This Isn’t Therapy

Jake Ernst & Simon Paluck•thisisnttherapy.transistor.fm

This Isn’t Therapy... it's a podcast about it! Therapy themes are everywhere you look— they’re in your relationships, in the culture, and yes, inside of you, Mary! Each week, Jake Ernst and Simon Paluck peel back the therapy curtain to discuss the very things people are talking to their therapists about. Anxiety. Boundaries. People Pleasing. Their narcissistic mother. No topic is off limits! New episodes drop every Thursday. ⁣ The hosts: Jake: https://www.instagram.com/mswjake Simon: https://www.instagram.com/directedbysimon The pod: https://www.instagram.com/notatherapypodcast

Last refreshed: July 26th, 2025 at 6:29 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Masking for a friend

This isn't therapy but this is an episode about pandemic anxiety & masking up for the greater good. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about pandemic rules and share their thoughts & feelings about anti-vaccination and anti-mask rhetoric. In one of the stories, a listener asks what they can do when friends and family members exhibit unacceptable pandemic behaviour. Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluck: @directedbysimon ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Episode mixed by Jor...

Apr 29, 2021•38 min

Best friends forever?

This isn't therapy but this is an episode about adult friendships. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about deep & meaningful BFF-style friendships while braiding each other’s hair. They talk about how to make friends as an adult, what makes friends want to stick around, and all the boys they wish would just notice them! You know what they say: There are big ships and tall ships but the best ships are friendships. Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluc...

Mar 26, 2021•32 min

The one about childhood friendships

This isn't therapy but this is an episode about our friendships in childhood. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about the stories they heard about early friendships. What makes a quality childhood friendship? What happens when we drift in and out of these friendships? What are the qualities that make a friendship long and worthwhile? All of these and more -- tonight at 6pm! Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluck: @directedbysimon ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Episode mixed by J...

Mar 12, 2021•41 min

Can I be friends with my therapist?

This isn't therapy but this is an episode about the difference between social relationships and therapeutic relationships. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about an article by Megan Wildhood who suggests that "the professionalization of mental health services is ruining friendships," (2021). They talk about the history of the helping profession and interrogate the claim that therapy is ruining friendships. P.S. Jake and Simon are joined by special guest Brandon the Therapy Frog! Article: "Th...

Feb 25, 2021•39 min

Impostor Syndrome

This isn't therapy but this is an episode about impostor syndrome. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about the common experience of not feeling good enough, smart enough, and not measuring up. They talk about the mechanics of impostor syndrome and how it can cause us to feel out of place and disconnected from others. We also find out the name of ~the frog~ from our last episode! Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluck: @directedbysimon ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Episode mixed...

Feb 05, 2021•31 min

Overthinking

This isn't therapy but this is an episode about anxiety and overthinking. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about our most highly requested topic to date - anxiety - and discuss what it might look like and feel like. They talk about the ways overthinking can keep us trapped in thought spirals and share a story about "Das Anxiety Balloon" - what!? Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluck: @directedbysimon ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Episode mixed by Jordan Paluck...

Jan 21, 2021•40 min

The 2020 Roundup

This isn't therapy but this is an episode about 2020. In this episode, Jake and Simon re-visit the concept of Big Talk and ask each other deep questions about their experiences from this year. They talk about pandemic productivity and some of the big feelings they felt this year. Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluck: @directedbysimon ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Episode mixed by Jordan Paluck...

Dec 31, 2020•32 min

Mindfulness

This isn't therapy but this is an episode about mindfulness -- or what Jake calls "meeting the moment". In this episode, Jake and Simon pitch a new chocolatey venture to therapy icon Brene Brown and talk about how to make the most of every moment. Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluck: @directedbysimon ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Episode mixed by Jordan Paluck...

Dec 24, 2020•29 min

Toxic positivity, baby

This isn't therapy but it is an episode about Toxic Positivity!!!! In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about how being overly positive may not be as helpful as one might think. Disclaimer: This episode has no relations to the hit single "Toxic" by Britney Spears. Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluck: @directedbysimon ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Episode mixed by Jordan Paluck...

Dec 03, 2020•36 min

"Instagram Therapy"

This isn't therapy but it is an episode about ~Instagram Therapy~ and the "wellness industrial complex" (WHAT?!). In this episode, Jake talks about his experience as a therapist who uses social media to showcase his work and Simon wants you to DM to collab! Sigh... the "instagram therapy" of it all! Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluck: @directedbysimon ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Episode mixed by Jordan Paluck...

Nov 19, 2020•38 min

The First Session

This isn't therapy but it is an episode about the first session in therapy. Jake and Simon talk about contacting a therapist for the first time and finding your therapeutic match. Tune in to hear about Simon's first impressions of the first session! Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluck: @directedbysimon ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Episode mixed by Jordan Paluck...

Nov 05, 2020•38 min

Connection

This isn't therapy but it is a conversation about connection and connecting to ourselves. Jake and Simon talk about our eight (yes, eight!) senses and how that changes our ability to connect with and fully experience the world. Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluck: @directedbysimon ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Episode mixed by Jordan Paluck...

Oct 09, 2020•34 min

Rupture & Repair

This isn't therapy but it is a conversation about the concepts of rupture and repair in relationships. Jake and Simon talk about what rupture can look like and why an intentional practice of repair is a fundamental process for overcoming disconnection in relationships. Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluck: @directedbysimon ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Episode mixed by Jordan Paluck...

Oct 09, 2020•34 min

Finding a therapist

This isn’t therapy but it’s a conversation starter about finding a therapist. In this episode, Simon reveals a personal secret about his own therapy journey, which leads to an exploratory conversion about the experiences of finding a therapist in the private mental health sector. P.S. We will continue to revisit this topic! This episode is not meant to be a complete or full representation about the process of finding a therapist. ⁣ ⁣ Resources discussed: Psychology Today ⁣ ⁣Follow us on Instagra...

Aug 27, 2020•34 min

Avoiding big feelings

This isn’t therapy but this is a conversation about avoiding feelings. In this episode, Jake and Simon discuss the second set of stories submitted via the previous prompt about vulnerability. Jake and Simon dive deep into a story about being the “strong partner” in a relationship and another about learning to cry.⁣ Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluck: @directedbysimon ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Episode mixed by Jordan Paluck Closed Captioning Available: https://www.youtube.c...

Aug 27, 2020•32 min

Vulnerability city

This isn’t therapy but this is a discussion about vulnerability. In this episode, Jake and Simon discuss a prompt that asked listeners to name a time they were vulnerable and were ultimately glad they were. What follows is a conversation inspired by two stories - one about coming out as an atheist (as a precursor to coming out as gay) and another about a listener who doesn’t know what vulnerability looks or feels like. Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluck...

Aug 26, 2020•32 min

This Isn't Therapy: Trailer

Follow us on Instagram @notatherapypodcast⁣ Jake Ernst: @mswjake Simon Paluck: @directedbysimon ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Episode mixed by Jordan Paluck

Aug 26, 2020•1 min

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