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In this candid and deeply relatable episode, the hosts of Therapists Unhinged step into the emotional maze of the holiday season and the complicated realities of going “home.” With humor, honesty, and lived experience, they explore why returning to family can feel less like comfort and more like stepping back into old patterns, roles, and wounds you thought you’d outgrown.

This episode wrestles with the invisible pressures so many people carry during the holidays — the obligation to show up, the fear of judgment if you don’t, and the internal conflict of wanting connection while protecting your own peace. The hosts discuss generational dynamics, family systems, trauma triggers, and how deeply ingrained expectations can override our adult autonomy.

They also explore the paradox of longing for the warmth of family while simultaneously bracing for emotional landmines: passive-aggressive remarks, guilt trips, shame, or regression back into the “black sheep,” the “scapegoat,” or the “problem child,” regardless of who you’ve become since leaving home.

With vulnerability and humor, they challenge the idea that tradition should trump emotional safety, and offer permission — not just to set boundaries, but to create entirely new traditions that reflect who you are now, not who you were raised to be. They remind listeners that “home” is not automatically synonymous with “family,” and that peace, joy, and belonging can be built with the people you choose.

This episode is a compassionate invitation to rethink holiday expectations, question inherited obligations, and choose emotional well-being over performative perfection. It blends therapeutic insight with real talk, encouraging listeners to break cycles rather than repeat them — even if it means disappointing others to protect yourself.

⭐️ KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Returning home can trigger old emotional roles — even for highly functional adults.
• Obligation is not love; pressure is a red flag, not a family value.
• You are allowed to create new traditions that support your well-being.
• Boundaries protect not just you, but your partner and children.
• Nostalgia doesn't erase harm — and growth requires honest evaluation.
• Preparing emotionally for toxic environments may signal it’s time to opt out.
• You don’t owe anyone access to you just because you share DNA.
• Joy is not created through performance — but through authenticity, connection, and choice.

⭐️ BEST MOMENTS

00:03:40 — “Going home shouldn’t require psychological prep work just to survive it.”
00:06:05 — “Sometimes you change, but your family still sees you as who you used to be.”
00:09:20 — “Home is different than family — and sometimes love happens from a distance.”
00:14:15 — “If you feel pressure to go home, that’s a red flag — not a tradition.”
00:18:45 — “Why are you willing to sacrifice your peace for someone else’s comfort?”
00:22:30 — “People will talk whether you go or not — so choose what protects you.”
00:27:50 — “You don't have to pass chaos down to your kids just because you lived it.”
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Therapists Unhinged is where mental health gets real. Hosted by licensed therapists who tell it like it is, this podcast dives deep into the messy, meaningful, and hilarious parts of being human. From mastering resilience to navigating the chaos of everyday life, we bring raw conversations, expert insights, and unfiltered honesty...no jargon, no BS.

New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe, leave a review, and come unhinge with us.

This podcast has been brought to you by APodcastGeek. https://www.apodcastgeek.com

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In this heartfelt episode of Therapists Unhinged, we dive into the pressures, expectations, and emotional rollercoaster of the holiday season. With humor, honesty, and a touch of rebellion, they introduce the concept of “No-vember”—a month dedicated to reclaiming peace by saying no to unnecessary stress and unrealistic expectations.

Together, they unpack how societal “shoulds” and self-imposed pressure can lead to burnout and disconnection, and how redefining boundaries can bring true joy back to the holidays. Through stories of self-awareness, gratitude, and the occasional burnt turkey, this episode reminds us that connection—not perfection—is what matters most.

Blending therapeutic insight with real-life wisdom, the hosts encourage listeners to trade guilt for gratitude, chaos for calm, and “should” for “self.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• “No-vember” is your permission to say no—and protect your peace.
• Burnout often starts with unrealistic expectations, not workload.
• Boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re essential for emotional health.
• Gratitude reduces anxiety and increases happiness year-round.
• True connection comes from authenticity, not perfect hosting.
• Stop “should-ing” on yourself—define what really matters to you.
• Equilibrium, not balance, creates sustainable joy.
• The holidays don’t need perfection; they need presence.

