PODCAST · health
The Nearly Normal Podcast
by nearlynormalpodcast
Welcome to “Nearly Normal,” the podcast where two therapists tear up the “live, laugh, love” script on mental health and show you what being human really looks like—messy, imperfect, and delightfully offbeat. We’re swapping clichés for a healthy dose of sarcasm and a no-nonsense take on anxiety, depression, coping skills and all things mental health related. If you’re done chasing perfection and crave some brutally honest, eye-roll-worthy real talk about how to feel less burnout and more self empowered, you’ve just found your people. Start understanding how to improve your overall mental health today!
Episodes
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Therapists React to Love Is Blind. Part 2
In Part 2, we discuss more of the four episodes of Love Is Blind as well as details about the couples featured. We look at communication styles, red flags, green flags, attachment patterns, and who seems ready for commitment. Then we connect it to modern dating: situationships, and why so many...
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Therapists React to Love Is Blind: Does the Experiment Work? Part 1
Two licensed therapists watch the first 4 episodes of Netflix’s Love Is Blind and ask whether you can build a real relationship without seeing the other person. Nina and Kate cover the psychology of the pods, emotional intimacy, and what happens to physical attraction when it’s taken off the…
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Nearly Normal Habits: The Psychology Behind the Little Things We All Do
Pressing harder on the remote, saving all of our clothes for some magical event, talking louder on a bad call. These habits feel silly, and they make sense. In this episode, we look at the psychology behind the small quirks that make us human. We explain how our need for control, our learned...
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Would You Rather: Coping Skills Edition — Therapists Rate TikTok's Favorite Self-Care Hacks
Two licensed therapists play Would You Rather — coping skills edition. We take some of the most talked-about self-care and coping strategies (the ones all over TikTok and Instagram) and decide, as clinicians, whether we'd actually use them ourselves. Some hold up. Some don't. Quick, honest, and a...
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Postpartum, Stigma & the Lindsay Clancy Case: What Moms Won't Say Out Loud
Nobody warns you how lonely postpartum can be, or how much shame keeps mothers from saying that out loud. In the final episode of our three-part series on postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, Nina and Kate close out their conversation on the Lindsay Clancy case by turning to motherhood...
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The Care Gap: Postpartum Depression, Psychosis, and What Mothers Still Aren't Getting
Part 2 of our postpartum series picks up where Part 1 left off. We go deeper on what postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis are, how psychosis specifically presents, and why it's so often missed by the people closest to a new mother. Then we talk about the harder part: what real treatment...
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The Lindsay Clancy Case: Our Need to Make It Make Sense
Content note: this episode discusses child loss, suicidal ideation, and psychosis. If you're not in a place to hear that today, that's okay — skip this one. Everyone is talking about the Lindsay Clancy case. Search interest is up, group chats are full of it, and most people can't quite explain…
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I Need Help, Why Can't I Ask For It?
Why does asking for help feel harder than doing everything alone? This episode breaks down the tug-of-war between independence and connection — and how letting people support you isn't a failure, it's a skill. We're taught that independence means doing it all yourself. But real strength isn't…
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Why Is My Nervous System So Dramatic? Understanding Triggers, Stress Responses & Ways To Cope
Nervous system activation feels dramatic because it's designed to be. This episode breaks down what actually triggers your nervous system, how it responds when it's activated, and what to do about it in real time. We cover: What activates the nervous system — the everyday triggers most people…
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Why Adulting Feels So Hard: Decision Fatigue, Mental Load & Burnout
Adulting feels harder than it used to, and it's not in your head. This episode breaks down decision fatigue — the mental exhaustion that comes from making hundreds of choices a day — and why it's driving so much of the anxiety, overwhelm, and burnout adults feel right now. We talk about the...
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Self-Trust 101: How to Reduce Self-Doubt and Make Decisions with Confidence
Struggling to make a decision without spiraling into self-doubt? In this episode of Nearly Normal, we break down why overthinking hijacks your decision-making and how to rebuild trust in your own judgment. You'll learn: Why self-doubt shows up loudest at the moment of choice How to tell the...
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Men, Therapy & Breaking the Silence: Tackling the Stigma Around Men’s Mental Health
Why do so many men avoid therapy—and how can we change that? In this episode of The Nearly Normal Podcast, we dive deep into the stigma surrounding men’s mental health, emotional vulnerability, and help-seeking behavior. From societal pressure to "man up" to the silent battles men fight daily, we...
