Tales From the Office

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As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Addictions Specialist and Substance Abuse Professional for the past 34 years, I have worked with many people who have successfully made changes in their life. Tales from the Office is a show that discusses these changes. For more information, g…

Jeffrey M. Brandler, LMFT, CAS, SAP


    • Feb 5, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 9m AVG DURATION
    • 71 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Tales From the Office

    Episode 71: Name it Claim it Tame it

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2024 9:37


    Have you experienced a painful or traumatic event in your life?  If so you will want to listen to today's Brandler Bits when we address a great strategy to handle this.  If you follow the phrases, Name It, Claim It, Tame it, you can work on healing this pain.

    Episode 70: Hope

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2023 7:36


    Are you feeling a little dark, perhaps a little hopeless, and maybe lacking enthusiasm?Then today's Brandler Bits is the perfect remedy.   Learn  4 strategies to put more hope into your life.  

    Episode 69: More Than Words

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2023 6:43


    On today's episode of Brandler Bits, we are going to discuss the need for authentic communication with ourselves and within our relationships.   Using Ruiz' agreement "Be impeccable with your words", we discuss why our words matter more than they ever did.

    Episode 68: Wasted Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2023 7:01


    On today's Brandler Bits,   we will talk about the Eagles song “wasted time”  and how that applies to relationships. This powerful song about the end of a relationship can teach us many things about healing from breakup and making changes in life.

    Episode 67: Why You Need Boundaries

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2023 6:38


    On today's episode of brandler bits we're going to discuss boundaries—·      what they are ·      why they're important ·      and how to set them 

    Episode 66: Communication Skills for Couples

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2023 12:29


     In 2014, I was a guest on the "Stay Happily Married" podcast.  The topic was communication skills.  Listen as we discuss "I messages" listening, acknowledging and validating, as well as building intimacy.  The communication skills that I referenced then  are still relevant today. 

    Episode 65: Resentment: the " Gift" That You Keep Giving Yourself

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2023 7:02


    On today's episode we cover the topic of resentments.  We are going to define what a resentment is, and then most importantly discuss some tools that you can use to make them better.  

    Episode 64: Our House--Does your relationship house need some help?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2023 6:27


    In this episode of Brandler Bits, we example the "house" of your relationship.  How is the foundation?  How is the first floor?  How about the second floor?  Are there issues?  Do you need some housing upgrades?  Does your house need some renovation?  Listen to find out more.

    Episode 63: Irresolution-when resolutions often fail (Revised edition 2023)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2023 7:20


    This episode of Brandler Bits describes in detail about why new years resolutions do NOT work.  Instead of making a  resolution, think about making a plan for the changes that you want and need in the upcoming year

    Episode 62: Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2022 9:06


     In the year ending edition of Brandler Bits learn about your story. How do you want it to be? Can you write a new chapter or a new book to improve your health?Listen to learn more 

    Episode 61: Sweaty Conversations: Intimacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2022 7:39


     In the latest edition of "Brandler Bits" learn how "sweaty communications" lead to intimate conversations.  In this bit, you will learn 3 ways to improve your intimacy.Thanks for listening! 

    Episode 60: Responding vs. Reacting

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2022 5:41


     In the latest edition of Brandler Bits, learn the difference between a reaction and a response.  Learn the strategies for responding and improving your communication skills with important people in your life. 

    Episode 59: Until

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2021 7:03


     On this end of  the year episode of "Brandler Bits", we learn about how the word "until" is actually a word that prevents change.  Learn how "until" sets up people to fail in their plans for self improvement.  Learn how to make changes in smaller, achievable, measurable and  more do able steps 

    Episode 58: The Daily Racing Form

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2021 4:48


    On this edition of Vintage Brandler Bits, we discuss one of my favorite metaphors "The Daily Racing Form". The Daily Racing form teaches us everything we need to know about how to find a partner by looking at past performances and family history. Picking the right "horse" will take us into the winners circle!

    Episode 57: Make The Best of What's Around

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2021 5:30


    In this "Vintage Brandler Bit" we examine the topic of survivors. We pay careful attention to how survive get through life by "making the best of what's around"

    Episode 56: The 2 Questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2021 6:42


    This Vintage "Brandler Bits" episode covers self improvement. In order to have better self-care, there are 2 questions that you need to ask yourself. Learn what these questions are, and how you can use them to feel better about yourself.

    Episode 55: I Never Thought That I'd Be Sitting Here

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2020 6:01


    In this first "Vintage Brandler Bit" we discuss people's first reactions to starting therapy. Many normal experiences are addressed including anxiety, fear and discomfort. In this episode, I get to share some of my gratitude to being part of the journey towards change.

    Episode 54: Coping with Stress and Depression During the Holidays

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2020 27:53


    This is an edited version of a presentation that I made in 2006 at the Morristown, NJ Depression Bipolar Support Alliance. It addressed many issues about dealing with the Holidays and provides excellent coping strategies to make your holiday season the best it can be.

    Episode 53: I'm Still Standing

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2020 12:08


    This edition of Brandler Bits is our end of the year episode. There is an examination of how we have handled 2020 and this episode gives good directions for how to make changes in the upcoming year. In addition, there are recommendations for attending therapy particularly as Covid continues to spread.

    Relationships During Covid

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2020 6:31


    On this edition of Brandler Bits we discuss how relationships have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many relationships have been strained, others have been broken. Learn how to improve your relationship and make it one that can handle the next phases of covid.

    Our Resilient Year

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2020 8:19


    On this edition of Brandler Bits, listen to how our resilience has carried us through the many obstacles of 2020. Learn about the 4 strategies that will continue to propel us to better coping as we go forward.

    The 2 Planets

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 6:44


    On this edition of Brandler Bits, a contrasting view of 2 "planets"; one that we were used to and one that is new to us. Strategies are addressed in order to help improve our coping.

    The next steps in dealing with covid 19: Challenge, Choice, Change.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2020 8:24


    On this edition of Brandler Bits we address the issues of the next steps in our healing and dealing with the Covid 19 pandemic. Tips and strategies are addressed in order to improve coping during this transition period.

    Exploring Fear and Anxiety

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2020 26:11


    This is a special edition of "Brandler Bits". I was interviewed by the Friends in Recovery Podcast about dealing with fear and anxiety particularly during these difficult times. There are many strategies identified in this interview to help you to feel better.

    Anxiety reduction during the pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2020 24:45


    This is a special edition of "Brandler Bits". This presentation was done for health care workers on May 1, 2020. It addresses the issue of how to deal with anxiety during the pandemic. This episode addresses cognitive, behavioral, and experiential aspects of anxiety, and what strategies can be used for anxiety reduction.

    Anxiety Reduction is as simple as 5,4,3,2,1

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2020 4:48


    In this edition of Brandler Bits, we introduce a quick and easy anxiety reduction technique. It is as simple as taking a few breaths, and identifying sensory experiences--what you see, what you hear, what you smell, what you touch and what you taste. If you are feeling anxious use this technique and you will be much calmer!

    Tips for improving Covid sanity

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2020 6:01


    On this episode of Brandler Bits, tips to improve your coping in this pandemic. These are all very straight forward, do able things that we all can do to improve the quality of our lives.

    Anxiety Reduction Techniques--the 360 Panorama Technique

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2020 8:50


    This edition of Brandler Bits is another anxiety reduction technique. This one requires very little time. To utilize this one, you only need to take some deep breaths and find a calm place. By doing these things, you will learn how to change your anxiety and stress to calm and peace. https://wp.me/p7Ctmg-IE feel free to share this with anyone who you think might benefit from this.

    Using Relaxation to reduce anxiety and fear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2020 17:28


    This episode of Brandler Bits, is an experiential one. You will get to use a progressive relaxation exercise in order to have less anxiety and fear in your life. Find a quiet place, and follow the directions in the exercise. Enjoy!

    High Anxiety

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2020 13:33


    Here are some tools and coping strategies to deal with the all the anxiety and panic going on in the world.

    Self Saboteurs

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2020 6:36


    Do you: Undo your success? Don't allow your self to succeed? Find ways unique to yourself to not get ahead? Continue to be stuck in this pattern over and over again? If you've answered yes to any of these questions, then this Brandler Bits is perfect for you. Learn about self-sabotage, and how to stop this self defeating pattern of behavior.

    Mine Mine Mine

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2020 6:26


    In the latest edition of Brandler Bits, we discuss how the possessive word "my" is symptomatic of self centered behavior. Examples of this selfish behavior are given. In addition recommendations for change are offered.

