It’s Not Therapy! - podcast cover

It’s Not Therapy!

I’m Liana Kerzner and I am not a therapist! I navigate the madness of mental health with interesting guests, inspiring stories and real questions from regular people!
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Episodes

What Helps Women Rise, and What Makes Them Fall?

"If you’re anything like me, you’re tired of folding yourself into a neat little box with clean descriptors that make linear sense. Women’s lives and experiences just aren’t like that. The messiness of our lives is a main ingredient in the mysticism that is womanhood." Author & women's mentor and coach Megan Dalla-Camina https://womenrisingco.com/ returns to talk to Liana about her new book "Women Rising." Lots to listen to for both women and men....

Oct 11, 202448 minEp. 105

Diet Culture - What it is and What We Can Do About It

As people have pointed out, the word 'diet' begins with 'die' - society's unhealthy focus on a person's weight has killed the self-esteem of too many men and women - too often with fatal results. The 'diet culture' messaging that bombards us is based in outdated attitudes, racial biases, perceptions of wealth and commerce. Liana talks about the problem and solutions with Carolyn Karoll, a licensed therapist, author and authority on eating disorders and body image.

Sep 20, 202448 minEp. 104

A Wounded Heart - Trauma in the Clergy

When many people lean on you for emotional support, who do you lean on? This is a question that caregivers and members of the clergy wrestle with every day. US Army Lt. Colonel Rebecca D'Angelo, speaks to Liana about how military clergy face the challenge, with information that caregivers can model in their own lives.

Sep 06, 202448 minEp. 103

Why (Some) Men Struggle With Friendships

There is a loneliness epidemic uniquely affecting men. Why do men have fewer friends than women - and how does that affect their relationships, self-worth and potential for success? Also... why do men have fewer friends than women?? Liana talks to game designer James "Grim" Desborough of Postmortem Studios ( post-mort.com ) as they explore answers for these difficult questions.

Aug 30, 202448 minEp. 102

Women Leaders - Not Going Back

Canada's first female mayor, Dr. Charlotte Witten, said “Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.” With respect to Dr. Witten - yes, it really is. Dated perspectives often punish women for the very thoughts and behaviours men are celebrated for. But this isn't a man vs woman issue as award-winning expert in women's leadership and former corporate CEO Megan Della-Camina takes us through the facts as contained in her forthcomin...

Aug 23, 202448 minEp. 101

What I've Learned in 100 Episodes!

It's the 100th episode! Liana uses her Top 10 Sayings to share what she has learned from her discussions with expert guests about mental health recovery, the strengths & weaknesses of mental health systems and treatments and the essential role of peer counseling.

Aug 16, 202448 minEp. 100

Ageism - Why You Should Care At Any Age

The media feeding frenzy and intra-party backstabbing that forced US President Joe Biden to withdraw his candidacy for the 2024 Presidential Election wasn't just politics - it was a profound example of our society's long-standing prejudice against older people. Award-winning U.S. author and psychiatrist Dr. Ravi Chandra https://ravichandramd.com/ joins Liana to uncover just how deeply ageism affects us all... and what we can do to course correct.

Aug 09, 202448 minEp. 99

How To Handle Prejudice

It's just a fact that all of us harbour some kind of prejudice. It doesn't need to be based on things like religion or ethnicity, it may be as small as attitudes toward movie genres or sports teams, but it's a part of the human condition. Where does it come from? Liana takes a journey through how to recognize prejudice, find its source, and disarm it within ourselves... and how to deal with being on the receiving end of it from others.

Aug 02, 202448 minEp. 98

How To Talk To Your Friends Who Have Different Politics

We're in an era of political bad crazy, and friendships that have lasted decades are crumbling because of political fights. Why does this happen, and what can you do about it? Liana looks at social identity threats on this episode!

Jul 26, 202448 minEp. 97

How To Deal With Hate

Yoda is well known for saying hate leads to the Dark Side. Though it's an impulse that is human and natural, it never leads anywhere good. Liana, no novice when it comes to being a target of some peoples' enmity, talks about how to handle being hated, what to do when you're the hater, and how to stop hating yourself, in a world where everyone is encouraged to hate as much as possible. Check out this episode's sponsor, Phases Executive Fitness Studio www.phasesexecfit.com...