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Armchair Self-Diagnosis: The Truth About Self-Diagnosis, Mental Health Labels, and Normal Human Struggle
We've turned diagnosis into identity. This episode breaks down the rise of self-diagnosis culture: why a TikTok video or an AI chatbot now feels more trustworthy than a therapist, why we're so quick to slap a label on every hard feeling, and why most of what we're calling a "disorder" is actually...
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Relationship Sober: How to Take a Dating Break and Heal Your Patterns
Stuck in the same dating cycle no matter who you're with? This episode breaks down what it really means to go relationship sober — using a dating break not as avoidance, but as the work. Kate and Nina, with over 20 years of combined clinical experience, unpack the validation loops and trauma...
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Why You Feel Lonely Even When You're Not Alone — And What to Actually Do About It
Loneliness isn't what most people think it is. You can have a full social life, a partner, a group chat that never stops, and still feel completely disconnected. In this episode, therapists Nina and Kate break down the real psychology behind loneliness — why it happens, why it's so misunderstood,...
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“What are we?” The Psychology of Avoiding the Exclusivity Conversation in Modern Dating
The "are we exclusive" conversation is one of the most anxiety-inducing moments in modern dating — and there's a real psychological reason why. This week, licensed therapists Nina and Kate unpack why so many people stall on defining a relationship even when they genuinely want commitment. They...
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Swipe Left on the Chaos: A Therapist's Guide to Dating Apps and Real Connection
Dating apps promised to make love easier. So why does it feel so hard? This week on Episode 62 of the Nearly Normal, two licensed therapists with 20+ years of clinical experience break down everything happening beneath the surface of modern dating — the fatigue, the confusion, the unspoken rules,...
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Make Your Relationship Data Make Sense: How to Stop Overanalyzing and Finally Trust What You Already Know About Your Relationship
You don't have an information problem. You have an action problem. You've watched the patterns. You've had the conversations. You've replayed the moments. You already know what the data is telling you — you're just not ready to do anything with it yet. In this episode 61, we're talking about why…
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Still Here: How to Actually Stay Connected When Long-Term Love Gets Hard
Staying together is the easy part — staying connected is where it gets complicated. This week, we're talking about the slow drift that happens in long-term relationships: the arguments on repeat, the resentment that builds in silence, the ways people grow and change and suddenly feel like...
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Episode 59: The Life Script: Why You're Living a Story You Never Actually Wrote
You made all the right choices — school, career, relationships, milestones. But whose choices were they really? In this episode, therapists Nina and Kate break down the life scripts handed to us in childhood by family, culture, and society — and how those invisible programs quietly run our adult...
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Episode 58: The Trust Hangover: You Forgave but Can You Move Forward?
Trust breaks in a moment. Rebuilding it takes a lot longer — and nobody tells you how disorienting that in-between space feels. In this episode of Nearly Normal, we're talking about what happens after the breach. Whether it's a betrayal, a broken promise, or a slow erosion of honesty over time…
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Episode 57: I Knew Better… So Why Did I Do It Anyway? | Self-Sabotage, Behavior Change & Mental Health
Why do we keep making the same choices—even when we know better? In this episode, we unpack the frustrating cycle of repeating unhealthy patterns, from relationships to daily habits, and the mental loops that keep us stuck. We dive into the gap between knowing and doing, explore behavior change...
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Episode 56: Who Am I Anymore? The Identity Crisis Nobody Warned You About
You woke up one day and didn't recognize yourself — and nobody told you that was normal. In this episode, your two favorite therapists break down what identity actually is, how it gets built, and why life has a way of blowing it up. Divorce, career shifts, motherhood, aging, relationships — we...
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Episode 55: Retiring the Good Girl: Breaking Free from People-Pleasing, Burnout & Perfectionism
In this episode of The Nearly Normal Podcast, we’re officially retiring the idea of the “good girl.” If you’ve ever felt exhausted from trying to be perfect, agreeable, and everything to everyone—this conversation is for you. We break down the hidden mental health costs of the “good girl”…
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Episode 54: Can AI really replace your therapist—or is that a risky shortcut for your mental health? What Therapists Want You to Know
AI is everywhere—but should it be part of your mental health routine? In this episode of The Nearly Normal Podcast, we dive into one of the biggest questions in mental health right now: Can AI replace therapy? As experienced therapists, we unpack what AI gets right (accessibility, instant…
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Episode 53: Why Women Are Obsessed with ‘Heated Rivalry’: The Psychology Behind the Hype
In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, two licensed therapists break down the psychology behind the wildly popular TV series Heated Rivalry and why it resonates so deeply with women. We explore: The psychological themes driving emotional connection to the show Why women are drawn to…
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Episode 52: Friendships Change: Letting Go, Growing Apart & Finding Your Way Back
Is it normal to outgrow friendships? How do you cope when a friendship ends—or changes in ways you didn’t expect? Friendships aren’t meant to stay the same—and sometimes, that’s the hardest part. In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we explore how friendships begin, how they evolve over...
