Send us a text Paula answers questions submitted by the community about mental health and breaks them down in a way that only she can. Thanks to an overwhelming response of questions, this episode will be the first of a series for the fourth annual Ask P Anything! In this episode, you will hear: + understanding burnout vs. tiredness of surviving + impact of burnout on physical and mental health + feeling guilty about rest + high-functioning depression and emotional exhaustion + setting...

Send us a text Hey y’all, hey 🤍 However you move through this season—holiday, cultural, or just surviving it—I hope you’re giving yourself grace, permission to rest, reset, and to opt out/ tap out when needed. I’m endlessly grateful for this listening community and the way you continue to show up for these conversations. Truly, thank you for letting me into your ears and your hearts. ✨ Behind on episodes? This is your sign to catch up 😉 💬 Got a question for Ask P Anything? Drop it in our DMs ...

Send us a text Michelle discusses "The Art of Bending Time," which helps individuals optimize their time, leading to increased efficiency and personal growth. She shared her personal journey from burnout to health recovery through functional medicine and health coaching. Michelle emphasized the importance of finding activities that bring joy, maintaining physical and mental health, and avoiding multitasking. She highlights the significance of integrating personal and professional life for ove...

Send us a text Ron discusses his approach to helping males with ADHD, depression, and addiction. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and connecting with clients on a deep level, leveraging his own experiences. Ron and Paula explore the overlap between ADHD and addiction, the impact of cultural and societal norms on emotional expression, and the need for self-awareness and self-care. Ron stresses the importance of being authentic and embracing one's unique strengths, while Paula unde...

Send us a text Paula discusses the challenges of expressing gratitude during difficult times, emphasizing the importance of gratitude as a grounding practice rather than a performance. She highlights the complexities faced by marginalized communities, including financial stress, racial trauma, and burnout. Paula suggests practical ways to practice gratitude, such as micro-gratitudes, daily reflections, and community acknowledgments. She emphasizes that gratitude can help with emotional regula...

Send us a text Shellee discusses her mission to help families navigate college admissions without debt. She shares her personal journey as a first-generation college student and the challenges faced by her son, who became an orthopedic surgeon without debt. Shellee emphasizes the importance of self-discovery, community service, and early financial planning. She highlights the need for students to choose majors early and avoid using AI in college applications, as it leads to automatic rejectio...

Send us a text Paula discusses neurodivergent masking in adulthood and defines masking as the daily effort to appear normal, which can lead to burnout, identity confusion, and emotional exhaustion. She identifies that masking often begins in childhood and evolves into adulthood, particularly affecting communities of color. Unmasking involves practicing sensory comforts, setting boundaries, and using identity-affirming language. Paula emphasizes the importance of utilizing supports such as the...

Send us a text Paula discusses the impact of the community members nationwide who are recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. She shares personal and professional experiences with SNAP, quotes from current recipients, and deep dives into the stigma associated with using food assistance. Paula emphasizes the broader community impact, including the emotional and mental health toll on families and the challenges of navigating the system....

Send us a text Paula explores the complex emotions surrounding success, including guilt and shame, despite achieving personal and professional milestones. She highlights the importance of defining success personally and acknowledging the mixed emotions that can arise. Paula shares a few personal experiences, such as earning degrees and starting a business, for context, and the challenges of navigating societal expectations and intergenerational messages. She emphasizes the need for self-compa...

Send us a text ​​Paula discusses the weaponization of therapeutic language, emphasizing its impact on communication and mental health. She recounts an incident in a doctor's waiting room where one person aggressively suggested therapy to another, highlighting the potential for misuse, root causes of this increase and rationale for why it is not discussed. Paula notes the progress in mental health awareness but warns against oversimplifying complex issues. She advises using therapeutic t...

Send us a text Paula explores the concept of expertise, emphasizing the importance of specific knowledge and experience. She highlights different viewpoints regarding the title of expert and the challenges associated with differing perceptions. Paula breaks down the 10,000-hour rule popularized by Malcolm Gladwell and offers the critique of Anders Ericsson as an additional perspective to consider. She emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating self-proclaimed experts, taking into acco...

Send us a text Paula discusses the importance of taking paid time off (PTO) in the U.S., highlighting that 5.5% of American workers did not take any PTO in 2023, and 62% of those who did not use all their allotted days. She explains that PTO can be used for various reasons, including sick days and vacations, and the availability of PTO varies by employer policy. She notes that PTO usage is influenced by factors such as job security, income, and cultural pressures, and emphasizes the need for ...

Send us a text Paula talks about the gender wage gap and shares various data points, such as women in the U.S. earn a median of 83 cents for every dollar men make. She points out that the wage gap has narrowed over time but has stalled or widened in recent years. Factors contributing to the gap include caregiving duties, gender discrimination, and occupational segregation. She shares the ways that the wage gap has a direct effect on lifetime earnings, retirement savings, and poverty levels. P...

Send us a text Paula introduces a 10-minute guided meditation session in response to community request for strategies to help manage the emotional weight people are struggling with emphasizing its benefits for those who struggle with self-meditation. Come and dip your toes into practices we have spoken about on the podcast in real time! This brief meditation focuses on self-affirmation, rest, and care, highlighting that rest is a birthright and not a weakness, tapping into themes discussed d...

Send us a text Paula engages in a deep dive surrounding the phenomenon of Doomscrolling, admitting to being a guilty party. She highlights the impact of consuming negative news, which can increase anxiety, sadness, and feelings of helplessness. Research shows that 62% of Americans doomscroll occasionally, with 70% of social media users engaging in it and it can lead to physical health issues like headaches and high blood pressure. Paula suggests setting specific boundaries, using app timers, ...

Send us a text Paula discusses the importance of boundaries in various aspects of life, emphasizing their role in self-care and mental health. She highlights the challenges of setting and maintaining boundaries, noting cultural and generational influences. Paula suggests practical steps, such as starting with setting setting one specific boundary. She stresses that boundaries are essential for protecting personal energy and promoting meaningful self-care. In addition, Paula speaks on the fear...

Send us a text Paula discusses the challenges and realities of starting a private practice for new graduates in the mental health field. She emphasizes the importance of realistic expectations, noting some New York specific themes that pre-licensed clinicians often face. Paula highlights the need for business acumen, financial literacy, and networking to name a few core themes in addition to strong clinical skills. She advises against jumping into full-time private practice immediately post-g...

Send us a text Paula examines the concept of acceptance, emphasizing it as an action rather than a belief. She differentiates acceptance from approval, noting that acceptance is a verb and requires active participation. Paula highlights the challenges of acceptance, including confusion with giving up and the fear of judgment. She shares some personal experiences and the importance of self-compassion and accessing community support. Paula encourages listeners to practice acceptance by meeting ...

Send us a text Paula explores the current impact of anxiety on Americans, referencing a recent mental health poll by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) which revealed that 40% of employed individuals worry about job security, while 67% prioritize keeping themselves or their families safe among other significant concerns. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging an increase in anxiety as a signal and addressing it before it becomes unmanageable, particularly for historically unde...

Send us a text Paula highlights the confirmation of a a new policy in New York City Public schools banning cell phones and internet-enabled devices following several other states who have adopted similar practices. This policy will affect grades 3-12 and includes exceptions for educational and medical needs. She identifies increase in concerns include mental health impacts, safety, and parental communication which motivates these shifts as well as the responsibility of schools to develop thei...