No matter what side you’re on - we think this is an illuminating conversation about the divisiveness of our county, and the way in which our human nature and psychology intersects with politics and the recent US election. We talk about themes around navigating family dynamics at this time, the need for nuanced thinking, misinformation, and how to get information from our communities and real lives vs the news.

Learn more about the podcast and the hosts, Hannah + Jane:

arewehappyyetpodcast.com

alchemytherapyandwellness.com

grittherapy.com

Jane and Hannah are back for a solo episode and it's full of big questions with no answers - but at least we're together and laughing along the way.

We talk about our experiences working with clients to address the impact of world events like politics, climate change, and the rising costs of housing on mental health and wellbeing.

We riff about control and ways that we manage existential fears through controlling external factors like our bodies, bank accounts, and our besties . We talk about core wounds around feeling unworthy or unloved and where we think they originate. We discuss how our solution-oriented culture influences us on all levels - and ways that we can learn to tolerate the uncertainty and without always having an answer.

Learn more about the podcast and the hosts, Hannah + Jane:

arewehappyyetpodcast.com

alchemytherapyandwellness.com

grittherapy.com

This is a fun one - before introducing our wonderful guest Betsy Fowler, RN, Hannah and Jane riff on their experiences incorporating non-traditional therapies, as well as traditional therapies, into the clinical work that they do.

Hannah and Jane discuss how experience is a powerful changemaker, and how we see overthinking and intellectualizing as a defense and blocker to true healing.

Betsy Fowler, registered nurse and psychedelic guide joins Hannah and Jane to *attempt to* consciously explore the unconscious. We talk about how childhood experiences create internal stories that we then carry throughout our adulthood. We identify the importance of a holistic treatment model, rather than focusing on reducing symptoms in the mental health space. Betsy normalizes the nonlinear process of change, and talks about how we can learn to accept ourselves in the process of change.

We also talk about:

-somatic therapy

-using nature and breath as tools to gain self understanding and self compassion

-how body image impacts our ability to be in our bodies

-the importance of community and connection during our healing journey

-using cannabis as an intentional tool for healing

Resources:

-The study on mood tracking apps that Jane mentioned: ⁠https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/feb/04/they-thought-they-were-doing-good-but-it-made-people-worse-why-mental-health-apps-are-under-scrutiny⁠

Connect with Betsy:

⁠https://www.embodied-guidance.com⁠

IG: @embodied.guidance

Learn more about the podcast and the hosts, Hannah + Jane:

arewehappyyetpodcast.com

alchemytherapyandwellness.com

grittherapy.com

Join us for this fun and enlightening conversation with Kendra Prospero and John Bartley, of Turning the Corner HR as we dig deep into WHY work dissatisfaction and burnout is so prevalent in our world today. Kendra and John share about their mission to end suffering in the workplace. They discuss what individuals, leaders and companies can do to improve satisfaction at work.

We discuss the interplay of responsibilities of workers, leaders, and businesses when it comes to developing work satisfaction and contentment. Kendra shares a moving story about how a values-focused work culture showed up in her own life, and why having a work community (no, we aren’t all a family) is so important. We talk about the biological components of burnout, and why that vacation to Hawaii isn’t going to fix your feelings of stress, exhaustion, and depletion.

We also talk about:

-the three factors that make individuals content in their work

-leadership and unconscious barriers that leaders can have that impact others

-the importance of mentorship, exploration, and discovery in the workplace

-the lack of training for managers, and how this impacts the managers, employees, and the bottom line

-the role of exchange between employee and employer, and why its more than just a paycheck

-how history and the attitudes of past generations have impacted cultural views and beliefs around suffering in the workplace

Resources:

Connect with Kendra and John at Turning the Corner HR: https://turningthecornerhr.com

Kendra’s podcast: https://turningthecornerhr.com/podcast/

Sign up for Kendra’s newsletters: https://turningthecornerhr.com/52tips

Learn More about Are We Happy Yet? and the hosts Hannah + Jane:

arewehappyyetpodcast.com

alchemytherapyandwellness.com

Grittherapy.com

Kayle Elliott, licensed therapist, discusses her journey with floatation-rest therapy (aka sensory deprivation), and the concept of increased interoception that she developed throughout her experience with floating. She shares the story of her personal experience with float tanks, as well as the research supporting using float tanks to treat anxiety, and other mental health concerns.