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Episode 51: "Well My Therapists says"...What Happens When Good Advice Works and When It Goes Rogue.
Therapist-approved tools. At times, questionable execution. Zero regrets. You've heard it before—"My therapist says I need to set boundaries," or "My therapist says I need to honor my feelings." Good advice. Solid tools. But somewhere between the therapy room and real life, things get...…
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Episode 50: Therapy Gets Messy Before It Gets Better: What No One Tells You About Real Change
Everyone talks about starting therapy. Nobody talks about what happens when it actually starts working. In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, Kate and Nina break down the gap between the idea of going to therapy and the reality of doing the work. Therapy isn't always a safe, tidy space...
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Episode 49: Dating Stress & Your Mental Health: Texting, Social Media Stress, Situationships and How To Get Real Connection
Modern dating isn’t just complicated — it’s psychologically exhausting. In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we unpack how the digital age has reshaped relationships, from texting miscommunication and social media comparison to emotional ambiguity and commitment fears. We discuss: How...
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Episode 48: Why Closure Is Overrated: Healing, Letting Go & Moving On Without the Final Conversation
What if closure isn’t something someone gives you… but something you create? In this episode, we challenge the modern obsession with closure in relationships. Whether you’re dealing with a breakup, ghosting, unresolved conflict, or unanswered texts, we break down the mental health science behind...
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Episode 47: Quick Mental Health Tips for Anxiety Relief & Positive Thinking | Simple Daily Self-Improvement Hacks
Feeling overwhelmed? Overthinking everything? Stuck in your own head? In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we’re sharing quick, quirky, and surprisingly effective mental health tips you can start using today. These simple strategies are designed to help with anxiety relief, stress...
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Episode 46: Love Without the Guessing Games: Healthy Communication, Boundaries & Relationship Clarity
Valentine’s Day isn’t always hearts and romance—it can also bring up relationship anxiety, communication struggles, and the fear of not being heard. In this episode of The Nearly Normal Podcast, we tackle the most common “What do I do?” questions that come up in relationships, including: How to...
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Episode 45 Bonus Episode: Give Us 20 Minutes: Relationship Clarity, Bravery, and Finding Your People
Give us 20 minutes—and we’ll give you real mental health tips you can actually use. In this bonus episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we pull insights straight from our counseling sessions to help you navigate staying too long in unhealthy relationships, knowing when a relationship is truly…
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Episode 44: Quiet Quitting, Loud Burnout: The Mental Health Cost of Corporate America
Corporate America has a language all its own—and most of us are exhausted by it. In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we unpack trending workplace terms like quiet quitting, quiet cracking, and burnout, while diving into the very real mental health toll of corporate culture. We explore...
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Episode 43: Nearly Normal or Therapy Time? How to Know When It’s More Than Just Stress
Is it everyday stress—or something therapy-worthy? In this episode of The Nearly Normal Podcast, we use humor and real-life examples to break down the difference between common annoyances and mental health concerns that may benefit from therapy. Relatable, validating, and refreshingly honest. In...
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Episode 42: Things We Have No Business Doing (And Why That’s Actually Okay)
Ever find yourself doing something you are clearly not built for—and doing it anyway? In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we lean into humor, self-awareness, and radical acceptance as we talk about the things we truly have no business doing. From skills we can’t master to habits we keep...
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Episode 41: Winter Hibernation or Isolation? How to Protect Your Mental Health During the Winter Months
Winter has a way of making us want to disappear under a blanket—but is that self-care or something more concerning? In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we unpack the real difference between hibernation and isolation and why it matters for your mental health during the colder months. We...
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Episode 40: New Year, Healthier You: Building Better Habits for Mental Wellness & Personal Growth
If you’re tired of setting goals that disappear by February, this episode is for you. On the Nearly Normal Podcast, we talk about how to set realistic expectations, replace unhealthy habits, and build sustainable routines that support your mental health — not sabotage it. In this episode, we...
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Episode 39: We’re Officially Over It: Post-Holiday Burnout, Boundaries, and Letting Go of the Chaos
The holidays are over—and so is our patience. In this witty and refreshingly honest episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we unpack the post-holiday burnout, emotional exhaustion, and unrealistic expectations that leave so many of us drained and frustrated. From forced cheer and family tension to...
