Podcast
Mental State: Straight talk about all things mental health and more
Hosted by Mary Barbour, LMFT · EN
Welcome to a podcast all about real conversations on mental health. Each episode dives into the messy, meaningful, and often misunderstood world of emotional well-being—with expert insights, personal stories, and practical tools for everyday life.
Hosted by Mary Barbour, a therapist in Los Angeles, this show features guest interviews with therapists, healers, advocates, and everyday people navigating topics like anxiety, trauma, relationships, identity, burnout, and more. Whether you’re a mental health professional, someone in the thick of healing, or just curious about what makes us tick—you’re in the right place.
https://www.marybtherapy.com
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. This podcast is not providing health care or psychological therapy services and is not diagnosing or treating any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or registered professionals.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Exploring Toxic Relationships Part 2
Apr 100:25:08Tap to summarizeMary Barbour hosts Mental State with guest Gabrielle Tattersall, a love and relationship coach who shares how she broke decades of anxiety, self-sabotage, and toxic relationships. Gabrielle says she currently coaches women and describes her first major boundary: cutting off men quickly when she noticed inconsistency, game-playing, or disrespect. She explains that healing doesn’t stop toxic people from appearing, but helps you recognize misalignment, trust intuition, and choose peace over desperation. Gabrielle contrasts past relationships—exhausting, anxious, and performative—with her current partner’s calm consistency, acceptance, and support during hard times. They discuss generational messaging about women needing men and how increased awareness around mental health, narcissism, and gaslighting helps. For women stuck in cycles, Gabrielle advises seeking therapy or coaching and redirecting obsessive energy into self-focus through journaling, meditation, breathwork, organization, hobbies, and building a life they love. They also caution against obsessively consuming social media about toxic relationships and instead creating new neural pathways through inspiring interests. The episode teases a next installment with practical strategies, supportive networks, and steps to reclaim your life.
Transcribe →Exploring Toxic Relationships Part 1
Mar 2400:34:58Tap to summarizeBreaking Toxic Relationship Cycles: Gabrielle Tattersall on Anxiety, Self-Worth, and Healing on the Mental State podcast. Mental health expert Mary Barbour interviews love and relationship coach Gabrielle Tattersall about her journey from chronic anxiety, depression, self-sabotage, and toxic relationships to building self-worth and healthy love. Gabrielle describes feeling “lost” in her twenties, believing at 28 it was too late to change and hoping a “Prince Charming” would rescue her. She traces her low self-worth to age 11 after classmates criticized her appearance, leading to obsession with external validation, an eating disorder, and later a boob job. She recounts early relationship abandonment at 17 and repeated short, intense relationships marked by disrespect, ghosting, and anxious-avoidant dynamics. A turning point came after discovering a partner’s messages to a prostitute, prompting radical responsibility, therapy and CBT, and a commitment to daily healing, emotional regulation, and choosing secure partners. Find Gabrielle on all of her socials at @gabrielletattersall
Transcribe →Embracing the Holidays: Strategies for Surviving and Thriving
Nov 22, 202400:27:21Tap to summarizeHosts Adam and Mary, both therapists, provide advice on setting realistic expectations, managing reactions, and creating exit strategies during family gatherings, especially when facing challenging relatives. They also suggest embracing solitude with self-care practices and forming new traditions, such as Friendsgiving, if one is unable to be with family. Additionally, tips for those working through the holidays or feeling lonely are shared, emphasizing proactive mental health care and community connection. The episode aims to offer practical guidance to enjoy the holidays while maintaining mental well-being. DM or reach out for more info about working with us or media opportunities. Visit Mary at marybtherapy and @marybtherapy and Adam at adamboardmanmft.com and @adamboardmanmft Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. This podcast does not provide health care or psychological therapy services and does not diagnose or treat any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or registered professionals.
Transcribe →Book Report: The Mindful Athlete
Nov 19, 202400:31:32Tap to summarizeMary Barbour and Adam Boardman discuss George Mumford's book 'The Mindful Athlete,' which connects mindfulness techniques with peak sports performance and personal growth. Mumford, a mindfulness coach for elite athletes like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, shares how mindfulness can manage stress, improve focus, and unlock full potential in sports and life. Adam, specializing in athlete mental health, finds the book a valuable, accessible resource for athletes. Both hosts share personal experiences with mindfulness and its practical applications, highlighting the book's relevance to broader aspects of life beyond sports. They recommend the book for its insights into performance psychology and mindfulness. DM or reach out for more info about working with us or media opportunities. Visit Mary at marybtherapy and @marybtherapy and Adam at adamboardmanmft.com and @adamboardmanmft Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. This podcast does not provide health care or psychological therapy services and does not diagnose or treat any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or registered professionals.
