Are We Okay? with licensed therapists, Maddy & Jennifer
Welcome to the podcast where it’s time to talk about talk therapy.
Meet Maddy and Jennifer, two NYC-based licensed therapists who have swapped the couch for the mic to offer listeners a weekly glimpse into life from a clinician’s perspective.
As founders of their own therapy practices—Maddy of Downtown Behavioral Wellness and Jennifer of Manhattan Wellness—both help hundreds of clients each week. Now, they sit down to share stories and insights about the multitude of highs and lows faced in our 20s and 30s, from heartbreak to city living, career moves, and self-confidence, along with practical ways to turn the page each day.
Tune in every Friday for a raw look at their personal journeys as clinical professionals and decade-long friends!
Are We Okay? with licensed therapists, Maddy & Jennifer
are we... protecting our peace or just avoiding the mess?
In today's episode Jen and Maddy get real about “cutout culture." The growing trend of cutting people off in the name of boundaries and peace. From friendships that fade to relationships that end abruptly, they unpack what’s healthy self-protection and what’s emotional avoidance.
Through personal stories, therapy insights, and listener questions, they dig into why so many of us struggle with discomfort in relationships and how to repair instead of remove when things get hard.
Key Topics:
- The rise of cutout culture and how social media fuels all-or-nothing thinking
- When boundaries become barriers and how to tell the difference
- What to do when you feel left out or cut off by someone else
- Reconnecting after distance, from old friends to family members
- How discomfort and repair actually build stronger relationships
- Why conversations — not cutoffs — are the real key to protecting your peace
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re protecting your peace or just avoiding discomfort, this episode reminds you that real relationships are messy — and that’s okay. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is stay in the conversation.
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Connect with us:
Email us your questions at: hello@areweokay.com
Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @manhattan.wellness
Follow Maddy on Instagram: @downtownbehavioralwellness
Downtown Behavioral Wellness: Founded by Maddy Ellberger, Downtown Behavioral Wellness is a private therapy practice in NYC specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The practice focuses on providing evidence-based treatments for young adults and middle-aged clients dealing with life transitions, anxiety, and the unique challenges of their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Whether you're grappling with relationship issues, career stress, or emotional regulation, Downtown Behavioral Wellness is there to support you every step of the way.
Manhattan Wellness: Led by Jennifer Teplin, Manhattan Wellness is a boutique therapy practice dedicated to helping young professionals in New York City. Specializing in issues such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and major life transitions like dating, engagements, and new motherhood, the team at Manhattan Wellness provides compassionate, individualized care to help clients navigate the ups and downs of their 20s and 30s.
Co-Host: Maddy Ellberger
Co-Host: Jennifer Teplin
Executive Producer: Wicked Child Studio, Hailey Rovner Malach