Pause The Noise Podcast

Dr. Saarah Nicolas, Psychologist; Brian Lamar Stokes, Therapist; Lena Wilson, Transition Coach
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  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

If you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or tired of surface level advice, this podcast is for you. Pause the Noise brings real, unfiltered conversations from a psychologist, therapist, and transition coach on mental health, relationships, identity, and growth. You will hear honest insights, relatable moments, and practical tools you can actually use. This is where you come to feel seen, challenged, and understood while learning how to move forward with clarity and intention.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Men’s Mental Health Month: Why Men Are Dying in Silence | Suicide, Isolation & Finding Community

    In this special Men's Mental Health Month episode of Pause the Noise, Brian Lamar Stokes, Dr. Saarah Nicolas and Lena Wilson discuss the growing mental health crisis affecting men. Together, they explore suicide prevention, loneliness, emotional suppression, friendship, marriage, community, and why so many men struggle to ask for help. The conversation also covers warning signs to watch for, ways to support the men in your life, and practical steps toward building stronger emotional connections. If you've ever wondered why men often suffer in silence, this episode offers an honest and compassionate look at the challenges many face and the hope that comes through connection. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 for immediate support. Pause the Noise is a podcast that gives you permission to reflect and reset. #MensMentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthPodcast #MensHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #PauseTheNoise

    29 min

  2. Jun 1

    Is AI Hurting Your Mental Health? What Therapists Want You to Know

    We live in a world where people are turning to AI before they turn to a friend — and sometimes before they turn to a therapist. In this episode of Pause the Noise, Brian sits down with psychologist and therapist Dr. Saarah Nicolas and life coach Lena Wilson to have an honest, nuanced conversation about the rapid rise of AI as a mental health tool. They explore the real benefits — increased access, emotional venting, support for those who feel isolated — and the very real risks, including echo chambers, data privacy concerns, and the danger of replacing human connection with a system designed to keep you engaged. This isn't an anti-AI episode. It's a wisdom conversation. Because knowing how to use a tool matters just as much as the tool itself. If you're struggling, find a safe human. That's still the message. #PauseTheNoise #MentalHealthMatters #AIAndMentalHealth #TherapyTalk #ChatGPTMentalHealth #AIWellness #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapistAdvice #EmotionalWellness #AITools #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfCare #HealingJourney #HumanConnection #CopingSkills #MindsetShift #WellnessPodcast #PsychologyToday #AnxietySupport #DepressionAwareness

    27 min

  3. May 18

    The Hidden Grief of Caregiving No One Talks About | Alzheimer's, Burnout & Family Caregivers

    If you are caring for a loved one right now, this episode was made for you. Over 53 million Americans are unpaid caregivers — and most of them are carrying a grief that doesn't have a name. Coach Lena Wilson shares her deeply personal journey caring for her mother-in-law through Alzheimer's disease: the hidden grief of watching someone you love lose their memory, the guilt of pulling back, and the emotional weight of showing up every single day for someone else while still trying to show up for yourself. Dr. Saarah Nicolas breaks down the clinical side — why caregivers are at high risk for depression, anxiety, and burnout, and what it looks like when resentment builds unchecked. Together, the Pause the Noise team covers how to ask for help, how to set limits without guilt, how to use day programs and employer benefits you may not know you have, and how to protect your own mental health while being someone else's lifeline. If you've ever whispered "I can't do this anymore" — this conversation will remind you that you are not alone, what you're feeling is valid, and there is a way through. Pause the Noise. New episodes every week. We give you permission to reflect and reset.

    31 min

  4. May 11

    When Rest Feels Unsafe: Breaking Free from Hustle Culture

    When was the last time you truly rested — without guilt? In this episode of Pause the Noise, Brian Stokes, Dr. Saarah Nicolas, and Coach Lena Wilson get honest about why so many of us struggle to slow down. From childhood conditioning and hustle culture to the real cost of burnout, they unpack why rest feels unsafe and what we can actually do about it. Whether you're an entrepreneur with no off switch, a parent running on empty, or someone who eats lunch at their desk every single day — this conversation will challenge how you think about productivity, worth, and what it means to truly take care of yourself. Pause the Noise gives you permission to reflect and reset. New episodes weekly.

    30 min

  5. May 3

    Building Resilience: How to Bounce Back, Regulate Your Emotions, and Raise Mentally Strong Kids

    Resilience isn't about being unbreakable — it's about knowing how to get back up. In this episode of Pause The Noise, Dr. Saarah Nicolas, Lena Wilson, and Brian Stokes have a raw, real conversation about what it truly takes to build mental fortitude and bounce back from life's hardest challenges. Drawing from personal experiences with childhood trauma, divorce, homelessness, people-pleasing, and anxiety, the hosts unpack how resilience is built through struggle — and how emotional intelligence is a stronger predictor of life success than IQ alone. You'll walk away with tangible tools including mindfulness practices, emotional regulation strategies, cognitive reframing, and insights on raising resilient children in a generation that tends to shield kids from discomfort. This is your permission to reflect, reset, and rise. Topics covered: resilience, emotional intelligence, mental health, anxiety, mindset, parenting, life transitions, self-awareness, mindfulness, trauma healing.

