It’s Not Therapy: Recent Episodes
Liana Kerzner
I’m Liana Kerzner and I am not a therapist! I provide practical solutions to everyday problems featuring interesting guests with inspiring stories and real questions from regular people!
Everyone wants authenticity… from others. Expressing your real feelings, real opinions, and real needs can be scary in a world increasingly built on rejection; hiding behind pleasant, fake smiles seems safer. But that protective fakeness can sabotage the connections we crave. Ontario psychotherapist Kirsten Davidson (https://mindthegaps.co/) talks to Liana about how to create a comfort zone of authenticity for stronger, more meaningful relationships.
When her son Jonathan was very young, Lynn Greenberg was told that his neurodivergence would prevent Jon from achieving scholastic success. Years later, Jon graduated from university with a Master's Degree, and the mother-and-son team now write and successfully publish books for young readers featuring neurodivergent characters. Liana talks to Lynn and Jonathan about how they overcame the hurdles of low-expectations - hint: it wasn't by smiling and nodding at 'experts'.
How to put the 'oral' in sex!
A healthy sexual connection with a partner is built on good communication and understanding. But what happens when you don't fully understand what arouses you or how to communicate that effectively? Add the challenges many neuro-divergent people face in making themselves understood and the obstacles to successful intimacy can become ever more daunting. Liana talks with multi-award-winning, Edmonton-based AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist Dr. Cory Hruska about how to connect with our own sexual impulses and how to share that knowledge with our partners. His podcast, Up the Rabbit Hole, can be found here:
Narcissism - Myths, Facts and When Therapists Get It Wrong.
Narcissism is a word that has broken containment; people mistakenly believe it's simply an inflated ego rather than a specific mental health disorder requiring diagnosis by a licensed medical health practitioner. In other words, it's often misunderstood. But what happens when narcissism is also misunderstood by some mental health practitioners? Mental health educator and licensed therapist Ross Rosenberg, founder of Selfloverecovery.com, returns to talk to Liana about how to recognize when you, a friend or loved one is not receiving appropriate mental health assistance.
We all have tasks or projects that we know we need to do, even want to do, but we don't, we don't even get started. Is it fear of failure? Fear of success? Fear of change? A mixture of fears? And how do we get past our hesitations and get going? Good questions, and Liana's returning guest, Steven Puri of thesukha.co, has some answers!
Social media and cell phone bans for children under 16 are a common topic among many world governments, including Canada's. But what if the device isn't the problem, but a symptom masking the problem? Child mental health therapist Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge joins Liana to talk about the less-discussed social, emotional and mental health issues that may fuel a child's phone habits... and those of adults.
Recent studies have shown that the loneliness epidemic has been furthered by a lack of meeting spaces in the real world, notably low-pressure gatherings... and what's more low-pressure than a garage sale?? Liana talks with Danielle Cohen, organizer of the Georgina-Wide Garage Sale Day, about the need to create opportunities for people to interact in a chill space where the weight of constrictive social norms are relaxed.
Who are you? The answer to that question often depends on who is asking and where it's being asked. There's the "You" you are at work, the "You" you are to friends and family, the "You" society, your racial, religious or cultural profile says you are, and who you are in quiet moments alone. What is the real you? Or are they all the real you? Machan Taylor has lived this journey as a singer, songwriter, educator and author who performed with, among others, Pink Floyd, Sting, Foreigner and Pat Benatar. Liana talks to Machan about her book Naked Out Loud: From Yokohama to Pink Floyd and Beyond and everyone's quest to self-define their personal identity.
Many of us were told in childhood not to talk to strangers. Good advice at the time. But today, one of the foundations of the loneliness epidemic is people not knowing how to talk to strangers, or very afraid of trying. Liana lived with these experiences and so did her guest, Geoffrey Huck (courageous-communication.com), who shares how he 'flipped his extrovert switch' and turned his fear of speaking to new people into a compass and not a stop sign.
Many of us have been in a relationship with someone who is wrong for us. This is especially true of people who are 'givers' that find themselves attracted to 'takers'...sometimes repeatedly. Ross Rosenberg is an author and expert on codependency and trauma - such an expert that he believes the term 'codependency' is a misnomer and has instead coined the term Self-Love Deficit Disorder. What is that? Listen as he and Liana discuss SLDD and pathological narcissism, and what you can do to stop falling for people who keep hurting you.
Stigma involves applying negative stereotypes to people who are ill, have certain physical characteristics or other perceived 'deficiencies,' which leads to discrimination and exclusion, sometimes with harrowing results. Typically, these stigma are inflicted by the judgment of others - but some are also self-inflicted. Liana shares steps people can take to free themselves from the pain of their internalized stigma.
For most people, being diagnosed with stage four colon cancer represents the end of their life's journey, but for Tim McDonald it was the beginning of a new path. Tim, a stage four colorectal cancer survivor and liver transplant recipient, talks to Liana about how he turned his struggle with his health crises into a renewed purpose as a patient advocate, speaker, host of the Advocacy at Work podcast and author of the book From Patient to Advocate: Turning Survivorship into Impact. Tim's tale is inspiring and important listening for people experiencing life-threatening illnesses and those who love and support them.
Where's the line between "bad people" and "good people who do bad things"? Using characters from the Amazon Prime series The Boys as examples, Liana examines how intent, mental health, and behaviour intersect to define true "bad person" territory.
No, this episode isn't about politics, but the recent social media tirade from US President Trump threatening to militarily destroy Iran and its people, expressed in vulgar language, is a prime example of how behaviour once considered unfit for public display has now become normalized. Not only normalized, but held up as examples of strength, honesty and courage. Liana takes apart this troubling trend, influences which motivate it, illnesses which may contribute to it, and how we push back against it - without ourselves exhibiting the same behaviour.
"Disabled" works just fine for Todd Vaarwerk: Chief Policy Officer for West New York Independent Living, he's more interested in results. Todd uses a wheelchair due to the effects of cerebral palsy, so nobody is better at separating efforts which are useful support for disabled people from the 'well-meaning but useless' or counter-productive steps taken. And he does it with a rich sense of humour in conversation with Liana, who shares her own stories of 'accommodation' that really wasn't.
Duty of Care means ensuring that you take reasonable steps to provide a safe environment for others. It's a simple definition for a complex practice that takes on many different forms in different situations. Liana shares personal stories to reveal how that care can be applied - and misapplied -in ways that can make a situation less safe and supportive than you intend. Ultimately, a reasonable duty of care means finding a balance between support and the respect of an individual’s autonomy.
The unfortunate occurrence at the BAFTA Awards, where an attendee who has Tourette's Syndrome shouted racial epithets at two Black award presenters (and the way BAFTA chose to handle that), has given prominence to the question of 'reasonable accommodation' of people with disabilities. Liana speaks with LJ, a brilliant scientist whose disability has deterred potential employers, about what he sees as reasonable accommodation and, importantly, how some well-meaning accommodations actually make things more difficult.
Most of us try to be friendly, kind, supportive people. Yet all those things could be true and you still, inadvertently, say something that makes you look like a ahole, and you don't even know why! Liana takes us through a journey of ways you may unintentionally be acting like an ahole.
