Mind If We Talk? (Bonus Episode: How We Grew Together – Looking Back At Season One)
Podcast: Mind If We Talk?
Host: BetterHelp (Special host: Srila Roy Green)
Date: September 8, 2025
Length: ~31 minutes
Overview
This bonus episode of “Mind If We Talk?” invites listeners on a reflective journey through season one, highlighting resonant themes like resilience, growth, compassion, and the shared humanity running through each guest’s story. Hosted by therapist Srila Roy Green, the episode revisits memorable moments and expert insights that deeply impacted both the show’s participants and its community. There's a special focus on practical lessons—celebrating small victories, accepting the nonlinear nature of healing, embracing the vulnerability of asking for help, and practicing self-compassion.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Celebrating Small Wins and Negativity Bias
[00:55–04:43]
- Theme: The critical importance of noticing and honoring day-to-day achievements to counteract the brain’s “negativity bias.”
- Jane Marie (Journalist, Episode 1):
- Shares how writing down her accomplishments and acknowledging positive feedback helps push back against imposter syndrome.
- Memorable quote:
“This person who's very good at their job said that I made the best 10 minutes of audio that he's ever heard. And I want to just, like, I try to remind myself that that stuff happens sometimes, you know?” – Jane Marie [02:30]
- Advocates for a “gratitude journal” or similar systems to intentionally track wins.
- Memorable quote:
“Keeping a record of the good stuff… instead of just dwelling on the bad feelings.” – Jane Marie [03:25]
2. Tiny Steps Toward Recovery
[05:03–10:08]
- David Archuleta (Singer/Songwriter, Episode 1):
- Describes the overwhelming spiral of “doomscrolling,” leading to lost motivation for even basic self-care.
- Shares his gradual process of recovery; at first, just brushing his teeth or going to the gym once a week was enough.
- Memorable quote:
“I would tell myself that... it's not about feeling like it. It's about just going… But, I'm staying in bed. And it's like, I don't know. Am I too weak that I let my feelings take over compared to these other gurus that are saying, you know, just go and do?” – David Archuleta [08:32]
- Emphasizes that healing can mean taking very small, imperfect steps forward—even when motivation wanes.
3. Healing Isn’t Linear & Permission to Grieve
[10:08–12:50]
- Theme: Grief and emotional recovery often unfold in unpredictable, non-linear ways.
- Misty Stinnett (Writer/Podcaster, Episode 2):
- Needed “permission to take up a lot of space in my grief,” acknowledging that recovery didn’t fit a timeline.
- On societal pressure to “move on” after loss and hiding pain to manage others’ comfort.
- Memorable quote:
“I remember feeling like I had to pretend that I was somehow making progress with my grief... as though I hadn’t gone in the bathroom at work between a meeting and silently sobbed and then touched up my makeup and gone back out…” – Misty Stinnett [11:03]
4. The Highway Metaphor for Life’s Detours
[12:50–15:55]
- Case Kenney (Writer/Podcaster, Episode 4):
- Compares life to a highway, where you can always find “an exit” for connection or change, even when stretches feel long or lonely.
- Memorable quote:
“You know that there’s always an exit eventually... it represents connection, represents change, represents something positive. So then it’s just my job... to put the windows down, turn the radio on, and just enjoy that stretch of highway the best that I can.” – Case Kenney [13:13]
- Emphasizes the power of framing: Experiencing alone time as “me time” rather than as isolation can boost positivity.
5. Turning Points After Life-Changing Diagnoses
[16:00–19:01]
- Reflection on Ryan Sickler’s Story (Episode 5):
- Discusses how big diagnoses can force a reassessment of priorities and promote mindful living.
- Srila Roy Green:
“Maybe that worked for a little while, maybe it's not working anymore... I can't go back in time, but I can move forward again... being cognizant of the things that you do have control over.” [16:44]
- Such moments can foster self-care and living with greater purposeful presence.
