A LITTLE HELP FOR OUR FRIENDS is a mental health podcast hosted by Jacqueline Trumbull (Bachelor alum, Ph.D student) and Dr. Kibby McMahon (psychologist, Intent FitHouse owner). The podcast sheds light on the psychological issues your loved ones could be struggling with and provides scientifically-informed perspectives on various mental health topics. As two Duke University clinical psychology Ph.D. trainees, Jacqueline and Kibby are learning along with you and share insights from their training on the relational nature of mental health. They mix evidence-based learning with their own personal examples and stories from their listeners. Episodes are a range of conversations between Kibby & Jacqueline themselves, as well as with featured guests including Bachelor Nation members such as Zac Clark speaking on addiction recovery, Ben Higgins on loneliness, and Jenna Cooper on cyberbullying, as well as therapists & doctors such as sleep specialist Dr. Jade Wu, amongst many others. Additional topics covered on the podcast have included fertility, gaslighting, depression, mental health & veterans, mindfulness, and much more. Season two is currently airing with new episodes each Wednesday. For more information, check out www.ALittleHelpForOurFriends.com
Interview with Dr. Matt Scult: How to Master Stress
When did saying "I'm so stressed" become the norm? Stress seems to be a given for anyone out there adulting so it's hard to know when it becomes a problem and what to do about it. In this episode, we talk about stress with Dr. Matt Scult, VP of Clinical Science at Scenario, licensed psychologist, and Duke alum! We discuss what stress is, when is it helpful vs. harmful, and evidence-based tips to managing stress in healthy ways. He introduces Scenario, an app that helps people prepare for the stresses of everyday life. Resources:Check out Dr. Scult's psychotherapy private practice and consulting (https://www.matthewscult.com/)Check out Scenario that has a free basic version and a paid premium version coming soon! Support the Show. If you have a loved one struggling with mental health and need support, Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Join the waitlist or email her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends
5/23/2024 • 57 minutes, 45 seconds
Parasocial Relationships: Connecting to the Stars
When our levels of Netflix binges get so intense, we end up spending more time with our favorite characters or celebrities than anyone else in our lives. The connections we have to these stars is called parasocial relationships. In this episode, we delve into parasocial relationships, why we need them and what they do for us. We also discuss how in the digital age, we have a window into the personal lives of our favorite celebrities, blurring the lines between our parasocial relationships and "real" relationships. Jacqueline also discusses the other side of parasocial relationships as a celebrity herself. Resources:In Defense of Parasocial RelationshipsGleason, T. R., Theran, S. A., & Newberg, E. M. (2017). Parasocial interactions and relationships in early adolescence. Frontiers in psychology, 8, 246529.Support the Show. If you have a loved one struggling with mental health and need support, Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Join the waitlist or email her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends
5/9/2024 • 58 minutes, 30 seconds
Escaping the Trap: Unveiling the Reality of Narcissistic Abuse
Relationships with narcissists can be thrilling, consuming, and completely devastating. Narcissists try to fill the void of their own insecurities by controlling or exploiting their loved ones, creating patterns of narcissistic abuse. In this episode, we talk about how people can tell if they're a victim of narcissistic abuse and what this unhealthy relationship looks like according to Monique Dauphin. We also share tips about how to support a loved one who is being abused by a narcissist. Resources:If you or your loved one is a victim narcissistic abuse, submit this form to learn how Kibby can help.Marlow-MaCoy, A. (2020). The Gaslighting Recovery Workbook: Healing From Emotional Abuse. Rockridge Press.Support the Show. If you have a loved one struggling with mental health and need support, Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Join the waitlist or email her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends
4/24/2024 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 3 seconds
Living with Multiple Personalities: Meet the Parts!