As a member of the Girls Gone Wild tour of the late 1990s Courtney Kocak had a front-row seat to the "good, clean fun" which that media was marketed as. Courtney also felt the impact of sexualized media, how it affected her self-image and sense of healthy femininity. Courtney, author of the forthcoming autobiography Girl Gone Wild, shares with Liana her experiences in the belly of the beast and how she turned her rocky journey into a chronicle that can help other women shed the mental conditioning of sexualized messaging. Also, has "prestige cinema" become indistinguishable from pornography?
Many people fear that A.I. represent the end of our world as we know it. Liana sees A.I. for what it is - a tool that can be used for good or ill - and she relates her experiments with A.I. as a means of bettering our lives. Helping with "adulting"? Good. Helping to visualize emotions? Good. Replacing human connection with chatbots? Bad. While AI doesn't "think" or "feel," it can help take the terror out of engaging with the world.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence. It's definitely the former and not the latter. What's being called "intelligence" does not actually think and the information and advice it offers can be not just wrong, but dangerous. Liana deconstructs how "AI" operates, shares the red flags to be aware of and how to reclaim your thoughts that AI has polluted.
Confidence is about self-assuredness, self-acceptance and the strength to be flexible when facing challenges. What's being packaged as 'confidence' in some quarters is the opposite - fear presented as bluster, extreme need for external validation and fragility projected as 'strength'. Liana lays out her personal journey for learning the difference between the two versions of confidence and how to spot and deal with those confusing ass-ertiveness for assuredness.
While the overwhelming majority of mental health professionals listen closely to their patients and work diligently to provide the best in care, there are some whose attempts at healing lead to misdiagnosis with serious adverse effects. Liana talks to Benton Savage, author of the book "Wrong Side Out - Madness Misdiagnosed" about his experience with his mental illness being misdiagnosed, how such things happen, how he uncovered his actual condition and how you can learn from his experiences.
If there's one thing you can find an endless free supply of, it's advice. Sometimes, that's a good thing. Other times, not as much. But how can you tell the good advice from the bad? And how do you know if the advice you're giving will help or hurt? Liana takes you through her 9 types of bad advice, in her first list of 2026!
Gossip can be Educational!
What can a gossipy celebrity moms' feud teach us all about the danger of throwing shade, the real pain of ostracism, toxic group dynamics and why husbands shouldn't immediately jump to publicly defend their wife? Liana ties the Ashley Tisdale/Hillary Duff/Mr. Hillary Duff/Mandy Moore blow-up to some darkly funny personal family experiences to illustrate all the above, and more!
Resentment is a feeling of having been wronged by a person/people or a situation. It spins off feelings of anger, bitterness and indignation which weigh us down, yet do nothing to resolve those feelings. Liana shares her personal history and struggles with resentment, using her trademark mix of humour and reflection to provide a path for you to connect with and banish your resentment burden.
Soleiman Faqiri was murdered by jail guards in an Ontario jail in December of 2016 after an altercation with a neighbour. Soli, as his family called him, had schizoaffective disorder, and a judge had ordered him to be transferred from jail to an appropriate hospital. Before that could happen, Soli had his hands and feet bound, his face covered by a spit hood, and endured over 50 bruises and other injuries from jail guards, causing his death - which was ruled a homicide. A government inquiry found numerous violations of procedure in Soli's treatment and issued a report with recommendations for the better treatment of mentally-ill prisoners. 2 years later, none of the recommendations have been followed and none of the guards who beat Soli to death have been charged in his murder. Soli's brother Yusef speaks to Liana about the efforts of him, his family, and advocates across the country to effect positive change in the corrections system in memory of Soli through https://justiceforsoli.com/
Meep Meep. Run.
What can Wile E. Coyote's nemesis the Road Runner tell us about gaining greater control over our lives? A lot! And so can Steven Puri of thesukha.co, an expert in helping people create order from the chaos of daily living. What's your chronotype? Why are you tying yourself in knots to meet the expectations of others? Liana talks to Steven about all of this and more, with simple steps to simplify your life.
Are you tired of being afraid but don’t know how to live any other way? Do you believe that good things never happen to you and the bad things keep finding you? You don’t have to live that way. Liana talks to Riana Malia, creator of the Clear To Create method for high achieving women, about how to change your thinking so you stop attracting the same type of rotten people again and again, by getting in touch with your own values.
Be a Man! What is a "Man" in 2025? It's a question that has been plaguing men and boys as former rites of passage fade away leaving a void for self-definition - a void too often filled by agents of anger and grievance. Aaron Tait, author of Far Horizons: A Journey From War To Peace, grew-up with a "man's man" father and went off to war after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, beginning a long journey where he re-defined himself was being a man is. Liana's talks to Aaron about his evolution and how his experiences can help inform other men how to feel comfortable and confident in their own definition of masculinity.
STOP!
How did you just react to reading that? For some, it's a sign to pump the breaks, for others, it spurs a range of emotions - fear, anger - that increase the velocity of their response. Sound like you or someone you know? Liana talks to certified clinical hypnotherapist Kisha Reynolds about what type of past experiences cause a negative reaction to 'stopping' and what can be done to give you back the reins of your thoughts.
Yes, You Can!
Self-improvement, two simple words that fuel a multi-million dollar industry of books, videos and seminars. But personal growth needn't be expensive or complicated. Liana's friend Bianca of Myself and Comics on YouTube, talks about her journey to self-empowerment, which started from an unexpected place!
Very few people crave conflict (that's a whole other show) and most try to avoid it. But in any healthy relationship - with a friend, family, or partner - conflict naturally occurs and trying to avoid it simply magnifies the scope of the disagreement. Liana uses personal experiences , positive and negative, to talk about how to manage conflict so it stays small and manageable with a healthy outcome for everyone involved.
Go with The Flow - Call it your groove, your mojo, Steven Puri calls it his Flow State, that mental state of peak focus, creativity and energy focused on the task at hand. Flow is a challenge for many remote workers. Steven, a former Hollywood executive, founded The Sukha Company to offer tools and platforms for remote workers to improve focus and productivity. Liana talks to Steven about his journey, the obstacles remote workers may face to enter a Flow state and how to overcome them.
"It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you get hit and keep moving forward" - Rocky Balboa.
Resilience. No life is without bumps or even crises, it's how we are able to respond to those moments that determines what is next. Resilience isn't something learned at those moments, it's a skill we develop for when we need it, ideally learned in childhood. Clinical Psychologist and mom of twins Dr. Kate Lund, author of Step Away - The Keys to Resilient Parenting, joins Liana to discuss how parents can raise children who can bounce back when life deals them a knock. Plus, steps to build your own resilience in 10 minute exercises.
An artist with autism? Doesn't fit the stereotype, does it? That's because the stereotype is wrong, and Bobby Calloway is living proof. A professional actor and author from Ireland, Bobby joins Liana to discuss the realities of his autism, how he has overcome any challenges his autism has posed, which contains relatable steps that can help all of us overcome obstacles in our lives.
Bobby's book, Joanna and the Twelve Crowns, is available on Amazon.
With Friends Like These...
The Judge, The Glass Cannon, The Quiet Quitter, The Groundhog, The Scorekeeper, The Drama Llama and The Narcissist - these are the 7 Types of Bad Friends. Liana reveals what these terms mean - because she completely made them up - how to spot these people in your life, and how to tell if you yourself fit into one of the categories.
