Honest Women

Latest Episodes:

24. How to be a Better Communicator Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

Practically everyone who walks into our therapy offices says that they want to "communicate better." But what does that even mean? Join Andrea and Jessica as they discuss the four types of communication styles; define "good communication" (hint: it doesn't lead to a certain outcome!); and work through their own gut-check moments in real time (and yeah... that is as vulnerable and hilarious as you think it would be!).

Make sure to share this episode with a friend or family member!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23. Unpacking Childhood Labels Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode, Andrea and Jessica delve into the profound influence of childhood labels on our self-identity and how we interact with the world. They shed light on how society often reinforces the notion that we should conform to a narrow set of expectations, such as being happy and easygoing.

Jessica talks about her experience of being labeled “the happy child” and how this formulated the belief that something was wrong if she didn't feel or show happiness to the outside world. Anything outside of this norm is deemed abnormal or wrong, leading individuals to believe they are inadequate unless they fit into these labels.

Andrea and Jessica also highlight how labels can shape the way others treat us and the expectations they have of us. Moreover, they acknowledge that others do not solely impose labels; we also label ourselves based on our own experiences and perceptions. They encourage listeners to reflect on the labels they have assigned to themselves and consider how they may influence their understanding of themselves and their relationships with others.

This episode underscores the immense power of labels in shaping our identity and interactions with the world. It urges listeners to challenge and question these labels to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others.

Timestamps:

[00:03:48] Childhood labels and adulthood.

[00:04:27] Labels and self-identity.

[00:08:12] Childhood labels and conditioning.

[00:13:13] Shifting attention from happiness.

[00:16:40] Learning to be vulnerable.

[00:19:38] Labels and their impact.

[00:24:05] The impact of difficult babies.

[00:27:05] Gaining a deeper understanding.

Connect with Us:

Follow Honest Women Podcast @honestwomenpodcast

Follow Jessica: @jlhutchisonlcpc

Follow Andrea: @andreaburkly

Learn more about the Honest Women Podcast: www.honestwomenpodcast.com

Honest Women is the podcast for every woman juggling the demands of modern life (while trying to keep her shit together) and finding that it’s all just a little more difficult than she thought it would be. Your hosts, Andrea Burkly and Jessica Hutchison, are two very real mental health professionals who are taking honest conversations from inside their offices to the outside world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22. So You Lost Your Shit... Sep 20, 2023

Show notes

We all have times where we aren’t our best selves… and, for many of us? We’ve also had a time or two where we really lost our shit. Today we share our own embarrassing stories, serve up a big dose of shame-busting empathy, talk about repair, and get honest about the fact that while losing your shit is *not* the best way to get your needs met, it may be the necessary first step.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21. Breaking the Silence during Suicide Prevention Week Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

If you need help right now:

Text HOME or TALK to 741-741 for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor any time of day.

Text or call 988 or use the chat function at 988lifeline.org.

If this is a medical emergency or there is immediate danger of harm, call 911 and explain that you need support for a mental health crisis.

Grief, loss, and the silent struggle of suicide. In this week's episode, Jessica gets honest about the profound impact of her father's suicide on her life. We shed light on the often unspoken grief and societal stigma attached to suicide. Our conversation dives into the intricate labyrinth of sorrow left after a loved one's suicide and how it transforms the lives of those left behind. We explore the subtle cues of struggle in the 'did you know?' conundrum and highlight the pressing need for an educated discourse around suicide prevention.

Join us as we wrap up our discussion by embracing the crucial aspect of remembering and honoring the life of a loved one beyond their passing. Jessica reminisces about her father's warm hugs, kindness, and love for rock and roll, reminding us of the significance of holding onto memories. We wrap up with a frank discussion around suicide prevention, the importance of having someone to talk to, and persistently seeking help in times of crisis. This episode is not just a conversation but a call to action, urging us to be proactive, understanding, and supportive regarding mental health and suicide prevention.

Resources and Links:

Risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors.

Conversation starters.

Learn how you can help!

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

It's OK to say Suicide, and more from The JED Foundation

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20. Rethinking the 'Girl Squad' Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

Ever felt like an outsider because you don't have a 'girl squad'? Do societal pressures about 'having a tribe' make you feel isolated? We're here to tell you that it's not just okay to be a solo act; it's normal! We delve into the unrealistic expectations set by society for women and question the damaging language of mainstream media when it comes to friendships. We also expose how societal norms blame women for not having a close-knit group, overlooking the many benign reasons for this.

Our conversation doesn't stop there. We discuss the gendered differences in socialization and the pressure of 'fitting in.' Furthermore, we talk about our personal experiences of how life changes, for instance, moving or losing a loved one, impact friendships. We provide insights into navigating these challenges and share how not being in sync with friends led us to build our community framework.

As women, we're constantly navigating complex situations. The world expects us to have a group of friends, but what about those of us who are introverts? We explore the intricacies of introversion and how it affects the ability to build and maintain relationships. We touch on the benefits of understanding your personality type through tools like the Myers-Briggs test. Listen in as we suggest how introverted women can avoid feeling isolated or insecure in their relationship choices. This candid conversation concerns the complexities of female friendships, parenting, social expectations, and life changes. So come, be part of our dialogue, and let's redefine societal norms together.

