PODCAST · health
Fundamentally Human
by Shirvin Lee
It's fair to feel overwhelmed and lost in the midst of all the buzzwords and diagnoses surrounding mental health. Fundamentally Human is here to debunk misconceptions, teach new topics, and help make sense of anxious and confusing thoughts.I'm your host, Shirvin Lee, a Registered Clinical Counsellor growing up in a traditional Asian family that did not prioritize mental health at all. I hope that my episodes provide you with new insights and perspectives about mental health.Follow or connect with me below:http://shirvin.ca/ | [email protected] | https://instagram.com/therapywithshirvin
Episodes
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#52: How to Create a Supportive Environment Around You with Jamie Bower
As we get older, we lose opportunities to connect with others the way we did while we were in school. We no longer get to see the same people daily and consistently. We don't have the chance to really get to know them. Jamie and I talk about how you can build a supportive environment around you…
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#51: How Our Brain Health Impacts Our Mental Health with Farah Qureshi
Our brain health plays a significant role in our mental health and it's not always obvious from the outside looking in. The brain, or the center of our thoughts, controls our emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. When we consider lifestyle factors like stress, diet, sleep, and our social...
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#50: How Trauma Impacts Our Brain with Dr. Jenny King
Trauma can impact us in ways that might surprise us. Physically, our bodies might have gone through an experience that caused us pain or an injury. Psychologically, we may have been exposed to toxic or harmful behaviour that has impacted us negatively. An approach that many therapists take is the...
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#49: Stop Letting Motivation Dictate Your Life with Kamini Wood
How many times have you said that you're "not motivated" and it's led you to sit back and not get anything done? It's something that we've all experienced throughout our lives and we eventually let it become an excuse. Kamini and I explore why we let motivation be the catalyst for us to get…
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#48: Why Eating Healthy is Hard with Chanel Huynh
I often hear “I don’t have the motivation to do it” or “I know I have to do it but I don’t want to.” This comes up with exercise, food, cleaning, and most of the day-to-day things that we need to do. We generally have an idea of what healthy eating is but the hard part is HOW we can do it. I’ve...
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#47: How We've Changed in Our 20s with Cassandre Quan
The theme of this episode is GROWTH. As I'm in the last year and a half of my 20s, I think back to the past (almost) decade and see how I've changed as a person. For me, learning from others' experiences is one of the best ways to learn in general. Sure, I can easily Google tips and lists of ways…
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5-Minute Meditation to Start Your Day
Hi everyone, I wanted to try something different for this week's release. It's easy for us to feel rushed in our busy days but taking a moment to set ourselves up with an intention can be empowering. Join me in the next five minutes to help get your day started. The wonderful music is from Chewie...
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#46: The Other Side of Divorce: How It Was the Better Choice with Cody Packer
Divorce and breakups can be messy, tricky, and painful to navigate, especially when you factor in the negative stigma, shame, and guilt, that accompanies the end of a relationship. I reached out to Cody to chat about his experiences with divorce and how it was his greatest gift. Divorce allowed…
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#45: Female Rivalry Behaviours with Dr. Amber Tichenor
Rivalry, or competing for the same objective or superiority in the same field, happens at all ages and in different circumstances. It's also a response to something else we're experiencing. Maybe we're envious of someone's success or we're projecting the weight of the pressure we're feeling from...
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#44: Let's Talk About Pronouns with Carmelle Jaeggle
If you were to ask me about the most common theme that comes up in therapy, the answer is identity. No matter what challenge you’re facing or what you’re working towards, your identity is constantly evolving and changing through each experience. A large part of our identities revolves around…
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#43: My First Triathlon
We're changing things up in this episode - instead of talking about a specific mental health topic, I'm sharing my rollercoaster experience of my first triathlon. It was one of the hardest conditions I've ever done a race in - it was freezing rain, snowing briefly, windy, and low temperatures.…
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#42: How Childhood Has Influenced Your Choices with Nicolette Bidlingmeyer
“The functional capabilities of the mature brain develop throughout life, but the vast majority of critical structural and functional organization takes place in childhood.” - Dr. Bruce Perry (specialist in childhood trauma, co-author of What Happened to You) So, what can we do about this?…
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#41: What's Different About Coaching and Therapy? with David Greenwalt
Getting support isn't as simple as contacting a practitioner or friend. Sometimes it can feel like a burden, other times it can feel overwhelming to look up what services you can access. In today's episode, David and I talk about the differences between coaching and therapy and we go through a...