If you think you know what someone with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder looks like...think again. Despite common misconceptions, there may be no physical hallmarks of FASD, leaving people stricken with it to face ignorant, sometimes cruel, comments about their challenges. That's especially tough on people with FASD and their caregivers, yet social stigmas have contributed to public health supports being virtually non-existent. Liana talks with Mary Byrnes-Harrison and Alison Drenikow of Harrison's Hope, both of whom are personally impacted by FASD, about how people can become more aware, kinder and supportive of those affected by this spectrum condition. FASD awareness day is September 9th, please share your support on social media, and support Harrison's Hope's Silent Auction at harrisonshope.ca
Owning your choices, letting go of guilt, setting achievable goals, reconsidering your biases, being kind to others and yourself, these are steps to better health. They're simple to understand but more challenging to put into action. Liana takes us through some things we can do to make achieving these simple goals easier.
It's no secret that the younger generations - Z, Alpha - are feeling tremendous amounts of anxiety. Some will write them off as over-sensitive, as snowflakes, because "back in my day..." That doesn't wash. Gens Z & Alpha were raised by their parents and by a society that has been able to sabotage their development of the skills and resilience necessary to successfully live a fulfilling life. Liana takes us through 5 of the ways we may be screwing up our kids and teens, and how to make corrections in ourselves to help young people.
He's a radio broadcaster, a news journalist, a podcaster and an author...and he has autism. Some 'experts' would tell you that isn't possible, but Blake "Crash" Priddle is proof that those on the autism spectrum have a wide range of talents and abilities that don't fit popular stereotypes. Liana talks to Blake about his experience growing up with autism and how in many ways it benefited his chosen career, based on his book Good Morning, Blake: Growing Up Autistic and Being Okay. And in talking about Blake's journey, a lot of myths about autism are cast aside.
The term 'narcissist' gets tossed around a lot these days, most often improperly applied to any display of self-esteem. But narcissism isn't about having self-confidence; in fact, despite outward appearances, most narcissists suffer from low self-esteem. Liana helps identify what healthy self-confidence is, and isn't, and how to spot and deal with a narcissist.
A new look at a listener-favourite topic! Can gaslighting be accidental? In short, yes.
Gaslighting occurs when someone tries to make you deny what you've seen, heard or experienced in favour of their versions. Sounds pretty deliberate, right? Not always.
Liana takes us through how to tell the difference between intentional and accidental gaslighting, whether you are the one sending or receiving, and what to do about it.
Aggression: everyone feels it sometimes. It can be motivating, but it can also be destructive. Inspired by seeing the Superman movie twice over the weekend, Liana goes through how aggression works, why it can be destructive, and how to turn it toward more positive outcomes for you and the people around you.
Truth, Justice and a Better Tomorrow...
Do those principles seem a bit hokey to you? A bit dated? They do for some people. But why? Why is the desire to stand for honesty, fairness and optimism derided as being stale and "Woke"? The new Superman movie has risked restoring Clark Kent to a symbol and hope of the kindness we are all capable of. It's a litmus test of our times - will audiences relate to it or reject it? Liana talks about the dysfunction behind the "Cruel is Cool" attitude driving political movements and how Superman's history as a character represents the challenges we all face to be our best selves at a time when kindness is mocked as foolishness.
The statistics are shocking - men are facing a plague of loneliness, depression and mental health issues, made worse by societal messaging that tells them to bottle it up. Liana talks to returning guest Avrum Weiss, a psychotherapist and author of the book Hidden in Plain Sight: How Men's Fears of Women Shape Their Intimate Relationships, about the crises men are facing, how they developed and what can be done to repair the damage.
There's a difference between doing something nice for someone as a nice gesture of love or friendship and doing it hoping to influence the recipient. In the first situation, your reward is in the doing; in the second, the reward you hope for may not happen leading to anger, sadness or depression. That's called People Pleasing Behaviour and it often backfires spectacularly. Liana takes us through her own journey from PPB, what she learned along the way about herself and why she is happier without it.
Lots of people, especially these days, have experienced ghosting - when someone in your social or business circle just vanishes without explanation, ending all communication. And that can be more scary than a literal haunting. Using her own experiences, past and recent, Liana talks about why people may ghost you, why it can hurt so much and how to move on.
'Adulting' is the idea that being an adult is something you do, not something you are, and some younger people are having trouble handling the requirements. Liana talks about facing the challenges, real and imagined, for grown-ups who haven't grown-up.
"Let me explain...and explain...and explain"
Everyone wants to be understood - or maybe more importantly, not be misunderstood. But there are times when explaining actually gets in the way of being understood. Liana talks about 'over-explaining', why it happens, how it clouds your message and how to take control of your words.
Introverts Unite (but not necessarily in-person)!
Liana has been a television and radio host, a model, does public speaking, weekday YouTube videos and It's Not Therapy, so you may find it hard to believe that she's very much an introvert. At least, if you don't really understand introverts, and most extroverts don't! Liana breaks down the barriers to understanding with 10 Things Extroverts Do That Really Bug Introverts!
It's an unfortunate fact that the heated rhetoric of modern politics has had a negative effect on our mental health. The level of anger, hostility and division in the air has damaged or ended relationships and fractured families. It makes many of us want to curl up into a ball. Liana walks us through the motivations behind the rancor and how we can process it and get past it. And it all starts with an angry Kenny Rogers lookalike.
Money makes the world go 'round - and many heads to spin. Fears and traumas related to money are commonplace and may lead us to make poor decisions - or indecision - which negatively affect our lives. Liana talks to financial planner Natasha Janssens about finding the root of your money trauma and tips to control and overcome your financial fears. Check out Natasha's book Wonder Woman's Guide To Money
You've probably heard this over and over - "Don't be negative." What you won't hear is how to accomplish that. Liana talks with life coach Janet Ettele, author of "How Joyous Effort Works" about how a slight shift of focus in how we approach our relationships, our jobs, our families and ourselves can uncover sources of happiness that have always been there.
Why Immigrants?
You'd think we'd learn from history that blaming Immigrants for society's problems is never warranted and never solves any problems - just makes them worse. Yet too many haven't learned...but why? Liana lays it out in simple terms and why and how we can question our illogical urges.
"Suck it up, be a Man!" That's the message boys have received for generations, meant to crush their more sensitive natures. And it worked, at the cost of the spirits of these boys who became men. But when author and journalist Amy Molloy's toddler son started exhibiting troubling sensitivities, she didn't impose stern discipline, instead finding solutions from what are considered 'new age' sources. And despite the 'out-there' origins, the solutions Amy discovered have a surprisingly solid basis in common sense, which she details in her new book Wise Child.
Seems as though cruelty and meanness have become greatly valued currency in how people are treated (and maybe how you're treating people). Are we living in meaner times? Is our only path retaliating or just taking it? Liana tackles these questions and more with Jennifer Keluskar, Ph.D. a professor of Biobehavioral Health at Pennsylvania State University.
