Episode 20 - Tom Mallouk

Episode at a GlanceA dental implant curveball that could’ve tanked my mood, but instead leads to a moment of gratitude, sets the tone for my guest, Tom Mallouk, a psychotherapist of 50 years and an award-winning poet (2022 Poet Laureate of Bucks County, Pennsylvania) who helped shape my life during formative years of individual, couples, and men’s-group work.Tom shares how a violent protest aftermath, a bad LSD trip, and years of inner shutdown culminated—after 9/11—in a “tsunami of poetry.” His lesson is beautifully practical:* Become aware of your natural tendency (fight, flight, freeze… or speed vs. flow).* Make a conscious opposite move (seek order if you invite chaos; listen if you usually dominate).* Notice what happens—that’s how the self grows.He reads three devastating, gorgeous poems: one about a first therapy session that offered just enough hope to keep going, one about a traumatic childhood incident, and one about his brother’s sudden death. You won’t want to miss his heartfelt readings.Why it MattersGrowth isn’t a personality transplant; it’s microscopic course-corrections—gratitude over grievance, curiosity over control—repeated daily. Tom’s map turns suffering into craft and presence.Nonprofit SpotlightIn honor of Tom, we’re donating to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). If you or someone you love needs support, visit nami.org. Help is available now: Call 1-800-950-6264, Text “NAMI” to 62640, or Call/Text 988 in a crisis.Links & Mentions* Guest: Tom Mallouk — psychotherapist & poet; Bucks County Poet Laureate (2022).* Chapbook: The Right Metaphor (Amazon).* Nonprofit: NAMICall to ActionIf this conversation resonated: follow, rate, and share The Life Lessons Collective. Tell a friend who loves poetry, psychology, or simply good stories about growth. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit schatztastic.substack.com