The Nearly Normal Podcast

Still Here: How to Actually Stay Connected When Long-Term Love Gets Hard

Staying together is the easy part — staying connected is where it gets complicated. This week, we're talking about the slow drift that happens in long-term relationships: the arguments on repeat, the resentment that builds in silence, the ways people grow and change and suddenly feel like strangers. Two therapists, 20 minutes, and some real talk about what it takes to weather the hard seasons and come out still choosing each other. Tune in for Episode 60 of the Nearly Normal Podcast!

Episode 59: The Life Script: Why You're Living a Story You Never Actually Wrote

You made all the right choices — school, career, relationships, milestones. But whose choices were they really? In this episode, therapists Nina and Kate break down the life scripts handed to us in childhood by family, culture, and society — and how those invisible programs quietly run our adult decisions without us ever realizing it. If you've ever looked around at your own life and thought how did I get here, this episode is for you. They cover how to identify the roles you were cast in before you were old enough to audition, why breaking from those scripts feels so threatening, and how to start making decisions that actually come from you. Real talk from two therapists with over 20 years of clinical experience — no fluff, no toxic positivity, just honest tools for people ready to rewrite the story. 
 

Episode 58: The Trust Hangover: You Forgave but Can You Move Forward?

Trust breaks in a moment. Rebuilding it takes a lot longer — and nobody tells you how disorienting that in-between space feels. 
In this episode of Nearly Normal, we're talking about what happens after the breach. Whether it's a betrayal, a broken promise, or a slow erosion of honesty over time, the aftermath leaves couples stuck in what we're calling the Trust Hangover — that painful fog of resentment, anger, hypervigilance, and grief that settles in when the relationship you thought you had no longer feels safe. 
We cover what makes trust so hard to rebuild, why the person who caused the breach often underestimates the damage, and why the person who was hurt can feel like they're going "crazy" even when they're responding completely normally. We also talk about what actual repair looks like — not the apology-and-move-on version, but the real work that creates lasting change. 
If your relationship is in the aftermath of a trust rupture, or if you keep hitting the same wall no matter how many times you've "talked about it," this episode is for you. 
Topics covered In This Episode: Trust betrayal and relationship recovery · Resentment and anger after a breach · Rebuilding emotional safety · Why apologies aren't enough · Communication breakdown and repair · Healing in committed relationships 
Follow Nearly Normal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and PodBean and YouTube. New episodes every week. 

Episode 57: I Knew Better… So Why Did I Do It Anyway? | Self-Sabotage, Behavior Change & Mental Health

Why do we keep making the same choices—even when we know better? In this episode, weunpack the frustrating cycle of repeating unhealthy patterns, from relationships to daily habits,and the mental loops that keep us stuck.
We dive into the gap between knowing and doing, explore behavior change strategies, and sharepractical, real-life tools to help you finally follow through on what’s best for you.This is a must-listen if you’re working on self-awareness, emotional growth, and lasting behaviorchange—without the guilt spiral.
If you’re tired of repeating the same cycles in relationships, habits, or decision-making, thisepisode is your quick, relatable guide to creating real change.

Episode 56: Who Am I Anymore? The Identity Crisis Nobody Warned You About

You woke up one day and didn't recognize yourself — and nobody told you that was normal. In this episode, your two favorite therapists break down what identity actually is, how it gets built, and why life has a way of blowing it up. Divorce, career shifts, motherhood, aging, relationships — we cover every way your sense of self gets shaken and what to do when it does. If you've ever thought "I don't know who I am anymore," this one's for you. 

Episode 55: Retiring the Good Girl: Breaking Free from People-Pleasing, Burnout & Perfectionism

In this episode of The Nearly Normal Podcast, we’re officially retiring the idea of the “good girl.”
If you’ve ever felt exhausted from trying to be perfect, agreeable, and everything to everyone—this conversation is for you.
We break down the hidden mental health costs of the “good girl” mindset, including chronic people-pleasing, emotional burnout, anxiety, and loss of identity. Where did this belief come from? Why is it so hard to let go of? And what actually happens when you stop trying to be “good” and start being real?
We’ll walk you through how to:
Recognize people-pleasing patterns
Set boundaries without guilt
Rebuild self-trust and confidence
Let go of perfectionism and external validation
This is your permission slip to stop performing and start living authentically.
🎧 Perfect for anyone interested in:mental health, self-improvement, women’s empowerment, boundaries, anxiety, burnout recovery, and personal growth.

Episode 54: Can AI really replace your therapist—or is that a risky shortcut for your mental health? What Therapists Want You to Know

AI is everywhere—but should it be part of your mental health routine?
In this episode of The Nearly Normal Podcast, we dive into one of the biggest questions in mental health right now: Can AI replace therapy? As experienced therapists, we unpack what AI gets right (accessibility, instant support, self-reflection tools) and where it can quietly do harm if used the wrong way.
We’ll help you understand how to safely use AI for mental wellness, when to lean on real human support, and how to tell the difference.
If you care about your mental health, self-growth, and making smart choices with new technology—this episode is a must-listen.
You’ll learn:
When AI is helpful for mental health
The risks of relying on AI for therapy
How to use AI safely for self-improvement
Why human connection still matters in healing

Episode 53: Why Women Are Obsessed with ‘Heated Rivalry’: The Psychology Behind the Hype

In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, two licensed therapists break down the psychology behind the wildly popular TV series Heated Rivalry and why it resonates so deeply with women.
We explore:
The psychological themes driving emotional connection to the show
Why women are drawn to complex relationship dynamics in media
The role of attachment styles, tension, and emotional storytelling
How media reflects real-life relationship patterns and desires
If you’ve found yourself hooked on Heated Rivalry, you’re not alone—and there’s a deeper reason why.
🎙️ Nearly Normal Podcast delivers practical, witty mental health insights in 20 minutes.

Episode 52: Friendships Change: Letting Go, Growing Apart & Finding Your Way Back

Is it normal to outgrow friendships? How do you cope when a friendship ends—or changes in ways you didn’t expect? Friendships aren’t meant to stay the same—and sometimes, that’s the hardest part.
In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we explore how friendships begin, how they evolve over time, and what it really means when they start to shift or fade. From growing apart and setting boundaries to grieving the loss of a friendship, we break down the emotional reality of navigating change in relationships.
We also talk about how to stay open to reconnection, when it’s healthy to do so, and how personal growth impacts the people we keep in our lives.
If you’ve ever felt confused, hurt, or even guilty about a changing friendship—this conversation will help you feel seen and supported.

Episode 51: "Well My Therapists says"...What Happens When Good Advice Works and When It Goes Rogue.

Therapist-approved tools. At times, questionable execution. Zero regrets.
You've heard it before—"My therapist says I need to set boundaries," or "My therapist says I need to honor my feelings." Good advice. Solid tools. But somewhere between the therapy room and real life, things get... creative.
This week, licensed therapists Kate and Nina take a satirical look at the therapeutic strategies they genuinely teach—and the wildly inventive ways people have weaponized, misapplied, or creatively reinterpreted them. From boundaries used as shields to self-care used as an excuse, this episode is equal parts educational and laugh-out-loud real.
If you've ever caught yourself saying "well, my therapist says..." to justify something questionable, this one's for you.
In this episode:
The therapy tools that work—when you actually use them right
How good mental health language gets hijacked in relationships
What therapists are really thinking when you quote them back at them
Tips you can actually use (seriously, these work)
New episodes every week. Free advice, real talk, 20 minutes.
The Nearly Normal Podcast is hosted by two licensed therapists with over 20 years of combined counseling experience.