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

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Jun 22

    Reacting vs. Responding: Navigating Emotional Triggers

    Reacting vs. Responding: Creating Space When You’re TriggeredJoy and Rebecca, two licensed therapists with over 20 years’ experience each, return to the Laugh Cry Club after missing an episode due to Joy’s dad being hospitalized following a lawnmower accident. They discuss how modern life and social media amplify constant reactivity, and explain reacting as immediate, emotion-driven, threat-based responses versus responding as intentional, values-based actions that create space. They describe how survival mode reduces executive functioning and why simple tools like breathing, changing environments, using the five senses, visualization, “sleep on it,” delaying replies 24–48 hours, and writing messages to yourself can help prevent impulsive texts or emails. Examples include road rage and Joy’s reactive confrontation with an intoxicated concertgoer. They invite listener questions and voice memos for their upcoming 100th episode.00:00 Welcome Back Updates00:26 Why We Missed Last Week00:48 Therapists And Today Topic01:24 Living In Reaction Mode03:43 Hormones And Self Compassion05:10 Survival Brain And Coping05:59 Breathing And Anxiety Spiral06:52 Reacting Versus Responding Basics07:20 Road Rage As A Case Study08:34 Values Triggers And Fairness10:03 Concert Incident And Boundaries14:37 Dad Accident And Rage Texts16:40 Responding Means Creating Space17:32 Dad Recovery Update18:11 Letting Him Choose Home19:29 Aging Parents Anxiety21:06 Creating Space Techniques22:10 Mindfulness Five Senses23:05 911 Versus Responders24:33 Family Drama Text Urge26:22 Type It Send Yourself29:18 Why Last Word Feels Good30:59 Resolution Over Winning31:22 Observe This Week31:53 Episode 100 Callouts

  5. Jun 9

    Happy Pride Month!

    Captain Rebecca’s Flight Simulator Adventure and How to Show Up as an Ally for Pride MonthJoy and “Captain Rebecca,” two licensed therapists, share recent adventures and connect them to mental health, belonging, and community. Rebecca describes an intense three-hour commercial flight simulator session with multiple takeoffs and landings, learning cockpit controls, autopilot dials, and procedures like V1 and flaps, gaining new respect for pilots and considering a future discovery flight; Joy shares exploring their new town’s historic downtown, trying matcha, finding art, and enjoying local treats. They encourage listeners to seek new experiences without overthinking and to create “core memories.” Honoring Pride Month, they recount Pride’s origins in the June 28, 1969 Stonewall Inn raids and subsequent 1970 commemorations, discuss current safety concerns, and outline ally actions: learn history, follow creators, show visible support, attend events, contact legislators, and use privilege to amplify unheard voices, citing resources like HRC, GLSEN, GLAAD, PFLAG, and the Trevor Project.00:00 Welcome to Laugh Cry Club00:20 Captain Rebecca Tease00:59 Flight Simulator Setup02:15 Cockpit Overwhelm and Vision03:11 Nathan Fielder Rehearsal Talk05:11 Aviation Communication Lessons07:01 Theranos Rumor Tangent08:00 Three Hours of Sim Anxiety09:25 Takeoffs Landings and Autopilot11:07 Do It Again Next Adventures11:34 Pilots Control Cabin Temp12:57 Say Yes to New Experiences14:14 Core Memories Peru Story14:44 Downtown Day Matcha and Art15:50 Matcha Caffeine Surprise16:35 Finding Art and Great Afternoon17:32 Old Meets New Downtown18:14 Moving Was Hard18:51 Why Pride Month Exists19:13 Stonewall Uprising Story21:39 Pride As Call To Action22:36 How To Be An Ally26:02 Show Up And Signal Safety29:37 Support Beyond Events30:48 Organizations And Resources33:56 Pride Joy And Farewell