For this second episode on dissociative identity disorder (DID; commonly known as "multiple personality disorder"), we welcome back patient Molly to meet some of her other personalities! In our last episode, Molly and her therapist Dr. Caitlin Fang described what it's like to live with 13 other separate personalities or "parts," who all have their own perspectives, opinions, secrets, skills, interests, ages, and even accents! While Molly got to talk about her experiences, some of her parts were eager to share their side of the story. In this incredible episode, Alex, Ruby and Slayer join us to talk about what it's like to be the other personalities of someone with DID. Resources:https://www.sidran.org/resources/for-survivors-and-loved-ones/ http://www.trauma-pages.com/ http://www.jimhopper.com/ https://istss.org/home https://www.isst-d.orgSupport the show If you have a loved one struggling with mental health issues and need support, Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Book a free consultation call or email her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends
3/6/2024 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 40 seconds
Living with Multiple Personalities: A Story of Dissociative Identity Disorder
Ever wonder what it's like to live with multiple personalities? Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a rare condition that involves having at least two separate identities (also called "alters" or "parts") that can think and feel independently. In this very special episode, Dr. Caitlin Fang and her patient with DID tell us what it's like to live with multiple personalities. They also talk about her journey finding the right diagnosis and treatment. This episode one of two episodes on this topic- in the next episode, we invite her other parts/personalities to share their side of the story!Resources:Helpful YouTube video on DIDGuidelines for treating DIDSupport the show If you have a loved one struggling with mental health issues and need support, Dr. Kibby McMahon can help. Book a free consultation call or email her at [email protected] to learn more. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends
2/21/2024 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 4 seconds
Interview with Evan Katz: Dating tips for smart, strong, successful women
"I have everything but the guy" is a common struggle for successful women these days. As we've discussed in previous episodes, dating is already difficult and can be even more so for strong, independent women. In this episode, the expert dating coach Evan Katz shares his insights on the challenges women face in dating, what they often do "wrong," and effective strategies for finding a good partner. Resources:www.evanmarckatz.com/Apply for Evan Katz's Love U dating programSupport the showFor more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.comFollow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends
2/7/2024 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 7 seconds
The Big C: Living and Loving with Cancer
Kibby has some unfortunate news to share: She has just been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. As much of a shock as it is, cancer rates are on the rise in younger adults and no one knows why. Such a devastating illness can turn someone's life upside down in an instant- for the people diagnosed and also their loved ones. In this episode, Kibby and Jacqueline try to process this emotional rollercoaster and how can we support our loved ones living with cancer.Resources:Getting Things Off My Chest: A Survivor's Guide to Staying Fearless and Fabulous in the Face of Breast Cancer by Melanie Youngvan Eijk, M., de Vries, D. H., Sonke, G. S., & Buiting, H. M. (2022). Friendship during patients’ stable and unstable phases of incurable cancer: a qualitative interview study. BMJ open, 12(11).Support the showFor more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.comFollow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends
1/25/2024 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 56 seconds
Letting go of beliefs that hold you back
A new year, new you. For the start of 2024, many people want to leave behind unwanted parts of ourselves. Some beliefs can haunt us and hold us back, like "I'm not good enough", "I don't deserve love," or "there is no way I can quit eating these chocolates" (or so we've heard). However, anyone who's tried to just let go of negative beliefs always find that they come back to bite us. In this episode, we discuss evidence-based methods of not letting these beliefs hold you back. We also discuss an innovative new intervention in the form of a reality TV show that probably will make people worse but definitely would be entertaining!Resources:Embracing Your Demons: an Overview of Acceptance and Commitment TherapyGeraerts, E., & McNally, R. J. (2008). Forgetting unwanted memories: Directed forgetting and thought suppression methods. Acta psychologica, 127(3), 614-622.Support the showFor more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.comFollow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends
1/10/2024 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 25 seconds
Loving and Losing Pets
Famously considered "man's best friend," our pets can be one of our most important sources of emotional support and companionship. From cats and dogs to hamsters and goldfish, pets become part of our family and losing them can come with a deep grieving process that isn't well acknowledged in our society. In this episode, we discuss the mental health implications of having a pet as well as losing one. Resources:Park, R. M., Royal, K. D., & Gruen, M. E. (2023). A literature review: Pet bereavement and coping mechanisms. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 26(3), 285-299.Brooks, H. L., Rushton, K., Lovell, K., Bee, P., Walker, L., Grant, L., & Rogers, A. (2018). The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: A systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence. BMC psychiatry, 18(1), 1-12.Support the showFor more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.comFollow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends
12/20/2023 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 1 second
Interview with Marcus Rodriguez: Recovering from chronic invalidation
One of the biggest puzzles is why some people carry so much anger, pain, depression, or anxiety even though they haven't experienced a "real trauma." This might be a sign of chronic invalidation, when someone received consistent messages that their emotions aren't valid when they're growing up. Chronic invalidation can infect early caregiving environments and can have devastating impacts on mental health in adulthood. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Marcus Rodriguez, associate professor of Pitzer College, Director of the Global Mental Health Lab and founder of the Youth and Family Institute (not to mention, our "lab brother" from Duke). Dr. Rodriguez describes what chronic invalidation looks like and how it can be treated with evidence-based therapies. To learn more about Dr. Rodriguez's clinical services for family and adolescents, check out his Youth & Family InstituteTo learn more about clinical trainings with Dr. Rodriguez, check out his training servicesSupport the showFor more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.comFollow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends
12/6/2023 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 57 seconds
For Richer or Poorer: Fixing the Business Partner Relationship
It's an exciting time when entrepreneurs find the perfect business partner to co-found a new company. However, many don't realize that a staggering 65% of startups fail because of cofounder conflicts. Entrepreneurs who overlook the importance of their business partner relationships are at high risk of misunderstandings, strategy disagreements, or role confusion that can tear a venture apart. In this episode, Kibby talks about how her company Seon Health aims to address this crucial dynamic with evidence-based couples therapy and interpersonal interventions. Special Offer:For entrepreneurs who need help with their toxic relationship with co-founders or business partners, apply for Co-Leader Coaching with Kibby. Anyone else interested in relationship coaching with Kibby, email her directly at [email protected] the showFor more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.comFollow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends
11/9/2023 • 53 minutes, 4 seconds
Failing Successfully
This is our 100th episode of "A Little Help For Our Friends"! Of course, we celebrate this exciting milestone by reflecting on our successful failures. In this era, people are too afraid to put themselves out there and risk failure. However, we have always encouraged taking risks, trying new skills, saying "yes" to challenges that are scary but meaningful. In this episode, we recount some of our biggest "whoopsies" that ended up being important learning experiences or valuable opportunities. We also share personal tips for how to fail successfully.Support the showFor more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.comFollow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends
