Duck Call Room: “Uncle Si Wants Therapy, So We Got a Counselor”
Hosts: Si Robertson, Justin Martin
Guest: Dr. Emily Jones, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC-S
Date: May 5, 2026
Episode Overview
This special episode of the Duck Call Room centers on counseling, mental health, and parenting, featuring Dr. Emily Jones as the guest expert. Known for their trademark humor and heartfelt honesty, Si Robertson and Justin Martin invite Emily to answer questions about trauma, raising kids in a digital world, the evolving landscape of therapy, and what it means to truly connect with your family and community. The conversation blends laughter, personal stories, and surprising depth—making mental health approachable, especially for the podcast's multi-generational, faith-oriented audience.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introducing Dr. Emily Jones & Why She’s Here (01:44–03:24)
- Martin shares how Si suggested bringing on a real counselor, leading to Emily joining the program despite initial reluctance.
- Dr. Emily explains her background: Nonprofit clinical director, online instructor for counseling, private practice.
- “I'm a doctor, but not the kind that makes good money.” (02:55, Dr. Emily Jones)
2. What a Counselor Actually Does vs. Psychiatrist (02:49–03:09)
- Clarifies the difference: Counselors can’t prescribe medication, focus on talk therapy and mental health support.
3. Si’s Vietnam Memories & Intergenerational Trauma (04:39–06:00)
- Si and Emily connect on military family backgrounds and the lasting mental health impacts of Vietnam.
- Si reflects on trauma resurfacing during war movies:
- “I'm watching a war movie and just bust out crying. … What is wrong with you?” (06:25, Si)
4. The Impact of Technology & Kids’ Mental Health (07:10–10:17)
- Si rails against cell phones and social media as kid-raising headaches.
- Dr. Emily agrees and amplifies:
- “Kids are not connected in their home to their parents because parents are distracted by their own or their jobs. … Isolation.” (08:29, Dr. Emily)
- Discussion on AI (like ChatGPT) becoming surrogate friends for kids, with real-life social skills suffering.
5. Parenting, Trauma, and the Nature/Nurture Debate (11:26–17:33)
- Emily’s expertise: trauma-informed parenting and marital counseling.
- Conversation about why twins—or siblings in general—can be so different, weaving in genetics and emerging concepts like epigenetics.
- “The more biology I learned … the more I realized, like, it's a huge mix of both.” (15:27, Dr. Emily)
- “Epigenetics…shows trauma and life experiences actually changes the way your DNA is expressed.” (16:05, Dr. Emily)
- The podcast crew jokes about their own parenting fails and unusual child behavior, reinforcing the universality of these challenges.
6. Setting Digital Boundaries at Home (19:26–21:24)
- Dr. Emily shares her personal and professional recommendations regarding phones and tablets:
- “The longer you can delay, the better. In my personal home, when Henry can drive, he will have a dumb cell phone.” (19:37, Dr. Emily)
- Strict controls and family agreements are encouraged, highlighting that responsible parenting is active, deliberate work.
7. Community, Isolation, and Why “Furries” Are a Symptom (23:45–25:32)
- The group discusses kids finding belonging in alternative communities, sometimes in response to social pain or trauma.
- “Kids are looking for connection… if I can find my people over here… that’s the draw.” (24:34, Dr. Emily)
8. Uncle Si on Sharing Love and Connection (25:48–26:59)
- Uncle Si shares his approach to connecting with kids at church:
- “I want you, if you're out there and you're hurting, I want you to know that, hey, somewhere there you can find help.” (27:14, Si)
- “I love you and I don't even know you. And Jesus loves you more than I do.” (26:23, Si)
9. Therapy, Marriage, and Relationship Advice (27:31–28:28)
- The team discusses the high volume of requests for relationship advice, often from listeners surprised to be getting it from a duck call shop.
- Dr. Emily notes the group’s candor is what invites connection: “Most people aren't going to be honest about what it is that they're thinking…you all are very candid with one another.” (28:28)
10. EMDR & Trauma Recovery (30:31–33:51)
- Dr. Emily introduces EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing):
- “EMDR uses something called bilateral stimulation … focusing on a difficult memory … and we work to reprocess it.” (32:08)
- “Children in foster care have just as much trauma as combat veterans.” (31:07, Dr. Emily)
- EMDR’s reach: Used with children as young as six, veterans, and anyone dealing with trauma or stress.
11. Stress, “Normal” Families, and Reality TV (34:02–35:17)
- The panel discusses how even “normal” upbringings have their own stress, including the unintended effects of reality TV.
