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Doug and Meredith kick off this week’s episode talking about how living in LA during a pandemic feels like a zombie movie. They also touch on how lack of good sleep can affect us. In the session, Drew talks about the loss of his friend and questions how he can better cope with grief. Drew acknowledges feeling detached and afraid of confronting his own emotions. Doug helps Drew focus on the small wins in life rather than focusing on what’s lacking.   Mentioned in this episode: Meredith Levy Doug Friedman Your Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group Make Your Bed Speech - William McRaven, US Navy Admiral

In this Monday mini-sode, it’s Doug’s b’day! Doug and Meredith explore the wonders (and blunders) of birthdays. They talk about how some people like the attention of a celebration and others don’t. Do you? What were some of your best (and worst) birthdays? Let us know! IG: @your.mental.breakdown, FB: @your.mental.breakdown.podcast   Mentioned in this episode: Meredith Levy Doug Friedman Your Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group

Doug and Meredith talk about broken toes, wind chimes, and maintaining confidentiality even when a client shares a crime they committed. In the session, Drew is back from his brother’s wedding and preparing to head home for a visit. Drew is noticing some major changes in himself, such as being scared as well as excited for the unknown. He talks with Doug about the positive impact a new puppy has had on his life. He shares how he was able to set boundaries with a house guest and how surprised he was at the outcome. Drew also opens up about feeling very overwhelmed and cluttered at work, and wonders if fashion is even the right industry for him anymore.  Mentioned in this episode: Meredith Levy Doug Friedman Your Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group

In this Monday mini-sode, Doug and Meredith walk through the nostalgia of childhood games and candy. They reminisce about some of their favorites. Doug got the big prizes first by going backwards in Pitfall on the Atari 2600. Meredith goes with Twizzlers over Red Vines. What are some favorite games from your childhood? What were your go to candies? Let us know! IG: @your.mental.breakdown, FB: @your.mental.breakdown.podcast Mentioned in this episode:Meredith LevyDoug FriedmanYour Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group

In this special New Years Eve mini-sode, Doug and Meredith say goodbye to 2020 and look ahead to 2021. They give their two cents about resolutions and intentions for the new year. They share three words to summarize their 2020 and three words for the intentions they're setting for 2021. What are three words that summarize your 2020? What are three words for the intentions you're setting for 2021? Let us know! IG: @your.mental.breakdown, FB: @your.mental.breakdown.podcast Mentioned in this episode:Meredith LevyDoug FriedmanYour Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group

In this special Holiday mini-sode (extra-mini-stravaganza), Meredith nurses her freshly broken toe and Doug serves up his usual cup of tea. They read through some listener thoughts and feelings about the holidays this year - for some it’s got a bit of a blue hue to it. If you think you’re enlightened, go home for the holidays… How are your holidays treating you? Let us know! IG: @your.mental.breakdown, FB: @your.mental.breakdown.podcast Mentioned in this episode:Meredith LevyDoug FriedmanYour Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group

In this bonus Monday mini-sode, Doug and Meredith talk about some of their early and odd jobs before becoming therapists. They swap some old work stories like Meredith spilling drinks all over customers and Doug baking bagels before the sun came up. What were some of your odd jobs and favorite horror stories about work? Let us know! IG: @your.mental.breakdown, FB: @your.mental.breakdown.podcast Mentioned in this episode:Meredith LevyDoug FriedmanYour Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group

This week was already going to be special with the wedding, but the fact that it’s Meredith’s birthday makes it even more fun! Meredith talks running and putt-putt golf while Doug reveals that he went to the Junior Olympics! In the session, Drew is back from his brother’s wedding. He shares some awkward family moments that weren’t so awkward to him now. Aaaannnnd he tells us the most important information - what he wore! Drew talks about caring for his new puppy and how helpful it is to have that as his relationship focus. In the breakdown, Doug and Meredith highlight Drew’s growing confidence in being authentic, in part evidenced by his ability to “chop it up” in conversation with other guests.   Mentioned in this episode:  Xzibit talks about Pimp My Ride  Sweet Lady Jane Susie Cakes Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman

In this bonus Monday mini-sode, Doug surprises Meredith this time with some holiday themed questions. They discuss some of their holiday memories from Meredith being put under the tree as a newborn to the first South Park holiday cartoon to caroling and songs. What are your favorite (and least favorite) holiday songs? Let us know! IG: @your.mental.breakdown, FB: @your.mental.breakdown.podcast Mentioned in this episode:Meredith LevyDoug FriedmanYour Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group South Park - The Spirit of Christmas

Doug and Meredith kick off the episode talking about cute cows, amaaaaazing smelling wreaths, and giant Christmas trees. The session begins with Drew’s literal worst fear coming true - his mother relapsing. He and Doug talk about how he is coping and making big strides in taking care of himself first by practicing compassionate detachment. Doug tells a fantastic prom story, Drew drops a second exciting bomb about getting a new puppy, and they discuss Drew’s openness when it comes to talking about his career at his brother’s wedding.    Mentioned in this episode:  Garden State Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman

In this bonus mini-episode, Meredith and Doug share some of their prom memories (promories?). Meredith is just a casual girl in a casual world, but cleans up nice. Doug teases the prom story he tells Drew in this coming week's episode about wearing tuxedo shorts to his senior prom! Let us know your promories! IG: @your.mental.breakdown, FB: @your.mental.breakdown.podcast Mentioned in this episode:Meredith LevyDoug FriedmanYour Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group

Meredith kicks off the show talking about her love of dogs wearing boots. Doug has been keeping busy with audiobooks on the Colorado trails. In the session, Doug and Drew focus on getting ready for his brother’s upcoming wedding. Drew talks about his new possible love interest and some of the patterns that he notices coming up. They explore if it’s really the thought that counts when it comes to gift-giving, highlighted by a cool pair of sneakers. Sit back, relax, and put on your bone conduction headphones for this one!   Mentioned in this episode:  Dogs In Boots video Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Origin by Dan Brown Love’s Executioner by Irvin Yalom

In this bonus mini-episode, Meredith surprises Doug with a discussion topic: Icebreaker Questions. They go through several questions and answers to break the ice. What are your answers to these icebreakers? Let us know! IG: @your.mental.breakdown, FB: @your.mental.breakdown.podcast Mentioned in this episode:Meredith LevyDoug FriedmanYour Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group

Doug and Meredith kick off the Thanksgiving episode with a new spin on gratitude - they name some things they are both Grateful and Hateful for right now. One thing Doug is certainly grateful for is how self-aware Drew is in this episode. Drew’s learning to just be present for all of life’s adventures, even the boring ones. Doug and Drew discuss his brother’s upcoming wedding and his new role as an usher. Drew examines why he doesn’t add his brother’s name in his phone and why he feels guarded about letting people get close. They explore the difference between being interdependent and independent.    Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman

This week, Doug shares an update on his Colorado trip and names his top three pet peeves about snowy weather. Meredith gears up for a ski trip and wonders how rushed her hot toddy time will be. In the session, Doug and Drew talk about the Adventure vs. Challenge mentality, and how Drew can benefit by softening up and enjoying the experience of his brother’s wedding without any expectations. In the breakdown, Meredith and Doug discuss the ways that things can be less about “good” or “bad” and more about “effective” or “ineffective.” They notice that Drew is starting to rely less on certain coping mechanisms while learning to accept what comes in the present moment.    Mentioned in this episode:  The Devil’s Playground film Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman

This week, Doug and Meredith are back at it to kick off Season 2 with Andrew. Doug talks about his road trip into the mountains of Colorado while Meredith talks about the trials and tribulations of her vegetable garden. In the session, Drew recognizes some familiar patterns of behavior with his mom while his brother’s wedding is fast approaching. Drew and Doug talk about feeling even-keeled and they explore the meaning behind the phrase “It’s ok to be alone but not ok to be lonely.” In the breakdown, Meredith and Doug examine some of Drew’s patterns that are playing out with his mom and how it’s influenced some behaviors in his own interpersonal relationships.   Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman

In this special bonus episode, Doug and Meredith share their personal stories with grief over the past two years. It’s been almost two years to the date since the sudden death of Doug’s wife and the death of Meredith’s mom. They share their stories with vulnerability and resilience. They reveal how the podcast started, and how working on it has helped them with their ongoing healing process and with their grief.   Mentioned in this episode: Your Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group Meredith Levy Doug Friedman Nora McInerny the Ted Talk Terrible Thanks For Asking the Podcast

This week, Doug and Meredith take us through Wyatt’s story. Wyatt is a previous client of Doug’s that has experienced severe trauma. He had a sudden brain aneurysm and cancer. This is his story of endurance, awareness, and healing.     Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman

In this bonus Roundtable episode, Meredith and Doug are joined by fellow therapists Mona Valeriano and Jessica Kramer. They look at different ways of approaching trauma and therapy from their training and experience. Mona comes from a psychoanalytic background and is trained in EMDR (and she explains what that means!). Jessica is a Somatic Experiencing practitioner and marriage and family therapist associate who specializes in new mothers and infants 0-3 years old. Join Doug and Meredith for a unique conversation among colleagues about different ways of doing their work, with a focus on healing and processing trauma. Mentioned in this episode: Your Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group Meredith Levy Doug Friedman Mona Valeriano  Jessica Kramer  EMDR – great video explaining it: https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/ What is SE? https://traumahealing.org/about-us/  

In this Insight Out bonus episode, Meredith and Doug come fresh off their talk last week about music as therapy to look at movies. They share some of their favs and least favs - hear them disagree on one in particular! What is your relationship with movies? Do you watch any multiple times? Are you stuck in Groundhog Day? Have you ever walked out of a movie? Mentioned in this episode: Your Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group Meredith Levy Doug Friedman