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Episode 38: Family Roles Explained: How Dysfunctional Family Dynamics Shape Who We Become
Family dynamics shape us long before we realize it. In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we break down dysfunctional family systems and the common family roles many of us grow up playing—such as the caretaker, the peacemaker, the rebel, or the “responsible one.” Using a mental health and...
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Episode 37: Recovery During the Holidays Supporting Sobriety, Mental Health, and Family Boundaries
The holidays can be one of the most challenging times of the year for people in sobriety and recovery—and for the family and friends who want to support them without saying the wrong thing. In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, licensed therapists Kate and Nina break down what actually...
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Episode 36: How to Protect Your Peace This Holiday Season: Therapist-Backed Stress & Anxiety Hacks
The holidays don’t have to feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we’re sharing practical, realistic, and totally doable mental health hacks to help you manage holiday anxiety, family expectations, grief triggers, time pressure, and emotional overload. Learn how to...
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Episode 35: The Self-Compassion Lab: How to Become Your Own Hype Person & Build Unshakable Self-Worth
Step inside The Self-Compassion Lab—your weekly boost of mental wellness, emotional resilience, and self-improvement. In this episode, Kate and Nina unpack simple ways to practice self-compassion, challenge negative thinking, and finally become your own hype person. Whether you’re battling...
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Episode 34: Burnout Reset: Simple Strategies to Reclaim Your Energy & Mental Health
Feeling mentally exhausted, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained? In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we break down the most effective, research-backed strategies for reducing burnout, rebuilding your energy, and protecting your mental health. Learn practical tools for managing stress,...
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Episode 33: Holiday Survival Guide: Stress-Proof Your Mind, Budget & Boundaries
Feeling overwhelmed by family gatherings, holiday expectations, and financial pressure? In this week’s episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we break down real-world mental health strategies to help you stay calm, confident, and emotionally grounded this holiday season. Join Kate and Nina as they...
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Episode 32-Protect Your Peace: How to Advocate for Your Emotional Wellbeing Every Day
Feeling drained, overwhelmed, or emotionally stretched too thin? This episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast explores how to create and protect emotional space in your life. Learn how to set boundaries with confidence, say “no” without guilt, and cultivate habits that support long-term emotional...
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Episode 31: Quick & Simple Mental Health Tips That Actually Work — Small Changes, Big Results… Starting TODAY
In this week’s episode of The Nearly Normal Podcast, Kate and Nina share quick, evidence-based mental health tips you can start using today to feel calmer, happier, and more in control. From simple mindset shifts to easy daily habits, learn how small changes can create powerful improvements in…
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Episode 30: Introvert, Extrovert, or Socially Anxious? Understanding Social Anxiety Disorder and How to Thrive
In this episode of The Nearly Normal Podcast, we dive deep into the fascinating world of introverts, extroverts, and social anxiety disorder. Have you ever wondered why some people feel energized in crowds while others feel drained—or even panicked? We break down what social anxiety really feels...
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Episode 29: Anxiety Triggers Uncovered: From Sweaty Palms to Panic Attacks
Ever wonder why certain things make your anxiety spike while others barely faze you? Feeling your heart race, palms sweat, or mind spiral into overdrive? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we unpack the wide range of anxiety triggers—from everyday stressors that make...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to “Nearly Normal,” the podcast where two therapists tear up the “live, laugh, love” script on mental health and show you what being human really looks like—messy, imperfect, and delightfully offbeat. We’re swapping clichés for a healthy dose of sarcasm and a no-nonsense take on anxiety, depression, coping skills and all things mental health related. If you’re done chasing perfection and crave some brutally honest, eye-roll-worthy real talk about how to feel less burnout and more self empowered, you’ve just found your people. Start understanding how to improve your overall mental health today!
HOSTED BY
nearlynormalpodcast
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Nearly Normal Podcast have?
The Nearly Normal Podcast currently has 75 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Nearly Normal Podcast about?
Welcome to “Nearly Normal,” the podcast where two therapists tear up the “live, laugh, love” script on mental health and show you what being human really looks like—messy, imperfect, and delightfully offbeat. We’re swapping clichés for a healthy dose of sarcasm and a no-nonsense take on anxiety,...
How often does The Nearly Normal Podcast release new episodes?
The Nearly Normal Podcast has 75 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Nearly Normal Podcast?
You can listen to The Nearly Normal Podcast 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 The Nearly Normal Podcast?
The Nearly Normal Podcast is created and hosted by nearlynormalpodcast.
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