In the final episode of season 2, this solo episode digs into the simple, psychological experience of taking something out of your brain, and saying it out loud. Unburdening when you hold close to the chest sounds easy, but in practice many of us suck at it (myself included)! E If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes and Spotify and anywhere else you get your podcasts! To stay connected make sure to subscribe and find us on Instagram: ...
Feb 04, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 43
What is mental health and well-being? The conversations around mental health are often about what's wrong with us, or what is our diagnosis or symptoms, which can be helpful but once we know what's "wrong with us", what do we aim towards? This episode takes a quick look at Tina Payne Bryson's (psychologist and author) definition of mental health as flexibility and flow. If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes and Spotify and anywhere else you ...
Jan 20, 2025•13 min•Season 2Ep. 42
Acceptance is a gateway to moving through all the crap life has to throw at us. We often get acceptance mixed up with approval, and that by accepting something hard and painful or even just boring, we're saying "I'm ok with that." This episode takes a quick look at making the distinction between acceptance and approval, and how our lives can become much less exhausting if we practice acceptance. If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes and Spotif...
Dec 09, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 41
Welcome to the podcast clinical therapist, writer, and content creator Gretchen Winterkorn! Gretchen and Ethan discuss how authenticity and honesty from a therapist can impact people in the therapy room, neurodivergence, and post-apocalyptic farming! For more Gretchen, check out the links below: https://gretchenwinterkorn.com/ https://www.instagram.com/gretchenwinterkorn/ https://www.tiktok.com/@reallivehumantherapist If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes...
Nov 18, 2024•56 min•Season 2Ep. 40
Cash Levy (Comedy!, Cashing in with TJ Miller Podcast) returns to the Laughing Mind! Cash and Ethan discuss the role of balance in mental health and happiness, the overwhelming cost of greatness, and how many therapists become therapists to try and heal themselves—and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Check out Cash's tour dates to see if he's coming to a city near you, and his podcast Cashing in with TJ Miller! If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes...
Nov 04, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Welcoming to the show singer-song writer, musician, and producer Dan Decristofaro! This episode is chock full: how music and creativity bring about community, connection and well-being, the ups and downs of being a professional musician, and the anatomy of resilience when it comes to failing and getting better at a craft. Make sure to check out Dan's solo music and the Blue Light Bandits at the link below or on Spotify, Apple Music and Youtube. https://everythingdan.com/ If you'd like to support...
Oct 21, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Here's another solo episode in the mental health series where Ethan does a quick deep dive. This one is all about the #1 most talked about and prolific mental health concern: Anxiety! Ethan unpacks the evolutionary benefits of anxiety, the way anxiety sounds in our minds, and how we can change our relationship with it. If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes and Spotify and anywhere else you get your podcasts! To stay connected make sure to subscribe an...
Sep 30, 2024•25 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Maintaining things is never a sexy topic, but it's what the richest things in life are built upon! Ethan keeps it short while exploring how mental, physical and relational well-being is found and sustained when we consistently attend to these areas of life. If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes and Spotify and anywhere else you get your podcasts! To stay connected make sure to subscribe and find us on Instagram: @thelaughingmindpodcast or ...
Sep 16, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 36
The lovely and talented Katherine Sikma joins Ethan for a barn burner. They dig into how to make sustainable changes (personal and organizational), cognitive flexibility, Internal Family Systems (IFS/parts work) and getting unstuck when you're life is in a rut. If you want more of Katherine, check out her links below. https://www.instagram.com/ksikma/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/yougottatrythispodcast/ For more info about Internal Family Systems (IFS/parts work): https://ifs-institute.com/st...
Sep 02, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 35
What are your core beliefs about yourself and the world? How do they shape how you experience emotions, thoughts, and even your behaviors? And can negative, unrelenting core beliefs be fuel for us to become successful? Get into it! If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes and Spotify and anywhere else you get your podcasts! To stay connected make sure to subscribe and find us on Instagram: @thelaughingmindpodcast or on Facebook: The Laughing Min...
Aug 12, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Does how we all define masculinity actually impact our mental health? Yes! Do men actually think about the Roman Empire every day? You'll have to listen to find out as Ethan unpacks "toxic" alpha masculinity, the possibility of all humans experiencing both masculine and feminine traits, and Dan Brown's masterpiece "The Da Vinci Code." If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes and Spotify and anywhere else you get your podcasts! To stay connected make sure to subs...