  6. Jun 1

    Unexpected Adventures and Summer Plans

    Summer Adventures, The Sphere, and Catching an ArsonistJoy and Rebecca, two licensed therapists on The Laugh Cry Club, discuss taking “adventures” to break routine and boost curiosity, from micro-changes like new routes and talking to strangers to bigger plans like community classes and supporting local businesses. Rebecca shares seeing No Doubt reunite at the Las Vegas Sphere. Joy recounts a negative Sphere experience seeing U2, and later tells how she called 911 after witnessing a man trying to ignite brush by a highway, leading to his arrest. They close by sharing upcoming adventures, including Rebecca flying a Boeing 737 simulator and Joy visiting a farmers market and a rec-center gym.00:00 Welcome to Laugh Cry Club01:14 Summer Adventures Theme01:30 No Doubt Reunion Hype02:32 What Is The Sphere03:45 No Doubt Show Highlights07:38 Crowd Vibes And Vertigo09:17 U2 Sphere Horror Story15:09 Gwen Controversy Talk18:45 Art Versus Artist22:18 Micro Adventures For Summer24:23 Break the Routine24:59 Micro Adventures Daily25:44 Farmers Market Reality27:31 Plan It for Dopamine27:51 Community Summer Events28:41 Caught an Arsonist33:50 Detective Follow Up39:42 Neighborhood Watch Mode42:15 Next Week Adventures43:00 Secondary Emotions Hack44:09 Wrap Up and Rec Center

  7. May 25

    Navigating Unexpected Emotions

    Surprising Emotions, Puppy Turn-In Grief, and Letting Feelings BeLicensed therapists Joy and Rebecca introduce the Laugh Cry Club as a non-AI, guidance-focused podcast and share weekly “laughs and cries.” Rebecca describes a horseback ride followed by a windstorm and a vivid double rainbow, then another rainbow days later. The episode topic is surprising emotions and how they can overwhelm us, like outbursts or road rage, and how we judge ourselves afterward. Joy recounts turning in Lilas, a dog she raised for Canine Companions, expecting it to be easier but instead experiencing intense crying, sadness, and leaving early, plus feeling connected to other puppy raisers also struggling with grief. They discuss primary versus secondary emotions, suppression versus processing, societal pressure to perform while grieving, and mindfulness practices—staying present, naming feelings without labeling them as failure—illustrated by a Zen parable about keeping “both eyes” on the path.00:00 Welcome to Laugh Cry Club00:28 Why We Do This Podcast01:58 This Week’s Topic Emotions02:26 Rebecca’s Rainbow Trail Ride04:28 Joy’s Surprise Grief Turn In09:19 Meaning We Attach to Feelings13:48 Secondary Emotions Explained14:38 Threat Scanning and Travel Stress17:30 Stop Suppressing Feelings18:36 Let Yourself Be Sad21:02 Dancing With Emotions25:50 Zen Parable Both Eyes29:20 Takeaway and Closing Notes

  8. May 18

    Mental Health at Work

    Mindful Walking, Grief, and Surviving vs. Thriving at WorkJoy and Rebecca, licensed therapists, open with a mindfulness check-in and discuss mindful walking as a way to notice recurring negative thoughts, befriend them, and choose a better thought without falling into toxic positivity, while still honoring real grief such as Joy’s recent loss of JT. They celebrate nearing 100 episodes and introduce the theme of mental health in the workplace, noting how pandemic-era shifts, social media, always-on technology, and AI have increased competing demands and expectations. Rebecca shares a humorous “camp counselor” social media bit and making beaded necklaces, then Joy shares a cry about turning in her puppy Lilas to Canine Companions for advanced training at a nostalgic campus tied to JT, and previewing a new dog, McCoy. They explore differences between hard and toxic jobs, boundary-setting, employee rights, HR options, and making plans when leaving isn’t immediately possible.00:00 Welcome and Check In00:33 Mindful Walking Practice01:03 Befriending Negative Thoughts02:35 Grief vs Toxic Positivity05:33 Podcast Milestones and Mission06:54 Workplace Mental Health Intro07:01 Laugh Camp Counselor Bit10:56 Cry Puppy Turn In15:45 Why We Keep Raising Dogs17:49 New Dog and Puppy Chaos19:25 Surviving and Thriving at Work20:37 Always On Work Life23:15 AI And Rising Expectations24:51 Workplace Culture And Boundaries28:40 When You Cannot Leave32:35 Hard Job Vs Toxic Job34:34 Toxic Boss Storytime37:35 Protect Your Peace Plan39:23 Mental Health Month Wrap

See All (102)

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
    102
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Joy Parrish, LPC // Rebecca Zeleny, LCSW
  • Show Website
    Laugh Cry Club

You Might Also Like