We talk about the pursuit of happiness as if it's something that will be achieved at some later date, if we just keep chasing it. But what if happiness is already here but we've been blinded to it? Dr. Gillian Mandich, a PhD in health science, believes that happiness is not a destination, it’s a practice; not something we earn, but something we learn. Liana talks with Dr. Mandich, founder of The International Happiness Institute of Health Science Research, about how to access the science of achieving happiness to enrich your life now, not at some vague future date.
For the majority of patients, their primary care physician is the one who will address their mental health issues...even though they aren't trained for it. But shouldn't they be? The medical profession has separated mental health from physical health, creating two separate streams of care and separate medical practitioners for mind and body - leaving patients without access to proper care. Dr. Robert C. Smith, author of the new book Has Medicine Lost Its Mind? talks to Liana about how to fix the shortcomings of mental health care.
As she explains in her new book The Unlocking - An Autism Story, Porscia Lam and her husband had a problem - their toddler, Harry, would not do anything he was asked to do. Yes, that's typical for some children, but Harry's reactions were extreme, with troubling behaviour escalating to the point it endangered Harry and his younger sibling.
The Lams discovered Harry has Pathological Demand Avoidance, a little-understood condition in the Autism spectrum. Through much love, frustration, fear and sacrifice, the Lams got Harry the care he needed and, yes, the Hulk played a role.
Liana talks to Porscia about her family's journey and how other parents can spot PDA in their child and get much-needed information. Learn more about Porscia's book at https://porscialam.com/
That's the title of trauma therapist Amanda Ann Gregory's new book, and her book's synopsis, "(f)eeling pressured to forgive their offenders is a common reason trauma survivors avoid mental health services and support. Those who force, pressure, or encourage trauma survivors to forgive can unknowingly cause harm and sabotage their recovery" gives Amanda and Liana a lot to unpack as they discuss a re-thinking of the 'divine virtue'.
They aren't cosmically-powered superheroes, but understanding them can give us greater power over ourselves and lead to happier lives. Values, Needs, Boundaries and Manipulations - understanding these four building blocks is key to achieving better mental health, and Liana shares personal experiences to show you how you can do it.
The TV show "Seinfeld" popularized the line, "It's not you, it's me." And while George Costanza wasn't being sincere, the truth is that for a lot of people, it is them! Liana takes us through the top 10 things people do that drives others away from them in romantic relationships, friendships and work situations.
No, probably not. True narcissists - those with Narcissistic Personality Disorder - are rare. But you don't need to be a narcissist to behave like one; personality traits can be absorbed from others without our realizing it. Liana guides us to understand what true narcissism is and, importantly, what it isn't...and how to effectively deal with one.
Real talk: society trains girls and women to use feminine stereotypes to bully other women - and to use the same stereotypes to get away with it. Liana shines a light on the tactics female bullies use and the cultural attitudes that enable and excuse the behaviour.
Social anxiety is a real and growing phenomenon that deters folks from meeting new people, or being successful when meeting new people, or from even going out to places where there will be new people! Liana offers her personal first-hand experience with social anxiety and offers some tools that helped her and may also help you.
Losing it leading up to the holidays? You're not alone.
Economic uncertainty, politics turning relationships with friends and family into a pressure cooker, the loneliness this time of year can bring on...it's not surprising if you feel like you're losing it! From her own personal experiences, Liana offers some suggestions on how to calm turbulent waters or just swim to shore!
We're Better Than This...Aren't We? Maybe not right now, but we still can be.
The reaction to the murder of an American health care executive spurs Liana to examine how our current societal distress has led us away from our better angels, using deeply personal revelations as a guide.
The unedited version of episode 112 with Aquila and Jerry. If you're experiencing thoughts of suicide call the national crisis line in North America at 988.
Discussions of suicide are usually heavy on statistics; this episode focuses on people affected by suicidal thoughts and actions. Liana talks to show regular Aquila and her friend Jerry, who talked her through a harrowing personal crisis a few months ago. What prompts suicidal ideation and what helps - and does not - when speaking with someone considering ending their life? A personal approach to a situation many may find themselves in during the upcoming winter holidays.
We have nothing to fear but fear itself...but that's still frightening! The truth is that the fear of facing our fears is a double-whammy that contributes to depression, anxiety and making bad choices that keep us from realizing our goals. Liana is joined by hypnotist Sainoor Premji (2BHypnosis.com), whose specialty is teaching how to turn fear from a foe to a friend.
Trust is a very precious thing, and a fragile one - once it is broken, regaining it is a delicate process. How can you regain the trust you've violated, and what can someone do to re-earn your trust? Liana has some answers based in her own experiences that may help you with your own trust matters of trust.
Humans became the dominant species on Earth by working together - which is likely a surprise for anyone who's had to work on a group project. Rather than pooling everyone's strengths, group efforts often falter due to individual weaknesses. Rob Lion, Ph.D. of Training & Performance Improvement, professor at Idaho State University and co-founder of Black River Performance Management joins Liana to discuss how we can improve group dynamics and our contributions to it.
Boundaries are limits you set for the kind of behaviour you will accept from others and what others will accept from your behaviours. In theory. But the fact is that many of us were raised with poor boundaries or none at all, which impacts how we are treated and how we treat others - and never in a good way. Liana takes us through the Top 10 Boundary-Busting Behaviours and how we can course-correct for better outcomes in life
I'm Sorry, That's Not an Apology. (Neither was that sentence.)
Ever wonder why an apology doesn't deliver the results you thought it would? Even when you're sincere, sometimes an apology misses the mark and Liana presents the Top 10 Reasons that happens - and the steps you can take to get better results!
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We've probably all heard the saying "Life is not about how many times you fall down - it's about how many times you get back up." Sure, sounds good. But how do we get back up? Resilience is an essential life skill we can learn and Liana is joined by Angie Lion, Chief Soul Officer of Black River Performance Management (blackriverpm.com) to talk about how to do just that!
"If you’re anything like me, you’re tired of folding yourself into a neat little box with clean descriptors that make linear sense. Women’s lives and experiences just aren’t like that. The messiness of our lives is a main ingredient in the mysticism that is womanhood." Author & women's mentor and coach Megan Dalla-Camina https://womenrisingco.com/ returns to talk to Liana about her new book "Women Rising." Lots to listen to for both women and men.
As people have pointed out, the word 'diet' begins with 'die' - society's unhealthy focus on a person's weight has killed the self-esteem of too many men and women - too often with fatal results. The 'diet culture' messaging that bombards us is based in outdated attitudes, racial biases, perceptions of wealth and commerce. Liana talks about the problem and solutions with Carolyn Karoll, a licensed therapist, author and authority on eating disorders and body image.
When many people lean on you for emotional support, who do you lean on? This is a question that caregivers and members of the clergy wrestle with every day. US Army Lt. Colonel Rebecca D'Angelo, speaks to Liana about how military clergy face the challenge, with information that caregivers can model in their own lives.
There is a loneliness epidemic uniquely affecting men.
Why do men have fewer friends than women - and how does that affect their relationships, self-worth and potential for success? Also... why do men have fewer friends than women?? Liana talks to game designer James "Grim" Desborough of Postmortem Studios (post-mort.com) as they explore answers for these difficult questions.
