Being Different Together

In this episode of Being Different Together, Kelly and Nyssa continue their intentionality mini-series by unpacking two powerful Murray Landsman sayings: “Be nice to yourself” and “Your reality is as good as anybody else’s.” They explore how negative self-talk, shame, and “autoimmune emotions” can impact your mental and physical health, and what it really means to be kinder to yourself without slipping into avoidance or indulgence. They also dive into subjective reality in relationships—why so many arguments become battles over “who’s right,” how to handle conflict and hard conversations, and how tools like real dialogue and paraphrasing can lower emotional threat and help you truly understand someone you disagree with (about anything from daily annoyances to politics and the pandemic). If you’ve ever wondered how to stop being mean to yourself, communicate more intentionally, or stay connected when realities collide, this conversation is for you.Main Topics Covered:How “be nice to yourself” can quietly transform harsh inner criticism and negative self-talkWhy being mean to yourself is like having an “autoimmune emotional problem”The surprising difference between mindfulness and intentionality (and why it matters)Everyday examples of choosing how you want to show up vs. living on autopilotWhat “your reality is as good as anybody else’s” really means in relationshipsHow fights turn into battles over “who wins reality” (and how to step out of that trap)The hidden emotional threat behind “How could you believe that?” in political and pandemic debatesA simple real dialog tool—paraphrasing—that can instantly cool down conflictWays subjectivity and curiosity can create a bridge between very different worldviewsLinks:Episode #16 - Intentionality, Part 1: Everything You’ve Done Prepared You For This MomentEpisode #17 - Intentionality, Part 2: Feeling Good Needs No ExcuseEpisode #18 - Intentionality, Part 3: If You Think You Can Change the World, You Have a Better ChanceThe Power of Connection TED talk by Hedy SchleiferStay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

In this third episode of our Intentionality series, Nyssa and Kelly return to Murry Landsman’s handwritten bathroom poster to explore one deceptively simple slogan: “If you think you can do something about the world, you have a better chance.” They unpack how this idea sits between toxic positivity and nihilism, framing it as “agency under constraint”—taking real responsibility for your participation in the world without pretending you can control everything. Along the way, they weave together stories of 90s eco‑kids trying to “save the planet,” Nyssa’s work helping clients heal through bodywork, Kelly’s reflections on Buddhism, karma, and projection, and why conflict is often the very thing that helps us evolve. If you’ve ever wondered how to make a difference without burning out, stay hopeful without spiritual bypassing, and see “the whole world as medicine,” this conversation is for you.Main Topics Covered:How one simple slogan—“If you think you can do something about the world, you have a better chance”—can change how you see your role in life.The difference between toxic positivity, fantasy “manifestation,” and grounded, realistic hope.What Kelly means by “agency under constraint” and how it helps you avoid both grandiosity and nihilism.How 80s/90s “save the planet” messaging shaped Nyssa’s belief that her actions actually matter.Why believing your work might help someone (in therapy, bodywork, or relationships) gives you a better chance that it will.A playful dive into projective identification and how we unconsciously train people (and pets!) to act the way we expect.The Buddhist idea that “the whole world is medicine” and what it means for everyday conflicts and challenges.A wild pirate parable that reframes karma, intention, and “doing the least harm” in impossible situations.How trying to change anything—yourself, a relationship, or the world—inevitably brings conflict, and why that’s often what helps us evolve.Seeing intentionality as a uniquely human superpower in an age obsessed with AI, efficiency, and quick fixes.Links:Episode #16 - Intentionality, Part 1: Everything You’ve Done Prepared You For This MomentEpisode #17 - Intentionality, Part 2: Feeling Good Needs No ExcuseEpisode #11 - How to Get What You Want (Without Toxic Positivity or Wishful Thinking)Books:Me, But Better by Olga KhazanStay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

