The Nearly Normal Podcast

Episode 43: Nearly Normal or Therapy Time? How to Know When It’s More Than Just Stress

Is it everyday stress—or something therapy-worthy? In this episode of The Nearly Normal Podcast, we use humor and real-life examples to break down the difference between common annoyances and mental health concerns that may benefit from therapy. Relatable, validating, and refreshingly honest.
In this episode, we talk about:
The difference between everyday stress and anxiety
When irritability, burnout, or overwhelm become therapy-worthy
How to tell if your coping strategies are working—or not
Why needing therapy doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you
How humor can help normalize mental health conversations
Whether you’re feeling mildly annoyed, emotionally exhausted, or wondering if therapy could help, this episode offers clarity, validation, and practical insight—without judgment.
Give us 20 minutes, and we’ll help you figure out what’s nearly normal… and what might deserve a deeper conversation.

Episode 42: Things We Have No Business Doing (And Why That’s Actually Okay)

Ever find yourself doing something you are clearly not built for—and doing it anyway?  In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we lean into humor, self-awareness, and radical acceptance as we talk about the things we truly have no business doing. From skills we can’t master to habits we keep forcing, this lighthearted episode reminds us that perfection isn’t required for personal growth.
If you’re into mental wellness, self-improvement, and learning to laugh at yourself, this episode is a refreshing reminder that being “bad at something” doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human.

Episode 41: Winter Hibernation or Isolation? How to Protect Your Mental Health During the Winter Months

Winter has a way of making us want to disappear under a blanket—but is that self-care or something more concerning? In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we unpack the real difference between hibernation and isolation and why it matters for your mental health during the colder months.
We explore how to move through winter with intention, how staying busy doesn’t have to mean staying overwhelmed, why boredom can actually support mental wellness, and how to recognize and manage symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.
If you’ve noticed shifts in your mood, motivation, or social energy during winter, this episode offers grounded, judgment-free guidance to help you feel more balanced, connected, and emotionally supported until spring returns.
 
 

Episode 40: New Year, Healthier You: Building Better Habits for Mental Wellness & Personal Growth

If you’re tired of setting goals that disappear by February, this episode is for you. On the Nearly Normal Podcast, we talk about how to set realistic expectations, replace unhealthy habits, and build sustainable routines that support your mental health — not sabotage it.
In this episode, we explore:
Why most New Year’s resolutions fail (and what works instead)
How to build habits that support mental and emotional wellness
Letting go of all-or-nothing thinking
Creating goals aligned with your values and lifestyle
This episode is a supportive starting point for anyone looking to improve their mental health, develop healthier routines, and approach self-improvement with compassion and clarity.
Progress over perfection. Always.

Episode 39: We’re Officially Over It: Post-Holiday Burnout, Boundaries, and Letting Go of the Chaos

The holidays are over—and so is our patience. In this witty and refreshingly honest episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we unpack the post-holiday burnout, emotional exhaustion, and unrealistic expectations that leave so many of us drained and frustrated. From forced cheer and family tension to overspending and social overload, we break down what we’re officially done tolerating after the holidays. Blending humor with real therapeutic insight, this episode offers practical mental health tools, boundary-setting strategies, and mindset shifts to help you reset, recover, and protect your peace.

Episode 38: Family Roles Explained: How Dysfunctional Family Dynamics Shape Who We Become

Family dynamics shape us long before we realize it. In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we break down dysfunctional family systems and the common family roles many of us grow up playing—such as the caretaker, the peacemaker, the rebel, or the “responsible one.”
Using a mental health and wellness lens, we explore how these roles develop, why they persist into adulthood, and how they impact relationships, boundaries, self-esteem, anxiety, and emotional health. You’ll learn how to recognize your role within your family system, understand its purpose, and decide whether it still serves you today.
Whether you’re navigating toxic family relationships, working on personal growth, or simply trying to understand why family gatherings feel so exhausting, this episode offers insight, validation, and practical tools for change.
Perfect for anyone interested in:
Mental health & emotional wellness
Self-improvement and personal growth
Family systems therapy concepts
Healing from dysfunctional family dynamics
Setting healthy boundaries
 

Episode 37: Recovery During the Holidays Supporting Sobriety, Mental Health, and Family Boundaries

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

Episode 36: How to Protect Your Peace This Holiday Season: Therapist-Backed Stress & Anxiety Hacks

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.

Episode 35: The Self-Compassion Lab: How to Become Your Own Hype Person & Build Unshakable Self-Worth

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.

Episode 34: Burnout Reset: Simple Strategies to Reclaim Your Energy & Mental Health

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.