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#40: How Mental Health Stigma Affects Men with Chris Campassi
Stigma plays a significant role in creating barriers to talking about and caring for mental health. While I have a number of episodes that talk about how culture can impact how we think about mental health, I’m switching gears to talk about men’s mental health. Today, I'm joined by Chris…
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#39: How to Spot and Manage Burnout with Shannon Heers
Burnout, or the state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion, is typically caused by excessive or prolonged stress. This could look like juggling numerous tasks at work without adequate support, caring for family and friends outside of your threshold and capacity, or having social...
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#38: I Am Exhausted of Taking Care of People
Hi everyone, this episode is going to sound a little different from my usual ones. I wanted to share more about my personal life and the struggles I face as a caregiver both professionally and personally. I thought it was important to be transparent, or at least show, that I go through my own set...
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#37: Where Is My Syllabus For Life? with Dr. Tara Sanderson
Often, transitions can leave us feeling unsettled and sometimes lost. I notice this beginning to happen with clients in their 20s and this feeling of being lost comes and goes for the rest of our lives. Transitions, no matter how big or small, can change our routines and leave us feeling…
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#36: Exploring Guilt and Regret in Grief with Cordelia Mejin
In this episode, Cordelia Mejin, a counsellor, helps me explore the difference between guilt and regret in the context of grief. In the face of grief, a number of emotions can come up. Being able to identify if you're feeling guilt or regret is essential because we often mistake regret for guilt,...
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#35: Accepting the Different with Daniel Zhang
Everyone is different - this is no doubt about that. Whether it's the way we look, the environment we grew up in, the messages we've been told, and the people we meet along the way, we're all impacted by what we see and hear. In this episode, Daniel explains "Why is Grandma so Weird?" (which is...
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#34: Living a Meaningful and Fulfilling Life with Paul Singh
A theme that I’ve heard frequently in a number of my sessions with my clients is that they’re feeling like they’re going on autopilot, like they’re watching from the outside in, that they’re bored, and that they don’t know what they’re doing with their lives. When they ask me what they should do...
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#33: Finding Our Identities with Kristy Yee & Angie Yu (Shit We Don't Tell Mom)
Throughout our 20s, we go through a number of transitions, whether it's attending post-secondary, finding a job, getting married, or experiencing loss...we find ourselves through each change. I'm joined by Kristy and Angie, the co-hosts of the Shit We Don't Tell Mom podcast, about how we've been...
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#32: How Double Standards Look For Different People with Shane Rogers
A double standard is “a rule or principle which is unfairly applied in different ways to different people or groups.” Oftentimes, double standards are applied subconsciously and most people aren’t aware that they are doing this. Cognitive biases and confirmation biases can play a role in forming...
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#31: How to Reframe Difficult Situations
Reframing is a way for us to broaden our perspectives, consider an alternative, and extend compassion to others and ourselves. It can be challenging to do at the moment but with practice, it gets easier - even if it's in hindsight. In this episode, I take you through three steps to reframing a...
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#30: What To Do When You Don't Wanna Do Anything
"I don't wanna do anything" comes up from time to time. I don't want to go to the gym, eat healthily, read my book, do my work...I don't want to do anything. I had a break from releasing an episode because I was going through this. I was feeling fatigued, uninspired, unmotivated, and unwilling to...
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#29: Finished My Master's Degree!
