Needed to Hear That!

Pondoff's Anonymous Network, Chaz Franke, Chris Pondoff
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

“Needed to Hear That” hosted by Chaz and Pondoff, brings real conversations about mental health into real life. Therapist Chaz Franke and Chris Pondoff talk anxiety, trauma, recovery, relationships, and the ongoing work of becoming healthier humans. No clinical jargon, no fake positivity… just honest dialogue, grounded insight, and conversations that meet people where they actually are. Part of the Pondoff Network.

  1. "What If You're Not Behind?"

    1d ago

    "What If You're Not Behind?"

    In this episode of Needed to Hear That, Chris and Chaz unpack the ways comparison quietly shapes our lives—from social media and money to parenting, relationships, careers, and self-worth. Why do we assume everyone else has it figured out? Why do we look at other people's highlight reels and conclude we're somehow falling behind? The conversation explores how comparison can leave us feeling disconnected, inadequate, and stuck chasing goals that were never truly ours to begin with. Along the way, they discuss authenticity, the pressure to "have it all together," the danger of treating other people as finished products, and why it's okay to admit that you don't always know what you want next. If you've ever felt like everyone else got the manual for life and you're still trying to figure it out as you go, this episode is a reminder that you're not alone—and that the path forward may start with letting go of comparison altogether.

    1h 6m
  2. "Mr. Rogers Changed His Shoes Every Time"

    Jun 19

    "Mr. Rogers Changed His Shoes Every Time"

    On this episode of Needed To Hear That, Chaz and Chris explore a question that sits at the heart of healing, recovery, faith, and human connection: What makes people feel safe enough to be vulnerable? Fresh off a trip to Denver, Chaz reflects on visiting a recovery community that helped shape the vision for Underground and sparked a conversation about consistency, belonging, and why some spaces instantly feel welcoming while others never quite get there. Together, he and Chris unpack the ingredients that create trust—showing up, keeping your word, making room for people exactly as they are, and understanding that vulnerability isn't something that can be forced. The discussion weaves through recovery meetings, church communities, therapy rooms, support groups, and personal relationships, examining how betrayal, trauma, and disappointment can make the world feel smaller—and why finding safe people can help expand it again. Along the way, they share stories about mentorship, teaching, community building, Mr. Rogers, hiking adventures, and the quiet power of simply being present. More than anything, this episode is a reminder that most people aren't looking for perfection. They're looking for a place where they can stop performing, put down the mask, and know they'll still be welcomed when they do.

    1h 18m
  3. "Maybe I Need An Empty Drawer"

    Jun 12

    "Maybe I Need An Empty Drawer"

    On this episode of Needed To Hear That, Chaz and Chris tackle a question that seems simple on the surface but gets more complicated the longer you sit with it: How do you know when you're doing too much? The conversation explores the tension between ambition and burnout, service and self-neglect, and why so many people feel simultaneously overwhelmed and convinced they aren't doing enough. Drawing from personal experiences in recovery, business ownership, ministry, parenting, and mental health work, they unpack the pressure to constantly produce, stay busy, and keep adding new responsibilities—even when the fire is already burning hot. Along the way, they discuss hustle culture, guilt, people-pleasing, boundaries, disappointment, and the uncomfortable reality that taking care of yourself sometimes means letting someone else down. Chaz shares stories from therapy and Buddhist teachings, while Chris reflects on recovery, work, family life, and the challenge of learning that rest doesn't have to be earned. This episode is ultimately an invitation to slow down, take inventory, and ask yourself a difficult question: Are you filling your life because it's meaningful, or because you're afraid of what you'll find in the empty space?

    1h 16m
  4. "The Power of Someone Believing In You"

    Jun 5

    "The Power of Someone Believing In You"

    On this episode of Needed To Hear That, Chaz and Chris are joined by therapist, educator, and Learn to Live founder Matt Bauersachs for a conversation about mentorship, purpose, therapy, recovery, and the people who shape who we become. The conversation starts as a discussion about social work school and professional development and quickly turns into a deeper exploration of what it means to truly help others—and why the best mentors often see something in us before we're able to see it ourselves.Matt shares stories from his journey through graduate school, working in adolescent treatment, launching Learn to Live, and helping young people navigate trauma, addiction, abandonment, and emotional dysregulation. The conversation explores how healing happens through relationships, why boundaries matter, and how consistency can change the trajectory of someone's life. Along the way, the three discuss foster care, mentorship, therapy, burnout, education, and the difficult balance between caring deeply and protecting your own well-being.The episode also dives into the power of encouragement, the impact a single teacher or mentor can have, and why some of the most important words we ever hear are simply, "You're going to be okay." Thoughtful, funny, and full of practical wisdom, this conversation is a reminder that growth rarely happens alone—and that the right people can change your life in ways they may never fully understand.

    1h 19m
  5. We So Desperately Want It To Make Sense

    May 29

    We So Desperately Want It To Make Sense

    On this episode of Needed To Hear That, Chaz and Chris dive into grief, mortality, resilience, and the uncomfortable reality that literally anything can happen at any time. The conversation starts with the sudden death of NASCAR star Kyle Busch and evolves into something deeper: how humans try to make sense of tragedy, why sudden loss feels so destabilizing, and what happens when grief collides with the illusion of control.They unpack parasocial relationships, the emotional weight of public mourning, and the terrifying realization that strength, success, money, or fame don’t exempt anyone from suffering. Along the way, Chaz explores the spiritual concept that “anything can happen,” why people instinctively search for someone or something to blame after tragedy, and why humility matters when sitting with people who are struggling.The episode also touches on addiction, aging, mental health, spirituality, therapy, prayer, and the subtle but powerful reminder that nobody chooses suffering. Chaz shares a story from a centering prayer group that reframed the way he thinks about illness and pain, while Chris reflects on grief, fatherhood, and his fear of leaving Charlie too soon after losing his own dad.There’s heartbreak, dark humor, NASCAR references, Greek mythology, Tony Soprano, bacon-wrapped chicken livers, and profound conversations about how we show up for people when life gets hard.

    1h 12m
  6. We're All Just Walking Each Other Home

    May 22

    We're All Just Walking Each Other Home

    On this episode of Needed To Hear That, Chaz and Chris dive into the fear, guilt, and shame that can come with “starting over.” What begins as a conversation about meditation and mindfulness slowly unfolds into something much deeper — why people struggle to return to the things that once helped them feel whole.Using the concept of the “abstinence violation effect,” the conversation explores the all-or-nothing mindset that shows up in recovery, dieting, fitness, therapy, spirituality, and everyday life. They unpack the dangerous belief that one mistake erases all progress, and why so many people feel like they’ve lost the right to come back after falling off track. Along the way, they discuss relapse, self-compassion, New Year’s resolutions, gym culture, therapy, meditation, addiction recovery, and the quiet fear of being judged when trying again.The episode also weaves through Buddhist teachings, Christian spirituality, the story of the prodigal son, the Buddhist parable of the destitute child, and the idea that maybe “home” is something we’re all searching for in one way or another. Funny, thoughtful, deeply human, and emotionally honest — this conversation is a reminder that slipping backwards doesn’t erase the work you’ve already done.You can find the article that Chaz referenced in the episode here: https://southshorerecovery.com/abstinence-violation-effect/

    1h 11m

  7. May 15

    We’re All Beginners | Feeling Stuck, Comparison & Finding Your People

    This week on Needed To Hear That, the conversation starts with wrestling conventions, anime communities, Buff Bagwell’s amputated leg, and Mick Foley nostalgia… before slowly unfolding into something much deeper: why so many of us feel stuck. Chris and Chaz unpack the pressure to constantly improve, achieve, evolve, and “figure it out” — and how comparison quietly steals our ability to recognize growth while it’s happening. From body image and recovery to spirituality, depression, therapy, and social media, they explore the difference between genuine curiosity and self-criticism, and why patience with yourself is a lot harder than it sounds. The episode dives into ideas like beginner’s mind, complacency versus contentment, the fear of the unknown, and the importance of finding spaces where you actually feel seen. Along the way, there are stories about wrestling fandoms, Dungeons & Dragons, anime conventions, Buddhist parables, recovery meetings, and why “having too many irons in the fire” may or may not be a personal attack. Funny, thoughtful, surprisingly emotional, and full of the kind of conversations that make you stop and examine your own inner dialogue — this one is about learning that maybe being “stuck” doesn’t mean you’ve stopped moving after all.

    1h 15m

  8. May 8

    Why We Keep Stepping On Hot Coals

    On this episode of Needed To Hear That, Chaz and Chris start off talking about surviving a “bachelor week,” hockey goalies, meditation groups, and the chaos of bouncing between golf tournaments, OTB's, trivia nights. They eventually land in a much deeper conversation about codependency, boundaries, and why so many people struggle to let other people own their own emotions.They unpack what codependency actually means beyond the buzzword version of it, and why it often comes from love, fear, survival, and wanting desperately to keep the people around you okay. Chaz explains how codependency can show up in subtle everyday ways—struggling to say no, feeling responsible for someone else’s happiness, or believing you need other people to be regulated before you can feel settled yourself.There’s also an honest look at:Why boundaries are often misunderstood as selfish instead of loving.How addiction, mental health struggles, and family dynamics can quietly create codependent patterns over time.The fear people feel when they stop trying to “fix” or control someone else.Why helping someone and controlling someone can sometimes look dangerously similar.The difference between creating conditions for change…versus believing you can force change.Bruce Springsteen stories, Buddhist teachings, and why humans keep “stepping on the same hot coals” hoping this time will somehow feel different.Along the way, they talk about recovery, therapy, emotional regulation, meditation, anonymous support groups, and the uncomfortable reality that sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is let someone else be responsible for themselves.This episode is less about having perfect boundaries and more about recognizing the fear underneath them—why saying no can feel terrifying, why so many people lose themselves trying to care for others, and how healing often starts by admitting you can’t control everything…even when you really wish you could._____________________Illinois Recovery Center:⁠ https://illinoisrecoverycenter.com/⁠Find us on Facebook, Instagram, & YouTube.⁠  / pondoffsanonymous⁠  ⁠  / pondoffsanonymous⁠  ⁠   / @pondoffsanonymous

    1h 9m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

“Needed to Hear That” hosted by Chaz and Pondoff, brings real conversations about mental health into real life. Therapist Chaz Franke and Chris Pondoff talk anxiety, trauma, recovery, relationships, and the ongoing work of becoming healthier humans. No clinical jargon, no fake positivity… just honest dialogue, grounded insight, and conversations that meet people where they actually are. Part of the Pondoff Network.

Information

  • Creator
    Pondoff's Anonymous Network, Chaz Franke, Chris Pondoff
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Pondoff's Anonymous Network, Chaz Franke, Chris Pondoff
  • Show Website
    Needed to Hear That!

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