Canada's first female mayor, Dr. Charlotte Witten, said “Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.” With respect to Dr. Witten - yes, it really is. Dated perspectives often punish women for the very thoughts and behaviours men are celebrated for. But this isn't a man vs woman issue as award-winning expert in women's leadership and former corporate CEO Megan Della-Camina takes us through the facts as contained in her forthcoming book, Women Rising: The Forces That Hold Us Back and The Tools To Help Us Rise
It's the 100th episode! Liana uses her Top 10 Sayings to share what she has learned from her discussions with expert guests about mental health recovery, the strengths & weaknesses of mental health systems and treatments and the essential role of peer counseling.
The media feeding frenzy and intra-party backstabbing that forced US President Joe Biden to withdraw his candidacy for the 2024 Presidential Election wasn't just politics - it was a profound example of our society's long-standing prejudice against older people. Award-winning U.S. author and psychiatrist Dr. Ravi Chandra https://ravichandramd.com/ joins Liana to uncover just how deeply ageism affects us all... and what we can do to course correct.
It's just a fact that all of us harbour some kind of prejudice. It doesn't need to be based on things like religion or ethnicity, it may be as small as attitudes toward movie genres or sports teams, but it's a part of the human condition. Where does it come from? Liana takes a journey through how to recognize prejudice, find its source, and disarm it within ourselves... and how to deal with being on the receiving end of it from others.
We're in an era of political bad crazy, and friendships that have lasted decades are crumbling because of political fights. Why does this happen, and what can you do about it? Liana looks at social identity threats on this episode!
Yoda is well known for saying hate leads to the Dark Side. Though it's an impulse that is human and natural, it never leads anywhere good. Liana, no novice when it comes to being a target of some peoples' enmity, talks about how to handle being hated, what to do when you're the hater, and how to stop hating yourself, in a world where everyone is encouraged to hate as much as possible.
Check out this episode's sponsor, Phases Executive Fitness Studio www.phasesexecfit.com
Ever wished you could have an owner's manual for your brain - a reference you could turn to when facing mental and emotional health issues? That book is You Will Get Through This and Liana talks to the authors, 3 mental health professionals, about their approach to getting a handle on common mental health challenges.
Link to the book by Julie Radico, Nicole Helverson and Charity O’Reilly: https://theexperimentpublishing.com/catalogs/summer-2024/you-will-get-through-this/
Segment times:
1) 10:49:20
2) 23:49:09
3) 35:42:13
What is 'Therapy-Speak'? People using mental health care terms like 'gaslighting' and 'narcissism' without knowing what they really mean. Too many people use Therapy-Speak to win arguments and marginalize people with their 'diagnoses'. Liana unpacks what the words really mean, what they don't mean, and how to deal with someone using them against you.
Wanting attention for accomplishments, actions, outfits or just for being you is a normal healthy human desire. Everyone needs validation now and then. Narcissism is when wanting attention crosses into needing attention - and that's not good. Liana lays out a list of what separates a healthy appetite for attention from the unhealthy cravings of narcissism.
How we measure success or failure depends on our core values. So what are your core values? That's not the easiest thing to define. Liana is joined by Marianna Lead, founder of Goal Imagery Coaching Academy and author of the book Me, My Brand And Why, to help you name the personal values that guide your life.
What we have here is a failure to communicate
"So, what are you saying?" That's a question people get asked, but also one we should be asking of ourselves. Are we really delivering the message we intend, or has it gone (maybe horribly) awry? Communication errors plague everyone at some point, so Liana takes us through easy ways to get our message across more effectively and avoid misunderstandings.
Introverts Unite! Believe it or not, Liana - Youtuber, podcast host, peer counselor and former TV personality & pin-up model - is an introvert. It is possible for introverts to navigate and succeed in a world built for extroverts and communications expert and NYU educator Nancy Ancowitz, the author of Self-Promotion for Introverts (a Quiet Guide for Getting Ahead) will share strategies on how you can do it. Nancy should know - she's an introvert too.
It's as simple as this - You. Matter. It's not your job, your family, your income - your value is inherent from the day you were born. So why do so many of us struggle with feelings of worthlessness? Psychologist Dr. Julie Radico, author of the forthcoming You Will Get Through This: A Mental Health First-Aid Book, talks to Liana about why we matter and how to break through the relentless messaging that tells you otherwise.
Validation - recognition that our thoughts and efforts have value - is essential for healthy self-esteem. Yet we're exposed to so much messaging that is invalidating, it's hard to fight it...but you can do it. One of the groups facing greatest public invalidation is trans people, and Liana speaks to Aquila, a military veteran and bi-racial trans woman, about how she grappled with and overcame a lifetime of racial and gender invalidation. It's a very timely story that is emotional and uplifting.
The rising tide of homophobia and transphobia has made 2SLGBTQ+ people targets of surging intolerance, and nobody knows that better than Fae Johnstone. Fae is a trans woman and advocate whose face appeared on a Hershey chocolate bar celebrating International Women's Day which brought her waves of hate and derision. Why do some people fear trans men and women, and what's it like being the focus of such public abuse? Liana talks to Fae about her experiences and perspectives, some of which may surprise you. Sign up or get information at https://www.momentumcanada.net/
We all do. Our buttons get pushed, our emotions take over. But our attempts to defend ourselves often lead to offending others. And do we really need to defend ourselves? Liana walks us through the pitfalls that add fuel to an argument and some tools to use to get better results.
There was an issue with the upload the first time around!
Description:
According to psychotherapist and author Dr. Avrum Weiss, there's one relationship men have in common that controls their relationship with women - and most don't even know it. Liana talks with Dr. Weiss, author of Hidden in Plain Sight: How Men's Fears of Women Shape Their Intimate Relationships about exactly that.
According to psychotherapist and author Dr. Avrum Weiss, there's one relationship men have in common that controls their relationship with women - and most don't even know it. Liana talks with Dr. Weiss, author of Hidden in Plain Sight: How Men's Fears of Women Shape Their Intimate Relationships about exactly that.
According to some experts, we're living in the age of narcissism. It's even been called an "epidemic". So...what is narcissism, really? How do you spot it, deal with a narcissist or find out if you are one? Jeremy Sherman, Ph.D., a self-described 'Jerkologist' and author of the book What's Up with Aholes?: How to spot them and stop without becoming one talks to Liana about...well...his book title says it all.
They're Shaping Your Brain! But it's not as terrifying as it sounds! Liana talks with Branding expert Matt Johnson, author of Blindsight: The (Mostly) Hidden Ways Marketing Reshapes Our Brains, about how your brain's mental shorthand guides you to make decisions you aren't aware you're making - and how companies use this to influence our thinking.
We live in an identity obsessed age and a lot of us are exhausted by it. However, how we define ourselves determines our self worth, self esteem, and awareness of others. But putting together our self-concept isn't like following assembly instructions from IKEA. Liana dives deep into her own difficult, heart-breaking experiences to show how the good, the bad and the ugly helped her find out who she is.
Connections - In our digital world, opportunities for human connections are growing scarce - especially if you're shy, anxious, uncomfortable in crowds or socially awkward. Yet those human connections are what keep us feeling...human. Liana talks to Bobby Calloway, an actor/writer/filmmaker and content creator for Better With Bob? on YouTube, on how he forges these connections despite his quiet nature, autism and social anxiety.
Massive content warning. Listener discretion advised.
