Adjust: The Conversation

Existentialism gets a reputation for being bleak French men in turtlenecks declaring that nothing matters. So we sat down to actually think it through, out loud, in real time. You weren't built for a purpose the way a knife is built to cut. You show up first, and then you decide what you're for. Sartre called it "existence precedes essence," and it sounds freeing right up until 3am, when that same thought wakes you up asking what the point of any of this even is. We get into why that's not nihilism, what Camus meant when he told us to imagine Sisyphus chained forever to his boulder happy, and how all of it shows up in the therapy room. ResourcesViktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning (1946) — Beacon Press. Survived the camps, built logotherapy around meaning as the primary human drive. The warm, human entry point.Irvin Yalom, Existential Psychotherapy (1980) — Basic Books. Names the four "ultimate concerns": death, freedom, isolation, meaninglessness. Philosophy turned into therapy.Rollo May, The Discovery of Being (1983) — W.W. Norton. Reframes anxiety not as a symptom to kill but as a signal of being alive and facing real choices.

Grief part two is here, and this time it's personal. Ashley and Marcella pull back the curtain and share their own grief experiences — from sudden loss and unresolved anger to suicide loss and the grief nobody talks about. They break down the dual process model, explore what community grieving actually looks like, and discuss the kinds of loss society still doesn't take seriously—including body grief, disenfranchised grief, and the grief that comes with loving someone through a crisis. If you've ever felt stuck, ashamed of how you're grieving, or like you should be over it by now—this one's for you. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988.Listener Story Submissions — ⁠[email protected]⁠Links: Kübler-Ross Wave Graph — ekrfoundation.org/5-stages-of-grief/change-curve/HABRI/Zoetis International Pet Owner Survey — https://habri.org/international-hab-survey/Wortman & Silver (1989) — Myths of Coping with Loss — https://www.aldacenter.org/commcms/psychology/_pdfs/social_health/_camille_wortman/Wortman%20and%20Silver%201989%20article.pdfDSM-5-TR Prolonged Grief Disorder criteria — https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/draft_criteria_for_dam-5-tr_prolonged_grief_disorder_12-06-2019_submitted_for_public_commentary.pdfDoka — Disenfranchised Grief — https://thelossfoundation.org/stages-of-grief/disenfranchised-grief-kenneth-doka-overview/?v=0b3b97fa6688GriefShare — griefshare.orgBonanno's Resilience Model of Grief : thelossfoundation.orgBook: The Other Side of Sadness — George A. Bonanno  

Grief has never had one face — so why do we keep acting like it should? In part one, we break down the models, the myths, and the types of grief that don't always get a name.Links: Kübler-Ross Wave Graph — ekrfoundation.org/5-stages-of-grief/change-curve/Listener Story Submissions — [email protected]/Zoetis International Pet Owner Survey — https://habri.org/international-hab-survey/Wortman & Silver (1989) — Myths of Coping with Loss — https://www.aldacenter.org/commcms/psychology/_pdfs/social_health/_camille_wortman/Wortman%20and%20Silver%201989%20article.pdfDSM-5-TR Prolonged Grief Disorder criteria — https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/draft_criteria_for_dam-5-tr_prolonged_grief_disorder_12-06-2019_submitted_for_public_commentary.pdfDoka — Disenfranchised Grief — https://thelossfoundation.org/stages-of-grief/disenfranchised-grief-kenneth-doka-overview/?v=0b3b97fa6688GriefShare — griefshare.org

In this episode, we dive into the emotions behind “Panic” — the racing thoughts, inner pressure, and quiet moments that often go unseen. A raw and atmospheric experience about anxiety, survival, and trying to regain control when everything feels too loud.Panic Disorders - Harvard HealthThe Science of Anxiety (Infographic) | Northwestern MedicineSalk scientists uncover key brain pathway mediating panic disorder symptoms - Salk Institute for Biological StudiesPanic Disorder

What if the way we’ve been taught to chase happiness is actually what’s keeping us stuck? In this episode, we explore the constant pressure to “keep up,” achieve more, and stay on the never-ending train of expectations. But what happens when you step off? Join us as we unpack what it really means to redefine happiness, slow down, and choose a life that feels aligned instead of just accomplished.The Amount and Source of Millionaires' Wealth (Moderately) Predict Their Happiness - PubMedThe Amount and Source of Millionaires' Wealth (Moderately) Predicts Their Happiness Harvard study: How much money millionaires need to be happy.What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness | Robert Waldinger | TEDhttps://youtu.be/8KkKuTCFvzI?si=w5giYvcbeIVgbjAdA Systematic Review of Inter-Brain Synchrony and Psychological Conditions: Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Autism and Other Disorders - PMCValue Sort — The Good Projecthttps://livingoutoffocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Fill-Your-Cup-Worksheet.pdf

Can you imagine waking up during an operation?! Tune in to listen this experience and learn tips and tricks about sleep!

On this episode, we explore sleep! What it does to your mind, why it matters to your mental health, and more!

What is stillness? How do you feel when you're still? Tune in to listen for tips on on how to identify stillness and why it can be so hard for us to be.....still.

In honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, this episode takes a closer look at how teens define dating, romance, and intimacy — and why safety must be the foundation of every relationship.We explore what safe love actually feels like, how brain chemistry and fear can make unhealthy dynamics hard to leave, and why removing shame matters before naming red flags. From green flags like respect and healthy conflict repair to red flags like control, isolation, and digital monitoring, we walk through the relationship spectrum in practical, relatable terms.Listeners will leave with real language around boundaries and body autonomy, clear next steps if something feels familiar, and guidance for parents on how to start the conversation without shutting it down.Dating should add to your life — not shrink it.Love should feel safe.Resources: https://indd.adobe.com/view/ad45fa37-1505-49fc-a481-be3621ca2cb4https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/teenagers-lovehttps://www.loveisrespect.org/tdvam/https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wheel-gallery/https://www.purina.com/purple-leash-project

Welcome to Adjust: The Conversation. In this episode, hosts Ashley and Marcella explore the concept of love languages — what they are, why they matter in relationships, and how to identify your own. Stay tuned for a meaningful conversation about connection, communication, and understanding.Neuron Video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Rvmvt7gscIMLove Language Quiz: https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language