Therapy, Tech and Takeout

Jackie Toale and Toni Teixeira
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Therapy, Tech & Takeout is a refreshing, boundary-blurring podcast that brings together the fast-paced, innovation-driven world of technology with the grounded, human-centric approach of mental health. Co-hosted by a tech entrepreneur with a sharp wit, honed on the stand-up stage, and a seasoned therapist, who mixes compassion with bold truths-and knows how to cut through the noise, this podcast offers a unique blend of humor, insight, and practical advice.

  1. Sep 3

    S3E01| Can You Cheat With a Chatbot? AI Relationships, Prenups & Big Tech

    Can you cheat on your partner with an AI chatbot? As AI relationships become more realistic and more emotionally engaging, couples are beginning to confront questions that would have sounded strange just a few years ago. Some are even addressing AI relationships and virtual infidelity in prenuptial agreements. In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie Toale and Toni Teixeira, LCSW explore what AI intimacy means for trust, boundaries, emotional connection, and marriage. They discuss whether a relationship with a chatbot can count as cheating, how AI use can affect a couple financially and emotionally, and why conversations about technology may need to become part of how couples define the expectations of their relationship. The conversation also looks at the broader issue of tech company responsibility, including the major Meta settlement involving youth social media use and the push for stronger safeguards around addictive and potentially harmful technology. Jackie and Toni discuss: • Whether emotional intimacy with AI should be considered infidelity• Why AI relationships are beginning to appear in prenups• The impact of AI use on time, money, trust, and connection• Why couples may need clearer boundaries around AI• How curiosity can sometimes be more productive than shame• Privacy concerns when sharing personal information with AI• Whether AI companies could eventually face legal responsibility for relationship harm• Meta, youth social media use, and the limits of relying on tech companies to regulate themselves As technology becomes more capable of creating emotional attachment, the question may not simply be whether AI is “real.” The more important question may be: what happens when the relationship with the technology feels real to the person using it? 📘 Preorder Toni’s book:Easy Somatic Exercises for Everyone’s Brainhttps://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/ Follow Therapy, Tech & Takeout for conversations about mental health, technology, relationships, and how emerging tech is changing the way we live and connect.

  2. Aug 20

    S2E27| Can AI Help Trauma Survivors Find Their Voice?

    Can AI Support Trauma Healing Without Replacing Human Connection? Can artificial intelligence help trauma survivors practice difficult conversations, build confidence, and strengthen communication skills without replacing therapists, coaches, or real human relationships? In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Toni Teixeira and Jackie Toale talk with Coach Rachel Grant and Padmaja Suren, founder of Canopy Care Academy, about the intersection of trauma healing, AI, privacy, and survivor-centered technology. Padmaja shares how her own experience as a sexual trauma survivor inspired her to explore AI as a practice partnerrather than a therapist. The idea is to give survivors a safer place to rehearse difficult conversations, practice interpersonal skills, and build confidence before taking those skills into real-world relationships. Coach Rachel explains how this kind of tool can complement therapy and coaching by helping clients continue practicing between sessions while still keeping human connection, professional guidance, and community at the center of healing. The conversation also explores: Why trauma can make it difficult to speak up even when you know what you want to say How AI can help people rehearse challenging conversations Why AI should be a tool rather than a substitute for therapy What Rachel and Padmaja learned from their pilot program Why Canopy Care limits AI practice sessions Privacy and security concerns when people share sensitive information with AI The importance of survivor choice and agency The role of community in trauma recovery The potential for virtual reality in nervous-system regulation and skill building Padmaja’s TIGRESS framework: Trauma-Informed, Gender Responsive, Emotionally Safe and Secure Canopy Care Academy is accepting applications for a selected founding cohort of 25 coaches and clinicians. The program begins with a 90-minute intake to determine fit. Applications close September 15, 2026. Apply: https://www.canopycareacademy.com/apply Canopy Care is also inviting Founding Sponsors and Founding Ambassadors to support the project and amplify its mission. Newsletter & product updates: https://canopycare.maithrimetaverse.com/contact Meet the team: http://www.canopycare.maithrimetaverse.com/team Our Journey: https://canopycare.maithrimetaverse.com/our-journey Email: spadmaja@maithrimetaverse.com LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/padysuren Featured in Survivor Magazine / South Asian SOAR: https://www.southasiansoar.org/sanctuaries Preorder Toni Teixeira's book, Easy Somatic Exercises for Everyone: https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/ Therapy, Tech & Takeout explores how technology is shaping mental health and what that means for how we live, connect, work, and care for ourselves. Canopy Care Academy Founding ProgramLearn More About Canopy Care AcademyConnect With Padmaja SurenToni's Book

  3. Aug 13

    S2E26| When Tracking Your Sleep Keeps You Awake

    Can tracking your sleep actually make it harder to sleep? In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, therapist Toni Teixeira, LCSW, and entrepreneur Jackie Toale explore orthosomnia, a term used to describe becoming overly focused on sleep data from smartwatches, fitness trackers, and sleep apps. Toni and Jackie both share how quickly sleep tracking became part of their own routines, from checking sleep scores first thing in the morning to thinking about when to charge a watch so they would not miss valuable data. That leads to a bigger question: Are we using sleep data to improve our health, or are we simply trying to improve the number? They discuss the limits of wearable sleep data, why sleep stages may not be as precise as they appear, and what happens when your device says you slept well but your body tells you otherwise. Toni also explains how anxiety can become intertwined with sleep, why simply telling someone to stop tracking may not be the best solution, and how changing your relationship with sleep can sometimes be more helpful than trying to control it. Plus, Toni shares a simple visualization technique she uses to fall asleep, Jackie talks about the sleep strategies that work for her, and they discuss why sleep hygiene, routines, flexibility, and self-compassion still matter. In this episode: What orthosomnia means When sleep tracking becomes sleep anxiety The difference between improving sleep and improving a sleep score Why wearable data needs context How trackers can subtly change our behavior Why anxiety can make insomnia worse Sleep hygiene and bedtime routines Toni’s simple mental trick for falling asleep How stress, caregiving, travel, and life changes disrupt sleep When it may be time to talk with a healthcare professional Read the article discussed in this episode:Sleep Foundation: Orthosomniahttps://www.sleepfoundation.org/orthosomnia Preorder Toni’s book:Easy Somatic Exercises for Everyone’s Brainhttps://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/ Therapy, Tech & Takeout explores how technology is shaping mental health and what it means for how we live, connect, work, and care for ourselves. Hosted by Toni Teixeira, LCSW, and Jackie Toale.

  4. Jul 16

    S2E24| We've Been Blaming Screens... What If We Were Wrong?

    Have we been blaming screens for rising anxiety when the real problem is something else entirely? A new study suggests that perfectionism—not screen time—may be one of the biggest drivers of anxiety in young people. In this episode, Toni and Jackie explore why perfectionism has increased over the past several decades, how economic pressures and social expectations fuel it, and why technology may be amplifying a problem that was already growing. They discuss the difference between healthy ambition and unhealthy perfectionism, why fear of failure can keep us from trying new things, and how parents can help children develop resilience instead of impossible standards. Along the way, they share personal stories about school, achievement, and learning to embrace the process rather than chasing perfection. Whether you're raising children, navigating your own perfectionist tendencies, or simply wondering why anxiety seems more common than ever, this conversation offers practical insights and a hopeful perspective. In this episode: Why researchers say perfectionism may be driving today's anxiety epidemicHow social media reinforces impossible expectationsThe role economic pressure plays in mental healthHealthy achievement vs. perfectionismWhy resilience requires failureHelicopter parents, lawnmower parents, and helping kids thriveFinding joy in hobbies without turning them into side hustlesResources Mentioned: 📖 Pre-order Toni Teixeira's upcoming book:Easy Somatic Exercises for Everyone's Brainhttps://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who could benefit from the conversation. We'd also love it if you'd leave us a rating or review—it helps more people discover Therapy, Tech & Takeout.

  5. Jul 9

    S2E23| Summer Tech News You Shouldn’t Miss : Gen Z’s Tech Backlash, Shark Tank Science & Apple’s Motion Sickness Fix

    This week, we’re trying something a little different with a Summer Tech News Roundup—three fascinating stories that explore how technology is changing the way we think, connect, and navigate everyday life. First, we discuss a study of 7,002 Shark Tank pitches that found matching another person’s vocal style can make you more persuasive. Where’s the line between building rapport and manipulating people—especially as AI becomes more human-sounding? Next, we dive into Wired’s coverage of the Luddite Festival, where Gen Z is pushing back against Big Tech by creating spaces for real-world connection, creativity, and community. Is this the beginning of a larger movement toward digital balance? Finally, Jackie shares her firsthand experience using Apple’s Vehicle Motion Cues, an accessibility feature designed to reduce motion sickness while riding in a car. Does it actually work? And what does it teach us about designing technology that works with human biology instead of against it? Join therapist Toni Teixeira, LCSW, and entrepreneur Jackie Toale, CPA, as they explore the psychology behind technology, the importance of human connection, and the innovations that are shaping our daily lives. • Want to Be More Persuasive? A Massive New Study of 7,002 Shark Tank Pitches Says This Surprising Factor Makes a Big Difference (Inc.)https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/want-to-be-more-persuasive-a-massive-new-study-of-7002-shark-tank-pitches-says-this-surprising-factor-makes-a-big-difference/91369676 • Inside the Luddite Festival Harnessing Gen Z’s Rage Against Big Tech (Wired)https://www.wired.com/story/inside-the-luddite-festival-harnessing-gen-zs-rage-against-big-tech/ • Apple’s Weird Anti-Nausea Dots Cured My Car Sickness. I Am in Love. (The Verge)https://www.theverge.com/tech/942854/apple-vehicle-motion-cues-review-really-work Preorder Toni’s new book:https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/

  6. Jul 2

    S2E22| How Technology Is Quietly Killing Intimacy : The Nervous System Connection