I have completed my graduate degree!!! After two years of writing papers, having awkward mock therapy sessions, and then transitioning into actually providing therapy for the past eight months, I'm so excited to be done with school (for now). In this episode, I look back at my reflections after…
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#28: Is Therapy Worth It? with ElaineMokk
It's fair to be skeptical about something you haven't tried before or something that you don't see results or changes right away. In this episode, Elaine and I share our different perspectives about therapy and we hope to help you decide if it's something that you see as worth it or something…
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#27: Trials of a New Dad with Kenald Yu
Being a new dad (or parent) is already hard enough but when you mix in a pandemic, looking for work, generational gaps, and countless other challenges, it makes it so much harder. Kenald shares about what it's been like to be a new dad and how his son has taught him the importance of play,...
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#26: Overcoming Taboos with Disabilities with Jason Hsieh
One of my goals with Fundamentally Human is to break down barriers to receive support as well as provide more context for mental health challenges to reduce the negative stigma as much as possible. Jason Hsieh of Lakikid shares his personal experiences with ADHD and bipolar disorder and how he...
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#25: Parasocial Relationships with Yoojin
Have you ever had a fantasy about someone you don't know? Maybe you felt connected to a vlogger, streamer, or celebrity. Repeated exposure to media and online figures can develop into a parasocial relationship, where one can develop illusions of friendship, closeness, and even intimacy. As a...
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#24: Driving After 9 Years & Exposure Therapy
If you told me that I would be driving again (and owning a car) nine years ago, I would be laughing in disbelief. But...here we are! This episode documents some of the thoughts and feelings after driving again and how I've been doing my own version of self-imposed exposure therapy. It's a...
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#23: What Does "Normal" Mean?
Many of us have probably heard the term "new normal" being used in the last couple of years to describe how the pandemic has shifted our lives. It has changed our expectations and understanding of the world as well as our routines and structure, inadvertently adding even more uncertainties. I...
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#22: Generational Gaps with Hollie Ha
Growing up first-generation Chinese-Canadian was quite confusing for my younger self. Between the strict traditions my parents upheld and navigating the Western world, I was constantly conflicted with my identity. As I got older, I became more aware of what happened to my parents when they were...
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#21: Reflections of My First Months as a Psychotherapist Intern
My first four months as a psychotherapist intern are almost over and this episode explores the common themes I've heard from clients and a reflection of my work. Check out the blog here: https://shirvin.ca/blog/reflections_first_months_psychotherapist/ shirvin.ca | @helloshirvin Music: Faithful...
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#20: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Have you noticed how the fall and wintertime have impacted your mood? Perhaps you've felt dread waking up to darkness to go to work or school and knowing that you'll be leaving for home in the dark, too. In this episode, I explain the psychological and biological behind-the-scenes of seasonal...
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#19: Staying Balanced and Mindful
When we think about staying balanced, we might picture a balance beam and trying to stand on our tiptoes but always live in the constant fear of falling or toppling over. In this episode, I share about what I've been up to and how I've been trying to stay balanced through self-regulation,...
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#18: Life After an Accident with Ovey Yeung
Trauma affects everyone in a different way and often has long-lasting effects that can be visible and invisible. Ovey extends her bravery in this episode by sharing her experience after a car accident and what it means to recover. Ovey's TEDTalk on embracing the unknown:...
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#17: What the Endless Pursuit of Perfection Does to You
Perfectionism is defined as the need to be or appear to be perfect or even to believe that it’s possible to achieve perfection. It’s usually considered or viewed as a positive trait instead of a flaw. Endlessly and tirelessly striving for perfection can be damaging and self-stabotaging. I explore...
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#16: Barriers to Mental Health Treatment for Asian Communities with Mari del Casal
For many Asian communities and households, mental health was on the bottom of the priority list and is usually surrounded by negative stigma and a sign of weakness. Mari lends his knowledge as a Master of Public Health candidate and we explore our own experiences with how mental health looked…
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#15: Know Your Why with KoDoRiN
How many times have you asked yourself, "Why am I doing this?" KoDoRiN, one of the world's top Marth Melee players, explores his why, how he measures and evaluates his growth, and how he overcomes challenges that comes with performing at high levels. Follow KoDoRiN here:...
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#14: Understanding Suicide with Joanne Yiu
Trigger warning: This topic may be difficult, intense, and triggering for some individuals. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, I encourage you to reach out to your support system or call a crisis line. Please do what is comfortable and safe for you. Joanne and I explore her journey with...