    32 min

  6. Apr 27

    Celebrate the Win: Why High Achievers Struggle to Honor Their Growth

    Do you hit a goal and immediately set a bigger one — never stopping to feel proud? That's not ambition. That may be a trauma response. In this episode of Pause the Noise, mental health therapist Brian Stokes, psychologist Dr. Saarah Nicolas, and transition & grief coach Coach Lena Wilson explore why high achievers, childhood trauma survivors, and people pleasers struggle to celebrate themselves — and why it's silently contributing to burnout, depression, and disconnection. Drawing on the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study, the neuroscience of dopamine and serotonin, and their own deeply personal stories, the hosts break down the psychological roots of "never feeling like enough" and share real, practical tools to rewire that pattern — starting today. Topics covered: How childhood experiences (emotional neglect, strict parenting, instability) shape adult self-worthWhy not counting your wins is a clinical contributor to depressionThe financial scarcity mindset that keeps you in a constant rat raceDaily practices to build your "celebration muscle"How to write down your wins and use community to hold yourself accountableWhat it means to slow down and be present — and why that IS the winThis episode is for you if you're searching for:therapy for adults | mental health for high achievers | healing childhood trauma | depression support | self-worth podcast | grief and life transitions | therapy for men | mindset coaching | burnout recovery | how to celebrate yourself | imposter syndrome | trauma and achievement | mental wellness Hosted by Brian Stokes (@BrianLamarStokes), Dr. Saarah Nicolas (@DrSaarahThePsych), and Coach Lena Wilson (@CoachLenaWilson). Follow us @PauseTheNoisePodcast — where we give you permission to reflect and reset.

    30 min

  7. Apr 20

    Grief Part II: Grief Isn’t Just Death… It’s Every Life Transition

    Grief isn’t just about loss through death… it shows up in every major life transition. In this episode of Pause the Noise, Brian Lamar Stokes sits down with Coach Lena Wilson and Dr. Saarah Nicolas to unpack the hidden connection between grief and change. From identity shifts to parenting, career moves, and unexpected life events, they explore why even positive changes can feel heavy. You’ll learn how to: • Recognize grief in everyday transitions • Navigate emotional overwhelm • Shift your mindset from resistance to acceptance • Build resilience through life’s changes If you’ve been feeling stuck, lost, or emotionally drained during a transition… this conversation will help you make sense of it. 00:00 – Intro: Reflect & Reset 01:07 – Why transitions often feel like grief 02:04 – The 3 phases of transition (ending, neutral, beginning) 02:34 – Change vs. transition explained 03:24 – Grieving identity, routine, and expectations 04:23 – Why even positive changes can feel heavy 05:22 – Naming your grief and giving yourself permission to feel 06:19 – Healthy vs. unhealthy coping in transitions 08:34 – Signs you’re struggling (sleep, irritability, numbness) 09:29 – Small steps to move forward 10:25 – Resistance vs. embracing change 12:26 – “Why is this happening to me?” mindset trap 15:37 – Overthinking and shifting your mindset 17:01 – Why transition is unavoidable for growth 18:56 – Layered grief and why it feels overwhelming 20:08 – Resilience: can it be built? 21:48 – Lena’s story: divorce, motherhood, and survival mode 23:43 – Why your hardest season isn’t your whole story 25:08 – The moment everything shifted 27:30 – Purpose through pain 29:23 – “What does she deserve?” – powerful turning point 30:11 – The role of purpose in healing 31:28 – Parenting, slowing down, and being present 34:23 – Kids grow fast… and the grief in that 36:20 – Holding onto moments while they last 36:53 – Life is constant transition 37:23 – Final message: Be kind to yourself

    39 min

  8. Apr 13

    Grief isn’t just about death… and nobody talks about this.