Jul 19, 202448 minEp. 96

Mental Health First-Aid

Ever wished you could have an owner's manual for your brain - a reference you could turn to when facing mental and emotional health issues? That book is You Will Get Through This and Liana talks to the authors, 3 mental health professionals, about their approach to getting a handle on common mental health challenges. Link to the book by Julie Radico, Nicole Helverson and Charity O’Reilly: https://theexperimentpublishing.com/catalogs/summer-2024/you-will-get-through-this/ Segment times: 1) 10:49:...

Jul 05, 202448 minEp. 95

Are You Being Gaslighted (Gaslit?) by "Therapy-Speak"?

What is 'Therapy-Speak'? People using mental health care terms like 'gaslighting' and 'narcissism' without knowing what they really mean. Too many people use Therapy-Speak to win arguments and marginalize people with their 'diagnoses'. Liana unpacks what the words really mean, what they don't mean, and how to deal with someone using them against you.

Jun 28, 202448 minEp. 94

"They Just Want Attention"

Wanting attention for accomplishments, actions, outfits or just for being you is a normal healthy human desire. Everyone needs validation now and then. Narcissism is when wanting attention crosses into needing attention - and that's not good. Liana lays out a list of what separates a healthy appetite for attention from the unhealthy cravings of narcissism.

Jun 21, 202448 minEp. 93

How to Live Your Values

How we measure success or failure depends on our core values. So what are your core values? That's not the easiest thing to define. Liana is joined by Marianna Lead, founder of Goal Imagery Coaching Academy and author of the book Me, My Brand And Why, to help you name the personal values that guide your life.

Jun 14, 202448 minEp. 92

How You're Probably Screwing Up Conversations

What we have here is a failure to communicate "So, what are you saying?" That's a question people get asked, but also one we should be asking of ourselves. Are we really delivering the message we intend, or has it gone (maybe horribly) awry? Communication errors plague everyone at some point, so Liana takes us through easy ways to get our message across more effectively and avoid misunderstandings.

Jun 07, 202448 minEp. 91

What People Get Wrong About Introverts

Introverts Unite! Believe it or not, Liana - Youtuber, podcast host, peer counselor and former TV personality & pin-up model - is an introvert. It is possible for introverts to navigate and succeed in a world built for extroverts and communications expert and NYU educator Nancy Ancowitz, the author of Self-Promotion for Introverts (a Quiet Guide for Getting Ahead) will share strategies on how you can do it. Nancy should know - she's an introvert too.

May 31, 202448 minEp. 90

Yes, You DO Matter

It's as simple as this - You. Matter. It's not your job, your family, your income - your value is inherent from the day you were born. So why do so many of us struggle with feelings of worthlessness? Psychologist Dr. Julie Radico, author of the forthcoming You Will Get Through This: A Mental Health First-Aid Book, talks to Liana about why we matter and how to break through the relentless messaging that tells you otherwise.

May 24, 202448 minSeason 1Ep. 89

Invalidation: How Your Abusers Continue To Hurt You Even After They're Gone

Validation - recognition that our thoughts and efforts have value - is essential for healthy self-esteem. Yet we're exposed to so much messaging that is invalidating, it's hard to fight it...but you can do it. One of the groups facing greatest public invalidation is trans people, and Liana speaks to Aquila, a military veteran and bi-racial trans woman, about how she grappled with and overcame a lifetime of racial and gender invalidation. It's a very timely story that is emotional and uplifting....

May 17, 202448 minSeason 1Ep. 88

Why LGBTQ+ Mental Health Matters To Everyone

The rising tide of homophobia and transphobia has made 2SLGBTQ+ people targets of surging intolerance, and nobody knows that better than Fae Johnstone. Fae is a trans woman and advocate whose face appeared on a Hershey chocolate bar celebrating International Women's Day which brought her waves of hate and derision. Why do some people fear trans men and women, and what's it like being the focus of such public abuse? Liana talks to Fae about her experiences and perspectives, some of which may surp...

May 10, 202448 minEp. 87

Why You Suck At Arguing

We all do. Our buttons get pushed, our emotions take over. But our attempts to defend ourselves often lead to offending others. And do we really need to defend ourselves? Liana walks us through the pitfalls that add fuel to an argument and some tools to use to get better results.

