MxV Mental Wellness Podcast Mike Veny & Leanna Lee

What happens after you’ve figured out how to pay for therapy? In our final part of this series, and the final episode of 2020, Mike and Leanna discuss how to show up for and make the most of your therapy sessions.
In this episode, we cover:
Why therapists aren’t there to fix you (and managing expectations)Finding the right fit (personality type, communication style, etc.)How to show up for your sessions and how therapy involves over timeTrusting the process! 
Thanks so much for joining us this year! MxV will be back in early 2021 with a new season and some big announcements. So until then, take care and happy new year!
 
Resources
 
Types of therapists (blog by Two Chairs)Federally Funded Health Centers websiteMike Veny’s Mental Health Guide (+ free services!)Free mental health services (Healthy Place)SAMHSA National HelplineNational Institute of Mental HealthMental Health America

Therapy is such an important part of mental health management, but this year, it may seem like more of a luxury than a necessity. In our October episode, Mike and Leanna continue their discussion about why therapy is important for freelancers and self-employed workers, and how they can make it happen.
Part 2 of Therapy for Freelancers focuses on finding the right therapist...and paying them! Mike and Leanna walk share their own experiences with paying for therapy over the years and some tactics for finding the right type of mental health help for your budget and needs. 
In this episode, we cover:
Different kinds of therapyPaying for therapy with and without insurance Negotiating rates with your therapistOther therapy options for self-employed (and people on a tight budget!)Don’t miss the final part of our 3-part series on therapy for freelancers next month as Mike and Leanna dive into how to get the most out of your therapy session!
Resources
Types of therapists (blog by Two Chairs)Federally Funded Health Centers websiteMike Veny’s Mental Health Guide (+ free services!)Free mental health services (Healthy Place)SAMHSA National HelplineNational Institute of Mental HealthMental Health America 

We know that therapy can be expensive and complicated, and a good therapist is hard to find, but it’s SO important to have consistent, professional mental health support as a freelancer, especially if you have mental health challenges.
In this 3-part series, we’re really going to examine what freelancers can get out of therapy and HOW they can get the right support, even on a budget or without insurance.
In this episode, Mike and Leanna Lee discuss why freelancers should consider therapy...and what it can do for your business. 
Be sure to listen all the way till the end for a very important insight that will help you grow your business.

In our August episode, host Mike Veny invites his own guest and friend, clinical psychologist Dr. Isaiah Pickens, to talk about working mindfully. Together, they explore the challenges of prioritizing and sustaining balance and how self-soothing and mindfulness can help you manage mental health.
Dr. Pickens is the CEO of iOpeningEnterprises, which helps transform human performance through interactive, science-based professional development and practical wellness tools.
“I make sure I eat lunch, I make sure I’m drinking a gallon of water a day. I‘m trying to get my sleep...six to eight hours, trying to be more on the eight hour side. But, these are things that to me are not extra, they’re necessary.”
In this episode, he shares:
Why walking to McDonalds was an important mental health exercise for himHow he incorporates practices for clients into his own life to support mental healthHow self-soothing can help you manage your body’s physical reactions to stress Simple actions to take when you feel suicidalGet to know more about Dr. Pickens on his website and on social media @PickensPoints

**Trigger Warning: Be advised, this material could be triggering for some (contains mentions of abuse and rape)**
In our July episode (a late tribute to PTSD awareness month!) our co-host Leanna Lee is joined by special guest, location-independent writer Gigi Griffis. Together, they talk PTSD/CPTSD symptoms and the kinds of mental, practical, and financial boundaries they’ve set this year to manage mental health at work. 
Currently quarantined in Estonia, Gigi also shares several huge recent mental health breakthroughs she’s had with her childhood trauma. 
“This was me taking my power back and saying ‘you don’t get to decide the terms of our relationship. That’s up to me now.’”
Some “crisis boundaries” that have worked for her:
Taking on extra work with low-stress clients Resisting the urge to keep taking on new projects she doesn’t need (hoarding impulse)Checking in with her mental health each daySetting emergency protocolsAdjusting her budget and financial goals so she feels more secure about money Her biggest advice? Being kind to yourself and learning to be flexible when it comes to your own needs: “Part of managing your mental health is recognizing that you’re not always going to be in the same place.”

There have been a lot of ups and downs so far this year and we're only halfway through the year! In our June episode, Mike and Leanna chat about how their lives and careers have changed since COVID-19 and the recent recession.
This month, they decided to hop on Zoom as they recorded so they could finally “reunite” face-to-face (unfortunately, Mike is still learning how Zoom works, so no video episode this time!). 
After checking in on each other’s mental health, they dove into all the pivots they’ve made so far: mentally adjusting to new emergencies, serious career shifts, and learning to record a podcast online.
Some of the highlights:
Seeing each other for the first time in three months!Mike making the pivot to a virtual speaking careerGetting out of “survival mode”Leanna learning to give up financial control (kind of?)We hope you enjoy this episode. Thanks for listening!
Resources and further reading:
David Allen’s Relaxed Focus and Getting Things Done 15-min Planner Method (Courage and Clarity)Leapers article: Tackling lockdown lethargy lack of motivationCatch MxV on Twitter @mxvpodcast