Jul 22, 2024•23 min•Season 2Ep. 33
The lovely and talented Morgan Tuxill (Therapist!) returns to the pod! This episode explores how storytelling and reading can positively impact our mental health, pregnancy, parenthood and the resiliency of the human spirit. So open them ear holes and get cozy, this one's a doozy. If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes and Spotify and anywhere else you get your podcasts! To stay connected make sure to subscribe and find us on Instagram: @thelaughingmindpodcas...
Jul 08, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 24
A quick solo episode where Ethan gets into the sometimes embarrassing yet powerful need for human connection and friendship. Friendship, community, and connection all play major roles in physical and mental wellness, and the truth is, everyone feels lonely sometimes! So if you're feeling lonely right now, that's ok - this is the episode for you. Links to the stats and figures found in this episode: https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316#:~:text=Cumulative%...
Jun 24, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 31
A chock full hour with comedian and pastor Ellen Lundie. Ellen and Ethan dug into the nature of dealing with uncertainty and suffering and humor's role in both. They tackle questions like "Is Jesus Funny" and "How do you go to your first open mic?" All the big players came out for this episode: comedy, mental health, and religion, so strap in and enjoy! Ellen Lundie IG: @ellenlundie https://www.instagram.com/ellenlundie/?hl=en If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes...
Jun 10, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Kicking off season 2 with a quick solo episode! Ethan pulls apart the myth that the perfection standard is motivating, and how stagnant focusing on "where we aren't" can leave us. So sit back, lean back, fall back and spend 20 minutes enjoying an entertaining and meaningful take on the power of accepting the awkward nature of beginning something new! If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes and Spotify and anywhere else you get your podcasts! To stay connected make su...
May 27, 2024•21 min•Season 2Ep. 29
For the season finale of season 1, Ethan is joined by Jason Clark (Arcade Comedy Theater's General Manager and Stand Up comic). This one's got everything: OCD, ADHD, the evolution of comedy, remaining mentally and emotionally flexible throughout your life, generational differences, and so much more. If you're interested in taking classes, watching performances, or supporting the Arcade Comedy Theatre, check out their website below! Quick update on the end of season 1: With the impending baby gir...
Sep 21, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 28
You asked and we did it! I had the pleasure of having my wife Morgan Mitchell on the show, who is also a practicing mental health therapist. What is it like for two therapists in a relationship? Listen and you'll find out! We also got into how humor is a strength, as well as a possible defensive mechanism. Morgan is deeply insightful, wise, and very funny so please enjoy this special guest episode. Included are some links from topics we discussed in this episode. The Seven Principles for Making ...
Sep 06, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Co-owner of Total Peace and Wellness CBD (the newest sponsor of The Laughing Mind Podcast!) Carlos Smith joins Ethan for a deep dive into CBD, mental health and comedy. Whether you use CBD regularly or have never even heard of it, this episode covers the basics of CBD, as well as topics like trauma, humor, and peace. Check out the links below for their website and social media! Website: https://totalpeaceandwellnesscbd.com/ IG: tpw_cbd FB: https://www.facebook.com/totalpeaceandwellness/ For 10% ...
Aug 23, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Ethan's dear friend Wendy McSparren LCSW (EMDR therapist, consultant, and master therapist!) joins Ethan for a deep dive into the world of therapy. Wendy has deep wisdom and presence that comes through and they get into all of these: healthy guilt vs. unhealthy guilt, working as hard for yourself as you do for others, trauma work, chronic health concerns that come from psychological wounds, practicing mindful meditation in our highly chaotic world. For more info about the ACEs (Adverse Childhood...
Aug 09, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Stand-up comedian and long-time podcaster Cash Levy (Cashing in with TJ Miller Podcast!) joins Ethan for an absurd, at times sobering, and rip-roaring episode. These two dig down deep into topics like handling rejection, death and aging, parenthood, and adult friendships, then come up for air with things like the problem with small talk and playing tennis on glass instead of grass. If you enjoy Cash Levy's wit and comedy, check out the links below to his podcast "Cashing in with TJ Miller" and h...
