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Good to Talk

Jeremiah Simmons and E Wardgoodtotalk.co
Conversations between a therapist and artist about the good flow of life. Good to Talk is a podcast produced by Jeremiah Simmons and E Ward. The hope of these Good to Talks is to build community around shared interests and helpful conversations.This content is not intended to act in place of professional medical advice, to diagnose, or to treat. If you are having an emergency please dial 911.
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Episodes

In It Together: Cosmopolitanism, Oikeiôsis, and Sympatheia (Part 1)

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss what it means to come together in a world that often feels fractured and distant. Though we are not experts on politics or international relations, we believe we are in a particularly difficult time where seeking understanding and empathy can be profoundly challenging for all of us, especially when so many of us believe that those around us are ill-intentioned. Here we introduce the well established concepts of cosmopolitanism, oikeiôsis, and sympatheia. A...

Sep 26, 202353 minSeason 3Ep. 61

Self Connected, Self Aware, Self Defined

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss what it means to really intentionally connect to our selves. It begins with the practice of slowing down and taking inventory of what we notice and experience in our bodies and senses. From there we can start to analyze what is most important about our experiences and release what isn't ours to carry forward. From this awareness comes the work of consciously examining our beliefs and choosing what parts of ourselves to bring into the future. As always. tha...

Sep 12, 202354 minSeason 3Ep. 60

How to Process: Hurt and Hope

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss how to process well. As we discussed in our last episode, we are all going through a lot in this day and age, and it can feel a bit like swimming in too deep of water for too long without being able to make it back to the shallows. That has led us all to feel a bit more on edge, a bit more tired and exhausted, with a little less to give and a lot more to make sense of… Finding a way to process the ever mounting and increasing difficulties of life is someth...

Aug 29, 202347 minSeason 3Ep. 59

Facing Existential Dread

In this episode, Jeremiah and E explore existential dread. Jeremiah has increasingly noticed folks in therapy with him feeling an overarching sense that things aren't okay and the that they're only going to get worse. Not quite the same as depression, anxiety, or ennui, this uncertainty and insecurity is more in the camp of dread and despair that is focused on everything and nothing all at once. Living in this, it is more and more difficult to feel secure in our world and find meaningfulness in ...

Aug 15, 202349 minSeason 3Ep. 58

Strength and Weakness

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss the ways in which our strengths and weaknesses can often be two sides of the same coin. This paradox of our gifts and curses can often be so ingrained in our behaviors that we don’t always see the ways we become stuck. Understanding our strengths will hopefully help us better see that our weaknesses often come from choosing (or defaulting) to our usual approaches , and then missing or neglecting other parts of our personalities and potential. Here, we exam...

Aug 01, 202352 minSeason 3Ep. 57

Seeing Self: Body Image

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss what it means to approach ourselves and others with grace and dignity, and find some reframes that empower us all as we live in our bodies, care for our bodies, and share them with others. Because it is such a complex topic, we tried to keep containment around broad ideas of body image and won’t be diving deeply into specifics on nutrition, exercise, issues with eating, differences between male and female body image issues, which are many, cultural expecta...

Jul 18, 202353 minSeason 3Ep. 56

Friendship Revisited

In this episode, Jeremiah and E revisit what healthy friendship looks like. Healthy friendship revels in shared experiences, joys and troubles. Healthy friendships find balance and allow space for curiosity, celebration, vulnerability, and companionship. As always, thank you for listening along with us! If you'd like to message us or find more content, please visit our website at goodtotalk.co

Jun 20, 202352 minSeason 3Ep. 55

Building Habits: We Are What We Do

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss the process of building habits. As Will Durant says, "We are what we repeatedly do." Success, then, is not so much an act of will, as it is a series of smaller choices. Our habits ultimately determine our longterm progress. Celebrating daily milestones, rather than destinations, understanding the cost of saying yes or no, and framing our actions as an extension of identity can all help us in forming better habits.

Jun 06, 202353 minSeason 3Ep. 54

Letting Go: The Gift of Goodbye

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss what it means to be conscious of our patterns and make changes as the demands on our time shift. Most of us would say that we are currently carrying something in our lives that we should probably just let go, though humans are at the same time a notoriously sentimental group who don’t do well with change. At our base level, saying goodbye and moving on is not our strong suit as a species. As always, thank you for listening along with us. If you'd like to c...

