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The Nearly Normal Podcast
The Nearly Normal Podcast
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Welcome to “Nearly Normal,” the podcast where two therapists tear up the “live, laugh, love” script on mental health and show you what being human really looks like—messy, imperfect, and delightfully offbeat. We’re swapping clichés for a healthy dose of sarcasm and a no-nonsense take on anxiety, depression, coping skills and all things mental health related. If you’re done chasing perfection and crave some brutally honest, eye-roll-worthy real talk about how to feel less burnout and more self empowered, you’ve just found your people. Start understanding how to improve your overall mental health today!
37 Episodes
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The holidays can be one of the most challenging times of the year for people in sobriety and recovery—and for the family and friends who want to support them without saying the wrong thing.
In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, licensed therapists Kate and Nina break down what actually helps when supporting someone in recovery during the holidays. We talk about navigating holiday parties, alcohol-centered traditions, family pressure, emotional triggers, and how to show support without judgment, guilt, or unintentional harm.
Whether you’re in recovery yourself or love someone who is, this episode offers practical mental health tools, compassionate communication tips, and realistic boundaries that make the season safer and more supportive for everyone involved.
In this episode, we cover:
How sobriety and recovery can feel during the holiday season
What to say (and what not to say) to someone in recovery
Navigating alcohol-focused gatherings and family expectations
Mental health strategies for staying grounded and emotionally regulated
How to support recovery without enabling, minimizing, or pressuring
Setting healthy boundaries during the holidays
This conversation is honest, supportive, and refreshingly judgment-free—because recovery doesn’t take a holiday, and neither does mental health.
New episodes of the Nearly Normal Podcast explore mental health, wellness, self-improvement, and real-life coping strategies with humor, honesty, and clinical insight
The holidays don’t have to feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we’re sharing practical, realistic, and totally doable mental health hacks to help you manage holiday anxiety, family expectations, grief triggers, time pressure, and emotional overload.
Learn how to safeguard your energy, create healthy limits, navigate difficult relationships, and find moments of joy—even during the most chaotic parts of the season.
Perfect for anyone seeking emotional wellness tools, self-improvement guidance, stress reduction techniques, or mental health support during the holidays.
Step inside The Self-Compassion Lab—your weekly boost of mental wellness, emotional resilience, and self-improvement. In this episode, Kate and Nina unpack simple ways to practice self-compassion, challenge negative thinking, and finally become your own hype person.
Whether you’re battling self-doubt, burnout, or low self-esteem, this episode gives you tools to build confidence, increase self-worth, and create a healthier mindset.
Feeling mentally exhausted, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained? In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we break down the most effective, research-backed strategies for reducing burnout, rebuilding your energy, and protecting your mental health. Learn practical tools for managing stress, setting boundaries, creating balance, and preventing long-term emotional fatigue.
If you're looking for wellness tips, burnout recovery tools, stress management techniques, and simple self-improvement habits, this episode is a must-listen.
Feeling overwhelmed by family gatherings, holiday expectations, and financial pressure? In this week’s episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we break down real-world mental health strategies to help you stay calm, confident, and emotionally grounded this holiday season.
Join Kate and Nina as they share therapist-approved tips for managing holiday anxiety, setting healthy boundaries, reducing burnout, coping with sadness or loneliness, and taking control of your spending without guilt.
Perfect for anyone looking to improve emotional wellness, boost resilience, and create a peaceful holiday on your own terms.
Feeling drained, overwhelmed, or emotionally stretched too thin? This episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast explores how to create and protect emotional space in your life. Learn how to set boundaries with confidence, say “no” without guilt, and cultivate habits that support long-term emotional wellness. Real talk, practical tips, and a little humor—because self-care shouldn’t feel like another chore.
In this week’s episode of The Nearly Normal Podcast, Kate and Nina share quick, evidence-based mental health tips you can start using today to feel calmer, happier, and more in control. From simple mindset shifts to easy daily habits, learn how small changes can create powerful improvements in your mood and overall wellness. No complicated therapy talk—just realistic, relatable advice you can start applying right now. Tune in for a mix of humor, heart, and helpful strategies for better mental health. This episode if perfect for anyone looking to reduce stress, boost motivation, and build better self-care routines—without feeling overwhelmed.
In this episode of The Nearly Normal Podcast, we dive deep into the fascinating world of introverts, extroverts, and social anxiety disorder. Have you ever wondered why some people feel energized in crowds while others feel drained—or even panicked? We break down what social anxiety really feels like, how it differs from being introverted, and share real-world techniques to reduce anxiety, boost confidence, and thrive in social settings. Whether you’re struggling with social fears or just curious about the psychology of connection, this episode offers strategies, practical coping skills, and humor to help you feel more at ease in your own skin.
Ever wonder why certain things make your anxiety spike while others barely faze you? Feeling your heart race, palms sweat, or mind spiral into overdrive? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we unpack the wide range of anxiety triggers—from everyday stressors that make you uneasy to full-blown moments that spark panic attacks. We’ll explore why certain situations cause anxiety and how your body reacts to stress. We’ll talk about the physical sensations, the thought patterns behind them, and practical tools to reduce anxiety when it hits.