In this second episode of our Intentionality series, Nyssa and Kelly return to the handwritten bathroom poster of Uncle Murry Landsman’s teachings to explore three more life-shaping slogans: “Everything works. Nothing works.” “Feeling good needs no excuse.” and “Anything worth doing is worth doing badly.” They unpack how these paradoxical ideas speak to perfectionism, decision fatigue, and the pressure to “get it right” in self‑improvement, therapy, relationships, work, and even gardening—sharing stories about planners and exercise programs, laughing in the midst of grief, and Kelly’s humbling journey learning Thai massage. Along the way, they explore intentional living as a uniquely human capacity, how “everything works and nothing works” disrupts the fantasy of the one perfect method, and why letting yourself feel good without guilt or justification is essential for emotional healing and resilience. If you’re interested in letting go of perfectionism, starting before you feel ready, and finding more space and freedom in your inner life and relationships, this conversation is for you.Main Topics Covered:How “Everything works. Nothing works.” can free you from chasing the one perfect methodWhy perfectionism quietly keeps you stuck (and how to move anyway, even “badly”)The surprising link between intentionality, being human, and not wanting to be a “god”What it really means that “feeling good needs no excuse” in grief, crisis, and everyday lifeHow numbing difficult emotions can also shut down your capacity for joyThe secret life of planners, exercise programs, and self-help methods that “should” fix everythingA real relationship moment: choosing not to stay stuck in defensiveness and resentmentWhat gardening and Thai massage can teach us about being beginners againWhy hobbies matter more when you’re willing to be bad at themSimple ways to “do it badly” on purpose in your relationships and personal growthLinks:Episode #16 - Intentionality, Part 1: Everything You’ve Done Prepared You For This MomentStay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

In this first episode of our Intentionality series, Nyssa and Kelly pull back the curtain on a wild synchronicity in their shared lineage: a 1970s psychologist named Murry Landsman, the human potential movement, and a handwritten bathroom poster of life-changing intentionality slogans. We explore the first two: “Everything you’ve done in life prepared you for this moment” and “It is frequently easier to get what you want when you know what it is.” Along the way, we talk about trauma reframing, secondary gain, and what it means to move from “this happened to me” to “this is mine to use” in your own healing and personal growth.If you’re interested in emotional healing, self-awareness, and the human potential movement, or you’ve ever wondered how to make meaning of your past, this conversation is for you.Main Topics Covered:How a 1970s human potential pioneer secretly shaped both our lives decades apartThe bathroom poster of “Murray’s slogans” that quietly trained Nyssa’s child brainWhat “Everything you’ve done in life prepared you for this moment” really asks of youHow shifting from “this happened to me” to “this is mine to use” changes your storyWhy we cling to diagnostic labels (trauma, anxiety, etc.) and what secondary gain has to do with itThe surprising connection between intentionality, Buddhism, and 12-step slogans“It’s easier to get what you want when you know what it is” — and why we avoid knowingVague desires vs. clear wants: how doing “the next relevant thing” brings clarityWhat it really means to give yourself permission to want what you wantSpace Mountain, home renovation, and why big life changes feel like roller coasters in the darkStay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

In this episode of Being Different Together, Kelly and Nyssa unpack why conflict doesn’t have to mean something is wrong—in fact, it can be the very path to deeper connection.Drawing on the work of Dr. Polly Young-Eisendrath and the Center for Real Dialog, they explore how “healthy conflict” in relationships can reduce emotional threat, calm our inner “baby,” and transform repetitive fights into opportunities for understanding. You’ll hear how real dialog helps with couples conflict, family estrangement, and everyday triggers like dishes, laundry, and tone over email—plus why “working for peace” is different from stopping war in our homes and in the world.Along the way, they weave together stories from a big week of events in Tampa, including Polly’s talks on Buddhism, Jung, and real dialogue, and Kelly’s role as Chief of Staff at the Center. Themes like how to handle conflict in relationships, how to communicate during conflict, why we get stuck in the same arguments, and how to know your path (by doing the next relevant thing) all show up in practical, down-to-earth language. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay in relationship when you don’t agree—or how to turn “enemy button” moments into curiosity—this episode is a warm, honest guide.Main Topics Covered:How conflict can actually be the way to peace (and why trying to “keep the peace” often backfires)Why conflict doesn’t automatically mean there’s a “problem” in your relationshipWhat “real dialog” is and how it lowers emotional threat between peopleThe surprising power of healthy conflict in couples, families, and communitiesHow Dr. Polly Young-Eisendrath’s work blends Buddhism, Jungian psychology, and relationshipsThe “enemy button” and the baby inside us that still runs our reactions in conflictProjective identification: the invisible pattern that keeps pulling you into the same fights“Do the next relevant thing”: a simple way to navigate your path when you feel lostWhat happened when Polly brought real dialog to a high-end social club—and why people opened upKelly’s new role as Chief of Staff at the Center for Real Dialog and what she’s learning about working in conflict every dayLinks: Center for Real DialogueTime is Honey Radiolab Episode - mentioned in the podcastEp #1: Welcome to Being Different Together: How It All StartedEp #2: What Our “Enemy Button” Gets Wrong About ConflictStay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