Connect with Us:

Follow Honest Women Podcast @honestwomenpodcast

Follow Jessica: @jlhutchisonlcpc

Follow Andrea: @andreaburkly

Learn more about the Honest Women Podcast: www.honestwomenpodcast.com

Honest Women is the podcast for every woman juggling the demands of modern life (while trying to keep her shit together) and finding that it’s all just a little more difficult than she thought it would be. Your hosts, Andrea Burkly and Jessica Hutchison, are two very real mental health professionals who are taking honest conversations from inside their offices to the outside world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19. Feel Like You Can Never Get it Right? Here's Why Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

Everybody's talking about America Ferrera's monologue at the end of the Barbie movie... and if everybody's talking about something, you can count on the Honest Women to join the discussion!

Today we consider the double binds that keep American women feeling like we're stuck - and failing - in these key areas:

motherhood and our careers
in our physical appearance; and
in our struggle to care for others and ourselves.

And we find the power in calling b.s. on these conflicting cultural messages, even when we can't change the binds themselves.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18. Walking with Children through Emotional Struggles Aug 23, 2023

Show notes

We've all been there, that gut-wrenching moment when we see our child go through pain or rejection. It's an ache that creeps in, magnified by our own memories of past struggles. We aim to unpack this universal experience, as we candidly share our own moments of helplessness as parents. From witnessing our kid face hurtful remarks, to the emotional rollercoaster that ensues, we let you in on how we navigate these challenging times. Rest assured, this is a raw, unfiltered conversation that'll strike a chord with every parent out there.

As we continue on this journey, we challenge ourselves (and you) to find a delicate balance - to comfort our children without overdoing it, or offering empty assurances. But that's easier said than done, isn't it? We explore the nuances, drawing from our own encounters with social pain, and admit how tough it is to keep our emotions at bay while contending with our kids' struggles. But here's the thing - pain is a part of life, and sometimes, there's no easy solution, no silver lining. So, we delve into the power of simply embracing the discomfort, and the surprising strength it can instill in our kids. Trust us, this is one heartfelt conversation you don't want to miss.

Disclaimer:

Please note while this podcast features two therapists, and may feel very therapeutic, this is not therapy! Please be entertained, and know that through our creative content, we are not providing mental health care. No diagnosis. No treatment. No medical advice. Just creative content. Please seek appropriate mental health support in the real world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17. JUST SAY NO to Overcommitment Aug 16, 2023

Show notes

As summer winds down and teachers prepare to receive our feral children, Andrea & Jess face the temptation to say yes...

Yes to "volunteer opportunities" at the kids' school.

Yes to Q3 work initiatives.

Yes to all of the things we couldn't do when said feral children were home.

I mean, why not? We've got Big Summer Energy, nice tans, and thousands of hours of free time about to open up on our schedules... right?

No, ladies. No we don't. And you don't either!

This year, instead of riding the end-of-summer high into a another year of overcommitment and burnout, Andrea and Jess are attempting something new. Join us as we:

set an intention for the year ahead;
examine the reasons why women overcommit, especially during the back-to-school season;
identify practical ways to stop the madness before it starts.
and attempt to repurpose the 90s drug awareness slogans for our own purposes.

DARE to keep Moms off sign up sheets. Just Say No to Overcommitment.

Ladies, this message is as important as any after school special we saw while growing up, so please SHARE it with a friend!

We want to hear from you! Please email us at hello@honestwomenpodcast.com with your episode ideas, questions for Andrea & Jess to answer on the pod, or t-shirt orders for our new sweet throwback swag. (OK, there are no t-shirts. YET)

Disclaimer:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16. I Have a Village, but Still Feel Lonely! A Follow-Up to "Honey! I lost my village." Jul 26, 2023

Show notes

We hear you, ladies! One listener wrote in to tell us, "I have a village, but it is not a source of support, but rather a huge drain. They suck the life out of me!" The age-old saying "it takes a village" might not be a one-size-fits-all solution. Join us as we pull back the curtain on the romanticized notion of a "village" and unravel the intricate web of familial dynamics. We share our journey of navigating the disappointment of unmet expectations in close relationships within the family and the challenges of understanding unique individual stories that shape our 'village.'

Striving to outshine the previous generations can feel like walking a tightrope, especially when dealing with the complexities of in-laws and their expectations. Let's talk about how we grappled with these challenges and discovered the need for establishing clear boundaries. We step into the battlefield of family norms, the pressure to adhere to them, and how it can rock the very foundation of our philosophies. Listen in as we share our trials and victories in overcoming these hurdles.

Lastly, we wade into the complex maze of expectations in family relationships. We candidly discuss setting explicit boundaries and explore the intriguing prospect of creating separate villages for our children and ourselves. We tackle the challenging task of handling criticism and share our thoughts on a healthy relationship. As we prepare for a short season break, we leave you with ideas to redefine your own 'village.'

Don't forget to follow us to be notified about our return on Wednesday, August 16th. Continue sending us your queries and topics of interest. Until then, stay tuned and keep redefining your village.

Connect with Us:

Follow Honest Women Podcast @honestwomenpodcast

Follow Jessica: @jlhutchisonlcpc

Follow Andrea: @andreaburkly

Learn more about the Honest Women Podcast: www.honestwomenpodcast.com

Disclaimer:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15. An Honest Assessment of "Gentle Parenting" Jul 19, 2023

Show notes

Gentle Parenting is taking the Internet by storm... but is it the end-all-be-all of parenting strategies, or just the latest way for moms to feel bad about themselves?

If you've ever found yourself drawn to a parenting strategy that just seems so dang hard to execute, or struggled to bridge the gap between the ideals presented in Instagram parenting reels and your actual life, this episode is for you!

If you love Honest Women, please:

* Follow the show

* Leave us a rating and a review

* Share with a friend

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR QUESTION TO BE PART OF AN UPCOMING HONEST WOMEN EPISODE? Send us an email at hello@honestwomenpodcast.com

Disclaimer:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.