are increasingly being exposed earlier than ever before. This week, Jaclyn and Toni sit down with Dr. Juleen Buser, behavioral addiction specialist and licensed professional counselor, to explore the psychology behind gambling addiction, why online betting can become so compulsive, and how technology has dramatically changed access and risk for adolescents. In this episode, we discuss: The rise of teen sports bettingDopamine and behavioral addictionWhy gambling often hides in plain sightHow apps and online games reinforce addictive patternsWarning signs parents should knowWhy gambling addiction carries one of the highest suicide risks among addictionsWhat counseling and recovery look likeLinks: Dr. Juleen Buser - LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/juleen-buser-115515293/ Psychology Today:https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1657331 Facebook - Cardiff Health, LLC:https://www.facebook.com/cardiffhealth NPR Article:https://www.npr.org/2026/04/05/nx-s1-5762276/teens-getting-hooked-on-gambling-sports-betting

    29 min

  2. MAY 7

    S2E15| When We Automate Decisions, Who's Actually Responsible When Things Go Wrong?

    An AI agent was reportedly given explicit instructions not to make unauthorized changes… and then deleted a company’s production databases and backups anyway. This week on Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni explore the ethical, psychological, and societal implications of AI systems behaving in unexpected and potentially devastating ways. Using the recent Claude AI database deletion story as a starting point, they discuss: whether AI safeguards are real or just perceivedwhy humans overtrust technologyhow automation changes our relationship with responsibilitythe psychological comfort of outsourcing decision-makingexistential fears surrounding AIthe role political leaders should play in regulating emerging technologyand how intentional technology use may protect our autonomy and mental well-beingThey also explore how cognitive bias impacts our perception of technological risk, why many tech leaders limit technology exposure for their own children, and whether AI is becoming the “junk food” of modern life. Referenced articles & resources: The Guardian article discussed in this episode: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/29/claude-ai-deletes-firm-databaseForestiere Underground Gardensin Fresno, California: https://undergroundgardens.com/ #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #TechEthics #MentalHealth #Automation #DigitalWellness #Psychology #Technology #ClaudeAI

    28 min

  3. APR 30

    S2E14| Cyberbullying, Sextortion & Self-Harm: Protecting Kids in 2026

    In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni are joined by licensed mental health therapist Sheena Beach for a serious and important conversation about teen sextortion, cyberbullying, self-harm, and digital shame. Inspired by a New York Post article reporting on teen suicides connected to sextortion scams, the conversation explores how online coercion can quickly become a mental health crisis for adolescents. Sheena explains what self-harm can look like, why it is not always the same as suicidal intent, and how parents can respond with calm, connection, and choice instead of shame. We also discuss the tech side of the problem: fake accounts, disappearing messages, AI, anonymous profiles, parental monitoring tools, and the difficult balance between protecting kids and maintaining trust. This episode includes discussion of self-harm, suicide, sextortion, and child exploitation. Please take care while listening. Show Notes / Resources Article discussed:Sextortion and teen suicide connection:https://nypost.com/2025/12/10/us-news/38-us-teens-died-by-suicide-in-five-years-from-sextortion-scams/ Cyberbullying and sexting laws by state:https://cyberbullying.org/sexting-laws Healthcare-based guidance on self-harm:https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/when-children-and-teens-self-harm.aspx Self-harm and suicide information:https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/self-harm/self-harm-statistics/https://afsp.org/ Cyberbullying and sextortion resources:https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-ithttps://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2023/PSA230912https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/sextortion/financially-motivated-sextortion Books for children and teens:My Body is Private by Linda Gerardhttps://a.co/d/014SLl9s Do You Have a Secret? by Jennifer Moore-Mallinoshttps://a.co/d/0ex9FHg5 Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect by Jayneen Sandershttps://a.co/d/0eoHS1sc The Internet Is Not Your Friend: Online Safety for Teens by Kyan Montaguehttps://a.co/d/09TNaHxx Parental safety and monitoring tools mentioned:Bark Technology: https://www.bark.us/Qustodio: https://www.qustodio.com/en/Aura Parent: https://www.aura.com/parentsFamily Keeper: https://reasonlabs.com/platform/products/parental-control?fk_redirect=1 Guest:Sheena Beach, licensed mental health therapist and founder of Canopy Counseling. Licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina, with telehealth availability in Florida. Connect with Sheena www.sheenabeach.com If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

    31 min

  4. APR 23

    S2E13| Can Technology Actually Improve Your Relationship? What the Research Says

    Can technology actually improve your relationship? Or is it just another tool that falls short when things get real? In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni break down a fascinating meta-analysis on digital relationship interventions and what the research actually says about apps, coaching platforms, and tech-driven tools designed to improve connection. 👉 Study referenced: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12482273/ They explore: Whether relationship apps and online programs really increase satisfactionThe difference between relationship satisfaction vs. relationship healthWhy digital tools may fail new parents (and what actually helps instead)The surprising role of coaching and accountability in digital programsHow intimacy, vulnerability, and “healthy risk” impact long-term relationshipsWhere tech helps… and where it absolutely doesn’t replace therapyPlus, a wild conversation about haptic tech (yes… remote kissing devices 😳) and what it reveals about human connection. If you’ve ever wondered whether relationship tools are worth it - or when it’s time to go deeper - this episode gives you a grounded, honest take.