In this episode, Nyssa and Dr. Kelly answer a listener question about one simple but powerful object: the meditation bell. What is the purpose of a bell in your meditation space? They explore how a meditation bell (or singing bowl, chime, or timer bell) can mark transitions, create a ritual for mindfulness, and help you “come home” to yourself. From Thich Nhat Hanh’s bell of mindfulness to Insight Timer bells, church bells, traffic lights, and even phone notifications, they look at how sound can become a cue to pause, breathe, and pay intentional attention.They also extend the idea of the bell into everyday life and relationships—introducing the idea of a “relational bell” for when conversations get heated. You’ll hear about code words like “lunch meat,” using heart-rate monitors as a bell for conflict, and how sound, silence, and space can transform how we communicate. If you’ve ever wondered how to use a bell in meditation, how sound and ritual can deepen your mindfulness practice, or how to build in gentle pauses in your relationships and conflict conversations, this episode offers playful, practical, and heartfelt ideas to try.Main Topics Covered:How a simple meditation bell can completely change the energy of a roomWhy humans seem wired to respond to bells, gongs, and chimes (and what that has to do with archetypes)The “bell of mindfulness” in Buddhist practice and what Thich Nhat Hanh teaches about coming home to yourselfTurning everyday sounds—traffic lights, phone dings, microwaves—into mindfulness cuesHow to create a simple, meaningful meditation space (even if you don’t have a whole room)What Nyssa’s stop sign, Kelly’s wooden pyramid timer, and acupuncture chimes all have in commonThe idea of a “relational bell” for pausing hard conversations before they blow upCode words like “lunch meat,” heart-rate watches, and other creative ways couples can de‑escalateWhy silence, rest, and space are just as important as sound in music, poetry, and relationshipsHow playfulness, humor, and a well-timed pause can shift you from “you’re my enemy” back to “you’re my person”Stay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

In this episode of Being Different Together, Nyssa and Kelly welcome the spring equinox by exploring what this turning point in the seasons can teach us about personal growth, relationships, and real dialogue. Using the story of their unassuming little peach tree—hidden, pruned back hard, and now bursting with blossoms—they unpack the difference between cultivation and control, and why pruning (in your garden and your life) can feel painful but is often exactly what allows new growth to emerge. Along the way, they touch on the meaning of the spring equinox, the symbolism of eggs and Easter, and how ancient rhythms of light and dark mirror our own inner seasons.Main Topics Covered:How the spring equinox mirrors the inner seasons of your own growth and changeWhy a scraggly little peach tree became a powerful symbol for self-discoveryThe surprising connection between pruning and becoming more of who you already areWhat Jungian individuation really means (and how it’s different from self‑improvement)How real dialogue “prunes” people-pleasing, politeness, and performative responsesSimple language shifts (like dropping “you” and “we”) that make conversations more honestThe idea of “karma farming” and how to plant seeds for the life you actually wantWhy measuring success by effort and conditions, not outcomes, changes everythingHow to hold commitment in relationships when you feel stuck in the same old patternsThe difference between cultivating growth and trying to control it—in gardens, goals, and loveReferenced EpisodesEp. #13 on “The Pen”Stay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

