Through the Mental Lens
Through the Mental Lens is a podcast about mental health, productivity, and finding clarity in the chaos — one honest conversation at a time.
Hosted by Chris Cage, founder of The Mental Lens LLC, each episode brings blog-style reflections to your ears with a blend of insight, humor, and just the right amount of oversharing.
Whether you're looking to reset your mindset, improve your focus, or simply feel a little less alone in the messiness of it all, this podcast offers short, thoughtful episodes you can listen to on the go. From personal stories to practical tools, Through the Mental Lens helps you slow down, zoom in, and maybe even laugh at yourself a little.
New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe and bring your brain along.
Episodes
13 episodes
Still Human Series, Part 2: Productivity isn't Peace
This is Part 2 of the Still Human series on Through the Mental Lens. In this episode, Chris explores the hidden cost of chasing productivity and why checking every box doesn’t always lead to peace of mind.You’ll hear:
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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5:50
Still Human Series, Part 1: “Always On” — Why Our Brains Feel Fried
This episode kicks off a special Still Human series on Through the Mental Lens. In Part 1: Always On — Why Our Brains Feel Fried, Chris shares a personal story of smart devices slowly taking over his home, and his att...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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5:30
Reclaim Control in a World of AI-Driven Notifications
AI promised to save us time—but are notifications actually making us more anxious instead of more productive? In this episode of Through the Mental Lens, Chris unpacks the “ping parade” of AI-driven alerts and how they quietly shape ou...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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5:59
How Supportive Relationships Elevate Your Mental Health
In this episode of Through the Mental Lens, we explore one of the most overlooked pillars of mental health—our relationships. While self-care often focuses inward on journaling, meditation, or exercise, true wellbeing is also built in ...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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8:52
Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace: Small Actions, Big Impact
In this episode of Through the Mental Lens, we explore what it really means to advocate for mental health in the workplace — and why it doesn’t require a title, a budget, or an HR mandate.From breaking stigma through everyday co...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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20:09
Is AI My Therapist Now?
It’s 2 a.m. and you can’t sleep. Instead of calling a friend or waiting weeks for a therapy appointment, you open an app. A friendly chatbot greets you by name and asks, “What’s on your mind?”For millions of people, this isn’t s...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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12:29
Break Free from Perfectionism: Embrace Self-Kindness and Flourish
Are you stuck in the endless loop of “just one more edit”? You’re not alone. In this episode of Through the Mental Lens, Chris digs into the hidden costs of perfectionism: why it keeps us stuck, how AI can make it worse, and what self-...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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12:03
The Emotional Side Effects of Always-On AI
We live in a world where help is always just a prompt away. From writing emails to filling the silence with a joke from Alexa, Artificial Intelligence has become our ever-present assistant. But what happens when that constant support starts to ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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12:55
Simple Ways to Recharge Your Mental Energy (Without Burning Out)
Feeling mentally drained? In this episode, we break down what mental energy actually is, why it matters more than you think, and how to protect it — without burning out. From Ironman training lessons to brain-fueling strategies you can use toda...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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7:27
Coping with Anxiety: Practical Tools That Actually Work
Anxiety isn’t just “worrying too much” — it’s a full-body, full-mind experience that can hijack your thoughts, emotions, and even your breathing. In this episode of The Mental Lens, I share two of my most memorable anxiety moments — in...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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9:27
Fix Your To-Do List Anxiety: Practical Tips That Work
Is your to-do list secretly stressing you out? In this episode of Through the Mental Lens, we dive into the hidden anxiety behind productivity tools — and how they might be doing more harm than good. From the psychology of anticipatory...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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10:16
What Does A Mentally Healthy Life Actually Look Like?
In this episode of Through the Mental Lens, we dig into the real — and often messy — truth about what it means to live a mentally healthy life.Mental health isn't about chasing a calm aesthetic or pretending everything’s fine. I...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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10:20
My Mental Health Journey: A Story Of Resilience
In this first episode of Through the Mental Lens, I’m starting where it all began — with my own story. From white-knuckling anxiety to finally asking for help, this personal reflection sets the tone for the podcast: honest, human, and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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5:23