Take TWO: A Dose of Mental Wellness Lindsay Fleming, LPC and Stacy McCarthy, LPC

In this episode Stacy and Lindsay dive into all things FRIENDSHIP related. Friends are crucial to our health and well being so it is worth reflecting on how we develop and maintain friendships. Today they talk about their own friendship and also explore:
-Characteristics of a quality friend.
-Friendship shifts and why expectations and roles can change over time.
-Transition phases where friendships may be harder.
-How being a people-pleaser can cause resentment in friendships and tips for saying no to friends when you feel pressured.
-Ways to connect when you want more friends.
-Signs of an unhealthy friendship. 
Take Two by reflecting on your friendships. How do you show up for friends and how do they show up for you? Consider if you are satisfied with where you are putting your time and energy. Think about telling a good friend them how much you appreciate them.
As a Take Two bonus, we hear from Kathy and Maggie, childhood besties of Stacy and Lindsay. They share some stories and tell us why they think their friendship has lasted through every life stage. Thanks Maggie and Kathy!


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In this episode Stacy and Lindsay share 5 TIPS FOR RAISING CONFIDENT KIDS. Recently they have seen more kids with low confidence and a high fear of failure. Many kids are struggling but the good news is that confidence is a skill to be built and parents can help. Today they give specific tools that parents can use to foster confidence. They explore:
-How “labeled praise” fosters a growth mindset. 
-One family practice you can implement that will help kids reframe mistakes and encourage resilience.
-The importance of allowing independence in decision making so kids learn to trust their abilities and how this was a hard lesson for Stacy.
-The 2 extreme ways parents often react to big emotions and how this can have a negativeimpact.
-Specific questions parents can ask to improve a child or teens problem solving skills.
-The connection between low confidence and social skills and how to help build those lacking skills.
-Phrases parents can use to foster open conversation. 
-How to model positive self talk and confidence.
Take Two this week by picking one confidence building tip to implement or encouraging your child to take a healthy risk. Let us know what is the most helpful!
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In this episode Stacy and Lindsay discuss APOLOGIZING and FORGIVENESS. This was prompted by Lindsay receiving an email apology years after the initial incident. They explore:
-Why it is so hard to apologize.
-The appropriate time to apologize.
-How a good apology can strengthen a relationship.
-The important distinction between an apology and forgiveness. 
-The four step framework for a genuine apology
-Why people over-apologize and the impact of over-apologizing.
-Reasons it is important for parents to apologize to their kids. 
-Using the best friend rule to forgive yourself. 
You can Take Two this week by building awareness around your apologies. If you owe someone an apology use the factors discussed to deliver a meaningful and genuine apology. Or if there is something from your past that you feel bad about, take two and write out an apology (to yourself or to someone else) so you can release it. 
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In this episode Stacy and Lindsay interview Bryce Spencer Jones. Lindsay met Bryce at the Harvard Creator Summit for mental health focused social media creators and was inspired by his message and dedication. Bryce is a creator and host of the Unstuck Yourself Podcast. He compassionately discusses mental health, overcoming traumas, finding self-worth, going through breakups and more. 
Today with Bryce, they explore:

-Bryce’s passion for mental health advocacy.
-The years he struggled with social anxiety and selective mutism and how this experience led to his profound journey of self-exploration and inner growth.
-How he reclaimed his voice and now uses it to connect with others as they overcome their own struggles. 
-The role Stoicism has played in his life.
-The ways that his family supported him through his anxiety.
-His tips for moving out of your comfort zone…this includes skydiving and Stacy is shocked to hear that he and Lindsay have this in common!
-How he deals with negativity on social media. 

They then let Bryce share how he Takes Two to support his own self awareness and mental health.
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In this episode Stacy and Lindsay discuss strategies and tools that they recommend to parents of children with ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER (ADD or ADHD). And how adjustments in parenting that account for differences in the ADHD brain can result in less chaotic relationships and a calmer home environment. These tips also apply to adults and can be used with a partner or friend with ADHD. They explore:
-The ways that ADHD causes stress yet can also be a super power. 
-Common behavioral issues seen in kids with ADHD and strategies for managing behaviors and big emotions. 
-The impact of the ADHD burnout cycle.
-How to help kids identify where they get stuck and help them build skills to decrease impact. 
-Why they frame ADHD in terms of regulation. 
-How untreated ADHD can diminish the benefits of the ADHD brain.
-Why parental co-regulation and consistency is important when reacting. 
-Specific tools and language that can decrease power struggles
-Tips for decluttering, organizing and other executive functioning deficits. 
-The importance of “stop and think” skills for impulsivity.
Take Two this week and observe where your ADHD child (or partner) is excelling and where they are stuck. After identifying a struggle, work on building the lagging skill that is missing. See “The Explosive Child” book for more direction on lagging skills. 
-https://drrossgreene.com/the-explosive-child.htm (https://drrossgreene.com/the-explosive-child.htm)
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In this episode Stacy and Lindsay break down why they have never HUGGED, what makes them not want to and the science behind the benefits of  hugs. They also discuss how knowing someone’s LOVE LANGUAGE can be helpful (physical touch is not their language).  Lindsay’s Mom makes a special appearance to give some surprising insight into Lindsay’s hug history.
They also explore:
-Stacy’s awkward hugging experiences.
-How knowing someone’s Love Language teaches us how they give and prefer to receive love.
-Results of their Love Language quiz.
-How you can broach the love language discussion with people in your life.
-The science behind the benefits of hugs. 
-The downside to hugging.
-How many hugs a day is considered optimal.
-The job of “professional cuddler.”

They suggest that everyone Take Two by completing the Love Language quiz and using that language to communicate your needs. Quiz linked below. And if you are moved to do so, give someone a hug! Just not Stacy or Lindsay please. 


https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language (https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language)
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