Needed to Hear That!

Pondoff's Anonymous
  • 5.0 (2)
  • 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.

Episodes

  1. S1E3 "Reckless Generosity, Grief, and the People Who Hold Us When We Fall"

    6D AGO

    S1E3 "Reckless Generosity, Grief, and the People Who Hold Us When We Fall"

    Reckless Generosity, Grief, and the People Who Hold Us When We Fall Sponsored by McKelvey Insurance https://www.mckelveyins.com LightSource Psychotherapy https://findyourlightsource.com Episode Description What does it really mean to be generous without losing yourself in the process? In this episode, Chaz and Pondoff talk about reckless generosity, grief, vulnerability, mentorship, and the people who hold us up when life gets heavy. The idea of “reckless generosity” becomes a starting point for exploring how giving can be deeply human and life-giving, while also requiring boundaries and support to be sustainable. The conversation moves through grief and loss, including why grief doesn’t follow neat stages, why meaning can’t be forced, and how community can be both healing and complicated. There’s an honest look at vulnerability, especially for people who are known for being “strong,” and how asking for help can feel harder than enduring pain alone. Mentorship and friendship take center stage as well, highlighting the importance of safe people, emotional support, and the quiet power of not having to go through life alone. From recovery spaces to everyday relationships, this episode is a reminder that healing happens best in connection. Chapters 00:00 – The Power of Generosity 11:25 – Understanding Grief and Loss 16:52 – Building Community and Relationships 20:07 – The Importance of Vulnerability 32:08 – The Role of Mentorship 54:07 – Friendship and Emotional Support

    1h 17m
  2. S1E2 "Change Is Hard Because It’s Human"

    JAN 30

    S1E2 "Change Is Hard Because It’s Human"

    Needed to Hear That — Episode 2: Change Is Hard Because It’s HumanHosted by Chaz Franke & Chris Pondoff In Episode 2 of Needed to Hear That, Chaz Franke and Chris Pondoff sit with one of the most universal—and uncomfortable—realities of being human: change. From addiction and recovery to mental health, relationships, careers, and grief, this conversation explores why change is so hard, why resistance is normal, and why compassion matters more than pressure. Chaz brings his clinical and spiritual perspective to unpack impermanence, the stages of change, and the quiet heroism of simply showing up—especially when life feels overwhelming. Chris grounds the conversation in lived experience, recovery, and community, reflecting on how growth requires patience, humility, and a willingness to try again. This episode isn’t about forcing transformation. It’s about honoring timing, recognizing courage in small steps, and reminding listeners that struggling doesn’t mean failing—it means being human. If you’re navigating change, resisting it, or exhausted by it, this may be something you needed to hear. Key Themes & TakeawaysWhy humans are biologically and emotionally wired to resist changeThe difference between maintenance and complacency in recoveryImpermanence as both a source of fear and hopeWhy “just stop” is never a helpful interventionThe stages of change and how we move through them non-linearlyCompassion for people stuck in difficult jobs, relationships, or mental health strugglesTherapy as a long-term container for healing and self-understandingSmall steps as legitimate, heroic acts of changeWriting, reflection, and gentleness as tools for growthChapters00:00 — Introduction & the heart behind Needed to Hear That14:56 — The challenge of change in recovery24:04 — Understanding the nature of change30:54 — Impermanence and what it means to be human38:00 — The resilience of the human spirit43:38 — Therapeutic relationships and long-term healing50:50 — Stages of change: preparation, action, maintenance01:02:44 — Compassion in the face of struggle01:07:42 — Writing as a tool for reflection and growthFinal Thought Change doesn’t require perfection. It requires patience, safety, and often—other people walking alongside us. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is take the smallest possible step and trust that it counts. Sponsored by McKelvey Insurance http://mckelveyins.com

    1h 13m
  3. S1E1 “The Uncomplicated Things”

    JAN 23

    S1E1 “The Uncomplicated Things”

    In this first episode of Needed to Hear That, Chaz Franke and Chris Pondoff introduce a new kind of conversation. Less about dramatic turning points, more about what it actually means to be human… grief, connection, therapy, and the quiet work of healing that happens in between the big moments. This show is a space to slow down, reflect, and talk honestly about the things most of us carry but don’t always have language for. If Pondoff’s Anonymous is about the story, Needed to Hear That is about what comes next. In this episode: Why this show exists and how it’s different The story of Diego, a three-legged dog who became an unexpected teacher Grief as something we carry, not something we “get over” Why pets often feel easier to love, and harder to lose How loss shows up in recovery and mental health The importance of connection, shared stories, and being heard Therapy as a lifelong learning process Creating safe spaces for honest conversation Loneliness, isolation, and what they do to us What a Death Cafe is, and why talking about death can help us live betterChapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Show 01:33 The Launch of Needed to Hear That 02:52 The Story of Diego: A Three-Legged Teacher 06:40 Navigating Grief and Loss 12:02 The Uncomplicated Love of Pets 18:04 The Impact of Grief on Recovery 23:54 Finding Connection Through Shared Stories 29:55 The Importance of Lifelong Learning in Therapy 43:57 The Importance of Therapy 44:30 Navigating Grief and Loss 46:15 Creating Safe Spaces in Therapy 49:27 The Role of Connection in Healing 52:01 Understanding Loneliness and Isolation 01:00:00 The Death Cafe: A Space for Conversations on Death 01:10:35 Closing Thoughts on Healing and HumanitySponsors: This show is sponsored by people who support the work without needing the spotlight. McKelvey InsuranceIndependent insurance guidance from people who actually pick up the phone.https://www.mckelveyins.com LightSource PsychotherapyThoughtful, human-centered therapy with clinicians who take your story seriously.https://findyourlightsource.com If you’ve ever listened to a powerful story and thought, “Yeah… but now what?” — Needed to Hear That is for you.

    1h 22m
  • 3 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 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

  • Channel
    Pondoff's Anonymous
  • Creator
    Pondoff's Anonymous Network, Chaz Franke, Chris Pondoff
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Pondoff's Anonymous Network, Chaz Franke, Chris Pondoff
  • Show Website
    Needed to Hear That!

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