In the interests of disclosure, I'm putting up the entire, unedited interview Poppy and Zena did. It runs almost an hour long and contains additional details from the radio version of the show. This is the raw file, so there have been no audio level corrections or other adjustments. Because of the harassment that Poppy, Zena and Saige have received, I thought it was important to allow people to hear everything in their own words.
LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED.
The Perfect Storm: dishonesty, violating consent, borderline personality disorder, gender issues and complex sexual politics - therapist "Poppy" and her partner Zena navigated all this together over one Christmas break. Liana hears their story, which is heartbreaking and, ultimately, uplifting.
Note: the complete, unedited interview with Poppy and Zena has been posted as a bonus episode, out of respect for the right of trauma survivors to be fully heard.
When applied to old dark houses or Scooby-Doo villains, we know what the word 'creepy' means. But what does it mean when it's weaponized against men and women? It can lead to ostracism, fear and worse. Liana talks to It's Not Therapy community facilitator Jake about how & why 'creepy' is perceived, why it's become so powerful a word and how to handle it when you get labeled.
Do people blow up when you set boundaries? Boundaries are emotional 'guard rails' that have the ability to make us feel secure, happier and more fulfilled. Liana uses her personal experiences to illustrate how to establish better boundaries and why they are essential four our mental wellbeing... even when people react terribly to them.
Within today's political battles and social media landscape, it seems that lying is on the rise. And not even good lies, but obvious ones! Liana delves into the different motivations for lying (they're not all bad), how to confront possible liars and how to handle it when you've been caught lying! Also - Jedis!
Racism and bigotry are making a comeback - or at least, they're speaking much louder. We know that millions of Canadians face overt prejudice every day, but do we know what that feels like? Liana talks to award-winning Canadian-Chinese author Derwin Mak about the overt and subtle anti-Asian ignorance he's faced for decades and how he deals with it. Plus, how not to hate...Hate.
'We're in this together' - Mental illness affects not just the individual, but their friends, loved ones and especially their partner. Dr. David T. Culkin, co-author (with his wife Michaela) of OCD and Marriage, has had obsessive-compulsive disorder throughout his ongoing 28 year marriage. Liana talks to David about the need for honesty, respect and compromise in a partnership with someone with mental health challenges.
Really, you're not! But you are facing a difficult life challenge that has you feeling overwhelmed. Liana talks to psychotherapist Jennifer Gerlach, author of the Psychosis & Mental Health Recovery Workbook, about how to overcome your overwhelm and live a better life.
Mistakes are inevitable, but they don't have to be insurmountable. Liana shares personal stories of her own mistakes, how & why she compounded some and learned to turn mistakes into something positive.
Hear how childhood trauma, parents, friends and our work & home environments can influence what mistakes we make and how we process them - and how to turn those mistakes into fuel for positive growth.
A special extended version of this episode with extra information
Over the holidays we're encouraged to be grateful for what we have, and sometimes, that's not a request, it's a demand. While feeling sincerely grateful is good for mental health, no one ever feels gratitude by force. Liana goes through where the lines are, and why gratitude can become resentment when it's not freely given.
Sometimes life isn't fair. So what do we do? Liana takes listeners through the science of how the brain responds to unfairness, and how to deal with it like a hero instead of a villain!
Prejudice and bigotry are common human failings, even among those who have experienced both. Liana talks to Gila Münster, a Toronto drag performer and charity fundraiser, about how antisemitism in the LGBTQ+ community motivated her to develop a greater sense of self and desire to help others.
INT ep 69 - Mental Health Maintenance with Howie Mandel
Howie Mandel, the star of TV's America's Got Talent and Canada's Got Talent has been open about his mental health challenges. Liana talks to Howie about normalizing caring for our mental health in the same way we care for our dental health. Plus, Liana goes in-depth on her Top 10 Rules for checking in with your best self.
Shame. It's something that touches, and damages, us all. Liana shares her raw, honest, personal battle with shame and its childhood origins and talks to Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers, PhD, author, licensed marriage and family therapist and certified sex therapist about how to overcome shame that stunts our self-worth, infects our relationships and hurts our intimate and sexual connections.
Processing negative emotions is a learned skill... that a lot of people don't learn!
Liana talks to psychology researcher Richard Contrada, Ph.D. of Rutgers University about how to channel being sad, angry, disappointed, ashamed or dejected into tools for positive change.
Vincent Van Gogh created many of his greatest masterpieces while in a psychiatric hospital. Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson wrote classic hits while dealing with mental illness. The list goes on. Some believe that the creative impulse and mental health challenges often go hand in hand. In this episode Liana talks with James 'Grim' Desborough (https://post-mort.com/), UK tabletop game writer and artist, about how he manages the relationship between his depression and his creative work.
The first thing to understand about Autism - there is no one-size-fits-all way to understand Autism. It's called a 'spectrum' for a reason. Though those on the spectrum are all different, Liana and her guest Ingrid, who has Autism, offer some primers to help you understand your neurodivergent friends, family and colleagues.
"What if I F up?" It's a fear that stops conversations before they start. Beginning a conversation can stir up multiple "What if?" anxieties - but relax! Breaking the ice is easier than you think! Liana and Kevin Bennet, PhD, professor of social-personality psychology, talk about how you can overcome the pre-conversation jitters.
"So what?" Those two words have the power to free us from the anxiety, fear and dread which keep our lives stuck in a bad place. Author and psychotherapist Richard Joelson joins Liana to relate how he helps his clients cope with and overcome obstacles and live happy, fulfilling lives.
Performance psychologists coach elite athletes to win championships by working as a team. Alex Auerbach, performance psychologist for the Toronto Raptors, joins Liana to talk about how he approaches high level well being, resilience, and teamwork in a highly competitive environment! Plus: why Liana utterly hated group work in school.
If your understanding of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) comes through how it's presented in the media, then you don't really understand OCD. Liana talks with Sophia Florence, a comedian with OCD, about how it impacts her daily life and the strategies she's developed to deal with it.
A leopard can't change its spots - but can we? Are our personalities anchored in our past or can they evolve..and if so, what factors will contribute to the evolution? Liana talks to Glenn Geher, Ph.D., a professor of psychology and director of the Evolutionary Studies program at the State University of New York at New Paltz, about the influences that affect our personality development and the pros and cons of 'personality tests'.
Religion can deepen our understanding of the human condition and of ourselves - except when it dissuades the critical thinking and education required to achieve it. Liana speaks to Rabbi Michael Harvey (www.rabbimichaelharvey.com) about how blind religious faith can lead to misconceptions that prove harmful to ourselves and others.
The series on why smart people do stupid things continues! Ever feel like a phony? That you're not nearly as good as people think you are - and any day now, you're going to be exposed? If so, you're not alone - Imposter Syndrome can get to anyone. Liana talks to impostor syndrome expert Dr. Wendy Boring-Bray (https://wendyboringbray.com/) about how we can break free of this mental trap.
We all have to fake it until we make it sometimes, but the things we pretend to be to cover up our insecurities can get out of control. Men's issues expert Jeff Perera of HigherUnlearning.com joins Liana to talk about why some men's egos control their lives, with sometimes disastrous results.
Why do smart people do dumb things? Often it's because faulty thoughts reinforced by our internal dialogues lead us to make faulty decisions. Liana talks with award-winning psychologist and author Dr. Jeff Nevid about how taking charge of our inner voice leads to clearer thinking and better results.