We discuss our dear friend anxiety A LOT - how our senses are constantly bombarded, leading to dissociation and disconnection from ourselves. We talk about urgency and overwhelm, and how our bodies and brains respond to anxiety. Kayle talks about how anxiety is an uncomfortable, but normal reaction, in our current world. We learn WHY feeling our emotions is important, and how connecting with our emotions leads us to know ourselves, and our world more around us deeply.

We also talk about:

-sensory overload

-slowing down + feeling good

-shame + resistance

-how to get started with float tanks

Resources:

Easy Float: https://easyfloat.com

Samana:

https://samanafloat.com

Database of Clinical Floatation Research:

https://www.clinicalfloat.org/

Jane and I want to help support the folks who have been impacted by the tragic hurricanes Helene + Milton. Through October 31, we will be donating $5 for each 5 star review we get on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or review on Apple Podcasts. <3 Please rate and review the pod!

Learn More about Are We Happy Yet? and the hosts Hannah + Jane:

arewehappyyetpodcast.com

alchemytherapyandwellness.com

Grittherapy.com

Meet Jenny Leavell, Jane’s dear friend, and shamanic practitioner. Jenny shares about growing up with a “hippie mom” and how this open way of being kicked off her journey through various explorations of spirituality, martial arts, shamanic practices, and plant medicines. Jenny and Jane talk about the overlap between shamanism and the Western model, particularly in relation to mental health.

Jenny humorously challenges the notion of constant happiness and instead focuses on finding contentment and peace in ourselves. Jenny gives us a realistic definition of Shamanism (no, it’s not your Burner friend who just got back from an ayahuasca retreat in Peru) and how shamanism has shown up through history, and in various cultures. Jane and Jenny dive deep into unpacking the Western Culture’s focus on productivity, money, status, and accomplishment and how these ideals go against nature and our natural human cycles and needs.

We also talk about:

-Cultural appropriation in spiritual and plant medicine communities

-The importance of listening

-A shamanic Practitioner’s view of personal responsibility vs caretaking

-Intellect vs Emotional Health

Shamanic Resources:

Society for Shamanic Practice:

https://shamanicpractice.org/

The Power Path School of Shamanism:

https://thepowerpath.com/

Books by Sandra Ingerman:

https://www.sandraingerman.com/

Books and articles by Jose Stevens, PhD:

https://thepowerpath.com/shamanic-education/about-the-power-path/jose-luis-stevens-phd/

The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz:

https://www.miguelruiz.com/the-four-agreements

Learn more about Are We Happy Yet? and the hosts, Hannah + Jane:

arewehappyyetpodcast.com

alchemytherapyandwellness.com

grittherapy.com

In this conversation, we're joined by the hilarious and brilliant Audrey Bristol, LCSW to discuss a wide array of topics. Audrey shares her vulnerable story around sobriety, addiction in her family dynamic, searching for identity, and finding her values.

We talk about how we can identify our values, and how living a values aligned life can help us stop the constant seeking for identity, validation, and acceptance. We explore the benefits, and dangers, of black or white thinking and the pressure to fit into certain boxes.

We also talk about:

-black or white thinking

-boundaries

-navigating challenging family dynamics

-avoidance + distraction

-eating disorders + body image

-addiction + substance abuse

Connect with Audrey: originswellnesscollective.com | @originswellnesscollective

Brene Brown Values:

https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/

Learn more about Are We Happy Yet? and the hosts, Hannah + Jane:

arewehappyyetpodcast.com

alchemytherapyandwellness.com

grittherapy.com

If you find yourself answering "so busy" when people ask how you are doing, this episode is for you - and it's SUCH a good one!

Join us in our thought-provoking conversation with Kim Bender PhD, MSW, professor in the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver. Kim shares about her recent sabbatical and work as a Fullbright scholar in Taiwan.

We talk about the differences in culture and mindset between the Taiwanese and Americans, particularly in terms of work-life balance, community support, and the value placed on growth and productivity.

We dive deep into the impacts of our productivity-based culture and society - on our mental health, bodies, relationships, and the planet. We talk about what it means to belong, and the different cultural barriers that get in the way of this innate need for (took out us as) humans.

We also talk about:

-mutual aid

-values based living

-the importance of ease + need for spontaneity

-how to stay in relationship with others when we inevitably judge each other

-the concept of "awe"

Connect with Kim:https://socialwork.du.edu/about/gssw-directory/kimberly-ann-bender

Jane mentioned: Four Thousand Weeks; Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

Learn More:arewehappyyetpodcast.com

alchemytherapyandwellness.com

grittherapy.com