6. Asking for Help: Courage and Community
[19:01–26:39]
- Countering the Myth that Asking for Help is Weakness
- John Deloney (Podcaster/Author, Episode 3):
- Explores the stigma around seeking help, especially for men. Learned through therapy to redefine masculinity to include vulnerability and compassion.
- Memorable quote:
“I had a little girl who feels this and I don’t have the tools for it. Can you help me? Because my tools, I’m out... When I didn’t look at it as a moral failure... that has just been freeing.” – John Deloney [22:39]
- Cameron Oakes Rogers (Expert, Episode 7):
- Shares how practical, proactive offers of assistance (rather than vague “Let me know if you need anything”) can make a huge difference for new mothers.
- Memorable quote:
“I am coming to help you. So it's not even a question... I can come to your apartment and sit with your baby while you go sleep... Or I can come and cook, clean, do your laundry...” – Cameron Oakes Rogers [24:01]
- Highlights the importance of community, and that real help is about both presence and letting the recipient decide what’s actually supportive.
7. Self-Compassion vs. Self-Abandonment
[26:39–29:50]
- Theme: Treating yourself with patience and kindness, especially when faced with anxiety or shame.
- Sabrina Zohar (Dating Coach, Season Finale):
- Encourages reframing anxiety as a part of oneself to understand—not eradicate.
- Memorable quote:
“People ask me every day how do I get rid of anxiety? And it’s like, that’s like saying how do I get rid of a limb?... What I could do is I could learn to understand it, I can reparent it, I can show up differently... either you choose you or you self-abandon to be chosen.” – Sabrina Zohar [27:45]
- Discusses living authentically—welcoming approval from her genuine community and accepting that not everyone will embrace authenticity.
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- “Keeping a record of the good stuff… instead of just dwelling on the bad feelings.” – Jane Marie [03:25]
- “It’s not about feeling like it. It’s about just going… But, I’m staying in bed.” – David Archuleta [08:32]
- “I needed permission to take up space, permission to be messy, permission to speak freely around friends, permission to be angry.” – Misty Stinnett [11:09]
- “There’s always an exit eventually... it represents connection, represents change, represents something positive.” – Case Kenney [13:13]
- “When you get a life-altering diagnosis... it can force a person to reevaluate how they take care of themselves...” – Srila Roy Green [16:44]
- “When I didn’t look at it as a moral failure... that has just been freeing.” – John Deloney [22:39]
- “I am coming to help you. So it’s not even a question... I can cook, clean, do your laundry...” – Cameron Oakes Rogers [24:01]
- “Either you choose you or you self-abandon to be chosen.” – Sabrina Zohar [27:56]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- [00:00–02:20] – Srila Roy Green introduction, season recap, theme of small wins
- [02:20–04:43] – Jane Marie on imposter syndrome, gratitude journals
- [05:03–10:08] – David Archuleta on doomscrolling, self-care, and tiny forward steps
- [10:08–12:50] – Misty Stinnett on nonlinear grief and the need for permission
- [12:50–15:55] – Case Kenney’s “highway” metaphor for life and loneliness
- [16:00–19:01] – Discussion on life-changing diagnoses and self-care
- [19:01–23:01] – John Deloney on masculinity, therapy, and emotional modeling for children
- [23:01–26:39] – Cameron Oakes Rogers on postpartum support and receiving help practically
- [26:39–29:50] – Sabrina Zohar on self-compassion, anxiety, and authenticity
Final Thoughts
Srila Roy Green closes the episode by reiterating that healing is not about erasing difficulties or pain, but about integrating small victories, support, and self-compassion along the journey. Listeners are reminded that it’s normal for progress to be slow or nonlinear, and that reaching out for help—whether through therapy or community—is a profound strength.
For those considering therapy for the first time or returning after a break, a special one-week free trial is available through BetterHelp as a thank you to their community.
If you’re seeking relatable, practical mental health insights and a reminder that you don’t walk your path alone, this thoughtful season review is a perfect listen.