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
147 episodes
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...
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Episode 146
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51:53
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...
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Episode 145
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39:12
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...
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Episode 144
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54:35
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...
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Episode 143
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31:39
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...
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Episode 142
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37:20
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...
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Episode 141
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32:07
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...
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Episode 140
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43:37
Talking about Experts
Paula explores the concept of expertise, emphasizing the importance of specific knowledge and experience. She highlights different viewpoints regarding the title of expert and the challenges associated with differing perceptions. Paula breaks d...
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Episode 139
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38:18
Talking about Paid Time Off
Paula discusses the importance of taking paid time off (PTO) in the U.S., highlighting that 5.5% of American workers did not take any PTO in 2023, and 62% of those who did not use all their allotted days. She explains that PTO can be used for v...
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Episode 138
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30:32
Talking about the Gender Wage Gap
Paula talks about the gender wage gap and shares various data points, such as women in the U.S. earn a median of 83 cents for every dollar men make. She points out that the wage gap has narrowed over time but has stalled or widened in recent ye...
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Episode 137
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39:30
Talking into Reality: Guided Meditation for Grace, Rest and Self Affirmation
Paula introduces a 10-minute guided meditation session in response to community request for strategies to help manage the emotional weight people are struggling with emphasizing its benefits for those who struggle with self-meditation. Come and...
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Episode 136
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18:56
Talking about Doomscrolling
Paula engages in a deep dive surrounding the phenomenon of Doomscrolling, admitting to being a guilty party. She highlights the impact of consuming negative news, which can increase anxiety, sadness, and feelings of helplessness. Research shows...
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Episode 135
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39:02
Talking about Boundaries
Paula discusses the importance of boundaries in various aspects of life, emphasizing their role in self-care and mental health. She highlights the challenges of setting and maintaining boundaries, noting cultural and generational influences. Pa...
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Episode 134
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47:28
Talking about Private Practice Realities
Paula discusses the challenges and realities of starting a private practice for new graduates in the mental health field. She emphasizes the importance of realistic expectations, noting some New York specific themes that pre-licensed clinicians...
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Episode 133
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28:53
Talking about Acceptance
Paula examines the concept of acceptance, emphasizing it as an action rather than a belief. She differentiates acceptance from approval, noting that acceptance is a verb and requires active participation. Paula highlights the challenges of acce...
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Episode 132
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36:14
Talking about the Current Impact of Anxiety on Americans
Paula explores the current impact of anxiety on Americans, referencing a recent mental health poll by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) which revealed that 40% of employed individuals worry about job security, while 67% prioritize keep...
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Episode 131
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38:29
Talking about NYC Public School Cell Phone Ban
Paula highlights the confirmation of a a new policy in New York City Public schools banning cell phones and internet-enabled devices following several other states who have adopted similar practices. This policy will affect grades 3-12 and incl...
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Episode 130
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38:53
Talking about Men's Infertility w/ Steven Miller, APSW
Steven discusses his work with the Men's Helpline, a nonprofit supporting men through infertility and pregnancy loss. He highlights the lack of resources and support for men experiencing infertility, noting that one in six couples struggle with...
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Episode 129
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1:11:10
Talking about Leveraging Your Skills with Christina Broderick-Royes, LSW
Check out the latest episode of “Why Don’t We Talk About this Podcast?! with my fantastic guest, Christina Broderick-Royes, LSW!Christina shares her journey from pre-med to social work, highlighting her experience in non-profits and hig...
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Episode 128
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46:13
Talking about Emotional Support Co-Workers
Paula discusses the concept of emotional support coworkers, highlighting their role in providing active listening, empathy, and encouragement during challenging times. She emphasizes the importance of emotional support in reducing stress, boost...
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Episode 127
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28:11
Talking about Personal Storytelling with Jenn Lederer
Jenn shares her journey of pivoting her business after a last-minute workshop cancellation in Prague in 2022. She developed a comedian's formula to teach people how to connect and storytell, which significantly impacted her career. Jenn emphasi...
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52:23
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Talking about Relationships in the Beauty Industry with The Nail Teach
Keisha discusses the evolving dynamics of client relationships in the beauty industry. She highlights the importance of creating a supportive environment for clients, which often leads to deeper personal connections. Keisha emphasizes the value...
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43:08
Talking about Menopause with Satori Shakoor
Satori discusses the lived experiences that inspired her forthcoming film "Confessions of a Menopausal Femme Fatale," releasing June 12 on various platforms (Apple Tv+, Amazon Prime, Google Play). She highlights the often-unspoken challen...
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Episode 124
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55:33
Talking about Navigating Neurospicy with Sandra N. Crespo, LICSW
Sandra discusses her journey with ADHD, diagnosed at age 38, and the concept of being "neuro spicy." She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, advocacy, and understanding one's brain to manage ADHD effectively. Sandra highlights the need...
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Episode 123
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54:51
Talking about Political Social Work with Victor Manalo, Ph.D, MSW
Victor discusses his journey from macro social work to advocating for social workers' involvement in politics. He emphasized the importance of local government and his role in Higher Education. Additionally, he shares that his “Why?” regarding ...
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Episode 122
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1:06:09