Through humor, honesty, and real-world examples, we normalize the anxious experiences we all face and share self-care strategies. Tune in for an empowering conversation that turns anxious energy into self-awareness and growth
Feeling anxious, stressed, or just a little off lately? In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we share our favorite quirky but effective coping skills that help ease anxiety, lift your mood, and make life feel a little lighter. From unusual self-care tricks to mindset shifts that work, discover unique coping strategies that go beyond deep breathing and journaling, because your mental health deserves more than the basics. Perfect for anyone looking to laugh, learn, and level up their mental wellness and self-improvement game.
Feeling stuck, unmotivated, or overwhelmed by your goals? We’ve all been there—staring at our to-do list, feeling totally unmotivated. In this week’s Nearly Normal Podcast, two therapists get real about the struggle of motivation. Discover how to set meaningful goals, create action plans that actually work, and manage the mental roadblocks that keep you from moving forward. If you’re ready to boost your focus, improve your mood, and start feeling inspired again, this episode is your motivational reset.
In Part 2 of our menopause series, we dive deeper into the emotional, mental, and physical changes women experience during perimenopause and menopause. From brain fog and mood swings to sleep struggles, anxiety, and some more rare symptoms no one talks about. We explore how these transitions impact women’s overall well-being. Join us as we share expert insights, practical tools, and real talk about managing symptoms, protecting your mental health, and building resilience during this stage of life. If you’re looking for guidance on self-care, stress management, and women’s health during midlife, this episode is packed with support and strategies to help you feel more balanced and empowered.
Welcome to part one of our two-part Nearly Normal Podcast series on menopause. In this episode, we dive deep into the real experiences of perimenopause and menopause, breaking down the mental, emotional, and physical changes that women face during this transition. From hormonal shifts that affect mood and energy to the emotional toll of brain fog, anxiety, and sleep changes, we’re talking about it all—with honesty, humor, and compassion.
As two seasoned therapists, we explore how menopause impacts mental health and overall wellbeing, while also sharing practical coping strategies, self-care tools, and mindset shifts that can help women feel supported and empowered through the process.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your symptoms are “normal,” or you want to better understand how menopause affects the mind, body, and emotions, this episode is for you.
Need a mental health pick-me-up? In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we bring you Hot Takes, Cold Coffee—a cheeky, caffeine-fueled chat about TikTok trends, AI in therapy, viral pop culture fads (yes, even ice cube trays), and the shows we’re watching to keep our mental wellness in check. Join two therapists as we laugh, reflect, and remind you that being “nearly normal” is more than enough.
Are your habits truly helping you, or are they just clever ways of avoiding the deeper issues you don’t want to face? In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we dive into the psychology of habits, coping skills, and daily routines. With a mix of humor and introspection, we explore whether your go-to strategies—like working out, overworking, scrolling social media, or even reading—are actually healthy coping mechanisms or subtle avoidance tactics.
This fun and insightful conversation will help you reflect on your own behaviors, uncover the difference between healing habits and hiding habits, and give you tools to create healthier patterns for mental wellness.
Perfect for anyone curious about self-awareness, emotional health, or building stronger coping skills.
In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we dive deep into the invisible mental and emotional load carried by women in today’s world. From career burnout and workplace gender bias to fertility struggles, motherhood pressures, and safety concerns, we explore how these hidden burdens impact women’s mental health and emotional well-being. Join us as we discuss practical coping strategies, ways to set boundaries, and how to challenge societal expectations. Perfect for working mothers, women navigating infertility, or anyone seeking balance and self-care, this conversation sheds light on the realities women face while offering supportive tools for resilience and growth.
Welcome back to the Nearly Normal Podcast—your go-to space for real, relatable, and sometimes hilarious conversations about mental health, mental wellness, and everyday life. In this episode, we’re diving into the world of the 5 Love Languages—a powerful framework that can completely transform the way you connect with your friends, partners, and even yourself.
We break down what each of the five love languages really means—words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch—and explore how understanding them can improve your relationships, reduce conflict, and increase emotional intimacy. We’ll also share our own love languages (spoiler: they’re not the same!) and talk about the funny, awkward, and meaningful ways they show up in our everyday lives.
Whether you’re trying to strengthen your romantic relationship, build deeper friendships, or simply improve your overall emotional and mental wellness, this episode will give you the insight and laughs you need to feel a little more nearly normal.
Join us for a rapid-fire round of mental health Q&A in this fun and insightful episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast! We tackle the weird, the random, and the surprisingly important mental wellness questions that don’t always come up in therapy—but probably should. Whether you’re here for a laugh or a lightbulb moment, we’ve got mental health tips, mindset tools, and relatable real talk just for you.
Ever said "I'm so stupid" after forgetting a name or felt guilty for taking a break? You're not alone. In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we dive into the world of micro-shame—those small, everyday moments that stir up guilt, embarrassment, or self-doubt. Learn how to recognize these emotional patterns, why they show up, and how to accept or challenge them using simple mental health tools.
In this fun and insightful episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we explore the everyday situations, strange habits, and random interactions that make you stop and think — “Seriously?” From awkward social encounters to bizarre daily rituals, Kate and Nina unpack these "hmmm?" moments with a humorous twist and a mental health perspective.
Tune in for laughs, therapeutic tips, and a reminder that you’re not the only one feeling weird about life’s little oddities.