May 03, 202448 minEp. 86

Why Men Fear Women Repost

There was an issue with the upload the first time around! Description: According to psychotherapist and author Dr. Avrum Weiss, there's one relationship men have in common that controls their relationship with women - and most don't even know it. Liana talks with Dr. Weiss, author of Hidden in Plain Sight: How Men's Fears of Women Shape Their Intimate Relationships about exactly that.

Apr 19, 202448 minEp. 85

Why Men Fear Women

According to psychotherapist and author Dr. Avrum Weiss, there's one relationship men have in common that controls their relationship with women - and most don't even know it. Liana talks with Dr. Weiss, author of Hidden in Plain Sight: How Men's Fears of Women Shape Their Intimate Relationships about exactly that.

Apr 19, 202448 minEp. 85

Are You A Narcissist?

According to some experts, we're living in the age of narcissism. It's even been called an "epidemic". So...what is narcissism, really? How do you spot it, deal with a narcissist or find out if you are one? Jeremy Sherman, Ph.D., a self-described 'Jerkologist' and author of the book What's Up with A**holes?: How to spot them and stop without becoming one talks to Liana about...well...his book title says it all.

Apr 12, 202448 minEp. 84

How We REALLY Make Quick Decisions

They're Shaping Your Brain! But it's not as terrifying as it sounds! Liana talks with Branding expert Matt Johnson, author of Blindsight: The (Mostly) Hidden Ways Marketing Reshapes Our Brains, about how your brain's mental shorthand guides you to make decisions you aren't aware you're making - and how companies use this to influence our thinking.

Apr 05, 202448 minSeason 1Ep. 83

Who Am I? Identity Building and Hardship

We live in an identity obsessed age and a lot of us are exhausted by it. However, how we define ourselves determines our self worth, self esteem, and awareness of others. But putting together our self-concept isn't like following assembly instructions from IKEA. Liana dives deep into her own difficult, heart-breaking experiences to show how the good, the bad and the ugly helped her find out who she is.

Mar 29, 202448 minEp. 83

Why Making Human Connections Is So Hard

Connections - In our digital world, opportunities for human connections are growing scarce - especially if you're shy, anxious, uncomfortable in crowds or socially awkward. Yet those human connections are what keep us feeling...human. Liana talks to Bobby Calloway, an actor/writer/filmmaker and content creator for Better With Bob? on YouTube, on how he forges these connections despite his quiet nature, autism and social anxiety.

Mar 22, 202448 minSeason 1Ep. 82

Poppy and Zena interview unedited

Massive content warning. Listener discretion advised. In the interests of disclosure, I'm putting up the entire, unedited interview Poppy and Zena did. It runs almost an hour long and contains additional details from the radio version of the show. This is the raw file, so there have been no audio level corrections or other adjustments. Because of the harassment that Poppy, Zena and Saige have received, I thought it was important to allow people to hear everything in their own words....

Mar 15, 202458 minSeason 1Ep. 81

Was I Assaulted? When Mental Illness Complicates Consent

LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED. The Perfect Storm: dishonesty, violating consent, borderline personality disorder, gender issues and complex sexual politics - therapist "Poppy" and her partner Zena navigated all this together over one Christmas break. Liana hears their story, which is heartbreaking and, ultimately, uplifting. Note: the complete, unedited interview with Poppy and Zena has been posted as a bonus episode, out of respect for the right of trauma survivors to be fully heard....

Mar 15, 202448 minSeason 1Ep. 80

Are You Being 'Creepy'?

When applied to old dark houses or Scooby-Doo villains, we know what the word 'creepy' means. But what does it mean when it's weaponized against men and women? It can lead to ostracism, fear and worse. Liana talks to It's Not Therapy community facilitator Jake about how & why 'creepy' is perceived, why it's become so powerful a word and how to handle it when you get labeled.

Mar 01, 202448 minEp. 79

Bad Reactions to Boundaries

Do people blow up when you set boundaries? Boundaries are emotional 'guard rails' that have the ability to make us feel secure, happier and more fulfilled. Liana uses her personal experiences to illustrate how to establish better boundaries and why they are essential four our mental wellbeing... even when people react terribly to them.

Feb 23, 202448 minEp. 78
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