Nyssa and Kelly explore how moon phases and lunar cycles can become a practical, soulful framework for goal setting, time management, and personal growth. Nyssa shares how working with new moon intentions and full moon reflections helped her call in a conscious relationship, complete projects, and deepen her spiritual practice—plus the now-classic “have you seen this moon?” story. If you’re curious about using the lunar cycle, astrology, and intuition to build a life that actually feels aligned, this episode is for you.Main Topics Covered:How a single new moon intention helped call in a conscious relationshipA simple way to use the lunar cycle as a framework for projects, from idea to completionWhy the full moon is not the finish line (and what phase actually gets ignored the most)What “creation cycle” means—and how it can help you finally complete what you startThe surprising link between moon phases, menstrual cycles, and emotional clarityHow a walk to a Zen meditation center under a full moon changed everythingThe playful edge where the sacred meets the profane (including an unforgettable mooning story)Using the moon for time management and productivity without losing the magicWhy Nyssa calls the moon her “forever teacher”and how to let it teach you, tooHow to tell if you’re in a waxing (build) or waning (edit/finish) season in your own lifeLinks:Going Upward Newsletter – Join Nyssa’s list hereEssential Oil Moon GuideBooks: The Moon Book by Sarah Faith GottesdienerStay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

In this episode of Being Different Together, Kelly and Nyssa break down one of Buddhism’s most practical (and misunderstood) teachings: emptiness—using the now-famous story of the pen. Is it a pen or a chew toy? It depends who’s looking. Drawing from the Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, and modern life at the kitchen table (complete with dog Poppy chewing pens), they explore how reality doesn’t come from objects themselves, but from the karmic seeds and meanings our minds project onto them.You’ll also learn a simple 4-step Buddhist-inspired method for “getting what you want”—whether that’s more money, better health, deeper love, or greater inner peace—without relying on empty affirmations or spiritual bypassing. Instead of “toxic positivity,” they talk about intentional action, generosity, and planting seeds in your mind through how you treat others. If you’ve ever wondered how karma really works, how to manifest change in a grounded way, or how ancient Buddhist philosophy can actually help your day-to-day life and relationships, this conversation is for you.Main Topics Covered:How a simple pen (and a chew-happy pup) can explain Buddhist emptinessWhy reality doesn’t come from things, but from you and your mind’s “seeds”The surprising link between karmic seeds, perception, and everyday reactionsWhat Buddhism actually means by “emptiness”(and why it’s not “nothing matters”)A 4-step Buddhist-inspired method to get what you want in lifeHow to use karma and generosity to attract more money, love, health, and peaceWhy affirmations and prayers alone don’t change your life—and what doesThe role of intention in shaping your reality (and why that makes humans unique)How to “water” the right seeds at night with a simple bedtime reflection practiceTurning your life into a karmic garden: becoming a “karma farmer” on purposeLinks Mentioned:Going Upward Newsletter – Join Nyssa’s list hereBooks:The Diamond Cutter by Gesha Michael RoachWomen Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola EstesStay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

If you’ve ever wondered how to start a creative project with your partner—or why it can feel so hard—you’ll feel right at home in this episode. Kelly and Nyssa share the honest story behind launching their podcast: from the initial “we should record this” spark to choosing equipment, taking a podcast course, and dealing with all the resistance that shows up when you actually hit record and publish. They talk about perfectionism, creative block, and resistance, drawing on influences like Seth Godin, Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, morning pages, and Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art to unpack what it really takes to keep creating.Main Topics Covered:How a four‑hour phone call and bed‑coffee chats slowly turned into a podcastWhy “done is better than perfect” might be the only way any episode gets madeSeth Godin on “talker’s block” and what it reveals about creative resistanceJulia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, morning pages, and why blocks often show up in midlifeThe hidden dynamics of co‑creating with your partner (and what birth order has to do with it)Projective identification, survival dances, and why so many couples just want to be “right”Turning conflict into a “play space” instead of a minefield in your relationshipSpreadsheets vs. creative flow: respecting wildly different work styles in a shared projectWhy they’re waiting for 100 audio episodes before adding video or YouTube“Constipated creativity,” soul‑murdering projects, and finding that sweet spot of challengeLinks:The Movement Maestro (Dr. Shanté Cofield) (Shante's program, Press Publish, is what got us started!)Books Mentioned:The Artist’s Way – Julia CameronThe Practice – Seth GodinThe War of Art – Steven PressfieldPut Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be – Steven PressfieldStay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

