Topic 1: The Profile and The Person

In a world of filters and carefully crafted captions, who are you really? Welcome to "The Profile and The Person," an episode that dives deep into the growing divide between our digital selves and our authentic selves.Join co-hosts Merryl Tengesdal, Col, USAF (ret.), and Shea Phinney MFT, a child development and psychology expert, as they explore the pressures of maintaining a perfect online image. They discuss the psychological strain this creates, especially for teenagers navigating identity formation in the age of social media.This episode unpacks the importance of understanding your personal value system—your internal GPS—and how it can guide you toward genuine self-expression. Merryl and Shea share personal stories and offer practical advice on how to shift your focus from chasing likes to building authentic connections. Learn how to embrace your true self, imperfections and all, and use social media as a tool for creativity and connection rather than comparison.If you've ever questioned the reality behind the screen, this conversation is for you.Don't miss out on future discussions. Subscribe and follow "Breaking Formation" for more insights on navigating our ever-changing world.In This Episode:0:00 - The Perfect Selfie vs. Reality2:40 - Defining the Digital Self vs. The Real Self4:07 - How Social Media Impacts Teenage Brain Development6:43 - When Does Presenting "Wins" Become Damaging?7:13 - Using Your Personal Value System as a GPS10:58 - Practical Advice for Staying Authentic Online15:30 - Finding Who You Are By Finding Who You're Not18:14 - Why Our Brains are Wired for Authentic Connection20:34 - Next Episode TeaserCheck out the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mlnHvgCH0q0#BreakingFormation #Authenticity #DigitalSelf #MentalHealth #youth #subscribe #subscribetoourchannel #youthmentalhealth #controlyourdestiny #emotionalintelligence #socialmedia #parenttips #mft #childdevelopment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.