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#13: Bipolar Disorder with Julia
Mood spectrums, mania, clinical episodes, and depression...these are some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder that Julia explores with us during this episode. She shares an experience of a friend with bipolar disorder and combines her own expertise to teach us the different symptoms and treatment...
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#12: Working with Schizophrenic Individuals with Newvick Lee
Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that impacts how individuals feel, think, and behave. They might even feel like they are losing touch with reality. Newvick Lee provides insight from his experiences as a pharmacist working with schizophrenic patients. Read the blog here:...
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#11: Living with ADHD with Megan Fass & David Kuang
ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a lifelong neurological disorder that impacts how individuals focus and control their behaviours. Megan Fass and David Kuang speak about their journey with ADHD, treatment options, and how you can accommodate or support individuals with ADHD....
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#10: Anxiety and Depression with Ashley Greensmyth
Anxiety and depression have become more prevalent through the past decade with the increase of social media use and the constant pressure to compare ourselves with others. Ashley Greensmyth, RCC and I dive deep into the different types of anxiety and depression and provide tangible resources you...
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#9: Addictions and Substance Use with Mike Pond
Mike Pond, RPN, MSW, and I discuss his lived experience and battle with alcohol use disorder and how it uprooted his life. His story is inspiring, empowering, and provides new perspectives and insights on how we can break the negative stigma surrounding substance use and how to support others....
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#8: Building Resilience with Enoch Weng
Resilience is about coping with situations, becoming tougher, and being self-aware to bounce back. It's an elastic band that sometimes gets stretched thin and might be in danger of snapping. It's also something that can get stronger as you actively build it by practicing healthy coping…
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#7: Debunking Misconceptions About Therapy with Cam Wharram
What is therapy? When should someone go to therapy? What's the difference between a therapist, counsellor, and psychologist? Cam Wharram, a Registered Clinical Counsellor, and I dig through some of the most common questions we get about therapy. If you or someone you know might be interested in...
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#6: Imposter Syndrome with ElaineMokk
How many times have you said "I'm not good enough" to yourself? We often downplay our abilities and competency and fill our minds with self-doubt and thoughts of being a fraud instead. In this episode, ElaineMokk shares about her YouTube journey and how she navigates imposter syndrome. You can…
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#5: Navigating Online Hate with kireiautumn
With the online space becoming more commonly used, it's no surprise that there has been a rise in toxicity and hate. Jean Yoon shares her experiences as a previous full-time Twitch streamer, how she grew her following, and what she is up to now. You can find Jean on Etsy (KireiCraftsCo) and…
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#4: Reframing Negative Automatic Thoughts with Jennifer Lee
Do you remember the last time you consciously said something positive to yourself? When you're lying in your bed at night, you're often swimming in negative and critical thoughts compared to positive or neutral ones. Jennifer Lee (RCC, CCC) and I explore negative automatic thoughts and how you…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
It's fair to feel overwhelmed and lost in the midst of all the buzzwords and diagnoses surrounding mental health. Fundamentally Human is here to debunk misconceptions, teach new topics, and help make sense of anxious and confusing thoughts.I'm your host, Shirvin Lee, a Registered Clinical Counsellor growing up in a traditional Asian family that did not prioritize mental health at all. I hope that my episodes provide you with new insights and perspectives about mental health.Follow or connect with me below:http://shirvin.ca/ | [email protected] | https://instagram.com/therapywithshirvin
HOSTED BY
Shirvin Lee
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Fundamentally Human have?
Fundamentally Human currently has 54 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Fundamentally Human about?
It's fair to feel overwhelmed and lost in the midst of all the buzzwords and diagnoses surrounding mental health. Fundamentally Human is here to debunk misconceptions, teach new topics, and help make sense of anxious and confusing thoughts.I'm your host, Shirvin Lee, a Registered Clinical...
How often does Fundamentally Human release new episodes?
Fundamentally Human has 54 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Fundamentally Human?
You can listen to Fundamentally Human on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Fundamentally Human?
Fundamentally Human is created and hosted by Shirvin Lee.
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