Feeling overwhelmed by the news? In this episode, Kelly and Nyssa unpack how to cope with bad news, negativity bias, and constant stress without totally checking out. They explore why our brains are wired to focus on threats, how the modern news cycle exploits that, and what happens when our stress cycles never fully complete—hello burnout, anxiety, and numbness.With a mix of psychology, mindfulness, and real-life stories, they share practical ways to stay informed without destroying your mental health: “titrating” your news intake like strong medicine, completing the stress cycle, grounding in everyday life, and making small but powerful community connections. Drawing on ideas from Burnout, Four Thousand Weeks, Bare Bones Meditation, Rest Is Resistance, and Audre Lorde’s famous insight that self-care is political warfare, this conversation invites you to rethink your relationship with the news, your nervous system, and what “taking care of yourself” really means.Main Topics Covered:Why your brain is so obsessed with bad news (and what “negativity bias” really means in daily life)How much news is “enough” before it quietly turns toxic to your nervous systemThe surprising link between unfinished stress cycles, burnout, and doomscrollingWhat ancient humans got right about stress that modern life gets totally backwardsA simple metaphor that can change how you think about the unconscious (hint: lungs and vacuums)How tiny, mundane interactions—like chatting at the grocery store—protect your mental healthThe tension between wanting to stay informed and wanting to stay functionalWhy “self-care” has been co‑opted—and what Audre Lorde really pointed to as political self-preservationPractical ways to double down on what you can control when “the world” feels out of controlHow small, local actions and community connections quietly reshape big, broken systemsLinks:Workshops & NewsletterPartner Thai Massage Workshop – Sign up hereGoing Upward Newsletter – Join Nyssa’s list hereReferenced Episodes / Resources“Enemy Button” episode/resourceBooks MentionedBurnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle – Emily & Amelia NagoskiFour Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals – Oliver BurkemanBuddha’s Brain – Rick HansonBare Bones Meditation – Joan TollifsonRest Is Resistance – Tricia HerseyReal Self-Care – Pooja LakshminWriters & SubstacksJoan Tollifson’s Substack: https://joantollifson.substack.com/Polly’s Substack (on brain/consciousness): https://substack.com/@drpolly/p-185555303Stay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

In this episode, Wes Bozeman joins us at the kitchen table for a wide-ranging conversation about yoga, touch, teaching, and community. We talk about Ghosh yoga, Thai massage, authenticity in practice, and what it means to hold tension without trying to resolve it too quickly. The conversation moves between philosophy, lived experience, and the quiet moments where healing actually happens.Main Topics Covered:How a dad, yogi, and massage therapist became the founder of Gays Hot YogaThe double meaning behind the studio name “Gaze” and why mirrors matter so much“Silence interrupted 26 times by poses”: Wes’s take on the 26 & 2 practiceWhy Gaze Hot Yoga is hot, bright, and relentlessly honest—and how that changes peopleFrom massage table to mat: why Wes moved from hands-on therapy to teaching movementThe no-touch policy at Gaze: verbal cues, mirrors, and vulnerability instead of assistsGhosh yoga 101: Bishnu Ghosh, Paramahansa Yogananda, and the Bikram connectionWhat Bikram got terribly wrong—and what the lineage still offers students todayInside the first-ever Ghosh Yoga Festival coming to Tampa this SpringHow standing in front of a hot mirror helped Nyssa transform her post-COVID lifeThai massage as “lazy man’s yoga” and a “massage picnic” on the floorThe karmic chain: how one Thai massage training led Nyssa and Kelly to meetWhy “clear is kind” has become a guiding principle at Gaze Hot YogaIs Gaze the new modern-day ashram? Community, belonging, and daily practice in TampaThe three words Wes ends every class with—and why they never stop feeling profoundLinks:Thai Massage Workshop at Gaze Hot Yoga, Feb. 21, 2026: https://www.nyssahanger.com/workshopsGaze Hot Yoga: https://www.gazehotyogatampa.com/Stay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

