A Conversation with the Reluctant Therapist

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The Reluctant Therapist, Elizabeth Barrett, leads a conversation about the state of our collective mental health and the ways in which our helping professions are either aiding or getting in the way of our cultural well-being. With so many social services

Elizabeth Barrett


    • Jun 24, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 58m AVG DURATION
    • 152 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from A Conversation with the Reluctant Therapist

    Devin Wallace On The Healing Power Of Music

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2025 58:49


    Artist, songwriter, educator Devin Wallace on the spiritual, uplifting, supportive and community building power of music. When we use our voices together - energy builds. What songs lift you?

    Best Of: Loneliness Prevention is the Key to Mental Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2025 59:00


    With Lynn Lyons about her 30 plus years of private practice specializing in treating anxiety disorders in adults and children. Tuesday from 2-3pm on KCBX

    Creating a Space for Kids to Thrive

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2025 58:49


    Preparing our youth for the future that is feeling bleak and daunting. What skills will they need to meet the uncertainty of their future and create wonder and curiosity in the world. Guests Georgia Wojtowicz, Vivian Devaney-Frice share their experiences.

    Young Activists Step Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 59:19


    Tune in for a conversation with organizer, esteemed activist and High School Student Cesar Vasquez about his inspirations for making great change and addressing the inequities he's witnessed and experienced through out his life.

    Best of with Icon Lyn Slater

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 61:39


    Dr. Lyn Slater about her memoir, How to Be Old: Lessons in Living Boldly from the Accidental Icon. She started the Accidental Icon in 2014 and grew to a loyal fan base of almost a million followers.

    The Doula Way

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 58:50


    A conversation about the use of Doula's with Summer Silveira, who shares her training, insights and personal experiences with the modern state of labor and delivery.

    Community Wellness

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 59:48


    A conversation about community and mental health. What does it mean to find wellness in the presence of others? Guest Cate Armstrong shares her experiences in creating music and new connections.

    To Celebrate Mothering

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 58:03


    A conversation about the unintended implications of the yearly day to honor Mothers. Let's consider sharing the work and expanding the role of mothering to all human beings.Listen Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX

    Are You Anxious?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 59:17


    A conversation about how anxiety shows up in relationships and other interesting places.Be part of the conversation live Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX.

    Protecting What We Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 59:11


    On Earth Day's 55th Anniversary, advocating for the rights of our planet and all non-humans. Ara Castello on creating her connection to the living world.

    Is it Clutter? A Collection? Or a Mental Health Crisis?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 58:56


    When collecting becomes a problem and the importance of cleaning up those things - and relationships that are no longer supporting our mental health.Tuesday at 2 on KCBX

    Protecting Your Wellness

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 59:01


    A conversation about self-care, action and maintaining a vision for a thriving future Which generation will carry the torch forward?Listen Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX

    Resolving conflicts to better mental health

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 58:49


    Conflict management in improving mental health, relationships and well-being. Building trust, listen effectively, and managing emotions is key to a better life.

    Best of: Is Birthing Instinctual or a Medical Emergency?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 60:43


    With Dr. Stu Fischbein about the current state of the birthing business, his over 36 years of experience as a OB - GYN , and the midwife supported and home birthing model of delivery. Hear this best of conversation Tuesday from 2-3pm on KCBX

    Addressing Nature Deficit Disorder with Richard Louv

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 64:14


    A conversation with Richard Louv - author of ten books and co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Children & Nature Network.Listen Tuesdays at 2 on KCBX

    To Parent or Not to Parent

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 59:00


    Tune in for a conversation about the joys and challenges of parenting. Why are so many Gen Z and Millennials opting out of parenthood? Tuesdays at 2 on KCBX

    Dressing for Success - and Mental Wellness

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 59:06


    A conversation with the Mother-Daughter team behind women's clothing store - Apropos - on what we wear and our mental health and well-being. Tuesday from 2-3pm on KCBX

    Connecting and Re-connecting for Mental Wellness

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 58:51


    Singer-songwriter, father, grandfather, barista, heart-centered troubadour, Chris Beland about his amazing life, loves and musical adventures.Tuesday from 2-3pm on KCBX

    Two Things Can be True at Once

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 59:51


    Tune if for a conversation with Devrie Brynn Donalson about her two worlds - successful storyteller, performer, social media fast-talker, author - and - the often struggling, frustrated and lovelorn single women in a challenging world. Air date: 2-18-25

    How Are You Tending Your Love?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 58:50


    Tune in for a conversation about one of the most vital nutrients in our human experience: Love. As important as air, water and chocolate—love is essential to our mental health and well-being. Air date 2-11-25

    An Inspired Life - In an Uninspiring Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 58:45


    Author, story coach and entrepreneur Lauren Marie Fleming about her craft, her book Because Fat Girl, her School for Writers, and interactive workshops.