Jul 26, 2022•1 hr 39 min•Season 1Ep. 24
This one is short, sweet, and obvious! Ethan gets into how we can overcomplicate our mental health sometimes, and coming back to simple, concrete basics of self-care can be the most helpful thing for our mental health. The three simple grounding points to come back to this week are: Drink(water), Breathe, and Move. Give this one a listen for some annoyingly simple mental health help! More about the benefits of drinking water: https://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/5-emotional-and-mental-benefit...
Jun 28, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Holy Hog, what an episode! Comedian Danny Berrios is young, hungry, and hilarious. Danny and Ethan get into his comedy career, imposter syndrome, and dealing with the inner critic. Danny shares his hard-won wisdom of keeping your eyes on the road in front while still looking back in the rear view mirror to see how far you've come. Check out his info below for all his social media, where he's performing, and podcast "Yo Motha's favorite podcast". IG: @danielberriosjr IG: @yamothasfavoritepodcast ...
Jun 15, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 22
A hot new solo episode where Ethan tackles people playing the trauma card. We are finally seeing our culture move towards more acceptance and legitimacy for mental health, trauma and PTSD! But now, we have people playing the trauma card like it's a "be an asshole then get-out-of-jail-free card". Trauma's effects are very real, and we need to take responsibility for ourselves; both are true and necessary. George Carlin clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB4QpuuNF6c If you're struggling with th...
May 31, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Comedian and podcaster Danii Kaufman joins Ethan for a barn-burner of an episode. These two discuss how comedy can be a balm and healing tool in the face of pain and catastrophe, and quickly pivot to how direct mail has a better response rate than unsolicited dick pics! If you are looking for more of Danii and her comedy, you can find her info below! IG: @dammitdaniipodcast https://linktr.ee/dammitdaniipodcast If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes and Spotify! To sta...
Apr 26, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Comedy, humor, and vulnerability are what this episode is allllll about. Vulnerability, that is, "uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure" (according to New York Times best-selling author Brene Brown) is not a natural instinct for us but is one of the direct gateways to a meaningful and rich life. Comedy lets us connect with feeling human in those ways that aren’t praised or upvoted in other circles. Comedy lets us contact our own vulnerability in a powerful way. Get into it! If you'd like to s...
Apr 13, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Another amazing guest episode with mental health clinician Dr. Val Stacy! Val is a hilarious, gifted clinician and she brought her wisdom and humor to this episode. Ethan and Val explore the psychological concept of self-compassion, how humor serves both clients and therapists in the therapeutic process, professional tickling as a side-hustle, and how to operate from a kind, non-judgemental place. For more info about self-compassion, visit Kristen Neff's website on self-compassion: https://self-...
Mar 29, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 18
The anatomy of fear and excitement are incredibly similar, and in this episode, Ethan looks at how being able to name and identify each can change how we relate to them. One of our big tasks as humans is to find a balance between certainty and uncertainty, stability and instability, peace and stress. Without this balance, our mental health and physical health are often compromised. Get into it! If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes and Spotify! To stay connected make...
Mar 16, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Do you often find yourself getting stuck before you begin, feeling anxious about how you should know what to do and all the things that could go wrong if you do step forward and make a decision? You're not alone! This episode looks into the certainty trap, the unhelpful belief that we must know before we can act, and how giving ourselves the permission to step forward in the midst of uncertainty is actually the way we learn and grow and figure out who we are and what we want. David Epstein's boo...
Mar 02, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Fellow improviser and podcaster Alex Kraemer joins Ethan for this episode! These guys get into humor's double edge sword with mental health, vulnerability, finding community in comedy, what beginning therapy is like, and being honest with ourselves. If you'd like to support the show, please leave a review on iTunes and Spotify! To stay connected make sure to subscribe and find us on Instagram: @thelaughingmindpodcast or on Facebook: The Laughing Mind Podcast...
Feb 15, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Stand-up comedian Suzanne Lawrence joins Ethan for an uproar of a guest episode! Suzanne has also spent many years working in the mental health field. In this episode, they get into her comedy career, how practicing being mindful and aware has changed her life, and how some hunters will shoot your dog if it’s chasing after the deer they just shot. There's even some religious talk sprinkled in there for you. See the links below to find her social media pages when she's performing! T: https://twit...
Feb 02, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 13