Touch is both essential and complicated.In this episode, Kelly and Nyssa explore touch as a human need—how it can be both deeply healing and highly charged. The discussion moves through consent, subjectivity, non-sexual touch, and how cultural conditioning has shaped the way bodies relate to one another. Drawing from bodywork, psychotherapy, Thai massage, and lived experience, the episode names touch as a form of communication that can support healing, connection, and dialogue.Main Topics Covered:Why touch is politicized, sexualized, and often misunderstood, especially in Western cultureThe importance of consent, communication, and clear boundaries in both professional and personal touchHow their work as a psychotherapist, acupuncturist, and massage therapist shapes the way they think about safe, attuned touchThe developmental impact of early touch (and lack of it), including attachment and our capacity for empathyThe philosophy and practice of Thai massage as a form of slow, negotiated, non-sexual touch that can deepen connection between partners, family members, and friendsHow expanding our “touch menu” can make it easier to ask for non-sexual touch and potentially even strengthen or “save” relationshipsLinks:Thai Massage Workshop at Gaze Hot Yoga, Feb. 21, 2026: https://www.nyssahanger.com/workshopsBook: Constructing the Sexual Crucible by David SchnarchStay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

Kelly and Nyssa dive into the topic of retreat, exploring why stepping back from everyday life—especially through silence and meditation—can be so transformative. Kelly shares stories from her early Zen retreats, including a hilarious (and humanizing) fart-at-the-final-ceremony moment that shattered her assumptions about belonging, and she explains how intensive practice, noble silence, and communal practice shaped her understanding of presence. She then contrasts group retreats with her recent largely self-directed, partly solitary retreat in Florida and North Carolina, describing how extended periods of silence help the “posse dust” of a busy life settle, revealing deeper layers of consciousness, health benefits, and a more intentional way of moving through the world. Together, they reflect on the countercultural nature of retreat in America, the difference between retreat and vacation, and offer accessible first steps for listeners—like carving out small, daily pockets of intentional silence—so that anyone, even without a full week away, can begin to experience the therapeutic and spiritual value of stillness.Main Topics Covered:The fart that broke noble silence: a Zen retreat story you won’t forgetHow Kelly went from “they all hate me” to “I’m part of this warm, funny sangha”Retreat vs. vacation: why they’re not the same thing at allWhat a Zen sesshin actually looks like—from 4:30 a.m. bells to crying-yourself-to-sleep napsHow a marching band inspection taught Kelly the healing power of silence“There is no nothing”: emptiness, relationship, and Buddhist philosophy in plain languageThe “posse dust” metaphor that perfectly explains what happens when you finally stopWhy sitting still is not “doing nothing” (and why our culture gets this so wrong)Kelly’s week-long, mostly solo retreat: Airbnb in the forest + empty Zen center ZendoThe subtle ways retreat shifted Kelly’s daily life—more tears, more openness, more intentionWhy screens make reality feel boring—and one simple grayscale phone hackPractical baby steps: how to start with 10 minutes of silence a day (even with kids)How to create a tiny “retreat space” at home, even without a spare roomWhat to expect when you first try sitting in silence (hint: it may feel worse before it feels better)Why Kelly keeps going back on retreat: not just to feel better, but to understand what’s really going on hereLinks:Windhorse Zen Center: https://windhorsezen.org/Stay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