    End of Life Challenges and Triumphs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 58:54


    A conversation with retired Attorney and elder care expert, Linda Beck about the greatest challenges of aging and the unexpected pleasures found in preparing for the end of life.

    Facing our Climate Fears

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 59:27


    Portland-Based Psychologist Thomas Doherty discusses some hopeful and helpful insights on addressing our own climate fears and anxiety.2-3pm Tuesday on KCBX

    A Prescription for our Mental Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 59:07


    When the world is on fire - and everything feels out-of-control around us - how do we find our own center, our refuge, our home? Tune in for a conversation about coping, adapting, resilience and joy - and how many things can be true at the same time.

    The Poetic Life of Caleb Nichols

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 59:11


    San Luis Obispo County Poet Laureate, Caleb Nichols about their most excellent adventures, inspirations and what helps to define a creatively diverse life.Live this Tuesday from 2-3pm on KCBX

    "Old school" child-rearing with Jill Avery

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 61:24


    Elizabeth talks with Jill Avery on the benefits of some "old school" child-rearing in preparing our 21st century children to meet the challenges of our complex culture.

    Living Your Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 59:10


    Tune in for a conversation with Brea Burkard, Yoga teacher, Massage therapist, and more, talking about taking the big leaps in life, many of which most people only dream.

    Aging Gracefully

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 58:26


    Medical and geriatric social worker, Dr. Sara Bartlett on the challenges of aging, facing death and helping families to navigate the complex relationships in elder care.

    The Motherhood Dilemma

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 58:29


    Tune in for a conversation about the ever-changing world of birth, family and motherhood with Jennifer Stover, retired birth educator, doula, La Leche leader and MaMa mentor.

    Flag Ranch - Sanctuary for heart and horses

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 58:38


    A talk with Kimberly Carlisle, co-founder of Flag Ranch, about at-risk horses in need of sanctuary and people who come searching for their own in the connection with them.

    Best of: Let's be the Next Wave

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 59:00


    Tune in for a historical conversation about the suffragist movement and a reminder that no matter challenging the world seems, the waves of change keep rolling in!Listen from 2-3pm on KCBX or on demand.

    Big Day Jitters

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 58:52


    Tune if for a conversation with Dr. Carrie Langner about election day concerns, some history about political violence and how we continue to persevere.Live Tuesday 2-3pm

    Accepting the Family Rift

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 57:15


    About the inevitability of family discord. With a focus on love its possible to create a family culture where dissonance and harmony can co-exist.Tuesday at 2pm on KCBX

    What do we owe the next Generation?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 57:47


    Tune in for a conversation about the roles and expectations of the elders in society. After years of tending to families, the community and economy - what else do Seniors owe, if anything, to the younger generations?Join us live Tuesday from 2-3pm on KCBX and be part of the conversation.

    Peak Experiences and Personal Transformation

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2024 58:25


    Peak Experiences - moments when we experience a unitive connectedness to the universe. These moments can not only be life changing - but they may even be life saving.

    Taking a New Approach to Bullying in Schools

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 59:22


    Cal Poly Psychology/Child Development Professors Carrie Langner and Linda Lee about reducing school bullying with a drama-based curriculum.

    A Conversation with Stephanie Coontz

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 57:59


    A conversation with Stephanie Coontz - author of Marriage, A History: How Love Conquered Marriage, which was cited in the US Supreme Court decision on marriage equality.

    Religion in the 21st Century - with Professor Stephen Lloyd-Moffett

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 60:58


    Cal Poly Religious Studies Chair, Dr. Stephen Lloyd-Moffett on religion and how younger generations are exploring and defining their own spiritual experiences.