Guns in America is a hotly debated topic, often generating more heat than light. Liana is joined by Aquila, a 3-tour US army veteran who explains the different types of US gun owners, the real facts behind American gun deaths and offers, as a gun owner, a perspective on the role of guns in American society that is rarely accorded serious consideration in the media.
Excuses. We've all made them. But when they become a pattern, they cause more problems than they solve. Liana talks to business coach Denise Lee, a survivor of incest and substance abuse, about how she faced facts and took back control over her life.
Denise's website is https://deniseglee.com/
Achievements should bring us satisfaction and confidence, but in our 24/7 culture, the drive to succeed can become like an addiction that requires constant and ever-bigger hits. Award-winning educator Jason Bradshaw returns to talk to Liana about toxic attitudes about 'success' and how to get off the hamster wheel.
Conflict happens for a reason. Disputes are inevitable and most people don't like them. But conflicts give us the opportunity to clear the air, resolve misunderstandings and grow closer. Liana and her panel of "Bubbleheads" offer personal examples of when conflict helped them learn, grow and live a happier life.
The Bubbleheads are back and it's hilarious chaos! Aquila, Jake and Merryjest are back, and what starts as a discussion about family histories and conflict becomes a discussion about gender transition, coming out, getting outed, and... canoes.
Get Healthy Conflict workshop tickets here: https://its-not-therapy.ticketleap.com/healthy-conflict-workshop/
What's 'Normal'? Who cares? F*ck 'Normal'! Liana talks with Sherry Garner, an actress, playwright and single mom of two daughters (one of whom has Down Syndrome) She also has bipolar disorder! Listen to Sherry revel in her unconventional life through her upcoming autobiographical stage play, "I Am Enough"!
Get tickets for Sherry's show here: https://www.thewestdale.ca/event/i-am-enough/
Forget Freud and Jung - think Superman and The Hulk! South Park and That 70s Show screenwriter-turned-therapist and author Phil Stark and Liana discuss how pop culture symbols can help us better understand and overcome our mental health challenges.
With so many negative messages swirling around us, building a healthy sense of self-worth can seem a daunting challenge. Liana takes us on her own personal journey to achieving her positive sense of self and offers life lessons and guidance to help you realize your own inherent value.
What is borderline personality disorder and what is it like to live with it? A doctor who treats the condition and a person who has it join Liana in a candid, humanizing discussion about this serious mental health concern.
Teen mental health is a subject near and dear to Liana's heart. She shares what she learned starting as a peer counsellor as a teenager. Guest Dr. Betsy Holmberg https://betsyholmberg.com/ talks directly to teens about how their brains work, and we do a dive into the data showing the kids are not alright.
Okay there isn't just one system, but the various systems are broken. What's wrong? (Like you need to be told) and the beginnings of what to do about it, with speaker, advocate, and author of "So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience", Mark Henick!
Nicer terms for disabled people don't help much while the world is still disabling our ability to contribute. Liana shares some of her own story, a comment from a listener, and chats with Forbes Advisor Canada lead editor Aaron Broverman (@Broverman) about disability issues.
If I knew then what I know now. Inspired by the movie Creed III, Liana talks about some of the things she wishes she'd been told when she was in trauma therapy. Guest Dr. Robert T. Muller PhD and author of Trauma and the Struggle to Open Up joins to talk about his work with https://traumapractice.org/
The bubbleheads continue to talk about self-talk, focusing on alternatives to the process of "thought stopping"... which really doesn't work for a lot of people.
Do you beat yourself up over perceived failures, mistakes or shortcomings? Rhetorical question - we all do it or have done it at some point in our lives. Liana and the Bubbleheads -- MoiMoi, Jake, Aquila and Merryjest -- share their stories and what they do to fight that nasty inner voice.
Join the It's Not Therapy mailing list for announcements and free stuff... and check out our workshops! https://www.nottherapyshow.com/
This episode, Liana is joined by the Bubbleheads - the moderators of group chat "bubbles" in the It's Not Therapy community. Jake, Aquila, Moi Moi and Merryjest join Liana to discuss why we beat ourselves up, and what to do about it!
Liana talks about losing her pet dog. Guest Trauma Psychologist Amanda Ann Gregory joins Liana to discuss dealing with grief and how our culture sucks at it.
Failure and losing suck. But they're parts of life. So how do we make losing suck less? Sociologist and author Anthony Synnott joins Liana to talk about why he wrote about the different ways people handle losing.
Congratulations! You screwed up! Now what? Well, there are right and wrong ways to make mistakes and recover from them and Liana has tips for how to do that! Psychologist John Amodeo (JohnAmodeo.com) joins Liana to discuss how to better handle making mistakes, and stories from regular people give examples of how you can make mistakes easier!
A special extended version of this discussion!
Your inner-coach or your inner-critic - who gets the last word? In this episode, Liana talks about how to silence your inner-critic and bolster your inner-coach to overcome challenges and get out of your own way... with many many references to the video game Elden Ring.
Self-care - it's a trendy term, but what does it mean? And does it have to be so mushy? Legendary TV broadcaster and mental health advocate Michael Landsberg, founder of the Sick Not Weak mental health support service, joins Liana to talk about how we see ourselves, how we treat ourselves and how to achieve a happier, more fulfilling life.
Ignoring negatives isn't being positive! Sometimes, it's important to 'sweat the small stuff' before it grows to epic proportions. Liana talks to author, counselor and mental health educator Dale Curd (DaleCurd.com) about disarming big problems while they are still small.
What's 400% more powerful than your IQ? Your EQ - emotional intelligence. What is it and how can it motivate you to make life changes? Liana talks to Phil Johnson, executive coach and educator, about how to harness your EQ to achieve greater personal and professional goals. But first, a question from a listener, answered as only Liana can!
New Year's resolutions. Did you make any? Have you broken them yet? Liana talks about why we so often fail to make positive changes in our lives and offers the realistic methods she uses to achieve growth with a minimum of pain!
Christmas! A season full of joy, fellowship and giving! For some. For others, it delivers resentment, anger and shame. But all is not lost! On this It's Not Therapy, Liana offers some practical, hands-on steps that will help you reclaim the joy of the season! Plus: what is the bathroom dance? Listen to find out!
The worst moment in your life can be your superhero origin story! Stewart Reynolds was at the end of his financial and emotional rope. His business had failed. His house was about to be repossessed. But the internet sensation known as @Brittlestar found his second wind and rose from the ashes to build a hugely successful international brand. Liana talks with Stewart about how to bounce back from major life disappointments.
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! But..is it? Along with seasonal joy, the holidays also bring pressure, stress and anxiety! But it doesn't have to be quite so awful! Liana talks with Russell Clayton, PhD, about strategies to reduce holiday stress!
Dating. Does that word fill you with dread? Navigating the dating world can be a chore, and men and women face different issues. (and non binary people tend to get left out of the discussion completely!) On this It's Not Therapy, Liana talks with dating coach Blaine Anderson @datingbyblaine about the biggest dating mistakes and how to avoid them!