    Grief isn’t just about losing someone to death… it shows up in breakups, friendships, life transitions, and even the dreams we thought would come true. In this episode of Pause the Noise Podcast, Brian Stokes, Dr. Sarah Nicolas, and Coach Lena Wilson have an honest, real conversation about what grief actually looks like in everyday life. From grieving relationships and identity shifts to navigating parenthood, body changes, and major life transitions… this episode helps you understand what you’re feeling and why. If you’ve ever told yourself “I should be over this by now,” this conversation is for you. We talk about: • What grief really is beyond death • How grief shows up in friendships, divorce, parenting, and identity • Why suppressing emotions can delay healing • The 5 stages of grief and common myths • Practical ways to process grief in a healthy way • Self-compassion, connection, and emotional healing Whether you’re dealing with loss, burnout, life changes, or emotional overwhelm, this episode gives you permission to pause, reflect, and reset. If this resonated, comment “grief” and share your experience. You’re not alone. 00:00 Welcome to Pause the Noise 00:15 What grief really means beyond death 02:00 Grieving friendships and life expectations 06:00 Avoiding vs processing grief 10:45 Personal experiences with grief and transitions 13:30 Therapy perspective on grief and healing 16:00 Naming your loss and why it matters 21:00 Self-blame and control in grief 22:45 The purpose of grief and connection 24:30 Stages of grief explained 28:00 Final thoughts and support resources

    30 min

  9. Apr 6

    Social Media Is Draining You… Here’s How to Take Control | Mental Health & Burnout

    Feeling drained by social media? Learn how it impacts your mental health and how to set boundaries with practical digital wellness tools. Social media is no longer optional… but what is it doing to your mental health? In this episode of Pause the Noise, a psychologist, therapist, and transition coach unpack the real impact of social media on burnout, anxiety, relationships, and everyday life. From constant scrolling and comparison to feeling mentally drained after logging off, this conversation gets honest about what’s really happening beneath the surface. We also share practical digital wellness tools to help you set boundaries, protect your peace, and create healthier habits without disconnecting completely. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, distracted, or consumed by social media, this episode will help you pause, reflect, and reset. 00:00 Social Media Is Not Optional Anymore01:16 Introduction to Pause the Noise01:33 The Real Impact of Social Media05:36 Phone Habits, FOMO, and Entrepreneurship Pressure09:26 Is Social Media Controlling Us?11:20 Burnout, Parenting, and Real-Life Balance12:44 How Algorithms Feed Insecurity16:46 Social Media as Escape18:05 Digital Wellness Strategies21:42 Protecting Real-Life Connection25:50 Creating Sacred No-Phone Spaces28:14 Setting Boundaries and Screen Time Awareness31:18 Final Reflections and Reset #MentalHealthPodcast #SocialMediaDetox #DigitalWellness #BurnoutRecovery #TherapyTalk mental health podcast, social media and mental health, social media burnout, digital wellness, screen time balance, relationship advice transition, pause for clarity, positive mental health podcasts, mens mental health podcast, anxiety and social media

    32 min

  10. Mar 27

    Meet the Hosts: Psychologist, Therapist & Transition Coach Talk Mental Health | Pause the Noise

    Welcome to the first episode of Pause the Noise — a space where we slow down the chaos of everyday life and give ourselves permission to reflect and reset.In this introductory episode, meet the three voices behind the show: Dr. Sarah Nicolas, PhD (@DrSaarahThePsych) – Trauma psychologist and owner of Tampa Counseling & Wellness and founder of Liberty Evaluations specializing in trauma and evidence-based mental health practices. Brian Stokes, MSW (@BrianLamarStokes) – Therapist and social worker focused on helping men, fathers, and couples build stronger emotional lives and healthier families. Lena Wilson (@CoachLenaWilson) – Transition and grief coach helping women navigate major life changes with clarity and resilience. Together, they bring three powerful perspectives: psychology, therapy, and coaching. This podcast was created to cut through the noise of everyday stress, social pressures, and mental overload. Each episode will explore real-life challenges, reflect on the bigger picture, and offer practical tools to help you move forward.Whether you're navigating grief, transitions, relationships, personal growth, or mental health challenges, this space is designed to help you feel seen, supported and equipped with tools to grow. This is Pause the Noise — where reflection meets real-life solutions. 00:00 Welcome to Pause the Noise 00:30 How the Hosts Met01:30 Lena Wilson – Transition & Grief Coach Journey 07:17 Dr. Sarah Nicolas – Trauma Psychologist Story 15:03 Brian Lamar Stokes – Therapist for Men & Families 20:00 Why This Podcast Exists 22:20 Mental Health Tools We Use With Clients 27:00 Creating Safe Spaces for Healing 28:13 Closing: Reflect & Reset

    29 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

If you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or tired of surface level advice, this podcast is for you. Pause the Noise brings real, unfiltered conversations from a psychologist, therapist, and transition coach on mental health, relationships, identity, and growth. You will hear honest insights, relatable moments, and practical tools you can actually use. This is where you come to feel seen, challenged, and understood while learning how to move forward with clarity and intention.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Saarah Nicolas, Psychologist; Brian Lamar Stokes, Therapist; Lena Wilson, Transition Coach
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Saarah Nicolas, Psychologist; Brian Lamar Stokes, Therapist; Lena Wilson, Transition Coach
  • Show Website
    Pause The Noise Podcast