    32 min

  5. APR 16

    S2E12| When Love Turns Into Surveillance: The Rise of Relationship Hackin

    This week, we’re diving into a heavy but important topic inspired by a Wired article on how people are using hacking tools, surveillance, and AI to exploit partners and friends. We unpack how this actually happens in real life - and why it’s less about “hacking” and more about access, trust, and control. From shared passwords and location tracking to deepfakes and digital coercion, this episode explores both the tech side and the psychological impact of these behaviors. We also talk about: Warning signs to look for in relationships Why people normalize control early on How to protect yourself digitally What to do if you’re concerned about a friend Why trusting your gut matters more than you think ⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses stalking, abuse, and sexual assault. A Call to Men website: https://www.acalltomen.org/Jackson Katz, The Macho ParadoxRAINN is the national organization and where people can start to help them find local resources: https://centers.rainn.org/

    32 min

  6. APR 9

    S2E11| Art Therapy in the Digital Age: How Technology is Changing Creativity and Healing

    What happens when creativity meets technology in the therapy room? In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni are joined by art therapist Lindsey Jonin to explore how art therapy is evolving in a digital world. From iPads and Canva to virtual sessions and screen sharing, Lindsey shares how technology is expanding access to healing while still keeping human connection at the center. We also unpack the tension many of us feel with tech - when it isolates vs. when it connects - and how creativity can be a powerful antidote to overconsumption. Whether you think you’re “not creative” or you’re already an artist, this conversation will change how you think about self-expression, mental health, and the role of technology in both.  In this episode: What art therapy actually is (and what it’s not) How digital tools like Canva and drawing apps are used in therapy Why virtual art therapy can increase accessibility and connection The mindset shift from consuming to creating Simple ways to reconnect with your creativity (even if you feel stuck) Learn more + find a credentialed art therapist: Lindsey Jonin: https://www.lilycounselingandarttherapy.com/about Presentations | Art Workshops | Trainings www.abstractandaligned.com  Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB): https://www.atcb.org American Art Therapy Association: https://arttherapy.org

    31 min

  7. APR 2

    S2E10| Fantasy on Demand: AI Sex Bots and the Future of Intimacy

    What happens when AI removes friction from desire… and gives you exactly what you want, instantly and without judgment? In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni explore the rise of AI intimacy tools and what a new study suggests about how AI sex bots may accelerate fantasies, reshape expectations, and impact real human relationships.  From the psychology of instant gratification to the risks of unrealistic expectations, dependency, and data privacy, this conversation goes beyond the headline to unpack what this means for connection, growth, and the future of intimacy. They also dig into how recent legal pressure on social media companies could influence the guardrails AI companies are forced to build and what happens when technology doesn’t just show us content, but actively participates in our emotional and behavioral patterns. 🧠 In This Episode: How AI can accelerate fantasies faster than human relationships The psychology of “frictionless” intimacy and why it matters Unrealistic expectations and the impact on real-world relationships Loneliness, dependency, and emotional outsourcing to AI Ethical concerns, boundaries, and who defines “harm” Privacy risks - what happens to your most personal data? Could AI guardrails reshape how these tools evolve? 🔗 Links & Resources: Article discussed: https://nypost.com/2025/12/19/lifestyle/ai-sex-bots-can-fuel-your-kinks-and-freaky-fantasies-faster-than-a-human-partner-new-study/ Toni’s blog: https://strongatthecore.com/blog/ 💬 Join the Conversation: Is AI helping people explore safely… or quietly reshaping what we expect from relationships? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 🎙️ About the Podcast: Therapy, Tech & Takeout explores the intersection of mental health and technology with curiosity, humor, and real-world perspective. Hosted by a therapist and a tech entrepreneur, each episode breaks down complex topics into conversations that actually matter.

    27 min

  8. MAR 13

    S2E09| How Tech Speak is Changing How We Communicate - RERUN

    Internet slang is evolving faster than ever, and algorithms may be the reason why. In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni explore how social media feeds accelerate the spread of language, reshape meaning, and create generational misunderstandings. Drawing on insights from linguist Adam Aleksic, the conversation breaks down the rise of “algo-speak”, why people modify language to avoid moderation, and how memes and slang signal identity online. From viral phrases like “brain rot” to awkward classroom misunderstandings about the word “hookup,” this episode examines how internet culture fragments shared vocabulary while also creating new forms of creativity. If you’ve ever felt like the internet is inventing a new language overnight - or struggled to understand the words your kids are using - this episode will help you decode what’s happening and why curiosity matters more than judgment. In this episode we discuss: How algorithms accelerate slang and fracture shared vocabulary What “algo-speak” is and why people use it to avoid moderation How language becomes a signal of identity and belonging online “Brain rot,” memes, and the debate over whether internet culture is art or noise Practical tips for talking with kids about internet language and media literacy

    27 min
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About

Therapy, Tech & Takeout is a refreshing, boundary-blurring podcast that brings together the fast-paced, innovation-driven world of technology with the grounded, human-centric approach of mental health. Co-hosted by a tech entrepreneur with a sharp wit, honed on the stand-up stage, and a seasoned therapist, who mixes compassion with bold truths-and knows how to cut through the noise, this podcast offers a unique blend of humor, insight, and practical advice.

Information

  • Creator
    Jackie Toale and Toni Teixeira
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jackie Toale and Toni Teixeira
  • Show Website
    Therapy, Tech and Takeout