    Loneliness Prevention is the Key to Mental Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 59:16


    A conversation with Psychotherapist, and author Lynn Lyons. Her book, The Anxiety Audit, looks at different ways that anxiety and worry weave their ways into our family,

    Best Of: Divorce is not Inevitable - it is a Choice

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 59:11


    Michele Weiner-Davis, LCSW, author and relationship expert bringing couples back from the brink of divorce through her effectively powerful Divorce Busting program.

    divorce inevitable lcsw michele weiner davis divorce busting
    The Transformative & Inevitable Power of Grief

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 55:29


    A "best of" conversation with certified grief counselor Claire Aargaard concerning the universal experience of pain and loss following the death of a loved one.

    Open-up and Talk about it

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 57:00


    Tune in for a conversation about how to find the courage to speak the truth, to share difficult emotions and to hear challenging feelings. Listen Tuesday from 1-2.

    Brain Health in an Unhealthy Society

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2024 58:11


    Tune in for a "best of" conversation with Dr. Daniel George and Dr. Peter Whitehouse about their findings concerning the truth and myths about dementia, Alzheimer's and cognitive decline in their groundbreaking book: American Dementia: Brain Health in an Unhealthy Society. A must- listen- to show for everyone with aging loved one's and questions about our own aging process.Join us for the conversation Tuesday from 1-2 on KCBX

    The Best of: A Conversation with Joel Salatin

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 57:38


    Tune in for a "best of" conversation with the self-identified “Christian, Libertarian, environmentalist, capitalist, lunatic farmer,” Joel Salatin [SAL-uh-“tin”], of Polyface farms in rural Virginia. He chats with Elizabeth Barrett about his family's mission to share their holistic and sustainable farming practices with all like-minded people.Listen Tuesday from 2-3pm on KCBX

    The Talented Mr. Nichols - A man of many Hats

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 58:47


    Tune is for a "best-of" conversation with singer, songwriter, musician, poet, author, PhD candidate and librarian, yes - librarian, Caleb Nichols, about the joys and challenges of a life in the arts and candid insights about his life-long dance with panic and anxiety.Hear the discussion Tuesday from 2-3pm on KCBX 90.1 or On Demand at KCBX.org

    Preparing for the Empty Nest

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 57:36


    Tune in for a "best-of" conversation with empowerment coach and young adult specialist Jill Avery, about preparing ourselves and our children for the big move away from home. We also share our top 10 strategies for parents for adapting to new relationship dynamics.Hear this informative discussion Tuesday from 2-3pm on KCBX 90.1 or On Demand at KCBX.org

    The Arts and Mental Wellness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 58:43


    Four years post pandemic shut downs, how the have artists, entertainers, performers and the those who depend on live events sharing their talents today? Tune in for a conversation with PCPA guest choreographer, actor, singer, magician, Rhett Guter about his professional pivots, past losses and current hopes for the future of theater and the performing arts.Join us live with your calls Tuesday from 2-3pm at 805-781-3875 or listen on demand.

    Loss, Transitions and Grief

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 56:41


    Every ending has some level of grief attached to the experience. Tune in for a Conversation about how we can best prepare for, and navigate through, life's inevitable changes, and the challenges that accompany the loss.Listen Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX

    Power - Status - Equality : The Failed Promises to Women

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 58:57


    Tune in for a conversation about the waves of feminism that have sparked quiet revolutions and the tides that have swept many of the gains out to sea.Hear the conversation Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX

    Childbirth in the US

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2024 60:43


    The US ranked 54th in infant and maternal mortality out of 227 measured countries and territories at a predicted rate of 5.12 deaths per 1,000 births. How did one of the most advanced countries in the world fall so far? Tune in for a conversation with Dr. Stu Fischbein, OBGYN - about his 25 + years of tending to births and his move away from traditional hospital births to being a proponent of home births and the work of midwives which he shares through his podcast and Instagram stories, Birthing Instincts.

    A "best of" Backstage at Live Oak with the Shook Twins and John Craigie

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 59:27


    In preparation for Live Oak 2024 tune in for a "best of" conversation with singer/songwriter/storyteller John Craigie, who returns this summer to the Live Oak stage with the Coffis Brothers - and a fun chat with the Shook Twins, Laurie and Katelyn about their life on the road and on the stage.See John Cragie with The Coffis Brothers at Live Oak this year on Sunday night from 7-8:30pm on the main stage

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