- “Stress is stress… there can still be traumatic pieces to it.” (35:06, Dr. Emily)
12. Fight, Flight, Freeze…or Fawn? (41:47–43:12)
- Dr. Emily explains the four trauma responses:
- Fight, Flight, Freeze — and the newer “Fawn,” where people adapt to threats by trying to appease or befriend.
- “Fawn is where…‘how can I get you to love me instead of threaten me.’” (42:42, Dr. Emily)
- Practical examples reveal how kids find coping mechanisms in difficult environments.
13. Parental Vulnerability, Doing the Work & Therapy for All (43:56–45:06)
- Advice for parents:
- “You have to do your work… therapy is for everybody… If you don't do your own work, it's going to be really hard to connect with the kid that ticks you off…” (43:59, Dr. Emily)
- Reassurance to children that parents are human and often learning as they go (“We're all flawed.” – 45:36).
14. Practical Advice: Building Connection & Belonging (48:20–49:14)
- Dr. Emily’s family goal: “Number one, to raise followers of Christ, but also kids that know they always belong—at home, with us.” (48:52)
- Encourages intentional distraction-free connection as an antidote to emotional distance.
15. On Therapy’s Evolving Stigma (51:48–52:54)
- Candid appreciation that therapy is now normalized:
- “When I was growing up, when you heard of somebody go to therapy, that was almost shameful.” (52:11, Sai Angeli)
- “There doesn't have to be some huge problem—counseling can be a tool…to bring healing you didn’t even know you needed.” (52:54, Dr. Emily)
16. Faith-Based Counseling and Respecting Beliefs (54:34–55:34)
- Dr. Emily notes that quality counseling is respectful of faith and belief systems—a point especially valued by the faith-oriented audience.
Memorable Quotes
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On Trauma:
“Trauma gets stuck in your brain and in your body.” — Dr. Emily Jones (32:08)
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On EMDR Therapy:
“I walked out of the room after it was over and I was like, okay, that happened.” — Dr. Emily Jones (33:26)
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On Parenting:
"If you don’t do your own [therapeutic] work, it's going to be really hard to connect with the kid that ticks you off..." — Dr. Emily Jones (43:59)
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On Connection:
“Kids are looking for connection… that’s what everybody’s after.” — Dr. Emily Jones (24:34)
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On Technology and Kids:
“The longer you can delay [giving a kid a smartphone], the better.” — Dr. Emily Jones (19:37)
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On Belonging:
“You may not belong anywhere else in the world, but you will always belong home with us.” — Dr. Emily Jones (48:52)
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On Therapy Stigma:
“There doesn't have to be some huge crisis… but counseling can be a tool that the Lord uses in your life to bring healing…” — Dr. Emily Jones (52:54)
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On Faith and Creation:
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” — Psalm 139:14, read by Martin (56:19)
Notable Segments with Timestamps
- Why Dr. Emily is Here: 01:44–03:24
- Vietnam & Trauma: 04:39–07:01
- Tech, Kids, & Social Skills: 07:10–10:17
- Parenting Twins—Nature vs. Nurture: 11:53–17:33
- Setting Device Boundaries: 19:26–21:24
- Why Kids Seek Community Online/Furries: 23:45–25:32
- Uncle Si’s “I Love You” Speech: 25:48–26:59
- EMDR Explained: 30:31–33:51
- Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn: 41:47–43:12
- How Therapy Fits for All: 51:48–52:54
- Faith, Counseling, and Family: 54:34–55:34
- Closing Encouragement & Psalm 139: 56:11–56:49
Conclusion & Takeaways
- Connection over Correction: The group reiterates it’s critical for parents and adults to make intentional, ongoing efforts to connect with kids and each other.
- Therapy as Maintenance: Therapy is for everyone—whether facing a crisis or simply wanting to grow. Seeking help is wise and supported by faith, not a sign of weakness.
- Faith and Community: The episode honors how faith and intentional community form the bedrock of healing and resilience.
- You’re Not Alone: If you feel isolated, hurting, or just need to talk, reach out—“Life’s too short not to enjoy it.”
Final Words:
“You are fearfully and wonderfully made. His works are wonderful. So you’re wonderful. And if you don’t think that—you might need to go find somebody like Emily who’ll help you get there.” — Martin, (56:19)
For parents, families, and anyone seeking hope and humor in hard times, this episode is a resource and an invitation to seek connection, counseling, and community—delivered with the Duck Call Room’s signature warmth.