BEST MOMENTS

00:02:10 — “It’s No-vember. Say no to those things you’ve always wanted to say no to.”
00:04:15 — “We grind, grind, grind—and then we have all these expectations until there’s no plate left.”
00:07:30 — “This year, I’m not doing what everyone else expects. I’m doing what I want to do.”
00:09:45 — “I’m not going to put more expectations on myself than I already have.”
00:11:35 — “Don’t ‘should’ on yourself. Should is the blame word.”
00:13:25 — “We’re tired. Everybody’s tired. Why create more stuff to then be tired about?”
00:14:30 — “The most grateful people are the happiest people—it’s all about mindset.”
00:15:40 — “Even if the turkey burns, we’ll figure it out. Eat around the burnt turkey.”
00:16:10 — “Connection is what matters—not who has the biggest spread.”
00:17:40 — “Be kind to people working through the holidays. They’re missing their families too.”
00:18:15 — “Your equilibrium might look different than mine—and that’s okay.”

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Hosted by licensed therapists who tell it like it is, this podcast dives deep into the messy, meaningful, and hilarious parts of being human. From mastering resilience to navigating the chaos of everyday life, we bring raw conversations, expert insights, and unfiltered honesty...no jargon, no BS.

📩 Get in touch or be a guest:
Email: therapistsunhingedpodcast@gmail.com

New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe, leave a review, and come unhinge with us.

This podcast has been brought to you by Podcast Fast Track https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Support the show

Therapists Unhinged is where mental health gets real. Hosted by licensed therapists who tell it like it is, this podcast dives deep into the messy, meaningful, and hilarious parts of being human. From mastering resilience to navigating the chaos of everyday life, we bring raw conversations, expert insights, and unfiltered honesty...no jargon, no BS.

New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe, leave a review, and come unhinge with us.

This podcast has been brought to you by APodcastGeek. https://www.apodcastgeek.com

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In this empowering episode of Therapists Unhinged, we welcome Dr. Kathryn Rudloff Executive Director of weVENTURE Women’s Business Center, to explore the realities of entrepreneurship, burnout, and the myth of work-life balance. Dr. Rudloff brings her experience in supporting women business owners to discuss how boundaries, systems, and accountability create the foundation for sustainable success. Together, they dismantle the illusion of “balance” and replace it with equilibrium—a more compassionate and practical approach to navigating life’s demands.
This conversation blends business insight with therapeutic wisdom, offering real strategies for entrepreneurs and professionals striving to grow without losing themselves in the process.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Work-life “balance” is a myth—focus instead on equilibrium, minimizing conflict through systems and boundaries.
• Burnout, not finances, is the leading reason most businesses fail.
• Managing expectations—both your own and your clients’—is crucial to reducing stress.
• Accountability and structure are essential for both therapy and business growth.
• Flexibility and the ability to pivot are signs of strength, not failure.
• Entrepreneurs must learn to ask for help and accept mentorship.
• Real relationships are built through authenticity, not perfection.
• Sustainable success means defining what “enough” looks like for you.
• Mentorship and collaboration create confidence and community.
• There is enough pie for everyone—collaboration beats competition.

BEST MOMENTS

00:00:00 — “Take the pressure off yourself. We put far more pressure on ourselves to be always available.”
00:04:33 — “The number one reason that most businesses fail isn’t finances—it’s burnout.”
00:10:15 — “We need to kill the myth of work-life balance. It’s unattainable.”
00:11:20 — “Equilibrium is about reducing conflict through systems and organization.”
00:12:00 — “Set expectations and boundaries—automate what you can and take the pressure off.”
00:18:10 — “Life and business are rarely straight lines; pivoting is part of growth.”
00:19:30 — “Some clients just want to vent—real growth requires accountability.”
00:23:15 — “Therapy and business coaching share the same truth: you must do the work.”
00:28:05 — “Most entrepreneurs underestimate how much capital they need to sustain growth.”
00:30:50 — “Sometimes the best advice is to get a job while building your dream.”
00:34:20 — “Confidence grows when you have a safe place to talk through challenges.”
00:39:00 — “Don’t reinvent the wheel—someone’s solved your problem before.”
00:40:25 — “Growth comes from being relatable and repeatable.”
00:41:40 — “There’s enough pie for everyone—collaboration helps us all thrive.”
00:42:45 — “Authenticity is being real enough to say ‘I’m not fine.’”
00:44:00 — “Leadership is about defining how you want to show up and living your values.”

Support the show

Therapists Unhinged is where mental health gets real.

Support the show

Therapists Unhinged is where mental health gets real. Hosted by licensed therapists who tell it like it is, this podcast dives deep into the messy, meaningful, and hilarious parts of being human. From mastering resilience to navigating the chaos of everyday life, we bring raw conversations, expert insights, and unfiltered honesty...no jargon, no BS.

New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe, leave a review, and come unhinge with us.

This podcast has been brought to you by APodcastGeek. https://www.apodcastgeek.com