Why Don't We Talk About This?
You already know that there are a bunch of things people talk about in pockets or completely avoid. Things that may be controversial or uncomfortable but we need to get them off our chest. During "Why Don’t We Talk About This?", licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist, Paula McMillan-Perez speaks with folks whose learned experiences and/or professions give way to a diverse knowledge of topics that we just aren't talking about...but should be!
Episodes
164 episodes
Talking about Social Media Exhaustion
Paula explores the theme of social media exhaustion, including the emotional, mental, and practical exhaustion that comes from constant engagement with social platforms. Speaking from both her personal and professional experience, she unpacks h...
Talking about New MSW Grad Job Search
Paula addresses some concerns new MSW graduates are navigating, emphasizing the importance of addressing imposter syndrome and negotiating for better job conditions. She highlights the value of internships and advocates for the "pay for placeme...
Talking about Death & Grief Doulas with Lauren Seeley
Lauren, a death and grief doula, discussed her multifaceted role in the funeral and pet loss industries. She emphasized the importance of community in addressing grief and shared her journey from being a young caregiver to a certified death dou...
Talking about Fonzie Crossing the Rainbow Bridge
In this episode, Paula shares her grief over the loss of her dog, Fonzie, who passed away recently. Fonzie, a tripod and cancer survivor, was a significant part of her life, providing comfort and support after her car accident. Paula discusses ...
Talking about Cosmetology Realness with Kathy Matias
Kathy shared her journey of relocating to New York for her passion for cosmetology. She detailed the challenges of transitioning, the reality of the learning process, and the high costs of education. Kathy highlighted honest concerns with her c...
Talking about ADHD & Clumsiness
Paula explores the connection between ADHD and clumsiness, sharing her personal experiences and the broader implications for individuals with ADHD. She explains how ADHD can lead to frequent minor injuries, poor spatial awareness, and difficult...
Digital Lending & Currency with Niteesa Brooks, MA, PMP, CSM
Niteesa discussed her journey from social work to tech, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of social work and its transferable skills. She highlights her work with a digital health research company and her involvement in blockchain and cryptoc...
Talking about Presenteeism
Paula discusses the concept of presenteeism, where employees work while unwell due to a variety of different contributing factors. She shares personal experiences and the negative impacts of presenteeism on productivity, recovery and overall he...
Talking about Performance Mindset with Albert Bramante, PhD
Albert shares his experiences as a psychology professor, talent agent, and author of "Rising Script: Confronting Self-Doubt and Self-Sabotage". He highlights the challenges actors face, such as self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and emphasizes t...
Talking about Karaoke as a Coping Skill
Paula discusses the benefits of karaoke as a coping skill by highlighting karaoke's accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and therapeutic value, noting its impact on memory, stress reduction, and social connection. She shares personal anecdotes an...
Pay it, Youth Forward with Thomas J. Lagrave Jr., LCSW
Thomas shares his journey from a recovering addict to advocating for young people. He discussed his military background, including his service as a Navy SEAL, and his transition to working with adolescents at Daytop Village and Boys & Girls...
Talking About Moral Injury
Paula addresses the concept of moral injury by breaking down its meaning, exploring its history and roots in military psychology, prevalence, and importance of addressing it through ethical support systems. In this episode, you...
Talking about Puberty Education with Jennalyn Suda, LMSW
Jennalyn shines a light on her work in trauma-informed puberty education. She highlights the lack of puberty education and emphasizes the importance of beginning early. Jennalyn not only shares her experiences with students who lack this knowle...
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Ask P Anything Vol. 4 - Part II
In the second part of the fourth annual Ask P Anything episode, Paula continues to answer questions submitted by the community, focusing on themes that are impacting our mental health professionals, most likely in varying stages of their career...
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Ask P Anything Vol. 4
Paula answers questions submitted by the community about mental health and breaks them down in a way that only she can. Thanks to an overwhelming response of questions, this episode will be the first of a series for the fourth annual Ask P Anyt...
Holiday Greetings & Gratitude
Hey y’all, hey 🤍However you move through this season—holiday, cultural, or just surviving it—I hope you’re giving yourself grace, permission to rest, reset, and to opt out/ tap out when needed.I’m endlessly grateful for this liste...
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Talking about Bending Time with Michelle Niemeyer
Michelle discusses "The Art of Bending Time," which helps individuals optimize their time, leading to increased efficiency and personal growth. She shared her personal journey from burnout to health recovery through functional medicine and heal...
Talking about ADHD and Addiction with Ron Souers III
Ron discusses his approach to helping males with ADHD, depression, and addiction. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and connecting with clients on a deep level, leveraging his own experiences. Ron and Paula explore the overlap betwe...
Talking about Gratitude When Life Feels Heavy
Paula discusses the challenges of expressing gratitude during difficult times, emphasizing the importance of gratitude as a grounding practice rather than a performance. She highlights the complexities faced by marginalized communities, includi...
Talking about Navigating College Admissions with Shellee Howard
Shellee discusses her mission to help families navigate college admissions without debt. She shares her personal journey as a first-generation college student and the challenges faced by her son, who became an orthopedic surgeon without debt. S...
Talking about Neurodivergent Masking in Adulthood
Paula discusses neurodivergent masking in adulthood and defines masking as the daily effort to appear normal, which can lead to burnout, identity confusion, and emotional exhaustion. She identifies that masking often begins in childhood and evo...
Talking about Survival in SNAP
Paula discusses the impact of the community members nationwide who are recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. She shares personal and professional experiences with SNAP, quotes from cu...
Talking about the Shame of Success
Paula explores the complex emotions surrounding success, including guilt and shame, despite achieving personal and professional milestones. She highlights the importance of defining success personally and acknowledging the mixed emotions that c...
Talking about Weaponizing Therapeutic Language
Paula discusses the weaponization of therapeutic language, emphasizing its impact on communication and mental health. She recounts an incident in a doctor's waiting room where one person aggressively suggested therapy to another, highlighting...