May 23, 202347 minSeason 3Ep. 53

Saying Sorry: The Gift of an Apology

In this episode, Jeremiah and E explore the importance of apologies along with some strategies for better relational communication. No matter how great your relationships are or how much you love and care for your loved ones, friends and family, at some point in time, you will have conflict and need to apologize. One of the most common topics in therapy, and not just in couples counseling, is how to repair. Many of us struggle to say sorry. There is profound strength and freedom in an apology th...

May 09, 202359 minSeason 3Ep. 52

Cultivating Curiosity

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss the often unexplored space in between that we too frequently pass over for productivity or purpose. Letting ourselves stop to smell the proverbial roses can actually be a profoundly important part of our mental and emotional well being. If we can create the space and mindfulness in our everyday lives to curate curiosity, we might find that wonder and joy still very much exist in our worlds. We just need to offer ourselves a little bit of space to seek it. ...

Apr 25, 202339 minSeason 3Ep. 51

Satisfying Simplicity

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss the path to and value of simplifying our lives amidst all our ever-present complications and distractions. While there are profound needs that continue to exist around the globe, we also live in a time of overwhelming abundance. Not just abundance of goods and services, but a glut of access to information and entertainment. This overabundance creates a fascinating paradox for most humans, as we don’t do well with excess. Our brains and bodies are not engin...

Apr 11, 202350 minSeason 3Ep. 50

Virtue Ethics

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss how to define a good life and then what it means to make daily choices to move us in a direction of growth and health. Enter virtue ethics . Thankfully, we are not the first to contemplate what a good life looks like or how to pursue an integrated self that lives out our personal virtues with authenticity and dignity. Humans have been exploring this topic throughout recorded history. Ethics, as a philosophical category, deals with the overarching concepts ...

Mar 28, 202354 minSeason 3Ep. 49

Making Progress

In this episode, Jeremiah and E explore how to make progress. Feeling stuck or struggling to make progress can be a point of frustration for many of us. In this episode, we unpack some of the meta-narratives standing in our way and highlight some of the important ideas to make sense of in moving forward. Planning long-term, acting short-term, and taking radical ownership of our stories all help us grow towards our goals.

Mar 14, 202345 minSeason 3Ep. 48

Open Mindedness (2/2)

In this episode, Jeremiah and E continue discussing the benefits of open-mindedness. If you haven't already, check out Episode 45, part one of this topic. In part two, we discuss some of the ways in which we can become more self aware, keep an open mind, and not stand in the way of our own rational thinking and growth. Open-mindedness offers us a freedom to be helped by the strengths and perspectives of those around us. It also frees us for greater growth, recognizing that no decision is set in ...

Feb 28, 202344 minSeason 3Ep. 47

Romantic Communication

In this episode, we are interrupting our two part series on open mindedness to discuss Romantic Communication in honor of Valentine's Day. Though Valentine's day can feel a bit like a marketing scheme, it is also an excellent opportunity to purposely focus on gratitude and celebration of the ones we love and hold dearest. In this episode, we explore the importance of good communication strategies, intentionality, and empathy in our relationships.

Feb 14, 202350 minSeason 3Ep. 46

Open Mindedness (1/2)

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss the difficulties and dangers of being close minded. It can be difficult to remain open minded when we derive much of our relational security from being right. Our egos tell us that being right means gaining power, having autonomy, and ultimately finding acceptance. Our sense of emotional security and even our own physiology can work against us making maintaining an open mind incredibly difficult. Here we consider some of the reasons it can be profoundly di...

Jan 31, 202345 minSeason 3Ep. 45

Creativity

Jeremiah and E are kicking off Season 3 with an episode about the importance of Creativity. From our earliest ancestors, creativity has played a massive role in finding fulfillment in existence. Invention, abstract thinking, imagination can help us serve others and expand our worlds in positive ways and be a place of much purpose across the human lifespan. As always, thank you for joining us! Visit our website at: https://goodtotalk.co Follow us on Instagram at: https://instagram.com/goodtotalk....

Jan 17, 202347 minSeason 3Ep. 44

New Year: How to Begin and Sustain Growth

Happy New Year! The first episode of 2023 is also the final episode of Season 2. In this episode, Jeremiah and E consider what it means to name goals and keep ourselves motivated while achieving them. As we often begin, doing the work of reflection is an important first step in accomplishment. Understanding the deeper threads running through our desires will ultimately help us set appropriately tailored goals and also facilitate our ability to stay motivated. Dreaming and establishing vision wil...

Jan 03, 202343 minSeason 2Ep. 43

Living Generously: Happy Holidays

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss the challenges of living and giving generously. Because the holidays can often represent a season of stress for many of us, we wanted to examine how we can make this time of year less about obligations and frantic plan-making and more of a chance to slow down, reflect, celebrate, and enjoy our time with friends and family. We wish you a very happy holiday and hope that you can enjoy the good flow of life to its fullest!

Dec 20, 202237 minSeason 2Ep. 42

Appreciating Cinema

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss the impact movies can have on our lives. A good film can expose us to new ideas and opportunities and offer us a glimpse of a life we may never otherwise see. Inspiring our imaginations and broadening our perspectives, this is a lighthearted episode about appreciating cinema.

Dec 06, 202242 minSeason 2Ep. 41

Guide to Gratitude: Thanksgiving

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss why counting our blessings works. Gratitude is desire fulfilled. It's the culmination of what we want and what now get to enjoy. Sadly, few of us actively engage our desires in this way and thus miss out on our full potential for feeling fulfilled and to be at peace. Gratitude takes awareness and practice, but it gives joy and brings peace.

Nov 22, 202244 minSeason 2Ep. 40

Cultivating Calm

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss the finding calm in the midst of chaos. The Stoic disciplines of desire, assent, and action help us focus on what is in and what is out of our control. Moderation is not punishment, but rather finding the balance and ultimate place of peace in all things.

Nov 08, 202250 minSeason 2Ep. 39

Memento Mori

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss the stoic philosophy of "memento mori" in honor of Halloween. The latin, "memento mori" or in english, "remember that you must die," gives us pause and has us consider the fleeting nature of existence and the value of the present. The slightly less macabre extension of "memento mori" is "memento vivere" or "remember to live."

Oct 25, 202243 minSeason 2Ep. 38

Technology and Balance

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss how to wield technology well, appreciating it for its uses while staying conscious of life in the analogue. Jeremiah and E also share a few of their personal favorite technologies. After a few serious episodes in a row, this conversation stays a bit more lighthearted.

Oct 11, 202245 minSeason 2Ep. 37

Honoring Emotions (3/3)

In this episode, Jeremiah and E conclude their conversation about honoring emotions. This Good to Talk is focused on how to share our emotions healthily within our communities. Improving our self awareness and learning how to communicate our feelings effectively not only honors ourselves, but also the people around us. Reflection Connection Communication

Sep 27, 202250 minSeason 2Ep. 36

Honoring Emotions (2/3)

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss understanding and experiencing healthy feelings through honoring our emotions. We can integrate our feelings into awareness, think clearly about our judgements, and trust our instincts and actions to act responsibly. When we honor our emotions, they can help us grow to see ourselves more clearly and lead healthier lives.

Sep 13, 202245 minSeason 2Ep. 35

Honoring Emotions (1/3)

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss understanding and experiencing healthy feelings by honoring our emotions. While most everyone enjoys happy emotions, painful ones can feel like they often impede relationships and hinder our personal growth. Even for those of us who do not express our emotions outwardly, our feelings are still at the core of our lived experiences. Understanding how to curate and cultivate healthy emotional lives and relationships is absolutely worth our time. Building awar...

Aug 30, 202244 minSeason 2Ep. 34

Imposter Syndrome

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss what it means to feel grounded and confident in our pursuits while keeping Imposter Syndrome at bay.

Jul 01, 202235 minSeason 2Ep. 33

Celebrating Pride

In this episode, Jeremiah and E discuss Celebrating Pride in he month of June. Pride is about authenticity and being proud to be oneself. It is a celebration of life and community and it is inclusive. Pride is also a protest of the status quo. We approached this conversation seeking to make sense of how the broader world orients towards the LGBTQ+ community and celebrations of Pride, and the work that is left to be done. Pride is a gift to everyone. hate - active antagonization, discriminatory t...

Jun 14, 202257 minSeason 2Ep. 32
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