    Technology has changed the way we work, communicate, and stay connected—but what if it’s also changing our relationships in ways we don’t even realize? In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie Toale and Toni Teixeira welcome Dr. Julie Merriman, licensed professional counselor, educator, author, and host of the Sexy After 50 podcast, for a conversation about the surprising connection between technology, chronic stress, the nervous system, and intimacy. Dr. Merriman explains why our brains and bodies were never designed for constant notifications, endless to-do lists, and being “always on.” When our nervous systems stay stuck in survival mode, desire, pleasure, and genuine connection often take a back seat. Together, they discuss: Why technology keeps us in a low-grade stress responseHow chronic stress affects intimacy and desireThe difference between spontaneous and responsive desireSimple ways to regulate your nervous systemHow wearable technology like HRV monitors can support better self-awarenessWhy movement, rest, and embodiment matterThe powerful idea that you’re not broken—you’ve been tamedWhether you’re navigating burnout, struggling to slow down, or simply curious about how modern life is shaping your relationships, this episode offers practical insights you can start using today. 🌐 Website: https://juliemerrimanphd.com 📖 Free Desire Reset Guide:https://juliemerrimanphd.com/desire 📚 Book:Are We Gonna Have Sex or What?Available on Amazon and at:https://juliemerrimanphd.com 🎙️ Podcast:Sexy After 50Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and at:https://juliemerrimanphd.com ✨ Program:Alive: 28 Days to Rebuild Your Capacity for Pleasure, Presence, and DesireLaunching August 2026https://juliemerrimanphd.com/alive 📱 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/dr.juliemerriman 📘 Pre-order Toni Teixeira’s upcoming bookEasy Somatic Exercises for Everyone’s Brainhttps://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Therapy, Tech & Takeout, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who could use the reminder that healing starts with understanding the nervous system. Connect with Dr. Julie Merriman

  7. Jun 25

    S2E21| Always Online, Never Connected? The Mental Health Side of Remote Work

    Remote work changed everything. It gave us flexibility, eliminated commutes, and let millions of people rethink what work could look like. But did we lose something along the way? This week on Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni discuss new research looking at the connection between working from home, loneliness, and mental health. They explore why the small moments we often overlook — hallway conversations, grabbing coffee, chatting with coworkers — may play a bigger role in our well-being than we realized. Toni shares a therapist’s perspective on why human connection matters, how isolation impacts mental health, and why the solution isn’t necessarily going back to the office. It’s about being more intentional with connection. In this episode:💻 The hidden mental health impact of remote work🧠 Why comfort and well-being aren’t always the same thing☕ The importance of small everyday interactions📱 Whether digital connection can replace in-person connection🚗 Why transitions and rituals help separate work from home🤝 How to build connection in a remote world Remote work isn’t the problem. The question is whether we’re designing our lives around the connection humans need. Because sometimes being connected all day still leaves us feeling alone. #RemoteWork #MentalHealth #WorkFromHome #Burnout #Loneliness #TherapyTechAndTakeout

  8. Jun 11

    S2E20| The Companies Between You and Your Therapist

    What happens when accessing therapy requires handing over more than your insurance card? This week on Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni dive into the growing debate around Headway’s new biometric verification requirements - including government IDs and facial scans for some patients and providers. On the surface, identity verification sounds simple: protect patients, prevent fraud, and make sure people are who they say they are. But what happens when that data is tied to mental health care? And what happens when saying “no” could mean losing access to your therapist? Toni breaks down the ethical concerns from the therapist perspective, including informed consent, client abandonment, and the importance of protecting the therapeutic relationship. Jackie explores the bigger technology questions: Who owns our biometric data? How is it stored? And what happens when private companies collect deeply personal information? Together, they discuss: • Why facial recognition in healthcare raises new privacy questions• The difference between verification and surveillance• How venture-backed mental health platforms are changing therapy• The risks when business decisions impact clinical relationships• Why vulnerable patients may not feel like they truly have a choice• What therapists and clients should talk about before changes happen Technology can make care more accessible - but when efficiency, data, and profit enter the conversation, we have to ask: what are we giving up in exchange? Check out Toni’s book:Easy Somatic Exercises for Everyone’s Brain⁠https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/ 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation about the future of therapy, privacy, and technology. #MentalHealth #Therapy #AI #Privacy #DigitalHealth #MentalHealthTech #HealthcareTechnology #Therapists

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5
out of 5
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About

Therapy, Tech & Takeout is a refreshing, boundary-blurring podcast that brings together the fast-paced, innovation-driven world of technology with the grounded, human-centric approach of mental health. Co-hosted by a tech entrepreneur with a sharp wit, honed on the stand-up stage, and a seasoned therapist, who mixes compassion with bold truths-and knows how to cut through the noise, this podcast offers a unique blend of humor, insight, and practical advice.

Information

  • Creator
    Jackie Toale and Toni Teixeira
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jackie Toale and Toni Teixeira
  • Show Website
    Therapy, Tech and Takeout