In this companion episode, Kelly uses the skills of Real Dialog to interview Nyssa about her unconventional path into healing work. Nyssa traces her journey from teen poetry nights and open mics, to aromatizing Manhattan after 9/11 with her mom’s aromatherapy team, to studying religious experience and Sanskrit, and ultimately building a career as a massage therapist, aromatherapist, and coach. Along the way, she shares how words, scent, and touch became tools for transformation, and why falling “off track” is actually part of the upward spiral.Main Topics Covered:How a teen poetry night at the public library changed Nyssa’s lifeFrom marching band to a performing arts high school: Nyssa’s “vision quest” detourThe open mic mentor who saw Nyssa’s talent and nudged her toward a new pathWhat it was like aromatizing Manhattan after 9/11 with essential oils and chair massageHow witnessing trauma care at Ground Zero redirected Nyssa’s career toward healingWhy Nyssa chose massage and psychology over a traditional creative writing pathFalling in love with religious studies and discovering Sanskrit as an “ancestral” languageThe connection between poetry, mantra, and having a numinous (holy “quaking”) experienceUsing scent, words, and intention as a kind of everyday spellwork for changeWhat Nyssa learned from running her own healing center before and through the pandemicRedefining the “downward spiral” and why falling off track is actually part of the pathHow Nyssa now supports wellness solopreneurs to grow without burning outLinks:Partner Thai Massage Workshop, February 21, 2026 at Gaze Hot Yoga: https://www.nyssahanger.com/workshopsStay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

Nyssa uses the principles of Real Dialogue to interview her wife and co-host, Kelly, about how she found her way into psychology, chemical dependency work, acupuncture, and Zen Buddhism. Kelly traces the breadcrumbs from Codependent No More on the back of the toilet and bedtime stories from the psych ward to Virginia Satir, Thich Nhat Hanh, her Zen teacher Lawson, and a whole-person practice that serves “the worried well.” The conversation lands on embodying the work, experiencing life as art in service of others, and inviting listeners to follow their own signs and symbols toward growth.Main Topics Covered:How a paperback left on the back of a toilet (Codependent No More) quietly redirected a 17-year-old toward a life in mental healthThe moment a music-obsessed teenager ditched a University of Miami scholarship and a possible philharmonic future to study the humanities insteadBedtime stories from a closed psych ward in 1970s Fort Lauderdale and how they sparked a lifelong fascination with consciousnessDiscovering Virginia Satir, family systems, and the radical idea that “the identified patient” is never the only one who needs to changeFrom Maslow and Jung to 12-step work: early influences that shaped Kelly’s view of human and divine potentialHow an Intro to Religion class, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, and Autobiography of a Yogi reframed spirituality—and even the Jesus storyThe “coming out” moment as a Buddhist on retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh, and what it feels like when a teaching truly “rings the bell” inside youFinding a Zen teacher who felt like a lost child finding their mother—and why that relationship still brings Kelly to tearsWhy Kelly believes therapists are today’s secular shamans, working at the crossroads of body, mind, and spiritWhat happens when you treat the whole person: how mind–body work helps the “worried well” change jobs, relationships, and livesLinks:Book: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu SuzukiBook: Codependent, No More by Melody BeattieBook: Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa YoganandaBook: The Practice: Shipping Creative Work by Seth GodinMozart Clarinet ConcertoEpisode 3: https://www.nyssahanger.com/podcast/ep3Episode 1: https://www.nyssahanger.com/podcast/ep1Stay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

In this episode, Nyssa and Kelly talk about what it means to be together as a companion to their previous conversation on being different. They share memories of how they met, how Thai massage shaped the early days of their connection, and how each of them first encountered the idea of conscious relationship. The conversation moves through their personal histories, key teachings from John Welwood, and the role of Real Dialogue in navigating conflict, intimacy, and growth.Main Topics CoveredHow a Thai massage class, grief, and a post-pandemic hug-fest led to a surprising love storyWhat “conscious relationship” actually means (and why both hosts made it their #1 non‑negotiable)The three dimensions of conscious relationship from John Welwood: evolutionary, personal, and sacredWhy your most intimate relationships might be your deepest spiritual pathHow unresolved childhood wounds show up in partnership—and what to do when they doConscious vs. unconscious relationship: projection, blame, and “cleaning up your side of the street”A middle‑of‑the‑night Advil incident as a perfect example of taking ownership instead of blaming your partnerThe role of dialogue as the core of communication in conscious relationshipsHow to honor “being different” while staying deeply togetherLinks:Episode 2: www.nyssahanger.com/podcast/ep2Ordinary Magic by John WelwoodLove Between Equals by Polly Young-EisendrathBodhi Sangha Thai Massage School (Ariela Grodner)Matlock on CBS / Paramount+Stay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