    Going to Therapy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2020 2:26


    On this episode of Brandler bits, we cover a question that I am frequently asked. "How do you successfully attend therapy"? Recommendations for goals/and therapist factors are addressed

    Irresolution-when resolutions often fail

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2020 7:33


    Happy New Year! In this edition of Brandler Bits we examine the time honored tradition of New Year's Resolutions. We identify why these resolutions do not work and lead to more frustration. We identify the strategies that will make your 2020 a successful year of change.

    Inconvenient Not Tragic

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2019 5:05


    In the latest edition of Brandler Bits, learn about the phrase "Inconvenient Not Tragic". The phrase give us all some perspective on recognizing the hassles and inconveniences of daily life . By being grateful that these things are NOT tragedies, we can change how we see these issues.

    Are you SAD

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2019 6:14


    In the latest edition of Brandler Bits, learn about Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD). SAD is depression which has seasonal components. Many people in the northeast have symptoms of SAD without having the diagnosis. Identify strategies to improve SAD.

    Are you deadicated?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2019 5:57


    On this edition of Brandler Bits learn how dedication to work can make you "deadicated". Strategies are identified in order to put more balance into your life and prioritize what is most important.

    strategy deadicated
    How to Deal with the Difficult People in your Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2019 7:27


    In this episode of Brandler Bits, we discuss how to deal with difficult people. Learn about difficult people: Who they are? What you can do to handle them better? What you can learn about yourself from your interactions with them?

    5 Star relationships

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2019 7:43


    In this edition of "Brandler Bits", learn all about the criteria that make up a 5 star relationship. Recommendations for how to improve your relationship is addressed as well.

    Promises of Change

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2019 7:59


    In this edition of Brandler Bits we discuss the Promises of Change. It is rather simple to make change, but much harder to keep change. In this episode we discover what are the ingredients that help us to maintain the changes we wish to make. In addition, we address how the "12 Promises" can be utilized for long term happiness and change.

    Back to School Jitters

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2019 41:54


    This episode of Brandler Bits, is a special edition. With the new school year upon us, it is timely to address the issue of "Back to School Jitters". With that in mind, listen to this interview. I think it is very practical and useful for any parent who has a child returning to school.

    It's Not Fair

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2019 6:22


    In this edition of Brandler Bits, we address a very emotional topic, "It's not fair". It is a topic that most people are familiar with. We struggle to understand how bad things can happen to others. We wrestle with our feelings when these things happen. We struggle to understand how to handle our feelings. We wonder how we will get through these situations. Today's episode addresses all of these issues.

    Vacation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2019 5:57


    In the latest edition of Brandler Bits, we address the importance of going on vacations. It is a necessity for self care to unplug from the world and focus on things that are not in our daily routines. Vacations are opportunities to connect and explore. Listen to learn more: https://wp.me/p7Ctmg-Gt

    Too Much

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2019 5:44


    On this edition of Brandler's Bits we focus on how people use "quick fix bandaids" to try and solve problems that need to be solved from the inside, not the outside. Learn strategies to have a better SELF.

    Control

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2019 5:56


    The latest edition of Brandler Bits addresses the topic of control: what we have control over what we have no control over what we can influence how to change

    Fear of Change

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2019 4:49


    In this episode of "Brandler Bits", we discuss how the fear of making changes gives us comfort and familiarity, but keeps us stuck.Learn some strategies that can help you use facts instead of fears

    Anger Part 1 and Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2019 10:43


    Here is the unified version of the Anger podcast series. Learn about what anger is and isn't. Learn about how to reduce the anger that you have

    Anger Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2019 5:41


    This is the 2nd part of a 2 part series of Brandler Bits regarding anger.In today's episode, we discover that although anger is a reasonable, normal, typical feeling, sometimes anger is NOT anger. Learn how other feelings are disguised as anger. In addition, you will learn that the key to your happiness is to identify and deal with the other underlying feelings.

    Anger

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2019 5:59


    In this first part of a 2 part episode of Brandler Bits, we address the feeling of anger: What is anger? How can we explain anger? How does it occur in the mind and body? What we can do about it?

    Guilt and Shame

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2019 5:39


    In this episode of "Brandler Bits", learn about shame and guilt, two "cousins" who show up often. You will hear about the differences between the healthy and unhealthy aspects of these two feelings. In addition, you will get to identify strategies in order to feel better.

    change care shame guilt changeispossible
    Regret

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2019 5:29


    In this edition of Brandler Bits, learn how the things we regret create difficult emotions for us. Regret comes from things we did or said and the things that we wished we said or did. Learn how to "regret proof" your life.

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