No one likes rejection, but it's a part of life. Learn why rejection hurts so much, and how to handle it better, with someone who knows rejection well: an actor. Star of Kim's Convenience and The Mandalorian, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee! A special extended edition of the interview for the podcast edition!
Do you say "yes" when you want to say "no"? Do you apologize for things that aren't your fault? Do you change your behaviour based on who you're with? Of course we all do this at times. Sometimes it's healthy, other times...not. On this It's Not Therapy, Liana talks with clinical psychologist Dr. Diana Hill about how to be a people pleaser without losing yourself.
What is the relationship between physical disability, chronic illness and mental health? It may not be what you think, and your efforts at 'support' may be doing more harm than good. On this It's Not Therapy Liana talks to Naomi, a young woman whose journey to and through open heart surgery showed her what type of mental health supports the physically disabled need - and what kind they don't.
Find Naomi's podcast here: https://rss.com/podcasts/lightoflife101/463589/
It's impossible to avoid hearing about the dreaded "Cancel Culture", and a lot of people are legitimately afraid that they can lose their job or friends over a small mistake. But Cancel Culture has been around by other names for as long as there has been culture, and there are things you can do to survive a cancellation. A must-listen for anyone who spends a lot of time online!
Got a question, email liana (at) nottherapyshow.com.
Anxiety. It affects millions of people every day. And it shapes our thoughts, making everyday life a scary challenge. On this episode of It's Not Therapy, Liana talks with Dr. Bob Taibbi about how to retrain your brain to change the way you look at life, including life on social media.
Do you need a reason to slow down, block out the world, and just be? Listen to this show! Guest Dr. Gina Simmons Schneider joins to help us tame the chaos!
Projection - seeing things you can't stand in yourself in other people - is something we all do, and something none of us likes! How to recognize it, how to spot it, and how to counter it! With guest relationship expert Dr. Steven Stosny.
Psychologist Loren Soeiro joins Liana to discuss Toxic Positivity – a delusional upbeat attitude born from the inability to face the bad stuff in life. You might think it’s good, but it drives everyone around you crazy! How toxic positivity differs from true positivity, how to spot it, and how to avoid it!
Shame. More and more experts recognize that this corrosive emotion contributes to depression, anxiety and other conditions that make life harder than it needs to be. On this episode of It's Not Therapy, Liana helps you identify your feelings of shame and how to put a stop to it.
We tend to hear the phrase "don't judge". But we have judgment for a reason! When therapy is good, it can provide solid support for increased mental health. When it isn't good it can do real damage. On this episode of It's Not Therapy, Liana helps a listener overcome a bad therapy experience and the knock to self-worth that came with it using tools you too can use to triumph over criticism.
Empathy - we know we need it...but do we know what it is? On this episode of It's Not Therapy Liana shines a light on what empathy is (and isn't), why it's important and how we can improve our own using lessons learned from The Hulk. Plus, award-winning teacher Jason Bradshaw joins Liana to talk about the escalating conflict between parents and teachers - and what can be done to repair the relationship.
Send questions to liana(at)nottherapyshow(dot)com
Tired of being manipulated? Always find yourself attracting the wrong people? You're not alone - On this episode of It's Not Therapy Liana Kerzner gives you the tools to get yourself off the manipulation treadmill by identifying your core values, then leaning into them to make good changes. Submit questions to liana(at)notherapyshow(dot)com
Do you need permission to be happy? Yes you do - but only you can grant it. On this episode of It's Not Therapy, Liana Kerzner looks at how we hold ourselves back from being happy, brave, confident, relaxed - from living a full life. The 'Ancient Millennial' @TAMillennial Lisa Nicole joins Liana to talk about methods to overcome our self-limitations, and have fun doing it with her Permission Deck! https://theancientmillennial.square.site/permission-deck
While recovering from COVID, Liana looks at how difficult it is to “be reasonable” when so many things around us are not. People reason in different ways, and some of those ways aren’t compatible with each other! Psychologist Dr. Mike Brooks joins for the interview, and gives his suggestions on how to stay outwardly reasonable when the world is making you lose your cool.
Got questions for a future episode? Send them via twitter or instagram @nottherapyshow or via email liana(at)nottherapyshow(dot)com
Liana shares takes questions on how to survive different kinds of toxic work environments, and psychologist Dr. Paul White, an expert on the subject, joins for the interview.
Got a question? Email liana(at)nottherapyshow(dot)com, or follow on twitter and instagram @nottherapyshow
Things that exist just to make us happy get dismissed as "wastes of time" or even demonized as bad for our morals. But they're actually essential for a fulfilling life. Liana calls it "happy math".
Plus! Alex Macris @archon of Autarch Publishing @_Autarch_ joins Liana to talk about life skills learned from Tabletop Role Playing Games, and promotes his kickstarter campaign for BY THIS AXE: A Cyclopedia of Dwarven Civilization.
“Be a Man!” How many times have boys & men heard this? What does it mean? And how does it affect mental health? Liana talks to executive leadership coach Dale Curd about the messaging men receive, the emotional issues that result - and some steps to overcoming them.
Got a question for a future show?
Twitter and Instagram: @NotTherapyShow
Voicemail: 289-275-9600
Email liana (at) NotTherapyShow(dot)com
Are you exhausted from all the fighting? In the wake of the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, discussions have gotten challenging. Liana takes multiple questions about how to survive this social landscape, where everyone seems extremely upset about something. Hopefully these tips help you discuss other difficult things in future too!
Sauga960AM's Urban Zoo hosts Bill McBain and Dr. Tiffany Rennick join Liana for an extended interview about the benefits of having furry friends. Liana takes a question about sex in media from a listener... which has nothing to do with animals. Don't go there.
How to apologize effectively, what it means to truly forgive, and how to do it! (TL;DR it’s totally counterintuitive) With help from Doom Patrol, Frozen, Don Henley and guest interview Arlene Roze (@reclaiming_self on Instagram)! Got a question, follow on Twitter or Instagram @NotTherapyShow
How to set, re-set and enforce your own boundaries, and how to respect other people's! Liana takes listener questions and gets a little help explaining boundaries from The Lord of The Rings!
Overwhelm is everywhere now! What can you do, right now, to prevent and reduce it? Return guest Arlene Roze (@reclaiming_self) joins Liana to talk about self discovery through the arts, and a caller seeks solutions for writer’s block! Learn about how different people process their emotions through Liana's own 5 part system! Got a question? Send to liana (at) nottherapyshow (dot) com
Award-winning Peel region teacher Jason Bradshaw talks historic rates of teacher burnout, and Tania Kolar, host of The Mindset Mentor, talks about how she handled her experience with breast cancer. Plus, how Rocky and Star Wars can help you heal from betrayal!
Positivity is a learned skill! Find out how to feel happier TODAY! Guest Adam Hodgins of GoFigure toy restoration joins to talk staying positive!
How to reclaim the sense that you are in control of your own life! Guest Arlene Roze talks about the fundamentals of self-ownership, and questions from listeners tackle the painful process of recovering from bullying and finding friends in marginalized groups! Got a question? Send them to liana (at) nottherapyshow (dot) com, or @nottherapyshow on twitter or instagram!
Family stress! Dating stress! Student stress! Let's talk about stress!
Guest Jason Bradshaw, award winning Peel region teacher, joins Liana for the interview!