Transcribe →Book Report: Emotionally Immature Parents
Aug 20, 202400:40:44Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Mental State podcast, hosts Mary and Adam discuss the book 'Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents' by Lindsay Gibson. They delve into the book's insights on how emotionally immature parents affect their children's adulthood, leading to feelings of anger, loneliness, and confusion. The conversation covers the book's structure, including the different types of emotionally immature parents and the importance of understanding one's true self. They also compare it to related resources and emphasize the crucial lessons of boundary-setting and self-discovery. Adam and Mary share personal impressions and clinical applications while recommending the book for clients and general readers interested in emotional healing and personal growth. DM or reach out for more info about working with us or media opportunities. Visit Mary at marybtherapy and @marybtherapy and Adam at adamboardmanmft.com and @adamboardmanmft Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. This podcast does not provide health care or psychological therapy services and does not diagnose or treat any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or registered professionals.
Transcribe →From Joy to Anxiety: Lessons from 'Inside Out 2'
Jul 9, 202400:32:49Tap to summarizeIn this podcast episode, hosts Mary Barbour and Adam Boardman discuss the movie Inside Out 2, the sequel to Inside Out which focuses on the emotions inside a teenager's brain. Riley, the protagonist from the first movie, now faces puberty and the introduction of new emotions like anxiety. The hosts appreciate how the movie visualizes complex emotional development and cognitive beliefs, emphasizing the transition from a binary self-concept to a more nuanced understanding of self. They highlight the portrayal of new emotions such as embarrassment, envy, and nostalgia, and discuss the rising anxiety levels in teenagers due to factors like technology and social media. The conversation transitions into using the movie as a tool for self-understanding and therapy, recognizing that unprocessed teenage emotions can manifest in adulthood. They conclude by recommending the movie to help understand and manage anxiety and insecurities, and hope for future installments to explore deeper emotional and somatic experiences. DM or reach out for more info about working with us or media opportunities. Mary --> marybtherapy and @marybtherapy Adam --> adamboardmanmft.com and @adamboardmanmft Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. This podcast does not provide health care or psychological therapy services and does not diagnose or treat any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or registered professionals.
Transcribe →Athlete Mental Health Part 2
Jun 27, 202400:33:43Tap to summarizeIn this podcast episode of 'Mental State,' hosts Mary Barbour and Adam Boardman discuss the mental health challenges athletes face when retiring or dealing with career-ending injuries. Adam, a former college track and field athlete, shares his personal experiences and insights into the difficulties of transitioning from a life centered around sports. They explore the identity loss, grief, and depression that athletes commonly experience, highlighting the importance of support systems and resources like AthleteSoul. The conversation emphasizes the need for community, career counseling, and maintaining physical activity to help athletes navigate this significant life change. DM or reach out for more info about working with us or media opportunities. Mary --> marybtherapy and @marybtherapy Adam --> adamboardmanmft.com and @adamboardmanmft Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. This podcast does not provide health care or psychological therapy services and does not diagnose or treat any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or registered professionals.
Transcribe →Athlete Mental Health
Jun 12, 202400:27:59Tap to summarizeToday we are discussing athlete mental health in anticipation of the Olympics coming up. DM or reach out for more info about working with us or media opportunities. Mary --> marybtherapy and @marybtherapy Adam --> adamboardmanmft.com and @adamboardmanmft Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. This podcast does not provide health care or psychological therapy services and does not diagnose or treat any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or registered professionals.
Transcribe →How To Find A Therapist
Apr 23, 202400:36:37Tap to summarizeToday Adam and I are discussing how to find a therapist that works for you. We talk about our own experiences of looking for a therapist and share our recommendations and tips on your own journey in searching for the right therapeutic fit. DM or reach out for more info about working with us or media opportunities. Mary --> marybtherapy and @marybtherapy Adam --> adamboardmanmft.com and @adamboardmanmft Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. This podcast does not provide health care or psychological therapy services and does not diagnose or treat any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or registered professionals.
Transcribe →Honesty as the Relationship Accelerator
Apr 14, 202400:49:18Tap to summarizeToday I've invited Adam Boardman, LMFT to come on the show to talk about dating, communication, and how honesty accelerates relationships. DM or reach out for more info about working with us or media opportunities. Mary --> marybtherapy and @marybtherapy Adam --> adamboardmanmft.com and @adamboardmanmft Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. This podcast does not provide health care or psychological therapy services and does not diagnose or treat any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or registered professionals.
Transcribe →