April Podcast Recommendations!

 Written by Helena Lorenz, M.S.W, LMSW

Licensed Master Social Worker

Hey, y’all! This is the fourth installment of my ongoing series where I get to share my love of podcasts and mental health awareness!

Periodically, I’ll share 3 episodes from a variety of my favorite shows; sometimes an episode is from a whole series that revolves around psychology or counseling, and sometimes it’s just a one-off mental health-focused episode in a series about something totally different! Either way, my sincere hope is that these stories can provide you with some mix of comfort, validation, enlightenment, and enjoyment.

Happy listening!

Feel free to check out these episodes via the links in the titles or through your favorite podcast app.

1.     “Your Gut’s Feelings” – Unexplainable

Unexplainable is an absolutely delightful science podcast that covers everything from the mysteries of dark matter in the universe to the theories behind why we have hiccups. In this episode, they dive into the growing field of research into the gut microbiome, aka the millions of bacteria we have living in our digestive system. Not only do these bacteria help us break down our food, but they also appear to play a vital role in our mental health as the gut is one of primary places our body produces serotonin (that wondrous neurotransmitter which plays a role in mood, sleep, and sexuality)! There is still so much to be learned about this growing field of study, but one potentially cool area of the research is looking into bacterial “transplants” as a treatment for depression! Listen to learn more.

2.     “Living with Suicidal Ideation” – Fresh Air

Suicidal ideation is often associated with an incredible amount of stigma and overwhelming fear. As a counselor, I know that suicidal ideation is far more common than most people realize. At the same time, it is also far more treatable than most people would think, with the vast majority of people who attempt suicide ultimately dying by natural causes and not at their own hand. It is my perspective that the more we know about it and talk about it, the less scary suicidal ideation can be, and so I truly appreciate this author, Clancy Martin, being so bracingly open about his journey. His vulnerability with famed interviewer Terry Gross is disarming, heartbreaking, and illuminating. Important to note that in his promoted memoir, How Not to Kill Yourself, Martin does not shy away from detailed descriptions of suicide, and so do make sure you are in a safe emotional space to listen.

3.     “The Wife Strike” – This is Uncomfortable

As a therapist who works with couples, I know that arguments about the dishes are never just about the dishes. Often, disagreements about housework are simply covers for larger struggles about responsibility, power, and parity in the relationship. For heterosexual couples who are tackling this, there can be issues of implicit (or explicit) sexism and patriarchal values that can be hard to directly confront with a partner whom you love and care for.  In this episode, host Reema Khrais interviews a woman who went viral on TikTok for confronting this conflict in a unique way – by going on strike in her own home and refusing to partake in housework. The fallout of this strike is complicated and nuanced, and I think the discussion highlights an emotional, relational, and societal struggle that so many couples face.

If you’re struggling with imbalance in your relationship, reach out to see how couples counseling could help.