In this episode of Being Different Together, Nyssa and Kelly dive into what it means to be different and why our brains are wired to treat difference as a threat. They share personal stories from childhood, band days, identity, and relationships to highlight how difference can create conflict or become a catalyst for transformation. The conversation moves from instinct to intentionality, showing how Real Dialogue helps turn conflict into a play space for learning and connection.Main Topics CoveredEver felt like the “odd one out”? Discover how embracing your differences could be your superpower.Honest and humorous personal stories about growing up feeling “different”—and why that’s totally normal.Find out why noticing differences is deeply human—and how it can shape our relationships for better or worse.What do pickles, band kids, and list-making reveal about partnership and individuality? Tune in for some relatable surprises!Hear how real dialog and intentional communication turn conflict from a “minefield” into a playground for growth.Learn how dialog therapy helped two people navigate their unique quirks and build a strong relationship.Get inspired to see everyday conflicts—in family, work, or love—not as threats, but as opportunities for discovery and self-improvement.Links:Episode 1 of Being Different Together: www.nyssahanger.com/podcast/ep1Ani DiFranco’s song “IQ”: Ani DiFranco - My IQYouTube · HybridFalconOct 21, 2013Cafe Hey (in Tampa): www.cafehey.comCenter For Real Dialogue: https://www.realdialogue.org/Stay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

In this episode of Being Different Together, Nyssa and Kelly introduce the practice of Real Dialogue and share the story of how they became a “demo couple” for dialogue therapy training with Dr. Polly Young-Eisendrath and the Center for Real Dialogue. They talk about why this work matters in a world of divorce, estrangement, and “neurotic polarization,” and lay out the core objectives, conscious contract, and three main skills of Real Dialogue. The conversation weaves in their backgrounds in psychology, Buddhism, religious studies, and aromatherapy, all in service of learning to stay connected, stay curious, and be different together.Main Topics CoveredHow we became the demo couple for dialogue therapy training with Dr. Polly Young-Eisendrath in VermontThe lineage of dialogue therapy and the creation of Real DialogueThe mission of the Center for Real Dialogue: “make the secrets for authentic dialogue, healthy conflict, and developing our self-awareness through our differences available to all”Why this work matters: divorce, “an epidemic of estrangement,” and a culture that’s “neurotically polarized”The four objectives of Real Dialogue: know myself, speak and listen responsibly, end dehumanization and war, and learn from failure, defeat, and deathThe Three Cs of a “conscious contract”: committing to being different together, constraining ourselves, and containing the extremes of our emotions and impulsesThe three core skills of Real Dialogue: speaking for yourself, listening mindfully, remaining curious“Why be furious when you can remain curious” as a playful mantra for working with conflict and strong emotionsLinks:Center For Real Dialogue: https://www.realdialogue.org/Dialogue Decalogue by Leonard Swindler: https://dialogueinstitute.org/dialogue-principlesStay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

In this episode, Nyssa and Kelly introduce the heart of Being Different Together and share why conversations matter so deeply to their relationship, their work, and their community. They talk about Real Dialogue™, what conscious relationship means to them, and how holding difference creates more love, connection, and harmony. The episode sets the foundation for weekly conversations, future guests, and a shared commitment to relating with more curiosity and compassion.Weekly Episodes coming on Thursdays starting Jan. 1, 2026!Main Topics CoveredWhat this podcast is aboutLearning the skills of Real Dialogue™Exploring conscious relationshipHolding difference in marriage and workWhat to expect in the podcastLinks:Center For Real Dialogue: https://www.realdialogue.org/Stay in Touch:Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahangerKelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady