A Little Help For Our Friends

Dr. Kibby McMahon
  • 4.9 (139)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

A LITTLE HELP FOR OUR FRIENDS is a mental health podcast hosted by Dr. Kibby McMahon, licensed clinical psychologist and CEO of KulaMind. The podcast sheds light on the psychological issues your loved ones could be struggling with and provides scientifically-informed perspectives on various mental health topics like dealing with toxic relationships, narcissism, trauma, and therapy. As a clinical psychologist from Duke University, Dr. Kibby shares her expertise on the relational nature of mental health. She mixes evidence-based learning with her own personal examples and stories from their listeners. Episodes are a range of solo episodes with Dr. Kibby, as well as with featured guests including Bachelor Nation members such as Zac Clark speaking on addiction recovery, Ben Higgins on loneliness, and Jenna Cooper on cyberbullying, as well as therapists & doctors such as sleep specialist Dr. Jade Wu, world experts on personality disorders like Dr. Zach Rosenthal, amongst many others. Additional topics covered on the podcast have included fertility, gaslighting, depression, mental health & veterans, mindfulness, and much more. Episodes are released every other week. For more information, check out www.ALittleHelpForOurFriends.com Do you need help coping with a loved one's mental or emotional problems?  Check out www.KulaMind.com, an exclusive community where you can connect other fans of "A Little Help" and get support from Dr. Kibby directly.

  1. 4d ago

    How Social Media Is Changing Our Personalities | Dr. Kibby McMahon & Connor Flannery

    What is social media actually doing to our personalities, relationships, and sense of self? Dr. Kibby McMahon sits down with social media strategist and Pugs Media founder Connor Flannery to explore the psychology of growing up online. They talk about why negative comments can affect us so deeply, how parasocial relationships can become a substitute for real connection, what happens to empathy when our interactions happen through screens, and why social media may reward traits like narcissism and social climbing. Connor also shares his experience building an audience that generates hundreds of millions of views, how online criticism once pushed him to step away from YouTube, and why he now recommends that creators stop reading their comment sections. They also explore a bigger question: when followers, likes, views, and social status can all be quantified, does social media fundamentally change the way we see ourselves and other people? In this episode:• Why negative comments feel disproportionately powerful• Parasocial relationships and one-sided connection• How the internet may be changing empathy• Why online interactions can feel like “junk food” for relationships• The psychology of influencers and creators• Narcissism, status, and the numbers behind social media• How growing up online can shape identity and self-esteem Learn more about KulaMind: https://www.kulamind.com

  2. Sep 17

    Why It’s So Hard to Trust Someone After Addiction

    Your loved one is sober. They’re getting help. They’re doing better. So why is it still so hard to trust them? In this episode, Dr. Kibby McMahon explains why trust doesn’t automatically return when someone enters addiction recovery. After months or years of broken promises, secrecy, unpredictability, or hurt, you may still be waiting for proof that things are really different. You’ll learn why recovery and rebuilding trust often happen on two different timelines, why constantly checking or monitoring your loved one can make things harder, and what actually helps trust grow again. Dr. Kibby also shares practical ways to rebuild trust through consistency, clear agreements, realistic expectations, and boundaries, without feeling like you have to become your loved one’s detective. If you love someone recovering from addiction, you don’t have to force yourself to trust them overnight. Trust can be rebuilt slowly, through consistent actions over time. 🔬 Join our Brown University research study KulaMind is working with Brown University on a research study supporting loved ones of people in addiction recovery. If someone you love is taking steps to cut down on drug use, you may be eligible to receive 3 months of free coaching with Dr. Kibby McMahon as part of the study. Learn more and see if you’re eligible:https://studies.buildclinical.com/bcfs002065-rih-ramsey-131

  3. Sep 9

    When You Don’t Feel Seen: Why Validation Can Change Everything

    What happens when you’re overwhelmed, triggered, or emotionally flooded and the person you love just doesn’t seem to understand? In this episode, Dr. Kibby gets personal. Fresh from an experience that left her feeling overwhelmed and unseen, she shares what it feels like to be on the other side of an empathy breakdown. She explores why feeling judged or invalidated can turn an already difficult emotion into anger, resentment, or an explosion, and why simply feeling understood can make such a powerful difference. Kibby also looks at the responsibility on both sides: how to communicate what’s triggering you without attacking the other person, and how loved ones can listen, validate, and show that they’re genuinely trying to understand. In this episode:• What an empathy breakdown can feel like• Why feeling unseen can intensify emotional reactions• The difference between validation and agreement• How judgment and shame can fuel conflict• How to communicate your triggers more effectively• Finding the balance between accommodation and learning to cope• Why feeling seen can create connection, even when the problem can’t be fixed If you love someone who struggles with intense emotions, BPD, addiction, or other mental health challenges, KulaMind teaches practical skills to help you communicate, reduce conflict, and support both your loved one and yourself.

  4. Sep 2

    How Childhood Trauma Affects Adult Relationships | EMDR Explained with Jessica Connell

    How can experiences from childhood continue to shape our relationships decades later? And can trauma responses actually be changed? In this episode, Dr. Kibby McMahon sits down with psychotherapist and executive coach Jessica Connell, LCSW, to explore developmental trauma, EMDR, and the ways our early experiences can influence how we connect with others. Jessica explains what developmental trauma can look like, from major experiences of abuse or instability to moments of shame, rejection, or emotional disconnection that stay with us over time. They discuss how these experiences can show up later as difficulty trusting, fear of conflict, emotional reactivity, withdrawal, or feeling unsafe even in otherwise healthy relationships. They also take a closer look at EMDR: what happens during a session, how bilateral stimulation is used, and how trauma-focused work can help people respond differently to triggers in the present. In this episode:• What developmental trauma actually means• How childhood experiences shape adult relationships• Why certain situations can trigger surprisingly intense reactions• The “tiger and turtle” dynamic in relationships• What it means to feel emotionally safe with another person• How EMDR works and what a session can look like• Why healing doesn’t mean never getting triggered again• How understanding our patterns can help us communicate differently Jessica Connell is a psychotherapist, executive coach, and owner of Confident Mind Psychotherapy and Coaching in New York City. If you’ve ever wondered why certain relationship dynamics affect you so deeply, or how experiences from your past might still be influencing your reactions today, this conversation offers a compassionate look at where those patterns come from and how they can begin to change.

  5. Aug 27

    How to Support Someone in Addiction Recovery: 6 Things That Actually Help

    When someone you love gets sober, it can feel like everything should finally be okay. But addiction recovery isn’t an on/off switch, and for loved ones, this stage can bring its own fear, uncertainty, and challenges. In this episode, Dr. Kibby McMahon shares six research-backed ways you can support someone in addiction recovery while also protecting your own well-being. We cover: • How to make treatment and recovery easier to access• Why reinforcing healthy recovery behaviors matters• How to communicate without escalating shame or conflict• How to prepare for the possibility of an overdose• Why your own mental health and safety matter too• How to recognize underlying mental health and relationship issues during recovery Dr. Kibby also shares her own experience supporting her mother through alcoholism, relapse, and long-term sobriety, and why recovery required healing not only for her mother, but for their relationship too. We’re also excited to share that KulaMind, in partnership with researchers at Brown University, is studying KulaMind Recovery, a program specifically designed to support loved ones of people recovering from substance use disorders. If you or someone you love is in addiction recovery and you’re interested in participating, check the link in the show notes to learn more. Learn more about KulaMind and get support for yourself and your loved one. Link for study: https://studies.buildclinical.com/bcfs002065-rih-ramsey-131/ #AddictionRecovery #SubstanceUseRecovery #FamilySupport #MentalHealth #AddictionSupport #Recovery

  6. Aug 12

    3 Lessons I Learned From a Year of Change, Growth & Letting Go

    In the season 6 finale of A Little Help for Our Friends, Dr. Kibby McMahon looks back on a year of major change, both personally and professionally, and shares the three biggest lessons she’s taking with her into the next chapter. Kibby talks about what it means to let go of roles and relationship patterns that no longer fit, why real growth often comes from consistency and the right support, and what she’s learned from working with families affected by mental illness and addiction. She also reflects on stepping into a new role after a major change to the podcast, building KulaMind, growing an online community from scratch, and learning to become more comfortable being seen and leading. Most importantly, this episode explores something that has become increasingly clear through this work: mental illness is rarely a one-person problem. It affects partners, parents, children, caregivers, and entire family systems. If you’ve ever felt stuck in an old version of yourself, struggled to support someone you love, or wondered how to keep going when change feels uncomfortable, this episode is for you. A Little Help for Our Friends will be back for Season 7 after a short break.

  7. Aug 6

    Does Therapy Really Have to Take Years?

    Most people think therapy means talking about your past for years. But what if that's not always true? In this episode, Dr. Kibby is joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Chandler Chang, founder of Therapy Lab, to explore how mental health treatment is changing. They discuss why many people expect therapy to last indefinitely, how targeted, evidence-based treatments can often help much more quickly, and why matching the right treatment to the right problem matters. Dr. Chandler explains Therapy Lab's unique approach of creating focused treatment plans for specific challenges like panic attacks, insomnia, breakups, self-esteem, and anxiety. Together, they discuss the difference between long-term supportive therapy and goal-oriented treatment, why exposure therapy is so effective for anxiety disorders, and how setting clear expectations can improve outcomes. They also dive into the future of mental health, including AI, personalized treatment, and whether technology will replace therapists or simply make therapy more effective. Along the way, they explore what makes human connection so valuable, where AI can genuinely help, and where it may unintentionally make things worse. Whether you've been curious about therapy, wondered if it has to take years, or are interested in where mental health care is headed, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at what the future could look like. Resources: Check out Therapy LabFollow Dr. Chandler Chang on IGIf you need help dealing with a loved one with mental illness or addiction, apply to work with Dr. Kibby in KulaMind

  8. Jul 30

    5 Things That Make Therapy Not Work

    This episode breaks down practical strategies for getting more out of therapy and the common mistakes that can quietly get in the way of real progress. Have you ever left a therapy session feeling better for an hour, only to find yourself stuck in the exact same patterns a week later? Or wondered why someone can spend years in therapy without seeming to change? In this episode, Dr. Kibby explores the habits that often prevent therapy from being effective. She talks about emotional avoidance, people pleasing, staying in "problem talk" instead of focusing on change, and why honesty with your therapist matters more than trying to be the "perfect" client. She also explains how to choose the right therapist, what questions to ask before starting treatment, and why the work that happens between sessions is just as important as what happens during them. Whether you're in therapy yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers practical ways to make treatment more meaningful and increase the chances that it leads to lasting change. Resources: - Chapman, A. L., & Rosenthal, M. Z. (2016). Managing therapy-interfering behavior: Strategies from dialectical behavior therapy. American Psychological Association.

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4.9
out of 5
139 Ratings

About

A LITTLE HELP FOR OUR FRIENDS is a mental health podcast hosted by Dr. Kibby McMahon, licensed clinical psychologist and CEO of KulaMind. The podcast sheds light on the psychological issues your loved ones could be struggling with and provides scientifically-informed perspectives on various mental health topics like dealing with toxic relationships, narcissism, trauma, and therapy. As a clinical psychologist from Duke University, Dr. Kibby shares her expertise on the relational nature of mental health. She mixes evidence-based learning with her own personal examples and stories from their listeners. Episodes are a range of solo episodes with Dr. Kibby, as well as with featured guests including Bachelor Nation members such as Zac Clark speaking on addiction recovery, Ben Higgins on loneliness, and Jenna Cooper on cyberbullying, as well as therapists & doctors such as sleep specialist Dr. Jade Wu, world experts on personality disorders like Dr. Zach Rosenthal, amongst many others. Additional topics covered on the podcast have included fertility, gaslighting, depression, mental health & veterans, mindfulness, and much more. Episodes are released every other week. For more information, check out www.ALittleHelpForOurFriends.com Do you need help coping with a loved one's mental or emotional problems?  Check out www.KulaMind.com, an exclusive community where you can connect other fans of "A Little Help" and get support from Dr. Kibby directly.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Kibby McMahon
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    204
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Kibby McMahon
  • Show Website
    A Little Help For Our Friends

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